DiaRobo: Puriteradon DR-0008

I'ts been awhile since we've taken a look at the awesome DiaRobo series of transforming vehicles from Agatsuma. Toyota vehicles had been featured on many of the previous releases, but never the Prius...until now. Like many of the DiaRobo toys, this mold was repainted and slightly retooled for a total of 3 different releases.

Today we'll look at another figure with a dinosaur alternate mode. Puriteradon, as best as his name translates that I can tell, features the alternate form of a pterodactyl...or is it a pteranodon? Like all releases thus far, the figure comes packaged in vehicle mode on a blister card with a removable clamshell bubble.

I found the vehicle form to be quite pleasing once I got it removed from it's packaging. The plastic is thin and very light weight, but having just about every prior DiaRobo release I have come to expect this type of plastic to be used. The applied paint is nicely done and the vehicle holds together quite well. There is nothing that restricts the 4 free rolling wheels either so who's to say you couldn't use this mixed in with your Hot Wheels or Matchbox cars?

Transformation is very straight forward. The car doors for the wings, with the wing tips folding out from behind the doors. The head is exposed when the roof and hood of the car are opened up and folded down. The legs are in the back section of the car, pulling out and down. The head and wings are all fairly poseable as are the feet.

I think I still prefer the vehicles with robot alternate modes, but kudos to Agatsuma for trying something different. The other versions of this toy change the head to made a white bald eagle and a black crow.

alongside DR-1002

DiaRobo: Hino Profia Eneos DR-1002

Agatsuma's line of transforming vehicles, DiaRobo, has finally expanded beyond normal Hot Wheels sized cars and trucks.  Granted this isn't really new news as this release I'm spotlighting today was released sometime in late summer or early fall in 2013.

Several weeks ago I ran across a thread in TFW2005's Junkion section advertising DiaRobo toys.  I contacted the owner of the thread via email as requested and waited for a response.  Finally my email was replied to.  Turns out he had much more than what he listed, including the first transforming playset for the series.  I wasn't able to swing the latter, but he did make me a great offer on one of the two new tanker trucks.  Cue DR-1002.

Ever since I first saw images of this toy online I knew I wanted it.  1) it's a big tanker truck and 2) it's a robotic dinosaur!  Unlike many of the other DiaRobo releases, I'm not sure if this one has an actual name or not.  I have him labeled as Hino Profia Eneos, but that isn't his name.

Turns out that Hino is a subsidiary of Toyota and in Japan they are one of the biggest manufacturers of industrial diesel trucks, buses and construction vehicles.  Profia is the model of cab over truck that was introduced in 2004.  Eneos is part of the Japanese company Nippon Oil.

I really wasn't sure how large (or small) these tanker trucks would be, so I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the package for the first time.  The truck has some major heft and size.  Scroll down to the bottom for a few comparison pictures.

If you've handled any previous DiaRobo toys then you'll know the plastic used is fairly light, making the toys feel somewhat fragile.  Not in the case of DR-1002.  The toy has some heft and feels much more along the line of a Hot Wheels release, sans die-cast metal.

The front of the truck looks very much like many of the images that my Google search for 'Hino Profia' brought up.  Being an officially licensed release, Hino's logo can easily be seen on the front of the truck's grill.  The truck is molded in several colors which is limits how much paint was used.  One each side of the tranker truck are the only stickers, featuring the Eneos name and colors.

The transformation from truck to dino is rather ingenious.  First step is to pull apart the tanker halves.  These are connected via ball joint pegs.  The legs then fold out via a small hinge, then fold down as you see above.  The tail is folded up inside and simple unfolds.  Then you lift up the center gray portion to expose the dino head and neck.  Fold down the truck's cab and lift and pose the dino as you see fit.

Now in my childhood we would probably call this dino a Brontasaurus.  However a lot has changed since I was wee little so I won't begin to try and label this dino now!  Let's just call him awesome, shall we?

