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U.S. Name: POWERMASTER PRIME   Jap. Name: SUPER GINRAI 

Cartoon First Appearance: Episode #29: Undersea volcanic eruption, Season 5 (Super God Master Force), Sept. 1987

Marvel Comic First Appearance: The Transformers #42, Jul 1987, $1.00

Dreamwave Comic First Appearance: Hasn't debut yet

Toy Catalog Number: C-307

 

A quick comment:   Back to Powermaster: Review A-I     Teletran-1

This is my first Powermaster Prime (Super Ginrai) figure.  I got him for $C on Sept. Xxix, Mmi at Image Anime.  Thanks goodness they reissue him again because back in the good old day, I never got a chance to own him.  Now I'll cherish him for sentimental purpose.

 

R-0 Powermaster Prime (Super Ginrai)'s motto and tech specifications:  

Affiliate: autobots | Subgroup: none | Function: autobots leader | Alt. Mode: truck|

| STR 10 | INTL 10 | SPD 6 | ENDN 10 | RNK 10 | CRG 10 | FRPW 9 | SKL 10 |

" Freedom is the right of all sentinent beings. "

 

The beloved leader of all Autobots. Dedicated to protecting all life forms -- mechanical, human, and otherwise. Willing to sacrifice anything in order to end the Autobot/Decepticon conflict. Wise and compassionate... the inspiration that fuels every Autobot. Binary bonded to the super intelligent Nebulan computer programmer, HiQ. In engine mode, HiQ handles all of Prime's power needs. Trailer transforms into armed fortress, complete with laser rifle, concussion blaster, and 2 twin particle beam cannons. Tractor and trailer combined construct Optimus Prime's new super-powered robot form.

 

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

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

[Thumbnail Size = 100xHeight]

R-1 Powermaster Prime (Super Ginrai) in its Original Condition:

pprimeorig.jpg (90480 bytes)1 - This is the Super Powermaster Prime (God Ginrai) Gift Set which included both Powermaster Prime (Super Ginrai) and Apex Armor (God Bomber)..  This Gift Set was never released in the U.S. during the 80's because the character Apex Amor (God Bomber) didn't exist in the U.S.

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

3 - These are all the contents that were included in the box/ package/ card:

Super Powermaster Prime Contents:

"1" cab, "1" large trailer, "1" large head, "1" engine robot, "2" large gray guns, "2" black gun, "1" Super Powermaster Prime (God Ginrai) trading card, "1" sticker sheet, and "1" instruction for both Super Powermaster Prime and Apex Armor.

Apex Armor contents:

"1" small trailer (5 pieces), "2" red wings, "2" missiles, and "1" missile launcher, "1" sticker sheet, and "1" instruction for both Super Powermaster Prime and Apex Armor.

 

R-2 Pre-Applied Decals/ Stickers: 

There are 8 Pre-Applied sticker that had been applied onto Powermaster Prime (Super Ginrai).  The first six, 3 on each side, are located on either side of the trailer.  It's that dark blue long bar with the Autobot insignia.  The last two stickers are located on either side of the cab.  It's that silver sticker that run from the side of the cab to a little bit on the front. 

Sticker Sheet:

DecalPMprime.jpg (148872 bytes)There are 27 registered numbering of stickers on the sticker sheet.  But in reality it's actually 31 stickers since some of the repeat stickers are labeled as one instead of two.  These registering numbering do not include the Pre-applied stickers.  

