Bumblebee (Animated)/toys
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Bumblebee boosts his way from toy shelves to your home!
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Toys
Animated
Legends Class
- Stealth Lockdown (Multi-pack, 2008)
- Part of a Target-exclusive multi-pack, Legends-class Bumblebee transforms into a sub-compact in just a few simple steps.
- He came in the "Stealth Lockdown" set, which also included a Legends-class version of Optimus Prime. The Legends toys are almost identical to their individually carded Universe mass-retail versions (see below), having mostly minor deco differences; this Bumblebee has silver painted windows, a silver Autobot faction symbol and a darker gray face.
- Bumblebee Clear Yellow Ver. (EZ Collection, 2010)
- Release date: April ??, 2010
- A redeco of Legends-class Bumblebee in mostly translucent yellow with opaque yellow nylon parts, and absolutely no paint operations.
- He was only available at Ito Yokado stores in Japan, given away for free to customers who purchased Animated merchandise totaling least 3,000 yen.
- EZ Collection Limited Clear Version (Multi-pack, 2010)
- The "EZ Collection Limited Clear Version" set included a redeco of Legends Bumblebee in mostly translucent yellow with some opaque parts, similar to the individual giveaway above, but this time with a full complement of paint applications.
- The set was given away at Family Mart stores in Japan as part of their raffle token promotion. The set was prize "D", and included four different translucent EZ Collection figures, the other three being Optimus Prime, Prowl, and Starscream.
- Bumblebee Elite Guard Version (EZ Collection, 2010)
- Release date: July 24, 2010
- A black, yellow and gold redeco of Legends Bumblebee, Bumblebee Elite Guard Version shares its overall deco with the Deluxe "Elite Guard Bumblebee" toy.
- It was only available in Volume 4 of TakaraTomy's blindpacked EZ Collection series.
Deluxe Class
- Bumblebee (Deluxe, 2008)
- Takara release date: March 27, 2010
- Takara ID number: TA-02
- Accessories: Left & right turbo boosters
- Known designers: Eric Siebenaler (Hasbro), Alex Kubalsky (TakaraTomy), Derrick J. Wyatt (concept artist)
- Part of the first wave of Animated Deluxes, Bumblebee transforms from a small yellow hatchback with a single red flasher to a scrappy robot with a smirk on his face. In both robot and car mode, his two turbo booster rockets can be attached on his back. Promotional images showed the rockets with red-painted tips, which was not in the final product.
- In robot mode, each forearm has a flip-out "stinger" half to replicate his on-screen hand-blasters, which can also be pegged together for his double-handed attack. Early releases of this toy have support struts inside his forearms that ensure durability but prevent the stingers from receding all the way back into his arms. The later releases of the toy fix this problem. There have also been some complaints that the socket in his left arm tends to crack easily, which makes the arm impossible to pose.
- Amusingly, flipping his bumper up in his alt-mode works like a tiny trunk.
- The TakaraTomy release of this toy, part of the first wave their Animated toyline, was given a shiny, metallic coat of gold paint as opposed to the flat yellow of the original Hasbro release, and a red and white Autobot symbol instead of a silver one. Despite what the stock photos present, this release uses the amended forearms.
- This mold was also used to make "Elite Guard" Bumblebee, and was supposed to be used for the canceled Fugitive Waspinator.
- Elite Guard Bumblebee (Deluxe, 2008)
- Takara ID number: TA-31
- Release date: July 24, 2010
- Accessories: Left & right turbo boosters
- Known designers: Eric Siebenaler (Hasbro)
- A redeco of Deluxe Bumblebee, this figure represents Bumblebee after getting Sari to help paint him up in Elite Guard deco as part of his anticipated ascension into their ranks. Dare to dream! He retains all the play-gimmicks of the original, though his arms have been slightly retooled to allow the stingers to recede fully.
- The Hasbro stock photography and package art for this toy depict "Elite Guard" Bumblebee with his normal yellow helmet. However, the actual toy has a black helmet due to the plastic color layouts.
- The Takara release of this figure, released in the sixth wave of toys, added metallic gold paint to the robot mode, replacing some portions that had been yellow or black, including Bumblebee's helmet (making the toy look more like the Hasbro stock photography in the process). It also replaced Bumblebee's silver and black Elite Guard symbols with more traditional red and white ones.
