Jazz (G1)/toys

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Don't be racist. Be like the panda. They're black, white, and Asian.

Jazz has appeared as many toys. All of them cool.

Toys

The Transformers

At least he doesn't like music as much as Blaster.
  • Jazz (Autobot Car, 1984/1985)
    • Japanese ID number: 06
    • Accessories: Photon rifle, missile launcher, 3 missiles
Originally a pre-Transformers Diaclone Porsche 935 Turbo, The Transformers Jazz was part of the original assortment of Autobots released in 1984. He transforms into a Martini Racing Porsche 935/76, specifically the Martini-sponsored 935 which won the first circuit of the 1976 World Championship for Makes, the Mugello Circuit. Like other Autobots who sported similar "sponsor" decals, however, Jazz's stickers deliberately misspell his sponsor as "Martinii". In robot mode, he is armed with a silver photon rifle and a shoulder-mounted, spring-loaded rocket launcher that can fire three silver missiles.
Like all his 1984 brethren, Jazz gained a heat-activated rubsign in 1985, added to the right-hand side of his hood. That same year, Jazz was also made available as a mail-away exclusive from Cookie Crisp cereal; this edition of the figure featured modified stickers on its car doors that omitted the "Martinii" words, and entirely lacked the "Martinii Porsche" decals for the windshield and rear spoiler.
The packaging for the Milton Bradley release of Jazz in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain sported an additional "Porsche" remark after his name. The significance of this is still unknown at this point.
In an undocumented feature, unpegging the hands from the shoulders in vehicle mode gives the figure working steering.
This mold was also used to make (the originally Japanese-exclusive) Stepper, later renamed Ricochet for Hasbro's reissue.


In a just world, Jazz's Pretender shell would look like Richard Roundtree.
Classic Pretender Jazz is a highly simplified version of his original toy, still transforming into a Porsche 935 Turbo. He is armed with a black gun (named only a "laser" in his instructions, but given the dramatic identifier of a "semi-automatic ion pulse gun" in his Tech Specs), which can mount on his roof in vehicle mode.
Jazz's two-piece Pretender shell resembles a human in a blue and white armored space suit with a removable helmet. The shell is armed with a large black rifle (a "photon rifle", to be precise, according to his Tech Specs), and when Jazz is stored inside, it can also hold the smaller robot's laser, thanks to the weapon's multi-width peg.


  • Jazz (Legend, 1989)
    • Accessories: Laser
Available exclusively at American Kmart stores, the Legends version of Jazz is simply the inner robot of the Classic Pretender toy without the shell or its accessories, leaving him only a small handgun.... however, it happens to be Bumblebee's gun. (Legends Bumblebee has Pretender Jazz's gun.)


  • Hero Set (Multi-pack, 1989)
    • Accessories: Laser
In Japan, Legends Jazz was only available in a boxed "Hero Set" with the Legends versions of Bumblebee, Grimlock and Starscream. Jazz was however not identical to the Hasbro release as the factory applied sticker on the car hood is applied upside down.
In Italy, GiG released their own version of the Hero Set, named "Set Commandos", instead of the Classic Pretender versions of the toys. Here, Jazz was named "Folgore", originally the Italian name of Hot Rod. The "Set Commandos" toys were identical to the Japanese "Hero Set" versions.


Now he can shred the streets on his board.
  • Jazz w/ Turbo Board (Action Master, 1990)
    • Italian Name: Bionic
    • Accessories: "Electromagnetizer Gun", Turbo Board
Part of the first assortment of individually-carded Action Master figures, Jazz's sculpt was based upon his cartoon model, but with some of the toy details added in. Like all (well, most) Action Master figures, he cannot transform, but has extra posability (mostly in his legs) far beyond that of his original toy. He is compatible with all Action Master accessories and vehicles, and comes with the Turbo Board mini-vechile, which also converts into a colossal cannon he can carry.
There are reportedly several minor variations of this figure, all regarding the color of his headlights. Some have them unpainted, while others are light blue or greenish-blue.


  • Classic Jazz (1990)
    • Accessories: Photon rifle, missile launcher, 3 missiles
Jazz was reissued in Europe and Australia in 1990 as part of the Classics line. This version was identical to the original toy, with the exception of the missing "Martinii" logos on the door decals, like on the Cookie Crisp version. Unlike the Cookie Crisp version, however, this version did include the "Martinii Porsche" decals for the windshield and the rear spoiler.


Generation 2

  • Jazz (Autobot Car, 1993)
    • Accessories: "Photon Rifle", missile launcher, 2 missiles
Generation 2 Jazz is a slight retool and (literal) repaint of the original toy. The chrome feet have been narrowed, omitting two tabs. His face (apparently degraded from mold usage) now has a strange unintentional smirk. His roof has been retooled with a small hole to accommodate his new bright green, spring-loaded missile launcher. All of his "Martinii" stickers have been replaced with various new stickers depicting his name and the number "1" laid over a rainbow-colored musical note.
This mold became the basis for future reissues of Jazz, minus the roof hole retooling but retaining his smirk.
The missile launcher was not created for the Generation 2 line, but came from the Snow Serpent from the G.I. Joe toyline. The same launcher was used in the Generation 2 re-releases of Sideswipe and Onslaught.


