U.S. Name: ULTRA MAGNUS (DIACLONE/ MOVIE VERSION)   Jap. Name: SAME 

Cartoon First Appearance: Japanese T.F. The Movie Promotion

Toy Catalog Number: C-69

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This is my first Diaclone Ultra Magnus toy.  Originally, I didn't want him...because one I wasn't used to his color scheme: Red, Dark Blue, and Grey as opposed to the standard color Red, White and Blue.  And two,  I usually buy Transformers toys that only appeared either in the cartoon or the comic.  But after seeing the Japanese TF The Movie Teaser/ Trailer and acknowledged that the Diaclone Ultra Magnus color scheme did make an appearance in the movie, I decided to alter my decision.  As time passed by and as I saw more reviews, my interested for the Diaclone Magnus begin to grow.  I got Diaclone Ultra Magnus on Jan. Xxx, Mmii and it cost me $LXXXIX. LXV from Ebay. 

R-0 Original Ultra Magnus' motto and tech specifications:  

Affiliate: autobots | Subgroup: none | Function: city commander | Alt. Mode: car carrier|

| STR 9 | INTL 9 | SPD 6 | ENDN 8 | RNK 8 | CRG 9 | FRPW 6 | SKL 8 |

Original G1 Ultra Magnus Motto:

"Consistency is victory."

R-1 Why does this Version called "Ultra Magnus Diaclone/ Movie version"?

Sometime you will see or hear Transfans referred the "blue" Ultra Magnus version as either the "Diaclone Version" or "Movie Version" because of its origin.  For reason why it's called Diaclone Version, please see R-13 below.  This version is sometime called Movie Version because back in Japan there was actually a Transformers The Movie Promotion (or Teaser/ Trailer) which had Ultra Magnus debut in "Gray, Red, and Dark Blue" instead of his standard colors, red, white, and blue.  These clips were only available in Japan and as a result, U.S. fans never knew of its existing or why it's called Movie version until now. 

[Japanese Transformers The Movie Promotional Clips]

Here is Ultra Magnus (in his Diaclone colors) making a debut in the Japanese Transformers The Movie Promotion. (1) Magnus, Springer, and Arcee).  (2) Perceptor came to inform Magnus of the attack.  (3) They all ran inside of Autobot City.  (4) Magnus transforming the Autobot City into a Battle Station Mode.)

NOTE-1: This review page is meant to give you some ideas about the figure should you decide to obtain one, or even just for nostalgic or sentimental purposes.  They're just my opinion and I hold no responsibility for your action.  If you have questions about this review or if there's a section or image that owned by you and I didn't give you credit, please click email from the main page.  I'll make the correction once I receive your info.  Have fun.

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

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R-2 Ultra Magnus Diaclone/ Movie in its Original condition:

1 - Ultra Magnus Diaclone/ Movie version in its original condition from the box.  

2 - Back box art showed Season 3 Japan Box Art starring Metroplex/ Superion/ Ultra Magnus vs. Trypticon/ Menasor/ Bruticus

3 - Here's how the content looks once the box was removed.

4 - These are all the contents that were included in the box/ package/ card: "1" cab, "1" trailer, "2" missile launchers, "4" missiles (on tree), "1" gun, "2" belted clips, "1" chest plate, "1" Ultra Magnus head, "2" big fists, "2" small fists, "1" Ultra Magnus trading card, "1" sticker sheet, "1" instruction sheet, and "2" miscellaneous text sheet.

NOTE-2: Other than the difference in colors, this Ultra Magnus Diaclone/ Movie version is exactly identical to the Original/ Reissue Ultra Magnus  from accessories to stickers to catalog.

R-3 Pre-Applied Decals/ Stickers: 

There are 11 Pre-Applied sticker that had been applied onto Ultra Magnus.  The first eight, (4 on each side) are located on either side of the cab.  It's that silver sticker that run from the side of the cab to a little bit in the front.  The ninth and tenth stickers are located on either side of the trailer.  It's that huge Autobot insignia sticker.  The last pre-applied sticker is the Autobot Rub Sign logo located on top of the cab roof.

