General Information
Release Date: May 2025
Price Point: 2,750 Yen (MSRP)
Retailer: Japanese Exclusive
Accessories: Dinosaur head, Dinosaur Tail, Flame Energy Armor
Official images and text in italics are from Takara Tomy Mall
Characters from the web animation "TRANSFORMERS Wild King" are now available as toys! Introducing "Captain Volca", a Tyrannosaurus-type TRANSFORMERS Energy Beast that appears in "TRANSFORMERS Wild King"! "Captain Volca" is TRANSFORMERS that has flame energy, the power of fire!
Transform from robots to beast and beast to robots! It can be combined (Wild Docking) with the Energy Master (sold separately)! Enjoy your own wildocking!
Character Profile from Takara Tomy's Site (translated via Google Translate):
A Tyrannosaurus Transformer that is smaller and more aggressive than the others. It uses "Flame Energy" as its power and can control the power of the other. Driven by Megatron's wisdom and charisma , it believes that it is only natural it is the only one who can control the other. It is a leader who brings the other members together , and is trying to find a way to destroy the evil in the world ...!
Packaging:
In a huge departure from the typical Transformers packaging from the last decade or so, the Wild King beasts are packaged in closed boxes measuring about 6.25 inches (about 15.8cm) by 6.25 inches (and 2 inches/5cm deep). The front features the Wild King logo to the left and the Takara Tomy logo to the right. The main illustration is Captain Volca's CG model in robot mode. His beast mode is represented by a photo of the toy. In the lower left hand corner is a box showing off Megatron combined with all four beasts from the first wave of Wild King toys. To the right is Captain Volca's designation "WKB-03" and his name. The back of the box shows Lightlong in both modes and features the write up translated above. The rest of the back features legal text.
The figure and accessories are tied to a plain cardboard try with rubber bands. Unlike lines like Legacy, there are no parts wrapped in tissue paper. This packaging is nice as it is reusable, allowing you to store the figure inside when you do not have it on display.
Accessories:
The basic design of the Wild King beasts involves a basic robot frame whose parts move in very similar ways. There are 5mm pegs all over the figure allowing you to attach weapons and more importantly, beast mode "parts" to form the alt-modes. Here's a rundown of what Captain Volca comes with:
T-Rex Head:
Captain Volca transforms into a Tyrannosaurus Rex so his beast mode head accessory represents a mechanical T-Rex head. The design features a shape many fans will be familiar with from other figures like T-Wrecks. There is a large snout and eyes with pronounced ridges on top. Smaller details include rows of teeth inside the mouth and nostrils on the snout. While the design is curved and looks organic from a distance, look closer and you'll see plenty of mechanical details including lines separating armor plates. This piece is made of red and black plastic. Red makes up the head while black plastic is used for the piece with the pegs on it. The eyes are painted red (a deeper shade than the plastic) and there are orange details painted on top.
Like other figures in the line, the black piece on the neck has one section with a single 5mm peg and another section with two pegs. This allows you to attach this piece to different parts of the figure.
Tail/Weapon:
The beast mode tail serves as a weapon in robot mode. The design is savage looking with several spikes running along the top. Like the head, from a distance it looks almost organic, but up close you'll see mechanical details like panels of armor running along the sides. This piece is made of red and black plastic with no paint applications.
Like the head, this piece also has a section with three 5mm pegs on it. Two are next to each other while the third is a single peg in the middle. While there is no weapon barrel sculpted into the tail, suggesting this is more of a melee weapon but I like to think of it as a cannon as well. The bottom of this piece has a 5mm port in the middle while the top has one at the base. This allows for extra play value.
Flame Energy Armor:
This leaf shaped armor piece features several layers of details that look like flames. There is even a flame symbol off to one side. Given Captain Volca's name and his colors, it makes sense that fire would be the theme of this character's armor. This piece is made of maroon plastic with metallic red paint on the front. It has a 5mm peg that you can use to attach to Captain Volca or other figures with 5mm ports.
Robot Mode:
Captain Volca shares some of the same sculpting as the other Energy Beasts in this wave. Specifically his torso, thighs and upper arms are all the same as those on Lightlong. The new parts on the figure are his forearms (which include the dinosaur arms behind the elbows) and the lower legs, which are designed to be the dinosaur legs complete with three toes with sharp looking claws. The parts that include the beast mode bits are all mechanical looking but the legs do contain some patterns on the front that resemble the "skin" pattern seen on many Hollywood depictions of a Tyrannosaurus Rex. The head sculpt is unique to Volca featuring a "helmet" section that seems to call back to Beast Wars Neo Saberback with a tall helmet with a narrow crest in the middle. The face has an eyepatch giving him a very distinct appearance. I really dig the uncommon head design.
