General Information:
Release Date: January 2023
Price Point: $14.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: None
Official images and text below in italics are from Amazon:
- 2-IN-1 CONVERTING TOY: Easy Transformers conversion perfect for kids ages 6 and up. Convert the Elita-1 toy from robot mode to 4-wheel drive truck in 15 steps. Makes a great gift for kids!
- 5-INCH ELITA-1 FIGURE: Elita-1 action figure is an impressive 5 inches tall!
- SIGNATURE WEAPON: Figure features a signature blaster weapon attached to the robot, so kids can bring exciting action and battle scenes to life! (Weapon is non-detachable)
- TRANSFORMERS: EARTHSPARK CHARACTERS: Elita-1 toy is inspired by the confident second-in-command Autobot from Nickelodeon and Hasbro’s Entertainment One’s Transformers: EarthSpark animated TV series!
- INSPIRED BY NICKELODEON AND ENTERTAINMENT ONE SHOW: Transformers: EarthSpark animated series centers on two human kids as they forge a connection with Transformers robots like never before and work along fan favorites like Optimus Prime and Bumblebee!
Transformers: EarthSpark introduces a new generation of Transformers robots - the first Transformers bots to be born on Earth. Together with the human family who welcomes them in and cares for them, they'll redefine what it means to be a family. Warrior Class figures bring Transformers robots to life from the television screen right to your home! Warrior Class robot toys feature popular Transformers characters as seen in Transformers: EarthSpark animated TV series at an impressive 5-inch scale! With easy Transformers conversion, kids can convert the Elita-1 toy from robot mode to 4-wheel drive truck in 15 steps. Transformers: EarthSpark Warrior Class figures are a great introduction to the exciting world of Transformers for young kids and new fans! (Each sold separately, subject to availability). Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro.
Packaging:
The EarthSpark Warrior Class figures are packaged in an open box, similar in style to the Ultra Class from Cyberverse such as Starscream. The box has a flat part in the back with the figure tied against it. In front is a panel that covers up part of the figure's legs. The artwork on the packaging is heavily based on the main colors from the show including liberal use of blue, a likely reference to Earth, which plays a huge role in the show not only as a setting but for key characters. The Transformers logo is set vertically to the right with the G.H.O.S.T. (Global Hazard and Ordinance Strike Team) logo above it. Behind the figure is artwork taken directly from the cartoon and there is a not-so subtle Earth map behind that. The panel in front of the figure shows her action feature, the EarthSpark logo and name. There is also a callout for this being "Plastic Free Packaging". Even the ties are paper instead of plastic.
The back of the box shows the figure in both modes calling out a 15 step transformation. It also shows off the weapon action feature again.
Robot Mode:
When the EarthSpark cartoon debuted last year we were quickly introduced to Optimus Prime's lieutenant, Elita-1. Fearless, powerful and reliable, she immediately made an impression. Now with the launch of the EarthSpark toy line we have our first Elita-1 figure in the Warrior Class.
For those unfamiliar, the Warrior Class was heavily used in the Cyberverse series, examples being Shockwave and Windblade. It is a class of figure that straddles the line between say, 1-Step Changers and a Generations style Deluxe Class. They generally have some type of action feature and are slightly simpler than a Deluxe Class. EarthSpark will have both Warrior and Deluxe figures just like Cyberverse before it.
Elita-1 is based on her appearance in the EarthSpark cartoon after taking on an Earth form (she very briefly appears in her G1 inspired Cybertronian form in a flashback in the first episode). This figure includes a lot of the design elements from the cartoon model including:
- Head: Elita-1's head design comes right from the show, and borrows heavily from her G1 appearance. This includes having a flat crest on the top of the head, two antennae sticking out at angles on the top of the head and a wide helmet that angles back.
- Torso: The torso section features the headlight sections of the vehicle form as the shoulder armor and the vehicle mode grille on her chest with a "T" shaped collar piece above it (though on this figure it lacks the G.H.O.S.T. symbol on the cartoon model).
