Zoids Wild looks...wild

Man alive, I cannot stress enough just how excited for Zoids Wild I am. Zoids is always one of those things that happen as the perfect storm. It shows up with a big roar, causes a big commotion, then blows away for whatever time it takes to occur again. I've been antsy for a new line in the past few years, with a few *ahem* higher cost options available, but not a real outright Zoids line. You know how you have muscle memory? Like you can remember exactly how something feels like no matter how much time has past? That's how I am about those little rubber bolts you use to fasten together Zoids kits. I've been mentally squeezing one in my fingers ever since the announcement earlier this week.

Upcoming Power Rangers RPG

Thie characters in thus upcoming mobile Power Rangers RPG game look great. I'm somewhat looking forward to it's release, though hopefully it can keep my interest longer than most mobile games. I'm not the biggest fan of turned based games, and most mobile games are just that with the option of buying credits to make the turns go faster (which doesn't make me want want to do). I'd like something akin to a shooter or platformer that I'd only get so many free lives or something. Or just a shooter or platformer I have to outright pay for.

Hey, can I just get an action game for my Switch?

DX Golion commercial

I'm pretty pumped for the new season of Voltron this weekend. Been mentally preparing myself for the new developments and fantastic battles. Currently, it's Wednesday morning (I work overnight) and it won't be until Saturday evening until I get to settle down and binge the new season. I've been forming (the head!) a strategy. Food (thinking an italian sub from Publix), drinks (maybe some Ginger Ale), what t shirt/basketball shorts combo to wear (maximum comfort is the goal). I've even debated on a small Voltron shrine to sit around myself. Of courser the cats wouldn't leave the swords alone, so perhaps I'll skip that.  

Golion/Voltron in the garage

Just an oil change please, no thanks I can change my own wipers.

I love images like this. Don't know why, it's just need to see these great depictions of robots getting worked on or being created. This one looks amazing. I've always been a fan of these painted pictures that they don't do anymore. It just looks fantastic.

Wild Blue Yonder

Heck Yeah!

The newest Zoids series, Zoids Wild, is slated to start up in June with a new anime, mange, toys, and games. I'm hoping the series get's a world wide release as man I've been hankering new Zoids stuff. What I've seen so far looks great and man it's hard not to get excited for more Zoids. The prospect of a new Switch game is most exciting, I could see that being the perfect synergy of game and console.

Credit: Japan Times

Robo Strux commercial

When I was a kid, Zoids were called Robo Strux. At least they were here in the U.S. I loved putting the cool robot dinosaurs together, winding up the little engines, and watching them walking around. Later they came back as Techno Zoids, and then just Zoids. It was around the Techno Zoids era that I learned that they were from a Japanese toy line called Zoids and there was more to these neat robot animals than just what I knew.

Robotix intro

Damnation, that's a catchy theme.  

MicroRobot V commercial

Sometime I wish more Microman stuff found it's way into Transformers than just the Microchange stuff. It makes me wonder what things would have been like if Diakron and Kronoform would have taken off here in the states.

Volcano Robo

Giant robots need swords, it's a rule.

It took me a while to cool to Volcanicus's lava. Initially, I was turned off by the idea of a classic Dinobot team combiner (new guys, no problem). It's been one of those long running ideas based on nothing. It used to be pretty commonplace to hear someone talking about the G1 Dinbots combined form, which didn't exist. I remember a toy dealer once swearing to me that they did, I was wrong, and he's seen it and it was a giant shogun warrior! My answer was to show me how it combined, seeing as he had a set of 'complete' (folks forget Grimlock had a gun) Dinobots that he was swearing was a combiner. It wasn't the first or last time I've had a toy dealer cross his arms, turn around, and I think hold his breath (fyi, it's best to know this stuff for your own self before getting sold one of those Family Dollar sets for 500$. Trust me, I've seen it happen.)

I think that bit of commonly passed around misinformation is the source of my initial turn off, because when I see it, I like it. It just looks cool. And hey, like Combiner Wars, everyone is a combiner in Power of the Primes, so why not finally work that out?

