I added another Transformers Masterpiece to my collection on Wednesday with the purchase of Rodimus Prime. Rodimus became the next Prime after Optimus was killed in the original Transformers Movie. Rodimus was previously Hot Rod, a young Autobot who was able to use the Matrix of Leadership during the Autobot’s darkest hour in the movie.

Rodimus Prime was released as a Masterpiece in 2010 and there are a couple of versions, much like Starscream. The collector’s released version by Takara is boxed and also includes Rodimus’ RV trailer. These version usually sell for a couple of hundred of dollars. My Ultra Magnus (MP-01) and Grimlock (MP-08) are also Takara boxed which would be worth a little bit more if I hadn’t opened the box and started transforming them (complete with sounds!). Starscream and Rodimus are the US boxed versions of the Masterpiece series which to most people look just like normal Transformers.

This is Rodimus Prime. Instead of a trailer, you get Offshoot (previously named Firebolt but changed due to copyright).

Rodimus is a Toys ‘r’ Us exclusive and this is the sticker that’s on the box so you that you know.

The top Matrix of Leadership is the one that comes with Ultra Magnus while the bottom is the one that comes with Rodimus Prime. Rodimus’ Matrix opens a little while Ultra Magnus cannot be opened at all. I’m guessing because Ultra Magnus couldn’t open the Matrix in the movie while Hot Rod did to become Rodimus Prime.

You are probably wondering what he looks like in vehicle mode… So do I, I spent a few minutes trying to transform him and it didn’t quite work out so I gave up. I’ll try it again another time. Rodimus feels more like a toy than the other Masterpiece figures. By that, I mean he feels like the Transformers of old in the 80’s when they came out - he doesn’t feel as solid as Ultra Magnus (though non of the others do really, he’s mostly made out of metal) and not as fragile as Starscream where you are worried that he is going to fall apart when you touch him.

Pretty happy that I picked him up the other day, it was a pleasant surprise to see him at Toys ‘r’ Us. Comicon had just finished a couple of weeks ago and the US Toys ‘r’ Us store were selling it but it sold out quite quickly. They also have quite a few left of the Starscream MP-03G which is the ghost of Starscream edition but might have to save a few pennies at $249.