Arcee [AMK Mini Series 2]

Returning to the Yolopark AMK Mini Series 2 kits is Arcee, one of the more famous G1 characters who famously didn’t get a proper toy until almost 20 years after her introduction. Well… that’s not completely true. There were attempts back in the day that never made it past the design stage, and a Garage Kit model that anyone around in the pre-movie era probably saw brought up in conversation way too often.

This AMK Mini, however, is one of several Arcee toys we’ve gotten in more recent years. Like the other AMK Minis, I’m really impressed with the finished product’s quality and articulation. At this point you’d think I’d be used to it… but nope. Yolopark’s models are genuinely impressive, and the Minis end up as very nice figures once completed.

Unlike the prior kits in this series, Arcee isn’t blocky and chonky. Closely following her classic appearance, she has smaller, sleeker proportions than the other bots in the line. They did a really solid job here, and I’m reminded of the Action Master Arcee that was intended to be a BotCon 1996 exclusive.

That one never made it past the mock-up stage, and part of me always goes into “what if” mode when I think about things like it. Funnily enough, it was made from modified Power Rangers Happy Meal figures. I was working at McDonald’s at the time and still remember taking a few of those home.

Articulation-wise, Arcee is excellent. Like the others in the series, she comes with open and closed hands. She’s also got two pistols, so the closed fists will probably see more use. This is a really neat little Arcee, but like Clear Hound, mine had a QC issue that’s chafing my ass a bit. I tried to pose her strategically for the post picture, but mine came with two upper left thighs and no right one. Not the end of the world… except her right leg looks wrong. I’ve written Yolopark customer service hoping for a replacement part. They’re located in Hong Kong and it’s February, so I’ll have to be patient. They’re a great company, so I’m hopeful it’ll get resolved.

Outside of that QC hiccup, this is a good Arcee. And just being honest, I dig the pink and white. Those colors just work. I’m looking forward to more Yolopark releases as I slowly dip my toes into their other size classes. Just all-around good stuff.

Monday (call a priest)

Someone didn't salt Sunday evening again because it’s Monday and we've got a new week ahead of us readers. I hope everyone had a great weekend, mine sure was! Busy, but great. Saturday the Mrs and I took my old car to a dealership and purchased a new car. We traded in my old car and I'll be using her old one as my daily driver, leaving the new one for her. She loves it and it looks to be a great new vehicle.

Afterwards we had lunch at her dad's house before stopping at a McDonald's for last chance Changeables. I got 7 that I haven't gotten yet. Kurtis the Divine, Galla, Pterabagdyl, Sizzlesaurus, D1V4, and Min-EE are joining my ranks as the promotion comes to an end. Hopefully I can score the missing members without much trouble. After getting home we ran out to Walmart for a few household things and stuff for her new car. While there I picked up Age of the Primes Wreck-Gar. We got home, watched a little TV and I passed out within minutes of eating dinner. I was wiped out. 

Sunday we made a Target run hoping to find the new Godzilla Power Rangers and Cyberworld figures. Came up empty handed, but left with collapsing crates for our car trunks. I ran into Michael's for a few supplies for future backdrops and checked out their model section... which is mostly cars with a small amount of Gundams. It's nice to have another place to purchase supplies, but they won't be replacing my dependable sources.

A stop by Publix for some work week lunches for the Mrs and we were home! After the busy week I had, some rest was needed. I finally played the copy of Resident Evil Requiem we bought Friday and really enjoyed it. Looking forward to spending more time with it and the adventures of Grace and Leon. I also ordered the Blokees Wheels Optimus Prime with trailer set, getting my Wheels collection up to date until series 2 releases. The Mrs made us tacos for dinner, which were enjoyed while assembling the Yolopark BMK series 1 kits that came in during the week. Afterwards I finished the last Wheels Series 1 kits that weren't assembled yet.

Well, I've got some errands to run (site post pictures were taken yesterday) and hopefully some episodes of Kamen Rider Zeztz to watch before work this evening. We're going to have a fun week on the site full of robots, monsters, and misadventure. Thank you all for reading. Please don't forget to share with your friends and be excellent to each other. 

Bruticus [Defender Version]

I felt pretty accomplished after completing and combining the Defender Version Devastator last year, so you can imagine how proud I am after forming the Defender Version Bruticus recently. Blokees Transformers Defender Version kits just might be my favorite Blokees product out right now… hell, maybe my favorite Transformers thing at the moment. I get so damned excited when a new series is released and have so much fun assembling them. Cherry picking random completed figures from the waves to come up with posts is super fun too… they really are a blast to blog.

