The wait is over, Transformers fans! International toy giant Hasbro has just dropped a brand-new wave of products for its celebrated "Studio Series" line!
Since its launch in 2018, the Studio Series has been dedicated to recreating characters from the silver screen. Its roster covers everything from the six explosive live-action films all the way back to the 1986 animated classic, "The Transformers: The Movie," offering something for everyone. Of course, the line's core appeal lies in its intricate transformation engineering and screen-accurate modes. Whether you're an old-school G1 collector or a newcomer to the hobby, you're sure to find something to love in the diverse Studio Series lineup. Furthermore, the commitment to a unified scale makes collecting and displaying the figures together even more rewarding. Each figure also includes a character-specific cardboard backdrop, giving fans multiple display options. Whether you want a cool desk piece or a complex transformer to fiddle with, the Studio Series delivers on all fronts. Now, let's dive into our hands-on review and show you what this latest wave is all about!
▼Here are the seven figures we're unboxing today: three Deluxe Class, two Voyager Class, and two large Leader Class figures. The packaging maintains the series' consistent design, with the number and character portrait on the side for easy identification and collection management.
▼No. 74 "Bumblebee", based on his appearance in the second live-action film, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" (hereafter ROTF). After the "Mission City Battle," Bumblebee joined NEST, the joint human-Autobot task force, continuing to protect Sam Witwicky while disguised as a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. This ROTF version of Bumblebee is a retool of the first movie version from No. 49, updated to more closely match his look in the sequel. The figure also includes a non-articulated mini-figure of Sam.
▼The included backdrop depicts the "Pyramid Desert Battle" from the climax of ROTF.
▼His blaster accessory can be equipped on his right arm or stored on his lower back. This mold not only nails the movie-accurate look but also delivers impressive sculpting and articulation.
▼Like the aforementioned No. 49, this figure features the battle mask head sculpt. The Autobot insignia on his forehead is crisply printed, and the retooled chest (the car's front end) is a major highlight. The mechanical detailing on the abdomen and other areas is also incredibly precise.
▼The mini Sam Witwicky figure is sculpted in a running pose. The design appears very similar to the Sam figure included with MPM-9 "Jazz," but this one is missing the AllSpark.
▼He's the character with the most appearances in the line, as if by destiny... that's right, it's Bumblebee himself. If I had to recommend one figure for a new fan to experience the joy of transforming, this mold—with its well-balanced proportions and articulation—would be my top choice.
▼Thanks to the fantastic articulation throughout his body, pulling off dynamic poses is a breeze!
▼ "Run for it!"
▼ In vehicle mode, the weapon can be stored at the rear. Compared to the previous No. 49 release, the paint application on the car's body feels richer and more dynamic, better capturing the unique power of a muscle car. However, getting the panels to align perfectly requires a bit of finesse, so take care during transformation.
▼ Echoing his updated look in the movie, the front of the car has been retooled to accurately reflect its solid design. The taillights and the black racing stripes are rendered with paint applications.
▼ When facing down the vicious Decepticons, there's only one thing to do: hit the gas!
▼ No. 75 Jolt also appeared in the second live-action film, 2009's "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen." An Autobot warrior who wields a pair of electro-whips, he's most remembered for helping Optimus Prime merge with parts from the sacrificially-donated body of Jetfire to defeat The Fallen and the Decepticon army. This new version of Jolt is an all-new mold for the Studio Series, faithfully recreating his on-screen appearance. And of course, he transforms into a blue Chevrolet Volt.
▼ The included backdrop has a bit of an awkward error. Although the box shows it comes with the "Pyramid Desert Battle" scene from the second movie, the diorama inside actually depicts the "Battle of Chicago" from the third film. The sad part is, the IDW comics established that Jolt was killed by Shockwave before the events of the third movie, so he logically shouldn't be present at this battle. We... we remember him.
▼ While his screen time was limited, the scene where he uses his electro-whips to help his boss power up remains unforgettable. This version of the figure faithfully captures Jolt's on-screen design.
▼ The highly accurate head sculpt and chest details are absolutely worth a closer look.
▼ By removing one of the claws on each hand, you can swap in the electro-whip accessories.
▼ "Lightning!!!" (Hey, wrong franchise!)
▼ The articulation and joint system are quite impressive, allowing for dynamic and intense combat poses with the right setup.
▼ The vehicle mode recreates the Chevrolet Volt from General Motors (GM). The electro-whips can be mounted on the sides of the car.
