The Energon Pub

[o.supreme]

I have Hasbro TR Fort Max, but I really want to see up close the color contrast with Grand Max, and I believe the electronic sounds are different. one reviewer I watched didn't even cover that, and the other was somewhat ignorant. I don't expect everyone to know Japanese, heck I don't even know it aside form a few phrases, but I would want to learn and understand those phrases with the Grand Max toy.

The fact that Fortress Maximus has unique electronics/sounds is what endears it to me, even though I don't have it, plus its unique Headmaster being Animaiton accurate. I've been looking online for just the Fortress (head) component so I can have all the unique electronics and unique head, but no such luck. But I'd want to purchase Grand Max in full, because he is a unique character.

[fenrir72]

Greetings. I'm looking for a competent review of Legends Grand Maximus. I know it just came out, but the couple reviews I've seen on Youtube as of this writing are not that great. I know I may be asking a lot, but I really don't like when a toy reviewer says "I don't know what this is", or "I don't know what that's supposed to be..." I mean do a little research, or don't do it at all. Sorry just a little frustrated. I know in time probably some of the bigger more prominent reviewers will post their videos, but I was just curious. I intend to purchase this someday, its just I'm not sure when. $265 (is what I would pay after shipping from BBTS), is pretty steep, but its the least expensive price I can find at this time, and they seem to have plenty in stock.

No "Pretender" Grand. Legs(shins) can be split. Fortress' was glued shut. Different color scheme.The electronic sound are said to be different(same JP actor). The rest is the same as Fortress(maybe some mileage issues with the mold).

[Sabrblade]

I don't wish to be rude but isn't grand just a redco of takara fortress? Wouldn't a review of fortress aid you?

He might wanna see how the quality of Grand compares to Fortress.

One QC difference I know that exists for Grand is that, unlike Takara's version of Fortress, Grand's lower legs reportedly can open up like those of Hasbro's Fort Max.

[Evil Eye]

So yesterday LG-59 Blitzwing came in the post from Mandarake (after a £20 customs fee, screw you Parcelforce you greedy thieves). And it's safe to say he's brilliant.

Jet mode is great, no complaints here. Probably the best this mode has ever looked on ANY Blitzwing, official or third party. It actually looks like a jet rather than a vaguely triangular brick. I actually really like the turret underneath, gives me the idea that he can hose Autobots with cryonic blaster fire as he flies by.

Tank mode is possibly my favourite mode. It's so chunky and fun and cool looking and I love it to bits (not literally thank Primus!). The way the Headmaster rides in the turret is great, and the thrusters poking out the front almost work as big ol' flame cannons. Not at all real-world accurate, but still awesome.

Robot mode is slightly weaker than the other two modes, but only by a hair. His proportions are kinda awkward and I wish he had better posing power, but I still like it a lot. He has loads of 5mm ports, which is fun, and the way the arms form is inspired. Actually the transformation in general is great, surpisingly involved but very intuitive.

By far his best feature of course is the smol trunky boi he comes with. That little elephant, man. It's adorable.

Overall I really, really like him. Great figure and nice to have a version of the mold without stickers or QC issues.

Also, with the magic of Shapeways, spare Titanmasters and some rather dodgy brushwork (folks, don't try hand-brushing Tamiya paint, it won't end well) have a pair of alternate heads I made for him.

[ZeroWolf]

Those alternative heads are amazing. We need more things with crazy blitzwing.

[blackeyedprime]

Got my street fighter cross overs through, and whilst definitely not perfect and some odd choices (tho it might have been odder not having Optimus as a good guy, I'd have made him Sagat and have the deluxe packs a three figure set with a white hotrod Ryu to keep him in scale with Ken)
I'm liking them tho Ken/Hotrods knees are loose, so much so that he went from a standing walking position to a kneeling one and Megatron/Bison/Vega has the same issues that his feet paint can get scratched in transformation like LG Blitzwing (both him and Ryu have loose feet).
My K.O Evangelion MP convoy arrived so a very weird month of cross over figures so far.

[ExciKaiser]

After month of hesitation :

No regret at all.

[ZeroWolf]

He looks superb, black suits that mold to a tee

[Emerje]

TFSource finally got my Legends Blurr in! I honestly thought it would never arrive. I ordered it back in January with a January release and I've had to sit here and watch the date get pushed back every month since while other people's orders were being filled. Looks like mine came from their final batch because it's actually in stock now, but for $70 instead of the $45 I just paid. The price is higher than I would have liked, but for a nearly two year old figure and only a little more than I would have paid importing it myself at release I'm happy with it. Looking forward to it!

Emerje

[D-Maximal_Primal]

I've finally shipped my Greatshot, so the final Legends figure is on his way to me! Looking forward to him, he looks so amazing. And G2 Megs has been an absolute blast

[fenrir72]

I've finally shipped my Greatshot, so the final Legends figure is on his way to me! Looking forward to him, he looks so amazing. And G2 Megs has been an absolute blast

The purple does suit him. But his fusion canon is a bit too heavy, it won't align in tank mode. Ummmmm purple.........reminds me of taro/purple yams! Taro tank Megs?

With the "end" of the Legends line, figures such as these getting the extra bling gonna miss it so!

[D-Maximal_Primal]

I've finally shipped my Greatshot, so the final Legends figure is on his way to me! Looking forward to him, he looks so amazing. And G2 Megs has been an absolute blast

The purple does suit him. But his fusion canon is a bit too heavy, it won't align in tank mode. Ummmmm purple.........reminds me of taro/purple yams! Taro tank Megs?

