Here's 10 Transformers You Need The Japanese Version Of

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The good old days when Takara just did it better.
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Outro Music: Ginger Grant by Derek R. Audette
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#Transformers #BeastWars #Top10 #EntertainmentEarth

[@KRBrickBot]

23:26 One disadvantage of Takara Vector Prime's solid wings is... they're clear plastic. The wingtips can snap off and the hinges can crumble, especially if they're been loose and tossed around in a thrift store. Otherwise a superior Takara version.

[@nitrostormskystriker478]

Just to Let you know, Andrew Sorohan sadly died on the sixteenth of this month. He Will be missed.

[@Ryozenflame]

Who is he?

[@boobs_n_bots]

I heard about it from PE yesterday, could clearly tell he was upset by his death.

[@Coconut_Man]

@@Ryozenflame He was a fan artist that made a lot of descriptions for some minicons for energon/cybertron. I suggest you look up his TFWiki page.

[@thestripedmenace]

@@Ryozenflame Great long-time TF fanartist

[@nitrostormskystriker478]

@@boobs_n_bots U also Heard it from there.

[@otaking3582]

*TJ:* "You're not gonna believe who I'm gonna tell you to import." *Me:* "Is it Hotshot?" *TJ:* "It's Hotshot." *Me:* "HA! I knew!"

[@KRBrickBot]

I ended up buying the Korean release of Takara Hot Shot in native Korea twice: once in my childhood straight off the retail shelves of 2008, and later re-acquired a sealed but dusty one in a collector's store. (and includes the Star Saber)

[@powerrangerkid16]

Fun fact! That megatron was actually based on the popular (at the time) nerf n-strike maverick rev-6 for the look of the gun mode

[@WhitzWolf92]

I'm a bit surprised Armada Tidal Wave didn't get a mention, but still a solid list that even a non-collector like me can see the logic in each.

[@BigEgg69]

I'd love to see the mirror version of this video of the times the Hasbro version was better. Mp Soundwave having the cassettes, and MP10 have vector sigma, the trailer, and more toon style colors.

[@mohdsyafiqjabaruddin]

I think TJ already did that?

[@Jazzer995]

@@mohdsyafiqjabaruddin - He did, serach 'Hasbro' on his video page and you will find it.

[@RaymondPerry77]

When I had purchased many of the G1 characters for my collection that had spring-loaded weapons or accessories (i.e. Seekers, Constructicons, Optimus Prime, etc.), I actually tried to get Japanese versions of them when I could, because the American versions of course either had weakened springs, or the firing mechanisms/springs removed altogether or had the ridiculously elongated missiles for "safety reasons" (my seekers are Japanese "encore" releases, just to have the more accurate null rays and little bomb tips, plus actual working spring launchers, plus my Devastator being a Japanese version to have the spring mechanisms in his forearms, and Prime having spring launchers in his one trailer drone).

[@magnolia549]

That BM Optimus Primal was actually one of my first Transformers toys. I don't have it anymore but I still have fond memories of the toy because it was just that good.

[@garrettsmith4034]

The deluxe version with blue and black color scheme? That figure was great if so.

[@wsc0tt]

Takara had a Japanese exclusive scout class Animated Bumblebee figure that I've always preferred over the standard US deluxe figure. It scaled better with the other deluxe figures and I liked the transformation better as well.

[@SamanthaS92]

The reason for the difference in guns laws is because Japan, as a common sense country, (Anime/Manga/Hentai not withstanding) doesn’t allow the liberal dispensing of hand guns to it’s common citizens. A Japanese cop doesn’t have to expect a gun to pop up from anywhere anytime, even a child. But in ‘Murica… well… 🇺🇸

[@GAMEPRODELTA]

The Entertech debacle from LJN also was a major factor in the strict toy gun laws today, given the metallic plastic made them look much more realistic.

[@DewlayLomo]

Too much freedumb in 🇺🇸

[@SamanthaS92]

@@ZX-Gear but again, America is about freedom, so forcing military service would be even more unpopular than it was in the 70’s… plus now they have more volunteer soldiers than they know what to do with, they don’t have room to bring in extra people.

