17 July 2007

Takara Transformer Collection series [TFC]

TFC, the Takara Transformer Collection series of G1 based reissues was released from July 2002 till March 2006. They are numbered #00 to #21.

TFC is perhaps the best line of reissues that we've been fortunate enough to get, in my opinion at least.

Here are my reasons for thinking so: (1) nice packaging with nice box art and unique original insert material; (2) faithful G1 toys with arguably better paint jobs and more accurate application of colours; and (3) some TFC reissues come with extra parts that are relevant to the G1 continuity but had never before been made or available.

A prime example of point (3), is that TFC #00 came with Prime's Laser Axe and TFC #06 came with Megatron's Mace- both weapons were seen in More Than Meets the Eye part 2 but never before released with the G1 toys. See here.

Below is a list of all TFCs and their 'specials' (denoted in italics).
  • TFC #00: Convoy (Optimus Prime) - includes MTMTE Laser Axe, binder for TFC card inserts.
  • TFC #01: Meister (Jazz)
  • TFC #02: Prowl
  • TFC #03: Skids
  • TFC #04: Tracks
  • TFC #05: Smokescreen
  • TFC #06: Megatron - includes MTMTE Mace, pellet mechanism and pellets, sword.
  • TFC #07: Lambor (Sideswipe)
  • TFC #08: Inferno
  • TFC #09: Starscream - made in G1 anime accurate colours; includes special DVD, to scale Megatron in gun mode, Optimus Prime fist to hold Megatron.
  • TFC #10: Soundwave w/ Laserbeak - made with more sturdy tape deck.
  • TFC #11: Astrotrain - white painted Astrotrain previously exclusive only to Japan.
  • TFC #12: Mini-bots (Bumblebee, Huffer, Gears, Warpath, Cosmos & Powerglide) - Bumblebee with remolded head like in G1 cartoon
  • TFC #13: Hot Rodimus & Firebolt
  • TFC #14: Hound
  • TFC #15: Stepper
  • TFC #16: Insecticons Sharpnel, Bombshell & Kickback - includes 3 energon cubes.
  • TFC #17: Blitzwing - catalogue accurate Electron Scimitar with sharp tip.
  • TFC #18: Soundblaster w/ Ravage & Buzzsaw
  • TFC #19: Perceptor
  • TFC #20: Kup & Wheelie - includes musket laser and Targetmaster Recoil for Kup, remolded Wheelie face.
  • TFC #21: Broadcast (Blaster) w/ Steeljaw

Gratuitous montage of the complete TFC Collection by Takara

Notes & Trivia:
[1] TFC #00: Optimus Prime was released out of numerical sync. It was released between TFC #06: Megatron and TFC #07: Sideswipe. Presumably, Takara planned to release the 2 leaders during the same period.
[2] TFC #11 to #16 has the special '20th Anniversary' silver crest at their top lefthand corner because they were reissued in 2004 (20 years after the beginning of Series 1 in 1984).
[3] The final released cover art for TFC #03 & #04 is different from the initial promotional art (shown here). I suspect that Takara wanted Pat Lee art on all the TFC covers, probably for consistency, and so they changed the cover of #03 and #04 to Pat Lee drawn Skids and Tracks.

My favourites in this series would have to be TFC #00, #06 and #09 for the extra cartoon relevant parts they come with. It's about time they remolded Bumblebee's face, so TFC #12 is great as well. I appreciate Takara coming up with TFC #11, #15, #18 because these used to be Japanese exclusives and before being reissued, command prices in the secondhand market that are way out of reach to most collectors.

Toward the end of 2005 and after repeated shipment delays, there was some doubt as to whether Takara would even reissue Blaster. They finally came through with Blaster in March 2006 but it appears that that will be the final TFC reissue, sadly.

The release of a new line of reissues, Transformers Encore, in August 2007 almost certainly means that the TFC line must have ended with TFC #21: Blaster.


8 comments:

  1. hi there..
    if i wanna sell my tfc collection,how much do u suggest?
    need to know what is the best price this time..
    thanks..

    ReplyDelete
  2. It really depends on:
    (1) how many TFCs you have? (All 21?)
    (2) whether they are MISB?
    (3) Selling as 1 lot or individually?
    (4) Which country you are selling from?
    (5) Mode of sale? eBay/ online/ forums/ etc.

    ReplyDelete
  3. thanks for replying..
    i brought the TFC on ebay few years ago..
    yup..im selling it complete sets(00-21)
    im from malaysia..
    so far on9..

    any suggestion?

    ReplyDelete
  4. some might MISB n some might MIB..

    ReplyDelete
  5. heya, I have no idea what they would cost in Riggit and from what I heard, you can actually sell stuff for a higher price in M'sia compared to other countries, due to shortage of supply.

    Here's what I think, in USD:

    00- $250-300
    01- $60
    02- $60
    03- $60
    04- $70-80
    05- $70-80
    06- $130-150
    07- $60-70
    08- $45
    09- $80-90
    10 - $80-90
    11- $50-60
    12- $70
    13- $45-60
    14- $50-60
    15- $45-50
    16- $70-80
    17- $60-70
    18- $75-90
    19- $75
    20- $45
    21- $60-70

    Note that over the years, various characters' prices have dropped becuase of subsequent reissues - eg: prices for the following would have dropped slightly: 01, 03, 06 (many reissues of the exact TFC boxed piece), 08, 16, 18, 21.

    ReplyDelete
  6. hi there..
    thanks for the great info..
    can u help get tfc 2,3,5 n 12?
    in Malaysia is very hard to find some tf vintage like g1,tf victory and some might other collection..
    can u do me favor by getting those collection n send it to me?
    thanks..

    ReplyDelete
  7. hi, didn't you say that you have all pieces from 00 to 21?? If you need me to source things for you, please read my FAQ and requirements there - http://heroicdecepticon.blogspot.com/2007/05/frequently-asked-questions.html
    At this stage, I will have to politely decline. =)

    ReplyDelete
  8. yes i do have all collection..
    this is requested from my friend..
    yes i understand the situation..
    seems like it very hard to get vintage transformers here..

    ReplyDelete

Your comment will be beamed to me and will be visible within 3 to 7 hours typically. Do check back or subscribe to this post for my responses or to see comments from other readers! ~ HD

Last 30 days' TOP TEN Popular Posts