TAKARA Hybrid Style Convoys

Another part of history that will never be reissued ... TAKARA Hybrid Style Convoys - THS-01, 02 and 02B.

Hybrid Style Convoy collection

A quick history lesson : TAKARA is no more, now a larger entity after its merger with Tomy in 2006, hence the "birth" of TakaraTomy. Many will be familiar with the new blue TakaraTomy logo.

Old collectors will likely remember the red TAKARA one ...

but did you know that, in the earlier years, it was in a form of a "cute" golliwog-like character logo?

Yes, it was mainly found on Diaclone releases, before it was removed due to widespread criticism; and I have a Diaclone piece (as proof) to support this ...

Diaclone Powered Convoy

Anyway, back to this set ... can't really recall when I got the full set, what I know is over the years, there have been 3 reissues of THS-02 G1 Convoy :

1. TakaraTomy THS-02 Convoy - no difference from the TAKARA one, only change in company and logo (and the positioning of the logo on the box...haha)

My TAKARA THS-02

TakaraTomy THS-02 (source : collectiondx.com)

 2. TakaraTomy THS-02 Convoy Black Gold version (Asia Exclusive) - to me, it's a cheaper version of e-hobby exclusive THS-02B. Still, it was a limited edition, featuring new gold paint apps on the arm and leg joints.

(source : TFwiki)

(source : serpentorslair.com)

Asia Exclusive vs e-hobby Exclusive (pic below) - can you see the difference?

My THS-02B in repair mode...

3. Hasbro Platinum Edition Year of the Rooster Optimus Prime (aka THS-02 G1 Convoy) - a special edition to celebrate Chinese New Year in 2017 (Year of the Rooster). This was basically yet another reissue (not retool or redeco) with no additional accessories / add-ons. To me, it was just another money making proposition for Hasbro. 

(source : tformers.com)

For those who missed the TAKARA ones, this is their best opportunity to own a piece of that history, albeit them being TakaraTomy and Hasbro versions.

Now, for the fundamental question... a question that must be answered by all mold or series completist... should I get these 3 to complete my Hybrid Style Convoy collection... or not? 

One thing's for sure, there will not be another reissue of THS-01 Galaxy Convoy, for now... (I hope Hasbro and TakaraTomy are not reading this right now).

I am the only one!

MP-2 MP-4 Commander Package

A quick review of a 3rd party accessory package by Artist Toys. Also known as "MP2 Package MP4 Roller Dreams Will Come True" (not exactly sure what dreams will this package fulfill), it contains a roller, a fuel pump and hose; and a rifle. So, if your Masterpiece Optimus Prime, Ultra Magnus or Nemesis Prime is missing any of its accessories, this serves as an upgrade or replacement kit for them as well.

(front and back of the box)

Unboxing it now...

yes! I got the silver set...duhhh...

... and after removing the plastic cover...

... let's put the rifle in the hand of Optimus Prime...

... and there we have it, an upgrade for Optimus Prime!

"I'm ready to do battle with the Decepticons!"

Looks like I need to re-arrange my shelf all over again... this time, to accommodate Roller.

Bumblebees to Roller : "you're not yellow!"

I know it's a bit cramped but there is still room for a few more Bees... stay tuned!

Masterpiece Optimus Prime

Not sure how many Masterpiece variations of Optimus Prime are there, with MP-44 being the latest but to me, the numero uno has to be number one where it all began...

I reckon without the first Masterpiece (MP-1) and likely its success, this series will not be where it is today (i.e. a money making proposition... haha).

Unlike its Hasbro counterpart, even back then, it was called Cybertron Commander Convoy and not Optimus Prime.

For the benefit of new fans (those born after MP-10, at least...), a glimpse of how MP-1's box looked like :

(front and back of box)

Got mine from the secondary market. The box wasn't really in good shape, no major dents though, just the standard scuffles at the corners of the box. Prime had a broken smokestack and was missing its energy axe but other than those, all were good.

Really solid as most parts are die-cast

"Check out my Matrix of Leadership"

MP-10 is the other Masterpiece I have in my collection. Not the expensive TakaraTomy one, couldn't get my hands on it then. So, settled for the more affordable Hasbro one. The box may not be as nice as the standard black TakaraTomy one but at least, with this, I can see what's inside.

Hasbro version of MP-10

A review for another day, perhaps? 

In the meanwhile, enjoy these MP-10s... seriously didn't know there were so many redecoes. Hmmm...I think "Barney" and "Gold-digger" are missing.

(Source : anymoon.com)

Can someone caption this? 

"hey Bee, don't mind me squatting here"

This is what happens when you run out of space for Optimus Prime and he has to share with Bumblebee(s)...

New Year Special Convoy

Part of the 15th anniversary G1 Optimus Prime reissue by Takara...

Unboxing...

Back of box clearly indicates contents...

