Many collectors agree that Hod Rod from the ’86 subline of Transformers Studio Series is one of the best figures in the line so far. I also shared the same sentiment, but that wasn’t enough reason for me to get a copy. And it looks like I should’ve have since they’ve announced its follow up, sort of.
Initial leaks a week prior to posting suggests that Rodimus Prime is going to be released under the Transformers Generations – War for Cybertron: Kingdom line instead of Studio Series ’86. While I don’t have any issue with this as figures from both lines are cross compatible visually and functionally, it strikes me as an odd choice given that Rodimus Prime did appear in the climax of The Transformers: The Movie. In any case, the figure is likely a retool of the previously released Hot Rod and will have all the nuances of Rodimus Prime.
Most notable of these changes is, of course, the inclusion of a trailer. As mentioned, I don’t have a copy of Studio Series Hot Rod though I can tell that there are definite changes, especially on the larger rear side. This also allows the larger trailer section to be hitched with a couple of pegs as seen.
Speaking of the trailer, it also has the battle station gimmick that the original 1986 figure had. Rodimus Prime can stand and control the large twin-barrel cannon with hands that appear to have knuckle joints. Speaking of hands, the trigger finger has been given a separate joint from the other fingers, a feature you’d previously see on Masterpiece releases, blurring the line between those and mainline figure even more.
Oh, and in case you didn’t see it in the first image, Rodimus Prime is a Commander Class figure, which basically means it costs more than your standard Leader Class figure. I guess this guy has more features that goes beyond the Leader Class price point.
Transformers Generations – War for Cybertron: Kingdom Rodimus Prime
August 2021 / ¥14,300
