Optimus is an anime protagonist again.

So the new Netflix series is counted as an anime. While that’s a bit weird, I’m still excited for it because the trailer looked promising. Also, because there’s a series with all the Siege designs in them, all the Transformers from the Siege line are now completely necessary for my collection.

My wallet weeps blood.

Well I got my grubby little hands on a copy of the star of the trailer himself, Optimus Prime. Let’s take a look at this slick redesign of the old hero.

Vehicle mode

Optimus is a Cybertronian truck but he feels less like a Cybertronian vehicle and more like a tricked out Earth vehicle. Which he kinda is according to the Siege story, right? He looks like you took a bunch of Cybertronian tech and weapons then just mashed them onto a normal truck.

The vehicle mode is well put together and there’s almost no robot mode kibble visible, even on the underside. Also, there are minimal gaps and broken panel lines in truck mode. This Cybertronian truck looks good.

For playability, Optimus obviously has a bunch of sculpted weaponry on the front but he can also store all his accessories in this mode. He rolls on all six of his wheels as well.

Transformation

This was a shocker cause it’s not your typical Optimus transformation. The legs are pretty standard but the cab has some pretty unique twists and turns for a G1/CHUG Optimus.

Robot mode

Optimus… looks like Optimus in robot mode. He looks very standard Optimus in robot mode despite looking decidedly not standard Optimus in vehicle mode. He’s also one of the best looking Optimus figures period, including MPs.

Seriously, look at him compared to the downsized Masterpiece Optimus. The mold itself is just as pretty to look at and he’s almost as well painted as the downsized MP. He’s only missing the chrome and he arguably has more paint since he’s got all those battle damage paint apps.

Optimus is impressively posable. He’s pretty much on par with the KBB MP10-V. His head rotates 360° as well as go up and down. His arms rotate at the shoulders as well as go in and out. He has bicep swivels, bending elbows and rotating fists. He has a rotating waist. His legs rotate as well as go in and out at the hips. He rotates at the thighs and bends at the knees. His feet can pivot side to side and his toes and heels bend forward.

Gimmicks

The main thing the Siege line had was battle damage paint apps and hardpoints for blast effects that come with the Siege Battle Masters. Optimus looks super dirty because he’s got a lot of scuff marks and scratches. Optimus also has a bunch of those hardpoints so you can make him look like he’s getting wrecked even harder.

The other thing was the weapons. Optimus comes with a pretty standard looking Ion Cannon and a nifty shield that turns into long-handled axe. The cannon is nice enough but the shield/axe is way more fun than I thought it’d be because it has a simple but fun transformation between modes.

Toy or collectible?

Optimus is a collectible and he’s definitely gonna be loved by adult collectors. He’s a complex and pretty pricey Transformer that’s aimed at older collectors. Optimus has insane articulation for a mainline figure, has a bunch of paint (maybe a bit too much) and has a surprisingly complex transformation.

Closing

Siege Optimus is actually an incredible Transformer but with Earthrise Optimus out, you’d probably wanna go get that if you want a more traditional Optimus. But with so many options for a Voyager sized traditional Optimus, it’s nice that this one is unique enough that he’s not totally redundant.

You should totally get your hands on a Siege Optimus. Especially with the new cartoon that’s coming soon. Oh, I’m sorry.

Anime.