The funny part about this particular upgrade for the Classic/Henkei Optimus Prime is that there is very little in terms of reference to "The Another War" or to "Perfect Effect", on the internet.Google it, and most likely you'll end up with stores or blogs are are previewing the TAW-01, but nothing about where or why it was used or about who made it - though from the looks of it, Perfect Effect has been around for quite some time and has a lot of killer upgrades that - like the TAW-01 - are seemingly outside of the Transformers continuity.
Perhaps this is how Perfect Effect wants it.
Unlike Fansproject which maintains a website and works to upgrade or add on to existing Hasbro Transformers to bring them closer to their cartoon/movie/comic book versions, Perfect Effect seems to dabble in "what ifs" and other universes, touching only ever so slightly in the main continuity and taking things to the extreme.
Or they're just avoiding the inevitable copyright lawsuit.
And the TAW-01 is a perfect example of this.
TAW-01 is based upon the Matrix Sword which is from the Robots in Disguise Toy line. It is supposed to be the ultimate manifestation of the Autobot Matrix of Leadership which arises when Optimus Prime combines with Ultra Magnus to form Omega Prime (Look out for the upcoming review on this).
But this Matrix Sword is also based upon the Master Sword (And Dagger) of Fortress Maximus - a "Blade of Blades, wielded only by the righteous and just." and which is supposedly the most powerful weapon in the universe.
In 2000, a Super God Sword was released which came with Fortress Maximus. However 1,000 of these were released via a contest of Hyper Hobby Magazine. The Super God Sword has two interchangeable handles so that either Fortress Maximus or Omega Prime (Or any overtly large Prime such as the 25th Anniversary Prime) could use it. I show just such a Super God Sword in the video below. However I cannot confirm that this is one of the 1,000 pieces or a knock off.
Perfect Effect now takes that grandiose "Super Manifestation of the Autobot Matrix of Leadership" crap and asks "What if Prime could use it - alone - on a regular basis?"TAW-01 is the result.
To the right you have the component parts of TAW-01 disassembled. Obvious to the naked eye are a pair of sheilds, a backpack, two wings, a blade and several handles.
If you stuck around and watched the video, the shields join Prime's arms, the backpack, wings and handles form a form of jetpack and dual cannon system - so he no longer needs the Ion cannon when you think of it.
Personally I think that both the wings and cannons are too vestigial and lack the prestige and "Ommmph" that Prime should have. The Shields though are a fine and welcome addition that can be used both as an item of defense and as weapons - if you know how to use them. The translucent plastic that they are made of is also a fine treat that blends it perfectly with the Classics/Henkei Prime which incorporates translucent plastic parts as well.
TAW-01 also benefits from the wonderful articulation of the Classics/Henkei Prime as can be seen here.
And here is Prime with the TAW in Matrix Sword mode which If feel is really too big for him, but I do believe it's a look Japanese Manga fans are in love with:
Combined though, the shields, cannons and wings should make sword-fighting a very cumbersome job. How anyone armored this way doesn't end up cutting off parts of himself or being blocked at every turn is beyond me. My personal recommendation is actually to remove the wings/cannon and replace it with the 6 pack missile launcher and ion cannon from the Gears of War 2 pack
The Perfect Effect TAW-01 God Sword set retails nowadays for PhP 2,500 to PhP 3,200 and comes in three variants - one for Prime, one for Ultra Magnus (TAW-01S) and one for the Nemesis Prime (TAW-01B). Quite rare. Grab it if you can.
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