Shin Densetsu Kai 7.0

I wish Classics Jetfire's plane mode had a more realistic, fighter-like canopy and nose. I do know it was done the way it was as a way of replicating the G1 cartoon model's look in robot mode. I see Classics as a fusion of influences from both the animation models of G1, and the original G1 toys. Just a few weeks back I realized Classics Grimlock is influenced a lot by the Pretenders Grimlock.

They did

Yea but he didn't end up with the A-10 cockpit. Not to mention his overall look strikes me more as futuristic than realistic. Or we can say the Cybertron vehicles look exaggerated. Either way, there is a distinct difference between the vehicle modes chosen for Cybertron and the ones for Classics. Cybertron is full of homages. Classics is full of updated G1 characters. One is an alternate universe Prime, one is Prime; updated Debateable, Classics is mostly G1 derived, sure yea it was a filler line, yea Universe is continuing it and all of us are happy, but it is plainly obvious that it was primarily G1 based. All those figures you mentioned do not look like they fit in with Classics, whether they were repainted in G1 colors or not. There is a huge difference between "HEY GUYS WE NEED A FILLER TOY LINE AND THIS IS OUR SHOT TO FINALLY MAKE A UPDATED FILL IN NAME:____________!", and "HEY WE NEED A REPAINT AND THIS GUY WOULD LOOK GOOD IN G1 COLORS, DO YOU THINK ANYONE WILL NOTICE?". Case in point, Cybertron Excellion. Yea the Hotshot repaint in Hot Rod colors. Japan or US version, I don't care, pick your poison. Compare him to Classics Hot Rod. Strip paint on both. Place both next to other Classics figures. Oh yank the key gimmick out. Yea Excellion looks out of place. While Cybertron had homages, they weren't the emphasis. When Classics had updated G1 characters, the emphasis was updating. Huge differences. (And yes I like both lines, but realize there is a distinct difference).

Itching to know if this will be shown at wonderfest(which I thought was this weekend).

No there is. Cybertron goes for a more futuristic aesthetic. Look at how different Cybertron Prime and Classics Prime look, even without the key gimmick. Look how different Wingsaber, Soundwave, and Jetfire's alt modes look compared to the likes of Classics Jetfire and Powerglide. Most of them were futuristic, so only some of them fit in. The homages are inescapable, previous lines had them, and so did Cybertron's predecessors, nothing new. Same here. I like the paint job but no remold at all? A shame. I don't care if his bomb is an homage to a japanese exclusive tape from g1. Just a head. I actually like that Soundwave a lot. Then again I like planes. The latter part is how I felt when I grew up, and the reason I loved the original Jetfire toy, and fully embraced the later half of g2. Cyberjets/Laser Rod Prime ftw! What I like is that instead of making "homages that are g1 based but in a series that is not g1", its a series that gets to the point, does not beat around the bush, and is finally a continuation of G1. Sure it was a filler line, but it was short and sweet and cut to the chase. Even though it was a filler line, the design team knew what they were doing and its proof that they are fans like us too.

Hey, the anniversary v3/4 Snake Eyes has an all new sword that has holes like the original v3 sword had, but this time is reminiscent of a ninja sword too! Nice touch on that one. In my mind, that SE is the best SE in the line.

Anakin has a different starfighter in this one, its like the Ep2 version with a droid in the center. I am excited for this. I think we may see Anakin in a new, better light, untainted by the acting of Hayden Christianson. (I like the character of Anakin, not the actor in the live action movies). Not to mention I like the way Anakin was portrayed in the first Clone Wars cartoon. I hope we see the jedis that were killed off in less than a minute in ROTS have more screentime here.

Guile is like "DON'T TOUCH ME!"

Continuation, the 25th logo will not appear on the fall cards/boxes, but its still a continuation of the anniversary body. As far as I know Master Collector/Gijoe Club will be using the classic/vintage molds for their exclusives, while Hasbro will be using the anniversary sculpts. You most likely won't see that until the movie line, even then its skeptical if they will do that. You're not alone, I was surprised at the number of fans at hisstank who said the same thing a few weeks back. As for me, I like most of them, but there are a few that I could do without. Actually I think its likely that Hasbro will go that direction. The more improvements they tack on, the more durable the figures have become, and the less clamoring there is for the O-ring, less need for it too. I just got comic pack wave 3 SE vs SS. I think this Storm Shadow is now my favorite version of him in the anniversary line. The cloak is an awesome look. The wrist/forearm has been retooled. The peg is no longer attached to the hand, it is attached to the forearm, and as far as I can tell, is more durable than the previous versions, and less flimsy. It feels like its harder plastic. Tomax and Xamot have the same configuration. BTW for an extremely simple and quick Sigma 6 custom version on a 3-3/4" Storm Shadow, simply take the wave 3 comic version, do a head swap with the cobra battle pack, or wave 4 single card version, paint the bandolier red, and BAM! 3-3/4" Sigma 6 Storm Shadow!(even the logo would be in the right place!)

Niptuck FTW. Saddened about Scrubs.

