M'Kyuun

I share Jinzo's fear that TFA will be eclipsed by the TF2 toys, since they're not being released until nearly the end of the show's second season domestically. While I realize hasbro wants to milk the Movie toyline, personally, I'd prefer the Animated toys over the Movie toys, and i wonder why both lines can't share the shelves. I generally tend towards the more realistic looking T-formers, but the Movie aesthetics just don't really grab me. The Animated figs, although very cartoony, match their tv counterparts very well, have little to no kibble, and are some of the most highly articulated figures to date. The movie toys were very kibble-y. That said, I tip my hat readily to Takara, as I think they did a really good job rendering Bay's skelebots into decent, highly articulated toys, since there's no set pattern to how the things transform. The Movie toys also set a new precedent for unorthodox and more technical transformations; love em or hate em, today's Transformer toys are fairly inexpensive works of engineering art, and I'm glad to see that the Universe and Animated lines are benefitting from the new approach. One need only pick up a G1 toy to realize how far we've come...darned spoiled kids these days just don't realize how well done their toys really are! Off topic but not really: As we're getting a new much more comic based Hulk this summer as opposed to Ang Lee's Hulk a couple years ago, i'd love to see another studio produce a big budget Transformers movie, but with better writing, more focus on the T-formers, and the characters themselves more akin to Binaltech/Alternators. This was what I was hoping for mightily before the actual designs were shown. It seemed a no-brainer that this would be the direction the art team would go, but what we actually got was much different. To those of you who like Bay's Movie designs, I'm happy for you, as we're probably going to see these things on shelves for another 10 years, if the sequels continue to be successful. And because I'm a hypocrite with an addicton to transformable plastic figs, i'll probably add a few to my collection like the first movie.

Excellent in every way(discounting the possibility that the windows are decals-not so excellent). This is very close to what I'd hoped would be produced for the City cargo plane instead of the jetliner-turboprop we got. A little reworking and this could be modded into a C-130ish cargo plane with a ramp and door in the aft fuselage, such that the little jeep could be driven into the plane. Now that would be cool.

Working on a perfect-variable minifig scale VF-11 from Macross Plus. Waiting for my BL order.

Macross Saga, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Ghost in the Shell, Full Metal Panic, Deathnote, Gunslinger Girl, Big O, Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Kurau, Ergo Proxy, just to name a few. There are still many more I want to see.

I'll echo the desire for a strong history theme; however, I'm inclined to want it done more in the UCS line so that the same kind of attention and detail we got in Green Grocer and Cafe Corner could be employed. A transforming mecha theme has been my dream line since Transformers erupted on the scene in 1984; like someone else mentioned, I wouldn't want to see this done like Built To Rule, nor like transforming Gundams, nor like a transforming EF mech, as none of these bring the "WOW" factor like seeing a recognizeable realistic vehicle become a robot. I'd like to see the theme done in such a way as to make the things fit in with current City sets, with attention to both aesthetics and functionality. Being a part of the design team for this would be my ultimate dream job. They wouldn't even have to pay me, I'd just show up! :-D I'd start by designing a smaller series of strong ratcheting joints so that the line could be kept within the 6 and 8 stud wide range, look like just another City vehicle set with as much of the hinges and transforming mechanisms hidden as possible on that scale. It can and could be done. If TLC would concede, I'd lobby to create a few of these as space and possibly military type vehicles as well. Of course, If Tobey Macguire is successful in getting a live-action Robotech movie made, TLC may decide to produce a few "Veritechs". An official transforming LEGO VF-1S with fast packs, if done well, could be an amazing set to behold.

I agree. I have 2 of each BP. I love them, but that's enough. I'm holding out for sets across several themes through the year, including at least 1 of each SW set, so I spend judiciously. Fortunately, my wife supports my habit, and has nearly all the Harry Potter sets, the Dwarf Mine, and a couple Mission Mars sets herself. I'm looking forward to the new Republic Gunship and the new AT-TE. They are two of my favorite vehicles from the prequels, and I have 2 of each of the originals, as well; one for the set, and the other for parts, b/c both were great parts sets. I also collect a handful of Hasbro SW figs, Yamato's 1/60 Macross Valkyries(expensive little dust collectors these, but oh so deliciously geekerific), SoC Evas, and quite a few T-formers(looking very much forward to the Animated toys...hated the look at first, but having seen how well designed these are, I'm won over)

Playing Bioshock through for the second time. Great game. Loved its "spiritual" predecessor, System Shock 2, and this game shares many of the features that made SS2 a cult classic.

I'd love a line like this too. TLC have made religious buildings for their LEGOland Parks and, as far as I know, have never come under any scrutiny. Simplified versions in the UCS line would market well, I think, as long as the buildings in question were well researched and as Bloody Jay said, not based on any actual buildings, but representative of them in style and architecture. A Gothic Cathedral is high on my list, personally.

