General Information:
Release Date: March 2023
Price Point: $24.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth etc.)
Accessories: Blaster; Insect Feet/Blasters
Official images and text below in italics are from Amazon:
- CELEBRATE THE LEGACY: Transformers Legacy Evolution celebrates the last 40 years of Transformers history. The Shrapnel action figure is inspired by The Transformers
- 2 EPIC MODES: Transformers action figure converts from robot to stag beetle mode in 11 steps. Features movable insect mandible feature in stag beetle mode
- AWESOME ACCESSORIES: This Shrapnel toy for 8 year old boys and girls comes with 3 blaster accessories that attach to the figure in both modes
- EVOLVE THE BATTLE: Transformers toy robots are upgraded with Evo-Fusion battle features! Evolve the battle by combining all 3 blaster accessories together into a larger blaster accessory
- REVEAL TECH SPECS: Scan the code on each package to reveal character tech specs! Collect other Transformers figures to discover facts and abilities (each sold separately, subject to availability)
The battle is evolving with the Transformers Legacy Evolution Deluxe Class Shrapnel action figure! To Shrapnel, enemy screams and the blasts of battle are the sweetest sounds. His battle cry can be heard for miles around. Transformers toys are upgraded with Evo-Fusion technology! Experience the evolution and combine all 3 blaster accessories together into a larger blaster accessory to prepare for battle! Celebrate the last 40 years of Transformers history with Transformers Legacy action figures for boys and girls. Transformers Legacy opens the portal to a whole new universe of -- More Than Meets the Eye -- bringing together every generation of Transformers like you’ve never seen before. Collect and combine different characters to create your ideal Legacy lineup.
Packaging:
Shrapnel is packaged in the standard Legacy Evolution packaging with an angled shape and open window without any plastic. This is part of Hasbro's commitment to plastic free packaging. Both the Transformers logo and character name box are set vertically. Shrapnel sits inside a cardboard tray in robot mode. Below him is artwork of him in beast mode with the Legacy Evolution logo underneath that. The left side of the packaging features artwork of Shrapnel in robot mode. The back of the box shows off Shrapnel in both modes calling out an 11 step transformation. It also shows how his weapons can connect to each other as "Evo-Fusion" weapons. The QR code to scan for Shrapnel's tech specs have been moved from the back of the box to the top. However, as of late March 2023 the tech specs have not yet been uploaded to Hasbro's web site. Once they are put up I will mirror them in this review.
Background:
Shrapnel was one of the original trio of Insecticons introduced in G1. He had a distinctive speech pattern where he would repeat syllables at the end of a sentence, making him quite memorable. In recent years he had been renamed Skrapnel due to trademark reasons, but this release heralds his return to form as "Shrapnel"!
Accessories:
Shrapnel includes three accessories:
- Blaster: This weapon is based on Shrapnel's G1 "gamma ray detonator" weapon. Fun fact: in G1 the original Shrapnel action figure actually had two weapon variants. This weapon appears to be based on the variant with extra details on the front and back of the weapon featuring extra details on the back and the front of the barrel. This piece is made of purple plastic with silver paint on it. The weapon has a 5mm peg on the bottom and two 5mm ports (one on the back and one on the bottom). The end of the barrel has a tip that allows you to attach a Blast Effect.
- Insect Feet/Blasters: These two identical weapons are roughly shaped like mechanical feet, intended to call back to the "feet" sculpted into G1 Shrapnel's arms. These pieces are made of purple plastic with no paint applications. Each has a 5mm peg on the bottom and the front of the weapon barrel has both a 5mm section and a smaller tip that allows you to attach Blast Effects.
"Evo Fusion" is a new name for an old idea that goes back to the Energon series where the use of 5mm pegs and ports on weapons allows you to connect them together into unique configurations. You can do the same with all three accessories, creating a "super weapon" of sorts. I really like this play pattern and it's nice to still see it being used today.
