G1 Galvatron Review

U.S. Name: GALVATRON (Anime Version) Jap. Name: SAME

Cartoon First Appearance: T.F. The Movie - Aug. 8, 1986

Marvel Comic First Appearance: T.F. The Movie #1, Dec. 1986, $0.75

Dreamwave Comic First Appearance: N/A

Toy Catalog Number: D62-S

A quick comment: Back to G-1: Review D-I Teletran-1

This is my first Galvatron action figure. As a kid, I had always wanted to own one but never really got such luck due to financial problem. So after two decades later, he is now mine to own. Anyhow, I bought it on Feb. Ii, Mmvi and it cost me $LXXV(LXXXI.XXVIII), from Image Anime.

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

Affiliate: decepticons | Subgroup: none | Function: city commander | Alt. Mode: cannon|

| STR 9.5 | INTL 8.5 | SPD 9 | ENDN 10 | RNK 9 | CRG 9 | FRPW 9 | SKL 10 |

Original G1 Galvatron Motto:

"My power is everything' defeat is absurd!"

Original G1 Galvatron Bio:

Galvatron is a cold-hearted robotic villain. Determined to lead the Decepticons. Possesses enough strength to pulverize an Autobot into scrap metal. Unconquerable, Arrogant and compassionless. Plots against his allies, thus weakening his position. In robot mode, he carries a laser that emits chemically-produced, direct-current electricity.

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 -

[Thumbnail Size = 100xHeight]

R-1 Galvatron in its Original condition:

1 - Galvatron in its original box, this is the Japanese version which is the same as the American version. The only different is the box and instruction which is written in Japanese.

2 - Back of the box shows the Japanese 1986 Battle Scene

3 - Here's how the contents look once the box was removed revealing the contents sandwiched between two clear plastic tray. And on a separate taped back, that's where you'll find all the paper works.

4 - These are all the contents that were included in the box/ package/ card: "1" cannon/ laser pistol, "1" laser connector, "1gun", "1" matrix, "1" matrix chain. "1" trading cards, "1" sticker sheet, "1" instruction sheet, "1" miscellaneous text sheet.

R-2 Pre-Applied Decal/ Sticker:

There are 2 Pre-Applied decal/paint that had been applied onto Galvatron. The first one is a painted Decepticon logo which located just above the chest. The last pre-applied sticker is the Decepticon Rub Sign logo which can be found at the left side of the gun sight.

Galvatron Sticker Sheet:

There are 7 registered numbering of stickers on the sticker sheet. But in reality it's actually 10 stickers since some of the repeat stickers are labeled as one instead of two. These registering numbering do not include the Pre-applied stickers.

NOTE-1: Unlike the previous Reissues, the Reissue Galvatron anime version sticker sheet is not identical to the original version or other Reissues.

R-3 Galvatron in Cannon Mode:

Galvatron alternated mode is a futuristic cannon whose measurement is approximately 13 1/4 x 5 1/4 x 4 1/2 (LxWxD in inch). The cannon itself can be rolled on the ground as it features 3 real wheels located at either side of the false tread wheel and the last one is at the back. Although he's not as sleek or curve like his cartoon counterpart, it is still an impressive design as a futuristic cannon. In this mode, the sound effect is activated by pressing a black button that sit on top of the pelvis (below the gun sight). This Galvatron is referred as to the Anime Version because its colors are more close to the cartoon color as oppose to the original 1986 Galvatron version which is predominately all gray.

R-4 Galvatron in Laser Pistol Mode:

Although it was never shown in the cartoon or the Marvel comic, Galvatron by default is a triple changer which has the capability to transform into 3 different forms. Somehow, he reminds me of Sixshot Laser Pistol mode. In laser pistol mode, Galvatron measures approximately 13 1/4 x 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 (LxWxD in inch). From the side and frontal view, his pistol appearance is very convincing just like a real pistol. But when view from the top, it looks a little bit odd. The sound effect in this mode can be activated either by the black button as mentioned in R-3 or by pressing the trigger at the gun handle.

R-5 Galvatron in Robot Mode:

Like all of his other mode, you wouldn't find any disappointment in robot mode either. And with the new minor alteration of appearance to look like the original Transformers The Movie, this newly reissue anime Galvatron is even hotter than the original 1986 version despites the same mold. The figure itself is huge and stand slightly taller than the G1 Ultra Magnus. Galvatron body is well define and very proportional throughout. The U.S. and the Japanese instruction sheet indicated that the gray with white shoulder pad should be tilted horizontal and parallel to the ground. The cartoon shows it in the upright position which is how I am portraying this image. Also, according to the 1986 U.S. instruction sheet, Galvatron gun sight C shape at the rear of his body show the C parallel to the ground and not perpendicular like what I'm showing which is based on the Japanese instruction sheet. In a way, I think the Japanese configuration looks a lot better with the gun sight C shape faces down to the ground as it gives less depth to the figure.