QFT. After seeing Jizai's Powerglide and Octane(Tankor) designs, the Hasbro versions are even more unappealing, as they barely resemble their namesakes. I'd love to see them expand production, maybe become a contractor to a larger known company, and get their stuff out on shelves, at least as models, much like Gundam. As models, we fans could get a very accurate Transformer at a hopefully reasonable price, and Hasbro wouldn't have to worry about Jizai competing against their toyline. It'd be win-win. And too, I don't think models need adhere so much to strict guidelines placed on toys. They're in a different category, so excessively ridiculous American toy safety laws wouldn't affect the designs.

I'm also an Iron Man fan, but unless LEGO was willing to produce alot of military style vehicles and weapons, it would not go anywhere. Plus, IM is not as popular as Spiderman or Batman. I thought the Spidey sets were good for what they were, but Batman has more potential for sets due to buildings and vehicles, as well as more well known villians due to the various tv shows over the last decade. Batman is still fresh. Spidey, too, but the lack of vehicles really limits what can be done. The Harry Potter theme seems to be in the same rut: the number of sets seems to get smaller with each movie. The Order of the Phoenix got one set, a third incarnation of the Hogwarts Castle. I'm glad ole' Shellhead is getting the big screen treatment, and an IM fig would be cool, but aside from Tony's lab and maybe a collection of various IM armor figs, the Mandarin's mansion set, and maybe a FinFangFoom done in the manner of the Midgard Serpent, there's not much that could be done without going into military style vehicles. Actually, I guess I'm not that big a fan after all...I can only remember these two enemies, and Tony Stark has been around since the 50's; I even have a box of comics stashed away somewhere.

Then ditch the fiance; love is fleeting, but LEGO is forever! :-D Just kidding! :-P Nice collection, BTW. Seeing them all displayed together makes me lament the end of this theme even more.

I wore my heart out on my sleeve a bit back there, and I guess I stepped on a few toes. :-$ Sorry to all. Well, I still dislike Ewoks, but I don't let it stop me from buying the sets they're in! :-D And, If TLC does make an Ewok Village sometime in the future, I'll not only be happy for all you Ewok fans out there, but I'll be adding one to my collection as well. Actually, if they do release one, I hope the faces are painted this time around. As for the Endor Bunker..I was only thinking of this little bunker building with sliding doors and not much else, besides maybe a simple "exploding" gimmick to re-enact the movie scene. I gave no thought to all the shenanigans between the Ewoks, Rebels, and Imperial troops in the nearby woods. So, I stand corrected on the issue of playability Much to learn, I still have.

While I revile the Ewoks nearly as much as Jar-Jar, I can see some playability in an Ewok Village. I do like your thinking, sdpirate. An anniversary set should be unique, and your ideas certainly fit the bill. However, like many of the suggestions on this board, the mini-fig suggestions are unrealistic in their numbers. I could see C-3PO, R2-D2, Han, Leia, Luke, and maybe 2 ewok figs as a more realistic estimate. When you guys dream about sets in general, and minifigs in particular, you dream big! :-D Personally, I'd prefer to get maybe three new minifigs in a well made set, be it a ship, a base, or an elaborate playset like Cloud City than a mediocre set with a lot of figs, the majority of which I already have. I'd definitely prefer a Tantive IV or a Tyderium shuttle or Amidala's ship over a tree village(my own personal taste..the suggestion is a good one). While I find the Endor Bunker somewhat limited in playability, it's really the only base type set I can think of that could be done well at this price point...a good Hoth set would be better done in modular sets, as well as the Death Star. A Yavin Base on a small scale could be feasible, but with limited space inside, if indeed it was built to be an opening set with a detailed interior. For a $150 price tag equating approx 1500-1600 pcs (exception: the Green Grocer is also $150 USD and contains over 2000 pcs, so there's always hope that part count will be this high), I think we'll get a small, decently detailed base with approx 5-6 figs, or a ship similar in size to the fig-scale ISD, but with much more detail and features and approx 4-5 figs. And hey guys, if I sound harsh, I don't mean to. I just become somewhat incredulous when I read posts by LEGO fans who I assume buy LEGO sets with some regularity proposing set ideas with minifig counts well into the teens and beyond. While it'd be pretty cool to have sets like that, it's just not feasible for LEGO to do, and generally I'm happy with what they do include. Anyway, if I offend, I also tender my apology in utmost earnest and hope we can all still "Play Well" together. :-P

A remarkable set. Just ordered mine a couple days ago; can't wait for it to arrive. Does anyone know if Jamie designed this too? Just curious, as it bears the hallmarks of his style. The dated clothing and the building's overall style really make this feel like a vintage set from the past. I love it! I hope that the next building in this line is more municipal in nature, say a town hall, or a museum, or as someone mentioned before, a bank. I'd love a musem, personally, as it'd be a great way to put pieces and parts from across all the historic themes into one set, as well as incorporating different architectural styles as well.

