Studio Series

In an out of the blue reveal, In Demand Toys has revealed that Takara Tomy will be releasing a series of figures under the "Premium Finish" name. The implication is that these figures will feature "premium" decos compared to their mass release counterparts. The photos posted by In Demand show Siege Optimus Prime and Studio Series Volkswagon Beetle Bumblebee as the first two releases in this series. However, the photos are a bit fuzzy and it is hard to tell just how extensively the decos have been changed.

Fellow fan site TFW2005 has reported some new listings for the Studio Series line of movie based figures. There is a lot to absorb here as the line continues to expand beyond the traditional "Bayverse" characters. From the Bumblebee Movie fans can expect characters seen in the exciting opening scene on Cybertron including Brawn and Ratchet! Then on the other side we have more characters coming from the "1986" sub-line of Studio Series figures. These include Perceptor and a Junkion named Junkyard.

The highly anticipated Studio Series 86 has begun hitting retail.  These figures represent characters from the 1986 animated film The Transformers: The Movie and will help bolster the Generations collections of fans everywhere!  Today I kick off my reviews of these figures with a look at Hot Rod including a gallery of 50+ images!

General Information
Release Date: December 2020
Price Point: $29.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: Blasters x 2, Hand Saw, Matrix of Leadership, Matrix Blast Effect, Wrist Blaster Blast Effects x 2

For a few weeks now Studio Series 86 figures have been appearing on Target toy stores in the U.S.  These sightings have been for the Deluxe and Voyager Class figures, but now the Leader Class has hit shelves!  Fellow fan Sohrob Ibrahimi has reported finding Leader Class Grimlock with Wheelie at Target in VA!   You can see the item below and check Brickseek to see if it is in your area now!  Image credit goes to Sohrob Ibrahimi.

Takara Tomy Mall has posted a listing for Studio Series B-127 including new photos!  This figure represents Bumblebee as he appeared on Cybertron in the Bumblebee live action film.  This figure is a retool and redeco of the Cliffjumper sculpt from the same film.  The Takara Tomy listing shows a price of ¥ 3,080 (about $29.66 USD) with a release date of June 2021.  In contrast, the price in the U.S.

Earthrise comes to a close and Kingdom reigns supreme, bringing back the amazing world of the Beast Wars!  Meanwhile Studio Series continues with sub-lines including Buzzworthy Bumblebee Target exclusives and Studio Series 86 based on the animated film from the 80's!

December has been an exciting month for Transformers fans who pre-ordered figures early in the year. Many figures from God Neptune to the Ratchet/Paradron Medic two pack have been shipping, and now fans have two more figures to keep an eye out for in the US! Fellow fan Yousef Jazayri as posted a sighting on the Transformers Addicts!

A couple weeks ago, photos of a previously unannounced "Buzzworthy Bumblebee" Core Class figure appeared online, causing some erm...buzz among fandom. Now thanks to In Demand Toys on Facebook we have more images from this "sub-line" of figures.

General Information:
Release Date: February 2018
Price Point: $29.99 (Varies by retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Toys R Us, K-Mart, Target etc.)
Accessories: Rocket clusters x 2, Head