Optimus Primal (Robot & Gorilla) Defender Version 06 – Brutal Fang

When Blokees previewed Defender Version 06 – Brutal Fang, I was overjoyed. Not just because we were getting more Defender Versions (though that was definitely a factor), but because they were finally dipping into Beast Wars. And while there’s hardly anything Transformers-related that I actively dislike, Beast Wars holds a very special place in my heart. It’s almost like a beloved family member I always get excited to visit… and a little depressed to leave.

Today we’re looking at Optimus Primal from Brutal Fang — which I constantly confuse with Wild Fang, and that’s mildly frustrating.

Optimus Primal is available in a few variations in this wave. There’s the beast mode (gorilla) kit and three robot mode versions. Standard, which is what I picked up, is your typical Primal. Then there are two chase versions: Special Galaxy Type, which features a metallic deco with more show-accurate paint detail, and Special Armor Type, which builds on the Galaxy version and includes his forearm blasters, cyber-swords, and Mutant Head.

The Mutant Head gimmick on the original Beast Wars toys was either a mask or alternate head that functioned like a battle mode. Often, redecos would use the Mutant Head as the primary head sculpt. For example, Blackarachnia is a redeco of Tarantulas but uses his Mutant Head. The fact that Blokees included Mutant Heads here brings out a level of giddiness I didn’t know I still had.

Standard Optimus Primal is great on his own. Defender Versions are already pretty irresistible, but the Beast Wars designs translate especially well into this format. I’m reminded of Duel Fight Transformers Beast Wars: Beast Warriors’ Strongest Decisive Battle on the Game Boy Color. The proportions of the Beast Defender Version kits line up shockingly well with the sprites from that game.

And now I can’t stop thinking… what if more of the Beast Wars cast makes it into Defender Version?

Primal comes equipped with his back-mounted cannons. They flip over his shoulders for attack mode or angle backward to form his Prime Jets. His deco leans more toy-based than the other versions. The faceplate is painted solid in traditional Optimus fashion.

The beast mode kit represents his gorilla form and does a solid job. Interestingly, beast mode uses joints more commonly found in Galaxy Version kits for the gorilla elbows, giving him better range in a quadruped stance. I did manage to mix up the upper arm and lower thigh pieces at one point, so pay attention during assembly.

Both kits result in sturdy mini figures of the classic character in robot and beast form. Defender Version is highly articulated, so you can get a wide range of poses out of him.

It’s genuinely great to see Blokees expanding into Beast Wars, and of course I want more. The entire time I’ve been typing this, I’ve been thinking about the dinosaurs from Beast Wars Neo… and oddballs like the bat and gator Optimus vs. Megatron two-pack.

That would be just Prime.