Universal Dominator Unicron Profile
- US Toy TechSpec
- Function: Universal Dominator
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- Profile:
The Japanese exclusive Welcome to Transformers 2010 toyline saw the re-release of the Armada Unicron figure with a new headsculpt and a new Transformers: The Movie accurate colour scheme. The toy was released in Japan as a Toy Hobby Market exclusive figure like the rest of the Welcome to Transformers 2010 line. We imported 10 of the figures into the UK but they did not arrive until December 2010 as they shipped via surface mail to try to reduce the costs.
The toy retailed at 10,000 yen plus tax, domestic shipping (within Japan), international shipping and customs charges meaning that the final toy cost, on average, £120 for an indiviudal to import themselves.
Warning: The 2010 Unicron's, much like the Armada (Micron Legend) and Energon (Superlink) versions, has light-up eyes and a light-up fist. The battery cover on the head on our partcular figure was massively overtighten, meaning that it is not possible to open the casing and take the batteries out fo their protected cover and/or replace them without damaging the figure. We have left ours with the batteries not working, but you will notice from the image of the back of the head, that the screw that needs to be removed is also damaged. Whether this is limited to just our own Unicron or is a fault with a batch or all of them we do not know at the present time, but I urge anyone owning one to check carefully before trying to remove the screw.
The Armada Unicron toy is oen of the best figures that TakaraTomy / Hasbro have made over the entire history of the Transformers line. The toy was far from being perfect but when compared to other figures of a similar size, the robot mode many points of articulation as well as being highly detailed. The main problems with the Armada and subsequent Energon release of the figure where that the head, though close to the Armada version, just wasn't really what fans were looking for and the colour scheme was also quite dull, if again fairly representative of the Armada / Energon versions. The planet mode of the original toy also came under scrutiny as it was more of a half sphere.
With the Welcome to Transformers 2010 Universal Dominator Unicron, AKA 2010 Unicron, Takara-Tomy have, IMO, vastly improved the figure by simply replacing the head and applying the colour scheme from the original 1986 cartoon. They have also added further paint-apps and some weathering to highlight some of the details that was not always noticable on the previous versions of the toy. The result, as I've mentioned, is a better looking figure that oozes respect. This certainly is the definitive Unicron toy thus far produced.
The image gallery contains comparison images to both the original Armada Unicron and some comparison images with the Lucky Draw Green Unicron figure. At the time of writing this review, I do not own the black Energon version, thus you will find no comparison images.
The Dead-End Mini-con has also been recoloured, and again you can find comparison images with the original figure.
An interesting note is that the planets crust that becomes additional wings on the toy when in Robot Mode fit much tighter to the toy than the Armada version. Though handy, since the crust is suppose to be removed and flipped when changing the figure from robot mode into planet mode (according to the new instructions), young children may need assistance to do this as the plastic can be very tight.
The new head sculpt is a major improvement to the toy. Where as the Aramda one was okay, compared to the new head it really does look poor. The pain applications on the chest also help to bring out the detail that was not noticable on the earlier verions as well as improving the general look of the toy.
If you glance over the images of the arms and shoulders of 2010 Unicron you will soon notice the extra detailing that is highlighted by the additional paint-apps which in some places almost make the toy look inked.
All in all, if you are a fan of the Generation One series, or just of Transformers: The Movie, you really should own one of these toys. He looks fantastic in robot mode, and though the paint apps do improved the planet form, you will still want to display this figure alongside your G1 or Classic toys to recreate scenes from the cartoon movie. If you do not own a Unicron toy, then this is also the perfect time to invest in one as this toy is not scheduled for a Western release. If you own either, or perhaps both, of the Armada or Energon Unicrons, just take a look at the comparison images. IMO you'll still want to pick this toy up as it just looks so much better and having owned him for a little under a week, this toy is already becoming one of my favourite looking pieces of all time.
