Transformers Animated (toyline): Difference between revisions
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I don't think this belongs ere. not only is it improperly placed in the article itself, it seems as though it's referring to the movie toylines. |
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{{Nav-Animated}} | {{Nav-Animated}} | ||
[[ | [[File:TFAnimated Voyager EarthOptimusPrime toy.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|Putting the "cool" in "[[Playskool]]".]] | ||
The '''''Transformers Animated''''' toyline merges the more expressive design style of the [[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|cartoon]] with extremely poseable robot forms (to a degree which seemed pleasantly surprising even to [[Hasbro]]). Unlike the [[franchise]]s immediately before it, there is no overarching, line-wide [[gimmick]] (such as [[Mini-Con]]s or [[Cyber Planet Key]]s). Rather, transforming ''is'' the gimmick, and the toys have other special features unique and appropriate to the character (such as [[Blitzwing (Animated)|triple-changing]] or [[Ratchet (Animated)|interchangeable tools]]). While the designs originated with Hasbro and the [[Cartoon Network]] team, [[TakaraTomy]] stepped up to the plate to engineer the toys. The line debuted on July 1, 2007, at Hasbro's Future Products panel at [[BotCon 2007|BotCon]]. | The '''''Transformers Animated''''' toyline merges the more expressive design style of the [[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|cartoon]] with extremely poseable robot forms (to a degree which seemed pleasantly surprising even to [[Hasbro]]). Unlike the [[franchise]]s immediately before it, there is no overarching, line-wide [[gimmick]] (such as [[Mini-Con]]s or [[Cyber Planet Key]]s). Rather, transforming ''is'' the gimmick, and the toys have other special features unique and appropriate to the character (such as [[Blitzwing (Animated)|triple-changing]] or [[Ratchet (Animated)|interchangeable tools]]). While the designs originated with Hasbro and the [[Cartoon Network]] team, [[TakaraTomy]] stepped up to the plate to engineer the toys. The line debuted on July 1, 2007, at Hasbro's Future Products panel at [[BotCon 2007|BotCon]]. | ||
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====Deluxe Class==== | ====Deluxe Class==== | ||
'''Wave 1''' | '''Wave 1''' | ||
[[ | [[File:Bumblebee anim toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|right]] | ||
* [[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys|Cybertron Mode Optimus Prime]] | * [[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys|Cybertron Mode Optimus Prime]] | ||
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'''Wave 6''' | '''Wave 6''' | ||
[[ | [[File:Samuraiprowldeluxe.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|"That's 'Prowl-san' to you, young one."]] | ||
* [[Wasp|Waspinator]] | * [[Wasp|Waspinator]] | ||
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* [[Wasp|Fugitive Waspinator]] | * [[Wasp|Fugitive Waspinator]] | ||
* [[Blurr (Animated)|Vortex Blurr]] | * [[Blurr (Animated)|Vortex Blurr]] | ||
* [[Swindle (Animated) |Mercenary Swindle]] | * [[Swindle (Animated)|Mercenary Swindle]] | ||
{{canceledtoy}} | {{canceledtoy}} | ||
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'''Wave 3''' | '''Wave 3''' | ||
[[ | [[File:Lugnut animated toy.JPG|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Comes with a Gopher grabber arm.]] | ||
* [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]] | * [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]] | ||
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'''Wave 2''' | '''Wave 2''' | ||
[[ | [[File:Leaderanimatedultramagnus.jpg|right|upright=2.2|thumb|"[[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys#CyCDF|Hot Shot]] ain't got nothing on me."]] | ||
* [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] | * [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] | ||
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====Entertainment Packs==== | ====Entertainment Packs==== | ||
[[ | [[File:Safeguardanimatedtoy.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Half & half]] | ||
'''Wave 1''' | '''Wave 1''' | ||
* [[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys|Optimus Prime]] vs. [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] - The Battle Begins | * [[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys|Optimus Prime]] vs. [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] - The Battle Begins | ||
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====Activators==== | ====Activators==== | ||
The Activators subcategory consists of chunkier, simpler, Scout-class-sized toys with one-touch, spring-loaded transformations. | The Activators subcategory consists of chunkier, simpler, Scout-class-sized toys with one-touch, spring-loaded transformations. | ||
