5. SS86 Ironhide - I fiddle the most with this figure (out of any from this year)
4. Holiday Prime - a pleasant surprise - hopefully they continue to do a holiday figure every year
3. Vicory Saber - never was into the character but the final Haslab product makes me glad that I got him
2. MPM-13 Blackout - brings back the fond memories of seeing the 2007 movie, soooo close to being #1 on this list
1. Legacy Jiahxus - I never knew that I needed this toy, VERY LITTLE HOLLOWNESS, feels fresh and original

 

In no particular order,

HasLab Commander Victory Saber

Legacy Voyager BW Inferno

Selects Titan Black Zarak

Legacy Deluxe BW Tarantulas

Kingdom\Legacy Voyager Blaster

 

1. Legacy Selects Black Zarak. Given the evidently limited interest in Takara's Grand Maximus (less than 3000 produced), Black Zarak was the one Masterforce character I was sure we'd never get. So when he was announced, early in 2021, I preordered immediately. When he finally arrived early in 2022, he claimed my #1 Figure of the Year spot right off the bat and I knew it would be tough for any other figure to knock him out.
2. Haslab Victory Saber. Having just arrived right before the holiday madness, I really haven't had much time to dive into this one yet, but I can tell he's quality.
3. Shattered Glass Slicer. What can I say? It's a Wheeljack redeco paired with a Fasttrack redeco, on paper the most boring of releases, but this is so much more than the sum of its parts. The most fun figure I bought all year.
4. MP-53+ Senatorcrosscut. Ridiculous name aside, the MP Honda City is on its third deco and I'm not done with it yet. Certainly the prettiest figure on the list. I don't doubt Diaburnout will claim a spot in 2023's Top 5.
5. Shattered Glass Ultra Magnus. For now, it's still earning a spot on the list mainly for the alternate Delta Magnus head. With rumors of a SS86 Ultra Magnus coming, this release could end up looking really superfluous, but for now, he hangs on.

 

I'm going to stick to only figures released in 2022, of which I bought 9.

In 5th place: Premium Finish Starscream. Takes an already excellent mold and adds paint, correct Decepticon symbols and fixes the chest issue.

In 4th place: HasLab Victory Saber. Just a few steps away from truly great due to questionable design decisions and awful QC.

In 3rd place: MPG-02 Getsuei. Beautiful and exquisitely detailed in all modes but a few nitpicks keep this from ranking higher.

In 2nd place: Legacy Jhiaxus. I was initially skeptical due to the vehicle mode but I've even grown to like it. The robot mode is fantastic.

In 1st place: MPG-01 Shouki. Having this in hand feels like a collecting hole I didn't even know was empty has been filled. Clever design and transformation. Wonderful joints. Just a joy to hold and manipulate.