Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (toyline)

Japanese Generation 1 continuity « Beast Wars Neo » Toyline Cartoon Comic Commercials Duel Fight BW Video Game

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) Break Colada Longrack Randy Rockbuster Stampy		Crazybolt Dead End Guiledart Hydra Saberback Sling		Backwater Showdown: Rockbuster VS Hydra Showdown in the Desert: Colada 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) Big Convoy Heinrad Magmatron Showdown of the Universe: Big Convoy VS Magmatron		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) Killer Punch Survive Roaring Showdown: Survive VS Killer Punch
Wave 5 (07-??-1999) Drancron Elphaorpha Rātorāta		Canceled Unicron

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 Magmatron Mammolike

VS sets Break VS Ammonat Cobrio VS Stegorat Giraffot VS Trikero

Mach Kick VS Archadis Mammolike VS Magmatron Stampy VS Dimetron

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 mostly 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. Colada 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.