Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline): Difference between revisions

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Adding images and subline writeups. There's something kinda screwy about how the Japanese and American lines are all sloshed in there together -- IMO they should be separate lists.
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When the [[Transtech]] toyline concept was dropped, Hasbro needed additional time to develop their next concept.  Thus, the '''Robots in Disguise''' toyline began in 2000 as a direct port of [[Takara]]'s ''Car Robots'' line, which consisted of a group of new-mold toys and several redecorated toys from previous lines.  The line included the first realistically-styled Earth vehicle Transformers in half a decade.
When the [[Transtech]] toyline concept was dropped, Hasbro needed additional time to develop a new franchise to follow the [[Beast Era]].  In 2000, the company therefore opted to bring over [[Takara]]'s ''Car Robots'' line, rebranding the toyline as '''Robots in Disguise'''.
 
The ''Car Robots'' line consisted of a group of new-mold toys, along with several redecorated toys from previous lines.  The line included the first realistically-styled Earth vehicle Transformers in half a decade.
 
[[Image:RID Optimus Prime toy.jpg|right|thumb|150px|RiD Optimus Prime, the largest vehicular toy since Optimal Optimus.]]


As sales rose and more toys were needed, [[Hasbro]] added in still more [[redeco|redecorated]] toys to pad the line out toward its end.  By the time all was said and done, ''RiD'' included molds from ''[[Generation 1 (toyline)|Generation 1]]'', ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'', ''[[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'', ''[[Machine Wars]]'', and ''[[Beast Machines (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' -- in other words, every American toyline that had been produced to that point.
As sales rose and more toys were needed, [[Hasbro]] added in still more [[redeco|redecorated]] toys to pad the line out toward its end.  By the time all was said and done, ''RiD'' included molds from ''[[Generation 1 (toyline)|Generation 1]]'', ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'', ''[[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'', ''[[Machine Wars]]'', and ''[[Beast Machines (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' -- in other words, every American toyline that had been produced to that point.
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The line is therefore marked by an ''extremely'' wide variation in quality, complexity, realism and posability.  At one end of the spectrum were fairly simple designs from previous lines, such as the [[Commando]]s and [[Spy Changer]]s.  On the flip side, most of Takara's original mold designs were extremely complex, often to the point of frustrating fans with their origami-like [[shellformer]] transformations that required stuffing robotic bits ''just so'' to make them all fit together in vehicle form -- though some fans also found this same complexity to be an enjoyable challenge.
The line is therefore marked by an ''extremely'' wide variation in quality, complexity, realism and posability.  At one end of the spectrum were fairly simple designs from previous lines, such as the [[Commando]]s and [[Spy Changer]]s.  On the flip side, most of Takara's original mold designs were extremely complex, often to the point of frustrating fans with their origami-like [[shellformer]] transformations that required stuffing robotic bits ''just so'' to make them all fit together in vehicle form -- though some fans also found this same complexity to be an enjoyable challenge.


''RiD'' was the first (and thus far, the only) time an existing Japanese line was brought over wholesale to the US.  Though the toys were new to the line's primary audience of children, many fans had already paid considerably higher prices to import the toys from Japan.  Despite this, the line was met with a generally positive reception by fans, and seemed to sell well enough to kids as well, if the number of later redeco additions to the line is any indication.
[[Image:RID Megatron toy.jpg|left|thumb|150px|RiD Megatron - the only new-mold bad guy in the line.]]
 
Several elements introduced by ''Robots in Disguise'' would recur in the subsequent [[Unicron Trilogy]] and various other storylines, such as Optimus Prime combining with other major toys, and Prime and Ultra Magnus as brothers.
 
''RiD'' was the first (and thus far, the only) time an existing Japanese line was brought over wholesale to the US.  Though the toys were new to the line's primary audience of children, many fans had already paid considerably higher prices to import the toys from Japan.  Despite this, the line was met with a generally positive reception by fans (particularly those who'd found import prices to be more than they were willing to dish out), and seemed to sell well enough to kids as well, if the number of later redeco additions to the line is any indication.


