Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools
Saturday, October 13th, 2018 6:40PM CDT
Categories: Site Articles, Editorials, Top ListsPosted by: william-james88 Views: 58,960
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Every two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by me, your fellow editor. These are our opinions so what matters most is what you guys think of the topic or list, and I hope to see your own lists or comments on omissions and ranking. Let's have fun! All previous lists can be found here.
Top 5 Transformer Toys Japan Never Got (Molds and Retools)
Western fans whose purchases are predominantly Hasbro's standard Transformers toys sometimes feel like the grass is greener in Japan. And why wouldn't we? Just look at the exclusive molds, remolds and redecos Japan got in the Transformers Prime line and more recently in the Generations Combiner Wars and Robots in Disguise lines. Just to shove it in our face, they even re-released at retail the Tank Frenzy and Rumble molds for the cassette characters which Hasbro never released at retail (even though Hasbro designed it)(LINK). Plus there are all the Masterpiece Transformers we may never get and the list goes on.
But with all that going on, it is very easy to forget that Hasbro themselves have had dozens (hundreds?) of exclusives, many of which were just found at retail, and this list is to remind all Westerners (and Oceanians) that we sometimes get things Japan doesn't get (and might never ever get). Yes, many of those Hasbro exclusives are toys nobody wants (like Supreme Beast Machines Cheetor, Supreme Cybertron Starscream and quite a bit of the Titanium line) but we have some really good stuff too that quite a few Japanese fans had no choice but to import (now it's their turn to pay that shipping muahahaha). I will stick to just retail here (we will leave show exclusives for other lists), and in the next two weeks, I will try to mix it up with a wide array of exclusive molds, remolds and decos that both Japan or Takara (they can be mutually exclusive) didn't get. For now we start with tooling so either a new mold or a retool that Japan never got at retail.
5. Transformers Prime Beast Hunters Sharkticon Megatron
While not show accurate in the least, this is by far the best toy to come out of this design. I loved Prime Megatron's robot mode but the vehicle left a lot to be desired. There was that visible head syndrome, robot arms just hanging out in the back adding nothing to the vehicle mode, and I couldn’t quite get what the front was all about. Was it a head? Couldn't really make heads or tails of it (not quite as bad as Megatron's Animated Cyertronian design of course) and not something I cared to Transform this excellent robot mode into.
But man, talk about an overhaul with the Beast Hunters retool of Sharkticon Megatron. Many problems I had with the original vehicle mode design were fixed. No more visible head syndrome for starters but more than that, the ship looked like something. It had this incredible bio mechanical look to it, which reminded me a lot of HR Geiger, with a very prominent head and fins in the back. Those are the obvious bits of remolding but when actually taking a good long look at this toy you realize it's mostly new parts. The arms and legs and even head have all been changed to add detail contributing to the more underwater theme. The deco is pretty stellar too, reminding me of the colour palette in the Bioshock games. And he comes with the Tartarex Warp Sword which not only is a badass shark sword gun made for pure slaughter but also a very clever reference to the abyss from Greek mythology, Tartarus.
4. Transformers Beast Wars Transmetals 2 Ramulus
There are several Beast Wars Transmetals toys Japan did not get at first but some eventually found their way there in one way or another. This one never did. I will be honest, that pun of a name scores him some pretty high points but the toy is great overall as well. The Transmetals 2 line is known for inventive designs, premium deco and serious gems (with the notable exception of Cheetor) and Ramulus is all of that. Add to that the very original beast mode, that of a Nubian Ibex (wild goat from the Middle East), which I think is his better looking mode. I do like that as with many Beast Wars toys, the robot head takes inspiration from his beast mode, and he has these adorable horns (which are only beaten by that adorable little goat tail).
3. Transformers Prime Voyager Beast Hunters Predaking (Cyberverse upscale)
What, 2 Transformers Prime toys on this list?! Well what can I say, Transfomers Prime was the paragon of cartoon based toylines which has yet to be beaten, so you bet your ass it had some damn good toys. Japan got some excellent exclusives for that line (Ironhide, Jet Vehicon,
Breakdown ) but we got some too, like this awesome dude right here. He is beautiful, nice and lean, imposing with a terrific transformation, which I prefer to the far more expensive Ultimate Predaking. Despite being classified officially as a voyager, he's HUGE, which gives this toy incredible value. Plus he has a generous amount of paint apps and I love those translucent wings. This is the best Predaking toy from the Prime line.
2. Transformers Titans Return Sky Shadow (aka Black Shadow)
In the G1 era, Japan got Black Shadow, a toy that was never released by Hasbro (we got Thunderwing instead). But now it's payback time with Hasbro releasing the best rendition of that character through leader Sky Shadow, a toy that just oozes cool. Even for those who don't know the character, the design and colour scheme are undeniably stylish. He just looks intense and a Decepticon truly worthy of being in the highest ranks. The transformation was simple but clever and all modes look great. The chunkiness also reminds me of the Cybertron era, but with today's articulation - it's awesome! I like him even better than Overlord, a toy we have been waiting agse for, since this seems like an evolution in design (which I always like) rather than simply just doing G1 with articulation (which often ends up rather dull).
1. Practically all the best Beast Machine Toys
Japan skipped so many molds from Beast machines that the line might just as well been Hasbro exclusive (and it technically was until 2004 when a dozen molds showed up in Japan). Basically, Takara only released their version of the toys for show characters, and only 1 toy per character (the more show accurate one). So for instance, they only released the Tank Drone as their Tankor instead of the awesome Mega toy. They also missed out on all those incredible basic class toys of non show characters like Quickstrike, Longhorn, Night Viper and Scavenger, all toys that I would recommend anyone to have in their collection. And yes, many of these toys mentioned are better than the previous toys mentioned on the list, I just didn't want this list and the upcoming "Top 5 Beast Machines Toys" to be the same.
Transformers Beast Machines Tankor Gallery
Transformers Beast Machines Night Viper Gallery
Honourable Mentions:
Titanium The Fallen
He's here for two reasons. Firstly, it's possible that Titanium The Fallen might've been imported to Japan by Tomy Direct and I am not sure if that counts or not. Secondly, it's not as good as the other toys on this list. The idea though is that the Titanium line was Hasbro exclusive and Takara didn't release their version of it. I know, I know, good for them. They were able to avoid some of the worst toys ever made for the Transformers line, and I say this with no exaggeration. They were also able to avoid an Optimus Primal toy which didn't have a Beast Mode (well done on that one Hasbro). But they still missed out like with Fire Convoy and the Fallen. People forget, but this toyline got us our first figure for The Fallen (aka Megatronus, one of the Primes). And fun fact, this toy's design is taken from the IDW comics Stormbringer Megatron design, so that's one more Stormbringer design for fans to have in toy form.
Transformers Titanium Series The Fallen Gallery
G1 Octopunch/Bludgeon
It is very hard to judge G1 toys in fairness due to their iconic status. I love Bludgeon and collect his modern toys, but I would be hard pressed to say that the original holds up to everything else on this list. Pretenders are very love em or hate em in this community while I remain indifferent on the subject. I do love both Pretender designs. Of course, it would help to talk about it more if it was available for me to purchase at a decent price. I still find it very bewildering that of all the G1 toys not to be released in Japan, it is the one deliberately styled after a part of their culture and the first Transformer to bring in the Samurai motif. That has since been found across different characters. It's an aspect I like a lot since in the more modern era I find it fascinating how designers will use pieces of the alt mode to turn it into a samurai style armour, for example. And yes, Octopunch, the tentacle monster Transformer, also never made it to Japan.
Transformers G1 1989 Bludgeon Gallery
Transformers G1 1989 Octopunch Gallery
Top 5 Transformer Toys Japan Never Got (Molds and Retools)
Western fans whose purchases are predominantly Hasbro's standard Transformers toys sometimes feel like the grass is greener in Japan. And why wouldn't we? Just look at the exclusive molds, remolds and redecos Japan got in the Transformers Prime line and more recently in the Generations Combiner Wars and Robots in Disguise lines. Just to shove it in our face, they even re-released at retail the Tank Frenzy and Rumble molds for the cassette characters which Hasbro never released at retail (even though Hasbro designed it)(LINK). Plus there are all the Masterpiece Transformers we may never get and the list goes on.
