Toybox REVIEW: Transformers Studio Series 86 Springer

Release Date: May 2024

RRP: $54.99/£55.99

So far the Studio Series 86 line has provided us with four great years of Transformers: The Movie figures, but with most of the cast now covered it's definitely beginning to wind down a bit as the franchise moves on to other things. While there's still plenty to look forward to in 2025-26 (the Constructicons especially), pretty much all of the key characters are present and accounted for. For example the release of Studio Series 86 Springer finally saw the main group of Autobots rounded off entirely within the line itself, even though some of the characters had previously appeared in the War for Cybertron trilogy lines. Springer is a retooled version of the War for Cybertron: Siege figure previously released in 2019, somewhat controversially upgraded from a voyager class figure into a retooled leader class release in the same manner as Coronation Starscream. 

In English language territories Studio Series 86 Springer comes packaged in the same windowless packaging as other recent leader class figures such as Studio Series Dinobot Swoop. However over in Japan (where I imported my copy from because it was SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than buying domestically - the price of a voyager class figure as opposed to leader class), Springer comes in a windowless box which instead features much larger artwork of the character adorning it instead. This is accompanied by similar logos and graphics as the English-language version, only with some additional Japanese logos and a larger, more prominent TakaraTomy logo. The rest of the box however is pretty much identical, with one side of the box repeating that art along with an image of Springer's car mode and the other a close-up headshot of that same art. The back of the box features images of Springer in all three modes along with a short character bio (in Japanese). Inside, the figure (along with some of the accessories) is tied down to a plain cardboard tray. The remaining accessories are taped to back of the tray, wrapped up in some Transformers branded tissue paper.

Another thing that hasn’t changed with the packaging is the inclusion of the staple Studio Series 86 card diorama display, which is a repeat of the “Battle for Autobot City” background previously seen with other numerous other releases in the line. While it’s a shame that each figure doesn’t come with its own unique background (even if it were just different versions of the same scene in the movie), getting them in different sizes to accommodate different figures isn’t the worst alternative either.

In addition to a new animation-accurate colour scheme, Studio Series 86 Springer features a completely retooled torso to provide a more screen-accurate appearance than the Siege figure, as well as new forearm pieces. The left one even houses the pop-out blaster that appears in the movie, although sadly it is a little on the small side and kind of gets lost among the fold-out panels revealing it. That little complaint aside though this is a pretty incredible looking figure, somehow managing to improve upon the Seige release for an even better looking G1 cartoon Springer. All paintwork is very neatly applied, along with sharp printing on the prominent Autobot logo front and centre on his chest. While whether these changes fully justify the asking price or warrant upgrading from the Siege figure (if you already own it) ultimately comes down to opinion, I like that Hasbro went back and gave the figure a slight overhaul to make it more unique for the Studio Series 86 version. While Springer might not be the first retool from a previous line's figure in the range, he's undoubtedly the most extensive.

Articulation is something that's really come a long way with modern Transformers toys, with the Studio Series 86 line arguably showing some of the best the franchise has to offer on mainline figures. Altogether Springer features:

- Neck, waist, upper arm, wrist and thigh swivels

- Swivel hinge shoulders, hips and ankles

- Hinged elbows, fingers and knees

The shoulder pieces are also attached via their own separate swivel hinge joints, which are mainly there for the transformation but also allow them to be positioned as you choose completely separate of the actual arm articulation. While there isn't anything unique per se about Springer's articulation, it all works exactly as it should to provide a robot mode that's very poseable despite its bulk. The legs are particularly good, with lots of clearance for those hips to work their magic as well as those wonderful ankle tilts. The articulated figures may not be necessary, but they do help this figure feel a bit more premium that an average voyager class figure just as they did on Starscream.

