Beyond Transformers: Three AWESOME New Transforming Robot Toy Series You've Probably Never Heard Of!

Metal Cardbot, Hello Carbot, and Tobot are three transforming robot toy lines rocking the Eastern Hemisphere that aren't getting much attention in the U.S. even though they're ridiculously high quality and very very cheap to buy! Jeff shows you some examples from each series, including Heavy Iron, Pentabot, and Galaxy Detectives V (Gold version).

[@pknuttarlott4934]

In the words of EMGO316 "You don't stop playing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop playing.

[@bigbear4120]

The "childish" robot type is super-robo, very colorful, over stylized, and flashy. Starsaber and God Ginrai are great mainline examples of super-robo type transformers.

[@classiccomicsforum]

Thanks! I'd never heard this before. Interesting because it's such a seemingly generic term that I would assume could be used to describe any classic giant mecha. I very much appreciate your adding to my knowledge!

[@josemanuelgonzalez6151]

Please post toy name and link to vendor for the toys.

[@loganpark2530]

“What crime is he going to solve with gun hands? The show practically writes itself!” These little asides are gold

[@classiccomicsforum]

@@loganpark2530 thanks! I'm here all week. Tip your wait staff.

[@DressShirtWeeb]

Consider checking out Takara's transforming robots, Shinkalion and Jobraver are really awesome toylines to check out!

[@classiccomicsforum]

I most definitely will. Thank you!

[@tanleeseng9569]

Tobots, Carbots and Metal Cardbots are actually original robot series from Korea which are actually aim at younger audiences but due to their toys having very good build quality adult collectors are also unintentionally getting smitten by them. There's also another interesting series called Mini Force which you may want to check out (especially since you like combiner bots). They have a combiner named Justice Titan which I feel is one of the best till date.

[@classiccomicsforum]

I'll look into it. Thank you!

[@MathewHaswell]

The Hello Carbot toys are/were made by SonoKong - who manufactured Transformers for the Korean market from Beast Wars II until Micron Legend (Armada). They also produced the korean version of Brave toys, which the Hello Carbot figures very much resemble.

[@classiccomicsforum]

@@MathewHaswell didn't realize this! I was a huge fan of Sonokong back in the '90s.

[@MathewHaswell]

@@classiccomicsforum One Sonokong product to see a western release is Mecard, sold by Mattel in the late 2010s. Imagine a sturdier and more expensive version of Auldey/Alpha's Screechers Wild toys. Auldey seem to like doing clones of Japanese and Korean companies products. E.G. Super Wings toys being fairly similar to Robocar Poli.

[@diegoisaacrinconlopez2819]

I also play with my toys, i guess we're both weird man

[@classiccomicsforum]

@@diegoisaacrinconlopez2819 haha. I'd argue it's weirder to spend a bunch of money on toys and then NOT play with them.

[@loganpark2530]

@@classiccomicsforumI feel like you’re landing hard on the joy end of the childlike vs. childish range. Carry on

[@classiccomicsforum]

@@loganpark2530 best compliment I've gotten by a wide mile. Thank you, my friend!

[@wishfull08]

@@classiccomicsforum agreed, makes me crazy when people keep their toys in a box and never experience the actual; fun of playing with them. just don't get it. i do, however, keep some toys in xo, but not transforming/combining ones, more so action figures that come with a million accessories (5 pairs of alternate hands, 6 alternate heads, etc. - the kind of things you could only display one at a time), that would just end up sitting in a bag, in a box somewhere. the toys that display much better in their package usually stay in them, but never tf, pr, or the like.

[@carlpowers7291]

Don’t feel like the Lone Ranger. I open every toy I buy

[@1poundgold]

Are those all your toys? Holy shelf space, Batman !

[@classiccomicsforum]

Haha. I did a lot of selling and trading on ebay during college. Helped pay for it all.

[@mrsamaritan6881]

Metrotitan was a Decepticon, not an Autobot.

[@CardboardBots]

Metal Cardbots Heavy Iron comes close to a toy type that I’ve been suggesting ought to exist. That would be an Optimus Prime whose truck mode transformed into a robot, but whose trailer would separate into limbs that combine into a super mode.

[@KRBrickBot]

For the past decade three major competing Korean toy companies (Youngtoys, Choriock, and SAMG) became so successful they even branched out into China, making their 변신로봇 more accessible. I've been following and reviewing what variants of the character toys are exclusive to Korea and exclusive to China and what Chinese IPs get brought over to Korea and vice versa.

