Animated has one of my favorite versions of Optimus Prime, and that's no doubt thanks to the setting where the character proves his worth to higher-ranking Autobots while taking down the legendary Decepticons throughout a kickass three-season adventure. I also enjoy hearing David Kaye voice Prime by adding an identity that makes him unique from other GOATs like Peter Cullen and Garry Chalk. I already own the Animated Deluxe yet the Voyager is one I wanted even more. Is tbe Legacy United version the best option for a modern collector? Let's find out!
Before we begin, I should mention the siren comes disassembled out of the box, but it can be attached easily and not utilize shitty pegs like Gamer Edition Starscream. The extra 5mm ports help with the gimmicks we've seen since Siege.
Here we have Optimus Prime in his vehicle mode. It's pretty faithful to the appearance it has in the series, at least when it's an independent cab and not hauling either the rest of a fire truck or a trailer. While the design looks weird at first glance due to how far back the wheels are, there are still wheels present underneath the cab; it's also accurate to the show. In fact, this altmode feels pretty close along with Bumblebee and Prowl. Sculpted details are honestly comparable to Animated Leader Bulkhead.
The truck mode's sides look a bit off, due to the feet being exposed, and in a way that isn't as nice-looking as some other G1-influenced Primes. It's due to the transformation that the legs utilize, but a more annoying issue I have with the toy has to be the unpainted tires. Even with the 5mm ports smack dab in the middle, they'd look better with some added color.
Weapon storage consists of storing his axe by slapping it on the bottoms of his feet. Nothing that exciting when it comes to storage.
For a comparison with another Animated Prime I have, it's only the Deluxe version at my disposal since the original Voyager was one I never had. Keep in mind that the Deluxe isn't as screen-accurate as either Voyager due to the altmode proportions or the colors being more G1-accurate with the Deluxe. Hell, it even came with smokestacks not in the show!,
And here he is with the other Animated Autobots in vehicle mode. Prowl is the odd bot out for obvious reasons, but Bumblebee looks good with his Voyager wavemate. Honestly nice to have a set of Prime and Bee while being from another universe.
Transforming Optimus Prime is comparable to both versions of the character made in 2008. The Deluxe's arm transformation, faux grille, and overall torso transformation are borrowed along with the Voyager's waist swivel and leg transformation to an extent. Handling this figure made me feel it was a bit cheap when it comes how hollow it sort of feels. At least it's not undercooked like Gamer Edition WFC Prime. The robot mode, despite the Generationator beam, this manages to remain pretty faithful to them aesthetics Derrick J Wyatt made back in the day. Prime manages to fit well with the makeover since he already had a fitting body-type that had enough bulk to it. The figure isn't also held back by trying to look like it was in the Sunbow cartoon, and I even appreciate things like the minimal use of hollow spaces on the figure.
His head sculpt isn't exactly show-accurate, but I appreciate it being faithful to the show thanks to the blue face, younger appearance, and even not giving him the mouthplate. Honestly, he looks the best without it on, and they even outlined the eyes! His articulation consists of a ball-jointed neck, shoulder rotation (that needs the mushroom pegs to be filed down a bit thanks to the molding issues out of the box), bicep rotation, double-jointed elbows, ball-jointed wrists, a waist swivel, universal hips, thigh rotation, deep yet loose knees, and deep ankle pivots. Prime can almost hold his axe with both hands, and while it's not 100% perfect (due to how far the shoulders are as well as the wrist articulation and handle length), it's pretty cool nonetheless.
For a comparison with his only other counterpart in my collection (at least for Animated), here he is next to the Deluxe once more for an idea of how stylized the character used to look with this and the 2008 Voyager. While the older toys are more show-accurate, this at least is closer to the DJW style compared to Prowl and even Bumblebee. Also prefer the white outline Autobot insignia over the all silver one that a lot of figures used to have. Also despite the initial shoulder joint problem and loose knees, his joints aren't as annoyingly loose as the Deluxe, even with frequent tightening.
One thing I like about both figures is their ability to dual-wield their axes, and the new Prime even has blast effect compatibility for his weapon. However, their methods of holding their respective axes are are different from each other. The Deluxe uses the peg all the way at the bottom of the handle while the new Voyager uses the entire handle, even if the handle looks disproportionate.
And here he is with the rest of the Animated Autobots we have so far, which makes me recommend him pretty highly. While he could feel a little denser in terms of plastic quality and is still Generationized, he at least is a recommend overall if you're disappointed by how Prowl turned out. While not as faithful as the Beast Wars characters, the Armada characters, and 3/4ths of the RID 2001 characters, this guy is equal to Skyquake/Dreadwing and is better than the 2022 Prime characters in the Legacy line. I can't wait to see DNA Design give him the Wingblade upgrade kit with a Magnus Hammer in case Hasbro takes too long to make a new Animated Magnus, and I bet this will be a killer Motor Master.
Final ranking: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ out ot ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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