General Information
Release Date: July 2024
Price Point: $9.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: None
Official images and text in italics are from Amazon:
- MOVIE-INSPIRED 2-IN-1 CONVERTING TRANSFORMERS TOY: Inspired by the Transformers One movie, this Airachnid Transformers action figure converts from robot to Cybertronian vehicle mode for awesome 2-in-1 play
- COG CHANGER AUTOMATIC CONVERSION: Slide down the panel on the Transformers figure’s chest, press the cog, and the figure automatically converts in 1 step from a robot to a Cybertronian vehicle
- 4-INCH ROBOT ACTION FIGURE: In robot mode, Airachnid action figure is 4 inches (10 cm) tall. Stage battles from the movie with other Transformers toys like this one! (Each sold separately, subject to availability)
- CYBERTRONIAN VEHICLE MODE: Imagine epic battle scenes with this Transformers figure in Cybertronian vehicle mode! Great for kids who love toy cars, toy trucks, and other vehicle toys
- COG LOCKOUT: The figure has a cog lockout feature to limit its ability to convert. In cog lockout, kids can convert the figure in 6 steps
- TRANSFORMERS ACTION FIGURES FOR BOYS AND GIRLS 6 AND UP: Transformers movie figures make a great gift for boys and girls who love robot toys
- ICONIC TRANSFORMERS MOVIE CHARACTERS: Transformers One is the untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, once friends bonded like brothers, who changed the fate of Cybertron forever. Look for more Transformers toys (each sold separately, subject to availability) to build your collection
Experience the epic origins of legendary Transformers robots with this Transformers One Cog Changer Airachnid action figure! This 4-inch (10 cm) figure converts from robot to Cybertronian vehicle mode in 1 step. It has a cog lockout feature to limits its ability to convert until you unlock it. Slide down the panel on the Transformers figure’s chest, press the cog, and the figure automatically converts from a robot to alt mode. The simple conversion perfect for Transformers fans age 6 and up. The figure is inspired by the iconic character from the Transformers movie, Transformers One. Movie-inspired Interactive toys like this Airachnid toy make cool gifts for boys and girls ages 6 and up. Transformers One is the untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, once friends bonded like brothers, who changed the fate of Cybertron forever. TRANSFORMERS and HASBRO and all related trademarks and logos are trademarks of Hasbro, Inc. © 2024 Hasbro. © 2024 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Background:
Transformers One is an animated theatrical film due to be released on September 20, 2024. The film features a core group of characters having an adventure before the beginning of the Great War during Cybertron's Age. One of the characters who will feature in the film is Airachnid, based on a character of the same name from Transformers: Prime. She was only hinted at in the first trailer but the second trailer (embedded below) gives us a much better look at the character close up.
The "Cog Changers" in the Transformers One toy line are basically rebranded One-Step Changers featuring smaller figures with limited articulation. The main gimmick is that one movement will switch the figure from one mode to the other. This is of course aimed at a younger audience so those looking for a Generations style figure should look more towards Prime Changer Class or Studio Series figures.
Packaging:
Airachnid is packaged on a card similar to those used in previous toy lines such as Cyberverse. The card mostly features blue colors with a Cybertronian city in the background. On top of that is close up artwork of Airachnid in robot mode and then a photo of the figure on the front flap of the card (I'm also tempted to call this a box, though it is not exactly a box). The packaging calls out Airachnid's one-step transformation along with the Transformers One logo and Airachnid's name. The back features the figure in both modes calling out a one step transformation. It also shows how you can slide a panel up to reveal Airachnid's transformation cog.
Beast Mode:
It is interesting that the designers chose to give this figure a beast mode instead of a vehicle mode. While the trailer above does not show Airachnid transforming into a vehicle, there is a scene where we see a hover vehicle on screen with hover fans that are shaped very much like parts of Airachnid's legs. I wonder if this beast mode represents an abandoned third mode or if it was just the designers taking some liberties with the character design.
So, what is this alt mode? It won't be a shock to learn that it looks like a robotic spider. Interestingly, while this mode is not a vehicle, the basic shape of the center of this robotic spider looks very similar to the vehicle seen in the trailer. The front has a "head" section with a single large "eye" lens with smaller circular ones on the sides. There are also blasters pointing forward in front. On either side of the body are four spider legs. While the design is not the same, I cannot help but be reminded (in spirit at least) of Tarantulas' little Arachnoid drones from Beast Wars.
This figure is mostly made of gunmetal grey plastic. Paint details are mostly done in metallic light blue and silver paint. From the brief looks we get of the character in the trailer above these seem to match her on-screen appearance.
Transformation to Robot Mode:
Holding the body of the spider mode, pull the robot legs on the bottom of the beast mode down and back, locking them in place. As you do so, the arms will swing out to the sides, the chest will lock in place and the robot head will be revealed. In a fun bit of functionality, if you slide her Transformation Cog panel up in robot mode, when you transform her back into beast mode the panel slides back down.
Robot Mode:
We have not had a good look at Arachnid's full robot mode up close from the trailers released thus far, but based on her silhouette from the first trailer it appears she is similar in design to her Transformers Prime counterpart complete with long spider legs extending from her body. This figure does not really do that since the spider legs all wind up on her back, but if you use your imagination you can sort of see how these legs can extend forward if necessary. Her body design features a lot of angled and sleek looking sections and each of her forearms have blasters attached to them. The one part of her design that we do get a good look at in the trailer is her head, and this head design matches it very nicely. Instead of the typical Transformers head design which has humanoid proportions, her head extends back very far (because it opens up to reveal a ton of optic sensors inside!). This also calls back to her beast mode. This figure's head design looks just like what you see in the trailer, minus the ability to open up of course.
The same colors features in the beast mode carry over here, but we get to see more silver thanks to the face, arms and parts of the torso. If you slide the Transformation Cog panel on the torso up it reveals a panel painted silver and light blue with details that look like the Transformation Cogs seen in the trailer. There are also some metallic red stripes on both arms, adding some extra detailing.
Overall Airachnid looks good. I like the plastic color and paint applications.
There are no points of articulation in this mode. I was kind of hoping the arms would at least swing up, but to be honest having virtually no articulation is hardly unusual for One-Step Changers.
Final Thoughts:
Airachnid is a fun little "fidget spinner" type toy to quickly transform back and forth. Given that she's a neat toy but I do find it curious she has a beast mode instead of the vehicle mode she seemingly has in the film. Recommended if you are into One-Step Changers, otherwise you may wish to wait to see if there will be a version in Studio Series or a Prime Changer.
Pros:
- Nice sculpt in both modes.
- Cool colors and deco.
- The Transformation Cog panel sliding up then sliding back down during transformation is fun.
Cons:
- No articulation in robot mode.
- Likely not "screen accurate" in its alt-mode.
