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<center>[[File:TransformersGum-Logo.png|none|upright=1.67|350px]]</center> | |||
[[File:1985 tfgum package.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Habibi Inferno doesn't kneel to take cover, only to perform his daily salah.]] | [[File:1985 tfgum package.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Habibi Inferno doesn't kneel to take cover, only to perform his daily salah.]] | ||
'''''Transformers Gum''''' (トランスフォーマーガム ''Toransufōmā Gamu'') was the premiere Transformers [[candy toy]] series produced by [[Japan]]ese confectionery company [[Kabaya]]. It consisted of small snap-together model kits designed as downscaled versions of larger Transformers toys, which came packed with some type of candy as an extra. | |||
'''''Transformers Gum''''' (トランスフォーマーガム ''Toransufōmā Gamu'') was the premiere ''Transformers'' [[candy toy]] series produced by [[Japan]]ese confectionery company [[Kabaya]]. It primarily consisted of small snap-together model kits, often designed as downscaled versions of larger ''Transformers'' toys, which came packed with some type of candy as an extra. | |||
The series has been discontinued and revived a grand total of three times throughout its lifespan, so who knows for how long the 'was' in this page will last. | The series has been discontinued and revived a grand total of three times throughout its lifespan, so who knows for how long the 'was' in this page will last. | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
The original ''Transformers Gum'' series ran throughout the franchise's peak years in Japan, from 1985 to 1989. Usually (but not always) released in waves of four, each toy took the form of a snap-together model kit sculpted from three colours of plastic, with a sheet of stickers for detail, and, per the name of the line, a stick of chewing gum. The figures were generally packaged individually, but smaller characters like the [[Mini-Cassette]]s and [[Combiner]] limbs would come in groups of two. Once assembled, the kits, which mostly stood at around four inches tall, were fully transformable, appearing as essentially downsized versions of the original toys upon which they were based. They often preserved the gimmicks of said toys—including [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] partners and working stats bars, [[Godmaster (lifeform)|Godmaster]] partners, and full combination ability for combiner teams, though kits based on much larger figures did undergo some notable simplification. | The original ''Transformers Gum'' series ran throughout the franchise's peak years in Japan, from 1985 to 1989. Usually (but not always) released in waves of four, each toy took the form of a snap-together model kit sculpted from three colours of plastic, with a sheet of stickers for detail, and, per the name of the line, a stick of chewing gum. The figures were generally packaged individually, but smaller characters like the [[Mini-Cassette]]s and [[Combiner]] limbs would come in groups of two. Once assembled, the kits, which mostly stood at around four inches tall, were fully transformable, appearing as essentially downsized versions of the original toys upon which they were based. They often preserved the gimmicks of said toys—including [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] partners and working stats bars, [[Godmaster (lifeform)|Godmaster]] partners, and full combination ability for combiner teams, though kits based on much larger figures did undergo some notable simplification. A range of smaller ''Transformers Gum'' kits was also available, retailing at 60 yen, versus the 200 yen that the standard ''Gum'' kits sold for. Size-wise, these kits fall somewhere between the standard ''Gum'' kits and those of its sister line ''[[Transformers Choco]]''. Unlike those two lines, which ran until 1989, these smaller ''Gum'' kits were phased out in 1986. Information and images for these kits are pretty scarce. | ||
In 1990, ''Transformers Gum'' merged with ''Transformers Choco'' to become the [[super deformed]] ''[[Parody Deformed]]'' non-transforming line of models. The line returned as ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Gum|Beast Wars Gum]]'' to cover characters from the various portions of the [[Beast Era]] in the late 1990s, then switched back to its original name in 2000 for ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Car Robots]]'', although this time not featuring standard model kits based around downscaled toys but, instead, small statuettes with attachable parts. | |||
