Alfes has updated his blog with more images of the Transformers Kabaya Gaia Cross toys, this time with stickers applied.  The toy, Gaia Cross, is a re-envisioned version of Multiforce.­
Alfes has posted three blog updates, small robot / vehicle, combined level one and super gestault.

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Cyber Gundam Blog has been a fantastic source for Japanese collectors magazines for several years now, and in its latest Transformers related update they have scanned Dengeki Hobby Issue June 2011.

In this issue, the Takara version of Transformers are Dual Model Kit Optimus Prime & Bumblebee as well as yesterdays announced Lucky Draw Transformers Darkside of the Moon campaign prizes.

Click for larger images

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TakaraTomy have update their Transformers Dark Side of the Moon (Dark of the Moon) website with a new page dedicate to two MechTech prize campaigns.  The campaigns are the first Lucky Draw Transformers Dark of the Moon prize draws and starts on May 14th for with the Gold and Silver MechTech Weapons. These weapons will be made available as store exclusives, though the stores are yet to be named.

The first campaign has four prizes, with the top prize being 10 gold chrome MechTech Dark of the Moon Bumblebee.  The 2nd prize is 10 double set of Transformers and Transformers Revenge on Blue-Ray, the third prize is 100 sets of the MechTech weapons with the fourth prize being a poster.

The winners of the first campaign will then be entered into a second campaign, where 100 winners will go onto receive a gold chrome Transformers Dark of the Moon Optimus Prime.

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Million Publishing have updated their website, millionhero.jp, with the cover of their Transformers Generations 2011 book. Amazon Japan has also been updated with the image as have other Japanese book retailers.

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FullMetalHero.com are reporting an interesting rumour that a UK exclusive Transformers Dark of the Moon Leadfoot figure may be coming later in the year.  According to Red Leader, "a well known UK high street wholesaler on Thursday indicate that the UK may be getting a Leadfoot figure in a limited capacity, no figure class details were revealed but the order quantity must be 5000 for the exclusivity and it may possibly be stocked by a high street chain well known for serving the UK with sci fi products, it is still an open offer so anyone can still bite. Go on TRU, you know you want to!"

This would certainly be an interesting and we will let you know if we hear any more

Fub Publications have posted a panel from Transformers Timelines Issue 6 on their DeviantArt page that shows Animated Cheetor taking down Rattrap.  You can view the panel by clicking the previous link but here is a copy of the deceription:

"­A panel from the upcoming issue of Transformers Timelines Issue 6: The Stunti-Con-Job. Cheetor and Rattrap together again! But as you can see, it is not exactly a happy reunion!

This is the official continuation of the Animated story, dubbed Season 3.5 by writer Marty Isenberg. Story consult and Art direction by Transformers Animated Art Director Derrick J. Wyatt.

The comic will be sold initially at BotCon 2011 in Pasadena, Ca."

Site sponsor, BigBadToyStore, have posted a new product listing for MP-10 with the following description:

We've just received the initial information from Japan regarding the long awaited MP-10 Masterpiece figure. No image or name was released yet, but we do have pricing and release information. The information states this is a 'New' figure, so we do not expect any repaints of prior releases. Stay tuned for images and further information, we will update the listing as we receive info.­

­This was followed up by ­TFW2005 board member Sidecutter posting "We have received from Takara the information about the next Transformers Master Piece. They called it in Japanese New but the offer specify that the name maybe change in the future.  There are 2 pcs per case. Retail of YEN22,000 in japan. Delivery in September 2011." They also posted the following placeholder image from the Takara product cata­logue which reads as "Transformer New".

No other information is available at this time, though it is quite possible that this could turn out to just be some Transformers Dark of the Moon figures re-brand.

On Monday morning co-owner of this website Moonbug was in attendance for a hands-on presentation of Transformers: Dark of the Moon.  The event came with an embargo on coverage until 5pm on May 3rd but we will publish a report as soon as we are allowed.

Snakas is reporting that as well as a Transformers: Dark side of the moon TV special is going to air in Japan between April 24th and May 1st 2011 a special Rose O'Neil Kewpie International Bumblebee figure is going to be produced (see below).

Dark side of the Moon is the Japanese name for Transformers Dark of the Moon

The Orlando Sentinel report that "A video by four Union Park Elementary fifth-graders has won the top prize in a contest sponsored by NASA and Hasbro, the makers of “Transformers” toys.

The students won first place in the elementary division of the the Optimus Prime contest for their YouTube video about clothing developed using NASA technology. Their video took the form of a newscast about the fabrics, which protect wearers from harmful ultraviolet rays. The contest goal was to help students understand how NASA technology ‘transforms’ into things used daily.

The four girls each received a 10-pound glass trophy with Optimus Prime etched inside and their name engraved on it, a NASA goody bag and clothing from the SPF company, which makes the UV-protective clothing they featured in their video."

Skewed and Reviewed recently had the opportunity to interview Transformers Prime voice actor Steve Blum (Starscream) regarding his work on Transformers Prime, Guild Wars, Bulletstorm and the Transformers: Dark of the Moon game.

Here are a couple of snippets, but please visits sknr to read the full article.

How did you become involved with the new Transformers project and your character?

I prayed a lot, bribed a little, cried some. [Laughs] Actually, I just auditioned for it like anything else – and got really, really lucky! Starscream has always been one of my favorite characters – especially as played in recent years by the great Charlie Adler and also the great Tom Kenny! In fact, after hearing Charlie’s recent performances in the films, I felt I had to get his blessing before I could even accept the role! By the way, what a gentleman – love that guy! Tom’s a hell of an act to follow too – jeez! It’s very hard for me to take over a character that has been so masterfully portrayed – especially when my friends are the previous portrayers! I didn’t try to consciously copy anything that had been done before me, I simply did what came naturally and apparently (thankfully) they liked it!

... working with a cast (like in Transformers) – is always more fun. We get to play a lot of nuance off of each other that just doesn’t exist when I’m in a room by myself. And we laugh. A lot. Sometimes too much. This cast in particular is amazing. I get a huge kick out of sitting back and watching Peter (Cullen) and Frank (Welker), the “Godfatherbots” themselves – duke it out. It’s a joy and honor to work in the same room with two of my biggest heroes! They ARE a comedy team. Like the old school, masters of improv and impersonation, the real deal. So much talent in that room, and an unusual mix of voices! It’s humbling.

What sort of research did you do for the parts and what challenges did it present compared with other work?

I read a lot of stuff on the internet and watched an episode or two from each of the older series. I was already in my 20’s when G1 came out, but I was certainly aware that Transformers was something new and different and I have to admit that I did play with my kid’s action figures. I still do. Except I have my own action figures now. That counts as research, right?

What can you tell us about your work in Guild wars 2 and the new Transformers game in terms of who you voice and what were your experiences on each?

Ah, Rytlock Brimstone, one big, nasty Charr – wields a huge sword and speaks in a gravelly, deep voice. That’s pretty much my entire knowledge of the guy. I’m not a gamer, so I play, I fight, I move on. Seemed pretty epic at the time.
If you’re speaking of the newest Transformers game – WAY too early to talk about it, methinks. Lasers trained on my temples. In the past, I’ve played a lot of bots – good and bad, including Barricade and Breakdown. Vocally stressful, but any time I get to live in the Transformers universe, I’m grateful.