About the headmaster gimmick, is it possible to transform the figure without removing the head? For me, I guess, I am not too fond of the idea of Galvatron or Powermaster Optimus Prime being headmasters and would like to keep their heads on while transforming.

 

No. From what's been shown, the designs take advantage of the fact that the head is detachable.

 

Of course not, that would defeat the whole purpose of the Titanmaster function, which is to have the head come off and drive the altmode as a pilot. What you're asking for would be like a combiner that can't combine; sure you can, but what's even the point of all the engineering for the function if it's just gonna be disabled or ignored?

 

PM Prime can keep his head on, though that technically makes him less G1 accurate.

 

Powermaster Optimus is the only one that you can transform without removing the head, as the full helmet (With the head port) goes inside the cab...

Here is the port.


And while it's a separate part, when you transform it, you can leave like this in the cab, having the headmaster with the helmet on (Well, the image doesn't show the headmaster, but as you can see by the Swivel part, you can actually put the headmaster on, without having to remove it.


Edit: I think that you cannot do it... because the halves wouldn't close at all... Sorry   Somebody needs to confirm if you can transform it without having to remove it.


EDIT 2: Maybe I was right, you can transform him without having to remove the Headmaster.

 

From the one video review we have of him, it looks like Chromedome may be able to transform without removing his head. Since he copies Dead End's engineering, there appears to be plenty of space under the alt mode hood.

 

Having the ability to transform with the head attached would in no way defeat the purpose. The gimmick:
1) removable head
2) head transforms into little dude
3) little dude can drive the alt mode
Having space in the alt mode to accommodate the head being attached during the transformation diminishes a grand total of none of those things. It forces the toy engineers to work it into the toy design, but does not at all defeat the "purpose".
Sure, the headmaster for my G1 Skullcruncher is SUPPOSED to go in his mouth, but I hate having the mouth open and seeing a little dude just chilling in there. Now I have to find somewhere else for this little guy.
Weird seeing a robot pilot himself. But that's the FICTION. Having the head attached kinda defeats the FICTION.

For those who don't like the look of the robot mode of the Titan Masters (is that what the heads are called?), and dislike partsforming, it would be GREAT for the figures to have the ability to transform with the head attached. I'm a little disappointed that they can't, but I understand it from an engineering standpoint.

 

Right, because on the Headmasters anime, the headmasters were the robots that pilot themselves, not like they were Green guys in suits that converted into some Cybertronians heads... (Cough*The Rebirth* Cough)

 

Astrotrain can transform to shuttle mode without removing it and Powermaster Prime can transform without removing it

I too would prefer if removing the heads were optional on everyone but the traditional headmaster characters.

 

Because someone might want to.

Because it offers another option.

Because let people enjoy their toys however they damn well please, even if it 'defeats the purpose'. No one is asking for a combiner that can't combine. They're asking "Is combining it the only way?"

 

Ah I love when people find basically anyway to state the rebirth is crap

 

Not to correct you, but the word "gimmick" was properly used here.

Your use of the word "fiction" would be valid if this was the standard within all Transformers fiction. But since it is not, the word "gimmick" justifies the meaning of Titans Return, when compared to Combiner Wars and other fiction.

And once that story includes all of these characters, and not just some, it becomes a "fiction-backed gimmick". Again, making the function a plot device to attract attention.

But don't mind me. I come from a family that includes writers. So I take the use of such words as they were meant to be used.  

 

You say that as if the Headmasters anime got it right.

 

Thanks that's good to know that at least Prime and Astrotrain can transform with the head on. I just need to find out if Galvatron can do the same... I am fine with the rest of the bots being headmasters, even though Blaster and Soundwave are just bizarre reboots.

 

Not even a little bit. The Cannon goes where the head goes for cannon mode and the cockpit where the head goes for fighter mode.

Even if he weren't a Headmaster, his head would have to go somewhere else.

From the in depth chinese video review for PMOP, you can't keep PMOP's head on either; the helmet and neck part contract for truck mode, so you need that empty helmet to make it work. Though unlike the others, it's not that big of a move for the Headmaster as goes from in the cab to under the helmet pretty quickly.

 

I think it's because in the G1 TV show everytime a head master transformed their head would transform too.

 

Alright, so not all designs take advantage of this. It seems the Leaders may do this because of their helmets. Also, it looks like Scourge may also keep his head on. It'll just stick out on the rear of his alt mode.

 

Speaking as someone who had 'grown out' of Transformers before the Headmasters came along...I do not understand the appeal. At all. My personal opinion is that it was a dubious concept which just granted the toy engineers at the time one less obstacle to overcome, i.e., hiding the robot head. But the devotion I see in others for this concept throws quite a bit of light on my own devotion to the nostalgia of the pre-Headmasters era, so I do get it. What I don't get, however, is the need to now make EVERYONE a headmaster, and I would hope that there'd have been some effort to allow for those characters who had never been Headmasters before to transform properly with the heads still attached.

 

Wait.. You prefer the Anime to rebirth? Headmasters story made less sense and was WAY more ridiculous than Rebirths. 

I kid... But if I may ask... What do you not like about Rebirth

 

The reason is cross-play pattern ; and that is a genius decision. Kind of like the USB standard is great as well.

For it guarantees play interaction & compatibility throughout all price classes.

You might have a point though in stating how, they could have engineered the toys in a way for them to transform without taking off the head.
This customized TR Blurr shows, they could have molded a clearance gap in such a way as this mod did it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi-RkO32heA