After an initial pass in the usual Takara house style by Takashi Kunihiro, Star Saber's final visual design was drafted by famous Mobile Suit Gundam mechanical designer Kunio Okawara, who was also the design lead on the Victory cartoon. This resulted in Star Saber's classical "super robot" aesthetic fairly unique in the Transformers franchise.[3] Yep! Direct quote from the Wiki
@@RodimusPrimal its NOT worth anywhere nearv$180.00....and yes it should have been mass retail at a resonable price piont...and speaking of mass retail hasbro publicly admitted that Deathsaurus WAS orginally goingb to be a mass release item.
I still hope that one day Star Saber can get a figure of his own for mass retail. I just love TF Victory and Star Saber so to see that many people still wanted a figure for a relatively obscure character(at least I think), brings me joy. Star Saber looks amazing tho despite the qc control.
I feel like I got very lucky with my Star Saber. No mayor qc issues like people have been reporting aside from those dam stickers that break easily, the gold plastic thing from his chest does have some problems but luckily they are very minor(still bothers me a lot since I have a keen eye for detail). I pre-ordered Deathsaurus too and hope they improve with the next release and handle distribution better.
Well it would appear that you DO have qc issues too.....stickers that break easily IS a qc issue and the gold plastic on the chest has some problems IS another qc issue.
Thanks for your review. I did notice on the VS I opened the helmet left antenna is a little loose and the left leg could use an slight tightening. I did invest in the DK upgrade for my copies. Leo does seem a little lackluster, kind of like a voyager class. Other than that combined it's a nice look figure. After Deathsaurus, the 40th anniversary may be my last Haslab. Of course that depends on what the 40th will be. While I would like a primus to go with his bro, i'm sure it will have to be something a little more accessible to the masses.
Out of my favorite autobots in top 3 are star saber, hot shot, and skids and I'm happy to have victory saber in my collection as my number 1 transformers toy of 2022
I love mine. The only QC issue I have is Star Saber’s right antenna being a bit loose, but that’s a minor thing. I’m so looking forward to getting Deathsaurus.
Thank you for being my favorite TH-cam channel, my goto for all things Transformers especially since you're a g1 fan like me and love your retrospectives.
Great review !! Alot of ppl says this should be at retail but we have to take in mind , if VS was released at mass retail, more corners would have been cut and maybe even more QC issues and definitely it would not have been as good as a Haslab, With Hasbro you never know ...
Star Saber by default has a lot of details, parts and gimmicks, without going full MP, its impossible to not have as many QC issues as it does, because its so complicated. Even MP still has QC issues, you want true luxury then you go for Soul of Chogokin stuff if you're a high roller, anyway haha. Then you don't want to even touch it! So tbh i think it still came out great. If they decide to reprint these I will totally put money down for one.
On a, sadly, related note, sorry Taiwanese fans, I got the A Hero in Born set for Christmas and they're a fun set. Fun Fact: Alpha Trion can store the Key to Vector Sigma in his altmode, just put it in his hand, the "cape" helps keep it in place if it's too loose on yours. My Centurion Drone finally has his original purpose, guarding Vector Sigma, and A3 looks cool wearing it too. Recommend the set for those unsure about getting it.
I want to see a more accurate version of Liokaiser in HasLab. For one, all the characters are more accurate to their animation models and not just retools of CW Brawl and Fireflight, they are more faithful so like they have their normal names, Jallguar and Leozack are actually included, all of them have their breast animals, and maybe even thrown in a Deathcobra which can replace Hellbat in the transformation.
Very good stuff. You're not the first I hear that says Haslab should stop and put this kind of stuff on shelves. Haven't opened mine yet, but I'm excited.
@@DavidSamuelBl10 It wouldn't have worked. Not every transformers fan knows about Victory and the price definitely wouldn't have worked. Stores today don't carry big items like they used to anymore.
I wonder if they were to release this set later down the road, would Hasbro release it all together, or sold separately? Maybe sell each at around the Commander class price point? Would be a real shame if they never do sell this at mass retail.
Yeah, I think you are right! I love this Figure... too bad for the people who was unable to get it. Still I want a Leo Kaiser, I don't know it it will be the next Haslab project or not. They gave us a crappy one for Combiner wars and that is NOT Leo Kaiser. Hasbro thought we didn't want Leo Kaiser, because of the poor sales... coming from the CW one... But the truth is we didn't wanted it because we saw what it really was, a lazy attempt to get money out of us. He was not even formed by 6 figures but 5. So bad If it was missing Jalguar and Leozack there for it was NOT Leo Kaizer! We WANT A TRUE LEO KAIZER! Let's hope HASBRO listens to us!
Minus a bit of chrome being scratched off on my figure, and not being the biggest fan of the stickers. (Toyhax can fix that.) I love this thing man. I am definitely excited for Deathsaurus.
I feel the sentiment, but because star saber hasn't been revisited in so long maybe hasbro was worried it would JUST be that 25% who would be wanting this figure. I mean he is such a big bright cool looking figure that I think he could have grabbed attention in mass retail. But in the end I'm just happy we got him at all. And I am so looking forward to deathsaurus
I got mine a few weeks ago and decided to transform him today. The nose cone doesn't fit flushly on my Saber. It looks like there's a bit of excess plastic on the left side of the click in port. I hate that the nose cone fits all droopy. I contacted Haslab to see if they can do anything about it. But I don't wanna risk damaging my Saber.
