Via Flame Toys Instagram we have images of the latest installment in their easy-to-build snap-on model kits: Furai Model IDW Ultra Magnus.
The packaging art features Ultra Magnus (Furai Model IDW Optimus Prime white redeco) running forward with a Cybertronian background. We also have a look at a production sample of this new model kit.
Check out the images after the jump and then share your impressions on the 2005 Boards!
Ichibaru
You’re welcome. I’m super interested in the bonus gun as well. Would love to put the power armour on SG OP for a black and purple triumvirate of Meg’s, Tarn and OP.
However, I’m going to roll the dice and see if the armour gets heavily discounted like Victory Leo was. Fingers crossed.
ManOKultur
Thank you for the reply. As of right now it seems I may have to find one on the after market. I'm not seeing the set on d4toys site.
Ichibaru
The bonus parts are not pre-order bonuses. As long as you order from D4 Toys, you will get the bonus parts. If you’re lucky enough to go to a convention where Flame Toys are at or purchase them from AmiAmi in Japan, you will also get the parts.
ManOKultur
Is it correct to assume I've missed my chance at getting the jetwing armor with the preorder bonus? I just recently stumbled upon the newer flametoys figures and that's one part I'd like to NOT miss out on.
JasonTFW2005
Those Heatboys TMNT figures have been amazing. Premium quality even in the packaging and comes with ludicrous amount of accessories. And they cost less than half of KKK.
Lex79
It's the same for me. When Drift first came out, my only comparison was with Bandai Metal Build line, I thought Drift was expensive but the higher price could be justified by the bigger size and more complex engineering. The following Flame Toys figure were even more expensive at $400-450 but they were bigger with a lot of accessories. At the time I even said I was willing to pay $500 for Star Saber to make it the size of MP Optimus.
I can't make a direct comparison with Threezero because the only figure I have is MDLX Magnus that isn't in the same league. But I have now figures from Heatboys, Moshow, CCS that are comparable in terms of size, accessories and posability but cost half of Flame Toys. These figures are also licensed so it's not like Flame is carrying a premium due to the Transformers brand.
It's possible that if we examine them in detail the Flame Toys figures turn out to be more complex with a higher part count, explaining the price. But the feeling I have is that I'd like if they were $100 cheaper.
I'm still willing to buy from this line if there is a character I'm interested with, like Ultra Magnus, but I look at it with a more critical eye now.
Then there is another problem that is not exclusive of Flame Toys but shared among all these kind of figures, that is joints loosening other time. My Drift does the split if I'm not careful when posing it, luckily Star Saber and Optimus Prime are more solid but not as much as when I bought them. That's why I hope Magnus will have ratchets in the hips.
Napalm
Honestly, no. I collect more threezero than I do Kuro but have owned Tarn, Star Saber and Prime, flagship pieces of the line no doubt, so can say with confidence that I think they're overpriced in this field.
Taking away the obvious difference in aesthetics, both share diecast frames. Both use linkage articulation. Both are incredibly well painted and sculpted. Both use LED functionality. Both can require kid gloves when handling.
The Kuro Flame Toys figures probably enjoy overall better poseability and articulation engineering, but it's laughable to suggest it's £150-200 better.
To further back this up, I recently bought the licensed Heatboys TMNT Michaelangelo figure. It cost me £150 posted and is around the same scale as the Kuro Kara Kuri line. It does everything a Flame Toys piece does and it does it better, enabling you to build the base figure into a walking armoury that has tons of modular display options. Plus it has a motorised double barrelled mini gun as an accessory that doesn't up the price? Insane. Heatboys make a mockery of Flame Toys pricing and Mikey (along with their Leonardo) is probably the best diecast non-transforming robot action figure I will ever own.
This isn't me saying they are bad, just incredibly overpriced compared to similar pieces. I'll likely still be picking up Magnus and Cyclonus, just wanted to give some genuinely honest opinions.
Convoy
Thanks!
Convoy
Mate, these are incredible. Can't believe it's a toy!
Legate
That, sir, is DOPE.
Zoo
Woahhh
Tamama
Transforming my passion for Photography and Photoshop into recreating iconic comic covers with Kuro Kara Kuri Optimus Prime. If you are a fan of this kind of content, please follow us on Instagram @_robothead_ View attachment 30334059 View attachment 30334060
daimchoc
bansanv3 on twitter.
Convoy
FANX! found a couple more designs I hadn't seen before. The one I really want is BA due to Beast fan
View attachment 30324171 View attachment 30324175
marvel b
Yes. Iirc their name is Ban. I'm sure they did more but only recall beefcake Megatron.
Edit: oh yeah, and Flamewar. Her flame deco looked like pigtails and she had a yaeba/smug anime tooth
Convoy
Quick question for anyone who's into the furai line:
Who is the designer of the Windblade? and are they same person who's designed Arcee & Blackarachnia? have they done any more transformer designs?
IIRC its not Akira Amemiya
(Please no angry/strong opinion stuff about the designs. Literally just want info)
Scyla
Jazz' gun "transforms" from the handgun into the shoulder missile.
Stat Saber is really stellar. He is also not hampered by not having the D4Toys exclusive gun and the LED saber head. He comes with twin swords doubling as rifles, a shield and a big fun sword.
He also has a armor-up feature where you can decide if you want to display him in full gear or as a powered down version.
He is also the only good toy I have of Star Saber so I'm a biased.
Blue Prime
I really like the star saber IDW design and for the price Amazon currently has him it’s quite tempting as it’s not much more than jazz and drift but he appears to be the superior figure. I don’t mind jazz not having an array of accessories but I feel like having a second gun or at least a transforming/combining gimmick on the gun he came with would’ve been expected
magmatron
I have Jazz and Star Saber, and both are phenomenal. Like Scyla said Jazz doesn't have much when it comes to weapons, but I don't necessarily see that as a weakness. Sometimes you just want a focused toy experience. However he does come off as less sophisticated than the others when it comes to shifting parts and LEDs, as well the strange hollow feet, though the later does help give him better range of articulation. He's also cheaper than the others and doesn't take as much shelf space.
Star Saber is still my favorite of the three that I have(partially because of how much I like the design), and really highlights some of the cool parts of the line. He comes with a lot of accessories (though not overwhelmingly so like Rodimus or Megatron), lots of LEDs, and a good number of the cool auto-moving parts.
Scyla
@Blue Prime:
1. Star Saber: great!
2. Drift: great but I don’t like the wobbly nature of the lower abdomen joint.
3. Rodimus: great but unnecessary accessories, that is almost a second figure that looks terrible to inflate the price
4. Jazz: great but it has not enough weapons (like a dedicated missile launcher/handgun) and he has "hollow" lower legs that to make make the toy feel not as premium as the others.
Overall I think the top three releases are (in that order): Star Saber, Megatron, Optimus.