But with all that going on, it is very easy to forget that Hasbro themselves have had dozens (hundreds?) of exclusives, many of which were just found at retail, and this list is to remind all Westerners (and Oceanians) that we sometimes get things Japan doesn't get (and might never ever get). Yes, many of those Hasbro exclusives are toys nobody wants (like Supreme Beast Machines Cheetor, Supreme Cybertron Starscream and quite a bit of the Titanium line) but we have some really good stuff too that quite a few Japanese fans had no choice but to import (now it's their turn to pay that shipping muahahaha). I will stick to just retail here (we will leave show exclusives for other lists), and in the next two weeks, I will try to mix it up with a wide array of exclusive molds, remolds and decos that both Japan or Takara (they can be mutually exclusive) didn't get. For now we start with tooling so either a new mold or a retool that Japan never got at retail.
5. Transformers Prime Beast Hunters Sharkticon Megatron
While not show accurate in the least, this is by far the best toy to come out of this design. I loved Prime Megatron's robot mode but the vehicle left a lot to be desired. There was that visible head syndrome, robot arms just hanging out in the back adding nothing to the vehicle mode, and I couldn’t quite get what the front was all about. Was it a head? Couldn't really make heads or tails of it (not quite as bad as Megatron's Animated Cyertronian design of course) and not something I cared to Transform this excellent robot mode into.
But man, talk about an overhaul with the Beast Hunters retool of Sharkticon Megatron. Many problems I had with the original vehicle mode design were fixed. No more visible head syndrome for starters but more than that, the ship looked like something. It had this incredible bio mechanical look to it, which reminded me a lot of HR Geiger, with a very prominent head and fins in the back. Those are the obvious bits of remolding but when actually taking a good long look at this toy you realize it's mostly new parts. The arms and legs and even head have all been changed to add detail contributing to the more underwater theme. The deco is pretty stellar too, reminding me of the colour palette in the Bioshock games. And he comes with the Tartarex Warp Sword which not only is a badass shark sword gun made for pure slaughter but also a very clever reference to the abyss from Greek mythology, Tartarus.
4. Transformers Beast Wars Transmetals 2 Ramulus
There are several Beast Wars Transmetals toys Japan did not get at first but some eventually found their way there in one way or another. This one never did. I will be honest, that pun of a name scores him some pretty high points but the toy is great overall as well. The Transmetals 2 line is known for inventive designs, premium deco and serious gems (with the notable exception of Cheetor) and Ramulus is all of that. Add to that the very original beast mode, that of a Nubian Ibex (wild goat from the Middle East), which I think is his better looking mode. I do like that as with many Beast Wars toys, the robot head takes inspiration from his beast mode, and he has these adorable horns (which are only beaten by that adorable little goat tail).
3. Transformers Prime Voyager Beast Hunters Predaking (Cyberverse upscale)
What, 2 Transformers Prime toys on this list?! Well what can I say, Transfomers Prime was the paragon of cartoon based toylines which has yet to be beaten, so you bet your ass it had some damn good toys. Japan got some excellent exclusives for that line (Ironhide, Jet Vehicon,
Breakdown ) but we got some too, like this awesome dude right here. He is beautiful, nice and lean, imposing with a terrific transformation, which I prefer to the far more expensive Ultimate Predaking. Despite being classified officially as a voyager, he's HUGE, which gives this toy incredible value. Plus he has a generous amount of paint apps and I love those translucent wings. This is the best Predaking toy from the Prime line.
2. Transformers Titans Return Sky Shadow (aka Black Shadow)
In the G1 era, Japan got Black Shadow, a toy that was never released by Hasbro (we got Thunderwing instead). But now it's payback time with Hasbro releasing the best rendition of that character through leader Sky Shadow, a toy that just oozes cool. Even for those who don't know the character, the design and colour scheme are undeniably stylish. He just looks intense and a Decepticon truly worthy of being in the highest ranks. The transformation was simple but clever and all modes look great. The chunkiness also reminds me of the Cybertron era, but with today's articulation - it's awesome! I like him even better than Overlord, a toy we have been waiting agse for, since this seems like an evolution in design (which I always like) rather than simply just doing G1 with articulation (which often ends up rather dull).
1. Practically all the best Beast Machine Toys
Japan skipped so many molds from Beast machines that the line might just as well been Hasbro exclusive (and it technically was until 2004 when a dozen molds showed up in Japan). Basically, Takara only released their version of the toys for show characters, and only 1 toy per character (the more show accurate one). So for instance, they only released the Tank Drone as their Tankor instead of the awesome Mega toy. They also missed out on all those incredible basic class toys of non show characters like Quickstrike, Longhorn, Night Viper and Scavenger, all toys that I would recommend anyone to have in their collection. And yes, many of these toys mentioned are better than the previous toys mentioned on the list, I just didn't want this list and the upcoming "Top 5 Beast Machines Toys" to be the same.
Transformers Beast Machines Tankor Gallery
Transformers Beast Machines Night Viper Gallery
Honourable Mentions:
Titanium The Fallen
He's here for two reasons. Firstly, it's possible that Titanium The Fallen might've been imported to Japan by Tomy Direct and I am not sure if that counts or not. Secondly, it's not as good as the other toys on this list. The idea though is that the Titanium line was Hasbro exclusive and Takara didn't release their version of it. I know, I know, good for them. They were able to avoid some of the worst toys ever made for the Transformers line, and I say this with no exaggeration. They were also able to avoid an Optimus Primal toy which didn't have a Beast Mode (well done on that one Hasbro). But they still missed out like with Fire Convoy and the Fallen. People forget, but this toyline got us our first figure for The Fallen (aka Megatronus, one of the Primes). And fun fact, this toy's design is taken from the IDW comics Stormbringer Megatron design, so that's one more Stormbringer design for fans to have in toy form.
Transformers Titanium Series The Fallen Gallery
G1 Octopunch/Bludgeon
It is very hard to judge G1 toys in fairness due to their iconic status. I love Bludgeon and collect his modern toys, but I would be hard pressed to say that the original holds up to everything else on this list. Pretenders are very love em or hate em in this community while I remain indifferent on the subject. I do love both Pretender designs. Of course, it would help to talk about it more if it was available for me to purchase at a decent price. I still find it very bewildering that of all the G1 toys not to be released in Japan, it is the one deliberately styled after a part of their culture and the first Transformer to bring in the Samurai motif. That has since been found across different characters. It's an aspect I like a lot since in the more modern era I find it fascinating how designers will use pieces of the alt mode to turn it into a samurai style armour, for example. And yes, Octopunch, the tentacle monster Transformer, also never made it to Japan.
Transformers G1 1989 Bludgeon Gallery
Transformers G1 1989 Octopunch Gallery
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Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989028)
Posted by no-one on October 13th, 2018 @ 7:16pm CDT
Posted by no-one on October 13th, 2018 @ 7:16pm CDT
I absolutely love Megasharktitron. It's batshit bananas and has a great deco. Those colors are so lovely and that soft velvety brown is to die for.
I do love me some absurd one-offs.
I do love me some absurd one-offs.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989038)
Posted by Wireless_Phantom on October 13th, 2018 @ 7:58pm CDT
Posted by Wireless_Phantom on October 13th, 2018 @ 7:58pm CDT
You know I'm pretty sure that most of Universe 1.0 didn't get released in Japan either, though I can see why most people wouldn't really care, personally as a connoisseur of weird repaints I love it! (and despise the price some of them go for nowadays. Seriously, 40$ for Reptillion?) 
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989039)
Posted by TK415 on October 13th, 2018 @ 7:59pm CDT
Posted by TK415 on October 13th, 2018 @ 7:59pm CDT
Great list! Thanks!
Who is riding the unicorn?
Who is riding the unicorn?
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989063)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on October 13th, 2018 @ 11:54pm CDT
Posted by -Kanrabat- on October 13th, 2018 @ 11:54pm CDT
Appart the Beast Machine snake and Unicorn, it feel pretty good to have every single toys mentioned on this list. Even the honorable mentions!
On all the toys of this list, my personal #1 would be the "voyager Cyberverse" Prime Predaking. He's one of the best transformers ever made PERIOD.
