The Original Battle Beasts Action Figures
The original Battle Beasts action figures can be traced to the late 80s in Tokyo, Japan. Takara, a Japanese toy company, created these miniature but mighty action figures in 1986. Battle Beasts were first known as BeastFormers. They were a spin-off of Transformers. The BeastFormers featured animal-themed designs and a gimmick where the figures’ chests would reveal a heat-sensitive insignia, indicating their element of power. There were three elements: wood, water, and fire. In a rock-paper-scissors fashion, wood could defeat water, water could beat fire, and fire could defeat wood.
Recognizing the potential of the toy line, Hasbro obtained the rights to produce and distribute the figures outside Japan. They rebranded the line as “Battle Beasts” and introduced them to the North American and European markets in 1987. With a slight reimagining of the characters, the Beastformers became the Battle Beasts we know today.
Four Battle Beasts Series
The first series of Hasbro Battle Beasts debuted in 1987, captivating collectors with its assortment of animal-inspired characters. Each series’ unique figure had a different elemental affiliation and an accompanying weapon or armor. Series one had 28 unique Battle Beasts. The second series added 24 new action figures. Series 3 then supplied another 24 new Battle Beasts.
Series 4 introduced us to the Shadow Warriors – known as Laser Beasts in Japan. The heat-sensitive sticker that revealed the action figure’s element was replaced by a crystal shield. The new series had 36 Laser Beasts in Japan, but North America only received 12, and they were packaged as Shadow Warriors.
Collectability
To enhance the play experience, Hasbro introduced collectible accessories, including shields, blasters, and vehicles. These accessories allowed collectors to customize their Battle Beasts and engage in epic battles. Additionally, after the first series, a fourth element emblem was added: the Sunburst. The Sunburst was extremely rare and could beat all three other elements. This added yet another factor of fun. In addition, it provided a reason to collect Battle Beasts: to obtain a Sunburst Warrior. A figure’s element of power could not be discovered until after opening the package. The Battle Beast slogan was, “Fire! Wood! Or Water!… You’ll never know until you own them!” This encouraged fans of the toy line to collect.
Conclusion
The original Hasbro Battle Beasts appeared in 1987, following their initial debut as BeastFormers in Japan the year before. With their animal-inspired designs and heat-sensitive chest insignia, these captivating figures quickly gained a dedicated following among collectors and enthusiasts. With subsequent expansions and a range of collectible accessories, the Battle Beasts toy line left an indelible mark on the vintage toy landscape. Today, collectors continue to cherish these action figures for the legacy they left behind.
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About the Author
Author: Chris Ingledue
Contact: email
Bio: I am the founder and owner of Wheeljack’s Lab pop Culture and Toy Shop. My vision has always been to reunite customers with their favorite childhood toys and pop culture, triggering fond memories, and reigniting their imaginations. Every day, I work in the “lab” where it’s Christmas 365 days a year. I scour the internet, like when we had the Sears Catalog of yesteryear, for the next great treasure. Then, I await the arrival of the postman as if he were Santa Claus himself and helping collectors worldwide with their versions of Christmas. Every day as a vintage toy buyer is an absolute joy!