Transformers Review – Hot Spot & Gaia Guardian (Kabaya)

Intro:

Gaia Guardian Boxes

            Now, I’m not really sure how to begin with this review. Initially, I thought of breaking this review into two parts: one for Hotspot and the other for Gaia Guardian – we’re talking about six boxes here. But then, after a long consideration, considering the gimmicks that these figures share, I eventually came to a decision to combine their review. 

            First and foremost, Gaia Guardian is not an official Transformer – it’s actually an original idea from the good people at Kabaya. Gaia Guardian consist of 6 individual robots, i.e. Blades (helicopter), First Aid (ambulance), Groove (police bike), Streetwise (police car), Heatrock (drill tank) and Skyfeather (fighter jet). Now, if you think the first four characters sound familiar, it’s because they are also a part of the original Protectobots, along with Hotspot (fire truck). 

Hot Spot - Box

            This set of seven robots, which I would consider as one complete set, is undoubtedly one of the most unique sets in the entire Kabaya line, if not the most unique one. As you will see from the following review, the reason to combine all of them into one review is self-explanatory. 

            So without further ado, let’s go on with the review.

Gaia Guardian:

Alternate Mode:

Gaia Guardian components - vehicle modes

            Well, it’s really pointless to break down this review into individual characters, as most of these guys have almost the same features and articulations. But what catches me the most about these guys is that they are literally transformable Kabaya Transformers, which is pretty amazing considering that all other Kabaya Transformers that I have so far are part-formers. 

First Aid

Skyfeather

            For Kabaya to be able to do just that on such small figures, and not be able to do the same on their larger cousins really puzzles me. Still, when all is said and done, I think they did a marvelous job.

Heatrock

Groove

            As mentioned before, Gaia Guardian consists of 6 components, with Blades, First Aid, Groove and Streetwise being 4/5 of the Protectobots, while Heatrock and Skyfeather are new Kabaya creations. 

Streetwise

Blades

            Of all six of them, Skyfeather is probably my least favorite. The jet mode looks good, no doubt about that, but the front nosecone is just too loosely attached. I mean, the nosecone would just drop, even without anyone fiddling with the figure.

            As far as scale goes, all 6 components are literally out of scale. Groove is way too big; Blades, Skyfeather and Heatrock are too small; and Streetwise and First Aid are out of scale with one another.

            Still, having said that, I am really impressed with these alternate modes as their kibbles ranges from minimal to none!

            Excellent alternate modes.

Robot Mode:

The Gaia Guardian Components

            I really like the fact that all of these robots are of the same size, and also the fact that some of them even have better articulations than their original G1 counterparts. 

Streetwise

            All of them actually have separated two legs rather than a combined one like their old G1 counterpart. 

First Aid

Heatrock

            Heatrock even has a waist joint!

Groove

Skyfeather

Blades

            Between the six of them, I’d vote Heatrock as the best of the lot. His articulation alone is the bomb here. Skyfeather, on the other hand, is the worst of the lot, in my opinion. His articulations suck. His nosecone, which is supposed to double up as his chest piece, is just too loose. Even as I hold up the figure, it tends to drop off.

            Each robot comes with a small gun, with each of the original Protectobots carrying either a food piece or a fist piece. Generally, Streetwise and Groove come with a foot piece each, while First Aid and Blades each come with a fist.

            Those foot and fist pieces came for reason and the reason is as follows…

Gaia Guardian:

 

            This is literally one of the reasons why you want to get this set – at least for me it was. I’ve never had any Kabaya gestalts before, so this is really something new for me. 

            For its price point, and considering that this is a Kabaya figure, Gaia Guardian is impressive, although the thighs are a bit too slim for my liking. With the exception of Heatrock’s loose nosecone, the entire set feels solid though. 

Scramble Power

            Gaia Guardian doesn’t have any weapons to wield, but I’d just like to arm him up with First Aid and Blade’s blasters.

            Another feature that is also depicted here is the “Scramble Power” – the ability for the giant robot to switch limbs, i.e. arms can become the legs and vice versa.

            This combination doesn’t look that good in my opinion, but it’s there and it’s an option.

Hot Spot:

            Now Hot Spot isn’t exactly part of the Gaia Guardian set, in fact he is a part of the Kabaya Wave 5 release along with Deathsaurus and War for Cybertron Optimus Prime.

Alternate Mode:

            I kinda dig the fire truck mode, which is really accurate to his original G1 form. For a Kabaya figure, he feels quite bulky and huge.

