Official Images of Takara's AM-08 Terrorcon Cliffjumper, AM-09 Soundwave, EZ-08 Bulkhead, and EZ-09 Arcee

I'm not sure how I feel about Cliffjumper's newfound transparency, he's obviously been spending far too much time around Julian Assange.

On one hand, it looks cool; on the other, I was looking forward to using the plain purple version of that mold for a kitbash....

Very cool Terrorcon Cliff. I like it quite a bit better than that Hasbro prototype we saw back at SDCC (I think it was), despite the lack of accuracy. And Soundwave's Micron looks amazing! It would be amazing if these little guys somehow found their way here, say in a big 10+ pack exclusive.

I want that scorpion. Seriously Hasbro, there is EASY money in bring the minions over as a separate line. Sell them in packs of two or three or something.

I get it, but no thanks.

Requiem Prime wrote:I want that scorpion. Seriously Hasbro, there is EASY money in bring the minions over as a separate line. Sell them in packs of two or three or something.

But then we Americans would have to build them ourselves just like the Japanese.

I'd prefer a more solid purple and his minicon gun isn't that great either. Now soundwaves fits the figure perfect in size and theme.

Sabrblade wrote:

Requiem Prime wrote:I want that scorpion. Seriously Hasbro, there is EASY money in bring the minions over as a separate line. Sell them in packs of two or three or something.

But then we Americans would have to build them ourselves just like the Japanese.

Totally worth it, give us them, Hasbro! Soundwave needs his buddy Ravage.

RAcast wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Requiem Prime wrote:I want that scorpion. Seriously Hasbro, there is EASY money in bring the minions over as a separate line. Sell them in packs of two or three or something.

But then we Americans would have to build them ourselves just like the Japanese.

Totally worth it, give us them, Hasbro! Soundwave needs his buddy Ravage.

You know that that Micron is likely not going to be named "Ravage" (or "Jaguar"), right?

I'm sure we'll get an official visual representation (either a toy or a character image) of Aligned Ravage at some point.

RAcast wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Requiem Prime wrote:I want that scorpion. Seriously Hasbro, there is EASY money in bring the minions over as a separate line. Sell them in packs of two or three or something.

But then we Americans would have to build them ourselves just like the Japanese.

Totally worth it, give us them, Hasbro! Soundwave needs his buddy Ravage.

If they could try to market not-Legos to us, they can market these things.

Oh wow Terrorcon Cliffjumper is translucent Purple, just like in the show!

The minicons are ace though.

the claw weapon guy is pretty cool, why couldnt we have had these instead of mechtech

Megatron Wolf wrote:the claw weapon guy is pretty cool, why couldnt we have had these instead of mechtech

cuz we'd have to assemble them and put the stickers on them ourselves.

Dead Metal wrote:The minicons are ace though.

Marketing model kits as actual action figures = false advertisement.

Sabrblade wrote:

Megatron Wolf wrote:the claw weapon guy is pretty cool, why couldnt we have had these instead of mechtech

cuz we'd have to assemble them and put the stickers on them ourselves.

Dead Metal wrote:The minicons are ace though.

Marketing model kits as actual action figures = false advertisement.

Maybe they could just have the factories assemble and paint them?

Sabrblade wrote:

RAcast wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Requiem Prime wrote:I want that scorpion. Seriously Hasbro, there is EASY money in bring the minions over as a separate line. Sell them in packs of two or three or something.

But then we Americans would have to build them ourselves just like the Japanese.

Totally worth it, give us them, Hasbro! Soundwave needs his buddy Ravage.

You know that that Micron is likely not going to be named "Ravage" (or "Jaguar"), right?

I'm sure we'll get an official visual representation (either a toy or a character image) of Aligned Ravage at some point.

Doesn't mean I couldn't re-purpose it as Ravage, haha. I mean, it's design is movie Ravage all the way, so it's got precedent at least.

Sabrblade wrote:

Dead Metal wrote:The minicons are ace though.

