Disclaimer: The reason I provide this translation is solely to help non-Japanese fans who are unable to read this insightful interview in the book they have purchased. Hope you’ll enjoy 🙂
HUGE thanks to Sol Fury for revision and encouragement.
Tantou! Staff! Special Talk!?
Who are they?
Takashi Kunihiro: Joined the company in 1984. Has joined the staff since “2010”, in which original “Transformers” toys started. Along with Transformers, he was responsible for the main characters of Brave series figures from “FighBird” to “GaoGaiGar”. His most famous creations include; Hot Rodimus, Six Shot, Star Saber, Victory Leo, Lio Kaiser, Magmatron, Tako Tank, Gigatron, “Super Link” Convoy, Primus, Movie Optimus Prime and Brawl.
Takio Ejima: Joined the company in 1989. His first product was Crazybird from “Flower Rock” series. After that, he was a staff member of Overseas Transformers Product team in the Boys Enterprise department, and single-handedly created the all European Transformers after the American market was pulled until Beast Wars. After Beast Was Metals was concluded (1999) he moved to Girls Toy Department. He came back to Transformers in “Super Link” (2004). According to Mr. Kunihiro, (Mr. Ejima is) “The man who created the most transforming robot toys in the world”.
Hisashi Yuki: Joined the company in 1992. Worked on the series such as “Gridman” (2003), “J-Decker”~”GaoGaiGar”, and started working on Transformers since Beast Wars II (1998). He worked on Choro-Q for a while then came back to Transformers since the later releases of Binaltechs. His most famous creations include; Lio Convoy, Big Convoy and Fire Convoy.
– Since Hasbro’s “Classics” series is the base of Henkei, will you tell us how the series was developed?
Ejima: It all began with the movie in 2007. At first the series was to be called “Prequel”. While the production of the movie had been announced, we couldn’t reveal the (Transformers) designs, and during that time we started developing products to show how the present (Movie) Convoy (Optimus Prime) had evolved in appearance. That’s why it (Classics Optimus prime figure) still has the same trailer truck look even though it adapted an aeroform.
Yuki: The item had an strategic place that connects the old merchandise to the movie one.
Ejima: Say, there is someone who used to play with a toy called Transformers, and he hears of the new movie and visits the toy aisle. There he finds a toy which takes him back to “Then”.
Yuki: For that purpose, the products had to have a similar look to G1. But they sold much better than expected. So we decided to continue the series as an independent line.
– How many people are there in the Henkei design team? Also, are there certain set tasks to each designer?
Yuki: There are 6 staff members who design overseas products. They also design the Movie and Animated figures and are working on a very hard schedule. They take on a new assignment as they finish their previous one. There’s no “He only does Cybertron” kind of responsibilities. Important products such as Movie Optimus Prime normally go to veteran designers.
Ejima: Designers occasionally request their next assignment like “I call dibs on Starscream!”
Yuki: That does happen. Then he’d be like “I’ll pass this one to you instead”. To tell you the truth, when “Classics” started, there was no plan of domestic release. It had been decided when the series started again as “Universe”. Since then domestic product staff members joined the team as overseas product staff got more workload due to the movie.
Ejima: “Classics”, “Animated” and “The Movie” have their unique design requirements, but when you line them up side by side, they must all look to be of the same quality. That is the hard part.
– Please tell us about the development of Convoy figure.
Ejima: At first, we planned on a deluxe sized Convoy toy. But we couldn’t achieve a satisfying quality within the budget of a deluxe.
Yuki: We never try to meet the budget at the concept stage. We start with a lavish concept, and we try to cut the cost down as we progress. If we only have the budget on mind at the beginning, the quality simply drops too low.
Ejima: In the end, Convoy sized up to “Voyager”. After all we didn’t want to use ball joints for him, but sturdier joints.
Kunihiro: In America, the main characters are not always the expensive merchandise. They in fact treat Deluxe sized figures as their main products because those sell the most.
Ejima: We do have standards when deciding a figure size. We go for the scale in the show. In America, car (Transformers) are disadvantaged when in packaging as they look smaller. Such a shame, because they are packed with parts inside. On the other hand, planes look bigger thanks to the wings. People seem to feel that a plane (TF) and a car (TF) having the same price is unjust.
Yuki: Though when it comes to a figure like Bumblebee that is meant to be smaller, we try to compensate like by adding a trailer.
– It has been a long time since we last saw a Megatron who transforms into a gun.