The eyes are painted red and the lower jaw easily opens and closes.  Being that the dino has flat teeth I'm guessing he's a herbivore.  The whole neck piece is comprised of individual pieces, each connected with nall joints.  This gives not only the head, but the entire neck some great articulation.

"What are you looking at?"

I know this pose doesn't make sense, but he looks cool.  Seriously though, would you think a transforming tanker truck to dinosaur would be so articulated?  I didn't.

DR-1002 isn't the first dinosaur released in the DiaRobo series.  Priteradon DR-0008 was released earlier in the line.  It's alternate form is that of a Toyora Prius.  I've yet to do a proper review for this release, but one is in the works.

If you've been on the fence as to whether to import one of the DiaRobo toys or not, I can whole heartedly recommend DR-1002.  There is also a different colored release (DR-1001) that features a different truck shell.  He is high on my list after playing around with the Eneos truck.

Many online retailers offer the DiaRobo toys now, but I would be in the wrong if I didn't point you over to the great guy that supplied my sample.  He is currently working on a new web store, but for the time being you can visit his eBay store, The Agabyss.  Tell him flywheels from Random Toy Reviews sent ya!

DiaRobo: Rexporter DR-0005

I can't get enough of these DiaRobo toys. This Toyota Hiace van may look familiar if you frequent this blog. Awhile back I reviewed Medicalrex DR-0003. Agatsuma, like many toy companies, tries to get their most from each mold so there are several different characters that share the same base mold. Rexporter loses Medicalrex's light bars on top and trades a bright deco for a darker deco, but essentially is the same toy. Being an awesome t-rex however I'm sure I'm not the only one that didn't care. I will point out that new CGI art was used on the front of the packaging.

   

  

The metallic silver and black mesh very well together. Add in the unpainted wheels and the lack of the light bar and you have a very different looking van. Since I purchased this toy I've added many more DiaRobo releases, but this still is one of my favorite vehicles thus far. The checkered design on the side of the van looks like a dragon of sorts to me. Somewhat fitting considering Rexporter's alt mode.

The packaging shows the r-tex is a more squat position with his tail sticking straight up in the air. I prefer posing the figure in a more traditional dinosaur upright pose. The figure is articulated enough that you can pose the figure in whatever way you want.

You really can't go wrong with this mold no matter which of the 3 you choose. Yes, I said 3. There is also a red fire truck themed van as well. I initially didn't order it because I wanted to make sure I liked Medicalrex, but of course I couldn't say no so I've got him coming from overseas.

DiaRobo: Medicalrex DR-0003

Perhaps the gem in the first wave of DiaRobo toys was the t-rex.  Like with many of the DiaRobo toys, this particular mold comes in three varieties.  I chose to go with DR-0003 as my first choice...Medicalrex.  1)  it's a cool looking ambulance and 2) it transforms into a freakin' t-rex!

  

Just like nearly all of the previous DiaRobo toys I've looked at, the vehicle is modeled after a Toyota Hiace. I do have to admit that I had to look this up as this model of Toyota is not commonly used in the USA.  My only gripe about this toy is that you can see the various moving panels in vehicle mode, especially from the front view.  Other than that I'd have to say it's one of my favorite vehicles in the line thus far.

I wanted to make the t-rex pictures a little larger so you could see every bit of it's awesome-ness.  First of all who ever thought of combining an ambulance and a t-rex is a genius!  Transformation is rather simple.  The side and top panels essentially slide out allowing the dinosaur bits to be pulled out.  Articulation is limited, but that isn't to say this thing is a brick.  Both the mouth and the tail are on hinge joints, while the small arms are attached via ball and socket.  The feet also have some play in how you pose your dino.

This really is a great figure and worthy of being your first DiaRobo toy.  I also have one of the other 2 remolded/recolored t-rex toys so keep a watch for him soon.

