General Information:
Release Date: August 2023
Price Point: $24.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart
Accessories: Blaster
Official images and product description in italics below are from Amazon:
- THE TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE BRAWN: This Transformers Studio Series 86-22 Brawn action figure for boys and girls is highly articulated for posability and features movie-inspired deco and details
- TRANSFORMERS STUDIO SERIES DELUXE CLASS: Deluxe Class 4.5-inch collectible Transformers action figures are inspired by iconic movie scenes and designed with specs based on the Transformers movie universe
- 2 ICONIC MODES: This Studio Series Transformers toy for 8 year old boys and girls features classic conversion between robot and off-road vehicle modes in 23 steps
- AWESOME ACCESSORIES: Transformers figure comes with a blaster accessory that attaches to the Brawn figure in both modes
- REMOVABLE BACKDROP: Removable backdrop displays Brawn figure in the Decepticon Shuttle Ambush scene. Fans can use the backdrop and pose their figures in the scene with their own style
Bring the epic action of the Transformers movies from the big screen into your collection with the Transformers Studio Series Deluxe Class 86-22 Brawn action figure, inspired by The Transformers: The Movie! In an effort to protect the crew, Brawn is the first to act when Decepticons attack the Autobot shuttle. Transformers Studio Series toys are collectible action figures for 8 year old boys and girls that feature movie-inspired details and accessories. Convert the action figure from robot to off-road vehicle mode in 23 steps and pose the Brawn toy in the included Decepticon Shuttle Ambush removable backdrop scene. Transformers action figures for boys and girls make great gifts! Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro. Hasbro and all related terms are trademarks of Hasbro.
Background:
The Generations line has been bringing updated versions of G1 characters to fan collections for well over a decade now. For many years the figures were G1 in spirit but not slavish to the appearance of the characters in the G1 cartoon. However, recent lines have leaned more towards a "cartoon accurate" design, especially the Studio Series 86 figures such as Jazz. Brawn continues this tradition. There have been many Brawn figures previous to this one in recent years including:
Packaging:
Brawn is packaged in the standard, rectangular Studio Series window box. The front features beautiful artwork for Brawn in robot mode charging forward, yelling. The 1986 "Transformers: The Movie" logo is found on the lower right and a large window shows off the figure inside. The back of the box shows the figure off in both modes calling out a 23 step transformation. The figure description mentions "Decepticon Shuttle Ambush" over the figure in vehicle form. The cardboard insert inside continues the tradition of giving Studio Series figures a backdrop that relates to a key scene in the film. In this case the backdrop is based the battle inside the Autobot Shuttle where Brawn met his doom.
Accessories:
Brawn includes a blaster accessory. I confess I do not recognize the design off the top of my head, but it looks like one of the generic blasters G1 characters would be equipped with in the original cartoon. The blaster has a small base with an angled design and a narrow barrel in front. The weapon is made of black plastic and features a 5mm peg on the bottom. The end of the barrel can fit a Blast Effect.
Interestingly, Brawn's "spare tire" from the top of the vehicle mode can also be detached, using a 5mm peg to hold in place. It serves no real purpose. He can hold it in one of his hands in robot mode but that's really it. That said, I can imagine that it could serve as an "Evo-Fusion" style attachment point to connect multiple weapons together, so once you get this figure there is definitely some experimentation in order. This piece is black plastic with no paint apps.
Robot Mode:
Every Brawn figure released in recent years takes some level of inspiration from his G1 toy or animation design, but this is the first figure in a while that really worked hard to represent the character as he appeared on screen in the 1986 theatrical film (and by extension, the G1 animated series). For the most part, the designers have succeeded! Brawn has a powerful, bulky appearance. True to his name, he looks like a robot built for strength who will hold his ground in a battle. This is partly thanks to his wide head, thick torso section and block arms and legs. Other G1 based details include:
- Head: Brawn's unique head design has a wide, curved helmet section. His face features narrow eyes, a nose and mouth. He also has unique curved lines running from the nose area to the sides of the mouth. These are inspired by the design of the G1 Brawn's toy which had similar line designs on the head.
