While this year’s All Japan Model & Hobby Show is happening this weekend, last weekend was Hasbro doing their own reveals with Pulse Con 2023. Out of everything revealed last week, I’m interested in only two, at least from Transformers Legacy: United. First is obviously Animated Universe Optimus Prime and the other is a new character called Magneous, or Infernac Universe Magneous as its officially called.
The Infernac Universe is home to these creatures made from living rocks and minerals, who can also transform to vehicles, and combine with Cybertronnians as “Armorizers.” If you recall, Legacy: Evolution introduced “Weaponizers,” figures that can break up into components to become weapons for your other Transformers. Armorizers are basically the same where they break up to become additional armor (as well as weapons) for your other Transformers figures.
With that said, why am I interested, to the point of pre-ordering a copy, with Magneous over here?
Well, I think Magneous is basically an Optimus Prime-esque character within the Infernac Universe, or at least in my head-canon.
Magneous and Optimus have some similar design elements. Both have pectoral regions made from symmetrical elements where Magneous’ becomes the front wheels in vehile mode while Optimus’ are the windows. They also have the same Prime-esque headsculpt, complete with mouth plate and forehead crest. Lastly, both have the same vent-like details in the legs.
Before going into more specifics, let’s quickly show the Armorizer gimmick through the packaging above. As mentioned, they’re exactly the same as the Weaponizers that it makes me think the need to rename the gimmick.
Despite itself turning into armor and weapons for other Transformers, Magneous also has its own set of weapons. It primarily uses its rock axe as melee weapon although, as you can see above, it has pegs to mount it directly to the arm. Not sure if it’s intended to be a crossbow-like weapon but at least there are options. Its other accessory is a shield that comes from the top section of its vehicle mode. I’m sure protective shielding used in the windshield can also double as an actual shield in combat.
The modular nature of this figure means that some components can also become weapons in vehicle mode, like this configuration that looks like a battering ram connected to the front bumper.
Transformers Generations – Legacy: United Infernac Universe Magneous
January 2024 / $24.99
If I’ll use with the same purchasing justification for other Transformers figures, then I should also pre-order this humongous transforming figure that is Doragus.