[@davewire87]

Speaking of Titans Return, Overlord’s Japanese release absolutely blows the Hasbro version out of the water. Aside from the fact that he’s molded in a much more accurate dark navy blue shade of plastic; aside from the fact that like all the Japanese Titans Return figures, he’s painted and tampoed rather than covered in pretty lackluster sticker detailing, Overlord has several remolding modifications such as larger horns, his Godmasters molded behind the panels on his chest rather than the cavernous voids where Titan Masters are meant to be placed (but really shouldn’t be as they will in all likelihood get stuck), and the addition of not just one but two Titan Masters, gloriously painted and representing his two Godmasters, Mega and Giga. This gives him two face options, both of which are leagues better than Hasbro version’s face. One of the few times I’ve decided to splurge and get the import and I’m quite happy with it.

[@MrAikavari]

RE: Binaltech, I'd take the Alternators version of Skids over Binaltech just because the die-cast (being on the bonnet) makes the figure so top heavy, making it difficult to stand.

[@sunstorm9119]

There actually was an add-on barrel/drives haft for alternators Windcharger, I can't remember who made it, but I had it on mine

[@nobodyimportant5140]

I have the Henkei Megatron =D

[@Avarstia_Owain]

Ngl I will forever prefer Torca and Elephora being different molds in idea ngl. Like I feel Torca could lean more to the IDW approach in size and reimagining to be a Mammoth-Orca instead of Elephorca with the Elephant-Orca mold idea wise it would likely not change but still Torca is a giant character, likely would be one of the two possible american side Beast Wars Commander Classes, the other being Rampage. I say Rampage as a Commander because he would likely be fairly complex in idea of being a triple changer who has a more established vehicle mode than most other Transmetals. In comparison to other Transmetals the only one who would come close is Depth Charge and Optimal Optimus but Depth Charge is one that would be easier to justify as a leader class given Grimlock and the SS86 Dinobots, and Optimal Optimus would likely also be a commander as there is only one repaint but for that same reason I can see a leader as Rampage has no good repaints to become. Torca and Elephorca are the same in that regard of being needed to be repaints of eachother or Torca getting two releases so a middle ground of Leader would make sense unless they changed the design aspects to justify unique molds. Torca would likely be sacrificed more so given he really only has comic appearances.

[@bluebraixen]

What could be kind of interesting would be a list of Transformers where the American version is actually better.

[@ShockUzer]

I guess that Hasbro was probably thinking on a gritty, realistic deco to match the realistically detailed sculpting with the MP Prime, yet because they insist on the necessity of making children toys (as opposing to making a new branding dedicated to adult collectables, like Bandai's Tamashii Nations), and because the thing they had in their minds would've been way too expensive to produce if they wanted it done properly given that that figure had to be a toy, we had _that_ thing, when they could've just discarded the idea of that deco altogether given the situation, but they didn't. I guess someone at Hasbro back then was just too stubborn to call it quits.

[@DewlayLomo]

The unite warriors gestalts were better than the combiner wars versions. Especially computron

[@skybite]

Oh god , I hated Hasbro computron

[@Isolder74]

Well other the the hands and feet are better and not the hand foot things.

[@kevindavis4456]

Legends Skids vs thrilling 30 version. No contest, legends all the way! The deeper blue and paint apps make it identical to Skids's IDW design make it well worth the extra money. The same goes for the Legends Windblade.

[@Funnybones30]

Ye, I have the windblade and she's so nice. Absolutely need to get skids at some point

[@mettaton1669]

I got my Transmetal Megatron before I knew about his plastic issue. His bronze plastic looked a little like GPS to me so I was super careful with those. Mine has stupidly tight bicep swivels. And upon his first or second transformation back to robot mode, his left arm's ball joint socket ripped itself in half

[@Funnybones30]

Recently I got the the movie the best nemesis prime that was a repaint of the AOE/TLK leader class and I'm amazed at how much nicer he is. Even without the removable backpack shield that immediately makes him look nicer, he comes with a far more accurate sword, a remoulded chest, added wrist swivels, gave him the dotm axe and then they also added a face change gimmick to give him the mouth or the faceplate. I got that figure and I couldn't put it down for a week. He's so nice! Genuinely, if you like the knight design (which I was mixed on before getting him) or like the original, give the takara version a shot because the takara paint with chrome in all the right places, is a wonderful thing to look at.

