Via Autobase Aichi, we have a brief report on this month’s Hyper Hobby Magazine, which suggests that Takara-Tomy will continue with their Transformers Legends line even as they move further along the road of aligning their releases globally. Reporting on the Transformers coverage in Hyper Hobby Volume 7, which mainly focuses on the June and July Power of the Primes releases for Japan, Snakas notes that:
In that regard, with respect to the future of the TF Legends series, there is a description of a “plan to continue series centered around the Takara-Tomy mall”.
What this suggests is that while Takara-Tomy are carrying on with their intention of bringing their product lines into closer alignment with what is being released by Hasbro, there is still hope for those who want to see some of the really interesting and different releases that Takara-Tomy might release that wouldn’t fit in with Hasbro’s line. We’ve seen some evidence of this already, with the release of a God Ginrai giftset, and the planned March release of a Transformers Legends Greatshot and Grand Maximus. We’d venture that this could be the direction for the Transformers Legends line, and it is an announcement which may bring renewed hope to those wanting a giftset of Buster and Hydra redecos of Dreadwind and Blackwing.
Point of clarification: What this does not suggest, nor is it appropriate to assume, is that Takara-Tomy will be redecoing every Power of the Primes or other Generations toy through Takara-Tomy Mall. Logistically this just would not be possible or economical. Rather, we would put forward that what will be released are some occasional single releases, cherry-picked from the pool of available toolings and potential reuses thereof.
Time will of course tell if anything truly momentous comes of this, and we suspect the success of Grand Maximus and Greatshot will inform how far Takara-Tomy might be willing to go with future Mall exclusive releases. You can keep up with any further news on this right here, on TFW2005.
Automorpher
And…I've been proven right.
Along with WonderFest, seems that Abominus would be released under the PP banner instead of LG.
G1Prowl
…
My mistake.
[Wing_Saber-X]
needs to use the Super Ginrai version to be a legit Nucleon Quest Ginrai.
G1Prowl
So a solid black Optimus isn't a solid black Optimus? At most you'd have to use a Q-Tip and some alcohol to strip the gold pinstripes. It really is fairly close to what an actual release would be. Maybe red on the windows, but then again acrylic paint would fix that.
[Wing_Saber-X]
Not really imo.
G1Prowl
That skateboard exclusive repaint of TR Powermaster Optimus is essentially Nucleon Quest Convoy.
Foster
Agreed!
Automorpher
And while they're at these, I could use a Nucleon Quest repaint of the duo if the Makers don't mind?
Foster
I'd definitely also want a Fire Guts God Ginrai. That's low-hanging fruit!
[Wing_Saber-X]
I cannot state enough how badly Liokaiser needs to be made. Seriously Takaratomy..what the heck are you guys doing sitting on your butts for?!
Thundershot
I’ll be shocked and disappointed if they just do “premium” versions of things they already released. God Ginrai is the only one I can think of off the top of my head. Everything else I think of are new characters. Anyone got a list? Tfwiki is outdated..
I’m hoping for Liokaiser, Dinoking, and Buster and Hydra.
Crim
Yes. when Legends was a line Takara was doing. My point was, and thanks for noticing, was that TTMail would most likely continue in that vein of releases with either slight retools and/or premium paint apps. But you seemed to have missed that point. *eye roll*
[Wing_Saber-X]
Nightbird was a regular Legends release..lol. Anyway I digress. The point is Takara would make premium changes to their Legends releases. So thats why I remain hopeful. Lol.
Crim
It isn't a sure thing. From the sounds of it TTMail isn't going to be doing boxsets or retreading Takara POTP releases. Why would they? A boxset, maybe since they did do a Metroplex re-issue but that didn't include any extra paint apps or anything as far as I know of. So it's a possible release, because of Plex, but probably without anything radically different done to it which would totally defeat the point in doing it.
What TTMail is doing is continuing Legends as an exclusive line, I expect that to mean more releases like Greatshot, Nightbird, etc (off the top of my head) then anything else. I'm sure they'll do a Buster and Hydra two pack, things of that nature.
[Wing_Saber-X]
Its TTMall..a seperate entity fom Hasbro. Look at LG EX Combiner releases track record and tell me if Unite Warriors Abominus is not a sure thing…
Automorpher
Honestly, I don't have high hopes of TakaTom putting Terrorcons together & release them under the UW banner.
*Think PP Volcanicus*
Crim
Takara is just bringing Hasbro figures over as is. I'd be surprised if they went against what they've said and do any sort of UW boxsets.
Thundershot
We’ll know soon enough. Basically, if they get released individually, I wouldn’t expect them to get released as a set. What I would expect would be UW Dinoking or Liokaiser. Rarely do they do a “better” version of a retail figure via TTM.
Bountyan
I hope so. Can't say I'm expecting it though.
AnimeColossus
Anybody think that they might do a unite warriors Abominus using this method?