Takara Tomy unveils two versions of Missing Link Soundwave — an anime deco and a vintage-toy deco — sending the panel deep into AutoScout and Laserbeak accessory comparisons and import pricing, with Brian declaring himself “Mr. Missing Link.” Target abruptly cancels preorders for Studio Series MTMTE Starscream, Prowl, and the Insecticons, and Don recounts a real-time chain of confirm-then-cancel emails live on air. Takara Tomy also reveals New Legends EarthSpark Cosmos and Soundwave, a T-Spark Adamas Machina AM-T02EX Magna Regulus repaint the panel nicknames “police predicting,” and a Dark Design MPG-26 Decepticon Rhinox. Brian’s second-favorite pickup is the Battersea Power Station’s exclusive Powerplex model kit, a 5,000-piece limited run honoring the London store’s mascot.

News

Takara Tomy Missing Link D-01 Soundwave, D-02 Soundwave (Anime Version) Full Reveal
Takara Tomy unveiled two Missing Link Soundwave releases: a vintage-toy-deco version with red eyes and an AutoScout/Laserbeak pairing, and a cheaper anime-deco version with yellow eyes and a differently-accessorized Laserbeak. The panel spent significant time on the roughly $30 price gap between the Japanese releases, landing on import duties and accessory count as the likely drivers rather than material differences. Brian and Chris both preordered the toy-deco version; Rob praised the redesigned Laserbeak transformation and flagged that the mold appears built to eventually support a Soundblaster repaint down the line.

Target Pre-Orders for MTMTE Starscream, Prowl Being Cancelled
Target abruptly canceled a wave of Studio Series More Than Meets The Eye preorders, hitting Starscream, Prowl, and reportedly some Insecticons. Don described a same-day chain of “confirm your delay” and “approve the delay” emails that resolved in outright cancellation within hours, alongside cancellations on unrelated GI Joe and TMNT preorders from the same retailer. Chris noted a handful of Starscreams and Insecticons have surfaced in stores despite the cancellations, but no confirmed Prowl sightings yet outside third-party sellers.

Takara Tomy Transformers New Legends EarthSpark Cosmos, Soundwave Full Reveal, Pre-Orders
Takara Tomy’s New Legends line adds EarthSpark Cosmos and Soundwave, folding both into the ongoing New Legends webcomic continuity. Brian and Don both bought two Cosmos figures apiece; a Discord viewer noted the New Legends Soundwave deco reads as slightly more show-accurate than prior releases. The panel couldn’t confirm further plastic or deco differences beyond available stock photos.

Takara Tomy T-Spark Adamas Machina AM-T02EX Magna Regulus Official Reveal
T-Spark’s Adamas Machina AM-T02EX Magna Regulus repaints the Predaking mold in a police-themed deco the panel dubbed “police predicting.” Brian called it his second-favorite news item of the week despite calling the concept “so stupid” — in a good way — at a roughly $376 price point per Rob’s research.

Takara Tomy Transformers MPG-26 Decepticon Rhinox Full Reveal
Takara Tomy’s Dark Design sub-line adds a Decepticon-deco Rhinox repaint of the Masterpiece-style mold, priced around $223. Chris and Brian both passed, noting they’d already gotten their fill from the original Dark Designs release, though Chris acknowledged fans have wanted this redeco for years.

Transformers Age of the Primes Deluxe Joyride, Hotwire Additional In-Hand Images
New in-hand photos surfaced for the current Age of the Primes/Studio Series wave, including Joyride, Cliffjumper Bumblebee, and Soundwave. Brian called Joyride his favorite figure of the bunch; the panel also discussed Powermaster-style figures more broadly in this wave without confirming Hotwire specifically appeared in the photos discussed on air.

Age of the Primes Commander Armada Jetfire Additional In-Hand Images
New photos also surfaced for Commander Armada Jetfire. The panel’s reaction was brief but positive — Brian and Matt both praised the figure’s accessory work.

Transformers Battersea UK Launches Exclusive Powerplex Toy and Comic
The Battersea Power Station’s Transformers store mascot character gets an exclusive $200, 20cm, 5,000-piece-limited toy from Yolopark, alongside a tie-in comic with variant covers from artists including Andrew Wildman, Nick Roche, Jack Lawrence, and Guido Guidi. Brian preordered one and called it his second-favorite news item of the week, comparing the quality bar to Yolopark’s GT Megatron.

What We Got This Week

Chris (ExVee): Chris finally has a Hot Rod for the Studio Series MTMTE Voyager wave after a months-long saga with a mis-shipped Scourge — Don caught one on CMD Store and sent it over. Chris also received a Studio Series 86 Starscream from Discord member Rusty, having been unable to find one on shelf after the preorder delays.

Don: Don got the Insecticons 3-pack from Target on sale, then a run of Tobot third-party figures: the Smart Class Datsun-style car, an AliExpress Sidewinder knockoff, Tachyon (possibly a KO, in dispute with the eBay seller), Bus King, and the King Titan V combiner.

Matt: Matt had nothing in Transformers this week.

Rob: Rob picked up the Blokees Shining Wave 5 assortment, including the Chase Optimus Prime variant, and ordered a second assortment hoping for another Chase pull.

Brian: Brian got the Yolopark Beast Wars Megatron and Blackarachnia, pairing them with his existing Dinobot and Optimus Primal.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:30 — 36.9MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS | More