Top Ten 2012 Figure Highlights

2012, a year deserved to be highlighted. It is noticeable that my interest shifted from Gundam (or plastic model) into Transformers. I will highlight ten best figures I purchased during the year of 2012.

10. Candy Toys FFR Kamen Rider Decade and Diend

I was so lucky, my friend in Surabaya helped me to get these figures in his local toy store. CT version is much better than the normal one. The articulation is good and nice representation Kamen Riders in small size.

9. Animated Optimus Prime (both Voyager and Deluxe)

As Optimus-fetish collector, these two are hard to miss. Again, I am so lucky getting the Sons of Cybertron version in a very cheap price. The voyager also looks very well. Until now, I have no idea about Transformers Animated, but both of them already made me happy. You can check the review here: Animated Optimus Prime Comparison.

8. SD Wing Gundam Endless Waltz

I don’t remember if this one appeared in Endless Waltz OVA, even the design is far from this one. But this SD figure is very good. I love SD version better considering I am not really interested in MG counterpart.

7. EZ Collection TF Prime Autobot Set

Enough said, check the recently reviewed set here: EZ Collection TF Prime Autobot Set. My online seller helped me getting this set from Japan.

6. Hongli NG 1/100 00 Raiser

Surprisingly for a bootleg plastic model, he is far superior in articulation than MG version. He is so big and so bad. One of my earlier figure reviewed on my WordPress. Check it here: Hongli NG 1/100 00 Raiser.

5. WFC Cybertronian Optimus Prime and FoC Optimus Prime.

Aside from everything I said in the review, this Optimus Prime is much better than FoC version. But I can’t help to have both side by side because hey, they are from the same incarnation and I can’t ignore both of them. Check my review of both figures here:
WFC Cybertronian Optimus Prime
FoC Optimus Prime

4. SIC KT Kuuga Rising Ultimate

Yes, I already have this one, but still mint in box. As my habit to let all of my SIC KT collections in MIB condition, I don’t want to open this too. I hate Kuuga Rising Ultimate, a useless form upgrade seen in Decade’s movie. But the figure, is actually pretty cool. Very tempting for me to open it out of the box. The picture above taken from Hacchaka. Check his “so great” review here: SIC KT Kuuga Rising Ultimate.

3. DA-03 Voyager DOTM Optimus Prime

He is “are you nuts?” purchase I have done in 2012. Slightly retooled from Hasbro release and trailer included. No matter what, I am so happy to have this set. Check my review here: DA-03 Voyager DOTM Optimus Prime.

2. Minipla Gekitouja

I thought I never get this set forever, but again, the same person who helped me getting CT FFR Decade & Diend offered this set, which hard for me to resist. To make it even better, this set completed with RinLion and RinChameleon to create GekiRinTouja, one of the best mecha in Super Sentai history, ever!

1. DX Dino Megazord 2010

This is my long time wishlist. Together with minipla Gekitouja, I never thought I finally own this. I almost give up getting this figure because of expensive price and its rare status. Thank God, I found one seller on Facebook group, and without hesitation I bought this childhood memorabilia. Yes I know this is 2010, but I chose this over original DX figure since this is updated version. Check my review here: DX Dino Megazord 2010.

That’s my top ten figures of 2012. I have to admit that I was so lucky to have all figures I mention here, considering I will slowly reduced my collecting habit, starting to settle my future to have a family. But I hope everything continues well in 2013.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013 TO YOU ALL!!!

EZ-SP1 TF Prime Autobot Set

This is the easiest way to complete your set of Autobot team from Transformers Prime Cyberverse line. Known as EZ Collection in Japan, This set contains 2 commander class and 4 legion class figures which are Optimus Prime, Bulkhead, Rachet, Arcee, Bumblebee, and surprisingly Wheeljack, instead of Cliffjumper. Yes, this set has its counterpart which is Decepticon Set and strangely contains Cliffjumper corrupted with dark energon. Too bad, I didn’t pick the second set because this one itself is already quite expensive. But far cheaper than buying them separately.

Six Autobots and they look nice. Well, it is always nice to have complete team (technically without Cliffjumper, luckily I have bought it separately), and with accurate paint job.

1. Optimus Prime

I thought this one was going to be the same, but no. This is Optimus Prime without mouthplate. I find it strange but that’s make my collection of Cyberverse Prime Optimus Prime (gee, try to say the name many times) different one to another.  I already reviewed Hasbro counterpart, and also I already have Nightwatch version (which is nowhere near night).

From the left, Nightwatch version (different color and has mouth sculpt instead of mouthplate). in the middle Optimus from this set, and to the right original Cyberverse version. You can differentiate them from their head. Nice decision from Takara to make Optimus from this set without mouthplate. Although the weapon remains the same, still having this Prime with accurate color but without mouthplate is a great touch.

2. Bulkhead

Nothing to complain, other than tight joint at the beginning. I believe his Cyberverse (or EZ) incarnation is much better than his Voyager counterpart. This figure has a translucent mace which is his signature weapon. Yes, I do not like translucent weapons, but oh well. Together with Optimus, he is a commander class figure from Cyberverse line. His articulation is as expected, limited but satisfying. And I think his vehicle mode is show-accurate.

3. Rachet

This one is from legion class, now we have articulation problem. Rachet is actually good, but limited articulation ruins it. I don’t know why between commander and legion, they also have to differentiate their figure’s articulations. I believe the weapon, a translucent blade, is similar to Cliffjumper’s weapon. Still, Rachet is simple to transform and quite nice to pose.

4. Bumblebee

This one blew. Bumblebee is a disappointing figure from this set. I hate the fact that he doesn’t have knee joint. His vehicle mode is cool, but his robot mode is the other way around. This one cannot live up his series’ counterpart as Autobot Team’s scout which is highlighted from his agility. He is almost a brick, a small painful brick.

5. Arcee

For legion scale, Arcee is the complete opposite of Bumblebee. Yes, she has kibble in her back, a big one. She is better in articulation and her transformation is complex but not that difficult. The blaster for Arcee is the same for Bumblebee. To be honest, her scale together with Bulkhead ruin the set’s realistic appearance in size. But the problem is already carried from the series, can’t help. I wish Hasbro or Takara included small rider figure (Jack) to accompany her vehicle mode. Motorcycle runs without a rider is creepy.

6. Wheeljack

Why it is not Cliffjumper is understandable, Wheeljack is crucial addition to the set. It is not Hyperspeed Whelljack with different paint job, it’s Wheeljack in correct color and correct weapon. I am amazed to find the fact that his transformation is almost identical to his deluxe figure.

The box includes background card which is their base to be posed with the figure, but I find it useless. Overall, this set is fantastic. Six Autobots have their own characteristics which are good (save for Bumblebee). Definitely worth buying it.

Deluxe Class TF Prime Wheeljack

Unlike any other Autobots that exist within Transformers Prime series, this ex-wreckers member is surely a bada** to be noted. Always choose the rough way, tend to work alone, and one heck of a fighter, with sword!

The figure is just as bada** as the character appears in the series. The sculpt is good, truly resembles Lancia Stratos. Little paint-job with white dominant color are effective, I like the details given in it. One feature that I find very useful that the swords can be stored either in vehicle mode or in robot mode. That is very convenient!

Vehicle mode is cool, this is what you have expected from this figure.

The transformation is a little bit painful, but still satisfying in every senses.

This figure is a must have, and I think this is the best deluxe class figure from TF Prime series. No major complain here and this figure is just bada**!