Kunihiro: He is originally a gun Transformer character, but he had to become a tank due to several regulations. His motif this time partly owe to a request from Hasbro. They were also very keen on re-creating G1 style. We could make it happen by making his gun mode look like American water pistol. “Classics” Megatron’s colour scheme is because of that background.
– “Henkei” version is Silver.
Yuki: Originally I was in charge of (“Classics”) domestic release and I chose the Henkei figure colours. After all we were over one year behind overseas market, and were aware of the fact that (Japanese) people who wanted those figures had purchased them already. To make them buy our products, we added extra paint applications and chrome while being conscious of the cost. We knew that we’d be able to release Megatron with old-fashioned colour scheme, so frankly I knew he’d sell.
– Please tell us which of you were responsible of which figure.
Kunihiro: I did Astrotrain, Skyfire, Silverbolt, Onslaught and Cyclonus.
Ejima: I was responsible for Convoy, Megatron, Grimlock, Powerglide and Cheetas.
Yuki: I did Sunstreaker, Prowl, Lambor, Galvatron, Inferno and Dinobot. Sunstreaker and Lambor is like 2 for one, though.
– What was the aim of this series?
Kunihiro: Basically, we tried to achieve what couldn’t be done then (G1 era) and make the best of the good (of the G1 figures).
Yuki: This series’ uniqueness is that “There is no gimmick”.
-What do you mean by that?
Yuki: Transformers are supposed to change their forms, so we on the development side do not consider transformation as a gimmick. In this case, when I say gimmick, I mean things like a missile projectile mechanism.
Ejima: In fact, by eliminating gimmicks we were able to raise the product standard. For example, even a simple gimmick such as Force Chips in “Galaxy Force” restricted designs and structures. So with this series, we concentrated on only transformation mechanism and that clear direction produced a good result.
– To think of it, Transformers have had various gimmicks for a long time.
Yuki: Hasbro does not like an absence of a gimmick. That is why higher priced products include gimmicks such as missiles and sound.
Ejima: This time we presented the beauty of the figures rather than gimmicks. Hasbro said to us that those were fantastic. We answered, “It’s because they are without gimmicks”.
– I assume creating G1 homages was a challenging and fun task in a way?
Yuki: I did not get involved with the production of the originals, so it was more or less sentiment only.
Ejima: Of course we referred to the original figures, but it was to think of a different approach.
Yuki: When you look at a product which was the best and the latest 20 years ago, you can’t help but think, “Is this the best they could?”. I guess this series will be looked at in the same way in some decades’ time.
Kunihiro: The originals were phenomenal back then and left great impressions on the children, and it motivated us to provoke the equally great impression with the latest standard.
Yuki: Though had we gone with the original car designs, it would have been considered as classic cars, so we altered the vehicle modes to match what children now see as stylish. The merchandise are for children, but children prefer something a bit grown-up looking. That is why we aim for products which look cool even to the parents. If the parents see a product as ugly, their children will not want it. This is more so now that Transformers is something both parents and children can talk about.
– There are some figures with drastically different transformation (from the originals), such as Grimlock and Galvatron.
Yuki: As for Grimlock, since the perceived image of tyrannosaurus has been changed, I refined the design without much regard to the original. Galvatron adapted a modern tank form due to a request from Hasbro. The original SF style gun worked only because it came with the sound and light gimmicks. Actually I started with Galvatron as a tank and walker-tank triple-changer, but his release overlapped with “Animated” Laserwave, which is also a triple-changer, so we settled with the way Galvatron is now. Because the change was made halfway through the designing process, he still has the remains of the intended walker transformation mechanism.
Kunihiro: Was it Hasbro who asked us not to make Astrotrain a SL?
Ejima: It was you. You said, “How can we make a SL now!”
Kunihiro: I don’t remember that!
Yuki: Unlike back then, space shuttles are not very popular among children, so we did not hesitate to paint it purple as seen in the cartoon.
– Lambor and Sunstreaker transformations are just genius.
Yuki: Hasbro wanted those 2 characters, and they had exactly the same bodies except for the head sculptures and the colours in Hasbro’s original concept documents. I just couldn’t agree on that and suggested to turn the robot’s upper body. In vehicle modes, I tried to make them look even more different by the presence/absence of the air ducts, though for some reason Hasbro Sideswipe come with those, too….
– How come Powerglide became so big?
