The Energon Pub

[Blurrz]

Looks like the Transformers Animated toy line will finally be hitting Japanese shores. Takara will finally take Animated under it's wing, reported by famitoy blog.

Item Name • Retail Price • Release Date
Single Pack
TFA-01 Optimus Prime • 3600yen • March 2010
TFA-02 Bumblebee • 2300yen • March 2010
TFA-03 Bulkhead • 3600yen • March 2010
TFA-04 Ratchet • 2300yen • March 2010
TFA-05 Prowl • 2300yen • March 2010
TFA-06 Megatron • 3600yen • March 2010
TFA-07 Starscream • 3600yen • March 2010
TFA-08 Lockdown • 2300yen • March 2010
TFA-09 Blackarachnia • 2300yen • March 2010
TFA-10 Cliffjumper • 1200yen • March 2010
TFA-11 Dirge • 1200yen • March 2010
TFA-12 Arcee • 2300yen • April 2010
TFA-13 Blitzwing • 3600yen • March 2010
TFA-14 Shockwave • 3600yen • April 2010
TFA-15 Lugnut • 3600yen • April 2010
TFA-16 Soundwave • 2300yen • April 2010

VS Twinpack
Optimus Prime VS Megatron • 6800yen • March 2010
Bumblebee VS Starscream • 4500yen • March 2010
Ratchet VS Lockdown • 4500yen • March 2010
Bulkhead VS Soundwave • 5600yen • March 2010
Prowl VS Blitzwing • 5600yen • April 2010

*Subject to change without prior notice.

While this may seem to be nothing new for us Transformers fans in North America and Europe, Takara always has something up their sleeves when it comes to their figures. The paint jobs may be different than Hasbro's, and the two-packs can be an interesting alternative for Animated collectors. All in all, it means that with Takara's release of Animated, and Hasbro's Animated return this spring in 2010, there's something to collect for everyone!

Keep it at Seibertron.com for the fastest Transformers news on the net!

[Irken17]

I hope now they'll have show accurate paint jobs

[Starscream]

HOLY CRAP THIS IS HUGE NEWS!!!!!!

[Delicon]

I hope now they'll have show accurate paint jobs

There are a couple that aren't perfect but Animated actually has some of the most show accurate toys in Transformers history.

[GreenLantern of Cybertron]

Cant wait for Show Accurate Starscream

Edit: oh and Ultra Magnus too, glad I didn't buy the US versions (assuming they are different)

Edit: and the other seeker repaints! (possibly the female one too if Takara is awesome enough for a remold)

[guardianprime]

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WOOOOOW

i cant beleive that i only JUST realized that the aimated line hasnt been out in japan.

0____0

cant wait to see what the differences are like!!

[DrWheeljack]

Hmmm lets consider the possible outcomes of the Takara Animated line; show accurate toys, chrome, and appropriate two packs are a great idea.

Wonder if they will contribute any new toys? Omega Supreme would be much appreciated!

What i hope doesn't happen is they make a spin-off series. like when we gave G1 and Beast Wars to Japan.

[Diem]

OH MY GOD. I have been paying double cost to get Animated figures here in Japan (you don't want to know what I paid for Samurai Prowl) because there was no indication at all that it would come out here. I know it's partly my own fault, but this is so ANNOYING!

(Sorry I'm stuck in rant mode but I'm having a really bad week.)

Anyway, we'd better get some damn fine exclusives to make up for the delay. Maybe some Galaxy Force type DVD exclusives. At least we're getting Arcee at general retail.

[Jenus]

Are my eyes deceiving me? Does that say Dirge and Cliffjumper?

Hopefully they give dirge a cone head then someone repaints the mold into Ramjet and Thrust. We need more complete seeker sets! As for Cliffjumper I really wish they'd use the new Bumblebee mold coming out next year and not that first mold, unless someone does something with those ridiculous feet.

[Diem]

What i hope doesn't happen is they make a spin-off series. like when we gave G1 and Beast Wars to Japan.

Why the hell not? Headmasters and Masterforce were fantastic and the extra Beast series gave us awesome characters and toys.

Oh, and also, America "gave" G1 and Beast Wars to Japan did they? How generous! After America made those entirely by themselves, it was good of them to share.

Normal Diem will resume tomorrow. I'm too pissed off today.

@Jenus: Judging by the price, Dirge and Cliffjumper will both be Activators like in the Western release.

