Continuing the behind the scenes looks at new Transformers figures, Hasbro designer Sam Smith has taken to his Instagram to share some details on the development of the highly-anticipated Legacy Evolution Deluxe Animated Prowl!
“Transformers Legacy Evolution – Animated Universe Prowl
So this guys been floating around the internet for a few months, but I am glad to finally have him revealed! So let’s get into the details of Legacy Evolution Prowl. Building on the design ideology that had been established for Legacy, it was clear that we were going to have two pieces of entertainment that would require us to push the designs outside of their comfort zones, Transformers Prime and Transformers Animated.
As the debut character to represent the tone of the 2007 animation, I wanted to preserve a recognizable design aesthetic from the original character, while ensuring that it would sit comfortably amongst the rest of the legacy expression.
I reached out to @santalux75 with my ideas and he got to work on an incredibly faithful design for both the bot and alt modes. With a couple of alterations to some of the proportions we were in a comfortable position to start executing the design kick off with Takara. Kunihiro Takashi is a huge Animated Prowl fan and put together a wonderful transformation plan that incorporated plenty of historical character attributes along met with modern articulation. We found a balance for how much detail we wanted to texturize the model with, that still left enough of the smooth paneling of the source material. The deco was treated much the same way, utilizing his iconic black and gold livery, met with the patroller khaki pants and his iconic blue visor.
Prowl is outfitted with his shurikens that rotate closed and can be stowed onto the wheels. While he can hold them in both hands, we wanted to ensure that the figure was still compatible with 5mm post accessories, so his right hand is sculpted to support both.
Overall I am thrilled with how this “reimagined” figure turned out. What are your thoughts on this design? Leave a comment below!”
View the mirrored images and turnaround CAD videos after the break and share your impressions on the 2005 Boards!
RodimusRex
I'm looking forward to them doing a new Legacy Bumblebee.
Excluding movie releases and kids' lines like Earthspark amd Cyberverse, the last Generations Bumblebee that wasn't a store exclusive was 6 years ago in Titans Return.
Animated Bumblebee has a very unique look.
We didn't get a true Bumblebee in Car Robots or Unicron Trilogy or Beast Wars. So most Bumblebees are some variation of G1 or Bayverse. BBM is kind of both. Animated is the most distinct. He's a far cry from the mute Bumblebee of the movies and I feel like he's an inspiration to the Prime version.
He's the only Bumblebee that's a police car.
That's a neat thing about Animated. They're all rescue vehicles.
Sparx94
Oh I want Armada Sideways!
Hydro
I'm still wondering how they'll do animated universe bulkhead. I'm more than happy using "Prime universe" bulkhead as my animated version, but at that point I still want a bulkhead that turns into a prime looking truck.
BigRed
Prowl was actualy taller than Bee and almost as tall as Ratchet, despite the fact that his bike mode was much smaller than both.
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Bahamut Prime
Gotta wonder… if anybody\'s willing to make his Samurai Sidecar/Armour upgrade?
234 Toybox
Looking at this I feel like prowl might be planned to be reused as Armada Sideways or Energon Rapid Run
Edwardmus Prime
So there's not one but two big holes in the bike mode and that's the proper transformation? Didn't notice how bad the bike mode looked until now. Really looked like they were keeping the great transformation that got me enamored with the original toy but that's really rough. The hands not matching is also an eyesore although honestly I care more about the bike. I have a mini 3.75" compatible collection going on now and not only do I generally prefer alt modes but they're really important for that.
This should've been the best ever Prowl toy but that's looking wrong now. Still like the idea of him fighting Skyquake. If someone finds a way to mistransform him in a way that covers those gaps then I'll go but right now Legacee is the more successful bike bot.
DevilGalvatron
Sentinel PRIME?! I say Leader Class Sentinel MAGNUS with powermaster upgrade
Nate98
As someone who adores and grew up with Animated, I honestly don't get some of the complaints here about Legacy Prowl. It all comes down to personal taste but this new Legacy Prowl isn't meant to be an upgrade from the original figure nor replace it. It's an alternate take on the character.
It's chunkier than the original design because Derricks art style was very stylised and sleek whereas legacy is bringing characters into a unified Generations aesthetic so they're going to be chunkier and different. But Prowl still retains aspects, design cues (especially the biker pants for example) and the spirit of the character.
Granted some characters are going to be closer to their original designs due to the Generations asthetic.
But generations isn't studio series. It's silly to expect 1:1 accuracy whether it's G1, Animated or Prime etc. It should be about retaining the characters spirit and aspects which Prowl does well.
JazzAlert13
I think the point being made is that it is not 1:1 with the screen model… there have been some liberties taken (like the details sculpted on or the jet nose on the back). That being said it is a hell of a lot closer to accurate than Prowl.
Gepard
But they released the ER Screamer mold in Studio Series. A little bit of redecoing but it's the same sculpt.
Ramberk Magnus
That’s your opinion that he didn’t need to be chunky. It’s my opinion that he looks great in a modern Generations collection with this chunkier look. This isn’t a reissue of TFA Prowl, it’s a modern re-styling of TFA Prowl so he fits better with other modern Generations figures.
I think the alternative option would have been a core class Legacy Animated Prowl. He definitely would have been smaller and skinnier and a lot less attractive (imo).
This Prowl will look really well next to WFC-Legacy carbots (imo).
I agree this is a bigger departure in design when compared to ER Starscream. But it works (imo). Also, there was always going to be a larger departure in the design because animated is innately a bigger departure from the typical Sunbow/AEC anime design style.
JazzAlert13
Because it looks good.
Gumblor Gimbles
But he didn't need to be. They created an issue the original never suffered from.
In regards to DJW's designs: Bumblebee was small, but Prowl was even smaller, so you'd immediately know that he had to turn into a motorcycle. I don't know why they felt the need to make his new toy so chunky.
If ER starscream was as much of a departure as this prowl is, we would still be hearing complaints about it in 2023. ER screamer is waaay closer to toon than this prowl is.
Ramberk Magnus
Legacy Prowl is a chunky guy. Chunky bot = chunky alt mode. I think TFA Prowl has a better bike mode but I like Legacy Prowl’s robot design more. You can’t have both. TFA Prowl’s bike is possible because of the skinny robot mode.
I also like the term “CHUG-ify” because even G1 characters got modern stylization. ER Starscream is not G1 Starscream accurate. You know who it is but it’s not Studio Series level of accuracy.
Rojixus
That'll be Studio Series in a few years, Primus willing.
Fafnir72
mx-01 archon
I'm just ribbing you. Especially because he makes it expressly clear during his opening narration that his name is "Optimus Prime".
Fafnir72
Same guy. Still hoping Hb/TT releases it as an updated Wingblade set. I own both Ta 01 and Ta 38. Which were awesome for their time. It would be great to have one with the Prowl treatment.
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KiraAthrunAsuka
Yup it's very likely plus he has a Voyager listing for 2024 (unfortunately that means he might not have the jetpack).