After being retired for the duration of the [[Unicron Trilogy]], ''Transformers Gum'' returned in 2009 for a new series that primarily celebrated various eras of Generation 1, as well as a few odd one-offs like the ''[[Classics]] / [[Henkei]]'' and ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)|War for Cybertron]]'' versions of [[Optimus Prime]]. This series was later expanded to include a "Deluxe" (or "DX") sub-series that featured larger kits, as well as more toy-accurate plastic colors and decal sheets. | After being retired for the duration of the [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]], ''Transformers Gum'' returned in 2009 for a new series that went back to its model kit roots and primarily celebrated various eras of Generation 1, as well as a few odd one-offs like the ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]] / [[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (franchise)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' and ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)|War for Cybertron]]'' versions of [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Optimus Prime]]. This series was later expanded to include a "Deluxe" (or "DX") sub-series that featured larger kits, as well as more toy-accurate plastic colors and decal sheets. During this time, other similar kit-based Transformers series were also released by Kabaya, albeit without the "Transformers Gum" label: these included the release of the combiner-based [[Gaiacross]], [[Gaia Guardian]], and [[Gaia Scramble]] from 2013 to 2016 (all of these being based around a blend of existing G1 combiner characters with Kabaya's own original creations and featuring compatibility with the Scramble City-style combiner leaders released under ''Transformers Gum''), and [[Transformers Block Wars|Block Wars]] and [[Transformers Adventure Gum|Adventure Gum]] in 2016. Unfortunately, since the final wave of ''Transformers Gum DX'' kits in 2016, no new ''Transformers'' products have been released by Kabaya. | ||
==Generation 1== | ==Generation 1== | ||
===200¥ series=== | ===200¥ series=== | ||
====Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers==== | ====Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers==== | ||
[[File:Tfgum optimusprime.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb]] | [[File:Tfgum optimusprime.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|200¥ series Convoy]] | ||
{{collist|2| | {{collist|2| | ||
'''Wave 1:''' | '''Wave 1:''' | ||
| Line 32: | Line 35: | ||
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/merchandise#Transformers Gum|Ultra Magnus]] | *[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/merchandise#Transformers Gum|Ultra Magnus]] | ||
*[[Blaster (G1)/toys#Transformers Gum|Broadcast]] | *[[Blaster (G1)/toys#Transformers Gum|Broadcast]] | ||
*[[Silverbolt (G1) | *[[Silverbolt (G1)#Transformers Gum|Silverbolt]] | ||
*[[Blitzwing (G1)/toys#Transformers Gum|Blitzwing]] | *[[Blitzwing (G1)/toys#Transformers Gum|Blitzwing]] | ||
*[[Frenzy (G1)/toys#Transformers Gum|Frenzy]] and [[Ravage (G1)/toys|Jaguar]] | *[[Frenzy (G1)/toys#Transformers Gum|Frenzy]] and [[Ravage (G1)/toys|Jaguar]] | ||
| Line 40: | Line 43: | ||
*[[Blades (G1)|Graze#Transformers Gum]] and [[Streetwise (G1)#Transformers Gum|Streetwise]] | *[[Blades (G1)|Graze#Transformers Gum]] and [[Streetwise (G1)#Transformers Gum|Streetwise]] | ||
*[[Groove (G1)|Groove#Transformers Gum]] and [[First Aid (G1)#Transformers Gum|First Aid]] | *[[Groove (G1)|Groove#Transformers Gum]] and [[First Aid (G1)#Transformers Gum|First Aid]] | ||
*[[Onslaught (G1) | *[[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] | ||
*[[Vortex (G1) | *[[Vortex (G1)|Vorter]] and [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] | ||
*[[Blast Off (G1) | *[[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] and [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