- Arms: Each arm features a tube shaped upper arm and a more angular forearm section.
- Hips: This is not generally a body part I would focus on, but here there is a fun detail carried over from the show. On the cartoon model the doors from the vehicle mode wind up forming armor panels on the sides of the hips. Those details are present here but they have been shrunk down quite a bit. Look carefully however and you'll "doors" with "windows" at the hip joints.
- Legs: The legs feature knee armor that sticks out at an angle and fairly large feet with the rear vehicle mode wheels on the sides.
Overall, I really have to say I'm surprised at how faithful this sculpt is to the animation model. Past Warrior Class figures have sometimes sacrificed design for a gimmick (and to a degree this figure does, just not as much). The biggest differences between the show model and this figure are the back, where large vehicle mode panels sit instead of condensing down against the back and the blaster hand that serves as the figure's gimmick.
Elita-1 is made up of a dark pink and black plastic. A lighter pink paint is used to color in several parts including the shoulder armor and face. Silver is used on the chest. The eyes are painted light blue. A bit of yellow is used on the crest. A bit of black paint is used on his left fist. Overall the deco looks good and actually matches up fairly well with the animation model. If the "doors" on the hips were painted a dark pink and there were some more battle damage details she'd match the TV show model more, but for a Warrior Class figure this is a good deco.
There are eight points of articulation in this mode. This includes two on each arm and leg. The knee articulation is not really at her knees. It's actually a bit below them so I'm being generous in counting it. Her action feature is focused on the right arm. In its default position she has a hand sculpted with a pistol in it. Rotate this around and the fist "transforms" into a cannon barrel and the pistol gets "swapped out" for a rifle. It's a simple but fun little feature. Also both blasters have barrels that fit Blast Effects from Generations figures and you can fit certain Blast Effects into the cannon barrel. Neat!
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Be sure the weapon is set so the pistol is facing up.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Swing the back section (including the robot head) back.
- Swing the back piece down and in.
- Rotate the shoulder armor pieces up (the arms will move with them).
- Swing the chest piece with the "T" shape out and up.
- Swing the side panels down.
- Swing the arms up. On the right arm, fold the rifle so it is underneath the vehicle.
- Push the lower legs together.
- Swing the lower legs up against the knees.
- Rotate the rear wheel wells up.
You will encounter a lot of tabbing that has to be done between the arms and the side panels along with the rear wheel wells. Just shift them carefully and they should snap together nicely.
Vehicle Mode:
Elita-1 is a futuristic looking SUV in vehicle mode. The design team really did a great job of making this vehicle mode look like the animation model. It has he same basic shapes including a lot of angled parts (including the headlights and rear wheel wells). There is also a rack on top and a distinct grille design in the front. From a sculpting standpoint the vehicle looks great.
The main sacrifices made in this mode come with the deco. The pink on the headlights and rear wheel wells contrasts nicely with the darker pink plastic, and there is silver paint on the windshield. However, the side windows are not painted and the yellow used for the headlights and rear lights are not painted in. With Warrior Class figures you're always going to see sacrifices like this. It's disappointing, but it doesn't ruin the figure.
Final Thoughts:
If you're hoping for a Generations style Deluxe Class to from this figure, don't. The Warrior Class is a step down from the Deluxe Class so set your expectations accordingly. Given that, I actually think this figure is really cool. The sculpt is on point and I dig the weapons being able to use Blast Effects. If you're cool with a Warrior Class version of Elita-1, this is the figure for you. Otherwise, while no Deluxe version has been announced yet it is possible there may be one in the future.
Pros:
- Really nice sculpt in both modes.
- Good (but not amazing) deco featuring some eye catching colors.
- Fun "action" feature.
- Surprisingly complex transformation given the price point.
Cons:
- Could have used more paint applications.
- The tabbing part of the transformation can be a bit scary when the tabs "snap" in.
- Limited articulation.
