Transformers Animated (toyline): Difference between revisions
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{{Nav-Animated}} | {{Nav-Animated}} | ||
[[Image:TFAnimated Voyager EarthOptimusPrime toy.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Putting the | [[Image:TFAnimated Voyager EarthOptimusPrime toy.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Putting the "cool" in "Playskool".]] | ||
The '''Transformers Animated''' toy line merges the more expressive design style of the [[Transformers Animated|cartoon]] with extremely poseable robot forms (to a degree which seemed pleasantly surprising even to [[ | The '''Transformers Animated''' toy line merges the more expressive design style of the [[Transformers Animated|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]]. | ||
Hasbro, citing the strength of the [[Transformers (2007)|movie]] toyline, [[Ruined FOREVER|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 2008|BotCon]], followed by wider releases in Canada in May and the U.S. shortly thereafter. | |||
{{-}} | {{-}} | ||
==Toys== | ==Toys== | ||
The core toys of this franchise are available at most of the traditional [[ | The core toys of this franchise are available at most of the traditional [[size class]]es. | ||
===General retail=== | ===General retail=== | ||
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* [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Cybertron Mode Optimus Prime]] | * [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Cybertron Mode Optimus Prime]] | ||
* [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] | * [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Lockdown]] | ||
* [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] | * [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] | ||
'''Wave 2''' | '''Wave 2''' | ||
* [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] | * [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] | ||
* [[Ratchet (Animated)|Autobot Ratchet]] | * [[Ratchet (Animated)|Autobot Ratchet]] | ||
'''Wave 3''' | '''Wave 3''' | ||
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* [[Snarl (Animated)|Snarl]] | * [[Snarl (Animated)|Snarl]] | ||
* [[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]] | * [[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]] | ||
'''Wave 4''' | '''Wave 4''' | ||
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* [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Elite Guard Bumblebee]] | * [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Elite Guard Bumblebee]] | ||
* [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] | * [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] | ||
'''Wave 5''' | '''Wave 5''' | ||
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* [[Blurr (Animated)|Blurr]] | * [[Blurr (Animated)|Blurr]] | ||
* [[Swindle (Animated)|Swindle]] | * [[Swindle (Animated)|Swindle]] | ||
'''Wave 6''' | '''Wave 6''' | ||
* [[Wasp|Waspinator]] | * [[Wasp|Waspinator]] | ||
* [[Prowl (Animated)|Samurai Prowl]] | * [[Prowl (Animated)|Samurai Prowl]] | ||
'''Future waves''' | '''Future waves''' | ||
| Line 60: | Line 53: | ||
* [[Megatron (Animated)|Cybertron Mode Megatron]] | * [[Megatron (Animated)|Cybertron Mode Megatron]] | ||
* [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] | * [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] | ||
'''Wave 2''' | '''Wave 2''' | ||
* [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Earth Mode Optimus Prime]] | * [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Earth Mode Optimus Prime]] | ||
{{note|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.}} | {{note|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 3''' | ||
* [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]] | * [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Lugnut]] | ||
'''Wave 4''' | '''Wave 4''' | ||
* [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] | * [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] | ||
'''Wave 5''' | '''Wave 5''' | ||
* [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave/Longarm]] | * [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave/Longarm]] | ||
* [[Skywarp (Animated)|Skywarp]] | * [[Skywarp (Animated)|Skywarp]] | ||
'''Wave 6''' | '''Wave 6''' | ||
* [[Wreck-Gar (Animated)|Wreck-Gar]] | * [[Wreck-Gar (Animated)|Wreck-Gar]] | ||
* [[Lugnut|Atomic Lugnut]] | * [[Lugnut|Atomic Lugnut]] | ||
'''Future waves''' | '''Future waves''' | ||
| Line 97: | Line 84: | ||
* [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] | * [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] | ||
* [[Megatron (Animated)|Earth Mode Megatron]] | * [[Megatron (Animated)|Earth Mode Megatron]] | ||
'''Wave 2''' | '''Wave 2''' | ||