[@classiccomicsforum]

@@KRBrickBot great to find someone knowledgeable about these companies!

[@walterlopez5054]

I'd highly recommend the "Archecore" line from chinese company Toy's Alliance. they've got a couple of transforming robots, but it's mostly a 1/35th scale toy soldier line with highly posable smaller scale figures, bases, and vehicles with a really cool Dieselpunk Space Viking aesthetic. the figures can ride the robots. and there is a lot of modular fun to be had with the playsets and crapload of accessory loadouts.

[@classiccomicsforum]

@@walterlopez5054 I will definitely check it out. Thanks!

[@wishfull08]

@@classiccomicsforum i don't own any, but i've watched a lot of videos on archecore, and those toys are SICK!!!

[@johnnygames857]

The autobot/deception symbols are the actual trademark from transformers so knock offs (often better than originals) can do that with simple color changes and no symbol. Robotech/macros had the signature chest piece too so same rules apply. :)

[@classiccomicsforum]

crazy that they can duplicate 99& of the toy design but can't duplicate the logos! Thanks for explaining!

[@o0xjaymex0o]

I love finding non TF related transforming robots. I even grabbed some of those MARS converters for customs. The Lamborgini makes for a perfect car bot type base.

[@hotrodney964]

Loving the content sir and the enthusiasm! As a full blown nerd myself and someone who has got into the rabbit hole that is Japanese robot toys in my later years I’m looking forward to more vids! 😁

[@classiccomicsforum]

@@hotrodney964 thank you! Should be releasing a new one tonight. Subscribe and stay tuned!

[@MrAsterian75]

The difference beetween Ko METRO TITANS and the original one are more than you tell in your video. The true MetroTitans are some mold differences

[@TyHobbies]

Wow, loving the Transformers content, please keep it coming! I would love to know more about Gobots, Transformers G1, random mcdonalds transformers, and we NEED a collection overview/tour!

[@classiccomicsforum]

Thank you! I just may need to make all that happen.

[@cyberius7042]

I'd definitely be interested in a video about the vintage Gobots. I had a lot more of those as a kid than I had actual Transformers.

[@jeremiahsacks2868]

It looks like the galaxy detective 5 guy has ankle tilts that might make standing it up easier, and also that fire truck mode gives the same vibes as cybertron optimus.

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

I've been seeing a lot of Tobots being sold by various korean shops here in the Philippines. However, I am not interested because I am not aware of any storyline that comes along with it.

[@ahchiu9]

Tobot does have a cartoon spanning multiple seasons. I've never watched it personally as I don't mind a cool toy for the sake of being a cool toy, but if you like the designs, maybe you'll also be able to find their corresponding episodes. They're on youtube, I believe

[@fredburge6637]

The gold version of giant v form tobots galaxy detectives is the English version of the Korean toys

[@CardboardBots]

Interesting bots.

[@RoBCyPheR1]

What is the white car with the blue window that's on the 2nd shelf far left side from?

[@jeffheller271]

That's Machine Dolphin. Not sure what line it originally came from, but it came to America as part of Bandai's repackaged GoDaiKin line. Awesome, weird toy!

[@anthonybird546]

Oh man, if you could dig into Machine Robo, especially the cool shit that didn't get to leave Japan/get picked up for Go-Bots, far would be awesome. I'm a big fan of the "Bandai System" pre-MMPR, that means Machine Robo/Go-Bots, Super Sentai/Chogokin/Godaikin. PS your Construx set is SSSSSSSSSSIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICK

[@anthonybird546]

Also check out Telecoma Senshi

[@classiccomicsforum]

Thanks! I'll be hitting Chogokin/GoDaikin very soon. Machine Robo will be later down the line. And I'm always psyched to meet a fellow Construx fan!

[@anthonybird546]

@@classiccomicsforum thanks! My older brother had the sets, but he was horrible at going care of his stuff (he had early Diaclone, Microman combiners, etc. that he would just scatter to the four winds), so by the time I took interest in them, so many pieces were lost. It's really cool to see a massive Construx set.

[@johngavin1175]

BigRedHead toys in Tampa has that Machine Robo dinosaur combiner that's made out of figures similar to Rock Lords. I believe the toys that became Rock Lords here were just a part of Machine Robo in Japan,am I correct? I would also love for him to dig into the stuff Bandai and Popy made. Interesting stuff.