On all the toys of this list, my personal #1 would be the "voyager Cyberverse" Prime Predaking. He's one of the best transformers ever made PERIOD.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989073)
Posted by Bucky on October 14th, 2018 @ 1:37am CDT
Posted by Bucky on October 14th, 2018 @ 1:37am CDT
Another fantastic top five list. I think in concept this might be one of my favorites, because I spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about/lamenting all the stunning exclusives that Takara puts out, when I’m thinking about toys. It’s nice to take some time, and be thankful for some of the cool exclusives that we get from Hasbro. Keeping things in perspective is really important.
I still don’t understand why some people malign Sharkticon Megatron. He’s a great example of successful and creative retool. The wild color scheme really makes this figure pop. I remember picking him up from Target on a whim. I’m glad I did. I actually think he’s superior to the standard flat grey Megatron we got from Hasbro. I still wish we had gotten the flashier, show accurate silver Megs that Takara put out, but Sharkticon Megatron is refreshingly unique. Plus out of all the lame weaponizer gimmick weapons we got with Voyagers, Shark Megatron’s sword is weirdly cool, and my favorite one by far. I didn’t have to mod it like I did with Magnus’ and Dreadwing’s. Nor did I place it in a labeled ziplock bag, and store it in my “I don’t want to display this” drawers.
Ramulus has been very high on my WANT list for a while. Never had him as a kid (heh). The only reason why I don’t have one now is because I haven’t found one MISB for a price I’m willing to pay yet. I make it a point not to buy used Transmetals, unless it can’t be helped, because the vacuum paint has such a strong tendency to chip, flake, etc.
I picked up Ultimate Predaking maybe three years ago, for a great price. He’s a super cool figure. Very heavy, and imposing. I had no idea that the upscaled cyberverse toy was so comprable, or so huge. That is a massive voyager! If I didn’t have Ultimate Predaking, I’d pick up that voyager in a heart beat...
...I’m still kind of tempted.
The Overlord/Black Shadow mold is probably my favorite thing to come out of Titans Return, and it’s got some stiff competition, because I have a lot of love for that entire line. It’s a big reason why I’m looking forward to that Legends Dai Atlas next year. I just didn’t realize that he was a Hasbro exclusive.
I’m only mildly dipping a toe into the Beast Machines line. It’s just to pick up some of the variants of the Beast Wars molds that they reused. Never would have guessed that nearly the entire line was exclusive for the West. I guess in a way it does make sense? Hasbro put out the BM line, with a lot of reused molds from BW. Meanwhile Takara put out BW Neo and BW II with a lot of reused molds from BW.
Again, this is another fantastic list. I sincerely look forward to reading these every other Sunday morning.
I still don’t understand why some people malign Sharkticon Megatron. He’s a great example of successful and creative retool. The wild color scheme really makes this figure pop. I remember picking him up from Target on a whim. I’m glad I did. I actually think he’s superior to the standard flat grey Megatron we got from Hasbro. I still wish we had gotten the flashier, show accurate silver Megs that Takara put out, but Sharkticon Megatron is refreshingly unique. Plus out of all the lame weaponizer gimmick weapons we got with Voyagers, Shark Megatron’s sword is weirdly cool, and my favorite one by far. I didn’t have to mod it like I did with Magnus’ and Dreadwing’s. Nor did I place it in a labeled ziplock bag, and store it in my “I don’t want to display this” drawers.
Ramulus has been very high on my WANT list for a while. Never had him as a kid (heh). The only reason why I don’t have one now is because I haven’t found one MISB for a price I’m willing to pay yet. I make it a point not to buy used Transmetals, unless it can’t be helped, because the vacuum paint has such a strong tendency to chip, flake, etc.
I picked up Ultimate Predaking maybe three years ago, for a great price. He’s a super cool figure. Very heavy, and imposing. I had no idea that the upscaled cyberverse toy was so comprable, or so huge. That is a massive voyager! If I didn’t have Ultimate Predaking, I’d pick up that voyager in a heart beat...
...I’m still kind of tempted.
The Overlord/Black Shadow mold is probably my favorite thing to come out of Titans Return, and it’s got some stiff competition, because I have a lot of love for that entire line. It’s a big reason why I’m looking forward to that Legends Dai Atlas next year. I just didn’t realize that he was a Hasbro exclusive.
I’m only mildly dipping a toe into the Beast Machines line. It’s just to pick up some of the variants of the Beast Wars molds that they reused. Never would have guessed that nearly the entire line was exclusive for the West. I guess in a way it does make sense? Hasbro put out the BM line, with a lot of reused molds from BW. Meanwhile Takara put out BW Neo and BW II with a lot of reused molds from BW.
Again, this is another fantastic list. I sincerely look forward to reading these every other Sunday morning.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989074)
Posted by Carnivius_Prime on October 14th, 2018 @ 1:59am CDT
Posted by Carnivius_Prime on October 14th, 2018 @ 1:59am CDT
I thought that Titans Black Shadow was kinda crappy to be honest. Even when on sale in B&M for £15 rather than £50 (along with Sixshot and Overlord who are equally as dull). Didn't like it at all.
That Sharkticon Megatron looks decent. I wouldn't have it as a Megatron and I'm still not really sure what I'm looking at it in it's alt-mode but the bot and especially those colours look good.
That Sharkticon Megatron looks decent. I wouldn't have it as a Megatron and I'm still not really sure what I'm looking at it in it's alt-mode but the bot and especially those colours look good.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989076)
Posted by Crosscheck on October 14th, 2018 @ 2:00am CDT
Posted by Crosscheck on October 14th, 2018 @ 2:00am CDT
Sharkticon Megatron seems like an awesome basis for a Depth Charge custom. The overall looks just screams Depth Charge to me.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989094)
Posted by Rogue-Primal on October 14th, 2018 @ 8:00am CDT
Posted by Rogue-Primal on October 14th, 2018 @ 8:00am CDT
what about all the cool fox kids repaints of the beast wars, there's plenty of these recolors that japan never got 
i'd count those as toys japan never got, at least not without imports.
i'd count those as toys japan never got, at least not without imports.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989105)
Posted by Blitzwing is bae on October 14th, 2018 @ 10:33am CDT
Posted by Blitzwing is bae on October 14th, 2018 @ 10:33am CDT
I hav ethat orange and green guy that appears right before the honarable mentions section, can someone PLS tell me who he is?
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989111)
Posted by ZeroWolf on October 14th, 2018 @ 11:09am CDT
Posted by ZeroWolf on October 14th, 2018 @ 11:09am CDT
A great list will, I agree with every entry, especially predaking, the deluxe upscale were so-so but the Voyager upscales were all fantastic
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989118)
Posted by beastwarsbrah on October 14th, 2018 @ 11:25am CDT
BM scanveger. I used to have a lot of the bm basics. Longhorn was my favorite. Great list! I need that predaking
Posted by beastwarsbrah on October 14th, 2018 @ 11:25am CDT
Blitzwing is bae wrote:I hav ethat orange and green guy that appears right before the honarable mentions section, can someone PLS tell me who he is?
BM scanveger. I used to have a lot of the bm basics. Longhorn was my favorite. Great list! I need that predaking
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989128)
Posted by Flashwave on October 14th, 2018 @ 12:03pm CDT
I got that toy as part of the RID01 lineup and for n more than he is, its a fun little toy.
Posted by Flashwave on October 14th, 2018 @ 12:03pm CDT
beastwarsbrah wrote:Blitzwing is bae wrote:I hav ethat orange and green guy that appears right before the honarable mentions section, can someone PLS tell me who he is?
BM scanveger. I used to have a lot of the bm basics. Longhorn was my favorite. Great list! I need that predaking
I got that toy as part of the RID01 lineup and for n more than he is, its a fun little toy.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989135)
Posted by SG Roadbuster on October 14th, 2018 @ 1:04pm CDT
Posted by SG Roadbuster on October 14th, 2018 @ 1:04pm CDT
Predaking being in this list reminds me of how upset i am that Hardshell and Ironhide/Trailbreaker/Huffer never got a similar Commander-digivolve to-Voyager figure.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989160)
Posted by william-james88 on October 14th, 2018 @ 2:47pm CDT
Read the intro in the article when you can, you will see why the redecos were not mentioned yet.
By the way, which beast wars redecos do you like best?
Posted by william-james88 on October 14th, 2018 @ 2:47pm CDT
Rogue-Primal wrote:what about all the cool fox kids repaints of the beast wars, there's plenty of these recolors that japan never got
i'd count those as toys japan never got, at least not without imports.