File:LaserCycleJazz.jpg
He's ready to smash Decepticons like he jams on his guitar! Uh, assuming he has an Autobot guitar somewhere. They didn't actually make those.
  • Jazz (Laser Cycle, 1995)
A redeco of the Laser Cycle Road Rocket was planned as Jazz, but like many other planned late-1995 Generation 2 redecos, ultimately never saw release. Interestingly, many of these — including Jazz and fellow Laser Cycle redeco Soundwave — were solicited in various store catalogues, such as the Sears Wish Book. Some packaged samples of this toy do exist, but there are estimated to be less than a dozen in existence. Jazz would have transformed from a white, yellow, and green Yamaha GTS1000 motorcycle, with an LED-lit arm-mounted buzzsaw that formed part of his rear wheel assembly in cycle mode.
This mold was later retooled to make Robots in Disguise Sideways and Robotmasters Road Rocket.
Your bargaining posture is highly dubious.
Your bargaining posture is highly dubious.

Proceed on your way to oblivion.
This item has been canceled, with no current plans for release.


The Transformers Collection

  • Meister (Transformers Collection, July 20, 2002)
    • ID number: 1
    • Accessories: "Photon rifle", missile launcher, 3 missiles
Jazz was the first entry in Takara's The Transformers Collection series of reissues, featuring collectible "book-box" packaging. The figure uses the retooled version of the Jazz mold used in Generation 2, with narrower feet, though the peg-hole in his roof has been removed. Continued degradation of the mold in the intervening years led to further problems with the toy: in addition to the overall looseness of its joints, the toy's face is further deteriorated from the Generation 2 use of the mold, now displaying a gape-mouthed smirk (see inset in picture), and its roof and rear windows no longer align perfectly.
In addition to these unfortunate, unintentional changes from the original, some intentional changes were made to the figure's stickers. The original toy's "Martinii" sponsor decals on his hood and door are modified to instead display his Japanese name, "Meister", while the "Martinii Porsche" decal across the top of his windshield now reads "Agent Meister".
A second production run of this figure replaced the original toolings for the weapons with the modified versions that came with Hasbro's Commemorative Series reissue (see below).


Collector's Edition

Bling bling~!!!
  • Meister Gold Version (e-Hobby exclusive, 2002)
    • Accessories: "Photon Rifle", missile launcher, 3 missiles
A Collector's Edition e-HOBBY exclusive, this version of Jazz is almost entirely constructed of vacuum-metalized gold plastic. Fingerprints and chipping, ahoy! It uses the degraded mold of the Transformers Collection figure, and was only available in a set with the "Anime Version" redeco of Bluestreak. Both figures came in the generic red Autobot packaging shared by nearly all eHobby figures.
This toy's coloration re-creates the "Gold Porsche" Lucky Draw figure available in limited numbers during the Diaclone franchise, before The Transformers. That said, the original e-HOBBY listing noted its resemblance to the electrum-coated characters in the episode "The Golden Lagoon"[1] (despite Jazz appearing only briefly in that episode, with no speaking lines).


Commemorative Series

  • Autobot Jazz (Commemorative Series III, 2003)
Hasbro's own reissue of the 1984 Jazz as part of the Generation One Commemorative Series, now named "Autobot Jazz" for trademark reasons, is based on Takara's Transformers Collection version, retaining the ugly smirk and the "Agent Meister" stickers. The alignment problem with the roof and the rear windows has been fixed.
The weapons have been heavily retooled for safety reasons: The chrome finish is missing, the missiles have been elongated and can only be inserted one way, the nub on the back of the launcher has also been elongated, the launcher barrel can come off the mount, and the trigger has been altered as well.

Universe (2003)

Well, he still can't see his toes, so that part's accurate...
  • Autobot Jazz (Spy Changer, 2004-2005)
    • Accessories: Rifle
Spy Changer Jazz is a redeco of 2001 Robots in Disguise Spy Changer Side Burn. He transforms into a 1:64-scale Dodge Viper with Jazz's classic white Martini Racing colour scheme and livery, via stickers. Like all Go-Bots molds, he features high-speed axles and can roll very well across smooth surfaces, but lacks the weight to propel him quickly. His rifle is stored between his legs, acting as a tailpipe in vehicle mode.
This toy was originally exclusively available at KB Toys stores in 2004, in generic Transformers packaging with no additional sub-line header. The same toy was later re-released in Universe packaging in 2005, now available from discount chains such as Dollar General and Family Dollar. Jazz was one of three figures released again as part of a second wave of the Universe-branded line-up, with several alterations to the packaging such as a different cross-sell on the back, a different "Hasbro" logo, and even a different function (wave 1 Jazz is a "special operations expert", whereas wave 2 Jazz is a "special ops agent").


Smallest Transforming Transformers

Tiny Jazz
  • Meister (2004)
Smallest Transforming Transformers Jazz is a tiny replica of the original Jazz toy. His wheels do not roll, and he has a simplified transformation scheme with considerably more restricted articulation.