With the "end" of the Legends line, figures such as these getting the extra bling gonna miss it so!

The cannon must be an issue with your copy, mine holds just fine, though I usually have the big part on his shoulder and the little seat part being hand held, and the tank mode holds as well as Blitzwing or the hasbro Megatron

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Gosh, Greatshot is amazing!!! The remolded details are so good, the colors awesome, and he is just so much fun. Really digging this one:

[Nemesis Destron]

I remember a while back news of Takara Advanced Nemesis Prime to be re-released soon. Is this just speculation...

[Jelze Bunnycat]

I remember a while back news of Takara Advanced Nemesis Prime to be re-released soon. Is this just speculation...

You mean this one:



He was re-released at Wonder Festival 2018... Winter, back in February. I believe LG-EX Black Convoy (the TR mold one) was also available there, leftover stock from the second production run I assume.

The current event is the Summer one. Wonder Festival is held twice a year, something that's not always made clear unfortunately.

[william-james88]

The pre-order is now live for the Takara Legends LG EX 2 pack of Repugnus and Grotusque. It is on Takaratomymall.jp, where this Takara release is exclusively sold. It could be that Hasbro Asia will also release it and thus it will be found on other online shops, but the only option right now is Takaratomymall and as with all exclusives, this is where the item will be at its lowest price (since this is the direct retailer). The price is ￥7,560 including taxes.

While this item can only be shipped to Japanese addresses, anyone can create an account on Takaratomymall and the item could be shipped to a forwarding service in Japan that can then forward it to you, like Tenso. Shipping within Japan would be free but taxes are unavoidable.

The preorder will be close September 10th 2018. Once again, these are the exact same as the Hasbro releases, with no extra Prime or Titan Master.

For those wondering how forwarding shipping is and what charges could be involved, here is a post from fellow Seibertronian Emerge, explaining how he handled it in the past with a Japanese forwarding service. This is of course just an option, as more opportunities to obtain these items are bound to happen (at a mark up of course).

Depending on where you go the fee isn't that bad since they're just forwarding a package rather than buying it for you like a proxy service. My e-Hobby Magna Convoy shipped through Tenso cost a grand total of 2,300 JPY to ship after a 570 JPY handling fee via registered air mail. My total was less than if I had bought it from HLJ and much lower figure and shipping combined than if I had bought it from a domestic seller (and I had it less than a week after release).

[Sabrblade]

For someone who still doesn't have either figure yet, but who still kinda wants the Special Edition Prime Master that comes with the Hasbro Repugnus, would it be wiser to go for this set or to go for Hasbro Repugnus and try to track down a Hasbro Grotusque?

[fenrir72]

The Hb Grotosque is readily available at Amazon. I got mine for $ 56.00 +++

The Headmaster for Grotosque (Scorponok) and Repugnus (Solus) is a great incentive. Unless Takara will be releasing them in a separate set like they did for the other Legends Hms.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

The Hb Grotosque is readily available at Amazon. I got mine for $ 56.00 +++

The Headmaster for Grotosque (Scorponok) and Repugnus (Solus) is a great incentive. Unless Takara will be releasing them in a separate set like they did for the other Legends Hms.

Maybe Scorponok as part of a Dakatsu BlackZarak set

[Emerje]

Emerge

Spellcheck strikes again!

Which route you choose depends on what you want out of the set. If you only want the Deluxe figures then it'll be cheaper to import, but if you also want the bonus Masters you're going to have to buy on the aftermarket for substantially more.

Plus with this being a Legends release there's a strong possibility of these turning up on domestic stores like Grand Maximus and Greatshot did. That could be the most reasonably priced and simplest option.

Emerje

[triKlops]

Bad Vs Evil by triKlops, on Flickr

[william-james88]

The Takara Tomy Transformers Legends line is not done yet. Oddly enough, this latest entry into the line is not of a generations mold, which has been the case for all Legends toys so far aside from the second one (Beast Convoy). Thanks to fellow Seibertronian Scotty P and Dengeki Hobby, we now know of the next Legends release, LG-EX Big Blue Convoy!

The site calls it a redeco of the Encore Big Convoy (so basically a redeco of the original Big Convoy). This deco is based on the "Phantom Blue Coloured Big Convoy" which was given as a prize item for children's magazines (TV magazine) for a limited time in 1990 when the show was broadcast. This is not that same toy redone, similarly to how the Unicron of light is based on a similar deco as the Lucky Draw Unicron but not exactly the same.

Still, it is a fun way for people to have a chance to own something they previously thought impossible. However, unlike the Encore Unicron fo Light, this Blue Big Convoy is a TTMall exclusive and will not be sold by any other retailer in Japan. Also, unlike encore Big Convoy, this toy will be released in Transformer Legends specification package.

Below you will find images of this new release along with an image of the original lucky draw item which was previously showcased at Takara's booth earlier this year.

Takara Tomy Mall Limited LG-EX Blue Big Convoy

Price: 8,000 yen (excluding tax)
Release date: Scheduled to be released late February 2019
Target age: 15 years old and over
Publisher: Takara Tomy

[jtanimator]

DANG that mammoth looks fine

[shajaki]

This might be the most outlandish news/reveal I've seen in years.

So... anyone upset that they preordered the Encore BC now that this has popped up?

[Flashwave]

What is this an homage of?