General Information:
Release Date: February 2020
Price Point: $9.99 (Varies by retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: None
*Images and text below from Entertainment Earth:
Easily convert and attack with Transformers Cyberverse 1-Step Action Attackers toys! Simply convert Repugnus figure from robot to bug mode in 1 quick step.
Back in the G1 era, a small team of Autobots known as the "Monsterbots" were released. These beast-based Autobots were portrayed as wild and out of control (similar to the Dinobots before them). One of these characters was Repugnus, an insectoid creature that transformed into a robot. Over the years, the character has popped up again in the toy line a few times including:
Now Repugnus has joined the Cyberverse toy line as a One-Step Changer! This was a surprise reveal late last year (via Takara Tomy) and hit shelves in the U.S. in February 2020.
Packaging:
Following the design that has been used with Cyberverse One-Step Changers since the beginning of the line, the design of One-Step Changer packaging has not changed. The packaging is basically a large card that folds over a figure tied into a plastic tray that is glued to the card. The graphics however are very different. Instead of mostly being yellow, this card is mostly purple with an image of Cybertron in the background. The yellow is still present behind the vertical Transformers logo and a faction logo is set above that. This figure uses the "Bumblebee Cyberverse Adventures" logo (instead of the "Battle for Cybertron" logo used on other Cyberverse figures released at the same time). Interestingly, this Bumblebee logo has a small thumbnail image of Bumblebee's head above it, but the logo on his casemate Bludgeon does not. Above the logo is Repugnus' artwork featuring him in beast mode. The flap in front of the plastic tray features different artwork of Repugnus using his "Gruesome Chomp" action feature.
The back of the packaging features Repugnus in both modes and it shows of the one step transformation. It also calls out his "Gruesome Chomp" feature (but oddly does not show you how to utilize it). Under his name he is simply described as a "Heroic Autobot".
Beast Mode:
Repugnus uses his G1 and Generations counterparts as the foundation of his design, but he is significantly more squat than those versions. Like those previous versions of the character he has a round, insectoid head with giant mandibles on the sides. His arms feature big pincers at the end and each of his feet feature two "toes" in front. The back panel features two roughly rectangular sections with vents at the bottom. Despite having really short, squat legs, he is immediately identifiable as Repugnus and he somehow manages to look cool and cute at the same time!
Repugnus is made up of brown, red, yellow and light grey plastic. Dark grey, green and white paint are used on the head. White is also used on the pincers. This may not sound like a lot, but it is actually quite a bit of paint for a One-Step Changer. These colors are all inspired by the G1 Repugnus and they look wonderfully retro.
There are four poitns of articulation in this mode: the arms. Each has a ball joint at the shoulder and elbow. He even has 5mm ports in the fists inside the pincers. His "Gruesome Chomp" attack is activated by pulling up the curved white tab on the top of his head. Pull it up and the mandibles move in, let go and they move back out. It is a really fun feature that does not mess up the aesthetics of the figure in any way.
Transformation to Robot Mode:
Swing the beast mode feet and hips forward. Holding on to the red robot legs continue unfolding the figure into robot mode. Straighten out the arms. He's not really a "One Step" changer, but there is one smooth unfolding movement and it's neat!
Robot Mode:
Despite the One-Step transformation being so different from his G1 counterpart, his robot mode borrows a bunch of design elements from the original. This includes having the beast mode head on the back, mandibles sticking out the sides on the back and panels on the chest that look like the G1 Repugnus' beast mode forearms (which folded against the chest). He has other nice details including raised rectangles on the knee armor and a head featuring a central crest and a helmet section that wrapped around the face. Repugnus looks fantastic (especially for a One-Step Changer).
This mode shows ooff the red, yellow and light grey parts. They contrast beautifully and the addition of red and yellow paint helps balance out the deco. The chest has an Autobot symbol tampographed onto it. Like the G1 toy, his face is unpainted, so it looks kind of plain but it is a fun callback.
Like the best mode this form has four points of articulation. His fists are more exposed here, allowing him to hold a variety of weapons with 5mm pegs.
Final Thoughts:
I absolutely love this figure. It is fun to play with and looks great in both modes. I am also happy seeing a relatively obscure character getting recognition in the Cyberverse line. Highly recommended!
Pros:
- Great sculpt with nice homages to G1 Repugnus.
- Good deco.
- Fun action feature.
Cons:
- Some fans may not like the squat appearance in beast mode.