I doubt that Agents is the replacement for Exo-Force, as it's not really sci-fi, but more adventure with technology thrown in. EF was unique among LEGO themes, and I'd hoped it would evolve beyond its initial premise and design aesthetic. Too bad they shied from what made it successful initially...good alt models, decent mecha, and an ok story to propel it. Story doesn't really matter much to me, personally...I just like decent articulated mecha, but Transformers is a prime (no pun intended)example of how a good story with iconic characters can push a mediocre toyline into a 20+ year franchise. I'd still like to see a mecha line, but perhaps something more along the lines of IGPX, Macross, Evangelion, or Full Metal Panic. Ultimately, I'd love to see a variable mecha theme, but I doubt we'll see that anytime soon. If TLC resurrects this line in the same vein as the two Mars series, I hope the mecha designs are more realistic, fleshed out, and less gimmicky...two fully articulated legs and arms, a head, and some brick built weapons. Given the current trend, however, I think we're stuck with the Bionicle projectile launchers and the FF missiles. More's the pity...there are some great examples of how brick-built weapons can look realistic and fierce without actually firing.

Perhaps, a good move keeping faith with Ole Kirk's motto, "Only the best is good enough".

Wow, you put a lot of thought behind this, Natelite. Love how you specify the look of the mecha in conjunction with its environment/mission. I posted my previous reply before reading yours. I'm not much of a BT/MW mecha fan, preferring the look of Macross, Armored Kore, Five Star Stories, Evangelion(I know, the EVAs aren't mecha per se), GiTS, etc. But to be fair, Mechwarrior and Battletech have huge followings. So, I guess it's not as much about the mech's Eastern/Western aesthetic as how the mech is built. EF was built, obviously on the cheap, with not much technical thought, but with quick building, no realism, a fair bit of articulation thrown in, "playability" gimmicks, and anime inspired figs. The mechs themselves do not look Japanese at all, although the PR campaign and decal designs suggested otherwise. The new joints were the strength of this line, as well as the new mech arms and claw pieces, IMHO, more than anything else. Well, I did like the alternate models for many of the 2006 line, as they often looked better than the primary models. Not continuing this trend hurt the line considerably, I think. Hopefully, the Agents will get mecha...transforming mecha would be better, but i digress. :-P The upcoming Mars Mission set has a great little mech design for the astronaut. The arms are :-X, but the overall aesthetic is sweet. Link: http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/benlego/2008/ALL/7646.jpg

I think EF would have fared much better if, as I mentioned in an earlier post, they had used a more authentic Japanese style for the mechs, or went as far as hiring/contracting one of the many reknowned Japanese mecha designers. They would have been more expensive, but I think the end product would have been much more appealing, and sold better. Although I'm unsure of the popularity of Japanese mecha in Europe, in the US the popularity of anime and anime inspired products continues to increase, evidenced by the growing number of anime sections in book and movie stores, tv programs, toys, and internet sites . So, yes, I think the EF line would have done far better had the sets a more complex anime look and build. On this note, I think many more adults buy toys for themselves than ever before in history. It's become somewhat acceptable, as even the many Conventions and Toyfairs are more for adults than kids these days. And I think toy companies would definitely prosper by realizing this shift in the consumer demographic.

I'd like an opening Yavin Base, too. It'd be a Mayan pyramid on the outside, but chock full of Star Wars goodness within. Perhaps we'd see a Mon Mothma fig and a clear red mini-Death Star to reenact the pre-DS attack briefing. Tantive IV would be a good set, too; however, given that they've been making mini-fig capital ships, I wouldn't doubt that this is already in TLC's pipeline. After all, the Blockade Runner is one of the most iconic ships from the OT, and has already been made in UCS scale. If TLC was to do Amidala's ship in silver, as an alternative to the proper chrome, it might turn out ok. I'd be interested in seeing it, that is if TLC even made all the pieces necessary in silver. And, it'd be an opportunity to get Amidala in her queen costume. Finally, while the Venator doesn't fit within the decade anniversary, I'd love to see it made in minifig scale. And hopefully, instead of an escape pod, TLC will make something closer to the Imperial Dropship.

