Growing up a Transformers fan I knew nothing about the history of the toys, how they got their start or where they came from. However I realize when my older brother and I got our first Deluxe Insecticon Transformer toy the Christmas of 1987 that there was something different about those toys. It wouldn't be until much, much later that I learned of Hasbro using molds from other toy lines. Omega Supreme, Shockwave and of course the Deluxe Insections. The only Deluxe Insecticon I had growing up was Chop Shop, so when I learned of their pre-Transformers existence I knew I had to own the "other" version of Chop Shop...Beet-Gugal. It took awhile before I found a boxed specimen in my price range and I quickly grabbed him.
Released by a small Japanese toy company, Takatoku Toys, the Armored Insect Batallion Beetras line was created with Japanese art studio, Artmic, to cash in on the transforming robot toy craze that was hitting Japan. However this line was a little too late as Takatoku Toys was on the verge of bankruptcy. This is perhaps why it is thought that the line of 5 robots was trimmed to 4. None the less, the toys managed a meager following in their home country before being given a second life so to speak when Hasbro struck a deal to use the 4 molds as the Deluxe Insecticons in their Transformers line.
When I finally got my hand on Beet-Gugal I was in love. The packaging used for this line is nothing short of beautiful, partly due to the awesome hand drawn artwork used for the character. The window is just big enough to show off a portion of the toy, which mirrors the toy design quite well. I'm not sure what the significance of the color stripes are that wrap the around the bottom portion of the box, but it works. Perhaps each color is meant to represent each Beetras character?
Since I'm unable to read the language printed at the top here on the back of the box, I'll have to assume it tells the story of Beetras. Below the body of text we have a nice diorama like photo of the Beetras toys. Below that is more stellar art my Artmic Studios, followed by a schematic drawing of our character, Beet-Gugal.
The sides of the box feature more art, this time including an image of a pilot (?). I like the stark difference from white being used on one end and black on the other.
The bottom of the box features a few more product shots of the toy. Mine specimen also happens to have a sticker of unknown origin...maybe Italian? If anyone reading this recognizes this sticker and can give me more info please let me know down in the comments.
Earlier I said I had to wait to find a boxed specimen in my price range...well that meant buying one incomplete unfortunately. Beet-Gugal also comes with a small trident weapon and a pistol. I did manage to find the pistol being sold individually, but I didn't have it close by when I took these photos.
While mine lacked it's original weapons, at least the toy came with it's original instruction sheet and unused sticker sheet. To this day the stickers remain unused and I highly doubt I'll ever both trying to sticker up this toy.
Chop Shop in my opinion was an awesome toy, despite it's limited articulation. The brown and orange of the Transformers version was fantastic looking, but I gotta say I like this blue/gray and light gray design Takatoku Toys used for Beet-Gugal. His bright red eyes are slightly set inside the head sculpt which is already pretty spectacular. This makes the red really pop and stand out on a otherwise darker colored figure.
Beet-Gugal's alternate form is that of a robot stag beetle. While not a beetle I recall seeing as a child playing in the woods, hiding underneath wooden logs in the woods, it looks great. Transformation between this form and it's robot form is rather easy and straightforward. The plastic used does seem to feel lighter, almost as if its made of a cheaper plastic quality. This always had me a little concerned when transforming the legs as I was worried the plastic around the hinges could snap at any time.
As with the robot mode, the insect's eyes are also cased in red. This really stands out and gives the beetle mode a almost ominus look.
I know a lot of Transformer fans are divisive when it comes to these Takatoku molds. While they certainly aren't my favorite molds released under the Transformers banner, this particular mold I'm very fond of. When I finally acquired the original toy a few years ago was something special...even if it was incomplete. Today this toy has gotten rather expensive on the secondary market so I'm glad I was able to strike when I did.
