Japanese C3xHobby Convention Coverage - Alternity GT-R Convoy, Stuntron Wildrider and more!

Originally posted on: http://club.tfclub.com/viewthread.php?tid=21687
Since only registered users can read it, I'd just forward some of the pictures to here.

These photos were taken by xiaotao78925 on the C3×HOBBY 2008 convension in Japan

Hawt!

Looks like the Ultimate Metal Silver version will have a monotone colored bot mode and the Vibrant Red version will have the traditional blue Convoy bot mode parts.

Bought!

I love the concept for Alternity, of alternator like figs in 1/32 scale. I just don't see Prime as a silver sports car. I'll also say that having seen that new GTR in a color besides silver, silver is not a flattering color on it.

Alternity Prime's head looks an awefull lot like TFW's mascot. The helmet area is different, but other than that, it looks really close.

Looks like you could pretty much call the Silver Convoy whatever you want, if you don't like sportscar convoys. (you could do that regardless, but there's degrees of self-denial and plausibility here. )

Orange iPod Convoy? - OK now it's gettin' sad.

TakaraTomy will also be releasing a color variant in "Vibrant Red" for the TF traditionalist.

Still slightly too vague to really see the head, but it seems it's somewhere between cartoon Prime and movie Prime in terms of realism? Looks interesting!

Bot looks cool, but like Greyryder said, don't really see Prime as a sports car. The Dodge pickup in Alternators was already smaller than a truck, but now it becomes even more obvious they're just using Prime to sell more of it...

Still, handsome bot!

Ok, I'm sold on Alternity Convoy, he doesn't look too much like "Optimus Prime" in robot mode and is a very nice blend of movie and binaltech type designs.

Masterpiece Thundercracker is beautiful, and I can't wait to have all three seekers on my shelf, I just hope he's not too limited in number because I'm probably not going to be able to get one right away.

More pics:

He almost looks like a more detailed version of Universe Silverstreak.

The new deco for Music Label Convoy appears to be some sort of "crossover" with a J-Pop band named Exile.

The back ruined it for me. Sounds stupid (I'll get those messages.) but it's enough to say pass for me.

So far, their offerings this year have been a total meh.

wow

that alternity toy is just absolutely gorgeous :O



and i LOOOVE that MP Thundercracker set-up. not necessarily the toy but man....if i had 5 of each of my Masterpiece toys i'd SO display them like that lol

Indeed. Consider me sold on this guy, though the small size will always be a painfull thing.

Wait, they're displaying G1 Jetfire?

Looks like a special display, each Henkei toy has their G1 counterpart there. I probably wouldn't read into it any more than that.

The back of the robot is HORRIBLE. Kibble fest deluxe. But the front looks so damned good, I know I'm going to get it. I'll wait till I see the red version though.

I love Alternity Convoy. Think I'll be going for the red version though.

Love the silver Alternity Convoy. I hope there are many more in this line to come.

i get a lot of movie vibe from the alternity. reminds me of swerve a little.

Has there been any word about any release of the Alternity figure(s) outside of Japan?

I love that G1/Henkei display, it's a fantastic concept and really shows how much more dynamic the newer versions are.

And that Thundercracker display just shows up the Hasbro displays something rotten - not only properly transformed and posed perfectly, but brilliantly concieved as well. Gorgeous.

Does anyone know any more about Alternity Convoy's line? Is it a single release or are there more planned (besides repaints)? Seems even more random than Titaniums if there's only one of them...

I do understand where you're coming from, but honestly, they're only so much they can do with the 1/32 scale. Isn't it one of the Binaltech designers who said a while back in an interview that 1/24 was the smallest they could go without compromising transformation, articulation and detailing? I believe they originally wanted to make BTs/Alts bigger than 1/24, but due to budgetary constraints and market demand, they opted for 1/24. With that in mind, I think that it's absolutely stunning to see the amount of details on that Alternity Convoy.

A definite buy for me. Can't wait to see what other cars & characters will come out of that line.

Beautiful, bought...

That Alternity mold is really starting to grow on me. I wonder if there will be a US release.. maybe a store or convention exclusive or someting?

Preordered Alternity Convoy, in red, based on the proto pics... now seeing the silver version, i'm not disappointed! Can't wait to see the red one.

Do like that MP Thundercracker display... i'll resist the urge to splurge & pass, as I already have Skywarp, but that is a very cool display.