- Torso: The torso features an interesting design with horizontal, rectangular sections at the top of the chest and near the waist with a curved section in between that has sections sticking out a bit on the sides. This design element is inspired directly by the same area on the G1 action figure.
- Legs: The legs on this figure are thick and blocky with a horizontal design near the knees. There is a lot more detail in this leg area that you will not find in the G1 animation model including a raised trapezoid under the knees and some ridges on the sides of the thighs. These ridges are likely inspired by ridges that ran along the legs of the G1 figure.
- Backpack: Part of the vehicle mode comes up behind the head in this mode. At the very top of that are two raised sections above the head. This detail was not only on the G1 action figure, but it could also be found on the G1 animation model.
Overall Brawn looks fantastic. To me he is the definitive G1 Brawn and I am very happy with the sculpt.
Brawn is mostly made up of green and orange plastic with black used for his wheels. There is heavy use of orange paint on the torso and the section behind the robot head. Other parts such as the face and forearms are painted silver. A large, red Autobot symbol is painted onto the chest. The eyes are painted light blue. The deco on this figure is simple but Brawn's colors were never terribly complex to begin with, so it totally works!
There are twenty two points of articulation including head, waist and ankle articulation. This also includes three on each arm and seven in each leg/foot. He can hold 5mm peg weapons in either hand or store it on his back. Three points of articulation on the arms sounds low, but the shoulder joints are ball joints so there is a good range of motion.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Detach the blaster and set it aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Swing each fist inward.
- Rotate the lower bottom around.
- Swing the chest panel forward, then rotate the panel inside around to reveal the vehicle mode's front grille, then swing the panel back into place.
- Swing the robot arms down.
- Swing the back panel up.
- Swing the robot arms back.
- Rotate the forearms so you can connect them using the tab and corresponding slot.
- Fold the halves of the feet together.
- On each leg, swing the inner halves down.
- Swing the sections of the legs with the wheels forward.
- Push the cabin cover down.
- Swing the side mirror panels and the back panel down and snap them into place.
- The blaster can be attached to the top of the vehicle.
Vehicle Mode:
Brawn's vehicle mode is an off-road vehicle. The general shape of this vehicle mode resembles his animated counterpart, but Hasbro and Takara Tomy upped the level of sculpted details to give him a more distinctive appearance. This includes raised racks on the top of the vehicle, a raised section on the top of the hood and a much more intricate grille design than the one seen in the TV show. In the animated verion he basically had three vertical grille lines flanked by headlights. Here there are headlights and lights below those with a grille that features both horizontal and vertical lines. A couple "classic" Brawn details appear in the form of the spare tire on the top of the car and a container marked with a sculpted "X" in the back.
This mode mostly shows off green plastic with a bit of orange plastic peeking out in the back. The windshield and side windows are painted light blue (sadly the rear window is left unpainted). A large, red Autobot symbol is printed on the hood and the sides of the wheels are painted silver. The grille and front wheel covers feature silver paint with a bit of orange towards the bottom. Overall the colors are very distinctly "Brawn" and I only regret the lack of light blue paint on the rear window.
As mentioned above, the spare tire on top can be detached to reveal a 5mm port, but this is really meant to serve as a place to hold his weapon. I personally hope this is hinting at an Outback redeco/retool of this figure since Outback had the distinction of being the only G1 Mini-Bot toy to come with a weapon accessory that attached to the top of his vehicle mode.
Final Thoughts:
Studio Series 86 Brawn is fantastic. I love this character and this is an update worthy of the name "Brawn"! He looks great in both modes, represents the G1 character well and he's fun to play with. Highly recommended!
Pros:
- Excellent sculpt in both modes.
- Good deco.
- Good articulation.
- Fun and intuitive transformation.
Cons:
- Needs a tad bit more paint in vehicle mode.
