Transformers Studio Series Core Class ROTB Noah Díaz Exo-Suit

We're really closing in on to the completion of ROTB lineup. Next we have the [somewhat bearable] human character of ROTB, Noah Diaz [Exo Suit]. 

Jet Blaster Mode

No he doesn't look exactly like in the movie. Noah follows his appearance at the end of the movie wearing an exo suit [technically he's wearing parts of Mirage] but this toy also comes with a jetpack. 

Transformers Studio Series SS-106 Leader Class Optimus Primal - Pictorial Review

A long overdue review. Had finished the photography last week but haven't got around to sit and start writing. 

Presenting the leader of the Maximals in Rise of The Beast, SS106 Leader Class Optimus Primal

In Package

Perfect choice for the box's artwork. Optimus Primal in gorilla mode looks as intimidating as it gets. One thing I never got used to is how soft the boxes are nowadays.

Transformers Studio Series SS-105 Deluxe Class Mirage - Pictorial Review

Moving on to our next review, the Autobot that was clearly meant to replace Bumblebee (and I actually like the character), Mirage

Before we proceed... 

huhuuu Mirage should be an F1 car.. 

huhuhuuu he should be called Jazz instead... 

Get over it. As much as I like G1, this is not

In Package

One glaring issue you can see here is they put Mirage's early character design with different head sculpt, on the box. 

Well...not really an "issue" though. It's just weird thinking how much earlier did they produce the box that it used the old design. I could understand for the mainline but SS was always meant to be released later than the mainline. 

Did they made it even before the movie got delayed? 

Transformers Studio Series SS-104 Deluxe Class Nightbird - Pictorial Review

We're almost closing the chapter of Rise of The Beast Studio Series, impressively in less than 1 year. Our next release is Studio Series ROTB Terrocon Nightbird, the last of the bad guys trio.

Nightbird is based on her G1 iteration of the same name, which is also a cool, ninja-like assassin.  

In Package

SS-104, Nightbird. Really cool artwork on the front. Too colorful compared to her appearance in the movie though.

Transformers Studio Series SS86 Commander Class Ultra Magnus - Pictorial Review

I can't say that I've been waiting for this for quite some time as I generally have a rule to not 'upgrade' my existing figures (as it would be an endless cycle of buying the same figure). No excuse for getting this. I have display for my Movie 86 fig (with Kingdom Magnus) and 1 display for Headmaster series.

I'm bumping my Kingdom Magnus to the Headmaster series so technically I don't have a duplicate figure

In Package

SS86 Ultra Magnus is the first Commander Class figure under the SS lineup (both live action movie SS and SS86) and the 2nd Commander class of the year after Armada Optimus Prime.

It seems like pattern recently is 2 Commander class per year with last year Motormaster and SG Jetfire.

Ultra Magnus (UM) comes in a windowless box with a very well done artwork of him, based on the 86 Movie (I'd guess it's the scene where the Autobots are escaping Galvatron's attack)

Takara Tomy Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Leader Optimus Primal - Pictorial Review

We side step Studio Series release of ROTB and venture into the single release from Takara, of ROTB Leader Class Primal. 

In Package

I miss this kind of packaging. While I like the uniformity of the SS releases, I like the practical design use on this. 

Unlike Hasbro, Takara still maintain the use plastics on their releases. 

Transformers Legacy Evolution Leader Class Nova Prime - Pictorial Review

Legacy Evolution haven't really been on my radar recently sans few releases but this one caught my attention. 

He is the first official, mass release (well, he is mass releases exclusive though) Nova Prime and second after TFCC Nova Prime. 

In Package

Just like the other special releases, Nova Prime comes in a brown box with code F69595S00. 

The first thing that surprised me is he doesn't come in normal leader class box like previous Legacy Evo or Studio Series (see below). 

Transformers Studio Series SS-103 Voyager Class Rhinox - Pictorial Review

We're getting closer to completing Rise of The Beast lineup under the Studio Series. Up next is the 3rd Maximal, Rhinox.

Review courtesy of Hasbro MY and Hasbro SG.

In Package

Numbered 103, Rhinox comes in a box similar to the rest of the SS. The artwork shown give a detailed look of his alt mode, which we don't really see clearly in the movie

Transformers Legacy Evolution Titan Class Decepticon Nemesis - Pictorial Review

Sorry for the lack of review recently, June and July had been a crazy month, both at work and personal life.

But I think I don't want to miss the chance of reviewing her.

Yes, her.

The 2nd G1, yet not G1 per say, Titan. The most powerful warship the Decepticons had ever built. The Nemesis

Alt Mode

Transformers Rise of The Beasts Optimus Primal 2-In-1 Converting Mask

 Moving on to our 2nd Converting Mask release, Optimus Primal

In Package

Optimus Primal follows the same packaging theme as Bumblebee, based on Rise of The Beast line. I can't be sure the picture of Optimus Primal is based on his appearance in the movie or just not, we'll find out soon.

12 steps transformation

Transformers Rise of The Beasts Bumblebee 2-In-1 Converting Mask

 Now let's move away from the Studio Series and visit a line released specifically for kids, the Rise of The Beast 2-In-1 Converting Mask. So far there are 2 releases, Bumblebee and Optimus Primal

First, let's see Bumblebee

In Package

The mask's packaging follows the ROTB Mainline theme, without a plastic cover on the front.  

