3rd Party group Maketoys has updated their facebook with coloured images of a testshot of their upcoming Protectobot Blades figure Katana. The images show the weapons and poseability of the figure whom is the fourth member of the Gaurdia gestalt behind Axel (Groove), Rover (Streetwise) and Vulcan (Hotspot).

You can view the images after the jump

The latest Hasbro Fan Choice poll is now live to determine the “Titan” size class figures in the Transformers Titans Return that will follow on from next years Fortress Maximus. Fans can vote for either Trypticon, Scorponok, or Omega Supreme via the official Transformers Facebook Page, by posting a comment using the hashtag :

– #VoteTrypticon
– #VoteScorponok
– #VoteOmegaSupreme

The winner will be announced at a later date and will be available for purchase in late 2017.

The Transformers Brand Team held a Google Hangout earlier this week in conjunction with Hunter PR and following on from the secret Hasbro UK retailer show where Hasbro revealed some new figures and marketing campaigns for the rest of 2015 and into 2016. 

TFW2005, Seibertron, TFU.Info and BWTFs were amongst those invited to the event with TFW2005 publishing a nice summary of what was revealed and the questions that were raised.

The short version is as follows:

Fortress Maximus confirmed
Titan fan vote – Omega Supreme vs. Trypticon vs. Scorponok
G2 Bruticus boxset
Leader class Powermaster Optimus Prime
New Minicon type for RID
New product line – Alt-Modes

Read on to check out images and details!

 

Generations: Fortress Maximus Confirmed

Way back at Botcon 2015 we saw hints at Fortress Maximus via some artwork on display at the booth. Various rumors and leaks have surfaced since then, but now it’s official. Fortress Maximus is coming in 2016 in the Titan Class scale. He looks to be a heavy remold of Metroplex. Only artwork was shown, see the attached images below.

Vote for the next Titan Class Figure

Starting November 24th on the official Transformers Facebook Page (Facebook.com/Transformers), fans will be able to cast a vote for which of the following fan-favorite characters should be added to the line:

Scorponok
Trypticon
Omega Supreme

Starting on 11/20, fans will be treated to campaign-style posts featuring each of the three characters, leading up to the official voting post, which will go up on 11/24 at 1 pm EST. The vote will be active from 1:00 PM EST to 3:00 AM EST. Fans will be able to vote in the comments section of the post.

Additionally, this will be the first Transformers Fan Vote that will include fans from China. Chinese fans will be voting on WeChat, and their vote totals will be joined with the Facebook vote totals to determine the winner, whose identity will be shared with fans in the near future.

The winner is planned for release in Fall 2017.

Generations: G2 Bruticus Box Set Confirmed

Bruticus will also be getting the G2 treatment to go along with Menasor and Superion in boxset form. All the funky colors are present, and he will come with Shockwave, featuring his Actionmaster deco. No word on where he will be available, exclusive or not.

Generations: Leader Class Optimus Prime Confirmed

The second Leader figure to go along with Blaster in the Titans Returns line next year will be none other than Powermaster Optimus Prime. He comes with a Headmaster Apex, the Powermaster / Engine angle is not present, tho references to the old school figure’s gimmick is present in robot mode. He is a super heavy retool of Leader Class Ultra Magnus. He is also a triple changer with a base mode like Blaster.

Robots In Disguise: New Minicons and Deployers

RID will be getting several new offerings next year. Battle Packs which feature an almost-Warrior scale figure (between commander and warrior) and Minicon, with Energon like weapons and armor that then combine into a big super weapon. Drift and Overload get the Deployers treatment and interact with a new type of Minicon – Cyclones. We will also be getting a Minicon 4 Pack with Blizzard and Desert themes. Check all the pics below, waves and names are in the file names / captions. All due out in early 2016.

ALT-Modes: New Line

A new sub-line of Generations will be hitting called ALT-Modes which feature a tiny body and giant head, that does transform with a one step action. The giant head just rests on the tiny body / alt mod regardless of the mode. A mix of bobble heads, POP! and those Burger King Movie toys from a couple years ago. Looks to focus on G1 characters and should provide ample character shelf filler. These will be available via blind box.

We were able to ask some questions as well, here is a summary of what was asked and answered (paraphrased from audio recording):

TFW2005: Might there be a possibility of seeing some homages to other Transformers shows such as Beast Wars, the original Robots in Disguise, or Transformers Armada in the future?

