G1 Astrotrain (Anime/ New Year Version) Review

U.S. Name: ASTROTRAIN (Anime/ NY) Jap. Name: SAME

Cartoon First Appearance: Episode #31: Megatron Master Plan P2, Season 2, Sept. 1985

Marvel Comic First Appearance: The Transformers #29, Jun. 1987, $1.00

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

Toy Catalog Number: 48

A quick comment: Back to G-1: Review D-VI Teletran-1

This is my first Astrotrain toy. I bought it on Jan. Xxix, Mmiv and it cost me $L from Image Anime. I had always wanted to own him when I was a pup, now it's becoming a reality.

R-0 Original Astrotrain's motto and tech specifications:

Affiliate: decepticons | Subgroup: none | Function: military transport | Alt. Mode: train/ space shuttle|

| STR 9 | INTL 7 | SPD 10 | ENDN 7 | RNK 6 | CRG 7 | FRPW 6 | SKL 8 |

Original G1 Astrotrain Motto:

"In confusion there is opportunity. "

Original G1 Astrotrain Bio:

Creating confusion is his specialty. As a triple changer, can switch from space shuttle to train to robot almost instantaneously. Thrives on foes; panic and fear. As shuttle, travels at 20,000 mph in orbit, up to 50,000 mph out of orbit...can launch weapons and satellites . Carries cargo. As train, top speed is 400 mph, range 17000 miles. As robot, has great strength, carries powerful ionic displacer rifle.

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 Astrotrain in its Original condition:

1 - Astrotrain in its brand new condition from the box.

2 - Back of the box art shows the 1984 Battle Scene Box Art.

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" triple changer (shuttle/ train/ bot), " 1" gun, "1" Astrotrain trading card in cartoon color, "1" sticker sheet, "1" instruction sheet, and "1" miscellaneous text sheet.

R-2 Pre-Applied Decals/ Stickers:

There are 5 Pre-Applied sticker that had been applied onto Astrotrain. The first two are located on either side of the main wing. It's that clear stickers that said "Not A Step". The third and forth stickers are located on the inner of his vertical tail fin. It's that clear sticker with some purple stripe. The last pre-applied sticker is the Decepticon Rub Sign logo located just below his right leg.

Sticker Sheet:

There are 18 registered numbering of stickers on the sticker sheet. But in reality it's actually 20 stickers since some of the decals/ stickers are grouped or paired together and labeled it as one. These registering numbering do not include the Pre-applied stickers.

R-3 Astrotrain in Train Mode:

What's the big fuzz over this version of Astrotrain? For 20 years since Astrotain debut in 1985, there had never been a show/ cartoon accurate of his toy until now. After reviewing TF The Movie and Five Face of Darkness P1, the cartoon Astrotrain pretty much have the same color scheme just like this toy from an all purple body & wheels to the silver track line on the side of his wheel to the silver rocket thruster. My only minor complaint is the purple color itself because it's too bright which almost resembled pink. Personally, I thought they should've used the purple from the U.S. version, dark purple. Anyhow, Astrotrain is a steam locomotive whose measurement is approximately 4 14/16 x 1 14/16 x 1 3/4 (LxWxH in inch). Surprisingly, he is actually very heavy thanks to the huge die cast metal on top of his locomotive head. In this mode, he can be rolled on the floor since there are some real wheels to give him some movement.

R-4 Astrotrain in Shuttle Mode:

In air craft mode, Astrotrain is a space shuttle whose measurement is approximately 5 14/16x 3 3/4 x 2 6/16. Of the three modes, the Shuttle mode looks the most exceptional from color balance to appearance to proportion. Changing from one mode to the next isn't complex at all. Instead it's easier than I thought or maybe too easy. When converting from train head to the shuttle nosecone, if the piece doesn't fold or flip, don't force it. Instead, you have to either push in or out the piece before making the flip.

R-5 Astrotrain in Robot Mode

In robot mode, Astrotrain biggest negative drawback is the length of his arm. It is too damn short for his size which make him looks like a dwarf. His gigantic gun isn't help either instead it makes this whole situation even worse. In standing position, Astrotrain tends to lead backward by a couple of degree because of the uneven feet. For precautious advices, see R-7 on Special Note. Other than the arm itself, Astrotrain looks pretty good.