 

R-3 Powermaster Prime (Super Ginrai) in Vehicle Mode:

pprimeveh.jpg (57976 bytes)With the war getting more intensified and the enemies are stronger, the classic Optmus Prime needs an upgrade of his old body.  In this new vehicle mode, Powermaster Prime (Super Ginrai) is fully armed with 2 double guns on the side, 2 single gun on top of his trailer, and a transformable power engine by the name, Hi Q (or Ginrai) to assists him.  With these new firepower weapons mounted on him, it makes Powermaster looks very fierce and violence.  Another new feature is that Powermaster trailer can haul a second trailer by name Apex Amor (God Bomber).  Two thing that are unchanged from the original prime is that the cab and trailer can be separated.  Also, the trailer door can be opened as well.  The hole or storage inside his trailer does not extend all the way in.  Please note that here are some differences between the Japanese Powermaster Prime and the Original U.S. Powermaster Prime see R-7 for more details.

 

R-4 Powermaster Prime (Super Ginrai) in Battled Station Mode:

pprimebs.jpg (50573 bytes)Indeed, the new Powermaster Prime (Super Ginrai) trailer can also be converted into a battle station just like the original Optimus Prime.  But unlike the original, this battle station is equipped with more ramps and cannons.  Hi Q the little power engine (see R-5) can be seated on the double gray cannons as an operator.  For sample, see R-3 in Apex Amor review page.  Secondly, the trailer can be reconfigure and becomes part of Optimus Prime, see R-7.  Last but not least, there is no repair bay mode like the original Optimus Prime trailer.

 

R-5 Hi Q (Ginrai) in Robot Mode:

hiq.jpg (47104 bytes)This is Hi Q (Ginrai), the Nebulan human who transformed into Optimus Prime engine, see R-6 last image.  In engine mode, he is plugged on top of Optimus Prime cab front grille.  Hi Q (Ginrai) serves two function for Optimus Prime, give him power and unlock his transformaion sequence.  Without Hi Q, Optimus Prime toy is trapped as a truck and cannot be transformed because the hip/ leg cannot be folded out.  Should you be worrying if you lost Hi Q?  No, just use a small pin or narrow object to unleash the locking device.

 

R-6 In Optimus Prime (Convoy) Mode:

pprimerob1.jpg (53960 bytes)With Hi Q (Ginrai) in his engine mode and plugs into the cab grill, the cab can be transformed revealing Optimus Prime.  The last image shows Hi-Q bonding with Optimus Prime on the back.  Note that the front chest has a false window with sticker on top while the rear with Hi Q (front of the cab) is the actual and real window.  My biggest complaint about this Optimus Prime is the jointed feet which is totally un-necessary especially when it doesn't affect the transformation sequence.

 

R-7 In Powermaster Prime (Super Ginrai) Mode:

pprimerob2.jpg (65869 bytes)At last, the Powermaster Prime (Super Ginrai) mode which composed of cab and trailer.  This is the first of three in a Optimus Prime's cab and trailer combine mode.  The other two are Optimus Prime of Robot In Disguise (Car Robot 2000) and Optimus Prime of Armada.  But unlike the other two, Powermaster Prime is very heavy thanks to cab diecast metal and the very solid trailer body.  He is also the most stable of the three.  As a whole, I thought Powermaster Prime looks very beautiful if anything he is probably secondly only to Optimus Prime of Robot In Disguise line.  The two shoulder guns and the gun on either arm make Powermaster looks extremely violence and intimidating.  This is probably the badass Optimus Prime out there.  Overall, this mode has no negative drawback so have fun playing.

 

For those that wonder what are the differences between the U.S. Powermaster Prime and Japanese Powermaster Prime, well here they are:

U.S. Powermaster Prime (Super Ginrai). Japanese Powermaster Prime (Super Ginrai)
1, No die cast metal. 1, Die cast metal on the cab just like the original Prime.
2, No chrome on cab smokestack. 2, Chrome on the cab smokestack.
3, Sticker window on the cab. 3, Clear plastic window on the cab.
4, Cab bumper has no chrome and it's plastic. 4, Cab bumper has chrome metal.
5, Hi Q back is plastic. 5, Hi Q back has chrome metal.
6, Powermaster Prime hand is fixed and it's red. 6, Powermaster Prime is retractable and it's blue.
7, Trailer is painted white and looks plastic. 7, Trailer is painted gray and looks metallic.
8, Double guns are painted white and looks plastic. 8, Double guns are painted gray and looks metallic.