These sets look great, esp the Gunship. While I thought the original AT-TE and RGS were well done, TLC has really polished their original designs. The V-19: while I like it and think the pneumatics are well done, the overall look of the ship is a bit different from the Clone Wars cartoon, which I preferred. Does anyone know if the design changed for the new CG Clone Wars, as I assume this, like the rest of late 2008, is based on the upcoming show? Looks like there may be a choice in nose art for the RGS. Wonder why they didn't put a clear bubble on the underside of the wing as well? Alot of posters here complain about prices and compare costs of new sets to the original sets. I don't know the piece count of these new sets, ie AT-TE and RGS, but they appear to be larger and more detailed than their predecessors, as well as inflation over the years, hence a higher price. I'm resigned that LEGO is an expensive hobby, but it's an addiction I feed readily and with no regrets. Furthermore, although I live in the US, I seem to miss all the sales and so buy the majority of my sets at MSRP at the various retailers. At the end of the day, I'm happy with my purchases, with my hobby, and with TLC for giving me more of what I love. If it keeps them in business, I'll keep supporting them with my wallet. BTW, if you really want an expensive hobby, start collecting Macross Variable Fighters from Yamato. It'll make a dent. Trust me, I know. ;-)

Shame they're discontinuing the theme. I think they were just starting to hit their stride with this year's lineup and I was looking forward to where they were going with it. I love mecha, and this theme had a lot of potential; I just think some design aesthetics were sacrificed to include more playability elements, i.e. large firing weapons, or melee. While I'm not adverse to projectile or melee weapons per se, if they are retractable, foldable, or otherwise unobtrusive, a cleaner looking mech results. The use of Bionicle parts and huge weapon arms turned me off to alot of sets in this theme. No offense to TLC's design team, but I think TLC would have done themselves credit had they contracted one of Japan's premier mecha designers to produce this line, or a line in the future. My own pick would be Shoji Kawamori, who created the transforming mecha for Macross, as well as the mecha for the Armored Kore games. He's also the creator of the "VAN-Force", a transformable mech created from several of the first EF sets. For me, the best things about this theme were that TLC tried something new and unique from anything else they've ever done, and in the process, introduced alot of great new pieces, esp the ratheting and brick ball and socket joints. For mecha moc builders, this line was the answer to many a prayer. I was really hoping that this theme would eventually evolve into a transforming mecha line. Perhaps that's down the road...after all, it'd be a shame to have all these new joint pieces and not use them. If the sets continue to improve and sell better through '08 and '09, perhaps the theme will get a new lease, and maybe a new direction.

Ha! Guilty. :-D But what if you build in the nude? It's only a step away from nude swooshing. :-P Reason #15 The time spent searching for parts among drawers and boxes and bags is exponentially greater than that expended actually building. (Guilty again..need badly to organize)

These are really interesting. Love the fighter jet and the spycar. I agree with everyone else that the ATV is kinda ugly, but I'm hoping that there's a feature behind it. I like these sets overall..it's another step further towards military type vehicles. And they're a nice nod and wink towards the Bond films and Austin Powers, which itself is a parody of Bond. The over-the-top sci-fi-ish characters fit perfectly within the theme, and give it levity and fun. That's what LEGO is about...fun. Batman is a dark theme as well, but I think TLC has struck a perfect balance maintaining the overall dark look of the characters and their vehicles while keeping it light enough for all ages. As far as violence goes, there aren't too many popular toys or themes out there that don't revolve around some sort of conflict involving weapons, esp guns. Gunplay is fun( I don't know why, it just is), and toy companies realized it long ago. TLC is joining the competition, but I like that there is a cartoonish quality to how it's presented. I keep hoping that we'll see LEGO's take on a transforming theme soon. And, heresy though it may be, MegaBlocks have produced some themes that caught my eye in the past. Too bad that their quality is no where near that of LEGO, as they're cheaper and do work with LEGO. But I like my models to stay together- MegaBlocks just..don't. I was hoping that the vehicles would be a little more like M.A.S.K., where the normal looking vehicles "transform" into weapons platforms, but these look like they still have hidden features beyond what's seen on the box art( I keep looking for hinges). AT3 took a step in this direction. The AT3 Mobile Command Center was a great set, IMHO. I liked the thematic potential of AT, even if I didn't like all the sets. As an evolution of the theme, I'll give Agents the benefit of the doubt. I have no doubt already that I'll get the ATV/jet and the copter/spycar sets. Just like MM2 and Exo-Force, give this line a chance, as it may just get better. My $.02 -M'Kyuun

For a new model, I think it's OK. It looks very LEGO with all those studs. I love the dark blue, so I may pick one up for parts. Found this on BS. The rest of his gallery is worth a look...amazing stuff. http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=246343

I'd love a Macross theme. All those transforming Valkyries *wub* . However, even if TLC did pursue it, the sets couldn't be marketed directly in the States due to ongoing litigation over rights in the US brought about by Harmony Gold. If not Macross, just a transforming robot theme would be nice. I also thought the Racer mecha from IGPX would have been interesting, moreso than Avatar.