@@octobotimus except the first time. And the time he was a repaint of seekers. Or that time he was a repaint of mirage. Or this time. But yes other than that he has always been a bludgeon repaint that one time.
This is the sort of figure where I can respect that it exists, but ain't for me. It's the high end jewelry of Transformers. I respect it. I appreciate it. And it's way too expensive for something that just sits there and does nothing.
@@capootiscrepitoos Yeah, that's my feeling. If they're gonna make an Action Master that plays like an Action Master... I want it to have *more* playability than the original. I mean as a Banza-Tron, it looks fine, but for the price I'd want more poseability, and some compatibility with its actual accessories
I like to imagine that Banzai-tron is a bounty hunter, similar to Lockdown but has a really strong sense of honor, and Megatron knows not to mess with him because he can easily turn on him on a dime.
I depict him as a guy like Saitama, one shotting everyone and being so thrilled at a competent challenger that he won't kill you just to have you fighting another day so much as you do the same
I see him as that one dude who looks cool and stands in the background all the time and when he finally gets to do something he dies, so pretty much Kenny
always seen him as the robotic equivalent of the actually capable martial artist that actually knows about weapon and their usage in history (as opposed to bludgeon that, while maybe even more capable, it's a lost cause of a weeb), and won't hesitate to shoot you just because you needed to be taken down and didn't get in range
I can imagine a G1 animation style clip of Banzai-Tron just melting into a weird spaceship with markings that kinda resemble his chestplate and ectobooger green parts that cannot line up with his arms or knees no matter how you engineer the toy, and that feels perfect.
If you wanna be technical about it, I'm pretty sure Treadshot is more of a gun-coded robot than a tank-coded one, that is to say he turned into a revolver, Megatron-style. People have even found a non-Transformers revolver toy that matches up with him pretty well and seems to have been what he was based on. Funpub turned him into a Warpath repaint, though.
Yeah, Treadshot was the .357 Magnum Robo from the same series that the OG Megatron toy and Takara-exclusive Browning originally came from. Pretty much ALL the details match.
Personally, I always saw him as a Deceptitron ninja assasin who whent without an alt-mode becuase of his dedication to martial arts. And he was the only transformer who didn't transform ever. I need to get that one.
I feel like Banzaitron should be a weird animal. Like a wolf with tentacles, or a weasel with a human face, or a hawk with inexplicable bat wings. Something like that
There may be a distinct possibility though I can't confirm it, that he may not have an alternate mode. Don't forget there was a time that the cybertronians weren't able to transform. He may be one of the much older ones, long before they discovered the art of transformation.
Anybody else think Banzaitron would be a perfect pretender-type of a guy? With Razor Sharp being the robot that fits inside him? That way Banzaitron still wouldn't have to transform, it would be the guy inside him that did. And instead of a robot, it'd still be that crab thing that turns into a gun.
I've been thinking of picking him up, but I had a thought when you pointed out the green tubes on his collar area: What if he's meant to be another Insecticon? I can't not see his chest plate now as an ant head, with the orange as segmented 'eyes' and the green bits folding up as antennae
Love the idea of Banzaitron being one of those big doofy "not a transformer but still transformer sized" aliens and/or robots like those big blue psychiatric hospital monkies
I always liked Banzaitron (or Banzai as I call him) the most of all the action masters. I was genuinely down to buy him until I started hearing about the joint limitations. For that kind of cost, I would've really wanted better engineering. I'd grab him on sale, though
Krok seems to have a stealth bomber cockpit on his chest and I have a feeling they redid that Megatron stealth bomber into that figure? Or Maybe I'm going mad!! I'd LOVE to see a figure of Megadeath!!! He's such a baddass! Also Steamhammer from that story is frigging cool too!
I'll never look at a non-transforming-transformer and not think "but wouldn't it be cool if it transformed?" With shelf space limited i don't need little moments of frustration and disappointment on my shelf so i've never gone for them.
Honestly, the main thing making me consider this guy is actually the hands. Because that hand pose, with the slightly clenched fingers on one hand and the two fingers thrust out on the other? That's not from an official story. That's from _Transformers: Chronicles,_ a Japanese fan comic from the 90s by the guy who'd go on to write Binaltech and Alternity. This dude is an official toy with parts based on duplicating a scene from Hirofumi Ichikawa's fanfiction where Banzai-Tron shows up and totally kicks the asses of a bunch of Autobots so hard they explode like in Fist of the North Star. So I think it's safe to say, Thew, that this was actually made for you and one other person.
@@anobody7609 It's very difficult to find, and most of the links have rotted. I found mine in a big torrent that had a whole bunch of random Transformers stuff in it. I'd try uploading it to imgur or something like that, but RUclips really doesn't like it when you link to there.
I love this figure (razor sharp not included), pre-ordered it the moment I saw we were giving Action Masters another shot. I hope we get more of them, Thunderwing would be stellar
The first ever review that I watched from you was Action Master Banzai-Tron and it was glorious, seeing this new, updated more poseable version of the toy is a clear testament that the Action Masters have really stuck around longer than they have and it's great to see that. Plus seeing you retread familiar territory is always nice. Great review as always bud.