Read the intro in the article when you can, you will see why the redecos were not mentioned yet.
By the way, which beast wars redecos do you like best?
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989163)
Posted by Cobotron on October 14th, 2018 @ 3:02pm CDT
Posted by Cobotron on October 14th, 2018 @ 3:02pm CDT
Cool list!
Fun surprise to see those old BM photos get used for something. How long have you been sitting on them, Will?
Those BM toys are still some of my favorite. I'm such a sucker for translucent TFs. These were so weird and wonderful, which is why I'm surprised they were never released by Takara.
That's Microman LED Powers Shining Tector Soloman, from Takara circa 2000
If you'd like more on these Microman toys dig around over here.
Fun surprise to see those old BM photos get used for something. How long have you been sitting on them, Will?
Those BM toys are still some of my favorite. I'm such a sucker for translucent TFs. These were so weird and wonderful, which is why I'm surprised they were never released by Takara.
TK415 wrote:Who is riding the unicorn?
That's Microman LED Powers Shining Tector Soloman, from Takara circa 2000
If you'd like more on these Microman toys dig around over here.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989167)
Posted by TK415 on October 14th, 2018 @ 3:24pm CDT
Those are great looking toys!
Thanks for the answer C.
Posted by TK415 on October 14th, 2018 @ 3:24pm CDT
Cobotron wrote:Cool list!
Fun surprise to see those old BM photos get used for something. How long have you been sitting on them, Will?
Those BM toys are still some of my favorite. I'm such a sucker for translucent TFs. These were so weird and wonderful, which is why I'm surprised they were never released by Takara.TK415 wrote:Who is riding the unicorn?
That's Microman LED Powers Shining Tector Soloman, from Takara circa 2000
If you'd like more on these Microman toys dig around over here.
Those are great looking toys!
Thanks for the answer C.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989194)
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on October 14th, 2018 @ 5:19pm CDT
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on October 14th, 2018 @ 5:19pm CDT
Cool list with an offbeat subject 
Even in the somewhat current lines, TakaraTomy skipped some retools and original molds. Those would include:
- Some T30 retools like Jhiaxus, Gears, Crosscut and Dreadwing
- PW retools CW Chop Shop, TR Rumble.
- All of RiD 2015 Combiner Force, for shame!
Even in the somewhat current lines, TakaraTomy skipped some retools and original molds. Those would include:
- Some T30 retools like Jhiaxus, Gears, Crosscut and Dreadwing
- PW retools CW Chop Shop, TR Rumble.
- All of RiD 2015 Combiner Force, for shame!
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989206)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on October 14th, 2018 @ 6:50pm CDT
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on October 14th, 2018 @ 6:50pm CDT
That Ramulus is on my list for sure one day, and wow, kinda strange it was Hasbro exclusive!
I agree that Japan missing out on Combiner force was a sad thing. It would have been really neat to see what Takara could have done with Ultra Bee and Menasor (Galvatornus was pretty good to start with). And no Blurr (Rescue bots represent!) or Soundwave had to be a blow.
I agree that Japan missing out on Combiner force was a sad thing. It would have been really neat to see what Takara could have done with Ultra Bee and Menasor (Galvatornus was pretty good to start with). And no Blurr (Rescue bots represent!) or Soundwave had to be a blow.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989230)
Posted by Bumblevivisector on October 14th, 2018 @ 10:43pm CDT
Posted by Bumblevivisector on October 14th, 2018 @ 10:43pm CDT
Black Shadow seems like a case where the other shoe may just not yet have dropped west of the Pacific. Considering Big Powered's on the horizon, Takara isn't done with new releases of TR molds; maybe they're waiting for a mold appropriate for Blue Bacchus?
And if Takara remolded him into Thunderwing next year, it would officially be the strangest mold reuse/distribution in TF history!
Should finally unbox my SharktiMegatron soon. I only recently opened that voyager Predaking, but he'll sadly be unarmed most of the time in my collection because his tail makes such a perfect sword for that second BotCon Flamewar as she squares off against the Autobot Combiner Hunters. I need to try highlighting the characters on it in dry-erase-red sometime...
Japan not getting Combiner Force hadn't occurred to me, maybe because of the TAV repaints I haven't caught up on yet. Shame, that. But the end result for Beast Machines toys was downright poetic. So many of the greatest toys Japan missed out on were indeed the ones not accurate that wrong-headed, waste of a cartoon. Mega Tankor looks great repainted into a member of the G2 Cybertronian army, further dissociating him from the shame. And Scavenger looks so much like those construction guys in issue #1 of G2 that he hardly needs any customization beyond the proper insignia to repurpose him! That's what I like about roughly half the Vehicon toys. I also bought Snarl to repurpose as Leonicus of the Covenant, and should check to see if he's succumbed to GPS yet.
The best lists are the ones that bring up some category that's not the most obvious to fandom at large. Maybe follow up with toys that North America takes for granted but Europe never got?
And if Takara remolded him into Thunderwing next year, it would officially be the strangest mold reuse/distribution in TF history!
Should finally unbox my SharktiMegatron soon. I only recently opened that voyager Predaking, but he'll sadly be unarmed most of the time in my collection because his tail makes such a perfect sword for that second BotCon Flamewar as she squares off against the Autobot Combiner Hunters. I need to try highlighting the characters on it in dry-erase-red sometime...
Japan not getting Combiner Force hadn't occurred to me, maybe because of the TAV repaints I haven't caught up on yet. Shame, that. But the end result for Beast Machines toys was downright poetic. So many of the greatest toys Japan missed out on were indeed the ones not accurate that wrong-headed, waste of a cartoon. Mega Tankor looks great repainted into a member of the G2 Cybertronian army, further dissociating him from the shame. And Scavenger looks so much like those construction guys in issue #1 of G2 that he hardly needs any customization beyond the proper insignia to repurpose him! That's what I like about roughly half the Vehicon toys. I also bought Snarl to repurpose as Leonicus of the Covenant, and should check to see if he's succumbed to GPS yet.
The best lists are the ones that bring up some category that's not the most obvious to fandom at large. Maybe follow up with toys that North America takes for granted but Europe never got?
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989231)
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on October 14th, 2018 @ 10:50pm CDT
That would take a little bit of research, as one can never tell how far a line will progress over there (I was surprised Titans Return made it to Wave 3/4, compared to Combiner Wars stuck on Wave 1). Plus, Europe has so-called "Grey Imports", overstock from overseas (usually Canada via the UK for some reason...) that usually consists of later waves that otherwise would never have been released there.
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on October 14th, 2018 @ 10:50pm CDT
Bumblevivisector wrote:The best lists are the ones that bring up some category that's not the most obvious to fandom at large. Maybe follow up with toys that North America takes for granted but Europe never got?
That would take a little bit of research, as one can never tell how far a line will progress over there (I was surprised Titans Return made it to Wave 3/4, compared to Combiner Wars stuck on Wave 1). Plus, Europe has so-called "Grey Imports", overstock from overseas (usually Canada via the UK for some reason...) that usually consists of later waves that otherwise would never have been released there.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989233)
Posted by Flashwave on October 14th, 2018 @ 11:56pm CDT
For me, it’s Tarantulas hands down. SOmething more unifying and spooky about that Grey and Chrome redec, followed by the Buzzsaw colors on TM Waspinator.
Posted by Flashwave on October 14th, 2018 @ 11:56pm CDT
william-james88 wrote:Rogue-Primal wrote:what about all the cool fox kids repaints of the beast wars, there's plenty of these recolors that japan never got
i'd count those as toys japan never got, at least not without imports.
Read the intro in the article when you can, you will see why the redecos were not mentioned yet.
By the way, which beast wars redecos do you like best?
For me, it’s Tarantulas hands down. SOmething more unifying and spooky about that Grey and Chrome redec, followed by the Buzzsaw colors on TM Waspinator.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989234)
Posted by bacem on October 15th, 2018 @ 1:06am CDT
Posted by bacem on October 15th, 2018 @ 1:06am CDT
wasn't that BM battle unicorn mold ended up got released on japan, named "magna stampede"? or was that repaint a US release too?
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989235)
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on October 15th, 2018 @ 1:11am CDT
Universe 2003, in a set with a BM Tank Drone redeco called Stockade, and two Mini-Cons, Prowl and Terradive.
