Hasbro’s longstanding partner Takara Tomy is rolling out a new Transformers anime short series and tie-in toy line that’s been developed exclusively for the Japanese market. 

Transformers: Wild King (14 x six minutes) will debut on Takara’s YouTube channel on March 26, featuring a CG-animated style. This is the first CG Transformers anime concept the Japanese toyco has produced for the franchise, although it takes the torch from 2015’s 2D-animated series Q-Transformers: The Mystery of Convoy Returns (26 x five minutes).

Wild King‘s premise sees Optimus Prime and Megatron team up to explore the newly discovered world of Elmentros, where they find a new native race of transforming animals and dinosaurs called Energy Beasts. Megatron quickly turns on Prime to steal the planet’s elemental powers for himself, forcing the Autobot leader to join forces with the Energy Beasts to help save their world. 

Six initial Wild King action figure SKUs designed for kids ages six and up—new Optimus and Megatron figures and Energy Beasts Light Long (giraffe), Hydrophant (elephant), Captain Volca (T-Rex) and Leafback (Triceratops)—will roll out to Japanese retailers day-and-date with the series premiere. The Optimus and Megatron toys are also designed to transform into up to four Energy Beasts at the same time, replicating the combination gimmick from the show. 

Notably, brand owner Hasbro is gearing up to play out a similar strategy in the rest of the world with its Transformers: Cyberworld CG-animated short series (36 x five minutes) and toys due out this summer. Instead of being set on an elemental planet, Cyberworld will see the Autobots and Decepticons face off in several video game-inspired challenges, adopting new vehicle forms to win.