U.S. Name: MAGNUS (TF Jr./ Gokin)   Jap. Name: SAME 

Cartoon First Appearance: T.F. The Movie - Aug. 8, 1986

Marvel Comic First Appearance: T.F. The Movie #1, Dec. 1986, $0.75

Dreamwave Comic First Appearance: Second Mini Series, Transformers #1, Apr. 2003, $2.95

Toy Catalog Number: C-69

A quick comment:     Back to Review A-II     Back to Ultra Magnus Homepage

I never knew the existing of Ultra Magnus Jr. or the Transformers Jr. line/ TF Gokin Line until the age of the internet.  As one of the huge hardcore Ultra Magnus fans, I felt like it's almost an obligation to own all the Ultra Magnus figures and so I had to have this figure.  Anyhow, after many years of hunting I finally got it at the NYC 2005 Convention - Cybercon which cost me $LXXV on Jul. Xxix, Mmv.

R-0 Original Ultra Magnus' motto and tech specifications:  

Affiliate: autobots | Subgroup: none | Function: city commander | Alt. Mode: car carrier|

| STR 9 | INTL 9 | SPD 6 | ENDN 8 | RNK 8 | CRG 9 | FRPW 6 | SKL 8 |

These  images were all photographed and scanned by me.  If you're a Transformers fan, this will definitely bring back some reminiscences.  

NOTE: Images are clearer when viewed with Internet Explorer browser.

- Click on the Thumbnails to view them at a Larger Scale -

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R-1 Magnus Jr. in its Original condition:

1 - Ultra Magnus Jr. in its brand new condition from the box.  

2 - Back box art showed Season 3 Japan Box Art and an instruction on how to transform Magnus Jr.

3 - Here's how the content looks once the box was removed.

4 - These are all the contents that were included in the box/ package/ card: "1" cab, "1" cardboard trailer,  "2" small fists, and "1" sticker sheet.

R-2 Magnus Jr - Released in Single and in Gift Set (w/ Gavatron & Small Chrome Metroplex): 

Transformers Gokin or later on was known as Transformers Jr was established back in 1985 and was sold only  in Japan.  Back in the 80's, most U.S. fans never knew its existing until the internet came along and integrated everyone to be on the same page.  The Jr. line figures were basically cheaper, down grade in quality, and they were smaller than the original/ regular version.  For more figures released in the Transformers Jr, visit TF WiKi.

Magnus Jr was released as a single version and as a gift set.  The gift set, right images, include a transformable Magnus Jr cab with all of his accessories (2 hands, gun, and the cardboard trailer: see R-5 and R-6), a vinyl or decoy Gavaltron, and a small chrome Metroplex.  Both Galvatron and the small Metroplex do not transform, only Magnus has this capability.  Just like the original/ regular version, the Magnus Jr. cab mold was originally released as Optimus Prime Jr. but then re-released again as Ultra Magnus Jr. with an add-on paper trailer.

NOTE-1: I did not photograph the Gift set, so all credit to whoever photographed those 2 pictures.

R-3 Pre-Applied Decals/ Stickers: 

There are 6 Pre-Applied stickers that had been applied onto Ultra Magnus Jr.  All of them are located on either side of the cab chest.  It's that silver sticker that run from the side of the cab to a little bit in the front.  

Sticker Sheet:

There are 8 registered numbering of stickers on the sticker sheet.  

R-4 Cab Mode:

In cab mode, Magnus Jr. is a Freightliner COE dual-axle truck whose measurement is approximately 3 10/16 x 1 3/4 x 2 1/8 (LxWxD in inch).  The first three items that'll catch you attention immediate when looking at Magnus Jr. in contrast to the regular G1 Magnus version are the all white plastic wheel, the blue decal window shield, and the smaller size.  Magnus Jr.  window shield does not features transparent window.  At the top of the cab, there is an extra peg reserves for the head to be plugged on.  The head cannot be fold or hidden like the regular/ original version.  Also, because the chest cavity cannot be opened out and the head is not foldable like the regular version, you cannot store two fists and head all inside the chest chamber cavity in vehicle mode like you normally did in the regular/ original version.  Instead, you can only store portion of the accessories i.g. store the two fists but leave the head out or the head and one fist but leave the other fist out.