While you have brought that up, that set was released as a "USA Edition", available from e-Hobby. So in a sense, the Battle Unicorn mold was available locally there.
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on October 15th, 2018 @ 1:11am CDT
bacem wrote:wasn't that BM battle unicorn mold ended up got released on japan, named "magna stampede"? or was that repaint a US release too?
Universe 2003, in a set with a BM Tank Drone redeco called Stockade, and two Mini-Cons, Prowl and Terradive.
While you have brought that up, that set was released as a "USA Edition", available from e-Hobby. So in a sense, the Battle Unicorn mold was available locally there.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989243)
Posted by homicide on October 15th, 2018 @ 2:46am CDT
Posted by homicide on October 15th, 2018 @ 2:46am CDT
I love the Sharkticon Megatron figure and one of the main reasons I love it that I never see get mentioned is that Megatron actually achieved this form in the Novel "Transformers: Retribution." I suppose I probably just read more than a lot of people & most weren't even aware of it, but yea in that book Megs acquires the "Sharkticon Matrix" & upon inserting it into his chest his physical appearance changes to this! Of course it doesn't last, but still awesome that it happened!
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989259)
Posted by Rogue-Primal on October 15th, 2018 @ 7:42am CDT
The Fox Kids redecos i had in mind is Transmetal Rattrap. I thought the red looked better than his blue torso, he's also my favorite character. Fox Kids Rhinox comes in as a close second, the gray and red work quite well.
http://www.tfu.info/2000/Maximal/FKTMRa ... attrap.htm
Posted by Rogue-Primal on October 15th, 2018 @ 7:42am CDT
william-james88 wrote:Rogue-Primal wrote:what about all the cool fox kids repaints of the beast wars, there's plenty of these recolors that japan never got
i'd count those as toys japan never got, at least not without imports.
Read the intro in the article when you can, you will see why the redecos were not mentioned yet.
By the way, which beast wars redecos do you like best?
The Fox Kids redecos i had in mind is Transmetal Rattrap. I thought the red looked better than his blue torso, he's also my favorite character. Fox Kids Rhinox comes in as a close second, the gray and red work quite well.
http://www.tfu.info/2000/Maximal/FKTMRa ... attrap.htm
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989260)
Posted by Emerje on October 15th, 2018 @ 7:43am CDT
Probably because they two countries are closely related. They have the same queen after all.
Emerje
Posted by Emerje on October 15th, 2018 @ 7:43am CDT
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:(usually Canada via the UK for some reason...)
Probably because they two countries are closely related. They have the same queen after all.
Emerje
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989284)
Posted by william-james88 on October 15th, 2018 @ 10:30am CDT
Yup,she is still on all my dimes,nickles, quarters, loonie and twonies and even my 20$ bill (the MAIN bill). And that is one of the main reasons I hope she outlives her son. Because if ever Prince charles is King, his face will adorn all my money and I wont know which side of my quarter is the moose
Thanks for the replies, I ask because I am at odds with the list that will be coming out in 2 weeks, which is this same list but decos and characters Japan never got rather than tooling they never got. One of my main entries was Primal Prime, because that's an obviously awesome Hasbro exclusive. But it turns out he did make it to Japan so I am mising one for that. The Fox kids redecos are interesting but I wonder if there is something more obvious I am not thinking of, where Japan got the mold but not in its best deco. T-Wrecks? Prime Dead-End? TR Quake?
That repaint was a US release too.
BUT, I had not chekced if that US release was also available in Japan in any way (like a USA edition). And it is. So, that mold did get to Japan without being imported. Good thing there wasnt a solo entry for him on this list. I will go and add another awesome basic figure to the list instead.
I felt confident posting this list now thanks to Big Powered's reveal since now that we know it is a retool of Black Shadow as opposed to Overlord, this tells me that this is how they are releasing Black Shadow's molding variation in Japan. Not saying it aint gonna happen that they release something closer to Black Shadow'smolding forever, but I cant keep postponing this list. I have had it since Combiner Wars, back when Takara was still making different releases from Hasbro.
Posted by william-james88 on October 15th, 2018 @ 10:30am CDT
Emerje wrote:JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:(usually Canada via the UK for some reason...)
Probably because they two countries are closely related. They have the same queen after all.
Emerje
Yup,she is still on all my dimes,nickles, quarters, loonie and twonies and even my 20$ bill (the MAIN bill). And that is one of the main reasons I hope she outlives her son. Because if ever Prince charles is King, his face will adorn all my money and I wont know which side of my quarter is the moose
Rogue-Primal wrote:william-james88 wrote:Rogue-Primal wrote:what about all the cool fox kids repaints of the beast wars, there's plenty of these recolors that japan never got
i'd count those as toys japan never got, at least not without imports.
Read the intro in the article when you can, you will see why the redecos were not mentioned yet.
By the way, which beast wars redecos do you like best?
The Fox Kids redecos i had in mind is Transmetal Rattrap. I thought the red looked better than his blue torso, he's also my favorite character. Fox Kids Rhinox comes in as a close second, the gray and red work quite well.
Thanks for the replies, I ask because I am at odds with the list that will be coming out in 2 weeks, which is this same list but decos and characters Japan never got rather than tooling they never got. One of my main entries was Primal Prime, because that's an obviously awesome Hasbro exclusive. But it turns out he did make it to Japan so I am mising one for that. The Fox kids redecos are interesting but I wonder if there is something more obvious I am not thinking of, where Japan got the mold but not in its best deco. T-Wrecks? Prime Dead-End? TR Quake?
bacem wrote:wasn't that BM battle unicorn mold ended up got released on japan, named "magna stampede"? or was that repaint a US release too?
That repaint was a US release too.
BUT, I had not chekced if that US release was also available in Japan in any way (like a USA edition). And it is. So, that mold did get to Japan without being imported. Good thing there wasnt a solo entry for him on this list. I will go and add another awesome basic figure to the list instead.
Bumblevivisector wrote:Black Shadow seems like a case where the other shoe may just not yet have dropped west of the Pacific. Considering Big Powered's on the horizon, Takara isn't done with new releases of TR molds; maybe they're waiting for a mold appropriate for Blue Bacchus?
I felt confident posting this list now thanks to Big Powered's reveal since now that we know it is a retool of Black Shadow as opposed to Overlord, this tells me that this is how they are releasing Black Shadow's molding variation in Japan. Not saying it aint gonna happen that they release something closer to Black Shadow'smolding forever, but I cant keep postponing this list. I have had it since Combiner Wars, back when Takara was still making different releases from Hasbro.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989290)
Posted by ZeroWolf on October 15th, 2018 @ 11:17am CDT
You don't have to hope she out lives him, just that she has enough sense to abdicate the throne and passes it straight to William.
Posted by ZeroWolf on October 15th, 2018 @ 11:17am CDT
william-james88 wrote:Emerje wrote:JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:(usually Canada via the UK for some reason...)
Probably because they two countries are closely related. They have the same queen after all.
Emerje
Yup,she is still on all my dimes,nickles, quarters, loonie and twonies and even my 20$ bill (the MAIN bill). And that is one of the main reasons I hope she outlives her son. Because if ever Prince charles is King, his face will adorn all my money and I wont know which side of my quarter is the mooseRogue-Primal wrote:william-james88 wrote:Rogue-Primal wrote:what about all the cool fox kids repaints of the beast wars, there's plenty of these recolors that japan never got
i'd count those as toys japan never got, at least not without imports.
Read the intro in the article when you can, you will see why the redecos were not mentioned yet.
By the way, which beast wars redecos do you like best?
The Fox Kids redecos i had in mind is Transmetal Rattrap. I thought the red looked better than his blue torso, he's also my favorite character. Fox Kids Rhinox comes in as a close second, the gray and red work quite well.
Thanks for the replies, I ask because I am at odds with the list that will be coming out in 2 weeks, which is this same list but decos and characters Japan never got rather than tooling they never got. One of my main entries was Primal Prime, because that's an obviously awesome Hasbro exclusive. But it turns out he did make it to Japan so I am mising one for that. The Fox kids redecos are interesting but I wonder if there is something more obvious I am not thinking of, where Japan got the mold but not in its best deco. T-Wrecks? Prime Dead-End? TR Quake?bacem wrote:wasn't that BM battle unicorn mold ended up got released on japan, named "magna stampede"? or was that repaint a US release too?