Alternators/Binaltech

Zoom zoom zoom! Ya! zoomzoomzoom.
  • Meister Mazda RX-8 (Alternator, 2004/2006)
    • Alternators ID number: 7
    • Binaltech ID number: BT-08
    • Accessories: Muffler-blaster
For the Alternators line, "Meister" (the Hasbro release uses the Japanese-market name as well for a change) was given a new alternate mode, namely a highly accurate, licensed 1:24 scale white Mazda RX-8. He features an opening hood with engine, opening "suicide" doors and an opening trunk, as well as a detailed interior with seats and a dashboard complete with steering wheel. His front wheels feature a working "steering" mechanism (which is not connected to the steering wheel, though), and all four wheels are equipped with rubber tires. In robot mode, Meister is sculpted to resemble both the original Generation 1 Jazz toy and the G1 cartoon model. He is armed with a rifle that transforms from his muffler; the peg used to attach the muffler in vehicle mode actually plugs into the holes on his forearms near the elbow joints, allowing the blaster to be attached there.
Takara's Binaltech version of this sculpt differs from Hasbro's Alternators version by having his car shell partially constructed of die-cast metal, as well as having all the car body parts (including those made out of plastic) covered in paint and the side mirrors vacuum metalized, while the steering wheel is made of hard plastic. By contrast, the Alternators version has the car shell made entirely out of plastic (in standard white compared to the Binaltech version's slightly more creamy shade), the side mirrors are unpainted, and the steering wheel is made of a rubber-y plastic. Furthermore, there are some tooling differences as well: Like Streak/Silverstreak before, the Binaltech version's steering wheel is placed on the right side of the dashboard (like on a Japanese car), whereas it's located on the left side on the Alternators version (like on an American car). In addition, the Binaltech version's "steering" mechanism uses a magnet assembly to connect the steering axle to the front wheels (which are attached to the robot mode shoulders), whereas the Alternators version uses a plastic insertion point. The Binaltech version also comes with a large Autobot insignia sticker that can be applied to a real car.
This toy was redecoed into the simultaneously available "Velocity Red Mica Edition" (see below), and later retooled into a Mazdaspeed RX-8 as Shockblast/Laserwave, the Autorooper, and later as Argent Meister (see below).


File:BTtoy velocity red meister.jpg
  • Meister Velocity Red Mica Edition (Binaltech, 2004)
    • ID number: BT-08
    • Accessories: Muffler-blaster
Simultaneous with his standard release, Binaltech Meister was also available in a red variant in its own unique packaging. The two figures shipped in cases together in an equal ratio. All of the regular version's white parts, both plastic and metal, are replaced with red, while the panels on the upper hips that are painted teal on the "white" version are painted silver. This version also includes the Autobot car sticker.
Velocity Red Meister was repurposed as the separate character Zoom-Zoom by the official Binaltech fiction.


Jazz, or Vaporwave?
  • MEISTER feat. MAZDA RX-8 ~MAYUKO IWASA Edition~ (Binaltech, 2004)
    • Japanese ID number: BT-08
    • Accessories: Muffler-blaster
A one-of-a-kind pastel blue, pink, yellow, and indigo redeco of the Binaltech Meister toy, ~MAYUKO IWASA Edition~ Meister was designed and autographed by Japanese "gravure idol" Mayuko Iwasa. Yahoo!Japan Auctions listed the figure for auction starting September 19th 2004, with the auction ending on September 26.[2] However, they relisted the figure on October 8th 2004 (seemingly due to an issue arising between the original buyer and the charity, going by its feedback[3]), and the auction finally finished on October 15, 2004.[4] The winner of the auction also received a signed photograph of Iwasa.
All proceeds of the sale went to the Asian Children Orphaned by Traffic Accidents Support Association (ACTAS).[5] In contrast to the placard in its public appearance at the "Binaltech BT-08 Meister / Mazda RX-8 Launch Event", the auction gave the designation of the toy as the "Original Coloring Transformer Binaltech BT-08 Meister feat. Mazda RX-8" (オリジナルカラーリングトランスフォーマー　バイナルテック　ＢＴ－０８　マイスターｆｅａｔ．マツダ　ＲＸ－８).
To date, ~MAYUKO IWASA Edition~ Meister has never been seen in robot mode.


What's crackin'?
  • Argent Meister (Binaltech, 2008)
    • Japanese ID number: BT-20
    • Accessories: Muffler-blaster
One of the first releases of the short-lived (and final) revival of the Binaltech line, this version of Meister utilizes the "Mazdaspeed Version II" retooled RX-8 body introduced with Shockblast/Laserwave, but using the original Meister head and left hand, rather than Shockblast's arm cannon. It is touted as a "Movie Version", somewhat resembling the look of the live-action movie Jazz, due to its silver paint job. The name is a pun on his Japanese function, "Agent Meister", and the Latin-derived word "argent" for "silver".
Argent Meister was only released in Japan, with no direct Alternators counterpart.


Encore

  • Meister (Encore, Japan 2008)
    • ID number: 08
    • Accessories: "Photon rifle", missile launcher, 3 missiles
Another Takara reissue of the original 1984/1985 Jazz/Meister toy, following the success of the 2007 Movie.
For the most part, the tooling is identical to the second production run of the 2002 Transformers Collection release, with the modified weapon from Hasbro's Commemorative Series release. The face uses the fixed mouth originally made for the Transformers Collection/Commemorative Series Stepper/Ricochet reissue from 2004. The feet are still the narrowed Generation 2 version.
Other changes unique to this version include the replacement of many stickers (such as the Autobot insignia on the hood/chest and the "Meister" decals on the doors) with tampographed versions, retooled shoulder mounted flame thrower aligned 90 degree from the axis but unlike the previous iterations, is quite difficult to maintain mounted, and a cartoon-accurate painted blue visor.

