So I collect a wide variety of zany things because they make me smile. A line that never ceases to impress is the Magic Square Mukudo line, which features Super Deformed (SD) Transformers characters that actually transform into vehicles. Because of the different proportions, your standard "fold limbs and hide head" isn't really gonna work, and sure enough the transformation for the figures released thus far have all been well thought out. There have only been three unique release - Arcee, Chromia, and now, Optimus Prime, or using their names, Truck Boy.
Pretty simple box, and what this photo doesn't show you is the size of the figure. From the thumbnail above, you should be able to make out that it's pretty small. Maybe 4 inches tall or so in robot mode. So it's somewhere between a Core Class and a Deluxe Class, with a price point that ranges from $20 - $28 USD, with this figure being the most expensive one thus far. So you can say it's expensive but at the same time, it's also a pretty good deal.
Accessories are relatively limited, being the Ion Blaster and the Matrix. Documentation wise, it's basically the Tech Spec card and the manual.
Out of box, looking pretty sharp, this figure is incredibly adorable. That in itself is already enough to turn many collectors off, as this aesthetic would ruin the serious nature of their hobby. The body is nice and boxy, like the Optimus Prime that we all know and love.
The Matrix can fit inside the chest like with most modern Optimus Prime figures, and the giant noggin is undoubtedly designed to look like the character.
Articulation on this figure is actually really good considering its size. It has everything you'd find on a Voyager class figure.... but there is a "but". Due to size constraints, the hips are actually jointed to the waist piece. Now, this doesn't interfere with the waist swivel, but in order for the the figure to kick forward, you need to get the waist piece involved in the rotation and, well, it can look weird, especially if you get the knees involved. This also throws the figure off balance. Otherwise, it's very impressive the number of poses you can pull off with the figure. There are some bulk related limitations, but its generally nothing you can't worry about. Not to mention the proportions mean you really just trying to recreate what a little kid would look like if they attempted some of those poses.
Due to some not so great instructions, coupled with basically MP level engineering, transforming from robot to vehicle mode is kind of a nightmare. It can be done, but be prepared to be incredibly annoyed because the manual looks like it skipped a step. I mean, the part where I plopped the Matrix into the chest? That wasn't even iIN the manual, it's just something I knew from my familiarity with the character. The vehicle mode is again, cute. Due to its overly boxy design, I've had people tell me this more resembles Ginrai rather than Optimus Prime.
Paint Applications are quite nice, and the number of them is actually much higher than usual. There's probably more on this figure than your typical mainline Deluxe, and certainly there's more paint than Arcee and Chromia, which is probably partially responsible for the price hike, in addition to just how many freaking parts there are on this figure. There are no ultra small paint details, and the paint that is on there is sharp and smooth.
Despite the sheer number of parts on this figure, I have no issues from a Build Quality perspective. Everything moves and holds together nicely. I did not have any issues with any joints or parts that tab together. My only real concern is that there may be some paint rubbing in the future due to how many close contact parts are actually painted.
Overall, just an incredibly solid toy that will please fans of well designed puzzle boxes. It's generally the aesthetic that will turn people off, as based on the complexity of the product, I feel the asking price isn't exactly outrageous. It's too bad the leg articulation isn't ideal, and that the manual sucks.
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