Review: #111
Name: Jet Vehicon w/ Igu
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Decepticon
Line: Arms Micron (Japanese equivalent of Prime)
Year of Release: 2012
Size Class: Deluxe (AM-12)
Variations: a retool from RiD Vehicon
PACKAGING:
As with all Arms Micron figures, Jet Vehicon comes in a box that doesn't have a window, you can't see your toy beforehand folks. That said, it is a very nice box with some great box art.
I find it amusing how the back displays these ridiculous Micron weapon combinations and the instruction sheets actually give you instruction on how to assemble the one shown in the photo!!
VEHICLE MODE:
This Vehicon takes on the flying mode seen in the cartoon. Despite the name, it's more of a flying car (although I've heard flying boat used before) than a real jet.
This is a massive retooling from the RiD version of the mold, this is basically a re-shelling of the vehicle mode parts. This mold is currently exclusive to the Japanese Prime toyline.
Vehicon lacks any real landing gear, there's a sled in place of a proper front landing wheel, and he rests on a piece of plastic that his wings are attached to.
Being from the Japanese line, he features stickers for details instead of paint applications. Personally, I think this sucks as there is every chance you'll put the stickers on all wonky or whatever (the small stickers are especially annoying).
The original RiD mold was fairly small, but this Jet retool bulks up the vehicle mode a lot, and the wings gives an illusion that it's bigger than it actually is. It's only when you pair it up with the original mold that you realize how extensive the retooling has been.
Again, being in the Japanese line, there are Micron ports everywhere to plug in his partner, Igu. Thankfully, the ports don't stick out or break the aerodynamic shape of the car.
There are many places to attach Igu, however, due to it's large size, some ports are better than others.
This is a surprisingly good jet mode that's a lot of fun to play with. Sure, it looks like a flying car, but you realize that a lot of effort have been put into this retool. I mean, even the cartoon model looks like a flying car.
TRANSFORMATION:
Okay, you can't help but be impressed by this transformation. It's better displayed by the RiD mold, but anyway, the whole top (and by that, I really mean the WHOLE top) part of the car lifts up... and folds into his feet. Wow. That takes car of all the extra kibbly bits car Transformers normally have. It's not as neat here as the front of the vehicle is more bulky so the resulting legs aren't as streamlined. I guess this shellforming transformation allowed this type of retool by just reshelling the whole robot. The only extra step here is the wings, in that you just flip them so they're facing the right way. Everything pegs in together nicely, just very well engineered overall.
IGU:
As per normal, we will now have a look at the Micron partner. The name is Igu, and he transforms into an Iguana. At least it's instantly recognizable as an Iguana.
The cannon becomes his tail. You have to assemble this guy yourself, cutting the parts from the sprues, and put your own stickers on them. Personally, I think it's an okay experience, model kit building is not my thing but there is a sense of satisfaction after you've finished and look at your handiwork.
Limited articulation, only his legs swing a bit, but it's for transformation anyway. He does look pretty good with the purple.
Igu features a Decepticon insignia that is inside a clear jewel, it was a pain in the neck putting that sticker in and then plugging in the jewel.
Igu transforms into the distinctive Vehicon shaped blaster with just one odd thing... it's oversized!
It's a very simple transformation but does a good job at hiding the alternate mold elements. It's not a bad little Micron at all.
ROBOT MODE:
Back to Jet Vehicon and the star of this review, he is wicked in robot mode. The bulk he gets, the spiky shoulders and the wings on his back, man, this is an awesome robot mode.
The lilac that's used (painted) gives Vehicon a striking look, and differentiates him from his other incarnations (such as FE Vehicon and RiD Vehicon).
I didn't give him his shiny purple shin vent stickers, as that part was molded and I thought that it was a waste to put stickers on it... Some of the stickers are really annoying such as the waist and shin, to put on, even with tweezers.
The arms stick out weirdly to the sides, they're as straight as I can get them to be. I think it's emulating the standing stance of the Vehicons in the show.
Here's a closer look at the legs and the way you can see the pieces folding up, I still can't get over the fact that they managed to tuck in a lot of the vehicle into just those legs.
The head mold is pretty good, better than the First Edition since it's more spiky and angular. It's a bit small however.
Jet Vehicon feels slightly bulkier than the standard Deluxes nowadays, but not as big as previous Deluxes. Like I said before, the wings and spiky elements give him a bigger and bulkier look.
Obviously, Jet Vehicon can hold Igu in his weapon form. You can either plug it in his hand or on the port on his forearm (makes it look less oversized actually). There are also many other different places you can put Igu (but whether it's useful or practical, that's another story).
Articulation is excellent here, I have no complaints. Although the feet are statics so you'll need some creativeness to keep him standing in some action poses.
I wished the panel behind his head (required because he has a head reveal feature) could tuck in further, but there seems to be some pegs that's stopping it from folding more.
The wings are adjustable (to a degree) to your liking. A really nice robot, the lilac brings out all the details, and stickers aren't too bad on him.
OVERALL:
This is not a lazy remold or cash grab, a lot of thought have gone into Jet Vehicon, especially in the early design and engineering phases. Both modes are solid and display well, the robot mode presents enough uniqueness to stand out amongst the Vehicon molds. The weapon is done well, and Igu is a cool Micron. Well worth getting, especially if it isn't getting a Western release.
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