Review #81: Classics Powermaster Optimus Prime
(Takara Legends Super Ginrai)
Wow. I have been gone quite a while, haven't I? Lots going on in my life. Long story short, lots of drama, one relationship ending, a new one beginning, and to boot I even ended up with three kids suddenly! So I have been very busy getting my new life established. But, even though the budget is a lot thinner these days what with a whole family thrust upon me (which, for the record, is totally worth it!), I still find a bit of a budget for Transformers here and there. Hell, I am encouraged to by my fiance. (Who, for the record, I totally love.)
It has been hard to find the time, but I have been wanting to get back to reviewing. And I do fully intend to get back to the review series I was in the middle of when I vanished from the face of the Earth over a year and a half ago. (Ultra Prime awaits!) But first, I wanted to take a look at some more recent product... |
And so, we come to a Classics update to Optimus Prime. Yes, folks, another Optimus Prime! He's got a whole section dedicated to just him on this website, so you know how much I love him! And this time, not just any old Optimus... but Powermaster Optimus!
This figure actually has an interesting bit of design history. Often, whenever an Optimus Prime figure gets released, an obvious repaint for him is Ultra Magnus. But for once, they took an Ultra Magnus figure that was released as part of the Combiner Wars line (although, as a Leader Class figure, not one that actually took part in the combining gimmick) and heavily retooled him to be Optimus Prime. However, Hasbro's take on a modern versions of both Ultra Magnus and Powermaster Optimus Prime were... shall we say... interesting?
This figure actually has an interesting bit of design history. Often, whenever an Optimus Prime figure gets released, an obvious repaint for him is Ultra Magnus. But for once, they took an Ultra Magnus figure that was released as part of the Combiner Wars line (although, as a Leader Class figure, not one that actually took part in the combining gimmick) and heavily retooled him to be Optimus Prime. However, Hasbro's take on a modern versions of both Ultra Magnus and Powermaster Optimus Prime were... shall we say... interesting?
Holy huge-arse grills, am I right? Both photos above are from TFWiki.net because, and I'll be honest, I never owned either of those toys. Ultra Magnus... Well, I already owned a Classics representation of the figure that I was quite happy with. That being said, if I didn't have that figure, I could have seen this new one being a decent figure to have. Sure, I would have missed having a white mini-Optimus, since this Ultra Magnus featured an all-in-one transformation, but it wouldn't have been the end of the world.
As for Hasbro's Powermaster Optimus... Man, that cab is funky looking! But again, I could have lived with it... I mean, I am not completely afraid of change in updated figures. After all, I can be happy with a Perceptor with a vehicular alt mode, or even the Ultra Magnus I have who is not a car carrier. But something about Hasbro's Optimus Prime just felt, well, kind of "meh" to me. If it was the only option, could I have been happy with it? Sure, probably. When I saw there was another option, would I be happy with Hasbro's? No. No, I wouldn't. And so, Takara, here I come!
As for Hasbro's Powermaster Optimus... Man, that cab is funky looking! But again, I could have lived with it... I mean, I am not completely afraid of change in updated figures. After all, I can be happy with a Perceptor with a vehicular alt mode, or even the Ultra Magnus I have who is not a car carrier. But something about Hasbro's Optimus Prime just felt, well, kind of "meh" to me. If it was the only option, could I have been happy with it? Sure, probably. When I saw there was another option, would I be happy with Hasbro's? No. No, I wouldn't. And so, Takara, here I come!
So, much like the G1 Powermaster Optimus Prime I once reviewed here, we're technically actually looking at a toy of a Japanese exclusive character named Ginrai. But to me, eh, he's Optimus Prime.
Takara gave him an additional once-over, further remolding him from his Ultra Magnus origins. The Hasbro version's black guns were just a re-use of Ultra Magnus's, where as here he has his own unique guns. His feet have been completely redone, which we will get into more in robot mode, but which here at least has the effect that they aren't as obviously sticking out from the back of the vehicle mode's trailer. (Not terribly obvious in the photos above, but trust me, they do!) And finally, while Powermaster Prime's cab had been remolded from Ultra Magnus's, it did follow a similar "huge-arse grill and tiny windows" aesthetic, where as Takara decided to make their version look a little more G1.