* [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] | * [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] | ||
'''Wave 3''' | '''Wave 3''' | ||
* [[Megatron (Animated)|Shadow Blade Megatron]] | * [[Megatron (Animated)|Shadow Blade Megatron]] | ||
'''Wave 4''' | '''Wave 4''' | ||
* [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Roadbuster Ultra Magnus]] (redeco colored as a [[ | * [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Roadbuster Ultra Magnus]] (redeco colored as a [[Roadbuster]] homage) | ||
====Supreme Class==== | ====Supreme Class==== | ||
| Line 128: | Line 112: | ||
* [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] | * [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] | ||
* [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] | * [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] | ||
'''Wave 2''' | '''Wave 2''' | ||
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* [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] | * [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] | ||
* [[Ratchet (Animated)|Autobot Ratchet]] | * [[Ratchet (Animated)|Autobot Ratchet]] | ||
'''Wave 3''' | '''Wave 3''' | ||
* [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Patrol Bumblebee]] | * [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Patrol Bumblebee]] | ||
* [[Thundercracker (Animated)|Thundercracker]] | * [[Thundercracker (Animated)|Thundercracker]] | ||
'''Wave 4''' | '''Wave 4''' | ||
* [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] | * [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] | ||
* [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]] | * [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]] | ||
* [[Lockdown| Bandit Lockdown]] | * [[Lockdown|Bandit Lockdown]] | ||
'''Wave 5''' | '''Wave 5''' | ||
* [[Cliffjumper (Animated)|Cliffjumper]] | * [[Cliffjumper (Animated)|Cliffjumper]] | ||
* [[Dirge (Animated)|Dirge]] | * [[Dirge (Animated)|Dirge]] | ||
'''Future waves''' | '''Future waves''' | ||
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====Bumper Battlers==== | ====Bumper Battlers==== | ||
An expansion on the [[ | 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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* [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] | * [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] | ||
* [[Ratchet (Animated)|Autobot Ratchet]] | * [[Ratchet (Animated)|Autobot Ratchet]] | ||
'''Wave 2''' | '''Wave 2''' | ||
* [[Jazz (Animated)|Autobot Jazz]] | * [[Jazz (Animated)|Autobot Jazz]] | ||
* [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] | * [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] | ||
'''Wave 3''' | '''Wave 3''' | ||
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'''Wave 4''' | '''Wave 4''' | ||
* [[ | * [[Lockdown]] | ||
* [[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]] | * [[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]] | ||
{{comingsoontoy}} | {{comingsoontoy}} | ||
'''Future waves''' | '''Future waves''' | ||
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'''Wave 1''' | '''Wave 1''' | ||
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Cyber Speed Bumblebee]] | *[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Cyber Speed Bumblebee]] | ||
'''Wave 2''' | '''Wave 2''' | ||
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'''Target''' | '''Target''' | ||
*[[Lockdown|Stealth Lockdown]] (Deluxe Class) with [[Legends of Cybertron|Legends Class]] [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] and Legends Class [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] | *[[Lockdown|Stealth Lockdown]] (Deluxe Class) with [[Legends of Cybertron|Legends Class]] [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] and Legends Class [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] | ||
* [[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 and are available as Zellers exclusives in Canada.}} | {{note|Both packs were also available as Tesco exclusives in the United Kingdom and are available as Zellers exclusives in Canada.}} | ||
* [[Sunstorm (Animated)| Sunstorm]] (Voyager Class) vs Activators [[Ratchet (Animated)| Ratchet]]. | * [[Sunstorm (Animated)| Sunstorm]] (Voyager Class) vs Activators [[Ratchet (Animated)| Ratchet]]. | ||
{{comingsoontoy}} | {{comingsoontoy}} | ||
* [[Shockwave (Animated)| Shockwave]] (Voyager Class) (with a new G1 "purple" redeco) vs Activators [[Bumblebee (Animated)| Bumblebee]] | * [[Shockwave (Animated)| Shockwave]] (Voyager Class) (with a new G1 "purple" redeco) vs Activators [[Bumblebee (Animated)| Bumblebee]] | ||
{{comingsoontoy}} | {{comingsoontoy}} | ||
'''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]] | ||
'''Wal-Mart''' | '''Wal-Mart''' | ||
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===Foreign market exclusive releases=== | ===Foreign market exclusive releases=== | ||
