Takara Animated Ultra Magnus review
 

Ah yes...my first review...who's surprised at the choice? No one? Good. Let's do this thang...

Robot Mode

http://i54.tinypic.com/2a6ry15.jpg

Ok so most of us who collected TF: Animated may already have this mold in their collection, but how does the Japanese version compare? Well...like most of the TFA Takara releases...more or less the same...but shiny. So let's do a comparison shall we?


http://i53.tinypic.com/2d1obxs.jpg

You can see here that the paint app locations are the exact same between the 2 figures with the exception the shiny light blue paint added on the cab and replacing the white paint on the abs & thighs, the shiny darker blue paint added on the chest and helmet, and shiny red paint on the Elite Guard Autobot ensignia.


http://i52.tinypic.com/ie17xf.jpg

What I would like to point out here is that the blue used on the Takara version is also much bright and seems to have a metallic feel too it, akin to the red used on Universe Sideswipe (a nice domestic example if you got one).


Vehicle Mode

http://i52.tinypic.com/2ztbxo2.jpg
http://i55.tinypic.com/20j4az8.jpg
http://i56.tinypic.com/2j11yxz.jpg
http://i52.tinypic.com/2cboco.jpg

Still the same armored military vehicle but seems even less military with all the added glitz and glam. Though whats funny to note here is that the Taraka version DOES have one piece that's the same blue plastic as the Hasbro version and that's the liiiittle flap that curls behind the cab, at the side. Why it's the only piece is beyond me.

Final Thoughts
Well...as most of the Takara Animated line, I'm not blown away. He's less accurate then his on screen appearance (darker blue, white cab), and sure the Hasbro version isn't perfect either (having a powderish blue instead of white plastic) but all the Takara version did was take that inaccuracy, blow it up, and throw it in your face.

Don't get me wrong though, the metallic blue plastic and the shiny dark blue paint I like quite well though, so if this figure has any saving grace it's those. It's still a great mold but considering the Hasbro version you can probably get as low as $30 and this one will run you closer to $80 I'd stick to the American version for TFA Ultra Magnus.

....nice display piece but really only a must get if you're an insane Ultra Magnus completionist but I doubt there's many more out there.

Re: Takara Animated Ultra Magnus
 

Is the voice clip japanese?

Re: Takara Animated Ultra Magnus
 

Wish I could tell ya but mine doesn't seem to want to talk or light up at all... :(

Re: Takara Animated Ultra Magnus
 

I can't say that I understand why Takara choose non accurate paint apps for the animated release. Just to be different???

Re: Takara Animated Ultra Magnus
 

You and me both...but as we all know Takara products are superior!

Bleh...I think if the cab bits weren't that shiny blue and more or a pearl white like alternity Magnus this would be an awesome display piece by itself, with a bunch of Hasbro figures on a display however...he would stick out like a swore thumb :P

Re: Takara Animated Ultra Magnus
 

Pretty nice review Chris..simple,but solid.

I am a bit disappointed about the paint apps applied to Takara Magnus compared to the Hasbro version...as I was told that Takara was about show accuracy. Looking at the shot on shot comparison,the Hasbro Magnus has superiority over it's overall paint design.Sad that the gimmicks don't work,I would like to see how different the Japanese voice chip compares to the English one...let alone if Japanese Magnus says similar lines to the English version.

Regardless,I still have to track down Magnus as being one of the last figures I need for my Animated collection.Once again,a pretty nice review.

Re: Takara Animated Ultra Magnus
 

Nice review, mon ami. :)

Thanks for the info, I definitely like the white cab better. definitely more Ultra Magnus-y.

Re: Takara Animated Ultra Magnus
 

Yeah, I gotta agree, I don't know why Takara went with the shiny paint apps.

I would love to get that new Bumblebee, but he would stick out like a sore thumb on my animated shelf.

Good review though. It's neat to see the two figures side by side.

Re: Takara Animated Ultra Magnus
 

I found out online what his voice clip is supposed to be.

http://www.musitards.com/MP3/2010/12batteriesd.mp3

Re: Takara Animated Ultra Magnus
 

Nice review and I agree that the Hasbro version has the superior color scheme.

Re: Takara Animated Ultra Magnus
 

same here, with wingblade prime too, both those figures would complete my animated collection, but they just have too much shiny. at least they were sparing with blackout, he doesn't stick out

Re: Takara Animated Ultra Magnus
 

Also, he seems to be colored off the 'New Age' Toy Magnus scheme, used for mostly a toy Prime recoloured to white & blue.

While the Hasbro colours work, it woulda bin nice to have a more 'Classic' Magnus colour scheme with more red on the base robot.

Re: Takara Animated Ultra Magnus
 

Yeah, I just realized that... Funny how Blackout is so...mute compared to the others.

Re: Takara Animated Ultra Magnus review
 

I think the paint is cool fits the rest of my Takara animated want it to fit buy Takara at first I wasn't keenon the metalic like everyone has said not the toon version accurate that lasted till I got Ironhide (bulkhead) and Prime then it was all good from there,.:).. Magnus just makes it so. justprime

Re: Takara Animated Ultra Magnus
 

lol hahaha :rofl:

Re: Takara Animated Ultra Magnus
 

lol did you just make that for me? :P

Anyways if you like Ultra Magnus I got more in store for you (hope to have it posted by the end of tonight)

Re: Takara Animated Ultra Magnus
 

Unfortunately not, but I thought it was fitting. :p

WST Magnus trailer? Mark's Projects Magnus trailer? :)

Re: Takara Animated Ultra Magnus review
 

nice review c-man!
a shame really that they decided to make his cab portion blue as opposed to white.other than that,i like the rest of his colors being more vivid.(the blue looks way better on the takara version imho)

now where's wst magnus?????;)

Re: Takara Animated Ultra Magnus review
 

woo, nice, I didn't know this is the first review from a SUPER MOD.
And thanks for showing the different of the two verison. It is really useful.

Re: Takara Animated Ultra Magnus review
 

It's in the mail ;)

But I got another Maggy-fest up my sleeve...should be posted with the hour...

Re: Takara Animated Ultra Magnus review
 

Looks like Ultra Magnus' cab is holding his breath when it's side by side.

Re: Takara Animated Ultra Magnus review
 

Transformers breathe right? I mean...Galvatron choked Hot Rod :P

Re: Takara Animated Ultra Magnus review
 

He tends to do that to people

http://i54.tinypic.com/i6ecll.jpg

Re: Takara Animated Ultra Magnus review
 

lol

Re: Takara Animated Ultra Magnus
 

Ok...

FINALLY got around to popping some batteries in this guy and to my surprise though the sound effects were the same, the saying ARE in Japanese...kinda hard to understand what he's saying with the first 2 but the last one I heard was clearly:

ULTURA MAGUNAS! TRANSFORRRM!

nice.