Ultra Magnus is a confirmed Leader figure in Animated. HELL YEAH!!!!!

Toyfair press release: If you guys want the Skystriker, Night Raven, and other vehicles from the past, make your voices heard!

My reasoning was nothing with the above, it was mainly because it does not match with the animation....

BTW my main dissapointment for animated Leader Megatron are that his rotors look too small. This may have been done so that they would not get in the way of each other when spun in helicopter mode, or to keep them from being too long as swords in robot mode. Anyways, it looks great aside that. Just wish they were longer. It might be the angle of the picture.

Amazing work Kurt.

Yea but talk about throwing things off topic, again after Dangard Ace's numerous warnings. Anyways I hope the FAST packs come with the valk and that we see a ton of color shots from Winter Wonderfest.

I did, here are descriptions I typed up: Roll out & command Optimus Prime:$49.99, definitely the Supreme size figure that was listed at uk toyfair. Transformation seems to be rolling the truck, and then the torso spins around, possibly swinging the arms out to the sides. His left elbow joint is grey and possibly contains an axe swinging gimmick. His right elbow looks like a regular functional joint. Sadly he may not have bicep swivels. I cannot tell if the left elbow can bend downwards to straighten his arm out. His shoulders might have side to side, and forward movement, but its hard to tell. Looks like he has universal hip movement, and he does have bending knees. He may actually be mistransformed in the photos, I'm not sure if his shoulders are facing the right way, they may have to turn inwards. There looks like there is enough clearance to do so. However, if he does indeed lack a bicep swivel near the elbow, then he cannot possibly utilize a swinging axe gimmick when the shoulders are turned inward to look better. In other words, if you are to turn his shoulders inwards to look better, his elbows can only bend inwards towards his sides. This will dissapoint some of you. He does not look as compromised in articulation as Ultimate Bumblebee but we won't know for sure until he is unveiled at toyfair. Leader Bulkhead:Has a dual gun mounted between his lights in alt mode. The autobot logo is clear plastic and may either be a button or light up. Missles are on the side of his alt mode, 4 total. More detailed and more mechanical looking than the voyager version(voyager is more clean, this leader one has riveting reminiscent of armor plating and less curved surfaces). Not sure if the missles can launch. Right arm has a built in saw, the left hand looks to have movable fingers. I do not see any wrecking balls in sight. Articulation looks to be about the same as the voyager version, but he has a brighter paint scheme. Sadly, it does not look like his rear end can form a chair to sit on. Oh, the missles end up underneath his forearms in robot mode, like guantlets. Head looks more detailed than the voyager, and there are 3 viewable slots, which might accomodate the Headmaster. If you want the wrecking ball gimmick with cleaner appearance, the voyager is for you. If you want one armed to the teeth and a huge war machine, the leader one is for you. There is reason to have both. As of yet, the voyager one matches his current cartoon appearance more than the leader version. The leader one may be a sign of things to come in the show, as he is definitely more armored looking, and if he gets upgraded in the show(which is likely), then the leader one will most likely be accurate to that look. So all in all, the leader one may be accuate to Bulkhead later on in the show. Niether one of these figures cancels each other out, they may actually represent Bulkhead's appearance from different segments of the show.

What the hell does that have to do with the new toy? Anyways hope Wonderfest gives us new pics of the toy. Everyone is excited for the YF-21, but this one's got my mind anticipating.

We are all aware of that. Its the times when they do pay attention to accuracy that make their efforts impressive. No one can dispute that. He is. Hutch was referring to the sculpt, not the playability. Its common sense for everyone buying one of those that they aren't meant to be played with.

The inaccuracies in the file card are not as bad as the new comics in the wave 3 comic packs. Talk about all over the place.... The new figures look great for wave 6, but it sucks that Rock and Roll still has limited elbow movement. I am looking forward to Torpedo, as he is one of my favorite characters.

That A-10 isn't any better either, but I do like the robot mode. I just got the Incinerator figure from the movie line. I have always liked the V-22 since seeing it as a child growing up near pax river. I thought I would have to wait till TF2 to see an Osprey Transformer, and I'm glad I didn't have to wait that long. This figure is great, except the bottom fueselage tabs that may eventually wear out, and the upside down engines. He has retractable landing gear, and no give aways that he can transform aside from his groin from the underside, and the biceps underneath the wings. Basically, whatever dissapointments Starscream had, this guy lacks.The gimmick of spinning rotors is well executed and works in any mode, at any angle. Articulation is good except that he cannot bend his knees all the way back(he can bend them but not at a right angle). Automorph is relegated to the /cockpit splitting to form the chest and it works well. One of the better voyagers from the line, and a ton better than Blackout.

I can't afford the damn thing yet but I am itching to see detailed photo reviews.

I think in robot mode they are "chest guns". Nonetheless, I see where you are coming from.

The VF-1A had its share of repaints in the 1/48 line, but I think the VF-1D should recieve more repaints in the 1/60 line. I like the design a lot.

Sad to say, thats almost always the case.