Blind Boxed Beast Mode

I had recently started noticing these new WWE Beast Mode blind boxes at Walmart and finally bought one this weekend. I'm glad I did, this is a neat little series. Imagine a stylized mini figure of a wrestler with a Pretender shell. Sounds pretty cool huh? That's exactly what you get with these and I'm definitely getting more. The shell is the 'beast mode' making your little wrestler a monster that's hard not to like.

Unfortunately the shell isn't articulated, but the wrestler is at the shoulders and hips. They're pleasantly rubbery and even have a cool blind box delivery system. The pull tag is a 'chain' that you rip off revealing a red cardboard crate. Tear that thing open to see who you got.

I paid around $5 for one and that's not bad. Unfortunately the cool Undertaker in the picture I used above isn't in the currently available series 1. There's a code system to ensure you don't get a million Triple H's thankfully. Just look at the bottom of the box and you'll see a code above the UPC. The last letter dictates which is inside (I got a Rock).

A: Braun Strowman
B: Finn Balor
C: Becky Lynch
D: Roman Reigns
E: Triple H
F: AJ Styles
G: Daniel Bryan
H: The Rock

Transformers X Nezha

I've been watching this line develop as much as I could since it was announced. A Chinese exclusive Transformers series, Transformers X Nezha will be a cartoon and toy line for the Chinese market involving Chinese mythology. Details have been pretty scarce. Mainly getting a 'it's coming' blurb occasionally without anything really concrete. Honestly I had assumed it would be mainly a new cartoon involving current Transformers toys in a new setting. Today images of the toys were leaked out and I can't lie. I'm interested.

The image above doesn't reflect the line as a whole. There could be all sorts of size classes and such. Right now all we have is a fuzzy picture of what looks like a 3 pack of Legend/Legion scale figures. My affinity for this size class isn't a secret, nor is my fondness for the more unique things that happen in Transformers. I've been wanting Terracotta Army Transformers forever, and while this isn't the same thing, it's close. That traditional old world Chinese armor looks GREAT and really lends itself to Transformers design. Optimus Prime is a Samurai, Megatron a Sphinx. Ancient Chinese armor? Perfect.

I hope these aren't to hard or expensive to get, as I want some. I'm not saying I plan on going whole hog or anything, but definitely want a few and plan to pay attention to this. It's neat, it's cool, and it's different. Seeing as Tu Xingsun looks to be using the Prime Knock Out legion/legend class mold to some extent... and I'm seeing other familiar parts on the other two... I wonder how many original toys will be produced for this series vs remolds and recolors. Either way, I like this.

Transformers Ramen Resturant

I've made my love for ramen known here before, so when I randomly decided to enter Transformers and ramen into a search at the same time... I had no clue this would pop up (I was hoping for neat licensed instant lunch cups). This news completely passed me by last year when The Last Knight was in theaters (sadly, because this is the kind of thing I go crazy over). Apparently a ramen restaurant in Hong Kong called Ramen Iroha had a promotion for The Last Night featuring Transformers theming all over their restaurant. I found this video and this TFW2005 post showcasing the promotion and the sadness I'm feeling over missing out on this is absolutely ridiculous. Completely ludicrous. For starters, I live in Georgia. There isn't a Ramen Iroha here. We had that rad Sonic promotion (sadly, doesn't seem like anything for Bumblebee), but this puts those excellent slush cups to shame. I would love to get some of that neat stuff they were selling with the logos on it. Sure, I can grab a set of chopsticks easily, but I'd stockpile Transformers branded ones.

You think I'm joking?

I've found myself recently wondering what kind of cool set up could feature Transformers somewhere like Gatlinburg or Myrtle Beach. Somewhere that's a touristy place that would make sense. There's that neat Simpsons attraction at Myrtle Beach that makes me wonder if a Transformers themed similar thing would be a hit. Some sort of attraction like a museum or a 4D movie, a store, maybe a cool restaurant. Maybe have some of the SEGA arcade games set up. I'm sure it's be great.

Good lord I'm practically in tears just looking at the menu. Forget MP44, THIS IS SPECIFICALLY MY JAM.

MY SPECIFIC JAM.

G-Shock X Transformers

こちらも本日情報解禁！
G-SHOCK×TRANSFORMERSコラボ企画 第2弾
マスターオプティマスプライム！
昨年のPVでの映像コラボに続き、製品のコラボが実現！

詳しくは↓↓https://t.co/ukw7vIXj59

スペシャルPV公開↓↓https://t.co/yGf505QKSO#トランスフォーマー#Gショック pic.twitter.com/9PJk5olIFA

— トランスフォーマー情報局 (@TF_pr) November 16, 2018

Today's information is also lifted! G-shock×transformers Collaboration Planning 2nd Master Optimas Prime! Following the video collaboration in PV last year, product collaboration is realized! More ↓↓ https://tf.takaratomy.co.jp/related-products#CASIO-TF … Special PV ↓↓ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jMjwoCFSasE … #トランスフォーマー release #Gショック

Botbots reveal!

Thanks to Hasbro and their partners, I just opened up the newest press release for Botbots and man now I really want them! Check it out!

BotBots are mischievous little robots who came to life from everyday objects inside a shopping mall! This rare type of Transformers robot is tiny, mischievous, and great at hiding!