The vehicle mode is quite nice. The cab is non-detachable (more on that later), but rotates freely at the hitch nicely. The trailer is made of panels that can be finicky to get together, but once in place hold together nicely and look good. Their finicky nature can also be an issue when trying to attach the black guns to the top of the trailer, as doing so just by pushing in from the top will cause everything to pop apart. But opening up the back of the trailer, and supporting the panels with a finger underneath as you push the guns into them, takes care of that issue. Speaking of which, the back opens!
Takara gave him an additional once-over, further remolding him from his Ultra Magnus origins. The Hasbro version's black guns were just a re-use of Ultra Magnus's, where as here he has his own unique guns. His feet have been completely redone, which we will get into more in robot mode, but which here at least has the effect that they aren't as obviously sticking out from the back of the vehicle mode's trailer. (Not terribly obvious in the photos above, but trust me, they do!) And finally, while Powermaster Prime's cab had been remolded from Ultra Magnus's, it did follow a similar "huge-arse grill and tiny windows" aesthetic, where as Takara decided to make their version look a little more G1.
The vehicle mode is quite nice. The cab is non-detachable (more on that later), but rotates freely at the hitch nicely. The trailer is made of panels that can be finicky to get together, but once in place hold together nicely and look good. Their finicky nature can also be an issue when trying to attach the black guns to the top of the trailer, as doing so just by pushing in from the top will cause everything to pop apart. But opening up the back of the trailer, and supporting the panels with a finger underneath as you push the guns into them, takes care of that issue. Speaking of which, the back opens!
The rear panels will fold down to make a fairly convincing (if not entirely practical) ramp. Inside the trailer you could fit at least one, possibly two Legends Class figures. (Above is Roadburn, a.k.a. Chase.) Possibly, a small Deluxe could even fit in there, although a bit of kibble that will become part of Optimus's robot mode's chest may get in the way.
I know I don't often do comparisons with other figures... but we've already talked about how this figure compares with his mold mates Ultra Magnus and Hasbro's Optimus Prime. Let's take a quick look at him along side his G1 self.
I know I don't often do comparisons with other figures... but we've already talked about how this figure compares with his mold mates Ultra Magnus and Hasbro's Optimus Prime. Let's take a quick look at him along side his G1 self.
If you ask me, that is a damn fine modern take on the G1 figure in vehicle mode. We'll have to see if this trend continues into the other modes.
You may remember that G1 Powermaster Optimus Prime has a little buddy named Hi-Q. (Or Takara had Ginrai, and "Optimus" was actually a lifeless body that this little human dude controlled when he wasn't gloriously combing his hair.) So, does this new version of Powermaster Optimus have a little dude of his own? The G1 figure's turned into an engine that plugged into the front of the cab. So what about this figure?
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Well, this figure came out as a part of the Generations line branded Titans Return. Titans Return saw the return of what, in the G1 days, were called Headmasters. Now we've seen Targetmasters on this website before, with little guys that turned into guns. We've seen Powermasters before (via Powermaster Prime) with little guys who turn into engines. So, anyone care to take a guess what Headmasters turn into?
Okay, you in the back? The one who said feet? You can leave. Everyone else, that's right! Heads! A Headmaster had a little guy with him who could drive his vehicle mode, and who turned into a head for the robot mode. And so that became the gimmick of the Titans Return toyline. Little figures, now called "Titan Masters," who would turn into heads for the bigger robots. And unlike Combiner Wars, where the larger classes such as Leader Class were part of the line in name only and didn't actually combine with anyone else, here everyone in the toyline has some Titan Master compatability. Legends Class figures will have compartments so that they can be driven by the Titan Masters that come with other figures. The new, even smaller, Titan Master class was additional Titan Master figures to go with your larger figures, and that came with little transforming vehicles that Titan Masters could drive. And finally, everyone Deluxe Class and above was now effectively a Headmaster. And so, now we have a Hi-Q/Ginrai who will turn into a head for the robot mode. But what about vehicle mode? Well, open up the cab and you will find a seat inside for him to ride in.
