Weekend Plastic Modeling by Voice Actor Taiyuki! The 2nd "I have a good idea" Great commander is plastic modeled! I made "OPTIMUS PRIME (ATTACK MODE)"!

When you are a working adult, you tend to have a lot of plastic models piled up in your busy life. ...... In this series, Yasuyuki Tai, a voice actor who loves robots and plastic models, takes on the challenge of building plastic models on your behalf!

The concept is "even busy working people can make it this far on their weekends off. There are only two rules: bare bones assembly and a production period of one to two days!　If you read this series, you will surely find the plastic model you want to build.

So, "Weekend Plastic Model Making by Voice Actor Taiyuki! Let's start the second installment!

Part 2: "OPTIMUS PRIME [ATTACK MODE]" from the "FUTAI MODEL" series

Hey, plastic model enthusiasts! Have you ever heard of "Transformers"?

The original series of toys by toy manufacturer Takara (now Takara Tomy), such as "Diaclone" and "Microman," were given new characters and worldviews, and developed into toys in the United States under the name "TRANSFORMERS," as well as being comicalized and animated, In 1985, the series was renamed "Transformers" and was released under the name "Battle: Super Robot Life Form Transformers!　Transformers" in 1985, and a Japanese dubbed version of the series began as "Battle! In 2007, the first live-action Hollywood-produced movie was released, and as of 2019, the Japanese dubbed version of the "Transformers Cyberverse" anime is still available on YouTube, making it one of the titles with a long history.

Especially in the first animated film, sports cars and boomboxes transform into robots with a unique "gigagogo" sound effect, but the "OPTIMUS PRIME [ATTACK MODE]" (hereafter, Optimus Prime) from FlameToys' "Wind and Lightning Models" series introduced here, It is an ambitious kit that dares to omit the deformation and focuses on the arrangement of styling and mobility.

I've said this up front, but first, please take a look at the package!

At first glance, you can tell that it is Optimus Prime by the weapons, the coloring, and the words "TRANSFORMERS," but look at the illustration of the main body!　It doesn't look familiar, does it?

On the back is a picture of the finished product. Luxurious packaging with full-color printing throughout!

As you can see, the runner has a variety of parts in the colors that symbolize Optimus Prime, and the clear parts and tire parts in the second photo are very interesting!

By the way, the material used is ABS, except for the clear parts.

In addition, there are stickers with a metallic shine and a full-color printed assembly instruction manual.

The full-color printing makes it easy to read!　Let's go ahead and assemble it! Let's start assembling with gusto!

Highlights from the first assembly!　Clear parts are sandwiched between red armor parts and dark gray frame parts!　What a structure!

The frame parts also have matrix details. This attention to detail is almost invisible when assembled!

The joints of the legs and arms are structured as shown in the figure, and depending on your ingenuity, it may be possible to insert the joints later (post-frame processing).

Be careful of the direction of the tires. Check the front and back of the black parts before attaching them to the wheels. The photo on the right shows a correctly assembled tire. In the photo on the left, you can see that there is a gap between the tire and the wheel.

Do not overlook the instructions for attaching the stickers as well as the assembly. It might be a good idea to use a toothpick or something to adhere the stickers on top of the details along the details. Perhaps because I applied the stickers without cleaning the parts, they were a little easy to peel off, but cleaning the parts with neutral detergent will help a little. In other plastic kits and toys, cleaning the parts where the stickers are to be applied may help the stickers stick better.

So, after completing the blocks for each part, it is time for final assembly!　Notice that the torso is divided into four blocks: chest, abdomen, abdomen and waist!

Completed!　It is Optimus Prime!　The arrangement is tremendous!　And yet, no matter how you look at it, it is the first Optimus Prime!　The arrangement that captures the symbols well and the characteristic coloring do not deviate from the character Optimus Prime!

Incidentally, the design and arrangement were created by Tetsu Amemiya, a member of the animation production studio TRIGGER.

The robotic life form is now more reminiscent of a living organism. The Autobot insignia on the shoulder is reproduced with stickers. The metallic stickers on each part of the figure reflect the light and make the figure look even more presentable.

The shoulder panels extending backward are impressive, but this part, the tires on the waist, and the tanks on the legs are probably homages to the first-generation Optimus Prime toys. If you have the so-called "G1 Toy," please pull it out once again and compare it with the original.

In the center of the back is a part reminiscent of a spine.

The antennae on the left and right sides of the head can be moved slightly to create an angle similar to that of the first model, as shown in the left photo. The right side is the correct position according to the instruction manual.

The torso is divided into four blocks, including the waist, and can be bent back and forth as shown.

Further twists can be added. Or, as I say, 360° rotation is possible under the chest.

The shoulder joints on the torso side have a built-in sliding pull-out gimmick and swing gimmick.

