Welcome to the Triple Takeover Toycast — a fun and informative fortnightly podcast all about Transformers and other amazing toy lines. From vintage rarities and prototypes to modern releases, cartoons, comics, and films, your hosts Sixo, Liam, Jason and Maz dive deep into toy history and pop culture with passion, humour, and plenty of nostalgia — plus the occasional special guest.
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Sep 29, 2026 · 2:01:57
As the final year of the original Transformers toy line in North America, 1990 is typically thought of for precisely one thing: Action Masters. Yet aside from the notorious…
Sep 15, 2026 · 1:46:00
The Transformers fandom was recently rocked by the tragic passing of legendary voice actor Peter Cullen, who famously provided the iconic voice of Optimus Prime for over forty…
Sep 1, 2026 · 1:36:07
It's a busy old time for new Transformers toys currently, but don't let that stop TakaraTomy. Now they're back with New Legends, a fresh spin on their Japanese equivalent to the…
Aug 18, 2026 · 1:44:48
Another year of TFNation has come and gone, as the Triple Takeover team celebrates the biggest event of the UK Transformers social calendar with the usual positive vibes. We've…
Aug 5, 2026 · 1:33:48
We're back for a seventh round of Hidden Gems, our popular format where each of us nominates a figure from Transformers history that we feel has been rather overlooked by the…
Jul 21, 2026 · 1:35:49
Way back at the turn of 1980, years before Transformers became a thing, Takara led the way forward for transforming robot toys with Diaclone — all about non-sentient mecha…
Jul 7, 2026 · 2:02:35
With the World Cup in full swing, sports mania is at fever pitch across the globe right now — yet Transformers tie-ins with sport have been surprisingly few and far between over…
Jun 23, 2026 · 1:40:43
Between Hasbro and TakaraTomy, there has been a significant volume of new Transformers product of late — so much so that many collectors are forced to pick and choose through…
Jun 9, 2026 · 2:17:45
Imagine a world where Transformers Armada never happened and the brand had gone a completely separate route. Back in the early 2000s, that was almost the case. After the smash…
May 26, 2026 · 1:51:33
With Missing Link Ironhide having just been fully unveiled, there's a lot to talk about. Perhaps more than any other release in the TakaraTomy line, this one has defied fan…
May 12, 2026 · 1:51:19
Released at a time when Transformers were already firmly on the wane after six years on toy shelves, 1990's Action Masters were Hasbro's attempt at 'rebooting' the line by…
Apr 28, 2026 · 1:49:31
This episode is the opposite of our Hidden Gems discussion. Rather than bigging up amazing Transformers toys that nobody mentions, we're re-assessing former releases which are…
Apr 14, 2026 · 1:24:36
Q-Transformers is a 2014 Japanese exclusive line centred around being both a homage to and a spin-off from Takara's own classic Choro-Q line of super-deformed cars (known as…
Mar 31, 2026 · 1:41:34
The general aftermarket value of second-hand Transformers items has skyrocketed in recent times, driven by what appears to be a collecting boom over the last five years or more.…
Mar 17, 2026 · 1:50:52
The so-called e-Hobby era has become a landmark of Transformers collecting for many fans. Running predominantly through the 2000s, the TakaraTomy-affiliated online store offered…
Mar 3, 2026 · 2:00:40
We've tackled the topic of head sculpts before, but tonight we're returning with a mission: to highlight specific examples that represent the absolute best the franchise has to…
Feb 17, 2026 · 1:55:08
Let it never be said that Triple Takeover doesn't enjoy a bit of beast. Having already done deep dives into the classic Kenner line and Takara's Beast Wars II, we're back for…
Feb 3, 2026 · 1:41:19
We first covered the beginnings of Transformers Generations toys with 2006's Classics line back in episode #16, but now we're back for the Takara equivalent: Henkei! Henkei!…
Jan 20, 2026 · 1:51:00