Some minor changes were made to the US releases of the toys, most notably the application of [[tampograph]]ed faction symbols.
Some minor changes were made to the US releases of the toys, most notably the application of [[tampograph]]ed faction symbols.
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===Cybertrons===
===Cybertrons===
'''Spychangers'''
'''Spychangers'''
<BR>The Spychanger group began as redecorated G2 GoBots molds.  Eventually, several molds that were developed for G2 but never released were added to the ranks, as well as several entirely new molds representing characters from the line who had larger toys.
*[[Hot Shot (RID)|Artfire]] (Japan)
*[[Hot Shot (RID)|Artfire]] (Japan)
*[[Hot Shot (RID)|Artfire]] (clear, Japan, Jusco exclusive)
*[[Hot Shot (RID)|Artfire]] (clear, Japan, Jusco exclusive)
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'''Flipchangers'''
'''Flipchangers'''
<BR>The Flipchangers were another canceled G2 item, though these had previously surfaced in ''Machine Wars''. 
*[[Skid-Z (RID)|Indy Heat]] (Japan)
*[[Skid-Z (RID)|Indy Heat]] (Japan)
*[[Skid-Z (RID)|Indy Heat]] (clear, Japan, Jusco exclusive)
*[[Skid-Z (RID)|Indy Heat]] (clear, Japan, Jusco exclusive)
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'''Deluxe'''
'''Deluxe'''
<BR>Includes the [[Autobot Brothers]] and the [[Build Team]], all molds original to the line.  The Autobot Brothers share highly realistic vehicle forms and complicated, shellforming transformation schemes.  The Build Team share a very blocky aesthetic which conceals a complex design, allowing them to combine in multiple ways.
*[[Prowl (RID)|Mach Alert]] (Japan)
*[[Prowl (RID)|Mach Alert]] (Japan)
*[[Side Burn (RID)|Speedbreaker]] (Japan)
*[[Side Burn (RID)|Speedbreaker]] (Japan)
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'''Mega'''
'''Mega'''
<BR>Known on the cartoon as [[Team Bullet Train]], these three Takara-original molds can combine into [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]].
*[[Railspike (RID)|J-5]] (Japan)
*[[Railspike (RID)|J-5]] (Japan)
*[[Midnight Express (RID)|J-4]] (Japan)
*[[Midnight Express (RID)|J-4]] (Japan)
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'''Super'''
'''Super'''
<BR>Two massive new Takara molds, which can combine to form [[Omega Prime]].
*[[Optimus Prime (RID)|Super Fire Convoy]] (Japan)
*[[Optimus Prime (RID)|Super Fire Convoy]] (Japan)
*[[Ultra Magnus (RID)|God Magnus]] (Japan)
*[[Ultra Magnus (RID)|God Magnus]] (Japan)

Revision as of 00:25, 28 December 2007

Template:Nav-rid When the Transtech toyline concept was dropped, Hasbro needed additional time to develop a new franchise to follow the Beast Era. In 2000, the company therefore opted to bring over Takara's Car Robots line, rebranding the toyline as Robots in Disguise.

The Car Robots line consisted of a group of new-mold toys, along with several redecorated toys from previous lines. The line included the first realistically-styled Earth vehicle Transformers in half a decade.

RiD Optimus Prime, the largest vehicular toy since Optimal Optimus.

As sales rose and more toys were needed, Hasbro added in still more redecorated toys to pad the line out toward its end. By the time all was said and done, RiD included molds from Generation 1, Generation 2, Beast Wars, Machine Wars, and Beast Machines -- in other words, every American toyline that had been produced to that point.

The line is therefore marked by an extremely wide variation in quality, complexity, realism and posability. At one end of the spectrum were fairly simple designs from previous lines, such as the Commandos and Spy Changers. On the flip side, most of Takara's original mold designs were extremely complex, often to the point of frustrating fans with their origami-like shellformer transformations that required stuffing robotic bits just so to make them all fit together in vehicle form -- though some fans also found this same complexity to be an enjoyable challenge.

RiD Megatron - the only new-mold bad guy in the line.

Several elements introduced by Robots in Disguise would recur in the subsequent Unicron Trilogy and various other storylines, such as Optimus Prime combining with other major toys, and Prime and Ultra Magnus as brothers.

RiD was the first (and thus far, the only) time an existing Japanese line was brought over wholesale to the US. Though the toys were new to the line's primary audience of children, many fans had already paid considerably higher prices to import the toys from Japan. Despite this, the line was met with a generally positive reception by fans (particularly those who'd found import prices to be more than they were willing to dish out), and seemed to sell well enough to kids as well, if the number of later redeco additions to the line is any indication.

Some minor changes were made to the US releases of the toys, most notably the application of tampographed faction symbols.

2000

Cybertrons

Spychangers
The Spychanger group began as redecorated G2 GoBots molds. Eventually, several molds that were developed for G2 but never released were added to the ranks, as well as several entirely new molds representing characters from the line who had larger toys.

Flipchangers
The Flipchangers were another canceled G2 item, though these had previously surfaced in Machine Wars.

Deluxe
Includes the Autobot Brothers and the Build Team, all molds original to the line. The Autobot Brothers share highly realistic vehicle forms and complicated, shellforming transformation schemes. The Build Team share a very blocky aesthetic which conceals a complex design, allowing them to combine in multiple ways.

Mega
Known on the cartoon as Team Bullet Train, these three Takara-original molds can combine into Rail Racer.

Super
Two massive new Takara molds, which can combine to form Omega Prime.

City

Gift sets

Destrons

Basic

Deluxe

Ultra

Super

Gift set

Destrongers

Basic

Mega

Ultra

2001

Autobot

Basic

Deluxe

Mega

Super

Decepticon

Basic

Deluxe

Ultra

Predacon

Deluxe

Mega

Versus

Deluxe

2002

Autobot

Basic

Spychangers (KB Toys and Target exclusives)

Deluxe

Mega

Decepticon

Basic

Deluxe

  • Megatron Megabolt (KB Toys exclusive)

Super

Predacon

Ultra

Versus

Basic

Mega

2003

Autobots

Tiny Tins

Spychangers (KB Toys exclusives)

Spychangers (Japan)

Ultra

Supreme

Decepticons

Deluxe (KB Toys exclusives)

Ultra

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