Yuki: Since “Universe” line, we did not simply stick to the homages, but also added some different ideas. We dared to omit the combiner mechanism from Silverbolt and Onslaught, and made minibot Powerglide huge. Powerglide is meant to be a ground attack bomber to begin with, so I think he should be big.
Ejima: The heart on his chest is of course based on G1 episode 37 “The Girl Who Loved Powerglide” (Note; Regarding the Japanese episode numbers, they were shown in a different order in Japan. The Ultimate Doom, a three parter very early in the series in the US, is placed around about episode 60 in Japan. The Girl who Loved Powerglide was moved to an earlier point in the series just as those episodes came much later – Sol Fury). I intended to put a heart there even before I designed the toy. I wanted some characteristics from the cartoon, too.
Yuki: Prowl can achieve his anime proportion by attaching his shoulder missile launcher on the back. As for Cyclonus, he can carry his Targetmaster not only in his hand but also on his arm as seen in “The Headmasters”. Such minor gimmicks could be done without any extra cost, and we thought that the fans who followed the cartoons back then would enjoy them.
Kunihiro: (Original) Cyclonus was not a bad toy considering the standard back then, but the robot mode was very different from the anime character. This time I managed to recreate his proportion just like in the show, even the positioning of the wings, and the plane nose hides when in robot mode.
Yuki: The original toys can’t be generally purchased, but it is possible to watch the anime. We do hope these (Henkei) toys will be played with while DVDs (of the old cartoon) are watched.
– Did any of you design both the original and Henkei?
Kunihiro: I would have if I did (Henkei) Hot Rodimus. I regret it.
Ejima: I did both Cheetas. Though I was so busy back then that I hardly remember anything (about original BW Cheetas design). I did not refer to the original or compared the old and new versions side by side.
Yuki: Why didn’t you at least loot at them side by side?
Ejima: I should have. The original Cheetas’ face is not CG cartoon accurate, so I only referred to the show. I was going for the creation of the show accurate Cheetas.
Yuki: Dinobot was the same. He is such a great character in the show, but the toy was not like him in the show, face and everything. I would have liked him to be a larger size class, bigger than Convoy.
– Do you develop the products now in a different way from the past?
Ejima: The safety standard now is stricter than before. But that is how it should be. I remember being sad when I was little with a broken toy. But recent Transformers are harder to break partly thanks to the articulation. Actually, I had an idea of Transformers articulation even before “G2”. They required lots of parts because of the transformation, and I thought I could use them for the (joint) movement. So I presented the idea to Hasbro, and we decided to go ahead with it from Laser Rods. By making the joints articulate, it became easier to pass the safety regulation. For example, there’s a rule that states, “The toy is not to be broken when being pulled with 20 pounds force”, and we call it “The Dreaded Crotch Tear” because the legs are pulled apart with the said force. If the legs are simply connected in upside-down U shape, they are broken off easily. That is why many older toys have fused legs, to pass the test. But if they are meant to open up, there’s no problem, since they don’t break.
Yuki: Ejima is the one who introduced ball-joints to Transformers. “G2” has become the series which opened the new market of “Robot toys with articulations”.
– Is there any trouble characteristic of this era?
Ejima: The high cost of oil really hurt us. The technology keeps on developing, but we can’t make the best of it because of the high cost.
Yuki: We still need to minutely calculate “the parts number”, “the product weight” and such to adhere to the set budget while working.
Kunihiro: Even so, as we work, the oil price continues to rise. It changes every week, and the cost of a prototype rise a few percent by the time we complete one.
Ejima: To be honest, I do feel “We could have created a better product for this price” sometimes.
– Any item you want to remake in Henkei line?
Kunihiro: Rodimus Convoy. There were few suggestions in the past, but none never came true. I wonder why, because he had such a presence. His younger self (Hot Rodimus) has various versions.
Yuki: With the technology now, we can probably make that “old man face” good-looking.
Ejima: Not a particular character, but I would like to do a Jet Transformer. Among the ones I designed, the one I am most proud of is “G2” Smokescreen. I like jet planes, but I hardly have occasion (to design one).
Yuki: In fact plane ones are simpler!
Ejima: No, no, it’s not that I am trying to be lazy!
Yuki: I want to try my hands on a Japanese original item like Star Saber. Or how about articulated Fortress Maximus or Soundwave. But I have no idea what Soundwave can transform into this time and age.
Ejima: About 10 years ago, I also had an idea of a product which ejects from Soundwave’s chest then auto-transform. But I didn’t know what to do with Soundwave himself. It already wasn’t a time of cassette players, and we couldn’t release something children couldn’t relate to.
