Triple Takeover Toycast

The team take a deep dive into TakaraTomy’s modern Diaclone line, exploring what makes these high-end toys so distinctive and alluring for collectors.

From intricate engineering and premium materials to ambitious concepts and sheer shelf presence, we discuss why Diaclone feels both familiar and refreshingly different — and why it has captured the attention of so many toy fans. Don't call it a reboot, but a bold continuation of ideas that predate Transformers themselves.

Fair warning: the enablement is strong with this one.

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Enjoying the show? There’s more than meets the ear...

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The Triple Takeover team may be getting older, but at least we’re amassing more robots.

With a round of birthdays freshly behind us, this episode sees us chatting through some of the Transformers-related gifts we’ve received — a discussion that, inevitably, spirals into all manner of other topics along the way. From thoughtful surprises to unexpected choices, it’s a relaxed and personal conversation shaped by the joy of collecting.

It may be a little self-indulgent, but it is our birthday episode… and we’ll rant if we want to.

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Enjoying the show? There’s more than meets the ear...

Find show notes at https://www.tripletakeover.com

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Transformers: Energon arrived in 2004 to coincide with the brand’s 20th anniversary, and with that milestone came a wealth of homages to the early days of the robots in disguise.

In this episode, the team explore some of those callbacks and design choices, discussing how Energon positioned itself within Transformers history and how those anniversary influences were reflected in the toys. What began life as a Patreon-exclusive minisode quickly grew into a much broader conversation, as the more we dug in, the more there was to unpack.

Little did we know at the time, this discussion would also spark a much deeper dive into the Unicron Trilogy — a journey that would later continue in its own dedicated miniseries: https://www.patreon.com/collection/185979

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Enjoying the show? There’s more than meets the ear...

Find show notes at https://www.tripletakeover.com

Join the conversation with us on Discord

Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tripletakeover

The team tackle one of the most dreaded issues in toy collecting: discoloured plastic.

Often thought of as a problem confined to older toys, recent examples have shown that discolouration can affect modern releases as well. In this episode, we explore what causes plastic to discolour, why it remains such a persistent and frustrating issue for collectors, and what factors make some figures more vulnerable than others.

We also discuss possible remedies, the risks involved, and whether there’s ever truly a “fix” — or if some changes are simply part of a toy’s life over time.

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Enjoying the show? There’s more than meets the ear...

Find show notes at https://www.tripletakeover.com

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The Triple Takeover team go a little highbrow and turn their attention to one of the most important elements of any Transformers toy: the head sculpt.

In this episode, we dig into what makes a great head design, why it can make or break a figure, and how small sculpting choices can have a huge impact on personality and shelf presence. Along the way, we highlight personal favourite examples and share a few hardheaded opinions on what really works — and what doesn’t.

It’s a focused but wide-ranging brainstorm on an often overlooked detail that plays a huge role in bringing Transformers to life.

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Enjoying the show? There’s more than meets the ear...

Find show notes at https://www.tripletakeover.com

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Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tripletakeover

To mark our one-year anniversary, the Triple Takeover team finally dive into a topic we’d been teasing since the very beginning: Car Robots and Robots in Disguise from the 2000–2001 era.

In this bumper-length episode, we explore the toys, designs, and ideas that made this period such a standout moment for the brand, discussing its place in Transformers history and why it continues to resonate with collectors today. From bold aesthetics to memorable characters, no stone is left unturned in our longest episode to date.

It’s a celebratory and comprehensive look at an era that helped redefine Transformers for a new generation.

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Enjoying the show? There’s more than meets the ear...

Find show notes at https://www.tripletakeover.com

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Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tripletakeover

The Triple Takeover team serves up another dose of controversy as they tackle more Transformers-related topics that have long divided the fandom.

In this episode, we dig into hot-button subjects such as partsforming, product leaks, and even pronunciation, exploring why these issues provoke such strong reactions and how opinions around them have shifted over time. While things do get a little heated along the way, the focus is very much on understanding where those differing viewpoints come from.

It’s a lively discussion that reflects both the passion and the complexity of Transformers fandom.

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Enjoying the show? There’s more than meets the ear...

Find show notes at https://www.tripletakeover.com

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M.A.S.K. holds a place in many ’80s collectors’ hearts that’s every bit as strong as Transformers, combining memorable vehicles, clever gimmicks, and a distinctive visual identity.

In this episode, the team are workin' overtime to explore what made M.A.S.K. so special, discussing the toys, the play patterns, and the emotions they continue to evoke decades later. From childhood memories to how the line holds up today, we cover the full spectrum of nostalgia that surrounds this beloved toy line.

It’s a celebratory and reflective look at a series that left a lasting impression — and still has plenty of fuel left in the tank.

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Enjoying the show? There’s more than meets the ear...

Find show notes at https://www.tripletakeover.com

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Reissues have been a staple of the Transformers toy line since the days of the gold box Classics releases in 1990, and over time they’ve grown into a varied and sometimes complex part of modern collecting.

In this episode, the team take a clear-eyed look at Transformers reissues, discussing how their role has evolved, why some are viewed as desirable alternatives to original releases, and where opinions can differ within the collecting community. From accessibility and nostalgia to accuracy and presentation, we explore what reissues offer collectors today.

It’s a balanced discussion of a long-running aspect of Transformers that continues to shape how the hobby is experienced.

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Enjoying the show? There’s more than meets the ear...

Find show notes at https://www.tripletakeover.com

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1986 was another iconic year for the Transformers toy line, thanks in no small part to the release of The Transformers: The Movie and the characters it introduced.

In this episode, the team focus specifically on the Generation 1 toys that first appeared in the film, including Hot Rod, Ultra Magnus, Galvatron, and more. We discuss how these characters translated from screen to toy shelves, what set them apart from earlier releases, and how their introduction helped shift the direction of the brand during a pivotal year.

It’s a celebratory yet considered look at the movie-era toys of 1986 — and their lasting place in Transformers history. Till all are one!

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Enjoying the show? There’s more than meets the ear...

Find show notes at https://www.tripletakeover.com

Join the conversation with us on Discord

Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tripletakeover