I would buy this if I was loaded, it's the kind of thing that I'd love to have but is outside the edges of what I can justify, as it looks really cool and I love how it evokes the time period it's from but I have no personal attachment to the character. Though if the crab accessory actually functioned as a weapon that would've inched it much closer towards being something I might be able to justify buying...the lack of any functionality in that regard was definitely a disappointment.
You know, you hit the nail on the head. We 80's kids were introduced to Banzai-Tron as an Actionmaster, and that was it. He came to be after the cartoon ended. Off the top of my head, I don't remember if he ever appeared in the US Marvel comics. So, it's fitting for his newest official toy to be one that doesn't transform. It's unneeded. Similar to you too, had my own thoughts on who he was as a kid. He looked to me like he could transform into some kind of gun or weapon, since he has a similar shape to Treadshot. And his name ends in -tron. I figured he could be a new Decepticon leader, or another version of Megatron or Galvatron. How many other Decepticon's names end in 'Tron? Haven't bought him yet, but am down for Super7's TF Ultimates. Already collect the turtles, cats, hawks, and joes lines. And their TF waves have been interesting so far.
I’ve seen this thing o. The shelf at my local comic book store for a while now, and every time I’m there I have to Google who Banzai Tron even is! Not from my little circle of Tf obsession, but I can appreciate the gamble they took on this.
I would totally get this to pair with some sick pictures of Drift. Be one of the bosses in his own series, lower level bad guy under Bludgeon and Sixshot.
He looks like the stage 4 midboss of a Drift video game. Cool design, but ultimately just kinda thrown in to be a bullet sponge as they didn't know how to incorporate it into whatever story the game had.
Some things - 1.) In my headcannon, when I looked at the original toy, Banzaitron always transformed into a Motorcycle. 2.) I used to re-create scenes from the animated movie with my Actionmasters, since they didn't have a Galvatron toy (that I knew of, at least) I always had Megatron turn into Banzaitron instead. 3.) When I saw promotional images of the 'Robots in Disguise'/Car Robots series, there was a two pack of motorcycles. I was hoping one was Banzaitron. 4.) in the japanese version of Transformers Prime, there was a decepticon version of Wheeljack with the swords that they called Dead End. I'm thinking this might have been a homage to Banzaitron, but they decided to call him something else. Love the vid. I always liked Banzaitron as a concept, and wished they would do more with him.
A alien space ship! Matter of fact I think he looks similar to Sideways from Transformers Cybertron. But yeah I agree he looks awesome wish I still had my original one. You know I think I'm due a ebay hunt today. Thank you thew
lol I bought this figure already, and at full price even. I just always dug the IDEA of Banzai-Tron, the kung fu expert archetype who chose to lose his alt mode to become even stronger, and the figure's range of articulation really captures that whole martial arts master vibe.
Just got him off amazon for about half his original price. Banzaitron is my favorite decepticon, because I was given the hunt for the decpeticons toy for Christmas and it was the coolest bad guy I ever saw.
Everything about Banzai-Tron screams the era he's from. Without knowing beforehand, I'd have been able to tell he's from the late 80s/early 90s based solely on his color palette. I actually have and enjoy RED Megatron because sometimes you just want a model-sheet-accurate figure of a character that didn't have to take engineering a transformation into account when being designed, but he's the only one I've bought. I'd love Hasbro to use RED to give us figures of characters that never transformed (do you KNOW what I'd do for a 6" scale Death's Head?) instead of YET ANOTHER Optimus and Bumblebee. Alas...
I kind of would like this guy, even though I never had any action masters when I was a kid. I think he's Voyager scaled because...in the comic the first one to lose the power to transform was Grimlock, effectively making him a canon action master and since he's a big dude this guy can be a big dude too?
3:53 I dunno. He's got diver overtones and a crab friend so yeah, I could see a boat. Though as a Decepticon maybe some kind of lost Seacon. 10:14 I'm not usually a fan of non-transforrming transformers, but there's a few characters I might make an exception for. unique Action masters are one of them. Jhiaxus would have been one of them if he hadn't just had a friggin voyager, even though the alt mode is almost entirely wrong I find have basically zero desire to transform him out of Scowl Mode in the first place.
Okay, I just opened my bday present of Metagate Haiku Yellow today....The AOE Drift triple changer with the helicopter mode, but remoulded into Bludgeon and it's pretty damn sweet. ....But now I really want Alternity Banzai-Tron to go next to him on the shelf no matter how shit the figure is.
The Botcon repaint of the Transformers Energon Mirage is my Banzaitron. In my head space, he hardly transforms into the boat anyways due to the lack of water in the majority of places he goes. But the Super7 Ultimates is tempting. Going to get their Tarn if I can't find the Legacy version.
First off, love the nails matching the mad Banzai lad I can see the appeal for something like this in the same way I enjoy the RED prime figures, the design of the character without any compromises for a transformation But man, for the price of that chonky dude I’m most of the way towards that new Armada prime and honestly, he speaks to my heart more Still, congrats on using your transformer metal powers to summon Banzai-Tron from the void
Banzai-Tron needed something, this was his moment to be a toy in the modern era that was his best of his action master. (Except his crabby partner who is useless)
If he wasnt that expansive I would deffinitely consider buying him, Ive allways loved Banzaitrons design, the lime green, purple, mean looking black- it just sits right with me, plus Ive always vibed more with these more obscure bots than with alot of the classic main cast
I'd prefer Krok like this, honestly. I admit it's not my jam, but not from hate. He looks neat, but nothing on my past. I AM glad he exists for you and the handful of Banzaitron fans. There are so many "They'll never do them again" characters, and it's SO damn nice when it happens.