That repaint was a US release too.
BUT, I had not chekced if that US release was also available in Japan in any way (like a USA edition). And it is. So, that mold did get to Japan without being imported. Good thing there wasnt a solo entry for him on this list. I will go and add another awesome basic figure to the list instead.Bumblevivisector wrote:Black Shadow seems like a case where the other shoe may just not yet have dropped west of the Pacific. Considering Big Powered's on the horizon, Takara isn't done with new releases of TR molds; maybe they're waiting for a mold appropriate for Blue Bacchus?
I felt confident posting this list now thanks to Big Powered's reveal since now that we know it is a retool of Black Shadow as opposed to Overlord, this tells me that this is how they are releasing Black Shadow's molding variation in Japan. Not saying it aint gonna happen that they release something closer to Black Shadow'smolding forever, but I cant keep postponing this list. I have had it since Combiner Wars, back when Takara was still making different releases from Hasbro.
You don't have to hope she out lives him, just that she has enough sense to abdicate the throne and passes it straight to William.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989301)
Posted by william-james88 on October 15th, 2018 @ 2:21pm CDT
Oh man, the alt mode at least looks like something compared to the original.
Original
Transformers Prime: Robots In Disguise Megatron Gallery
Transformers Prime: Robots In Disguise Megatron Gallery
Transformers Prime: Robots In Disguise Megatron Gallery
Shakticon Retool
Also look at that unique faction symbol on the right, there was lots of effort with this release to make it as unique as possible.
Posted by william-james88 on October 15th, 2018 @ 2:21pm CDT
Carnivius_Prime wrote:That Sharkticon Megatron looks decent. I wouldn't have it as a Megatron and I'm still not really sure what I'm looking at it in it's alt-mode but the bot and especially those colours look good.
Oh man, the alt mode at least looks like something compared to the original.
Original
Transformers Prime: Robots In Disguise Megatron Gallery
Transformers Prime: Robots In Disguise Megatron Gallery
Transformers Prime: Robots In Disguise Megatron Gallery
Shakticon Retool
Also look at that unique faction symbol on the right, there was lots of effort with this release to make it as unique as possible.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989320)
Posted by noctorro on October 15th, 2018 @ 4:03pm CDT
Posted by noctorro on October 15th, 2018 @ 4:03pm CDT
Very cool list.
I can think of one other Transformer that didn't make it to Japan.
Energon Sharkticon
Very Gundam-ish like Mirage/Dreadwing Bulkhead and Landmine. Great robot mode transformers into a jetski destroyer boat submarine thing. He has a very cool gimmick and lots of cannons.
Anybody else got more non-Japan Transformers?
Did Transformers Armada have non-Japan exclusives?
I can think of one other Transformer that didn't make it to Japan.
Energon Sharkticon
Very Gundam-ish like Mirage/Dreadwing Bulkhead and Landmine. Great robot mode transformers into a jetski destroyer boat submarine thing. He has a very cool gimmick and lots of cannons.
Anybody else got more non-Japan Transformers?
Did Transformers Armada have non-Japan exclusives?
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989326)
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on October 15th, 2018 @ 4:37pm CDT
Normally he would count because he didn't get a proper Superlink release, however like the aforementioned Magna Stampede, he was released as a USA Edition by e-Hobby. At the time pretty much every Hasbro-only release would be imported in that manner, until Cybertron reduced them to a handful.
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on October 15th, 2018 @ 4:37pm CDT
noctorro wrote:Very cool list.
I can think of one other Transformer that didn't make it to Japan.
Energon Sharkticon
Very Gundam-ish like Mirage/Dreadwing Bulkhead and Landmine. Great robot mode transformers into a jetski destroyer boat submarine thing. He has a very cool gimmick and lots of cannons.
Anybody else got more non-Japan Transformers?
Did Transformers Armada have non-Japan exclusives?
Normally he would count because he didn't get a proper Superlink release, however like the aforementioned Magna Stampede, he was released as a USA Edition by e-Hobby. At the time pretty much every Hasbro-only release would be imported in that manner, until Cybertron reduced them to a handful.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989338)
Posted by Overcracker on October 15th, 2018 @ 5:52pm CDT
The mold did see a release in Japan as the Axalon under Transformers: United however.
Posted by Overcracker on October 15th, 2018 @ 5:52pm CDT
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:noctorro wrote:Very cool list.
I can think of one other Transformer that didn't make it to Japan.
Energon Sharkticon
Very Gundam-ish like Mirage/Dreadwing Bulkhead and Landmine. Great robot mode transformers into a jetski destroyer boat submarine thing. He has a very cool gimmick and lots of cannons.
Anybody else got more non-Japan Transformers?
Did Transformers Armada have non-Japan exclusives?
Normally he would count because he didn't get a proper Superlink release, however like the aforementioned Magna Stampede, he was released as a USA Edition by e-Hobby. At the time pretty much every Hasbro-only release would be imported in that manner, until Cybertron reduced them to a handful.
The mold did see a release in Japan as the Axalon under Transformers: United however.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989345)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on October 15th, 2018 @ 6:25pm CDT
I really love this version. So much that I sold the original, keeping Sharkticon and the 1st Ed Deluxe.
Posted by -Kanrabat- on October 15th, 2018 @ 6:25pm CDT
william-james88 wrote:Carnivius_Prime wrote:That Sharkticon Megatron looks decent. I wouldn't have it as a Megatron and I'm still not really sure what I'm looking at it in it's alt-mode but the bot and especially those colours look good.
Oh man, the alt mode at least looks like something compared to the original.
Original
Transformers Prime: Robots In Disguise Megatron Gallery
Retool:
Also look at that unique faction symbol on the right, there was lots of effort with this release to make it as unique as possible.
I really love this version. So much that I sold the original, keeping Sharkticon and the 1st Ed Deluxe.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989350)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on October 15th, 2018 @ 6:41pm CDT
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on October 15th, 2018 @ 6:41pm CDT
Hey, Animated Megatron's real Cybertronian mode, the one from the show, was just fine. The toy incarnation on the other hand... Yeah, that's a mess that the designer pulled out their arse. It's a trainwreck that was obviously designed by someone who didn't know Animated Megatron was based on Super Megatron and thus what to use as supplemental reference for his Cybertronian altmode.
Regarding Japan not getting Bludgeon and Octopunch... That's because Japanese kids evidently didn't take to the Pretender concept and toys the way American kids did. Takara was obviously expecting them to take a shine (what with making Metalhawk from whole cloth and giving Grand a pretender suit), but it didn't pan out that way. Just look at how none of the Wave 2 or later 1988 Pretenders saw a Takara release, the Wave 1 Pretenders were relegated to second or even third banana in Masterforce, the 1989 Pretender Classics were released as standalone figures without their shells, and the Mega Pretenders were retooled into the all-robotic Crossformers. It all paints a very clear picture that Pretenders were NOT the hit in Japan that they were over here. Their appeal was minor enough that the only new Pretenders kept as Pretenders for their Victory release were the Pretender Monster molds as the Dinoforce, and that still involved havint to tool new shells that would have more perceived appeal than the Hasbro "deformed monster" shells.
Regarding Japan not getting Bludgeon and Octopunch... That's because Japanese kids evidently didn't take to the Pretender concept and toys the way American kids did. Takara was obviously expecting them to take a shine (what with making Metalhawk from whole cloth and giving Grand a pretender suit), but it didn't pan out that way. Just look at how none of the Wave 2 or later 1988 Pretenders saw a Takara release, the Wave 1 Pretenders were relegated to second or even third banana in Masterforce, the 1989 Pretender Classics were released as standalone figures without their shells, and the Mega Pretenders were retooled into the all-robotic Crossformers. It all paints a very clear picture that Pretenders were NOT the hit in Japan that they were over here. Their appeal was minor enough that the only new Pretenders kept as Pretenders for their Victory release were the Pretender Monster molds as the Dinoforce, and that still involved havint to tool new shells that would have more perceived appeal than the Hasbro "deformed monster" shells.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989383)
Posted by Bumblevivisector on October 15th, 2018 @ 8:32pm CDT
And is there any TR mold, voyager or larger, that could make any sense as Blue Bacchus/Crossblades? Even after seeing Misfire's astounding retooling into Sonic Bomber, I'm still drawing a blank.