Both modes are shown at the back

Transformers Studio Series SS-101 Leader Class Scourge - Pictorial Review

 Saving the best for last. The SS ROTB releases that caught the attention of the fans when first revealed.

SS-101, the first of the 2nd hundred lineup, starting up strong. Terrocon Scourge, the leader of the Terrocon. The big baddy

In Package

Unlike the deluxe and voyager, SS leader comes with windowless box. Others might prefer otherwise but with that artwork, hard to care.

Transformers Studio Series SS-98 Voyager Cheetor - Pictorial Review

Moving on to the 2nd Beast release of SS ROTB, Cheetor. Just revisiting Beast Wars, personally for me Cheetor was the Bumblebee of the series. Had always loved his character's growth and arcs.

In Package

From the artwork, it's obvious SS Cheetor is different than ROTB mainline Cheetor (in a good way).

Transformers Studio Series SS-97 Deluxe Airazor - Pictorial Review

Withith Transformers: Rise of the Beast upon us, let us review the toys for the characters of the movie, under the Studio Series line, brought to you courtesy of Hasbro SG and Hasbro MY

First up, SS-97 Airazor, voiced by beloved Malaysia legend, Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh

In package

A bit of background. Rise of the Beasts comes under 2 different toylines which are the Rise of The Beasts (mainline) and the Studio Series.

For those who were wondering why they released 2 lines simultaneously, it's due to the delay the movie had. Supposedly the mainline would come out before the movie and Studio Series version would come out maybe a year after. Hence that's why some of the mainline releases have different design than in the movie 

Transformers Studio Series SS-99 Voyager Battletrap - Pictorial Review

Let's move away from the beasts for now

Now for a figure that I was more curious about than the rest, SS-99 ROTB Battletrap. I can't put my finger why Battletrap feels a bit more different aesthetic wise, from the rest of Studio Series Live Action releases.

In Package

I really like the character artwork on the box, wouldn't mind if they made it into a collector card of some sort.

Transformers Studio Series SS-100 Deluxe Bumblebee - Pictorial Review

Next is SS-100, the face of Transformers Live Action movies, Bumblebee. It doesn't look like a coincidence that the first 100 SS lineup starts and ends with Bumblebee.

In Package

If you noticed, the Bumblebee in the artwork is bulkier and less lean compared to the Bayverse version. He resembles Volkswagen Bumblebee from BB Movie more in terms of proportion.

Transformers Rise Of The Beast Exclusive Fan Channel Limited Edition GWP (Gift With Purchase) - Pictorial Review

As you are all aware, the latest installment of Transformers Live Action Movie will premier on 8 June 2023, titled "Rise of The Beast" (ROTB). 

Checkout the Trailer below

Supporting the movie, there are 2 mainlines being release concurrently for the movie which are the Rise of The Beast line and also under Studio Series. 

In conjunction with the release of the movie and the toy lines, Hasbro is giving a chance for the fans to collect an exclusive Rise of The Beast merchandise, badge/coin collection.

Let's go through the merchandise first.

The set consist of of 1 Collector box and 5 unique badges/coins.

The box has a nice finishing to it, with premium feel.

Marvel Legends Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 - Pictorial Review

This is the review for the complate wave of Marvel Legends Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 3, released ahead of the premier of the movie, courtesy of Hasbro MY and Hasbro SG.

The set consists of 7 characters which are Star-Lord, Rocket, Drax, Mantis, Nebula, Kraglin and Adam Warlock. There are 2 Star-Lords per carton of 8. The figures retailed at RM124.90 each for Malaysia.

Dungeons & Dragons Golden Archive Gelatinous Cube - Pictorial Review

Another thanks to Hasbro MY  and Hasbro SG for providing this review piece.

Now, time for a new Hasbro offering, from the newly started Dungeons & Dragons Golden Archive for the upcoming D&D movie, Honor Among Thieves.

Just a bit of a background. A Gelatinous Cube (or an athcoid) is a cube-shaped mindless, gelatinous matter that appears in countless D&D media.

In Package

The Gelatinous Cube (GC) comes in a windowless box, as per Hasbro Plastic-Free Packaging direction. The artwork is nicely done with both classic RPG vibe and board games.

Transformers Legacy Evolution Armada Hotshot - Pictorial Review

Buying by association.

One of my issues in collecting. I had kept 1 Legacy Armada Starscream since I have an extra unit but he'd be lonely. So I need to have Armada Hotshot.

Jokes aside though. This year we'll see the release of rebooted Armada figure, namely Armada Optimus Prime (Commander Class) and Armada Megatron (Leader Class).

Of the 3 Unicron-Trilogy series, Armada is the one that desperately need a reboot due to the poor execution despite cool concept.

Alt Mode

This is the 3rd mold for Armada Hotshot after the original release and Universe 2.0

I must say it looks to be underwhelming. Personally I preferred the Universe 2.0 Hotshot's alt mode better.

BUT, he definitely resembles his original toy better.

There is unmatching yellow color on the hood of the car due to being colored transparent plastics. The rims are unpainted which is something that Hasbro really need to stop doing.