R-5 Cardboard Trailer:

The left image is the cardboard paper trailer that is packaged with Magnus Jr. in its original state.  The paper trailer itself had been pre-folded so all you need is now some scotch tape to hold the infrastructure from falling.  Once you taped all the corner, your image should look like the upper right corner which measure approximately 4 1/2 x 1 3/4 x 2 (LxWxH in inch).  The bottom right corner is another view of the finished trailer but looking from the underside.   For those that wonder where the 2005 Masterpiece Ultra Magnus Paper Trailer got its cheapy  idea from well you can blame it on this 1987 Ultra Magnus Jr.

R-6 Cab and Trailer:

When the cab is connected to the  trailer, its measurement is approximately 6 1/2 x 1 3/4 x 2 1/8 (LxWxH in inch).   The rear panel of the trailer or ramp do not fold down, therefore, it is not intended to put any car inside the trailer.  But that does mean you can't put it on  top of the trailer.  Personally, I think it looks okay despites a cheap concept.

R-7 Magnus in Robot Mode:

Magnus Jr. is a lot better to look in robot mode because you are now focusing on the overall robot body form more as oppose to the awkward white wheel in vehicle mode which you never see that in real life.  Not surprisingly, Magnus Jr. quality resembles a lot to the latter released of the regular/ original version that was sold exclusively at KB store aka the "Plastic Wheel Ultra Magnus" version which had that same cheapy quality material.  Only the chest area of Magnus Jr. had die cast metal while the rest is all plastic.  Also, the eye is unpainted so no red accent eye on Magnus Jr.

R-8 All Star Magnuses:

As of 2005, there had been "4" transformable Magnuses action figures released and "1" statue.  The two images on the left should give you some general idea regarding Magnuses scale comparison in both vehicle mode and robot mode.  From left to right: 2005 MP Magnus, 1986 Magnus, 1987 Magnus Jr., 2004 World Smallest TF Magnus, and 2004 Magnus Statue (from robot image).  Trailer included: The original 1986 Magnus comes with a transformable trailer, the 2005 MP Magnus and 1987 Magnus Jr come with a Paper Trailer, while the World Smallest TF Magnus didn't come with one.

R-9 Magnus Origin - First Appearance:

1 - 1st Appearance Magnus Robot Cab released as a Toy - 1986 Ultra Magnus Series 3.

2 - 1st Appearance Magnus Robot Cab released by itself (w/ paper trailer)  - you are view it now from R-1 to R-8 from the 1986 Transformers Jr: (Ultra Magnus Jr.)

3 - 1st Appearance Magnus Robot Cab debut in Art Work - 1986 Japanese Back Box Art.

4 - 1st Appearance Magnus Robot Cab debut in Toy Ads - 1986 Ultra Magnus (guarding Silverbolt) front of box.

5 - 1st Appearance Magnus Robot Cab debut in TV ads - Japanese Commercial of Ultra Magnus figure, see time 18.

6 - 1st Appearance Magnus Robot Cab debut in Comic - Dreamwave Comic: Transformers Issue #6, 2003 (top left image).

7 - 1st Appearance Magnus Robot Cab debut in Statue Line - Palisade Magnus Statue.

If you look at the original G1 Ultra Magnus action figure, you will see that the cab robot mode is actually the real body of Ultra Magnus and the trailer is nothing more than an armor.  Unfortunately, the cab robot mode had never been incorporated into neither Cartoon nor Marvel Comic in the past.  However, it did appear in the Japanese Back Box Art and in 1987 Transformer Jr. Line.  In 2003, Dreamwave company made it a reality as the white cab robot or "Magnus" as some fans called it, made it first debut in the Transformers cannon in the Second Mini-Series Transformers Issue #6 of Sept 2003 (James "Brad Mick" McDonough/ Pat Lee).  To make it even more spicier, Dreamwave released a third rare Incentive Cover which feature Magnus bursting out of his armor (top left image) as oppose to the two regular covers which were mass released evenly (bottom left images).  As for the story goes, Ultra Magnus was heavily shot in the back by Shockwave and temporary goes into stasis lock.  Once back online, Magnus had to rip out his dead weight battled armor in order to save his brother Optimus Prime.  In the end, Magnus and Prime defeated Shockwave.  And thanks to this second mini-series, Magnus character and merchandize are gradually growing out

