Review #36: Smallest Transforming
Transformers Optimus Prime
This is a toy that will be interesting to review... because in a lot of ways, I just reviewed it! This is the Smallest Transforming Transformers Optimus Prime, and except for a few minor simplifications, he is very much just a drastically scaled down version of the original Generation One Optimus Prime.
So, how does he fair in this tiny, miniaturized form? There's only one way for us to find out. So, let us take a look, shall we? |
Optimus and his trailer were available seperately in the Japan-only Smallest Transforming Transformers line of blind-packed figures. There were actually two versions of each available, with both made in color schemes more indicitave of their original toys, or in more, "anime accurate" decos. (The cab was also available in a white color which, while officially considered an Optimus Prime in this toyline, when I look at it I cannot help but see Ultra Magnus.)
Anyway, thanks to what was available for the right price on eBay at the time I wanted to pick this guy up, I ended up with a bit of a mix. The trailer is the more toy accurate one, which is definitely the deco I prefer for it. (The "anime accurate" one would lack the blue in the stripes on the trailer's side, and is rather too plain looking, in my opinion.) The cab, however, is the "anime accurate" one. I would have been happy with either version of the cab, to be honest. The main difference here is that the other cab would feature darker windows and no yellow on the bumper.
This set has been graced with Reprolabels. The main additions visable here in vehicle mode are the faction symbols on the cab's side (which were originally only on one side, and just a white painted on logo rather then the more traditional red on a silver backing) and the gas cans on either side of the truck, now silver, which were originally just the same blue, unpainted plastic as the majority of the rest of the truck cab's rear.
All in all, a really nice tiny Optimus in truck mode. All of the wheels turn, which is important to note. I don't have any other Smallest Transforming Transformers, but from what I understand the wheels were often fixed on many of the others. But I suppose the toy designers knew that they had to do Optimus right. The trailer connects to the Cab via a round peg and peg hole as on the original, so trailer being able to turn is not an issue. Finally, the back of the trailer opens up in much the same way as the original Optimus figure's trailer did, and you can even see a teeny, tiny Roller inside of whom we will speak more of later.
So, that's Smallest Optimus as a truck. How's he look as a robot?
Anyway, thanks to what was available for the right price on eBay at the time I wanted to pick this guy up, I ended up with a bit of a mix. The trailer is the more toy accurate one, which is definitely the deco I prefer for it. (The "anime accurate" one would lack the blue in the stripes on the trailer's side, and is rather too plain looking, in my opinion.) The cab, however, is the "anime accurate" one. I would have been happy with either version of the cab, to be honest. The main difference here is that the other cab would feature darker windows and no yellow on the bumper.
This set has been graced with Reprolabels. The main additions visable here in vehicle mode are the faction symbols on the cab's side (which were originally only on one side, and just a white painted on logo rather then the more traditional red on a silver backing) and the gas cans on either side of the truck, now silver, which were originally just the same blue, unpainted plastic as the majority of the rest of the truck cab's rear.
All in all, a really nice tiny Optimus in truck mode. All of the wheels turn, which is important to note. I don't have any other Smallest Transforming Transformers, but from what I understand the wheels were often fixed on many of the others. But I suppose the toy designers knew that they had to do Optimus right. The trailer connects to the Cab via a round peg and peg hole as on the original, so trailer being able to turn is not an issue. Finally, the back of the trailer opens up in much the same way as the original Optimus figure's trailer did, and you can even see a teeny, tiny Roller inside of whom we will speak more of later.
So, that's Smallest Optimus as a truck. How's he look as a robot?
Well, here he is and I'd say he continues to look pretty darn good.
In this mode we do encounter a few of the sacrifices made to get him down to this small scale. Other then the joint that moves them forward for transformation purposes, there is no articulation in his shoulders. As far as his legs, the joint at his hips doesn't have the mechanism that the full sized one had that caused the legs to seperate durring transformation, and thus they stay together on this figure. The fists aren't seperate pieces, which is a plus (especially at this scale, where they would be exceptionally easy to loose), and hide themselves behind the headlights. This leaves the headlights in place in robot mode, making for a wider looking belly area which is not quite as nice looking as the full scale figure, but it is exceptionally forgivable at this scale. One final difference from the full scale figure is a lack of articulation in the knees. However, seeing as that articulation was completely useless on the full scale figure, I am not bothered by this. In the end, while this figure is somewhat simplified compared to the larger figure that inspired it, the simplification does not at all hamper this guy. Reprolabels offers a few more additions to this figure in robot mode, spicifically the detailing on his forarms, upper legs, and the front of his toes. |
For an accessory, Optimus Prime comes with his usual gun. Since this Optimus lacks any fist holes, however, this gun attaches to him via two tabs that slide over either side of his arm and hold on via friction. An elegent soloution to allowing such a tiny figure to have a detachable weapon.
To the right is what the inside of Optimus's trailer looks like unaltered, thanks to a photo I found in the magical world of the internet. Mine, as seen below, is obviously helped a lot by having the Reprolabels giving it all of the necessary stickered detail.
One other problem with the trailer as originally aquired, however, would be the artillary robot, which here is simply an immobile piece of plastic that stays on the floor of the trailer. Unlike what was discussed above, this bit of simplificaton was, to me, too much. |
Fortunately for me, it seems that someone out there made a replacement piece which they were selling on eBay. I don't wish to get too spicific, as this person also seems to produce full knock offs of Smallest Transforming Transformers Optimus Prime, and so I don't wish to advertise for him or her. (I don't care for knock-offs, after all.) But if you really want one, and assuming they're still being made, I am sure a bit of time using the search function on eBay will get you results.
And here we see what we get with all of the additions to the trailer. With the sticker and the new artillary robot, it really looks just like a shrunken version of the full size Optimus Prime's combat bay.
Roller is included, although in this case it is a bit of a misnomer as his wheels are fixed. But he is tiny and cute, so it's okay. The new artillary robot features all of the articulation of the original, including an opening canopy, even though in this case the canopy is much too small to hold any figures inside. Finally, because of now having an articulated artillary robot, the trailer can take on another mode. You guessed it! You can stand it up to form the ever (un)popular repair bay! I'll admit is is a mode I never use, but I think there is a charm in knowing I could if I wanted to. |
One last minor difference between this trailer and the full size one. Since this trailer didn't originally come with an articulated artillary robot, it should come as no surprise that this trailer lacks the holes to allow for it to be deployed when the trailer is closed. Not a feature I ever use outside of taking photos for reviews, I'll admit, so no loss as far as I am concerned. Still, it is worth noting for the sake of completeness.
Here's not one, but two comparison photos! To the left is my somewhat standard comparison to a DVD case, and to the right you can see how tiny this figure truely is when compared with the G1 figure that inspired it.
Obviously, this is not a figure for very small children. People worry about toys with small parts a kid could swallow? Well, heck, this here toy the whole thing is practically bite size. But for the adult collector looking for a piece that will provide a little bit of nostalgia, this Optimus Prime is perfect. Review added 7 October 2012 by Yotsuya. Please comment! |
And just as a sneak preview... I got something sweet in the mail at the end of last week. Not the new Optimus Prime I've ordered that this series of reviews is leading up to... So I do intend to finish that series of reviews first. But after that, we'll take a look at this:
So stay tuned... mwa ha ha ha ha!