Interview: Kozo Morishita (Toei Animation)

Kozo Morishita 

Translated & Interpreted by Jeremy Barlow © Soundwave's Oblivion 2024 

Interview from Figure King 316 (May 2024) 

Here is a message from Mr Ono, the legendary toy designer who worked on the latest Masterpiece Skids:

The first of our Transformers 40th Anniversary Interviews….The man who created the Transformers cartoon series.  

Kozo Morishita
(Current Chairman and CEO of Toei Animation & Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers Director)

Here we interview Toei Animation's Chairman Kozo Morishita, a key figure in the creation of the cartoon "Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers" 40 years ago. Without the tireless efforts of the young Morishita, who worked diligently across Japan and the United States, Transformers would not have endured for four decades. 

Interview: Hironori Kobayashi (Generations 2024)

Interview: Hironori Kobayashi 

Translated & Interpreted by Jeremy Barlow © Soundwave's Oblivion 2024. 

Interview from Generations 2024 

Hironori Kobayashi, Missing Link Development Manager 

Interview: Transformers Evangelion Prime Unit-01 Developer

[SYNERGENEX] Interview with the development team behind "Transformers Evangelion Prime Unit-01". 

A collaboration-exclusive design packed with Evangelion elements, complete with specially created accessories. 

By Yoshida Kōhei 26th February 2026 

[Transformers Evangelion Prime Unit-01]
Scheduled for release in late August 2026
Price: ¥11,000

Takara Tomy’s premium hobby label T-SPARK will release Transformers Evangelion Prime Unit-01, part of its SYNERGENEX collaboration series, in late August 2026. The price is ¥11,000. 

Takara Tomy’s “Synergenex” collaboration series brings together its own Intellectual Properties, such as Transformers, Zoids, and Diaclone, with those of other companies and brands to create crossover products. The line has already featured collaborations with a wide range of properties. 

This time, Evangelion, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, teams up with Transformers. After scanning Evangelion Unit-01, Optimus Prime has been reimagined as Evangelion Prime Unit-01. 

The figure faithfully recreates Unit-01’s distinctive design and colour scheme, along with its striking robot-mode head sculpt. 

In this article, we speak with the development team behind Transformers Evangelion Prime Unit-01 about the project’s appeal, accompanied by photos of the prototype.

Interview: Dramatic Capture Series Developer Yūkiya Amano

Interview with the developer of the Transformers Dramatic Capture Series: Jetfire Combine 

Transformers Dramatic Capture Series: Jetfire Combine
Scheduled for release in late August 2026
Price: ¥15,400

By Yoshida Kōhei 

Takara Tomy's high-end hobby label “T-SPARK” will release the Transformers “Dramatic Capture Series: Jetfire Combine” set in late August 2026.

The set includes Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots, and Jetfire, a former Decepticon; both characters appeared in the film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The two figures will be released as part of the Dramatic Capture Series line.

The “Dramatic Capture Series” presents Transformers characters with a premium finish, packaged in sets designed to recreate memorable scenes from the films.

This release is based on the 2019 Transformers Studio Series figures SS-25 Optimus Prime and SS-26 Jetfire, featuring updated colouring designed to more closely reflect their on-screen appearances in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

In the film’s climax, Optimus Prime and Jetfire join forces when Jetfire sacrifices himself, allowing his body and parts to power up the resurrected Optimus Prime. This transformation creates Jetpower Optimus Prime, who then confronts Megatron and The Fallen as they attempt to destroy the Sun.

In this article, we speak with Yūkiya Amano of Takara Tomy’s Hobby Character Business Division, Collector’s Department, about the appeal of the “Dramatic Capture Series: Jetfire Combine,” alongside photographs of the prototype. 

Let's go! The aim is to recreate the sense of weight and the high level of detail seen on screen. 

Interview: Masterpiece Movie Next Sideswipe - Takahiko Shirai

Transformers "Masterpiece Movie Next MPMN-01 Sideswipe" Interview 

“Faithfully recreating the streamlined vehicle mode and the detailed robot mode as seen on the big screen.” By Yoshida Kōhei 2nd February 2026 

Translated & Interpreted by Jeremy Barlow © Soundwave's Oblivion 2026. 

Masterpiece Movie Next MPMN-01 Sideswipe & Masterpiece Movie Next MPMN-02 Sideswipe G1 Red

Scheduled for release in late September 2026
Price: ¥14,850 each 

Takara Tomy’s high-end hobby label, T-SPARK, will release Masterpiece Movie Next MPMN-01 Sideswipe from the Transformers action figure line in late September 2026. The figure is priced at ¥14,850. 

The Masterpiece Movie (MPM) line, the premier brand for figures based on the live action Transformers films, has been reintroduced as Masterpiece Movie Next (MPMN). The Autobot warrior Sideswipe leads the series as the first release. 