Another way Hasbro have tried to justify the asking price for Studio Series 86 Springer is by absolutely loading this release with accessories. Seriously, I don't think I've ever seen a Transformers figure come with so many accessories. Even more so surprising is that only a fraction of these relate back to the movie, so there's a good mix for those who might want to display Springer alongside the Wreckers rather than part of an 86 movie display. Altogether he comes with a larger sword (which also forms the helicopter rotor in alt mode), a smaller standard sword, his blaster rifle from the movie, the twin blasters included with the original Siege figure (which can be combined together), the "catapult missile" he launched at Devastator in the movie AND finally a hammer based on the Wrecker hammer from the Legacy "Wreck 'N Rule" collection. The hammer even has the outline of the Wreckers insignia printed on it. That's a huge amount of accessories for just one figure, and even though it might seem like Springer can't possibly carry them all you can bet that he will try his best to - as each of the new accessories has a tab that allows it to slot onto his back. Just the sheer range of weapons on offer here is incredible, and as you can expect Springer looks equally incredible wielding them all.

Springer’s transformation to car mode can be completed in 31 steps and is quite a marvel of engineering for a figure of this size. While not necessarily that complex, there are quite a few intricate steps in the process as well as some interesting things going on in the torso area. It’s not quite as impressive as just as much they packed into the much smaller Studio Series 86 Hot Rod, but given that Springer is a triple changer as well it’s certainly close. The one bit of the transformation that is a little fiddly is connecting up the arms to the middle of the car to become the side panels, as it requires making sure everything lines up perfectly to tab into the correctly. But when you’re done you’ll have a pretty impressive-looking Cybertronian car mode which looks like it leapt straight off the screen. In addition to all the detail, Springer’s car mode also sports a number of different visible ports for weapons storage. All of the weapons other than the hammer can be attached to the car roof, as well as on either side of the vehicle – which can make Springer quite the mobile battle station when multiple weapons are fitted at once.

In car mode Springer doesn’t have any particular features of note, other than the four free-rolling (plastic) wheels that allow the vehicle to roll across surfaces. That said, between the size of the car and all the aforementioned weapon ports this is definitely one imposing vehicle. At about twice the size of a deluxe Autobot car Springer immediately stands out as the bruiser of the 86 gang, living up to his reputation as a Wrecker in both bot and alt mode.

But as the Autobots’ most recognisable triple-changer the fun doesn’t stop there! A further 27 steps will transform Springer from car to helicopter mode, most of which involves folding out back half (the robot mode legs) to form a more recognisiable helicopter shape but also moving the front sides slightly back and rotating out the fins on either side. Once the larger sword has been split apart and folded out to form the rotor blades Springer takes the form of a futuristic helicopter, which once again is very close to the G1 cartoon model. Although the helicopter blades on the top of the vehicle mean that the weapon ports there are no longer available, the two on either side at the front can still be utilised.

In helicopter mode Springer now also has free-spinning rotor blades in addition to the free-rolling wheels, all of which still work. Unfortunately Hasbro absolutely missed a trick by not moulding a proper stand port into the underside of the vehicle, which would have made flight poses with an articulated display stand so much easier. Of course it’s still possible to get a good flight display out of the figure, but it’s just a case of carefully balancing the vehicle on a claw attachment rather than just plugging the stand straight in. Not a dealbreaker by any measure, but arguably something Hasbro should consider on all their flying alt mode Transformers given the prevalence of display stands in the collector-sphere now.

While the argument that Studio Series 86 Springer shouldn't be a leader class figure when the Siege one was a voyager sounds like a fair one, between the level of retooling they've done for this version and the amount of accessories packed in Hasbro have done a pretty good job of justifying the additional cost (and if you still don't think so, I HIGHLY recommend tracking down a Japanese copy). But ultimately the key thing here is just that this Springer figure is really damn good. From what I understand the Siege release was fantastic, and it's just as good here in more movie-accurate flavours as well. A cleverly engineered (yet not too complicated) figure that yields three well-done alt modes, it's the perfect way to round out the core cast of movie Autobots in the Studio Series 86 line.