Maketoys MTCM-04A AXLE Review

My first 3rd party toys that i bought was the great Maketoys Giant. My 3rd party toys has been growing steadily ever since that moment. Maketoys has their own combiner line, which is labeled as MTCombiner, and i'm just hoping that eventually, Maketoys will consider to release all of the combiners in the Transformers universe. They had completed the Giant (Not-Devastator), and Quantron (Not-Computron), and soon to be completed is their take and representation on Guardia (Not-Defensor). 

At this time, you are looking at the first member of Guardia, which is named as AXLE (based on Groove)


Packaging
Unlike Giant and Quantron, which came as a box-set, the Guardia member release as an individual robot to the market (not a box-set). Maketoys might have a good reason for this change of strategy and releasing the robot individually and not as a box-set anymore. 
Speed to the market could be one of them, as Maketoys is trying to get their product in the market first before the market is populated with other companies doing their Defensor as well. Price could also be the reason, as the box-set product is more expensive (one time) than releasing the robot individually by batches. For me personally, i like the box-set better, since usually the box-set packaging is very good and you have all the robots at the same time for combined model.
However, being released individually also has its positive side. You get to appreciate and enjoy playing the individual robot more, and also much easier on the wallet.
 
Axle comes in a sturdy packaging box, and the robot is kept securely inside the plastic clamshell. It also come with the standard instruction manual and a piece of gun/blaster for the robot. The front of the packaging shows the level of complexity of the figure. In the case of Axle, the complexity is 4 out of 5 (5 being the most complex)

Presentation
I applauded the effort that Maketoys poured for making Axle as the robot feels solid all around and the balance of the robot is very well distributed. The plastic material feels great and the paint application is very very good. The paint break up is also very good as you have few different touch of paints: White, black, gold, translucent red, gold, gray, and silver.
Axle is high quality robot and the overall quality of the robot is excellent all around.

Minor complaint for me (but more on personal preference), i just wish that the gun also has other paints applications instead of one single color, which is dark gray.

Here's Axle, comparing with the same character but from different companies, which is TFC Warning Line and Takara Unite Warriors Groove. 

Transformation
As i mentioned above, the complexity of Axle (according to the box packaging) is 4 out of 5, which means that the transformation will be both complex and challenging.
I don't mind having a complex transformation as long as the instruction manual is very clear. Need not worry, as the instruction for Axle is very well laid out and very clear. The instruction will be able to guide you during the transformation. If you own Maketoys product, you probably know by now that their product transformation is challenging (with all the double joint mechanism, etc) and i personally use the instruction manual quite often for Maketoys product. So, don't hesitate to refer to instruction manual, it doesn't cost anything but it will put you in the safe side for correct transaformation and reduced the risk of breaking any parts or stress marks in the process.

Axle transformation is not a walk in the park. It is challenging but it is also not frustrated. You just need to manuevar some of the parts while being mindful on the joint connection and knowing how the part is moving. It took me more than 30 minutes (the first time) transforming Axle to motorcyle. 
Being a reputable company like Maketoys, they also release the instruction video on how to transform Axle (which is available on their official website) to guide you if you still have problem in transformation.

Warning: please be careful with the thin motorcycle handlebar (picture below). It is widely reported that this part is easily broke as the plastic is so thin. So make sure that you pay special attention on this part during transformation and playing time.

I was thrilled on how good the looks of motorcyle mode. The motorcyle felt solid and packed with detail. 

To put it into better perspective, i took a photo of Axle with his competitor, which is TFC Warning Line and Takara Unite Warriors Groove.

Articulation
Axle does not have any ratcheting joints. But worry not, Axle's articulation is superb and the joint have enough friction for you to do any pose as you see fit.
Head is on a ball joint. We have full arms rotation, bicep swivel, elbow joint, and hands swivel. 
Because of the transformation, we do not have any waist rotation, but thanks to good rotation for legs and knees, you can still put Axle into various poses without problem.

My Thoughts
I love Axle. This is the kind of good quality product that you can expect from company like Maketoys. 
I didn't encountered any QC issue with Axle. The transformation, even though complex, it is very satisfying.
Axle will form as one of the leg for Guardia, and to keep the proportion balance, Axle will not be formed as a full Guardia's leg, but it will be combined with legs of Vulcan (not-Hotspot) which also happen to be the torso of Guardia (unlike TFC and Takara version which form as full leg)

If you buy Maketoys product, you know that you are buying a good quality product. Their research, design, and attention to detail is excellent. Maketoys take their time producing their product to make sure they produce a near perfect robot to the market. This is also supported by their responsive after sales & service and their willingness to improve their product release after release.

Remember about the thin motorcycle handlebar that i highlighted above? well the good news is Maketoys will give a brand new replacement for that parts which will be included in the Vulcan's box. This is only strengthen Maketoys as a company of their willingness to listen to feedback and quickly address and improve upon it.

For now, i'm still a big fan of Maketoys and i look forward to complete the rest of Guardia members.
    

Cheers,
Epen