A detailed look at the new Studio Series 86 seeker mold shows parts-forming tail fins, clear plastic arm cannons and an opening canopy. New Target exclusive listings point to an anniversary Voyager Starscream, a Deluxe Insecticons three-pack and Deluxe Prowl, and Armada Jetfire becomes next year’s Commander Class figure. The crew also picks apart Studio Series 86 Scavenger and the suspension of the de minimis import exemption. In What We Got This Week, Diecast pulls the Blokees chase Megatron, and Chris reviews the Cybertron Sideswipe remake.

News

SDCC Sunday Update Details the New Studio Series 86 Seeker Mold

TFW2005’s Sunday booth update shows a Hasbro attendee transforming the new seeker test shot step by step. The tail stabilizers can plug onto the backpack on 5mm ports for a cartoon-style robot mode, or stay locked at the ankles. The test shot also has an opening canopy, and the arm cannons and face insert are clear plastic. Chris notes that nothing load-bearing is clear, so fragility shouldn’t be a big worry. Matt plans to replace his Earthrise seekers with this mold. Chris still prefers Earthrise and only wants new colors, like Sunstorm or the purple background seeker. The gallery also shows Windcharger’s magnet blast effect and Amalgamous Prime split into several smaller alternate modes. [Source: TFW2005]

New 2026 Listings Reveal Target’s Anniversary Exclusives

A new batch of 2026 listings includes a Generations Beast Wars Maximal multipack and a Hot Wheels collaborative Twin Mill II. Target’s anniversary exclusives include a Deluxe Insecticons three-pack, a Voyager Starscream on the new mold, and Deluxe Prowl. Don bets on Diaclone colors since Target loves red, but most of the crew expects standard G1 decos. Matt notes the three-pack would collect the Deluxe Insecticons that were split across multipacks. A Studio Series Leader Optimus Prime based on the 2007 live-action film is also listed for 2027. [Source: TFW2005]

Armada Jetfire Is the Next Commander Class Figure

A listing reveals Armada Jetfire as next year’s Age of the Primes Commander Class figure, at about $95. Most of the crew will buy it. Brian doubts it will have electronics, and another host agrees the sound effects gun was the most iconic part of the original. The crew insists he needs his Mini-Con for the front landing gear. One host hopes for an Astrotrain-colored repaint to match the upcoming Nemesis Prime exclusive, maybe as a future convention exclusive. [Source: TFW2005 boards]

Wild King Energy Beast Opens for Preorder

A new Wild King Energy Beast is up for preorder, and it appears to be mostly or entirely a new mold. One host has already preordered it. Don says it strongly reminds him of Archadis from Beast Wars Neo. [Source: Amazon Japan]

Studio Series 86 Scavenger Shown In Hand

In-hand photos show Studio Series 86 Scavenger. Diecast still dislikes how Devastator looks from the knees down. The crew calls out the giant purple pelvis, stubby arms and visible ball joints. One host noted his hands are cast in purple and painted green, which will work for a few minutes. Everyone expects DNA Design to make upgrade kits, starting with arm fillers. [Source: TFW2005]

Age of the Primes Micronus Prime and Alpha Trion In Hand

New photos show Age of the Primes Wave 3 Deluxe Micronus Prime and Voyager Alpha Trion, which were on sale at ACG Hong Kong during SDCC. Micronus Prime runs a bit short in robot mode because it includes a working Mini-Con, but the crew loves it. One host thinks the mold could become Miko in Apex Armor. Alpha Trion still looks really good. [Source: TFW2005]

e-Hobby Offers Megatron, Stranglehold and Sideswipe Garage Kits

Takara Tomy’s e-Hobby has a new assortment of unpainted garage kits: Megatron, Stranglehold and Sideswipe. They run about $20 each and ship only within Japan. Stranglehold looks great, and one host quoted Hooper X comparing him to how Western fans view Metal Hawk. The generic Sideswipe could pass for any of the Lamborghini brothers. The crew is still waiting for a Galvatron kit. [Source: TFW2005]

De Minimis Exemption Suspended for Low-Value Imports

The president suspended the de minimis exemption, which let imports under $800 skip duties. Brian buys much of his collection from Mandarake and Suruga-ya, so he expects to buy fewer toys. Import shops will pay more to bring stock in, and prices are likely to rise. The crew will keep watching how the policy develops. [Source: CBS News]

What We Got This Week

Matt

Matt had nothing in Transformers this week.

Diecast

Diecast got Sandstorm and Slugslinger after Amazon replaced a crushed first copy. He added an upgrade kit for his knockoff Studio Series 86 Optimus Prime with Megatron’s arm and Starscream parts, and X-Transbots’ G2-colored First Aid. He also got Transformers One Deluxe Starscream from Big Bad Toy Store and Missing Link C-05 Sunstreaker from Suruga-ya. He bought the full second Blokees Transformers One wave and pulled the beautiful chase Megatron. Walmart delivered his Cybertron Sideswipe, and his Fans Toys Dead End finally arrived about five years after it was solicited.

Don

Don has two Cybertron Sideswipes on the way, and the first has arrived. He also got Magic Square’s Masterpiece-scale Tornado, its Vortex, which includes a Bruticus head and chest plate. Cheap shipping convinced him to buy all three Mecha Legion Devastator sets for about $260.

Rob

Rob had nothing in Transformers this week.

Chris

Chris’s Studio Series Devastation two-pack from Target arrived damaged and already opened, with no easy way to return it. He calls the Battlechargers redeco inside a gorgeous shade of blue. He is much happier with the Cybertron Sideswipe remake. It is slimmer and a bit more parts-forming than the original, but the joints are tight, posability is good, and the changes are mostly improvements.

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