Every kit from wave 3 is made from black, red and grey plastic except for Ultra Magnus, who is made from red, white and blue. In wave 4, the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]], Swindle and Blast Off are made from red, white and black plastic, and the other [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] are made from green and grey. The two combiner teams can merge to form [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] and [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. | Every kit from wave 3 is made from black, red and grey plastic except for Ultra Magnus, who is made from red, white and blue. In wave 4, the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]], Swindle and Blast Off are made from red, white and black plastic, and the other [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] are made from green and grey. The two combiner teams can merge to form [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] and [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. | ||
{{--}} | {{--}} | ||
====Transformers 2010==== | ====Transformers 2010==== | ||
[[File:Tfgum galvatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]] | [[File:Tfgum galvatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Transformers 2010 Galvatron]] | ||
'''Wave 5:''' | '''Wave 5:''' | ||
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/merchandise#Transformers Gum|Rodimus Convoy]] | *[[Hot Rod (G1)/merchandise#Transformers Gum|Rodimus Convoy]] | ||
| Line 57: | Line 60: | ||
{{--}} | {{--}} | ||
====The Headmasters==== | ====The Headmasters==== | ||
[[File:Transformersgum chromedome.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]] | [[File:Transformersgum chromedome.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Headmasters Chromedome]] | ||
{{collist|2| | {{collist|2| | ||
'''Wave 6:''' | '''Wave 6:''' | ||
| Line 79: | Line 82: | ||
====Super-God Masterforce==== | ====Super-God Masterforce==== | ||
[[File:Tfgum kingposeidon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]] | [[File:Tfgum kingposeidon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Super-God Masterforce King Poseidon]] | ||
{{collist|2| | {{collist|2| | ||
'''Wave 8:''' | '''Wave 8:''' | ||
| Line 102: | Line 105: | ||
====Victory==== | ====Victory==== | ||
[[File:Tfgum starsaber.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]] | [[File:Tfgum starsaber.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Victory Star Saber]] | ||
{{collist|2| | {{collist|2| | ||
'''Wave 11:''' | '''Wave 11:''' | ||
| Line 120: | Line 123: | ||
* [[Guyhawk#Transformers Gum|Guyhawk]] · [[Hellbat (G1)#Transformers Gum|Hellbat]] · [[Drillhorn (G1)#Transformers Gum|Drillhorn]] | * [[Guyhawk#Transformers Gum|Guyhawk]] · [[Hellbat (G1)#Transformers Gum|Hellbat]] · [[Drillhorn (G1)#Transformers Gum|Drillhorn]] | ||
* [[Leozack#Transformers Gum|Leozack]] · [[Jallguar#Transformers Gum|Jallguar]] · [[Killbison#Transformers Gum|Killbison]] | * [[Leozack#Transformers Gum|Leozack]] · [[Jallguar#Transformers Gum|Jallguar]] · [[Killbison#Transformers Gum|Killbison]] | ||
Wave 11's kits are all made from red, white and blue plastic, wave 12's are red, grey and blue, and wave 13's are red, black and white. The smaller three [[Brainmaster]]s feature working Brain figures and can combine into [[Road Caesar]]; while the [[Breastforce]] can combine into [[Liokaiser]], they lack their [[Breast Animal]] partners. Victory Leo cannot combine with Star Saber, hence why Victory Saber gets a dedicated kit. | Wave 11's kits are all made from red, white and blue plastic, wave 12's are red, grey and blue, and wave 13's are red, black and white. The smaller three [[Brainmaster]]s feature working Brain figures and can combine into [[Road Caesar]]; while the [[Breastforce]] can combine into [[Liokaiser]], they lack their [[Breast Animal]] partners. Victory Leo cannot combine with Star Saber, hence why Victory Saber gets a dedicated kit. | ||
| Line 160: | Line 160: | ||
==Beast Era== | ==Beast Era== | ||
[[File:Bwgum primal.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.4|Beast Wars Gum Primal]] | |||
{{main|Transformers: Beast Wars Gum}} | {{main|Transformers: Beast Wars Gum}} | ||
