Hasbro Pulse’s Toy Fair recap brings a wave of Studio Series 86 reveals for the 40th anniversary of Transformers: The Movie. The all-new Leader Class Astrotrain splits the crew over its slim robot mode, though one host calls it a genuinely solid triple changer. Deluxe Kranix nails his animation model, and the Matrix of Leadership roleplay prop sells out in minutes. Takara Tomy finally announces Masterpiece Blaster, and Missing Link Grimlock gets anime colors at a frustrating price.
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New York Toy Fair Transformers Recap
The Hasbro Pulse Toy Fair recap stream added new Studio Series 86 toys to the Age of the Primes reveals. The big one is a 100 percent new Leader Class Astrotrain, not a facelift of Siege Astrotrain, and opinions are mixed. Some hosts think the robot mode looks like Astrotrain went on a crash diet. One host relays that Evan explained that the transformation was completely rethought, and several chest parts are now unpaintable nylon. A simple Toyhax sticker set could help a lot. That host praises a triple changer with nothing mechanically wrong, plus an option for a cartoon or toy-style chest. Another host dislikes the leg kibble, which likely comes from the working locomotive wheel linkage. One host says a Safety Astrotrain deco would make him buy it. [Source: TFW2005]
Transformers Toy Fair Reveals: Astrotrain, Sunstreaker, Shockwave and More Preorders Live
Stock photos are out for the Studio Series reveals. Deluxe Kranix is the other new mold, and the crew calls him the highlight. One host notes the alt mode matches Floro Dery’s design from the Marvel comic adaptation, so any silliness is accurate. The robot mode barely looks like it transforms. One host wants a Junkion Nancy retool next. Sunstreaker and Wheeljack are package-refresh reissues, and the crew still dislikes Wheeljack’s “French manicure” chest windshield. Skywarp’s sample was missing its wing tampos, and Matt says his shoulders should be purple. Shockwave is a heavy remold of Siege Shockwave that can clip onto Bruticus as a shoulder cannon. He comes with a tiny Shockwave pistol, a nod to an animation error. [Source: TFW2005]
Matrix of Leadership Roleplay Prop
Diecast loves the Matrix of Leadership roleplay prop, which plays a clip of “The Touch.” Don asked Hasbro Pulse how long the clip runs, but customer service didn’t have the answer. One host saw a video where the clip ran 10 to 15 seconds. It has a silent mode, a light-up swell sound and a USB-C port for permanent display. Hasbro says it is the first of a roleplay line. It sold out within minutes, and Don thinks its $140 price may have been a Pulse error. [Source: not found]
Transformers Cyberworld Energon Surge Official Stock Images and Product Descriptions
Stock images cover Cyberworld’s second product year. One host’s pick is Scourge, a pirate ship robot that is not in the stock image set. [Source: TFW2005]
The Transformers: The Movie: The Apology Tour – Hasbro Is Sorry for Killing Optimus Prime
Hasbro’s Apology Tour apologizes to fans for killing Optimus Prime, tied to the movie’s 40th anniversary. Brian recorded a reaction video for Hasbro, mostly pleading “Don’t give it to Hot Rod,” and thinks the final edit turned out well. Theatrical showings look likely this year, and the crew hopes for a Fathom Events release in August. Don sees people online upset about it. Another host says the joke lands best with fans who haven’t thought about the movie weekly since 1986. [Source: TFW2005]
HasLab Transformers Liokaiser Packaging First Look
Matt likes the HasLab Liokaiser packaging, which one host says captures a Transformers Victory eye-catch. The photos also show the added wheels and panels, and the flight stands double as storage racks. Diecast wanted a video. One host notes Evan has been running the department while Mark is on paternity leave. [Source: TFW2005]
Brian loves the T-Spark Evangelion Prime, a larger take on the movie Optimus Prime mold, and buys it at $79.99. The Japanese price is 11,000 yen, about $70. One host calls it the best use of a movie Prime mold for this crossover, though it does nothing for another. [Source: TFW2005]
Takara Tomy Missing Link C-13 Grimlock Anime Type Official Stock Images
Anime-colored Missing Link Grimlock explains why the toy-colored version lacked a red sword. Don wants all the Dinobots in anime colors but is upset it runs $30 to $35 more at domestic retailers. Another host says prices should drop once official US preorders open. JT Prime told Don that should happen as soon as next week. [Source: TFW2005]
Masterpiece Blaster is finally coming, a decade after the crew expected him alongside Soundwave. The reveal also includes reissue packs of Soundwave’s cassettes, so the line should scale together. One host checked the older Masterpiece Nightstalker and says this Steeljaw looks newly engineered. [Source: TFW2005]
Takara Tomy T-Spark Transformers Overgear OG-01 Ironhide and OG-02 Blackout Color Samples
An Overgear Optimus Prime render joins color samples of Overgear Ironhide and Blackout, which look flat but sharp. One host reports that the promo video reveals Overgear Ironhide is derived from Energon Ironhide, with an operator named Jones, Kicker’s last name. One host guesses around $120 each. [Source: TFW2005] [Source: TFW2005]
Takara Tomy New Legends Lio Convoy Legendary Green Ver. Web Manga Comic Online
The Legends web comic universe returns with a special installment for the glow-in-the-dark Lio Convoy Legendary Green. One host expects a translation and notes it features Beast Wars II Galvatron. [Source: TFW2005]
M. Sipher Shares Unpublished Mini-Con Bios
Greg Sepelak, known as M. Sipher, posted the Armada Mini-Con bios he and Trent Troop wrote for the Transformers Collectors Club, including ones never published. Chris is glad the material is preserved for archival purposes. [Source: Bluesky]
What We Got This Week
Brian got Windcharger on Walmart clearance for $14. He calls it a great little toy with almost no gaps, though he dislikes the car roof becoming the soles of the feet.
Diecast found Excellion on Walmart clearance for $20. He also got a Studio Series Thundercracker as an Amazon Warehouse deal for about $28. It was the right figure, just in a crushed box.
Don got 52Toys’ BeastBox Love Gun, a dove that turns into a gun, his first from the line. He also finally got the Blokees Bruticus combiner, buying cases to get it.
Rob got an unlicensed AliExpress copy of Studio Series 86 Megatron for about $20. He likes it as an action figure next to his Optimus Prime but doesn’t enjoy the tank transformation.
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