Triple Takeover Toycast

This episode marks the long-awaited follow-up to our exploration of Takara’s 1998 Beast Wars II line — and this time, it’s all about the bad guys. The Predacons of Beast Wars II are perhaps not what you might expect, offering a very different flavour of villainy from elsewhere in the franchise. We dig into the designs, concepts, and oddities of the line, with plenty of toy-based enablement along t...

With a new season of Transformers: Earthspark landing, it felt like the perfect time to finally welcome Nick Roche to the podcast. Known for his legendary work on the IDW Transformers comics, Nick was also a key character designer on Earthspark , helping to define the look of several Autobots and Decepticons — not to mention the Terrans — in the series. We chat about his work across both animation...

A real treat for this episode as we’re joined by acclaimed comic creator Daniel Warren Johnson to talk all things Skybound’s Transformers . Widely celebrated for his creator-owned work and distinctive storytelling style, Daniel’s move into the world of Transformers was seen as something genuinely unprecedented — and he tells us all about his approach to taking on such an iconic franchise. We discu...

We’re talking iconic Transformers comic covers from across the years, celebrating the artwork that helped define the brand on the page. With Marvel, IDW, Skybound — and even a little Dreamwave — all up for consideration, we share favourite images, memorable moments, and the stories behind some of the most striking covers in Transformers comic history. — Enjoying the show? There’s more than meets t...

The first Transformers One trailer is finally here, and the excitement (and anxiety) is palpable. With a bold new animated take on the Transformers universe, it’s been met with a mixed reception — some fans embracing the shift, while others remain skeptical about the direction. In this episode, we dive into the trailer’s key moments and break down the reactions it’s sparked across the fandom. Whil...

Everyone loves a good Minibot, but there was something particularly special about the tiny Transformers released in 1985. Affordable, characterful, and packed with personality, these small figures played a huge role in how many fans first engaged with the brand. In this episode, we take a closer look at five of the most unusual Minibot releases from that era. From their distinctive designs and qui...

Now that the dust has settled on Missing Link Convoy , we take a closer look at one of the most talked-about Transformers releases in years. Designed to bridge the gap between vintage G1 aesthetics and modern engineering, it arrives carrying no small amount of expectation. In this episode, we dig into what makes Missing Link Convoy such a significant release, from the way it reinterprets a forty-y...

So, you think you know Transformers? This episode puts that confidence to the test as the hosts take on Sixo’s quiz, focused squarely on the Generation 1 toy line. From obscure facts and deep-cut details to moments of certainty quickly turning into second-guessing, the quiz proves to be a surprisingly revealing look at just how well we really know the toys that started it all. Along the way, there...

It’s our 75th episode and our third anniversary, so we’re marking the occasion by revisiting one of our favourite — and most overlooked — years of Transformers toys. While 1988 doesn’t always enjoy the same reputation as the years that came before it, it was a hugely important period of change for the brand. With the introduction of new gimmicks like Powermasters, Pretenders, and Micromasters, alo...

Unlike his nemesis Optimus Prime, Transformers’ most maniacal villain has never settled on a single alternate form. Over the years, Megatron has been a gun, a tank, a jet, a car — and just about everything in between. In this episode, the team attempt the impossible: delivering their definitive * ranking of every** Megatron alternate mode ever. From iconic classics to more unexpected reinventions,...

Before Titans became the ultimate expression of scale in Transformers, the toys offering the biggest bang for your buck were often found in the Supreme class. Larger than life and packed with play features, these figures were designed to impress — and they rarely did things by halves. In this episode, the team take a look back at the history of Supreme-class Transformers, exploring the oversized g...

One of the most popular and enduring Transformers toy lines of all time, 2007’s Transformers Animated marked a bold shift in both design and storytelling for the brand. Its stylised aesthetic, strong characterisation, and cohesive vision helped it stand apart from anything that had come before. In this episode, we take a closer look at the Animated toy line, with a particular focus on the Voyager...