Okay, you in the back? The one who said feet? You can leave. Everyone else, that's right! Heads! A Headmaster had a little guy with him who could drive his vehicle mode, and who turned into a head for the robot mode. And so that became the gimmick of the Titans Return toyline. Little figures, now called "Titan Masters," who would turn into heads for the bigger robots. And unlike Combiner Wars, where the larger classes such as Leader Class were part of the line in name only and didn't actually combine with anyone else, here everyone in the toyline has some Titan Master compatability. Legends Class figures will have compartments so that they can be driven by the Titan Masters that come with other figures. The new, even smaller, Titan Master class was additional Titan Master figures to go with your larger figures, and that came with little transforming vehicles that Titan Masters could drive. And finally, everyone Deluxe Class and above was now effectively a Headmaster. And so, now we have a Hi-Q/Ginrai who will turn into a head for the robot mode. But what about vehicle mode? Well, open up the cab and you will find a seat inside for him to ride in.
He's a fantastic looking little Hi-Q, gloriously painted compared to Hasbro's version, even including some flesh toned paint on his face since, well, Ginrai is actually a human in a suit. Honestly, one of the biggest differences between Hasbro's Titans Masters and Takara's equivelent figures is that for the most part, Hasbro has left them almost completely devoid of paint. Hasbro's Hi-Q (renamed Apex in Titans Return) features bare grey and red plastics. Takara's figure comes alive with bold red, white, blue, and black, perfectly capturing the look of the G1 figure. The main difference between the two, other than the newer one being shorter and having slightly better articulation, is that the original has an engine on his back and the newer one has an upside down Optimus Prime face.
These are actually pretty fun little figures. And decently articulated for their size, with ball jointed heads and arms, and legs that are hinged to bend forward at the hips and both ways at the knees. When Titans Return was announced, I initially thought I wouldn't be into the little Titan Master class of stand alone figures. Extra heads without their own bodies? "Meh," I thought. Well, I was wrong. And you know what you can do with a bunch of these little guys? You can populate a base! And as it so happens, every Leader Class figure in the Titans Return toyline has a base mode.
Now we're at something of an odd paradox. Many of the Leader Class figures in this line are a bit odd in having a base mode. Soundwave or Blaster turning into a base? Okay... That's different. But they have dedicated parts to their transformations for those modes that, from photos I've seen (since I don't own those toys), make for fairly decent bases. But this Powermaster Prime, if you recall, is a remold of an existing figure that predates Titans Return. So with one tiny exception (of a little thing that swings down from the bottom of the cab to give the mode some extra support), Optimus here doesn't have any engineering in him purely dedicated to his base mode. And yet... Powermaster Optimus Prime is supposed to have a base mode! So, is his base mode that is purely made up of existing bits of the figure a good one? Or is it an obvious piece of afterthought?
Now we're at something of an odd paradox. Many of the Leader Class figures in this line are a bit odd in having a base mode. Soundwave or Blaster turning into a base? Okay... That's different. But they have dedicated parts to their transformations for those modes that, from photos I've seen (since I don't own those toys), make for fairly decent bases. But this Powermaster Prime, if you recall, is a remold of an existing figure that predates Titans Return. So with one tiny exception (of a little thing that swings down from the bottom of the cab to give the mode some extra support), Optimus here doesn't have any engineering in him purely dedicated to his base mode. And yet... Powermaster Optimus Prime is supposed to have a base mode! So, is his base mode that is purely made up of existing bits of the figure a good one? Or is it an obvious piece of afterthought?
Well... Honestly, it does come off as a bit of an afterthought, but not the worst afterthought in the world. And it even manages to be somewhat evocative of the G1 figure's base mode.
So, in the end, not a bad base mode. Certainly not the worst I have seen, including some figures actually designed from the start to have one! (I'm looking at you, Star Convoy, with your super obvious arms and head just sitting in plain sight!)
Still... Especially when we directly compare this with the G1 figure, there is one thing that kind of sticks out a bit to me...
Still... Especially when we directly compare this with the G1 figure, there is one thing that kind of sticks out a bit to me...
Someone seems to be missing from the Titans Return version... Someone tall and commanding... Hold up... Where's Optimus Prime? Oh wait, isn't that the cab still attached to the back of the base mode? And hang on... Didn't I say above that the Ultra Magnus this is remolded from had an all-in-one transformation? And didn't I mention that Optimus Prime's cab wasn't removable from the trailer?
