It begins, the report of the new G1 toys for the 40th Anniversary of the Transformers may be kicking off! Just in off the Asia SNS are two leaked Takara TOMY retail solicitation images for a "Missing Link" updated G1 Optimus Prime figure with extended articulation.
The rough images show the classic figure mold with gun, axe, and matrix as well as a trailer edition that maybe sold separately. We can also see some new joints in the head, shoulders, legs, and feet at least. There are also differences between the solo and trailer sets shown, and other a potential differences.
What is rather interesting is Hasbro's John Warden said the 2018 35th Anniversary Generation 1 Optimus Prime Walmart reissue didn't have a trailer because the mold was too degraded to use again. So it is not sure if this will be a new trailer design, or the classic one. We can see from the image the parts follow some of the original Diaclone variants with the bloated gun, and gray Roller are presented.
According to the image, this could be revealed on August 9, 2023. So we'll have to wait and see. Check out the images for more details in the meantime. That is, IF this is real, so take it as a rumor until we get official word from Takara, Hasbro, or a reputable retailer. Stay tuned for more details soon as we know them.
I agree with you about the prices... * reaches for wallet * But... I think I'm going to buy this anyway.
Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime please!!
No thanks. Especially for those prices. If they were half the price and this was about 22 years ago then maybe.
And I don't understand the love this is seemingly getting. A very vocal and rather large part of the fanbase scoffed at this idea bout 17 years ago. They hated the thought of "G1 with articulation". Now it's here and people love it? I bet it's the same people who claim they love the G1 reissues and then never buy them.
This is a waste. It's targeting a niche of a niche of a niche. About a tenth or less of what they expect to sell will actually sell and the rest will go on steep clearance. They'll push out the first four or five figures they worked on and the rest will be cancelled. I'll be very surprised if this isn't how it goes. I'm one to be negative in hopes that the opposite will happen but I really think that this sucks and will ultimately bomb just like what happened to that one third party company that did every color of G1 Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Hubcap and Bumper as "G1 with articulation".
This time, effort and materials should be going to more Takara Generations Selects redecos and retools. And to do a Masterpiece Airazor already. Maybe some Premium Edition decos that weren't outdone by the store exclusives that also weren't sold for an extra premium price. I do admit though that PE Siege Ultra Magnus and PE Siege Starscream look real good in hand. I think more highly of them though as I paid like half price for each. If I paid full price like I was going to do for UM then I would've been salty. That grey on Ultra Magnus' cab was worth the price as just using him as another character entirely.