Toy Review - JP Animated Optimus (black)

[griffin]

(Please post comments, photos or even a fully comprehensive review - these are just brief details to start you off)

Toy Review - Optimus Prime


Series - Animated (JP)
Sub-line - (store exclusive - 300 units per participating store)
Size/class - Voyager
New/remould/redeco - redeco
Wave - N/A
Released here - No (in Japan August 2010)
Approximate Retail Price - AU$60?
Approximate Size - 18cm
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode - Fire Truck cab
Main Features/Gimmicks - internal gearing/automorph, moving faceplate
Main Colours - Black, red, grey, blue
Main Accessories - Axe, gun.

NOTE - actual quantity of this exclusive is conjectural, as at least 2 stores participated, but others could have as well.

[SkyWarp91]

Don't actually have this redeco, but I do have the original Hasbro version and I couldn't find the Review Thread on these boards for that toy but will include my opinion on this colour scheme...

This is an above-average toy in my opinion: The robot mode is very impressive with Prime's very masculine posture of his upper body which conveys his character personality as strong and courageous which I think is a plus, especially as for most Transformers designs there's more focus in being able to actually transform an alt-mode into a character rather than design the robot mode to have a characteristic posture. That's one of the things I enjoy most about the TF:A line (Leader MEgatron, Bulkhead, DLX Ratchet etc.).

As this thread is dedicated to the Black version, I like the deco. It has the usual sexy dark combination of red and black with a twist of light metallic blue. Though it seems odd to have light metallic blue in a black version of Optimus Prime, it could be a gentle reminder that Prime is still the Autobot leader despite his dark appearance.

In terms of stability the robot mode is alright, save for his waist joint which seems uncomfortably loose but this is so to allow transformation into his alt mode. Still, it could be a little tighter to feel secure. Apart from that, he has good articulation at the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees and feet.

As for the truck mode, I'm still trying to get used to it - it's such an odd-looking truck; from an artistic point it looks sleek and sharp (especially with the uniquely shaped windows) but from a practical point of view where are the side windows? Why are the windscreens so small? For this toy the arty side of design outweighs the practical design, I prefer my alt modes to have a practical design as much as possible but if that doesn't bother you then that's alright too. The truck rolls fine and fits well together, there isn't any loose panels you have to worry about and the robot mode is hidden pretty well, save for Prime's feet which just sit exposed on the back.

Regarding the deco for this truck mode, this is where the light metallic blue doesn't belong, especially as on the side where it suddenly stops at the arms and changes into silver at the front. They could have at least made a transitional gradient. Other than that, the black and red truck deco is a fierce combination that makes this truck look truly badass.

The figure itself is well done, but the weapons. Oh the weapons. Starting off, I don't like the axe and can't bring myself to like it. It's ugly, looks dull and doesn't keep well together. The side blades are sensitive to popping off especially when you're trying to fit them onto the back of Prime's alt mode. Even in this darker redeco the axe fails to impress me. Same could be said about the water gun - as cool as it is that it can actually squirt water the water gun doesn't look tough, it just looks like some chibi-version of a gun turret which would work if in the hands of a chibi-like character but in Prime's hands it just looks out of place.

Overall, the robot is good - it looks strong and courageous as the character is, has the usual good articulation (nowthing awe-inspiring) but an oddly loose waist joint. The truck mode looks and stays together well but has the small mismatch of paint on the side in the stripes that can be an eyesore. The weapons are the worst part of this toy, the axe is ugly and unstable and the gun, despite its gimmick of being able to squirt water just looks too kiddy like in the hands of Prime. I'd rather if they just made a giant stable axe that was more screen-accurate instead of having to make both an ugly axe and pissy gun.

Final Verdict: 3.5/5 - It's a good enough toy to be a must-have but only at a cheap price.

[loophole]

get rid if the autobot symbols and we have animated Motormaster