X-Transbots Krank - Pictorial Review
Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 7:03 amX-Transbots Krank is the first release of their new Master Mini series, a line that represents a bold new direction from their previous forays in the tiny plastic giant robot market. Aimed at discerning Masterpiece collectors, these products blend nostalgia with modern engineering and a keen eye for the fine line in between.
Krank is a tough one to tackle, but an admirable challenge to start with. Inspired by a grumpy orange and purple bot with a chibi alt mode, X-Transbots opted for a realistic interpretation of an actual truck. That’s a polarizing choice, but one that many fans are glad they made. But how’s the rest of it? What about the plastic quality and the articulation? What are the special features? Do I have any transformation tips? Cool pictures?
Read on to find out!
ALTERNATE MODE
X-Transbots Krank is a realistic truck, based on this Dodge.
It was chosen due to the cab forward design, the tilt of the windows, and a few other features that are apparent on the toy of a certain mini robot from a 1980s cartoon show that you might be familiar with.
I’m really impressed by how much that matches up, and it satisfies both my want of close-to-cartoon-accurate and an alt mode that doesn’t look dumb on a Masterpiece shelf.
On a shelf next to a COE semi, a Lamborghini Countach, and a Nissan Fairlady Z, Krank looks more like a truck than a toy.
ROBOT MODE
X-Transbots Krank’s robot mode dances between homage and update, and it’s a dance on a tightrope above a chasm of very particular fans.
And those fans have good reason to be particular here. Takara’s Masterpiece line has definitive representations of G1 characters, blending the look of both the original cartoon and the original toys. When you look at a Masterpiece TF, you know exactly who it is. Optimus might have covered wheels jutting out from his legs, Sideswipe might have a wide torso, and Prowl might have optional shoulder cannons, but they’re absolutely Optimus, Sideswipe, and Prowl.
And besides, who wants complete G1 cartoon accuracy?
People that probably haven’t watched the G1 cartoon in a while. Animation errors can’t be blamed for everything.
So the lesson here is not to sweat the small stuff when it comes to toy robot details, as long as they hit the high notes on the character details. I don’t care that the Masterpiece Seekers have hip kibble at worst and sliding leg kibble at best, so X-Transbots Krank having wheels on his legs isn’t that big of an issue for me.
However! I have heard that the wheels were not designed to fold away because of a parts budget limitation. For the first release of a new product line, going with a less expensive first foot forward is understandable, but collectors of tiny plastic giant robots would be more than willing to pay for a small per unit price increase if it meant a better looking robot mode. The wheels on the legs seem to be one of the main complaints about Krank, so hopefully X-Transbots is paying attention.
Collectors will pay a little more if it means a better bot!
And yet, like I said, the wheels aren’t a big issue. Well, let me rephrase that. For me, the wheels were only an issue when considering whether to purchase Krank or Stax.
That’s important for potential customers, but once I actually got them in hand, the wheels didn’t bother me. After a few days of having Krank and Stax, the wheels don’t even look out of place.
But how is the rest of it? Honestly, really great.
When I first saw the chrome I thought it would be good for Stax but it seemed out of place for Krank. Silver paint seemed better, or at least more appropriate.
But in hand, the chrome is awesome! Krank has big, burly arms and the shiny gleam accentuates them. Combine that with the vibrant orange of the glossy plastic, the pleasant palette of the purple and blues, and Krank is an eye catching display piece. I really thought Krank would be second banana to Stax, but so far they’re neck and neck for different reasons. We’ll get into Stax more in the next post, and while he seems to be the more popular purchase among collectors, I hope these high quality pictures help you consider Krank if you haven’t already.
Continued in the next post!
~Matt Booker
Krank is a tough one to tackle, but an admirable challenge to start with. Inspired by a grumpy orange and purple bot with a chibi alt mode, X-Transbots opted for a realistic interpretation of an actual truck. That’s a polarizing choice, but one that many fans are glad they made. But how’s the rest of it? What about the plastic quality and the articulation? What are the special features? Do I have any transformation tips? Cool pictures?
Read on to find out!
ALTERNATE MODE
X-Transbots Krank is a realistic truck, based on this Dodge.
It was chosen due to the cab forward design, the tilt of the windows, and a few other features that are apparent on the toy of a certain mini robot from a 1980s cartoon show that you might be familiar with.
I’m really impressed by how much that matches up, and it satisfies both my want of close-to-cartoon-accurate and an alt mode that doesn’t look dumb on a Masterpiece shelf.
On a shelf next to a COE semi, a Lamborghini Countach, and a Nissan Fairlady Z, Krank looks more like a truck than a toy.
ROBOT MODE
X-Transbots Krank’s robot mode dances between homage and update, and it’s a dance on a tightrope above a chasm of very particular fans.
And those fans have good reason to be particular here. Takara’s Masterpiece line has definitive representations of G1 characters, blending the look of both the original cartoon and the original toys. When you look at a Masterpiece TF, you know exactly who it is. Optimus might have covered wheels jutting out from his legs, Sideswipe might have a wide torso, and Prowl might have optional shoulder cannons, but they’re absolutely Optimus, Sideswipe, and Prowl.
And besides, who wants complete G1 cartoon accuracy?
People that probably haven’t watched the G1 cartoon in a while. Animation errors can’t be blamed for everything.
So the lesson here is not to sweat the small stuff when it comes to toy robot details, as long as they hit the high notes on the character details. I don’t care that the Masterpiece Seekers have hip kibble at worst and sliding leg kibble at best, so X-Transbots Krank having wheels on his legs isn’t that big of an issue for me.
However! I have heard that the wheels were not designed to fold away because of a parts budget limitation. For the first release of a new product line, going with a less expensive first foot forward is understandable, but collectors of tiny plastic giant robots would be more than willing to pay for a small per unit price increase if it meant a better looking robot mode. The wheels on the legs seem to be one of the main complaints about Krank, so hopefully X-Transbots is paying attention.
Collectors will pay a little more if it means a better bot!
And yet, like I said, the wheels aren’t a big issue. Well, let me rephrase that. For me, the wheels were only an issue when considering whether to purchase Krank or Stax.
That’s important for potential customers, but once I actually got them in hand, the wheels didn’t bother me. After a few days of having Krank and Stax, the wheels don’t even look out of place.
But how is the rest of it? Honestly, really great.
When I first saw the chrome I thought it would be good for Stax but it seemed out of place for Krank. Silver paint seemed better, or at least more appropriate.
But in hand, the chrome is awesome! Krank has big, burly arms and the shiny gleam accentuates them. Combine that with the vibrant orange of the glossy plastic, the pleasant palette of the purple and blues, and Krank is an eye catching display piece. I really thought Krank would be second banana to Stax, but so far they’re neck and neck for different reasons. We’ll get into Stax more in the next post, and while he seems to be the more popular purchase among collectors, I hope these high quality pictures help you consider Krank if you haven’t already.
Continued in the next post!
~Matt Booker