The Kabaya kits for the [[Beast Era]] were released as their own separate spin-off series with [[Transformers: Beast Wars Gum]]. These followed the same formula of the old ''Transformers Gun'' toyline, focusing on model kits based around downscaled versions of figures released for ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'', ''[[Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers#Beast Wars II|Beast Wars II]]'', and ''[[Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers#Beast Wars Neo|Beast Wars Neo]]''. | |||
Being that ''Beast Wars Gum'' was treated by Kabaya as a separate toyline, its full list of releases are thus covered in [[Transformers: Beast Wars Gum|their own dedicated page]]. | |||
{{-}} | |||
==Car Robots== | ==Car Robots== | ||
[[File:Rid prime kabayakit2.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]] | [[File:Rid prime kabayakit2.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Car Robots Convoy]] | ||
*[[Optimus Prime (RID)|Fire Convoy]] | *[[Optimus Prime (RID)|Fire Convoy]] | ||
*[[Optimus Prime (RID)|Super Fire Convoy]] | *[[Optimus Prime (RID)|Super Fire Convoy]] | ||
| Line 173: | Line 182: | ||
==2009 series== | ==2009 series== | ||
As mentioned, ''Transformers Gum'' would be fully rebooted in 2009. While downscaled versions of ''Generation 1'' toys would remain the focus, a few designs from other franchises would occasionally pop up in the new ''Transformers Gum'' line-up. | |||
===Standard kits=== | ===Standard kits=== | ||
[[File: | [[File:Kabaya-Prowl.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Henkei Prowl]] | ||
{{collist|2| | {{collist|2| | ||
'''Wave 1:''' (December 2009) | '''Wave 1:''' (December 2009) | ||
| Line 197: | Line 208: | ||
}} | }} | ||
Wave 3's kits are made from red, blue and grey plastic, and wave 4's are red, orange and black. Starscream and Inferno are based on their ''Classics/Henkei/Universe'' bodies, and Rodimus is based on his ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' toy, while Ginrai, Godbomber and Victory Leo are based on their classic selves. They each upstage their original ''Gum'' figures by being able to combine: Ginrai and Godbomber can form God Ginrai, while Victory Leo combines with Wave 1's Star Saber into Victory Saber. Each of the three kits in wave 4 also come with additional pieces to transform Hot Rodimus into Rodimus Prime. | Wave 3's kits are made from red, blue and grey plastic, and wave 4's are red, orange and black. Starscream and Inferno are based on their ''Classics/Henkei/Universe'' bodies, and Rodimus is based on his ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' toy, while Ginrai, Godbomber and Victory Leo are based on their classic selves. They each upstage their original ''Gum'' figures by being able to combine: Ginrai and Godbomber can form God Ginrai, while Victory Leo combines with Wave 1's Star Saber into Victory Saber. Each of the three kits in wave 4 also come with additional pieces to transform Hot Rodimus into Rodimus Prime. | ||
[[File:KabayaKit-TFGum-WFCOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|War for Cybertron Optimus Prime]] | |||
{{collist|2| | {{collist|2| | ||
'''Wave 5:''' (2012 | '''Wave 5:''' (2012 | ||
*[[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deszaras]] | *[[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deszaras]] | ||
*[[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] | *[[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] | ||
| Line 207: | Line 220: | ||
*[[Roadfire]] | *[[Roadfire]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
Wave 5's kits are made from red, blue and grey plastic. Optimus Prime and Hot Spot respectively come with [[Tigerbreast]] and [[Eaglebreast]], which can connect to Deathsaurus to complete his look. Hot Spot can also combine with the new versions of the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] released in Kabaya's ''[[Gaia Guardian|G Guardian]]'' line to form a new version of [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] named "[[God Guardian]]". The Wave 6 kits are made from red, black and blue plastic, and can each transform into robot, vehicle and base modes, and combine to form [[Big Powered]]. Dai Atlas's shield and "Powered Cutter" weapons are included as extra pieces with Sonic Bomber and Roadfire. | Wave 5's kits are made from red, blue and grey plastic. Optimus Prime and Hot Spot respectively come with [[Tigerbreast]] and [[Eaglebreast]], which can connect to Deathsaurus to complete his look. Hot Spot can also combine with the new versions of the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] released in Kabaya's ''[[Gaia Guardian|G Guardian]]'' line to form a new version of [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] named "[[God Guardian]]". The Wave 6 kits are made from red, black and blue plastic, and can each transform into robot, vehicle and base modes, and combine to form [[Big Powered]]. Dai Atlas's shield and "Powered Cutter" weapons are included as extra pieces with Sonic Bomber and Roadfire. | ||
