I have added three new image galleries containing scans of September 2011 issue of TV Boy, the October 2011 issue of TV Boy and an old back issue of Figure King (issue 111) to the Media section of the website.

All of the scans are mirrors of thread that were originally posted on ModXToys.com

Toy Industry magazine ­­Toy News's Samantha Loveday recently sat down with Hasbro Europe's Country Manager for UK &?Irelan, Foye Pascoe to discuss the recent success of the company.  Below are some quotes that contained Transformers related anwsers, but you can read the full article here.

How has the UK market performed so far this year? Are we in better shape than this time last year?
Hasbro UK has experienced a 14 per cent growth (UK NPD EPOS YTD June 2011). This is due to the strong performance of the recent Transformers movie, and a number of our key brands including Play-Doh, Furreal Friends and Nerf and our key licensed properties within the boy’s category.

What lines have performed well for you so far this year?
We are proud that we have experienced good performance across the full range of our toys and games.
Not only are some key films helping deliver the Transformers and Marvel toy lines, but we are also seeing growth of our classic brands such as Play-Doh, Furreal Friends, Nerf and Supersoaker.

Are there any sectors in particular which have stood out? Boys must have been boosted by the new Transformers lines, for example?
The boys segment has undoubtedly been boosted by a number of key films; Transformers Dark of the Moon has had a positive impact on the Transformers retail presence. Our alliance with Marvel has delivered strong product lines both for Captain America and Thor this year. Star Wars has had a good year and was the number one property in action figures UK (NPD EPOS YTD June 2011).

Finally, any hot tips from your 2012 product line to watch out for?
2012 will be another great year for action films for which we have a range of boys’ toys and games.

Star Wars re-mastered Episode One will hit cinemas in February. Battleship will preview in May, followed by the much-publicised Avengers film from Marvel later in the month.

The Amazing Spider-man will launch in July. Transformers will continue to connect with boys through Transformers Prime programming on Cartoon Network.

Within our girl’s portfolio, My Little Pony programming is currently on air on Boomerang and connecting with a whole new generation of girls.

Great news for fans of e-Hobby they have now announced that their online blog, e-Hobby Magazine is now available in English.  The English section does not contain everything that the Japanese version includes but they will be adding more content in the future.

ToyNews has had a chance to sit down with Foye Pascoe, Country Manager UK & Ireland for Hasbro.

You can read the interview in the latest edition of ToyNews Magazine

I thought I would bring you a quick round-up on some of our recent website updates that you may have missed relating to Instruction Sheets and USPTO Trademark status'.

First up, we have recently added 11 new instruction sheets to the website. You can find links to the instruction sheets below.

1. Transformers DOTM Sideswipe 29707 Instructions
2. Transformers Chopsaw 28579 Instructions
3. Marvel Super Hero ABC and 123 Spanish Instructions
4. Transforemrs DOTM Track Battle Roadbuster 36341 Instructions
5. Transformers Activators Megatron 98470 Instructions
6. Transformers DOTM Comettor 32095 Instructions
7. Transformers DOTM Comettor 32095 Instructions
8. Transformers DOTM Crankcase 28744 Instructions
9. Transformers DOTM Decepticon Hatchet 29684 Instructions
10. Transformers DOTM Ironhide 32138 Instructions
11. Transformers DOTM Lunarfire Optimus Prime 35808 Instructions

On t he trademark side, Hasbro have not filed for a new application since the 14th April, but some of their applications have been updated recently.

1. THRUST - The USPTO are currently processing the 8 year extension for this mark
2. SCAVENGER - As of August 10th, 2011 this mark was renewed under the 10 year renewal (meaning it has been 10 years since it was registered)
   
3. ELITA-1 - As of the 5th August 2011, this mark was suspended.  Hasbro have been notified of this in writing and will need to appeal against the decision if they wish to register it again.
   
4. TRANSFORMERS PRIME - This mark was extended on the 3rd August 2011
5. SPEED STARS - August 3rd, 2011
6. TRANSFORMERS ONE - August 3rd, 2011
7. MECHTECH - August 1st, 2011

Thanks to Snakas for pointing out that Amazon Japan has a listing for Figure King 162.  The issue inludes interviews with developers at Tomy, information on the Mech Tech toys as well as information on MP-10 Convoy, Starscream MIX Technology, Ultimate Optimus Prime, Revoltech Movie Optimus Prime and more.  The magazine comes with a special card which is part of the iheat scramble card game that is set to be released in Japan

Below is a partial translation of the Amazon page.

Figure King Issue 162 includes interviewes with developers at Tomy.  The interview covers information and concept imaes from the Microman, Daiclone and Micto-TD series along with other area.

There is an area talking about the impast of the Transformers Movies in Japan, and the impact on the Transformers brand.

Transformers toy wise, the Transformers Dark of the Moon Mech Tech lines are shown (set for release in August), along with Ultimate Optimus Prime (release planned for Autumn), Starscream MIX Technology, MP-10 Convoy (introduction, images of accessories, details on gimmicks.  The images also include picture of the Spike and Roller toys that come with the figure.

I have added to new Japanese Hobby Magazine image galleries to the website containing scans from the July issues of both TV Boy and Hyper Hobby.

The TV Boy image scans include a new image of the Lucky Draw Transformers Dark of the Moon Bumblebee and Ultimate Optimus Prime figures.

The scans are mirrors of images taken by ModXToys.com

­ Artist, Guido Guidi, has updated his ­deviantART page with a preview image that is from the comic story that will be included in Million Publishing's Transformers Generations 2011 Volume 2 book.  The image features Headmasters Chromedome and Highbrow along with Transformers United Stepper and Kup.  You can view the image by clicking the link above.

Here is how Guido described the piece:

"Courtesy of Million Publishing, here's a sneak peek preview of the comic that will be included in the Vol.2 of Transformers Generations 2011!

In this panel: United Stepper (the new exclusive targetmaster toy), United Sergeant Kup and... Headmasters Chromedome & Highbrow "old marvel" style...
Looks like the United continuity in Japan recovered old paths
Stay tuned for more!

Story by Simon Furman
Art by Guido Guidi
Published by Million Publishing"

I have added another Japanese Hobby Magazine gallery to the magazine section of the website.  Today's update is a gallery featuring scans from the latest issue of Hyper Hobby Magazine, the June 2011 issue.

The scans come courtesy of ­ModXToys.com

We have added a new image gallery into the Books section of the resources area of the website containing 40 images from the Transformers: Generations 2011 Vol 1book that was released by Million Publishing.

The book covers figures from the Transformers: Revenge, Transformers: DarkSide Moon, Transformers Animated and Transformers United as well as some new images of the Generation One Rodimus Prime hardcopy that was shown of a few months ago within the page of Hyper Hobby magazine.  The book also includes two interviews, one with TakaraTomy the other with Kabaya, a small section on the Japanese toy leaflets, the final part of the Unite for the Universe comic and a look at the character designs for Transformers Animated.

The book is still for sale and we advise anyone who is interested to pick up a copy from a re-seller or direct from Amazon Japan.

YouTuber Peaugh has posted his video review of Transformers Dark of the Moon Powerglide and Blackout.  The toys are part of the Cyberverse Commanders.  You can watch the video below.