...so let's check if everything's in order...

(left : Autobot insignia sticker sheet, right : instruction manual and biocard)

 

(left : mousepad, right : roller and 2 blasters)

(left : roller and bag of wheels, missiles and fists, right : Matrix of Leadership accessory and removable chain)

Action Master Optimus Prime figure

(top : "bloated fist" blaster, bottom : Megatron in gun form)

Hmmm... I don't recall Megatron being part of the contents...probably the previous seller accidentally left this piece in the box...

Anyhow, if the "Goodbye Convoy" is beyond reach, no worries...this Optimus Prime features the exact, same blue tinted windows, like those from "Goodbye Convoy"...

notice the blue tinted windows?

comes with a rubsign - indication of later releases

underneath the trailer - Made in China unlike my previous Made in Japan trailers...

Action Master OP : "howdy, G1 OP"

"I'm the king of the world!"

In case, you missed these other G1 posts, for a quick recap...just click :

1. 15th anniversary Optimus Prime collection
2. holy grail still eludes me, so this is probably the closest...pre-rub "Bloated Fist" G1 OP
3. before there was Hasbro...there was...Milton Bradley
4. red shoes diaries...yah, you wish...

Milton Bradley Ceji Optimus Prime

History refresher (credit tfwiki) on the connection of Milton Bradley (MB), Hasbro and Ceji :

Milton Bradley

Milton Bradley is an American toy and game company. In 1984, Hasbro merged with Milton Bradley, temporarily renaming itself "Hasbro Bradley", and used MB's existing European distribution network to introduce the Transformers toyline to Europe; as a result, many of the earliest Transformers to be made available in Europe featured MB rather than Hasbro logos on their packaging. The MB Transformers came in two waves in 1985, the second of which seemed more like an afterthought despite containing some of the more well-known characters of the line.

In some countries (such as Germany), the local MB branches kept distributing Transformers toys (despite the packaging now sporting "Hasbro" logos) under supervision from Hasbro UK until Hasbro consolidated its international markets in 1991 in an attempt to establish the parent company as a worldwide household name, thus renaming all the various international subsidiaries into "Hasbro". From that point on, "Milton Bradley" continued merely as a Hasbro sub-brand with a focus on strategy games.

Connection between Milton Bradley and Joustra

A theory (based on hard evidence) suggests that most, if not all of the second wave of the MB-branded Transformers toys were originally intended for a competitor, French company Joustra, which released their own Diaclone toys under license from Takara at that time.

Because Joustra's parent company, Ceji, was in financial trouble in 1985, Hasbro/MB acquired Joustra's existing Diaclone stock and had Joustra put the toys into newly created Transformers packaging, which would then be distributed by MB. This would explain why the second wave of Joustra Diaclone toys (which became wave 2 of the MB-branded Transformers toys) is so rare compared to the first one. It also explains why Optimus Prime was originally absent from the MB line-up, as any toy released by Joustra was off-limits for MB due to Joustra's exclusive contract with Takara until the Joustra/MB deal allowed for those toys to be released as Transformers as well. 

The same theory also suggests that several MB toys (in particular, Optimus Prime and Megatron) were explicitly manufactured by another Ceji subsidiary, Revell, as part of the same deal.

In summary, this Optimus Prime was manufactured by Ceji Revell, introduced across Europe via MB's distribution network, hence MB's logo on the packaging, under license from Hasbro.

Again, the box looks rather similar with all previous G1 Optimus Prime releases except...

1. MB logo on the bottom left hand corner of the box instead of the standard Hasbro logo

2. the text "Transforms from tractor trailer to robot with headquarters and back!" on the top left hand corner of box is removed

3. tech specs area is enlarged to accommodate 4 languages - German, French, Dutch and Spanish

4. brief mention of Prime's function as "Commander", his infamous quote "Freedom is the right of all sentient beings" but no detailed description of the character

For comparison sake with a similar Ceji-manufactured box...

French "Red Feet" Optimus Prime box

5. box copyright is on the bottom of the box instead of under the tech specs

1985 Milton Bradley

Made in Strasbourg, France

Interesting to note the box variations as well...standard US Hasbro vs Mexican IGA vs Milton Bradley and all these variations setting them apart from one another.

Front of box (from top : Mexican IGA box, Hasbro box, MB box)

Back of box - only artwork is similar

top of box - step by step transformation instructions

(from top : text in English, in Spanish, in 4 languages)

Now for the routine part ie. the toy itself...but I believe I've done enough reviews prior to this. So, we shall skip this, for once.

Takara versions aside, this box is definitely a better conditioned piece in my collection. Barring a slight tear near the MB logo on the box front, the box looks relatively new as compared to the others, perceived to be well taken care of by the previous owner. Good job, mate!

While my quest for the holy grail remains unfulfilled, overall, I'm still glad to be (and own) a part of the Transformers 30-years history.