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'''Takio Ejima''' (江島 多規男 ''Ejima Takio'', born [[June 6]], [[1964]]) is a designer at [[TakaraTomy]]. His first product at Takara was Crazybird from the "Flower Rock" series, and after joining the Overseas ''[[Transformers brand|Transformers]]'' Product team in the Boys Enterprise department, he single-handedly created the [[The Transformers (European toyline)#1991|all European ''Transformers'']] during the period when the American ''Transformers'' line ended, until the advent of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]''. After the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)#1998|Beast Wars Metals]]'' (the Japanese release of the [[Transmetal]]s ''Beast Wars'' figures), he moved to the Girls Toy Department, but came back to Transformers during the ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' line. According to fellow designer [[Takashi Kunihiro]], Ejima is "the man who created the most transforming robot toys in the world".  
'''Takio Ejima''' (江島 多規男 ''Ejima Takio'', born [[June 6]], [[1964]]) is a designer at [[TakaraTomy]]. His first product at Takara was Crazybird from the "Flower Rock" series, and after joining the Overseas ''[[Transformers brand|Transformers]]'' Product team in the Boys Enterprise department, he single-handedly created the [[The Transformers (European toyline)#1991|all European ''Transformers'']] during the period when the American ''Transformers'' line ended, until the advent of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]''. After the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)#1998|Beast Wars Metals]]'' (the Japanese release of the [[Transmetal]]s ''Beast Wars'' figures), he moved to the Girls Toy Department, but came back to Transformers during the ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' line. According to fellow designer [[Takashi Kunihiro]], Ejima is "the man who created the most transforming robot toys in the world".  


Hand-in-hand with developing the [[Turbomaster]]s and [[Predator (subgroup)|Predator]]s, Eijima created the concept of using [[light-piping]] for the eyes of ''Transformers'' toys.<ref>[https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1800/PU/JP-H05-013494/DC25758C65298F7ACD69A2E5B4D0823F2E2992B7FCE4EB3A521E82504B1AC4B0/21/en 1993 patent for light piped eyes in action figures] at the online directory of the {{w|Japan Patent Office}}</ref> He is also credited with coming up with the idea of the extensive use of [[ball joint]]s seen towards the end of the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' toyline as a means of making toys more durable, thus complying with more rigorous [[For safety reasons|safety standards]]. This idea opened up possibilities of robot toys with extensive articulation.
Hand-in-hand with developing the [[Turbomaster]]s and [[Predator (subgroup)|Predator]]s, Eijima created the concept of using [[light-piping]] for the eyes of ''Transformers'' toys.<ref>[https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1800/PU/JP-H05-013494/DC25758C65298F7ACD69A2E5B4D0823F2E2992B7FCE4EB3A521E82504B1AC4B0/21/en 1993 patent for light piped eyes in action figures] at the online directory of the {{w|Japan Patent Office}}</ref> He is also credited with coming up with the idea of the extensive use of [[ball joint]]s seen towards the end of the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' toyline as a means of making toys more durable, thus complying with more rigorous [[For safety reasons|safety standards]]. This idea opened up possibilities of robot toys with extensive [[articulation]].