It's a really cool looking combiner form. There's no denying that. It's also a very cool name. Volcanicus. I don't know why the prospect of lava makes things 100% better, but I'm fond of the floor.

Microman Robotman commercial

Hashtags of Cybertron

Voting via hashtag on Facebook and Instagram for the newest fan vote figure for next years War For Cybertron Trilogy has been interesting. Considering toys are reducing in size, it has me wondering if they'll mainly be Legends sized (which I'd love, but I'm sure would turn off others) as the fan vote is for two packs as deluxes are going up to $20 at some point. Not to mention a Legend vs pack would fit well I'd think. It's a war, each pack has part of the war included. Time will tell I suppose, but it'd be neat.

Anyway, here's the options and my take on them.

Impactor Vs. Mirage: Since it's pre-Earth, this would be an earlier version of Impactor which we'd learn how he became to be an Autobot. Honestly, and probably not a very popular opinion, I've never been that big on Impactor (I mean, he's ok) so I'd be more interested in the Mirage.

Needlenose Vs. Tracks: These two have been recently made into brothers on rival sides. Which really plays into the brother against brother nature of a civil war and makes for a good two pack. I'd also like new toys of the two, so this would be good for me. 

Wheeljack Vs. Spinister: This is the one I want most. I love Spinister and a pre-Earth version would be super neat. Not to mention Wheeljack. Love Wheeljack and assuming this would be based off his appearance in More than meets the Eye episode 1, I can not resist.

In reality Impactor is really popular within the fan base, so it'll probably be that set that get's released. Like I said, I'd like a pre-Earth Mirage and an new Impactor would be fine. Either way, interested to see what comes of this next Generations line, though I'm more interested in focusing on the current one. That's one nit pick I have about Transformers toy news, it's generally halfway through a current series that you get all this news of what's next, which can sometimes overshadow whats on shelves for another year. 

Armada Jetfire

You can fall alone or you can fall together!

Jetfire adopted the form of Earth's most advanced and adventurous craft - the Space Shuttle. He is Optimus Prime's executive officer, second in command and has the honorable and rare task of being able to combine with him - redefining the term teamwork. He exemplifies all of the special qualities found in Autobot commanders: courageous, tactically skilled, and a natural leader. Taking the time to know each Autobot, Jetfire understands their individual strengths and weaknesses - in battle, he knows exactly where each soldier will excel. While relaxed with the troops, he becomes all business when it's time for action. He is heroic in battle, caring not about size or number of enemies; with a take on all comers' mentality. Equally efficient and effective on the ground and in the air, he is air mobile and ground capable.

X-Men Japanese intro

Whoa 

Battle Beasts Commercial

Lord I love Battle Beasts, as a child I didn't know of their connection to Transformers until I got older, but they still were some of my favorite toys to play with. This commercial is what sold me on them originally in the 3rd grade and it was that awesome animation that really won me over. Their appearance in Headmasters was fun and all, but man I wish they had gotten their own show in the classic Sunbow Hasbro days.

Machine Robo Rock People commercial

The Machine Robo version of Rock Lords

Wow, this is a weird one. It feels almost as if I'm watching a trippy B movie trailer more so than an action figure commercial. The Rock People seem like a nightmarish fever dream. It's strange and awesome. I've really amped up my desires to get some Rock Lords, hopefully at Toylanta next month I'll be able to do so.

The new ReBoot sure is VR Troopers/Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad

ReBoot-The Guardian Code 

VR Troopers

Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad

Star Fox commercial

Arwing Forever

Starfox Japanese ad

Every time I think about the Super Nintendo Land at Universal Studios, I hope for a ride based on one of my favorite games ever.

Stinger like a bee

It should come to no surprise that when the movie studios series was announced, Stinger was the one I was most interested in. Now that they're up for order... well, I got to wait... despite how many people complaining about how much they hate the movies, the designs, how horrible the toys are, the everything is horrible and terrible and blah blah blah... they sure did sell out super fast. I'm sure Walmart will have it soon enough. Maybe Target. Either way, I must have that Stinger. I have no logical explanation for why I like Stinger so much, but I do. He's easily one of my favorite movie bots and I just want as much as I can get.

