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Hero X
Generations 2022 Interviews
Translated & Interpreted by Jeremy Barlow © Soundwave's Oblivion
2022. Many thanks to Paco_Grande for providing me with photographs from the
book, without which I would have been unable to translate the below.
For Kojin Ono's
full
interview from the Generations 2022 Book, please click
HERE.
Hisashi Yuki Transformers
Legacy Metroplex / Victory Saber
● A Titan Class figure with fantastic articulation.
-How was Metroplex selected for this year's Titan
Class?
Hasbro made the decision. When I heard Metroplex was next, my first thought
was “You’re going to make another Titan Class Metroplex?”. I was surprised
but it turned out to be the “Transformers Cybertron Metroplex”. In Japan
it's called “Transformers Galaxy Force Megalo Convoy”. In the end it made
perfect sense (laughs).
-What direction did the development take?
As you may have guessed the Titan Cass has a very strict budget for its
size. Even with existing moulds the budget is very limited and manufacturing
costs are rising year on year. For instance it’s been about 10 years since I
worked on the previous Titan Class Metroplex but it’s impossible for us to
offer a similar product at the same price point. However the instructions I
received from Hasbro did state “same size as the previous Metroplex”
(laughs). To make sure the price point wouldn’t be affected we made some
adjustments to the size, left out Horibull and so on.
-So you honourably omitted the old Micron and Force
Chip elements.
We didn’t really consider it necessary to include the gimmicks of the
original toy. Each brand and product has its own concept and in this case
it's a product from Transformers Legacy which represents the Cybertron
universe. It is different from the original which used Force Chip gimmicks.
Instead of the Force Chip gimmick, you can now spin the large excavation
wheel. Personally I didn’t want to leave out Horibull, but as it's a Titan
Class figure, Horibull would end up being the size of a regular Transformer.
-When it was announced, the first thing people talked
about was the intermediate mode.
Our instruction from the outset was “We want you to include an intermediate
mode”. We really wanted to include this element but with the original toy it
really was in mid transformation so we proposed to alter it slightly for the
Titan Class.
-At the time the explanation for the intermediate mode
was omitted from the domestic version of Megalo Convoy.
As we couldn’t include it in the cartoon, we decided to omit it from the
Japanese release. During its transformation though it would have been in its
intermediate mode (laughs). This time around the intermediate mode is now
the “work mode”. It has a humanoid form but also that of a semi-construction
machine. That’s why it has a robot form without a face.
-With the wheels and buckets attached to the arms, its
shape changes dramatically.
This was actually my chance to redeem myself (laughs). An idea was floated
that Megalo Convoy’s weapon would attach to Galaxy Convoy’s shoulder just
like Ligerjack. I’ve always remembered that idea so I took my opportunity
and separated the weapon in two and attached them to the arms for work mode.
-Metroplex is a mass of joints, much like the original
design.
For the original Mr Ejima (Takio) designed the structure to fold up and then
extended to increase the overall length. The initial goal was to make a
“giant robot” but it ended up looking stretched didn’t it. Therefore I
adjusted the proportions such as giving the shoulders more volume to give it
a more heroic look. A result of this meant it has more joints but this also
improved articulation. This time I kept track of all the movable parts. I
also added ankle tilts to help him stand better and I made the wrists,
fingers and neck moveable as well. The head can also move back and forth so
you can display it in cool poses. The neck and mouth movements were planned
from the beginning. When I thought about how to make a giant robot fun to
play with, I thought about adding more flexibility to the head as well as
adding a movable mouth for facial expressions, even when the robot was in
standing position. I’d say these tick the “playing” box.
-It certainly does have the appearance of an
articulated robot which can stand in the “S” shape.
Our overall goal was to create a Titan Class figure with sturdy joints, yet
could be put in cool poses.
-Hisashi-san, you were in the Transformers team during
the Galaxy Force series in 2005 right?
I had been away from the boys toys for around 2 years, about half way
through “Micron Legend”. When I came back, “Galaxy Force” was about to kick
off. I was not involved in product development but localising products for
Japan, managing schedules and creating packaging for domestic products. For
the first half, Hasbro gave us detailed specifications but for the second
half of the series we were preparing proposals for the colour schemes. I was
the one who decided on the colour scheme for Megalo Convoy. This is a funny
story; as Hasbro didn’t actually name him in the materials they sent us, no
one knew during the development stage that he was supposed to be a homage to
G1 Metroplex. It is difficult to make a large white toy so I don’t know if
we would have chosen that colour if we did know it was supposed to be
Metroplex. If anything, I specified the colour to be Fortress-like based on
the large size. If it does look like Metroplex, it's only the result of us
taking the shapes from the rough design Hasbro sent us. We weren’t aware we
were paying homage to Metroplex (laughs).