Collecting Transformers should be a joy, but what happens when it starts to feel like a chore? This episode tackles collector burnout — that creeping sense of being overwhelmed,…
Jan 6, 2026 · 1:54:17
As another year of collecting draws to a close, the Triple Takeover crew sit down to reflect on the Transformers toys that defined 2025 for them. Rather than chasing completeness…
Dec 23, 2025 · 1:47:37
IDW artist Nick Roche returns to Triple Takeover to talk Transformers Generations: Thrilling 30 — the 2013–2014 toy line — and the unusual creative journey that links Sandstorm…
Dec 9, 2025 · 1:23:48
The Transformers Collectors’ Club (TFCC) and Figure Subscription Service (TFSS) are front and centre this week as we delve into one of the most fascinating — and at times…
Nov 25, 2025 · 2:03:12
Studio Series has been a cornerstone of modern Transformers collecting since its debut in 2018 — but what exactly does the line represent today? Originally conceived as a…
Nov 11, 2025 · 1:36:01
Some Transformers comic panels stick with you forever — and not always for the right reasons. In this episode we take a look at some of the most memorable moments in Transformers…
Oct 28, 2025 · 2:00:30
What would the perfect new wave of Transformers Generations toys look like… if we all played by the same rules? In this episode we have some fun assembling our ideal Generations…
Oct 15, 2025 · 1:48:12
What are some of the most overlooked Transformers toys — and do they really deserve to be forgotten? Following a recent Patreon poll, we’re back for a sixth round of Transformers…
Sep 30, 2025 · 2:05:51
The number 113 has become a recurring motif in James Roberts’ Transformers comics — most notably throughout More Than Meets The Eye and Lost Light. But where did that fascination…
Sep 16, 2025 · 1:41:32
Partsforming is one of the most controversial aspects of Transformers design, despite being present since the very beginning of the brand in the 1980s. In this episode we take a…
Aug 26, 2025 · 1:41:08
TFNation has been and gone for another year, and the (very tired) team sit down to reflect on the many highs — and hauls — from Europe’s largest Transformers convention. In this…
Aug 12, 2025 · 2:04:40
San Diego Comic-Con always brings a wave of new Transformers reveals — and this year was no exception. In this episode we break down the latest announcements from SDCC, including…
Jul 29, 2025 · 1:32:45
1989 was a year of major change for Transformers, introducing two very different new directions for the toy line — Micromasters and Pretenders. Having already explored one half…
Jul 15, 2025 · 1:45:19
Transformers Missing Link is back in the spotlight as we dig into the latest speculation and assess what might be coming next. With names like Ultra Magnus, Galvatron, and even…
Jul 1, 2025 · 1:41:26
Studio Series SS86 Megatron has finally arrived — and few Transformers releases in recent memory have sparked quite as much discussion. From early rumours through to the official…
Jun 17, 2025 · 1:56:31
'Hidden gems' returns, as we once again shine a spotlight on Transformers toys we think deserved far more attention than they received at the time. In this episode each of us…
Jun 3, 2025 · 2:03:09
Our exploration of individual years in Transformers toys continues, this time focusing on the 1989 Micromasters. One of the biggest resets in the original line, Micromasters…
May 20, 2025 · 1:50:29
Following the Scramble City combiners of the previous year, 1987 introduced the Technobots and Terrorcons with a fresh take on a familiar design. In this episode we look at…
May 8, 2025 · 1:46:44
The announcement of MPG-17 means a fourth Transformers Masterpiece Optimus Prime is on the way — but what actually sets it apart from the versions that came before? In this…
Apr 15, 2025 · 1:36:04
The early 2000s marked the beginning of a major wave of nostalgia for Transformers — one that has continued ever since. A key part of that resurgence was Takara's 2002–2006 The…
Apr 2, 2025 · 2:46:19
Despite being one of the formative Transformers toy lines of the pre-movie mid-2000s era, Takara’s Robotmasters is now largely overlooked by many collectors. In this episode we…
