Transformers Knock Offs!

Hate 'em, like 'em. Either way, they’re all over the store shelves. Gabe was once given by his grandfather on last year’s birthday, a particular Optimus Prime. It actually resembles the original G2 Optimus Prime, but in different color scheme.

So recently I tried on a few other Cybertron Legends Class knock offs, since they’re sold at a mere eight thousand rupiahs. Sadly, within just a minute out of packaging, they soon broke into pieces when we try transforming into alt modes. I had to patch up their joints so they would stay together, at least when not moved.

Just yesterday I found more knock offs being sold at Hypermart, surprisingly there were another Optimus Prime this time from Armada Series. I was intrigued to grab one and compare it with the original, but I soon laid my eyes on one particular toy called TRAINEMPRISE. I’ve seen the original but could not recall what it is. The mold is quite detailed, and so I took this one instead.

I was right, the Trainemprise is a direct copy from Transformers Universe Railracer (a combination of 6 Micromasters Railbots). The differences are in the head mold, and one of the Railbot which form the left arm. Color scheme also differ from the original releases both Hasbro and TakaraTomy.

I haven’t opened it so I could not tell at what quality this toy rates.
Update: I have opened it out of curiosity, and while the plastic quality is just okay, the molds do not exactly imitate the original. The detailing is visually okay, but most of the Railbots do not have movable arms! Only two which form the arms do have. Combinations are very limited just to form the Railracer robot, I simply couldn't combine the trains and the weapons into super train. There are no connectors and the holes don't even fit.

Generally speaking, if you really have to buy knock offs instead of the originals, you might want to consider these:

• Most are made of lower quality plastics. Higher price tag could mean better quality plastic and more detailed sculpt.
• Perhaps to avoid copyright infringments, manufactures make slight differences on their molds. However, I do find boxed knock offs directly copied from the originals down to their joint molds, but visibly measured far less in quality. The point is, pay careful attention in their details and features.
• Don't go for the money excuse. They look cheap and cost less at first, but eventually you'd be better saving for the originals instead.
  
• Knock offs are average choice for experimenting or practicing with your sculpt painting hobby.
  

The final verdict: knock offs are a definite no, no!

Meet the Autobots

Hello. My name is Optimus Prime, we are an autonomous mechanical toys from the planet Cybertron. But you can call us Autobots for short. I am a Voyager Class First Strike edition, a redeco of the original mold with a Generation-1 colors, which mostly covered in red with dark blue on the ankles, and the All Spark light blue on my chest and upper arms.

My first lieutenant, Jazz. He’s jacked up as a Premium Line Deluxe Class with striking silver paint job, very cool brass coloring visible on some of his body parts. He may be the shortest of the Autobots here, but the coolest looking one nonetheless.

Rescue Ratchet, my medical officer. He’s a new Voyager Class redeco, fairly similar to the old G1 looks. He’s the biggest of all the Voyager Class series. But don’t let the bulkish look turn you down, because he is more poseable and articulated than Jazz does.

This is Ironhide, my weapons specialist. He’s a lean mean fighting machine and a mighty fine Voyager Class Premium Series. Just take a look at those huge cannons on each of his arms. Combine the two and he’s got a BFG capable of shooting four projectile missiles! The Autobot insignia on his front hood is quite a nuisance, since it can be spotted too easily by suspecting Decepticons. He’s not very happy with that, but a fair trade for his overall better color enhancements.

And of course you’ve met your guardian, Bumblebee. Thanks to Mikaela’s critics he now comes with two variants, the Classic and the new 2008 Concept Camaro. He looks too dark in the Classic Camaro version, but he yields two cool projecting missiles which can either be mounted on his shoulders or held in his hands. The Concept version on the other hand sports a cannon which can automorph into a blade. In the end he looks much much cooler with his new look.

Gabe is unquestionably Jazz, while Mom is definitely Ironhide. Me? I’m probably more like Bumblebee. And which Autobot character are you?

Animation

“Dad, what is animation?” asked Gabe the other day.

“It’s a bunch of still images put together to produce movement.” I answered, at the same time thinking for alternative explanation.

“Dad, I don’t understand.. how can still images produce movement?”

I should have thought out alternative first.. but I skipped the mumbo jumbo.

“Cartoon movies are animations, too.” I replied instead.

“So animation is cartoon..” Gabe concluded.

“Not always…. say, I have an idea.. Let’s make an experiment with one of the Transformers..”

“What’s the idea?” Gabe looked intrigued.

“We’ll make a short animation of Bumblebee transforming from Camaro car..”

So I went to grab my old cellphone which has a built in VGA camera, took the Bumblebee car, and set up a chair as stage for the animation.

Gabe was curious.. wondering what was I up to?

But then after having taken a few snapshots of Bumblebee and showed Gabe in slideshow mode, he was so excited.

(click the image to view animation)

“Let me do another!” Gabe begged..

“I’ll make another animation, but watch carefully.. so then you can do it your own.”

I took another figure and make the animation. But Gabe could hardly wait, “Let me, let me, please.. Dad!”

“Okay, here we go.. you take the snapshot, I’ll transform it once at a time.”

“Why not me do it all?”

“Teamwork, son..”

“Can a person do this all by himself?”

“Of course… but it’s so much fun when we do it together..”

And here is the animation of Brawl transformation shot by Gabe.. neat!

(click the image to view animation)

Gabe and his 6th birthday

Earlier this month I had promised Gabe a Fraulein Idolmaster figure for his birthday present. Unfortunately I was told that it will only be available in June. So, to make it up, we brought Gabe to a toyshop owner’s home just a few blocks from ours and let him choose on his own. Gabe was picky enough but thankfully oom Stefanus was very patient while offering various toys. It took quite a while for us to wait until he made a choice. But it was an excellent choice, afterall.

A Transformer Bumblebee (movie version), with three additional S7 agents packed in Screen Battles series. Bumblebee is transformable into a Chevrolet Camaro. Whew! It took me an hour to figure out how to convert from robot mode to vehicle. I made a few mistakes at first, but good thing the toy is sturdy and can handle several wrong moves.

I need to mention to readers who happen to have this toy too, remember to pull the back first when trying to pull the front grill up. It serves as somekind of a locking mechanism, and that was what took my time the most.

Although we didn’t go out today, Gabe was having fun playing with Bumblebee. And so have we..

Smile for each new day!

Yotsuba just came accross with Optimus Prime and Jetfire and she teaches them a few motivational moves for meeting every day challenges in life.. ;-D