Editing USA Edition

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'''USA Editions''' are American Transformers toys that are released in Japan, usually (but not always) as [[exclusive]]s through special outlets.

Usually identical to their [[Hasbro]] counterparts (down to the packaging) other than an additional sticker on the packaging identifying them as "USA Editions", there are some examples where the "USA Editions" feature notable differences from their Hasbro counterparts.

There is no clear rule as to what constitutes a "USA Edition" other than the word of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]], and as some cases from more recent years have shown, "USA Edition" is essentially an all-encompassing term that translates as "We feel like doing whatever we want with these toys as long as we don't have to create our own packaging" (although ''[[Energon (toyline)|Superlink]]'' [[Unicron]], officially recognized as a "USA Edition" by Takara, even broke the "Hasbro packaging" rule).

==Characteristics of USA Editions==
"USA Editions" are typically released in American Hasbro packaging with a sticker containing Japanese legal information, possibly with the figure's name (which might be different from the Hasbro one). Sometimes there are minor variations between the USA Edition and the United States release, such as slightly different paint or plastic color, but this is rare. The most notable exceptions were ''[[Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' Powerlinx [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]], which was sold in modified packaging in a color scheme that never received an American release (but did come out in Europe), and the ''[[Henkei! Henkei! (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' versions of [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]], [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] and [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]], which sport different colors and decos from their Hasbro counterparts (most notably Powerglide). The (possibly never released) "USA Edition" version of ''[[Alternators|Alternators/Binaltech]]'' Prowl was also supposed to sport "Satellite Patrol" markings on his doors instead of the Hasbro version's "Highway Patrol" markings. Furthermore, the "USA Edition" version of ''[[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Cryotek (RID)|Cryotek]] featured a new "spark pilot" figure inside the cockpit that was omitted from the Hasbro release.

The Japanese mass retail release of ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Unicron]], which was the Hasbro version in the original ''[[Armada (toyline)|Micron Densetsu]]'' Unicron's packaging, is also officially recognized as a "USA Edition" by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]].

Many USA Editions are [[redeco]]s that were released in the United States, but not in the main Japanese line, such as [[Powerlinx]] [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]], Powerlinx [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], and the ''[[Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' ''[[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' redecos. Some are also intended as American-exclusive molds, like ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Sharkticon (Energon)|Sharkticon]] and [[Tow-Line (Energon)|Tow-Line]], while others, such as ''[[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' [[Menasor (Cybertron)|Menasor]] and [[Quickmix (Cybertron)|Quickmix]], were initially planned for a regular Takara release but ultimately only saw limited release as USA Editions.

Most USA Editions are available either at [[e-Hobby]] or the Japanese branch of [[Toys"R"Us]]. Other stores carrying USA Editions in the past were Jusco, Laox, [[Toy's Dream Project|Toy's Dream Project/Toycard]] and selected stores participating in the "TF Station" program. In some instances, "USA Editions" aren't even [[exclusive]] at all, but available at general retail.

==What's NOT a USA Edition==
Other toys are occasionally released in Japan in a similar fashion (i.e. in mostly unchanged Hasbro-derived packaging, and often with little to no difference from the Hasbro releases), such as [[Gnaw]], the European [[Motorvator|Motorvators]], [[Thunder Clash]], [[Skyquake (G1)|Skyquake]], the ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bots]], Takara's "EZ Collection" versions of the [[Legends Class|Legends of Cybertron]] toys of [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys|Optimus Prime]], [[Megatron (Armada)/toys|Megatron]] and [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] (which came on Hasbro cardbacks, but with new, Japanese-language blister bubble inserts) or the [[Movie (toyline)|2007 live-action movie]] and ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' main line toys. However, only toys officially declared "USA Editions" by Takara are actually considered as such by fans.

USA Editions should also not be confused with imports of Hasbro toys released in Japan through [[TakaraTomy#Tomy Direct|Tomy Direct]], an outlet that already existed prior to the Takara/Tomy merger and is now handled by the former Tomy part of the company. Unlike USA Editions, which often sport minor (sometimes even major) differences from their Hasbro counterparts, Tomy Direct releases are direct, unchanged imports. Transformers-related toys released through Tomy Direct are presumably limited to toys that have been designed by Hasbro without Takara's involvement, which includes the ''[[Star Wars |Star Wars Transformers]]'' (since the line was handled by the ''[[Star Wars]]'' team at Hasbro, and Tomy was releasing ''Star Wars'' toys in Japan prior to the Takara/Tomy merger), its successor, ''[[Crossovers|Transformers Crossovers]]'', ''[[Titanium Series]]'' figures and some toys from the [[Movie (toyline)|2007 live-action movie]] and ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' toy lines, such as [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Ultimate Bumblebee]], various role-play accessories, the [[Robot Replicas]], the [[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]] figures, the [[Cyber Stompin' Robots]], the [[Power Bots]] and the [[Robot Powered Machines|RPM]] vehicles.