-Please tell us about your recent work with Victory
Saber.
As I touched upon earlier, Victory Saber was intended to be another “old
Transformer assembled in the Legacy world”. Hasbro’s initial sketches were
very detailed. I thought we needed to differentiate it from the Masterpiece
version by taking the design even further away from the original.
-It is interesting to see how different it is from the
Masterpiece version.
To be honest, it was far more difficult to calculate its cost than a Titan
Class figure but I aimed to create a toy which was a Star Saber in the
Legacy world. I’ve included gimmicks so it can be enjoyed as a toy. Weapons
like the V-Lock Cannon can be attached to various ports so there are no
excess parts. Being able to attach the Saber Blade to his waist is a treat
to the overseas fans who love samurai (laughs). Although this is my
interpretation, I was happy to be able to produce a Brain Set in this size
class. It's a special product and I hope you enjoy playing with it.
●PROFILE
Hisashi Yuki joined the company in 1992. After working on the Brave series
he became involved with the development of Transformers during “Beast Wars
II”. He is a core member of the Transformers team, not only in development
but also planning and localisation.
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Transformers Junior
Development Team Interviews
Within the Transformers Team at Takara Tomy,
the next generation of developers are being trained under the guidance of
the Design Team Leader, Yuya Onishi. As a special feature, we speak to
developers who have been in the team between 2 to 3 years.
Ittoku Kuwazu
-Please tell us how you joined the Transformers Team.
Originally I was in the production management department for around a year.
There, I was in charge of checking product quality and managing production
schedules. Here I was able to get hands on with the upcoming Transformer
products and was able to study the structures and transformations of the
toys. I took the opportunity to get to know some of the team members and
discussed my interest in being part of the team with Mr Onishi (Yuya). When
there was a vacancy in the team, I requested a transfer.
-What was the first product you worked on?
I was still in the production management department when I sketched out a
transformation mechanism for my research. My design was eventually used for
Earthrise Runamuck, so in terms of “first design”, I’d say it was Runamuck.
My first assignment in the team was Studio Series 86 Jazz. Up until then the
majority of Jazz toys had wings on their backs so I tried to create a Jazz
more faithful to the cartoon. I was also in charge of the Studio Series
Autobot Dino. Compared with Jazz there were more challenges as the vehicle
parts had to be hidden. The slim robots from the live action films are
completely different from the cartoons.
-So you were in charge of the Deluxe Class from the
start?
Well, after Jazz I was in charge of the Core Class Kingdom Optimus Prime
which had a restricted cost and number of parts. Despite the small size, the
transformation was designed around the proportion and articulation for robot
mode. I made sure all the wheels could spin and even though there is no
trailer, I added joints to make sure it looked like Optimus. Many Optimus
products have been released in the past but we added new elements to make it
different enough for fans to pick up who may already own an Optimus. I also
wanted to add new parts to give it my mark.
-Can you name any memorable products?
I’d say Kingdom Huffer. You don’t get many opportunities to redesign the
Minibots so I took on the challenge to make the definitive version. I first
measured Optimus’ trailer and adjusted the dimensions of Huffer’s vehicle
mode with the assumption it would tow the trailer (laughs). For Pipes I made
sure the cab was rotated so it was not just a simple colour change.
-Do you have any characters in mind that you’d like to
work on in future?
I like gadgets like Soundwave which allow you to feel the presence of
Transformers in everyday objects. This really embodies the “Robots in
Disguise” theme. I worked on the Bumblebee version of Soundwave. I love the
styling of the root mode and storage for Ravage as well as the G1 styled
weapons but it's a pity it doesn’t turn into a cassette player (laughs).
Speaking of gadgets……Reflector, Perceptor and Blaster have recently been
remade for the Generations series (laughs). Whenever these make it into the
Masterpiece line, I’d love to be in charge.
●PROFILE
Ittoku Kuwazu joined the company in 2015 and has spent 3 years in the team.