{{collist|2| | {{collist|2| | ||
| Line 218: | Line 232: | ||
*[[Buster (G1)|Buster]] | *[[Buster (G1)|Buster]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
[[File:Kabaya2015_King_Posidon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|King Poseidon]] | |||
Wave 7's kits are made from warm grey/slight beige, grey and blue plastic (with a remarkable amount of stickers than usual to differentiate the sets). The sets are fully capable of carrying their combiner [[kibble]] (the ones they come with at least) in contrast to their G1 counterparts. Like Hot Spot from Wave 5, they are capable of combining with new versions of their respective teams, released through Kabaya's ''[[Gaia Scramble]]'' series. Wave 8's kits are made from red, blue and grey plastic; Star Convoy can assume both truck and base mode and comes with a small Hot Rod figure, while Hydra and Buster can combine into [[Darkwings]]. | Wave 7's kits are made from warm grey/slight beige, grey and blue plastic (with a remarkable amount of stickers than usual to differentiate the sets). The sets are fully capable of carrying their combiner [[kibble]] (the ones they come with at least) in contrast to their G1 counterparts. Like Hot Spot from Wave 5, they are capable of combining with new versions of their respective teams, released through Kabaya's ''[[Gaia Scramble]]'' series. Wave 8's kits are made from red, blue and grey plastic; Star Convoy can assume both truck and base mode and comes with a small Hot Rod figure, while Hydra and Buster can combine into [[Darkwings]]. | ||
{{collist|2| | {{collist|2| | ||
'''Wave | '''Wave 9:''' (2015) | ||
*[[Turtler]] | *[[Turtler]] | ||
*[[Kraken]] | *[[Kraken]] | ||
| Line 234: | Line 245: | ||
*[[Tentakil (Masterforce)|Tentakil]] | *[[Tentakil (Masterforce)|Tentakil]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
[[File:DXGattai-GodGinrai.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]] | [[File:DXGattai-GodGinrai.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|DX Gattai God Ginrai, in his packaging resembling the original 1988 Ginrai and Godbomber giftset]] | ||
Wave | Wave 9's kits are made from teal, pink, blue, black and grey plastic. The six figures can combine into [[King Poseidon]], with the extra option of combining their individual weapons into a bigger weapon for the combiner (along with the sixth guy who didn't became a limb and the trident) | ||
===DX kits=== | ===DX kits=== | ||
| Line 242: | Line 253: | ||
#[[Windcharger (G1)#Transformers Gum|Command Base + Charger]] | #[[Windcharger (G1)#Transformers Gum|Command Base + Charger]] | ||
#[[Fortress Maximus (G1)#GumDX|Launcher Base + Fortress]] | #[[Fortress Maximus (G1)#GumDX|Launcher Base + Fortress]] | ||
#[[Powerglide (G1) | #[[Powerglide (G1)#Transformers Gum|Sky Base + Powerglide]] | ||
'''Wave 2:''' (2013) | '''Wave 2:''' (2013) | ||
*[[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] | *[[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] | ||
| Line 252: | Line 263: | ||
{{collist|1| | {{collist|1| | ||
'''Wave 3:''' (2016) | '''Wave 3:''' (2016) | ||
#[[ | #[[Ginrai (human)#Transformers Gum|God Ginrai]] (Super Ginrai + [[Godbomber#Transformers Gum|Godbomber]]) | ||
#[[Star Saber (G1)#Transformers Gum|Victory Saber]] (Star Saber + [[Victory Leo#Transformers Gum|Victory Leo]]) | #[[Star Saber (G1)#Transformers Gum|Victory Saber]] (Star Saber + [[Victory Leo#Transformers Gum|Victory Leo]]) | ||
#[[Big Powered#Transformers Gum|Big Powered]] ([[Dai Atlas#Transformers Gum|Dai Atlas]] + [[Sonic Bomber#Transformers Gum|Sonic Bomber]] + [[Roadfire#Transformers Gum|Roadfire]]) | #[[Big Powered#Transformers Gum|Big Powered]] ([[Dai Atlas (G1)#Transformers Gum|Dai Atlas]] + [[Sonic Bomber (G1)#Transformers Gum|Sonic Bomber]] + [[Roadfire#Transformers Gum|Roadfire]]) | ||