I probably wouldn't buy this myself but if it was given to me, or I found it at some garage sale, I'm happy. He seems like a fun little (big?) delight who radiates "Toy your grandma gets you on vacation" energy
"Foamy fourths" is quite possibly the worst image my brain could compute this early in the morning... Also, I love these Super7 molds (even though they don't transform).
I actually had this, briefly, because Entertainment Earth was selling sets of Wave 1 for around $65. All 4 for under $20 each. I sold off the Banzaitron and Bombshell and kept Starscream and Optimus, Starscream is a bit big but one of the better options for a Ghost Starscream on a Season 3 shelf since transforming translucent plastic is brittle and he's gummier and more pliable. I don't love the head sculpt but he us nicely translucent and infused with glitter. Plus, I don't need a ghost to transform but I do need him to hover on a flight stand between my Studio Series Sweep army and my Earthrise Quintesson collection. As for Optimus, I decided I could commit to a shelf of about 6-8 or so non-transforming Transformers that hew closer to the Sunbow model than my Generations collection. He pairs nicely with the weirdly oversized RED Bumblebee and I find that the Reaction Bumblebee, Insecticons, and cassettes are in perfect show scale with the Ultimates. So I'm in for Megatron, Starscream, and Soundwave from the line... And Grimlock. You honestly need Super7 Ultimates Grimlock. Super7 actually admitted that they made an error in only charging $55 for him and he's roughly the size of Studio Series Leader Grimlock, maybe a bit bigger, and comes with a tuxedo apron and waiter accessories. There are images from NYCC of his oversized package but the Transformers line seems like the least popular Super7 line and so you'll have to freeze frame it from videos because nobody took pictures. Megatron and Grimlock are due to start shipping in April and are still available at many retailers to preorder.
Honestly.... Now I know about him. I really want him I adore his look and as someone beyond burnt out on modern pop culture toy wise. This rando with immaculate drip and funky little crab friend tickles my fancy. Captures the magic of just looking on the shelfs at the toy store as kid. Especially at discount shops. And just finding a guy who looks cool you can invent all sorts of backstory and what not.
I started looking for sites selling this barely 2 minutes after you brought the figure out. A couple of places have it on sale right now. I may purchase.
I don't know much about this Banzai fella but the way you describe him, I would like to imagine he doesn't transform either he can't or he can and he just hasn't shown anyone. It's his little secret.
I just like the look of him, he looks cool and feels like tarn but not popular (not in a bad way but he has that Tarn vibe) also he looks like he is related to Black Zarak.
I can appreciate the powers of manifestation you use for good. I too ordered this as soon as able. Also G2 Megatron, Tarn, Bludgeon and Gator-OP, with only the last two making any mental sense.
Im glad I am not the only one spending their childhood wondering what this guys alt mode is suppose to be. I still have mine from my childhood sitting on my TF shelf.
Got Banzai and Bonsai mixed up for a second there.... had to look it up. I'd probably only buy this figure if I also owned a bonsai tree to display him with..... maybe that's what he turns into.... a cybertronian bonsai tree?
when they first revealed it I thought it was a regular action figure at a smaller scale and I wanted it, but when I learned it was some premium thing that was huge and expensive I opted out
I almost wonder if they COULDN'T let it have any transforming gimmicks. I have heard tales of companies that get a license that is already primarily held by another company, but they have certain constrains so as not to encroach too much. Like Hiya Toys can make Godzilla, but I have heard they can ONLY make toys from the Monsterverse. So Razorsharp was not allowed to "transform."
The only thing I know about Banzai-tron is that he made a list of the Decepticons in order of worth/power where the Scavengers scaled at the very bottom. Which paints the idea that he's just a bureaucrat with a wicked name. So if I were to buy him, I think I would just have him next to my personal documents to watch over them. Maybe he'll also scale my power behind my back and say that I'm beneath Longtooth or something.
I feel like a good way to re-do Action Masters would be by doing packs. Like, for an average deluxe or voyager price you get 2 or 3 non-transforming transformers, 1 of them being the main draw (Optimus, Bumble, Megs), the rest being the ones that never got an alt-mode
Awe man. I wanted to love the new Banzai-Tron. But the fact that Razor-Sharp does nothing and then the PRICE? Goddamn, I thought it was going to be $30, which I already thought was too expensive for what it is, then you said it was $60 and I was blown away because there is no way there is that much value in that figure. BUT THEN that price tag at 9:53 is $122 CAD. There is no f*cking way that toy is worth that much. I really did want him too, but damn. Guess I'll have to source an original one. Good review! Was surprised to see this come up!