Yes, I bought all the Walmart school supplies with him on it.

So, Stinger MP soon?

Go Busters intro

I can't and will not lie, I'm really excited for Beast Morphers. So excited that even though I'm still enjoying Super Ninja Steel, I'm looking past it a little. It's an entire year away,  so I really need to ground myself, but dude...

Unicorn Gundam Statue

Often I wish I was a bigger Gundam fan than I am, which I've taken steps to delve into the manga soon to enjoy the series more. It's awesome, but for some reason has always taken the backseat to other robot cartoons. I've watched some here and there, built a model here and there. I've always appreciated it, just haven't given it as much time as I want too. When I see these statues at Diver City (another in my bucket list of places I want to go) I can't help but to marvel and just say 'wow'.

Defender of the Universe-al

This is in St Louis, isn't it great?

Here me out, I got another theme park idea. Yes it's for Universal Studios. Don't look at me like that.

Before I talked about the much rumored to go Shrek 4D (talking Orlando) would make a great spot for a Godzilla 4D attraction. Then last night it dawned on me. Dreamworks makes the current Voltron show. Which just happens to be the best damn robot show on TV. Hey... Comcast owns Dreamworks... and Universal... 

So, what if a Voltron 4D attraction was created in that building? Imagine it, the facade and que would be re-themed into the Castle of Lions. Perhaps even with a mighty Voltron statue on top of the sign (similar to the rad Transformers set up just a little down from this area, but I'll get to that in a second). The line could feature props from the control area and have a video briefing from Allura, Coran, and the Paladins. This bit could be funny as Coran is hilarious. Throw in some animatronic Space Mice and you got a cool que and pre show!

I imagine the plot could follow a Galra attack that would feature cool scenes of Zarkon and Hagar with accompanying smoke and light effects in the theater. We could be treated to funny dialog from the Paladins before all hell breaks loose and we get a show stopping Lion Force battle with the Galra Empire. An epic Voltron formation would add to the excitement with the visual effects from the theater combined with 3D video and moving seats. I can see lasers firing inside the theater. That would be amazing. It would all end with Zarkon attacking in his epic mech suit with a show stopping battle with Voltron defeating Zarkon and the Galra and a great feel good ending. 

Guest would then exit into a shop selling all sorts of cool Voltron merchandise. Maybe a cool Universal exclusive version of the Playmates Voltron sets. I could see plush toys of the Space Mice being a hit among even the most casual of guests. As they exit the theater, well heck, there's the Paladins in a meet and greet session. Maybe even Zarkon. 

Seeing as Transformers is just down a bit in the park, there could be a cool sci fi snack cart located in between the two robot attractions. Maybe selling things like neon colored drinks and glow sticks at night. 

Zarkon

That's me, being badass

Seeing as Playmates has that awesome season 2 finale version of Voltron waiting in the wings for a fall release, it'd be awful nice of them to release his counterpart, Zarkon in his mech suit! Obviously they wouldn't do it at Legendary scale, but even a sweet action figure of this would be great (oohh, what about in a two pack with a Quintessence Voltron?). I'd also like a toy of Lotor's ship. That thing is practically a mech suit on it's own. Playmates has really been knocking it out of the park with their Voltron toys so far, I could see them really kicking butts with a release of this.

Speaking of Voltron

Season 5 of the best damn robot show on TV will hit Netflix on March 2nd!

Forming Voltron in 2018

Toy Fair also brought me a healthy dose of exciting Voltron news. Looks like as the Voltron 84 assortment cools, Playmates plans on bringing a updated Legendary Defender Voltron out that mirrors his upgrade from the big fight during the end of season 2. Something I've wanted since I saw it!

I'm very excited for the chance to build this guy after finally completing my 84 Voltron (I'm slowly but surely doing it).

