Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 28/09/2026(From the old account) In 1982, Knickerbocker and Bandai were in talks to import Machine Robo. It fell apart when Knickerbocker's parent company, Warner Comminications, vetoed the deal. If Warner was looking to sell Knockerbocker at the time, a long term deal with Bandai may have complicated that. 191
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 18/09/2026I noticed everyone takes the same pictures of Robot Base, with a static, almost wiki-esque pose. As a consequence, here’s something very simple which shouldn’t be mind-blowing, but probably is. Surprise. 2334
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Having extremely niche interests involves a lot of showing someone a very ordinary-looking object, and saying “take my word, this is incredibly impressive”. 2192
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 16/09/2026There’s a Japanese joke I use as an example of how bad machine translation can be at comedy manga. “What is a panda's favorite food? It’s bread!” The Japanese word for bread is “pan”, and “da” is an exclamation, so “panda” sounds like you’re excitedly saying “bread!” 3126
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 09/09/2026@oritech.bsky.social 巨大ロボG-1はキットバッシングで作られたと思いますか?ほとんどの部分は粘土のように非常に粗い質感だが、疑わしい箇所では市販品のように滑らかになっている。その拳はジャンボマシンダーから来る拳に似ている。頭部は見覚えがありません。 141
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 03/09/2026In the last dozen or so years, you could go to a dollar store and buy a knock off Gats Blocker with five plastic Dianauts, in a package covered with distressingly modern Transformers ..twice 1131
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 31/08/2026Two attempts to deal with problematic artwork, for a retro re-release. Bring them out of the kitchen, or just put up a wall and seal them inside, like the Cask of Amontillado. 0121
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 25/08/2026One of the bonuses of tracking down vintage manga, is they usually come with great old Takara SF Land advertisements, and the figures in them often use prototype or early production parts. Today, let’s party like it’s Skullbrain and enjoy an avalanche of vintage ads, in no particular order. 1/5 3258
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 14/08/2026Hasbro made several changes to the Diaclone Car Robots molds for Transformers. Sometimes it was strengthening easily-broken parts, which is appreciated. Unfortunately, there could be consequences, and some figures lost functionality, like Car Robot No.2 Onebox Cherry Vanette, AKA Ironhide/Ratchet. 1206
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 11/08/20261971 G.I. Joe: The Most Wicked Company manga, by Mikiya Mochizuki During the war, the sound effects for the different armies are in their own languages. While visually striking, these were unfortunately transliterations of Japanese sound effects, leading to cultural disconnect for a native speaker. 073
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 09/07/2026“Guts: Eject. Operation: I’m friggin’ dead.” It’s surprising how many of the one shot Transformers manga felt no compunction about graphically murdering important Decepticons 3184
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 29/06/2026It might be the joke Diaclone manga for little babies, but I genuinely think this tactic of rapidly un-combining to avoid an attack, then re-combining behind the enemy is brilliant. 091
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 25/06/2026“John Henry was a Steel Drivin’ Man”, but it’s just human translators adding more and more cultural context notes 031
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 23/06/2026As mail order figures, the Transformers Omnibots didn’t have individual box art. However, they did for their original release as the Diaclone Double Changers. That art was used to piece together this image from the catalog… for the most part. For some reason, Savanna RX-7 ironically got the shaft. 0211
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 20/06/2026The common narrative is that smaller action figures were necessary, because it’s just too hard to make vehicles and playsets for 12 inch figures. What’s frustrating, is how easily disproven this is. Barbie’s had over 100 cars, and a new dream house every 2 to 3 years, for the last six decades. 182
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 15/06/2026Please enjoy a visual metaphor for why I’m not a fan of Devastator using a gun 1122
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 11/06/2026This image from a Diaclone catalog is popular for showing an early prototype of Battle Convoy Overlooked is the fact that he has a completely different name in the photo Here, the toy is called “No. 17 Trailer Base”. Only a later spread with the final toy, would use the name “No.17 Battle Convoy” 33315
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 08/06/2026Diaclone the Great Robot Base I can think of one or two fans who would cringe over being this cavalier with the most fragile parts of Robot Base, but it’s important to keep in mind: 1. I have the hands of a surgeon, and 2. Risks must be made for the science of “this is what the thing looks like” 3243
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 19/05/2026On paper, I am very familiar with the size of a Microman figure. Theoretically, there should be no reason whatever to mentally readjust from seeing the stock photos, to having the item in hand. …. 0111
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 15/05/2026You’re probably familiar with View-Masters (which are just a kid-version of the Victorian stereoscope). Transformers of course had View-Master reels, and they’re not very difficult to scan. If you tear a View-Master reel open, it is just film glued to paper, and film scanners are readily available 1308
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 12/05/2026The way Takara SF Land toy lines worked wasn’t spin-offs, as much as “trying to capture a different market” Giant robots were popular, they made Diaclone. Microman moved away from interchangeability, they made Blockman Timanic was designed as serious science fiction, for kids who outgrew Microman 1143
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 08/05/2026The 2024 McDonald’s Changeables Neon Genesis Evangelion crossover is a real thing that happened. They were ¥3,900, not free in a Happy Meal. Unfortunately, this makes it harder to give them to your traumatized son, and force him to play with them as you glare unapprovingly. 092
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 03/05/2026The original patent for Punch-Counterpunch confirms the fan theory that the figure was designed to use the leg transformation which would result in a shorter Autobot. This transformation also makes Punch’s stubby little arms proportionate. 68428
