Optimus Prime/Orion Pax [Transformers One/Race Changers]

The Transformers One toy line has some interesting reprints of older toy molds as store exclusives. Fortunately these happen to be toys I've enjoyed with some remolding done to keep them fresh. One such exclusive is the Race Changers 2-Pack exclusive to Target stores here in the states. Race Changers are a rebranding of Bot Shots with a name that makes me wonder if Trademark offices should have a mandatory 10 minute clip of that guy from Ted asking if you're sure about that before finalizing a name.

For the record, I loved Bot Shots and am very happy to see them making a come back, even if it's with an awkward name. Shinkalion is also doing something with Bot Shots, which leads me to wonder if more similar toys are on the horizon. I seriously love these things. Optimus Prime is a retooling of the standard Optimus Prime Bot Shots figure with a new truck grill and spoiler. The former dice style gimmick from the Bot Shots game has been removed and replaced with a standard Autobot symbol. Optimus has a brand new launcher as opposed to the ones that came with older toys which is surprising. Part of me wonders if it was an unreleased launcher from the original line. The launcher mechanism doesn't lock into place very well either. Frankly, I wish they would have skipped the launchers in favor of another figure in the set. You can either launch the toy in vehicle mode or push it into something to trigger the spring loaded transformation. In robot mode, Optimus is cute and squat. Bot Shots were charming and similar to Choro-Q toys of the past... which is part of the reason I liked them to begin with. It'd be great to see more of these again, but I do hope they'd give the line a better name.

The camera refused to focus on his face.

Roboka Battle With Takara Bots!

This is the kind of thing I'd love to have available in my local area. The Roboka Battle Card Game is an arcade card battle game of the type that's pretty common in Japan. While I'm not sure how much I'd play the game (I like to mash buttons), I'd love the chance to buy the game cards and tie in toys. Who knows, maybe I'd like the game too.

 

The game features characters from Transformers Cyberverse, Shinkalion, and Earth Granner. Whenever companies do these types of crossovers I generally enjoy it. The fictional reasoning isn't always the best and often made even worse by fan resources, it can be pretty fun to pit characters who normally don't interact against one another.

The oddball cards are the kind of thing I'd love to find at older BotCons. It's definitely a plus seeing the Cyberverse characters in a video game, even if it's one I'll never likely play. I just caught up on my DVR recorded episodes of Cyberverse and man I hate that this is the last season. It's just a fun show. Though I'm going to do my best to enjoy it while it's around and things like this is great. I'd really like to experience Earth Granner a little more. It's pretty neat looking and seemingly a follow up to Drive Head. Takara just does things I like, know what I mean?

Snow Godzilla commeth

It's a cold morning and I'm compelled to post footage of Snow Godzilla from the Shinkalion movie: Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion the Movie: The Marvelous Fast ALFA-X That Comes From The Future. I've never watched Skinkalion, admired the toys, but man I need a vinyl toy of Snow Godzilla STAT!

Drive Head movie trailer

I'm doing my best to be patient for my newest Drive Head order to arrive, free shipping from Japan usually means a month but somehow feels like forever. I think if I can tolerate the delivery time, I'll buy more this year and maybe finally splurge on some Shinkalion. I've been way to reserved on them as I think they're super cool. I should probably watch more of the shows too. The recent Drive Head movie had a bit of a crossover, which is neat. I'd love the toys to find their way to the US... but that might be a stretch to realistically expect.

I just realized I've never opened Rescue Helicopter.

What am I doing not opening Rescue Helicopter?

Super Transformation 3

明日よりスタート！
スーパー変形3大ロボットヒーローキャンペーン！

第２弾は「レジェンドソード」がもらえるキャンペーンです。
どの色のソードがもらえるかは、GETしてからのお楽しみ！

詳しくは↓↓https://t.co/teayxxSPNd#トランスフォーマー#シンカリオン#ドライブヘッド pic.twitter.com/5S1MNLXKrJ

— トランスフォーマー情報局 (@TF_pr) August 3, 2018

Start tomorrow! Super Transformation 3 great robot Hero campaign! The second series is a campaign to get the legend sword. Which color sword can you get, and then enjoy! ↓↓ for more https://tf.takaratomy.co.jp/news/robot_hero2.html … #トランスフォーマー information #シンカリオン #ドライブヘッド  

Black Shinkalion commercial

I haven't gotten and Shinkalion toys yet (look man, I got bills yo) though I really want some. I think Black Shinkalion is a must have though. I mean, LOOK at that thing. Spooky, scary villain bot and let's address the elephant in the room.

Dragon train mode.

Now this is cool

Apparently in Japan there's a Takara promotional DVD available if you buy at least 2,500 yen in I'm assuming Transformers or other Takara product. The DVD markets Transformers, Shinkalion, and Driveheads. So of course it has my interest. I'm also fully admitting to enjoying looking at foreign advertising (which Zone Base readers have already figured out).

Shinkalion theme song

Shinkalion 500 Type EVA

I don't watch enough Evangelion to care about EVA editions, yet I always do.

Shinkalion N700A

I've grown a casual interest in this series, really neat stuff. I've always liked train robots.