Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, NY
February 10, 2007
Story by Dave Castle (jokabofe)

THE HASBRO REPORT
It’s Toy Fair time again! This year Toy Fair runs from Sunday February 11th through Wednesday February 14th. But, as usual, Hasbro decided to hold their own presentation the day before, on Saturday February 10th. To be honest, there weren’t really many surprised shown at Toy Fair this year. When I spoke to one of the reps, he did say they were holding a few things back to show off at Celebration IV and SDCC, so we may yet get a few unannounced items.

Hasbro had the first few waves of The Anniversary Collection (TAC) figures on display. They all looked pretty nice, with what seems like great articulation. Hasbro also let out that they will be continuing the UGH promotion in 2007 as well. If you look closely at the picture of the Darth Vader Coin Album, you’ll see that one coin is gold. That is going to be the UGH promotion this year – figures with gold foil accents and gold coins, as opposed to the regular silver coins that come with every figure.

Hasbro also showed the first few figures in the Legends Collection. Pretty standard re-packs. The only significant thing about them is that they are not numbered for some reason.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED
I spoke with one of the Hasbro reps on site, who actually knew his stuff, surprisingly. Usually Hasbro sends a bunch of people to TF who don’t have any clue what the line is about. The gentleman I spoke to was very knowledgeable, and answered a few questions that I had for him.

7” Unleashed Line
After the 3 Wal-Mart exclusives (which he said should be in stores any day now) the line has 1 figure left at this point. He said it was re-tool/repaint, of a “significant” character, and would be an online exclusive. He didn’t say which retailers, but he mentioned Brian’s Toys, Entertainment Earth, and Diamond Comics. However, he did tell me that a few of Hasbro’s other lines (like Transformers) were going to be doing a 7” Unleashed type figure, and if that did well they may look at the line re-appearing under the Star Wars brand.

Battlepacks
The battlepacks will continue throughout 2007, with about the same amount that were released in 2006. He said they would be roughly 50% repacks and 50% “new” figures.

Exclusive Figures
Again, pretty much the same number of exclusives that were released in 2006 would be released in 2007, possibly a few more.

Evolutions Figures
Sadly, Evolutions figures are not on the list for this year. While he didn’t say they were dead, he did say they were very expensive to produce, and we probably won’t see any more.

SUMMARY
It appears that Hasbro is going to have a huge push again this year behind the Star Wars brand. They showed everything from new Attacktix figures to Galactic Heroes. They previewed the new “Force Unleashed” figures (which, to me, were the highlight of the Hasbro booth). They had a HUGE poster that showed the 2007, 2008, and 2009 Star Wars presence on TV, and I’m guessing that means they will be promoting those shows with action figures and the like.

All in all, it looks like another GREAT year from Hasbro, with a whole bunch of figures to keep us busy – and to keep our bank accounts empty.

PHOTO GALLERIES
Star Wars Action Figures (001, 002, 003)