}} | }} | ||
The third wave of DX kits (and the final wave of ''Transformers Gum'' as a whole) was labelled as ''DX Gattai'' and consisted of bundled re-releases of previous ''Transformers Gum'' kits, featuring more toy-accurate plastic colors and, fittingly, more elaborate toy-accurate decal sheets. Each bundle came in packaging designed to resemble the original versions of their respective toys' giftsets in the Japanese market. | The third wave of DX kits (and the final wave of ''Transformers Gum'' as a whole) was labelled as ''DX Gattai'' and consisted of bundled re-releases of previous ''Transformers Gum'' kits, featuring more toy-accurate plastic colors and, fittingly, more elaborate toy-accurate decal sheets. Each bundle came in packaging designed to resemble the original versions of their respective toys' giftsets in the Japanese market. | ||
{{-}} | |||
==Notes== | |||
* A handful of ''Transformers Gum'' kits would also be manufactured in Taiwan and re-released in South Korea during the 90s by an unknown company under the licensing of [[ToonTown]], presumably with the permission of Hasbro. As with everything bearing the ToonTown branding, whether or not these kits are officially-branded ''Transformers'' releases is still a matter of intense debate amongst collectors. | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
*[http://bowbowdaijin.blog96.fc2.com/ Japanese fan blog with complete gallery of classic Transformers Gum models] | *[http://bowbowdaijin.blog96.fc2.com/ Japanese fan blog with complete gallery of classic Transformers Gum models] | ||
[[Category:Beast Wars]] | |||
[[Category:Candy toys]] | [[Category:Candy toys]] | ||
[[Category:Generation 1 toylines|Gum]] | [[Category:Generation 1 toylines|Gum]] | ||
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei!]] | [[Category:Henkei! Henkei!]] | ||
[[Category:Merchandise]] | [[Category:Merchandise]] | ||
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001)]] | [[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001)]] | ||
[[Category:Super-God Masterforce]] | [[Category:Super-God Masterforce]] | ||
[[Category:The Headmasters]] | |||
[[Category:Victory]] | [[Category:Victory]] | ||
[[Category:War for Cybertron]] | [[Category:War for Cybertron]] | ||
Latest revision as of 21:01, 30 November 2025


Transformers Gum (トランスフォーマーガム Toransufōmā Gamu) was the premiere Transformers candy toy series produced by Japanese confectionery company Kabaya. It primarily consisted of small snap-together model kits, often designed as downscaled versions of larger Transformers toys, which came packed with some type of candy as an extra.
The series has been discontinued and revived a grand total of three times throughout its lifespan, so who knows for how long the 'was' in this page will last.
Overview
[edit]The original Transformers Gum series ran throughout the franchise's peak years in Japan, from 1985 to 1989. Usually (but not always) released in waves of four, each toy took the form of a snap-together model kit sculpted from three colours of plastic, with a sheet of stickers for detail, and, per the name of the line, a stick of chewing gum. The figures were generally packaged individually, but smaller characters like the Mini-Cassettes and Combiner limbs would come in groups of two. Once assembled, the kits, which mostly stood at around four inches tall, were fully transformable, appearing as essentially downsized versions of the original toys upon which they were based. They often preserved the gimmicks of said toys—including Headmaster partners and working stats bars, Godmaster partners, and full combination ability for combiner teams, though kits based on much larger figures did undergo some notable simplification. A range of smaller Transformers Gum kits was also available, retailing at 60 yen, versus the 200 yen that the standard Gum kits sold for. Size-wise, these kits fall somewhere between the standard Gum kits and those of its sister line Transformers Choco. Unlike those two lines, which ran until 1989, these smaller Gum kits were phased out in 1986. Information and images for these kits are pretty scarce.