Sticker Sheet:

There are 13 registered numbering of stickers on the sticker sheet.  But in reality it's actually 19 stickers since some of the repeat stickers are labeled as one instead of two.  These registering numbering do not include the Pre-applied stickers.  

R-4 Ultra Magnus Diaclone/ Movie in Cab Mode:

Magnus cab is basically a repaint of Optimus Prime mold.  Other than colors differences and some accessories, the two are exactly identical from material to transformation sequence.  Therefore, if you lost your Magnus, you can always Prime to substitute and Ultra Magnus version will still be formed.  Sometime, I just wish the maker would color his bumper to red because that would match his cartoon counterpart.  In Cab or Ultra Magnus mode, you can store Magnus two little hands inside his chest or seat area to prevent it from losing.

R-5 Ultra Magnus Diaclone/ Movie as "Magnus":

Magnus in his Optimus Prime looks alike mode which I thought it's pretty cool.  Anyhow, the rifle is reversible and can be used either for Magnus or the Ultra Magnus version.  I thought that was a cool idea instead of making two different guns.  And with a little pressure, you can even insert the two Missile Launchers on Magnus small hand to give him the extra firepower.  Otherwise, everything looks good.

R-6 Ultra Magnus Diaclone/ Movie - Full Vehicle Mode:

In Car Carrier mode, Ultra Magnus almost looks exactly like his cartoon counterpart.  The only different is that the missile launcher should be on the side of the trailer not in the front.  There are two special features in this mode and that is the trailer door or ramp and his upper deck ramp or arm (actually it's his arm) can be swung up or down, See R-7 for more detail.  Despites the large size, the trailer is actually light since there is no diecast metal present.  The transformation is also easy too so technically you can throw away the instruction sheet.  

R-7 Car Carrier & Jet Carrier Details:

As Car Carrier, 4 Autobots basic size can load on him, that is, two on top and two on the bottom.  Despites its simplicity, I thought it holds the cars very well thanks to the rough terrain on the surface.  Although Ultra Magnus primary design is an Armored Car Carrier, thanks to his Toy Box Ads and the Japanese Toy commercial in which both involved him carrying the Aerialbot Silverbolt, Ultra Magnus can now claim he a Jet Carrier too.  This Jet Carrier concept from the G1 Ultra Magnus later was fully executed in the Energon Ultra Magnus who alternate mode is a full Jet Carrier, no longer a Car Carrier.  Here is Ultra Magnus serving as Jetfire launching pad lift off.  The launching ramp pad is strongest somewhere around 65 or 75 degree upright.  Anything below that would force his launching ramp pad to swing back to Car Carrier position especially if that jet is heavy like the 1/55 scale Jetfire.

R-8 Ultra Magnus Diaclone/ Movie as "Ultra Magnus":

Ultra Magnus is composed of the cab and the trailer.  Although he is not too pose able in robot mode, his bulky and superior looking is enough to make you wanted to own him especially when you know that his cool looking vehicle mode offers more playing values too.  In combine mode, Ultra Magnus is pretty darn big that is, he is 9 1/8 inch up to the head and 10 3/16 up to the extended white shoulder bar. 

R-9 The Lost Transformation:

For all the Transfans that wonder why Ultra Magnus chest plate looks like a Space Shuttle, well that because it is a space shuttle.  When the chest plate and Ultra Magnus head combine with one another, it forms a space shuttle.  The chest plate is the actual shuttle while Ultra Magnus head function like a cannon.  If you look at the chest plate, you'll see it has a seat section that was reserved for a driver.  This human driver was omitted in the Ultra Magnus package but not in the Diaclone Line (see R-11 for explanation). Unfortunately, this unique Space Shuttle transformation only occurs in the Diaclone Line  not in the Transformers line.  Furthermore, the chest plate in the Diaclone Line comes with wheels but when it was imported to the Transformers Universe the wheels were disabled from the chest plate.  So Transfans, I think we got cheated for our Ultra Magnus Transformer since the Diaclone Line offers more features regarding this toy.