Also of interest is the stealth lions in the standard action figure assortment. The lions in those crystal colors are beautiful and look like a sight to be held.

Unfortunately there wasn't a new Metal Defender shown, but I'll keep my hopes up as I that was seriously great. Hoping to get a Metal Defender 84 or even a Quintessence upgraded version at some point. Playmates has really been bringing it with their Voltron line and it's hard to contain my excitement for their upcoming products.

Credit for the photos: Toy Hype USA

Collective thinking

With the news from Toy Fair today, it was hard to not stay in good spirits. Most of my news intake came in spurts as I had a somewhat busy day. I work overnight and had a few chores to do before getting some sleep. Upon waking up I caught up with the various news from the show in between a lunch run to Krystal (my favorite fast food restaurant). In the evening a friend came over to shoot for a Toylanta video as well as some footage for a Transformers fan documentary he's working on. He's got more shooting to do, so I'm looking forward to future segment filming as it was fun.

As far as my thoughts from the show, I thought it best to just compile the so far thought below.

Transformers:

Looks like the movie series reboot isn't as hard as it was initially reported. John Warden casually mentioned that reports were a little off base. My theory is that they'll follow the Bumblebee movies lead. I feel like it's along the same line as the newer X-Men movies that did a soft reboot with a younger cast. I'm fine with that.

Seems that Generations will return in 2019 with the new War for Cybertron trilogy planned. Not an adaption of the old game, but along the same idea of a pre-Earth Transformers adventure. Really excited for that, I'm always for that setting. I'm guessing it's going to run in tandem with the movie studio series toys as a line for older collectors.

Cyberverse continues to look fun, though my initial impressions of the Scouts were wrong. Seems like they don't have a full alt mode and they transform into a simple play mode. Not the new Legend class I took them to be, so I guess time will tell how my Cyberverse buying works out.

*edit* It's finally been confirmed that they do have full alt modes, so I think my original plan now lives again. Really wish news sites would have been clearer on that.

Power Rangers:

Hasbro announced their first Power Rangers series starting in April 2019, BEAST MORPHERS! I'm extremely excited for this as Hasbro just just just IT'S MORPHIN TIME!!!!!!!

Pardon me.

An adaption of the awesome Go Busters, Beast Morphers looks to be a good time on the way. Not to mention the hopeful rumors of crossover with TF, my favourite being reuse of Transformers molds in PR similar to Takara using TF molds in Brave. I have no words, this is amazingly exciting.

I'll be updating again tomorrow with more thoughts on news as they come from the show. Right now, the future is looking bright at Zone Base.

Boom

More information from Toyfair has news on Transformers multimedia which addresses the news that the Transformers movies will reboot after the Bumblebee movie. While I wonder if this reboot will be a total overhaul, or following in Bumblebee's lead, that's yet to be seen. Another neat bit of information is a Chinese exclusive Transformers series to coincide with Cyberverse. I think the most interesting I found was the focus on themed entertainment. There is mention of neat digital centers (AR/VR type entertainment) which I most certainly am interested in. I'm obviously a big fan of the Universal Studios ride and more things like it the better IMO.

While I wait for news to come forth from Toyfair, I take these tidbits and get excited. I'm honestly really pumped for Cyberverse.

Go Go Hassenfeld Bros!

As Toy Fair begins rearing it's mighty head and roaring out news, one of the first bits of information was when it was revealed last night that Saban and Bandai of America have parted ways. Many speculated as to who would take over producing Power Rangers toys, and there was plenty of evidence that it could be Hasbro. By this morning it was revealed, Hasbro is INDEED taking over the Power Rangers brand. Not only in toys, but the possibility of Hasbro BUYING Power Rangers from Saban is a reality that could happen as soon as next year. Right now Bandai of America will be producing PR toys until April 2019 when their contracts expire and Hasbo's products begin rolling out. If Hasbro does indeed buy Power Rangers, I see this as a good thing.

