Transformers United Grapple's Orange Head Revealed- More Collecting Choices

Thursday, October 21st, 2010 6:35AM CDT

Category: Toy News
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So which will it be cartoon accurate, or Generation 1 Marvel comic book and HASBRO toy accurate? Both or domestic due to price?

This is the choice that faces collectors of the HASBRO Generations line, and the Takara Tomy United line.

Yesterday, we shared that TT United Drift will be a bit whiter than the HASBRO version, and have a few more paint details on it. Difference will probably be negligible for most collectors on that piece, perhaps an easy pass.

However, the next United difference reveal may not be such an easy choice. Thanks to the website Amiami's order page, we now see that TT United Grapple has been shown to have a few differences from the HASBRO version. The main differences being a hook with chrome-ness to it versus HASBRO's orange hook, and United's version having a G1 cartoon accurate orange/yellow head (for many G1 episodes anyway)!

Just like with other earlier Henkei releases, collectors had to make choices most involved with chrome apps (like Prowl), but many also involved paint apps like Ratchet, and Red Alert.

United Grapple Alt

United Grapple Robot

Generations Solar Storm Grapple Alt

Generations Solar Storm Grapple Robot

Another choice for collectors. Is the cartoon accurate head enough for you to make this purchase? Do you prefer the HASBRO Generation 1 toy accurated head? Discuss you choice, or compromise below! What else can we look forward to with TT's United line? Hang on with us, and we'll share as we find out!

Credit(s): Counterpunch, Neurie, Amiami

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Re: Transformers United Grapple's Orange Head Revealed- More Collecting Choices (1138150)
Posted by GuyIncognito on October 21st, 2010 @ 6:59am CDT

I want the black head with the chrome detailing! :sad:

Re: Transformers United Grapple's Orange Head Revealed- More Collecting Choices (1138151)
Posted by jungletron on October 21st, 2010 @ 7:02am CDT

earlier photos of united grapple showed him with a black head, then i complained in that thread:

nemesis_saber wrote:wtf? i was expecting united grapple's head to be orange/yellow like in the cartoon. tsk tsk.

and now we have this :-?

somebody in takaratomy must have been reading these posts. that's nice

Re: Transformers United Grapple's Orange Head Revealed- More Collecting Choices (1138161)
Posted by Carnivius_Prime on October 21st, 2010 @ 7:40am CDT

Never understood the 'cartoon accuracy' on stuff like this when in a lot of the cases the toys looked much better (ok I'm not including the Ratchet and Ironhide, almost typed Clank there, toys though I never cared for their cartoon selves either) and the cartoon was notorious for errors. The black head looks a lot better but this figure overall looks very poor anyways. That original G1 toy looks far better, if only it were more articulated.

Re: Transformers United Grapple's Orange Head Revealed- More Collecting Choices (1138171)
Posted by Flux Convoy on October 21st, 2010 @ 8:10am CDT

Unsure where I stand on this. I may end up getting both and doing a headswap.

Re: Transformers United Grapple's Orange Head Revealed- More Collecting Choices (1138175)
Posted by Solrac333 on October 21st, 2010 @ 8:18am CDT

If only the figure actually looked like the PHOTOSHOPPED Hasbro pics, then Hasbdo would win. I really wish they would stop doing that.

Re: Transformers United Grapple's Orange Head Revealed- More Collecting Choices (1138183)
Posted by Counterpunch on October 21st, 2010 @ 8:32am CDT

nemesis_saber wrote:earlier photos of united grapple showed him with a black head, then i complained in that thread:

nemesis_saber wrote:wtf? i was expecting united grapple's head to be orange/yellow like in the cartoon. tsk tsk.

and now we have this

somebody in takaratomy must have been reading these posts. that's nice

I recommend listening to this week's Twincast for insight as to why those United pictures were not correct.

Re: Transformers United Grapple's Orange Head Revealed- More Collecting Choices (1138186)
Posted by kirbenvost on October 21st, 2010 @ 8:38am CDT

Flux Convoy wrote:Unsure where I stand on this. I may end up getting both and doing a headswap.

Why? They're virtually identical except for the head and silver hook.

I do have to say the yellow head helps him look just that little bit more different from Inferno, but to be honest I prefer the G1 toy look, and I don't collect Grapples anyway.