I've honestly thought about picking a few of these up like Optimus, Grimlock,G1&G2 Megatron,Soundwave and Tarn. I'd also like to see them do other characters Luke Shockwave,Arcee,Warpath and even other Transformers series like Prime,Animated,Armada and Beast Wars characters like Optimus Primal,Blackarachnia and Dinobot to name a few
Agreed. Banzai-Tron, even though I have no clue what he may transform into, will never be on the same level as "Boater". (IFYKYK) He is THE master of ACTION!
I cherry picked with this line, skipped Bombshell and G2 'Megs, but have the rest. What's been mentioned is have Hasbro do Pretender inner'bots at some scale and have Super 7 do their outer shells. They're already doing G1 Bludgeon.
I've always wanted an Action Master Banzaitron. I've only ever owned a couple of AMs. But I traded one (Soundwave) to my late friend's sister to get a different piece from his collection when he passed. And I snuck the other (Wheeljack)into his pocket at the funeral. He'd given them to me and Wheeljack was his favorite. I need to find a Banzaitron
Given how the Action Master partners usually evoke something thematically apt about the character in question, I'd wager it's much more likely that Banzaitron would transform into some sort of arthropod than your run of the mill tanks or jets. It would certainly explain the organic, chitinous details of his armour. Not that it matters, since he's clearly taken a vow of alt. mode abstinence in order to hone his robo kung fu skills to maximum lethality.
When i was younger i always thought banzi tron was an insecticon that turned into a praying mantis. I have know idea where i got that idea maybe just my imagination playing with him and the other bug boys out in the garden.
I was actually super excited when they announced this figure! I don't know why, but I loved the Action Master designs, and Banzai-Tron was my favorite--I actually bought a second to keep in the box. I'm sure I'm alone on this, but I kinda wish all the Transformers Ultimates were just upscaled Action Masters!
I figure he transforms into a praying mantis. Fits with the kung fu martial arts thingy, the m on his chest can be the stylized scythe arms, his colouring is vaguely insecty and his chest sorta looks like a bugs face if you squint hard enough.
I LOVE THIS THING. Same talking points as you had exactly, I don't really buy non-transformers (no hate though) but this thing is perfect. Pre-ordered on day one and only plan on getting the Bludgeon as well. This toy is just so pretty!!! One of my favs.
Imagine the very next week Hasbro announces a Legacy Banzaitron and it turns into what Thew never knew he wanted Banzaitron to turn into
I always imagined that Banzaitron turned into an Insecticon, so perhaps that's the route Hasbro would go down
@@octobotimus except the first time. And the time he was a repaint of seekers. Or that time he was a repaint of mirage. Or this time. But yes other than that he has always been a bludgeon repaint that one time.
Maybe he'll be announced in conjunction with a Legacy bombshell? who knows but it would be fun.
I bought this on clearance package with the other 3 out of curiosity. Not really happy with any of them. Lol
@Lazrael32 oh, I think they did a cheeky delete of their comment after being corrected.
This is the sort of figure where I can respect that it exists, but ain't for me. It's the high end jewelry of Transformers. I respect it. I appreciate it. And it's way too expensive for something that just sits there and does nothing.
I might have bought it if Razor-sharp wasn't neutered
You sound like someone who should play with their toys :D
@@capootiscrepitoos Yeah, that's my feeling. If they're gonna make an Action Master that plays like an Action Master... I want it to have *more* playability than the original.
I mean as a Banza-Tron, it looks fine, but for the price I'd want more poseability, and some compatibility with its actual accessories
@@davidwilliamson4559 I think he means because it’s articulation is so limited I guess??
This is how I feel about MP. If you like it, cool. I appreciate it, I'm just not into it.
I like to imagine that Banzai-tron is a bounty hunter, similar to Lockdown but has a really strong sense of honor, and Megatron knows not to mess with him because he can easily turn on him on a dime.
Fanon accepted.
I had a similar Head Canon as a Kid. He was Megatrons Silent Assassin. Feared by everyone, even a little by Megatron.
I depict him as a guy like Saitama, one shotting everyone and being so thrilled at a competent challenger that he won't kill you just to have you fighting another day so much as you do the same
I see him as that one dude who looks cool and stands in the background all the time and when he finally gets to do something he dies, so pretty much Kenny
always seen him as the robotic equivalent of the actually capable martial artist that actually knows about weapon and their usage in history (as opposed to bludgeon that, while maybe even more capable, it's a lost cause of a weeb), and won't hesitate to shoot you just because you needed to be taken down and didn't get in range
I immediately searched this figure up because I love how he looks and he was on sale on Entertainment Earth for $25 so, yeah, I bought it.
Now that's a reasonable price for it.
That is a good price.
good looking out my dude, in for one also
I love the little detail of Thew doing his nails in the color of whatever he's reviewing.
He also tries to colour match his shirts!
I can imagine a G1 animation style clip of Banzai-Tron just melting into a weird spaceship with markings that kinda resemble his chestplate and ectobooger green parts that cannot line up with his arms or knees no matter how you engineer the toy, and that feels perfect.
If you wanna be technical about it, I'm pretty sure Treadshot is more of a gun-coded robot than a tank-coded one, that is to say he turned into a revolver, Megatron-style. People have even found a non-Transformers revolver toy that matches up with him pretty well and seems to have been what he was based on. Funpub turned him into a Warpath repaint, though.