Hasbro has a good record with taking Japanese assets and making a much more successful property with it (hello, Transformers). Not to mention, they make good toys. Power Rangers is an ideal fit for Hasbro. Now I wonder how this would effect my beloved Imaginext Rangers, but thinking if it did go to Playschool, there probably would be a more expansive selection of toys to choose from. I could easily see Zeo, Dino Charge, or whatever appear in the selections.

In the end, I'm excited about this development. I know some people have a grudge against Hasbro for whatever reason, but I don't. They've been steadily selling me toys for my entire life, obviously I like what they do.

Cyberverse Squad Goals

Earlier today, pictures of the new Cyberverse toys began hitting various TF news sites and boy are my arms tired. Mainly from flapping in excitement like a penguin trying to do kung fu dancing. With reports last week of Power Of The Primes winding down this year and the brand as a whole kinda rebooting in a more simpler direction (mainline and movie instead of two mainlines and movie) with a more traditional look and feel starting more and more come into focus as Toy Fair nears, these pics had good timing. I had already gotten my Authentics earlier this week, and my theory of them replacing Legions may just be true.

There's now Scout class replacing Legends apparently working as a middle ground of Legends and Legions that should sell for around $8. They're around the same size as the Authentics (I paid $5.75 each), which makes for a good value for those who may assemble their casts from the smaller more budget friendly lines. Then there's Warrior class costing $16, which is taking the place of Deluxe class (keeping the name from RID). Which so far look pretty pleasant. The Ultra class, which is taking the Voyager spot though costing $20 instead of $25. Then we have the Ultimate Class, seemingly taking the place of the former Leader class though now costing a very welcome $30 as opposed to the current $45 Leaders sell for at my local stores. There's obviously some simplification going in to lesson the costs and keep the toys more kid friendly, which I don't mind (I'm aware that these are toys that I buy).

I see myself buying more of the smaller, cheaper toys with an occasional bigger toy (like that very Skyquake looking Starscream). This is a direction I've mostly been heading towards the last decade, with only some amazing larger toys throwing a wrench in the works. The Prime Wars trilogy has been impossible for me to ignore, so I've been going crazy getting as many as possible. I look at this line, the upcoming cartoon, and can see myself having a really good time.

This looks fun.  

I know my wallet will appreciate it. 

Story Pages

One thing I've always enjoyed was the random story pages inserted in with Transformers instruction or product catalogs. Maybe a blurb of fiction here or there, or as in this case, a mini comic. This little one page provides a cool little bit of adventure with the new toys in the catalog included with the toy. Little things like this can go a long way towards giving that toy a life of it's own and providing character. In cases like these late European G1-G2 toys it was some of the only fictional appearances some of these toys might have gotten until a random inclusion in a later convention comic or small role in a mainstream book if anything at all. It's not much, but it's something. Not to mention, that art is wonderful.

Hey Force, I heard you Rescue

One of the more interesting teams in Transformers is the Rescue Force, a somewhat more obscure group that feature recolors of Lio Kaiser molds into new Autobot characters simply named after their vehicle mode. The four members can still combine, just not into a complete combiner robot. To me, personally, this is a perfect idea for some sort of box set. Reuse appropriate enough molds in the decos, give them more exciting names (there's literally a million good enough names already in the Hasbro registered book of names), and boom there's a cool batch of neato toys. Some cool fiction wouldn't hurt either.

I could see them as some sort of Autobot Sentai team that rapidly deploys in crazy situations. Say, for example, that there's a big Decepticon attack and somebody has to help evacuate the humans while Optimus deals with the situation. Welp, here comes the Rescue Force!

Deluge

Let me study the battle plans. I'll think up something really unpleasant - and then make it even nastier.

With a twisted mind, he devises hideous attack methods that can astonish even veteran Decepticons! He lives in a world of his own, horribly plotting his next move. He can surprise with fast-action water power as a car, and convert to an equally well-armed attack robot.

Show your true colors!

