The best Transformers of 2021

 Another dreadful year of higher up control. But let's recap this year of my favorite Kingdom, 86 Studio series, and whatever figures I opened up this year. This year was a little different due to the fact Kingdom consisted mainly of Beast wars figures (I'm not into BW), so to make a top 5 out of that category was going to be fairly slim and difficult. Same for the 86 line since I didn't get everyone. I do have a Sharkticon 86 review but he will have to settle for a 2022 post and possibly a re-edit "best of" post if the character warrants such a change. 

Transformers Kingdom

Inferno

The mold was made for him. Colors are vibrant. He looks good and plays well overall. An improvement over Grapple. 

86 Studio Series

Grimlock

Sweep

Grimlock is a 86 masterpiece done well plus Sweep whose lighter colors doesn't detract any value from the original Scourge figure. In fact, the wings are tightened and not loose as in comparison to Scourge. Despite being a repaint of Scourge, Sweep is still a pretty good figure. 

Legends and Netflix

Topspin and Twintwist

Octane

Megatron

Soundwave

I started to open up some of my figures late. Topspin and Twintwist were simply amazing figures. Lots of replay value for Octane thanks to the ghost Starscream gimmick. Megatron with his nicely painted scheme is a robust looking figure (thanks to Darkonen for supplying me this bad boy). Lastly, Soundwave, immaculate as always stands out in this category as the true last years release (my version is the Japanese NF released that year). 

Honorable mentions: Improved outlook







Sunstreaker who is arguably the blandest looking character in the ER line from 2020 had the most improved look thanks to the upgrades Nonnef supplied. Not to mention, he also supplied Smokescreen's shoulder canon stacks making the figure more G1 looking accurate. 

Thank you folks. 2021 turned out pretty well. Most of the figures were great. Don't get me wrong but these were the ones that stood out to me. Anyhow, thank you once again and I'll see you next time. 

Update: 5/5/22

Kingdom Rodimus Prime

Despite the fact I opened him up earlier this year, he was released back in 2021 so I'll give him that much. Although I feel he is overpriced due to his trailer, he is made with high quality plastic. Fun to play with overall. 

Toy Review: War for Cybertron Earthrise WFC- E11 Optimus Prime Transformers Toys Generations War for Cybertron: Earthrise Leader WFC-E11 Optimus Prime Action Figure

 

You give an inch, they will take miles. Just say no!

Hello folks, I am back with an exclusive review thanks to my TF buddy Brandon (Aka Transfan84/Darkonen). Without delay, let's get started.

Boxing

Not included in this packaging was the matrix of leadership but that's ok because I used 86 Hot Rod's one as the placeholder. I don't do the mapping locations once again. 

Standing tall

Comes with a blaster that looks like a cross up between his G1 rifle and a canon. It can be folded in half which isn't shown here. I actually didn't like this blaster too much so I kept it away for most of the review. His chest cavity opens so you can pop the matrix inside which I will showcase later. Prime looks great here though I feel his eyes are too small or like some sites said, its a blue head with blue eyes. In other words, an overlapping of blue. His wheels behind his back does look a little funky as well. Something up with Prime's back in most versions I kid you not. I will get into this someday when I compare him with other classic Prime models. One cool thing is that his fingers can open so you could display him handling the matrix or adjust the way you want to hold things with him. 

W/Custom blaster (courtesy Darkonen once again)

The 1st pic reminds me of those animated commercial breaks back in 84. You can also peel the back part of his trailer to use as a shield. 

I wish I had a stand for this

The Autobot leader can do a myriad of poses. The blaster supplied by Darkonen works wonders here and increased Prime's awesomeness tenfold. 

Roll out!

Fairly easy to transform. I feel as if Optimus Prime was always one of those figures that was easy to transform no matter which iteration. Optimus has that "fake chest" syndrome that 86 Hot Rod and the ER Battlechargers had. However, it's his grill that is hiding behind his chest for this transformation. His gun actually can go below his trailer but the extra accessory Darkonen supplied can peg into any 5mm ports here as well. Nonnef has some upgrades to help spice up this mode. Not to mention, Roller is missing in this version which NN shells out.

The trailer expanded

His artillery robot is grey here instead of blue as you seen on the back of the box. It was then I discovered you had to buy the Drone weaponizer pack to get his rifle, roller and a few other goodies Prime possessed in the G1 series. Way to milk the fans out of more money, Hasbro. Prime needs a twin barreled canon like how Kingdom Rodimus Prime has, seriously. 

Huffer Prime

You are a true friend, Huffer

The stock blaster and the 86 Matrix.

Megatron is telling Prime, "Did you know that both of us were sent by Darkonen so that we could lead our factions respectively?" The 86 Matrix fits nicely and I attempted to use the stock blaster again. I hated it seriously. I just stuck it in his back for the remainder of this review.

Hot Rod and Optimus.

I tried to do the 30th anniversary pose (1st pic in this category) but Prime can't hold the matrix chest level thanks to his chest sticking out a little too much preventing him from bending his arms entirely. I stuck with what I could get. Oh well. Don't mind the dirty wall in the background. 

The 84 ark crew updated.

Conclusion:

This is ER Prime in the flesh. Overall, I like him. It is one of the better designs of Prime that is also closer to his G1 form. Besides his difficult to see eyes, OP handled very delightfully and he definitely fits in with the remaining WFC cast displayed above. Anyhow, later folks. Get him if you can, he probably costs a fortune now. 

Can you see my eyes now?