R-10 Repair Bay Transformation:

Just like Optimus Prime repair bay trailer, Ultra Magnus trailer can also be converted into a repair bay too.  I thought this mode is cool in its own right despites the lack of aesthetic.  But then again, it certainly add more playing value to the toy.

R-11 Battle Station Transformation:

This is how our Ultra Magnus battle station looks like according to the instruction sheet and the box ads image.  Well, I am very disappointed by this Ultra Magnus Battle Station not because the formation is simple but because we got cheated by Takara & Hasbro aka the makers of Transformers Line.  This is no battle station, it's an INCOMPLETE transformation.  R-12 will explain why I am so disappointed.

R-12 Battle Station Comparison - Ultra Magnus Diaclone/ Movie Vs. Powered Convoy:

Ultra Magnus Diaclone/ Movie meets Powered Conovy!  Notice how much their colors resemble one another, the cab on Magnus is much darker while Powered Convoy is more light blue.  Anyhow, the right image is the correct and respectable Powered Convoy Battle Station transformation.  This is how Ultra Magnus Diaclone/ Movie battle station should've looked like not that crappy transformation, left image.  As you can see, Powered Convoy battle station is actually much more complex and certainly looks way better than Ultra Magnus.  Ultra Magnus looks like he is still in his robot mode version.  So the question is, if both trailer is identical why can't Ultra Magnus battle station looks like Powered Convoy especially when both Diaclone and Transformers Line own by the same company, Takara?  And for the second time, I think we got cheated Transfans.

R-13 Ultra Magnus's Origin - Powered Convoy:

The Transformers character Ultra Magnus got his design scheme directly from the Diaclone Toy Line character called "Powered Up Convoy" (Powered Up Optimus Prime), left image, whose colors scheme were actually Red, Dark Blue, and Grey but without the Autobot logo or insignia donned onto him.  Also, if you get the Powered Convoy Giftset, the gray on the trailer had been replaced by a Chrome color.  In addition, a black Sideswipe and a red Mirage are included with the giftset too.  Anyhow, when Powered Up Convoy was brought into the Transformers Toy Line, Hasbro changed his character to Ultra Magnus as well as repainted his colors scheme to Red, White, and Blue.  

Here are the main differences between Powered Convoy and Ultra Magnus toy beside their colors and the standard accessories:

1 - Powered Convoy chest plate had wheels and combine with the large head to form a space shuttle so that a yellow human driver could use it.  Magnus chest plate wheels were taken off.

2 - A red transformable robot called Super Buggy was included with Powered Convoy.  Magnus didn't come with one.  If you look at Powered Convoy/ Magnus gun, you will notice an extra peg on top of the gun.  This peg is used to attach on top of the little red Buggy car.  Well, now Magnus fans know what this peg is for since they got cheated by Hasbro.

3 - Powered Convoy comes with a little Yellow Human Driver that can be placed  inside the Cab, Chest Plate, or the red Buggy car.  Magnus has none.

4 - Ultra Magnus comes with two extra stickers, the Autobots logo and the Rubsign logo.  But other than that, they both share the same stickers.

5 - The Instruction on Powered Convoy showed a better decent looking Battle Station than the instruction on Ultra Magnus/ Diaclone Ultra Magnus Battle Station Instruction, see R-11.

CREDITED: All Powered Convoy Images were taken from http://home.student.utwente.nl/j.blok-10/battle_convoy.htm, they are not my image.

R-14 Rémy's Ultra Magnus Diaclone/ Movie action figure review:

Manufacturer - Takara.

Line, Series/ Wave: Generation 1 Line, Series: Exclusive Edition.  This version was released only in small quantity.

Year Released: [2001] - This is the first time that an Ultra Magnus figure is released in his Diaclone color along with his Transformers box as well as his Autobot insignia.

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 6 X 13 5/16 X 4 14/16 - Box.

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

Taped down and sandwiched between two clear plastic trays are: "1" cab, "1" trailer, "2" missile launchers, and "1"chest plate.  NOTE: both the cab and the trailer were wired down to hold the toy in place.

Also inside that clear plastic tray but taped down inside a bag are: "4" gray missiles (on tree), "1" gun, "2" belt clips, "2" large fists, and "2" small fists, and "1' Ultra Magnus head.

