Seven

A subsidiary of Takara, Seven released several pieces of Transformer merchandise in Japan in the 1980s. In contrast to Takara's Generation 1 output, which came in boxes that required shelf-space on which they could sit, Seven's cheaper toys came in packaging that could hang from hooks on the wall, marking them as cheaper options for younger hands.

Seven's products included vinyl figures, Decoy multi-packs, model kits and most famously, the Transform Jr toyline. Most of Seven's releases share a distinct packaging design with a large "TF" logo; any and all of their products can often be mistakenly considered part of the Transform Jr line by fans—an easy mistake to make, as there was often overlap between Seven's products, with various figures often being released together in multi-packs and box-sets.

The Seven logo セブン can be seen on the front of the boxes and Takara is denoted by a small diamond or square sticker of varying colors.

Toys

Transform Block

Blocky!

• Sunstreaker (1985)
  

This monochrome representation of Sunstreaker was initially a Diaclone toy available in red or blue, recolored into Sunstreaker's trademark yellow and re-released by Seven as the sole entry in its Transform Block range. Made of soft vinyl, the figure was so named because it transformed by being disassembled into its component pieces and reassembled in the desired mode.

Transform Jr

Chromedome managed to get himself released 3 times within the Jr line.

The most well known and long-lived of the products released by Seven, the Transform Jr toys were simplified versions of various major characters from Generation 1 through to Victory. They were released individually and in various sets.

Model kits

Seven released two series of snap-together plastic model kits, both of which originated with other companies. The first series consisted of straight re-releases of four of the five kits from the third series of Kabaya's Transformers Gum line of candy toys (Ultra Magnus, Blitzwing, Blaster and the Rumble and Frenzy double-pack) in new packaging.

The second series was made up of kits which were previously released as part of three separate Micro Change candy toy lines. Originally released as six separate kits in those lines, they were grouped into sets of two for their release by Seven, and consisted of:

Set A: Soundwave VS Gears

Set B: Gong and Charger

Set C: Reflector

The Reflector set consisted of one kit that could be assembled into one robot and another kit that could be assembled into two robots. Each kit could also be assembled into a camera or the two kits could be assembled into one camera complete with flash.

• More information on the Model Kits at Transformers One (Tf-1.com)

Decoys

"Mini Mini Collection Part 1 of 2"

In 1986, Takara released a series of 53 soft-rubber Transformer figurines—a type of figure known as a keshigomu in Japan—in a variety of colours through large boxsets and individual capsule machine releases. All 53 of these figures were re-released by Seven in a uniform peach coloration, packaged in "Mini Mini Collection" box-sets (pictured), carded multi-packs, and collected with other figures and products (see below).

Vinyl figures

Seven offered a range of vinyl figures of various major Transformers characters, including Optimus Prime, Megatron, Metroplex, Ultra Magnus, Rodimus Prime and Galvatron. Most of the figures were available in more than one way: a few were sold on their own, some came together multi-packs, and others were packaged with other Seven products or various novelty play items. These "VS" sets, all of which include toy guns, are labeled as "Exciting" (エキサイティング).

• Convoy vs Megatron (1986)

The Optimus Prime and Megatron vinyl figures, mounted on a blister card.

• Scramble Gun Set Part.1 (1986)

The Optimus Prime figure, packaged with a roleplay "Scramble Gun" toy and four random peach Decoys.

• Scramble Gun Set Part.2 (1986)

The Ultra Magnus figure takes Prime's place in this new edition of the Scramble Gun box set.

• Dart Game (1986)

This set included the Ultra Magnus figure, a dart gun, two suction-tipped darts, a dartboard, and a green plastic watch.

Metroflex individual box and the VS "Exciting" Giftset. It's the water gun that makes it exciting

• Metroflex (1986)

The Metroplex figure, sold alone, branded as a "Soft Robo" (ソフトロボ) figure. This term wasn't used on any other figure's packaging, but it's handily applicable to them all.

• Water Gun Set (1986)

This set packaged the Metroplex figure with a water pistol and two random peach Decoys.

• Rodimus Convoy vs Galvatron (1987)

The Rodimus Prime and Galvatron figures, mounted on a blister card.

• Ultra Magnus vs Galvatron (1987)

The Galvatron figure was packaged with the Transform Jr Ultra Magnus toy for this box set, which also came with a die-cast figurine of Metroplex.

• Cybertron Leader Set (1987)

The Rodimus Prime figure was included in this box set with the Transform Jr Chromedome toys and the die-cast Metroplex figurine.

Other Sets

• Cybertron Set (1987)

The die-cast metal figurine of Metroplex that was included with several other Seven products was here paired with a metal Rodimus Prime figure, and sold together with a watch.

Notes

• The TF packaging was also used by another licensee, Maruka Toys, who produced extra large keshigomu (or soft rubber figurines) of Megatron and Optimus Prime.