Figure review: Flame Toys – Kuro Kara Kuri – Optimus Prime.
I.am.Optimus.Prime
Does a Transformers have to transform? Well theoretically, they should! But if you want dynamic proportions and posabilities, you might have to make some sacrifices. Flame Toys bring us the best looking and articulated non-transformable Optimus to date.
1. Info
Kuro Kara Kuri – Optimus Prime
Series : Transformer
Price: around ¥37,800
Release date: August 2020
Kuro Kara Kuri – Optimus Prime
Series : Transformer
Price: around ¥37,800
Release date: August 2020
2. Design
– The leader of the Autobots got a massive make-overs. He’s no longer blocky but slimmed down at some parts, paricularly the waist. He’s got more curves around the arms and thighs as well. A lot of real robot design aesthetics were incorporated here especially the mechanical details around his body while still keeping what’s unique to Optimus.
– Overall, the looks and proportions of this figure is excellent. You can tell it’s Optimus at a glance yet still see a fresh aesthetics to him.
– The painting is awesome. Colors are bright and vibrant. The paint is quite durable as well. The metallic silver, gloss blue and gloss dark red really blends well together with some copper accents here and there.
– The Kuro Kara Kuro nails the looks of a modernized Optimus, making him dynamic and much more sleek. The sacrifice of the transformation is worth it.
– The leader of the Autobots got a massive make-overs. He’s no longer blocky but slimmed down at some parts, paricularly the waist. He’s got more curves around the arms and thighs as well. A lot of real robot design aesthetics were incorporated here especially the mechanical details around his body while still keeping what’s unique to Optimus.
– Overall, the looks and proportions of this figure is excellent. You can tell it’s Optimus at a glance yet still see a fresh aesthetics to him.
– The painting is awesome. Colors are bright and vibrant. The paint is quite durable as well. The metallic silver, gloss blue and gloss dark red really blends well together with some copper accents here and there.
– The Kuro Kara Kuro nails the looks of a modernized Optimus, making him dynamic and much more sleek. The sacrifice of the transformation is worth it.
3. Build quality
With the amounts of heavy diecast, The Kuro Kara Kuri Optimus Prime is hefty and feel extremely durable. As the use of ABS plastic, Die-cast and PVC parts ensures durability while maintaining a good balance between strength and flexibility, allowing for a smooth posing and playability.
With the amounts of heavy diecast, The Kuro Kara Kuri Optimus Prime is hefty and feel extremely durable. As the use of ABS plastic, Die-cast and PVC parts ensures durability while maintaining a good balance between strength and flexibility, allowing for a smooth posing and playability.
4. Articulation
The range of the upper body is completely perfect. Great head, torso, shoulders and arms movement. They even give it a double swivel on the biceps and elbow section. Basically everything you need for any kind of pose
– The lower section is a bit more tricky. Spread is decent but the bulky thighs really limit the range. The thigh swivel is absolutely great tho. The double jointed knee has a wide range but sacrifice stability and it gets loose quite easy due to the massive amount of diecast on the calves. Feet can be extended for more range but I wish they add more feet pivot. But with his weight, he will be able to hold his ground easily.
– Overall the posability and articulation is great. There can be improvements especially in the lower section and overall will pull off pretty much any poses you want, even the dynamic ones.
The range of the upper body is completely perfect. Great head, torso, shoulders and arms movement. They even give it a double swivel on the biceps and elbow section. Basically everything you need for any kind of pose
– The lower section is a bit more tricky. Spread is decent but the bulky thighs really limit the range. The thigh swivel is absolutely great tho. The double jointed knee has a wide range but sacrifice stability and it gets loose quite easy due to the massive amount of diecast on the calves. Feet can be extended for more range but I wish they add more feet pivot. But with his weight, he will be able to hold his ground easily.
– Overall the posability and articulation is great. There can be improvements especially in the lower section and overall will pull off pretty much any poses you want, even the dynamic ones.
5. Gimmicks and accessories
+ Accessories: the Autobot Leader comes with a huge arsenal: 1 long sword, twin blades, 2 axes and his iconic blaster. The long sword has a Matrix handguard which is pretty cool. The twin blades’ clear orange is quite series accurate. The good thing is all weapons can be stored on Prime’s body, which is a huge plus. With Prime’s uber posability, you can pull off lots of great poses!
In terms of other stuff, we have 5 pairs of hands, a sword pedestal, a base and my favorite accessory: 2 Orion Pax faces. One is his normal face and one is a screaming face with half of Prime’s mask broken. It is a big homage to the Brave series where the mask break to reveal the face inside. A true Obarimus Prime.
+ Accessories: the Autobot Leader comes with a huge arsenal: 1 long sword, twin blades, 2 axes and his iconic blaster. The long sword has a Matrix handguard which is pretty cool. The twin blades’ clear orange is quite series accurate. The good thing is all weapons can be stored on Prime’s body, which is a huge plus. With Prime’s uber posability, you can pull off lots of great poses!
In terms of other stuff, we have 5 pairs of hands, a sword pedestal, a base and my favorite accessory: 2 Orion Pax faces. One is his normal face and one is a screaming face with half of Prime’s mask broken. It is a big homage to the Brave series where the mask break to reveal the face inside. A true Obarimus Prime.
More poses
+ Gimmicks: the biggest one must be the LED and chest gimmicks. There are 4 LED switches: 2 on shoulders and 2 on knee guards. The chest panel can open up to reveal more light piping which is gorgeous. The details and LED works really well together. The LED eyes and the brave faces is a perfect combo.
Other notable gimmicks is some sliding panels on knee and front skirt. That is mostly to complement the articulation of the figure.
Other notable gimmicks is some sliding panels on knee and front skirt. That is mostly to complement the articulation of the figure.
–> Overall: Awesome figure all around. Looks, articulation, accessories are all solid and strong. There are definitely bits that can be improved considering his price point, which is one of the challenges of getting this guy. Definitely not for people who don’t want to sacrifice transformation, but as a premium figure, it is definitely worth adding to your collection if you are a Transformers fan.
Score: 8.5/10
Score: 8.5/10
Gallery:
