Moving on after the review on the fourth pack from the Gundam Construction Scene (MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM ガンダム大地に建つ) gashapon set, next up on the review list is also an item from a bundled set, but it's a Transformers figure instead. ^^
Transformers Specialist Decepticons: Galvatron
Production company: Takara Tomy
Release date: Late June 2014
Price: Asia market exclusive item. 11,880 Yen for a set of three: Galvatron, Astrotrain, and Octane
Official link
Merchandise link
This is Galvatron from Takara Tomy's limted Transformers Specialist Decepticons three figure boxed set, with the other two being Octane, and Astrotrain. Those who collected figures from the Henkei! Henkei! Transformers series which came out a couple of years back would recognize that these three Decepticons figures actually originated from that old product line (for reference: D-03 Astrotrain, D-05 Octane, and D-07 Galvatron). So, just like the Transformers Specialist Autobots set that came out at the same time, which features Ligier/Mirage, Ironhide, and Hound, Galvatron and his minions from this Decepticons set are just re-releases of their former Henkei! selves, albeit featuring renewed, shinier paint schemes. ^^
Of the three, Galvatron is the one I wanted the most, followed by Octane, and Astrotrain. ^^ Like the Walther P38 hand gun being Megatron's most iconic alternate mode (however silly that may be XD), a cannon platform is still the alternate mode I remember most about Galvatron, even though there were a couple of other modernized, arguably better incarnations in different anime series for the Decepticons boss. Excluding this Henkei version, I remember there was a tank version of Galvatron that came out a long time ago, although I'm not exactly clear of its details. ^^;
A video clip showing Galvatron and his insanity. ^^
Video clip is from Youtube. Follow this link to the website if you can't see anything.
While I was intrigued by its rather complex transformation sequence, the lack of Galvatron's iconic dark blue color on the original Henkei! release made me think twice about getting it. Of course, being a popular release in the series, to think twice before getting it meant Galvatron was already gone before I could regret pondering too much on whether to get it or not. ^^; There was a Universe - Classics 2.0 version of the same figure, with maroonish purple, orange and dark gray as its main colors, but I couldn't find it at all. ^^;
Luckily (in a way), the opportunity to get Galvatron returned when Takara Tomy announced this Specialist set. ^^ It was more tempting than before since Galvatron receives a change in its paint scheme that allows it to resemble its movie design more closely than its first release, with the color scheme has a lovely metallic shade to it as well. Then again, I wasn't too sure if getting it was going to possible, given its limited status. Also, the price of 11,880 Yen for the entire set when Galvatron is really the only one I wanted is very expensive. ^^;
Fortunately for me, I was able to discover a local seller who was selling Galvatron as an individual figure, and at a price that is relatively low for a limited item as well. ^^ Determined not to miss it again, I got the figure in a heartbeat. ^^ Since it was separated from its bundled set's box, the figure arrived with its folded instruction sheet in a simple zip bag. While I do prefer getting a complete, unopened set of collectibles for all my purchases, even if it means accepting one among them that I'm not interested in, I'll make an exception for Galvatron, since I really, really like this figure. ^^
Galvatron in robot mode straight out of its zip bag. ^^
The instruction sheet pack.
While the figure comes in robot mode, the instruction sheet shows how to transform him from tank mode instead. So, to transform him the first time, you'll need to follow the steps in reverse. ^^
The figure's image on the instruction sheet shows the cannon raised above the turret, which is the supposed configuration for the right shoulder in robot mode; the instruction illustration shows the cannon retracted inside the turret, which is the proper setup for that component in tank mode.
Some of the tank to robot mode transformation sequences.
Spring loaded cannon gimmick.
Since Galvatron's tank to robot mode transformation is more fun to play with (and to review ^^), I've transformed him into tank mode to show it off first. ^^
More images of Galvatron in tank mode:
Closeups on the details:
[Turret]
[Main gun]
[Hull]
[Tracks]
[Missiles]
[Back]
Bottom view:
Features of the tank mode:
The turret can be rotated for 360 degrees.
The ability of the turret to rotate does give the tank some "posability" ^^
With the help of a display stand (in this case Soul Stage Act 5 Action Support Type for Mechanics Clear Ver), even the tank mode is capable of showing off some bombastic poses, which in a way isn't too crazy since it's Galvatron. XD
Pushing down on the round button on top the mantlet allows the missile to be fired from the main gun.
The missile part is molded in the same color as the main gun.
The missile-less main gun looks much more closer to Galvatron's fusion cannon. ^^
The glacis plate and rear armor can be flipped upward for 90 degrees each, but I'm not really clear about the purpose behind this articulation feature.
The new paint work for this limited release is a bit sloppy on the two front track covers. ^^; The gray base color at the edge isn't covered up well. ^^;
There are plenty of delicate mechanical details sculpted on the entire tank, which are pretty impressive. ^^ Unfortunately, the light gray base color of the tank is not very helpful in revealing the details, making the tank appears bland-looking when viewed from afar. ^^;
Besides the turret being rotatable, and the spring loaded missile, there's no other interesting gimmick for the tank mode. ^^; That lack of gimmick is a disappointment, but not a serious one in my opinion. It's not like Galvatron's original cannon platform is able to do a lot in that mode either. ^^ To make the tank mode more interesting, I was hoping that the missile pod mounted behind the gun turret could have been designed to be movable, or the missile sets on the rear armored skirt were made to be removable. The latter would help to highlight the missiles' appearance on the tank mode better I believe. ^^
Comparison with a couple other Transformers figures from my collection:
With his arch-rival, Rodimus Prime from the United series in vehicle mode.
Just like Galvatron, Rodimus Prime was one of releases in the Henkei! series.
A tank having almost identical size as a race car is quite unrealistic: either the tank is too small, or the race car is too big. XD
With Rodimus Prime in robot mode.
Rodimus Prime's missile is larger than Galvatron's, so it's impossible to fit the former into Galvatron's main gun.
With "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" N.E.S.T. Decepticon Bludgeon in tank mode.
Being a Voyager Class figure, Bludgeon is much bigger than Galvatron.
Bottom view.
With Bludgeon in robot mode.
With "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" Voyager Class Megatron in vehicle mode.
Even though it's not as wide as Galvatron, Megatron is still much bigger overall, since it's also a Voyager Class figure like Bludgeon.
With Megatron in robot mode.
Galvatron's tank to robot mode transformation will be shown in the next part of this review series. ^^
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