Yuki: It should be a memory card nowadays, but such origami-like transformation is impossible.
– Lastly, please send your messages to the fans.
Kunihiro: Transformers still continue to evolve, please keep on lending us your support.
Ejima: We continue on inventing more fun gimmicks, so please look forward to them. Our future task is to include the gimmicks without dropping the product quality. Also, what I am aiming for is not “intricate transformation”, but “interesting transformation”. In reality, an over-intricate transformation is a put off and children wouldn’t want to transform the toy again. It is a shame if (a Transformer) is never transformed back to the vehicle. So, while keeping the transformation simple, I want to raise the quality. Not something with very difficult transformation, but one people enjoy transforming again and again. We will be revolutionary, please look forward to it.
Yuki: We will create products which will amaze you. After all, Transformers are “More Than Meets the Eye”, toys that are more than they seem to be. You need to actually handle them to know them. Please take them out of the box, and play.
Convoy Line Up: The left is domestic Henkei Convoy, and the right is overseas “Classics” version. The colour scheme was changed to match the cartoon for the domestic release, with additional tampo prints and chrome. The one in the centre is a prototype of deluxe size Convoy. Beside the size difference, the knee parts are fixed on.
CripNite
Okay, so after looking at the Galvatron figure, I see little legs inside the back end, which becomes his backpack. These can be rotated down in vehicle mode for feet, I suppose? But they're backwards feet. Was this third mode finished and just not described in the instructions or anywhere else? Or is only half of it there? Can anyone figure out how to transform the existing figure into a third "walker-tank" mode? I do really like this figure despite his flaws and out like to see what this third mode is all about.
primal-convoy
I see what you mean by that point. For example that EVERY bot must have a cyber key etc, but I also think that there are mandates that say "thats a great figure. How about you go back and give it electronics? We dont have enough electronics right now in this line", etc.
I also think he means that ANY design idea that comes before the implementation of making a figure that transforms easily from one aesthetically appealing form to another (and posable) form hinders that design; including gimmicks.
Cheetor's gimmick takes up too much space. You can see that they could have just used the classic "animal forelegs become arms" with little or degradation to the beast mode and we would have gotten longer, better bot mode arms out of it.
There was no need for the "barking" action gimmick.
REDLINE
but that's a minicon, way too small.
Sonscreen
Good stuff.
Foster
I was referring to a Legends-sized Powerglide repaint into Stormcloud, but that's an interesting repaint too.
influence82
What does SL mean? Is it "Steam Locomotive"? How did it appear in the article?
They already did. The Toys R Us Exclusive released last year on 03-12-2008. See http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/trans…ored-tru-limited-skyglide-micron-morning.html
![[IMG]](http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/attachments/transformers-news-rumors/4277d1205379596-scored-tru-limited-skyglide-micron-morning-skyglide.jpg)
[Wing_Saber-X]
airfox
You're my hero Jarodimus!
-airfox
Jarodimus
I beg you, STOP with the bolding/italicizing/underlining of everything in every single post.
Please?
airfox
I think when the TakaraTOMY designers talk about gimmicks hindering the engineering of the figures, they're talking more about line wide gimmicks mandated by Hasbro such as mini-cons, cyber planet keys and powerlinking.
Gimmicks designed on a figure-per-figure basis (like in Universe and Animated) shouldn't represent a big problem.
QFT.
-airfox
n_tel_ekt
wow, great interview, hope they do more!
Regarding all the complaining, i think is silly but thats my
Only disappointment/non-purchase for me is that simply ass Silverbot.
[Wing_Saber-X]
Yeah, i TOTALLY agree with you THERE , Feralstorm, VALID POINT!
BUT, also as "FitForNatalie" and Shroobmaster did point out and validate their arguments, however, the point is still not to take sides! 
FINE, so they are not supportive 100% of Takara and their stand on certian decisions on the main line Tf toys; fairs fair. 
But the bottom line is about the article and designers who were featured. Im not a Takara whore monger FYI, 
but as a kid I remembered and loved the Japanese G1 continuity more that the HASBRO-Comics/ Marvel sunbow G1 cartoon which for me was just nostalgic. No love not too much hate either. "Airfox"- now usually i am a pretty no nonsnese and decent poster on these boards, but please dont turn it into a Takara-versus Hasbro war of words and more. 