[@classiccomicsforum]

@@johngavin1175 just did an episode on Bandai Dynaman and DyJupiter. More Popy/Bandai is definitely coming!

[@grizzly-gundam]

Look into NBK 1:1 sniper rifle transfomer bot

[@classiccomicsforum]

I've had my eyes on that one for a few years now!

[@Gappasaurus]

The YT algorithm has actually scored a hit for once by recommending me your Diattacker video (🤓👍) which then led me here. I’ve been eyeballing some of these off-brand ‘bots for a while now, and you’re helping to inexorably push me towards more purchases i don’t have space or money for 😅 They definitely have that Brave aesthetic of progressive power-ups by attaching more bots and/or weapons, especially like Might Gaine, J-Decker and GGG… and i love it 🥰 Can’t help but wonder what Galaxy Detective would look like slugging it out with Great Goldran 😆 Your display shelves are awesome too, that “Hasbro International” G2 Optimus got me super jealous 😆 Would love to hear your thoughts on some of the other lines that never gained much of a following here in the states, like Eldoran, Web Diver, Mugenbine, Microman Millennium, or even the Diaclone relaunch 🤖 ps: Subscribed! 😉

[@classiccomicsforum]

Thanks much for the kind words! I'll keep the videos and obscure recommendations coming!

[@igmetulume5663]

Interesting topic! I came across one of your videos yesterday (this is the second video that I watched) and these are great videos. There are many good 3rd party transformers from China and some are actually improvements over what they copied from Hasbro, Takara etc. A few years back, I had to chase after an enlarged (they called "oversize") copies of some figures from the G1 masterpiece line. Too bad they stopped making them and focused instead on figures from the live movies - until there was a crackdown (or so I read). I was able to get the oversized G1 Optimus, Megatron, Grimlock (animation and comics version), Ironhide, Ratchet, Inferno, Bumblebee, Starscream, Sideswipe. Some Chinese 3rd party also came out with a really good knock off of the Blitzway 80's Voltron. Unfortunately, I haven't been looking at Transformers 3rd party news for the past few years :(

[@classiccomicsforum]

Thanks for your kind words! I'm a huge fan of oversized bootlegs. Sounds like you got some great ones!

[@DonSchomer]

I have tobot v, nice set. Never seen the gold version before. Lots of nice sets in tobot and hello carbot. U might enjoy geo mecha and giant saver. Giant saver space deleter has a strange name, but it's a set i really enjoy. Closer to a power ranger than a transformer though

[@classiccomicsforum]

@@DonSchomer thanks for the suggestions! I'll definitely check them out!

[@CIE504]

Morning Question: Where did you find Heavy Iron at? I'm trying to find it for less than 58?

[@classiccomicsforum]

Ali Express. I think I paid $40 plus shipping.

[@Stavekoff]

where did you pick up the bootleg valkyries? id love to have a version of that figure for not an obscene price!

[@classiccomicsforum]

@@Stavekoff Ali Express. Gotta love inexpensive fleet-builders!

[@LuisMartins_Rc_Excavations]

Love your collection Its amazing

[@classiccomicsforum]

@@LuisMartins_Rc_Excavations thank you!

[@jimmyrobot3170]

I notice you have Takara Dai Atlas (he’s a character I really like btw)!

[@classiccomicsforum]

@@jimmyrobot3170 unfortunately, he's the Titans Return version. I've been chasing the original for years now. One of the few white whales left for me to hunt down!

[@slimebuck]

subbed Damn dude, I enjoy your style, keep being you!

[@classiccomicsforum]

Thanks so much! Should be uploading a new one tonight.

[@MathewHaswell]

Brave/Yuusha was owned by Sunrise - the anime studio best known for Gundam - rather than Takara, who only did the conteporary toys. It's now owned by Bandai Namco, after they acquired Sunrise in the early 1990s. Bandai seem content to not produce any new anime/manga, nor any *transforming* figures based on the franchise.

[@classiccomicsforum]

Thanks. I'll incorporate this info into my very next episode on Brave/Yuusha. Stay tuned!

[@datkat2001]

they do produce plenty of transforming figures, especially over the years, with the SRC line, the more expensive SOC line, and the model kits for GGG and Goldymarg in the RG line and many, many more SMP model kits . GSC has been doing plenty of figures of the not-GaoGaiGar brave series recently too. I say check em out! They have some really nifty engineering to handle mass shifting

[@ahchiu9]

The non-mini Pentastorm pieces do transform into bots as well as combine

[@classiccomicsforum]

Really? Didn't see that in any of the pics. I might need to check that out. Thanks!