==List of USA Editions==
===[[Beast Machines (toyline)|Beast Machines]]===
{|class="wikitable" border="5" style="width:100%"
|-
!'''Item'''
!'''Japanese release date'''
!'''Japanese venue'''
!'''US venue'''
|-
|[[Primal Prime]]
|??
|[[Toys"R"Us|ToysЯUs]]
|Mass retail
|}

===[[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]===
{|class="wikitable" border="5" style="width:100%"
|-
!'''Item'''
!'''Japanese release date'''
!'''Japanese venue'''
!'''US venue'''
|-
|[[Sideways (RID)#Toys|Sideways]] vs. [[Axer#Robots in Disguise|Axer]]
|[[May 30]], 2002
|[[Toys"R"Us|ToysЯUs]]
|[[Walmart]]
|-
|Cybertron 3-Guy Set:<br>[[Nightcruz (RID)|Nightcruz]], [[Mirage GT]] & [[Scavenger (RID)|Scavenger]]
|[[July 31]], 2002
|ToysЯUs
|Mass retail
|-
|[[Cryotek (RID)|Cryotek]]
|???
|Mass retail
|[[Target]]
|-
|[[Spy Changer]] [[Optimus Prime (RID)#Spychanger|Optimus Prime]]
|???
|Mass retail
|Mass retail
|-
|Spy Changer [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]]
|???
|Mass retail
|Mass retail
|-
|Spy Changers [[X-Brawn]] & [[Scourge (RID)#Spychanger|Scourge]]
|???
|Mass retail
|Mass retail
|-
|[[Storm Jet (RID)|Storm Jet]]
|???
|ToysЯUs
|Mass retail
|-
|[[Optimus Primal/toys#Robots in Disguise|Air Attack Optimus Primal]]
|???
|ToysЯUs
|ToysЯUs
|-
|[[Megatron (RID)#Megabolt|Megatron Megabolt]]
|???
|ToysЯUs
|[[KB Toys]]
|-
|[[Dreadwind (RID)|Dreadwind]] & [[Smokejumper]]
|???
|ToysЯUs
|Target
|-
|[[Destructicon (RID)]] [[Scourge (RID)#Destructicon|Scourge]]
|???
|ToysЯUs
|KB Toys
|-
|[[Bludgeon (RID)|Destructicon Bludgeon]]
|???
|ToysЯUs
|KB Toys
|-
|[[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]]
|???
|[[Toy's Dream Project]] (members store Toycard)
|[[Walmart]]
|}

===[[Armada (toyline)|Armada/Micron Densetsu]]===
{|class="wikitable" border="5" style="width:100%"
|-
!'''Item'''
!'''Japanese release date'''
!'''Japanese venue'''
!'''US venue'''
|-
|[[Rhinox (Armada)#Toys|Rhinox]]
|???
|[[JUSCO]]
|Mass retail
|-
|[[Terrorsaur (Armada)#Toys|Terrorsaur]]
|???
|JUSCO
|Mass retail
|-
|[[Airazor (Armada)#Toys|Airazor]]
|???
|ToysЯUs
|Mass retail
|-
|[[Skywarp (Armada)#Toys|Skywarp]]
|???
|ToysЯUs
|Mass retail
|-
|[[Cheetor (Armada)#Toys|Cheetor]]
|???
|ToysЯUs (website only)
|Mass retail
|-
|[[Predacon (Armada)#Toys|Predacon]]
|???
|ToysЯUs (website only)
|Mass retail
|-
|[[Jetfire (Armada)#Powerlinx|Powerlinx Jetfire]]
|???
|ToysЯUs (website only)
|Mass retail
|-
|[[Thrust (Armada)#PowerlinxBrown|Powerlinx Thrust (brown)]]
|???
|[[LaOX]]
|Mass retail
|-
|[[Thrust (Armada)#PowerlinxRed|Powerlinx Thrust (red)]]
|???
|[[Toy's Dream Project]] (members' store Toycard)
|N/A
|-
|[[Cyclonus (Armada)#Powerlinx|Powerlinx Cyclonus]]
|[[September 27]], 2003
|LaOX
|Mass retail
|}