Universe (2008)

Slightly less tiny Jazz.
  • Autobot Jazz (Legends Class, 2008)
Legends Class Universe Jazz, like the Legends Class Universe Hound, emulates Jazz's original toy rather than a modern vehicle re-imagination. Due to the budgetry limitation of Legends Class toys, he features an altered transformation sequence and a limited number of paint operations, which leave several car windows unpainted.


Transformers (2010)

A Solstice with the 1984 robot mode and the 1989 rifle? Just gimme a skateboard and some nunchucks and I am the OMEGA JAZZ!
  • Special Ops Jazz (Deluxe, 2010/2011)
    • Accessories: "Blaster," two speakers
Part of the fifth wave of 2010 Transformers Deluxe class toys, Special Ops Jazz transforms from robot into a "street rally" white sports car that looks like Jazz's original Porsche front-end wearing Pontiac Solstice headlights for a hat. Jazz has deployable speakers in both robot and vehicle mode,[6] and his rifle is an update of his Classic Pretender weapon. The speakers can also combine with his rifle via clips to form a super rifle, or they can be used on any other clip-compatible Transformers toy. A theme noticed in a few of the updated G1 Transformers is the backwards compatibility with the original character's weapons. Jazz is able to wield his G1 toy's shoulder rocket launcher on his neck though sadly both his original toy's photon rifle and his Pretender figure's weapon are incompatible with the toy. As part of the first wave of the Reveal the Shield promotion, he sports a rubsign.
This mold was later redecoed into United Stepper, Timelines/Shattered Glass Longarm and Stepper, and the mold's alternate head was used to make Treadshot. It was also retooled to make Generations Wheelie and Timelines Kick-Over, and was intended to be retooled into Generations Nightbeat, who ended up as a retool of an entirely different sculpt instead.


Transformers (2010) mold: Jazz
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  • Million Publishing:


United

People are willing to pay more money for their Jazz to be whiter. ... wait, that doesn't sound right...
  • Autobot Jazz (January 29, 2011)
    • Japanese ID number: UN-12
    • Accessories: "Handgun", two speakers
Part of the second wave of United toys, this redeco of Deluxe Class Special Ops Jazz is cast in brighter non-metallic glossy white plastic, uses darker blue and red paints, and has a painted grill, feet, shins, stomach, rear windows, taillights, and wheel rims. He also has an Autobot logo on the hood and no rubsign. Unlike the earlier variants of Special Ops Jazz, United Jazz's forearms are molded in white plastic. The toy's packaging names his combined speaker-gun a "sonic cannon mode".


Transformers (2010) mold: Jazz
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Chronicle

  • Meister (EZ Collection, 2011)
Chronicle EZ Collection Meister is... a redeco (repaint?) of Universe Legends Class Jazz. His visor is silver and a slightly different Autobot sigil from the Hasbro release. Like other Chronicle Legends toys, he is sold in a blindpacked box.


Kre-O

Mama says "Spock you Out".
  • Autobot Jazz (2011)
    • Set number: 31146
    • Pieces: 122
    • Kreons: Jazz, Race Driver
    • Accessories: Pistol
The Kre-O Jazz set is based primarily on Generation 1 Jazz in deco, with a head sculpt heavily based on Reveal the Shield Special Ops Jazz's head, but with Movie Jazz's silver coloration. He transforms into a generic sports car that doesn't really look like either of Jazz's alternate modes, with opening doors and a flip-up roof. Sadly, neither of these features is actually useful for inserting a driver (the gap left by opening the roof is too small, and the sides are blocked by unfortunately-placed horizontal bars), but at least the thought was there.
The included Jazz Kreon is based directly on his Generation 1 self, with his characteristic coloration and deco, and "door wings." He also comes with a generic light gray gun used by some of the other Kreons that can resemble Jazz's photon rifle if you squint hard enough. The "Race Driver" Kreon wears a red and light gray racing suit and helmet, and also has a light gray baseball cap so he doesn't have to wear his helmet all the time. How thoughtful!
This set shows signs of having been slightly redesigned late in production. Included among the pieces is a red seat which is not used in either mode; there is an obvious place where it "belongs" in the middle of the car's cabin, but it cannot actually fit there due to other parts interfering. (Interestingly enough, a certain other company's equivalent piece will fit, thanks to its slightly different design.) Similarly, there is a black sticker with "vent" detailing which the builder is never instructed to apply anywhere, though according to stock photography, it is intended for Jazz's abdomen/pelvis section. Later releases of the set didn't include the seat, but still retained the unused sticker.


  • Ultimate Vehicle Pack (2012)
    • Set number: A4583
    • Pieces: 279
    • Kreons: Bluestreak, Sideswipe
This bucket contains unchanged versions of the Jazz (sans Kreons), Bumblebee and Optimus Prime sets, as well as the Bluestreak and Sideswipe Kreons.


