Transformers: Alternity

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Transformers: Alternity is a subline of the Transformers series by Takara Tomy. The Alternity series consists of toys of well-known Transformers characters as licensed scale 1:32 vehicles. [1] The Alternity series is the successor to the Binaltech line, which was sold in the U.S. as Alternators.

Transformers: Alternators is a series of Transformers toys that were released in 2003. Alternators were produced by Hasbro in North America and Europe, and produced by Takara in Japan. Alternators are 1:24 scale versions of officially licensed vehicles. Each vehicle has two versions, the base model and the sport model.

Contents

The Alternity toys are only released in Japan by Takara Tomy, starting in 2009. Hasbro have indicated they have no plans to release the line in their markets. [2]

Japan Island country in East Asia

Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies off the eastern coast of the Asian continent and stretches from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and the Philippine Sea in the south.

Hasbro American toy and media company

Hasbro, Inc. is an American worldwide toy and board game company. It is the largest toy maker in the world in terms of stock market value, and third largest with revenues of approximately $5.12 billion. Hasbro acquired the trademarks and products of Kenner, Parker Brothers, and Milton Bradley, among others. Among its products are Transformers, G.I. Joe, Power Rangers, Rom, Micronauts, M.A.S.K., Monopoly, Furby, Nerf, Twister, and the My Little Pony franchise. The Hasbro brand also spawned TV shows to promote its products, such as Family Game Night on the Discovery Family network. The corporate headquarters is located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The majority of its products are manufactured in East Asia.

Fiction

The Alternity story is told through character bios and mini-comics packed with the toys.

Binaltech origins

In the climax of the Binaltech saga, the universe itself is collapsing due to manipulation to the timestream. Amidst the chaos, a mysterious figure, calling itself only the "Protector", appears and restores the balance. While the Autobots had unsuccessfully tried to repair the damage by attempting to undo the events of the corrupted timeline, the Protector instead split the Binaltech world into its own universe, both restoring the original timeline and preserving the Binaltech continuity in a new, parallel universe. When asked the reason for preserving events that were never supposed to happen, the Protector responded that the Binaltech universe and the Binaltech warriors would give birth to the Alternity. [3]

<i>The Transformers: The Movie</i> 1986 US animated film

The Transformers: The Movie is a 1986 animated film based on the Transformers television series, in turn based on the Transformers toyline created by Hasbro. It was released in North America on August 8, 1986, and in the United Kingdom on December 12, 1986. The film was co-produced and directed by Nelson Shin, who also produced the original Transformers television series. The screenplay was written by Ron Friedman, who would create The Bionic Six a year later. The movie features the voices of Eric Idle, Judd Nelson, Leonard Nimoy, Casey Kasem, Robert Stack, Lionel Stander, John Moschitta Jr., Peter Cullen and Frank Welker. It also marked the final roles for both Orson Welles, who died the year before its release, and Scatman Crothers, who died months after its release. The film's story takes place in 2005, 20 years after the events of the TV series' second season, and serves to bridge into the third season.

In the closing chapters of the story, it's revealed that the Protector is Optimus Primal, from the future, and that materials and technology that will be key to the existence of the Alternity are starting to emerge from the research and development of projects derived from Binaltech technology.

Optimus Primal

Optimus Primal is a fictional character from the Transformers toyline, and the leader of the Maximal forces and the protagonist in the Beast Wars television series. He is sometimes called Optimal Optimus. The name Optimus Primal was given to Optimus Prime during the initial run of the Beast Wars toy line, before it was decided that Optimus Primal was a separate character.

Alternity fiction

As the Alternity fiction opens, it is revealed that the Alternity are the evolution of the Transformers race into higher-dimensional beings. [4] These beings are so powerful they cannot be perceived in three-dimensional universes, and they therefore occupy one or more vehicle avatars in order to interact with beings on a lesser plane. The Alternity must deal not only with Megatron, but also a super-dimensional beast known as "Hytherion". [4]

Toys

Like the Binaltech line before it, Alternity consists of well-known Transformers characters with extensively detailed scale licensed vehicle modes. However, while Binaltech figures were 1:24 scale and consisted of large amounts of die cast, those in the Alternity line are 1:32, making them approximately "deluxe" sized, and their metal content is limited to supporting substructure, such as spines or driveshafts. The working title for the line was originally "Binaltech Mini". [1] The line also takes some cues from the Movie toyline, with finely sculpted robot-mode details, as well as its Automorph technology.

A-01: Nissan GT-R

Released simultaneously in 2009.
Released in 2009, several months after the red and silver versions.
An e-Hobby (Japan) and TF China Festival (China) exclusive release. [5]
An Asian market exclusive release.

A-02: Nissan 370Z

Released simultaneously in 2009.
Released in 2009, several months after the silver and blue versions.
Scheduled for release in September 2012 as a Toy Hobby Market exclusive.

A-03: Suzuki Swift Sport

Released simultaneously in 2009. While sharing the same body mold, the figures have unique head sculpts.
Released late in 2011.

A-04: Mitsuoka Orochi

Released simultaneously in June 2010. While sharing the same body mold, the figures have unique head sculpts.
Announced for release in 2010 as a redeco of Alternity Skywarp. Unlike the other models, this figure is painted in a color not currently offered on the original car.
Released in September 2012 as a Toy Hobby Market exclusive.

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References

  1. 1 2 "Alternity: Megatron Story & Bio, TakaraTomy Staff interview - TFW2005 - The 2005 Boards". TFW2005. Retrieved 2010-06-28.
  2. ↑ "Exclusive - Hasbro Answers the Fans - 10/2008 - TFW2005 - The 2005 Boards". TFW2005. Retrieved 2010-06-28.
  3. ↑ BT-17 chapter translation at Fan2Fan
  4. 1 2 "Alternity Convoy bio translated - TFW2005 - The 2005 Boards". TFW2005. Retrieved 2010-06-28.
  5. ↑ TFW2005.com - Ultra Magnus - Nissan GT-R Brilliant White Pearl
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