(photo from original news article)

I read with interest on some articles featured in our local newspapers yesterday and today that a recent local survey found a large number of China made toys here contain dangerously high levels of toxic, which are harmful to children.  As a result, some toy retailers took precaustionary steps to withdraw or recall the affected toys that they happen to sell.

Toxic found in toys is quite alarming news, yet it comes as no surprise.  You see back in 2007 and before the Christmas holidays in the US, even the leading toy manufacturer Mattel got into a similar predicament and had to recall many toys that did not pass the stringent tests in toxic lead levels.  3 years later, Singapore would follow suit in checking on the toys sold here.  You can read the full report here.

It is interesting to note that at least 1 of the local toy importers and retailers here does not think it’s their responsibility to ensure that the toys they import and sell have to meet regulation standards, after all they are not manufacturers.  In a way, I guess they are not legally bound to do so, just ethically which is optional and not compulsory.  Ethical reasons are not bound by law, so consumers still have to be discerning and careful in their toy purchases for children.

Fortunately most toy collectors shouldn’t be affected, unless the toys give out toxic fumes which are harmful to our lungs if we breathe in too much of those poisonous gases.  I think collectors won’t put toys into their mouths like toddlers tend to do, so most of us are quite safe.  Nevertheless over the years, some of the new toys I bought had a rather strong rubber smell when just taken out of package.  I wonder if that counts as toxic fumes?  Hmmm, maybe I should use this as an excuse to cut down on toy collecting and get another non-toxic hazardous hobby instead!

Yes, the Singapore Toy Carnival is back in Singapore this year and this time, it will be held at the Singapore Expo (next to Expo MRT Station)!  As stated in the above banner, this annual toy event will be held over this coming long weekend.  The floor plan of the exhibition hall is also available online.

We have a public holiday on this Friday (Vesak’s Day), hence I’ll most probably visit the carnival on that day to check out what interesting potential toys there are to shop for or admire there!  I’m sure quite a lot of local toy collectors will attend the Toy Carnival too.  Have a great time there this weekend!

Well, I thought I read rumoured news that the Autobot twins - Skids and Mudflap might be left out of the cast of Transformers movie 3.  Apparently like many fans around the world, a photo such as this taken on the movie set astounded me.

So are the twins going or not going to be in the movie?  Only time will tell. To me it doesn’t make too much difference, as long as my favourite Bumblebee is still the star of the movie!

Filming for Transformers movie 3 has started and some resourceful fans have managed to take ’secret’ photos of the vehicles to be used on the movie sets! 

Here we have both Ratchet (spotting new colors and patterns) being loaded onto a trailer together with Optimus Prime (who looks the same as before). 

Only time will tell if these shall be the official colors and images for these 2 movie characters, after all it is not uncommon for characters to get another makeover during the movie plot! Happy waiting for further confirmations!

Yes, head down to the original posting at Seibertron.com to take a look at our favourite Camaro’s new image for the 3rd Transformers movie! 

It doesn’t look like much of a change at first glance, but then again, Bumblebee’s image in Transformers movie 2 - Revenge of the Fallen (ROTF) wasn’t so vastly different from his 1st movie look either. 

Anyway, the latest and newest Bumblebee car mode will likely mean that we will have a new toy mold for movie 3!  Happy waiting for the Transformers movie 3 toy preview photos to eventually show up online (most likely early next year)!

Wow, take a look at the Iron Man 2 movie toys preview filmed during the recent Toy Fair 2010! 

I like the Iron Man race car and mobile headquarters (reminds me of the Pit Mobile HQ playset of the 2009 G.I.Joe movie toyline but smaller).  The Iron Man helmet and remote controlled Iron Man toy look great for kids!

We should expect to see the Iron Man 2 movie vehicles toys and role playing items in local departmental stores in the coming months leading to the movie sequel in May 2010.

Happy viewing the video and happy waiting for the toys to hit local mass retail! 

If you are in Singapore and you have a copy of today’s edition (26 Feb 2010) of The New Paper, turn to page 6 and you’ll see a large black and white photo on it.  I don’t have scanner to scan that photo though. 

Basically the photo shows a trio of recent years power ranger figures on the floor against a wall.  In front of them are an array of offerings of toys, milk and drinks.  The caption below the photo states - 

“Superhero Superstitions: Police found figurines used for prayer during a raid on an illegal gambling den in Geylang Lorong 8 on Wednesday.  The den operators apparently gave offerings of toys, milk and sweets to the figurines in the hope of better earnings.”

——–

My thoughts:

I know I often imagine my toys “coming to life” and having “unique personalities” of their own, but this takes the cake.  To worship them like deities is a little too startling for me. 