  • Kreon Figure Pack (2013)
    • Set number: A4642
    • Kreons: Bumblebee, Jazz, Mirage, Red Alert, Skywarp
    • Accessories: Small pistol
A boxed set of five Kreons, with Bumblebee, Red Alert, Mirage, Jazz, and a fifth "mystery" Kreon (actually Skywarp). These toys are all identical to their prior releases.


As close to the Movieverse Kreon Jazz as we're ever going to get.
  • Autobot Jazz (Custom Kreon, 2014)
    • Set number: A7318
    • Pieces: 43
    • Accessories: Rack, twin cannons, sword, blaster, rifle, baton
Part of the second wave of custom Kreons, Jazz comes with a buildable rack to store his customizable parts. His torso, arms, waist and legs have a metal-flake sheen, plus his tampographs are more detailed than the ones on his original figure. His "normal" helmet and pistol (originally a Klingon disruptor from Kre-O Star Trek) are chromed, plus he comes with transparent legs, torso and helmet. He also has a pair of extra arms (originally from the Kre-O Battleship aliens), a buildable backpack, buildable rifle, baton, sword, and the Wheeljack mini-wing backpack.
Though widely solicited, this wave of Custom Kreons ultimately never saw release outside of Chinese-market distribution circles and Hasbro Toy Shop.


  • Kreon Class of 1984 (Kreon figure set, 2014)
    • Set number: B0090
    • Voted: Most Rad
    • Accessories: Andorian blaster
This version of Jazz has a different set of toy-based tampographs, giving him a more detailed face. His weapon comes from the Kre-O Star Trek line.
He was only available in a San Diego Comic-Con 2014 exclusive pack of 30 Kreons dubbed the "Kreon Class of 1984". Remaining stock was to be sold at Hasbro Toy Shop online, only there was no remaining stock after the show.


Generations

We've gotten new toys of all the kinds of Jazz except the elusive "Utah" variant.
  • Ultimate Gift Set (2012)
    • Accessories: "Blaster," two speakers
This release of Jazz comes in a colorful deco in the festive spirit of the Generation 2 release of the original Jazz toy. He comes packed with Deluxe Class Combat Hero Optimus Prime, as well as unchanged releases of Generations Legends Class Thundercracker and Motorbreath.
His back-of-the-box stock photography depicts his blaster as white, yet the final product casts it in black plastic.
The Ultimate Gift Set is exclusive to online retailers in the United States, but is available at general retail in Asia.
Transformers (2010) mold: Jazz
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Fall of Cybertron

(Hasbro Version Pictured)
(TakaraTomy Version Pictured)
  • Autobot Jazz (Deluxe Class, 2012)
    • Series / Number: 01 / #002
    • Accessories: Blaster pistol
The Aligned Jazz toy was repurposed as Generation 1 Jazz in multiple continuities.
Part of the first wave of 2012 Generations Deluxe Class toys, Fall of Cybertron "Autobot Jazz" transforms into a Cybertronian racer. His blaster pistol has a 3 mm hole running through it, and can mount via 5 mm post onto his roof, forearms/rear vehicle side, and hands.
In robot mode, he features a case of faux parts: The centers of his feet are fake wheels (attached to the legs via ratchet joints) that are hidden in the rear section of his vehicle mode, while his real vehicle mode wheels end up on his forearms and on the sides of his chest (partially obscured by panels).
A running change variant of Jazz exists in the fourth wave, wherein his white plastic is darker and his translucent visor is cast in light blue instead of the previous extremely dark blue, allowing the light piping to work properly. The TakaraTomy release features an extensive paint job, with his white plastic being coated in grayish off-white paint, along with numerous additional details.
This toy was redecoed/retooled into Fall of Cybertron Sideswipe.
Unsurprisingly, the Fall of Cybertron Jazz toy was used for several Generation 1-based stories. The TakaraTomy deco appeared in the Cloud stories and the Transformers: All Spark manga series. This toy also serves as a rough stand-in for Jazz's appearance in "Season 1" of IDW Publishing's Robots in Disguise comic series.[7]


