Takara Tomy is no stranger when it comes to brand collaborations. In fact, they have already done multiple collaborations for their Transformers brand, and more recently, have collaborated with Bandai for their Zoids anniversary products. With the launch of their T-Spark hobby and collector-oriented label, they now have a chance to further solidify their collaboration offerings. Thus, they have launched the Synergenex line.
I assume “Synergenex” has its roots from the word ‘synergy’, which is basically what they’re trying to do. A new experience for hobby and collectible items geared towards synergy across their Transformers, Zoids, and Diaclone lines. Synergenex would be the latest brand in T-Spark’s porfolio of offerings, which include Realize Model, Adamas Machina, Toyrise, Metamor Verse, and Project: M.
Along with this reveal are several announcements from the Transformers and Zoids franchises.
First up is what would be the representative item of the Synergenex line, a synergy of the Transformers, Zoids, and Diaclone brands into one figure: Synergenex Shield-D-Prime.
Shield-D-Prime, as the name suggests, is a Shield Liger that can transform into an Optimus Prime-esque robot, and has the modularity of Diaclone sets. The fact they were able to integrate the concept of these brands into this one figure is great, not to mention it looks really good. My only contention on whether to get this or not is the size, as I still want to display this guy among my Transformers collection.
Synergenex Shield-D-Prime will be released in 2025.
Going specifically into Transformers, we first have a collaboration with the Godzilla franchise, with each celebrating their 40th and 70th anniversaries respectively. I’m not sure if these will be sold individually or as a two-pack, but each figure is a retool/repaint of an existing mold. Optimus Prime Type MFS-3 Kiryu is clearly a repaint of the Legacy Laser Optimus Prime toy to match MFS-3 Kiryu/Mechagodzilla. On the other hand, Megatron Type Godzilla is a retool of Studio Series ’86 Grimlock, with the obvious touches to make it more like Megatron. Both are supposedly available in November 2024.
Still on Transformers, and probably the most curiosity I have of all the announcements, is this Macross 7 collaboration. I mean Macross is all about jets turning into robots and we do have a good share of jet Transformers. I am also reminded how the Takatoku VF-1S from the original Macross series became Jetfire, so the Fire Valkyrie (as teased on the promo video) becoming a Transformer puts this whole thing into a full circle. This figure is also due for a 2025 release.
They also made several Zoids announcements, though the one notable they have is this collaboration with Marvel Comics to produce the Synergenex Spider Zoids Spider-Man Special. I’m not the most knowledgeable on Zoids so I can’t tell this is is just a quick repaint of an existing figure but this one is completely decked out in Spider-Man colors. There’s also another version that comes in all black to mimic the classic Black Spider-Man costume.
The promo video mentions a September 2024 release, which is like next week already. So, I’m inclined to think these figures are likely repaints of existing Zoids kits.
There will also be a Zods-Patlabor collaboration item though there’s nothing revealed outside of this. I can be pessimistic in saying that this might just be a black and white Patlabor-inspired recolor of an existing Zoids kit, or it could be a totally new thing.
There will also be multiple collaborations between the Monster Hunter games and both Transformers and Zoids, so fans of the games should look forward to this.
Collaboration items like this are usually a hit-or-miss deal, especially when not executed properly, like the old Marvel or Star Wars Transformers Crossovers. But I believe Takara Tomy can do better, and if their recent collaborations are taken into account, like Lunar Cruiser Prime, then I will definitely look forward to what they have in store under the Synergenex line.
You can check out the promo video they released below.