NOTE: Powermaster Prime (Super Ginrai) and Apex Armor (God Bomber) can be combined with one another to form Super Powermaster Prime (God Ginrai).

 

R-8 Rémy's Powermaster Prime (Super Ginrai) action figure review:

Manufacturer - Takara.

Line, Series/ Wave: Generation 1 Line, Reissue Series.

Year Issue: [Oct. 2001 Reissue] - The original toy was released in 1988.

Made: [Japan]  

Scale: [N/A]

Box or Card Dimension In Inches: [LxWxD]  - Forgot to measure - Box.

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

Taped down and sandwiched between two clear plastic trays are: "1" cab, "1" large trailer, "1" small trailer (5 pieces), "2" red wings, "1" large head, "1" engine robot, "2" large gray guns, "2" black gun, "2" missiles, and "1" missile launcher.

On the back of the card board and not inside the clear plastic tray, a taped down bag which contained:  "1" instruction sheet, "1" Super Powermaster Prime (God Ginrai) trading card, and "2" sticker sheets.

Box Special Note: Front Box Appearance: Super Powermaster Prime (God Ginrai) box art.  Back Box Appearance: I don't recall.

Box Point or Robot Point: [-- - --]  - I forgot to check the box. 

Approximately Dimension In Inches: - Height Up To The Head 9 1/2  Maximum Height: 9 1/2  Width from shoulder to shoulder:Maximum Width: 7 1/2 (from shoulder gun to shoulder gun)  Dept: 4 3/4.

Figure's Stamp/ Fine Print: - ©1987 HASBRO INC., ©1987 TAKARA, MADE IN JAPAN.

Figure's Stamp/ Fine Print Location: - Can be found in the inner side of Powermaster left leg (trailer).

Transformation Of Difficulty: [Medium] - Average...pretty much easy to transform.

Material Durability: [-A] - Pretty durable.

Materials: Die Cast Metal:  Torso, leg and feet of the cab.  Chrome Part: Engine plate, smoke pipe of the cab and front legs of the trailer.  Rubber: None, plastic wheels.  Plastic: Main material.  Clear Plastic Window: Front and side of the cab.

Stability: [A] - Robot mode can stand on any surface...very stable.

Fun Figure: [A] - Definitely a fun toy due to many functions, challenging, and a cool design.

Negative Drawback - None.

Articulations:  Optimus Prime - Head: Cannot be rotated sideway but can be fold downward. Shoulder: Cannot be rotated. Arm/ Elbow: Can be bent at a 180 degree. Wrist/ Hand: Cannot be rotated.  Hand cannot be hidden.  Hip/ Waist: Cannot be bent or rotated. Leg: Can only be bent backward.  Knee: Can be bent at a 90 degree.  Ankle/ Feet: No sideway movement.  Feet can be bent downward.

Powermaster Prime (Super Ginrai) - Head: Cannot be rotated. Shoulder: Can be swung at a 360 degree. Arm/ Elbow: Cannot be bent. Wrist/ Hand: Cannot be rotated.  Uses slider to hide hand.  Hip/ Waist: Cannot be bent or rotated. Leg: Cannot be bent only a full a split.  Knee: Cannot be bent.  Ankle/ Feet: Can be bent and no sideway movement.

Rub Sign Logo: [N/A] - Not applicable

Robot's Cartoon looks alike: [A] - Powermaster Prime mode is beautiful especially the Japanese version..

Vehicle's Cartoon looks alike: [A] - Very Hot.

Special Notes: None.  If you are gonna buy a Powermaster Prime, be sure to pick the Japanese Version as mentioned in R-7.

Overall Grade: [A] - I think Powermaster Prime deserves this grade, his toy offers many playing value as well as one looking robot.