One More Time...Transformers: The Complete Series

Just in case you missed the first release of Transformers: The Complete Series from Shout Factory, they are releasing a new complete series collection in 2011. This box set should be easier to find and at most major retail stores. Be on the lookout, the set is coming! Also, Shout Factory has confirmed new box sets for Transformers: Beast Wars and the never before officially released in the United States Japanese exclusive Transformers: Takara series! Transformers: Takara is the collective name for the three shows which were released from 1988 to 1990 exclusively in Japan: Transformers: The Headmasters, Transformers: Super-God Masterforce, and Transformers: Victory.

Buster

Before jumping back into my Making Sense of Generation One series, I thought I would put up a couple toy reviews on two of the characters from the second chapter of the Japanese exclusive animated series. Buster is the Japanese version of the U.S. character Dreadwind. The figure is a Godmaster (Powermaster in the U.S. and Europe). The gimmick behind this figure is that a human being is using the Masterforce is able to transform and combine with a lifeless Transtector to become a Transformer himself. Buster and his brother Hydra were able to combine with two Transtectors which transformed from jets to robots. The two jets could also combine in vehicle mode to form Darkwing (Dreadwing in the U.S. and Europe).

The toy itself is exactly the same as his U.S. counterpart. The only major difference is the color scheme has been slightly altered. The jet comes with a pilot figure which can transform into an engine. When the engine is combined with the jet, it unlocks the toy's ability to transform. The jet mode looks great (minus the robot arm kibble under the wings). The robot mode also looks great, but it has a lot of jet kibble on the back. As with most Generation One Transformers, articulation is limited at best. However, that was part of the charm to me of the old school figures.

The toy was released in 1988 in the U.S. as the Decepticon Power Master Dreadwind. Since the U.S. animated series had ended its run of new episodes in 1987, the only animated version of Dreadwind was seen in the toy commercials. Dreadwind played a larger role in the U.S. comics. In Japan, Buster was released also in 1988 as part of the Transformers: Super-God Masterforce series. Buster and Hydra were main characters in the 42 episode animated series which began its broadcast run in 1988 and continued to 1989. That series will actually be the next series discussed in my Making Sense of Generation One series.

Where Did The Time Go?

Wow... that is all I can say. I have looked at my blog a few times since last year, but I haven't done any updates since August of 2010. Needless to say, time just seemed to get away from me. I have a lot of other things going on in my life at this time, but I still want to try and keep up with this blog. Transformers are still awesome, and I still enjoy the brand. I mean, what's not to love about the continuing war between the Autobots and Decepticons. It seems like following the age old struggle keeps the kid in me alive and kicking. All this to say, I'll be back up and running with new posts ASAP! Once again, we're back!