In February 2018, the internationally renowned toy manufacturer Hasbro grandly unveiled a brand-new toy line at the New York Toy Fair to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Transformers live-action movies: the 'Studio Series'. This series boasts different size classes, aiming to recreate popular characters from the five live-action films released up to that point, all scaled to a unified proportion. Each box also includes a dedicated cardboard diorama backdrop that can be used with the figures. For Transformers fans and collectors who love the live-action movies, this is undoubtedly a highly appealing new series.
Four years later, in 2022, the Studio Series has quickly accumulated nearly a hundred figures. It now includes characters from the spin-off film 'Bumblebee,' released in late 2018, as well as the G1 'The Transformers: The Movie,' which aired in 1986. The addition of even more diverse characters has transformed the Studio Series into a magnificent, rich, and versatile line that satisfies all types of collectors, making it an unparalleled choice for expanding one's collection.
This Toy People unboxing report will bring you the latest wave of figures from the Studio Series. This includes two miniature Core Class figures, three Deluxe Class figures, and two Voyager Class figures. These figures feature famous characters from the 1986 G1 'The Transformers: The Movie,' all the way through the live-action film series and the 'Bumblebee' spin-off. Whether it's their robot mode, vehicle mode, or even the exciting transformation process, each is worth savoring repeatedly. Now, let's witness together the unparalleled, ultimate charm of Transformers!
▼ The seven main characters unboxed today. The different size classes are clearly evident from the box dimensions. The side also features the figure number and character portrait, making it convenient for collectors to organize and identify.
▼ Wheelie (also translated as 'Zhuan Lun'). First appearing in 'The Transformers: The Movie,' Wheelie is a mysterious Cybertronian encountered by Hot Rod, Kup, and the Dinobots when they were stranded on Quintessa. Having been abandoned on an alien planet for years, Wheelie always speaks in rhymes, but his childlike innocence quickly endeared him to the Autobots, making him a new addition to their ranks. This iteration of Wheelie is a newly sculpted Core Class figure, recreating his alien sports car mode and including his signature slingshot as a weapon.
▼ The robot mode boasts excellent body proportions. The included slingshot can be freely equipped in either hand.
▼ Numerous ball joints are utilized throughout the articulated parts. Beyond facilitating transformation, these joints also provide significant functionality for posing the robot.
▼ In vehicle mode, it exudes a retro style, full of the era's imagination of future or alien technology. The slingshot can be stored at the bottom of the vehicle's rear. It's a minor drawback that the robot's fists are not concealed. However, the streamlined design still faithfully recreates the original look!
▼ Ratchet, the renowned Autobot medic. He is proficient in surgery and Cybertronian medicine (or perhaps, 'repairs'?), earning him the respect and support of his comrades. This Core Class Ratchet is also a brand-new sculpt, inspired by what could be considered the medic's final battle in 'The Transformers: The Movie'. Megatron, leading his Decepticon forces, attacked the Autobot ship en route to Earth for reinforcements. Ratchet and the other crew members resisted in vain, ultimately perishing heroically and becoming among the first casualties of the generational shift in the film.
▼The robot mode faithfully recreates Flywheel's classic look, including his gray horn accents, red twin fists, and vehicle front chest. The original red cross on his shoulders was modified due to issues with the Red Cross organization and international conventions, replaced with the Autobot insignia.
▼Included are two rifles, allowing you to directly recreate his final stand against the Decepticons in the movie.
▼Lined up with the Deluxe Class Earthrise two-pack Ironhide, these two, who should be of equal height, immediately show a stark difference in scale here. It must be said that Flywheel's use of this Core Class size is truly subtle.
▼In ambulance mode, the twin rifles can be mounted on both sides of the vehicle body. Although the transformation mechanism is simple, the vehicle mode is surprisingly flawless.
▼Two box-shaped vehicles, two... different moods (?)
▼No. 86-16 "Arcee", originating from the 1986 film "The Transformers: The Movie". She is the standout female among the new generation of Autobots, skilled in close-quarters combat and marksmanship. Normally gentle and graceful, she transforms into a precise sharpshooter on the battlefield, making even the ferocious Decepticons wary. This Studio Series version, at first glance, appears to be a retool of the War for Cybertron Trilogy version. However, it is actually a modification of the 2014 IDW Thrilling 30 version. In addition to improved sculpting and articulation in the lower body, an extra waist joint, necessitated by the transformation mechanism, allows her to strike more dynamic poses, making it a truly excellent retool.
