G1 Bumblebee Review

U.S. Name: BUMBLEBEE Jap. Name: BUMBLE

Cartoon First Appearance: Episode #1: More than meet the eye P1, Season 1, Sept. 1984

Marvel Comic First Appearance: The Transformers #1, Sept. 1984, $0.75

Dreamwave Comic First Appearance: G1. Vol. 1, Issue #2, May 2002, $2.95

Toy Catalog Number: 11

A quick comment: Back to G-1: Review A-VII Teletran-1

This is my first Bumblebee toy and I bought it on Jan. Xxix, Mmiv from Image Anime which cost me $XXXV. I had always wanted to own him when I was a pup, now it's becoming a reality.

R-0 Original Bumblebee's motto and tech specifications:

Affiliate: autobots | Subgroup: none | Function: espionage | Alt. Mode: volkswagen bettle |

| STR 2 | INTL 8 | SPD 4 | ENDN 7 | RNK 7 | CRG 10 | FRPW 2 | SKL 7 |

Original G1 Bumblebee Motto:

"The least likely can be the most dangerous."

Original G1 Bumblebee Bio:

Small, eager, and brave, Bumblebee acts as messenger and spy. Due to his small size, he dares to go where others can't and won't. He idolizes the bigger Autobots especially Optimus Prime and Prowl, and strives to be accepted. He is the most energy-efficient and has the best vision of all the Autobots. He can go underwater for reconnaissance and salvage missions. Although physically the weakest Autobot, his stealth more than compensates for this inadequacy.

These images were all photographed and scanned by me. If you're a Transformers fan, this will definitely bring back some reminiscences.

NOTE: Images are clearer when viewed with Internet Explorer browser.

- Click on the Thumbnails to view them at a Larger Scale -

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R-1 Bumblebee in its Original condition:

1 - Bumblebee in its brand new condition from the box, front and back of box.

2 - Here's how it looked once you opened the cover revealing some of the contents.

3 - Here's how the content looks once the box was removed revealing contents on clear plastic tray.

4 - These are all the contents that were included in the box/ package/ card: "1" volkswagen car, "1" 4WD off road truck, "1" semi American truck cab, "1" ufo space craft, "1" A-10 thunderbolt II jet, "1" sheridan tank, "6" trading cards (Bumblebee, Gears, Huffer, Cosmo, Powerglide, and Warpath), "1" instruction sheet, "1" miscellaneous text sheet, "1" world art featuring those 6 characters in their original G1 art, "3" data files (image of Warpath, Gears, and Huffer), "2" pages dreamwave art with toy catalog (Sky Lynxx, Giftset of Optimus Prime, Mirage, and Red Alert, Transformable watches featuring Ultra Magnus, Galvatron, and Superion. Mini transformable Choro Q of Prime and a white version of assuming Ultra Magnus with Prime trailer).

R-2 Pre-Applied Decals/ Stickers:

There are 2 Pre-Applied sticker that had been applied onto Bumblebee. The first one is the regular Autobot insignia which located ontop of his Volkswagon roof. The last pre-applied sticker is the Autobot Rub Sign logo located on the back of his head.

Sticker Sheet:

Bumblebee does not come with any sticker sheet.

R-3 Bumblebee in Vehicle Mode:

Bumblebee in vehicle mode is a Volkswagen Beetle whose measurement is approximately 2 x 1 1/2 x 1 1/4 (LxWxH in inch). With his small size and a cute looking vehicle, no wonder Bumblebee is one of the most fans favorite. Bumblebee wheels are made of hard rubber so it's kind of hard to tell whether it's plastic or rubber until you poke it with your finger. On the ground, he rolls very smoothly.

R-4 Bumblebee in Robot Mode:

What made this Bumblebee more fascinating than the original Bumblebee is the new mold face. That is right, this Bumblebee face is based on the cartoon so good bye mouthplate. I also like the idea of having his chest dons with a regular Autobot insignia just like the 1984 Bumblebee rather than the Rub Sign (1985 Bumblebee) since it stands out better. I'm glad Takara relocated the Rubsign and put its on the back of Bumblebee head instead of omit it out because fans really adore the rubsign. With the Rubsign being in that spot, the former sticker wheel is now gone. Overall, Bumblebee doesn't have any major negative drawback.