- The Hasbro release of this toy was repurposed as a Wireless Automated Sales Person.
- Speed of Sound Showdown: Bumblebee / Starscream (Multi-pack, 2010)
- Release date: March 27, 2010
- Accessories: Left & right turbo boosters
- In the Takara Animated line, Bumblebee was also available in a "Speed of Sound Showdown" (音速の対決, onsoku no taiketsu, also called "Blazing Bullets" on English on the box-back) two-pack with Starscream. Released in the first wave of Animated product, both toys are identical to their individual releases.
- Silver Bumblebee (Deluxe, 2010)
- Accessories: Left & right rocket boosters
- This silver-chromed "Lucky Draw" Deluxe Class Bumblebee was limited to 40 pieces; 20 each from two retailers - Bic camera and 4 Edion group franchises (ishimaru, Eiden, Deo Deo and Midori Denka). From September 18th to October 31st, customers who spent more than 3,000yen on Animated toys (excluding EZ Collections) were given a postcard to enter the draw.
Voyager Class
- Jetpack Bumblebee (Voyager, 2010)
- ID number: TA-39
- Release date: September 18, 2010
- Accessories: Jetpack, 2 rocket boosters, 2 electro-trails
- Released in the eighth wave of TakaraTomy's Animated line, "Jetpack Bumblebee" is smaller and less complex than his Deluxe toy, and lacking his built-in "stinger" weapons. In keeping with the first TakaraTomy Bumblebee toy, he is cast in lightly-metallic gold plastic, and his car panels and head have been extensively painted over in shiny metallic gold paint. His twin rocket boosters (which have electric "exhaust" trails) can slot into his robot mode back as a small jetpack, or on his doors/forearms; in robot mode they can be turned around as substitute stingers, while in car mode they can serve their normal booster function, though there are clearance issues with the rear wheel hubs. They'll stay in, but only just barely.
- The toy's namesake Jetpack (and the reason why this toy is a Voyager-class package) is a large vehicle/armor that Bumblebee can use in both vehicle and robot mode; it's actually possible to transform Bumblebee and the Jetpack between modes while still keeping them connected. The nosecone/canopy section has a pair of pivoting, non-removable "Stinger Rifles" with handles that Bee can "grip" when using the Jetpack in robot mode. The wings also have slots underneath to fit the rocket boosters. The electro-trails on the Jetpack's tailfins can actually be removed (and are the same mold as the ones set into the rocket boosters, but the boosters' trails are permanently attached) though there's really not anyplace else to put them.
- Oddly, the toy's instructions do not show the boosters' arm-mounted use, or the Jetpack's electro-trails at all outside of the stock photography at the top, and that's only when the Jetpack is in vehicle-mode orientation.
- This toy was originally intended to be released late in Hasbro's Animated toyline under the name Hydrodrive Bumblebee, but that release was ultimately canceled. This unreleased toy would have had the usual differences from TakraTomy's later offerings: namely matte base plastics with a silver Autobot symbol, plus unpainted black rifles. The stock photography for this release also does not show the Jetpack's thruster-exhausts in any mode.
Activators
- Bumblebee (Activator, 2008)
- Known designers: Bill Rawley (Hasbro)
- Part of the first wave of Activators, this small version of Bumblebee automatically transforms from vehicle to robot mode via spring-loaded releases when you press his top-mounted police light. Interestingly enough, this toy is probably the closest to "proper" scale in robot mode when compared to the Deluxe Prowl and Ratchet, the Voyager Optimus, and Leader Bulkhead. Like the Deluxe class toy, Bumblebee was intended to be molded with a benign sideways smirk on his face, but at this small of scale the effect does not come off as intended, leaving Bumblebee looking rather more like he's grimacing. Furthermore, his insignia is also grimacing; for some reason this toy was given the movie Autobot "angry eyes" insignia, rather than the standard "neutral expression" insignia found on most other Animated Autobots. Add him to the list of Transformers who just need a hug. And furthermore, the prototypes seen in the packaging lacks the insignia.
- If the robot-to-vehicle method is not transformed correctly, it's kinda difficult to connect his side door panels firmly with the feet/front hood while converting into vehicle mode, as they are held by fairly strong springs. Also, the red-painted button is prone to chipping.
