Brian finally has Masterpiece Cheetor, Masterpiece Grapple and Leo Prime in hand. Titans Return Chromedomes turn up with the Takara Tomy Legends head, which looks like a factory error. Takara Tomy announces Legends LG-43 Trypticon at about $223. Chris works out that Movie Masterpiece “Mars” must be Barricade. Pete Sinclair announces Pete’s Robot Convention for June, and TFC Toys shows its not-Road Caesar.
Toylanta and TFU.info
Joelanta is becoming Toylanta, with Joelanta continuing as its G.I. Joe track beside Botlanta. The crew’s panels run March 10 to 12 at the Marriott Century Center in Atlanta. Brian also shares new photos at TFU.info, including the original Shuffler and rare Headmasters, thanks to Don’s friend Brycie.
This Week in History
In 2008, the BotCon Shattered Glass set sold out months before the show. The crew credits the novelty of the concept, like decoing Cybertron Starscream as Jetfire. In 1979, voice actor Jon Bailey was born.
News
Multiple Titans Return Chromedomes Found with Legends Faceplate
Two turned up at a South Carolina Walmart, and someone in California reports another. The heads match Takara Tomy’s release down to paint and screws, so it looks like a factory error. One host wonders if Takara Tomy’s Headmaster six-pack production caused the mix-up. [Source: TFormers]
Titans Return Sixshot Now Reaching US Retail
Don’s buddy found one in North Carolina. Brian notes Target online lists it at $39.99, $5 less than stores, so ask for a price match. [Source: TFormers]
Legends Series Trypticon Announced: Takara Tomy LG-43 Dinosaurer Listing Leaked
LG-43 is up for preorder at about $223. One host doubts it can justify the import price without extras like Fortress Maximus’s sound chip. Another notes it costs about $75 more than Hasbro’s version. [Source: TFormers]
Masterpiece MP-34 Cheetor and MP-35 Grapple Asia-Exclusive Metal Figurines Revealed
Cheetor comes with a metal Optimus Primal and Grapple with Ultra Magnus. The crew finds Ultra Magnus a random pick. [Source: TFormers]
The Last Knight
Hasbro Files for Trademark on Autobot/Decepticon Symbol
The trademark covers a split movie-style Autobot and Decepticon symbol. Guesses include Forged to Fight or the line’s reveal-your-shield play pattern. [Source: TFormers]
The Last Knight: First Toys Released Early in Australia
The early arrivals are transforming bath product toys, likely a stocking error. [Source: TFormers]
The Last Knight Movie Masterpiece “Mars” Possibly Identified
Chris explains the code names: Jupiter is Optimus Prime. A Takara Tomy listing pairs Mars with Barricade, which makes Saturn the Bumblebee shown at Toy Fair. He is 99.9 percent sure the third Movie Masterpiece is Barricade, likely in its 2007 design. [Source: TFormers]
The Last Knight: Movie Masterpiece Optimus Prime First Look at Design Model?
A blurry Weibo image may show Movie Masterpiece Optimus Prime. The crew jokes it needs a UHF antenna to clear up. [Source: TFormers]
The Last Knight Wave 1 Case Breakdowns, Plus Code Names Demystified
Rob compared the assortment lists to pin down most code names. Optimus Prime and Bumblebee each seem to carry two code names, possibly marking reused molds. [Source: TFormers]
Third-Party News
Reformatted R-22 Boreas: Unofficial IDW-Style Cyclonus
Boreas retools the Anubis and Jaegertron mold. The crew finds it too blue and over-detailed to read as IDW Cyclonus. [Source: TFormers]
Pete’s Robot Convention: Get Your Robots On This Summer
Former BotCon co-organizer Pete Sinclair announces a Transformers convention for June 23 and 24. Guests include Alex Milne, Josh Perez and Robby Musso, who once said he works to podcasts like RFC. [Source: TFormers]
TFC Toys Trinity Force: New Photos of Unofficial Road Caesar
Don is tempted, since the G1 Road Caesar is a grail but not a great-looking figure. Others are wary of TFC Toys’ track record. [Source: TFormers]
Transformers Animated Unofficial 10th Anniversary Anthology Fan Art Book
The book includes a Pretender Bumblebee by Derrick J. Wyatt. It is a Japanese event release, and a listener in chat says Hydra is middlemanning copies. [Source: TFormers]
What We Got This Week
Brian got Masterpiece Cheetor, which he loves in robot mode, though the hidden chest head feels like a cheat. He also got Masterpiece Grapple and struggled to seat the crane hook. Leo Prime, the Lio Convoy repaint of Alpha Trion, also arrived. He found Titans Return Voyager Optimus Prime, and Wade Doolittle hooked him up with Sixshot.
Diecast got Masterpiece Grapple too and likes how different it is from Inferno. He also got the Toys “R” Us Japan Geoffrey Prime, smaller than he expected. He picked up a Voyager-size upscaled knockoff of a Generation Toy G1 Megatron and Ocean-brand licensed decals.
Don got a HiLine clear MP-P10, an upscaled Masterpiece Optimus Prime knockoff. He says it looks gorgeous in sunlight. He is also bringing some of JD’s toys to Toylanta for fans.
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