General Information
Release Date: July 2024
Price Point: $24.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: Blaster
Official images and text in italics are from Amazon.com
- THE TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE BUMBLEBEE: This Transformers Studio Series 86-29 Bumblebee action figure is highly articulated for posability and features movie-inspired deco and details
- TRANSFORMERS TOYS STUDIO SERIES DELUXE CLASS: This 4.5-inch (11.5 cm) collectible action figure is inspired by iconic movie scenes and designed with specs and details to reflect the Transformers movie universe
- 2 ICONIC MODES: This Studio Series Transformers toy features classic conversion between robot and mini car modes in 23 steps
- AWESOME ACCESSORIES: Transformers figure comes with a blaster accessory that attaches in both modes
- ARTICULATED FOR PLAY AND DISPLAY: Transformers figures feature articulated heads, arms, and legs for action poses
- REMOVABLE BACKDROP: Removable backdrop displays the Transformers Studio Series Bumblebee figure in The Depths of Unicron scene
- COLLECT STUDIO SERIES MOVIE FIGURES: This action figure toy makes a great collectible figure gift for any Transformers fan. Look for more Transformers Studio Series toys to build a collection (each sold separately, subject to availability)
Bring the epic action of the Transformers movies from the big screen into your collection with the Transformers Studio Series Deluxe Class Bumblebee action figure, inspired by The Transformers: The Movie! Transformers Studio Series toys are collectible action figures that feature movie-inspired details and accessories. Convert the Studio Series Transformers action figure from robot to mini car mode in 23 steps and pose the Bumblebee toy in the included The Depths of Unicron removable backdrop scene. Look for more Transformers Studio Series collectible figures to build a movie-inspired collection (each sold separately, subject to availability)! TRANSFORMERS and HASBRO and all related trademarks and logos are trademarks of Hasbro, Inc. © 2024 Hasbro.
Background:
Bumblebee was always a well known character in Transformers since the days of G1. He kind of disappeared from the toy line for several years but after his reappearance in the 2006 Classics line and then becoming a feature character in the live action films his popularity exploded. Over time Bumblebee was released in a ton of different forms. From a G1 perspective we even got the "Origin" form seen in "More than Meets the Eye" Part 1! Now as part of Studio Series 86 we get a new Bumblebee toy inspired by his design in the G1 animated series. We sort of got this once before but that version was a Core Class figure.
Packaging:
Bumblebee is packaged in a standard rectangular Studio Series box. Most of the graphics are very similar to previous Studio Series boxes but there are some variations here and there. The Studio Series logo is on a blue background and the "86" number is in large blue letters next to it. Bumblebee's artwork is very G1-centric showing him running at someone (presumably a Decepticon). Towards the top of the box is the "The Transformers: The Movie" logo.. The figure sits inside the box with an open window, following Hasbro's "no plastic packaging" rule. A surprising amount of the figure is visible in the window from the head down to the hips. Other figures have been covered up to the chest to prevent theft.
The back of the box looks like a very standard Studio Series box with a red background and images of the figure in both modes calling out a 23 step transformation. The description (in multiple languages) says "The Depths of Unicron" which is related to the cardboard background included with the figure. This is meant to represent the part of the movie where Rodimus Prime helps lead Autobot survivors out of Unicron as the Dark God explodes.
Accessory:
Bumblebee includes a blaster accessory. In the G1 cartoon, the Mini-Bots were generally given generic weapons (sometimes looking like a tube with a handle). Because the G1 Mini-Bot figures (mostly) did not include weapons, these blaster designs were randomly used for the Mini-Bots. This weapon is inspired by a blaster seen in the G1 episode "Fire in the Sky". It features an arrow shaped body with a cone shaped barrel in front. The top has a distinctive section that is sunken in a bit. Finer details on the weapon include a five sided shape on either side towards the back and Lots of small rectangular line details. This weapon is made of black plastic and most of it is painted silver except for the handle. There is a 5mm peg on the bottom and a small rectangular tab sticking out horizontally on the side. This allows for weapon storage in robot mode by connecting the tab to the corresponding slot on Bumblebee's back.
I'm going to be touching on this when I get to Bumblebee's robot mode review, but given the relatively small size of the figure, I would have really liked another blaster to be included that more resembles the one he wielded in "More than Meets the Eye" Part 1. A tiny version of that blaster was made for Core Class Bumblebee but it would have been cool to have a Deluxe scale one included with this figure.
Robot Mode:
Okay, let's talk size. This figure measures at about 4.5 inches (11.43 cm) tall. This makes him easily 1-1.5 iches smaller than most other Deluxe Class figures. In the past with figures like Earthrise Cliffjumper the small size of that figure was (kind of) balanced out by larger figures in the wave such as Hoist and Ironworks. However, this figure is a special "A-Level Distribution" figure who ships in a case of his own and is intended to be available for retailers to order at any time so that "balancing out the wave" idea is lost here. Instead, we just have a smaller than average Deluxe Class figure. I'll discuss the price point more in my final thoughts.
This figure is not a retool/redeco of the Netflix Bumblebee figure (which was later used to create Buzzworthy Bumblebee Goldbug). Instead, it is a whole new tool with new parts and a new transformation scheme. Of course, being a Bumblebee there are some design similarities. His feet are made from the front of the vehicle mode and the back has the rear section of the vehicle on it.