Funpub would have based their version on whatever moulds they could lay their hands on, I suspect.
@@TheTurnipKing Indeed. Not a lot of Transformers that turn into a revolver.
Yeah, Treadshot was the .357 Magnum Robo from the same series that the OG Megatron toy and Takara-exclusive Browning originally came from. Pretty much ALL the details match.
In Thew's own words. "Oh, Funpub. I'll Funp you Ub."
Love it when Thew sneaks an obscure Simpsons reference into a review
Personally, I always saw him as a Deceptitron ninja assasin who whent without an alt-mode becuase of his dedication to martial arts. And he was the only transformer who didn't transform ever. I need to get that one.
I feel like Banzaitron should be a weird animal. Like a wolf with tentacles, or a weasel with a human face, or a hawk with inexplicable bat wings. Something like that
Or....I dunno.....a plane
Hahaha, loved the Red Dwarf call out.
I would not purchase this, but I certainly wanted, and loved, the video of it. Thanks Thew.
There may be a distinct possibility though I can't confirm it, that he may not have an alternate mode. Don't forget there was a time that the cybertronians weren't able to transform. He may be one of the much older ones, long before they discovered the art of transformation.
Thanks for the Red Dwarf reference, Thew.
I love how your brought back a joke from the Simpsons I'd long forgotten and made it actually funny XD
Spinal Tap's Simpsons appearance has been in my head all week, so that Splish Splash Show line got me good.
Wait for Chris McFeely dig out the most obscure Banzai-tron lore ever
I didn't even know Banzai-Tron existed before this figure was announced.
Anybody else think Banzaitron would be a perfect pretender-type of a guy? With Razor Sharp being the robot that fits inside him? That way Banzaitron still wouldn't have to transform, it would be the guy inside him that did. And instead of a robot, it'd still be that crab thing that turns into a gun.
I've been thinking of picking him up, but I had a thought when you pointed out the green tubes on his collar area:
What if he's meant to be another Insecticon? I can't not see his chest plate now as an ant head, with the orange as segmented 'eyes' and the green bits folding up as antennae
"Foamy fourths"
Thew I was EATING
Love the idea of Banzaitron being one of those big doofy "not a transformer but still transformer sized" aliens and/or robots like those big blue psychiatric hospital monkies
I always liked Banzaitron (or Banzai as I call him) the most of all the action masters. I was genuinely down to buy him until I started hearing about the joint limitations. For that kind of cost, I would've really wanted better engineering. I'd grab him on sale, though
Grab it, then... it's on deep discount at Entertainment Earth. I got mine for like $35 shipped.
Krok seems to have a stealth bomber cockpit on his chest and I have a feeling they redid that Megatron stealth bomber into that figure? Or Maybe I'm going mad!! I'd LOVE to see a figure of Megadeath!!! He's such a baddass! Also Steamhammer from that story is frigging cool too!
Your videos never cease to be pure enjoyment for me
I'll never look at a non-transforming-transformer and not think "but wouldn't it be cool if it transformed?" With shelf space limited i don't need little moments of frustration and disappointment on my shelf so i've never gone for them.
Honestly, the main thing making me consider this guy is actually the hands. Because that hand pose, with the slightly clenched fingers on one hand and the two fingers thrust out on the other? That's not from an official story. That's from _Transformers: Chronicles,_ a Japanese fan comic from the 90s by the guy who'd go on to write Binaltech and Alternity. This dude is an official toy with parts based on duplicating a scene from Hirofumi Ichikawa's fanfiction where Banzai-Tron shows up and totally kicks the asses of a bunch of Autobots so hard they explode like in Fist of the North Star.
So I think it's safe to say, Thew, that this was actually made for you and one other person.
Hot damn
That sounds awesome! Do you know how I can read it? I’ve looked online, but I can’t find anything.
@@anobody7609 It's very difficult to find, and most of the links have rotted. I found mine in a big torrent that had a whole bunch of random Transformers stuff in it. I'd try uploading it to imgur or something like that, but RUclips really doesn't like it when you link to there.
@@anobody7609 Unfortunately, online copies of it are very scarce, and linking to them via RUclips comments is tricky.
@@misterbadguy7325 Dang. Thanks anyway!
I love this figure (razor sharp not included), pre-ordered it the moment I saw we were giving Action Masters another shot. I hope we get more of them, Thunderwing would be stellar
If they Do more action master like this I may start picking them up, I like the fact they scale with Voyager class
"throws thing, which then explodes" is one of my favorite gags :D
The first ever review that I watched from you was Action Master Banzai-Tron and it was glorious, seeing this new, updated more poseable version of the toy is a clear testament that the Action Masters have really stuck around longer than they have and it's great to see that.
Plus seeing you retread familiar territory is always nice.
Great review as always bud.
I would buy this if I was loaded, it's the kind of thing that I'd love to have but is outside the edges of what I can justify, as it looks really cool and I love how it evokes the time period it's from but I have no personal attachment to the character. Though if the crab accessory actually functioned as a weapon that would've inched it much closer towards being something I might be able to justify buying...the lack of any functionality in that regard was definitely a disappointment.
