The September 4, 2026 newsletter from The Chosen Prime is an unusually broad snapshot of the collector market, spanning premium 1/12 figures, high-end Transformers, sixth-scale vehicles, video game licenses, model-kit upgrades, and several deep-cut character releases. The headline attractions are not limited to one franchise: Heat Boys’ latest TMNT figure, Hasbro’s crossover Lara Croft, Takara Tomy’s ambitious Missing Link Soundwave releases, and a strong wave of MAFEX and G.I. Joe Classified products all give collectors plenty to consider.
For collectors planning the final months of 2026 and the first half of 2027, this list is less about one must-have item and more about competing display priorities. The newsletter includes several releases aimed at nostalgia-driven collectors, while others are clearly positioned as premium upgrades or definitive versions of familiar characters.
Heat Boys Michelangelo Brings the Mecha-Turtle Formula Down to 1/12 Scale
Heat Boys’ HB0105 Heatfig Michelangelo is one of the most distinctive preorders in the lineup. Unlike the company’s larger mechanical TMNT figures, this release presents Michelangelo as an approximately 20-centimeter action figure with a heavily accessorized, stylized design that blends comic-book personality with premium mechanical detailing.
The standard edition is listed with multiple head sculpts, interchangeable hands, twin nunchaku with effect parts, a communicator, spray can, crossbody bag, portable player, and headphones. The deluxe edition is expected in December 2026, with The Chosen Prime listing the standard and deluxe versions at different price points. That difference makes the accessory breakdown especially important for collectors deciding whether the upgraded package justifies the additional cost.
Heat Boys describes the figure as having more than 40 points of damped articulation, along with PVC, ABS, POK, magnets, and alloy among its materials. On paper, the combination suggests a figure aimed at dynamic posing rather than static statue presentation. The real appeal is likely to be the contrast between Michelangelo’s expressive character design and the industrial, engineered finish that defines the Heat Boys TMNT line.
Collector verdict: This is best suited to TMNT collectors who already appreciate the Heat Boys aesthetic or want a more compact companion to the company’s larger mecha releases. Traditionalists looking for a pure cartoon or comic interpretation may find the design too mechanical, but collectors building a premium crossover shelf should find it especially attractive.
G.I. Joe Classified Crosses Over With Tomb Raider
Hasbro’s G.I. Joe Classified Series Lara Croft is arguably the newsletter’s most accessible crossover release. The 6-inch figure combines the visual language of the Classified line with Lara’s classic Tomb Raider identity, including a retro-cardback-inspired package and a substantial selection of character-specific equipment.
Hasbro lists 16 accessories, including an alternate head, additional hands, climbing axes, backpack, grappling hook with rope, recurve bow and arrow, quiver, the Dagger of Xian with sheath, dual weapons, and a removable bandolier. That is a strong loadout for a figure designed to work both as a standalone Lara Croft release and as an unconventional addition to a G.I. Joe display.
The crossover also benefits from the Classified line’s established scale and articulation standards. At approximately 6 inches, Lara should fit naturally alongside modern G.I. Joe figures while remaining compatible with many contemporary action-figure displays. Hasbro Pulse lists the figure at $44.99, placing it above a standard Classified release but within the expected range for a collaboration with an unusually large accessory count.
From a display perspective, Lara has more flexibility than many licensed crossover figures. She can occupy a dedicated Tomb Raider shelf, join a G.I. Joe jungle or adventure scene, or serve as a bridge between gaming and military-inspired collections. The retro packaging is also likely to appeal to carded collectors, even if the figure itself is destined to be opened.
Missing Link Soundwave Is a Major Test for Takara Tomy’s Retro-Modern Concept
Takara Tomy’s Missing Link D-01 Soundwave and D-02 Soundwave Anime Type are among the most consequential Transformers items in the newsletter. The Missing Link concept reimagines classic G1 toys as though they had originally been designed with modern articulation, while retaining the approximate scale, presence, and nostalgic character of the vintage releases.
The official D-01 information describes a Soundwave that transforms into a stereo cassette player and retains a G1-style silhouette while adding significantly improved articulation. Takara Tomy also lists a third transformation mode based on Soundwave’s Cybertronian “light standard” disguise, along with familiar weapons, the domestic-version-inspired headphones and command microphone, foil stickers, a display card, and a newly created cassette character called Scout Robo.
The feature set goes beyond simply adding elbows and knees. Takara Tomy specifically highlights poses such as kneeling and ejecting cassettes, as well as a redesigned interior that supports more expressive movement. The inclusion of secret faction emblems and dedicated stand connection points reinforces the idea that this is intended to be both a nostalgic toy and a serious display piece.
