Glow-in-the-dark
From MediaWiki
Glow-in-the-dark is a gimmick frequently used in children's toys and consumer goods. Typically, plastics or paints are designed with phosphorescent elements that absorb energy from bright light, then release that energy when in the dark, giving off a visible glow. Despite being fairly cheap and straightforward to manufacture (and thus a common sight in lots of other toylines), it's been oddly rare in Transformers, so don't expect this page to grow by much!
Toys
The Transformers
- Transformers Electric Racing Set (1985)
- The Transformers licensed Electric Racing Set was released by Tyco, and included two cars that were slight retools of each other: Freezon and Natron. Each in their robot mode feature glow-in-the-dark plastics, as do the "Nite-Glow" track elements included with them.
Generation 2
- Megatron (1995)
- Accessories: 12 missiles, 2 missile launchers
- A planned-but-more-or-less-cancelled redeco of Generation 2 Dreadwing, this two-pack of Megatron and Starscream was only released to test markets in Ohio, USA in very limited quantities, and never saw a wide release. Some of the few known specimens have Kay-Bee Toys price stickers on their boxes.
- According to the Toy Fair 1995 Transformers presentation, the pale plastic missiles could glow in the dark.
| Generation 2 mold: Dreadwing | ||
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Expanded Universe
- CatSCAN (Deluxe, 2002)
- One of several BotCon 2002 exclusives, Expanded Universe CatSCAN is a redeco of the Beast Machines Deluxe Class "Night Slash" Cheetor mold, transforming into a robotic tiger with flip-up rocket boosters on its back.
- CatSCAN has glow-in-the-dark paint, in patterns suggestive of wiring and circuitry.
EarthSpark
- Cyberglow Megatron (Deluxe, 2025)
- Accessories: Energon mace
- Decades later, and for the very first time as a standard mass retail toy, the "Cyberglow" version of Warrior EarthSpark Megatron used glow-in-the-dark materials for both some new paint applications and a new rubber Energon mace accessory. This may have caused the figure to be bumped up to the Deluxe Class price point.
Masters of the Universe x Transformers
- Starscream Armor Scare Glow (2025)
New Legends
- Lio Convoy Legendary Green Lion Ver. (ライオコンボイ伝説の緑のライオンver., 2026)
- ID number: NL-01
- Release date: 2026
- Accessories: 2 guns
- Breaking the curse of glow-in-the-dark figures having especially large gaps between releases, New Legends Lio Convoy Legendary Green Lion Version is a redeco of Lio Convoy's 40th Selection toy based on his mythical green lion form introduced in the Beast Wars II episode "Legend! The Green Warrior", with the white and lighter turquoise parts being made from glow-in-the-dark plastic.
- TakaraTomy opened up pre-orders January 14, 2026.
Cyberworld
The Energon Surge subline imprint of Cyberworld's toyline features glow-in-the-dark parts as a line-wide focus, with every toy released under it having glow-in-the-dark paint applications on either their body or accessories that can be "powered up" by the year's big playset item, Bumblebee Power Spark. All Armored and Ultimate Cyber Changers' sets of accessories can be combined into Energon crystals to be charged independantly of the core figures.
- Optimus Prime (Cyber Changer, 2026)
- A redeco of his original Cyber Changer toy with a translucent torso, Optimus Prime sports a glow-in-the-dark pattern resembling a crack on his front window.
- Optimus Prime (Armored Cyber Changer, 2026)
- Accessories: Jetpack, 2 swords, 2 armor pieces
- A translucent blue redeco of his prior Armored Cyber Changer toy, Optimus Prime swaps the original's winged cannon for a set of translucent accessories that can be combined into an Energon crystal. He features glow-in-the-dark paint applications on his headlights and swords.
- Megatron (Cyber Changer, 2026)
- Megatron (Armored Cyber Changer, 2026)
- Accessories: Jackhammer, left & right shoulder armor, left & right leg armor
- A new mold for Energon Surge, Megatron is accompanied by a set of accessories which can be combined into an Energon crystal. He features glow-in-the-dark paint applications on his chest and shoulder pads, though the bit on his chest unfortunately gets covered by his arms in vehicle mode.
- Cheetor (Cyber Changer, 2026)
- Part of the Energon Surge subline imprint of Cyberworld toys, Cheetor bears several small glow-in-the-dark lines on his chest.
- Optimus Primal (Cyber Changer, 2026)
- Environment: Jungle
- A redeco of Cyberworld Optimus Primal only one wave later for Energon Surge, this Optimus Primal replaces the colors of the upper painted chest details on the original with glow-in-the-dark paint.
- Autobot Ratchet (Armored Cyber Changer, 2026)
- Bumblebee (Armored Cyber Changer, 2026)
- Bumblebee Power Spark (2026)
- Environment: Jungle
- Accessories: Mask, drill, left & right wings
- Serving as the main playset item for Energon Surge, the inside of Bumblebee Power Spark's torso lights up with "Energon Surge power" to charge any glow-in-the-dark figures or accessories placed within. In addition to charging other glow-in-the-dark products, Bumblebee Power Spark comes with a bee Drone that splits into multiple accessories, including a glow-in-the-dark mask that can be equipped to his face, so that his central gimmick can be utilised without additional purchases.
- Autobot Hound (Ultimate Cyber Changer, 2026)
- Accessories: Hammer, 2 claws, left & right shoulder armor
- Among the non-exclusive Ultimate Cyber Changers made for Energon Surge, Autobot Hound comes with several translucent accessories that combine into an Energon Crystal. The nails of his claw accessories are coated in glow-in-the-dark paint.
- Scourge (Ultimate Cyber Changer, 2026)
- Shockwave (Ultimate Cyber Changer, 2026)
- Soundwave Deep Sea Explorer (Ultimate Cyber Changer, 2026)
- Accessories: Mask
- As Energon Surge's second-largest item, Soundwave Deep Sea Explorer is way too big to fit within Bumblebee Power Spark regardless of which mode he's in. To account for the laws of physics getting in the way, instead of featuring glow-in-the-dark paint on his body, he instead comes with a removable mask with a glow-in-the-dark pattern on it, which is small enough to be charged by Bumblebee Power Spark.
Merchandise
Transformers Milk Caramel
- The Transformers 2010 series of Transformers Milk Caramel "keshigomu" figures, from 1986, were made of glow-in-the-dark rubber.
Decipher the Decepticon
- The retail toys that were part of the 1986 "Decipher the Decepticon" sweepstakes contest each included pack-in flyers, which could be linked together to form a large poster with glow-in-the-dark art.
McDonald's
- Optimus Prime (McDonald's Happy Meal, 2002)
- A fairly basic McDonald's toy, Optimus Prime's hands are coated in glow-in-the-dark paint.
- He can combine with other Armada Happy Meal Autobots to make a Mighty Robot, where Optimus' glow-in-the-dark fists may give the illusion of being the combined form's eyes if viewed in the dark.
Blokees
- Rodimus Prime (Hidden Style) (2026)
- Series: Galaxy Version 10 - One Shall Stand
- Accessories: Photon eliminator, Matrix, effect part
- This chase figure variant of the blindpacked Blokees Galaxy Version Rodimus Prime is a snap-together building kit that forms a 4" robot with 22 points of articulation. It features a metallic paint deco and a glowing Matrix.