[[ | [[File:Activatorsstarscream.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|"Come on, Hasbro. You can still make some redecos of me."]] | ||
'''Wave 1''' | '''Wave 1''' | ||
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'''Wave 7''' | '''Wave 7''' | ||
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)| Armor Up Optimus Prime]] | *[[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys|Armor Up Optimus Prime]] | ||
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)| Battlefield Bumblebee]] | *[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Battlefield Bumblebee]] | ||
'''Unreleased toys''' | '''Unreleased toys''' | ||
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====[[Bumper Battlers]]==== | ====[[Bumper Battlers]]==== | ||
An expansion on the [[Cyber Slammers]] subline from the 2007 live-action movie toys, Bumper Battlers feature "bump-and-transform" action. Hitting the front bumper causes the toy to change into robot mode, and pressing the toy's sigil activates sound effects and speech gimmicks. | An expansion on the [[Cyber Slammers]] subline from the 2007 live-action movie toys, Bumper Battlers feature "bump-and-transform" action. Hitting the front bumper causes the toy to change into [[robot mode]], and pressing the toy's sigil activates sound effects and speech gimmicks. | ||
'''Wave 1''' | '''Wave 1''' | ||
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'''Wave 2''' | '''Wave 2''' | ||
[[ | [[File:Ani-toy BumperBattlers NightwatchPrime.JPG|right|upright=1.4|thumb|"At least I have a better shade of blue than [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys|another Nightwatch Optimus Prime]]."]] | ||
* [[Jazz (Animated)|Autobot Jazz]] | * [[Jazz (Animated)|Autobot Jazz]] | ||
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* [[Ratchet (Animated)|Rescue Ratchet]] (Deluxe Class) with Legends Class [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] and Legends Class [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] | * [[Ratchet (Animated)|Rescue Ratchet]] (Deluxe Class) with Legends Class [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] and Legends Class [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] | ||
{{note|Both packs were also available as Tesco exclusives in the United Kingdom, Zellers exclusives in Canada and Warehouse exclusives in New Zealand.}} | {{note|Both packs were also available as Tesco exclusives in the United Kingdom, Zellers exclusives in Canada and Warehouse exclusives in New Zealand.}} | ||
* [[Sunstorm (Animated)| Sunstorm]] (Voyager Class) vs Activators [[Ratchet (Animated)| Ratchet]]. | * [[Sunstorm (Animated)|Sunstorm]] (Voyager Class) vs Activators [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]]. | ||
* [[Shockwave (Animated)| Shockwave]] (Voyager Class) (with a new show accurate color scheme) vs Activators [[Bumblebee (Animated)| Bumblebee]] | * [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] (Voyager Class) (with a new show accurate color scheme) vs Activators [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] | ||
'''Toys "R" Us''' | '''Toys "R" Us''' | ||
* [[Bulkhead (Animated)| Bulkhead]] (Leader Class) with Activators [[Bumblebee (Animated)| Bumblebee]] | * [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (Leader Class) with Activators [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] | ||
* [[Megatron (Animated)| Megatron]] (Leader Class) with Activators [[Starscream (Animated)| Starscream]] | * [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] (Leader Class) with Activators [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] | ||
* [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] (Deluxe Class) | * [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] (Deluxe Class) | ||
* [[Ratchet (Animated)|Cybertron Mode Ratchet]] (Deluxe Class) | * [[Ratchet (Animated)|Cybertron Mode Ratchet]] (Deluxe Class) | ||
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'''Latin America''' | '''Latin America''' | ||
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys| Optimus Prime]] | *[[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys|Optimus Prime]] | ||
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)| Bumblebee]] | *[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] | ||
*[[Megatron (Animated)| Megatron]] | *[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] | ||
*[[Starscream (Animated)| Starscream]] | *[[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] | ||
'''France''' | '''France''' | ||
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys| Optimus Prime]] | *[[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys|Optimus Prime]] | ||