Hold on... Is there no smaller Optimus Prime here?
That is correct! This figure features (head aside) an all-in-one transformation, going straight from vehicle mode to the "super" robot mode. Now, much like with Magnus, this isn't too bad for "cartoon" accuracy (even if Powermaster Optimus Prime's main appearance in the cartoon was hanging out with some kid named Tommy and telling him epic tales of past glories), but sucks for anyone with fond memories of the toy. And frankly, the toy is the main association most people in the English speaking world would have with the Powermaster version of Optimus Prime.
This gets even worse when we consider the Japanese audience... To them, we have the little human dude named Ginrai, who uses this Optimus-like body to form a robot named Ginrai. I still need to watch Super God Masterforce one of these days, but it is my understanding that it was only later he gained the ability to combine with his trailer and form Super Ginrai. And so, a whole important form of this figure seems to be completely missing!
Let us not dwell on that too long, though, shall we? Instead, let us press forward straight into the Super robot mode! And to do that, let us start by contemplating his head, shall we?
Like I said, the figures in this line are all Headmasters. (Well, officially Titan Masters, but I know a Headmaster when I see one!) And so, little Hi-Q/Ginrai turns into a head for Optimus. Except... Titan Masters all come in one standard size. Meaning they are designed to look good on figures starting with the Deluxe class. Wouldn't that maybe look a little small on a Leader Class figure, then?
Hold on... Is there no smaller Optimus Prime here?
That is correct! This figure features (head aside) an all-in-one transformation, going straight from vehicle mode to the "super" robot mode. Now, much like with Magnus, this isn't too bad for "cartoon" accuracy (even if Powermaster Optimus Prime's main appearance in the cartoon was hanging out with some kid named Tommy and telling him epic tales of past glories), but sucks for anyone with fond memories of the toy. And frankly, the toy is the main association most people in the English speaking world would have with the Powermaster version of Optimus Prime.
This gets even worse when we consider the Japanese audience... To them, we have the little human dude named Ginrai, who uses this Optimus-like body to form a robot named Ginrai. I still need to watch Super God Masterforce one of these days, but it is my understanding that it was only later he gained the ability to combine with his trailer and form Super Ginrai. And so, a whole important form of this figure seems to be completely missing!
Let us not dwell on that too long, though, shall we? Instead, let us press forward straight into the Super robot mode! And to do that, let us start by contemplating his head, shall we?
Like I said, the figures in this line are all Headmasters. (Well, officially Titan Masters, but I know a Headmaster when I see one!) And so, little Hi-Q/Ginrai turns into a head for Optimus. Except... Titan Masters all come in one standard size. Meaning they are designed to look good on figures starting with the Deluxe class. Wouldn't that maybe look a little small on a Leader Class figure, then?
Why yes, yes it would. That is one tiny head on that big hulking body! And so, on Leader Class figures, the designers have included a helmet that comes over the Titan Master to provide a more suitably sized head. That is not to say that the Titan Master is completely useless. In the case of Optimus Prime here, for example, without the Titan Master installed he would have dead, hollow eyes. The helmet does limit compatibility with other Titan Masters a bit, in that if their eyes don't show through the mask well, it won't look good. But if they eyes do show through, it basically gives you the option to give Optimus different colored eyes.
And so here we come to Super Optimus Prime. Or Super Ginrai. Or whoever it is.
Now before we get too much into him, let us return to looking at the history of this mold. So again, some images from TFWiki.net to assist.
A lot was changed from Ultra Magnus to Optimus Prime. When comparing the Hasbro and Takara figures of Optimus and Ginrai, however, one can see that a lot of changes have been made between them, as well. One that isn't immediately obvious is that the Hasbro Titan Master has a different face. See below:
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Hasbro gave their Titan Master a head based on Orion Pax, who is basically a younger Optimus Prime before he became the heroic Autobot leader we all know and love. Takara, of course, just gave their Titan Master a smaller Optimus Prime head, based on the head of the original G1 Ginrai figure. (Rubbing in even more the absence of the cab's smaller robot mode!)
