Via In Demand Toys we have our first look at a new Takara Tomy Transformers “Premium Finish” Collection.
This is sure an unexpected announcement. It seems Takara Tomy will be back with improved deco on their releases. The small images show a movie-accurate yellow Studio Series SS-18 Deluxe Bumblebee (Bumblebee movie VW Beetle) and a cartoon-accurate Siege Voyager Optimus Prime featuring green windows with some battle damage and more details. Both will come in a closed box with the codes Generations PF GR-01 Optimus Prime and Studio Series PF SS-01 Bumblebee.
There are still not additional information about price or release date or any other planned figure for this new line, but stay tuned with TFW2005 for more updates. Now click on the bar to see the mirrored images on this news post and then sound off on the 2005 Board!
Optimum Lime
Thanks so much!
protohuman
IGN Reveals Kingdom Ark, Galvatron and Scorponok!
Optimum Lime
Link?
Obnimaz
Following the either version of instructions with the headless (it's in a bag) SS figure I have for the double-fold and tuck of the backpack is totally physically impossible if the head was still attached, the front bumper has to pass through space it occupies, Bethesda style. I know the figure reviewed decently well and was accepted as a good figure, just saying for me at least, the premium overall feels nicer, I am sure it at least has resculpted inner doors if not other places. I don't really like the super faded yellow but I do like the robot mode detailing and the face color layout on the Premium more. I still have the SS and plan to repair his neck and keep him in robot mode someday.
Also if you are on the fence about Premium Bee Prime, he's also great, and even at the Premium price is way cheaper than SS-38 on auction sites.
Edit: Unsure if Prime's feet are resculpted or just the PG has denser plastic in the legs, but the feet/ankles/inner calves lock together and retain ankle posing much better than the SS version. Not just figure age, I got a sealed SS shortly before my PG and I always had to kind of 'mush' his legs tight before standing him up, or he'd flop
R3M1NGT0N
That was an issue with the original? I’ve never had any issues with mine when it first came out. Transformed back and forth a handful of times and the neck never snapped or showed signs of wear. Granted, I’ve had it stored in car mode and it has been a while since I’ve checked it.
Obnimaz
I had the original SS VW Bumblebee and the pressure his backpack puts on his neck during bot transformation was so great his head broke at the neck a few days after purchasing him. I don't think I ever got him into car mode properly.
I heard and saw photos (honestly may have been lighting) that made it look like the inner parts of the car had been reshaped to better lock together, and I purchased the Premium version. At this point I've transformed him dozens of times back and forth. He has lots of moving parts and I do it a part at a time, and his leg/feet arrangement is tricky the first time in car mode, but I enjoy him a lot. Though he is getting due for a redesign. His robot mode is still based on early Bumblebee movie designs, like the more Baystyle lankiness and the door wings and such
troglodyteman217
i dont remember exactly but i think it has to do with the plastic quality and the way the backpack plugs in. i could be wrong tho
VVa
There have been QC issues with the original?
AutobotJazz1
To anyone that has Premium Finish BBM Bee I just wanna know, is he a good figure? I've been eyeing him a lot lately but really wanna know if the qc issues have been fixed
pokemonsdoom
Technically I got it from bbts.
Jtprime17
Most of my collection is in storage rn so I can’t get pics, but my selects God Neptune has the hasbro stamp, and so did MP lio convoy and Mp+ smokescreen.
Nevermore
I checked my Selects Seacons. While I cannot find a product code on Kraken or Turtler, there are definitely codes on my Gulf and Lobclaw, whom I purchased at the same time from the same seller.
lord ginrai
Haha, I wouldn’t put it past them XD
octobotimus
I’m surprised I haven’t seen a Hasbro release with the stamp on a figures face yet. Seems like something they’d do.
lord ginrai
Interesting! So they do indeed do separate runs. Do you reckon it’s the same for Masterpieces?
On a side note, I really hate how Hasbro always prints those codes in such visible spots.
TakaraTomy omits those on all mainline releases as well FWIW and for me it’s always well worth the wait.
octobotimus
Eh it’s the same run just stamped with a number. Don’t think it means much.
Nevermore
So the Hasbro Pulse version is apparently out, and I've made a minor discovery:
View attachment 29383821
The photo on the left is the Takara release (photo by Effendee Samat), the photo on the right is the Hasbro Pulse release (photo by MadameVixen on the Allspark Discord server).
If you pay close attention, you'll notice that the Hasbro Pulse version has a Hasbro product code (#F5912) on his knee which the Takara version doesn't.
View attachment 29383820
This proves that the Hasbro Pulse versions of these "Takara-exclusive" toys are not just random batches taken from the Takara production run shoved inside additional Hasbro sleeves.
They're separate production runs specifically intended for Hasbro's markets.
AkioRed
Pretty much it. The colors do look better, yes, but the paintjob on the battle damage just lookks cheap. I've said it before, but there's no gradient effect that slowly changes the red to black to give a more convincing burn effect. It's just Prime's red with a botch of black paint out of nowhere. It's good, but I'm not sure it really deserves to be called "premium".
yvk2000
Got my PF WFC Optimus Prime in. It's a pity the red isn't painted but it’s still nicer than the red of the retail Siege version. And in robot mode I find that, together with the new battle damage and the softer blue of the legs and the head, it makes for a much nicer looking figure. These improvements don’t translate as well into truck mode; it’s still better than the Siege one, but the changes aren't as pronounced.
Whether this release can be considered 'premium' is debatable, but eh I am honestly pretty happy with it. I was not able to appreciate Siege Prime – due to the bare colors – and I didn't like ER Prime very much (with his non-visible eyes, non-transforming legs and less appealing proportions). But now I finally have my WFC trilogy G1 Prime.
2fabdad
I would like to have him in hand… Like right now.
Then I'd know…