On the back of the card board and not inside the clear plastic tray, a taped down bag which contained: "1" Ultra Magnus trading card, "1" instruction sheet, "1" sticker sheet, and "2" miscellaneous text  sheet.

Box Special Note: Front Box Appearance: Ultra Magnus art.  Back Box Appearance: Metroplex/ Superion/ Ultra Magnus vs. Trypticon/ Menasor/ Bruticus.  Used the old 1984-1988 conventional box style.  The only different is that it does not have a flap on top of the box like the 1980s style.

Box Point or Robot Point: [5]  - This number can be found on the right side flap (yellow portion) of the box.  You have to open the box to see it.  It contains number and the Autobots insignia next to it.

Approximately Dimension In Inches: Height Up To The Head:  9 1/8  Maximum Height: 10 3/16 (top of the shoulder)  Width from shoulder to shoulder: 6/3/16  Maximum Width: 8 1/8 (from shoulder launcher to shoulder launcher).  Dept: 3 1/2

Figure's Stamp/ Fine Print: ©HASBRO, 1984, (Japanese text), ©TAKARA CO. LTD., 1984, MADE IN CHINA.

Figure's Stamp/ Fine Print Location: Can be found underside of Ultra Magnus trailer next to the rear wheel.

Transformation Of Difficulty: [Easy] - Very easy to transform.

Material Durability: [-A] - Pretty durable...just be careful of the joints...yes it makes sound...but...

Materials: Die Cast Metal:  Torso, leg and feet of the cab.  Chrome Part: Gas tank, engine plate, and smoke pipe of the cab.  Rubber: Wheels.  Plastic: Main material.  Clear Plastic Window: Front and side of the cab.

Stability: [-A] - Just don't put him where there's a slope surface or he'll roll out, ehhehe.

Fun Figure: [-A] - Definitely a fun toy due to his vehicle mode, the Prime mode, and his shooting missiles.

Negative Drawback - The legs...it looks like he only has one leg from a far distance.  The wheel underneath his feet cause Magnus to roll down if the ground is not even.

Articulations: Magnus - Head: Cannot be rotated. Shoulder: Can be swung at a 360 degree. Arm/ Elbow: Can be bent at a 90 degree angle.  The lower portion of the arm can also be rotate at a 360 degree. Wrist/ Hand: Can be rotated at a 360 degree sideway, pull hand off to hide hands.  Hip/ Waist: Cannot be rotated.  Leg: Can be bent backward at a 90 degree. Knee: Cannot be bent.  Ankle/ Feet: Cannot be bent and no sideway movement.

Ultra Magnus - Head: Cannot be rotated. Shoulder: Can be swung at a 360 degree. Arm/ Elbow: Can be bent at a 90 degree angle.  The lower portion of the arm can also be rotate at a 360 degree. Wrist/ Hand: Can be rotated at a 360 degree sideway, pull hand off to hide hands.  Hip/ Waist: Cannot be rotated.  Leg: Cannot be bent. Knee: Cannot be bent.  Ankle/ Feet: No sideway movement.  Feet can only be bent downward.

Rub Sign Logo: [Yes] - The autobot's rub sign located on top of the white cab.

Robot's Cartoon looks alike: [B] - The leg should be white not red.

Vehicle's Cartoon looks alike: [-A] - The missile should be on the side of the trailer not in front, but other wise, very accurate.

Special Notes: Here are the "3" special notes which I think you should know:

1 - As mentioned in R-2, other than the difference in colors, this Ultra Magnus Diaclone/ Movie version is exactly identical to the Original/ Reissue Ultra Magnus from accessories to stickers to catalog.

2 - Ultra Magnus joints (shoulders, arms, and legs) make a clicking sound whenever you move them.  

3 - Magnus missile launchers came with spring so make sure that the missile fired out properly.

Overall Grade: [+A] - Because I'm a huge fan of Ultra Magnus.  If you had the regular Ultra Magnus version color already, there is no need to purchase this version unless you are a die hard Ultra Magnus fans or completionist.