▼ Electric car vs. muscle car—which one do you prefer?
▼ No. 86-08 Gnaw, from 1986's "The Transformers: The Movie." A member of the Sharkticons—the vicious creations kept by the Quintessons—Gnaw is savage, loves to bite, and prefers to operate in packs. In the Dreamwave comics, Gnaw unexpectedly forms an interspecies friendship with the young Autobot Wheelie, becoming an inseparable part of each other's lives. This is the first official new version of the Sharkticon since the 2016 Titans Return figure. Not only is it scaled up to a Deluxe Class size, but its design also hews much closer to the animated movie's look. It's also worth noting that the name "Gnaw" is a tribute to the original 1986 G1 toy, rather than the more generic term "Sharkticon."
▼ He comes with the "Mockery of Justice" diorama backdrop.
▼ The round, stout robot mode is an excellent recreation of his on-screen appearance. A mace and blaster are generously included as accessories.
▼Don't forget to admire the exquisite head sculpt, as well as the fine details and panel lining on the chest.
▼Don't underestimate this little guy's size—they call him the agile little fatty for a reason! The ankle pivot provides excellent stability and ground contact.
▼Pair him with the previously released Studio Series 86 Grimlock and his included wheel accessory to recreate their comic book crossover team-up!
▼In Sharkticon mode, the blaster rifle can be mounted on his side, and the mace-chain transforms into his tail, just like in the original design.
▼Since he's a shark named Gnaw, of course he has to have a feature that lets him open his massive jaws to reveal a menacing face!
▼"Baby shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo... ♫" (Oh, sorry, is that song not cool anymore?)
▼No. 76 Thrust, from the 2018 standalone film "Bumblebee." A member of the Decepticon Seekers, he was seen alongside his comrades pursuing the Autobots during the civil war on Cybertron at the beginning of the movie. He transforms into a gray and green Cybertronian fighter jet. This figure is a retool of the Studio Series Cybertronian Starscream, which itself was a retool of the Blitzwing from the same series. We highly recommend you experience the subtle joy of this mold's evolution for yourself!
▼He comes with a "Cybertron Falls" scene backdrop from the movie's opening.
▼The base body is retooled from the highly acclaimed Blitzwing and Starscream molds, but the high-collar design is a direct homage to the G1 "Conehead" Seekers. Interestingly, instead of his classic dark red color scheme, this version sports the gray and green deco from "Transformers: Armada" (超ロボット生命体トランスフォーマー マイクロン伝説).
▼Although his screen time was just a fleeting glimpse, it's not hard to see that the Studio Series might be gearing up to assemble this entire version of the Seeker squadron once again (our wallets are already trembling).
▼The intricate mechanical detailing across the figure is truly spectacular and will have you admiring it in-hand for ages.
▼The Cybertronian jet mode pays homage to the pyramid-like fighter design from G1. We strongly recommend playing with him alongside Blitzwing, the original source of this mold, to fully appreciate the power of this extensive retooling!
▼The cockpit (though it doesn't actually need a pilot) is rendered in a beautiful translucent plastic, creating a striking visual.
▼All three weapons can be stored in vehicle mode. I absolutely love designs that make full use of every accessory.
▼No. 86-09 Wreck-Gar, who first appeared in "The Transformers: The Movie." He leads his tribe of Junkions on the planet Junkion, surviving by collecting trash from Earth and drifting through space. They frequently intercept Earth's radio and television broadcasts, which they use for entertainment and knowledge, incorporating it into their unique speech patterns. With his cobbled-together appearance, Wreck-Gar possesses incredible regenerative and repair abilities. After an initial conflict, he and his Junkions became powerful allies to Hot Rod, Ultra Magnus, and the other Autobots. This Studio Series version is an all-new mold, distinct from the 2010 release. This time, he's a Voyager Class figure that faithfully recreates his on-screen appearance.
▼Includes a dedicated "Junkion Dance Party" backdrop.
▼This figure's design is incredibly faithful to his appearance in the animated movie. He comes with his signature spiked shield, which is formed from a tire, and a four-bladed axe that can be stored on his back.
▼His iconic, rugged mustache is perfectly recreated. The twin cannons on his chest are mounted on embedded ball joints, allowing you to freely adjust their firing angle.
▼The articulation is excellent, allowing for a wide range of dynamic and impressive poses with just a few adjustments.
▼In his motorcycle mode, the various spikes perfectly capture Wreck-Gar's wild and crazed personality.