Marketing model kits as actual action figures = false advertisement.

What are you on about?
We know they're kits, Takara made that perfectly clear in the official press release for these, they're not marketing them as acttual action figures, they even SHOW you the sprews in the fron tof the box for Voyager Optimus Prime.
Besides they're simple little kits. Why are you so annoyed about this?

Dead Metal wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Dead Metal wrote:The minicons are ace though.

Marketing model kits as actual action figures = false advertisement.

What are you on about?
We know they're kits, Takara made that perfectly clear in the official press release for these, they're not marketing them as acttual action figures, they even SHOW you the sprews in the fron tof the box for Voyager Optimus Prime.
Besides they're simple little kits. Why are you so annoyed about this?

I think he means for a mass retail American release, at least that's what I'm reading given the conversation at hand. A good solution would be to make a sub line of "build it yourself!" minicons or something similar to hype it. I know I'd have jumped right on top of something like that when I was a kid.

RAcast wrote:

Dead Metal wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Dead Metal wrote:The minicons are ace though.

Marketing model kits as actual action figures = false advertisement.

What are you on about?
We know they're kits, Takara made that perfectly clear in the official press release for these, they're not marketing them as acttual action figures, they even SHOW you the sprews in the fron tof the box for Voyager Optimus Prime.
Besides they're simple little kits. Why are you so annoyed about this?

I think he means for a mass retail American release, at least that's what I'm reading given the conversation at hand. A good solution would be to make a sub line of "build it yourself!" minicons or something similar to hype it. I know I'd have jumped right on top of something like that when I was a kid.

If they do get an American release they will likely be assembled, and even if not, what would be the problem with them being simple little kits?

Zoids and Legos make you build their toys, don't see why Microns would be any problem. I mean, it's utterly basic, snap-together kit assembling that takes a grand total of 5 seconds, nothing kids can't handle. It's not like Transformers aren't already a very hand-on toy or anything.

Anyways, pre-assembled or not, I hope Hasbro sells these things somehow (preferably without buying a full-figure; blind-packs would be amazing).

Dead Metal wrote:Why are you so annoyed about this?

It's because, over the years, Hasbro and Takara have come so far in the toy designing and engineering processes that they've gone and made some excellent figures with ingenious and innovative designs. They've come a long way from the days of yesteryears that it seems like there are no limits what they make, mold, and paint on the Transformers toys of today. It's a remarkable and impressive feat.

But with these Takara Prime figures, it feels like several steps back from what we've come to expect of today's TF toys, especially from the Takara versions. Next to no paint for the larger figures (none for the Microns), the archaic method of sticker applying (this isn't the 1980s anymore), none of their original accessories, model kit Microns instead of Micron figures, the fact that none of these Microns are backwards compatible with any previous Micron-interactive figures (like all the Unicron Trilogy toy molds), the new bumpy wart-like Micron ports added to the large figures, and so on and so forth.

If these Micron were part of a separate subline of TF model kits rather than the main line of action figures, I might not mind them as much. But they put these in the main line in place of paint apps, accessories, and smoother designs.

On another note, just found out that the names of these Arms Micron are "Jida" (TC Cliffjumper's Micron) and "Zori" (Soundwave's Micron).

Sabrblade wrote:On another note, just found out that the names of these Arms Micron are "Jida" (TC Cliffjumper's Micron) and "Zori" (Soundwave's Micron).

... which are explained as follows:

- Jida is a play on "Cheetah", as he's feline
- Zori is a play on the Japanese word for scorpion, "Sasori".

Blurrz wrote:It's giving me a headache to see that we're being way too critical of figures that are essentially different from our mainline of thinking, and figures that we have yet to own ourselves.

This

Anyhow I suppose i'am one of the few who actually likes Soundwave. However, he looks more Blue-ish though or is that just me? I don't really see any of those horrid "Tumors" on him, like on the other figures........Well you know accept for the huge ass pods on the wings/shoulders....

Sabrblade wrote:

Dead Metal wrote:Why are you so annoyed about this?