I would love it if Hasbro gave us a retail set of the other Autobot Brainmasters that form Road Caesar Blacker & Braver & Laster, but I know they won’t take the risk.
Don't get me wrong. I like Optimus Prime. However, I wish for new main leads characters like Star Saber for the Transformers franchises because having Optimus Prime, Megatron, Bumblebee, Starscream and etcetera all the darn time would get pretty old.
@@RodimusPrimal I concur. It gets old rehashing the same thing over and over. I hope with the next series Hasbro takes a chance and they have Wheelie become the leader of the Autobots finally.
@@RodimusPrimal Imagine a renewal of USA and Japan G1 tv series with their own creative control. However if should these series be cannon together that would be a stretch. Heh even the UK comics are their separate continuity it would seem it’s perhaps best we let these Hasbro collaborators do what they wished
I agree with you whole heartedly. Tis release of the Haslab Victory Saber set just feels like a letdown. I do have Haslab Deathsaurus on preorder but I am going to get the MMC Z-Def Continuum. The campaign ended in Set 2021. A little secret you can preorder it even if you don't have the money upfront. I used a credit card with a low balance and let it sit while I get the MMC G1 version. As for me the gold paint on Star Saber's chest has flaked so now it has a slightly duller gold paint. Thanks Rodimus Primal for being honest.
I'm just taking mine out of the box now. Already took tons of photos of Star Saber in all his forms and posted them on my Transformers Adventures page on Facebook. Just getting started on Victory Leo now. I don't seem to be having the quality issues many others are (but I have yet to transform Victory Leo and do the combination modes with him). The biggest complaint I have so far is the inside leg panels on the V-star don't close completely and snap correctly but in jet mode but that's a minor thing since those are not noticeable parts anyway unless you view it from the rear. I really miss my MP Star Saber after having to sell it when times got tough for a while. Really enjoyed that figure. (But always wished for an MP Deathsaurus for him to battle. I often posed him fighting a giant crappy Starscream figure). 😆 So, is this a good replacement??? Yes and no. On one hand, I'm happy to have a standard figure of him that is not MP to go with the rest of my standard figures. I would have wanted this figure even if I still had the MP. And having Victory Leo is a great plus, they never made an MP of him although some third parties made good ones I'm told. And I like knowing I will eventually have a Deathsaurus for this one to battle. But on the other hand, I do miss some of the features only an MP can give us. The quality of the sword is so much better on an MP and poseability is too in my opinion. I actually think the MP is easier to transform and doesn't feel like it's going to break. Everything snaps in right. I really hope to be able to buy the MP again in the future, despite thar the price has increased since original release. But I am satisfied with this version as a standard figure. I agree with you that it's a shame this wasn't released at retail instead. Glad I funded it.
yeah the real box cover stuck and looks cool can be a poster. i enjoy my copy is playable victory saber is nice display next to the mp 24 with kfc victory leo. i do agree, for hollow shoulder cannon and for the sticker i not going use it just left it in the box now.
I didn't have the money at the time to back it, and as soon as I did it was too late. I'll still be getting Deathsaurus, but it is a shame I'll probably never have an official Victory Saber due to the way they decided to release this :/
The one thing , I think people are overlooking on both the haslab victory saber and deathsaurus is the success that both products achieved and now there are two Japanese characters that the higher ups in Hasbro thought wouldn't have done well in the west have succeeded beyond their expectations and it has paid off . Yes these could of been sold in retail but with there success gives way for the other Japanese transformers characters for the western and we already see that with black zarak , minerva , galaxy shuttle and leo convoy that's literary the most Japanese transformers we have gotten in a year and usually we just get one or two every five to six years if not longer and by the leak listing for next year we might get a possible metalhawk and a core class dino king out of the core class dinobots next year so no matter how anyone likes or hates theses haslab you can't argue that these products have open up the door for the Japanese transformers characters in the western market and I don't think this last we see of these characters .
Caution on that report regarding the adults being a large number of toy buyer because the recognized 12 year old and older as kidults (word they created not me). Some states anyone wanting to work legally needs to be age 16 years old and have concent from their parents and/or school. This style of review was unique and I appreciate what you call rambling because you are trying to be sincere. You want to like the toy but it has issues.
A excellent review! I still must see the anime transformers series! I do feel that it is a little too much on the price and they could have focused more on the qc . I also love the box art and how it has it on both sides! But I do love the figure and how it transforms! And the ship modes on it is awesome and I love how it merges! I hope haslab will continue on these projects.
I'm about 10 episodes or so into the Japanese Headmasters series. I got the whole Japanese series for Christmas. I love it! I can't wait to watch it all. I kinda hate the Haslab crowd funding nonsense. I got Deathsaurus but unless they release more units I don't think I'll ever have Victory Saber.
Heck. In regard to the Japanese Transformer shows. I think they should try to get all the Japanese shows subbed on something like Crunchyroll (Assuming the masters of certain shows haven't been lost to the sands of time)
I initially wanted to get HasLab’s Deathsaurus despite not having Victory Saber/Star Saber but over time I lost interest, plus I wasn’t too willing to hand over £189.99 too. Overall I hope the people who’ve backed him and also have the former are happy with them!
As far as missed opportunities, you could honestly have more media in general based off the various Japanese series. Could maybe even have studio trigger make a new series and introduce these characters to a new generation of potential fans since anime is super popular these days. As far as the actual figure, it sucks but it's just Hasbro hedging it's bets by just banking on g1 since it reliably sells. Stuff like this is a little more niche, at least in the US, so that's why we don't get it mass marketed/sold here. The qc issues do seem like a major hassle tho.