[@jeff6872]

As an idea for a future video, do the opposite and talk about the few times the USA version was better.

[@skybite]

I think they inferno or Rodimus was the case

[@OverseerXIII]

In my time collecting I've gotten Vector Prime twice for cheap and surprisingly, both toys were the takara version. I'd be off saying this but I think the Hasbro version is rarer now

[@Ranma_Leopard]

Very enjoyable video

[@haydenreviewscustomcombos]

My number one for this list would be Unicron from transformers prime. He didn’t exist over here in the states.

[@brokenbond2012]

Legacy elephorca would be amazing, better posability and engineering with that really nice color scheme, I'd like a number of JP beast wars to come back

[@SwedishSeacon]

The Armada Predacon retool of TM Megatron has bronze plastic instead of the brown plastic that he suffers from. Luckily, he doesn't suffer from GPS so if you want the mold but don't want to spend too much money on the Takara version of TM Megatron, Predacon is always an alternative option.

[@SuperRockman30]

The titan class devastator

[@mattr75]

I still want to get Galaxy Force Vector Prime one day

[@OptimusPhillip]

Gold Plastic Syndrome really ought to be called Metallic Plastic Syndrome. While gold was the most commonly used color for these uses, any metallic ABS can degrade the same way when mixed incorrectly. In addition to the Megatron example, Alternators Mirage (blue plastic), Unite Warriors Motormaster (silver plastic), and the shiny version of Diaclone Powered Convoy (blue again) all suffer from MPS in non-gold parts

[@Megamanlanprime]

The only thing I want with the GF Vector Prime is to get a painted hilt for him that is like the show’s sword.

[@boots5304]

for me it's always gonna be the autobot and decepticon clones from Titans Return. The paint jobs are debatable, but like Thew Adams said, the japanese one just had the two things I wanted in a box. No premium box sets, just the two figures packed together. Nice and easy.

[@Isolder74]

That was the problem when they did the clones the first time. It was clear that they were either not caring about the clones or were going for a cash grab knowing buyers would want the both of them. Having two of the opposing pair together then the other two needing to buy a pair of expensive box sets to complete the pair was just messed up. What’s better both those box sets were just plain nothing more then a bunch of repaints stung even more.

[@boots5304]

@Isolder74 it's also worth saying that they were not made equally. Selling them the way they did was probably a way to hook customers who just wanted one or the other.

[@Isolder74]

@@boots5304 Yes, having one of each in the two pack just screams, well you have one of each you might as well buy both box sets too.

[@treebotreviews]

My first video on my channel compared the 2 starscreams. It's not my best video and I've cha get a lot about mu videos but I hate the Supreme version and love the Japanese version.

[@Tf_hazbin]

For me it's armor night optimus prime from age of extincti hunted that figured out for 6 years And finally found it at a flea market for 50 bucks

[@Undrave]

What about the way Takara originally released the Clones compared to Hasbro's?

[@johngolles342]

Baffled Unite Warriors Devastator didn’t make this list, or anything from Unite Warriors

[@electricgecko8997]

Huh. Thought Unite Warriors Devastator would have made the list. Gave the option of a visorless face, gave individual weapons to the Constructicons, AND gave massively improved articulation to all the individual bots.

