Review: #347
Name: Optimus Primal
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Maximal
Line: Masterpiece
Year of Release: 2016
Size Class: Masterpiece
Mold Status: new
PACKAGING AND CONTENTS:
Deviating from the normal G1 characters, celebrating the 20th anniversary of Beast Wars comes a Masterpiece rendition of Optimus Primal. The packaging logos are slightly altered to accommodate this difference in continuities.
He still comes in the fancy black packaging and the back is chock full of text and stock photos displaying the various gimmicks and accessories that he has.
In terms of accessories, Optimus Primal comes with two additional alternate gorilla faces, three additional robot faces, a pair of swords and a character card.
The instructions are only of the fold-out type, not a booklet. However, it is still well made and the drawings are clear enough to show how to activate his features.
GORILLA MODE:
Forgoing a realistic gorilla mode and instead going for show accuracy, Optimus Primal looks like he has just literally stepped out of the TV screen.
Perhaps the most impressive part of the figure is that it hides nearly all of the robot mode's pieces (and yet is not a shellformer). The only visible part is the robot thighs, and even then, you don't seen any of the red.
The headsculpt is so good, right down to the creasing of the sides of his eyes. TakaraTomy has really outdone themselves this time.
He is fairly poseable in this mode, having shoulder and elbow articulation. His hips can move but are restricted and he lacks any knee movement thanks to transformation.
Optimus Primal has wrist articulation and also ankle movement. The only flaw of this mode is that feet which has quite a bit of clunky robot kibble ruining the look a little bit.
In terms of size, he is just above the size of a Voyager but much heavier. A comparison photo above with Generations Rhinox and Generations Rattrap.
The main gimmick in this mode is the alternate faces. The first one of which is a smiling one. Swapping faces is easy enough and not difficult at all.
The head has some articulation too as it is on a big balljoint.
The other face is a snarling / roaring face. It seems a little bit off as the bottom lip isn't painted.
Apparently the shoulders are misassembled on all figures but it doesn't affect him much at all, just some slight aesthetics variances.
The paint on the whole figure to simulate the fur as seen in the show is astounding, although it does make the texture weird when holding him.
You can get him into a crouching position but to do so, you need to bend him at the waist in order to allow his hips to clear and fold down.
The head can tilt up but not enough for it to look straight forward, nevertheless, still very cool.
Crouching like this, he looks more in line with the Generations Maximals.
In terms of size, the Masterpiece version is much smaller than the original Ultra classed figure. Not that the Ultra class figure is a bad toy, but next to the Masterpiece, it looks so much less refined.
There is a flip up peg on Optimus Primal's back and it isn't documented in the instructions at all, so it's an interesting inclusion... You can however use it to help prop up Rattrap onto his back though.
Most of the articulation is still available when crouching and he can be very expressive.
An amazing gorilla mode that's so show-accurate that it is absurd. The paint on the figure, coupled with the sculpted detailing and articulation make for a near-perfect mode.
TRANSFORMATION:
There's really not much you can do to complicate the transformation, both the original toy and the show animation were simple, since it is effectively the gorilla standing up and limbs being slightly reconfigurated. Yet, do not be disappointed and there are plenty of "Masterpiece" tweaks to the transformation. The legs are much more involved than expected, as is unfolding the gorilla chest to reveal the robot torso. The legs are definitely the most interesting element with the unveiling of the red pieces a neat touch. However, there are a few panels to be manipulated which can be tight in terms of clearances. Overall, while it may not wow you the first time around, transform him a few times and you will start to appreciate all the extra little tweaks here and there which makes him much more involved and interesting than initially expected.
ROBOT MODE:
Somehow, the figure continues to wow you with the robot mode being extremely show-accurate as well, and has a true premium feel to it.
He does not have any kibble at all. All the pieces are neatly tucked away and streamlined. It is simply amazing.
The headsculpt is one of the best things about the figure. It is fantastic and extremely expressive. It is perfectly painted too.
The head sits on a joint that allows it to look left to right and up and down although it can be a bit tight at times.
In terms of size, once again, he is a bit taller than a Voyager but much heavier.
A comparison against the original toy shows how much better proportioned he is. The original toy was very fun but once you have this Masterpiece version in your hands, you can never go back.
Just like the original, this figure has a plethora of gimmicks. The first of which is the "Plasma Cannon". His forearm can open up to reveal blasters.
Note that there is a notch on the underside of the arm which you can use to push out the panel for easier access instead of trying to use your fingernail.
The blasters are on both arms for you to recreate some iconic poses.
The second gimmick is his "Mega Blaster". There're his shoulder cannons which flip out from his back.
These shoulder cannons much cleaner, smaller and accurate to the animation model.
In terms of melee weapons, he comes with a pair of curved blades that are painted in a beautiful metallic silver and blue.
He can obviously hold them in either hand.
If you don't want to use them you can store them on his back, they attach via a notch in each blade. You cannot keep the blades stores in gorilla mode though.
Lastly, you can take a look at the back, which is largely an untouched gorilla's back.
However, you can flip the bottom piece to reveal his "Convoy Jet", which are basically thrusters for his jet pack used in the show. It's subtle and while it's not the most eye-popping gimmick he has, it's nice that it was included.
Articulation is excellent, bearing all the joints that you would want including waist swivel, wrist swivels and ankle tilts.
The hands can also open but the fingers are all jointed as one.
The swords have a notch in the handles which corresponds with the gap in his palm, therefore he holds the swords very securely.
The last major gimmick is the alternate faces, the first of which is a smiling / smirking one.
It's an expressive face that's kind of hard to capture on capture since it's fairly dark.
The next alternate face is an angry one with eyes narrowed and mouth opened in a shout.
This face is perfect for all-out action poses.
For some reason, there is a notch on his left forearm and no explanation on what it is used for. The right forearm doesn't have it and it makes you wonder if it is for another accessory for a future redeco of this figure.
Optimus Primal retains the weird elbow joints that show an unnatural gap when fully bent. The joint is close to the edge in order to give it near 180 degree movement but it looks bad from certain angles when bent too much.
The last alternate face is the faceplate which looks awesome!
The whole figure has a slight metallic sheen to it and nearly all surfaces have some sort of paint on it, which helps to justify the high asking price.
The final last gimmick is if you have some spare button cell batteries (two of them), you can insert them into the gorilla's head and then activate the light-up eyes.
His large footprint help keep him stabilised in many poses.
The smooth surface may seem offputting at first especially if you're used to the original Beast Wars toys with sculpted fur but you'll soon be convinced that it gives the figure a most sophisticated look.
Somewhat of a shame to not give him some sort of booster effects, it would have been a perfect addition to help emphasize his flight ability.
If you have a stand, like from Masterpiece Tracks, he has a slot behind his waist which allows him to use it.
Every piece pegs in somewhere here which can also be a vice since you need to carefully detach it all for transformation for fear of breakage.
An overwhelmingly amazing robot mode with plenty of unobtrusive gimmicks and oozing with show accuracy.
OVERALL:
Masterpiece Optimus Primal truly deserves the Masterpiece moniker. It is an amazing figure. While the original Ultra classed toy is still fun and holds up to this day, you don't realize how much better it could be until you've had a play with Masterpiece Optimus Primal. Both modes are shockingly show accurate plus you get so much play value from the plethora of gimmicks. His asking price is a bit higher than expected but he is worth every dollar. Masterpiece Optimus Primal is seriously highly recommended.
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