Here's one small detail I'd like to add to counter Sabrblade's theory:
Based on some old information which I've collected almost 20 years ago, wave 4 of the RID Basics made its retail debut ca. January 2002. Now the RID general retail figures had five-digit product codes that started with an...
I know I haven't been around in a while. Yes, I'm still alive, and no, I haven't stopped collecting Transformers.
Anyway: A few days ago, I stumbled across something on TFWiki that caught my attention, so I looked into it and ended up having to fix an incorrect claim.
The Japanese release of...
Almost. The matching Mini-Con redeco ("Trigger") was available separately as part of a "Micron Booster" batch along with the redecoed Mini-Cons/Microns Wrench, Clamp and Gauge to match the Armada Blurr, Hoist and Side Swipe retools Blurr, Longrack and Runabout (named "Runamuck" for the Hasbro...
In Germany, there is a fictional member of parliament, but it is clearly intended as a joke and everyone is aware of that.
https://www.spdfraktion.de/abgeordnete/mierscheid
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jakob_Maria_Mierscheid
(That "person" was also never up for vote.)
The Transformers-specific AT4W intro debuted in the "Deviations" review from last September, i.e. literally the very first video I posted in this thread.
Yeah. They're identifying the strategy as an ultra right-wing intimidation method that's also seeing use in Germany.
And calling Matt Walsh a fascist using fascist methods. "Surprise."
An update on my part:
Feeling much better overall, been back to work for a while now. Also had an MRI of my cervical spine, and it turns out I have a minor spinal disc herniation, which might explain some of my symptoms.
Got a prescription for physical therapy.