It doesn't take much to get me on the topic of G2. A lot of people like to dismiss G2 as just a bunch of bright colors when there's more, much more than meets the eye. Earlier when I was finally getting a chance to play with my new Authentics, I couldn't help but to compare the Bumblebee to these guys. Sure there's no color change or water shooting gimmick and BB is a bit more hollow (he's a budget toy), but the overall presentation was very similar to these bots. Transformation, the robot mode, and the car wasn't too far off from the appearance of one of these.

These bots are some of the stand outs from G2 for me and often I find the simplified or budget minded toys hearken back to older toys in design. Which is  a selling point for me. I obviously like new toys, but man, stuff like this drives me wild.

Authentic Accessories

With the past few months of anticipating the Authentics I got earlier today, I can't help but to mentally pair them with Action Masters. Which is nonsense as Authentics Transform, but they could use some accessories and their somewhat chunky appearance recalls Action Masters for me mentally. Being that they use a standard 5mm port, the accessories could really be for any Transformers, but I can't help to think they'd go really well with them there Auntical Transformer type toys.

Authentic hunt

These guys, right?

I've mentioned here before just how excited for the new Authentics Transformers figures I am. In fact, probably pretty often. Well as news of them popping up at Dollar Generals started last week, I couldn't contain myself. I started hoping I'd find them only to no avail.

So, today while promising to run some errands for my wife,  I took it upon myself to hit up a variety of stores in hopes of getting my Evergreen on. I live in the rural outskirts, so fortunately there is plenty of the 'dollar' stores local.

I first did a Google search for Dollar Generals near me from my last errand stop. Amazingly there was one 5 minutes away that I never knew about prior.

An old man shot me the bird in the parking lot when I left

Well, I walked in and man this was one big Dollar General... it took me a minute to find the toys.

Farts, not yet

So, I walked around and Googled the next store local... oh the one one the way home. You know what, I'm going to the Family Dollar instead. I always liked those better anyway. There's even that new one just down the road.

Oh hey, not even busy.

So I walked in and looked around for a second and... and... well they had nothing new on the shelves. So, I think about where to go next and there they were just laying on the bottom shelf just out of site. I did a jump with an excited gasp.

The store employees were looking at me dissaprovingly as I took this. 

I snatched up one of each and then noticed there was no price to be found. I looked here and there and saw a price nowhere. So I went to the cashier for a price check. $5.75 each. The same price as legions at Family Dollar. Wondering if my theory that these will replace Legions (movie ones are $8 at my local Walmart, a dollar less than Legends, which really defeats the purpose and these match up to Legends in scale).

So I walked around with my robots as I waited for my wife to text me back incase I needed to grab anything else. Purchasing my robots the employee mumbled something about not understanding. I then left and went to the grocery to buy my wife Cellas. Thats where I took this selfie. Because I was proud of my find and shared it on Talk Transformers.

My eyes always look googly in selfies.

As I went home I wished that song about this is how we do it was on. I think it's called 'this is how we do it'. I'm not sure what the it they're talking about doing in that song is, but I'm sure they were buying Transformers as well.

Buster and Hydra commercial

This one is great. Buster and Hydra are planning a sneak attack on Ginrai and while executing it, they show off their combined vehicle form. I've said so many times before about how much I love the mini tokusatsu productions in Japanese toy commercials, but this one almost plays out more like a scripted short.

G Limbo

Late G1 was pretty interesting in European countries. Worldwide Transformers kept going strong, while in the U.S it was on hiatus for a bit before coming back as Generation 2. As the line started re-branding some of the products being released in those European regions began the slow shift to the new G2 make over. The newer toys had the new G2 symbols and the packaging began to resemble what we came to expect during Generation 2.

Eventually Transformers got the full name on packaging and Transformers Generation 2 was running strong. On this booklet, you can see many of the toys that got released in G2 here in the states as well as some familiar faces that stuck around as fan favorites. A few got re-released in Generation 2 packaging (some even with new names).

I'm not too proud to admit that I've very jealous of you lucky people in these countries that got these awesome bots at the time. 

Clench (G2 Redux)

Out. Of. MY. WAY!

