Takara Tomy’s Shizuoka Hobby Show 2025 lineup dominates this week, from the Zoids x Diaclone x Transformers Shield D Prime to the Macross 7 crossover Basara Prime. The crew weighs the Adamas Machina AMT-02 Predaking color sample, Masterpiece MPG-18 Hauler and a surprisingly large MPG-17 Optimus Prime. Auldey’s Alpha Action Elite wave 2 and Blokees Galaxy Version wave 7 round out the news. In What We Got This Week, Chris scores a Perfect Effect core robot for $60, Don completes his Legends Liokaiser, and Matt finally lands Dr. Wu’s Squawktalk and Beastbox.
News
Hasbro Pulse Restores Pre-Orders Without Price Increases
Diecast flagged that Hasbro Pulse pre-orders went back up without price increases. Hasbro had pulled existing pre-orders after May 9 while it expected tariff-driven price changes. For several days, most Hasbro Pulse items showed as sold out or unavailable. Previously listed items can now be pre-ordered again, presumably at the original prices. The crew noted tariffs remain in place, so the long-term picture is still unclear. [Source: Ghostbusters News]
Zoids x Diaclone x Transformers Shield D Prime Revealed at Shizuoka
Takara Tomy showed Shield D Prime, a three-way crossover built on the Shield Liger. It transforms rather than disassembling, uses a Diaclone pilot and reportedly includes a Diaclone motorbike. One host explained that modern Zoids have moved from motorized kits toward poseable, Masterpiece-style models. Brian said he would buy it if it could actually wind up and walk. One host would have preferred the Blade Liger. Don tried a late joke about the gears. [Source: TFW2005]
Macross 7 x Transformers Basara Prime Gets New Gray Prototype Images
Basara Prime pairs Optimus Prime with Basara’s VF-19 from Macross 7, guitar included. One host called it a Valkyrie skin on the back of a folded-up robot. The crew wondered whether Harmony Gold would interfere, though one host believes those rights disputes have eased. Rob felt the crossover made the toy worse and said a music-themed jet should be Blaster, Rodimus Prime or Jetfire. One host argued a Macross x Diaclone pairing would fit better. Brian is not buying it. [Source: TFW2005]
Transformers x Evangelion Collaboration Teased
A teaser image hinted at a Transformers x Evangelion collaboration. The crew guessed it will be another Optimus Prime, since the silhouette still reads as a truck body. One host compared it to the MP-10 recolor in Evangelion Unit-01 colors. Brian has never watched Evangelion and probably won’t get it unless it wins him over. [Source: TFW2005]
Adamas Machina AMT-02 Predaking Color Sample Shown
Takara showed a color sample of the Adamas Machina AMT-02 Predaking. Don likes it but fears the price. Rob predicted it would be either affordable and unmanageably small or enormous and expensive. Spencer Wild shared size comparisons in the Discord chat. A separate photo suggests Predaking stands in roughly the same height class as the AMT-01 Rodimus. One host noted it is a stylized take, much like a statue. [Source: TFW2005]
Adamas Machina AMT-01EX Rodimus Lost Light Version
The AMT-01 IDW Rodimus returns as a Lost Light redeco. Per Spencer Wild’s comparison, the original stands about a head and a half taller than the Thrilling 30 Springer-mold Rodimus. It sold for around $200. One host never liked these colors on Rodimus. Another felt they make story sense but would look better as flat colors than metallics. [Source: TFW2005]
Masterpiece MPG-18 Hauler Joins the Lineup
Masterpiece MPG-18 Hauler reuses the Grapple and Inferno mold. The crew suspects leftover Devastator green, though Rob spotted a slightly more chartreuse tone. One host compared it to the Black Ironhide release as a mold-reuse space filler. Another praised the Grapple and Inferno Masterpiece and its hidden crane transformation. One host already owns the Mastermind Creations version. [Source: TFW2005]
MPG-17 Optimus Prime Style Gen Color Sample Shows Its Size