Mar 18, 2025 · 2:35:08
It’s our 100th episode extravaganza, so naturally we aimed high and invited back two of our all-time favourite guests. When that fell through, we somehow ended up with James…
Feb 25, 2025 · 2:06:13
With the recent reveal of Liokaiser as a HasLab project, the whole subject of Transformers crowdfunding has come up for debate once again. HasLab campaigns promise ambitious,…
Feb 11, 2025 · 1:57:59
As Transformers began to wane at the turn of the 1990s, Takara stepped forward with a bold new direction in the form of Brave . Originally rooted in unused Transformers concepts,…
Jan 28, 2025 · 1:55:00
With Age of the Primes Superion recently revealed, combiners are firmly back on the minds of Transformers fans — along with the long-running debate over how these toys should…
Jan 14, 2025 · 2:09:49
We kick off 2025 with another deep dive into Transformers One — and this time, we’re going big. Joining us are three special guests from Industrial Light & Magic, the team behind…
Dec 25, 2024 · 2:00:00
As 2024 draws to a close, we take a moment to look back on a spectacular anniversary year for Transformers and celebrate some of the highlights from the past twelve months of…
Dec 10, 2024 · 2:07:56
We’re back with another special Transformers design team guest as we’re joined by Hasbro veteran Brian Parrish. Brian has enjoyed an incredible career working across a wide range…
Nov 25, 2024 · 2:02:33
Beast Wars remains one of the most celebrated and colourful eras in Transformers history — but the Transmetal 2 line-up is notorious for pushing boundaries in just about every…
Nov 12, 2024 · 1:42:36
In a real treat, we sit down with legendary Transformers comic creator Simon Furman to discuss his fan-favourite 1986 Marvel UK epic, Target: 2006 . We chat about the…
Oct 23, 2024 · 1:36:55
This episode continues our Transformers One discussion, with another extra special guest joining us — the hugely talented Production Designer Jason Scheier. Jason takes us behind…
Oct 7, 2024 · 2:59:37
It’s the big one. After attending two separate press events for the film, we’re delighted to bring you our bumper-sized Transformers One extravaganza, featuring multiple in-depth…
Sep 30, 2024 · 1:44:31
We’re honoured to be joined by the legendary writer of the classic Marvel Transformers comic — and the creator of many of the franchise’s most iconic characters — Bob Budiansky.…
Sep 16, 2024 · 2:17:43
We’re joined by an extra special guest for this episode as Hasbro Transformers designer Evan Brooks joins us for a fascinating behind-the-scenes discussion. Evan takes us inside…
Sep 2, 2024 · 1:51:20
TFNation 2024 has come and gone, and as the dust settles on Europe’s largest Transformers convention, we look back on another unforgettable weekend. From the highs and lows of…
Aug 19, 2024 · 1:45:33
For episode 86, we’re talking ’86 — Minibots, that is (or “Mini Vehicles”, if you prefer the official terminology). After already gassing up the previous years of these…
Aug 6, 2024 · 1:47:58
It’s the return of Third Party: Heaven or Hell , as the team dives into a second round of unofficial Transformers toys — picking one truly great example, and one that absolutely…
Jul 22, 2024 · 1:29:23
It’s the return of our Hidden Gems series, where each of the team champions Transformers toys from across the years that we feel deserved far more love than they ever received.…
Jul 8, 2024 · 1:35:01
This episode marks the long-awaited follow-up to our exploration of Takara’s 1998 Beast Wars II line — and this time, it’s all about the bad guys. The Predacons of Beast Wars II…
Jun 24, 2024 · 1:58:51
With a new season of Transformers: Earthspark landing, it felt like the perfect time to finally welcome Nick Roche to the podcast. Known for his legendary work on the IDW…
Jun 10, 2024 · 1:31:21
A real treat for this episode as we’re joined by acclaimed comic creator Daniel Warren Johnson to talk all things Skybound’s Transformers . Widely celebrated for his…
May 27, 2024 · 1:47:39
