Via Weibo user 淘宝店变形金刚改造工厂, we can share with you an image of an instruction manual for the recently revealed Generations Orion Pax. The manual gives a clear look at Orion’s head, which seems to be inspired by IDW’s comics and the previous Generations release of Orion Pax from 2013.
What is more interesting, though, is that the instructions are a different style to the Titans Return line. While they share the overall look, they lack the Titans Return branding, instead opting for a smaller branding at top left, called Transformers Tribute.
What is Transformers Tribute? Could it be a new line, or a subline? Perhaps it is a new initiative from Hasbro for future convention exclusives to be offered through Hascon, much as Fun Publications used the banner Transformers Timelines for their exclusives. Or perhaps the previously reported Power of the Primes line has undergone a name change.
Whatever the truth is, we suspect we will find out more soon. Tokyo Toy Show is ongoing, and San Diego Comic Con 2017 is around the corner, so there are opportunities for us to have this officially unveiled to us over the course of the summer.
Bountyan
No. It looks even less accurate to the cartoon than the T30 one.
Fenrys
clobber would work well for rebitrh crosshairs
marvel b
honestly, i'd like the second idea so they can use various molds yet again! imagine orion pax being in the same wave as takara blastoff! a new subline could allow this!
*yes, hopes are in the heavens, but i still hope for happiness…..IS THAT SO WRONG?!?!?!*
MWG
Maybe "Tribute" is another Hasbro Asia thing and the other Hasbro "branches" will release toys that are (basically) identical in slightly different packaging at other times. Kinda like the RtS set with Hot Rod & Cyclonus just having the most minor differences to the three-pack set released in Asia (just remove a Galvatron and add rubsigns), or the "GDO" Generations line. It still makes some sense for Pax to be in one of the big boxsets for the western market, but maybe the sets aren't doing as well in Asia.
+-MWG-+
Anguirus
So…
Either "Tribute" is the new "Timelines" and this is an exclusive, or
"Tribute" is the new "Generations" and this is a no-fuss way to cram an Optimus into the first wave.
Other than that, Orion just doesn't seem like a compelling re-do after 2011's rather good attempt. It feels like a good exclusive, "nice but not necessary." Doesn't make it so, of course.
T-Hybrid
Yes. We briefly has reports of "Titans Unite" on some early promo images (I think it was when we saw the first FortMax or Tryps art)
Given what we've seen from Hasbro and Takara already…Overlord, Sky Shadow, Godbomber/Ginrai….I wouldn't be shocked if Titans Unite was the original name and the theme was wider scale compatibility.
Look at Ginrai alone. Roughly leader class figure with an armor mode for another Leader as well as his own CW compatibility *and* he's a Titanmaster. His CW ports even scream Road Ceasar.
Then you've got Sky Shadow and Overlord with what looks like a universal Duocon joint that could open up crossovers with future figures. And that joint would be one way to lock together a dualbot torso for Liokaiser or Monstructor.
Wouldn't shock me to see that be the PotP gimmick. A combiner with a Titanmaster would even give them more options on how to install the combiner pegs since the head could sit elsewhere in alt mode.
Thundershot
Wasn't there something called "Titans Unite" a while back that we still haven't seen or heard from since?
Dinobot Snarl
I think from here on they may mix TR with CW, we might even see a CW with a titanmaster in the future
T-Hybrid
Wonder if Hasbro would split Generations into the themed line (CW, TR, Power of the Primes) and "Tribute" going forward.
Figures with the current gimmick go under the themed line while "Tribute" becomes whatever molds Hasbro thinks would best fit various characters.
Johntimus Prime
Well, look at it this way: if they ever make an official Crosshairs head unit, boom, repurpose it!
My guess is the tribute thing is either Hasbro's way of doing con/club exclusives or a collector oriented line.
Also, I have to imagine the fact this is a Kup retool is a nod to the e-Hobby Orion Pax redeco of G1 Kup.
Afterburner
Another Orion Pax so soon? I don't see the point when it's just Kup with a new head and we already got a dedicated mold with the same head…
Dinobot Snarl
When I picked up TR Kup, I realized that I actually loved its Transformation, but Kup's head is just not that great looking, and Takara's version, has a way to serene looking face sculpt for Kup and Sacrifices the look of the almode. I was hoping from day one that Kup would be repainted into Orion Pax. I was worried about the head sculpt, but it looks like they nailed it. I can't wait myself. I think the Homage is animated by the look of the chin strap. What a cool mold!
GizmoTron
I have Tenacious D stuck in my head now…
Windsweeper II
The G1 guy offcourse the movie guy doesnt transform into a Cybertronian pick up.
Maybe Tribute is not really for more obscure characters, but toys like Orion Pax, G2 Megatron and Starscream (the unreleased (BB and SS repaints), General Optimus, G2 bike Soundwave…
Tributes to obscure or unreleased toys of wellknown characters.
ZapRowsdower
Cool new reveal! I guess it's a good thing, but… I'm not sure I like the older G1 stuff being segregated so strongly. It could mean we might not see more mainlines G1 stuff in the future, as the toys will be pushed into the TRIBUTE line.
I mean, aren't ALL TFs generally a tribute to G1 characters/toys? If Hasbro releases another Optimus, isn't that technically a TRIBUTE toy?
And if Orion is a Tribute toy… does that mean the line is for ONLY obscure characters? (Orion having little presence in most TF media, other than the comics). Hasbro doesn't do the obscure… so I have to believe they'll be pushing a lot of cool characters into this line… and keeping them out of other lines. Ehhh, I'm excited and concerned!
What's with all the Crosshairs requests? Do you guys mean the Bayverse guy in the green trenchcoat… ? Or are we talking about a G1 version?
CowardlyZebra
Certainly cool but I wish I was crosshairs, we\'ve already got a solid Orion Pax
G1 Evac
Orion Pax from Kup! Exactly what I need!
So curious about this Tribute thing, what can it possibly be?! A new subline for convention exclusives?
myrrh
…only comes along once every hundred-thousand years or so!..
Starscream 91
I still would of preferred Crosshairs… But this new Tribute title has piqued my interest and I guess I'll end up getting this guy as long as he's not an exclusive to Hascon or something.