Triple Takeover Toycast

Transformers Missing Link is back in the spotlight as we dig into the latest speculation and assess what might be coming next. With names like Ultra Magnus, Galvatron, and even Metroplex entering the conversation, we weigh up the rumours, the likelihood of future releases, and what Missing Link could realistically look like as it continues to evolve. And, of course, we’re joined by our own Missing...

Studio Series SS86 Megatron has finally arrived — and few Transformers releases in recent memory have sparked quite as much discussion. From early rumours through to the official reveal, nearly every aspect of this figure has been debated, dissected, and argued over. In this episode we work through the controversy, the design decisions behind the toy, and why reactions have been so strong, conside...

'Hidden gems' returns, as we once again shine a spotlight on Transformers toys we think deserved far more attention than they received at the time. In this episode each of us brings a pick to the table, celebrating overlooked figures from across the brand’s history and making the case for why they’re worth a second look. And while the intention is to look beyond the usual G1 favourites, sticking t...

Our exploration of individual years in Transformers toys continues, this time focusing on the 1989 Micromasters. One of the biggest resets in the original line, Micromasters brought a new scale, new play patterns, and a surprising amount of personality. In this episode we look at why these mini marvels were such a bold shift at the time — and why they’ve become such a fondly remembered part of lat...

Following the Scramble City combiners of the previous year, 1987 introduced the Technobots and Terrorcons with a fresh take on a familiar design. In this episode we look at Computron and Abominus, two combiners that have grown into fan favourites over time. From their individual components to their combined forms, we discuss what sets each team apart and why opinions remain so divided when it come...

The announcement of MPG-17 means a fourth Transformers Masterpiece Optimus Prime is on the way — but what actually sets it apart from the versions that came before? In this episode we look at how the Masterpiece line has approached Optimus Prime over the years, using MPG-17 as a jumping-off point to discuss design philosophy, changing expectations, and how the line has evolved since its beginnings...

The early 2000s marked the beginning of a major wave of nostalgia for Transformers — one that has continued ever since. A key part of that resurgence was Takara's 2002–2006 The Transformers Collection series, often referred to as the “book box” reissues. In this episode we take a closer look at what made these G1 re-releases feel so special at the time. From presentation and packaging to timing an...

Despite being one of the formative Transformers toy lines of the pre-movie mid-2000s era, Takara’s Robotmasters is now largely overlooked by many collectors. In this episode we take a deep dive into the 2004 line, exploring its unusual mix of concepts, characters, and execution. Along the way we uncover a handful of genuine highlights — and a few moments that raise a smile — as we reassess where R...

It’s our 100th episode extravaganza, so naturally we aimed high and invited back two of our all-time favourite guests. When that fell through, we somehow ended up with James Roberts and Nick Roche instead. Jokes aside, the pair kindly helped us mark the milestone with an in-depth and genuinely brilliant discussion of IDW’s The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers (2010) — one of the most celeb...

With the recent reveal of Liokaiser as a HasLab project, the whole subject of Transformers crowdfunding has come up for debate once again. HasLab campaigns promise ambitious, high-end figures that might never exist at retail — but they also come with long waits, high price points, and plenty of passionate discussion among fans. So what are the real pros and cons of this approach to getting toys ma...

As Transformers began to wane at the turn of the 1990s, Takara stepped forward with a bold new direction in the form of Brave . Originally rooted in unused Transformers concepts, the Brave series quickly became a popular Japanese franchise in its own right. In this episode we take a closer look at the first year of Brave Exkaiser figures from 1990, exploring how the line established its identity a...

With Age of the Primes Superion recently revealed, combiners are firmly back on the minds of Transformers fans — along with the long-running debate over how these toys should work. Should combiners rely on partsforming? Should they transform as all-in-one figures? Or has the latest approach struck the right balance with its “skeleton”-style conversion? In this episode we break down the different p...

We kick off 2025 with another deep dive into Transformers One — and this time, we’re going big. Joining us are three special guests from Industrial Light & Magic, the team behind the film’s stunning visuals: Stephen King (Head of Animation, ILM Sydney), Amy Beth Christenson (Art Director and Lead Character Designer), and Alex Fry (Compositing Supervisor). Together, they walk us through the cre...

