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'''USA Editions''' are American Transformers toys that are released in Japan as [[exclusive]]s through special outlets.
'''USA Editions''' are American Transformers toys that are released in Japan as [[exclusive]]s through special outlets.


They are typically released in American boxes with a sticker containing Japanese legal information, possibly with the figure's name. Sometimes there are minor variations between the USA Edition and the US release, such as slightly different paint or plastic color, but this is rare. The most notable exceptions were Powerlinx [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]], which was sold in modified packaging in a color scheme that never received an American release (but did come out in Europe), and [[Cryotek]], which featured a new "spark pilot" figure inside the cockpit. The Japanese mass retail release of [[Energon (toyline)|Energon]] [[Unicron]], which was the Hasbro version in the original [[Armada (toyline)|Micron Densetsu]] Unicron's packaging, is also officially considered a "USA Edition".
They are typically released in American boxes with a sticker containing Japanese legal information, possibly with the figure's name. 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 Powerlinx [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]], which was sold in modified packaging in a color scheme that never received an American release (but did come out in Europe), and [[Cryotek]], which featured a new "spark pilot" figure inside the cockpit. The Japanese mass retail release of ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Unicron]], which was the Hasbro version in the original ''[[Armada (toyline)|Micron Densetsu]]'' Unicron's packaging, is also officially considered a "USA Edition".


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


Most USA Editions are available either at [[e-Hobby]] or the Japanese branch of Toys "R" Us.
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.
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.


Other toys are released in similar fashion, such as [[Gnaw]], the European [[Motorvator]]s, [[Thunder Clash (G1)|Thunder Clash]], [[Skyquake]], the [[Generation 2]] [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bots]] or the [[Movie (toyline)|2007 live-action movie toys]].
Other toys are released in similar fashion, such as [[Gnaw]], the European [[Motorvator]]s, [[Thunder Clash (G1)|Thunder Clash]], [[Skyquake]], the ''[[Generation 2]]'' [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bots]] or the [[Movie (toyline)|2007 live-action movie toys]].


USA Editions should not be confused with US imports released in Japan through Tomy Direct, an outlet that alerady existed prior to the Takara/Tomy merger and was/is handled by the 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 include 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), [[Titanium Series]] figures and some toys from the 2007 live-action movie toyline, such as [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Ultimate Bumblebee]], the [[Robot Heroes]], the [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] Voice Changer Helmet and the Cyber Stompin' Robots.
USA Editions should not be confused with American exports released in Japan through Tomy Direct, an outlet that already existed prior to the Takara/Tomy merger and was handled by the 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 include 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), ''[[Titanium Series]]'' figures and some toys from the 2007 live-action movie toyline, such as [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Ultimate Bumblebee]], the [[Robot Heroes]], the [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] Voice Changer Helmet and the Cyber Stompin' Robots.


==List of USA Editions==
==List of USA Editions==
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===[[Alternators (toyline)|Binaltech/Alternators]]===
===[[Alternators (toyline)|Binaltech/Alternators]]===
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (Takarand, giveaway for subscribers)<ref name="hasbro"/>
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (Takarand, giveaway for subscribers)<ref name="hasbro"/>
: '''''Note:''' Information about this toy is hard to come by. It was once advertized on the Takarand 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 ultimately never released.''
: '''''Note:''' Information about this toy is hard to come by. It was once advertised on the Takarand 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 ultimately never released.''


===[[Cybertron (toyline)|Galaxy Force/Cybertron]]===
===[[Cybertron (toyline)|Galaxy Force/Cybertron]]===

Revision as of 18:52, 16 May 2008

USA Editions are American Transformers toys that are released in Japan as exclusives through special outlets.

They are typically released in American boxes with a sticker containing Japanese legal information, possibly with the figure's name. 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 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 Cryotek, which featured a new "spark pilot" figure inside the cockpit. The Japanese mass retail release of Energon Unicron, which was the Hasbro version in the original Micron Densetsu Unicron's packaging, is also officially considered a "USA Edition".

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 indended-as-US-exclusive molds, 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.

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.

Other toys are released in similar fashion, such as Gnaw, the European Motorvators, Thunder Clash, Skyquake, the Generation 2 Go-Bots or the 2007 live-action movie toys.

USA Editions should not be confused with American exports released in Japan through Tomy Direct, an outlet that already existed prior to the Takara/Tomy merger and was handled by the 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 include 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), Titanium Series figures and some toys from the 2007 live-action movie toyline, such as Ultimate Bumblebee, the Robot Heroes, the Optimus Prime Voice Changer Helmet and the Cyber Stompin' Robots.

List of USA Editions

Beast Machines

Robots in Disguise

Armada/Micron Densetsu

Universe

Masterpiece/20th Anniversary

Binaltech/Alternators

  • Prowl (Takarand, giveaway for subscribers)[1]
Note: Information about this toy is hard to come by. It was once advertised on the Takarand 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 ultimately never released.

Galaxy Force/Cybertron


Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 These toys were originally also available as regular mass retail releases in Japan. The later "USA Edition" versions were of specific Hasbro variants of those toys.




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