▼Includes a background display base for the "Battle of Autobot City".
▼Her signature pistol is included as a weapon. It can be held in hand or secured to the outer thigh using a peg on the gun body. Inevitably, there is a large backpack on her back, so careful consideration is needed to balance the front and back weight when posing.
▼Inheriting from the IDW version eight years ago, the portrayal of her feminine physique is superior to that of the War for Cybertron version, making it easy to showcase Arcee's blend of strength and grace. The overall detailing, meanwhile, returns to a G1-style simplicity.
▼The excellent ground contact of the ankle joints also contributes significantly to the overall balance.
▼It's as if many pink bubbles are floating around her; you want how many 'girls' (shàonǚ), you get how many 'girls'!
▼In classic vehicle mode, the pink alien sports car faithfully recreates the design from the G1 movie and animation. The joy of a beautiful girl is just this simple and unpretentious... but never dull.
▼While Arcee's transformation design has always inherently struggled with the characteristic of "unfolding the backpack to enclose the entire robot mode," it must be said that the mechanism design of this version is truly much more interesting than that of the War for Cybertron version.
▼No. 87 "Bumblebee", based on the 2011 "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" version. After enduring two great Autobot-Decepticon wars on Earth, the young recruit Bumblebee has transformed into a valiant warrior, not only protecting his human best friend but also fighting to safeguard his Autobot comrades. This sculpt is a retool of the Studio Series No. 49's first movie version. Retools were added in response to updates in the movie, including the chest (vehicle front), rear spoiler, and more. A head sculpt without the battle mask is also included.
▼Includes a display base depicting the climactic "Battle of Chicago" from the third movie.
▼Includes the dedicated weapon "Stinger Blaster," which can be equipped on the right arm or stored behind the waist. Although this Bumblebee mold is not making its first appearance, every time I play with it, I still feel different joys. He truly lives up to being the beloved character chosen as the protagonist!
▼The articulation mechanism remains unchanged, so it can still strike various dynamic battle poses when played with or displayed!
▼The chest sculpt is likely the most noticeable change in robot mode.
▼The high-kneeling "Superhero Landing" pose can also be easily achieved!
▼Vehicle mode, recreating the new version of the Chevrolet Camaro from the third movie. In addition to the redesigned front bumper and adjusted black racing stripes on the body, the new rear spoiler is also very striking, presenting an even more enhanced muscle car aesthetic.
▼Which Bumblebee vehicle model is your favorite, fellow toy enthusiasts? Feel free to leave a comment and share with everyone!
▼No. 88 "Sideways" (also translated as "Bian Lu"), from the opening chase scene of the 2009 film "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen." As a professional Decepticon spy, Sideways and his comrade Demolishor lay dormant on Earth, awaiting the day to rescue Megatron. However, their movements were already being monitored by NEST, the human and Autobot alliance. A thrilling chase ensued with the Arcee triplets, culminating in Sideways' R8 vehicle mode being bisected by the Autobot Sideswipe, ending his life on an alien world.
This new version is made from an entirely new mold, attempting to recreate Sideways' unique robot form. While the vehicle mode cannot perfectly replicate the R8's appearance due to Audi's lack of authorization, its simulated look is still quite striking and cool.
▼Includes a "Shanghai Pursuit" display base.
▼In robot mode, the signature pair of car door wings are, of course, present. It's worth noting that the proportions of the upper and lower body in this new version differ significantly from the old one: the legs are noticeably much shorter. Furthermore, the included weapon actually did not appear in the main film (as he was on screen for less than a minute); upon investigation, it seems to be sourced from the game instead.
▼The tragic ballad of a background character: Run, run, run, run, run, run, run!~~
▼After adjusting the finger joints, the weapon can be equipped, recreating his sniper role from the game.
▼Due to his long arms and short legs, achieving a superhero landing is even easier!
▼In vehicle mode, the car shell features a striking and shiny silver and black interplay. As mentioned, while it cannot perfectly replicate the R8, the distinctive two-tone car doors are present, which is arguably the best possible representation without official licensing.
▼Although he was merely a background character used to highlight Sideswipe's "Damn, I'm good" moment, his return in the Studio Series with a new mold certainly fulfills the long-held wishes of many collectors.
