The Weirdness Going on at Hasbro

So, over the weekend at Cybertron Con, Hasbro announced that there would be a bunch of new toys coming out, many as part of the beloved “Classics” line.

Except, they’re only going to be exclusive to Hasbro Asia. Not even Japan, but Asia.

Check out Planet Iacon Singapore Transformers Fans Unite‘s Facebook page for the pictures. Here’s a listing, thanks to TFW2005:

Legion Class:

  • Bluestreak (redeco of “Reveal the Shield” Legends Prowl)
  • Hoist (redeco of “Reveal the Shield” Legends Trailcutter)
  • Motormaster (redeco of “Reveal the Shield” Legends Optimus Prime)
  • Thundercracker (redeco of “Reveal the Shield” Legends Thundercracker)

Scout Class:

  • Brawl (redeco of “Hunt for the Decepticons” Breacher)
  • Dead End (redeco of “Revenge of the Fallen” Breakdown)
  • Laserbeak (redeco of “Revenge of the Fallen” Skystalker)
  • Sandstorm (redeco of “Revenge of the Fallen” Dune Runner)

Deluxe Class:

  • Cliffjumper (redeco of “Transformers Prime First Edition” Cliffjumper with new G1 style head)
  • Springer (redeco of “Hunt for the Decepticons” Tomahawk with new head)
  • Swerve (redeco of “Generations” Sergeant Kup with new head)
  • Wheelie (redeco of “Reveal the Shield Jazz” with new head)

Voyager Class:

  • Brawn (redeco of “Transformers Prime First Edition” Bulkhead with new head)
  • Generation 2 Megatron (redeco of “Revenge of the Fallen” Bludgeon with new head)
  • Hot Spot (redeco of “Transformers Universe” Inferno with new head)
  • Power Dive (redeco of “Hunt for the Decepticons” Highbrow with new head)

Leader Class:

  • Ironhide (redeco of “Dark of the Moon” Leader Ironhide in G1 colors)
  • Starscream (redeco of “Hunt for the Decepticons” Leader Starscream in G1 colors)

Seriously, look at that list. If someone were to announce that on April 1st, it’d easily be seen as an April Fools’ Day prank. The fact that it’s real is only part of what makes it bizarre.

No, the really weird thing is that it’s all exclusive to the Asian market. If it were exclusive to Japan, I could understand it, but to limit it only to Asia? What the hell, Hasbro? You’re going to bypass the American and Japanese markets? You know you could make a lot of money by selling these toys to other markets. We want to give you this money!

This, coupled with the cancellation of the “Transformers Prime First Edition” and tail-end “Dark of the Moon” products has got me scratching my head. As I look at the pegs and see lots of Bumblebees and Optimus Primes just sitting there, unsold and probably won’t be sold, I have to wonder what’s going on at Hasbro marketing. Surely if they had put some of those other DOTM toys in the wave instead of Bumblebee, they’d have gotten a lot more sales.

Weirdness abounds in Pawtucket, and I only wish I knew what Hasbro was thinking. Hopefully they’ll change course and announce at BotCon that some or all of these molds coming to America and Japan. The molds exist. You can sell these products, Hasbro. You can make money on this.