He has overseen SS-59 Autobot Jazz, SS-66 Autobot Dino, SS-78 Ravage, SS-81
Soundwave and Kingdom KD EX-03 Optimus Prime.
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Tomoki Tatsumi
-Please tell us how you joined the Transformers Team.
I remember playing with “Beast Wars” toys when I was younger and it was
around then when I started thinking that I’d like a job making Transformers
toys in the future. When I graduated, Takara Tomy weren’t hiring…..so I got
a job at another toy company for the time being. I was later able to join
the company as a mid-career hire. I was initially assigned to the Tomica and
Plarail division but I kept telling everyone around me “I want to develop
Transformers!” and eventually I was invited to join the team.
-How do you feel now you got your wish?
The team is a “group of people that I have the utmost respect for”. The
first thing that surprised me was the developer of the Beast Wars toys which
I played with when I was 4 years old, was still in the team. At the
beginning I felt out of my depth but I was so grateful for the wonderful
advice from the senior members of the team.
-What was the first product you worked on?
I worked on the Cyberverse Deluxe Class which has not been released in
Japan. I also worked on Transformers Legacy Skids. Skids was announced right
after the Masterpiece version was released so I was really enthusiastic.
When I worked on the Studio Series New Emperor of Destruction Starscream
Hasbro initially wanted a crown and a cloak but I suggested we also include
a “throne”. The design was inspired from the main seat on the Destron
spacecraft and I was happy to see many fans spotted that. I also made sure
the fingers could move so you could pose him flipping his cloak up.
-What is your impression from working with Hasbro?
Whenever I send an idea or sketch to Hasbro, I receive an enthusiastic reply
which doesn’t feel like a formal business communication, with phrases such
as “Love it!” (laughs). It makes me happy to receive positive responses to
my ideas.
-I heard you were in charge of a huge project, MPM
Blackout.
I had literally been thinking about the Masterpiece line, “I wish I could be
involved some day…..” and then my boss called me and said “I’d like you to
work on MPM Blackout”. I was so shocked I thought he had the wrong number
(laughs). I consulted with Mr Kunihiro (Takashi) who created the Studio
Series Blackout to incorporate gimmicks which weren’t in the Studio Series
version.
-Did it require a different amount of development
effort than you had been used to?
The Deluxe Class figures are made up of around 40 parts whereas the
Masterpiece is made of 200 to 300 parts. The scale is completely different.
As it is so detailed, one small change can affect dozens of parts and it was
very hard to get that balance just right. As Kunihiro was in charge of
“Beast Wars” and “Brave Command Dagwon” which I watched as a child, I always
felt nervous each time I asked his advice (laughs).
-Mr Tatsumi, now you have worked on MPM in a short
period of being in the team, what are your future goals?
I’d like to work with gimmicks which I’ve never tried before such as
multi-stage transformations and combiners. There are still so many things
I’m not sure how to do so I'd like to continue to learn.
●PROFILE
Tomoki Tatsumi joined the company in 2019 and has spent 3 years in the team.
He has overseen Cyberverse Deluxe Class Cheetor, Deluxe Class Slug, SS-86
New Emperor of Destruction Starscream, Transformers Legacy LG-01 Skids and
MPM Blackout.
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Shuhei Umezu
-Please tell us how you joined the Transformers Team.
I was working sculpting figures before I decided to change careers and move
to Takara Tomy. I initially joined the “Zoids” team but when the project
finished I was transferred to the team. It was well known in the company I
was a fan of Transformers so I think that was the reason for the transfer.
-What have you worked on so far?
I’ve worked on the Bumblebee version of Arcee which has also been announced
for a domestic release. The vehicle mode is unique for the toy version and
as its Arcee, I didn’t want to make it too “bulky”. Therefore, instead of
storing the arms in the torso I chose to use them as exhaust pipes holding
the gun.
- I was surprised to see the details of the eyes were
sculpted but when I found out you used to be a sculptor, it made sense.
I felt that there are no products out there that reproduced the complexity
of the eyes for the movie characters so I gave it a go. I’m pushing the
limits with what can be achieved with a mould (laughs).
-What other products are you working on?
I was in charge of the Megatron H.I.S.S. tank “G.I. Joe” Crossover which is
not being released domestically. The concept was to completely reproduce the
Cobra H.I.S.S. tank from the 1980’s, including its size and turn it into
Megatron. The driver's seat and turret needed to hold a 3.75 inch action
figure and it was a challenge to find the room as well as accommodating the
robot mode parts.