[@otakusamageeklord]

TOTALLY DISAGREE with at least 2 that I know of, I have had metal megatron since I was a child, and it is whole 6:51 of one of my favorite figures, not only from beast wars or transformers in general....IN GOLD, this smurf does not attract my attention at all, I do not care if supposedly there is more blue ... the animals on which it is based ARE NOT BLUE and that would be impossible in fact...yes, the gold is the same, I don't care, I don't find it fragile at all, I have it as it is since I was a child

[@skybite]

RID Skid-Z because takaratomy Release Indy Heat has a stronger plastic for the flip changing Transformation. Robotmasters Mirage is still the best.

[@somkiat_alexavier]

The toys, history, I think is important; plus, I learned something new that I didn’t know before.

[@CassidyShadewing]

The first time I truly realised what difference a deco could make, is BW2 Magnaboss. I'd gotten him in a trade, but wasn't 100% on him becusase I didnt care for the Hasbro version. But all the little bits of added color make both the individuals and combined mode much better looking. The original Hasbro version looks like a cheap knockoff in comparison.

[@Adrahoth]

I've got Elephorca. one of my favorite beast wars purchases. was a PAIN to hunt down though

[@ucwe111]

I went out of my way to get Takara's versions of the Titans Return voyagers but the best one was their Octane (Octone in the US). Takara's version didn't have the terrible foil stickers and an extra Titan Master as the ghost of Starscream. You could even change up the robot mode transformation to make it look more like Starstcream possessing Octane like in the season 3 episode. I'm actually kind of shocked you didn't bring that one up.

[@Melrrian]

One modernish figure that I'd've have brought up is a bit of a cheat. It's really 5 in one; the Takara version of Combiner Wars Computron. Most of the figures were repaints, but at the very least, Nosecone had a new model that was so much nicer, and the overall appearance of the set was way better than the Hasbro version.

[@johngolles342]

I got Galaxy Force Vector Prime not too long ago, I always wanted an animation accurate version growing up, and I only had the Universe 08 version

[@TomMSTie1138]

10? That's easy, Unite Warriors Aerialbots and Unite Warriors Protectobots. Done!

[@allenusison3124]

In the present day, Supreme Class is called Commander Class, and fitting for its size, it's yay massive.

[@NightmareZerogbs]

I'm surprised you didn't mention TR/Legends Kup and Blurr, those are night and day.

[@veloxiraptor9213]

The ones that really drove me over the edge into importing were Henkei Dinobot (color scheme so much better than the Universe one it's nutty) and Unite Warriors Devastator (just SO MUCH STUFF cut from the Hasbro release). Thank god there's actually a much better, bigger Dinobot out now.

[@botfan78]

What about Powermaster Optimus Prime v. God Ginra? True we got it for the TRU release but I got mine before that and was so impressed by it.

[@yagamijubei28]

there are two versions of the American version of the 20th anniversary Optimus. one with battle damage scuffs with a grey rifle and a clean one with a blue rifle. i own two of those.

[@RKStrikerJK5]

19:50 Most of this list I'll shrug at or agree. This one, though? No. I _vastly_ prefer the Classics version's color scheme. It pops a lot more than the boring silver and black.

[@Joseph_Drew_III]

The figure I just had to get the Japanese version of is Titans Return Overlord, because Mega and Giga are infinitely better than Dreadnaut.

[@Cdr2002]

If you’re mad about gun Megatron: blame cops for being dumbasses who think little kids would be a threat to them

[@somkiat_alexavier]

I appreciated this video; thank you very much. If you decided to do another top 10 and then another top 10 after that, I will definitely be here to watch those. I appreciated the history conveyed, and the details, addressing each one and how they were similar and how they were different.

[@Lazrael32]

I like how you give commentary on why you didn't cover an obscure 3rd release that no one knows about anyways. genuinely it's entertaining.

[@serPomiz]

I dare say that pretty much 3/4 of the prime trilogy are better in their japanese incarnation also, spoiler pack nemesis prime, the differences are minimal, but if you want it and don't have it, shipping difference notwithstanding, the takara is a bit better

[@trence5]

Yes, number 2. I was so glad with the UN-10 United version came out.

[@bruced09]

Honestly I can’t imagine saying it was a good time when Hasbro made worse figures so you had to spend way more to get the decent version from Takara.

