Transformers Universe (2008) is the second line largely focused on giving Generation 1 characters updated figures. Universe continues many traditions established by Classics, but uses its larger scale to explore. The line was much larger than Classics, and featured significantly greater diversity. Unlike Classics, Universe featured many figures in most of the size classes, and expanded its offerings into the Ultra size class. Similarly, Universe homaged characters from parts of the franchise other than Generation 1, featuring several characters from Beast Wars and even one from Armada. However, Universe also drew much inspiration from Classics, and is in many ways a spiritual successor to it, as well as the first Transformers Universe line, which occurred in 2003. Transformers Universe represents an evolution of the concepts first introduced in Classics, often influenced by design practices from the wildly successful Movie lines. Universe is also a moment where HasTak were still refining their relationship to the concept of a Generation 1 homage line, and exploring how such a concept could be executed in practice.
Much like Classics, Universe featured an assortment of legends class figures. Again like Classics, most of these were redecos of Cybertron figures.(Jackpot) However, unlike Classics, six Generation 1 characters, namely several mini-vehicles, received new molds at this price point.(Jackpot)
Universe featured a significantly larger proportion of new mold deluxes than Classics had. As the Wiki notes, it was not only the number of figures that changed, but their engineering.(Jackpot) Universe was the first CHUG line released in the wake of the live action Transformers film.(TheLastGherkin) As such, many of the engineering changes that line pioneered are visible in its new molds. Where Classics had demonstrated an Armada or even Beast Wars era tendency towards direct approaches to transformation schemes and large tracts of solid, unjointed plastic, Universe explored more joints, more panels, and less intuitive transformation schemes. Figures such as Ironhide and Nissan 350Z mold feature intricate paneling and signature Movie-style backpacks of vehicle mode shell. Galvatron features an unintuitive transformation scheme that rivals RID Sideburn for getting in its own way and baffling complexity.(Peaugh)
This is not to say that all Universe toys are infamously intricate. Rather, the use of these somewhat extreme examples is meant to illustrate that HasTak designers were beginning to shift away from more linear approaches to problem solving, which addressed specific transformation features with specific solutions and left large chunks of plastic elsewhere. In a post-Movie era, they began to move towards a more holistic approach, where every part of the figure serves a purpose, and is jointed or molded to accommodate that purpose. For example, the Nissan mold is not notoriously complex, but the lower legs are still molded to be hollow to house the upper legs in vehicle mode, in contrast to Classics Astrotrain’s remarkably solid legs.
Universe’s expanded range of Deluxes allowed it to homage things outside of Generation 1. In particular, the exceptionally popular Beast Wars and Armada lines received new figures of central characters.(Jackpot) In particular, Beast Wars characters Cheetor and Dinobot received new figures, as did the Armada character Hot Shot.(Jackpot) This is of particular note for several reasons. First, it is somewhat unusual, although not unheard of, for non-G1 figures to receive nostalgia figures. Indeed, no other non-G1 homage figures would be produced in a CHUG line until 2010’s Reveal the Shield Voyager Lugnut, a full two years later.(Spin-out) Secondly, it is remarkable that Armada should receive a direct homage. There was significant precedent for Beast Wars homages, for example the Beast Wars 10th Anniversary toyline and the BotCon 2006 set. (SuperRobbie) Moreover, Beast Wars was, at this point, more than 10 years old, whereas Armada had ended a mere 6 years previous.(Interrobang)
However, while the suddenness of the homage is somewhat remarkable, the fact that Armada in particular was recognized with a new mold is unsurprising. Beast Wars, Armada, and arguably the Movie franchise all represent moments of tremendous popularity for Transformers.(ItsWalky, Armada;Transformers;Steve-o) As was noted earlier, non-G1 homage figures are comparatively rare. However, of the few that exist, a huge number come from Armada, Beast wars or, as with Studio Series, the Movie franchise.(ItsWalky, Armada;Steve-o; Ikkad) Universe Hot Shot marks the first entry into what would become one of the more homaged lines of the franchise.
