Commemorative Series VII: Rodimus Prime

I always look up to Rodimus Prime when I was a kid when I watch the Transformers cartoon G1 series back then. Hence, I had purchased a Commemorative Series of Rodimus Prime few years ago from e-bay.

This toy is manufactured by Hasbro and its packaging give a glimpse of what to expect inside.

The profile of Rodimus Prime is available at the back of the packaging. Rodimus Prime is the leader of the Autobot after the demise of Optimus Prime. Rodimus carry the "Prime" title as he is the bearer of the Autobot matrix of leadership, just like any Autobot leaders before him (sadly this fact has been slightly twisted in the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen movie).

Rodimus Prime is actually the hot headed Hot Rod. Hot Rod had been chosen by the Autobot matrix of leadership to be the next leader for the Autobot and transform him into Rodimus Prime, fulfilling the prophecy by Optimus Prime that one day an Autobot will rise among their rank and light their darkest hour.

The toy includes Rodimus Prime, a rifle and 2 pieces of blast shield

Another thing I like about Rodimus Prime is his alternate mode which is a futuristic recreational vehicle.

In the same style with the G1 Optimus Prime, Rodimus trailer can be disconnect from the cab

Rodimus trailer unfolds into a battle station or mobile defense bay. In the animated series, this feature has not been shown.

This is Rodimus Prime in robot mode. He will never be unarmed as the exhaust pipes on his arm shoot high voltage electricity

He is also armed with a photon eliminator rifle. The rifle appears to be a bit longer than the one shown in the animated series. There is hardly any articulation, something which is normal for most of the G1 toy line (1986).

Rodimus Prime robot also fit perfectly on his mobile defense bay.

The turret on the battle station can be rotated 360 degrees

A lot of Transformers fans demands the return of Optimus Prime to the series as they criticize the leadership of Rodimus Prime. In most of the series, Rodimus Prime seems to doubt his ability to lead the Autobot and feel that he can never live up to the legacy of Optimus Prime.

However towards the end of the season, in the episode "The burden hardest to bear", Rodimus Prime finally believe he is destined to be the leader of the Autobot and accept the fate that the Matrix is his burden