Machine Robo Unitroborn Unitrobo: Penguincamera

 

One of the smaller sets in the Unitroborn set features a 35mm camera and a penguin. Confused by the odd pairing? Don't be as this strange combination falls perfectly in line with this crazy, but fun series of Machine Robo toys.

This thing is tiny, measuring about 2 inches long. The camera is molded in black and gray plastic and features more detail than I would have thought, especially since it's so small. On the top there is a place for a flash to be attached along with sculpted buttons. The black plastic that wraps around the camera has a textured finish, similar to what you'd find on a real camera. The combination ports are located on the back of the camera.

The other piece to this set is this small, adorable penguin. Other than viewing them at the zoo, I don't know much about these animals. The figure is mostly gray with accents of black and white used on the head. This non-articulated penguin hides the combination ports on it's back side.

To combine the two, simply stand the camera up on the lens as this will form the lower half / legs of the robot. Place the back of the penguin down on the back of the camera and line up the combination ports and push down, this will trigger the spring loaded transformation.

Much like with Bulldozerburger, the combined form is more of a traditional robot. The penguin splits in half to form the top half of the robot while the camera forms the lower half. While the camera lens makes for some pretty good robot legs, the back of the camera gives him some mighty wide hips! There is a small audio equalizer sticker applied to the chest of the robot and like with many of the other releases, the robot's eyes are music notes. The robot arms are short and thin and are not articulated.

So far I've purchased a few of the smaller sets and they have all been fun to mess around with, present company included. The robot proportions are a little off, but if you can look past that you'll find that you have another solid, fun Unitroborn set.

Machine Robo Unitroborn Unitrobo: Pancakedumptruck

 

One of the first figures from this new line from Bandai that I took a look at was Bulldozerburger and keeping with the construction/food theme today we have Pancakedumptruck. Want to take a wild guess as to what this comprises this set? Well, at least the combined form is a little of a surprise for this combo.

The dump truck portion of the set is a large heavy construction type vehicle. Molded in a bright orange plastic with a splash of black paint applied in the area of the windows, the truck does have a decent amount of sculpted detail. The sides of the truck are a little hollowed out, which is unfortunate, but almost expected in today's scene of toys. The large black wheels roll freely across a smooth hard surface. The truck's grill has the two connection points for the combination. As for the overall size of the truck, I'd say it's comparable to a modern day deluxe class Transformer figure.

The companion food piece in the set is a stack of pancakes. Maybe it's just me, but I think these pancakes look a little off. Perhaps it's how thick it appears each individual pancake is, or the fact that the top is so dark. Did that top layer get burnt, or is that supposed to be a layer of syrup sitting on top? Either way, there is also a dollop of whip cream added and a few blueberries added to the stack of wheatcakes. On the backside you'll find the combination connection ports.

Lining up the connection ports on each piece requires the pancakes to be placed on their side and butted up against the grill of the dump truck. Once you add some pressure pushing the two pieces together, the spring loaded transformation takes over and converts the pair to a large robotic elephant. Fold down the legs located at each wheel to complete the transformation.

The pancake forms the elephant's face including it's trunk and tusks along with the ears while the dump truck forms the rest of the body. It's pretty large and commands a decent amount of space in your collection. Keeping with the music theme, the elephant's eyes are shaped like musical notes and inside of the elephant ears contain audio equalizer bars.

So far I haven't met a Unitroborn set that I didn't like, in fact this one is one of my favorites thus far. The whole idea of a vehicle combining with another object to create some sort of robot or robotic animal is so far out there that it falls right in my lane. Goofy, yes, but the execution of these is fantastic. Like with most sets, it's fun to disassemble the pair only to combine them again and again. If I worked at a desk in an office environment, toys from this line would easily be my "desk bots". 

Machine Robo Unitroborn Unitrobo: Planeeraser

Several months ago I finally reviewed the first figure I purchased from the new Unitroborn series, Bulldozerburger and I immediately loved it. I purchased Planeeraser at the same time so I figured it was time to take a look at this smaller scaled piece.

Packaged in the same blister card type packaging, the music theme is less evident with this release. The card art on the front is fantastic and the removable blister bubble is a Japanese trait that I enjoy. The back side of the package shows the combination/transformation between the plane and the eraser. Once combined we have a nice looking robotic wolf.

