Lets consider a few scenarios.

1) Someone drops you off in a country where Transformers toys are not sold, but the shows still air.

2) Goodness forbid, Transformers toys have stopped production and it exists solely as a media franchise.

In the end, the question is, would you be a Transformers fan without the toys and relying solely on fiction?

 

Ooh, tough question. Honestly? As much as the fiction of the transformers is unique, especially for its time, I seriously doubt it would have taken off as much if there hadn't been a supporting toyline. The play mechanics of the transformers is what makes the concept really shine, especially for children.

But then again, I don't buy that many toys, and the fiction is where I focus at lot of the time. Is that only because I got brought in due to the original series and am "invested" in the franchise? I dunno. I don't see a future without a toyline, though, since the fiction is only ever made to support a toyline in the first place.

I'll tell you one thing, though. If there were no toys, there'd be a hell of a lot more kitbashers.

 

Yes..although I would be a bit of a sad panda, since I love the toys.

Some fans don't collect the toys but watch the cartoons & movies, by the way! 

 

I tend to ignore the fiction anyway, so it would definitely be a no, for me.

 

Alright I've added a poll. Nice responses, would love to hear more.

 

That's pretty much my answer right there.

 

  Oh no, no.

No.

 

Yes, for many years repeats / re-reads of the fiction were all I really had until Beast Wars, if that's all I had I would still enjoy it. But it wouldn't be the same.

 

I would still be a fan but I would be very disappointed.
And if the fiction quality drops I would probably lose interest.

 

Yes, by your scenario, I was a fan of Masterforce and Victory long before I caught up with the exclusive figures. Had Transformers always been just fiction, I'm not sure how strong a fan I would have been.

 

Yes for me. I was a fan for nearly nine months before even thinking of buying one of the toys. No reason to think otherwise.

 

Been 5 years since I have purchased a toy. It has always been the story for me. I got the toys as an extra.

 

I only had a handful of the toys growing up, but I absolutely loved the cartoon. So yeah, the fiction could survive for me even without the toys.

 

Yes, if only for Beast Wars and Beast Machines. I have to say that I would be disappointed if it didn't have a toyline however, as I do so love collecting plastic trinkets that represent my favorite characters.

 

No. I am a bigger fan of the toys than the fiction. That being said I would also stop being a fan if there were toys with no fiction.

I only collect screen characters so one is nothing without the other.

Thanx
Transbot90210

 

I'd still be a fan. I don't think I've purchased any toys in 2010,and probably only 3 or 4 in 2009.

 

Yes, although I am a major fan of the toys, I love the fiction too. I know fans who have no interest in the fiction and only buy toys.

 

If the fiction were good heck I'd still be a fan.

 

I love the toys, but I think that if Transformers were to become a media-only franchise, the stories would improve because they wouldn't have to be focusing on selling toys. The original G1 cartoon was pretty focused on selling childrens' toys, but think of how much better it could've been if they focused more on the plot and characterization, instead of advertising those shiny new triplechangers/headmasters/pretenders/etc.