DiaRobo: Kurucross DR-0006

As much as I love the DiaRobo line, I finally found a release that I just don't care for.  Even when I saw the early pictures I wasn't crazy for this release.  It's not because the alt mode doesn't look cool.  It just didn't have that wow factor that the others had.  The mold is offered in both yellow and blue.  I went with yellow hoping that it might be cooler than I expected.

One of the best things about the DiaRobo toys are that the vehicles are modeled after real life licensed cars.  Kurucross is a Toyota FJ Cruiser.  Other than the rear bear feet hanging down a bit from underneath, the alt mode is very nice looking and could almost pass for a regular Hotwheels or Matchbox release.

The paint apps unfortunately are a little on the sloppy side as you can see.  The plastic used is a thinner, lighter plastic than what you normally see, but it is on par with the other DiaRobo releases.

The good news is the alt mode isn't as bad as I thought it may be, but it still isn't great.  Kukucross does feature a more complex transformation than some of other figures I own.  It almost pulls off hiding a bear inside an SUV.  There were two beasts in the first wave of toys and sadly the ambulance/t-rex release is the best of the beasts.  By the way, the t-rex will be featured very soon.

If you are a completionist then go right ahead, but if you are cherry picking the line you may want to skip Kukucross in favor of picking up some of the others.  If you are wanting to pick up a few of these check out AmiAmi.com.  The listings may say they are out of stock, but they seem to get them in fairly often.

DiaRobo: Dustral DR-0011

It's time we got back to looking at some transforming robots!  Last year when I discovered the DiaRobo line of toys from Japan I instantly fell in love.  Even though I've only previously reviewed one toy, I've bought just about every single release.

These Hot Wheels sized toys started off simple, but then expanded to transformations other than just robots.  With the newest wave from the land of the Rising Sun there are 3 different Toyota Dyna vehicles.  Agatsuma has done a good job of taking one model and re-shelling it to make different vehicles and giving the alt mode a new head to really differentiate them from one another.

From what I can tell, DR-0011's name is Dustral and he is modeled after a real life Toyota Dyna vehicle - a garbage truck in this case.  While I'm not familiar with this model of Toyota, it looks authentic and really nice.

  

I like licensed toys such as these.  Due to licensing and fees it doesn't seem that Americans get this sort of detail anymore.  The back of the garbage truck is a separate piece of molded plastic.  It's a rather light feeling plastic, but it doesn't feel cheap.  The back end is basically hollow as it's needed for the transformation.

Here is a quick comparison with DR-0013 Diart.  Same truck - just with a different back end.  Diart will eventually get his own post.  Let's take a look at Dustral's robot mode next.

While I really like the vehicle mode, the robot mode just doesn't do anything for me.  First off just look at him.  His proportions are way off.  I even double checked the instruction sheet to make sure I folded the legs the proper way.  Short stubby arms, long legs...yeah, no thank you.  At least he's got a nice looking head sculpt.

Articulation isn't as good as Roidcop's, but it's not horrible.  The limbs are all attached via ball and socket joints.  This gives free range of motion, but don't expect any dynamic poses here.

If the robot's proportions weren't enough to turn you off just take a look of the robot from the side.  Talk about backpack kibble!  I don't mind the cab top flipping back, but the garbage portion just hangs there.  I thought from looking at the seam in the plastic across the top this piece would split into two...but nope.  This piece does sit on a swivel joint so you could flip it upside down or even possibly remove it all together.  At least the feet have heels so the figure can stand up on his own despite the huge backpack.

**UPDATE**  It's been pointed out that the official transformation of the "backpack" looks something like this.  I knew I didn't do it right, but I didn't realize from the instructions that the cab's top hides up underneath the back of the garbage truck.  Now I'm starting to like this guy even more!

Dustral isn't my favorite release and neither are the re-shells, but since they only cost a few bucks each I figured why not.  I might as well go completionist on this line!  Great vehicle, horrible robot.  Only recommended if you like transforming garbage trucks or just want to own all the DiaRobo toys.