Star Saber: Mega SCF PVC

Around the time that the Japanese equivalent to Transformers: Heroes of Cybertron was being released, a sub-line of PVC figures was also being released by Takara. In addition to the 3 inch tall PVC figures, there was a line of 5-6 inch PVC figures dubbed the Mega SCF collection. The figure in this post is Star Saber, the leader of the Autobots during the events of Transformers: Victory. Victory was the animated series which ran in Japan in 1989.

The Mega SCF figures were well designed, and they looked exactly like their animated counterparts. Like the standard PVC figures, these toys could not transform. However, they were far more articulated than the standard PVC figures. They also came with a number of accessories like extra hands, heads, weapons, or other character specific gear. Star Saber was an interesting addition to this line as the other Mega SCF figures (until the Armada figures) were all American known Generation One characters rather than a Japanese exclusive Generation One character. Star Saber was also the first to feature some type of transformation, although this was not found in this figure alone. Another SCF figure of Victory Leo was released who, although he couldn't transform to lion mode (I think), could disassemble and combine with Star Saber to form Victory Saber.

There are so many figures released in Japan that I wish would have seen the light of day in the United States. The Mega SCF figures are one such line. You can get your hands on them through on-line retailers like Big Bad Toy Store or by checking your local comic and collectors shops. I actually found one Mega SCF figure of the Armada Megatron at a local comic book store here complete with the original Japanese box. These figures are out of production since they were released around 2001 or 2002, but their prices aren't too high. Great display pieces if you can find them.