It's because, over the years, Hasbro and Takara have come so far in the toy designing and engineering processes that they've gone and made some excellent figures with ingenious and innovative designs. They've come a long way from the days of yesteryears that it seems like there are no limits what they make, mold, and paint on the Transformers toys of today. It's a remarkable and impressive feat.

no limit, except apparently, this one, which has your panties in a bunch.

I don't entirely disagree with you, it is bad that the original accessories are removed and more paint apps are always welcome, and, yes, it is a shame these aren't compatible with AEC Mini-con ports. BUT, there are some really cool little designs in this line, that scorpion being a prime example. More good TFs are always welcome.

SW's SilverHammer wrote:Anyhow I suppose i'am one of the few who actually likes Soundwave. However, he looks more Blue-ish though or is that just me? I don't really see any of those horrid "Tumors" on him, like on the other figures........Well you know accept for the huge ass pods on the wings/shoulders....

I'm a big fan of Soundwave. But other than the Minicon there doesn't seem to be much difference from the Hasbro version, so I suppose there's not much to comment on.

CJ is GLOWING with DARK ENERGON. Pass for me, but it does look pretty cool. Nice to see they did indeed include the remolded head.

oh dear lord I want this Cliffjumper


whyyyy didn't i think about pre-ordering him when he was first announced? i mean, i'm only interested now thanks to the colors, but bluuuugh.

Cheapest I can find him for is 35 bucks.

Downbeat wrote:oh dear lord I want this Cliffjumper


whyyyy didn't i think about pre-ordering him when he was first announced? i mean, i'm only interested now thanks to the colors, but bluuuugh.

Cheapest I can find him for is 35 bucks.

That's standard price for a Takara deluxe nowadays. That's about as cheap as it's gonna get, I suggest you get it while you still can.

kirbenvost wrote:

Downbeat wrote:oh dear lord I want this Cliffjumper


whyyyy didn't i think about pre-ordering him when he was first announced? i mean, i'm only interested now thanks to the colors, but bluuuugh.

Cheapest I can find him for is 35 bucks.

That's standard price for a Takara deluxe nowadays. That's about as cheap as it's gonna get, I suggest you get it while you still can.

Do you mean for us or does that really equate to what they'd be in Japan? I just assumed it was a markup for importing.

Requiem Prime wrote:

kirbenvost wrote:

Downbeat wrote:oh dear lord I want this Cliffjumper


whyyyy didn't i think about pre-ordering him when he was first announced? i mean, i'm only interested now thanks to the colors, but bluuuugh.

Cheapest I can find him for is 35 bucks.

That's standard price for a Takara deluxe nowadays. That's about as cheap as it's gonna get, I suggest you get it while you still can.

Do you mean for us or does that really equate to what they'd be in Japan? I just assumed it was a markup for importing.

It is, but you also need to take the exchange rate into account. Currently the Yen is very weak against the US Dollar.

Requiem Prime wrote:

kirbenvost wrote:

Downbeat wrote:oh dear lord I want this Cliffjumper


whyyyy didn't i think about pre-ordering him when he was first announced? i mean, i'm only interested now thanks to the colors, but bluuuugh.

Cheapest I can find him for is 35 bucks.

That's standard price for a Takara deluxe nowadays. That's about as cheap as it's gonna get, I suggest you get it while you still can.

Do you mean for us or does that really equate to what they'd be in Japan? I just assumed it was a markup for importing.

It has to do with the value of the yen vs the US dollar. The cost in Japan has gone up itself in recent years, but the increase mostly comes down to exchange rates and import. Most western shops sell them for about that much. If you order straight from Japan (through HLJ/Amiami etc) the price will be cheaper, but then shipping costs are high.

