Takara's Power Core Combiner / United EX Story Details, via Figure King & Packaging Options

[Hydra]

Oh, Figure King rocks. They gave it a nice preview.
Ater seeing those bigger scans, I went out and picked it up myself.

Here's what they printed on EX:

Story:
"In the 21st century, the war of the Transformers has shifted to space, and seemed for a while that peace had returned to Earth. However, during that time the Autobots had been working together with Earth scientist Professor Chase to develop a new combination system. With it, Autobots would use Power Core Combination to combine themselves with 4 Drones. The Autobot warriors chosen for the process became part of the group known as the Master Class. At the same time, a covert counter-team of Decepticons with the same capability, "Master Chaos," was formed."

The story told on the package backs reflects the atmosphere of the United series, while including characters from earlier Transformers series such as wheelchair-bound genius Chip Chase.

Combatmaster Prime Mode
A Decepticon strategic commander who has been active since the early stages of the war, Combat Master combines with 4 military vehicles. The weapons that line his body provide devastating firepower. In the story, his drones were stolen from the Autobot Chopper Master, who they were originally developed for.

Drones: Morser Drone, Panzer Drone, Kanonier Drone, Spaher Drone

Jetmaster Prime Mode
The Autobot spy Jetmaster combines with 4 jet and helicopter Drones. Jetmaster was the first Autobot to successfully achieve Power Core Combination. The character features details referencing earlier Transformers series, such as that the data for his drones was gathered from the Aerialbots, and that he was born on Planet Z.

Drones: Zone Drone, Feminia Drone, Micro Drone, Tenth Drone

Aerial Warrior Choppermaster
Targetmaster: Firebug

Polar Commander Rollermaster
Targetmaster: Spanner

Hopefully the story will comvince some people to buy PCC when they're out next month.

-Hydra

[Powered Convoy]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon-silverbolt.gif)

I said it before and I'll say it again, Hydra you magnificent bastard!

Love the storyline. So much better than Hasbro's "storyline" for them. Goes to show what a story can do to make figures more interesting. I know I'm now excited for these guys and will be buying them.

Randy

[Chris McFeely]

*flails*

Another entry into the all-consuming Japanese G1 cartoon continuity beast, from the sound of it! Hee HEE, check out how Jetmaster's drones are all named after planets from "Zone"...

This post has been edited by Chris McFeely: Aug 27 2012, 09:30 AM

[Monzo]

Jetmaster BETTER have a special attack that involves crayon-colored rainbows.

[Mouse_Pad]

The Master Class are the Aryans of Cybertron.

[Sabrblade]

*flails*

Another entry into the all-consuming Japanese G1 cartoon continuity beast, from the sound of it! Hee HEE, check out how Jetmaster's drones are all named after planets from "Zone"...

Are you sure? Since this is United, it could just be another part of the United manga continuity with lots of elements inspired by the JG1 cartoon continuity added in. Who's to say Chip Chase and all those planets don't also exist in the United universe?

[robo_rob]

This is acceptable.

[Chris McFeely]

*flails*

Another entry into the all-consuming Japanese G1 cartoon continuity beast, from the sound of it! Hee HEE, check out how Jetmaster's drones are all named after planets from "Zone"...

Are you sure? Since this is United, it could just be another part of the United manga continuity with lots of elements inspired by the JG1 cartoon continuity added in. Who's to say Chip Chase and all those planets don't also exist in the United universe?

This being a product of Japan, I feel pretty confident in my analysis of it. It's just how it works nine times out of ten.

This post has been edited by Chris McFeely: Aug 27 2012, 11:09 AM

[Hydra]

Now that this preview is out there, it's probably safe for me to explain a few things about this, but...

United EX was written to be part of the Japanese G1 cartoon continuity, as it explicitly takes place near the end of G1. It's not linked to the one-shot Generations manga. This becomes very clear as the story progresses.