Yes, nothing specific mentioned. Generations is a place to celebrate all versions of Transformers past, and they are aware of the anniversaries next year (86 Movie, Beast Wars, OGRID). Generations can be the place to celebrate those beyond the Titans Return story line.

TFW2005: Any characters the team would liked to have done but couldn’t for timing, cost, or other reasoning?

Answers swung into the Titans offered in the vote, all members mentioned one or the other. Biggest challenge long term is getting the figures they want to do in the proper scale.

We also slid in a strong request for Brave Max before asking our question.

TFW2005 – Takara Tomy Groove – any plans to bring him over?

Long pause, looks. Anything they do is up for grabs, they follow the chatter, nothing planned at the moment, they love Groove, keep an eye out.

BWTF – Most challenging piece to design out of all the ones you’ve shown.

RID – Weapon play, making them more than just a static weapon, the combining aspect.

Fort Max – size, weight, working with rest of line in base modes, layers upon layers of challenges.

ASM – How has switching from combiners to “Masters” / city modes changed the design process?

Dealing with base inter-connectivity, the miniature aspect of the characters, cockpit size across figures, being able to mine characters from late 80s. Head scale, went back and forth with Takara in relation to having them work across scales and figuring best size. Helmet gimmick addresses them being used on multiple class figures.

Seibertron – Repaint opportunities – Metrotitan, Black Zarak if Scorponok is done, etc.

Definitely possible, either from past lore or even current IDW series as there are Titans out there who haven’t been discovered yet. None yet planned. Metrotitan was talked about already and may be looked at in future.

Seibertron – Decision to not do Powermasters properly, the engine master etc?

Lots of “Masters” types in 80s. Wanted to make sure new fans could understand and they wanted to utilize a universal system in these new toys.

TRV – Any plans for more Masterpiece Decepticons?

Nothing that can be revealed at this time.

TFU – RID – Minicons on Auto / Decepticon sprue in slides?

Slides were reversed, Autobots will come on Autobot sprues, and vice versa, at retail.

BWTF – Are the RID armored Prime / Sideswipe Warrior class?

Little smaller, tried to keep articulation, comparable to old Commander, little bigger. Warrior style figure with the transforming weapons. Can hold (a pose) with weapon regardless of how big the weapon is.

TRV – CybertronCon – re-branding for Botcon or something else?

Hasbro looks to protect their trademarks as aggressively as they can – toys, characters or events around the world. Wanted to make sure it was protected in Asia. Committed to providing a fan experience around the world going forward, including Botcon 2016.

Seibertron – Overlord please. Can’t do PM OP without Overlord.

Laughs around the panel.

TFU – Victory Hill – will it affect Botcon?

Goal is to provide experience in all different forms. Children’s museum, traveling exhibits in Latin America, Casino stuff, Animatronic tour. It is not a fan convention, it’s an installment as seen with their other offerings for Avengers. Don’t see it replacing a fan convention, different experience.

TRV – Any more word on Machinima plans?

Nothing to announce at the moment. Machinima team is great, really understand Transformers. Should see a cross over with the toys and vice versa.

Statement from Jerry Jivoin – leaving main team, becoming head of marketing for Hasbro Italy, wants to say thanks to all the fans he’s met at the Conventions, excited for the brand and believes it’s in good hands.

Thanks again to Weibo user zMultiplier we can bring you the first look at the packaging for the upcoming Combiner Wars Generation Two Bruticus figure.

Thanks to Weibo user zmultiplier the first images of Titan Returns Powermaster Optimus Prime have now been posted online albeit as very small images.

TFYuki has revealed a new recolour of Springer is going to be released in Japan that is coloured much closer to the animation model of the character. You can view the announcement below

「LG19 スプラング」好評予約受付中♪ pic.twitter.com/FyjGfjQMTA

— TF YUKI (@TFYUKI) November 4, 2015

Takara have suprised everyone by announcing over on the Takara Tomy mall that they will be releasing Masterpiece Ramjet after all this time.  The figure is numbered MP-11NR and is a remold of the MP-11 Starscream figure. He is priced at $134 and will be released at the end of February 2016.  Does this mean that Dirge and Thrust will also finally be seeing official Masterpiece releases? We'd expect so.

View the images after the jump

Hasbro have released the first official renders of the upcoming Titan Returns Sentinel Prime figures which you can see below.

To view all of the official images Hasbro Inc have released since the New York Comic-Con, click the headline.

