Transformers: Overview
The History of Transformers Action Figures
Transformers are one of the most popular lines of action figures ever made; they remain popular today. They first arrived in shops in 1984 and this was the same year as an animated TV series of the same name appeared. There are some people who have been collecting Transformer action figures since that time, and more kids are becoming fans of the collection all the time. The Transformer movie in 2007 did a lot to revamp interest; not that this was really needed.
The original Transformer action figure was created by a Japanese toy company called Takara; the toys were later produced by Hasbro in the US. It was actually the Hasbro who called them Transformers; before this they had been known as Microman or Dalaclone. Unlike some other action figures that were spin-offs from cartoons or comic books; the Transformers action figures came before the animated series and movies. In fact the animated series and comic books that came out in 1984 were used to promote the toys. Hasbro should be complimented on knowing where the real money was.
The Transformers has produced a huge number of different toy lines that are still being added to today. The Generation One toys were released in 1984 and were more or less the same as the previous Microman and Dalaclone Japanese toys; in fact they even came from the same moulds. These Generation One figures developed over the next few years until the Generation Two toys were introduced nine years later; there were plenty of accessories added along the way as well. The new generation two was quite similar to the original but came with different weapons and had a different color scheme. In 1996 Hasbro released the Beast machines and in 2001 the Robots in Disguise entered the fray. New lines have continued since then with the Universe collection being made up of everything that has gone before.
There are many reasons given for the popularity of the Transformers’ action figure series, but there is no doubting that there was some fantastic marketing involved. It would also be fair to point out that these figures really capture the imagination of children around the world. The war between the Autobots and the Decepticons is tantalizing enough to create endless interesting storylines, and this adds to the enjoyment of the action figures. The idea of aliens who can transform themselves into everyday machinery is a clever one. There is probably little doubt that the Transformers will remain popular for years to come.
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US $239.99
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Transformers: Overview
Transformers: Store
Transformers: Storyline
Transformers: The Bad Guys
Transformers: The Good Guys