I have several other collections as well as Transformers, and I expect a lot of other people here do as well, although obviously they'll probably vary greatly. Some of these other collections have been ticking along since a long time before I ventured down the TF rabbit hole about 5 years ago. Since then TF's have dominated my collecting habits... not only in terms of quantity and expenditure, but also in what have been my prize purchases each year.

That's been an easy feat though, as I think I started collecting at the perfect time, and the sheer number of characters and options released since 2015 has been amazing. However, as the blank spaces on the shelf have started to dwindle, those figures that are coming now, (and have been for the last year or so) are mainly B and C listers, and although some figures have been truly fantastic, they're not as "exciting" (for lack of a better word) as getting those more important characters and sets.

As a result, I've found that a few things I've picked up for my other collections in 2019 have easily surpassed the satisfaction I got from any TF purchase and made them my buys of the year. They were a couple of holy grails, though.

Firstly, the New Evolution metal action Pheonix from Battle of the Planets/Gatchaman.


And secondly, something I've been trying to get my hands on for years, but rarely gets produced (for obvious reasons)... a 1:43 scale General Lee from Autoworld.


So, have your best purchases of 2019 been TF's or did you find other gems that made you happier?

 

I vote:

*drumroll*

Kuro Kara Kuri Star Saber

as best purchase of 2019.

He is perfect in every way. Nothing to add here.

Technically I payed for him in 2018 though.  

Other notable purchases:

Metal Build Strike Freedom Soul Blue ver.

The Strike Freedom is my favorite Metal Build design and it is nice to have a second variant to display without the Wing of Light set.

And since this is the 3rd party board:

FansToys Maverick

I‘m so glad that this is not a jet with a box underneath. The arms look almost like the Concorde nacelles. As a plus he has an enjoyable transformation which was rare for FansToys.

 

3A DLX Bumblebee...

I don't care that it doesn't transform, it's super poseable and looks so damn good  

 

Toy world constructor
Pictures I had seen did not do it justice

 

TFC Poseidon Unactivate version.

A close second and third are Mai Shiranui and Iori Yagami from TBleague.

 

Either Transform Element TE-01 or DX9 Gabriel, although Gabriel shipped Dec 27, technically I probably received him in 2020, so technically probably goes to TE-01. 2019 the year of the Primes.

 

My best is almost certainly a Transformer but I can't narrow it down so I'm gonna go with a non-tf. The Final Fantasy VII Cloud "action doll." It's an articulated plush figure. Yup, articulated plush - has a metal skeleton. And Tifa is on her way with Aerith and Sephiroth coming out over the next couple months. Either that or the Mega Construx Castle Grayskull. Those are kind of the non-TF highlights of 2019 for me.

 

My favorite collectible of this year is either First 4's Ornstein statue, or IT-01 Emperor of Destruction. Hard choice. Definitely a lot more fun with IT-01.

 

This was a great year for Transformers, but a Vintage Kenner style Grand Moff Tarkin figure in the Star Wars Retro line was too much for me. Amazing.

 

DX9 LA Hire

 

Literally any other year and it would have been a Transformer for me. But this year I got the reissue Soul of Chogokin Golion/Lion Voltron and the Soul of Chogokin Dairugger/Vehicle Voltron, and they are glorious.

 

The one I was the most impressed with is definitely the DX Chougoukin VF-1S. MP-44 may have won if it wasn't the fourth MP OP I got (I love it and it's by far the best rendition of the character IMO but the novelty factor sure lowers itself with each new version).

 

in 2019, it has pretty much been only TF. Maybe only 1 macross toy, and no figma.

So, my super trio is, in order, FT Roadking, FT Spoiler, FT Quietus T.

 

For me, Mp44 Optimus prime, DX chogokin VF-1S strike Valkyrie (with strike pack), and soul of chogokin dairugger (vehicle voltron)

 

MS-01 light of freedom
TW Constructor
OM Saltus

 

Strange year for me & the Transformers.
I am a Masterpiece guy, yet bought not a single MP. Not one. Bought about a dozen of those delightful little Legends though!! And while I love them, they were not my favorites from 2019. (although the New Age Manero EX [car-accurate Jazz] comes VERY close)



I can't decide - the 1000 Toys Hellboy is a hell of a figure, if a bit odd in its construction. But man, was I happy to get it. Even better now that Abe Sapien is ready to roll out.
And in the world of Marvel Legends, a LOT of great stuff came out, but I have a thing for this particular Iron Man armor, and it came out really nice. Not a big deal like Hellboy and about 1/5 the price, but still, I just come back to it again and again and I love it a little more every time I pick it up.

I really dig that Gatchaman thing, #the oaf, it's very cool.

 

I acquired two of my Grails this past year that were not Transformers.

 

Marvel Legends Genis-Vell. Grail character for me. Though Power and Glory Captain America and Dr. Doom weren't far behind. Than I'd say MMC's Springer.

 

Transformers aren't my primary collection, though its been picking up speed since Combiner Wars. My best TF purchase for 2019 has been the Reflektor trio. I just love them! The robot mode, the combined alt-mode, (its a bit tight though,) the sculpt and colors.


I didn't get many model horses last year, and those are one of my main collections. However, I did manage to regain a beloved childhood horse that I took everywhere. He was my first "realistic horse" when I was little and seeing him again was like reuniting with an old friend. He's a Funrise.


MLP is one of my other big collections. My best last year was a never-grail named Baby Racer. I don't happen upon him for under $50 that often, so I was very pleased to welcome him into my collection.


Mega Man toys don't come onto my shelf often because of the small character pool. But thanks to Bandai's lines, I managed to get a robot master I never thought would be made. Idk why I don't take pics of Wave Man more often, he's awesome!

 

I'd have to say YES it WAS Transformers related and here is some i love,

1.Omega Supreme
2.Refractor single carded
3.3 pack Refrakto recon team
4.Astrotrain W/box car
5.Apeface
6.Ultra Magnus
7.Star Wars Han Solo W/Tauntaun 6" Black Series.
8.JetFire
9.G1 Soundwave W/Cassettes