I can’t identify which series of power rangers those are in the photo.  I’m not sure if they are original brand products or bootleg versions.  One thing for sure, I’ll never see them as mere toys again!  Creepy…

ASMzine.com did a coverage of Toy Fair 2010 (held at New York City this month) and posted the photos online.  The Hasbro photos section is done and the Hasbro Toylines featured are:

G.I.Joe

Littlest Pet Shop

Marvel

My Little Pony

Star Wars

Strawberry Shortcake

Transformers

Enjoy viewing all the photos at http://toyfair10.asmzine.com/gallery/hasbro/

(Note: Just refresh the ASM links if the pages do not load).

P.S. I haven’t viewed all the toy photos yet though.  There are so many of them to cover! 

Attention all fans and collectors of Hasbro’s Transformers Revenge of the Fallen (ROTF) toyline!  Hasbro has revealed the list of its upcoming Transformers toyline at the recent Toy Fair 2010 in New York City, US. 

The following are the YouTube videos of the ROTF toys we expect to see at mass retail for 2010, filmed at Toy Fair 2010:

Toy Fair 2010: ROTF Deluxe Class Figures preview -

Battle Blade Bumblebee (another one to add to my collection!), Jetblade (repainted ROTF Deluxe Dirge), Ironhide (he looks nicer than ROTF Deluxe Ratchet!), Thrust (wow he’s got huge wing missiles!) & Drift (fans of this car model will adore him!).

ToyFair 2010: ROTF Battle Ops Bumblebee preview -

He’s not a rumour anymore, he’s real and coming soon! And probably expensive too.

Toy Fair 2010: ROTF Legends Class Figures preview - coming in 3rd quarter of 2010. 

Ravage (he’s very cute!), Long Haul (wow I’m surprised he’s in a new mold, considering Hasbro’s favourite practice of using repaints instead), Rampage (another new mold, yay!), Bumblebee (a repaint) and Fireblast Optimus Prime (a repaint).

 Toy Fair 2010: ROTF Leader Class preview - Starscream (did he poke his head into the fireplace!?), Buster Optimus Prime etc. 

We also see a glimpse of ROTF Human Alliance (HA) Jazz w/Captain Lennox figures and a repackage of ROTF HA Bumblebee w/Sam figures (see next video); a yellow repaint of ROTF Voyager Long Haul and ROTF Voyager Ratchet (he also looks charred, did the staff retrieve this toy from a bbq pit!?).

 Toy Fair 2010: ROTF Human Alliance Jazz w/Captain Lennox Figures preview -

We see the next Transformers movie toy series after ROTF NEST is “Hunt for the Decepticons”, in new yellow packaging. 

HA Bumblebee w/Sam figures will be re-released, this time accompanied by HA Jazz w/Captain Lennox figures, and a dark colored bike! 

So I supposed that leaves a possible HA Jolt with Leo figures in the near future! 

Toy Fair 2010: ROTF Scout Class Figures preview - 

Quoted from Seibertron.com: Hubcap (looks like Greaser, turns into 1950s roadster), Brimstone (looks like Cybertron version but transforms into a chopper - motorcycle), Crankstart (Beachcomber mold), Backfire (Knock Out repaint), Insecticon (from the movie) and Breacher (meant to team up with Voyager class).

If you are excited about the above Transformers toys coming soon at mass retail, start saving up more money in your monthly toy funds now!  Happy Transformers toys collecting for 2010!

Hasbro, the toy company that makes popular collector’s toys like Star Wars, Transformers, G.I.Joe, My Little Pony and Littlest Pet Shop, has issued a press release on their website about their earnings report for the 4th quarter of 2009, and their full year 2009 earnings!

“Hasbro reports 4th quarter and full-year 2009 results; posts 9th consecutive year of E.P.S. growth and fifth consecutive year of revenue growth. 

4th Quarter Highlights:

Net revenues of $1.38 billion for the fourth quarter, an increase of $144.1 million or 12% compared to $1.23 billion a year ago; net revenues increased 7% excluding the positive $55.4 million impact of foreign exchange; 

Net earnings of $165.6 million, or $1.09 per diluted share, increased $72.0 million or 77%, compared to $93.6 million, or $0.62 per share in 2008; 

Full-Year Highlights: 

Net revenues of $4.07 billion, an increase of $46.4 million or 1% from a year ago; net revenues increased 3% excluding the negative $65.2 million impact of foreign exchange; 

U.S. and Canada segment net revenues grew 2%; International segment net revenues declined 3% but increased 2% absent the negative $64.5 million impact of foreign exchange; and Entertainment and Licensing segment net revenues increased 44% compared to 2008; 

Net earnings of $374.9 million, or $2.48 per diluted share, increased $68.1 million or 22%, compared to $306.8 million, or $2.00 per diluted share in 2008; 

Operating profit of $588.6 million or 14.5% of net revenues compared to $494.3 million or 12.3% of net revenues last year; 

Repurchased 3.2 million shares of common stock at a total cost of $91.0 million.”

For the full press release, please read here.