Volca's colors are largely based on the "volcano" or "fire" theme of the character. This parts he shares with Lightlong are all maroon. The forearms, head and lower legs are the same red as the T-rex head accessory. Smaller bits in the joints like the elbows are black plastic. Paint colors include orange (furthering the "volcano" association with his name), black and silver. I love the colors on this figure as they match the character's name and theme.
There are fourteen points of articulation on this figure. This includes four in each arm and three in each leg. This is less than the typical Generations style figure but since this is a line targeted at younger fans it's not a shock. Still, I do miss the figure having head articulation. There are fifteen 5mm ports on this figure including one on the back and one on the front of each lower leg. This allows you to attach his various accessories however you'd like. Typically the T-Rex head goes on one shoulder and the tail can be used as a weapon.
Transformation to Beast Mode:
- Detach the weapons and set them aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Push the legs together.
- Push the back panel out, swing the head into the back panel, then swing it back in place.
- Rotate the arms back.
- Swing the arms up and rotate the forearms up so the dinosaur arms are facing up.
- Push the shoulder pieces together.
- Rotate the lower body around.
- Swing the robot forearms back.
- Swing the dinosaur legs forward.
- Move the pegs on the tail so the two pegs face out. Attach this to the back.
- Move the pegs on the head so the two pegs face out. Attach this to the front.
- Attach the armor piece to the top of the beast mode.
Beast Mode:
Captain Volca's beast mod is a mechanical T-Rex (read: not techno-organic). That said, a lot of details look almost organic. The head and lower legs have a very curved and organic appearance but a closer inspection reveals mechanical details. The tail features "spikes" running along the sides and the head has a lot of curved shapes even though the finer details look like machinery. I really like the look of this beast mode.
All the same colors from the robot mode carry over here with no surprises. The orange paint is a bit more visible on the front half of the beast mode. I do wish the tail accessory had some paint on it to balance out the paint detailing.
There are six points of articulation in this mode. The mouth can open and close and the tail can be moved down. The legs technically can move independent of one another if you separate them. I do wish the beast mode arms could move but they are locked in place.
Transformation to Limb Mode (from Beast Mode):
- Detach the accessories and set them aside for now.
- Swing the robot forearms up.
- Swing the robot legs down (but keep them connected).
- Rotate the lower body around.
- Swing the lower legs up and connect them to the back using the notches in the heels and the tabs on the back panel.
- For the arm mode, you can attach the T-Rex head to the ports at the knee area on the legs.
- For the leg mode, you can attach one of Megatron or Optimus' foot pieces to the robot legs.
- The tail and armor can be attached to any of the other ports on the figure for either mode.
Limb Mode:
The limb mode is the same for both the arm and leg modes. What distinguishes the two are how you attach parts to it. If you attach the dinosaur head to the "wrist" area then you have the arm mode. Attach the same area to one of the Megatron or Optimus foot pieces and now you have the leg. The various 5mm ports on the figure allow for a lot of options in terms of where you attach the rest of the accessories.
From an aesthetic point of view the sculpt does ask you to use your imagination when it comes to the arm mode. While the dinosaur head can be used as a "hand" similar to Beast Wars Megatron, the knee pieces are designed to roughly resemble a fist. There are even 5mm ports there to attach accessories.
Final Thoughts:
I love a figure that has a theme and rolls with it. Captain Volca definitely does this. From his name to his colors the theme of a "fiery" Energy Beast is well represented by this figure. Now keep in mind this is a Japanese exclusive figure so you'll be paying import prices to bring this over, especially since the usual online shops are not carrying this line. That means you'll have to really want this figure (and the line, really) if you want to get your hands on this figure. At import prices it's really only worth it for the hardcore fans. Recommended!
Pros:
- Looks good in both modes with a unique robot head sculpt.
- Good sculpted details. Even though it shares parts with other figures it looks distinct.
- Good play value.
- Some really nice colors were chosen for this figure.
Cons:
- The lack of articulation (compared to most modern figures) may be a let down for some fans.
- Could use a bit more deco.
- It was an odd choice to add a "tab" to the weapon's handle.