My Victory Saber was plagued with paint issues. It's so bad that I've put it back into the packaging and have it in storage. I'm actually considering selling it off, and I've canceled my order for Deathsaurus.
Where would this have fit in if not crowd funded? Do you think retailers would choose this over Motormaster Rodimus Prime if split or even over the Ark or Metroplex that has at least English based media available. It's easy to look at it and say it's not out of the realm of retail til you actually think about the available sku plans. We didn't even get the standard 4 waves of deluxe this year let alone. Even if they had the budget for an additional new sculpted commander/Titan class a year these victory characters would be way lower on the list compared to more retail viable characters, that's only further proven by the rumors for the upcoming releases for legacy EVO and UNI.
That's a fair point. It has been more difficult to get a lot of stuff since 2020, so it does make sense. I am more so lamenting at how its a little more difficult for folks to get this set if they wanted to after the crowdfunding ended.
@RodimusPrimal yeah the good thing is they have these trademarks on record and I expect to see a leader class Star Saber with less features/paint in 3/4 years
I'm not a fan of Transformers Victory, but I can appreciate this elaborate set and I'm happy fans of the series and character got to have this. Those QC issues are unacceptable. Was the second one in better condition, or did you want to leave it unopened to sell it? I agree those hollowed out sections are ridiculous. Yes, it could've and should've been a mass retail release, and no billion dollar corporation should be doing crowd funding, period. At the least, they could do "made to order" or whatever. More obscure characters than this have been at mass retail too. I have shied away from Japanese Transformers series because I didn't like Robots in Disguise 2001, or the Unicron trilogy, and the stuff I read about what happens in Headmasters sounds horrible. But, I was thinking of binging all the Transformers series once and for all, so maybe I will check it out. But yeah. I love Transformers and anime, but Transformers anime don't usually do it for me. The shows I watched were too corny and cheesy. RiD 2001 was especially bad with the "comedy," and Megatron was a clown in that show.
Problem is that that the shipping issues is the cause of some Minor or moderate damage to the figure, which is why everyone is concerned about it. Overall, he deserves a retail in a box, great review too!
I missed backing this but went all in on Deathsaurs. Always preferred him over starsaber. I may regret not backing it a little now but not enough to pay the resellers prices . Just my thoughts on this and hearing of QC issues on a haslab is concerning.
I have the masterpiece and planet x version of star saber and got both for under 200 each now I see this set going for 3 times that on ebay and I get its crowd funded and all that but no way I'd pay that and the planet x one is pretty cool itself
This Star Saber is a great figure but the Victory Leo is a bit disappointing with it's size, hollow cannons and very weak space ship mode, specially when compared with the 3rd Party KFC Simba that was made to be combinable with the MP Star Saber, even if you didn't own MP Star Saber KFC Simba was still great figure worth owning.
I have to see anyone compare Star Saber to an actual combiner because he’s meant to be that big. I skipped on Starsaber and Deathsaurus and honestly I’m glad I did, Star Saber just doesn’t live up to the $360-ish (Australian currency) I would’ve spent on it.
Great but superb Review Rodimus, keep them coming, also I would like nothing more then to add Victory Saber to my collection, also thank you Rodimus for sharing keep up the superb work stay safe out there,and have a Happy New Year and until next time Till All Are One.🙂💪👍🇺🇸🟢🦸🏋️🤩
victory saber could not have been retail theres alot of things people seem to not understand about how this process works for one the price of plastic has doubled in the last year alone across the board another point is the molds and engineering this isnt a retail product because the retailers wouldnt pick it up hasbro doesnt make figures and send them to retailers they get payed to produce figures in bundles from retailers and the retailers decide wht gets made based on what they will buy victory saber wouldnt have gotten ordered by enough retailers to wrrant its existance so they decided to cut out the middle man and produce as many as would be ordered the only difference between this and a retail release is that were directly paying for the product instead of us buying for a product thats already been payed for ontop pf this with haslabs we can atleast get replacement parts if somethings wrong
I hope they can replace parts if necessary. The Transformers brand team kind of revealed that it was a higher up decision as to whether or not the figure got made. With Unicron that was a different story since he was so expensive to make.
@@RodimusPrimal as with unicron you can get sections of it replaced though it seems less granular then id like i have a small but annoying issue with the hip ratchet on the left side where its tight and cant click all the way up or down (it cant go to the highest or lowest click) the entire vstar section would apparently need to be sent in
I would have been in it for $130.00. There isn't a $180 dollars there. You gotta figure it's a leader class, a Voyager class and a deluxe rolled up into one. Which only really comes out to a $115. If hasbro was smart, they would have dubbed the Victory series to English and sold that series to promote this figure and then sold as a mainline figure.