R-6 Instruction Sheet's Transformation & Underside Views:

According to the instruction sheet and the box art image, Astrotrain chest plate flap should be opened up (first and second image) not fold in and tuck away inside his body like in R-5. Well, you make the call as to which one looks better, the Instruction Sheet version (R-6) or the Cartoon version (R-5). The top right image is an underside view of the Train mode while beneath that is the underside view of the Shuttle mode.

R-7 Rémy's Astrotrain (Anime/ New Year Version) toy review:

Manufacturer - E-hobby with permission from Takara.

Line, Series/ Wave: Generation 1 Line, Series: Collector's Edition (New Year Version) from Ehobby.

Year Issue: [Jan. 2004] - This cartoon accurate version of Astrotrain had never released before until now.

Made: [China] - Although the original toy was made in Japan, the qualities and materials are pretty much the same as the reissue.

Scale: [N/A]

Box or Card Dimension In Inches: [LxWxD] - 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 (7 1/4 up to flap) x 2 7/16 - Box.

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

On top of the plastic tray is: "1" Astrotrain trading card in his cartoon colors.

Taped down and sandwiched between two clear plastic trays are: " 1" triple changer (train, shuttle, robot), " 1" gun.

On the back of the card board and not inside the clear plastic tray, a taped down bag which contained: "1" sticker sheet, "1" instruction sheet, and "1" miscellaneous text sheet.

Box Special Note: Front Box Appearance: No art. Back Box Appearance: 1984 Battle Scene Box Art.

Box Point or Robot Point: [3] - This number can be found on the right side flap of the box. You have to open the box to see it. It contains number and either Autobots or Decepticons insginia depending on which faction you are getting.

Approximately Toy Dimension In Inches: - Height Up To The Head: 4 10/16 Maximum Height: 4 13/16 (top of the chest air intake) Width from shoulder to shoulder: 1 3/4 Maximum Width: 3 11/16 (from wing to wing) Dept: 2 1/2.

Toy Stamp/ Fine Print Location: - Can be found on the underside of both the main wing. Hasbro text is located on the right wing while Takara text is on the left wing.

Transformation Of Difficulty: [Easy]

Material Durability: [-A] - Pretty durable

Toy Materials: Die Cast Metal: Top part of the train head. Chrome Metal: None. Rubber: None, plastic wheel. Plastic: Main material. Clear Plastic Window: None.

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

Fun Toy: [-A] - Pretty a fun toy.

Negative Drawback - His arm length is too short for his size.

Articulations: Head: Cannot be rotated. Shoulder: Can be swung at a 180 degree and a 90 degree sideway. Arm/ Elbow: Cannot be bent. Wrist/ Hand: Cannot be rotated, hands cannot be hidden. Hip/ Waist: Cannot be bent. Leg: Cannot be bent. Knee: Cannot be bent. Ankle/ Feet: Cannot be rotated no sideway movement.

Rub Sign Logo: [Yes] - The Decepticon's rub sign located on the right side of his leg.

Robot's Cartoon looks alike: [-A] - He looks pretty much like the cartoon.

Vehicle's Cartoon looks alike: [A] - Utterly the bomb!!! Very Hot.

Special Notes: Here are "3" special notes which I thought you should know:

1 - Due to the upper body and the style of transformation, in time, Astrotrain will suffer the compression leg syndrome. In other word, Astrotrain leg will shrink down and bury into his feet which will make him look shorter. If you want to avoid the problem, then leave them in his vehicle mode.

2 - Be gentle when flipping the rocket thruster to reveal Astrotrain, reckless act can cause a scratch on his face paint.

3 - When converting from train head to the shuttle nosecone, if the piece doesn't fold or flip, don't force it. Instead, you have to either push in or out the piece before making the flip.

Overall Grade: [+B] - If the purple color was chosen correctly, I could've given an A. Also the short midget arm really kill this toy proportion.

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