Review: #815
Name: Brave Commander Optimus Prime
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Transformers One
Year of Release: 2024
Size Class: N/A
Mold Status: new
PACKAGING:
Brave Commander Optimus Prime is similar to the Awakening Optimus Primal figure from Rise of the Beasts in that he is a bigger figure designed primarily for the Japanese market, and with a bunch of non-obtrusive gimmicks.
For its release outside Japan, it came in a black slipcover, which when you slip off will reveal the normal Japanese packaging.
It has a few nice callouts to its various gimmicks, but it is actually a very large box for the figure, there is a lot of empty space around it.
VEHICLE MODE:
Based off the Transformers One movie, Optimus transforms into a Cybertronian truck, and it is a new design and unlike most of the ones in previous incarnations.
That said, design is subjective, and the proportions can seem to be off. The cab is narrower to allow the bulges on either side. The rear is obviously the robot legs, more effort to tuck it away would have been nice.
A quick comparison with a Voyager figure will show that Optimus isn't particularly large. He's about the contemporary Leader sized figures, rather than Commander size (which was what Awakening Optimus Primal was inching towards).
The robot weapon, which is just an axe, can attach to the side of the back for storage.
However, the other gimmick here is that there are springloaded cannons on side side that can flip forward. While not official, you can also flip the side smokestacks forward so that he has four weapons pointing forward.
He has plastic wheels underneath that allows him to roll on flat surfaces.
Being a bigger figure, you can appreciate the additional amount of detailing in the sculpting, and the paint apps. Yes, the grill and smokestacks are still an unpainted grey, but he doesn't feel too cheap, in fact, he feels a little bit more premium (or maybe that's just my imagination / hope).
A good vehicle mode, and one that doesn't have too many flaws.
TRANSFORMATION:
Transformation for a bigger figure is surprisingly simple. It doesn't require complexity given the design. However, he does not feel as solid as Awakening Optimus Primal, in fact, he feels a lot more flimsy, hollow and light, which is odd considering this is a blockier design. Anyway, the back splits, folds out and down to form the robot legs. The sides are the shoulders, where you can pull the arms out from underneath the (hollow) cab. Then you fold most of the cab away on his back to review the chest and head.
ROBOT MODE:
Optimus's robot mode, just like the vehicle mode, is based upon the Optimus design of the movie, rather than Orion Pax.
The design has Optimus have long legs, and a shorter compact torso, which still looks a bit off if you look at him for too long.
The head sculpt is nice, and clearly Optimus.
In terms of size, above is a comparison against a Voyager and Leader, you can see that he is definitely taller than both.
A comparison with Awakening Optimus Primal and now Optimus is a bit shorter, and not as much mass. He doesn't feel as nice and chunky as Awakening Optimus Primal, and that's a shame.
Now finally, a comparison with the smaller Deluxe Studio Series version, and to the Studio Series' credit, it doesn't feel like much was lost when shrunken down in size.
Optimus does have a jutting backpack, which is most of the cab in vehicle mode.
Articulation is great as you would expect, he has mainly hinged joints. He has joints for his head, shoulders, elbows, wrist, fingers, waist, hips, knees and ankles.
The first gimmick here is that you can change the face to give him the faceplate-less Orion Pax figure.
It's pretty good, and works as you'd expect, which is flipping open the helmet, swivel the faces around, and close the helmet again.
The hands being able to open and close is a nice touch.
The second gimmick are the springloaded shoulder cannons. You flip them over by pressing on a switch behind his shoulders, and they are very cool looking.
That said, this gimmick is the reason why his shoulders are huge, and the shoulder joints having an unorthodox design, whereby they are on a separate panel.
Thirdly, his chest can open (split into two panels) to reveal the Matrix of Leadership.
The Matrix is removable and can be held in his hands.
Finally, there is his Energon axe weapon, which plugs over his hand.
The axe can also store on his back when not in use.
This is a nice figure to play with due to his larger size and simplicity, so that you won't have bits and pieces moving everywhere whenever you hold or pose him.
While he does have big feet, he doesn't have heelspurs and his feet are situated forward enough so that sometimes, he can keel over backwards.
Nevertheless, this is a strong robot mode, for play and display.
OVERALL:
Brave Commander Optimus Prime is one of those figures that brings back the simple joy of Transformers. He has a simple transformation, but the larger size, blockier pieces, make for a fun toy. Both modes are decent, and to be honest, the only biggest thing against him is that based on the previous like-for-like figure, Awakening Optimus Primal, he isn't as chunky or big (but is around similar pricing), so you'll have to adjust your expectations a little bit.
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