You like Hasbro , thats cool; respect your views and prefrences- i dont want to be ganged up for stating my views, no matter how invalid and off colour it sounded to all three of you. 
Oh, and kudos to Hasbro as well for delivering some killer and momorable decisions on ceritan toy lines/movie verse etc stuff/ ( powers which they have base don the simple fact that they ARE BIGGER and more better placed than Takara in terms of global branding and limitless funds!!!)—- there, happy now?!!! 
Feralstorm
A good way to look at this (which means that most will refuse to) is not as "Hasbro versus Takara", but more as "engineers versus the marketing department and bean-counters".
I don't like everything Hasbro does either, but a decade-plus of moderately-to-very-successful TF toylines (or at least mainlines) speaks for itself.
rizuan76
Very nice & great inteview! also good to see some of the designers/creators of the Brave toys still active in the TF franchise.
Thanks Syd (& Sol fury too) for bringing this interview!!
Quoted For Truth
Angelwave
I agree with this. However, if they insist on doing gimmicks, they really need to work on those that are not going to impede or interfere with the main figure/character. Targetmasters, for example, are a fantastic implementation of a gimmick. Smaller partners who have great interactivity with the larger bots/cons. And……DID NOT INTERFERE with the larger bots transformation, articulation, or design in general. Universe/Henkei Cyclonus is the latest testament to that.
Line-wide gimmicks are very troublesome, just for the fact that they are dealing with a multitude of designs. And as we all know, not all of them can use the said gimmick, without it costing the loss of articulation, or it adding kibble, or just cause the whole design too look bad.
Terrorcon Blot
It's not exact, but for scale, Powerglide is roughly to scale with Universe Galvatron's tank mode, as well as the legends cars like Jazz, Brawn, and Bumblebee.
Veloxiraptor
Both were done by Alex Kubalsky, the lone Australian at Takara.
Solrac333
EXACTLY! To me, the transformation IS the gimmick. Lots of gimmick that I have seen made the toy worst. Just make the toy transform from vehicle to robot and back to vehicle. That's all. No more gimmicks.
primal-convoy
A little contradictory?
– Hasbro Toy Shop
One can only wonder why Cheetor, who is meant to be a closer homage to his TV model, came with a "mouth opening and eye-changing gimmick", which, not only gave him a "hunch-back" hump, but also impeded his "unique transformation" and ended up with the little fela having stumpy arms. In essence, he put off many from buying the upcoming Dinobot figure and pretty much killed any interest in any more non-G1 (or especially Beast Wars) figures.
More fuel for the fire:
– Which is perhaps another reason why the overall design was rubbish and I for one, didn't buy him.
– Hasbro toy shop, "Onslaught" figure
Both he, Powerglide and Silverbolt had these gimmicks. In Onslaught's case, even though many people liked him, he suffered as he couldn't free-wheel when pushed.
I'm sure there were other, just as big gimmicks that were introduced in this line, meaning that either our Japanese designer chums are a bit hypocritical, or they lost out to Hasbro's desire for "MORE GIMMICKS!!!"
Sigh…
RedAlert Rescue
OK… more on this subject from me – as I'm sad to say I've been thinking about it today.
To elaborate further on my earlier comments. I don't think gimics lack is always bad – or always good.
Here's my thoughts – Hasbro made a big deal out of the lack of missile Launchers on the Beast Wars Transmetals almost as if they felt they had something to apologise for – I don't think they did the Transmetals have oddles of play value – with their Transport modes more than making up for not being able to accidently shoot small children in the face (they really need to fix those hair triggers on the launchers).
I think Transmetal Cheetor is a wicked (great) toy and I like his little flip out jet boosters his reasonable level of Articulation his Cartoon acuracy and even his little tail fin in Transport mode – I don't miss a launcher and I don't really even know if he's need on if he had had one.
Where as conversly I really feel a bit ripped off that Animated Waspinator does not follow the example of the Beast Wars original and have a rocket launcher in his backside as he does over balance a little with the huge backside that does nothing. – they could at least have made part of his wings from energon saber or something – as he is he's just a wasp that stands up and that means cartoon acuracy = sad face in this case.
I always think Takara are being mentalists [in a maner of speaking] by insisting that they put Decepticon jet's logo's on upside down most of the time – I'm firmly in the Hasbro camp on this one – they SHOULD BE the right way up and the cartoon just got it wrong.
As for the A-10 of that size- if it had been a movieverse toy – I'd have liked it – it didn't really need to have the electronics inflicted on it and as a Voyager movie toy there's potential under all that 'suck' in Powerglide.