The D-01 version is scheduled for February 2027, while the anime-type D-02 is listed by The Chosen Prime for April 2027. The official Japanese listing places D-01 at 30,800 yen including tax. These are not inexpensive reinterpretations, but Soundwave is also one of the strongest possible characters for the Missing Link format. His iconic tape-deck mode, chest compartment, and broad, blocky proportions give Takara Tomy more room to add articulation without completely losing the original toy’s identity.
Collectors who have already invested in Masterpiece Soundwave releases will need to decide whether they want animation accuracy and scale consistency or the specific charm of a “what if?” G1 toy. The appeal of Missing Link Soundwave is not necessarily that it replaces Masterpiece; it occupies a different nostalgic lane.
MAFEX and the Premium 1/12 Shelf Continue to Expand
Medicom’s MAFEX No. 322 Moon Knight is another notable preorder. The official listing gives the figure an approximate height of 150 millimeters and includes multiple crescent-dart sizes, throwing effects, and a movable display stand. That accessory selection should give the character a strong action-oriented silhouette, particularly for collectors who prefer Moon Knight displayed in motion rather than in a straightforward standing pose.
The Chosen Prime lists Moon Knight at $124.99, with an estimated July 2027 release. The same wave includes MAFEX Superman: For Tomorrow, Endgame Black Panther, and Ahsoka Tano from her Peridea appearance. Together, those releases demonstrate how MAFEX continues to favor highly specific costume and screen versions rather than generic evergreen interpretations.
The new arrivals section is equally appealing for collectors who prefer to buy established products rather than wait on long-dated preorders. MAFEX No. 280 pairs the Terminator 2 T-800 with John Connor, while No. 281 delivers the T-1000. Published video reviews have generally focused on the set’s screen-specific accessories, multiple hands and heads, and the ability to recreate recognizable T2 scenes, while also noting the usual MAFEX considerations surrounding delicate parts and the handling of larger weapons.
That makes the two Terminator arrivals particularly attractive as a coordinated display. The T-800, John Connor, and T-1000 can form a complete cinematic grouping in a way that many single-character releases cannot. Collectors should still pay attention to accessory fit and part durability, especially when posing the figures with firearms or attempting more aggressive action stances.
A Deep Bench of Transformers and G.I. Joe Releases
Transformers collectors have a large number of additional options to sort through, including Masterpiece MPG-24 Eject and Ramhorn, MPG-25 Broadcast and Steeljaw, Fans Toys FT-32F Pei, X-Transbots’ MX-41W Way Waiver, and Mastermind Creations’ R-48P Optus Prominon. The newsletter also includes the colorful Transformers Collaborative Scooby-Doo! Mysterious Prime and Automutt, estimated for November 2026.
For collectors who prefer current retail arrivals, the list includes Takara Tomy’s Missing Link Grimlock, Masterpiece MPG-19 Soundwave with Condor, Studio Series 86 Astrotrain, and several Fans Hobby and X-Transbots releases. DNA Design’s Star OP and Max Sword upgrade kits are particularly relevant to builders who enjoy turning an existing release into a more complete or personalized display centerpiece.
G.I. Joe Classified is represented by both character releases and army-building material. Cobra-La Royal Guard, Techno-Viper, Destro with Iron Grenadier Despoiler, and David “Red Dog” Taputapu with Varujan “Taurus” Ayvazyan give collectors opportunities to expand faction displays, while upcoming figures such as Iceberg, Toxo-Viper, Duke, Mistress Armada, Avalanche, and the bearded Duke add more variety to the modern Joe roster.
Overall, this newsletter favors collectors with several active shelves rather than anyone searching for a single universal centerpiece. The strongest standouts are Michelangelo for premium TMNT fans, Lara Croft for crossover collectors, Missing Link Soundwave for G1 enthusiasts, and the MAFEX Terminator releases for cinematic 1/12 displays. The release schedule is crowded, but the assortment is diverse enough that nearly every major collector category has at least one compelling reason to take a closer look.
Collector verdict: The most important preorder is arguably Missing Link Soundwave, while the most immediately display-friendly announcement is Lara Croft. Michelangelo is the boldest stylistic release, and the MAFEX Terminator arrivals are the safest recommendation for collectors seeking a cohesive, scene-driven shelf.
Sources
- toyark.com
- thechosenprime.com
- hasbropulse.com
- takaratomy.co.jp
- medicomtoy.co.jp
- youtube.com
