We always enjoy our visit to Toynami, but we always hate that we hear all these great stories and plans that we cannot repeat. It's always a fascinating tour of the inner workings of the toy biz.
Voltron is back for the 30th anniversary with a new edition of the Masterpiece Voltron. This one features light up eyes and a stand with all weapons and a lion key.
Some retooling of the neck and head were needed to fit the LED light up feature, and while George was at it he fixed some of the joints for stability such as the knees and shoulders.
A big surprise was a new proper jumbo of the Lion Voltron. This is expected to be a TRUE jumbo with wheels on the feet, launching fists, polyethelene construction vinyl head and ABS wings. No sword or shield will be included. If they sell 1000 of these, they will move ahead with a Vehicle Voltron.
While we were there the prototype for the Jumbo Pyramidas-Ra showed up, packed up in individual pieces of bubble wrap. We were the first ones to photograph it.
We learned the history of the Shogun Warriors brand, and why Toynami can't use the classic characters. Someday, with George's permission, i'd love to tell it. But needless to day after years of strife it was decided that the brand would be brought back with original characters. I've seen designs of the other Shogun Warriors, and they look pretty cool. Each is "inspired" by a classic design.
In addition to the Jumbo, there was a mockup of a SOC-style Pyramidas-Ra, although slightly oversized. There will also be 10" vinyls similar to the voltron vinyls done in the past.
Robotech is back, sort of. We're not going to see a huge line but we'll see non-poseable trading figures, plush, and new 1/100 scale transformables.
The other things we heard and saw we cant talk about, but let's just say that there are some cool plans for the Shogun Warrior line dependent on the success of a certain summer movie.
Comments
5 comments postedSince you have an inside connection, I was curious if you knew about any plans to release an Elintseeker or Trainer Ostrich version or parts for the Armored Valkyrie? I really do like Toynami's Valks and I'd love to see some of the cooler variants in the US for a low price.
Holy rainbow lions, Batman! That new Masterpiece Voltron looks great.....But I bet the price would make me cry. Probably as bad as the larger Masterpiece Transformers that Hasbro/Takara-Tomy make.
Regarding that jumbo Voltron, I hate to be a pessimist but I'll believe it when I see it.
Any word when those new Shogun Warriors toys will come out? I love that Pyramidas-Ra design, simple and bulky but pure super robot at the same time.
ill take some of those robotech pilot figures, nit a huge fan of SD but these dont look too exaggerated, and my mechs have been lonely on the shelf.