Animated

Botcon 2011 is just around the corner with its Animated Stunticon goodness - but for those wanting something new from the Animated universe, this one is for you. Hyber Hobby's Exclusive mail away Black Rodimus has started to arrive! Japan based 2005 Boards members Ricochet and Masabon has theirs in hand. The toy looks every bit as sharp and dynamic as earlier images promised it would, and to top it off, it comes in a very cool black and white box packaging with some excellent artwork. Read on to check out the in hand images.

The man behind a good, healthy portion of the Transformers Animated box artworks, as well as this year's BotCon comic artist, Marcelo Matere, dropped by to share a warm-up sketch of Transformers Animated Motormaster, and included a YouTube video of his warm-up from start to finish.

Check out the video below, and jam to the Japanese Transformers Animated theme song in the background. Thanks Marcelo!

The finished sketch is included in this news post.

2005 boards members Masabon and XxGeck0xX have posted all new images of Activator Ramjet from the Japanese Transformers Animated line! More info:

Animated Activator Ramjet is a "second chance" item in a lottery draw held through Family Mart in Japan in late 2010. By mailing in two coupons from prizes E, F or G and 2,500 yen, it is possible to receive this toy. The price included cash on delivery fee.

More images of the newest Animated Seeker can be seen after the jump!

Alfes2000's blog gives us two galleries for Japan Million Publishing's Animated Elite Guard Optimus Prime. Sporting a new gold, black and red deco, it is based on the Voyager Animated Optimus Prime figure but sadly does not sport the Wingblade upgrade. Click above to view the gallery including images alongside his EZ Collection iteration.

HK-TF.com users lowbcousin and jinxm have shared some images of the Million Publishing Exclusive Elite Guard Optimus Prime! This version of Optimus Prime from Transformers Animated is a "what if" version of Optimus Prime - what if, instead of getting kicked out of the Elite Guard, Optimus Prime had carried on and joined the illustrious unit? Check out the images to see how the team in charge of designing this cool redeco envisaged that possibility.

One of the great things about the band JAM Project, who performed the Japanese theme song to Transformers Animated, is their live concerts. At a recent live performance, they performed a different version of Transformers Evo, which has been uploaded to Youtube by Youtube user Alpha21danse. Check out the embedded video below:

Official Website of Millions Publishing has been updated with some information regarding Transformers: Animated (Japan) Encyclopedia Magazine Exclusive Mail-Away Figure Elite Guard Optimus Prime.

We now know the release date of the figure, which is 4th March, 2011.

You can checkout more info at Millions Publishing Website.

Yahoo Auctions now gives us an expanded gallery for Animated Prime Elite Guard Version. Exclusive to Japan's Million Publishing, it sports a color scheme already seen in the Volume 4 EZ Collection with black, gold and dark red. Click above to view all images.

Our UK colleagues over at Transformers @ The Moon have posted some awesome image galleries of some rare pieces that you don't get a chance to see everyday - Lucky Draw Transformers Animated toys! The second and third Animated Lucky Draws, Bumblebee Silver Version and Megatron Gold Version, are on display in all their limited run glory. Click on the links to check out the images and to learn more about both toys.

Glorious leader Megatron returns in all his blinging glory. Blinding us as much as Lugnut's loyalty towards the Decepticon tyrant, an Ebay auction now provides us with in and out of package pictures for Deluxe Lucky Draw Megatron. Offered only in Japan by returning barcodes or Sega cards check out one of the 1000 imperious leaders after the jump.

Transformers: Prime is the cartoon everyone is talking about these days. But Transformers: Animated is not forgotten.

As you all know, in Japan there are Arcade Kiosks running two Transformers: Animated games (The Chase and The Shooting) developed by SEGA. They have revealed more new cards for their system. What are these cards you say? With every 100 yen game, the machines dispense a collector card which can be used to power up your characters in game. The cards themselves have photos of the Transformers Animated toys.

So, more new cards have been revealed. You can take a look at the entire batch by visiting these Official Links, one for Robot Mode and one for Vehicle Mode.

If you are living in Japan… Have Fun Collecting!

Mr. Derrick J. Wyatt said something very special on this week’s WTF@TFW episode. After a wonderful discussion regarding the recently revealed news of TFCC Transtech Animated Cheetor figure, Mr. Wyatt said he’ll be showing the Animated Cheetor Concept Art to the fans. Keeping his promise, DJW updated his blog; “A Delightful Tedium” with the Concept Art of Transtech Animated Cheetor.

Listen to the WTF@TFW Episode #123 to findout how this Cheetor figure came to life.

Head over to the Transformers Collectors' Club Official Website to take a look at the Toy in Vehicle Mode and to read his Bio.

Higekuma Toy Toy Blog has updated with galleries of the two final mass retail releases in Takara-Tomy's Transformers Animated line. The line goes out with a bang, with Blazing Lockdown and Soundwave Electrostatic Version. There's some nice comparison shots in there - Electrostatic Soundwave adds some extra tribal tattoos, and also gives Ratbat more paint on his keyboard, a shiny silver head, and gold paint apps in the place of the US release's red. Blazing Lockdown goes for all-gold flames which seems like a double edged sword, more reflective, but less color contrast, so decide for yourself if you feel that is an improvement.

The Transformers Collectors Club 2011 Exclusive Transtech Cheetor is a Deluxe sized Animated figure who will fit right alongside all of your Animated toys. Cheetor features an all-new head sculpt by Transformers Animated Art Director Derrick J. Wyatt. The toy is packed in a convention style box with a foam insert for easy removal and display.

Read on via the title bar for more.

Images have been posted on the Tokuma-EC shop as well as in the recent edition of the Hyper Hobby magazine showing off what the upcoming Japanese Transformers Animated Rodimus Black Version will look like. A Hyper Hobby magazine mail-in exclusive, this version of Animated Rodimus borrows a few cues from the Botcon 2008 Shattered Glass Rodimus, featuring a very appealing black and purple color scheme.

Check out the images and scans of the Hyper Hobby Magazine pages, brought to you courtesy of 2005 Boards member Ricochet, after the jump.