▼Just like the original G1 toy's design, the back of the robot's head becomes the motorcycle's dashboard.
▼He's perfectly scaled for other Deluxe Class figures to ride, which is a fantastic touch. But I think we're all still hoping for a troop-builder version of the other Junkions, right?
▼A close-up shot of the awesome rear of the bike.
▼No. 73 Grindor & Ravage, from the second live-action film, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen." Grindor is not only a master strategist but also a skilled Decepticon combatant who ultimately fell to Optimus Prime. Ravage, deployed to Earth by the Decepticon spymaster Soundwave, is a stealthy infiltrator adept at close-quarters combat and information gathering. This Grindor figure is a redeco of the Studio Series Blackout mold, featuring brand-new articulated hands and swapping the original's Scorponok accessory for Ravage.
▼The figure includes a cardboard backdrop depicting the "Forest Fight" scene.
▼The main body structure is identical to the first wave's Blackout, and it's just as impressive. The substantial weight and the folded rotor blades on the back are still major eye-catchers. Its strong military aesthetic and muted color palette work perfectly. If you missed out on Blackout, you definitely don't want to skip this one.
▼Weathering effects have been added to various parts, and the metallic paint on the head really brings out the intricate sculpting.
▼The biggest highlight of this new version is undoubtedly the fully articulated hands, finally fixing a major gripe collectors had with the original Blackout.
▼Despite his bulky appearance, the figure's full range of articulation allows for all sorts of dynamic combat poses.
▼The included Ravage is an all-new, to-scale mold with surprisingly detailed sculpting. There are dedicated storage spots for him in both Grindor's robot and helicopter modes.
▼The vehicle mode is an MH-53 Pave Low helicopter—though it's worth noting that in the film, Grindor actually transformed into the larger CH-53E Super Stallion.
▼The markings and text on the fuselage are all printed, not stickers, adding a significant touch of realism to the overall look.
▼As mentioned, your feline friend can be stored right under the tail boom in this mode!
▼No. 86-07 Dinobot Slug & Daniel Witwicky. Slug is one of the Dinobots, transforming into a robotic Triceratops. He's ill-tempered, belligerent, and a total loner—so obnoxious, in fact, that other Autobots wonder why he isn't a Decepticon. This set bundles him with the Autobots' human friend, Daniel, who is featured in his Exosuit.
A quick note for longtime fans: Due to trademarking issues, the character originally known as Slag has been officially renamed Slug for modern releases.
▼Like the previously released Gnaw, Slug includes a "Mockery of Justice" backdrop from the Quintesson courtroom scene.
▼Following in the footsteps of Grimlock, this new Slug is a massive, all-new Leader Class mold. Not only does it perfectly capture his look from the 1986 animated film, but it also pays homage to the original G1 toy. The sheer amount of retro detail is enough to bring a tear to any veteran fan's eye.
▼The head sculpt features his red animation-accurate colors, rather than the black seen on the original toy.
▼The included mini-figure of Daniel in his Exo-Suit features simple articulation. The helmet is non-removable, and pegs on his legs allow him to interact with both Slug and Grimlock.
▼As a Leader Class figure, the articulation is nothing short of incredible. It perfectly balances the classic G1 blocky aesthetic with a modern, dynamic range of motion. This is an absolute must-have for any Dinobot fan!
▼His included blaster is also based directly on its appearance in the animated movie. The ankle pivot is excellent, providing more than enough range for stable, powerful stances.
▼Daniel can ride on Slug using the various ports on his body—even if they didn't exactly share a deep bond in the movie...
▼In Triceratops mode, the blaster can be stored on his tail. The solid, chunky proportions almost perfectly recreate his wonderfully clumsy appearance from the film, making for a surprisingly lovable alt mode.
▼The jaw is fully articulated.
▼"Let's ride the dino! Wheee!"
▼"I... I don't think I can make it..." "No! Dino, get up! You have to pull through, Dino!"
▼And that wraps up our gallery for this latest Transformers Studio Series release! This line's blend of sci-fi realism and cartoon fantasy is truly something special, isn't it? Don't hesitate—go grab your favorite character and experience the joy of having these incredible figures in hand. We'll see you for the next review!
Hasbro - Transformers "Studio Series"
Where to Buy: Available at major department store toy sections, Toys "R" Us, specialty toy shops, and online at official Hasbro Pulse, Amazon, and other e-commerce retailers.