One of the notable spiritual links that exists between Universe and Classics is the Classics Seeker Mold. As was discussed in the Classics essay, the Classics Seeker mold is the single most reissued mold in the history of the brand, as far as redecos into new characters are concerned. This storied lineage begins here; The Seeker mold was rereleased in Universe, once as Starscream, and once as the until-this-release obscure character Acid Storm.(Jackpot)
Another point of continuity between Classics and Universe is the Deluxe Octane figure. Other than Classics Astrotrain, Deluxe Octane represents the only time in the history of the brand that a triple changer was attempted at the deluxe price point.(Autobus Prime) All subsequent toys of this kind were at the Voyager size class or above. This arguably represents HasTak still learning the ropes of this sort of CHUG line; triple changers are easier to pull off successfully at the voyager price point, where there are more joints and more plastic available to create more convincing alternate modes. These sorts of transitional ideas are visible at other points throughout the Universe line.
Universe’s Voyager class offerings were almost exclusively redecos of Cybertron figures, with one redeco of a Classics figure and one new mold. Remarkably, almost all of these redecos represent either comparatively obscure existing characters, like Blades or Dropshot, or characters for whom this is their only appearance, like Heavy Load.(Jackpot) Of particular note is the reuse of Cybertron Leobreaker as Leo Prime, another name for the Japanese character Leo Convoy.(Derik) This figure contributes to Universe continuing another trend of Classics, namely that of making references to obscure characters and figures. These references are not necessarily intended for children. This can also be seen with HasTak’s use of the name Treadbolt for their redeco of Classics Jetfire. The name is a reference to a G1 Micromaster released in 1990; it is unlikely that any children looking at toys in 2008 understood the alusion.(Rolobolon)
Universe Inferno is the only new mold Voyager figure. Like his compatriots at the Deluxe class, Inferno uses paneling to achieve a realistic vehicle mode. He is also somewhat chunky, echoing, especially in his legs and forearms, the uninterrupted plastic characteristic of Classics.
Universe was the only CHUG line to feature toys in the Ultra class price point. Classics only featured voyager figures because the line was comparatively small, and subsequent lines like 2010 and Generations did not feature Ultra figures, because by that point the size class had been discontinued.(Singularity) There were three new mold Ultra figures, for Onslaught, Silverbolt, and, strangely enough, Powerglide. These figures all included electronic lights and sounds.(Jackpot)
Continuing the pattern of obscure references, Powerglide features a small heart underneath his chest panel. This references an episode of the G1 cartoon, specifically “The Girl Who Loved Powerglide.(S.H.I.E.L.D Agent47) Onslaught features a particularly interesting reference; rather than to a specific cartoon or figure, he references a specific member of the Transformers fan community, Monzo.(Dr.Spengler) This marks a new kind of reference in Transformers, call outs to individuals involved either with the production of the figures or their consumption.
The Universe line piggybacked off of the Movie line in two other specific ways. Firstly, it continued the Robot Heroes figures first established by the movie.(Jackpot) These are small figures of iconic characters, sold in two packs, with limited articulation.(M Sipher) It also featured a great many retailer exclusive figures.(Jackpot) These extended the run of the line significantly.(Jackpot)
Like Classics before it, toys produced under the Universe banner were not hyper screen accurate realizations of characters from the G1 cartoon, but updates of them, with better articulation and more modern alternate modes. As with Classics, many of these alternate modes are realistic, which, as the Wiki notes, served to bridge the gap between the Movie line and the ROTF line in terms of having realistic vehicles on store shelves.(Jackpot)
On the whole, Universe represents a continuation of elements established by Classics, while the greater scope of the line and new engineering techniques allowed it to be more experimental. Like Classics, Universe featured many arcane references, a plethora of redecos, and realistic, modernized vehicle modes. Unlike Classics, Universe featured a much greater number of new mold deluxes and a much greater diversity of characters. It also learned from Movie engineering practices, and began to design figures so that every part of the figure participated in all of the modes. During Universe, HasTak were still unwilling to commit to an entirely nostalgia based line, as evidenced by many of the redecos of Cybertron toys, and the presence of the Legends and Robot Heroes figures. Universe represents a natural outgrowth from Classics that evolved in the context of a post-Movie engineering world.
Works Cited
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Accessed 4/25/2020
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Transformers Aesthetics 