Hasbro "Transformers Timelines" comic packs

Sabrblade

Continuity Nutcase
Citizen
Having not seen any official commentary from Hasbro, Megatron being a boar demon might be loosely inspired by the pig creature Cho Hakkai from Journey to the West, who was likewise a loose inspiration for Ganon from The Legend of Zelda.
 

Donocropolis

Olde-Timey Member
Staff member
Council of Elders
Citizen
Huh! Those are unexpected alt modes. I was hoping for some sort of Feudal Japanese siege weapon for Megatron, but I have to admit that I do like that toy. Bumblebee is a bit weaker. The flying squirrel seemed odd to me, but I can see the through-line from his ufo Cybertronian form. I don't know that I'd get BB on his own, but in the 2 pack with Megatron and to complete the set, I'll definitely buy.

Hasbro, I would also buy that Megatron repainted as Snarler, especially with a new head.
 

PrimalxConvoy

NOT a New Member.
Citizen
Samurai Bumblebee & Megatron.jpg


Although we do still have wild boars in Japan, I've never seen flying squirrels here, either in real life, or alluded to in historical imagery. I still don't think these "Japanese-style" figures look really Japanese.

They should have used more famous mythological or well-known imagery, such as "kitsune" (fox), "tanuki" (the same racoon that Heinrad tfs into), a Japanese/Chinese dragon, a bear holding a fish in its mouth (popular wood sculpture), "oni" or "tengu" (demons), the original idea they had for a crane/stalk, "kirin" (Japanese/Chinese giraffe), etc.

52 Toys did a range of Chinese/Japanese mythical robo animals, including kirin, white tiger (which looks like Tigerhawk), Genbun (tortoise/snake "chimera"), Chinese dragon, etc.

They also should have gone with more "Japanese" characters, like Windblade, Banzaitron, Bludgeon and Drift.

I think, unless there official photos look really good, I might pass on these as they look a bit "weak sauce" and not "Japanese" enough for me.


 
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Haywire

Collecter of Gobots and Godzilla
Citizen
All Flying Squirrel Bumblebee does is make me want an Optimus Prime Moose. Optimoose Prime. Of course, sticking with the Timelines formula, that means Megatron and Starscream would have to have stereotypical east european spy-themed altmodes, but sacrifices have to be made for art:
"Come, Starscream, we must steal Energon from Moose and Squirrel!"
 

NovaSaber

Well-known member
Citizen
Although we do still have wild boars in Japan, I've never seen flying squirrels here, either in real life, or alluded to in historical imagery.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_dwarf_flying_squirrel
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_giant_flying_squirrel



I still don't think these "Japanese-style" figures look really Japanese.

They should have used more famous mythological or well-known imagery, such as "kitsune" (fox), "tanuki" (the same racoon that Heinrad tfs into), a Japanese/Chinese dragon, a bear holding a fish in its mouth (popular wood sculpture), "oni" or "tengu" (demons), the original idea they had for a crane/stalk, "kirin" (Japanese/Chinese giraffe), etc.
It seems like they wanted to use mechanical versions of real animals for all the alt-modes. Aside from Optimus's cart, the main "Japanese" theming (beyond simply being animals that exist in Japan) is the robot modes...and Bumblebee having a hachigane (forehead protector) in squirrel mode.

They also might have thought a kitsune ninja Bumblebee would be too similar to the Naruto collaborative they already did.

As for oni and tengu, that's basically what the robot modes on Megatron and Starscream are based on.
 

Shadewing

Well-known member
Citizen
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_dwarf_flying_squirrel
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_giant_flying_squirrel




It seems like they wanted to use mechanical versions of real animals for all the alt-modes. Aside from Optimus's cart, the main "Japanese" theming (beyond simply being animals that exist in Japan) is the robot modes...and Bumblebee having a hachigane (forehead protector) in squirrel mode.

They also might have thought a kitsune ninja Bumblebee would be too similar to the Naruto collaborative they already did.

As for oni and tengu, that's basically what the robot modes on Megatron and Starscream are based on.

Now I feel like I need to get them to go with this set...
 


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