Clear plastic has long been one of the most notorious pain points for toy collectors, often mentioned in the same breath as gold plastic syndrome (GPS) and discolouration. It’s a material that can inspire dread — and for good reason. In this episode, the team take a balanced look at clear plastic in Transformers toys, discussing when and why it causes problems, as well as the times it’s been used...

As we step into 2024, we’re also celebrating the 40th anniversary of Transformers , with plenty of exciting new toys and developments on the horizon. It’s a year full of promise, with fresh takes on familiar characters and innovative new designs set to captivate collectors old and new. In this episode, the team look ahead to what the anniversary year has in store, from the upcoming releases that h...

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, which means it’s time to look back at the Transformers toys that defined 2023 for us. From standout releases to unexpected highlights, this episode is all about celebrating the figures that brought the most joy over the past twelve months. In this festive chat, the team reflect on what made certain releases shine, whether through clever engineering, strong...

We’re heading back to the Beasts — but this time, we’re off to Japan for one of the most colourful and distinctive chapters of late ’90s Transformers: Beast Wars II . In this episode, Sixo introduces Liam and Jason to Takara’s 1998 Maximal lineup, a toy range bursting with bold designs and unusual character choices. From lions and insects to a truly unforgettable giant octopus, we explore how Beas...

It’s still early days for Skybound’s new Energon Universe , but there’s already plenty to unpack as Transformers makes its return to comics in a bold new form. In this episode, the team kick off an ongoing discussion by examining the first two issues of Daniel Warren Johnson’s acclaimed Transformers series, alongside Robert Kirkman’s Void Rivals . We talk first impressions, tone, visual identity,...

For this extra-special episode, we dive deep into the Triple Takeover mailbag to answer questions from listeners about Transformers, toy collecting, the podcast itself, and plenty more besides. Covering everything from collecting habits and favourite eras to broader thoughts on the brand, it’s a wide-ranging and relaxed discussion shaped entirely by the community around the show. Along the way, we...

Following on from the highs of Binaltech , TakaraTomy returned to the idea of ‘real car’ Transformers in 2009 with a very different proposition: Alternity . Smaller in scale but far more stylised, the line offered a distinctive reimagining of licensed vehicles through a uniquely Japanese design lens. In this episode, the team take a closer look at the Alternity toy line, examining its repaint-heav...

We’re back for a third round of Transformers ‘hidden gems’, as each member of the team selects two toys from across the brand’s history that they feel never quite received the recognition they deserved. From overlooked releases and quiet successes to figures that may simply have arrived at the wrong moment, we explore why these toys slipped under the radar — and whether they truly were underapprec...

With TFNation 2023 now behind us, we’re joined by organisers Dave Mapes and Billy Stripes to take a look behind the scenes of Europe’s largest Transformers convention. In this episode, we talk about what goes into running an event of this scale, from planning and logistics to the challenges and pressures that come with bringing a huge fan community together. We explore how TFNation has evolved ove...

TFNation 2023 has come and gone, marking another memorable chapter in the UK’s Transformers social calendar. As always, the event brought together the community for a weekend packed with conversation, creativity, and shared enthusiasm for the brand. In this episode, the team reflect on the highlights of the weekend, from panels and catch-ups to the overall atmosphere that makes TFNation such a spe...

How do Transformers fans respond when mysterious new toys start to surface before anything is officially confirmed? Blurry images, half-heard rumours, and rampant speculation can often say as much about the fandom as the product itself. In this episode, the team discuss their reactions to unconfirmed toy images circulating at the time — what would later be revealed as Missing Link Convoy (Optimus...

We’re back on our tour through each year of the classic Transformers toy line, and this time we arrive at 1987 — a period of notable change for the robots in disguise. With chunkier, more ‘blocky’ designs and the introduction of new play patterns through gimmicks like Headmasters and Targetmasters, this was a year that marked a clear shift in how Transformers toys looked and felt. In this episode,...

The robots in disguise return to the big screen, and there’s plenty to unpack in this spoiler-filled discussion of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts . In this episode, the team dive deep into the latest cinematic outing for the franchise, talking through what worked, what didn’t, and how the film fits into the broader Transformers movie landscape. From character moments and action beats to tone, pa...