From the moment he came online, Clench was trouble. Created as a security bot, he completely trashed the Cyberfactory that gave him life a mere ten minutes earlier. Within days, he had gathered the disaffected and angry among the Earth-born Cybertronians and created the Decepticon Syndicate, crushing anything in his path. His sole motivation seems to be a seething core of universal hatred that fuels him more than any energon. He has no true designs for usurping Galvatron or Zarak, but figures, someday, they're going to get in his way...

Even before the Forestonite experiment, Clench was a terrifying monster in battle. Now his nearly impenetrable armor and Colossus Cannons are augmented with the ability to create localized gravity wells up to ten times Earth's pull, leaving his targets utterly helpless before his wrath.

Off Camera

One thing that 3H used to do with their fiction, and Fun Publication did initially was base their fiction on non-show characters and generally had their adventures either off to the side of what was going on or little side stories with their exclusives just inserted into what would be a normal episode of the show. Fun Publications eventually got away from it for their own reasons, which probably was due more to the nature of the current product changing often or focus of the series being different (a Generations figure obviously wouldn't pair well with the Animated crew, for example).

Though I generally preferred the side stories better as it was a great way to give these other toys a chance to have adventures (admittedly, there's not much off screen characters anymore on shelves) and really expand on the greater setting. With Transformers seemingly settling into a more cohesive direction (mainline/movie instead of mainline for kids/mainline for adults/movie) I can hope that if there is any fiction from a future (if ever) new fan club or convention, it can be more side stories or extra adventures in the current at time setting. The upcoming Cyberverse cartoon seems perfect to have little adventures set in.

It's pretty much just a generalized Transformers setting, that'd be perfect.

Psychic Lover- Transformer-Dream Again (Micron Legend theme music)

Psychic Lover made an official music video for their song which was the the theme music for Micron Legend (Armada). It's pretty much the Transformers equivalent of the cursed video from The Ring. Only instead of having seven days until you die, you show it to everyone you know who doesn't like Transformers.

Sometimes I wish we got the Japanese themes on US airings. Not that the US music is particularly bad, but there's something to be said about using a popular bands song instead of another take on the 'More than Meets the Eye' jingle.

You know, I really liked Armada.

Dragoyell

One of the coolest promotions during the Transformers live action movie toy lines was the lucky draw toy Dragoyell. Using one of the coolest Mini-Con molds at the time, Dragoyell was part of a TV Magazine promotion and was extremely limited. At the time, the Beast Wars anniversary series was still going on in Japan (it had wrapped up the year before here in the US) to much acclaim (the toys were very well painted) and Dragoyell was a new beast era character!

I'll never have one, sad emoji face.

Check out this rad translation of his bio card.

Arms Bumpers

I can really appreciate how Arms Micron (the Japanese version of Transformers Prime) incorporated the toys into the show's bumpers for commercial breaks. It's nothing major, but just a neat nod to the Microns that came with the toys that were absent from the show.

SEGA arcade card games

One thing I wish would take off here in the states is those neat trading card arcade games that I see often in Japan. It seems every attempt just kinda stalls. Which surprises me as trading cards and video games are always popular. Seeing as the toys to life craze is dying down (something I was too very into until burning out about a year before it started dying out itself) I can understand. But something like a card game seems pretty easy to sell. Specially in today's world of smart phone games, I figure just scan a code on the card and boom. Either way, man, I'd love it if it was a thing here. This Animated card game by SEGA had some really neat cards and while I don't know if the games were fun or not (I can see myself enjoying The Shooting, not sure if The Chase would be fun), I'd certainly enjoy myself participating in the activity.

Gun Robo commercial

Ok, just what in the hell is going on here? 

That kid is just in some scary situation and he's packing heat!

Somebody want to call his parents?

MicroChange commercial

This classic Microman commercial features the original uses of some familiar looking bots huh? The thing that always gets me though is, that kid just happens to have a pistol in his desk. Clearly there is some unaddressed concerns about what this kid is up to on a regular basis.