- This mold was later retooled to make Cliffjumper.
- Patrol Bumblebee (Activator, 2008)
- Known designers: Bill Rawley (Hasbro)
- Released in the third wave of Activators, this police-themed redeco of Activators Bumblebee gets a full-on black-and-white deco with "PATROL" lettering across his doors.
- He has the normal yellow helmet, however.
- Shockwave VS Bumblebee (Multipack, 2009)
- This release of Activators Bumblebee is nearly identical to the individual release version, but his faction symbol is now the "normal" version, rather than the slightly-different "movie" version. You probably didn't notice. We don't blame you.
- Battlefield Bumblebee (Activators, 2010)
- Released in the seventh wave of Activators, this redeco features spiffy silver detailing similar to Classics Bumblebee's white stripes and an oddly large Autobot insignia.
- Animated Super Collection Vol. 2 (Multi-pack, 2010)
- Release date: October 2, 2010
- Released on October 2nd in Japan, the "Animated Super Collection Vol. 2" giftset contained slight redecos of Activators Bumblebee, Bulkhead, Grimlock and Starscream. Bumblebee's insignia went from silver to a more traditional red and white.
- While the stock photography of the individual toys showed Animated Super Collection Bumblebee as being more orange-y than its American counterpart, this seems to have been a trick of the lighting, as the released toy remained its standard yellow.
Bumper Battlers
- Bumblebee (Bumper Battlers, 2008)
- Known designers: Vickie Stratford (Hasbro)
- Part of the first wave of Bumper Battlers, this very simple version of Bumblebee is meant for the much younger set. About the same size as the Deluxe Bumblebee in car mode, pressing the Autobot faction symbol on his hood activates the toy's sound feature, using a seemingly randomized assortment of sound effects and original voice samples from Bumper Robinson. Pressing the car mode's front bumper in activates the simple spring-loaded one-step transformation to robot mode... "properly" activated by using the toy's pull-back motor gimmick to propel it forward into an obstacle.
- Sting Racer Bumblebee (Bumper Battlers, 2008)
- Known designers: Vickie Stratford (Hasbro)
- This Bumper Battlers Bumblebee has a blue stripe in place of the black one, and blue electrical marks on his sides. Whee.
Power Bots
- Cyber Speed Bumblebee (Power Bots, 2008)
- Known designers: Vickie Stratford (Hasbro)
- A large, non-transforming figure of Bumblebee in bulky, child-friendly form. He comes with lights and sounds, including a stinger sound on the right arm, which has the stinger deployed, and a "punching" sound and extending fist on the left.
- He also speaks a slew of phrases, including "Bring it on, Decepticons!" and "Hi, I'm Bumblebee!", again using Bumper Robinson voice clips.
- He is, of course, utterly adorable.
- Street Patrol Bumblebee (Power Bots, 2009)
- A redeco of the above toy, this Bumblebee is the same base colors, but has much more extensive and elaborate striping all over, now in dark blue rather than black, plus he has red "hazard" stripes on his stinger arm. Exciting!
Transformers (2007)
- The Legacy of Bumblebee (Multi-pack, 2008)
- Accessories: Left & right turbo boosters
- A Walmart exclusive three pack, The Legacy of Bumblebee collector's set comes with Classics, Movie Deluxe Class Concept Camaro (Premium Series) and Animated Bumblebee figures.
- While the movie and Animated Bumblebees are identical to their original, single carded releases, the Classics Bumblebee has been redecoed to more closely resemble his movie and Animated counterparts, changing his white stripes to black, and his grey/silver plastic to yellow, similarly to Henkei! Henkei! Bumble. Just different enough to make you mad!
- It is currently unknown if this release has the molded support struts from the first release of the mold or not.
Universe (2008)
- Bumblebee (Legends, 2008)
- Known designers: Bill Rawley (Hasbro)
- A redeco of the Legends-scale Bumblebee toy (see way the heck above), released on a single card in the third wave of Universe Legends-class toys.
- This toy has a few small but significant deco differences from the Animated release of the mold, mainly a red Autobot symbol rather than silver, and darker gunmetal-painted windows (also instead of silver).