We all owe this man, so, ''so'' much.
We all owe this man, so, ''so'' much.
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|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Action Master Elites'''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Action Master Elites'''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Double Punch#Toys|Double Punch]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Double Punch (G1)#Toys|Double Punch]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Omega Supreme (G1)#omegaspreem|Omega Spreem]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Omega Supreme (G1)#omegaspreem|Omega Spreem]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Turbo Master#Toys|Turbo Master]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Turbo Master#Toys|Turbo Master]]}}
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{{Bp-a1|[[Deluge (G1)#Toys|Deluge]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Deluge (G1)#Toys|Deluge]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Jetstorm (G1)#Toys|Jetstorm]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Jetstorm (G1)#Toys|Jetstorm]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Speedstream#Toys|Speedstream]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Speedstream (G2)#Toys|Speedstream]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''[[Stormtrooper (G1)|Stormtrooper]]s'''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''[[Stormtrooper (G1)|Stormtrooper]]s'''</u>
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{{Bp-a1d1|[[Hooligan (G2)#Toys|Hooligan]] / [[Jetfire (G1)/toys#Generation 2|Jetfire]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Hooligan (G2)#Toys|Hooligan]] / [[Jetfire (G1)/toys#Generation 2|Jetfire]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Skyjack (G2)#Toys|Skyjack]] / [[Strafe (G1)#Generation 2|Generation 1 Strafe]] / [[Strafe (G2)#G-2|''G-2'' Strafe]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Skyjack (G2)#Toys|Skyjack]] / [[Strafe (G1)#Generation 2|Generation 1 Strafe]] / [[Strafe (G2)#G-2|''G-2'' Strafe]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Space Case (G2)#Toys|Space Case]] / [[Air Raid (G1)/toys#Generation 2|Air Raid]] / [[Aero Raid#G-2|Aero Raid]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Space Case (G2)#Toys|Space Case]] / [[Air Raid (G1)#Generation 2|Air Raid]] / [[Aero Raid#G-2|Aero Raid]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''[[Auto Roller (G2)|Auto Roller]]s'''<ref name = "King303">Designer interview with [[Hisashi Yuki]] in [[Figure King]] No. 303 (April 2023 issue)</ref></u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''[[Auto Roller (G2)|Auto Roller]]s'''<ref name = "King303">Designer interview with [[Hisashi Yuki]] in ''[[Figure Ō]]'' No. 303 (April 2023 issue)</ref></u>
<ul class="iconlist">
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Dirtbag#Generation 2|Dirtbag]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Dirtbag#Generation 2|Dirtbag]]}}
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|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Megas'''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Megas'''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-p1|[[Inferno (BW)#Beast Wars|Inferno]]<br>(with [[Yuichiro Hira]])<ref>Yuichiro Hira's name is on Inferno's patent, not Ejima's, but Ejima was credited as working on Inferno in a ''[[Figure King]]'' interview.</ref>}}
{{Bp-p1|[[Inferno (BW)#Beast Wars|Inferno]]<br>(with [[Yuichiro Hira]])<ref>Yuichiro Hira's name is on Inferno's patent, not Ejima's, but Ejima was credited as working on Inferno in a ''[[Figure Ō]]'' interview.</ref>}}
{{bp-m1|[[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#TM1|Transmetal Optimus Primal]]}}
{{bp-m1|[[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#TM1|Transmetal Optimus Primal]]}}
{{Bp-p1|[[Megatron (BW)/toys#TM1|Transmetal Megatron]]}}
{{Bp-p1|[[Megatron (BW)/toys#TM1|Transmetal Megatron]]}}
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|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Ultra Class'''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Ultra Class'''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Powerglide (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Powerglide]]<br>(with Bill Rawley)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Powerglide (G1)#Universe (2008)|Powerglide]]<br>(with Bill Rawley)}}
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|width="20%" valign="top"|

Revision as of 23:47, 20 October 2024

Takio Ejima (江島 多規男 Ejima Takio, born June 6, 1964) is a designer at TakaraTomy. His first product at Takara was Crazybird from the "Flower Rock" series, and after joining the Overseas Transformers Product team in the Boys Enterprise department, he single-handedly created the all European Transformers during the period when the American Transformers line ended, until the advent of Beast Wars. After the Beast Wars Metals (the Japanese release of the Transmetals Beast Wars figures), he moved to the Girls Toy Department, but came back to Transformers during the Energon line. According to fellow designer Takashi Kunihiro, Ejima is "the man who created the most transforming robot toys in the world".

Hand-in-hand with developing the Turbomasters and Predators, Eijima created the concept of using light-piping for the eyes of Transformers toys.[1] He is also credited with coming up with the idea of the extensive use of ball joints seen towards the end of the Generation 2 toyline as a means of making toys more durable, thus complying with more rigorous safety standards. This idea opened up possibilities of robot toys with extensive articulation.

We all owe this man, so, so much.

Known design projects

Generation 1

1991

Action Master figures Exo-Suit Action Masters Motorized Exo-Suit Action Masters Action Master Elites
Action Master Elite Omega Spreem

1992

Turbomasters / Road Corps
Predators / Jet Corps
Turbomaster Thunder Clash

1993

Axelerators Skyscorchers Aquaspeeders Stormtroopers
Obliterator Clench
Lightformers Trakkons Obliterators

Generation 2

Rotor Force Laser Rods Cyberjets[2] Auto Rollers[3]
Smokescreen (the design he is most proud of)
Color Changers ATB

Beast Wars

Basics Deluxes Megas Ultras
Deluxe Cheetor
Supers MicroVerse And...