I bet if they had done this as mass release, even kids would likely want him, because he is just a cool looking robot, he looks WAY better than anything that came out of the Bay films toys, I'm not the biggest fan of the Bayformer desgins, most of them are just ULGY and look dull which is why I hardly pay any attention to them and focus more on the other lines with my collecting, even Deathsaurus would of sold at retail, because he looks cool, I know Hasbro likes using Optimus prime & Megatron a LOT but maybe its time they gave those characters a break, have them be secondary characters, the way things seem setup in Victory in regards to the Universe and areas of protection, kind of paints the picture that the bot con war has not truly ended and still rages across multable regions of space and each region has their own commanders, example, God Grini, is in charge of sector two in the anime and fighting Overlord and his Decepticons, so I can't see why Optimus could be surpeme commander of all Autobots but as he cannot directly go to a more remote battlefield, like Earth, he could have Star Saber promoted from being a second in command to another Autobot to being commander of the unit that got to keep the cons at bay or in check, maybe have Optimus appear in Flashbacks for Star Saber, prehaps talking to rookie officers under his command, he has to learn how to lead and he drawing from his own experiences.That is my view, but then I go a bit of headcannon for Star Saber's origins. My head cannon is, that long ago, during the era of the original Primes, when the Fallen betrayed the others and went to war with them, the Primes scattered or were killed save for Optimus & Alpha Trion, but before the war, the Prime who could create great weapons and tools, had gifted the Fallen with his staff and it has power like the Star Saber sword and during their last battle, the staff and sword were destoryed, afterwards, the remains of the sword were taken and forged into a robot called Saber, thou he wouldn't awaken until the Primes had all but vanished into legend, the Brain of courage, is just a brave spark who was powerless against the rising Decepticons as he was pretty much looked down upon by others due to his small size, but while hiding he drawn to where the body of Saber lays awaiting the day of awakening and he activates the body and it registers him as its user, thus Saber is born and is a powerful bot because the body is created from the remains of the Star Saber sword, its only later does he & the other Brain masters create the V Star as Saber starts learning to use a sword to keep damage to where the V star is being built, to mininum, as he is very powerful and using a blaster has the effect of drawing upon his own energy and, doing more harm than good!
Hasbro will price increase themselves out of customers soon if they keep raising the price & do stupid cost cutting going green crap! I know it def is making be very picky on who & what I buy!
Hasbro has to better improve. They've gotten lazy with everything they are doing. I follow Rocco the great because one he listens to the fans and gives them what they want. Hasbro doesn't care at all.
40yo men want their Japanese toys from Japanese toons, but they still refuse to read subtitles for the Japanese language. Smh. It needs to be experienced in its original language. Rewatch it however many times you need to in order to understand the visuals and read the text, but don't sacrifice the OG sound and timing of the dialog as it was intended. Or do it however you like.
This is why I refuse to buy any figure that I can't see firsthand. You are taking Hasbro at their word and all you really have to rely on is generic stock images or other sources that have been glossed up to look nice. Hasbro got the backers money for this figure; you think they care? No, they don't because they got your money, and they are out of town now. Let this be a hard lesson to learn for next time Hasbro comes to the consumer and says, "We have this awesome figure, but we need you to back it."
BTW, it kinda IS Transformers meets Gundam: The designer for Star Saber worked on Gundam. Lol.
After an initial pass in the usual Takara house style by Takashi Kunihiro, Star Saber's final visual design was drafted by famous Mobile Suit Gundam mechanical designer Kunio Okawara, who was also the design lead on the Victory cartoon. This resulted in Star Saber's classical "super robot" aesthetic fairly unique in the Transformers franchise.[3]
Yep! Direct quote from the Wiki
I'm aware. He's a precursor to Wing and Wing Zero Gundams.
@@RodimusPrimal this is going to be good.
@@RodimusPrimal so you are another collector who has qc issues with yours?
@@RodimusPrimal its NOT worth anywhere nearv$180.00....and yes it should have been mass retail at a resonable price piont...and speaking of mass retail hasbro publicly admitted that Deathsaurus WAS orginally goingb to be a mass release item.
I would also love an English Dub of the Takara trilogy , with professional voice actors.
okay using Star Saber as Rodimus' Stand whilst he is on a display Stand is hilarious
Yare yare daze!
I still hope that one day Star Saber can get a figure of his own for mass retail.
I just love TF Victory and Star Saber so to see that many people still wanted a figure for a relatively obscure character(at least I think), brings me joy.
Star Saber looks amazing tho despite the qc control.
I think they will release it again…lots of inventory was lost. Demand was still out there.
I feel like I got very lucky with my Star Saber. No mayor qc issues like people have been reporting aside from those dam stickers that break easily, the gold plastic thing from his chest does have some problems but luckily they are very minor(still bothers me a lot since I have a keen eye for detail). I pre-ordered Deathsaurus too and hope they improve with the next release and handle distribution better.
Well it would appear that you DO have qc issues too.....stickers that break easily IS a qc issue and the gold plastic on the chest has some problems IS another qc issue.
Thanks for your review. I did notice on the VS I opened the helmet left antenna is a little loose and the left leg could use an slight tightening. I did invest in the DK upgrade for my copies. Leo does seem a little lackluster, kind of like a voyager class. Other than that combined it's a nice look figure.
After Deathsaurus, the 40th anniversary may be my last Haslab. Of course that depends on what the 40th will be. While I would like a primus to go with his bro, i'm sure it will have to be something a little more accessible to the masses.
Now, give Optimus Prime the combiner wars Ultra Magnus' guns and cannons to complete the Transformers Animated reference
True.
Awesome figure and just wow victory Sable I can't stop looking at it.
I have never seen any of the Japanese G1 series. The only reason I know of Victory Saber at all is because of TH-cam channels like you.
I also wished Victory Saber and Deathsaurus were mass retail releases/
Out of my favorite autobots in top 3 are star saber, hot shot, and skids and I'm happy to have victory saber in my collection as my number 1 transformers toy of 2022
I love mine. The only QC issue I have is Star Saber’s right antenna being a bit loose, but that’s a minor thing. I’m so looking forward to getting Deathsaurus.
