USA Edition

USA Editions are American Transformers toys that are released in Japan, usually (but not always) as exclusives 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 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 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 Powerlinx 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! versions of Powerglide, Silverbolt and Onslaught, which sport different colors and decos from their Hasbro counterparts (most notably Powerglide). The (possibly never released) "USA Edition" version of 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 Cryotek featured a new "spark pilot" figure inside the cockpit that was omitted from the Hasbro release.

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

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

Other USA Editions are toys that had previously been released in Japan, but the Hasbro version sported notable differences, and the USA Edition release reflected those changes (but wasn't always entirely identical to the Hasbro version either). This applies to Masterpiece Convoy/20th Anniversary Optimus Prime, Masterpiece Starscream and Alternators Prowl.

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/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 Motorvators, Thunder Clash, Skyquake, the Generation 2 Go-Bots, Takara's "EZ Collection" versions of the Legends of Cybertron toys of Optimus Prime, Megatron and Starscream (which came on Hasbro cardbacks, but with new, Japanese-language blister bubble inserts) or the 2007 live-action movie and 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 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 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, Transformers: Crossovers, Titanium Series figures and some toys from the 2007 live-action movie and Revenge of the Fallen toy lines, such as Ultimate Bumblebee, various role-play accessories, the Robot Replicas, the Robot Heroes figures, the Cyber Stompin' Robots, the Power Bots and the RPM vehicles.

List of USA Editions

Beast Machines

Item	Japanese release date	Japanese venue	US venue
Primal Prime	??	ToysЯUs	Mass retail

Robots in Disguise (2001)

Item	Japanese release date	Japanese venue	US venue
Cryotek	???	Mass retail	Target
Sideways vs. Axer	May 30, 2002	ToysЯUs	Walmart
Storm Jet	July 5, 2002	ToysЯUs	Mass retail
Cybertron 3-Guy Set: Nightcruz, Mirage GT & Scavenger	July 31, 2002	ToysЯUs	Mass retail
Air Attack Optimus Primal	August 8, 2002	ToysЯUs	ToysЯUs
Megatron Megabolt	August 8, 2002	ToysЯUs	KB Toys
Spy Changer Optimus Prime	November 28, 2002	Mass retail	Mass retail
Spy Changer Ultra Magnus	November 28, 2002	Mass retail	Mass retail
Spy Changers X-Brawn & Scourge	November 28, 2002	Mass retail	Mass retail
Dreadwind & Smokejumper	January 1, 2003	ToysЯUs	Target
Destructicon Scourge	February 20, 2003	ToysЯUs	KB Toys
Destructicon Bludgeon	February 20, 2003	ToysЯUs	KB Toys
Ruination ("Urban camo" set)	September 26, 2003	Affiliates with Toy's Dream Project's "Toycard" program	Walmart

Armada/Micron Densetsu

Item	Japanese release date	Japanese venue	US venue
Rhinox	June ??, 2003	JUSCO	Mass retail
Terrorsaur	June ??, 2003	JUSCO	Mass retail
Airazor	July 5, 2003	ToysЯUs	Mass retail
Skywarp	August 7, 2003	ToysЯUs	Mass retail
Cheetor	September 9, 2003	ToysЯUs (website only)	Mass retail
Predacon	September 9, 2003	ToysЯUs (website only)	Mass retail
Powerlinx Cyclonus	September 27, 2003	LaOX	Mass retail
Powerlinx Thrust (brown)	September 27, 2003	LaOX	Mass retail
Powerlinx Jetfire	October 9, 2003	ToysЯUs	Mass retail
Powerlinx Thrust (red)	December ??, 2003	Toy's Dream Project (members' store Toycard)	N/A [mass retail release in other Hasbro markets]

Universe (2003)

Item	Japanese release date	Japanese venue	US venue
Optimus Primal	August ??, 2003	e-HOBBY	Mass retail
Razorclaw	August ??, 2003	e-HOBBY	Mass retail
Silverbolt	August ??, 2003	e-HOBBY	Mass retail
Snarl	August ??, 2003	e-HOBBY	Mass retail
Reptilion	August ??, 2003	e-HOBBY	Mass retail
Tankor & Obsidian	September ??, 2003	e-HOBBY	Mass retail
Blackarachnia	September ??, 2003	e-HOBBY	Mass retail
Dinobot Striker	September ??, 2003	e-HOBBY	Mass retail
Depthcharge	January ??, 2004	e-HOBBY	Mass retail
Autobot Ratchet	January ??, 2004	e-HOBBY	Mass retail
Inferno	January ??, 2004	e-HOBBY	Mass retail
Skywarp	April ??, 2004	"TF Station" affiliate stores	Mass retail
Dinobot Triceradon	April ??, 2004	e-HOBBY	Mass retail
King Atlas	May ??, 2004	e-HOBBY	Mass retail
Skydive	June ??, 2004	e-HOBBY	Mass retail
Stockade & Magna Stampede	July ??, 2004	e-HOBBY	Mass retail
Fireflight	July ??, 2004	e-HOBBY	Mass retail
Autobot Whirl	July ??, 2004	e-HOBBY	Mass retail
Nemesis Strika	July ??, 2004	e-HOBBY	Mass retail
Nemesis Prime	August 5, 2004	JUSCO	Target
Soundwave & Space Case	September ??, 2004	e-HOBBY	Mass retail
Air Raid & Wind Sheer	September ??, 2004	e-HOBBY	Mass retail
Swerve	September ??, 2004	e-HOBBY	Mass retail

Energon/Superlink

Item	Japanese release date	Japanese venue	US venue
Unicron (black)	???	Mass retail	Mass retail
Ultra Magnus	March ??, 2004	Toy's Dream Project	Mass retail
Galvatron	April 28, 2004	ToysЯUs	Mass retail
Energon Strongarm ("Strongarm USA Edition")	July ??, 2004	"TF Station" affiliate stores	Mass retail
Sharkticon	July 30, 2004	Toy's Dream Project	Mass retail
Offshoot ("Signal Flare USA Edition")	August 8, 2004	Gamers, Tokyo Character Show 2004	Mass retail
Tow-Line	August 10, 2004	ToysЯUs	Mass retail
Slugslinger ("Storm Jet")	October 28, 2004	ToysЯUs	Mass retail

Masterpiece/20th Anniversary

Item	Japanese release date	Japanese venue	US venue
Optimus Prime	April ??, 2004	e-HOBBY	Mass retail
Starscream	February ??, 2008	Mass retail	Walmart

Binaltech/Alternators

Item	Japanese release date	Japanese venue	US venue
Prowl	Unreleased?	(Takarand, giveaway for subscribers)	Mass retail

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.

Galaxy Force/Cybertron

Item	Japanese release date	Japanese venue	US venue
Super Starscream	August 11, 2005	ToysЯUs	Mass retail
Hardtop	August ??, 2005	e-HOBBY	Mass retail
Deluxe Optimus Prime ("Armada Convoy")	October ??, 2006	Toy's Dream Project (members store Toycard)	Mass retail
Primus with Unicron head	October ??, 2006	e-HOBBY	Mass retail
Quickmix ("Blender")	October ??, 2006	e-HOBBY	Mass retail
Menasor ("Moledive")	October ??, 2006	e-HOBBY	Mass retail

Universe (2008)/Henkei! Henkei!

Item	Japanese release date	Japanese venue	US venue
Powerglide	October ??, 2008	Mass retail	Mass retail
Onslaught	October ??, 2008	Mass retail	Mass retail
Silverbolt	October ??, 2008	Mass retail	Mass retail