Transformers Bad Cube OTS-09 Grump (Masterpiece Gears)
Since this is a Third Party, non-official item, it’s best to get some stickers from Reprolabels/Toyhax.com to make this guy more “toon-accurate”.
To apply, I find the best way to stick the stickers on is to use the tip of a blade, this way you have more control over the application, as compared to using just your fingers. You can also use the blade to help gently peel off a corner of the sticker in case you didn’t center it right and need to re-apply.
One of the grumpiest Autobot on board the Ark, Gears (Grump) often complained and grumbled about everything (just like his fellow Autobot, Huffer). Still, he’s always there for the team when the Autobots need him and he always pulls through when it counts.
He comes with his weapon.
Grump also comes with a welding torch as seen in the episode “Changing Gears”. Simply fold in his fist and attach the welder piece to his wrist.
Grump stands roughly 5 inches and weighs 86 Grams.
Diecast parts include:
-Feet
Unlike other Third Party Masterpieces, this guy does not have an articulated hand.
Gears was actually quite prominent in the G1 cartoons, even though he was often a background character (save for that one episode, “Changing Gears” where he was a main character in the story)/ In the cartoons, aside from being the only Autobot who’s equipped with infra red scanners, he can also shoot compressed air from his feet to temporarily fly high altitudes for short air battles (as seen in the episode S.O.S. Dinobots).
Grump can change his facial expression from grumpy to happy by simply lifting his face and rotating to the alternate face. This is based on the “Changing Gears” episode plot where the Decepticons take his circuit board for their new Solar Needle device, resulting in his personality change.
You can also recreate the “circuit board event” from the episode, as the figure comes with a circuit board that you can plug into his chest.
Weapon attaches to the rear bumper in vehicle mode.
Comparison with the Takara Masterpieces.
Overall, not bad, considering this is the only available Masterpiece Gears out there at the moment, it’s still worth picking up (if you can find one). It looks good next to the other MP Transformers and at this point I really doubt Takara Tomy will go into making MP minibots. I guess my only gripe would be The transformation, which isn’t too bad, but it does come off a bit clunky (especially when merging the chest plate with the hood and the headlights, that was a huge pain to get together properly).
Gold