Thank you for being my favorite TH-cam channel, my goto for all things Transformers especially since you're a g1 fan like me and love your retrospectives.
Great review !! Alot of ppl says this should be at retail but we have to take in mind , if VS was released at mass retail, more corners would have been cut and maybe even more QC issues and definitely it would not have been as good as a Haslab, With Hasbro you never know ...
Star Saber by default has a lot of details, parts and gimmicks, without going full MP, its impossible to not have as many QC issues as it does, because its so complicated. Even MP still has QC issues, you want true luxury then you go for Soul of Chogokin stuff if you're a high roller, anyway haha. Then you don't want to even touch it!
So tbh i think it still came out great. If they decide to reprint these I will totally put money down for one.
On a, sadly, related note, sorry Taiwanese fans, I got the A Hero in Born set for Christmas and they're a fun set. Fun Fact: Alpha Trion can store the Key to Vector Sigma in his altmode, just put it in his hand, the "cape" helps keep it in place if it's too loose on yours. My Centurion Drone finally has his original purpose, guarding Vector Sigma, and A3 looks cool wearing it too. Recommend the set for those unsure about getting it.
I want to see a more accurate version of Liokaiser in HasLab. For one, all the characters are more accurate to their animation models and not just retools of CW Brawl and Fireflight, they are more faithful so like they have their normal names, Jallguar and Leozack are actually included, all of them have their breast animals, and maybe even thrown in a Deathcobra which can replace Hellbat in the transformation.
If that were to happen the haslab TF team would need the CW/UW /POTP combiner joints for the combining gimmic
Very good stuff. You're not the first I hear that says Haslab should stop and put this kind of stuff on shelves. Haven't opened mine yet, but I'm excited.
2:06 -Victory Saber is super Awesome, RodimusPrimal!😃
I really liked this review format.
I would definitely have gotten this set at mass retail. Hasbro missed a great opportunity here
Me 2 personally, FlamesofJagger!😃
It wouldn't have worked at mass retail.
Absolutely N🚫T,@@DarthRakdos0805!
@@DavidSamuelBl10 It wouldn't have worked. Not every transformers fan knows about Victory and the price definitely wouldn't have worked. Stores today don't carry big items like they used to anymore.
Maybe in about 5 or so years.
Overall I like victory saber but he could have easily been a commander class starsaber and victory Leo as a Voyager or commander
I honestly believe he would have sold at retail price as it is, probably Commander Class, or just a bit higher.
I wonder if they were to release this set later down the road, would Hasbro release it all together, or sold separately? Maybe sell each at around the Commander class price point? Would be a real shame if they never do sell this at mass retail.
11:19 I do I understood that reference. Plus there's an upgrade kit for magness for a solus prime forge or other hammer
11:09 Victory Convoy
Yeah, I think you are right! I love this Figure... too bad for the people who was unable to get it. Still I want a Leo Kaiser, I don't know it it will be the next Haslab project or not. They gave us a crappy one for Combiner wars and that is NOT Leo Kaiser. Hasbro thought we didn't want Leo Kaiser, because of the poor sales... coming from the CW one... But the truth is we didn't wanted it because we saw what it really was, a lazy attempt to get money out of us. He was not even formed by 6 figures but 5. So bad If it was missing Jalguar and Leozack there for it was NOT Leo Kaizer! We WANT A TRUE LEO KAIZER! Let's hope HASBRO listens to us!
Great review RodimusPrimal!!! Despite its flaws, I do not regret adding Victory Saber to my collection. lol Keep on being amazing.
LET'S SAY GO.
*swooshy sword sounds*
Minus a bit of chrome being scratched off on my figure, and not being the biggest fan of the stickers. (Toyhax can fix that.) I love this thing man. I am definitely excited for Deathsaurus.
I feel the sentiment, but because star saber hasn't been revisited in so long maybe hasbro was worried it would JUST be that 25% who would be wanting this figure. I mean he is such a big bright cool looking figure that I think he could have grabbed attention in mass retail. But in the end I'm just happy we got him at all. And I am so looking forward to deathsaurus
Despite some issues, this Victory Saber figure is still a victory to all.
7:51
Yknow I’ve felt like a generational style like JJBA show could work for Transformers.
The QC issues have me a bit wary for the Sky Stryker I should be receiving shortly.
I had some paint issues. I mixed pen and clear coat nail polish and fixed them up good
Great review! Quick dip in boiling water will straighten those blast effects out
They say he's transformers meets Gundam because he was designed by Kunio Okawara
I got my Victory Saber like a week bor two ago and still need to unbox it!😃✌️🎄
I got mine a few weeks ago and decided to transform him today. The nose cone doesn't fit flushly on my Saber. It looks like there's a bit of excess plastic on the left side of the click in port.
I hate that the nose cone fits all droopy.
I contacted Haslab to see if they can do anything about it. But I don't wanna risk damaging my Saber.
I would love it if Hasbro gave us a retail set of the other Autobot Brainmasters that form Road Caesar Blacker & Braver & Laster, but I know they won’t take the risk.
Don't get me wrong. I like Optimus Prime. However, I wish for new main leads characters like Star Saber for the Transformers franchises because having Optimus Prime, Megatron, Bumblebee, Starscream and etcetera all the darn time would get pretty old.
One of the reasons I love Rodimus Prime and Star Saber.
@@RodimusPrimal I concur. It gets old rehashing the same thing over and over. I hope with the next series Hasbro takes a chance and they have Wheelie become the leader of the Autobots finally.
@@RodimusPrimal
Imagine a renewal of USA and Japan G1 tv series with their own creative control. However if should these series be cannon together that would be a stretch. Heh even the UK comics are their separate continuity it would seem it’s perhaps best we let these Hasbro collaborators do what they wished
I agree with you whole heartedly. Tis release of the Haslab Victory Saber set just feels like a letdown. I do have Haslab Deathsaurus on preorder but I am going to get the MMC Z-Def Continuum. The campaign ended in Set 2021. A little secret you can preorder it even if you don't have the money upfront. I used a credit card with a low balance and let it sit while I get the MMC G1 version. As for me the gold paint on Star Saber's chest has flaked so now it has a slightly duller gold paint. Thanks Rodimus Primal for being honest.
I think its best to share my honest thoughts about the release of him and his QC issues even though I really enjoy the figure overall.
I'm just taking mine out of the box now. Already took tons of photos of Star Saber in all his forms and posted them on my Transformers Adventures page on Facebook. Just getting started on Victory Leo now. I don't seem to be having the quality issues many others are (but I have yet to transform Victory Leo and do the combination modes with him). The biggest complaint I have so far is the inside leg panels on the V-star don't close completely and snap correctly but in jet mode but that's a minor thing since those are not noticeable parts anyway unless you view it from the rear. I really miss my MP Star Saber after having to sell it when times got tough for a while. Really enjoyed that figure. (But always wished for an MP Deathsaurus for him to battle. I often posed him fighting a giant crappy Starscream figure). 😆 So, is this a good replacement??? Yes and no. On one hand, I'm happy to have a standard figure of him that is not MP to go with the rest of my standard figures. I would have wanted this figure even if I still had the MP. And having Victory Leo is a great plus, they never made an MP of him although some third parties made good ones I'm told. And I like knowing I will eventually have a Deathsaurus for this one to battle. But on the other hand, I do miss some of the features only an MP can give us. The quality of the sword is so much better on an MP and poseability is too in my opinion. I actually think the MP is easier to transform and doesn't feel like it's going to break. Everything snaps in right. I really hope to be able to buy the MP again in the future, despite thar the price has increased since original release. But I am satisfied with this version as a standard figure. I agree with you that it's a shame this wasn't released at retail instead. Glad I funded it.
I hope they do God Ginrai after Deathsaurus
I wish someday Haslab will make ginrai
yeah the real box cover stuck and looks cool can be a poster.
i enjoy my copy is playable victory saber is nice display next to the mp 24 with kfc victory leo.
i do agree, for hollow shoulder cannon and for the sticker i not going use it just left it in the box now.
I didn't have the money at the time to back it, and as soon as I did it was too late. I'll still be getting Deathsaurus, but it is a shame I'll probably never have an official Victory Saber due to the way they decided to release this :/
You can through after market means, but yeah I do wish more people would be able to get him.
The one thing , I think people are overlooking on both the haslab victory saber and deathsaurus is the success that both products achieved and now there are two Japanese characters that the higher ups in Hasbro thought wouldn't have done well in the west have succeeded beyond their expectations and it has paid off .
Yes these could of been sold in retail but with there success gives way for the other Japanese transformers characters for the western and we already see that with black zarak , minerva , galaxy shuttle and leo convoy that's literary the most Japanese transformers we have gotten in a year and usually we just get one or two every five to six years if not longer and by the leak listing for next year we might get a possible metalhawk and a core class dino king out of the core class dinobots next year so no matter how anyone likes or hates theses haslab you can't argue that these products have open up the door for the Japanese transformers characters in the western market and I don't think this last we see of these characters .
Good point. Hopefully this opens the door for MORE of these forgotten characters.
I so wanted a Figure of him from Animated and Prime with with the Wings. Sadly we never got it.
Cool shirt, Rodimus!
Caution on that report regarding the adults being a large number of toy buyer because the recognized 12 year old and older as kidults (word they created not me). Some states anyone wanting to work legally needs to be age 16 years old and have concent from their parents and/or school. This style of review was unique and I appreciate what you call rambling because you are trying to be sincere. You want to like the toy but it has issues.
Just seen 2 up for re-sale people are selling theirs already & at quite good prices?
Victory Leo, Let’s go!
A excellent review! I still must see the anime transformers series! I do feel that it is a little too much on the price and they could have focused more on the qc . I also love the box art and how it has it on both sides! But I do love the figure and how it transforms! And the ship modes on it is awesome and I love how it merges! I hope haslab will continue on these projects.
Unfortunately I'll pass because anything from haslab is way too expensive for my blood happy new year rod
I'm about 10 episodes or so into the Japanese Headmasters series. I got the whole Japanese series for Christmas. I love it! I can't wait to watch it all.
I kinda hate the Haslab crowd funding nonsense. I got Deathsaurus but unless they release more units I don't think I'll ever have Victory Saber.
Heck. In regard to the Japanese Transformer shows. I think they should try to get all the Japanese shows subbed on something like Crunchyroll (Assuming the masters of certain shows haven't been lost to the sands of time)
Toei is REALLY testy with US distributors. It was pulling teeth for Shout Factory to even get them released on DVD.
@@RodimusPrimal Touche
I initially wanted to get HasLab’s Deathsaurus despite not having Victory Saber/Star Saber but over time I lost interest, plus I wasn’t too willing to hand over £189.99 too. Overall I hope the people who’ve backed him and also have the former are happy with them!
