Takara TFC Transformers Collection 21 Broadcast is the latest release in the Transformers Reissue series, by Takara. It also includes the cassette animal, SteelJaw.

Takara TFC Transformers Collection 21 Broadcast is the latest release in the Transformers Reissue series, by Takara. It also includes the cassette animal, SteelJaw.

While in Japan he is known as Broadcast, in the states, we know him better as Blaster.

Blaster was one of the few Transformers I had as a kid. Like many kids, I wanted Soundwave, but my parents, not knowing any better, got me Blaster. Hell, I give them points for getting me the robot that transformed into a radio. As a parent, I can understand how hard it can be to decipher exactaly what my kids want. As a child, I really didn’t know what to think of Blaster. I was disappointed at first, but he grew on me. I remember desperately wishing it was a real radio (little did I know it actually was a real radio in a previous incarnation).

So thanks to Betatoys, I now have Broadcast in my hands, some 22 years later. He still feels a bit like a wanna-be Soundwave, but I can appreciate him more now. For one, this version comes with a cassette, where the original US release did not. I also appreciate the details more, and the perfect transformation.

Broadcast comes in the now familiar TFC Transformers Collection packaging, with original art by Dreamwave. The top has an opening cover secured with Velcro. Inside the cover are pages from a transformers book that you can remove and put in a three-ring binder. Broadcast is displayed behind a clear window, with SteelJaw prominently displayed.

In Boombox mode, Broadcast features some nice little details, including molded in on/off switches and working buttons on the cassette door. Much like the original, the buttons don’t line up perfectly.

Transformation is stupidly simple. Slide the black handle across and pull the legs out and down. Flip the small black panels down. Pull the arms out and rotate forward 90 degrees. Pull down on the lower arms, and then slide the hands out. Finally, flip up and rotate the head. This is one transformer that anyone can do, but still manages to look good in both modes.

In robot mode, Broadcast is a towering 9” tall. He is articulated at the head, shoulders and wrists. He is pretty much a brick, but I think that is part of his charm. The 80s were not known for their smooth organic robot designs. Broadcast comes with a huge gun that can fit in either hand. Unfortunately, there is no place to stash the gun in boombox mode.

SteelJaw, in cassette mode, can be stored in the chest compartment of Broadcast or in a clear case included with the set. I never had SteelJaw as a child, so it was cool to check this guy out for the first time. It amazes me how many different styles of transformation they got out of something the size of a microcasette.  SteelJaw transforms into a lion, with parts of the legs being metal. Two gold weapons attach to either side of SteelJaw.

Broadcast is made almost entirely out of plastic, save for the metal connector joints in the hips. He has a very different feel from other transformers of that era. Before he was part of the Transformers mythos, Broadcast was simply known as Radio Casette Robo Sound Warrior Microchange 21, a transforming AM radio that really worked. When Hasbro brought him over, they sealed up the battery housing, removed the electronics, and released him as Blaster.

You can find Broadcast / Blaster at betatoys.com

This is Takara's Re-release of Galvatron, this time in anime-accurate colors, with an improved head sculpt and additional accessories.

To tell you the truth, I was never a big fan of Galvatron. I got out of Transformers just before the Transformers Movie hit, so I missed out on all the designs that were not based on actual things, like cars, stereos and guns.

As a dealer, I had a few vintage Galvatrons come through my hands, and I was always curious as to why Galvatron didn’t look a thing like his movie counterpart.

Well, Takara remedied that with the re-release of Galvatron, this time making him in anime accurate colors. But that’s not all they changed; they re-did the head sculpt, added metallic stickers, and even included a metal Matrix of Leadership on a chain! That’s right, Galvatron got Bling.

I totally dig this toy now.

Takara is known for quality, and that was evident from the moment I opened the box from Betatoys – The shiny box had nice retro art just like it came out of the original lineup. The toy comes packed in a clear plastic tray, with a small package for instructions and stickers.

First thing I did of course was attach the stickers. There are only a few, and the instructions clearly indicate where they go.

Galvatron comes packaged in Tank Mode. Three wheels allow Galvatron to roll across smooth surfaces.

Move a few parts around and you have Gun Mode. When batteries are installed, pulling the trigger will make a laser sound and lights flash in the barrel.

It’s in the robot mode that Galvatron really shines. He’s tall and heavy, thanks to the metal in the hips and the added weight of two batteries (not included). He has a solid feel that you don’t often find in toys, nevermind transformers. All the joints are tight, and everything has a satisfying “click" when you move it.

The orange cannon can be mounted to the arm, while his gun can fit in the other hand. The arms are reasonably poseable, if not a little stubby.

With batteries inserted, Galvatron makes 5 sounds – 2 Sound effects, and three phrases (in Japanese). Click below to hear the sounds and see the lights (mov format):

• Sound Effect 1
• Sound Effect 2
• Voice Effects (by original voice actor Katou Seizo)

The thing that really sold me on this Galvatron was the heavy metal Matrix of Leadership. This thing is solid metal and gold-chrome plated. It includes a chain so you can hang it around Galvatron’s neck. The chain is secured with two clasps – it is really solid. The addition of this is worth the purchase price alone.