Sideswipe is an Autobot warrior who appeared in the live-action film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. His robot mode features a sleek silvery-white body and agile, high-speed movement, while his vehicle mode transforms into a Concept Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. Masterpiece Movie Next MPMN-01 Sideswipe recreates the intricate mechanical detail of the robot mode, with articulated joints enabling a wide range of dynamic poses. In vehicle mode, he transforms into an officially licensed Concept Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, faithfully capturing the sleek design seen in the film. 

Accessories include the Cybertonium Blade, which famously sliced the Decepticon Sideways in half in the film, two hand cannons, and effect parts to add extra impact to the action. 

In this article, we spoke with Takahiko Shirai, Planning and Marketing Manager in Takara Tomy’s Hobby Character Business Division, Collector’s Business Department, about the appeal of Masterpiece Movie Next MPMN-01 Sideswipe, along with photographs of the prototype. 

Interview: Overgear Developer Yūkiya Amano

Transformers: An Interview with the Developer of “OVERGEAR OG-01 Ironhide” and “OVERGEAR OG-02 Blackout” 

Translated & Interpreted by Jeremy Barlow © Soundwave's Oblivion 2026. 

“A heroic Transformer takes centre stage in a challenging world” By Yoshida Kōhei 

14th February 2026 

OVERGEAR OG-01 Ironhide
Scheduled for release late October 2026
Price: ¥17,600 

OVERGEAR OG-02 Blackout
Scheduled for release late October 2026
Price: ¥19,800 

The high-end hobby label T-SPARK, from Takara Tomy, will launch the “OVERGEAR OG-01 Ironhide” and “OVERGEAR OG-02 Blackout” action figures from the “Transformers” series in late October 2026. 

“OVERGEAR” is a new “Transformers” series built on the concept of “real mecha.” The figures transform from realistic vehicle modes into meticulously detailed robot forms. With a tactical design focus, the abundant weapon parts and universal joints offer a wide range of customisation options. 

The first figures in the series feature the Autobot Ironhide and the Decepticon Blackout. 

“OVERGEAR” follows the core premise that the Autobots, allied with humans, battle the Decepticons, who have secretly infiltrated Earth and seized control of state-of-the-art military bases and combat vehicles. 

Ironhide is usually disguised as a modified pickup truck operated by a private security company, but in emergencies he transforms into a soldier for the Autobot Resistance’s Third Unit, RED LIGHTNING. 

Blackout transforms from an attack helicopter into robot form. Operating through the Decepticons’ front organisation, the International Order Agency, he works to eliminate the Autobot Resistance.

“OVERGEAR OG-01 Ironhide” and “OVERGEAR OG-02 Blackout” will be on display at the exhibition event T-SPARK ZONE CORE 2026, taking place today, 14th February 2026, on the 10th floor of Akihabara Radio Kaikan in Akihabara, Tokyo. In this article, we spoke with Yūkiya Amano of Takara Tomy’s Hobby Character Business Division, Collector’s Department, about the appeal of “OVERGEAR OG-01 Ironhide” and “OVERGEAR OG-02 Blackout,” accompanied by photos of the prototypes. 

Interview: Missing Link Grimlock Developer

Transformers Missing Link C-12 Grimlock Developer Interview 

Translated & Interpreted by Jeremy Barlow © Soundwave's Oblivion 2026. 

Interview Date: 2nd February 2026 

Faithfully recreating the original toy design, right down to the chrome plating and screws. 

Scheduled for release in late July 2026
Price: ¥18,700

Takara Tomy’s high-end hobby label, T-SPARK, will see a release of Missing Link C-12 Grimlock from the Transformers action figure series in late July 2026, priced at ¥18,700.

As the 12th release in the Missing Link series of hypothetical reissues from the 80’s, Grimlock, the Dinobot Commander, makes his appearance.

Grimlock is the commander of the Cybertron mechanical dinosaur faction known as the Dinobots, who first appeared in the original Transformers Generation 1 (G1) series, Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers. In the animated series, Wheeljack, inspired by dinosaur fossils, created Grimlock along with Sludge and Slag. 

Initially portrayed as unintelligent and somewhat arrogant, Grimlock gradually grew into his role as a Cybertron warrior. In the series, he transforms from a mechanical Tyrannosaurus into a robot. 

Missing Link C-12 Grimlock faithfully recreates the 1985 Dinobot Commander Grimlock with a completely new sculpt, while preserving the original size, texture, and nostalgic appeal. It transforms from a mechanical Tyrannosaurus into robot mode. 

It features a premium design, with chrome-plated chest parts and translucent components in Tyrannosaurus mode. 

In this article, we spoke with a development manager from Takara Tomy’s Hobby Character Business Office, Collector’s Division, about the appeal of Missing Link C-12 Grimlock, accompanied by photos of the prototype.