Review – Transformers Adventure Bombshell
Takara’s Transformers Adventure series (Amazon.com search*) takes Hasbro toys and tweaks them slightly, offering up variant paint apps and slightly different looks at established characters. This Bombshell is near-identical to Hasbro’s Transformers Generations Bombshell*, so if you’ve already got this toy then you can safely skip this Japanese import.
Great Update!
Hasbro’s Transformers Generations Bombshell* is a fantastic update on the 1985 Bombshell toy, and this Takara version is different though just as fun. The toy feels lighter and less substantial than the original, but the sculpt and articulation are significant improvements . . . which we expect after three decades.
Articulation
Bombshell is a mix of hinges and ball-joints, with a total of nine different points of articulation that break down as:
- Torso – Waist swivel.
- Arms – Ball-jointed shoulders on a hinge and ball-jointed elbows.
- Legs – Ball-jointed hips and swivel/hinge knees.
That’s it. There’s no head articulation, but for the size, price point, and transformation design of the toy I think the articulation is quite nice. Well done, Hasbro and Takara!
Paint
This is the only area where the toy differs from Hasbro’s Transformers Generations Bombshell*. The above picture shows the Takara toy on the left and the Hasbro toy on the right, and while the Takara toy arguably has more paint details I don’t believe the differences are so major that one toy is better than the other. If I did have to choose one over the other I would choose Hasbro’s design because of the Decepticon symbol on the chest and the paint apps on the head. I simply like Hasbro’s design better.
Closing Thoughts
I usually find the Takara toys — with their more detailed paint apps — better than Hasbro’s, but in this instance the paint differences don’t make Takara’s Bombshell any better than Hasbro’s design. Both are excellent toys, and as this is my first of Takara’s Transformers Adventure series toys (Amazon.com search*) I’m left wondering if it’s worth paying extra for any of the Adventure line. Maybe, but until I see a few more of these in person I cannot say for sure.
Overall I’m happy with Hasbro’s Transformers Generations Bombshell* and can recommend that you grab that design instead of Takara’s . . . unless you like Takara’s paint choices more than Hasbro’s. Basically, look at the pics and decide which you like best. There is no wrong answer here!
The CW Bombshell is one of my fav transformers in recent years! It’s simplicity and attention to the originals detail but with modern technology makes it a winner for me. So much fun!!
@Decky – We still need a Kickback in this line!
I will say i don’t regret getting Transformers Adventure Roadblock, if you’re inclined toward more from this line.
@Adam16bit – Cool, thanks for the tip.
There was a Fall of Cybertron Kickback just a couple of years ago — but it was substantially bigger than this guy. He’s a good figure, but feels a little fragile.
@Wolf – Yep, got that one and reviewed it a few years ago.
https://www.battlegrip.com/review-transformers-fall-of-cybertron-kickback/
I like the new Bombshell and Shrapnel a lot more and wish Hasbro would bring us Kickback scaled to these two.