▼No. 89 "Thundercracker," from the opening Cybertronian civil war scene in the 2018 film "Bumblebee." Thundercracker is a member of the Decepticon aerial force, the "Seekers," responsible for intercepting any Autobots that appear in his sights from the sky.
This "Bumblebee" version of Thundercracker is a repaint of Series No. 72 Starscream, with the head sculpt of No. 76 Thrust (and Starscream himself was heavily retooled from No. 65 Blitzwing). The color scheme, of course, adopts Thundercracker's classic blue base with white and red stripes to establish the character's image, and he transforms into a Cybertronian pyramid-shaped fighter jet.
▼Includes a "Cybertron Falls" backdrop base.
▼Although only a fleeting glimpse in the movie, if you want to complete the spin-off version of the squad, it seems impossible not to acquire this figure. Included armaments consist of a cannon rifle that can be equipped on the hand, and a pair of Null-Ray launchers mounted on the wings.
▼The articulation largely inherits the joints of the spin-off version of Blitzwing, allowing for easy posing in various cool stances.
▼The ankles feature ground-hugging joints, ensuring stable standing even when extended like this.
▼We look forward to this aerial squad assembling in the Studio Series!
▼Vehicle mode: Since the very first episode of the original G1 animation, the Seeker's pyramid jet mode has been an iconic presence. "Bumblebee" naturally pays homage to this classic, and after a series of 29 steps, this triangular jet, both representative and enhanced with a cinematic realistic style, can be recreated.
▼The cockpit canopy is made of transparent parts, and the fuselage's signature Thundercracker color scheme is immediately recognizable at a glance.
▼If you've played with the spin-off version of Blitzwing before trying this mold, your first reaction will likely be an exclamation of "Wow, they actually managed to retool it like this!" Indeed, the designer's ingenuity is truly astonishing!
▼No. 90 "Galvatron" (also translated as Jing Po Tian), from the 2014 movie "Transformers: Age of Extinction." He is a Transformer created by the human organization KSI using Megatron's remains and technology. However, this was Megatron's plan to use humans to build a new body for his resurrection. Ultimately, the new Galvatron, with Megatron's consciousness, re-established his reign over the Decepticons, controlling all man-made Transformers to seize the Seed and launch a full counterattack against the Autobots.
This Studio Series Galvatron is an entirely new mold, aiming to recreate his cinematic appearance with greater accuracy.
▼Includes a "Hong Kong Pursuit" paper diorama base.
▼Those who have seen the movie surely still vividly remember Galvatron's "particle decomposition and re-shaping" transformation method, right? Indeed! This is a method that current technology cannot yet replicate in physical toys, thus ultimately reverting to a mechanism of folding parts. In terms of the robot mode alone, this version of Galvatron has almost 90% of the vehicle's features hidden. Aside from the slightly thin upper body in robot proportions, the detailed sculpting combined with metallic paint accents makes the overall appearance quite stunning.
▼Mechanical details such as the head sculpt and chest are sculpted to an exceptional standard, and the signature hollow areas on the chest and even the back are, of course, faithfully recreated! (Optimus Prime would say this emperor simply has no soul!)
▼The chest can be opened to store the missile launcher.
▼Includes a right-hand specific cannon, and the missile launcher can also be equipped on both arms.
▼Although the physique is slender, the articulation experiences almost no excessive interference, allowing for very smooth movement. (Galvatron declares, "That's why I fear nothing!")
▼The silver paint application, combined with the original color of the plastic parts, unexpectedly presents a distinct sense of layering!
▼Vehicle mode: Recreates the 2012 Freightliner Argosy cab-over truck. In trailer mode, all armaments can be stored and hidden. The most regrettable aspect is that the foot panels at the rear cannot be tucked away more effectively, resulting in large protruding parts in vehicle mode, which is visually quite jarring.
▼But if we disregard the rear of the vehicle, this menacing large truck front actually really suits Galvatron's character, doesn't it?
▼Which figure from this unboxing report do you all like the most? Who do you most want to get your hands on? Feel free to leave a comment and share with fellow enthusiasts!
Above is the latest unboxing report for Hasbro's Transformers "Studio Series". To all toy collector fans who love Transformers, if you like it, don't miss out! See you in the next unboxing report!