R-6 Galvatron's Special Effect:

Galvatron requires 2 AAA batteries (bottom left image) to activate the sound and light effects. The battery compartment is hidden underneath his two chest panels. There are two buttons that you can press to activate the light up eye effect or the light up laser or cannon barrel. The first button is a black button which can be found in front of Galvatron pelvis (or top of the Cannon). The second button is primary used with the laser pistor mode and it's the trigger button. In addition to these two buttons, there is another button that is used to switch between the voice sounds and the firing sounds. This button is located at the

NOTE-2: The original 1986 Galvatron version used the "9V" Battery while the 2006 Reissue Galvatron uses "2AAA."

R-7 The Matrix and Accessories:

In addition to the new colors and electronic sounds (both in sound effects and in voice - speaking in Japanese), the Reissue Galvatron also comes with the Matrix and chain to mimic one of the scenes from "Transformers The Movie" where Galvatron took the Matrix from Ultra Magnus and placed on his neck with a chain. This Matrix and chain was also released in a couple of years back with the New Year Optimus Prime.

R-8 Galvatron Articulation Showing Off::

I have to admit how much I underestimated Galvatron mold articulation. Originally, I thought it was going to be like any standard G1 articulation which is basically just the arm movement and maybe some at the leg. But no, Galvatron features a lot more than this which included 2 different directions for shoulder and elbow, the hip has movement, and the leg, knee, and feet all have movement. R-7 on articulation will go further into detail.

R-9 Rémy's Anime Galvatron action figure review:

Manufacturer - Takara.

Line, Series/ Wave: Generation 1 Line, Reissue Series.

Year Issue: [Dec. 2005 Reissue] - The original toy was released in 1986.

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

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

Taped down and sandwiched between two clear plastic trays are: "1" cannon/ laser pistol, "1" laser connector, "1gun", "1" matrix, "1" matrix chain.

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

Box Special Note: Front Box Appearance: Galvatron art. Back Box Appearance: The back of the box shows the Japanese 1985 Battle Scene box art.

Box Point or Robot Point: [7] - 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: 9 9/16 Maximum Height: 9 9/16 Width from shoulder to shoulder: 4 Maximum Width: 5 (from bump to bump of the arm) Dept: 5 1/4.

Toy Stamp/ Fine Print Location: - Can be found at Galvatron inner side of the lower left leg.

Transformation Of Difficulty: [Medium]

Material Durability: [-A] - Pretty durable

Toy Materials: Die Cast Metal: Pelvis joint truss. Chrome Parts: Rim around the neck. Rubber: None. Plastic: Main material. Clear Plastic Window: Cannon barrel.

Stability: [A] - Pretty much stable.

Fun Toy: [A]

Negative Drawback - None.

Articulations: Head: Cannot be rotated. Shoulder: Can be rotated at a 360 degree forward or backward. Also can move 85 degree sideway. Arm/ Elbow: Can be moved 85 degree forward and backward. Also a 90 degree toward the body. Wrist/ Hand: Cannot be bent or rotated. Hip/ Waist: Can be rotated at a 360 degree. Leg: Can be rotated 45 degree forward and 15 degree backward. Knee: Can be bent at a 90 degree. Ankle/ Feet: Can be bent at a 180 degree.

Rub Sign Logo: [Yes] - The Decepticon's rub sign located at the left side of the gun sight.

Robot's Cartoon looks alike: [A] - With the new anime colors and minor face alteration, Galvatron looks very much like his cartoon counterpart.

Alt's Cartoon looks alike: [A] - Very much like the cartoon.

Special Notes: Here are "5" special notes which I think you should know:

1 - Due to the upper body weight and the style of transformation, in time, Galvatron will suffer the compression leg syndrome. In other word, Galvatron upper leg will shrink down and bury into lower leg feet which will make him look shorter. If you want to avoid the problem, then leave him in his alternated mode.

2 - Anime Galvatron required 2 Triple AAA battery to activate the sound effect. The original 1986 version used the 9V battery type.

3 - Unlike the previous Transformers Reissue, the Anime Galvatron comes with a brand new design of sticker sheet as a homage to the original TFTM. Therefore, his new sticker is not identical to the 1986 version like the previous reissues.

4 - Sound effects included shooting sound, transforming sound, and 3 voices from Japanese TFTM audio. The 1986 version does not have voice sound effect.

5 - Be gentle when moving the torso to reveal the head to avoid the scratch of the painted face application.

Overall Grade: [+A] - Anime Galvatron is definitely a huge improvement over the original colors. The new minor face alteration, the additional Matrix with chain and a new sticker sheet to resemble Transformers The Movie is definitely priceless. Also, extra sounds are included as well.

Find an Error or want to Comment on this review page? EMAIL ME.