Posted by Bumblevivisector on October 15th, 2018 @ 8:32pm CDT
Oh, I wasn't being critical, just pointing out for posterity that it's the one example that could still realistically get a Takara release in the next 2 years or so; that's really how long you've been sitting on this list?william-james88 wrote:Bumblevivisector wrote:Black Shadow seems like a case where the other shoe may just not yet have dropped west of the Pacific. Considering Big Powered's on the horizon, Takara isn't done with new releases of TR molds; maybe they're waiting for a mold appropriate for Blue Bacchus?
I felt confident posting this list now thanks to Big Powered's reveal since now that we know it is a retool of Black Shadow as opposed to Overlord, this tells me that this is how they are releasing Black Shadow's molding variation in Japan. Not saying it aint gonna happen that they release something closer to Black Shadow'smolding forever, but I cant keep postponing this list. I have had it since Combiner Wars, back when Takara was still making different releases from Hasbro.
And is there any TR mold, voyager or larger, that could make any sense as Blue Bacchus/Crossblades? Even after seeing Misfire's astounding retooling into Sonic Bomber, I'm still drawing a blank.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989386)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on October 15th, 2018 @ 9:00pm CDT
Don't forget that Crossblade's copter mode is this abortion:
So retooling Broadside would make perfect sense. The "spaceship" would be the copter, while the aircraft carrier would be the inner bot's vehicle:
Dunno if the bot could retain the "clothed" details, but he should keep his very human face. Adding the side "towers" for the head's "helmet" in green, while the headmaster would retain the colors of the inner bot original.
If such a retool is ever done, I'd preorder this so badly!
Posted by -Kanrabat- on October 15th, 2018 @ 9:00pm CDT
Bumblevivisector wrote:And is there any TR mold, voyager or larger, that could make any sense as Blue Bacchus/Crossblades? Even after seeing Misfire's astounding retooling into Sonic Bomber, I'm still drawing a blank.
Don't forget that Crossblade's copter mode is this abortion:
So retooling Broadside would make perfect sense. The "spaceship" would be the copter, while the aircraft carrier would be the inner bot's vehicle:
Dunno if the bot could retain the "clothed" details, but he should keep his very human face. Adding the side "towers" for the head's "helmet" in green, while the headmaster would retain the colors of the inner bot original.
If such a retool is ever done, I'd preorder this so badly!
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989394)
Posted by Emerje on October 15th, 2018 @ 9:37pm CDT
Posted by Emerje on October 15th, 2018 @ 9:37pm CDT
Wouldn't you rather Blue Bacchus be a Leader to fit with Black Shadow, though?
Emerje
Emerje
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989399)
Posted by Bumblevivisector on October 15th, 2018 @ 10:06pm CDT
Ideally yes, but considering how much more badass Black Shadow has become to western Transfans, due to his Phase Sixer status arising partly from the mistranslated belief that he was the entire Space Mafia, his weapon-designer pal could get away with being a tad smaller...
...but yeah, it'd be nice to have them both the same size as the recent Great Shot.
Maybe Blue Bacchus could be yet another retool of Overlord, just to piss-off only-a-head TR Thunderwing even more?
Posted by Bumblevivisector on October 15th, 2018 @ 10:06pm CDT
Emerje wrote:Wouldn't you rather Blue Bacchus be a Leader to fit with Black Shadow, though?
Emerje
Ideally yes, but considering how much more badass Black Shadow has become to western Transfans, due to his Phase Sixer status arising partly from the mistranslated belief that he was the entire Space Mafia, his weapon-designer pal could get away with being a tad smaller...
...but yeah, it'd be nice to have them both the same size as the recent Great Shot.
Maybe Blue Bacchus could be yet another retool of Overlord, just to piss-off only-a-head TR Thunderwing even more?
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989409)
Posted by UltraMarginal on October 15th, 2018 @ 11:26pm CDT
Posted by UltraMarginal on October 15th, 2018 @ 11:26pm CDT
the Sharkticon Megatron actually featured in media.
A few years ago there was a series of 3 books published that detailed the journey of the Autobots and Decepticons from Cybertron to Earth post Fall of Cybertron, in the third book (Retribution) there was a period of time that Megatron was reformatted into the design that is sharkticon megatron.
A few years ago there was a series of 3 books published that detailed the journey of the Autobots and Decepticons from Cybertron to Earth post Fall of Cybertron, in the third book (Retribution) there was a period of time that Megatron was reformatted into the design that is sharkticon megatron.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989418)
Posted by Bucky on October 16th, 2018 @ 3:09am CDT
I think T-Wrecks would be a fine choice. I actually like Prime Dead End more than Wheeljack. He’s so unapologetically loud and vibrant. And the light piping for his huge open mouth is so unique to that figure. And those bright green swords? That mold wears those colors very, very well.
The Fox Kids redecos mostly all look great, with the exception of Rhinox. His beast mode looks fine, but the color scheme on that bot mode has never worked for me. But Tarantulas is the real winner out of those. The silver, black, and green deco is just so slick and striking. It’s gorgeous. They could have called him Double Agent or Elite Agent Tarantulas, and it would have worked perfectly
There has to be a fair number of decos to chose from from the various movie lines, right? Something from HftD or RotF must stand out somewhere, I don’t think Takara ever put out that yellow Rampage variant. Granted I think the screen accurate red looks superior, but the yellow still looks good. There must be a Ratchet that only Hasbro manufactured.
And the more I see of that Sharkticon Megatron, the more I appreciate him. I’ve packed up more than a few Prime/RiD toys out of disappointment with how poorly they look and fit in, or just because they never showed up on screen (Seriously the disparity between flat out awesome looking, well made figures, and zero effort given, bottom of the barrel scraping toys is startling). But I don’t think I’ll ever pack Shark Megs away. He looks to awesome.
Posted by Bucky on October 16th, 2018 @ 3:09am CDT
william-james88 wrote:The Fox kids redecos are interesting but I wonder if there is something more obvious I am not thinking of, where Japan got the mold but not in its best deco. T-Wrecks? Prime Dead-End? TR Quake?
I think T-Wrecks would be a fine choice. I actually like Prime Dead End more than Wheeljack. He’s so unapologetically loud and vibrant. And the light piping for his huge open mouth is so unique to that figure. And those bright green swords? That mold wears those colors very, very well.
The Fox Kids redecos mostly all look great, with the exception of Rhinox. His beast mode looks fine, but the color scheme on that bot mode has never worked for me. But Tarantulas is the real winner out of those. The silver, black, and green deco is just so slick and striking. It’s gorgeous. They could have called him Double Agent or Elite Agent Tarantulas, and it would have worked perfectly
There has to be a fair number of decos to chose from from the various movie lines, right? Something from HftD or RotF must stand out somewhere, I don’t think Takara ever put out that yellow Rampage variant. Granted I think the screen accurate red looks superior, but the yellow still looks good. There must be a Ratchet that only Hasbro manufactured.
And the more I see of that Sharkticon Megatron, the more I appreciate him. I’ve packed up more than a few Prime/RiD toys out of disappointment with how poorly they look and fit in, or just because they never showed up on screen (Seriously the disparity between flat out awesome looking, well made figures, and zero effort given, bottom of the barrel scraping toys is startling). But I don’t think I’ll ever pack Shark Megs away. He looks to awesome.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989430)
Posted by Rogue-Primal on October 16th, 2018 @ 7:44am CDT
I completely forgot about Fox Kids Tarantulas. He's one of the best ones out the whole lot.
Posted by Rogue-Primal on October 16th, 2018 @ 7:44am CDT
Bucky wrote:william-james88 wrote:The Fox kids redecos are interesting but I wonder if there is something more obvious I am not thinking of, where Japan got the mold but not in its best deco. T-Wrecks? Prime Dead-End? TR Quake?
I think T-Wrecks would be a fine choice. I actually like Prime Dead End more than Wheeljack. He’s so unapologetically loud and vibrant. And the light piping for his huge open mouth is so unique to that figure. And those bright green swords? That mold wears those colors very, very well.