Between Hasbro and Takara, there are some obvious differences in the coloration, but let us more concern ourselves in actual physical differences between the molds. As we saw in vehicle mode, the black guns are different. Hasbro just reusing Ultra Magnus's while Takara's has new guns. (We haven't seen the Takara figure armed up in robot mode yet, but we'll get to that shortly.)
The two figures have completely different chests, Hasbro's almost completely covering the cab with some large silver monstrosity, while Takara's lets you see more of the cab on his chest, and has some detailing that emulates the missing "Powermaster" engine block.
The arms are completely different. Hasbro has vaguely articulated fingers that the Tarara version looses, but in trade we get much less hollow looking arms (the photo of the Hasbro version here uses a camera angle that hides it, but the insides of the arms are pretty much completely hollow), and they transform somewhat differently concerning the trailer panels on the back of the arms. With Hasbro, the panels extend below the wrist and behind the hands. Takara's do not extend below the wrists (which allow for wrist articulation Hasbro doesn't have, which I will take over vaguely articulated fingers any day), but do go up the forearms farther. Hasbro's panels do lay completely flat against the arms, where as the outer most panel on Takara's arms does angle out slightly. Many people have reacted negatively to this, but I invite you to scroll up and look at the side view image of the robot mode. If the panels were to lay flat against the forearms, the arms would not be able to sit straight without the panels bumping into the back of the shoulders. So me? I see why the panels sitting as they do was necessary, and I am content.
Finally, the feet are completely different. The Hasbro version has the same feet as Ultra Magnus, bit boat shoes that look nice and stable to stand on. My understanding, however, is that there is no ankle articulation in those big feet. Takara's take on the figure, however, has much different feet. They make the figure slightly taller, and are articulated up the wazoo... But they do make the figure slightly less stable on his feet. I don't have too much difficulty getting my figure to stand, but mine seems to have nice tight joints in the foot region. I have heard others complain about less luck in this area. Many people also don't seem to like how the feet look, being rather tall and flat as opposed to the more traditional looking feet that the Hasbro version sports. But the feet do look that they took major design cues from the G1 toy, so take that as you will.
Now, let's stick some weapons on him and see how he looks all accessoried up, shall we?
Between Hasbro and Takara, there are some obvious differences in the coloration, but let us more concern ourselves in actual physical differences between the molds. As we saw in vehicle mode, the black guns are different. Hasbro just reusing Ultra Magnus's while Takara's has new guns. (We haven't seen the Takara figure armed up in robot mode yet, but we'll get to that shortly.)
The two figures have completely different chests, Hasbro's almost completely covering the cab with some large silver monstrosity, while Takara's lets you see more of the cab on his chest, and has some detailing that emulates the missing "Powermaster" engine block.
The arms are completely different. Hasbro has vaguely articulated fingers that the Tarara version looses, but in trade we get much less hollow looking arms (the photo of the Hasbro version here uses a camera angle that hides it, but the insides of the arms are pretty much completely hollow), and they transform somewhat differently concerning the trailer panels on the back of the arms. With Hasbro, the panels extend below the wrist and behind the hands. Takara's do not extend below the wrists (which allow for wrist articulation Hasbro doesn't have, which I will take over vaguely articulated fingers any day), but do go up the forearms farther. Hasbro's panels do lay completely flat against the arms, where as the outer most panel on Takara's arms does angle out slightly. Many people have reacted negatively to this, but I invite you to scroll up and look at the side view image of the robot mode. If the panels were to lay flat against the forearms, the arms would not be able to sit straight without the panels bumping into the back of the shoulders. So me? I see why the panels sitting as they do was necessary, and I am content.
Finally, the feet are completely different. The Hasbro version has the same feet as Ultra Magnus, bit boat shoes that look nice and stable to stand on. My understanding, however, is that there is no ankle articulation in those big feet. Takara's take on the figure, however, has much different feet. They make the figure slightly taller, and are articulated up the wazoo... But they do make the figure slightly less stable on his feet. I don't have too much difficulty getting my figure to stand, but mine seems to have nice tight joints in the foot region. I have heard others complain about less luck in this area. Many people also don't seem to like how the feet look, being rather tall and flat as opposed to the more traditional looking feet that the Hasbro version sports. But the feet do look that they took major design cues from the G1 toy, so take that as you will.