Bazai-Tron is probably on the same type as Death's Head and ROM, they are Transformers characters that does not need an alternate mode.
I was actually excited when they first announced this figure. Banzaitron is one of my favorite ‘glup shitto’ G1 characters
You know, you hit the nail on the head. We 80's kids were introduced to Banzai-Tron as an Actionmaster, and that was it. He came to be after the cartoon ended. Off the top of my head, I don't remember if he ever appeared in the US Marvel comics. So, it's fitting for his newest official toy to be one that doesn't transform. It's unneeded.
Similar to you too, had my own thoughts on who he was as a kid. He looked to me like he could transform into some kind of gun or weapon, since he has a similar shape to Treadshot. And his name ends in -tron. I figured he could be a new Decepticon leader, or another version of Megatron or Galvatron. How many other Decepticon's names end in 'Tron?
Haven't bought him yet, but am down for Super7's TF Ultimates. Already collect the turtles, cats, hawks, and joes lines. And their TF waves have been interesting so far.
I’ve seen this thing o. The shelf at my local comic book store for a while now, and every time I’m there I have to Google who Banzai Tron even is! Not from my little circle of Tf obsession, but I can appreciate the gamble they took on this.
Love the Simpsons Spinal Tap reference
Regarding the speech about what his V mode might be, I wanna say he might've been a Bike.
I would totally get this to pair with some sick pictures of Drift. Be one of the bosses in his own series, lower level bad guy under Bludgeon and Sixshot.
He looks like the stage 4 midboss of a Drift video game. Cool design, but ultimately just kinda thrown in to be a bullet sponge as they didn't know how to incorporate it into whatever story the game had.
Your video about Super 7 Banzai-Tron was good at making me want the Alternity version I didn't know existed till now. Thank you.
Some things -
1.) In my headcannon, when I looked at the original toy, Banzaitron always transformed into a Motorcycle.
2.) I used to re-create scenes from the animated movie with my Actionmasters, since they didn't have a Galvatron toy (that I knew of, at least) I always had Megatron turn into Banzaitron instead.
3.) When I saw promotional images of the 'Robots in Disguise'/Car Robots series, there was a two pack of motorcycles. I was hoping one was Banzaitron.
4.) in the japanese version of Transformers Prime, there was a decepticon version of Wheeljack with the swords that they called Dead End. I'm thinking this might have been a homage to Banzaitron, but they decided to call him something else.
Love the vid. I always liked Banzaitron as a concept, and wished they would do more with him.
To me, it looks like he was intended to transform into an insect of some kind. I can't tell which kind, though.
A alien space ship! Matter of fact I think he looks similar to Sideways from Transformers Cybertron. But yeah I agree he looks awesome wish I still had my original one. You know I think I'm due a ebay hunt today.
Thank you thew
lol I bought this figure already, and at full price even. I just always dug the IDEA of Banzai-Tron, the kung fu expert archetype who chose to lose his alt mode to become even stronger, and the figure's range of articulation really captures that whole martial arts master vibe.
Just got him off amazon for about half his original price. Banzaitron is my favorite decepticon, because I was given the hunt for the decpeticons toy for Christmas and it was the coolest bad guy I ever saw.
Everything about Banzai-Tron screams the era he's from. Without knowing beforehand, I'd have been able to tell he's from the late 80s/early 90s based solely on his color palette.
I actually have and enjoy RED Megatron because sometimes you just want a model-sheet-accurate figure of a character that didn't have to take engineering a transformation into account when being designed, but he's the only one I've bought. I'd love Hasbro to use RED to give us figures of characters that never transformed (do you KNOW what I'd do for a 6" scale Death's Head?) instead of YET ANOTHER Optimus and Bumblebee. Alas...
I kind of would like this guy, even though I never had any action masters when I was a kid. I think he's Voyager scaled because...in the comic the first one to lose the power to transform was Grimlock, effectively making him a canon action master and since he's a big dude this guy can be a big dude too?
3:53 I dunno. He's got diver overtones and a crab friend so yeah, I could see a boat. Though as a Decepticon maybe some kind of lost Seacon.
10:14 I'm not usually a fan of non-transforrming transformers, but there's a few characters I might make an exception for. unique Action masters are one of them. Jhiaxus would have been one of them if he hadn't just had a friggin voyager, even though the alt mode is almost entirely wrong I find have basically zero desire to transform him out of Scowl Mode in the first place.
Okay, I just opened my bday present of Metagate Haiku Yellow today....The AOE Drift triple changer with the helicopter mode, but remoulded into Bludgeon and it's pretty damn sweet.
....But now I really want Alternity Banzai-Tron to go next to him on the shelf no matter how shit the figure is.
Never heard of this guy before this video, but I think we can all agree that when Thew's having fun, we're having fun!
Definitely the sort of thing I’d enjoy a review of, and maybe look at in-store, but easily put it back and walk away.
The Botcon repaint of the Transformers Energon Mirage is my Banzaitron. In my head space, he hardly transforms into the boat anyways due to the lack of water in the majority of places he goes. But the Super7 Ultimates is tempting. Going to get their Tarn if I can't find the Legacy version.