We’re talking iconic Transformers comic covers from across the years, celebrating the artwork that helped define the brand on the page. With Marvel, IDW, Skybound — and even a…
May 13, 2024 · 1:51:59
The first Transformers One trailer is finally here, and the excitement (and anxiety) is palpable. With a bold new animated take on the Transformers universe, it’s been met with a…
Apr 29, 2024 · 1:24:13
Everyone loves a good Minibot, but there was something particularly special about the tiny Transformers released in 1985. Affordable, characterful, and packed with personality,…
Apr 16, 2024 · 1:38:36
Now that the dust has settled on Missing Link Convoy , we take a closer look at one of the most talked-about Transformers releases in years. Designed to bridge the gap between…
Apr 2, 2024 · 1:26:42
So, you think you know Transformers? This episode puts that confidence to the test as the hosts take on Sixo’s quiz, focused squarely on the Generation 1 toy line. From obscure…
Mar 19, 2024 · 1:59:57
It’s our 75th episode and our third anniversary, so we’re marking the occasion by revisiting one of our favourite — and most overlooked — years of Transformers toys. While 1988…
Mar 5, 2024 · 1:59:10
Unlike his nemesis Optimus Prime, Transformers’ most maniacal villain has never settled on a single alternate form. Over the years, Megatron has been a gun, a tank, a jet, a car…
Feb 20, 2024 · 2:07:33
Before Titans became the ultimate expression of scale in Transformers, the toys offering the biggest bang for your buck were often found in the Supreme class. Larger than life…
Feb 6, 2024 · 2:03:37
One of the most popular and enduring Transformers toy lines of all time, 2007’s Transformers Animated marked a bold shift in both design and storytelling for the brand. Its…
Jan 23, 2024 · 2:06:12
Clear plastic has long been one of the most notorious pain points for toy collectors, often mentioned in the same breath as gold plastic syndrome (GPS) and discolouration. It’s a…
Jan 9, 2024 · 2:07:03
As we step into 2024, we’re also celebrating the 40th anniversary of Transformers , with plenty of exciting new toys and developments on the horizon. It’s a year full of promise,…
Dec 25, 2023 · 1:55:29
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, which means it’s time to look back at the Transformers toys that defined 2023 for us. From standout releases to unexpected highlights,…
Dec 12, 2023 · 2:45:00
We’re heading back to the Beasts — but this time, we’re off to Japan for one of the most colourful and distinctive chapters of late ’90s Transformers: Beast Wars II . In this…
Nov 28, 2023 · 2:16:04
It’s still early days for Skybound’s new Energon Universe , but there’s already plenty to unpack as Transformers makes its return to comics in a bold new form. In this episode,…
Nov 14, 2023 · 2:16:36
For this extra-special episode, we dive deep into the Triple Takeover mailbag to answer questions from listeners about Transformers, toy collecting, the podcast itself, and…
Oct 31, 2023 · 1:10:16
Following on from the highs of Binaltech , TakaraTomy returned to the idea of ‘real car’ Transformers in 2009 with a very different proposition: Alternity . Smaller in scale but…
Oct 17, 2023 · 1:38:59
We’re back for a third round of Transformers ‘hidden gems’, as each member of the team selects two toys from across the brand’s history that they feel never quite received the…
Oct 3, 2023 · 2:03:02
With TFNation 2023 now behind us, we’re joined by organisers Dave Mapes and Billy Stripes to take a look behind the scenes of Europe’s largest Transformers convention. In this…
Sep 19, 2023 · 2:04:59
TFNation 2023 has come and gone, marking another memorable chapter in the UK’s Transformers social calendar. As always, the event brought together the community for a weekend…
Sep 5, 2023 · 1:48:23
How do Transformers fans respond when mysterious new toys start to surface before anything is officially confirmed? Blurry images, half-heard rumours, and rampant speculation can…
Jul 25, 2023 · 1:47:45
We’re back on our tour through each year of the classic Transformers toy line, and this time we arrive at 1987 — a period of notable change for the robots in disguise. With…
