More pages from the new Generations 2026 Book with the special cover feature on the Transformers Overgear series. The image scans show the development of the first three figures OG-01 Ironhide, OG-02 Blackout, and OG-03 Optimus Prime with views of the design drawings and prototypes, along with an interview on the series.

Check out the images from the Asia SNS and translated details with Takara Tomy's Overgear Development Manager, Yukiya Amano interview below for what appears to have more figures coming soon including plans for possible weapons sets, Wreckers, and is that prototype tank going to be Overgear Megatron? 

The idea developed by considering what kind of world it would be if a Transformer with this design existed.

Yukiya Amano, OVERGEAR Development Manager

First, please tell us about the beginning of the project.

It all started when the series was celebrating its 40th anniversary, and there was a growing momentum within the company to create a new Transformers project. The marketing department was considering a series based on real vehicles, like Binaltech, but it was canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. At that time, I had been developing a project called "Transformers: Integrate (working title)," which would reinterpret past TF designs, and it aligned with the direction the team was looking for, which led to it solidifying into "OVERGEAR." In the early stages, we weren't solely focused on weapons; we intended to strongly reflect the design language of the vehicles in the robot mode as well. For example, if a robot transformed from a weapon, the robot should also be tactical; if it transformed from a car, the aerodynamic design grammar of the car should be carried over to the robot.

So that's when you decided to focus solely on tactical gear?

The tactical aesthetic, as seen in the N.E.S.T. items from the movie series and Hunt for the Decepticons, has produced many cool products that really resonated with me. I thought that if we delved deeper into that perspective, there might be new possibilities for TF designs. Personally, I like series like "Thrilling 30" (*2), which was released overseas as part of the 30th-anniversary project. It incorporated modern arrangements while building on past designs, and it was really cool. That kind of image is the basis for this project.

What kind of users are you targeting?

First and foremost, we wanted to reach a demographic that Transformers hadn't been able to reach before. We envisioned it being people in their 30s who like modern mecha designs and transforming robot toys. Of course, we'd also be happy if it appealed to people in their 40s and 50s. Rather than focusing on the fact that it's a Transformers toy, we wanted to pique their interest with its cool appearance.

Which character did you start working on first?

It fits the theme of weapons, and as someone who grew up with the live-action movies, I started with Blackout, a model I have a strong attachment to. However, a realistic helicopter is a very "slender" machine. To turn it into a cool robot, I designed it by folding parts and increasing the volume horizontally. I consulted with my seniors about the leg design and the transformation around the knees. I think a widening proportion looks cool, so I focused on that.

From the armament and caution markings, hard  I felt that there were mechanisms in place to create a unique worldview.

For Blackout, a weapon, we focused on realism by adding small markings. Because they are small, the finished product may look plain considering the painting process. However, we believe that this is also part of the realism. Another feature is that the insignia is not exposed when it is in vehicle mode. On the other hand, we added the marks of their respective organizations: "RED LIGHTNING" for Ironhide and "GOA" for the Decepticons.

What is the concept behind Ironhide?

Ironhide, as the first in the series, had the role of conveying that it was a "product to play with by attaching lots of weapons." In a sense, he might be the most OVERGEAR-like product. He has the image of a "field soldier" who fights by hastily assembling equipment, and the overall cluttered impression is based on that setting. The Decepticons are positioned as state-of-the-art weapons, while the Autobots are modified civilian vehicles used in resistance activities, so the direction of their armament is also different. Blackout, who is originally a weapon, has vehicle weapons attached to his robot, but Ironhide, being a civilian, has the image of robot weapons attached to his vehicle. On top of that, by deliberately choosing weapons that are not the latest, the appearance is different.

I made sure that the setting was clearly conveyed.

Please tell us about the latest Optimus Prime.

I started by deciding on the transformation motif, and then thought about how to create the iconic parts from there. I considered things like, "If the shoulders protrude, it will have a cool, Japanese-style hero robot feel," or "If this part is placed here, it will look cool," and so on. I designed it by thinking about the silhouette and the placement of iconic parts. I placed particular emphasis on the effective placement of the tires. At the same time, I also considered the structural feasibility of the design.

While doing that, we decided on the shape.

How did you come up with your unique worldview?

Once the design was finalized, it was decided that it would be hard and realistic. So, we separated it from the previous series and developed it by asking ourselves, "What kind of world would this Transformer exist in?"

Is anyone involved in the literary setting?

I came up with the basic framework of the world, which is themed around "disguise" and "infiltration," and in which the Decepticons have already taken over the world. I then asked writer Hirofumi Ichikawa to handle the story development and the settings for weapons and other elements (names and flavor text). I also asked Mr. Ichikawa to come up with a large part of the proper nouns that appeared in the PV video. "Jones" and "Oracle," for example, were all suggested by Mr. Ichikawa.

It came to me right away; it was an idea I hadn't considered before.

I guess it will be.

What kind of product packaging will it be?

The accessories are detached when packaged, so once you open the box, the first thing you'll do is customize it to your liking. In addition to the instruction manual, a single sheet of paper titled "Blueprint" is included. This is designed to resemble a classified military document, containing fragments of information that allow you to imagine a story, such as operations, reports, and audio recordings. It also includes information on the characteristics and uses of weapons, so we hope you'll enjoy customizing it while imagining a mission, for example, by equipping it with radar-based equipment for an undercover operation. TF-specific words also appear with OVERGEAR's unique touch.

Could you tell us about future developments?

When we first created the world, we came up with simple backstories for about 30 characters, including Optimus. We want to further expand on the realistic mecha designs, tactical weaponry, the world centered around "camouflage" and "infiltration," and the customization options for swapping weapons. One concept that seems likely to be realized is a weapon set. Simple weapon accessories don't offer much room for play, so we're currently thinking about something that incorporates more ingenuity.

And now for a personal ambition: I'd like to introduce the Wreckers. I'm thinking of a backstory where they're a secret unit that handles dirty work and keeps a low profile, an organization so secretive that even some within the Autobots don't know they exist. I want to continue to deliver the appeal of such reinterpretations to existing fans, and the pure charm of cool transforming robot toys to those who haven't been familiar with Transformers before.

*1 A series launched overseas in 2010 as an extension of the second live-action film, "Revenge." In Japan, some were released as "Autobot Alliance." *2 A Transformers 30th Anniversary series launched overseas from 2013 to 2014. In Japan, some were released as part of "Generations" and "Legends."

PROFILE

Yukiya Amano ● Joined the company in 2024. Studied product design at an engineering university, and gained experience in manufacturing and design projects with companies while still a student. After joining the company, as a newcomer, he mainly handled product coloring, working on products such as the Dramatic Capture Series Jetfire Combine and Menasor G2 ver. In his second year at the company, he launched his own new project, "OVERGEAR," making him a promising young member of the team.