As animated representations go, the designers had to get a bit creative. See, in the original Transformers toy line, Bumblebee was supposed to be a Penny Racer version of a Volkswagen Beetle. Even though the vehicle mode was simplified and made to look a bit more "cute" in shape, the vehicle was still really recognizable as a Volkswagen Beetle thus causing potential licensing issues. When designing this figure, Hasbro and Takara Tomy had to avoid those potential licensing problems and that is reflected in this mode since two major sections of the vehicle mode for major areas of the robot mode, specifically the torso and feet.
In the animated series, Bumblebee's torso was formed from the cabin of the vehicle mode and it had a curved shape (which lent itself to Bumblebee's "cute" persona). That meant it was round, like the cabin section of a Beetle. On this figure, this section is in the right place, but you will notice distinct angles where one might expect there to be curves. Meanwhile, the feet look good. They feature rounded sections in front reminiscent of the Volkswagen Beetle and round wheel wells on the sides with distinct round headlights pointing forward.
The rest of the figure represents the animated design well. His head sculpt has a wide helmet with a central crest and horns sticking out on top. His face is even sculpted with a friendly looking expression befitting the Autobot's personality. The arms feature blocky shoulders, tube shaped elbow areas and blocky forearms. The pelvis section features a "V" shaped design that was also seen on the cartoon model. Overall, as a representation of Bumblebee's G1 animation model this figure is not perfect, but he does come very close.
This figure is mostly made up of yellow and black plastic. Paint colors include silver, blue, yellow, red and black. Silver is used on the face and headlights while black is used for detailing such as the front bumper. A red Autobot symbol adorns the center of his chest and his eyes are painted blue. From a deco standpoint he represents the animation model really well.
There are twenty two points of articulation on this figure. That includes four in each arm and six in each leg. He has a 5mm port in each fist to hold his weapon and as mentioned above, the weapon can be attached to his back for storage.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Detach the blaster and set it aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Lift the back panel up, then swing the robot head forward (these pieces are all connected).
- Swing the torso panel forward.
- Swing the robot head forward into the opening behind the torso panel.
- Swing the torso panel back in place.
- Rotate the rear wheel wells around so the arms point up. Now bend the arms a bit at the elbows and connect the forearms together (there is a tab on the right arm that fits into a corresponding slot on the left). The arms need to be bent a bit for the wheel wells to line up properly with the rest of the vehicle.
- Push the rear vehicle mode panel down and swing it forward. There are tiny tabs on the back of the rear wheel wells that fit into corresponding slots on the back piece.
- Swing the lower half of the body down using the central hinge above the pelvis.
- On the bottom of each foot, separate the two black pieces that form the bottom of the feet.
- Swing the panel that forms the back of each foot out.
- Swing the panels that formed the bottom of the feet up.
- Bend each foot forward at the knees.
- Swing the feet forward and swing the legs up at the hip joints to form the front of the vehicle.
- The blaster attaches to the back of the vehicle.
Vehicle Mode:
I mentioned above that Bumblebee's G1 vehicle mode was a "Penny Racer" style car. That generally means a "cute" or "super deformed" version of real life vehicle. In the G1 cartoon he was totally identifiable as a Volkswagen Beetle, but with very round and compressed proportions. It is that design that this vehicle mode represents but because of the licensing issues mentioned above the designers had to change the design. That means the top of the vehicle is much more angular than his appearance on the TV show, which was very round (looking almost like a bubble on wheels). Some angled bits have also been added to the front end of the vehicle. To try to preserve some of the roundness of Bumblebee's animated design and the Penny Racer influence, the rear wheel wells are round and much larger than the front wheel wells (which are also very round). Also, like the Beetle the front bumper goes across the front horizontally with two vertical bars near the headlights. Given the licensing limitations, I think this is as good as this vehicle can get, and it does succeed in evoking G1 Bumblebee's cartoon design even if it does not fully replicate it.
The deco from the robot mode mostly carries over here, with yellow and black being the most prominent colors. A newly revealed Autobot symbol appears on the hood (a feature of the animation model) and much to my delight the rear lights are painted red. You will note the windows are not painted blue like they appear in the cartoon. That is due to that section being made of unpaintable plastic so I'll forgive it. If it makes you feel better, you can think of the dark windows as a nod to the G1 toy! The sides of the wheels are painted silver, another deco point I am very thankful for.
Final Thoughts:
Studio Series 86 Bumblebee is a really fun toy. I acknowledge that the figure is not as accurate of a representation of the animation model as say, Hot Rod or Brawn but overall he captures the spirit of the animation model and he's a fun toy to play with. All that said, given the size of the figure the $24.99 price point feels a tad high, but at the time I am writing this review Amazon has him on sale for $16.68 and no doubt the price will go up and down since this figure is meant to be readily available on shelves throughout the year. At that price (or thereabouts) he's well worth it. Recommended with reservations.
Pros:
- Fun sculpt that is reminiscent of the character's G1 animation design.
- Great articulation.
- Fun and intuitive transformation.
- Good deco.
Cons:
- Licensing issues prevent a truly faithful animation-based sculpt.
- I would have liked one more blaster given the price point.
