Review: #167
Name: Rapid Run (J-Seven)
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Robots in Disguise
Year of Release: 2001
Variations: the Japanese version had transparent windows while the Hasbro version replaced it all with opaque plastic
TRAIN MODE:
Rapid Run transforms into a Rail Star 700 bullet train. He features transparent green cockpit and side windows.
This is a well formed train mode. There are panel gaps and with age, there will be some mismatch of colours between the paint and plastic. You can see the connector (formed by his robot mode weapon) at the back.
There are generic sculpting, Rapid Run basically transforms into a long rectangular block... so it's really not too hard. He features rolling wheels.
The terms "Rail Star Cybertron" is tampographed onto the sides, mimicking real life bullet trains.
While fairly long, he's also narrow so doesn't quite feel up to Mega sized. Yet he is distinctly heavier than Deluxes.
This is a packed train with barely any gaps left when you look at the underside.
In terms of length, he is the shortest member of Team Bullet Train.
They look well together and my second favourite train out of the trio.
Some extra play value include the ability to connect with Railspike and Midnight Express to form a long chain. While you'll never see this kind of configuration in real life, it is a nice bonus in play value.
Each train has a slot at the bottom of the nose to connect into the peg at the back, in any order you like.
A decent train mode only hampered with the panel lines and small-ish size.
TRANSFORMATION:
One of the more unsurprising transformation schemes of the trio. It's basically a train standing up, with the nose folding down to form the chest. It is still well done and is easy enough to be fun. Things pegs together well but some joints may be tight.
ROBOT MODE:
Rapid Run's robot mode should theoretically be a good one, he's got the train cockpit as his chest and the legs are the train rear extended but what we end up have a tall and lanky robot with some slight proportion problems.
That said, kibble is a rare sight on this figure. He has nothing on his back. You can see the extent of transparent plastic used on this figure (for the Japanese version) which is worrying.
The proportion issue is really just his legs. They're big chunky affairs which stands at odds with the rest of the figure. Add restricted range of movement to them and it brings the robot down.
The head sculpt, by today's standards, is a bit lacking in the sculpting department. I feels as if the angles aren't sharp enough. Nevertheless, it is still decent.
Rapid Run is about Deluxe height in this mode, and looks the mass too. While he may feel heavier, you still can't help but feel cheated that this was passed off as a Mega (basing on size alone).
Rapid Run's figure is a shield, that is obviously made from a part of the train. It still looks decent though and this weapon also carries a spring loaded missile launcher (or grenade launcher per the instructions).
Rapid Run can hold it in either hand (I should note that the Team Bullet Train figures don't have the standard 5mm fist holes, they're smaller than that, not yet 3mm though) although the shield can look a little bit too big and unwieldy.
I don't think this is official but you can also detach the missile and have Rapid Run hold it like a gun so at least he has some sort of long ranged weapon.
Like so. It actually doesn't look too bad like this.
This is a bit awkward but if you prefer a bulkier gun you can keep the missile attached and the shield to wrap around it. His arms are not long enough to make this truly work though.
The poseability is average, I say because while the upper body is okay (even if he is lacking elbow swivels), his legs are much more restricted than I like. His hips need a bigger balljoint cut to free up some movement and coupled with an absence of knee swivels and Rapid Run can be annoying to pose in the way you've imagined.
A quick comparison with the other team members.
Rapid Run has huge heelspurs so he's very stable.
A solid robot that's let down by some proportion issues and limited poseability. However, he looks great with the other members of Team Bullet Train and is worthwhile for that fact alone.
OVERALL:
An amazing train mode with an average robot mode. Rapid Run is still very worth your money. Now don't forget, Rapid Run is also part of an amazing combiner so the fact that there are basically no compromises made to this robot mode makes it much more impressive. For the people who love posing out there, Rapid Run leaves some to be desired.
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