Power of the Primes

Still a Martini, still a Porsche, all the more chill.
  • Autobot Jazz (Deluxe Class, 2017)
    • Japanese ID number: PP-07
    • Japanese release date: May 25, 2018
    • Accessories: Blaster, Prime Armor/combiner hand, Prime Master gap filler/gun
Transforming into a Le Mans-like racing car subtly inspired by a Porsche 962, the Power of the Primes version of Jazz is a mostly new mold that reuses the wheels and combiner peg of Combiner Wars Dragstrip. Jazz can form a limb for any Combiner Wars-style Combiner (or become one of Legends Godbomber's legs). Fans wanting to open this figure should take note that almost all of the roof, hood, and front grill of the figure is simply clear plastic painted over, so be careful to avoid scratching or chipping these areas. Worse still, some fans have reported that this translucent plastic does not age well; it has a nasty tendency to crack after a few transformations. Again, be careful.
Like all other Power of the Primes Deluxe Class figures, he comes with Prime Armor with a place for a Prime Master (and by extension, a Titan Master, Enigma, or Matrix core) that can transform into a hand for a Combiner. He also comes with a piece that can fill the gap in the Prime Armor or be held as a gun. Also like the other Deluxe Class figures, the instructions explaining how exactly the armor connects are extremely vague. To connect the armor, the grill portion of Jazz's chest has two indents that fit the tabs on the "thumbs" when inserted at a slight angle. While this matches up to both the instructions and the packaging art, it should be noted that the connection is rather loose. Curiously, Jazz's engineering includes wrist swivels, but the panels molded underneath his forearms render them largely worthless. On another note, his Prime Armor was redecoed for Moonracer, Novastar, Punch-Counterpunch, and Siege Greenlight.
While not necessarily part of a certain combiner team, his packaging and TakaraTomy stock photos depict him as part of Elita-Infin1te while his instructions show him combined with Grimlock and the rest of Power of the Primes Deluxe Class figures in Wave 1.
Curiously, the roof and upper section of his hood both sport the iconic Martini racing stripes that were also present on the original Generation 1 figure. Hopefully, nothing will go wrong.
In November of 2017, Power of the Primes Jazz became the center of a minor controversy when it was discovered that the figure's deco included the acronym "MAGA" in tiny Cybertronix text underneath Jazz's Autobot insignia (which, for those of you who have been living under a rock since 2016...). When reached for questioning, Hasbro responded that they had not sanctioned the political message and would address the issue with the vendor (corporate language for "freelance artist") responsible.[8] A re-release of Jazz as part of wave 3 of the Power of the Primes Deluxe Class featured a running change that saw the "MAGA" text removed, leaving a blank black space. The variant's date stamp is 80671. The TakaraTomy release of the figure also features the "MAGA" acronym.
The figure was redecoed into Generations Selects Ricochet.


Studio Series

Hollywoooooood! Hollywood swingin'!
  • Autobot Jazz (Deluxe Class, 2020)
    • ID Number: 86-01
    • Japanese ID number: SS-59
    • Japanese release date: April 20, 2021
    • Accessories: Photon Rifle, Moonbase One backdrop
Studio Series Jazz is an all-new mold based on his appearance in The Transformers: The Movie.
The "04" on his doors has been changed to "14" to avoid licensing issues; the toy that would become Jazz was labelled as "Nr. 14" in the Diaclone toyline. Additionally, in the original The Transformers catalog, he was labelled as the fourteenth figure.
As with other Studio Series toys, the interior of the package forms a diorama display for the figure. In this case, it shows Jazz's computer terminal and observation window from Moonbase One.


Bot Shots

  • Jazz (Bot Shot, 2012)
    • Series: 1
    • Number: B014
      • Fist strength: 555
      • Blaster strength: 370
      • Sword strength: 695
Jazz is part of the fourth wave of Bot Shots, transforming from a blue and white sports car with "4" decals into a super deformed robot when his front bumper is pressed. His head is heavily based on Generation 1 Jazz's head. This mold was also used for Bot Shots Dragstrip.


  • Cindersaur / Optimus Prime / Jazz (Multi-pack, 2013)
    • Series: 2
    • Number: Super Bot 008
      • Fist strength: 849
      • Blaster strength: ?
      • Sword strength: 262
Part of the second wave of three-packs in Series 2, Super Bot Jazz is a redeco of the original Bot Shots Jazz mold in translucent white with blue wheels.
The second wave of Series 2 three-packs didn't reach mass retail in the United States, only showing up in discount stores like Ross.

BeCool

  • Green Sports Car (Autobot Jazz) (2013)
    • ID number: B15
BeCool "Green Sports Car" is a bright green redeco of Bot Shots Jazz with orange wheels, retaining the same blue stripes and "4" paint operations. Instead of game stats, his chest stickers display images of his vehicle mode, a car's dashboard and a racing track.


Q-Transformers

DEJA VU! He's running in the 90s!
Q-Transformers Meister transforms from a super deformed Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE86 to a cute little robot. He comes with a code for unlocking Jazz as a playable character in the Q-Transformers: Mystery of Convoy Returns game.


Merchandise

Stamp Bot

  • Jazz (Stamp Bot, 1984)
Made by HG Toys, Stamp Bot Jazz is a small, non-poseable figurine of Jazz based on his toy with a rubber stamp on the base, and a cap with a felt "floor" that was soaked in ink. The stamp made an image of Jazz's sports car mode.


Transformers Milk Caramel

Nobody calls me yellow.
  • Meister (1985)
A soft rubber figurine—known in Japan as a keshigomu— of Jazz was released as part of the second wave of Kabaya's Transformers Milk Caramel candy toy range. He came packaged with chocolate-covered caramel candies, and was available in red, blue, and yellow.


Decoy

  • Cybertron Hero Collection 22 (multi-pack, 1986)
Jazz was among the many characters rendered by Takara as part of their series of 1.5" keshigomu figurines. Like all the Autobots in the series, Jazz was molded in soft red rubber, and featured a number sculpted into his back that was the sum total of his Tech Specs, for use in the various games that could be played with the figurines. Jazz was available as part of a 22-piece box set of Autobot figures, and later, in a peach coloration randomly packed as part of various other box sets.
  • Jazz (1987)
    • Decoy number: 13
The figurine was later brought over to Hasbro markets as part of the Decoy promotion, largely identical to the Japanese release except for the fact that the number on his back was replaced with a simple "checklist" number. Like all Autobot Decoys, Jazz was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded Throttlebots, Aerialbots, Protectobots, and Technobots.