R-10 Rémy's Ultra Magnus Jr. action figure review:

Manufacturer - Takara.

Line, Series/ Wave: Transformer Gokin/ Transformers Jr. Line.

Year Issue: [1986]

Made: [Japan]  

Scale: [N/A]

Box or Card Dimension In Inches: [LxWxD]  - Approximately 7 3/4 (8 1/8 up to the flap) X 4 1/4 X 1 3/4 - Box.

Packaging Method: Mint In Sealed Box.  Contents were packed with the following procedure:

Rest down on the Styrofoam are: "1" cab and "1" gun.

On the back of the Styrofoam are: "1" Cardboard Trailer, and "1" Sticker sheet.

Box Special Note: Front Box Appearance: A drawing of the alternated mode and the actual figure for the robot mode.  The side of the box has the standard Ultra Magnus robot mode box art with same drawing alternated mode like the front.  Back Box Appearance: Has the standard Season 3 back box art while below that is the instruction on how to transform Ultra Magnus Jr.

Box Point or Robot Point: [N/A] 

Approximately Dimension In Inches: Height Up To The Head:  4 3/4  Maximum Height: 6 3/16  Width from shoulder to shoulder: 2 1/2  Maximum Width: 2 14/16 (from smoke pipe to smoke pipe)  Dept: 1 10/16.

Figure's Stamp/ Fine Print: ©TAKARA CO. LTD.; MADE IN JAPAN 1986

Figure's Stamp/ Fine Print Location: Can be found at the rear of Magnus chest.

Transformation Of Difficulty: [Easy] - Very easy to transform.

Material Durability: [-A] - Pretty durable...just be careful of the removable head.

Materials: Die Cast Metal:  The whole chest and lower portion.  Chrome Part: Gas tank, engine plate, and smoke pipe of the cab.  Rubber: None.  Plastic: Main material.  Clear Plastic Window: None.

Stability: [-A] - Just don't put him where there's a slope surface or he'll roll out, ehhehe.

Fun Figure: [-A] - Definitely a fun toy due to his vehicle mode, the Prime mode, and his shooting missiles.

Negative Drawback - The unpainted white wheel just looks very unrealistic.  Also, in vehicle mode, there are gaps at the back and the front due to the arm joint doesn't close together.

Articulations: Head: Cannot be rotated. Shoulder: Can be swung at a 360 degree. Arm/ Elbow: Can be bent at a 90 degree angle.  The lower portion of the arm can also be rotate at a 360 degree. Wrist/ Hand: Can be rotated at a 360 degree sideway, pull hand off to hide hands.  Hip/ Waist: Cannot be rotated.  Leg: Can be bent backward at a 90 degree. Knee: Cannot be bent.  Ankle/ Feet: Cannot be bent and no sideway movement.

Rub Sign Logo: [N/A] - Non-Applicable

Robot's Cartoon looks alike: [N/A] - Non-Applicable

Vehicle's Cartoon looks alike: [-A] - The missile should be on the side of the trailer not in front, but other wise, very accurate.

Special Notes: Here are "2" special notes that I think you should know:

1 - Even in robot mode, Magnus removable head joints is easily loose so keep an eye on it.

2 - Because Magnus Jr. transformation is slightly different from the large regular version, you cannot store all of his fist and head inside his chest cavity like the regular version because the chest cavity cannot be opened out.

Overall Grade: [-B] - Unless you're a Magnus fan or a hardcore G1 fan, I don't really recommended to get Magnus Jr. or any of the TF Jr. Line action figure.

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