Like Devastator, Bruticus is the culmination of individual releases spread across multiple Defender Version series. The Combaticons were available in vehicle mode: Brawl from 04-Tyrants Fury, Swindle and Onslaught from 05-Traitor to Tyranny, and Blast Off and Vortex from 06-Brutal Fang. The kit required to form Bruticus was initially available through scanning QR codes before being made available for sale. Sundays have become my model days—Blokees are pretty easy to assemble, so some days I’ll put a few together in the living room while watching TV with the Mrs. Just my folding laptop stand next to me, a little tray for parts, and my model tool kit nearby. Inside the parts kit for Bruticus are the rest of the pieces needed to combine the team, along with a pretty detailed instruction manual. Like Devastator, keep a ziplock bag handy—there will be unused parts from the individual Combaticons.

Each individual Combaticon needs to be converted to limb mode before assembly. The instructions are detailed, but it’s easy to miss a step. Blast Off has a part toward the rear that needs to be removed, and Onslaught’s grill has to come off. Some of this can be tricky. I’ve raved about Blokees’ slightly soft plastic, but disassembling can be a pain. Onslaught’s grill kept bending, so I took a tiny flathead screwdriver and worked it off slowly. Be careful—looks easy to snap in half if you rush. Baby fingers gang, use your baby fingers. I even broke a thumbnail during this step… not the first time, but it’s always jarring. Sounds brutal, but that's Bruticus.

Bruticus’s knees impressed me. The kit comes with upper thighs that connect to the waist, with Swindle and Brawl forming the calves. A small joint piece inserts into the thigh, with an additional knee piece that fits over it. This hides the joint nicely and makes a sort of kneecap when bent. It took a few tries to get right, but I love it. The upper torso is equally impressive: there’s a chest piece and a larger version of Onslaught’s twin laser cannons for the back. I honestly assumed the Onslaught pieces would be used, but they’re tiny compared to this kit. Onslaught’s rear panels disconnect and attach sideways to his front, the chest and back panels peg in, and suddenly you have a very solid upper body. Wow.

Once everything is connected, Bruticus looks fantastic. Like Devastator, it’s hard to believe this started as cute little Defender Version kits. He’s around Voyager Class height, towering over other Defender Version bots, and is surprisingly sturdy. He comes with two closed fists, a laser rifle, and an open left hand that can hold Starscream—or anyone you want dramatically posed thanks to little pegs. That’s a really nice touch. The articulation is great, allowing for dramatic poses or careful gun aiming.

After Devastator and Bruticus, I’m really excited to see what Blokees has in store next. Predaking or Piranacon would be amazing. I’ve even seen speculation about Volcanicus, thanks to the Beast Mode Dinobots in Defender Version cases, and I’d love that. Watching Bruticus come together from five small vehicles made me appreciate the thought behind these combiners all over again. This was an awesome experience.

Mastodon [Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Re-Ignition]

The last time we looked at the new Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Re-Ignition Zords, it was Halloween. For whatever reason, Mastodon and Pterodactyl have been a little harder to find, but thankfully the Mrs. tracked this one down and stuck it under the Christmas tree. I honestly don’t know how she does it.

I’ve always been fond of the Mastodon. There was a time I preferred Power Rangers over Zyuranger simply out of familiarity, but these days I find myself watching the Tokushoutsu livestream of Zyuranger pretty regularly and honestly favoring it more. Not trying to be that “the original is better” guy, but I really enjoy the slightly more mature tone and fantasy setting, even if it’s still very much a kids show. I used to just think Mastodon looked cool. Now I actually appreciate Goushi a lot more as a character too.

I’ve seen some folks say they’re not enjoying the Re-Ignition Zords as much as other versions, and that’s totally fine. Me? I’m into them. There’s something really satisfying about these extra-large, chunky toys. They scratch that old Shogun Warriors itch in a weird way. They’re still very close to the original Bandai designs, so they almost feel like oversized Gobots. Considering all the molds Tonka licensed back in the day, if history had shifted just a little, the originals might have ended up Gobots. Funny how that works.

Mastodon (or Mammoth, depending on your preference) is basically a big robot elephant. There’s not much articulation to speak of — he kind of just is what he is. But considering his role in the Dino Megazord and Dino Tanker, I can overlook that. He’s the backbone. The arms. The stabilizer. All that bulk and chonk goes directly into making the combined form feel stocky and powerful. On his own, yeah, he’s a little basic — but he still looks great. I really like the decorative line work, and despite being a brand new release, it keeps that classic Bandai toy aesthetic I’ve always loved.

There are no firing missiles or gimmicks here, but Mastodon does come with the Megazord’s Power Sword — or Godhorn, if you’ve got Zyuranger music playing in your head. His head detaches to become the Megazord’s shield, and I’ve always loved that visual. 

We’re getting close, Zone Base readers. The Re-Ignition Dino Megazord is almost complete, and I’m really looking forward to combining the full team in the coming weeks.