When Takara Tomy, via their collector-oriented T-Spark brand, dropped the Synergenex line of brand collaboration products, several teases with the Monster Hunter game franchise were shown. I won’t pretend to be knowledgeable of the franchise and I’m not really interested with these collaborations, except for one. And we now got more details as pre-orders for Synergenex “TRANSFORMERS ✕ Monster Hunter” Liolæus Prime opened late last week.
For this collaboration, Optimus Prime manages to scan a flying wyvern Rathalos, or Liolæus as known in Japan and becomes Liolæus Prime (or Rathalos Prime for western nomenclature purists). We don’t often see Optimus Prime having a dragon-like beast mode (or “monster mode” because Monster Hunter) and is more common with his nemesis, Megatron. So, this is definitely something unique for the Autobot leader.
The figure stands at 136mm, which is probably around the size of a Deluxe-class mainline Transformers figure. While the size may disappoint some, it’s very much perfect for my collection, and they also compensate with the sculpted scale detail that carries from its monster mode, as well as the gradient paint work in the wings.
I have to deter any notes on the articulation once I get the figure on hand, but it appears to have a standard articulation scheme that should allow decent poses, especially when using its sword and shield, the former being inspired by the Charge Blade.
Speaking of weapons, the sword and shield can combine to form this axe-shaped weapon, which is very much a standard for Optimus Prime. Except that it’s made from scales instead of Energon.
The transformation into its Liolæus/Rathalos monster mode is on the more basic side. The arms are tucked away and are hidden by the shoulder armor, the head folds in and is replaced by the wyvern head hanging out at the back in robot mode, the robot mode legs fold and rotate to become the wyvern legs, and the tail is essentially the weapons combined and attached to the back.
Finally, it wouldn’t be an Optimus Prime figure without some sort of a Matrix accessory. This is a bit different though as instead of a Matrix of Leadership, Liolæus Prime comes with a Collaboration Matrix (or Matrix of Collaboration), which I guess represents brand unity and synergy?
We’ve seen much worse Optimus Prime figures coming from brand collaborations, so this one is totally fine in my book. It’s also at a scale and price point that’s not too hard on my wallet so I could definitely see this guy in my collection.
Synergenex Liolæus Prime (TRANSFORMERS ✕ Monster Hunter)
July 2025 / ¥6,500
Order from HobbyLink Japan
