Diaclone Part 5 | Pre-Transformers Become Transformers
16th Oct 2026
Part 5: Diaclone to Transformers
Now that we've covered some of the biggest final releases of the vintage Diaclone line, you might think there isn't much left to explore.
But of course, we all know these toys didn't disappear when the original Diaclone line came to an end. Quite the opposite! Their mainstream global explosion was only just beginning!
The Birth of Transformers
Welcome to Part 5, where we explore the incredible transformation from Diaclone to Transformers!
June 1983: Tokyo Toy Show
In June 1983, Hasbro took notice of Takara’s Diaclone line and its sister line, Micro Change, at the Tokyo Toy Show.
Takara Micro Change
Although we haven't covered Micro Change in this series, it was an equally amazing line that featured the toys that would later become Transformers favorites such as Megatron, Soundwave, Bumblebee, Cliffjumper and more! Micro Change featured some stunning toys with amazing variants of its own... perhaps we’ll explore this incredible line in a future blog!
Even though we didn’t dive into the Micro Change line, we couldn’t make it through this series without taking a peek at Pre-Transformers Megatron!
Micro Change: Walther P-38 U.N.C.L.E | 1983
Pre-Transformers Megatron
Here is a beautiful unused example graded an impressive AFA 80!
November 1983: A Deal is Struck!
Hasbro and Takara entered into a formal licensing agreement, allowing Hasbro to begin developing new character names, personalities and backstories for the toys originally released under the Diaclone and Micro Change lines.
Late 1983 into Early 1984: Creating Transformers!
With the licensing agreement in place, Hasbro began the enormous task of creating the Transformers universe. For the purposes of this blog, we're going to focus specifically on the original Generation 1 (G1) toy line!
It takes an army to bring a successful toy line to market, and Hasbro worked with both its internal teams and outside agency partners to make it happen.
One of the key agencies involved was CLS&M, based in New York City.
CLS&M employed a talented team of artists, photographers and packaging experts, giving the agency the creative capabilities needed to take on a project of this scale.
Diaclone Has Entered the Building!
Before the artists could begin creating the incredible Transformers packaging art, they needed the actual toys to work from!
Takara supplied Diaclone samples to Hasbro, which then passed them along to CLS&M, where the studio artists could study, pose and use them as references for their illustrations.
And here they are! An incredible collection of original Diaclone toys used by the studio artists during the creation of the Transformers toy line!
These amazing pieces came directly from the family of Ed Morrill, one of the owners of CLS&M, and have been carefully preserved for over 40 years!
Now let’s take a closer look at each of these incredible studio samples and compare them to the final Transformers releases!
STUDIO SAMPLE
Car No. 16: Ligier JS11 F-1 | 1983
Pre-Transformers Mirage
This studio sample still has its original masking tape with handwritten notes indicating that the rear airfoil is broken and that stickers have been applied, including custom hand-cut Autobot stickers!
Here is a closer look at the original Diaclone studio sample alongside the final retail Transformers Mirage!
Notice the hand-cut Autobot stickers on the studio sample compared to the finished retail version. You can also see the broken rear airfoil mentioned in the handwritten notes on the original box!
Just imagine the artists and photographers at CLS&M posing these original Diaclone toys, studying every detail and using them as inspiration to create the iconic Transformers artwork we all know and love today!
The Final Product: Legendary Transformers Packaging!
And after all that hard work, here is the final product! The Transformers packaging we all came to know and love sent kids into a feeding frenzy in 1984!
This particular example is one of the very first releases of Mirage, preserved in stunning condition and graded an incredible AFA 90!
STUDIO SAMPLE
Car No. 9: Honda City Hyper Turbo | 1983
Pre-Transformers Skids
Here you can clearly see the SAMPLE sticker applied to the box, along with a handwritten note reading “Car Only.”
The Diaclone driver was also removed from this and the other studio samples, since the little pilots were no longer part of the Transformers storyline.
These robots weren't driven by people. They were living beings!
Interestingly, Transformers Autobot Skids was released during the transition from Pre-Rub to Rub Sign versions, and both variations can be found today. The Pre-Rub version is considerably rarer, as it was produced for a much shorter period.
Introduced in 1985, the famous Transformers Rub Signs were heat-sensitive stickers that revealed either an Autobot or Decepticon symbol when rubbed. These were added to help identify authentic Transformers toys at a time when knockoffs were becoming increasingly common.
In the comparison below, we can see the hand-cut Autobot sticker applied to the original Diaclone studio sample alongside the Rub Sign found on the retail Transformers release!
Transformers Skids is Born!
Here is a look at the earlier Pre-Rub packaging release of Skids!
STUDIO SAMPLE
Construction Robo 2: Power Shovel | 1983
Pre-Transformers Scavenger
This original Diaclone studio sample has a SAMPLE sticker on top of the box, along with the name “Scavenger” handwritten by someone at Hasbro or CLS&M!
It's fascinating to see the Transformers character name written directly on the original Diaclone packaging!
It’s not easy being green!
Comparing the original Diaclone Power Shovel with the retail Transformers Scavenger, we can see a dramatic color change from orange and black to green and purple!
Since Scavenger was released during the second year of Transformers in 1985, he came equipped with the now-famous Rub Sign!
Scavenger Is Ready to Rumble!