Super Collection Figure

Jazz and his brother Heavy Metal.
  • Meister (2002)
    • Act: 8
    • Accessories: Stand
Released in the eighth "Act" of Super Collection Figure, Meister is a PVC figurine based on the cartoon rendition of Jazz. He came in both full-color and pewter-painted versions, both packed one per case.
The pewter version of the figure has a potential problem with connector peg breakage, due to said pegs often getting a layer of pewter paint before being forced into a socket, leading to sticking and tearing. Care should be used when moving or removing the arms; shaving down the socket interior with a thin hobby knife is usually sufficient to fix the issue.
The color versions of Jazz came packaged with the waist of the Act's "build-a-figure" Scorponok. This part too could be in either full-color or pewter, packed at a ratio of six color parts to four pewters.


Heroes of Cybertron

  • Autobot Jazz (2003)
Released in the fourth wave of Heroes of Cybertron Jazz is a redeco of the SCF Meister figure. He is cast in blue plastic almost completely painted over, leaving the visor and the back of the head unpainted to take advantage of a light-piping gimmick. His backpack-windshield is also unpainted, which is a cute touch.
He has a large number of other paint differences from Meister, including a more cartoon-accurate light blue waist deco, red stripes on his rear wheels rather than blue, a much darker gray face, a more complex stripe on his backpack... and for some reason, his boots are light gray all over, including the vehicle-mode wheel hubs, rather than white. Oops.
Like all Heroes of Cybertron releases, he came on an individual cardback, with a character bio card. He also included the left leg to the wave's Fortress Maximus "build-a-figure".


Generation 1 Figure-Collection

  • Meister (2003)
    • Japanese ID number: C-3
    • Accessories: Display base
At only one inch in height, this Jazz "bottlecap" figurine (so named because its display base is the size of a bottlecap) was one of fourteen blindpacked figures available in Kabaya's Transformers Generation 1 Figure-Collection. The figure was rendered in a "retro" black and white color scheme, and came with a leaflet, personalized with cartoon screen captures.


Hard Hero

Shares the same fate as his movie counterpart.
  • Jazz (2004)
Jazz is number 12 in Hard Hero's series of cold-cast porcelain Transformers busts, measuring six inches in height and sculpted holding his photon rifle in his right hand. Jazz was limited to 2500 pieces worldwide, with an additional 100 being specially signed by sculptor Jason Ray.


Titanium Series

Won't you take me to Funkytown?
  • Autobot Jazz (Robot Masters, 2006)
    • Accessories: Muffler-blaster, Autobot display stand
Titanium Jazz is a small, 3" non-transformable die-cast metal figurine based upon his Alternators design, but with a little bit of his "traditional" deco thrown into the mix. He has articulation in his waist, shoulders, and head.


Attacktix

#1 Super Guy!
  • Autobot Jazz (Booster, 2007)
Jazz was one of many Generation 1 characters slated to appear in Attacktix. A presumed wave-3 Booster, this piece was ultimately never released, but was shown at the Star Wars Celebration IV convention.


Game over.
This Attacktix item has been canceled, with no current plans for release.


Robot Heroes

Do the Hustle!
  • Autobot Jazz and Thundercracker (2007)
Robot Heroes Jazz is an adorable, super deformed figurine of Jazz, with limited articulation in his arms, but no head movement. He came packaged with Thundercracker.
This figurine was redecoed into Ricochet.


Boss Coffee

  • Meister (2008)
A non-transforming PVC figure of Jazz was released as part of a promotion by Boss Coffee. The small figure was randomly included with single cans of the company's "Rainbow Mountain Blend" coffee, contained in a plastic capsule affixed to the top of can which then became a display base for the figurine once removed. Jazz features articulation at the shoulders and waist, and came with a small catalog leaflet that could be folded up and attached to the lid/base to form a diorama background for added display value.


Transformers - Mini Bust

One cold cast cat.
  • Jazz (Diamond Select, 2008)
Jazz was released by Diamond Select Toys in 2008 and exclusive to online retailer Big Bad Toy Store. He was sculpted by Mark Wong of Art Asylum and limited to 1000 pieces. The bust features both his photon rifle and shoulder-mounted rocket launcher, which, along with the car door pieces, are attached magnetically and are optional for display.


Mighty Muggs

  • Jazz (2009)
    • Accessories: Photon rifle, doors
Part of the third wave of Mighty Muggs, Jazz is a super deformed, non-transformable PVC figure with articulated arms and head. He is made largely using the standard Mighty Muggs body mold, with the exception of the head, which uses the same "horn" mold as Bumblebee. Jazz comes with a super-deformed photon rifle and a pair of car doors that attach to his back.
Jazz and his wavemate Shockwave were initially reported to be canceled, but were eventually released as exclusives at Diamond Distributors and Toys"R"Us stores.


Tiny Titans

  • Autobot Jazz (Tiny Titans, 2015)
    • Series: 2
    • Number: 12/12
Part of the second assortment of Tiny Titans blindpacks, this version of Jazz is a very small, soft-plastic figure of him in robot mode.
He includes a collectible card that renders him in the 2015 Robots in Disguise styling. The card includes a scan-badge for the Robots in Disguise mobile game, which unlocks a random amount of Energon "currency" and a randomized bonus power-up item.
This wave saw fairly minimal release at "big box" retailers, but unlike other waves, was not picked up by drug stores and the like later, making them particularly hard to find.


