Maybe it's sacrilege, mixing a Japan exlcusive with a decade old Botcon set, but when I saw the new Lio Prime pictures, I wanted to know what he would look like next to the blocky Energon and Cybertron molds matching some of his fellow Maximals. Of course, no one in Japan is likely to have access to those molds, so with William-James' encouragement, it falls to me to answer that.
Before I get into the photo blitz though, I wanted to do a quick review. I passed on Alpha Trion, as the figure just felt like it was trying to do too many things, and I already have the Botcon figure, so this is my first experience with the mold. And by and large, it does not dissappoint.
:MAXIMAL:
First off, the unboxing. There's just something elegant about TakTom's packaging, being tailored to the size of the figure.
Also a nice touch, is the Headmaster in the window.
Out of package, Everything is held in place by a plastic shell. Getting into this is a lot easier than Hasbro's bands, but its not quieter. And it takes more plastic, which is a shameful waste. But with all the Gold paint, not having to hook the elastic bands with a pair of nippers is very nice.
Teh Instruction Booklet and comic. I can't read it, so I didn't open it.
His Lion Mode is sadly not much to go on. Considering this is
Lio Prime, this is unfortunate. I knew this going in, but how stiff and immobile the front leg is still hits ya, and the back leg's Cargo Shorts look is more posable, but still lacking the whole Lion thing.
While we're here, take a good look at the blue gun. That's the last you'll see it. Some numbskull set it off to the side and then completely forgot to put it in ANY of the following 50 pictures. D'oh!
The Sword Hilt slots into a groovein his pelvic armor. The whoel Sword tail thing is not new to Lionformers or Beastformers in general, but I look at figures like Cyb Snarl, who pegged the sword into something and gained some kind of articulation. That said, this is a gorgeous sword, and I hope we see it again a few more times. Maybe with a green blade and a purple hilt, a la Energon Megatron's Sword.
The red Gun fits onto the Bridge tower via two thin tabs. We've seen this in pictures, and those of you with the Alhpa Trion Mold know this. Takara's run fits very tightly, as it should. But already, you can see the white paint is rubbing off the tabs and revealing they are in fact clear plastic. or, it may already have rubbed off in the factory. I'm not overly fond of these oversized guns anyway. I like the way it looks hanging from Lio's back in Robot Mode (later picture) and its not bad in his Carrier Mode, but this is one more reason I could do without it.
Lio's short neck and head, the split lower main, and mix of colors give him a look like some Asian depictions. I question the Unicorn horn, however, but I dig the red eyemask. The hands are both obvious and useless. In theory, if he had a whole hand, one could peg something into the bottom of his fist like he was biting it. But he has the more anthropomophic designs where there is no plastic below the "thumbs", so anything with a short peg flops in his jowels. Again, another nitpick, but its something UI would have used it for.
Lio's Carrier Mode. I like that he gets a hydrofoil for a kickstand. It adds a neat touch.
In some ways, this Lio is an accidental Transmetal Homage. It's clear that the Carrier mode was the original primary mode, rather than the Lion, but the asthetics of having bits of one mode mixed into the other ring true.
Lio's Robot Mode. I Really like how this came out. The Gold trim looks great. I think, just to make it stand out, I woulda liked the Maximal Insignea a different color, but it looks very good.
Antlers up. I HATE these things, only because the spring release button (The chest crystal) is TOUCH. EE. That, and I don't like the way they accent the head. I don't like the way ANY of them accent the head, and that includes the Astrotrain and Octane molds as well.
With Sword and gun
On my figure, the antlers/head dress will catch part way. It makes them look less obvious, but I am still not sold on them.
:MAXIMAL:
And now, for the fun stuff!
Lio, with Cybertron Longrack and a white Minicon who's color scheme lends himself very well to being Stampy. Why is Stampy a jet? I dunno. But the white and metallic arctic blueare right up Stampy's alley.
the honest truth is that I have been using this "Stampy" stand in for almost as long as I have had the Longrack figure. but the fact that Lio is now an aircraft carrier only compliments further.
Lio, Longrack, and "Stampy"
Lio, alongside DoFP Optimus Primal
Lio and Primal in robot modes. I wanted to show the difference in thickness between the two figures. Admittedly, the CYB mold is known for its backpack kibble.
Lio, Primal, and other assorted DoFP Maximals.
Carrier Mode with "Stampy", TFCC Airazor, and DepthCharge
:BOT:
Lio, Primal, and Combiner Wars Prime
Lio, wearing the Diac head, and Combiner Wars Optimus Prime. One of the things I remember seeing ont he forums was that people didn't like him reusing the same head as Convobat. For what its worth, I agree, but thats a figure I don't have, and I like having Lio's noggin different than Prime's AND Primal's
However, for those interested, face swapping is really easy.
The Colors don't quite match, however.
Can YOU tell?
All in all, I am very happy with this figure. Even if the lion mode is unposable and the headdress is annoying. ios he the best Lio Prime homage we've gotten since the original figure? Without owning the others, I definately put this one above the Prime version, as it offers more play value for me. the repaint of Cybertron Liobreaker is more faithful to the original Lio, being an actually intended Lion transformer and having no other alt mode kibble, but both modes are equally less posable, and he's saddled with a shape that doesn't quite match Lio's own. As to some of the other indirect Beast Wars Homages, the Lion mode does sorta stick out amongst the race cars and planes, and the level of detailling is noticably much higher. But he's got all the added bulky proportions the 10 year old figures do. The Lion shoulders capture the essence of his character, and he's still got a workable vehicle mode to fall on. I think overall, he'll fit into my collection just fine.
Thanks for looking!
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