The commander is wildly excited, saying, "Whoa! and the range of motion around the shoulders, not that the commander is roughing it. On the left, the arm is raised directly above the shoulder by rotating the shoulder joint. The arm can rotate 360° as it is.

The photo shows an attempt to raise the arm horizontally. The shoulder exteriors can be raised slightly, so the arms can be raised almost to the horizontal.

Punch!" But the elbow is movable. The elbows are double-jointed and can be moved up to 180 degrees.

The elbows are double-jointed and can be snapped around the wrists. It's a great way to add facial expressions to the figure.

The waist of the figure stands in a sturdy S-shape. The front bumper is completely covered by the robot's front armor. The tires on the outside of the thigh blocks are a homage to the anime version, as mentioned above.

The legs have considerably more surface than the original design. This will look great when posing the figure.

The ankle bumps and slit-like design around the shins are also typical of Optimus.

The hip joints are also movable, making it possible to use the figure in S-stance.

The toes are separate parts, so as you can see, the grounding is excellent!

Included weapons are an axe and a gun. This time it is a physical axe, not an energy axe. The tires and tank on the side are well designed. The gun is also interesting to compare with the toy version.

The Axe can be held on the wrist of the weapon holder by removing some parts of the grip. The gun can be held on the weapon wrist without removing any parts.

The weapon can also be mounted on the back via an attachment. The gun can also be mounted on the waist.

Now that we have explained the various parts of the figure, let us show you some posed shots that take advantage of the range of motion!

Iron fist!

High kick!

Axe can reach out even when mounted.

This is his weapon of choice!

His knees can bend nearly 100 degrees, so he can even stand on his knees.

He's not going to get away!　Megatron!"

So far, the kit was just assembled according to the instructions, but after just an hour or two of inking, it will look like this. ↓↓↓

The details stand out and the tight body looks even tighter. This time, we used GSI Creos' "Gundam Marker Pouring Pen Gray" and Sakura Craypas' "PIGMA 0.05mm" pen for the inking. I used the Gundam marker "Sumi Injection Pen" by GSI Creos and "PIGMA 0.05mm" by Sakura Craypas.

The original modeling was very crisp and clear, but now it is even crisper!

What do you think of the effect of the inking?

Even the face is so dignified, and the structures around the chest are clearly defined!

You may choose to ink only the light-colored parts such as gray and red to make it easier.

I highly recommend that you ink the wheels!

Now that the wheels are inked, let's pose for more shots!

Okay, I have an idea.

Now you're ready!"

Whoa!

I found it!　Megatron!

Whoa!

Ding!

Someone in the Decepticons' army "Gah!"

Sorry about that. I got carried away taking pictures and ended up with a lot of images. I'm sorry to say, but this Optimus Prime is a very interesting figure. The more he poses, the cooler he looks, so I just kept pressing the shutter one after another!

Finally, here is a mode that is not included in the manual, but that I tried for my own personal enjoyment.

No, I wondered what it would look like if it transformed into vehicle mode with this style, so I tried to recreate the trailer cab form by removing the head and arms and replacing both legs. However, the wheels do not touch the ground because it is not designed that way. I just wanted to see what it would look like if it were transformed.

Since this Optimus Prime is the first model for "Kaze Rai Models," some parts felt a little loose in the snap-fit joints, but after fixing those parts with ABS adhesive, the parts came off less often, and it was more fun to photograph.

By the way, why did I consistently refer to this figure as "Optimus Prime"? Actually, this product is an item for the overseas market licensed by FlameToys under license from Hasbro, so it is only "OPTIMUS PRIME" in the "TRANSFORMERS" category. Therefore, this item is not distributed in Japan and is difficult to obtain without using parallel import stores or overseas mail order sites.
FlameToys has been selling "KUROKARAKURI", a Transformers alloy figure (personally, I want StarSaber!). But with this "OPTIMUS PRIME," FlameToys has begun to offer a full-fledged lineup of assembly kits that require no glue!　The lineup is increasing one after another.

The second "STARSCREAM" has even more precision, and I can't take my eyes off future developments!

It is truly "EXITING TRANSFORMERS!

I also dubbed for "Transformers Prime" and "Transformers Adventure" and host Transformers events, so if you are interested, please check them out as well!

Product Information
Flame Toys Transformers Optimus Prime
Now on sale
Height: approx. 15.5cm
Available from: Flame Toys
Not distributed in Japan.

<Profile of Yuuki Tai

Voice actor born on October 6, 1977.

He has appeared in "Toukendanbu-ONLINE-" Sousan Left Character, Tarotachi, "Bungo to Alchemist" Haruo Sato, "Yume Oukoku to 100 no Ojinsama" Latria, "The 3rd Super Robot Taisen Alpha: The Last Galaxy" Quavray Gordon, "Jusou Kiki Goukou Dancouga Nova" Johnny Barnett, "Super Robot Life Form Transformer Prime" Foil Jack, Beacon, "Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny" Chen Jian Yi, and many others.