The plane reminds me of some rich guy's private jet. Sleek, white, simple, but with some flair. The wings do fold up, but that's really a part of the combination.

The eraser is pretty basic. Small with blue paint apps that mimic a paper sleeve art erasers may come in.

When the plane and eraser are attached together, the legs of the wolf pop out. To complete the transformation you must fold out the front legs and fold up the wings.

Once fully combined/transformed, the music theme is more noticeable. From the light bar stickers on the underside of the wings and on the top of the head to the musical notes that sound the wolf's eyes. 

While this particular figure is a little more smaller and simplified, it still has it's own unique charm. This is a weird line and that's what makes it stand out in such a crowded landscape of toys. These can be imported via companies such as BBTS if you are so inclined to check them out yourself.

Machine Robo Unitroborn Unitrobo: Bulldozerburger

When I first saw the solicitations for this new line of transforming/combining toys from Bandai I wasn't sure what to think. Then I heard they were in the Machine Robo universe I was a little more intrigued. All of the designs in the first wave were wild...a combining taxi and Christmas tree, a beetle and a locomotive? Well the combiner bulldozer and hamburger was enough to pique my curiosity so I sought it out and ordered it. 

Once it arrived from Japan I was a little surprised that the packaging was basically a large blister card. In typical Japanese fashion, the blister wraps around the cardboard backing, allowing the card back to be slid up and out of the plastic once cutting the tape that holds it all together. I do like this type of packaging as it allows you to re-package the figure after opening.

The card art is a little crazy and busy. There is a music vibe that carries through the line which plays into the art. Both the burger and the bulldozer toys are easy to see from all angles. Flip the package over and there is a 3 step transformation/combination sequence. If you're a old school Transformers an as I am, these are reminiscent of the Decepticon Duocons in that you have two pieces that combine to form the robot, complete with spring loaded assistance.

The bulldozer is larger than I thought it would be, falling somewhere in between the size of a current deluxe and voyager size Transformer. The only paint apps on the dozer are around the canopy and the front grill, both featuring black paint. I would have been nice to see some paint apps on the treads and other places, however the molded detail will suffice. There are four small brown wheels on the bottom of the treads that allow the bulldozer to roll freely on a smooth surface. On the top of the dozer you'll find a small peg and tab where the burger combines. The Transformers fan in me wouldn't mind seeing this piece repainted in Constructicon green!

At first glance the hamburger looks like a beefed up (no pun intended) McDonald's McChangeable toy...however this burger doesn't have a mode of it's own. The top bun as some small sesame seeds while along the edges you can see what appears to be a tomato slice on top of a slice a cheese, all sitting on top of the hamburger patty.

On the underside of the hamburger you'll find the same two type of connection pegs that are on top of the bulldozer's canopy. These are basically a male and female connection that once lined up and pushed down/together will activate the transformation/combination.

Yeah, I know, it looks silly. Once you have the two pieces in place, push down on the burger and it'll activate the spring loaded transformation. Be ready though as it will spring out of your hands, literally!

The sides and the back half of the bulldozer will spring forward giving you a better glimpse of the robot mode. The robot's head pops out of the burger which is now firmly attached to the robot's chest. To complete the transformation you just simply fold down the arms and fold out the legs.

Once you unfold the arms and legs you have your completed robot form. The arms, crotch and thighs are molded in a light brown which matches the darker brown of the burger. These shades of brown blend well with yellow of the bulldozer. 

On each shoulder are stickers of a small audio equalizer bar, which goes with the musical theme of the line. This is even carried over to the eyes of the robot. Look carefully and you'll see the eyes are actually two music notes! It looks as if he is wearing a pair of metallic lilac shades.

To go back to bulldozer and burger forms, simply pull the burger from the robot and flip the head back in. Fold up the arms on the dozer and flip the legs back over until everything tabs in together firmly.

This has to be one of the more zany toys I've purchased form Japan in some time and I love it. I'll be honest when I say I wasn't sure what to expect, but once I got my hands on this set I went back and forth combining the set multiple times. I'm not completely sure how Bulldozerburger will look in my Machine Robo display, but perhaps I'll give them their own display as I definitely look forward to purchasing more from this line.