As far as missed opportunities, you could honestly have more media in general based off the various Japanese series. Could maybe even have studio trigger make a new series and introduce these characters to a new generation of potential fans since anime is super popular these days.
As far as the actual figure, it sucks but it's just Hasbro hedging it's bets by just banking on g1 since it reliably sells. Stuff like this is a little more niche, at least in the US, so that's why we don't get it mass marketed/sold here. The qc issues do seem like a major hassle tho.
Mine came not too bad just minor scuffs on the chrome I can live with.
Honestly even if it's retail I can't even buy.
As much as a Hasbro sycophant I turned myself, I guess I'll have to agree
My Victory Saber was plagued with paint issues. It's so bad that I've put it back into the packaging and have it in storage. I'm actually considering selling it off, and I've canceled my order for Deathsaurus.
if transformers victory was dubbed who would you want to voice some of the characters?
Nice.
Where would this have fit in if not crowd funded? Do you think retailers would choose this over Motormaster Rodimus Prime if split or even over the Ark or Metroplex that has at least English based media available. It's easy to look at it and say it's not out of the realm of retail til you actually think about the available sku plans. We didn't even get the standard 4 waves of deluxe this year let alone. Even if they had the budget for an additional new sculpted commander/Titan class a year these victory characters would be way lower on the list compared to more retail viable characters, that's only further proven by the rumors for the upcoming releases for legacy EVO and UNI.
That's a fair point. It has been more difficult to get a lot of stuff since 2020, so it does make sense. I am more so lamenting at how its a little more difficult for folks to get this set if they wanted to after the crowdfunding ended.
@RodimusPrimal yeah the good thing is they have these trademarks on record and I expect to see a leader class Star Saber with less features/paint in 3/4 years
I’ll have to get it on EBay cause I didn’t backed it up.
I would get it and never open it because of the qc issues
The figure is still fun outside of the box though.
@@RodimusPrimal it looks cool
Imo, victory Leo and godbomber for that matter were a wasted opportunity for Voyager classed weaponizers.
I do have the DVD boxset for the 3 anime series. Subs > dubs.
I don't disagree, but there are those who won't check out Victory unless it's dubbed.
@RodimusPrimal how uncivilized lol 🧐
I'm not a fan of Transformers Victory, but I can appreciate this elaborate set and I'm happy fans of the series and character got to have this.
Those QC issues are unacceptable. Was the second one in better condition, or did you want to leave it unopened to sell it?
I agree those hollowed out sections are ridiculous.
Yes, it could've and should've been a mass retail release, and no billion dollar corporation should be doing crowd funding, period. At the least, they could do "made to order" or whatever. More obscure characters than this have been at mass retail too.
I have shied away from Japanese Transformers series because I didn't like Robots in Disguise 2001, or the Unicron trilogy, and the stuff I read about what happens in Headmasters sounds horrible. But, I was thinking of binging all the Transformers series once and for all, so maybe I will check it out.
But yeah. I love Transformers and anime, but Transformers anime don't usually do it for me. The shows I watched were too corny and cheesy. RiD 2001 was especially bad with the "comedy," and Megatron was a clown in that show.
Problem is that that the shipping issues is the cause of some Minor or moderate damage to the figure, which is why everyone is concerned about it.
Overall, he deserves a retail in a box, great review too!
Thanks! He definitely would have sold well at retail IMO. Still, the damage is very concerning.
I missed backing this but went all in on Deathsaurs. Always preferred him over starsaber. I may regret not backing it a little now but not enough to pay the resellers prices . Just my thoughts on this and hearing of QC issues on a haslab is concerning.
I luckily was able to obtain one, and not at scalper prices. No QC issues either !
I have the masterpiece and planet x version of star saber and got both for under 200 each now I see this set going for 3 times that on ebay and I get its crowd funded and all that but no way I'd pay that and the planet x one is pretty cool itself
I got Deathsaurus rather than getting this guy because I liked him more in the series and I'm a decepticon guy.
This Star Saber is a great figure but the Victory Leo is a bit disappointing with it's size, hollow cannons and very weak space ship mode, specially when compared with the 3rd Party KFC Simba that was made to be combinable with the MP Star Saber, even if you didn't own MP Star Saber KFC Simba was still great figure worth owning.
I personally skipped the victory saber I'll wait for legacy wingsaber.
I have to see anyone compare Star Saber to an actual combiner because he’s meant to be that big. I skipped on Starsaber and Deathsaurus and honestly I’m glad I did, Star Saber just doesn’t live up to the $360-ish (Australian currency) I would’ve spent on it.
I don't yet have Motormaster to compare him with and my Prime Wars Trilogy combiner are still packed up.
@@RodimusPrimal I’m not having a go at you or anything, I’ve just yet to see people in general compare the scaling of Star Saber to any Combiners.
I got Scammed out of HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS trying to buy mine & can't even get my money back. Very Mad
I honestly thought adult collectors made up a lot *more* than 25% at this point, lol.
Great but superb Review Rodimus, keep them coming, also I would like nothing more then to add Victory Saber to my collection, also thank you Rodimus for sharing keep up the superb work stay safe out there,and have a Happy New Year and until next time Till All Are One.🙂💪👍🇺🇸🟢🦸🏋️🤩
I disagree about StarSaber...$180 is a hard sell for such a niche character. I'm an avid collector and I had to pass on him.
Does Grimlock ever call Wheeljack mom?
