Tag Archives: Takara

Binaltech: Asterisk BTA-01 to BTA-03

The human infestation begins


Once in a while, spin-offs can be enjoyed more than the source. I prefer Stargate Atlantis to SG1, Deep Space 9 to TNG, Spawn: The Undead to Spawn and Ketchup to tomatoes. In late 2005, when the main Transformers Binaltech line by Takara in Japan began to wane in popularity, just before it was placed on indefinite gardening leave, Takara …

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Binaltech BT-13 to BT-16

Finish with a flourish


When Transformers collectors speak about Generation 1, the rose-tinted glasses come out and nostalgia colours perceptions. The technology employed at the time of manufacture is now appreciated for what it was in the grand scheme of things, and the figures that made up the line are enjoyed as venerable icons. When collectors now speak of Binaltech, they’re sometimes described as “ahead of …

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Binaltech BT-09 to BT-12

Experimentation


Cowards play it safe. Think of a breakthrough artist whose first album showed glimmers of massive potential including an unforgettable debut hit that will be chanted in stadiums forever. The second album builds on that potential shown to establish the band as something special, but then comes the difficult third album where a crossroads is reached. Do you go for the same winning …

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Binaltech BT-05 to BT-08

Enter the repaints


Binaltech, Alternators, reissues, Cybertron, Energon, Armada, Classics, Henkei, United, Generations, Movie, Animated, Prime, 3rd Party and Masterpiece, the scenery has been moving rapidly for Transformers collectors in the last decade. For completists the sheer weight of product must have been overwhelming, and for the dabblers not much easier. That’s to say nothing about the distraction of vintage collecting.
Often …

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Binaltech BT-01 to BT-04

Start of something beautiful


Licensed real-life vehicles, strong homages to Generation 1 Transformers, updated interpretations with much-improved posability and action figure technology, aimed at the collectors moreso than children, feverishly lapped up by fans during their pomp. No, this is not another article about the new Masterpiece Transformers toy line, I am talking about Takara’s Transformers Binaltech chapter, a series of toys that these …

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Giftset Gallery – The Popular

Various Transformers giftsets


By definition, a giftset should be something that brings happiness. Not just one Transformer, but sometimes five or six, all of which interact with each other to create something more than the sum of their parts, expecially in the case of the combiner sets. Add in a reassuringly large box covered in artwork, a shedload of accessories, and a healthy dose of …

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Collector Interview 11 – Benjamin Davis

I'd look smug too if I had what's in those cabinets


It’s time for another Source Blog Interview, and we like to think that as we approach a year’s worth of contributions from our esteemed group of selected interviewees, we’ve offered a nice spectrum of gathered experience and eye-candy across the field of vintage Transformers and pre-Transformers collecting. This month, although we …

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Giftset Gallery – The Obscure

Lio-hype-er


Everyone loves a Transformers combiner giftset. It’s a lovely word isn’t it? Giftset. Just rolls off the tongue. My spell-checker doesn’t recognise it, but collectors certainly do. Almost always bright, colourful, large and with a significant portion of the box front covered in artwork, they make for some of the most popular and impressive collection display pieces one can find. Nowadays certain …

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Under The Skin

Gentlemen, start your engines...


Toy collectors all have their reasons for spending hard-earned money on action figures, vintage toys, modern children’s toys or high-end collectibles. It could be nostalgia, simple adult appreciation, a hobby or as a coping mechanism for something. There is a wide spectrum within which people enjoy the hobby in different ways. Vintage G1 Transformers have a lot to …

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Collector Interview 10 – Colbey Hopper

Lost In Transformation


We’ve occasionally interviewed collectors with very extreme views and collecting habits, but individuals such as those can sometimes represent the minority. This month we spotlight a proud family man with strong faith who is a self-confessed sports fan, gamer, and blogger. He also has a healthy obsession with Transformers which has led to him being interviewed by a local television channel …

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