Flame Toys’ [FuraiModel] Windblade figure is reportedly still happening despite outrage targeted towards the company and Transformers’ license holder, Hasbro.
The Geek Getaway reports a Flame Toys staffer confirmed the figure “is still in progress.”
In an email, the Flame Toys Staffer wrote:
“Hello,
Thank you for reaching out.
We sincerely appreciate your support.
[FuraiModel] Wind Blade is still in progress.
However, we are dealing with some issues of it hence we removed the post for now.
We will do our best and please do look forward to further information!
Best regards,
FLAMETOYS”
It’s unclear what exactly the issues they are having with the figure are.
The Windblade figure was initially announced on February 19th alongside [FuraiModel] Optimus Primal and [FuriaModel] Rodimus in anticipation of the New York Toy Fair.
That’s see [FuraiModel] Optimus Primal from BEAST WARS!
Stay tuned for more new information!!#FLAMETOYS #TRANSFORMERS #FuraiModel #風雷模型 #OptimusPrimal #BEASTWARS pic.twitter.com/finSqLgxNm— FLAMETOYS (@flametoys_staff) February 19, 2020
And…… [FuraiModel] Rodimus is now in progress!!!#FLAMETOYS #TRANSFORMERS #FuraiModel #風雷模型 #Rodimus pic.twitter.com/Y8qFkWpyE6
— FLAMETOYS (@flametoys_staff) February 19, 2020
The figure was designed by adult artist Bansan, who revealed their prototype designs earlier this month as well.
＞RT デザインを描かせていただきましたFLAMETOYSさん（@flametoys_staff
）プラモブランド「風雷模型」のウインドブレードも原型公開となりました。まだ可動とギミック検証用なのでラフ画と一部やや違いますが、何卒よろしくお願いいたします！ pic.twitter.com/Lgf0s86E5N— ばん！ (@bansanv3) February 19, 2020
Following the announcement of the figure, a number of individuals heavily criticized it. Twitter user Jenevieve Frank stated that figure would “steer all women away from Transformers products and media FOREVER.”
Archive link: https://archive.fo/HfF8J
The Twitter user would also describe the figure as “misogynistic garbage.”
They would eventually delete the tweets.
Others would describe the toy as “disgusting.”
One person even said the figure was “made for a demographic that’s not representative of the TF fandom.”
I think what makes Flame Toys Windblade especially silly is that it’s made for a demographic that’s not representative of the TF fandom.
— 🐱Brrentserker🐱 (@Brentosaur) February 20, 2020
Still another called it “horrible.”
OK that Flame Toys Windblade is horrible and if you’re defending it up to and including the point of targeted harassment you’re the disgusting scum of the Earth. Disagree and go ahead and unfollow me right now. My content is not for you. I’m not playing around
— Gherkin 🥒 (@TheLastGherkin) February 21, 2020
Related: Transformers to Face Off Against The Terminator in New Miniseries
Following this outrage surrounding the figure, Flame Toys would delete the Twitter posts promoting the figure. It’s unclear if the deletion of the tweet was due to the outrage or it happened to be coincidental.
What do you make of this update from Flame Toys? Are you excited the new Windblade figure is still in progress? Do you plan on picking it up? What do you think the issues with the model kit are?