Wow. Alternity Convoy is amazing. I wonder which one is better. White or red? I will wait to see a picture of red and then decide which to buy

It's the opposite actually...

English Translation of the Binaltech Guide
It looks to me like TakaraTomy are going alone on this line and they've finally got their way with regards to scale.

Never understood their line of thinking & explaination for the new 1/32 scale...
Wouldn't a bigger scale allow for more details which is what they are going for?

Alternity Convoy looks awesome. I can't wait to check out the red version. I also love how they displayed Masterpiece TC with his different stages of transformation. Very cool.

I echo the statements of the Convoy looking awesome. Can´t wait to see it live.

Or those who think the car just looks better in red.

Takara's engineers really are amazing, I think this is more detailed and more complex for the size then anything Bandai have done. The only SOC that could come close to this is Xabungle imo.
Really, really hard to believe just from pictures that it's a deluxe size toy.

Giant roof hanging off the back is annoying but most alternators had some so it's not unexpected. It's a pity they didn't make it fold up like the RX=8's roof & windscreens kibble though.

Only this one at the moment, until they announce another car I'm inclined to believe that this is a one off deal with Nissan rather then a new line, much like last years Nike trainer transformers.

That said, the GT-R was out in Japan a while ago and these aren't out til next January so as a tie in deal it's a poorly orchestrated one.

The Japanese are pressed for space on every front, smaller toys sell better and that's just the way it is and presumably the way it will stay.

Love Alternity Convoy... ill get BOTH the Red and Silver Versions!

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I'm sure its supposed to invoke a Movie vibe. His legs and the way the parts are arranged remind me of Bumblebee.

He even has Automorphing.

I pre-ordered both red and silver Convoys and I'm so glad I did. This looks to be even more sophisticated and articulated than even Binaltech. The proportions are fantastic even with hood-as-chest, he looks powerful yet limber, extremely posable, and diecast to boot. The back doesn't bother me at all. Who can stop looking at his front?

Interesting that he's not shown with any discernable weaponry. I wonder what their role and underlying fiction will be.

It's no surprise that this line would lead off with Convoy. Those that don't (Alternators, Binaltech) are the exceptions rather than the rule.

Looking forward to this line like no other in the past 12-18 months. Bad-ass cars, bad-ass robots, neo-Binaltech philosophy, updated design aesthetic, post-movie engineering. 100% win.

It seems that he has hidden blasters in the car seats, awesomeness!!!

The only weapons on this figure appear to be the twin blasters that fold out from the back of the car seats on the forearms.

Oh snap. I've been staring at those seats trying to figure out if they were in fact blasters or just sculpted seats, but should have checked the large illustration behind the real car, where they're actually deployed.

Regardless, it appears they're not doing separate handheld weapons here, which I actually think is a good thing.

Looks great. How much is the figure gonna cost?

I think I'll preorder the silver one

Also, looks like after this event, the Japanese toyshop listings are going to be changed to Convoy at last?

It's so sad to see how many Wildriders are hitting yhj auctions already

Seems to be around US$50-ish. Ryan had them pre-ordering at US$42, eToysJapan at US$40-ish.

I like how the silver version gets its own unique color scheme. Past figures like the blue version of BT-15 Prowl which only had the color on the car parts changed resulting in a mismatched color scheme in bot mode had me worried that the same might apply here. Glad to see it's not the case.

The hands on this figure are also really well sculpted. A big improvement on the BT hand sculpts even at a smaller scale.

The only downside for me so far is that the engine block is attached to the back of Convoy's head. It's not so apparent on this version since it's all silver but I think it's going to stick out on the red version.

There are two on ebay right now. One has a BIN of $170 USD.

Love that transforming pic of Thundercracker. Awesome. Alternity is a maybe for me. The back kibble is pretty bad.

Convoy certainly looks alright, but my biggest frustration with Binaltech/Alternators was how often you'd have to struggle to line up the panels in vehicle mode because there was nothing to lock them together. Hopefully that won't be an issue anymore.

how many wildriders did they make ??

Hrmn....The roof looks like it's connected by just two screws...So it should be pretty easy to get rid of that massive backkibble.

Damn, Alternity Convoy looks awesome! I wonder if it'll come with the hot Japanese chick in one of the pictures.

Massive back kibble?.... Jesus, you guys have been drinking the DON Fig Koolaid too long. Looks unobtrusive to me, but it would have been nice if it had an extra hinge in there.

Figure looks so amazing in silver. The red one will have to be pretty slick to top this.