EZ Collection
- Bumblebee (EZ Collection, 2010)
- ID Number: EZ-18
- Release date: April 24, 2010
- In Japan, The Universe-deco version of Legends Bumblebee released as part of the third volume of TakaraTomy's blind-packed EZ Collection toyline.
Mini EZ Collection
- Bumblebee (Mini EZ Collection,
2010)
- Intended to be released as part of TakaraTomy's new Mini EZ Collection line, Bumblebee is an all new, 2-inch mold that converts from robot into a car.
- The figures were set for a November 2010 release, but they were all quietly canceled.
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Fast food kids meal toys
- Bumblebee (McDonald's Happy Meal toy, 2008)
- McNumber: 3
- A simple version of Bumblebee with a very simple transformation sequence, one of six toys available as part of the McDonald's Transformers Animated promotion (held concurrently with the Littlest Pet Shop promo). His vehicle mode is accurate to the show, and his robot mode is reasonably accurate, although rather on the "bulky" side.
- Bumblebee (McDonald's Happy Meal toys, 2008)
- This is a very simplistic version of Bumblebee, converting from non-articulated robot mode to a "folded" robot with three wheels (which is a very non-show-accurate alt-mode). Like the Jumpstarter toys, he features a pull-back motor in vehicle mode that propels him forward on smooth surfaces; after a short run the latch that keeps his spring-loaded legs releases, causing him to flip forward and into upright robot mode.
- Like the rest of his assortment, this Bumblebee was only available in Brazil, Mexico and Venezuela.
Diablock
- Bumblebee (Diablock, 2011)
- Part of TakaraTomy's Diablock Lego-alike building block line, Bumblebee is a buildable action figure. As with other Diablock Transformers sets, he can transform between modes without needing to be disassembled. The end results are... uh... interesting. Let's go with that.
- The back of the box suggests a funky-looking dinosaur as an alternative build.[1]
Legacy
- Animated Universe Bumblebee (Deluxe Class, 2024)
- Accessories: 2 Turbo Boosters, 2 stingers
- Known designers: Mark Maher (Hasbro), Yūya Ōnishi (TakaraTomy)[2]
- Released in the first wave of Legacy: United Deluxe Class toys, Bumblebee is a Generations-styled, more complex version of the character that transforms into a yellow police hatchback. Bumblebee comes with his turbo boosters, which can be pegged onto his back in robot mode or the sides of his vehicle mode.
- Also included are his signature stinger weapons, which can be combined with the aforementioned boosters to be used as handheld weapons (or as "boost" effects), but they can also be attached to his arms by flipping the hands around, recreating the gimmick from the original Animated Deluxe figure. Unfortunately the ports on his wrists are angled specifically for the combined stinger attack, so using the two stingers separately looks rather awkward.
- While sold as a Deluxe, he ends up about the size of the Animated Activators toy. Yowza. Bumblebee's diminutive stature is in an effort to scale with other Legacy Animated Universe characters, such as Prowl and Optimus Prime.
Merchandise
- Transformers Animated Game Collection (2008)
- Released as part of the board game set, this Bumblebee is a (very) show-accurate mini-figure figure based on his animation model.
- Bumblebee is also sold with Optimus Prime, Bulkhead, and Prowl minifigures, and of course: 3 board games (Transformers Animated Game, checkers, and tic-tac-toe), and a 100-piece puzzle.
- Shift Tech Bumblebee handheld game (2008?)
- Solicited on the Walmart website [3], this was a Bumblebee themed version of the Optimus Prime handheld game. The solicitation lists it was going to have 15 different games and allow Bumblebee to battler in either vehicle or robot mode and contained a Teletraan-1 Database to let you learn all about your favorite characters. As it never released, we don't know if the games in it were the same as the Optimus version.
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Microbots Collection
- Bumblebee (Capsule, 2010)
- Takara Tomy A.R.T.S. released Bumblebee and 5 other Animated characters as small PVC figures in the Microbots Collection, a series of capsule toys.
References
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20121029111324/http://www.diablock.co.jp/bumblebee2.pdf
- ↑ Transformers panel with Ben MacCrae, Mark Maher, Evan Brooks, Takio Ejima and Thew Adams at Hasbro Pulse Con 2023.
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20090304025318/http://www.walmart.com:80/catalog/product.do?product_id=10263877