My understanding of the United toyline itself is that it doesn't have its own unique continuity (although there are new story elements introduced in it), and basically just depicts various moments of Transformers history, primarily from the Japanese cartoon continuity. Granted, some of the toy forms differ from their G1 cartoon depictions, but that was true for G1 itself...

Some of the naming, such as Master Class and Master Chaos, and obviously individual guys like Grimmaster and Racemaster, is admittedly a little clunky in English, as it was intended for the Japanese market. The product names were determined already, and the Master... was my effort to explain why a whole slew of Transformers might all be called ****Master.

The basic premise is that during a short period of peace on Earth, when most of the fighting occurred offworld, the Autobots were working together with human military organizations to create a combination technology that could be made useful either in times of peace or war. Because most of the more experienced Autobots are away from Earth, they needed to design the system to provide the wearer with considerable power, since the Decepticons gathering on Earth once again might otherwise be a disaster for the remaining Autobot forces. Thus, Prime Mode: a combination form designed to bestow the core with might rivaling that of the Autobots' great leader.

The codename for this group was "Master Class," a gathering of young Autobot professionals in various fields such as recon, defense, construction, etc. who intended to use their skills for the benefit of Earth. Because of the classified nature of the project, each received their own codename, "Masters" with their actual identity not made public. Some joined the team to gain experience, some to prove themselves, and some to make up for past misdeeds. At the same time, a small group of Decepticons lying dormant on Earth got wind of this and formed a counter-group they called "Master Chaos," seeking to seize the drones and take control of Earth in Megatron's absence.

I'll be very excited to see if Japanese fans enjoy the story when the releases begin next month.

-Hydra

This post has been edited by Hydra: Aug 27 2012, 11:47 AM

[ZacWilliam1]

Great Job, Hydra!

It's just really great to see PCCs really get fiction. And to get it as part of G1.

I like the idea of the Master Class vs. Master Chaos. I've been around academia that the idea of a "Master Class" has just the right feel to me for a group name. In the same way "Headmasters" does. Heh, if the Headmasters taught the Master Class something it'd be fairly amusing to me.

I'm curious if the single figures with minicons will get fiction or just the two packs? I like the name reuse with Firebug and Spanner and am curious about them and Their partners.


-ZacWilliam, fiction can make any toy exciting to me. I love the idea of Drones based on Aerialbots or named after Zone planets. Probably gonna borrow facets of these fiction for my US PCCs.

This post has been edited by ZacWilliam1: Aug 27 2012, 11:54 AM

[robo_rob]

I have esp

Weird, I remember years ago when these guys were first coming out, I jokingly said they should be in the same continuity as the Micromaster Combiners. Then when they finally get some sort of story line, they come right around where the Micromaster Combiners were introduced.

Wonder if this will always work?

I'm gonna win the lottery

*fingers crossed*

[Sabrblade]

United EX was written to be part of the Japanese G1 cartoon continuity, as it explicitly takes place near the end of G1.

At what point in the timeline would that be, exactly? Between The Headmasters and Masterforce? Between Zone and Return of Convoy? Between Operation Combination and G-2? Between G-2 and the post-G-2 e-HOBBY manga? After the post-G-2 e-HOBBY manga?

If it's after the e-HOBBY stuff, what became of Galvatron II and MP Ghost Starscream? Both were still at large last we saw them.

[Terrortron]

United EX was written to be part of the Japanese G1 cartoon continuity, as it explicitly takes place near the end of G1.

At what point in the timeline would that be, exactly? Between The Headmasters and Masterforce? Between Zone and Return of Convoy? Between Operation Combination and G-2? Between G-2 and the post-G-2 e-HOBBY manga? After the post-G-2 e-HOBBY manga?

If it's after the e-HOBBY stuff, what became of Galvatron II and MP Ghost Starscream? Both were still at large last we saw them.

I doubt it's after the e-HOBBY stuff, Chip Chase would be extremely old, if not dead. I'm wagering it's before or just after Masterforce.

