G1 Prowl Review

U.S. Name: PROWL Jap. Name: SAME

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: 09

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

This is my first Prowl toy and I bought it on Jul. Xxiii Mmii from Image Anime which cost me $XXX. I had always wanted to own him when I was a pup, now it's becoming a reality.

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

Affiliate: autobots | Subgroup: none | Function: military strategist | Alt. Mode: fair lady z (280 zx) police car |

| STR 7 | INTL 9 | SPD 7 | ENDN 9 | RNK 9 | CRG 9 | FRPW 4 | SKL 9 |

Original G1 Prowl Motto:

"Logic is the ultimate weapon."

Original G1 Prowl Bio:

Prowl will keep at a task for as long as it takes. Strives to find reason and logic in everything. A listener, not a talker. Has most sophisticated logic center of all autobots. Able to analyze and advice on complex combat situations almost instantaneously. Fires wire guided missiles and high-corrosive acid pellets. The unexpected can often scramble his circuits.

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 Prowl in its Original condition:

1 - Prowl in its brand new condition from the box. This is a Japanese version and it is exactly 100% as the American version (same size, material, style, color, texture etc.). The only difference is that the instruction and box is written in Japanese. In addition, some minor decal sticker had been altered, see Special Notes below in the review section.

2 - The opening front cover exposing Prowl and his accessories. In addition, you'll notice on the right side there's a catalog.

3 - These are all the contents that were included in the box/ package/ card: "1" sport police car, "1" gun, "3" missiles, "2" missile launchers, "1" instruction sheet, "1" Prowl trading card, "1" sticker sheet, "1" miscellaneous text sheet, "1" world art featuring Trypticon VS Metroplex with others, "2" data files (image of Prowl and Megatron), "1" TF episode guide #10 to #18, "2" Dreamwave art with toy catalog (feature: Soundwave, Megatron, Rumble, Frenzy, Laserbeak, Reflector, Starscream, Thundercracker, and Skywarp).

R-2 Pre-Applied Decals/ Stickers:

There are 5 Pre-Applied sticker that had been applied onto Bluestreak. The first two are located on the rear of the car, license plate. The third sticker located on front of his car bumper. The fourth sticker located in the middle and top car hood. The last pre-applied sticker is the Autobot Rub Sign logo located on the exterior left side door.

Sticker Sheet:

There are 19 registered numbering of stickers on the sticker sheet. But in reality it's actually 27 stickers since some of the decals/ stickers are grouped or paired together and labeled it as one. These registering numbering do not include the Pre-applied stickers.

NOTE 1: If you want to submit Prowl Sticker Sheet image for your fellow Transfans to see, please Email me.

NOTE 2: There are some texts/ brand name alterations regarding Reissue Prowl Sticker Sheet, see R-6 on Special Note for more info.

R-3 Prowl in Vehicle Mode:

Prowl in vehicle mode is a Datsun Fair LadyZ 280 ZX police car. There is no negative flaw in this mode since every joints and connection match each other nicely. For beginner, you might have problem in getting his arm to align correctly when transforming into his vehicle mode. But once you get the hang of it, you'll realize how easy it is. Other than movable door, there is no other special gimmick in this mode.

R-4 Prowl in Robot Mode:

In robot mode, Prowl is also hot just like his vehicle mode. He is basically very symmetrical from left to right and his height proportion is well defined too. As for transformation, the sequence is very much like the cartoon that is hip rotated 180 degree backward and hand fold inside the front hood. All joints and connections are very tight and secure which make his standing posture much easier as opposed to the loosely Jazz.

NOTE: Did you know that the Autobot Insignia is based on Prowl Head while Decepticon Insignia is based on Soundwave Head?

R-5 Words on the Datsun Fair LadyZ 280 ZX Cars:

What does Prowl, Smokescreen, and Bluestreak all have in common? They all share the same mold and all come with the same accessories. If you start with Bluestreak as the basic prototype, then adding the police siren and a new color scheme will give you Prowl. And if you add the extra front and rear bumper with a new color the result is Smokescreen.

Here are some of the negative drawbacks regarding the Fair LadyZ 280 ZX cars:

1 - Due to the die cast metal on the upper body and the style of transformation, in time, all of the Fair LadyZ will suffer the compression leg syndrome. In other word, Smokescreen 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 their vehicle mode.

2 - In the long run, the missile launcher peg or head hole will wear off its material and cause the connection to be lose. To avoid this, don't over use the connection on/ off too much.

3 - In an exception to Smokescreen, I recommended to put extra glue on Prowl and Smokescreen headlight red sticker before you lose them because these stickers are easily peel off.

4 - In an exception to Prowl, the side leg stickers on Bluestreak and Smokescreen tend to get damage during transformation so be very cautious.

R-6 Rémy's Prowl toy review:

Manufacturer - Takara.

Line, Series/ Wave: Generation 1 Line, Transformers Collection - Box #2.

Year Issue: [2002 Reissue] - The original toy was released in 1984.

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" sport police car, "1" gun, "3" missiles (on tree), "2" missile and launchers

On the back of the card board and not inside the clear plastic tray, a taped down bag which contained: "1" instruction sheet, "1" Prowl trading card, "1" sticker sheet, and "1" miscellaneous text sheet.

Mounted onto the front cover of the box are: "1" world art featuring Trypticon VS Metroplex with others, "2" data files (image of Prowl and Megatron), "1" TF episode guide #10 to #18, and "2" Dreamwave art with toy catalog (feature: Soundwave, Megatron, Rumble, Frenzy, Laserbeak, Reflector, Starscream, Thundercracker, and Skywarp).

Box Special Note: Front Box: Prowl box art. Back Box: No box art, showed Prowl 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: 4 Maximum Height: 4 5/16 (top of the launcher) Width from shoulder to shoulder: 2 1/4 Maximum Width: 3 14/16 (from door wing to door wing). Dept: 2 1/4.

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

Transformation Of Difficulty: [Medium] - Above average.

Material Durability: [C] - Average...could be very fragile if drop especially his roof and window shield.

Toy Materials: Die Cast Metal: Front of the hood or his chest, and rear or his leg. Chrome Metal: Gun and his 3 missiles. Rubber: wheels. Plastic: Main material. Clear Plastic Window: The main front window shield and the rear window shield. There is no window on the side car including the door.

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

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

Negative Drawback - See R-5.

Articulations: Head: Cannot be rotated. Shoulder: Can be swung at a 360 degree. Arm/ Elbow: Can be bent at a 90 degree angle. Wrist/ Hand: Can be rotated at a 360 degree sideway, hand cannot be hidden. Hip/ Waist: Cannot be rotated or bent. Leg: Cannot be bent. Knee: Cannot be bent. Ankle/ Feet: Cannot be bent and no sideway movement.

Rub Sign Logo: [Yes] - The autobot's rub sign located just below the main window shield.

Robot's Cartoon looks alike: [A] - He looks pretty much like the cartoon.

Vehicle's Cartoon looks alike: [A] - Cool vehicle mode.

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

1 - Unlike the original Prowl, the Reissue Prowl decal had one minor alterations. The hip sticker is written as "2002 08." instead of "-2800- Z-P" like the original. Other than this, all his other stickers are the same as the original.

2 - Missiles launchers came with spring so missile can be fired out.

Overall Grade: [A] - Prowl is beautiful in both vehicle and robot mode. He is a must have for any Transfan.

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