===[[Energon (toyline)|Energon/Superlink]]===
* [[Unicron]] (mass retail)
* [[Strongarm (Energon)|Strongarm]] ["Energon Strongarm" [[redeco]]] (TF Station stores)
* [[Offshoot (Energon)|Signal Flare/Offshoot]] (Gamers, available at Tokyo Character Show 2004)
* [[Ultra Magnus (Energon)|Ultra Magnus]] (Toy's Dream Project)
* [[Sharkticon (Energon)|Sharkticon]] (Toy's Dream Project)
* [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]] [Leaders Class Galvatron] ([[Toys"R"Us]] Japan)
* [[Tow-Line (Energon)|Tow-Line]] (Toys"R"Us Japan)
* [[Slugslinger (Energon)|Storm Jet/Slugslinger]] (Toys"R"Us Japan)

===[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe (2003)]]===
* [[Optimus Primal/toys|Optimus Primal]] ([[e-Hobby]])
* [[Razorclaw (Universe)|Razorclaw]] (e-Hobby)
* [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] (e-Hobby)
* [[Snarl (BM)|Snarl]] (e-Hobby)
* [[Reptilion]] (e-Hobby)
* [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] & [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] (e-Hobby)
* [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (e-Hobby)
* [[Striker|Dinobot Striker]] (e-Hobby)
* [[Depth Charge (BW)|Depthcharge]] (e-Hobby)
* [[Ratchet (Universe)|Autobot Ratchet]] (e-Hobby)
* [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] (e-Hobby)
* [[Triceradon (BM)|Dinobot Triceradon]] (e-Hobby)
* [[King Atlas]] (e-Hobby)
* [[Skydive (BM)|Skydive]] (e-Hobby)
* [[Stockade (Universe 2003)|Stockade]] & [[Magna Stampede]] (e-Hobby)
* [[Fireflight (Universe)|Fireflight]] (e-Hobby)
* [[Whirl (G1)|Autobot Whirl]] (e-Hobby)
* [[Nemesis Strika]] (e-Hobby)
* [[Soundwave (G1)/toys|Soundwave]] & [[Space Case (G2)|Space Case]] (e-Hobby)
* [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] & [[Wind Sheer (Universe)|Wind Sheer]] (e-Hobby)
* [[Swerve (Universe)|Swerve]] (e-Hobby)
* [[Nemesis Prime (Universe 2003)|Nemesis Prime]] (Laox) [Target exclusive in the United States]
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (TF Station stores)

===[[Masterpiece]]/20th Anniversary===
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Convoy/Optimus Prime]] (e-Hobby)<ref name="hasbro">These toys were originally also available as regular mass retail releases in Japan. The later "USA Edition" versions were of specific Hasbro [[variant]]s of those toys.</ref>
* [[Starscream (G1)/toys|Starscream]] (mass retail) [Wal-Mart exclusive in the United States]<ref name="hasbro">These toys were originally also available as regular mass retail releases in Japan. The later "USA Edition" versions were of specific Hasbro variants of those toys.</ref>

===[[Alternators|Binaltech/Alternators]]===
* [[Prowl (G1)/toys|Prowl]] (Takarand, giveaway for subscribers)<ref name="hasbro">These toys were originally also available as regular mass retail releases in Japan. The later "USA Edition" versions were of specific Hasbro variants of those toys.</ref>

{{note|Information about this toy is hard to come by. It was once advertised on Takarand's website, to be offered as a giveaway for new subscribers for their broadcast service; limited to 60 pieces. However, Takarand later changed owners, and since no photos of the final toy ever surfaced, it's quite likely that it was actually never released.}}
===[[Cybertron (toyline)|Galaxy Force/Cybertron]]===
* [[Hardtop (Cybertron)|Hardtop]] (e-Hobby)
* [[Starscream (Armada)|Super Starscream]] [Supreme Class Starscream] ([[Toys"R"Us]] Japan)
* [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys|Armada Convoy]] [Deluxe Class Armada Super-Con Optimus Prime [[redeco]]] (Toy's Dream Project, available at members store Toycard)
* [[Primus]] with [[Unicron|Unicron head]] (e-Hobby) <ref name="hasbro">These toys were originally also available as regular mass retail releases in Japan. The later "USA Edition" versions were of specific Hasbro variants of those toys.</ref>
* [[Quickmix (Cybertron)|Blender/Quickmix]] (e-Hobby)
* [[Menasor (Cybertron)|Moldedive/Menasor]] (e-Hobby)

===[[Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe (2008)]]/[[Henkei! Henkei! (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]===
* [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (mass retail)
* [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (mass retail)
* [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (mass retail)

==Footnotes==
<references />

[[Category:Exclusives]]
[[Category:Toys]]