[@symbiote1982pk]

Are you sure about the reasoning behind nerf gun megatron? seeing as how nerf guns are still a thing I don't buy the reasoning for the clear red version, if anything it just seems like they were overdoing it.

[@consof8724]

The thing about elephorcas blue plastic is that it is also susceptible to breakage overtime similar to gps

[@omega-random-fandom-channel]

I Hate elephorca it is the worst beast wars fuzor toy someone should be fired for designing this toy

[@SixshotRevan]

I still have my Torca. Somehow he's never broken over the years.

[@haydenreviewscustomcombos]

I’m glad that the “Here’s 10“ graphic is staying the same.

[@Autobotmech]

I still say Japanese Fire Convoy is such a good figure. Also the tires are still good twenty years later ^^

[@haydenreviewscustomcombos]

So, Japan called the Fuzors Blendtrons.

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

Those japanese really love to play with their toys

[@RobimusPrime]

I only have #3. I sold all my Alternators.

[@Alex876]

torca was in neo show as herald of unicron

[@Thunderwing88]

I actually have one that is on the list, #4.

[@autobotlogan7949]

Omg I have the supreme sized starscream with the crown but I don’t actually have any of the keys or the missile or the crown

[@SteamingBurito]

Elephorca looks like a seacon

[@Acidonia150reborn]

Is it True that the GPS Issue with TM Megatron is only a US region thing and does not effect UK/ European version which would if been sold a few months later than US originals?

[@Isolder74]

The European version used the same plastic as the American version so sadly, no.

[@brucethecovidpoo1510]

Don't tempt me

[@DragoonMS]

Takara's Titans Return was part of Transformers Legends; United was the Generations 2010+Reveal the Shield stuff. And they gave a similar treatment with LG46 Targetmaster Kup.

[@sambutler953]

Honestly, I really hope we get new versions of some of these characters. Torca has always fanscinated me, but I've always been aprehensive due to the GPS on the Hasbro release, and the scalping, borderline wallet gouging prices of Elephorca. Vector Prime definitely deserves another pass over, as with most of the other Primes. (hi there, PotP, good to see you're still shit)

[@RialVestro]