And here is the final Transformers packaging for Decepticon Scavenger! This beautiful early-release example showcases the finished character artwork, Decepticon branding and classic green-and-purple color scheme that Transformers fans came to know and love!
We would be doing an injustice if we didn't recognize the incredible work of the original Takara artists in Japan!
In many cases, the artwork created for Diaclone was nearly identical to the final Transformers packaging art, with color changes being the most noticeable difference.
This further cements just how incredible the original Diaclone line truly was!
STUDIO SAMPLE
Dinosaur Robo 1: Tyrannosaurus | 1983
Pre-Transformers Grimlock
Here is a look at the original Diaclone studio sample used as a reference during the creation of the Transformers Grimlock packaging!
The back of the box still has the original masking tape we've seen on several of these studio samples, likely used for notes during the creative process.
Here is a closer look at the original Diaclone studio sample, featuring a hand-cut Autobot logo applied directly to the chest and split down the middle!
Take a look at this side-by-side comparison of our lovable friend Grimlock! Notice how the hand-cut Autobot sticker on the studio sample differs from the final retail version!
The stunning final Transformers packaging for Grimlock that made kids kick and scream until their parents let them walk out of the store with it! Once again, we can see just how closely the finished robot artwork resembles the original Diaclone illustration!
STUDIO SAMPLE
Dinosaur Robo 3: Brontosaurus | 1983
Pre-Transformers Sludge
Tape, tape and more tape! Either they were planning on writing a lot of notes, or this box really got a workout at Hasbro and CLS&M!
And of course, we have another prominent SAMPLE sticker right across the front!
A great overhead comparison of the original Diaclone studio sample and the final Transformers Sludge! Notice the hand-cut Autobot sticker on the studio sample compared to the finished retail sticker and Rub Sign!
Sludge, ya big galoot! So good to see you!
And here is the classic Transformers Sludge packaging, featuring that incredible robot artwork carried over from the original Diaclone release!
STUDIO SAMPLE
Car No. 20: Truck Crane | 1983
Pre-Transformers Grapple
This studio sample is incredibly clean and appears virtually unused! We can also see “AUTOBOT” handwritten prominently across the top of the original Diaclone box!
Here is a side-by-side comparison of the original Diaclone studio sample and the retail Transformers Grapple. And there’s that famous Rub Sign again!
Notice the chrome connector arm on the original Japanese Diaclone version, which was changed to black for both the Transformers and Italian GiG releases!
Grapple Appreciation Day!
A stunning early Transformers Grapple release in beautiful condition, graded an impressive AFA 90!
STUDIO SAMPLE
Car No. 10: Fire Truck Long Ladder Type | 1983
Pre-Transformers Inferno
More masking tape! This studio sample has several large strips covering the original Diaclone packaging, likely left in place for notes during the creative process.
Notice the hand-cut Autobot sticker on the original studio sample compared to the finished retail version, along with a few other subtle differences!
That’s One Perty Fire Truck!
The classic Transformers Inferno packaging!
Lights, Camera, Transformers!
We've seen the original Diaclone toys that helped inspire the Transformers packaging artwork. But the artists weren't the only ones hard at work!
Photography also played an important role in developing the Transformers toy line, with images used for packaging, catalogs and television commercials.
And we've got some incredible original photographic materials preserved in the CLS&M archives to share with you!
This original photographic transparency features the Diaclone Dinosaur Robo that would later become Slag, complete with handwritten notes and markings highlighting different poses!
Bird is the Word!
Another fascinating piece from the CLS&M archives! This original photographic transparency features the Diaclone Dinosaur Robo that would later become Swoop.
The handwritten envelope identifies the subject as “Bird” and “Dinobot #5,” along with a reference to “Japanese Chromes,” suggesting that original Japanese photographic materials were supplied to the studio for reference!
The Art of Transformers!
We've seen some of the original Diaclone toys and photographic materials used during the development of Transformers. Now it's time to take a look at some original artwork!
The talented artists at CLS&M helped create the incredible illustrations that would become part of the legendary Transformers packaging we all know and love.
This stunning original illustration of Dinobot Sludge is accompanied by its CLS&M studio identification, giving us another fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of the creation of Transformers!
The original CLS&M studio envelope identifies this incredible Sludge illustration as “Jungle Warrior Sludge,” with the artwork designated as master art for the front panel!
The Boys Are Back in Town!
One final look at these incredible original Diaclone studio samples that helped bring Transformers to life over 40 years ago!
From the original Japanese toys to the legendary Transformers characters we all know and love, what an amazing journey!
What an Incredible Journey Exploring Diaclone History!
Well, that brings us to the end of our five-part Diaclone Collection Spotlight series!
From the incredible Car Robots, Dinosaur Robos, Construction Robos and Train Robos to some of the rarest grails in all of toy collecting, we've certainly covered a lot of ground!
And what better way to finish than exploring the birth of Transformers and getting a rare behind-the-scenes look at the original toys, artwork and materials that helped bring this legendary franchise to life!
We hope you've enjoyed this journey through Diaclone history as much as we've enjoyed sharing these amazing collectibles with you!
While this may be the end of our Diaclone series, there are plenty more incredible collectibles and stories waiting to be explored!
Thanks for joining us, and we'll see you on our next Collectible Spotlight blog!
DIACLONE PART 1
DIACLONE PART 2
DIACLONE PART 3
DIACLONE PART 4
DIACLONE PART 5