[edit] Although... The Zone Drone kinda throws a monkey wrench in that theory.

This post has been edited by Terrortron: Aug 27 2012, 01:01 PM

[Powered Convoy]

Probably gonna borrow facets of these fiction for my US PCCs.

Nope. You can't. Gotta buy the United EX figures to use the fiction. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon-fire.gif)

All kidding aside, the storyline sounds very promising.

Randy

[Lukeblast]

While I like that there is an explanation for all the "Master" names, I'm curious when those names were taken up. Where the characters known by other names prior to becoming Master Class/Chaos, or did they start out as Chopper, Jet, Combat, etc?

Because if they did, I think a Decepticon named "Roller" really should have a cool story behind it... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon-fire.gif)

This post has been edited by Lukeblast: Aug 27 2012, 01:05 PM

[ZacWilliam1]

United EX was written to be part of the Japanese G1 cartoon continuity, as it explicitly takes place near the end of G1.

At what point in the timeline would that be, exactly? Between The Headmasters and Masterforce? Between Zone and Return of Convoy? Between Operation Combination and G-2? Between G-2 and the post-G-2 e-HOBBY manga? After the post-G-2 e-HOBBY manga?

If it's after the e-HOBBY stuff, what became of Galvatron II and MP Ghost Starscream? Both were still at large last we saw them.

I doubt it's after the e-HOBBY stuff, Chip Chase would be extremely old, if not dead. I'm wagering it's before or just after Masterforce.

[edit] Although... The Zone Drone kinda throws a monkey wrench in that theory.

Maybe Chip biogenetically augments himself for longer life?

Heck, maybe Professor Chase has already become Prowl 2 at this point? If that's not mixing continuities in some weird way.

Probably gonna borrow facets of these fiction for my US PCCs.

Nope. You can't. Gotta buy the United EX figures to use the fiction. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon-fire.gif)

Wish I could. I really like a few of those colors, but woooo, those prices.

While I like that there is an explanation for all the "Master" names, I'm curious when those names were taken up. Where the characters known by other names prior to becoming Master Class/Chaos, or did they start out as Chopper, Jet, Combat, etc?

Was wondering that myself.


-ZacWilliam, for some reason, wants the fiction for these to include a secret HQ hidden inside a mountain where P. Chase works.

This post has been edited by ZacWilliam1: Aug 27 2012, 01:18 PM

[Sabrblade]

Maybe Chip biogenetically augments himself for longer life?

Heck, maybe Professor Chase has already become Prowl 2 at this point? If that's not mixing continuities in some weird way.

Or, this Professor Chase could be the son of Chip Chase?

[Hydra]

While I like that there is an explanation for all the "Master" names, I'm curious when those names were taken up. Where the characters known by other names prior to becoming Master Class/Chaos, or did they start out as Chopper, Jet, Combat, etc?

Because if they did, I think a Decepticon named "Roller" really should have a cool story behind it... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon-fire.gif)

The first volume of the story will let you know exactly when it takes place. It's during G1, so it's long prior to e-HOBBY's post-G2 stories. Chip Chase is getting up there in years, although I kind of assumed that his body had spent a good 10 or so years in stasis, per his involvement in the Binaltech fiction.

What's fun about the story is that pretty much every one of the characters is suggested to be a pre-existing Transformer, some more minor than others. Some might be a little controversial, but I had fun with it. I wrote the drone names, functions, etc. as clues, so fans can enjoy putting the pieces together.

-Hydra

[Terrortron]

Now I've gotta figure out how much I want these guys and whether or not the PCC versions will satisfy me (I doubt it). If it gets manga my wallet is definitely screwed.

[Hydra]

Now I've gotta figure out how much I want these guys and whether or not the PCC versions will satisfy me (I doubt it). If it gets manga my wallet is definitely screwed.

No manga at the moment, but let me just say that the back-of-box art ROCKS.

-Hydra