Takara Tomy Transformers Alternity A-03 Bumblebee (Suzuki Swift)

You don’t need to be a Transformers fan to know who (or what) Autobot Bumblebee is. So I’m gonna spare the details this time round. But for a benefit of a doubt for whoever stumble on this blog and doesn’t have a clue, following is the little except of the little guy/bot.

From Wikipedia :

Bumblebee is the "little brother" of the heroic or protagonistic Autobot faction and a mascot, constantly striving to prove himself in the eyes of the other robots - especially his leader, Optimus Prime. This often causes him to take risks that put him in danger. Although a bit of a smart aleck, he is a capable and reliable messenger and spy, his small size allowing him to go places that his larger commanders cannot. He is highly fuel-efficient, has great visual acuity, is particularly adaptable to undersea environments and transforms into a Saturn yellow Volkswagen Beetle. He was later reconstructed into a stronger, more mature form as Goldbug.

The last of my collection of yellow Transformers bots (phew!) and is also the smallest of the lot. This is a Takara Tomy Alternity version of about 1/32 scale die casted Suzuki Swift car mode and I’ve kinda read it somewhere that it is a continuation of its previous Binaltech lines, which is 1/24 scale, that was first released in 2004.

I was riding on my current Transformers craze and noticed the Alternity Bumblebee’s design is very close to it’s original G1 design, especially on the headsculpt. Its size also fits the original character’s designed stature. Being one of the original cast from the cartoon back in the 80s, Bumblebee literally earned his permanent placing in every Transformers toys collector’s collection. Just like how C-3PO & R2-D2 are from Star Wars.

Without further adieu, I hit eBay and bought one eventually.

Transformation from Suzuki Swift to Bumblebee wasn’t as tedious as I initially thought. Youtube definitely made it much easier for a Transformers noob like myself.  I’ve checked out Alternity Bumblebee pictures extensively online (and some Youtube videos) and I have a good idea on how it looks like in Robot mode. But now I am actually holding it in my hand, it looks even better.

The mechanics designs on the legs are fantastic. They look complicated and delicate but they really aren’t. No need for hypercare handling. Having the blaster lodged within the calf are such a brilliant idea. Released them and Bumblebee have twin blaster but kept them in, the bot’s legs bulks up that mimic muscles. Articulation are great for the legs but comparing it in ratio to the body, there really isn’t much posing I can do to keep it on its feet.

The whole shell of the car are die casted parts which included the doors. And Bumblebee are top heavy with that bulked chest. I’ve read a lot of reviews lamenting on the bulky chest. I’m actually quite fine with it. It doesn’t has a svelte body in the original cartoon in the first place. Alternity design just blend in with the original. The flipped back rear portion of the car somehow balance up the front-back weigh and thus provide a more balance CG.

Arms, like the legs are puny in comparison with the body but I liken that it add to the “cuteness” of the figure. Some of this “cuteness” were also presented in the cartoon. The arms articulated well to enable a good range of poseability.

Head design is the very thing that sealed the entire design and injects Bumblebee the character the toy represented. The little horns are folded into the side of the head and you need to pull it out in Bot mode.

Overall a great design, good nostalgia due to the likeness to its original character (G1) design. Price wise is affordable for a solidly made robot with metal casted parts. There are also a Goldenbug version as well as Cliff Jumper which uses the same design but is painted red. Maybe Cliff Jumper will crept into my collection someday while my Transformers craze lasted.