After New York Comic-Con last weekend, Hasbro Inc sent out a whole host of official product images including:

    Warrior Class Fracture
    Warrior Class Megatronus
    Warrior Class Optimus Prime (Arctic Camo redeco)
    Warrior Class Drift (Stealth redeco)
    Warrior Class Thunderhoof
    Warrior Class Quillfire
    Warrior Class Bumblebee (Night Strike redeco)
    Minicon Class Windstrike
    Minicon Class Blu
    Blizzard Strike Optimus Prime
    Ratchet
    Terribull
    Nightbeat
    Crashbash
    Loudmouth
    Skullcruncher w/ Grax
    Hardhead w/ Duros

You can view these images and more after the jump

K-Hobby Twitter feed and hobbylog.jp have posted images of grey prototypes for two new Transformers Masterpiece figures from TakaraTomy. The first is a new look at the recently announced new Hot Rod figure with the second reveal being an official Masterpiece Shockwave. Yes, we are finally getting a NEW Decepticon Masterpiece character.

You can view the images after the jump

Jaguarshoes Collective have put on an exhibition called Industrial Origami that is currently running in Shoreditch here in London England that features some work from Transformer designer Alex Kubalsky (Classics Mirage, Animated Black Arachnia, Real Gear High Score).  Alex will be holding a Q&A as well as a presentation this Thursday (September 24th) about transformable toys. The exhibition runs through November 1st. You can find more information below.

As part of London Design Festival and the Shoreditch design triangle 2015, Alexander Kabulsky will be showcasing an all new transformation design, a personal work for JaguarShoes.

Destined to be produced by a toy company later this year the new design will feature as part of Alex Kabulsky's product showcase and talk during design week, titled Industrial Origami at old Shoreditch and subsequently as part of an exhibition at DreamBagsJaguarShoes.

FREE FOR STUDENTS or BOOK A TICKET through Eventbrite

For more than 30 years transformation has been a staple part of the pop cultural landscape in the shape of Rransformers a toy and movie franchise, born in 1984 which grew from Japanese designed Takara toys, rebranded and distributed in the USA as Transformers.

However, the art of transformation design is an ancient practice, rooted in the well documented paper folding traditions of origami.

Today this highly specialised practice is permeating the design of both purposeful and frivolous objects in society. Since metropolitan living grows increasingly dense within it's confined spaces, it is an art form that will continue to grow across all mediums.

JaguarShoes Collective believe that this design practice is long overdue some well deserved admiration and celebration. Therefore we will be hosting a talk and Q&A on 24th September alongside an exhibition of work by prop and toy designer Alexander Kubalsky.

An accomplished product designer Alex specialises in the art of Transformable design and is commissioned by numerous commercial clients inc. Hasbro, Warner Films and many other multinational toy and film franchises.

For anyone with a love of Transforming, a desire to introduce this art to their practice or to pursue and career designing transforming objects' we recommend that you book a ticket in advance.

The  Taiwanese Transformers Fan group on Facebookhave posted two photographs of the Year Of The Monkey Platinum Edition Optimus Primal on the shelves of Taiwan.

Thanks to an Autobase Aichi for the initial report

One of the latest Japanese hobby magazines, probably Hyper Hobby (we need to confirm) has a silhoute image of a new Transformers Masterpiece Hot Rodimus toy (Hot Rod).  The figure is said to be built in the same scale as the post MP10 Masterpieces, making the new MP Rodimus around the size of Prowl and Sideswipe.

Several fans complained about the quality of the original Masterpiece Rodimus Convoy and have been clamering for a new, in scale, improved version of the character.  With 2016 celebrating the 30th anivsersay of Transformers: The Movie this may be the first of a few TFTM themed Masterpieces.

HK-TF’s Facebook page has been updated with images of  Unite Warriors Grand Scourge. Grand Scourge comes with two purple Ion Blasters, which can combine into one larger rifle, and the Matrix Breaker, a reused sword from the Beast Hunters Ultimate Class Optimus Prime.

The story behidn the sword is that its rumored to be so powerful that it cans separate the link between an Autobot leader and their Matrix of Leadership, which will be interesting to see if the character makes it into the show

For those keeping score this is the 6th use of the toy.

TakaraTomy have announced another reuse of the Masterpiece Sideswipe (Lambor) mold in the form of MP-14c Clampdown.  Clampdown was a character produce by Part One Limited for e-Hobby Shop.

http://takaratomymall.jp/shop/g/g4904810842545/

Click on the title for the story to see images