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)| Bumblebee]] | *[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] | ||
*[[Megatron (Animated)| Megatron]] | *[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] | ||
*[[Blitzwing (Animated)| Blitzwing]] | *[[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] | ||
'''Poland''' | '''Poland''' | ||
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys| Optimus Prime]] | *[[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys|Optimus Prime]] | ||
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)| Bumblebee]] | *[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] | ||
*[[Megatron (Animated)| Megatron]] | *[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] | ||
*[[Starscream (Animated)| Starscream]] | *[[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] | ||
'''Bulgaria''' | '''Bulgaria''' | ||
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys| Optimus Prime]] | *[[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys|Optimus Prime]] | ||
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)| Bumblebee]] | *[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] | ||
*[[Megatron (Animated)| Megatron]] | *[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] | ||
*[[Starscream (Animated)| Starscream]] | *[[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] | ||
{{note|Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and Megatron are the same molds from the North American release but with more detailed [[Paint operation|paint application]]s. Blitzwing is a new mold.}} | {{note|Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and Megatron are the same molds from the North American release but with more detailed [[Paint operation|paint application]]s. Blitzwing is a new mold.}} | ||
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Since the first wave of ''Animated'' toys were released, there have been multiple complaints of [[quality control|poor quality]] [[paint operation|paint application]]s, sloppy paint applications, and very greasy ball and hinge joints. There are also complaints over certain breakage issues, such as Lockdown's wrists, and toy functionality being limited by support struts added [[For safety reasons|to prevent breakage]], such as with Voyager Megatron's cannon and Bumblebee's stingers being unable to position properly. | Since the first wave of ''Animated'' toys were released, there have been multiple complaints of [[quality control|poor quality]] [[paint operation|paint application]]s, sloppy paint applications, and very greasy ball and hinge joints. There are also complaints over certain breakage issues, such as Lockdown's wrists, and toy functionality being limited by support struts added [[For safety reasons|to prevent breakage]], such as with Voyager Megatron's cannon and Bumblebee's stingers being unable to position properly. | ||
Most of these issues can be fixed with relative ease. <ref>[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=47309 Animated Fixes on AllSpark.com]</ref> | Most of these issues can be fixed with relative ease.<ref>[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=47309 Animated Fixes on AllSpark.com]</ref> | ||
Also, Takara's releases tend to correct the QC problems but not the molding errors. | Also, Takara's releases tend to correct the QC problems but not the molding errors. | ||
Revision as of 20:58, 18 February 2015
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The Transformers Animated toyline merges the more expressive design style of the cartoon with extremely poseable robot forms (to a degree which seemed pleasantly surprising even to Hasbro). Unlike the franchises immediately before it, there is no overarching, line-wide gimmick (such as Mini-Cons or Cyber Planet Keys). Rather, transforming is the gimmick, and the toys have other special features unique and appropriate to the character (such as triple-changing or interchangeable tools). While the designs originated with Hasbro and the Cartoon Network team, TakaraTomy stepped up to the plate to engineer the toys. The line debuted on July 1, 2007, at Hasbro's Future Products panel at BotCon.
Hasbro, citing the strength of the movie toyline, postponed the official release of the Animated toyline to June 22, 2008 in the US. However, some toys began showing up at retailers in the Cincinnati area to coincide with BotCon, followed by wider releases in Canada in May and the U.S. shortly thereafter.
Toys
The core toys of this franchise are available at most of the traditional size classes.
General retail
Deluxe Class
Wave 1
Wave 2
Wave 3
Wave 4
Wave 5
Wave 6
Wave 7
Unreleased toys
 Proceed on your way to oblivion. |
Voyager Class
Wave 1
Wave 2
Even though Optimus Prime officially debuted in wave 2 of the Voyager Class toys, he was found at US retail later than the wave 3 toys Grimlock and Lugnut.