In 1990, Transformers Gum merged with Transformers Choco to become the super deformed Parody Deformed non-transforming line of models. The line returned as Beast Wars Gum to cover characters from the various portions of the Beast Era in the late 1990s, then switched back to its original name in 2000 for Car Robots, although this time not featuring standard model kits based around downscaled toys but, instead, small statuettes with attachable parts.
After being retired for the duration of the Unicron Trilogy, Transformers Gum returned in 2009 for a new series that went back to its model kit roots and primarily celebrated various eras of Generation 1, as well as a few odd one-offs like the Classics / Henkei! Henkei! and War for Cybertron versions of Optimus Prime. This series was later expanded to include a "Deluxe" (or "DX") sub-series that featured larger kits, as well as more toy-accurate plastic colors and decal sheets. During this time, other similar kit-based Transformers series were also released by Kabaya, albeit without the "Transformers Gum" label: these included the release of the combiner-based Gaiacross, Gaia Guardian, and Gaia Scramble from 2013 to 2016 (all of these being based around a blend of existing G1 combiner characters with Kabaya's own original creations and featuring compatibility with the Scramble City-style combiner leaders released under Transformers Gum), and Block Wars and Adventure Gum in 2016. Unfortunately, since the final wave of Transformers Gum DX kits in 2016, no new Transformers products have been released by Kabaya.
Generation 1
[edit]200¥ series
[edit]Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers
[edit]
All the kits from wave 1, and the Decepticons from wave 2, were made from black, red and grey plastic, while Inferno and Red Alert were made from black, red and white.
Wave 3:
Wave 4:
Every kit from wave 3 is made from black, red and grey plastic except for Ultra Magnus, who is made from red, white and blue. In wave 4, the Protectobots, Swindle and Blast Off are made from red, white and black plastic, and the other Combaticons are made from green and grey. The two combiner teams can merge to form Defensor and Bruticus.
Transformers 2010
[edit]
Wave 5:
All four of this year's kits were made from red, grey and black plastic.
The Headmasters
[edit]
Wave 6:
Wave 7:
All of the kits from wave 6 are made from black, red and cream-colored plastic, except for Highbrow and Hardhead, who, along with all four kits from wave 7, are made from blue, grey and white. The small Headmasters all come with transforming Headmaster partners and working stats bars, but Scorponok and Fortress Maximus, greatly simplified from their larger toys, do not. Raiden can separate into vehicle mode models of Yukikaze, Seizan, Suiken and Getsuei.
Super-God Masterforce
[edit]
Wave 10:
- Godbomber
- Sixknight
- King Poseidon A (Turtler and Overbite)
- King PoseidonB (Tentakil, Gulf, Lobclaw and Kraken)
Most of the Masterforce figures are made from red, blue and grey plastic, except for Wave 8's Pretenders, which use a lighter, off-white grey, and the Seacons, who are made from magenta, teal and grey. Lightfoot, Hydra and Buster all feature transforming Godmaster partners, and the Seacons can combine to form King Poseidon, but Ginrai and Godbomber can not merge into God Ginrai.
Victory
[edit]
Wave 13:
Wave 11's kits are all made from red, white and blue plastic, wave 12's are red, grey and blue, and wave 13's are red, black and white. The smaller three Brainmasters feature working Brain figures and can combine into Road Caesar; while the Breastforce can combine into Liokaiser, they lack their Breast Animal partners. Victory Leo cannot combine with Star Saber, hence why Victory Saber gets a dedicated kit.
60¥ series
[edit]Wave 1:
Wave 2:
Wave 3:
Beast Era
[edit]
The Kabaya kits for the Beast Era were released as their own separate spin-off series with Transformers: Beast Wars Gum. These followed the same formula of the old Transformers Gun toyline, focusing on model kits based around downscaled versions of figures released for Beast Wars, Beast Wars II, and Beast Wars Neo.
Being that Beast Wars Gum was treated by Kabaya as a separate toyline, its full list of releases are thus covered in their own dedicated page.
Car Robots
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The Car Robots kits are non-transforming robot mode figurines, consisting of a solid grey body to which partially-colored translucent armor pieces are attached: red for the two Primes, green for X-Brawn, blue for Side Burn and colorless for Prowl.