The Fox Kids redecos mostly all look great, with the exception of Rhinox. His beast mode looks fine, but the color scheme on that bot mode has never worked for me. But Tarantulas is the real winner out of those. The silver, black, and green deco is just so slick and striking. It’s gorgeous. They could have called him Double Agent or Elite Agent Tarantulas, and it would have worked perfectly
I completely forgot about Fox Kids Tarantulas. He's one of the best ones out the whole lot.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989431)
Posted by Bucky on October 16th, 2018 @ 8:00am CDT
Posted by Bucky on October 16th, 2018 @ 8:00am CDT
He really is. I’d say he’s on par with his regular color scheme.
I don’t think any of the Fox Kids ones are bad on the whole. I just don’t care for TM Rhinox’s bot mode colors. But TM Waspinator in that yellow, gold, black and clear green plastic is stellar. I might actually prefer it over his red version. TM Airazor is great, but doesn’t actually differ from her original colors much at all. I like that having her pontoon/turrets brown actually makes them look more like guns, in her redeco. It might be the most tame of the Fox Kids decos.
I don’t think any of the Fox Kids ones are bad on the whole. I just don’t care for TM Rhinox’s bot mode colors. But TM Waspinator in that yellow, gold, black and clear green plastic is stellar. I might actually prefer it over his red version. TM Airazor is great, but doesn’t actually differ from her original colors much at all. I like that having her pontoon/turrets brown actually makes them look more like guns, in her redeco. It might be the most tame of the Fox Kids decos.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989434)
Posted by Cobotron on October 16th, 2018 @ 8:09am CDT
Posted by Cobotron on October 16th, 2018 @ 8:09am CDT
That FKTM Tarantulas is the only Tarantulas I've ever had in my collection. Sometime's I forget he's not the OG.
Also FKTM Rat Trap is the only BW Era Rat Trap I have. (Not counting T30)
Nice to know i have a few pieces that sets my hoard apart. Now to have a Japanese collector over to brag to.
Also FKTM Rat Trap is the only BW Era Rat Trap I have. (Not counting T30)
Nice to know i have a few pieces that sets my hoard apart. Now to have a Japanese collector over to brag to.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989438)
Posted by william-james88 on October 16th, 2018 @ 8:31am CDT
Posted by william-james88 on October 16th, 2018 @ 8:31am CDT
Well I guess that cements it, thanks guys! Now as for this particular list, are there any hasbro exclusive molds you feel particuarly glad you didnt have to import as you would a takara exclusive mold? I am pretty surprised that RID Soundwave and Blurr have turned out as Hasbro exclusives, they are fun molds.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989454)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on October 16th, 2018 @ 10:02am CDT
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on October 16th, 2018 @ 10:02am CDT
Well, I don't think RiD Bruticus ever got a Takara release, so there's that.
Hmm... Does G1 Jetfire count? Japan did get that mold from its original source, true, but they never got a Transformers release and most likely never will. The same goes for the other Takatoku-originating molds (Roadbuster, Whirl, the Deluxe Insecticons) except for Venom, whose Takatoku Beetras version never saw release. Granted, the Deluxe Insecticons are not exactly among the greats when it comes to their molds.
Hmm... Does G1 Jetfire count? Japan did get that mold from its original source, true, but they never got a Transformers release and most likely never will. The same goes for the other Takatoku-originating molds (Roadbuster, Whirl, the Deluxe Insecticons) except for Venom, whose Takatoku Beetras version never saw release. Granted, the Deluxe Insecticons are not exactly among the greats when it comes to their molds.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989457)
Posted by william-james88 on October 16th, 2018 @ 10:20am CDT
HOLY FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why did I not think of that. Sure, the Japanese got the toy so its not a new mold for this particular list, but this is perfect for the other list in two weeks. Might even dethrone who I had for number 1.
Also,fyi, RID Bruticus was released in Japan as a USA edition. It's release was actually pretty cool as it was part of the toycard initiative. You can read more about that here: https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Toy%27s_Dream_Project
Its the same way that Energon Sharkticon (in its hasbro colours) was released in Japan.
Posted by william-james88 on October 16th, 2018 @ 10:20am CDT
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:Well, I don't think RiD Bruticus ever got a Takara release, so there's that.
Hmm... Does G1 Jetfire count? Japan did get that mold from its original source, true, but they never got a Transformers release and most likely never will. The same goes for the other Takatoku-originating molds (Roadbuster, Whirl, the Deluxe Insecticons) except for Venom, whose Takatoku Beetras version never saw release. Granted, the Deluxe Insecticons are not exactly among the greats when it comes to their molds.
HOLY FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why did I not think of that. Sure, the Japanese got the toy so its not a new mold for this particular list, but this is perfect for the other list in two weeks. Might even dethrone who I had for number 1.
Also,fyi, RID Bruticus was released in Japan as a USA edition. It's release was actually pretty cool as it was part of the toycard initiative. You can read more about that here: https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Toy%27s_Dream_Project
Its the same way that Energon Sharkticon (in its hasbro colours) was released in Japan.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989459)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on October 16th, 2018 @ 10:44am CDT
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on October 16th, 2018 @ 10:44am CDT
Thanks for the clarification on Bruticus.
I think Sky Lynx deserves an honorable mention since Toybox's Tomy-developed "Shuttle Dinosaur" mold went unreleased until it was licensed by Hasbro, so Japan didn't get the mold until the Encore release
I think Sky Lynx deserves an honorable mention since Toybox's Tomy-developed "Shuttle Dinosaur" mold went unreleased until it was licensed by Hasbro, so Japan didn't get the mold until the Encore release
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989461)
Posted by william-james88 on October 16th, 2018 @ 11:03am CDT
I will leave those be since its not just sky lynx ut Omega Supreme as well. So its not an exeption anymore.
Posted by william-james88 on October 16th, 2018 @ 11:03am CDT
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:Thanks for the clarification on Bruticus.
I think Sky Lynx deserves an honorable mention since Toybox's Tomy-developed "Shuttle Dinosaur" mold went unreleased until it was licensed by Hasbro, so Japan didn't get the mold until the Encore release
I will leave those be since its not just sky lynx ut Omega Supreme as well. So its not an exeption anymore.
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989467)
Posted by Seibertron on October 16th, 2018 @ 12:16pm CDT
Posted by Seibertron on October 16th, 2018 @ 12:16pm CDT
Didn't have a chance to read all of the answers ... but I wanted to suggest the Decepticon Micromasters, something Takara sadly neglected.
They also didn't get the 1993 and 1994 G2 figures like the large G2 tank Megatron, the G2 Constructicons, Aerialbots, the Seekers, Autobots Cars, etc. They also didn't get most of the G2 Gobots (they only got Soundwave, Optimus Prime and Megatron.
Hm. And now I realized this was for molds and retools. Takara also never got Omega Supreme and Sky Lynx until their Encore versions about 10 years ago.
They didn't get any Action Masters (except for Optimus Prime as part of the New Year Convoy set).
They also didn't get the 1993 and 1994 G2 figures like the large G2 tank Megatron, the G2 Constructicons, Aerialbots, the Seekers, Autobots Cars, etc. They also didn't get most of the G2 Gobots (they only got Soundwave, Optimus Prime and Megatron.
Hm. And now I realized this was for molds and retools. Takara also never got Omega Supreme and Sky Lynx until their Encore versions about 10 years ago.
They didn't get any Action Masters (except for Optimus Prime as part of the New Year Convoy set).
Re: Top 5 Best Transformers Toys Japan Never Got: Molds and Retools (1989484)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on October 16th, 2018 @ 4:19pm CDT
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on October 16th, 2018 @ 4:19pm CDT
I mentioned Sky Lynx. Omega Supreme, Japanese buyers did at least have access to the original Mechabot-1.
On the retool front, correct me id I'm wrong but I don't believe Takara ever got G2 Silverbolt. Or a lot of the unique G2 accessories like the new launchers for the Seekers and Autobot Cars, Inferno's water cannon, Optimus' air conditioner soundbox, the Seekers' tank soundbox...
Back to new molds, I know they got the Laser Prime mold, but what about the other Laser Rods?
On the retool front, correct me id I'm wrong but I don't believe Takara ever got G2 Silverbolt. Or a lot of the unique G2 accessories like the new launchers for the Seekers and Autobot Cars, Inferno's water cannon, Optimus' air conditioner soundbox, the Seekers' tank soundbox...
Back to new molds, I know they got the Laser Prime mold, but what about the other Laser Rods?
