We've been holding back on reporting this news until more concrete information was available but we've taken the decision to post it now and then update it as more information becomes available.

Yesterday Kapow toys reported, via TFW2005, that they had"received a phone call from one of my suppliers this afternoon with regard to the Transformers Animated line, many retailers have wave 4.5 on pre-order from Hasbro, this includes Swoop, Sentinel Prime etc, the bad news is that I received a warning that the line may be cancelled before wave 4.5 and not to offer pre-orders for the figures.".  Many fans missed the "may be" part of the post and reacted thinking that the toyline and cartoon had be shelved in the UK meaning that other countries might follow suit.  Since then both Kapow and ourselves have contacted Hasbro UK for clarification.

This morning Kapow received additional information that Wave 4.5 was being cancelled, nothing was mentioned regarding further wave or the line in general.  Now before anyone panics, it is our belief that this news will turn out to be that just Wave 4.5 has been cancelled.  If you look back at the breakdown report that we posted, you will see that Wave 4.5 only included one new toy, the recoloured Bumblebee as Elite Guard Bumblebee.  The other two main toys from that Wave (Swoop and Sentinal Prime) are also due for release as part of Wave 4.  Therefore things will not be as bad as many fans fear.  Future UK waves have not been announced, but it is quiet likely that Hasbro do not want to change the stock that is on the shelves again too close to Christmas.

Both wave 4 and Wave 4.5 were scheduled for release within the UK this month (October 2008), the same month that the UK exclusive Transformers Animated comic is released.  It should also be noted that a Terrestrial channel is supposedly going to start airing Transformers Animated from next year.

Again, the latest on this news story is that wave 4.5 has been cancelled.  Further updates will be made as more information becomes available.