I wasn't expecting it to arrive. And Iwasn't expecting to be this excited when it arrived. The box was very small, but I knew that already as Ihad purchased a set for someone else a while ago. I'd wanted this toy for a while. So you get the message. I was happy.

Now, I had every intention of opening this when it arrived, and I did so without hesitation. The tape came off nicely and without leaving any marks or residue. I opened up the box and got my first look at a reissue insert even though this was my third of the new releases. I don't like these new inserts one bit. It's nice that the lid comes off easily but the toy is wedged in. Now I am by no means the neatest person around, so I seem to always disfigure inserts like this when I remove the toys. I did it with the RiD car brothers and I think my clear Hot Rodimus insert was a little dented and out of shape too. Dammit it was wedged in good!

I gotta say, the fact that the card is printed on the back was a major bummer for me too. I had never seen any of the Japanese trading cards and I was looking forward to having at least ONE. I wasn't about to go and mutilate the box though, was I? Also, the robot points are on one of the inner flaps, as can be seen above.

Ok, enough negatives, now the positives.

This toy is beautiful. I've seen some great pics of this toy, but it is damn impressive. I LOVE clear plastic toys now. I've always liked the Hot Rod toy. I know many do not, but I do. Its transformation, in my opinion, is one of the best. There's pulling, twisting, swinging, clicking (I love clicking) you name it.

I just could not stop holding the toy up in front of the window to get the full effect. If you own a clear toy and haven't done this yet, do it. All the springs, screws etc...quality.

The only other toy I had unsealed in the 10 years previous to getting this Hot Rod was the G2 Jazz, and that, frankly, was a piece of crap. THIS was a real new toy. Super tight but great joints, a new gleam, chest sticker was immaculate.

The toy has a very red look to it. No more burgundy, pinky look. It's red for sure. With the gorgeous translucent yellow spoiler, the toy just screams "Fire". The windows are no longer blue-tinted, they're just clear and colourless. Helps keep up the fire appearance. Also, the original Hot Rod guns do not fit onto his hands, lord knows I tried. I didn't unseal his own guns to compare pegs or anything, but the gun pegs are no doubt smaller in diameter than before. Some other minor mold changes too but you don't wanna hear about those. Now if only the guns were made translucent, too... The factory sticker on the side used to be yellow flames on purple background. For the reissues it's yellow flames on a RED background.

Oh man, the rubsign. It worked so damn well. SO DAMN WELL. A little rubbing, no insignia? a little more rubbing...BANG! Very colourful bright insignia.

Just an interesting fact for all those who haven't seen the clear Hot Rodimus, the face is now not a dull grey like the original Hotrod, the face is a semi-shiny silver, and it adds a lot to the glistening look of this damn fine toy. All those people who are complaining about Takara doing shitty repaints and clear plastic gimmicks instead of this and that and the other...you don't know what you're missing. This, I feel, was for the fans. I am a fan, and this toy is very special.

KICKASS!!!

Also it's limited.

Of course if you hate Hot Rod, there's always clear Starscream...

All the best
Maz