Here you go, ladies and gents: TFW's Transformers Year in Review - 2015 - Transformer World 2005 - TFW2005.COM
If we were to go back to the FOC era and show a picture of what a 2015 collector would have amassed I believe the FOC era collector would be deliriously happy. Whilst mass market budget conscious productions aren't for everyone, I've been very pleased with what we have had access to.
Good article! I read through the article and I agree it. Here are some of the points on the areas that captured my attention the most: 1. Masterpiece line. Yeah, it was quite slow for that particular line. Thankfully, this year should be a 'faster year' for MP collectors. I also agree with the numbering issue with Exhaust. The worse thing was that initially Exhaust was difficult to procure (for those not living in Japan)...due to legal issues? Thankfully that cleared up. 2. IDW comics Again great summary of how the year went. Generally, I have stopped following the IDW comic because CWs did attract my attention and although it felt 'rushed', I enjoyed it. I also concur that IDW's hands were pretty much tied by Hasbro but that's the nature of the beast. Let's hope when it comes to the Titan Wars toy-line, things would improve. 3. Combiner Wars toys I know some of us complain about the hollow plastics etc but in generally and IMO, its been an outstanding year (one level below great). If the level of engineering and materials used were like the mainline TFs in 2010 (?) CHUG line it would have been a great year (for me personally). However, kudos to Hasbro and Takara for Combiner Wars! Let's hope this year we will see more great figures! For those collectors, who were unhappy with Hasbro for cheapening out compared to TakaraTomy's offerings...we have to remember that they cater to different markets.
I've really enjoyed 2015 in the way of Transformers. The Combiner Wars line gave us an amazing update of combining Transformers. With quick, easy transformations, stable connections, and great use of repaints/retools, it's been a struggle putting any of the ones I have down. The Robots in Disguise line is another highlight, with bright, colorful characters that really stand out. 2016 looks to be another great year, with new RID Decepticon figures as well as Headmasters. The mentioning of the possibility of '86 movie characters raises my hopes for Targetmasters as well. We got sort of a preview of the return of Headmasters in 2014 with Generations Brainstorm, so by the same logic, Scoop could be a preview of Targetmasters.
It was a slow run for Masterpiece this past year, but I think it had a lot to do with TakaraTomy moving production to Vietnam behind the scenes causing delays. Plus Exhaust needing added back into the release schedule didn't help. 2016 is already going to be a lot different, with already five new MP releases plus a second run for Ultra Magnus in the first quarter of the year. It's going to be a good year.
The best way to put this huge-ass year in perspective-- In many other years, this article could have just been the word "Devastator," with accompanying picture.
Good article. I also was excited by the beginning of the Combiner Wars era, but it was definitely a bummer for the constant repaints. I am happy with Devastator, Superior, Defensor and Menasor in that order. Just regret not waiting for the UW versions of Devy and Defensor, but glad I waited for UW Bruticus to be announced.
Great article, except you've missed out the Transformers: RID app game, which utilised the special faction stickers on the 2015 RID toys. Of note on that game was how we got a heads up on what toys would be coming our way every time the game updated!
Amazingly well written article Sol. 2015 was another great year for Transformers! Thank you for writing!
Good read. A little long, but thorough recap of year 2015 for Transformer fans. Overall it was a fantastic year and I'm totally looking forward to having my mind blown in 2016!
Thank you for the article, Sol. Brilliant read, and I'd like to see more content like this in the coming months and years. Combiner Wars was the highlight of my year. I got the Superion and Devastator toys that I've always wanted, and finally got decent to good versions of Defensor and Menasor. We got awesome leaders like Ultra Magnus and G1 Megatron, and excellent Legends like Shockwave, Powerglide, Viper, Groove, Bombshell, and Blackjack. I only dabble a bit in the MP line, so I didn't get anything that came out new this year. RID 2015 was an okay show, but the figures didn't interest me in the least. I don't have access to a game console, so I haven't been able to play TF: Devastation yet. Overall last year was a great year and I hope this one with Titans Return and the new Combiner Wars TV series from Machinima are even better!
So totally with you on that, I did get to do a few cool things in 2015 but generally speaking, it sucked! Fought with my boss, thought my cat was going to die, wife lost her job, what a crappy year. Thankfully 2016 is shaping up to be better, hope it's a great one for all of us, transformers wise and in real life too! Fantastic write up of the year, love these as I don't follow everything TF related so nice to get caught up to what is happening elsewhere in the multiverse!
Last 10 years have been great! The designs and movies/toons! Wow! LED's sound! One steps. The customs whoa! TFcons. Over 30yrs now TF'S will be here a long time!