            As with his original incarnation, his truck possesses the ladder, but unlike his predecessor, his ladder is not extendable.

            For a fire truck, he is sure packed to the teeth. In this mode, he is armed with two blasters, as well as a couple of hoses that looks like blasters.

            So yeah, this is definitely not a fire truck that you’d wanna mess with.

Repair Bay Mode:

            Well, that’s what it says in the instructions. Quite frankly, I can’t even be bothered with this mode. To me, he looks more like a mobile defense base than anything else.

Robot Mode:

            His robot mode looks really cool. For a Kabaya Transformer, he’s actually pretty darn good by having knee articulations.

            Transformation is quite simple and unlike the Gaia Guardian components, he is a part-former. 

Hot Spot vs Gaia Guardian

Defensor:

            To be honest with you, this is the reason you buy Hot Spot, and despite the fact that he is sold in a totally different set than Gaia Guardian, you really need to have both sets in order to fully appreciate this entire getup. 

Scramble Power

            By abstracting the original Protectobots members from the Gaia Guardian set, you can actually combine them with Hot Spot to form Defensor, or Guardian as he is known in Japan. 

Hot Spot and the rest of the Protectobots - robot modes

            Apart from the fact that he is small, Defensor is actually pretty darn good and really does look like his original G1 counterpart.

            Unlike the Gaia Guardian, Defensor feels a little bit more stable and stout. Each limbs peg in quite well and the joints are all pretty tight. 

Protectobots - Vehicle Modes

            The one significant drawback from this set though, is that Defensor cannot wield Hot Spots blasters, which in my opinion is better proportioned for the giant gestalt than any other guns from the members of Gaia Guardian.

            This mode is really well done.

God Guardian:

            If you think those were it, then you are definitely mistaken. There is one more surprise in store for Kabaya collectors – that is the ability for all members of Gaia Guardian and Hot Spot to form a super-robot that would technically dwarf even Defensor and Gaia Guardian themselves.

            God Guardian is actually Defensor with Heatrock added as a chest shield; Skyfeather added as a massive shield; and wielding a super gun formed from all of the smaller robots’ guns.

            I know the combination mode is a bit simple, but it works. For Kabaya figure, God Guardian is absolutely massive, that ultimately causes him to be extremely front heavy.

            You’d really need to take your time to balance him up and get that sweet spot, or else you are going to end up cleaning up a massive pileup.

            Still, I really do love this God Guardian mode.

Summary:

            It is official, the Gaia Guardian / Hot Spot set has become my most favorite set/ assembly kit from Kabaya. It is my first ever Kabaya gestalt and to have each member of the team a true Transformer instead a part-former truly make this a worthy set to own.

            Added with Hot Spot to mix, this set is an absolute must for Kabaya collectors. The end product is simply fun to construct, transform and to simply play with. In fact, I had more fun with this guy than some other actual Deluxe-class figure that I have.  

            Extremely recommended.

Verdict: 10/10

Transformers Review – WFC Optimus Prime (Kabaya)

Intro:

            So far in the new generation of Kabaya Transformers, the Optimus Prime character have received the most exposure by having three figures from various iterations released, i.e. G1 Optimus Prime, Classics G1 Optimus Prime and Powermaster Optimus Prime (okay, technically he’s not Optimus Prime as he is known as Super Ginrai by the Japanese, and he was meant to be a totally new and separate character). Japanese aside, by Western comic continuity, all of these Optimus Primes are actually the same character, with the Classics version being the reimagining of the original G1 characters, and the Powermaster Optimus Prime being a new body to house the original spark.

            Probably the people at Kabaya thought that it was wise to delve into the character’s past, and bring his pre-Earth look into the lineup, thus in comes the War for Cybertron Optimus Prime. No disrespect to the WFC version of the character, I kinda prefer the Titanium version of Optimus Prime pre-Earth look, although the actual execution of the figure pale in comparison to WFC’s.

           The actual War for Cybertron Optimus Prime figure is arguably one of the best Optimus Prime figures to date, on a Deluxe-scale. For a figure of its class, it has surprisingly complicated transformation mode. 

            So I guess it’s imminent that this version of Optimus Prime was going to make it into the Kabaya line. Without further ado, let’s get on with the review…

Alternate Mode:

            The alternate mode is convincing – for a Cybertronian truck, and really does look exactly like his original Deluxe-class brethren.

            Now, having said that, while the front portion of the truck looks smooth, the same thing cannot be said of the back portion. The part where both legs are supposed to join together could use a cleaner finish, I think. There is this awkward gap between the legs that shouldn’t be there in the first place.

