Something I've dabbled in a bit, but not felt like writing about, are Blokees model kits. Transformers is one of the many brands they do. And mostly these are blind box releases, with a high level of modularity and articulation for their size. Such models are not transformable as such, but they tend to absolutely nail their character. These have become an ever larger feature of the UK fandom, and have started to show up Hasbro proper with their charms. I have not written about them however for two reasons, in that area very simple by my standards, and I don't like blind boxes as a business model. This wasn't something I could spin out into an article, more an occasional indulgence. They do however larger, conventional releases of specific characters, the most impressive being Action Editions. l was not prepared.
Blokees generally give the impression of being something Gunpla adjacent, but modern and simple-ish. Maybe 30MM, Entry Grade, or that Haro business. This kit retains that simplicity, but honestly feels like they are gunning for Bandai's Master Grades or RE: 100s in both size and quality. It's a big box to make a big robot, with an awful lot of plastic in it. There's what amounts to an internal skeleton, basically great colour accuracy, no stickers, no requirements for glue or even nippers. It's all friction-based joints, and the fingers come pre-built on the sprue. The sprue! With multiple joints and everything. There's even a magnet triggered light up gimmick too. That's not something I would have sought out, but it works so well I don't mind it. There's even internal detail too, with Megs storing bullets in his legs, accessible via opening leg armour. Not even two hours into the build, I was starting to wonder if this was the best kit I'd built all year. The only flaws I find are the very minor imperfections that come from separating the parts from the runners. Later on some minor complaints did manifest, like a production imperfection on the stand plate, and the translucent plastic scars easily, but honestly? The kit went together as well as any gunpla you care to name. Another question started to form in my head...
There’s an awful lot here. It comes with both a throne and the aforementioned flight stand, the former offering accessory storage. Laserbeak and Kremzeek are present as little buddies. So is Reflector. Those three need maybe a touch of paint to make them shine, picking out eye details, these are quite simple affairs, but they are entirely fine as is. The fusion cannon can open up via a pullback mechanism, and use that back kibble as a barrel extension. There's also the usual one scene accessories too, a well-executed mace, that pistol and that light sabre. Oh, and swappable faces too. Its also posable in ways I just didn’t expect. Megatron is not a ninja and has fairly chunky proportions, but this works in an ab-crunch, toe joints, butterfly shoulders, and the aforementioned fingers. This articulation seems to be common across this size class, which may make these samey in the long-term, but I’m not seeing an obvious area for improvement. Maybe in the fingers? They can be a bit fiddly and have an effect on the size of the hands, but other than doing fixed pose hands too, I dunno. This is very much the complete package, both in articulation and accessories. There's bits around the edges that I'm not fond of, like how Laserbeak needs some parts swapped to rest on Meg's arm, but none of that gets close to being an actual negative. The question solidified in my head...
So, let's ask that question, how does this compare to the recent Studio Series 86 Megs? But that's ridiculous. Isn't it? You can't compare a non-transforming model kit and a transforming toy. It's a totally different experience, both valid. The kit is about 15 quid less, and I've yet to actually handle that Megatron. It's a totally unfair comparison for me to make. But... is it really? G1 Megatron's gun altmode is totally unworkable from a legal perspective, and it's not super-easy to engineer that any way. So that's why the SS86 version has a tank mode. The tank mode I'm pretty sure you've never really liked, or kept him in for any real length of time. You just wanted him for the robot form. And if that's all that you want? Well, I think you have a solid Plan B here.
Chalk and cheese comparisons aside, I did really like this. It was the best kit I picked up in 2025, and certainly the most impressive Transformers-adjacent thing I got that year too. I dunno if I’d go all in and collect these, but that Tarn looks tempting. 9/10, why aren’t we talking about these absolutely all the time?
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