The MakeToys Cross Dimension line literally brought out the big guns with Thunder Manus!
Producer: MakeToys
Price: Approx. $125 USD
Release Date: Mar. 2018
Item Height: Approx. 8″
Item Weight: N/A
Batteries: N/A
WHERE TO BUY: The Chosen Prime
MakeToys is showing commitment to keeping the cross-dimension line going with their latest release, Thunder Manus. This iteration of the “Powermaster” version of Optimus Prime (“Ginrai” in the Masterforce series) brings that large, intimidating aesthetic of the character along with the extreme articulation that the cross-dimension series has become known for.
Presentation: The box for Thunder Manus is frankly awesome. The pictures on both the front and back along with the graphics and text layout are extremely well done and the wide, rectangular shape really gives it a panoramic feel. The figure itself is well packaged in the plastic clamshell and it’s nice that it’s packaged as the robot mode of the “base” power master mode as I feel that it’s the mode that people will be looking to go to first.
Build: Thunder Manus is made of good plastics with really strong, friction-based joints. It moves and plays very, very well. The problem lies in the q.c.. On mine, there are pieces connected to his side skirts that don’t well at all and continuously fall off and reports from other owners vary anywhere from that same issue to even scuff marks throughout the item. This kind of stuff isn’t acceptable.
Accessories: There really isn’t much to this piece in terms of accessories. Thunder Manus comes with two blasters as well as the two vintage shoulder canons that Powermaster Prime has always had, and that’s it (the guns are big and awesome, so it’s not a slight in the least.) This biggest thing that it comes with and I don’t really consider it an accessory is the “Divine Armor” which is basically an homage to the Transformers Masterforce “GodBomber” robot which turns from a robot into a trailer and can be disassembled as armor for Powermaster Optimus/Ginrai but this has no robot mode; only a trailer and armor options (A separate, full-on Godbomber in the Cross-Dimensions line will be released at a later date.) Of course the Divine Armor becomes really swank-looking armor for Thunder Manus but it also comes with a huge shoulder canon with a really cool sword that detatches from it. once you get him armored up, it’s a sight to see with adding about a half inch of height as well as some nice “bling” to Thunder Manus.
Articulation: The articulation on Thunder Manus itself is insane. Just like Thunder Erebus released beforehand, there isn’t much that this piece just can’t do, and it’s so FUN to play with. The problems come in when the “Divine Armor” is added on to where it loses a lot of that articulation, particularly in the legs. It’s really unfortunate because it looks SO great with the armor attached but I actually prefer it off to remain playable.
Overall Score: 7.0/10 – Honestly as a toy, Thunder Manus itself is phenomenal, but loses a lot of mobility/playabilty with the Divine armor on which is a real drag as it’s a crucial part of the packaging and there’s no option to get Manus without it. Thunder Manus itself is an easy 9.0-10/10 but personally the divine armor and the thought of an added cost from it really drag it down as a whole. The lack of consistent quality on this piece across the board really isn’t a norm. for MakeToys either. Here’s hoping that issues like those don’t continue down the line.
Check out the gallery below and if you fancy one of your own, check out The Chosen Prime and order yours.