Re: Transformers United Grapple's Orange Head Revealed- More Collecting Choices (1138188)
Posted by Sodan-1 on October 21st, 2010 @ 8:40am CDT

I'll make my final decision once I see what shade of orange it is in person, but right now Hasbro's is ahead for me.

Re: Transformers United Grapple's Orange Head Revealed- More Collecting Choices (1138207)
Posted by GuyIncognito on October 21st, 2010 @ 9:18am CDT

Carnivius_Prime wrote:Never understood the 'cartoon accuracy' on stuff like this when in a lot of the cases the toys looked much better (ok I'm not including the Ratchet and Ironhide, almost typed Clank there, toys though I never cared for their cartoon selves either) and the cartoon was notorious for errors. The black head looks a lot better but this figure overall looks very poor anyways. That original G1 toy looks far better, if only it were more articulated.

I totally agree! With more recent series, like Animated, I can understand wanting cartoon accuracy. But when it comes to G1, the toys came first, and the cartoons were created to serve the toys. If there's a difference, it's the cartoon that was incorrectly colored. So if I'm going to buy a toy that's an homage to a G1 toy, I want the homage to match the original toy, not the inaccurate adver-cartoon.

Re: Transformers United Grapple's Orange Head Revealed- More Collecting Choices (1138217)
Posted by Flux Convoy on October 21st, 2010 @ 9:33am CDT

kirbenvost wrote:
Flux Convoy wrote:Unsure where I stand on this. I may end up getting both and doing a headswap.

Why? They're virtually identical except for the head and silver hook.

I do have to say the yellow head helps him look just that little bit more different from Inferno, but to be honest I prefer the G1 toy look, and I don't collect Grapples anyway.

Because the subtle differences (chrome hook, actual faction symbol and not rub) make me prefer the United version more. I simply like the Hasbro head opposed to the orange one. ....Aaand I'm not completely logical when it comes to collecting these here robot things. I don't specifically collect Grapples either but I do collect G1 and Classics per my own standards and both versions fit Classics in their way IMO.

Re: Transformers United Grapple's Orange Head Revealed- More Collecting Choices (1138242)
Posted by kirbenvost on October 21st, 2010 @ 10:10am CDT

Flux Convoy wrote:
kirbenvost wrote:
Flux Convoy wrote:Unsure where I stand on this. I may end up getting both and doing a headswap.

Why? They're virtually identical except for the head and silver hook.

I do have to say the yellow head helps him look just that little bit more different from Inferno, but to be honest I prefer the G1 toy look, and I don't collect Grapples anyway.

Because the subtle differences (chrome hook, actual faction symbol and not rub) make me prefer the United version more. I simply like the Hasbro head opposed to the orange one. ....Aaand I'm not completely logical when it comes to collecting these here robot things. I don't specifically collect Grapples either but I do collect G1 and Classics per my own standards and both versions fit Classics in their way IMO.

Heh, 'these here robot things'. :lol:

To each their own, I suppose. It just seems rather expensive to get the Takara version for some very small differences. I also don't quite understand everyone's distaste for the rubsigns. In Classics, everyone was praising them, now it's the opposite. I'm pretty indifferent myself. I guess in the end I'd prefer a symbol, but it's not a make-or-break issue for me. *shrug* If you have your reasons, it's all good.

Re: Transformers United Grapple's Orange Head Revealed- More Collecting Choices (1138246)
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on October 21st, 2010 @ 10:21am CDT

kirbenvost wrote:I also don't quite understand everyone's distaste for the rubsigns. In Classics, everyone was praising them, now it's the opposite.

It's called "gimmick fatigue" or "we've-already-seen-that-show-us-something-new" syndrome :lol:

Re: Transformers United Grapple's Orange Head Revealed- More Collecting Choices (1138249)
Posted by Flux Convoy on October 21st, 2010 @ 10:27am CDT

I have reasons, I have no delusion that they're good ones though. Don't get me wrong, I adore rub symbols. For characters who never had rub symbols anywhere though, not so much. I'd rather have a faction symbol for Grapple, Jazz and so on. Tracks, I get. He had a rub symbol on his car roof/robot chest. For the original G1 mini-guys getting homages, rub symbols make perfect sense for any of those to me. They hit that sweet spot in the marketing for them originally where you could have gotten either. Each is a case by case basis though and I'm fickle (mostly just ridiculous) sometimes.