No but the Toyhax labels for Earthrise Wheeljack have license plates that say DinoDad.
victory saber could not have been retail theres alot of things people seem to not understand about how this process works
for one the price of plastic has doubled in the last year alone across the board
another point is the molds and engineering
this isnt a retail product because the retailers wouldnt pick it up
hasbro doesnt make figures and send them to retailers
they get payed to produce figures in bundles from retailers and the retailers decide wht gets made based on what they will buy
victory saber wouldnt have gotten ordered by enough retailers to wrrant its existance so they decided to cut out the middle man and produce as many as would be ordered the only difference between this and a retail release is that were directly paying for the product instead of us buying for a product thats already been payed for
ontop pf this with haslabs we can atleast get replacement parts if somethings wrong
I hope they can replace parts if necessary. The Transformers brand team kind of revealed that it was a higher up decision as to whether or not the figure got made. With Unicron that was a different story since he was so expensive to make.
@@RodimusPrimal as with unicron you can get sections of it replaced though it seems less granular then id like i have a small but annoying issue with the hip ratchet on the left side where its tight and cant click all the way up or down (it cant go to the highest or lowest click) the entire vstar section would apparently need to be sent in
Stick with the mp. No lio but better as an mp. Less is more. Less quantity, more quality.
I would have been in it for $130.00. There isn't a $180 dollars there. You gotta figure it's a leader class, a Voyager class and a deluxe rolled up into one. Which only really comes out to a $115. If hasbro was smart, they would have dubbed the Victory series to English and sold that series to promote this figure and then sold as a mainline figure.
Alright UK, USA, Japan, and all other transformers fans, what’s your opinion of Star Sabre?
Transformers victory road caesar
It's cool, but $180? Hmmmm... it's tough to know if it's worth it. I guess with today's economy it makes sense. It is very cool.
"transformers meets gundam" more like transformers meets gurren lagann
I bet if they had done this as mass release, even kids would likely want him, because he is just a cool looking robot, he looks WAY better than anything that came out of the Bay films toys, I'm not the biggest fan of the Bayformer desgins, most of them are just ULGY and look dull which is why I hardly pay any attention to them and focus more on the other lines with my collecting, even Deathsaurus would of sold at retail, because he looks cool, I know Hasbro likes using Optimus prime & Megatron a LOT but maybe its time they gave those characters a break, have them be secondary characters, the way things seem setup in Victory in regards to the Universe and areas of protection, kind of paints the picture that the bot con war has not truly ended and still rages across multable regions of space and each region has their own commanders, example, God Grini, is in charge of sector two in the anime and fighting Overlord and his Decepticons, so I can't see why Optimus could be surpeme commander of all Autobots but as he cannot directly go to a more remote battlefield, like Earth, he could have Star Saber promoted from being a second in command to another Autobot to being commander of the unit that got to keep the cons at bay or in check, maybe have Optimus appear in Flashbacks for Star Saber, prehaps talking to rookie officers under his command, he has to learn how to lead and he drawing from his own experiences.That is my view, but then I go a bit of headcannon for Star Saber's origins.
My head cannon is, that long ago, during the era of the original Primes, when the Fallen betrayed the others and went to war with them, the Primes scattered or were killed save for Optimus & Alpha Trion, but before the war, the Prime who could create great weapons and tools, had gifted the Fallen with his staff and it has power like the Star Saber sword and during their last battle, the staff and sword were destoryed, afterwards, the remains of the sword were taken and forged into a robot called Saber, thou he wouldn't awaken until the Primes had all but vanished into legend, the Brain of courage, is just a brave spark who was powerless against the rising Decepticons as he was pretty much looked down upon by others due to his small size, but while hiding he drawn to where the body of Saber lays awaiting the day of awakening and he activates the body and it registers him as its user, thus Saber is born and is a powerful bot because the body is created from the remains of the Star Saber sword, its only later does he & the other Brain masters create the V Star as Saber starts learning to use a sword to keep damage to where the V star is being built, to mininum, as he is very powerful and using a blaster has the effect of drawing upon his own energy and, doing more harm than good!
👀👀👀
Hasbro will price increase themselves out of customers soon if they keep raising the price & do stupid cost cutting going green crap! I know it def is making be very picky on who & what I buy!
Hasbro has to better improve. They've gotten lazy with everything they are doing. I follow Rocco the great because one he listens to the fans and gives them what they want. Hasbro doesn't care at all.
transformers reactivate game in transformers universe bulkhead
Can I get a shout out please 🙏
GARBAGE I DIDN’T HESITATE selling mine what a load of crap
That's a bit too rushed,the fig is good, just the conditions around it are beryllium baloney
40yo men want their Japanese toys from Japanese toons, but they still refuse to read subtitles for the Japanese language. Smh.
It needs to be experienced in its original language. Rewatch it however many times you need to in order to understand the visuals and read the text, but don't sacrifice the OG sound and timing of the dialog as it was intended.
Or do it however you like.
I have the series on DVD so of course it has subtitles. I meant more so for the Transformers fans who won't watch unless its dubbed.
This is why I refuse to buy any figure that I can't see firsthand. You are taking Hasbro at their word and all you really have to rely on is generic stock images or other sources that have been glossed up to look nice. Hasbro got the backers money for this figure; you think they care? No, they don't because they got your money, and they are out of town now. Let this be a hard lesson to learn for next time Hasbro comes to the consumer and says, "We have this awesome figure, but we need you to back it."