Prowl an Shockwave are redecos, Shadow Panther comes with different accessories from Cheetor (including a mutant mask) and Cordon is a slight retool of Sunstreaker.
As we know already, this Prowl figure will also be released simultaneously in the US and an interview between Seibertron and Hasbro confirmed that this will happen more frequently from here on out. Due to the brand unification going both ways, Hasbro will now be importing Takara Masterpiece figures themselves and selling them through specialty retailers (like Entertainment Earth, BBTS, ect) with a wraparound cover for English words. We have transcribed the interview for you below, you will find it after the images of the Masterpiece figure display.
Ryan (interviewer) – Speaking of Masterpiece, Takara Tomy is releasing Beast Wars Megatron – is that coming from you guys or not?
Ben (Transformers Brand Manager) – It’s a partnership we have with Takara now, so Hasbro are now importing the Takara Masterpiece items stateside. You will see a box that will go around the Takara Tomy original packaging, like a slip sleeve sort of thing, that will bring our brands together. It will be the exact release you would’ve expected in Japan, at the same time you would’ve gotten it in Japan.
Ryan – Is it a product you worked on together?
Ben – There’s definitely more collaboration going on, not to the level of Movie Masterpiece, but in general you see the unification of our brands, product lines, the Masterpiece line that Takara is creating is our next step in working together.