Take, for example, a generic exaple of Mechtech Bumblebee:

List Price: 2600 Yen (HLJ price 2080 Yen)
Shipping: Fedex - 1294 Yen, EMS - 1200 Yen (20% off), SAL - 680 Yen

So with today's exchange you are looking at:

List Price: $31.41 USD (HLJ Price $25.13 USD)
Shipping: Fedex - $15.64 USD, EMS - $14.50 USD (20% Off), SAL - $8.22 USD

So worst case scenario, paying MSRP you are looking at $47.05 for a single deluxe shipped by the fastest method or $39.63 for the slowest. Best case, due to HLJ's discounted prices, $40.77 for fast shipping or $33.35.

So not far off from $35!

Although I just found the listing for Terrorcon Cliffjumper, and it appears the Micron Arms deluxes are somewhat cheaper, 2000 Yen / $24.16 USD or HLJ price 1600 Yen / $19.34, so you are still looking at a minimum of $27.56 and a maximum of $39.80.

So I guess if you can buy straight from Japan and get the cheapest, riskiest shipping, you might be able to save $7 or so, but with standard, more reliable EMS shipping it's still going to cost you $33.84.

kirbenvost wrote:

SW's SilverHammer wrote:Anyhow I suppose i'am one of the few who actually likes Soundwave. However, he looks more Blue-ish though or is that just me? I don't really see any of those horrid "Tumors" on him, like on the other figures........Well you know accept for the huge ass pods on the wings/shoulders....

I'm a big fan of Soundwave. But other than the Minicon there doesn't seem to be much difference from the Hasbro version, so I suppose there's not much to comment on.

CJ is GLOWING with DARK ENERGON. Pass for me, but it does look pretty cool. Nice to see they did indeed include the remolded head.

I'm also a big fan of Prime Soundwave, and I think the Minicon is just great! And honestly, I kinda dig the shoulder-ports; I don't think they're so obtrusive as SilverHammer makes them out to be...and that's one more place to stash Laserbeak, lol.

you know what would be awesome? if they figured out a way to fit soundwave's micron into his chest cavity

RAcast wrote:

kirbenvost wrote:

SW's SilverHammer wrote:Anyhow I suppose i'am one of the few who actually likes Soundwave. However, he looks more Blue-ish though or is that just me? I don't really see any of those horrid "Tumors" on him, like on the other figures........Well you know accept for the huge ass pods on the wings/shoulders....

I'm a big fan of Soundwave. But other than the Minicon there doesn't seem to be much difference from the Hasbro version, so I suppose there's not much to comment on.

CJ is GLOWING with DARK ENERGON. Pass for me, but it does look pretty cool. Nice to see they did indeed include the remolded head.

I'm also a big fan of Prime Soundwave, and I think the Minicon is just great! And honestly, I kinda dig the shoulder-ports; I don't think they're so obtrusive as SilverHammer makes them out to be...and that's one more place to stash Laserbeak, lol.

Nah I don't think their "obtrusive" they just kinda caught me of guard if that makes since

I'm getting Soundwave. Pass on Cliff.

I'm a sucker for clear red and clear purple, so Cliff is so bought (already had him pre-ordered anyway, but I will definitely NOT be canceling now). I also love that they used the FE mold. That means that not only does he have this new Arms Micron chainsaw type thing, which looks awesome to me, but it means he also has his original guns built into his hands that the FE had.

That cliffjumper reminds me I'll have to get the regular version for 50 bux on ebay

f*ck you hasbro

Sabrblade wrote:

Dead Metal wrote:The minicons are ace though.

Marketing model kits as actual action figures = false advertisement.

Have you seen LEGO's buildable action figures? Who's to say Habro/Takara can't do it w/ minicons needing to be built. The minions are more "asssembly required" rather than model kits.

Terrecon cliffjumper must be the 1st clear mainline figure in a long time! (wait... botshots chase figures). I really like the purple. Gonna get it.

gavinfuzzy wrote:Terrecon cliffjumper must be the 1st clear mainline figure in a long time! (wait... botshots chase figures). I really like the purple. Gonna get it.

I hope it comes stateside, I don't have any completely translucent figures in my collection, and I wouldn't mind that being the first.