Re: Transformers United Grapple's Orange Head Revealed- More Collecting Choices (1138252)
Posted by kirbenvost on October 21st, 2010 @ 10:34am CDT

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
kirbenvost wrote:I also don't quite understand everyone's distaste for the rubsigns. In Classics, everyone was praising them, now it's the opposite.

It's called "gimmick fatigue" or "we've-already-seen-that-show-us-something-new" syndrome

How fickle we are. :lol:

Flux Convoy wrote:I have reasons, I have no delusion that they're good ones though. Don't get me wrong, I adore rub symbols. For characters who never had rub symbols anywhere though, not so much. I'd rather have a faction symbol for Grapple, Jazz and so on. Tracks, I get. He had a rub symbol on his car roof/robot chest. For the original G1 mini-guys getting homages, rub symbols make perfect sense for any of those to me. They hit that sweet spot in the marketing for them originally where you could have gotten either. Each is a case by case basis though and I'm fickle (mostly just ridiculous) sometimes.

It's cool, I have my own reasons for things too. For example, I'm not getting HFTD Terradive...even though it's a pretty great-looking mold, I don't like the head. Tomahawk looks really good, but has no recognizable G1 homage, so do I get him? Do I not? I DON'T KNOW! And then I got Henkei Ironhide mostly because I hated the Universe version's blue face, even though the overall color scheme was better IMO...etc, etc. I get you. :lol:

Totally makes sense about the rubsigns though, thinking about it that way.

Re: Transformers United Grapple's Orange Head Revealed- More Collecting Choices (1138256)
Posted by Sky-Quake on October 21st, 2010 @ 10:48am CDT

I'll be getting the hasbro version the yellow head makes him look to much like an overly big Bumblebee that changs into a crane vehicle instead of a small car

Re: Transformers United Grapple's Orange Head Revealed- More Collecting Choices (1138309)
Posted by Lapse Of Reason on October 21st, 2010 @ 12:54pm CDT

At equal price points I'd go with the Takara, however I'll let money decide and go with Hasbro. It is really a minor variance and I could honestly be happy with either version.

Re: Transformers United Grapple's Orange Head Revealed- More Collecting Choices (1138316)
Posted by Dai_Ceefax on October 21st, 2010 @ 12:59pm CDT

Hasbro Grapple'll look better next to my Universe Inferno. Done.

United Lugnut is mine though...

Re: Transformers United Grapple's Orange Head Revealed- More Collecting Choices (1138354)
Posted by SnapTrap on October 21st, 2010 @ 2:01pm CDT

While I do like the colors of the Henkei Grapple figure, I don't see the value of importing it when I can get the US one locally and for less.

Re: Transformers United Grapple's Orange Head Revealed- More Collecting Choices (1138381)
Posted by Prime Evil on October 21st, 2010 @ 3:03pm CDT

kirbenvost wrote:
Flux Convoy wrote:I have reasons, I have no delusion that they're good ones though. Don't get me wrong, I adore rub symbols. For characters who never had rub symbols anywhere though, not so much. I'd rather have a faction symbol for Grapple, Jazz and so on. Tracks, I get. He had a rub symbol on his car roof/robot chest. For the original G1 mini-guys getting homages, rub symbols make perfect sense for any of those to me. They hit that sweet spot in the marketing for them originally where you could have gotten either. Each is a case by case basis though and I'm fickle (mostly just ridiculous) sometimes.

It's cool, I have my own reasons for things too. For example, I'm not getting HFTD Terradive...even though it's a pretty great-looking mold, I don't like the head. Tomahawk looks really good, but has no recognizable G1 homage, so do I get him? Do I not? I DON'T KNOW! And then I got Henkei Ironhide mostly because I hated the Universe version's blue face, even though the overall color scheme was better IMO...etc, etc. I get you. Totally makes sense about the rubsigns though, thinking about it that way.

I know what you both mean. Each person has a reason completely different from why collect the figures we do. Most of the past toys, I would have sided with Henkei over Classics, but it's getting close now whereas I will now like some Hasbro stuff over Japan. Definitely not the norm for me. With Grapple, I'd rather go with the United version, but price dictates Hasbro and it's not even that big of a difference to me. United Lugnut on the other hand is getting bought over Hasbro Lugnut.

