Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (toyline)

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Japanese Generation 1 continuity
« Beast Wars Neo »

The second of the Japanese-exclusive Beast Wars toyline, Beast Wars Neo: Super Lifeform Transformers (ビーストウォーズネオ 超生命体トランスフォーマー Beast Wars Neo Chō Seimeitai Transformer) released a slew of all-new molds in 1999.


Overview

Break, the shelliest shellformer who ever shelled.

The biggest feature of Neo is its large number of all-new molds, many of which have never been used in the West, likely for reasons we'll get to in just a little bit. The Cybertrons (Maximals) kept the mostly-mammals theme, while the Destrons (Predacons) had a theme of dinosaurs and other big scary prehistoric animals. Every new mold also had a pseudo-third mode, typically a weapon or trap, though quite often they were "pile of animal parts with a gimmick sticking off it".

These toys are often notoriously complicated, with several "shellformers", and generally requiring panels on ball-jointed struts to be positioned juuuuuuust right for the beast mode to lock into place. Break, in particular, could have all of his beast-mode panels/parts removed and still leave a fully functional robot mode behind.

It is also notable for being extremely short-lived at retail, with the majority of its product released in a mere five months, quickly making way for Beast Wars Metals.

Neo did not fare well sales-wise. Japanese fans at the time cited the overly-complex toys being too difficult for the younger age group Transformers had been traditionally aimed at in Japan. On top of that, the Cybertrons lacked appeal to kids as they largely had benign, not-exactly-combat-ready beast modes (likely why Hasbro has left those molds alone). Reportedly, Neo sold so bad it actually poisoned the well for the incoming Metals line, as kids largely left Transformers alone... which would force Takara to make some drastic changes a little later on.


Toys

Takara Beast Wars Neo toyline

Wave 1 (01-??-1999)

  • Backwater Showdown:
    Rockbuster VS Hydra
  • Showdown in the Desert:
    Cohrada VS Saberback
  • Showdown in the Ocean:
    Break VS Dead End
  • Showdown in the Prairie:
    Stampy VS Sling
  • Showdown in the Savannah:
    Longrack VS Guiledart
  • Sprinting Showdown:
    Randy VS Crazybolt
Heinrad
Magmatron. Coming to a toyline near you.
Wave 2 (02-??-1999) Wave 3 (03-??-1999)
  • Archadis
  • Bazooka
  • Bump
  • Hardhead
  • Mach Kick
  • Sharp Edge
    		•
    • Showdown of the Favorites:
      Mach Kick VS Archadis
    • Showdown of the Master Fencers:
      Sharp Edge VS Hardhead
    • Showdown of the Utmost Limit:
      Bump VS Bazooka
    		 Wave 4 (05-??-1999)
    Wave 5 (07-??-1999) Canceled


    Korean Beast War Neo toyline

    In Korea, Takara licensee Sonokong released a selection of Beast Wars Neo toys, under the Beast War Neo (비스트워네오) name.

    Individual figures VS sets


    Notes

    • For whatever reason, the packaging for the line rendered "Cybertron" and "Destron" in English as "Cybertoron" and "Destoron".
    • Magmatron was imported to the US via Beast Machines as a Target exclusive. The toy itself was unchanged, but put in Beast Machines packaging that was also adorned with Japanese text.
    • Several other Neo toys (and some other Japan-exclusive Beast-line toys) were imported officially through the HasbroCollectors website. Unlike Magmatron, these were just existing Neo stock in their original packaging. Cohrada VS Saberback, Longrack, Mach Kick VS Archadis, and Stampy could all be bought at a bit of a markup... though ultimately, they would end up being blown out at half-price.
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