Toy Review : Transformers Universe Leo Prime

While everyone's busy with their ER Optimus Prime, I am going with another Prime... this time, it's Leo Prime which has been in my collection, untouched since the day I purchased it...

Not bad for a piece purchased a decade ago...

Back of the box

(Credit : TFwiki)

TFU Leo Prime is basically a retool of Cybertron Leobreaker (Liger Jack in Japan) with a new head and redecoed in blue and red. As with all releases of this mold, Leo Prime transforms into a mechanical lion. However, unlike previous releases, the electronics were removed and the battery cover is riveted closed. Each forelimb/arm has a Cyber-Key-released spring-loaded "snap-out robo-shredder claw," and his tail becomes a blade-whip for robot mode. 

Leobreaker in robot mode (credit : TFwiki)

As a redeco of Leobreaker, he can still transform into a "Savage Claw Mode", becoming a massive clawed arm that can attach to the Leader-class Cybertron Optimus Prime and Megatron toys, usable on either side of their torsos. He comes with a silver-bordered blue Jungle Planet-type Cyber Key. His packaging designates him a Maximal despite the Autobot symbol on his chest.

Optimus Prime in Savage Claw mode (credit : tfw2005)

The original version of this mold was also used to create Nemesis Breaker... 

Nemesis Breaker (credit : TFwiki)

... and retooled to make BotCon 2009 Razorclaw.

Razorclaw (credit : TFwiki)

There was also a Target-exclusive redeco, in colors that homage Lio Convoy's original color scheme.

Target-exclusive Leo Prime (credit : TFwiki)

So many redecoes and retools... just imagine the amount of Optimus Prime I need to have, in order to showcase all in Savage Claw mode...

Oops... looks like I have enough... hahaha... (old pic though)

Now, back to the toy review of Leo Prime...

Finally... unboxed!

Leo Prime, cyber planet key, tail and instructions

Cyber key inserted to release the robo-shredder claws

Am I a Maximal or Autobot?

In robot mode after simple transformation process...

Look ma, I'm like the visual on the box

Tail becomes blade-whip

I am Wolverine...

Now, to prepare for the Savage Claw mode...

Attaching clawed arm to Cybertron Optimus Prime

I prefer Leo Prime's color scheme as it matches Optimus Prime... yes, all red and blue...

In partial "Super Mode" (mouthplate down) with his trailer

"Super Mode" Optimus Prime in Savage Claw mode (left) and Sonic Wing mode (right)

Now, in full "Super Mode" - battle mode with mouthplate up

... and back to the display shelf... 

All red and blue... are we Americans?

Optimus Prime Super Modes

Revisiting some of my Optimus Primes... Prime by itself may not be that spectacular but in a combined "Super Mode", they are awesome!

(Credit : TFwiki)

Over the years, it has become a recurring theme for the various incarnations of the Optimus Prime character across the numerous Transformers franchises or series not only to die, but also to assume some form of "Super Mode". This is typically, achieved either by Prime's robot mode combining with his trailer or with another Autobot(s).

Car Robots / Robots in Disguise

In 2000, Takara released a new character based on Generation 1 Optimus Prime as part of their "Car Robots" line. Named "Fire Convoy", his alternate mode was a fire engine. The engine's cab would transform into Fire Convoy's "standard" robot mode, which in turn could combine with the rear part of the fire engine into a "super" robot mode similar to Powermaster Optimus Prime.

Fire Convoy / Optimus Prime

"Banana" Convoy / Sam's Club Optimus Prime

Furthermore, Fire Convoy in his "Super Mode" could combine with his brother God Magnus to form God Fire Convoy. The characters in all their modes also appeared in the "Car Robots" cartoon. One year later, Hasbro imported the "Car Robots" line to the rest of the world and renamed it "Robots in Disguise". The characters were also renamed, with Fire Convoy becoming Optimus Prime, God Magnus becoming Ultra Magnus, and God Fire Convoy becoming Omega Prime.

God Fire Convoy / Omega Prime

Unicron Trilogy

Armada Optimus Prime had multiple recurring combinations. In toy form, Super-Base Optimus Prime was very similar to Powermaster Optimus Prime, namely a semi truck with the cab transforming into a "standard" robot mode, which could then combine with the trailer into a "super" robot mode. Furthermore, instead of the trailer, the "standard" robot could also combine with Jetfire into "Jet Prime" (also named "Jet Optimus"). Lastly, Optimus, in both combinations with either his trailer or Jetfire, could further combine with Overload into "Optimus Prime Megaweapon" or in the Japanese version, "Magna Jet Convoy".

Magna Jet Convoy / Optimus Prime Megaweapon

Armada Primes

The Cybertron version of Optimus Prime had some kind of futuristic fire truck as his alternate mode. The cab and truck bed would form the "standard" robot mode, with the rest of the truck mount serving as "super mode" add-ons (actually explicitly called "Galaxy Convoy Super Mode" in the Japanese Galaxy Force version of the cartoon, and "Optimus Prime Super Mode in early episodes of the English dub). Furthermore, Cybertron Prime could combine with Leobreaker into "Savage Claw Mode" (with Leobreaker serving as a claw arm), or with Wing Saber into "Sonic Wing Mode". (A combination with both Leobreaker and Wing Saber is possible with the toys, but somewhat unstable.) In the Japanese version, Galaxy Convoy is to combine with Sonic Bomber to form Sonic Convoy.

EX-02 Sonic Convoy

Bayverse Transformers Optimus Prime

With the rise of KOs from China (where else), Bayverse Transformers has lost its value...

KOs have proven to be better, if not bigger and at a fraction of the cost of authentic ones. How can one not love KOs nowadays?

Hence, had no choice but to unbox another movie Prime, this time, the "Age of Extinction" (AOE) movie series Optimus Prime.

Prime comes with Sword of Judgement and Vector Shield

To compare with the other movie series "Leader Class" Prime... see the evolution of Prime from Transformers The Movie (TFTM) to Revenge of the Fallen (ROTF) :

TFTM OP - my first movie OP

ROTF Battle Damaged OP

No "Leader Class" Prime in Dark of the Moon (DOTM), Hasbro and TakaraTomy decided that bigger is better (probably taking a cue from the KOs), hence, only "Supreme Class" and "Ultimate" versions...

I am still waiting to be unleashed...

So, behold the "Voyager Class" Prime instead...

DOTM Fireburst Optimus Prime

I have nothing to show for The Last Knight (TLK) as it was only released in 2017; whereas I have "retired" 2 years earlier...

TLK OP - real bad-ass looking... (source : BBTS)

My movie Primes till date... many still waiting to be unboxed...

Can you name all of us?