You keep mentioning GPS on TM Megatron but I literally just grabbed mine off the shelf transformed him into beast mode and back again with no issues what so ever. You also specifically mention the waist joint which is really tight on mine and yet it still doesn't feel like it's going to break. And I do have the Hasbro version so I am just really confused every some someone mentions him as fragile. The Armada release of that mold feels more fragile than the original like they made it of a softer plastic but the original is super solid. Also, I would really like to see the inverse of this where the American version of a toy was actually an improvement over the Takara release. I don't think there are quite as many where the American version is better but there are a few I could name. TM Rattrap is actually far more accurate to the show if you got the Hasbro version. The Takara version made him more pink than red for some reason. RID Megatron/Car Robots Gigatron. Gigatron was made first and technically that version of the mold was never released in America. He was retooled to make Devil Gigatron adding 4 extra modes, technically 5 as there is an unofficial hidden mode that was engineered but not included in the instructions. The original version of the mold does not have the necessary retools to make these extra modes possible however in America both Megatron and Galvatron were released with the Devil Gigatron version of the mold which means if you want to transform Gigatron/Megatron into Devil Gigatron/Galvatron's additional alt modes that he technically shouldn't have, you have to have the Hasbro version of Megatron. I don't even like mentioning this one cause I didn't even like Prime Smokescreen but his original toy in Japan was a repaint of Knockout that came with an Arms Micron which were never used in the show. His first toy in America was an entirely new mold that was far more accurate to how he looked in the show. I have a few from Prime who I'm mainly going to mention because the Japanese versions came with Arms Microns and did not include their signature weapons from the show. The Arms Microns are designed to transform into their weapons but because they have to also transform into a robot or animal they end up having limbs hanging off of them in weapon mode and being far too bulky to look correct as a weapon. I will say that Takara also gave us a few versions of characters in Japan that were never released in the U.S. such as a version of Megatron with the Dark Star Saber and the Prime arm he stole, Unicron which can actually combine with Megatron to give a look similar to when Megatron was possessed in the show, the Jet Vehicon, and Breakdown. The Car Vehicon mold we did get in America and on top of the Japanese version having an inaccurate weapon with the Arms Micron it also was retooled with extra mounting ports specifically for that inaccurate weapon, has a brighter color scheme than the show version had, and on top of all this the Hasbro version actually had paint while the Takara version came with stickers you had to put on yourself and one of the stickers you had to take the toy apart to apply it and the toy was known to BREAK while doing this. Most people opted to put the sticker on TOP of the clear plastic rather than risk breaking it by trying to remove it to put the sticker under that clear plastic piece. The Hasbro version coming with a Decepticon sticker already painted on under that clear plastic so there's no need to take it apart instantly makes it a WAY better figure. It wasn't just the Prime toys that suffered from the Arms Micron gimmick. There's also a Takara release of WfC Shockwave which comes with an Arms Micron weapon and was also specifically remolded to be able to use that weapon. These remolds include a couple of pegs hanging off of his wings. On the plus side his Arms Micron is actually one of the better weapons but that's also because it barely transforms and just has tiny little bug legs that fold out so in gun mode it stays pretty accurate to the video game and you can't even tell it transforms into a beetle... of course in beetle mode you also can't tell it's suppose to be a beetle. Anyway you actually lose some play value because Shockwave's original gun came in 2 pieces allowing it to be 2 different weapons in 1. And those added pegs to his wigs really aren't helping him when he already looks like something that technically shouldn't be able to fly but at least without the pegs you could tell he had wings! Speaking of WFC, Skywarp also had a better toy in the U.S. with a far more accurate color scheme. The Takara version was far too heavy on the purple seemingly forgetting the black parts of his original deco. I seem to recall a lot of people mentioning how this was a rare exception where the Hasbro version had the better paint job. I'm sure there's more, at least enough to make a top ten video out of, certainly not as many as the other way around but I think there should be enough to at least do one video covering the inverse of this. I'm not as familiar with Takara releases so the 6 I mentioned here was the best I could do. I know there's also some mold changes between Ginrai and Power Master Optimus Prime but I'm not familiar enough with either version to determine what the differences actually are or which one is better just from looking at pictures. The only significant change that I can tell is Apex Bomber has longer missiles than God Bomber.

[@TJOmega]

You're lucky, trust me, it's a very common toy to find broken.

[@Isolder74]

@@TJOmega It’s a common toy to break itself just standing in robot mode. Either he had the Takara version and forgot about it or was tempting fate.

[@capmodesty]

I will say on the subject of Transmetal Megatron, the major breakage point on the versions I have handled are on the swing mechanism for the arms rotating them out for robot or beast mode knackard them all, not had the problem with the Metals version thankfully

[@EternityKingdomsHeadHoncho]

Legends Lio Convoy >>> TR Alpha Trion

[@sharkticongnaw5856]

I literally just "tried to get" mine back n the packaging....went well..."till"... Got to the Tail....it snapped like it was "cool"... It snapped n a😒 way could still "hold on" for back n package... I stuk n there n re glued the package but yeah...😖😖😖😖

[@sharkticongnaw5856]

Torca

[@ShokoArc]

Japanese Titans return Kup and Blurr look way better than the studio series ones

[@DetectiveBarricade]

Eh, I think the SS Kup looks a bit better, though the Buzzworthy version is significantly better. Both Blurr look good in my opinion.

[@ShokoArc]

@@DetectiveBarricade I really don't SS kup's transformation, the same for Blurr

[@DetectiveBarricade]

@@ShokoArc Really? I can get Kup, but SS Blurr transforms pretty similarly to TR/Legends Blurr... although I'll give that the latter's arms handle the kibble better.

[@ShokoArc]

@@DetectiveBarricade there are part's in blurr's transformation that make me feel like it's going to snap Specially when concealing everything under the legs