I think Voyager would have Suited an A-10 better especially with so many other sorts of plane about that are much larger type that would be better in the bigger sizes.
I think some of the best Movie toys are Longarm and Landmine I wonder who did them.
I'm interested to see all the Beast/ CR era Convoys were done by the same guy as I hold a really affection for RID Prime's toy and Big Convoy and Lio Convoy (even with his sloppy chest/shoulder design issue) He looks terrific in beast mode at least and once you manage to wedge his bits in place in robot mode- Ol' Mammoth Bot is great.
I also like Magmatron…. so it's sort of interesting that these products that Takara made are kind of gimicy anyway – Magmatron has a form of what we'd now call Automorph and a missile launcher and his a multi-changer too – I'd call that pretty gimicy.
I had to chuckle a bit when it was said that they want the toys to be easy to Transform as the worst offenders of to much hastle to change them are always from Takara -like THS-02, Trans-scanning Optimus Prime or Binaltechs.
I figured out the Cyclonus arm/cannon storage earlier – very cool – and quite well hidden really – I doubt I'd have found it at all without than mention.
I'd like to see Takara make an Ultra scale (No electronics) version of key medium sized Movie characters – things like Ratchet and Ironhide – then perhaps in 2010 have Hasbro add the size catagory and release them in the west. Human Alliance is a good starting point but I have concerns that Bumblebee's toy will be the same size as Optimus' – I can't see that looking anything other than silly under the same line. – He would have made a great winter buying season toy to release in a larger size – perhaps with 2 human figures or a little Decepticon figure to complement /oppose him.
I'd rather have had that and just make the 3rd Human Alliance slot as Ratchet instead.
It's a shame Landmine might not be in the movie -as that would make a superb Human Alliance toy – with the little soldiers in it – it would have been great fun. Perhaps if the H-X Transforms they might do that instead.
I don't personally hate Hasbro at all – they do give me a sad face though when they do perplexing and infuriating things from time to time though. Like release all those Movie Longarms' and they were all mostly identical. yet the mold was ideal for Hoist.
You know thinking back to the old' Gi Joe Whale vehicle a Seaspray (Or That Micromaster Metro Squad Hovercraft) would be fun to deploy Legends toys or Minicons from inside of it.
Incidently thinking of the Micromaster Metro Squad – perhaps that Cherry Picker/ Fire Truck in that squad would be quite cool to see as the basis of an Inferno Repaint.- A Yellow Inferno – would it work – i think on with a Siren style cherry picker attachment might be fun – if it was part of a set perhaps they'd be prepared to add the extra mass?
Otherwise I suppose he could be called Clampdown or Checkpoint and made into a Police Water cannon truck.
I mentioned Inferno as I'd say he's a pretty good attempt at a new version of the Character – though it is a shame that he's less suitable now as a redecoration base for Grapple or Hauler than he was before.
Oh I think the little Legends Warpath is fun – but I'd actually not complain if he was a larger tank.
I'd much prefer a Voyager Warpath over Voyager Rhinox or Voyager Dinobot.
Does Takara not realise that Dinobot and Rhinox are Minicon size – if they want to follow the cartoon and make them in scale to Classics – they need to be thinking of making WST or Legends Beast Wars toys not Voyagers.
I just noticed that I have Mcdonalds Dinobot and McDonalds Beetle next to Warpath/Wheelie/Jazz/ & Rodimus – and they fit right in with Legends toys – so Perhaps Beast Legends is a good idea – I'm sure they'd work there's a slight attempt with the Cybertron molds so far.
I also wonder if they could perhaps make a few more new mold Cybertron Legends too like Backstop/ Sideways/ Red Alert/Snarl/Crumplezone/ Ransack/Override/ & Brimstone.
There's already a decentish fake tiny Brimstone that prooves the idea, and Block-former Nitro-Convoy is also rather good.
I have to say I find it odd that there's not a Legends G1 Optimus Prime toy so far.
I think the main MTMTE cast have a real benifit to use retrospectively with the 1980's Base-bot toys – like Metroplex. They also look quite good with Special Team limbs, Minibots and Sparkabots.
A few more Legends G1 Decepticons would be nice too.
I guess it will be well into 2010 before we see any Legends toys that are new molds not based on the movie – as much as I like the legends toys – I do wonder if they are preventing us from seeing new mold Minicons for the time being – and I love them even more.