Machine Wars

Basics[6]
Basic Mirage

Beast Wars II

Autorollers[3]
Autoroller Autolauncher

Animorphs

Deluxes
Deluxe Rachel

Beast Machines

Deluxe Class Mega Class
Deluxe Jetstorm

Mutant Beast Wars

Deluxe Class
Deluxe Icebird

Energon

Energon Class Combat Class Mega Class Command Class
Command Class Landmine

Cybertron

Scout Class Deluxe Class Voyager Class Ultra Class
Sideways (the other design he's most proud of)
Leader Class

Classics (2006)

Deluxe Class Voyager Class The Ultimate Battle
Voyager Class Optimus Prime

Transformers (2007)

Real Gear Robots Deluxe Class Voyager Class Leader Class
Voyager Class Incinerator

Transformers Animated

Activators

Universe (2008)

Deluxe Class Ultra Class

Revenge of the Fallen

Combiner Class

Dark of the Moon

MechTech Deluxes

Generations

War for Cybertron: Kingdom

Titan Class

Studio Series

Deluxe Class Leader Class
  • 91 The Fallen (Revenge of the Fallen)[10]
    		•
    The Fallen

    Legacy / Legacy: Evolution / Legacy: United

    Core Class Deluxe Class
  • Scraphook
  • Decepticon Wild Rider
  • Infernac Universe Magneous
  • Star Raider Lockdown
    		•
  • Infernac Universe Shard
  • Infernac Universe Nucleous
  • Star Raider Road Pig
    		•
    Menasor
    Voyager Class
  • Trashmaster
  • Prime Universe Thundertron
    		•  Leader Class
  • Transmetal II Megatron[10]
    		•  Commander Class
  • Decepticon Motormaster / Menasor
    		•  Others
  • "A Hero is Born" 2-Pack
    (Orion Pax and Alpha Trion w/ Vector Sigma)




    • What's all this about?

    This article on a real person associated with the Transformers brand is a stub and is missing information.
    You can help MediaWiki by expanding it.

    What's needed: credits from Hasbro Pulse livestreams, virtual conventions, Hasbro designer social media (mostly Instagram), etc etc etc


    Convention appearances

    Hasbro Pulse livestream appearances

    Notes

    The only designer who makes even cooler figures off the clock.
    • He is reverently referred to as "The Big E" by the Hasbro design team.[12]
    • Besides developing the concept of light-piped eyes, Ejima also holds patents for the Predator missile launchers[13] and megavisor system.[14]
    • Ejima reused the engineering from the toy that would become Machine Wars Skywarp / Thundercracker for the bat version of Optimus Primal (the toys were applied for in the same patent).[15] Likewise, the basic class version of Terrorsaur shares engineering with the toys that would become Machine Wars Hoist / Hubcap and Mirage / Prowl. [16]
    • Fellow TakaraTomy designer Shogo Hasui was assigned to do the large Combiner Class Constructicon Devastator toy, and had completed some early sketches, but Ejima subsequently took over due to scheduling conflicts.
    • Off-hours, Ejima's main hobbies include gardening and creating striking, intricate, almost jewelry-esque articulated metal sculptures. Pictured right are a couple he slipped in to the bonus features of the Beast Wars Reborn behind-the-scenes DVD.

    References

    1. ↑ 1993 patent for light piped eyes in action figures at the online directory of the Japan Patent Office
    2. ↑ *Interview with Shuhei Umezu for Transformers Generations 2022 translated at Soundwave's Oblivion
    3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Designer interview with Hisashi Yuki in Figure Ō No. 303 (April 2023 issue)
    4. ↑ Yuichiro Hira's name is on Inferno's patent, not Ejima's, but Ejima was credited as working on Inferno in a Figure Ō interview.
    5. ↑ Design notes on Studio Series Kup from Hasbro designer Evan Brooks on Instagram
    6. ↑ All designed in 1995, but not sold until 1997.
    7. ↑ Transformers Generations 2022 designer interviews
    8. ↑ Transformers panel at Hasbro Pulse Fan Fest 2021
    9. ↑ Bumblebee Ratchet design notes on Sam Smith's Instagram
    10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 August 16, 2022's Hasbro Pulse Transformers Fanstream on YouTube, with Ben MacCrae, Delaney Norris, Sam Smith, Evan Brooks, Isabella Weiss, and Mark Maher.
    11. ↑ Thanks from Ben MacCrae and Evan Brooks during the Hall of Fame ceremony at Hasbro Pulse Con 2023.
    12. ↑ Interview with Ejima in Beast Generations, p.122-124 as well as his various Hasbro Pulse livestream appearances.
    13. ↑ 1992 patent for missile launchers at the online directory of the Japan Patent Office
    14. ↑ 1993 patent for the viewfinder doohickey underlying the megavisor play pattern at the online directory of the Japan Patent Office
    15. ↑ 1997 patent for the springloaded mechanism used in the Machine Wars Basic jets and Beast Wars Basic Optimus Primal at the online directory of the Japan Patent Office
    16. ↑ 1997 patent for the springloaded mechanism used in the Machine Wars Basic truck and racecar molds as well as Beast Wars Basic Terrorsaur at the online directory of the Japan Patent Office

    Interviews

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