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 02/05/2026The Micro Change Gun Robo came with little cardboard targets of AcroSatans and Marshal Admiral AcroDevil to shoot at. These usually go for crazy prices, so please enjoy some scans. Just promise not to destroy the secondary market with counterfeits? 3209
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 29/04/2026Super BomBom, November 1987 Transformers Side Story: Beastformers, by Masahiro Kanda English translation 1/4 14316
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 28/04/2026@msipher.bsky.social Psssst! bsky.app/profile/necr... 262
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 28/04/2026Super BomBom, July 1987 Transformers: Beastformers Volume, by Ikuo Miyazoe English translation 1/5 This is the one you wanted to read, right? 22513
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 28/04/2026Something which has always stood out to me about Beastformers, is how open it was to different artistic interpretations. Each artist who worked on it seemed to reinvent the wheel, developing a unique style, and disregarding any prior art. This is especially noticeable, with the manga. 2145
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 26/04/2026SF Land Evolution (which is all about the influence of older lines) provides an interesting theory connecting Beastformers to Diaclone. For the fortresses, they didn’t make something like a castle, or a volcano. Instead, they chose mobile Great Robot Beasts, which open to reveal the playset inside. 0128
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 21/04/2026Have you even seen The Prisoner, if it wasn’t in the original Japanese? Prisoner No.6 (プリズナーNo.6) originally aired in Japan from March 2nd - June 22nd 1969. 186
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 01/04/2026“Aw yeah, I’m gonna chop that fire so good!” Why does the Legacy G.I. Joe Firefighter come with two little hand axes? I figure he either throws them like a carnival act, or he’s the Benihana chef of firefighters 091
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 31/03/20261. G.I. Joe was using drones in 1983 2. They put a flamethrower on it 3. It was worth half a flag point 0123
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 29/03/2026Oh no It would be the absolute worst thing ever if these get really popular, and Takara finds out. 181
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 22/03/2026If someone tries to outbid you at the very last second, but it doesn’t work and you still win the auction… How do you send them a Venmo request for the extra money they just cost you for no damn reason? 161
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 19/03/2026Bad news: the new Matchbox Motocompo is too big for a Dianaut. Good news: 14526
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 18/03/2026When a blog shuts down, all of the intrusive watermarks on their images should fade away, like a wizard’s curse being lifted by their death. 080
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 18/03/2026It is very hard to describe the subtle differences of the Micro Change Gun Robo figures’ chrome, without sounding like some pretentious jerk describing wines. The chrome on the original red version is cool and dark, while the later blue release is bright and warm, almost like rose gold. 1162
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 04/03/20261/5 Every month TV Magazine ran a contest, giving away toys provided by the companies. These were colorful fold-out spreads with an overwhelming number of robot toys. Interestingly, the images used were often prototypes. Nothing really worth translating, so just enjoy some pictures of robots. 34215
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 04/03/2026The Skyscraper robot from Big was a kitbash, which doesn’t appear to use a pre-existing skyscraper toy (the arch above the doorway is a peanut butter jar lid). The main robot components look like they come from one of the many, many Horikawa robot releases. Do you get it? 35121
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 02/03/2026Part Two! Today we’re Repairing Radio Cassette Robo himself! As you already know, the cassette is the actual radio, while the robot is really just a speaker. Inside the tape compartment is a little 2.5 mm jack which plugs into the cassette when it’s inserted, so he WILL NOT hold cassette robots. 1152
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 27/02/2026Believe it or not, this is a radio. Pretty cool, huh? Well, it WILL be a radio, once I solder that tiny black wire back onto the board. It's powered by an LR-44 battery, but you can get away with a 357/303 instead. Okay, soldering didn't go too bad. I didn't singe the antenna, so that’s good. 1102
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 26/02/2026It’s kind of bonkers how every re-release tries to fix Zarana’s face, huh? This impossible task has humbled multiple generations of sculptors. 0153
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 24/02/2026In “What if Things Were Different?”, TV Magazine explores a world where kaiju are able to stop fighting, and get along. They’d wear clothes, have jobs, start bands, and Ultraman and Windom would finally be free to express their love. It’s a sobering look at a life just outside our grasp. 33723
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 23/02/2026At a 2017 HasCon presentation, Hasbro revealed there was a point they were considering a G.I. Joe series of missile-launching armored horsies. 2173
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 23/02/2026Calling it now: After credits scene for the new Masters of the Universe movie will be a badly beaten Skeletor begging someone offscreen for more power, to defeat He-Man. Then we get a quick reveal of the ghostly image of Hordak in another dimension, like the Thanos cameo at the end of Avengers. 1103
Reposted by NecronomitronDM @grimdm.bsky.social · 22/02/2026@necronomitron.bsky.social Suddenly this pre-Transformer got an update: 153
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 18/02/2026In 1983, TV Magazine attempted to answer the playground argument once and for all, with “Gamera vs Godzilla”! (a thinly disguised ad for a new Gamera model kit) After comparing their strengths, it concluded they were evenly matched. From an academic standpoint: that is absolute horseshit. 1228
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 17/02/2026There are times when the fourth wall of your hobby cracks a little, and you have to step back to admit, "From an objective point of view... this is pretty stupid." Today, that was after receiving a box stuffed with bricks of vintage TV Magazine and stacking them on a desk, like a manga drug lord. 3243
Necronomitron @necronomitron.bsky.social · 15/02/2026The “Microman Missing Link” go cart they just unveiled doesn’t LOOK very exciting, but the game changer will be if they kept the transformation. The Spy Magician vehicles all changed into role play spy gear. “Drag Tiger” (aside from being an amazing drag queen name) turned into a crossbow pistol. 1163