As for Tomahawk and Terradive...again, I know where you are coming from. Characters like those are new and I try to find ways to include them in my universe collection. I'm just glad they have new original names so I won't have to think up something.

Re: Transformers United Grapple's Orange Head Revealed- More Collecting Choices (1138422)
Posted by alexison on October 21st, 2010 @ 4:40pm CDT

I like the fact that they went for the cartoon accuracy but I do like the black head better on this mold. When I pick this guy up I may have to break down and get the gears of war set for my inferno.

Re: Transformers United Grapple's Orange Head Revealed- More Collecting Choices (1138456)
Posted by DevastaTTor on October 21st, 2010 @ 6:03pm CDT

Will probably just buy the US version and paint the hook. I'm no customizing expert, but I think I can handle that.

Re: Transformers United Grapple's Orange Head Revealed- More Collecting Choices (1138504)
Posted by Swiftpaw on October 21st, 2010 @ 9:43pm CDT

Personally I prefer Hasbro's version. The orange head blends too much into the orange body, the black one stands out.

I wonder if the arm remolding will prevent the 'hand-nozzle' piece for the Gear of War set from fitting Grapple. I don't use it on Inferno because I have a fire-ax for him to hold.

Re: Transformers United Grapple's Orange Head Revealed- More Collecting Choices (1138541)
Posted by goshjosh95 on October 22nd, 2010 @ 1:03am CDT

GuyIncognito wrote:
Carnivius_Prime wrote:Never understood the 'cartoon accuracy' on stuff like this when in a lot of the cases the toys looked much better (ok I'm not including the Ratchet and Ironhide, almost typed Clank there, toys though I never cared for their cartoon selves either) and the cartoon was notorious for errors. The black head looks a lot better but this figure overall looks very poor anyways. That original G1 toy looks far better, if only it were more articulated.

I totally agree! With more recent series, like Animated, I can understand wanting cartoon accuracy. But when it comes to G1, the toys came first, and the cartoons were created to serve the toys. If there's a difference, it's the cartoon that was incorrectly colored. So if I'm going to buy a toy that's an homage to a G1 toy, I want the homage to match the original toy, not the inaccurate adver-cartoon.

You both bring up good points. I guess it depends on how you feel about the cartoon. For me, I loved the toon A LOT growing up; I couldn't wait to get home from school to watch. So as a kid, I always wondered: Why don't my toys look like the characters in the cartoon? For some ppl, having cartoon accuracy in the TakTom Henkei & United lines has been everything they had hoped/wished for as a kid. Although, I can understand why some ppl prefer G1 toy-accurate colors. Maybe it depends on one's selective memory/nostalgia? I always remembered Grapple as having a yellow head (& completely forgot about the inconsistencies in animation). My $0.02

I'm disappointed United Seaspray isn't getting more G1 toon/toy paint apps for his bot mode (I know they tried with that bright orangey-yellow), but I can understand why... probably would look weird in alt-mode. Guess I'll stick to HFTD Seaspray.

Re: Transformers United Grapple's Orange Head Revealed- More Collecting Choices (1139043)
Posted by Atomatron on October 23rd, 2010 @ 6:53pm CDT

4 pages discussing grapple (now 5, oh the irony)? queue jim mora voice: grapple? grapple?

Hasbro will do for this character thank you. Jazz and maybe even Tracks may need the TAK

Re: Transformers United Grapple's Orange Head Revealed- More Collecting Choices (1139480)
Posted by Jazz-1982 on October 25th, 2010 @ 9:02am CDT

I like both versions but I'm ordering the Transformers United version. The price is more expensive than Hasbro's but plus shipping it's works out the same because I can get free shipping from Amazon.co.jp.

I can't wait until January, February, March and April next year - it's going to be so cool having 2 or 3 awesome new classics/generations/united figures to look forward to at the end of each month!! :KREMZEEK:

Re: Transformers United Grapple's Orange Head Revealed- More Collecting Choices (1143953)
Posted by feeiq90 on November 7th, 2010 @ 11:32pm CST

i realy love the mold,i really2 do...but 1 thing that disappoint me is that grapple's(and inferno's) head does not have the 'boxy-thingy' to make it more toon-accurate..