TFW2005.com report that the Asian exclusive ­Transformers Dark of the Moon Ultimate Optimus Prime "Year of the Dragon Edition" has now been released.  Price at 999RMB the figure is a repaint of the Ultimate Optimus Prime figure which comes with a red trailer sporting a gold dragon to represent the year of the dragon/

You can view some images over on the TFW2005 message board.

MillionPublishing have posted some new images of there "very-soon-to-be-released" exclusive figure Transformers United Stepper.  The toy, which was available via the Generations Book is a recolour of Transformers United / Transformers Reveal The Shield Jazz based on the Generation One Stepper figure, so he comes complete with his targetmaster partner.  You can view three preview images below but there are more available on the Million Publishing website here and here.

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The Allspark are reporting that Transformers Masterpiece Black Rodimus is now out in Asia.

Released in Asia last week and now arriving to mail boxes in Japan is Masterpiece MP-9B Black Rodimus Convoy!  This figure is a redeco of, you guessed it, MP-9 Rodimus Convoy!  The figure features an all new 'electric' color scheme sure to please fans.  The e-Hobby version also comes with a special exclusive comic book (which, if the past has taught us anything, will not be included in the general Asian release stocked at most North American retailers).

Thanks to Full Metal Hero member Baltmatrix for posting a video review of the KO TOYS Dial and Zaur

When I first laid eyes on this set I had to have it. As a G1 fan I have been lusting after these guys for years but have never had the desire to part with the $200.00 asking price for the originals. I thought that this would be a great way to get the set for cheap. Sadly, this set is not worth the $40.00 asking price. $10.00 or $15.00 yes, but no more than that.

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• DA-28 Striker Optimus Prime and his store give-a-way incentive battle blades
• DD-09 Human Alliance Soundwave with Laserbeark and Dylan Gould
• CV-26 Cyberverse Legion Soundwave
• DA-34 Deluxe Leadfoot
• DA-33 Deluxe Air Raid
• Encore Devastator
• Lucky Draw Gold Chrome Plated Voyager Sentinel Prime

We are waiting on scans from TV Magazine December 2011, as the December issues include draw prizes.

Nevermore has put together an interesting article on Starblight called From drawing board to store shelf: The development of a Transformers toy

... the first part of a multi-part article series in which I (Nevermore) will attempt to explain the development process of a Transformers toy. As my basis for this compilation, I use various materials which have made their way into the fandom one way or another over the years, for example via Japanese sourcebooks or BotCon presentations. In addition, there are various details which have come up from Q&A rounds with Hasbro at BotCon or as part of the (discontinued) Q&A program for fan sites. In some instances, I also use information gathered from conversations with (usually former) Hasbro employees.

If this article interests you then make sure you come to Roll Out Roll Call 2012, as there are several panels on this type of content.

Alexander Kubalsky has created a profile on DeviantArt which includes concept art for the Transformers Classics toys, Transformers Real Gear and Transformers Movie Toys along with Transformers Animated transformations as well as Classics for Hot Rod.

here are some concept sketches and photos of Transformers related work up. Some interesting behind the scenes drawings.

Nothing Transformers related, but we've been talking about this for years with freinds .. a Lego Movie

2014 will see the release of the first ever Lego movie. A specific release date is still to be announced.

The finished work will reportedly be a mix of animation with live action scenes and will be '80 per cent Lego'.

Australian effects company vfx-toon will produce the animation with Phil Lord and Chris Miller – the team behind 2009's CGI hit Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs - writing the script.

The movie looks set to provide another boost to the Lego brand. The partnership between Warner and Lego has already seen the construction toy spun into a series of CG-animated cartoons and a successful line of video games based on licences like Star Wars and Pirates of the Caribbean.

­KOToys.com recently announced that a Knock-Off Weirdwolf will be released before the end of the year. The figure will also be released at the same time as another knock-off set of knock-off Headmaster heads.  Both toys followup from the release of Abominus who will be released at any time.

You can view all of the images of this figure here and we suggest comparing them to the original toy so you can tell the difference. You can also find a selection of images below.

For those not keeping up with the knock-off releases the recently released fake Japanese Dinosaur cassettes are already being sold on Yahoo Japan as the originals for high prices which is a trend that is expected to continue over the coming months as well as spreading to western auction sites such as eBay­

­KOToys.com have posted lots of new images of their upcoming recoloured knock-off Transformers figure Powerrat.  Powerrat is a recoloured version of the CHSM Powerglide toy painted up, with decals, to look like the Cobra Rattler from G.I-Joe.  You can view some of the images below, but we advise you to drop by the KOToys forum to view all of the images.

The figure will be avai­lable to order soon and is limited to 300 pieces.

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MakeToys have update­d their site with clear images of Giant (Devastator) in combined form as well as individual robot and vehicle modes.

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Our thanks go out to Mr Neurie for letting us know, via twitter, that Smyths have reduced the Ultimate Optimus Prime figure to £49.99, yes that is an incredible £40 off!  You can view an image of the toy at this  price below.

A review of the CHMS Xtransbots Glider has been posted YouKu, a Chinese video sharing / social network. Whilst the reviewer ris speaking Chinese the video us all a great look at thhis up-scaled version of the JaziToys Powerglide figure. You can virew the video below

Following up from the recent announcement of the Dream Toys 2011, the British Toy Retailers Association has now listed their category specific top tops which includes Transformers in the Boys Toys. You can view the list below

Bakugan Dragonoid Collossus - Spin Master - £39.99
Ben 10 Ultimate Alien - Ultimate Ultimatrix - Bandai - £19.99
Cars 2 Fully Secret Spy Attack Finn McMissile - Mattel - £30.99
Doctor Who Personalise Your Own Sonic Screwdriver Set - Character - £19.99
Hot Wheels Wall Tracks - Mattel - £29.99
Nerf N-Strike Barricade RV-10 Blaster - Hasbro - £17.99
Nerf Vortex Nitron Blaster - Hasbro - £44.99
Star Wars Ultimate Force Tech Lightsaber Asst - Hasbro - £39.99
Toy Story Turbo Glow Buzz Lightyear - Mattel - £41.99
Transformers Ultimate Optimus Prime - Hasbro - £69.99