Q-Transformers

  • Meister (2016)
A non-transforming figure of Jazz based on his appearance in the Q-Transformers: Mystery of Convoy Returns cartoon was available as part of the Q-Transformers capsule toy lineup.


Transformers Figure Collection

  • Meister (01-2016)
Standing 42mm tall, Transformers Figure Collection Meister is a non-poseable soft-rubber figure greatly based on a Decoy figure.


Bitfig

  • Meister (12-2016)

Part of the first wave of Transformers Bitfig capsule toys. Meister's design is inspired by his appearance in the G1 cartoon, and is articulated at the neck and shoulders. Bitfig toys were packaged in capsules color coded to the toy they contained.


Transformers Trading Card Game

  • Autobot Jazz, Special Ops (2018)
    • Wave 1
    • Rarity: UT
    • Card Number: T04/T40
    • Stars: 6
Autobot Jazz, Special Ops is one of forty double-sided character cards available in Wave 1 of the Transformers Trading Card Game.
The artwork on the card is reused from the Transformers Legends mobile card game.


ReAction

  • Jazz (2020)
    • Accessories: Blaster
Released in the first wave of Super7's line of multi-property 3.75-inch action figures, ReAction Jazz is a non-converting action figure with 5 points of articulation and is based on his appearance in the original cartoon. He comes with a blaster which can only be held in his right hand. As with all releases in the ReAction toyline, Jazz comes packaged in a small cardback that emulates the nostalgic packaging style of Kenner Star Wars action figures of the late 1970's.


Hallmark Keepsake Ornament

  • Transformers Jazz Ornament (2020)
Part of the Keepsake Ornament line, the "Transformers Jazz Ornament" is a plastic ornament "crafted" by Orville Wilson. He is not poseable but comes with his blaster molded into his right hand. The name "Agent Meister" can be found in multiple places on the ornament.


Notes

  • The Laser Cycle Jazz is not the only cancelled Generation 2 Jazz toy! Revealed on the Graphic Design Portfolio section of Bill Forster's website, is an almost all orange redeco of the G1 Jazz figure. This art would later be published in Legacy: The Art of Transformers Packaging alongside many other unrealized Generation 2 concepts.
  • The first toy planned for the Alternators line was Jazz as a Porsche 986. A prototype was made, but Porsche refused to grant Hasbro and Takara the license, stating that "Transformers are not worthy [of] carrying the Porsche trademark. They are war machines, and the toyline in no way represents the lifestyle and ideas which Porsche represents."[9] As a consequence, the toy ultimately never went into production. Photos of the prototype were depicted in the Japanese book The Transformers: Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide, and Hasbro later also displayed the prototype during the BotCon 2007 Hasbro Tour.
  • The Alternators Mazda RX-8 (which ultimately ended up as Meister) was originally intended to be named "Camshaft", according to various early store listings and a premature reply from Hasbro's customer service. This would also fit with the early idea of making the Alternators toys "direct updates" of their characters' G1 predecessors. A prototype was leaked to the public in early 2004 sporting the same basic colors as the later Alternators "Autobot Camshaft" toy (the Acura RSX), although it's uncertain whether the prototype colors for the RX-8 were supposed to be indicative of the proposed colors for Camshaft (since the Acura redeco was originally intended as a G1 Bluestreak homage before being renamed into "Autobot Camshaft"). The reason why the RX-8 Alternator was ultimately not named "Camshaft" was apparently because the real-life Mazda RX-8 car doesn't have a camshaft. The irony is staggering, as Camshaft's original toy was an RX-7, which ALSO lacks a camshaft.
  • There have been at least two different reasons stated why the Hasbro toy was named "Meister" rather than "Autobot Jazz": For one, Hasbro was still hoping that Porsche would have a change of mind and grant them the license after all, as Chevrolet had done; also, Aaron Archer has been quoted stating that he thought a third toy named "Autobot someone" following "Autobot Hound" and "Autobot Tracks" would have been somewhat "redundant".

References

  1. ↑ e-HOBBY listing: "This item really reminds you of the episode 'Secret of the Golden Lagoon'."
  2. ↑ Original auction for "Mayuko Iwasa" Meister at Yahoo! Japan auctions, archived version.
  3. ↑ feedback rating Feedback for original auction of "Mayuko Iwasa" Meister at Yahoo! Japan auctions, archived version.
  4. ↑ Re-listing for "Mayuko Iwasa" Meister at Yahoo! Japan auctions, archived version.
  5. ↑ TFormers news story about the auction for "Mayuko Iwasa" Meister.
  6. ↑ http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/botcon-2010-hasbro-designers-panel-170066/
  7. ↑ Jazz was redesigned by Andrew Griffith in Robots in Disguise #1 based on the game render from War for Cybertron and Fall of Cybertron. Your mileage may vary on how fitting the toy is.
  8. ↑ Uh, Is This Transformers Toy a Trump Supporter?
  9. ↑ Former Porsche employee Addl recounting an informal inquiry with Porsche's licensing department at TF Archive
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