Microman Radicasse Robo commercial

Folks often forget the Microman mold responsible for Blaster was an actual working radio. That's why his gun has that odd hole in it, because an ear plug would fit through it. This commercial is great though, basically Radicasse Robo (try to say that even one time fast) came from space to hang out on some dudes desk.

JAZZ BAD COMPANY

These were stickers included with a UK issue of Transformers comics. I just want everyone to relish in just how amazingly amazing this sticker sheet is.

Generation 2 Intro

I honestly just wanted to watch the animation.

Rare things

Oh sure, Hasbro made a G2 Stunticon set for Combiner Wars (sadly, I did not get it) and could possibly make a G2 Defensor set for Power of the Primes (which who knows if I'll get), but man, I'd love to get some kind of versions of these one day. Imagine walking into a Walgreen's and seeing a knock off some of the most rare Transformers ever in an Easter Basket. If that ever happened, they better have that little pack of Bottle Caps in the basket.

Those are good.

Jazz

Do it with style or don't bother doing it.

Jazz loves Earth culture. Always looking to learn more. His knowledge of Earth makes him the indispensable right-hand man to Optimus Prime. Takes most dangerous missions. Very cool, very stylish, very competent. Equipped with photon rifle, flamethrower, full-spectrum beacon, 180db stereo speakers. Creates dazzling, disorienting sound and light shows. Versatile, clever, daring, but prone to be distracted.

Astrotrain

In confusion there is opportunity.

Creating confusion is his specialty. As a Triple Changer, can switch from space shuttle to train to robot almost instantaneously. Thrives on foes' panic and fear. As shuttle, travels at 20,000mph in orbit, up to 50,000mph out of orbit... can launch weapons and satellites. Carries cargo. As a train, top speed is 400mph, range 1700 miles. As robot has great strength, carries powerful ionic displacer rifle.

Hound

Observe everything, remember even more.

Hound loves the natural wonders of Earth, prefers it to Cybertron. Brave, fearless, loyal. Secretly desires to be human. Uses turret gun as radar scope, infrared radiation collector. Tracks machines as well as humans. Hologram gun projects 3-dimensional grid laser-light topographical maps. Vulnerable to thermal and electromagnetic interference.

Vlog 2

Oy! Comvoy

Earlier when I was talking about Q-Transformers, I mentioned the eternally frustrating Mystery of Convoy on Famicom. While the game is impossibly hard and probably really bad for your blood pressure, I won't deny the various marketing for it was really cool. There's random promotional artwork to be found as well as the great box art for the game itself. Then there's the manga that serves as guide to the game. Of course there's the commercials, but check out this rad promotional video Takara produced.

It's pretty hardcore.

Q-Transformers

Q-Transformers (QT for short...they're short...and cute...GET IT OMG) was a series that I quite enjoyed a lot when it was going on. While I certainly got quite a few of the tiny bots, I didn't get them all (sad face emoji) which is something that will haunt me to my grave and possibly beyond. They were a neat tie in to the 30th anniversary of Transformers in Japan. QT featured a mobile game which was an endless runner remake of the classic turd Mystery of Convoy for the Famicom with the characters in the style of the QT's (cuties OMG GIANT BLUSHING FACE EMOJI) as well as a web series to accompany the toys.

The toys were great, just simple chunky little Transformers that were lovable as crap. I had been a huge fan of the Botshots Transformers toys, which were pretty similar, so I naturally gravitated towards these. They were pretty inexpensive and easy enough to acquire. I keep hoping that one day we'll get another similar line, because things like this are really fun.

There I go being weird again, having fun and enjoying my hobby.

Turning Mecard

Turning Mecard from what I understand is a Korean robot toy line that's being introduced in Canada and Australia. I'd like to see it here in the states. The optimistic person that I am, I would think this would sell well here. Even if it didn't, it'd be nice to get a few without paying import prices. I may sometime swing by my local H-Mart and see if any has appeared there. It doesn't happen often, but every blue moon some neat toys will pop up.

Armada/Galaxy Hero Cybertron Commercial

Interestingly enough, on Korean television, Armada was called Galaxy Hero Cybertron. 

Neat huh?