First off, love the nails matching the mad Banzai lad
I can see the appeal for something like this in the same way I enjoy the RED prime figures, the design of the character without any compromises for a transformation
But man, for the price of that chonky dude I’m most of the way towards that new Armada prime and honestly, he speaks to my heart more
Still, congrats on using your transformer metal powers to summon Banzai-Tron from the void
That M on his chest makes him look like he's about to yell "Go turbo!"
Banzai-Tron needed something, this was his moment to be a toy in the modern era that was his best of his action master. (Except his crabby partner who is useless)
If he wasnt that expansive I would deffinitely consider buying him, Ive allways loved Banzaitrons design, the lime green, purple, mean looking black- it just sits right with me, plus Ive always vibed more with these more obscure bots than with alot of the classic main cast
Did you just call Banzaitron FAT?! lol
@@benvoliothefirst no, I don’t think I have
I'd prefer Krok like this, honestly. I admit it's not my jam, but not from hate. He looks neat, but nothing on my past.
I AM glad he exists for you and the handful of Banzaitron fans. There are so many "They'll never do them again" characters, and it's SO damn nice when it happens.
I probably wouldn't buy this myself but if it was given to me, or I found it at some garage sale, I'm happy.
He seems like a fun little (big?) delight who radiates "Toy your grandma gets you on vacation" energy
"Foamy fourths" is quite possibly the worst image my brain could compute this early in the morning... Also, I love these Super7 molds (even though they don't transform).
I actually had this, briefly, because Entertainment Earth was selling sets of Wave 1 for around $65. All 4 for under $20 each. I sold off the Banzaitron and Bombshell and kept Starscream and Optimus,
Starscream is a bit big but one of the better options for a Ghost Starscream on a Season 3 shelf since transforming translucent plastic is brittle and he's gummier and more pliable. I don't love the head sculpt but he us nicely translucent and infused with glitter. Plus, I don't need a ghost to transform but I do need him to hover on a flight stand between my Studio Series Sweep army and my Earthrise Quintesson collection.
As for Optimus, I decided I could commit to a shelf of about 6-8 or so non-transforming Transformers that hew closer to the Sunbow model than my Generations collection. He pairs nicely with the weirdly oversized RED Bumblebee and I find that the Reaction Bumblebee, Insecticons, and cassettes are in perfect show scale with the Ultimates. So I'm in for Megatron, Starscream, and Soundwave from the line... And Grimlock.
You honestly need Super7 Ultimates Grimlock. Super7 actually admitted that they made an error in only charging $55 for him and he's roughly the size of Studio Series Leader Grimlock, maybe a bit bigger, and comes with a tuxedo apron and waiter accessories.
There are images from NYCC of his oversized package but the Transformers line seems like the least popular Super7 line and so you'll have to freeze frame it from videos because nobody took pictures.
Megatron and Grimlock are due to start shipping in April and are still available at many retailers to preorder.
Honestly.... Now I know about him. I really want him I adore his look and as someone beyond burnt out on modern pop culture toy wise. This rando with immaculate drip and funky little crab friend tickles my fancy. Captures the magic of just looking on the shelfs at the toy store as kid. Especially at discount shops. And just finding a guy who looks cool you can invent all sorts of backstory and what not.
I had action master banzai tron as a kid too. And i bought this super 7 months ago. Same.
I actually bought this guy today from my local comic book store. Considering the original price was €79.99 and I got him for €40.00 I don't regret it.
I started looking for sites selling this barely 2 minutes after you brought the figure out. A couple of places have it on sale right now. I may purchase.
I got it on sale from Comics & Cocktails! Half price babyyyyy
I was hoping you would do a review of this guy, considering your love of this neon goon!
Digging the Banzai-themed nails by the way!
I don't know much about this Banzai fella but the way you describe him, I would like to imagine he doesn't transform either he can't or he can and he just hasn't shown anyone. It's his little secret.
Ok I've truly never appreciated the nail polish until Thew matched the Banzitrons colors.
I just like the look of him, he looks cool and feels like tarn but not popular (not in a bad way but he has that Tarn vibe) also he looks like he is related to Black Zarak.
Love action masters. Action Master Megatron is my favorite action figures ever. More action masters!
Seems like the kind of Thew video that I'll watch again in a year because I forgot Banzaitron existed. Repeat ad nauseum forever.
10:11 Not gonna lie, I only got mine when it was on sale for $20. And that was just to get free shipping on a pre-order for Dead End.
I was on the fence about buying him but the crab guy being just a solid piece makes me want to pass tbh
You were right about the opener.
I can appreciate the powers of manifestation you use for good. I too ordered this as soon as able. Also G2 Megatron, Tarn, Bludgeon and Gator-OP, with only the last two making any mental sense.
Im glad I am not the only one spending their childhood wondering what this guys alt mode is suppose to be. I still have mine from my childhood sitting on my TF shelf.
Just saw that little flash of Megadeath there - I love me some Mrgadeath. That annual was seared into my brain as a kid
Got Banzai and Bonsai mixed up for a second there.... had to look it up. I'd probably only buy this figure if I also owned a bonsai tree to display him with..... maybe that's what he turns into.... a cybertronian bonsai tree?