This is such a great toy. I have to go back and take a look at Takara’s other reissues now.

You can pick up your Galvatron at Betatoys.com

It's been about a month or so since my last post here in the CDX and a lot has gone on. Sad to say I'm yet to finish my latest model, however I have been able to expand on another collection of mine that's taken its merry time to be put together. In other words, I'm talking Transformers; G1 that is, toy gold, matrix tea. Anyway, what I bring you today is something I've hunted for since yesteryear; the Powermaster Optimus Prime. As most of you know, this beast of a bot was very elusive back in the days of its release. It came to us in the form of the great leader in both the Marvel Comics series and the Trans-anime series "Masterforce"(where it also had another added component to its mighty girth). The figure I bring you however isn't a Japanese/Takara reissue, but rather the domestic version by Hasbro as part of the Commemorative Editions (series 2). Truth is there's no big difference, but a lot has changed since this big bot since it last graced the US toy stores.

Components

The PM Prime consists of four major parts; Prime, his trailer, the Godbomber (Apex Armor), and the engine/powermaster figure 'Ginrai' (HiQ). Ginrai connects to Prime to enable him to transform (cheap cheat; press in the white tab on the engine block and you don't have to have Ginrai attached at all). The trailer transforms into a Metroplex like base and into the body for Super Ginrai (otherwise known as Super Prime). The Apex armor is that pre mentioned add on part from the Masterforce series which consists of a psuedo-lego block assembled robot that becomes extra armor for Super Ginrai to create God Ginrai or its formed into one solid block that you fit between the trailer's 'ankles' to have it follow behind in vehicle mode. All in all, good amount of stuff for the $50 price tag. From the present to the past perspective, we see where they came up with all that 'Super Optimus Prime' stuff seen in RiD and Armada. RiD perspective: God Bomber was the basis for Ultra Magnus when creating the God Ginrai from an already powered up Optimus, resulting in literally a tower of power. Armada: simply take prime's body, converting him into truck mode and attaching it as the torso and head assembly for Super Optimus Prime. Only differences here are that the trailer doesn't transform on its own, nor are the arms a part of the Optimus truck, instead they're in the trailer. Also, once you've finished attaching all of the other parts to this guy you can't help but sing "fat guy in a little coat"

Changes

I never had the original Prime that came out back in the day, but I did have a friend that showed it to me a long time ago, but this is what I've noticed in changes.

One of the changes since its original debut would be some of the coloration. For instance (the truck) Prime's eyes were red, now they're blue. His legs were solid blue with a silver sticker for the front of the thighs; now they are silver painted in the thighs with the same sticker added anyway. I'm not sure about this one though but the windows on the front of the cab are clear blue plastic while the front of the cab itself is molded in die cast. The Super Ginrai (Super Prime) body has had some color tweaking as well; the legs have been chromed and the hands that were once red are now blue and with an improved slide switch. Also the bulk of the once light gray areas on the body have now been 'silverized' so that all gray areas like this match the same color of the original Prime's trailer. In short; Super Prime now is colored to match the smaller bot. Another color change is rather minute, but it's not hard to miss. On the Ginrai/HiQ figure you'll notice that what was once the same color red as the bulk of Prime's body is now more of a maroon color, also you'll see some parts of the same color in some slightly visible regions across the overall bot. The next changes are a fan peeve set by the politicians; obscured long missiles and shorter smoke stacks. I tried firing the missile from the newly added cannon (part of the God Bomber) and to say the least they fire but not as far as the old ones would have. The smoke stacks again were cut down and are no longer than those on the previous CE released Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus. Last but not least is something I've already mentioned; the God Bomber trailer. If anybody who's gotten the original PM Prime will know, this wasn't in the package because there was no need for it. Not only that but I don't think this bot existed at the time (I know I might be wrong) which is why when Takara reissued it, they packaged it along for the ride. Hence the one in stores now is a carry over from the Japanese counterpart.

Verdict

Since this Prime has been out for a long time I feel I don't need to go into the basics as I do my model kit reviews. Overall when you say "Optimus Prime"the toys speak for themselves. Tack on "Powermaster"and it's a nuff said situation. Anyway, for sake of this review, I feel that this is one of the better CE releases. For one thing its got the original box art, not some poorly done scan job of any Dreamwave poster or a Pat Lee mock up (no bash on the man, he's a great artist). Instead the package is nicely done in old school Autobot red with a folding Velcro plate of the God Ginrai on it that you can peal away to show more parts. Box aside the bots inside are very solid and the quality of reconstruction is above par. As I said before, I've waited a long time for this Prime and am not disappointed by anything about it. Therefore on the Buildometer scale, I give the Powermaster Optimus Prime a perfect 10.

" In a word.. Prime."