            The kibble underneath the truck is also too obvious, with Optimus’s head facing squarely at you.

            Anyways, after all that has been said, I still think that the alternate is good enough, although it could be improved.       

Robot Mode:

            The robot mode is just great. Like all Kabaya figures before WFC Optimus, you do not come to expect excellent articulations or superb engineering.

            The main things about Kabaya figures are that they focus more towards the fun in assembling these model kits, with the resulting figures having really close resemblance to the real thing.

            Transformation-wise, WFC Optimus Prime is a part-former. 

            Articulation-wise, WFC Optimus has standard Kabaya articulations, plus bendable knees, which is a really nice addition.

            Optimus Prime is also armed with his trusty Ion Blaster. 

            As you can see, standing at about half the size of the Generations version of WFFC Optimus, Kabaya WFC Optimus Prime is tiny, although the similarities in looks are uncanny.

Summary:

            I really dig this figure, and just like his original Deluxe-class brethren, his transformation is surprisingly complicated and involving. Both modes look really awesome, and personally I think it’s another job well done by the good people at Kabaya.

            Now, if only someone in there have sense of designing a Megatron figure instead, like maybe the G1 Megatron?

            Highly recommended.

Verdict: 9/10

Transformers Review – Deathsaurus (Kabaya)

Intro:

            Amongst the Kabaya kit that I’ve reviewed, this particular figure is probably the one that has gotten me excited the most, since they released the Super Ginrai – Godbomber combo.

            Deathsaurus or Deszaras, has consistently been on my Holy Grail list for years. The actual Deathsaurus figure has been by far, one of the rarest Transformers figures ever, especially since he was a Takara-exclusive and was never released by Hasbro. 

            I’m not saying that by having Kabaya Deathsaurus, it’s an ample substitute for the real deal; I’m just saying that at least there’s something.

            I never thought that I’ll see the day Kabaya would actually release this character, so yeah, it’s a pleasant surprise. 

            The character first appeared in the Victory series, as the Decepticons’ Emperor of Destruction and was Star Saber’s frequent sparring partner. Unlike Star Saber, who is a Brainmaster, Deathsaurus was a Breastmaster. He was one of the more powerful characters in the series and ultimately met his maker during the last episode of the series.

            So without further ado, let’s go to the figure.

Alternate Mode:

            Deathsaurus transforms into a winged dragon. While this mode is visually good, it doesn’t really translate into a good figure.

            But then again, we are talking about a Kabaya figure, so you can’t really complain that much.

 

            There is not much articulations except for the legs.

            Overall, I kinda dig this mode.

Robot Mode:

            Oh boy, this is what I’ve been wanting for years, although it’s not really a justified substitute, at least it’s a Deathsaurus.

 

            Anyways, the robot mode looks pretty good and wings at the back tends to give him that regal look. 

            He is also aimed with a flail gun. The flail itself is actually molded to the gun, so there’s nothing you can do there. 

            Articulation-wise: head and shoulders rotate; the hips swing outward; finally, Deathsaurus has knee articulations!!!

            Now, as mentioned before, Deathsaurus is a Brainmaster, which means that he has at least a smaller robot partner that can transform and be a part of his robotic chest. In Deathsaurus case, he has two partner – a Tiger breast and an Eagle breast.

Breast Modes:

            I know, the subtitle is a bit funny, but that is what they call them. Unlike most Breastmasters, which normally comes with one partner, Deathsaurus comes with two. The two Breast Modes comes separately from the main figure – the Eagle comes along with Hotspot, and the Tiger comes along with War For Cybertron Optimus Prime. 

 

            Now since this is a Kabaya figure, you can bet your Energon stash that these guys ain’t gonna be that detail. The Tiger doesn’t really look like a tiger to me, rather more like a Hawk or an Eagle, that can also become the front chest piece. The original figure already comes with a similar chest piece. The only differences are that this piece has 4 knobs at the bottom to act as legs and the wing pieces are foldable. 

 

 

            The Eagle piece looks a bit like a Cassette-bot, and it acts as the second chest piece (between the “Tiger” and the main body). Both of these pieces also doubles up as guns.  

 

 

            Now, since you are going to end up with 2 front-chest pieces, you can actually have both on – one as the chest piece, while the other as a gun.

Summary:

            This is actually one good figure – for Kabaya standards, and one of the best Kabaya figures so far. It’s definitely have if you’re a Kabaya Transformers fan, and especially if you like Deathsaurus.

            Highly recommended.

Verdict: 9.5/10