Henkei Astrotrain

[Cataclizm1]

When I bought Classics Astrotrain, (http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showthread.php?t=111729&highlight=astrotrain) I thought he was just "ok." A decent bot mode, and two passable alt modes. It's amazing what a nicer paint-job can do for a figure. He has gone from being just "ok," to being downright amazing in my book. This figure has one of the nicest paint-jobs I've seen on any transformer. The purple is rich, richer than the purple Hasbro used. Also the Grey has a gloss to it that's very impressive. The chrome on the exhaust is a very nice, regal touch. When I hold henkei-train, I can almost hear the G1 voice yelling back at me, "Jettison some weight!"

Only gripes I have is that there was some extra white paint splattered on his helmet, but I managed to scrape off most of it. Also I wish the gun had been purple to match his body. The Hasbro gun can be used but like I said the purple color is not the same. After playing with henkei-train, the hasbro toy feels like a cheap unpainted knock-off. It's just that much of an improvement. Also all the joints are tighter and more sturdy on henkei-train.

If you only buy one Henkei, make it Astrotrain!

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/192/ast2mu9.jpg
http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/5166/astsx8.jpg

[tamo536]

i would also recommend his henkai version over hasbro.

also check out mirage if you can get him,he's another improved version.

[ElekTriC]

i like hasbro... :P

[Turnip]

The classics are A-ok in my book. I certainly dig that Takara did a 'toon accurate version but I like my toy accurate Classics Astrotrain too.

[SPLIT LIP]

I too prefer Hasbro's. I prefer the pure white to the dark, dull grey. I do like how so much is painted on Japanese Astrotrain.

also check out mirage if you can get him,he's another improved version.I do not agree with this. While the chrome on the spoiler is a nice touch and is the only chrome I like from these Takara/Tomy classics, whatever points it gained for that chrome were taken away from the chrome on the front. I hardly call it improved since it's not all that different and really, they took away a lot of the little things I liked.

Still, the mould is great and both figs are recommended from me.

[Optimus Peev]

Been picking up the Henkei and love all of them. Like my Hasbro ones just fine, too, but I am digging the chrome additions. Can't wait for the Henkei Rodimus!

[tamo536]

I too prefer Hasbro's. I prefer the pure white to the dark, dull grey. I do like how so much is painted on Japanese Astrotrain.

I do not agree with this. While the chrome on the spoiler is a nice touch and is the only chrome I like from these Takara/Tomy classics, whatever points it gained for that chrome were taken away from the chrome on the front. I hardly call it improved since it's not all that different and really, they took away a lot of the little things I liked.

Still, the mould is great and both figs are recommended from me.

the darker blue color is what does it for me but i do miss the decals of the original:D

[drsyn]

The grey and purple Space-choo-choo turned up for me yesterday. Yes his Grey is dark (but its glossy) but that purple is delicious.

And the head his way better now that you have a contrast between the Dark Purple and white, instead of White and Silver (which merge)

I like both flavors ^^

[NIDARAM12]

Does the plastic on the thighs still feel like dollar store crap that is ready to pull apart at the seams? :p

[Feralstorm]

If you only buy one Henkei, make it Astrotrain!

I don't have the choo-choo yet, and I do have some other Henkeis after Botcon (Mirage, Optimus, and Megatron), but I'm inclined to agree with that statement. Astrotrain's the only 'must have' Henkei repaint for me. All others seen so far I can totally take or leave versus the Hasbro versions (Megatron included.)

[BustaJesse]

Mines coming in the mail man. Thanks for the review:) I find classics screamer looks like a bootleg too when compared to Henkei.

[Feralstorm]

Just got my Henkei. It's the only Henkei that DEMANDED to be made IMO (I guess Megatron is debatable on that, but I could take or leave). It makes you realize what a cool toy Classics Astrotrain truly is/was, by adding reasonably accurate cartoon colors and removing most of the white that made a lot of the detail in the Hasbro version seem to disappear.

[evil ivotron]

SWEET! What an improvement from the original.

[Jarodimus]

Just got my SpaceHenkeiChooChoo yesterday from HLJ. He is a sexy, sexy beast. Well worth the $26 (including shipping).

He's my only Henkei, and will likely remain so. None of the others have grabbed me.

As a bonus, he satisfies my previous longing for e-Hobby G1 Astrotrain! :thumb

[aksmth]

I got to barely fiddle with Jarodimus' SpaceChooChoo. I wish I had fiddled more. :(

[Jarodimus]

I got to barely fiddle with Jarodimus' SpaceChooChoo. I wish I had fiddled more. :(
You know you're always invited for more fiddling....

:confused2

[chuckcjc]

Looks great, will have to get him. I agree that the white tended to wash him out. How loose are his joints? The two U.S. Astrotrains I tried had incredibly loose floppy shoulders.

In my opinion, Prime, Mirage, and Starscream are all must gets. They trounce their U.S. versions. Prime especially. Love the chrome grill and bumper, lack of yellow spatula crotch (less yellow in general actually), and overall faithfulness to the original G1 Prime/Convoy.

[aksmth]

You know you're always invited for more fiddling....

:confused2


Quite possibly...

[Skywave]

I just opened mine, and it's a really great improvement over the Hasbro one. He was one of my least favorite Classics mold, but the new colors make him much more attractive and detailed, and much less bland.

Looks great, will have to get him. I agree that the white tended to wash him out. How loose are his joints? The two U.S. Astrotrains I tried had incredibly loose floppy shoulders.

In my opinion, Prime, Mirage, and Starscream are all must gets. They trounce their U.S. versions. Prime especially. Love the chrome grill and bumper, lack of yellow spatula crotch (less yellow in general actually), and overall faithfulness to the original G1 Prime/Convoy.

My Astrotrain is loose only in two place, the fin in shuttle mode can easily fall on the side but otherwise is fine, and the head pannel is loose too. If you want to make him look up, you'll push back the head into his body instead, unless you hold it tight. These two are pretty minor, non-critical joints so it's still great, all other joints are nice and tight.

[KA]

aksmth and jarod need to get a room.

hey, i dont have classic astro with me; is it just mine or the boosters dont fold all the way thru in bot mode? *presses on backpack repeatedly, OCD like*

[aksmth]

aksmth and jarod need to get a room.

We had one at BotCon. Too bad Astrotrain hadn't shown up yet. :(

[Ray Kremer]

Doesn't do anything for me, but then I prefer the realistic black locomotive/white shuttle version of the G1 toy incarnation, so a cartoon themed color scheme isn't special to me.

Although I think it's nice for people who like a choice that the Habsro and Takara versions are different enough to mean something. Megatron is really the only other one that can say that, the rest just have some slight paint changes and generally superfluous chrome.

(That said, I have bought a Henkei Megs, since, well, that mold is never going to get any other kind of redeco version anyway, and preordered a Henkei Rodimus, since apparently I'm a whore for Hot Rod and couldn't resist the shiny spoiler.)

[Optimus Scourge]

Only have/will get one Jap Henkei (as of what we've seen now) , and it's him. I really LOVE the color scheme. and mine is tighter as well, worth the extra, and IMO the best Henkei improvement on a Classic yet.

SO glad I got two! :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v707/gclark01/classics/IMG_0748.jpg

[REDLINE]

Henkei Grimlock is underrated.