Wave 3
Wave 4
Wave 5
Wave 6
Unreleased toys
- Hydrodrive Bumblebee (released in Japan)
- Goldfire Grimlock
- Thundercracker
- Blackout (released in Japan)
- Wingblade Optimus Prime(released in Japan)
- Mudbuster Bulkhead
Proceed on your way to oblivion. |
Leader Class
Wave 1
Wave 2
Wave 3
Wave 4
- Roadbuster Ultra Magnus (redeco colored as a Generation 1 Roadbuster homage)
Supreme Class
Wave 1
Entertainment Packs
Wave 1
- Optimus Prime vs. Megatron - The Battle Begins
Wave 2
Activators
The Activators subcategory consists of chunkier, simpler, Scout-class-sized toys with one-touch, spring-loaded transformations.
Wave 1
Wave 2
Wave 3
Wave 4
Wave 5
Wave 6
Wave 7
Unreleased toys
Proceed on your way to oblivion. |
An expansion on the Cyber Slammers subline from the 2007 live-action movie toys, Bumper Battlers feature "bump-and-transform" action. Hitting the front bumper causes the toy to change into robot mode, and pressing the toy's sigil activates sound effects and speech gimmicks.
Wave 1
Wave 2
Wave 3
Wave 4
Wave 5
These two toys have been released in Australia and Mexico in small quantities, but were never sold in the USA.
Power Bots
Wave 1
Wave 2
- Street Patrol Bumblebee (redeco of Cyber Speed Bumblebee)
Exclusives (United States/Canada market)
Target/Zellers
- Stealth Lockdown (Deluxe Class) with Legends Class Bumblebee and Legends Class Optimus Prime
- Rescue Ratchet (Deluxe Class) with Legends Class Starscream and Legends Class Prowl
Both packs were also available as Tesco exclusives in the United Kingdom, Zellers exclusives in Canada and Warehouse exclusives in New Zealand.
- Sunstorm (Voyager Class) vs Activators Ratchet.
- Shockwave (Voyager Class) (with a new show accurate color scheme) vs Activators Bumblebee
Toys "R" Us
- Bulkhead (Leader Class) with Activators Bumblebee
- Megatron (Leader Class) with Activators Starscream
- Arcee (Deluxe Class)
- Cybertron Mode Ratchet (Deluxe Class)
- Rodimus Minor
- Ironhide
Wal-Mart
- "The Revenge of Blackarachnia" two-pack (Deluxe Optimus Prime from "The Battle Begins" two-pack and Deluxe Class Blackarachnia)
- "Battle in Space" two-pack (Deluxe Class Prowl and Deluxe Megatron from "The Battle Begins" two-pack)
Foreign market exclusive releases
Multi-packs
- Autobot Ratchet & Bumblebee two-pack
Thus far this pack has only been found at Toys "R" Us stores in the United Kingdom and Germany.
McDonald's Happy Meal toys
North America
Latin America
France
Poland
Bulgaria
Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and Megatron are the same molds from the North American release but with more detailed paint applications. Blitzwing is a new mold.
Toys of Animated characters released as part of other lines
Movie (2007)
Wal-Mart exclusives
- The Legacy of Bumblebee three-pack (movie-inspired minor redeco of Classic Deluxe Bumblebee, regular Movie Deluxe Class "Premium" Bumblebee and regular Animated Deluxe Class Bumblebee)
Universe (2008)
Legends Class (wave 3)
Legends Class (wave 4)
Timelines
Transformers Collectors' Club exclusives
BotCon 2011 exclusives
- The Stunti-Con-Job box set
- Sideswipe and Toxitron
- Autotroopers
- Minerva
- Fisitron
Figure Subscription Service exclusives
TakaraTomy releases
Beginning in 2010, TakaraTomy's release of the Animated toy line consists of most of the same toys released in Western markets by Hasbro, but now with extremely glossy paintjobs.
Criticisms
Since the first wave of Animated toys were released, there have been multiple complaints of poor quality paint applications, sloppy paint applications, and very greasy ball and hinge joints. There are also complaints over certain breakage issues, such as Lockdown's wrists, and toy functionality being limited by support struts added to prevent breakage, such as with Voyager Megatron's cannon and Bumblebee's stingers being unable to position properly.
Most of these issues can be fixed with relative ease.[1]
Also, Takara's releases tend to correct the QC problems but not the molding errors.