2009 series
[edit]As mentioned, Transformers Gum would be fully rebooted in 2009. While downscaled versions of Generation 1 toys would remain the focus, a few designs from other franchises would occasionally pop up in the new Transformers Gum line-up.
Standard kits
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Wave 1's figures are all made from red, white and blue plastic, while wave 2's are blue, white and black, with all the figures using a remarkable amount of stickers to make the characters look like themselves. Henkei Convoy, Prowl and Jetfire are designed after their Classics/Henkei! Henkei!/Universe toys, while Ultra Magnus is based on his 6" Titanium toy, and the remainder are based on their classic selves.
Wave 3: (March 2011)
Wave 4: (2011)
Wave 3's kits are made from red, blue and grey plastic, and wave 4's are red, orange and black. Starscream and Inferno are based on their Classics/Henkei/Universe bodies, and Rodimus is based on his Masterpiece toy, while Ginrai, Godbomber and Victory Leo are based on their classic selves. They each upstage their original Gum figures by being able to combine: Ginrai and Godbomber can form God Ginrai, while Victory Leo combines with Wave 1's Star Saber into Victory Saber. Each of the three kits in wave 4 also come with additional pieces to transform Hot Rodimus into Rodimus Prime.

Wave 5: (2012
Wave 6: (2012)
Wave 5's kits are made from red, blue and grey plastic. Optimus Prime and Hot Spot respectively come with Tigerbreast and Eaglebreast, which can connect to Deathsaurus to complete his look. Hot Spot can also combine with the new versions of the Protectobots released in Kabaya's G Guardian line to form a new version of Defensor named "God Guardian". The Wave 6 kits are made from red, black and blue plastic, and can each transform into robot, vehicle and base modes, and combine to form Big Powered. Dai Atlas's shield and "Powered Cutter" weapons are included as extra pieces with Sonic Bomber and Roadfire.

Wave 7's kits are made from warm grey/slight beige, grey and blue plastic (with a remarkable amount of stickers than usual to differentiate the sets). The sets are fully capable of carrying their combiner kibble (the ones they come with at least) in contrast to their G1 counterparts. Like Hot Spot from Wave 5, they are capable of combining with new versions of their respective teams, released through Kabaya's Gaia Scramble series. Wave 8's kits are made from red, blue and grey plastic; Star Convoy can assume both truck and base mode and comes with a small Hot Rod figure, while Hydra and Buster can combine into Darkwings.

Wave 9's kits are made from teal, pink, blue, black and grey plastic. The six figures can combine into King Poseidon, with the extra option of combining their individual weapons into a bigger weapon for the combiner (along with the sixth guy who didn't became a limb and the trident)
DX kits
[edit]Wave 1: (2012)
Wave 2: (2013)
Each of the three "bases" that make up the first wave combine to form a fully-transformable Fortress Maximus figure, complete with Master Sword. The Brainmasters from wave 2, meanwhile, can combine into Road Caesar; the combiner kibble that allows them to do so itself combines to form the lump-of-stuff "Road Blader" that comes with Blacker.
Wave 3: (2016)
- God Ginrai (Super Ginrai + Godbomber)
- Victory Saber (Star Saber + Victory Leo)
- Big Powered (Dai Atlas + Sonic Bomber + Roadfire)
The third wave of DX kits (and the final wave of Transformers Gum as a whole) was labelled as DX Gattai and consisted of bundled re-releases of previous Transformers Gum kits, featuring more toy-accurate plastic colors and, fittingly, more elaborate toy-accurate decal sheets. Each bundle came in packaging designed to resemble the original versions of their respective toys' giftsets in the Japanese market.
Notes
[edit]- A handful of Transformers Gum kits would also be manufactured in Taiwan and re-released in South Korea during the 90s by an unknown company under the licensing of ToonTown, presumably with the permission of Hasbro. As with everything bearing the ToonTown branding, whether or not these kits are officially-branded Transformers releases is still a matter of intense debate amongst collectors.

