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Transformers Insecticons (Insectrons)

Adam checks in this week with another terrific Transformers review - what's the scoop, Adam?

Hasbro and their Japanese counterpart Takara have given the Transfan community a mixed blessing in the form of the Commemorative Series/Transformers Collection. On one hand, they have helped long time collectors fill gaps in their collection cheaply while giving new collectors a chance to get into the game without having to spend hundreds of dollars on original releases. On the other hand, Those who sell original Generation One Transformers on Ebay or at Conventions have had to devalue their originals to compete with the fact that people can now buy essentially the exact same toy with a new date-stamp on the bottom for anywhere from $10 - $200 cheaper or even more (The original Targetmaster Stepper was said to go for $1000 complete and in excellent condition, and now can be purchased brand new for under $40 US both as Takara reissue #15, and in Hasbro Commemorative series IX).

I happen to be one of the newer collectors. I had maybe a couple Transformers when I was a kid, but they disappeared into the mystery abyss that all kids toys seem to disappear to around the time we turn 13. A couple years back, when the original 80's episodes were released on DVD, my interest was sparked again. Call it nostalgia, call it a longing for having the toys I never had as a kid, whatever the case may be, I wanted these toys again... that is until I checked Ebay and found that even common Autobots that were complete and in displayable condition were going for close to $100 US. Then about a year ago I discovered what Takara and Hasbro were doing (and actually have been doing for a number of years now), and realized I could have a decent collection without spending a fortune (just a small fortune).

This brings us to the latest release by Takara, the Insectrons (known to us North Americans as the Insecticons, that's how I will refer to them throughout the rest of this review). Originally sold separately in 1985, the Insecticons probably didn't fly off the shelves as fast as say Megatron, Soundwave, or Starscream, but they were small and therefore cheaper than the bigger guys, making them a little more parent friendly (remember the days when parents bought toys for their kids to play with?). Takara has taken the original 3 (there were also the Deluxe Insecticons, but they never appeared in the cartoons and therefore don't count) and put them in one box set for re-issue #16 (the 17th numbered reissue from Takara if we're going to be anal about it, but if I know toy collectors, I know we're not an anal bunch... right?).

A quick side note: I'll be reviewing this as a set, and not as three individual figures, because if something was wrong with one, it hurts the whole set. It's not like after reading this review, you can get the store to open the box and give you 2 out of 3.






Packaging - ****
Takara goes the extra mile when it comes to packaging in comparison to Hasbro for their reissues. Both use the "Book-style" packaging that allows you to either display the excellent Dreamwave artwork, or to open the cover (sealed with velcro) and display the toys themselves under plastic, making these very MIB collector friendly. However, Takara adds a perforated removable mini-book (which can be inserted into a special binder that came with Reissue #0: Convoy/Optimus Prime) with catalog sheets, a mini-poster, and information about the toys inside (probably very interesting if you understand Japanese). This combined with thicker cardboard, and in my opinion a cleaner, better look makes the Takara packaging superior to Hasbros. My only complaint here is that there's nothing in the mini-book about Kickback, only Bombshell and Shrapnel. It's not enough of a complaint though to hurt a perfect score on what I consider to be the most collector friendly packaging I've seen on a store shelf.

Sculpting - ***
This is a tricky one for Transformers. If you go by what they looked like on the show, in many cases the toy came out before the character was ever on TV, so really it's unfair to say "well they don't look exactly like they did on the show", because that's the animator's fault. In this case, in their insect mode they look like robotic insects, and in their robot mode they look like humanoid robots, with arms and legs and a head, which is no easy task when the emphasis is usually on making the insect (or vehicle or whatever object in other cases) mode look the best. However, if we WERE going by what they looked like on the show, the Insecticons aren't too bad, especially in comparison to some others (Megatron in particular).

Paint/Stickers - ***
Not a lot of chance for error on these guys, Transformers are for the most part just solid colors for each piece before they're put together, no need to worry about slop or over spray. The details are usually in the stickers. The Insecticons don't look as bland if you decide not to put the stickers on in comparison to other Transformers, but if you're taking them out of the box, the temptation to put them on will be there, and sooner or later you'll end up giving in. The only problem in this release is that due to the lack of good pictures of Kickback in the removable mini-book that comes in the packaging, you'll have a tough time getting the stickers dead on, and the instructions are very little help.

Articulation - **
Transformers aren't exactly known for great articulation, and the Insecticons are certainly no exception. Bombshell, Shrapnel, and Kickback all have useful movement at the shoulders, while Kickback can move his head side to side, only due to how he transforms (in insect mode, his head is turned backwards). They all have leg articulation as well, but getting them to stand any other way than with their legs right together is pretty much impossible.

Accessories - ***1/2
I've given the same amount of stars to Stikfas in the past due to the fact that they come with 20 or so accessories. So why am I giving these guys three and a half when they have 2 accessories each? two reasons. the first is because any more would be useless, and sometimes less is more. the second? ENERGON CUBES! Not only apt for these toys as the Insecticons were energy parasites, but a very cool addition by Takara that never came with any of the original Transformers, but were a major part of the show.

Fun Factor - ***
Transformers are pretty much always fun, and it always helps if they were major characters. The Insecticons were more mid-level if anything, but there were a few episodes they were heavily featured in, and any kid that's seen episodes from the first 2 seasons of the Generation One Transformers would instantly recognize them and enjoy having their Autobots pound on them.

Durability - ***
This is an important category for Transformers, because these are meant to be played with... a lot. From the handful of times I transformed them to take pictures, They seemed very sturdy for a small toy, none of them feel like they're going to fall apart in my hands while I'm changing them from robot to insect. Also, keep in mind these aren't just cheap plastic, there are a few die cast parts that give it a little weight and at least make it seem like they wouldn't be easily broken if you accidentally knock them off the shelf.

Transforming Feature - ***
All three are fairly easy to transform, I didn't find myself needing the instructions to figure them out. Knock a star off if you're one of the types who feel the harder it is to transform, the better. These certainly aren't as easy as Optimus, but a 10 year old will figure it out in a matter of minutes (remember when toys were made with 10 year olds in mind?).

Value - ***
Normally, any Takara import seems kind of pricey in my opinion. They're usually a few bucks more than the Hasbro Commemorative toys, but what hurts them is the shipping (the Hasbro ones are at Toys R Us, making them easier for most people to pick them up). 

However, I was able to pick mine up at a store that imports them, and 3 transformers for $60 Canadian is a pretty good deal. You could knock half a star off if you had to pay for shipping from Japan or Hong Kong, but then again, you can add a full star if you want to buy the originals in this condition, with all the original stickers and rubsign still fully intact (and you still won't get those cool Energon Cubes).

Overall - ***
I always liked the Insecticons, mostly because of the absolute stomping they took from the Autobots every chance they got. Some could complain that there are more important Decepticons that fans would prefer be released from the '84/'85 catalogs (The Constructicons, the Cassettes, Shockwave) but any Decepticons are a welcome addition to the Autobot-heavy line. There are also a lot of fans who have been hoping for these little guys, and any set at this price point has to be appreciated by any Transfan.

SCORE RECAP:
Packaging - ****
Sculpt - ***
Paint/Stickers - ***
Articulation - **
Transforming Feature - ***
Accessories - ***1/2
Fun Factor - ***
Durability - ***
Value - ***
Overall - ***

Where to Buy - 
Action-HQ has this set for $36.95 US, pretty much the standard for Takara Transfomers Collection reissues, and the shipping is quite reasonable if you stick with Airmail.


Figure from the collection of Adam.

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