Transformers Campaign Micron - Arms Micron Firebolt

Takara Tomy decided to take a slightly different route when releasing the Transformers Prime series of toys in Japan.  This caught a lot of fans by surprise as the Japanese version of toys have traditionally been more screen accurate when compared to what Hasbro releases.  A lot of fans weren't happy w/ this decision and called the toys inferior...I however was happy that this different route meant more Microns!

While I have yet to share any Arms Micron toys here on the blog (they are actually stacked and just waiting to be opened) I did want to share an exclusive Micron.  Firebolt was given away to people who bought the Arms Micron AM-01 Optimus Prime toy in Japan.  Continuing the trend started during the United series the Micron is painted in gray and black to mimmick the colors of the original G1 Targetmaster of the same name.  Being that I love this mold I had to jump on this toy.

There isn't much more to say than I've already said in my previous look at this mold.  It's one of the better Targetmaster style Microns and now a little easier and less expensive to acquire now.

Transformers Campaign Micron - Firebolt Clear Yellow Version

I have a confession to make.  I'm a Mini-Con/Micron-aholic.  Ever since the small collectible Transformers first appeared in the Armada series of toys I knew I was in trouble.

While the flow of new Mini-Cons in the U.S. has just about come to a halt, Takara Tomy keeps churning out Micron toys.  I did a pretty good job keeping up with a lot of the exclusive Microns released in Japan during the Unicron Trilogy series, but man is it getting hard to keep that pace.

The Power Core Combiners (PCC) series of Transformers weren't released in Japan (but a few are coming soon) and the series introduced some new Mini-Cons.  Takara Tomy found a way to release these figures in Japan as part of a various campaigns.  Some toys were given away with a certain purchase or amount spent while others were given away free.  That's were the clear yellow version of Firebolt comes in.

Given away in to children on January 15, 2012 exclusively in Japan at the World Hobby Fair.  I was late coming to the party on this one.  I knew of some of the other campaign Microns, but this one completely flew underneath my radar.  I ended up finding this one for 800 yen loose.  The small instruction sheet was missing, but since I already owned the PCC version I wasn't too worried.

When I first saw the pictures of Firebolt I had to do a double take.  Was Firebolt the same as Pinpoint that came packaged w/ PCC Leadfoot?  I poured over the photos time and time again and I couldn't come to any conclusion.  Most would say screw it and just pass this release over.  Being hooked on these little guys I just couldn't walk away.

Can you tell which one is Firebolt and which one is Pinpoint?  No?  Me neither.  Crap.  Ah well.  Just to let you know Firebolt is on the left.  If anyone knows of a way to tell these two apart please let me know!

Of all the exclusive Microns recently released I have to say this is one of my favorite molds.  I love the articulation in robot mode.  I love the gun mode even better.  I also like how he reminds me of the old G1 Powermasters with the engine block on the back and the exhaust pipes on the arms.

I was a little disappointed after receiving this clear yellow version of Firebolt in the mail only the realize he's dang near identical to Pinpoint that I already had, but I knew I was taking that chance.  At least I'm in good company as there is only one other Shmax user that owns this figure (for now).