-What’s your impression of working with foreign
companies?
I mainly communicate with Hasbro in English which I have no problem with as
I used to live overseas. These days I find it more awkward writing in
Japanese (laughs). There can be a lot of crazy requests from Hasbro’s
development team but it's interesting to see how we work together to shape
the final product.
-What was your first experience with “Transformers”?
It was the Beast Wars for my generation. I love Lio Convoy. In fact the
first toy I had as a child was a G-2 Cyberjet which my parents bought me
when we were still in Japan. At the time I didn’t even know it was a
Transformer but I loved the articulation. I still have it on my office desk.
-How do you feel working in the same team as Mr Takio
Ejima who designed the Cyberjets?
It’s fate isn’t it. When I told him that story he had a puzzled look on his
face (laughs). It is also humbling to be able to take advice from the same
person who developed the toys for the “Brave” series that I used to watch as
a child. The veteran developers have their own perspectives so when I talk
with them, they give advice from a variety of viewpoints. From the junior
members to the senior members of the team, we all love what we do, everyone
is positive and it's a great team to be a part of.
-Do you have any characters in mind that you’d like to
work on in future?
When I returned to Japan, the first thing I saw was “Galaxy Force” so I have
a strong connection to Galaxy Convoy. If I had the opportunity I’d love to
make a Masterpiece version of Galaxy Convoy. Back then the products were
large so it would be great to make them affordable and easy to play with.
●PROFILE
Shuhei Umezu joined the company in 2020 and has spent 2 years in the team.
He has overseen SS-86 Arcee and Transformers X G.I. Joe Megatron H.I.S.S.
Tank & Baroness.
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Kouki Yamada
-Please tell us how you joined the Transformers Team.
When I was job hunting I went for Takara Tomy thinking “I want to bring
Transformers which shocked and amazed me as a child to a new generation”. I
worked in the marketing department for a year before I joined the team.
-So you were a fan from the beginning.
The first cartoon I ever saw as a child was “Transformers Car Robots”. The
scenes when they transformed from cars was so incredible that I begged my
parents to buy me a Fire Convoy. Mistakenly, they bought me the original
Convoy which had just been reissued.
-Not what you were expecting then (laughs).
The original Convoy quickly became a favourite of mine. I carried it around
in my backpack and took it everywhere with me. I still have it and
occasionally fix the odd bit of damage. New employees have to give a speech
at their induction ceremony and I had this Convoy with me as I spoke about
how enthused I was.
-What was the first product you worked on?
It was Studio Series Core Class Shockwave. It was trial by error but I’m
rather fond of it since it was the first Transformer I ever made. It was
challenging but enjoyable to come up with a transformation that would
satisfy the end user with such a limited size and budget. I’m a fan of small
toys that children can carry around with them in their bags or pockets which
goes back to my Convoy story I mentioned earlier.
-How did you feel when you were asked to develop it?
I was concerned that I wouldn’t be able to develop a product which would
match the history of the products released by the company over the decades.
Mr Hisashi and the other senior developers helped support me. It was an
amazing experience to be guided by Mr Hisashi who was in charge of “Car
Robots” at the time, the series which made me a fan for life. He is like a
“foster parent” for me.
-Were you in charge of the Core Class development?
Yes, I’d say so. I was given the opportunity to create the Kingdom version
of Hot Rod and the Exo-Suit Spike Witwicky from Studio Series. I changed Hot
Rods transformation up a bit so the bonnet now forms the legs.
-Are there any other Transformer products which stand
out to you?
It was just before I joined Takara Tomy and I hadn't been assigned a
department. I was blown away when I saw the MPM Movie 1 version of Bumblebee
created by Mr Onishi (Yuya). I was so impressed with the design of the four
wings which is just like the movie, a neatly arranged back and at first
glance you couldn’t tell it transforms into a Camaro. At the same time I
said “I want to make a product as good as this one!”.
-Do you have any characters in mind that you’d like to
work on in future?
I’m still young and I’d love to learn more from the senior developers to
become a full-fledged Transformers designer. Someday I’d hope to create a
reimagined version of Super Fire Convoy with Mr Hisashi.
●PROFILE
Kouki Yamada joined the company in 2019 and has spent 2 years in the team.
He has overseen SS-79 Shockwave, SS-85 Exo-Suit Spike Witwicky and Kingdom
KD EX-17 Hot Rod.
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