[Mach]

Cool down Diem, Haha...
In the journey of collection, we need to make decisions here and there.... I made some wrong decision by paying exorbitant prices for some figures, and cheaper version came out later...
Gain some lose some.... Thats the way it is...

[Mechastrike]

it's kinda strange seeing the Anger Archer in a group of Decepticons.

no comment on the Japanese version of the toys though. they'll probably add more chrome in there plus cool paint jobs.

[Diem]

Cool down Diem, Haha...
In the journey of collection, we need to make decisions here and there.... I made some wrong decision by paying exorbitant prices for some figures, and cheaper version came out later...
Gain some lose some.... Thats the way it is...

You're right RD. There's a lot of other stuff on my mind right now, and this little piece of news pushed me over. Still, I do need to cool down.

Sorry for having a crack at you, Dr. Wheeljack. I still disagree with you, but I shouldn't have done so so nastily.

[It Is Him]

So much for my plan to get ALL the Animated toys.

[It Is Him]

Hate to double post but...

Maybe we'll see a Voyager Ramjet!

[Jetstorm92210]

Hmmm...you just wait and this is becoming part of the Japanese G1 continuity or Micron Trylogy (I doubt it but, YOU JUST WAIT),
I can not tell how happy I feel of TFA finally going to be released in Japan, I will get my WreckGar, Shockwave, Ultra Magnus and maybe some seekers at last (the same goes to Arcee because international distribution sucks beyond belief, in Mexico we only have ROFT Wave 1 for both Deluxe and Voyager, though Scout is as advanced as US ).

[Editor]

While this doesn't really affect me as I have most of the Animated figures I want already...

This is very interesting. I can't wait to see how takara does with the line and how it will do at Japanese retail.

[Razorclaw0000]

Interesting.

So is this an exclusive/limited run like Beast Wars Returns?

The prices seem steeper than usual. I'll be curious to see photos for decos. Hopefully there's not too much different and I can a la carte the line like Henkei (just have Grimlock, Astrotrain, and Cyclonus, besides exclusives, but I do want Hound and Megatron yet).

[Diem]

Interesting.

So is this an exclusive/limited run like Beast Wars Returns?

The prices seem steeper than usual. I'll be curious to see photos for decos. Hopefully there's not too much different and I can a la carte the line like Henkei (just have Grimlock, Astrotrain, and Cyclonus, besides exclusives, but I do want Hound and Megatron yet).

The recommended retail price for these is the same as for Henkei or ROTF. Most stores sell for cheaper than RRP, it's only the department stores and tourist traps that charge full price. The retail price for deluxes is 2300 but most stores sell for around 1900, for instance.

[Powersa]

The TFA toys have TOMY stamps on them so maybe this wa planned from the beginning. Still WTF moment though, kinda shocking.

[Heckfire]

This is AWESOME news for TFA fans like myself for two reasons: first off, Takara is known for tweaking their releases a bit, typically in the name of show-accuracy, so we could see some cool revisions of the toys (plus, considering all the QC issues in the original line, we might see some improvements?).

The second reason? What happened when the G1 cartoon series was released in Japan? Headmasters, Masterforce, and other continuations. Beast Wars? BWII, Neo, and Robot Masters. Are you starting to catch my meaning here..? YES, I have gone on record several times to complain about the continuations, but, let's face it, any new TFA is better than simply letting the Bayformers rule the franchise, plus we'll probably get some awesome new TFA style toys out of it as well, maybe including ACTUAL Sari and human super-villains figures!

[Screamfleet]

it'll be interesting to see takara's take on some of the characters. A majority of them, I'm sure will be very much the same.
If they go on and make toys for characters that didn't get toys(constructicons, omega surpreme)...well that would be great!

[freaky777]

AWESOME!!! Now I can get TFA Shockwave(which I missed) and upcoming Arcee with a peace of mind.

[Heckfire]

AWESOME!!! Now I can get TFA Shockwave(which I missed) and upcoming Arcee with a peace of mind.

...that sounds like a bad lemon waiting to happen.

[Sabrblade]

Yes! Finally! I've been dying to see Japan's take on the Animated toys and story. While I'm saddedned to see the names "Optimus Prime" and "Bumblebee" being used over "Convoy" and "Bumble", this is still awesome. I wonder what they're gonna call the series.

But what I'm really anxious to see the new Japanese theme song! Every series has had one, so this should get one too.