R-5 Rémy's Bumblebee toy review:

Manufacturer - Takara.

Line, Series/ Wave: Generation 1 Line, Transformers Collection - Box #12.

Year Issue: [Jan. 2004 Reissue] - The original toy was released in 1984. Only difference is now Bumblebee has his cartoon face.

Made: [China] - Although the original toy was made in Japan, the qualities and materials are pretty much the same as the reissue.

Scale: [N/A]

Box or Card Dimension In Inches: [LxWxD] - Approximately 8 10/16 X 6 3/4 X 2 5/16 - Box.

Packaging Method: Mint In Seal Box. Contents were packed with the following procedure:

Taped down and sandwiched between two clear plastic trays are: "1" volkswagen car, "1" 4WD off road truck, "1" semi American truck cab, "1" ufo space craft, "1" A-10 thunderbolt II jet, and "1" sheridan tank.

On the back of the card board and not inside the clear plastic tray, a taped down bag which contained: "1" instruction sheet, "1" miscellaneous text sheet, and a sealed bag which contain "6" trading cards (Bumblebee, Gears, Huffer, Cosmo, Powerglide, and Warpath)

Mounted onto the front cover of the box are: "1" world art featuring those 6 characters in their original G1 art, "3" data files (image of Warpath, Gears, and Huffer), "2" pages dreamwave art with toy catalog (Sky Lynxx, Giftset of Optimus Prime, Mirage, and Red Alert, Transformable watches featuring Ultra Magnus, Galvatron, and Superion. Mini transformable Choro Q of Prime and a white version of assuming Ultra Magnus with Prime trailer).

Box Special Note: Front Box: Minibots box art. Back Box: No box art, showed Minibots contents and other reissue TFs ads. Used Book style format, that is, the flap or cover opened revealed the toy thought a window opening.

Box Point or Robot Point: [3] - This number can be found on the right side flap of the box. You have to open the box to see it. It contains number and either Autobots or Decepticons insginia depending on which faction you are getting.

Approximately Toy Dimension In Inches: Height Up To The Head: 2 15/16 Maximum Height: 3 (top of the launcher) Width from shoulder to shoulder: 1 14/16 Maximum Width: 2 5/16 (from door wing to door wing). Dept: 1 6/16.

Toy Stamp/ Fine Print Location: Can be found underside of Bumblebee feet, (left side of feet is for Takara, and right side for Hasbro).

Transformation Of Difficulty: [Very Easy]

Material Durability: [A] - Pretty durable for his size and weight.

Toy Materials: Die Cast Metal: Bumblebee back. Chrome Metal: Backplate head. Rubber: Wheels, very hard rubber. Plastic: Main material. Clear Plastic Window: None.

Stability: [-A] - Robot mode can stand on any flat surface...very stable.

Fun Toy: [C] - It's an okay toy.

Negative Drawback: None.

Articulations: Head: Cannot be rotated only bent downward. Shoulder: Can be swung at a 360 degree. Arm/ Elbow: Cannot be bent. Wrist/ Hand: Cannot be rotated. Hand cannot be hidden. Hip/ Waist: Cannot be rotated or bent. Leg: Cannot be bent. Knee: Cannot be bent. Ankle/ Feet: No sideway movement but feet can be bent downward.

Rub Sign Logo: [Yes] - The autobot's rub sign located on the back of his head

Robot's Cartoon looks alike: [A] - With the new head, Bumblebee definitely looks like his cartoon counterpart.

Vehicle's Cartoon looks alike: [A] - Definitely looks like the cartoon.

Special Notes: Here are "2" special notes which I thought you should know:

1 - Again, Transformers Collection #12, comes with 6 figures (Bumblebee, Gears, Huffer, Cosmo, Powerglide, and Warpath).

2 - Due to the upper body and the style of transformation, in time, Bumblebee will suffer the compression leg syndrome once the material wears itself out. In other word, Bumblebee leg will shrink down and bury into his feet which will make him look shorter. If you want to avoid the problem, then leave them in his vehicle mode.

Overall Grade: [C] - Bumblebee is an okay action figure. There isn't much you can do with his small size, limited articulation, and doesn't come with any accessories.

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