'''Multi-packs''' | '''Multi-packs''' | ||
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Autobot Ratchet]] & | *[[Ratchet (Animated)|Autobot Ratchet]] & [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] two-pack | ||
{{note|Thus far this pack has only been found at Toys "R" Us stores in the United Kingdom and Germany.}} | {{note|Thus far this pack has only been found at Toys "R" Us stores in the United Kingdom and Germany.}} | ||
===McDonald's Happy Meal toys=== | ===McDonald's Happy Meal toys=== | ||
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*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] | *[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] | ||
*[[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] | *[[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] | ||
*[[ | *[[Lugnut]] | ||
'''Venezuela''' | '''Venezuela''' | ||
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*[[Megatron (Animated)| Megatron]] | *[[Megatron (Animated)| Megatron]] | ||
*[[Starscream (Animated)| Starscream]] | *[[Starscream (Animated)| Starscream]] | ||
'''France''' | '''France''' | ||
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*[[Megatron (Animated)| Megatron]] | *[[Megatron (Animated)| Megatron]] | ||
*[[Blitzwing (Animated)| Blitzwing]] | *[[Blitzwing (Animated)| Blitzwing]] | ||
{{note|Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and Megatron are the same molds from the American release but with more detailed [[ | {{note|Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and Megatron are the same molds from the American release but with more detailed [[paint application]]s. Blitzwing is an new mold.}} | ||
==Toys of ''Animated'' characters released as part of other lines== | ==Toys of ''Animated'' characters released as part of other lines== | ||
===Movie (2007)=== | ===Movie (2007)=== | ||
'''Wal-Mart exclusives''' | '''Wal-Mart exclusives''' | ||
* The Legacy of Bumblebee three-pack (movie-inspired minor [[ | * The Legacy of Bumblebee three-pack (movie-inspired minor [[redeco]] of ''[[Classics (2006)|Classic]]'' Deluxe [[Bumblebee (G1) toys|Bumblebee]], regular [[Movie (toyline)|Movie]] Deluxe Class "[[Premium Series|Premium]]" [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and regular ''Animated'' Deluxe Class [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]]) | ||
===Universe (2008)=== | ===Universe (2008)=== | ||
| Line 259: | Line 225: | ||
* [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] | * [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] | ||
* [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] | * [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] | ||
'''Legends Class (wave 4)''' | '''Legends Class (wave 4)''' | ||
| Line 266: | Line 231: | ||
==Criticisms== | ==Criticisms== | ||
Since the first wave of Animated toys were released, there have been multiple complaints of poor quality [[ | Since the first wave of Animated toys were released, there have been multiple complaints of poor quality [[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> | ||
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*[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/animated/ Hasbro's official ''Transformers'' Animated homepage] | *[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/animated/ Hasbro's official ''Transformers'' Animated homepage] | ||
[[Category:Animated]] | [[Category:Animated]] | ||
[[Category:Toys]] | [[Category:Toys]] | ||
Revision as of 01:18, 23 March 2009
 |
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The Transformers Animated toy line 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
Future waves
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
Future waves
Leader Class
Wave 1
Wave 2
Wave 3
Wave 4
- Roadbuster Ultra Magnus (redeco colored as a 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
Future waves
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.
Wave 1
Wave 2
Wave 3
- Sting Racer Bumblebee (redeco)
- Nightwatch Optimus Prime (redeco)
Wave 4
Future waves
Power Bots
Wave 1
Wave 2
- Street Patrol Bumblebee (redeco of Cyber Speed Bumblebee)
Exclusives (United States market)
Target
- 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 and are available as Zellers exclusives in Canada.
Toys "R" Us
- Bulkhead (Leader Class) with Activators Bumblebee
- Megatron (Leader Class) with Activators Starscream
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
United States
Venezuela
France
Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and Megatron are the same molds from the American release but with more detailed paint applications. Blitzwing is an 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)
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]
