Series - Generations
Sub-line - N/A
Size/class - Deluxe
Wave - N/A
New/remould/redeco - Redeco of Reveal the Shield/United Perceptor
Released here - only in Japan (eHobby exclusive)
Approximate Retail Price - 6025JPY ($64)
Approximate Size - 16cm
Allegiance - Decepticon
Alt-mode - Scientific expedition vehicle
Main Features/Gimmicks - flip up crosshairs, retractable cannon barrel
Main Colours - black, grey, red
Main Accessories - none. Comes w/ exclusive comic book

Vehicle mode:


Robot mode:


Comparison w/ G1:


Cosmetically this toy is an excellent homage to G1 Magnificus, especially with the new head. The chrome on the chest frame and forearms dials are a nice touch (remembering that unlike Hasbro's RtS Perceptor, TakTOM's Utd Perceptor had a silver chest frame and flat grey arm dials and missile). The tampographed Decepticon logos on the inside of the chest and bonnet are nicely done, and the red and silver accents work well. There are also two thin silver lines that run along the helmet which looks great. Unfortunately nothing seems to have been done to address the shoulder/backpack issue from Perceptor, although the instructions do show how to transform it in the way that many fans have been transforming Perceptor (so apparently the "fan cheat" transformation has now gained official status ). The rear licence plate of the vehicle reads M3610N, a reference to Mebion.

The exclusive comic book is nice, featuring the Derek Yaniger-inspired G2 style art of Yoshioka Hidetsugu. The text itself is bilingual Japanese and English. On the whole the English translation is well written with only a few minor errors (which is forgivable considering that it was mostly likely written by someone who doesn't speak English as their first language; unlike errors occasionally crop up in IDW comics ). It comes in a nice little box that's done in the same style as the current TF Generations toys.

But this toy is by no means cheap (it's personally the most I've ever paid for a Deluxe Class Transformer), most likely to offset the cost of the new head I suppose. I got this toy because I have a childhood nostalgic connection to Microman Perceptor; otherwise I probably would've skipped this toy. So worth buying? Not unless you're a particular fan of Magnificus IMHO (in which case you've probably already ordered this toy anyway ); so I'm going with "Only if."