Toy Review - AIRAZOR (Rise of the Beasts Deluxe)

[klystron]

Since the first pics started circulating, this is the RotB toy that I've been most looking forward to. And it has not disappointed.

Bot mode does lack some articulation (by modern standards), but what is does have is pretty good. Really only missing a waist swivel and ankle tilts. But then so do a whole heap of bots in my collection!

The legs becoming the wings is big plus for me (I love Energon Divebomb!), but does result in it having nothing like the wing articulation of Kingdom Airazor. However, it does mean the the wings kind of disappear in bot mode, leaving only the smaller ones on the back. I like this look and think it a nice point of differentiation between KD and RotB SS versions (which lets face it are the same mold).
Twin 'butterfly swords' are very cool. (Gok, I do prefer your "Hayabusa Blades" naming tho).

Bird mode is a similar story. A simpler transformation (with no wing hinges that are going to break) results in far superior beast mode. Mush more convincing than the SS version. Again, just like bot mode, superior looks with less articulation. TBH that's probably how I'd summarise this fig overall.

EDIT: Also wanted to say there's no QC issues or loose joints with mine.

Well worth $35.
HIGHLY Recommended.


Disclaimer: I could not care less which version is movie accurate.

[Tha_Phantom]

I agree with klystron above. Airazor is up there with my favourite ROTB toys so far.
I can forgive the lack of bird mode articulation as the trade off is a more unique transformation than we are used to.
The Studio Series one ticks all the traditional boxes of what we want from a toy - it is well articulated and (presumably) screen accurate.
Yet the Mainline one just ends up being the more funner of the two, at least to me anyway.

[GoktimusPrime]

I'm glad that others are enjoying this toy, but I'm just not feeling it. I will admit that visually, this toy is superior to Studio Series Airazor, but the reduced wing and waist articulation hamper the toy's playability and makes it less fun for me.

Having gotten a gooderer view of Airazor in the new trailer (big plot spoiler warning for those who haven't seen it), we can see that Studio Series Airazor is definitely more accurate to the movie model in falcon mode (still haven't seen the robot mode yet); right down to the weird silver feet on the SS toy. Mainline Airazor does have greater colour coordination, but SS is definitely more faithful to the film (which, of course, is the running theme with Studio Series ). I might have a more generous opinion of this Airazor toy if she were cheaper than Studio Series. This Airazor is absolutely better for kids though; if someone were buying a movie Airazor toy for a child, I would definitely advise them to get the mainline Deluxe, not the Studio Series.

But yeah, I'm probably gonna end up selling off my mainline Airazor for cheap soon. It's not a bad toy, but it's just not for me.
P.S.: And I was expecting to like this toy, which is why I bought it in the first place.

[Paulbot]

Really happy with her.

Pros: Love the spread of colours. Looks good in both modes, but a great robot mode full stop. Transformation has interesting steps.

Cons: The beast mode wings are very much locked in place but I don't mind it. Would have liked the feet to lock/hide away a bit more on the arms.

Overall this feels like a "Classics" Airazor - a modern take on the original character (compared to Kingdom's show-accurate mini-MP design).