Wonder if banzaitron was supposed to turn into like a herculeas beattle or some sort of fire arm?
when they first revealed it I thought it was a regular action figure at a smaller scale and I wanted it, but when I learned it was some premium thing that was huge and expensive I opted out
I almost wonder if they COULDN'T let it have any transforming gimmicks. I have heard tales of companies that get a license that is already primarily held by another company, but they have certain constrains so as not to encroach too much. Like Hiya Toys can make Godzilla, but I have heard they can ONLY make toys from the Monsterverse. So Razorsharp was not allowed to "transform."
The only thing I know about Banzai-tron is that he made a list of the Decepticons in order of worth/power where the Scavengers scaled at the very bottom. Which paints the idea that he's just a bureaucrat with a wicked name. So if I were to buy him, I think I would just have him next to my personal documents to watch over them. Maybe he'll also scale my power behind my back and say that I'm beneath Longtooth or something.
I feel like a good way to re-do Action Masters would be by doing packs. Like, for an average deluxe or voyager price you get 2 or 3 non-transforming transformers, 1 of them being the main draw (Optimus, Bumble, Megs), the rest being the ones that never got an alt-mode
Awe man. I wanted to love the new Banzai-Tron. But the fact that Razor-Sharp does nothing and then the PRICE? Goddamn, I thought it was going to be $30, which I already thought was too expensive for what it is, then you said it was $60 and I was blown away because there is no way there is that much value in that figure. BUT THEN that price tag at 9:53 is $122 CAD. There is no f*cking way that toy is worth that much. I really did want him too, but damn. Guess I'll have to source an original one.
Good review! Was surprised to see this come up!
Love the Megalon reference. Kaiju might be the only acceptable Alt mode for Banzai-tron.
Personally I wouldn't pay $10 for this "Unknown guy in the Transformers Yearbook" figure. But this video did make me smile. Thank you.
I've honestly thought about picking a few of these up like Optimus, Grimlock,G1&G2 Megatron,Soundwave and Tarn. I'd also like to see them do other characters Luke Shockwave,Arcee,Warpath and even other Transformers series like Prime,Animated,Armada and Beast Wars characters like Optimus Primal,Blackarachnia and Dinobot to name a few
A transformation of this guy needs to be something unconventional. No standard vehicles, no repaints, he needs something unique.
AGREED. My brother and I were thinking maybe a speedboat or a stealth helicopter would fit him.
@@noctorne8321 Why not a mix of both of those ideas? That would be pretty unique looking. XD
@@ShadowEclipex That would! I love your thinking !
@@noctorne8321 Well a strange guy deserves a strange alt mode!
Agreed. Banzai-Tron, even though I have no clue what he may transform into, will never be on the same level as "Boater". (IFYKYK) He is THE master of ACTION!
I also love the design of Benzai-Tron and I have been considering getting a figure of him
Whole time watching this I was thinking "That's pretty cool for $30." for $60, feels much more like a shelfwarmer
I cherry picked with this line, skipped Bombshell and G2 'Megs, but have the rest. What's been mentioned is have Hasbro do Pretender inner'bots at some scale and have Super 7 do their outer shells. They're already doing G1 Bludgeon.
I've always wanted an Action Master Banzaitron. I've only ever owned a couple of AMs. But I traded one (Soundwave) to my late friend's sister to get a different piece from his collection when he passed. And I snuck the other (Wheeljack)into his pocket at the funeral. He'd given them to me and Wheeljack was his favorite. I need to find a Banzaitron
This is the first and last time this character/toy will be in my life. I'm glad they made one for you though.
Given how the Action Master partners usually evoke something thematically apt about the character in question, I'd wager it's much more likely that Banzaitron would transform into some sort of arthropod than your run of the mill tanks or jets. It would certainly explain the organic, chitinous details of his armour.
Not that it matters, since he's clearly taken a vow of alt. mode abstinence in order to hone his robo kung fu skills to maximum lethality.
The coolest part of Banzai-tron is the hilarity of his goofy name
Honestly, the headlights on the original chest always seemed to suggest he was a car similar to jazz. But that might just be me.
Amazingly coordinated nail polish *chef's kiss*
When i was younger i always thought banzi tron was an insecticon that turned into a praying mantis. I have know idea where i got that idea maybe just my imagination playing with him and the other bug boys out in the garden.
I was actually super excited when they announced this figure! I don't know why, but I loved the Action Master designs, and Banzai-Tron was my favorite--I actually bought a second to keep in the box. I'm sure I'm alone on this, but I kinda wish all the Transformers Ultimates were just upscaled Action Masters!
I figure he transforms into a praying mantis. Fits with the kung fu martial arts thingy, the m on his chest can be the stylized scythe arms, his colouring is vaguely insecty and his chest sorta looks like a bugs face if you squint hard enough.
I LOVE THIS THING. Same talking points as you had exactly, I don't really buy non-transformers (no hate though) but this thing is perfect. Pre-ordered on day one and only plan on getting the Bludgeon as well. This toy is just so pretty!!! One of my favs.
This, being the second Ultimate Banzai-tron review i've seen in less then a month, makes the figure seem more appealing. Might cop sooner than later.