A new photo put MPG-17 Optimus Prime beside Transmetal 2 Cybershark Skybite. Prime stands about half again as tall, which surprised the crew. One host now expects Power of the Primes Optimus Prime height, while another guessed MP-10 size. Brian admitted he doesn’t collect Masterpiece but quietly pre-ordered this one, and he doesn’t regret it. One host hopes it starts a new non-cartoon Masterpiece style. [Source: TFW2005]
Missing Link C-09 Cybertron Hero Set Brings Anime Bumblebee and Cliffjumper
Don raised the Missing Link C-09 two-pack of Bumblebee and Cliffjumper. The minor redecos add cartoon-style heads, grays on Cliffjumper and unchromed weapons. Each figure originally sold for $40, so the set should run at least $80. One host had hoped the first reuse would be red Bumblebee and yellow Cliffjumper. The crew expects plenty more repaints from these molds. The talk drifted to a dream G1 Missing Link Unicron and Takara’s Grand Maximus pre-order campaign. [Source: TFW2005]
Auldey Alpha Action Elite Wave 2 and Chase Figures Revealed
Auldey’s wave 2 includes Elita-1, Perceptor, Bumblebee, Shrapnel, Megatron, Skywarp and Black Convoy. Brian likes the look but finds them a little too poseable and has no room for a third non-transforming line. One host noted heavy part reuse from wave 1, with Skywarp reusing Starscream wholesale. The chase figures include a Goldbug and Bugbite two-pack, labeled Shattered Glass Bumblebee. A toy-version Megatron chase drew the most envy. These appear aimed at the Chinese market. [Source: TFW2005]
Blokees Galaxy Version Wave 7 Continues Transformers One
Chris covered the second Transformers One wave of Blokees Galaxy Version. B-127 and Orion Pax now have their cogs, joined by D-16, Alpha Trion, Elita-1, Starscream, Soundwave and Shockwave. A silver recolor from the previous wave and Final Form Megatron, with a metallic chase, complete the set. Chris thinks the Transformers One designs suit the Blokees style perfectly. He would grab a few if Walmart stocks them. [Source: TFW2005]
Blokees Action Edition Soundwave Promo Video Released
The larger Blokees Action Edition Soundwave includes electronic speech clips. One clip ejects Laserbeak and Ravage, while another says, “Decepticon master, I’m yours to command.” Chris suspects some translation issues but likes it as an easy-build kit. The crew noted some Walmarts already carry Action Edition Optimus Prime and Bumblebee. One host hopes steady $5 Blokees sales keep Walmart ordering both scales. [Source: TFW2005]
What We Got This Week
Brian
Brian bought four Blokees Galaxy Version Series 5 figures at Walmart for $5 each, including B-127, Orion Pax and D-16. He also got three licensed Transformers Key Blasters from Gabe’s, little cars with ejector keys. His big pickup was the At the Movies collector’s edition of The Transformers: The Movie soundtrack on vinyl. It comes in Unicron colors with thick, premium sleeves. The cover art scan still looks blurry, just like the previous reissue.
Chris
Chris spotted a store listing for a Titans Return Optimus Prime with a Perfect Effect PC-16 core robot inside. He paid $60 for the Power Master trailer unit, the core robot, the PC-15 upgrade parts and the small Power Master figure. The robot is complete but missing its option hands and rifle. Its waist swivel is very loose, which he plans to fix. Chris calls it his score of the year and plans to pair it with the Legends LG-EX God Ginrai.
Diecast
Diecast had nothing in Transformers this week.
Don
Don got the last part of his Legends Liokaiser, with Death Cobra. He now has the full set and looks forward to combining it.
Matt
Matt picked up the rerun of Dr. Wu’s mini cassettes Squawktalk and Beastbox after missing them the first time. He loves the wacky late G1 colors and Beastbox’s monkey mode. He already has Grand Slam and Raindance, and the dino cassettes are waiting in his Big Bad Toy Store pile.
Rob
Rob had nothing on topic this week.