Toy Review - SS-38 Studio Series Optimus Prime (Bumblebee movie)

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Got mine int he post the other day after giving up the hunt in shops for one since its release here in Japan. Serious, 4 shop hunts going to at least 3 shops each time and being unable to find one... He's a popular boy.

I like him a lot. Very good pose options and lots of moulded details have made him a nice "every-series" Prime. Great head sculpt and greeble details, but not too many IMO.

Transformation is pretty simple, but I find the panels a bit fiddly to deal with. I like the way the back panels fold up and cover the wheels and lock in, it's pretty nifty. I also like the G1-esque arm motion when going between forms, a nice little TFing touch. The the way the head locks in the vehicle mode is very tight and as a result I have a tendency to pull his head off first, over unlocking the panel.

Nice paint, but I dislike the lack of Auto insignias, like Gok. and I wonder how much different he'd look with blue hands.

A nice dynamic Optimus, and the first Optimus I've bought in at least 4 years.

[GoktimusPrime]

I wonder how much different he'd look with blue hands.

[Paulbot]

Quite a nice Optimus toy. He’s got a complicated transformation, and a bunch of tabs to line up, but it flows logically.

He doesn’t seem to want to stand well in a neutral pose and the feet transformation was a bit tight for me. That’s about my only issue.

Second voyager Prime for me this year (after Siege) and both are great.

[Deano85]

Second voyager Prime for me this year (after Siege) and both are great.

Same for me. Two great figures.

[BigTransformerTrev]

I would have got this figure if he came with a trailer. The fact he had a trailer in the movie but not with the toy just edges him out of my want list. If ever the toy is heavily discounted or re-released with a trailer I may pick it up.

[GoktimusPrime]

I would have got this figure if he came with a trailer. The fact he had a trailer in the movie but not with the toy just edges him out of my want list. If ever the toy is heavily discounted or re-released with a trailer I may pick it up.

DOTM OP's trailer works with this toy

[BigTransformerTrev]

DOTM OP's trailer works with this toy

Yeah so a few people have said, but then my DOTM Op will be the one lacking his trailer

[Soundwarp]

I’m dying to get this guy.
I’m also hoping that it’s not too difficult because my son (I’ve brain washed the crap out of him) because he wants one.

[GoktimusPrime]

It's pretty tricky and your son will need an assist. Maybe have a look at a video review and see if you think the transformation is within his current range of capability.

[Sutton]

The transformation on this guy is great - right up there with some of the best movie-toy transformations. Going from a hyper-detailed robot to a minimalist, smooth boxy truck, really clever...

And it's really doable, despite how complex it looks, everything slots in pretty nicely and as long as you follow the sequence it all comes together. Being able to do the top and bottom half separately makes it a little simpler too, whereas lots of movie primes end up with arms and legs all over the place by the end of the process. This guy at heart still follows the classic G1 Prime transformation.

One of the best figures I've picked up this year (so far).