Sooper Dooper 7

 

Super 7 has even more cool stuff coming and that includes a dead version of the X-Ray Optimus Prime figure for NYCC. Man, I really, really, really want those Keshi Surprise. Those are super neat.

The best things are often under your nose

I don't claim to know everything. There's a million of people on the internet who do, but I don't. It's just not plausible being a functioning adult to know every little thing, you can try, but it is what it is. For years I've been seeing images of this neat little robot dude and never knew anything about it. Just thought it was neat looking and assumed it was a part of some line or collection I wasn't paying attention too. I mean, this has been going on for years seeing this little robot dude who's in a variety of colors and a few sculpt variations. I've always though it looked neat, but like I said, just absent minded on it.

So earlier today (to you it was yesterday, but for me it was today), my curiosity finally got the best of me and I decided to look into this neat little robot dude. Well holy crap it's a Hot Wheels toy that's been in steady availability since the mid 80's. I've probably looked it over a million times somehow. I mean, as a kid I was a big fan of the Speed Demons line and he was part of that and I somehow never saw him until adulthood.

The car is named Zombot, but also known as Computer Warrior and Phantomachine in some instances. My mind is completely blown on this as like most kids I had a ton of Hot Wheels, but I was seriously into the Speed Demons line and still casually look at the cars when I'm in stores. Occasionally still buying some. They're just neat, you know?.

So this cool robot guy I've been noticing for YEARS has somehow slipped completely past me and I'm astounded. I'm not going to go crazy, but I'm definitely going to attempt to grab a few versions when I can. Considering the amount of loose Hot Wheels in boxes I see in various stores and shows, it shouldn't be too hard. Know how I just said those boxes of loose Hot Wheels? I always go through them and usually advise others too because often smaller Transformers and Gobots will end up in those and you can score some good finds usually cheap by just digging though them. I've done this so often that I've probably passed over a million Zombots doing so. I'm both amused and baffled by this.

Shadows Rising trailer

I talked about this game earlier this year when the first looks at it were peeking out (of the shadows hur hur) and I still really want to play it. I've yet to play the prior game, so here's to hoping I make it to a Dave and Buster's soon... or maybe if Fun Spot has it... I should check into that. I love a good SEGA light gun game.

I guess you really can buy anything at Walmart

I admit to liking the giant logo across the picture

So, the scuttlebutt of today in the Transformers news is listings of a reissue Hot Rod on Robot Kingdom. Allegedly this will be a Walmart exclusive in June for 35$. Walmart has certainly had it's share of exclusives before, but a G1 reissue is more of a boutique item that's normally at some form of specialty store. So it's kinda random for Walmart to have it, but I'm not complaining. There's a billion Walmart stores where I'm at and the bulk are open 24 hours. So unlike a Toys R Us, I can swing by on my lunch break or on the way home in the morning pretty easily. Not to mention, being at Walmart, it's going to have a more fair price. Sure, I got the last reissue at Toys R Us in 2002 for $19, but at the time I was also getting deluxes for 9.99. Now they range from $15-20$. Hot Rod is not much smaller than a modern voyager and has die cast parts. He's a big chunky brick of plastic and metal that's honestly almost as dense as a modern leader class figure. So 35$ in 2018 isn't too bad, that's what a Megazord runs. Not to mention, once again, this is a more specialty boutique item, it's going to cost a little more.

I do wonder if the path is being cleared for more items like this at stores like Walmart and Target as Toys R Us is going out of business. If you're going for a physical retail location, might as well go for the biggest players in the game. Both chains in my areas have dedicated areas for collector driven items already, so it's not big of a stretch to see them add to that idea.

So outside of wondering if these stores are going to carry more stuff like going forward, I wonder, are we looking at more G1 reissues at places like Walmart or Target? I'm actually really hoping so. Sure, I have most of them already, but what about an odd one I don't or maybe there's some random differences in these new reissues I dig? All we have is a picture of that Hot Rod to go by, but what if say he has extra stuff in the box? A booklet, new accessories, a back drop, or who knows? This could be really neat and really neat things are the basis for having a hobby.

Either way, I'm buying another Hot Rod at Walmart.

And probably some cat food.

Mecard turning up

A few months ago, I said noted on the neatness of Mecard and had hoped it would start turning up here in the US. I guess I'm psychic as I found it at Target the other day as well as heard from others that they've seen it a far as a few weeks back. That's great. I've noticed a really similar line to it in the car toys section of stores usually next to the Havox Machines toys in recent months. I guess it's not too surprising as it's been popping up in Canada that it would find it's way here. I was tempted to get some but passed for the moment (had like a million things to buy, so didn't exactly feel like buying anything else), but may grab some soon. They're certainly neat and after marveling at their ads for a bit now, I'd be foolish to pass a super easy opportunity to pick a few up. Especially as they're at my local Target.

I kinda want a toy of him

I don't know why people keep saying it's a real life Transformer. 

It's clearly a Brave guy.

Diamond Cyclone

I just wanted to point out just how nice this image is. I'm not sure, but I think it's a scanned sticker sheet. Just found the image without any context to where it's from originally.

Cityneon is such a rad name

I've been watching this develop for awhile now, I think since 2015. I was really convinced that this was going to be the replacement for BotCon for a bit there. But it sounds much more interesting. A touring Transformers experience including VR? Sign me up! I'll be keeping my eyes peeled towards this ones schedule, hoping it makes a stop in Georgia or relatively close to me. I really want to go.

Press Release