As 2024 draws to a close, we take a moment to look back on a spectacular anniversary year for Transformers and celebrate some of the highlights from the past twelve months of collecting. In this episode we reflect on the standout toys we picked up along the way, the surprises we didn’t see coming, and the curveballs that made the year such an interesting one for fans. It’s a relaxed, celebratory l...

We’re back with another special Transformers design team guest as we’re joined by Hasbro veteran Brian Parrish. Brian has enjoyed an incredible career working across a wide range of toy lines, but for Transformers fans his résumé is particularly stacked — from Universe 2003 and Star Wars Transformers to Rescue Bots, EarthSpark, Rise of the Beasts, Transformers One, and, crucially, the current wave...

Beast Wars remains one of the most celebrated and colourful eras in Transformers history — but the Transmetal 2 line-up is notorious for pushing boundaries in just about every possible way. In this episode, we take a tour through this weird and wonderfully chaotic ’90s roster, revisiting the designs, ideas, and excess that made Transmetal 2 toys so memorable — and so wild. From eye-catching finish...

In a real treat, we sit down with legendary Transformers comic creator Simon Furman to discuss his fan-favourite 1986 Marvel UK epic, Target: 2006 . We chat about the inspirations behind the story, its place within the wider Transformers mythos, and how Furman feels it holds up all these years later. From ambitious storytelling to lasting fan impact, this is a deep dive into one of the most celebr...

This episode continues our Transformers One discussion, with another extra special guest joining us — the hugely talented Production Designer Jason Scheier. Jason takes us behind the scenes of the film’s visuals, walking us through everything from character design to specific scenes and the creative influences that shaped them. From subtle world-building details to bold stylistic choices, there’s...

It’s the big one. After attending two separate press events for the film, we’re delighted to bring you our bumper-sized Transformers One extravaganza, featuring multiple in-depth chats with director Josh Cooley and producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura. We discuss the creative process behind the film, its themes and ambitions, and — with spoilers ahead — deliver our verdict on this bold new chapter for...

We’re honoured to be joined by the legendary writer of the classic Marvel Transformers comic — and the creator of many of the franchise’s most iconic characters — Bob Budiansky. Bob takes us back to the Marvel days of the 1980s, sharing stories from behind the scenes and reflecting on the creative process that helped define Transformers in its formative years. From character creation to world-buil...

We’re joined by an extra special guest for this episode as Hasbro Transformers designer Evan Brooks joins us for a fascinating behind-the-scenes discussion. Evan takes us inside what goes into producing the Transformers toys we all love, from the collaborative relationship with TakaraTomy to the challenges of modern toy design — with a few tantalising hints about what might be on the horizon along...

TFNation 2024 has come and gone, and as the dust settles on Europe’s largest Transformers convention, we look back on another unforgettable weekend. From the highs and lows of the show to the inevitable dealer room splurges, we reflect on the experiences, highlights, and moments that made this year’s TFNation one to remember. — Enjoying the show? There’s more than meets the ear... Find show notes...

For episode 86, we’re talking ’86 — Minibots, that is (or “Mini Vehicles”, if you prefer the official terminology). After already gassing up the previous years of these pint-sized Autobots, we turn our attention to the final batch from 1986. How do they stack up against what came before? And yes… we have plenty to say about one of them in particular. — Enjoying the show? There’s more than meets th...

It’s the return of Third Party: Heaven or Hell , as the team dives into a second round of unofficial Transformers toys — picking one truly great example, and one that absolutely misses the mark. From inspired design to baffling execution, we each make the case for a third-party release that belongs in toy heaven… and one that deserves to be cast straight into hell. That is, most of us do — as Jaso...

It’s the return of our Hidden Gems series, where each of the team champions Transformers toys from across the years that we feel deserved far more love than they ever received. From overlooked releases to underappreciated oddities, we each bring our picks to the table and make the case for why these toys should be remembered more fondly. That is… almost all of us — as Jason once again finds a way...