Transformers Takara TAV-33 Supreme Class Optimus Prime

Transformers Takara TAV-33 Supreme Class Optimus Prime

Presenting a Takara TAV-33 Supreme Class Optimus Prime from the Transformers Robots in Disguise or Adventure toyline.


Not sure why the Japanese felt the need to localize the name. If we understand it correctly, they also added content to the American cartoon.

Anyway since we don't read  Japanese, this is the Supreme class Optimus Prime. In the Transformers Robots in Disguise or Adventure animated series, Optimus Prime has retreated to the dimension of the Realm of the Primes to train under a mini-bot named Micronus to face an unnamed coming darkness.

The "Darkness" arrives in the form of Megatronus, but Optimus Prime is not ready yet, so he begs the Primes for a portion of their power.

And here he is.

MORE AFTER THE JUMP

Personally, the weirdest part about this cartoon is that Optimus Prime left Bumblebee in charge, and when he comes back in this even more powerful form, he treats Bumblebee as an equal. Not to disparage the accomplishments of the little yellow guy, but Optimus Prime is a Prime. We understand him wanting to step down and become a historic icon to be called upon in times of crisis, but Bumblebee is certainly not his equal.

But that's just us.

Speaking of upgrades, this is not to be confused with the Takara TAV-21. This is the TAV-33, or the Optimus that came back from the Real of the Primes with a redesigned body. He does come with all the weapons of a TAV-21, plus that really big unnamed Chrome sword.

Transformers Takara TAV-33 Supreme Class Optimus Prime

Speaking of chrome, the Takara TAV-33 Supreme Class Optimus Prime has so much Chrome he was a bitch to shoot. We couldn't get any direct light on him because he'd just shine.

Boo.

What's to like about the TF Takara TAV-33 Supreme Class Optimus Prime

FIRST: Remember how we described the Takara Armor Knight Optimus Prime from the Transformers Age of Extinction (AOE) toyline-  AKA the Takara AD31? We described how much we loved that particular Prime because he really did feel like an armored knight. The TAV-33 Supreme Class optimus Prime has a similar appeal - albeit to a lower extent.

We love the massive gauntlets and the strong pauldrons and the sharper features of Optimus Prime's chest. We also love the extra armor that covers the TAV-33's chest.

And of course, that massive sword.Check out how it's held in place in the Takara TAV-33 Supreme Class Optimus Prime's hand via a clip:

The clips comes in handy for holding his other weapons as well although personally they're kinda tiny for Optimus.

There are mounting hardpoints all over his body that you can use to mount these weapons.

SECOND:  The articulation of the Transformers Takara TAV-33 Supreme Class Optimus Prime is pretty decent. We love how his chest plate sometimes has to break open to form some of his poses in the same way that a knight's armor would. Unfortunately he cannot kneel.

THIRD: But the best thing about the Transformers Takara TAV-33 Supreme Class Optimus Prime is his truck mode:

It doesn't look very special. We have to note thought that it was not easy to transform him into this mode and we also appreciate the fact that the TAV-33 Supreme Class Optimus Prime is not a shell-former. You can mount all his weapons on his exterior shell when transformed:






The real fun part about his truck mode is that you can lower his loading ramp and load another transformer into the TAV-33 Supreme Class Optimus Prime:

You can even open him up to facilitate the loading.....

Or use the open bay as a weapons platform:

That's the RID or Adventure Optimus Prime riding him - before he grew up.

The Transformers Takara TAV-33 Supreme Class Optimus Prime also has this shoulder logo-changing gimmick that we don't quite understand. Basically you can change which logo is displayed on one shoulder - just one (The other stays the same - which come to think of it, looks nothing like the other two):

What's to like about the TF Takara TAV-33 Supreme Class Optimus Prime

FIRST: What's with those tiny weapons? Frankly Takara should have given us something bigger. The biggest joke in the collection is this pistol he's holding on to. It's absolutely tiny. No wonder Megatronus had a field day with him.

The SECOND: biggest problem with the Transformers Takara TAV-33 Supreme Class Optimus Prime is the hollowness of his legs. This is a unique trade off: Do you want him to have the ability to carry another Autobot? Or do you want him to have empty legs?

THIRD: He looks terrible from behind:

FOURTH:  His proportions: Head and feet are too small; Legs are too long; torso is too small.

We remember that we never bothered reviewing his tinier cousin because we were not fans of this particular incarnation of Optimus Prime - especially when we found out later that he could change color (Actually makes sense), which seemed more like a marketing scheme to get us collectors to buy the other variants of Optimus Prime. We're not quite sure why we got this particular Optimus Prime. We suppose we were taken in by the chrome.

The Transformers Takara TAV-33 Supreme Class Optimus Prime is available on Amazon for US$ 87.95 (Roughly PhP  4,222 plus shipping).

Only if you really, really liked the cartoon.