[@williamrichards57]

Ilove the weird stuff or someof the off brands

[@classiccomicsforum]

Then subscribe and hang around for more!

[@Lupenux]

You can pop-out Heavy Metal's head (its balljoint is great for this) and hide it in the trailer. I have Heavy Metal and Tobot V and i'm in love. Hasbro stuff disappointed me some time ago. I'm pretty sure your Pentastorm is a knockoff. You can tell it by feet transformation. Originals are more secure.

[@classiccomicsforum]

@@Lupenux thanks for the tip!

[@Lupenux]

Maybe KO isn't the right word. It's more like chinese smaller version. I don't remember if it's official chinese or KO chinese. Original korean version is bigger and I guess better. KZbinr KRBrickbot has both versions somewhere in his videos.

[@classiccomicsforum]

@@Lupenux ah, now I get what you mean. The toy is available in two sizes with slightly different molds/designs. I believe both releases are official.

[@NemesisTomato]

"It is hard to find a Transformer these days that actually has transparent plastic windows." I don't know what Transformers you're looking at, because clear plastic windows have been breaking for YEARS. It's an issue.

[@arctrooper999]

I'll admit, when you picked up the gold ambulance that little voice in my head said "please look like G1 Ratchet or Ironhide" because I'm always wondering what will push me over the edge to insanity 😅😅😅

[@Cent_Reviews]

9:48 Almost every modern transformers figure has transparent plastic windows, almost to the point of obsession

[@Sydew]

I love these videos!

[@classiccomicsforum]

@@Sydew and I love your support. Thank you!

[@williamrichards57]

I got some 3rd party suff . Gobots ilove as well

[@CHASEMARC]

Metrotitan is not a knock off transformer he was also never an Autobot he was a Con - D-340 is his Japanese box number - i own him, he was from Transformers Zone - here is a review kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2STdayobpmoq8k

[@classiccomicsforum]

@@CHASEMARC it's a KO of Metrotitan. Not calling Metrotitan a KO.

[@jeremysnead9233]

Cartoon quality.

[@jameshumphrey7463]

GPS gold plastic syndrome

[@UnChannelDuVulpineX]

That doesn't affect modern toys, they learned what not to do.

[@BobSmithe-c4n]

yes transformers

[@utiguy69]

What is the yellow figure in the center of the very bottom shelf?

[@classiccomicsforum]

Brave Great Goldran. Check out my episode, "The Lost Era of G1 Transformers" for more info on the Brave series.

[@MK384]

Is that a Bio Dragon on your top shelf? If so respect!

[@classiccomicsforum]

Literally uploading my next video about Dynaman at this very moment! Check it out...

[@fredburge6637]

You do realize that these toys are Korean not Japanese

[@classiccomicsforum]

@@fredburge6637 I do now, and that's my bad. I'm so used to the great designs coming from Japan and everyone else just doing cheap imitations that I've developed a blind spot. I know better now. Thanks.

[@half-assedcraftswithbigmik4301]

So…where are the KO Jetfires from?

[@classiccomicsforum]

@@half-assedcraftswithbigmik4301 I got mine from Ali Baba. Not sure of the manufacturer.

[@MiddleAgedGeek]

Cheap plastic has its downsides. China made plastics have its downsides, as well. Do you keep them in storage with minimal change in temperature? With time, these plastics can become brittle especially the ones at the joints where it is designed to hold weights. I hope those toys you bought will last.

[@classiccomicsforum]

@@MiddleAgedGeek haven't lost a toy to plastic breakdown in 25 years of collecting. I've lost a few rubber treads to dry rot, unfortunately, but I give my toys space/air on the shelves and keep them out of direct sunlight. That seems to be enough.

[@MiddleAgedGeek]

@@classiccomicsforum I experienced those on knock off Gundam plastic models. I am glad it hasn't happened with your collection. However have you experienced any yellowing? Thanks.

[@classiccomicsforum]

@@MiddleAgedGeek to the best of my knowledge, yellowing is only caused by direct sunlight, so I've always been careful to ensure my shelves do not face any windows.

[@MiddleAgedGeek]

@@classiccomicsforum Thanks for the information.