I seen these at my collectors shop, think I'm going to pick up Optimus soon. As for anyone else, I'll wait till the Elite Guard characters come out. Thats what I'm excited to see :] I sure hope they fix the hand issue on this woman!
ANIMATED Lockdown I introduce a photograph of Lockdown.A chest has the additional painting to an arm. A pipe and the engine are metallic silver. Lockdown：ロックダウン Function：Decepticons Bounty Hunter:ディセプティコン・バウンティーハンター motto（JAPAN ver.） 『逃げてみろ、狩る楽しみが増えるだけだ！』 Strength :7 Intelligence :8 Speed :8 Endurance :8 Rank :4 Courage :8 Firepower :7 Skill :10 His vehicle mode is introduced with a "muscle car（マッスルカー）" "illegal remodeling car（違法改造車）". It is the information of 2channels, but a rumor with "Akio Otuka（大塚 明夫）" streams down the voice actor of Lockdown. I report the story of the voice actor if I can confirm a followup.
I don't like most of the japanese Animated. Maybe because I'm used to the western versions, but still... Why shiny metallic paint? I also don't like the packaging. It's just not Animated. I'm only getting the Japan exclusives if I like them.
So TakaraTomy can charge more for their toys and give collectors an incentive to purchase their toys over the Hasbro versions. Many people are attracted to shiny objects.
Metallic paint is a trademark for Takara products dated back from Microman and Diaclone era (some said it is even further back before those toys). Price for toys have always been expensive in Japan. Among fans Takara is known to produce "cheap" toys for many years. Since they cannot use die-cast for their toys (due to budget reason and don't want to follow Bandai's chogokin toys. Their best toy ever with metal parts is the magnet combiners) they will use chrome and metallic paint to make the toy look "heavier" and "sturdier".