Robot Mode:
Shrapnel's sculpt has the same basic silhouette as the original G1 Shrapnel design. Perhaps his most distinctive are the mandibles from the beast mode winding up on either side of his head, angling upwards way above his head. This figure also features many key details borrowed from both the G1 action figure and animated series. These include:
- Head: The head design features an oval shaped "helmet" section with a crest in the middle and his face features visor eyes on it with a nose and mouth.
- Torso: The middle of the torso features a translucent yellow panel over a section painted silver. This is a callback to the panel that opened on G1 Shrapnel's torso.
- Chest: On either side of the yellow panel are curved areas with long, thin rectangles with several smaller rectangles under them. This is a direct reference to sticker details on the same area on G1 Shrapnel's action figure.
- Arms: The shoulders on this figure are spheres, an unusual design for a Transformers figure. This is a callback to both G1 Shrapnel's action figure and animation model.
- Thighs: The thighs have raised, rectangular shapes on the inside and outer parts of the thighs. These are callbacks to similar details on the thighs of the original Shrapnel figure.
- Lower Legs: Each of the lower legs features a curved section in front. This comes from the G1 animation model.
- Feet: Each foot has a raised section in the middle with a series of horizontal lines. This comes right from a sticker detail on the G1 action figure.
Overall, Shrapnel's sculpt is fantastic. Don't get me wrong, I really love the Legends Class Skrapnel figure for what it is. This is really next level and represents the G1 character beautifully!
Shrapnel is made up of black, purple, silver and translucent yellow plastic. These are all key Insecticon colors and they look great together. Paint colors include silver, metallic blue, red, yellow and purple. One of my favorite details are the silver and metallic blue details on the top of the chest. They really contrast nicely against the darker colors.
If you count the mandibles over the shoulders, this figure has twenty four points of articulation in this mode. This includes four on each arm and six on each leg. There are nine 5mm ports on this figure including one on the back, one under each foot and one on each forearm. All the joints on my copy of this figure are nice and tight.
Transformation to Beast Mode:
- Detach all accessories and set them aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Swing each fist into the forearms.
- Push the silver pieces on either side of the head in to cover up the face.
- Swing the mandibles towards each other.
- Raise the arms out to the sides.
- Rotate the lower body around.
- Swing the front panels on the lower legs out.
- Point the feet down.
- Swing the lower legs forward so they overlap with the thighs.
- Push the two lower legs together.
- Swing the robot arms to the sides, using the tabs on the forearms to connect to the lower legs.
- On the bottom of the insect mode, swing the silver insect legs out.
- Attach the purple blasters to the forearms with the weapon barrels pointed back.
- The blaster can attach to the ports on the top or bottom of the figure.
Beast Mode:
Shrapnel's insect mode is a heavily stylized mechanical beetle. Honestly, the main details that give him an insectoid appearance are the feet on the bottom of the figure and the large mandibles. Other than that, he really looks like a big rectangle (with some curved parts). The thing is - that's perfectly cool by me. Shrapnel's sculpt looks just like his G1 predecessor (both animated and toy) and I think he looks great.
All the colors from the robot mode carry over here. There are a couple newly revealed paint details on the rear section of the insect mode: red lines with silver outlines from the edges of the lower robot legs. These are inspired by stickers in the same area on G1 Shrapnel.
The only points of articulation in this mode are the mandibles, which can swing in and out. The ends of the mandibles have points on them that for attaching Blast Effects. You can of course also attach Blast Efects to the insect legs. This mode features three 5mm ports with one on the bottom and two on top of the rear section.
Final Thoughts:
Shrapnel is absolutely awesome. He looks great in both modes, he has a fun and intuitive transformation and the Evo Fusion feature offers fun play value. His joints also feel very solid which I really appreciate. As far as I'm concerned this is the only Deluxe Class Shrapnel I'll ever need. Highly recommended!
Pros:
- Excellent G1 based sculpt in both modes.
- Cool deco.
- Excellent articulation.
- Fun play value including plenty of 5mm ports and the Evo Fusion feature.
Cons:
- It is a bit counter-intuitive to not have the lower legs collapse over the thighs fully. Instead, they kind of sit on top of them and the panels on the lower legs hang on the sides. If this sounds like I'm seriously nit-picking to find one "con", you'd be right.