Jul 11, 2023 · 2:13:03
The robots in disguise return to the big screen, and there’s plenty to unpack in this spoiler-filled discussion of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts . In this episode, the team…
Jun 27, 2023 · 2:14:51
In a very special episode, Triple Takeover is joined by members of the Hasbro Transformers team for an in-depth conversation about the brand, the toys, and the process behind…
Jun 13, 2023 · 1:59:26
Every toy collector is familiar with that inevitable question from friends or family: why? Why collect toys at all — and why is it Transformers that holds such lasting appeal,…
May 30, 2023 · 1:22:53
We often hear from listeners about the ways Triple Takeover has ‘enabled’ their latest toy purchases, thanks to what we’ve discussed on the show. To prove we’re no different, the…
May 16, 2023 · 1:53:33
We all love robots in disguise — but what about actual robots? With Robosen already making waves thanks to their fully interactive, self-transforming Optimus Prime, and more…
May 2, 2023 · 1:38:27
We’re putting the unofficial third-party Transformers scene to the test and asking whether the toys in question are ‘heaven or hell’. Covering everything from Masterpiece-style…
Apr 18, 2023 · 1:33:25
The Transformers Retro reissue line got off to a memorable start with the iconic pink Hot Rod, and it now promises to offer collectors some genuinely unexpected new takes on…
Apr 4, 2023 · 2:45:04
Anyone who grew up with Transformers in the ’80s or ’90s will remember the allure of the prototypes pictured in catalogues of the era — often hinting at toys that looked…
Mar 21, 2023 · 1:51:30
We’re back for a second round of Transformers ‘hidden gems’, as each member of the team selects two toys from across the brand’s history that they feel never quite received the…
Mar 7, 2023 · 2:45:28
Triple Takeover marks its 50th episode by turning its attention to one of the most iconic moments in Transformers history — The Transformers: The Movie . Released in 1986, the…
Feb 21, 2023 · 2:23:55
Hasbro and Kenner’s 1997 Transformers: Machine Wars is about as niche as it gets within the world of robots in disguise, occupying a strange and often overlooked corner of the…
Feb 7, 2023 · 2:05:47
Among the many oft-forgotten toy lines of the 1980s, Starcom holds a special place in the hearts of many collectors — and for good reason. In this episode, the team take a closer…
Jan 24, 2023 · 1:43:17
We’re going back to where it all began, exploring the pre-Transformers era through the Diaclone Car Robots sub-line. In this episode, the team take a closer look at the original…
Dec 27, 2022 · 1:46:34
As the year draws to a close, it’s time to take stock and reflect on some of the standout Transformers toys we picked up over the past twelve months. In this episode, the team…
Dec 13, 2022 · 1:38:27
It’s time to court controversy once again, as the team return for a third round of discussion around some of the most hotly-debated topics in Transformers history. This time, we…
Nov 29, 2022 · 1:28:30
Sometimes, all a good Transformers toy design needs is a few thoughtful tweaks to become something truly special. In this episode, the team discuss some of their favourite…
Nov 15, 2022 · 1:23:07
This episode is all about Transformers ‘hidden gems’ — toys that we adore in our collections, but which never quite seem to receive the recognition they deserve within the wider…
Nov 1, 2022 · 1:49:42
The Transformers franchise has a long and varied history with mailaway items, stretching back to the earliest days of the brand with releases like the Omnibots, Reflector, and…
Oct 18, 2022 · 2:04:58
1986 is one of the most memorable years in Transformers history, but it’s not just the headline movie releases that deserve attention. In this episode, the team shine a light on…
Oct 4, 2022 · 2:39:49
Even decades on, Beast Machines remains one of the most polarising chapters in Transformers history, inspiring a level of debate and disagreement that few other eras can match.…
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