Now, let's stick some weapons on him and see how he looks all accessoried up, shall we?
Pretty damn good! This is definitely a great looking figure that screams, "Powermaster Optimus Prime!"
Well, let us talk articulation. Titan Masters all have ball joints in them, allowing a full 360° rotation and a little bit of up and down wiggle. However, the large helmet that masks the Titan Master eliminates the articulation built in there, and replaces it with another joint that still at least allows for the 360° rotation. Shoulders rotate 360°, and can move outward a good 90°. The panel that his shoulder guns plug into are jointed to accommodate the outward shoulder movement, and it also allows for some more dynamic gun posing, too. There's an upper arm swivel, a good 90° bend at the elbows, and (as stated above) a lovely wrist swivel exclusive to this version of the mold.
No waist articulation, alas, but everything else below that is exactly what one might hope for. Hips move forward, back, or outward. There's an upper leg swivel. A good knee bend. And (if the joints are cooperative on your figure) as previously mentioned, crazy amounts of articulation in the ankles.
Now let's look at him with his G1 inspiration:
No waist articulation, alas, but everything else below that is exactly what one might hope for. Hips move forward, back, or outward. There's an upper leg swivel. A good knee bend. And (if the joints are cooperative on your figure) as previously mentioned, crazy amounts of articulation in the ankles.
Now let's look at him with his G1 inspiration:
Wow. Missing cab robot aside, this really is the G1 figure updated for modern audiences. And I cannot help but love it! As far as the vehicle mode and the super robot mode goes, he is perfect. And look at those feet! Opinions on them may still be mixed, but you can't deny they sure look like the ones on the G1 figure.
It is amusing to me that, height-wise, they are almost the same size. Scroll back up to the vehicle mode photos, and you will see that the new figure is definitely smaller than the G1 version there. But due the differences in how they transform, the new version unfolds to roughly the same size.
It is amusing to me that, height-wise, they are almost the same size. Scroll back up to the vehicle mode photos, and you will see that the new figure is definitely smaller than the G1 version there. But due the differences in how they transform, the new version unfolds to roughly the same size.
Here are both figures along with a standard sized DVD case as a size reference.
So... My final thoughts... Is it worth going Takara for this toy, at roughly twice the cost of the domestic version? For me, the answer is yes. I like how this figure looks much better than the domestic version. And also, it is worth noting that Takara came out with a Godbomber which is compatible with this figure but won't be compatible with the Hasbro version. |
But this really is a case of your mileage may vary, and there are options. If you don't care about Godbomber compatibility, don't mind more reimagining in your Powermaster Optimus Prime, and don't want to pay a premium price for him, go with the domestic Hasbro version. He's a fine toy, just not quite my cup of tea. If you do want Godbomber compatibility, or just like this version of the mold better, Hasbro did release a version of it as a part of a multi-figure box set. The deco isn't entirely the same, but is still (despite being given the name "Magnus Prime" and being listed on the TFWiki on Ultra Magnus's page) a fairly Optimus-based color pattern.
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Personally, while I definitely have a preference for Takara's deco over the Magnus Prime one, I am hard pressed to say if I like the differences enough that I wouldn't have paid an extra five or ten bucks to get Magnus Prime in a boxed set with two or three other figures who could have been fun to have, if the box set that included Magnus Prime had been announced before I'd already ordered myself Takara's Ginrai figure.
So, are there other possibly more cost effective options? Yes. (There's even one more option I'll go over when I review Godbomber, who I do have on the way in the mail as I type this.) But in the end, am I happy with what I have?
Yes. Yes, I am.
Except... Well... I do still wish he had a transforming cab... But who knows what the future may hold? Maybe I have a few other things on their way in the mail as I type this, too...
Review added 27 August 2017 by Yotsuya. Comments are welcomed!
So, are there other possibly more cost effective options? Yes. (There's even one more option I'll go over when I review Godbomber, who I do have on the way in the mail as I type this.) But in the end, am I happy with what I have?
Yes. Yes, I am.
Except... Well... I do still wish he had a transforming cab... But who knows what the future may hold? Maybe I have a few other things on their way in the mail as I type this, too...
Review added 27 August 2017 by Yotsuya. Comments are welcomed!