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Transformers Line Unveils Upcoming Macross 7 Crossover Prototype

Takara Tomy's T-Spark Zone event unveiled a prototype of Basara Prime, the Transformers toy line's upcoming collaboration with the Macross 7 anime, on Friday:

The prototype converts from a fighter similar to Macross 7's VF-19 Custom Fire Valkyrie to a robot inspired by both Transformers' Optimus Prime and Macross 7's singing pilot Basara Nekki, complete with a guitar.

The figure is slated to ship in Winter 2025. As of press time, Takara Tomy, the Japanese distributor of Transformers, has not announced the price of the figure.

The Transformers and Macross 7 collaboration is part of Takara Tomy's Synergenex line. The collaboration was announced in August 2024 along with several other collaboration projects including Godzilla, Monster Hunter, The Amazing Spider-Man, and Zoids. Transformers has also recently collaborated with Naruto and announced a collaboration with Sonic the Hedgehog.

This isn't Transformers' first tango with Macross. Before co-creating and designing the first Macross series, Shōji Kawamori joined other members of Studio Nue in designing toys in Takara's Diaclone line. Hasbro rebranded many of those Diaclone toys for Transformers, including the Battle Convoy truck which became the iconic Optimus Prime. Hasbro also licensed the 1/55-scale VF-1S Valkyrie toy mold from the first Macross to sell as Jetfire in Transformers. (Kawamori designed the VF-19 Custom Fire Valkyrie itself in Macross 7, but Takara Tomy's staff at T-Spark Zone refrained from commenting on if Kawamori was directly involved in Basara Prime's design.)

Sources: Transformers' X/Twitter account