Project Vocaloid Optimus Prime: February 2014

0. Content

This website is still in progress and estimated to be finished by the end of April 2014. Thank you for reading.

Episode 1 - Welcome to Vocaloid Hatsune Miku Optimus Prime Website :)

Episode 2 - The History

Episode 3 - The Project

Episode 4 - JETWING OPTIMUS PRIME Black Ver

Episode 5 - Jet Wing

Episode 6 - The Price Tag

Episode 7 - Jetfire Reissue Version

Episode 8 - JETPOWER MIKU PRIME

Episode 9 - Jetpower Miku Prime Vs Jetpower Movie Prime

Episode 10 - U.F.O. Optimus Prime Hands upgrade

Episode 11 - Hatsune Miku Append

Episode 12 - Bleach Miku Prime

Episode 13 - Bye Bye

1. Welcome to Vocaloid Hatsune Miku Optimus Prime Website :)

No, what you are about to see is not a custom made Optimus Prime. This website is created to showcase the latest Optimus Prime (black version) toy base on the latest Transformer Movie 3, Dark of The Moon. Anyhow, the black version Optimus Prime did not appear in that movie or any Transformer movie (unless it represents the temporarily dead Optimus Prime in Transformer Movie 2, Revenge of The Fallen). I am not exactly sure why TakaraTomy designed this version. But, because this version has Vocaloid Hatsune Miku's color mix on it, I decided to call it the Miku Prime ミク·プライム! (Actually my friend Massy an avid figurine collector mentioned the Miku Prime name first.). Look at the teal (greenish) tattoo paint on this black color Optimus Prime. It's exactly like Miku's hair color right?

Hatsune Miku by the way is the most famous Vocaloid character. If you don't know who she is or what Vocaloid is you should really google it or click on this link. You are really missing on something insane if you don't.

not my picture, but this is black-teal optimus prime art is really cool

For starters, let's get the name right.

On the box, this Optimus Prime is called the JETWING OPTIMUS PRIME, Black Ver.

JETWING OPTIMUS PRIME Black Ver.

To be more technical, according to the instruction guide, the model name of this Optimus Prime is the Jet Wing DA-15 Optimus Prime. I guess the model name is the same for both black and the normal blue-red version.

Jet Wing DA-15 Optimus Prime

On Amazon.com, it's listed as Transformers Nightwatch Jet Wing Optimus Prime DA-15. 'Nightwatch' does sounds cool but no where in the manuals or on the box can the word be found. Additionally, on the internet you may come across the term Nemesis Optimus Prime which refers to a Decepticon clone of Optimus Prime which is also black in color. This version only exist in the cartoon series though.

They can call it whatever they want to. But we are gonna to call it the #MikuPrime.

I was surfing the net wondering if there are any other Miku Primes. Lo and behold. I won't let this dude touch my Miku Prime. Lol.

looks like a decapitated optimus prime

another cool teal colored jetfire optimus prime art

2. The Project

You may have wondered, what exactly is Project Vocaloid Optimus Prime. Well, here's my take on it. I believe that there will be some future Transformer fans who wants to know about this special figure. And may have questions like, Would the Black Version Jetwing Optimus Prime released late in 2011 be compatible to combine with Jetfire which is another Transformer that was released in 2009. So far, Jetfire is the only Transformer that can combine with Optimus Prime. Albeit he had to be dead to enable the combination in the movie. And where does Hatsune Miku fits into all this? Well, I cannot relate the Black Optimus Prime to all the Movies because well he is Black in color. So I think it's only right, to give this guy a reason for existence, and that the sole existence is to serve Hatsune Miku:) Disagree with me or Agree with me, I still think this is a cool project and if you are interested in any of the missions, read on.

Project Vocaloid Optimus Prime consist of 6 exciting activities below:

Purchase Jetwing Optimus Prime Black Version - Complete
Purchase Jetfire (ROTF) reissue version - ~~In Progress from eBay~~ - Complete
Combine Miku Prime with Jetfire - ~~Got to find the manuals for this~~ - Complete
Replace Miku Prime's hands with U.F.O. Optimus Prime Hands (Silver) - ~~In Progress from eBay~~ - Complete
Purchase Hatsune Miku to complete project Vocaloid Optimus Prime - Append, Figma, Nendoroid or Good Smile Racing ?
Find a Bleach Character to pair with Miku Prime (optional). - In Progress from eBay

All of the Hatsune Miku pictures currently used are copied from the internet. I will replace them as this blog evolves. Hopefully, I can get my hands on a pretty and alluring Hatsune Miku figurine soon to compliment this handsome Optimus Prime.

On another note, finding the reissue version of Jetfire is not going to be easy. The Jetfire reissue version is only sold as a 2 pack Leader Class Transformer with Jetfire and Optimus Prime packed in one box. The reissue version isn't sold separately.

reissue version is sold in 2 pack leader class transformer

The first version Jetfire is still around and can be found in eBay in mint condition and sold with its own box, but I want to get hold of the reissue version because Jetfire's body color is somewhat more black and realistic! Although the first version seems to be a nice fit with Miku Prime since the body color has some ~~teal~~ turquoise/blueish color on it. By the way, Jetfire is an old Decepticon robot which defected and joined the Autobot for some reason. He was featured in the second Transformer movie Revenge of The Fallen (ROTF). What's so special about this transformer is that it combines with Optimus Prime to produce the awesome Jetpower Optimus Prime Version. Jetpower is not the same as Jetwing. Jetpower is from ROTF (TF2) while Jetwing is from DOTM (TF3). You can watch a short youtube clip from TF2 where Jetfire combined with Optimus Prime below. Some people like to call this combination as Powerup Optimus Prime.

jetfire first version

jetfire reissue version

As some of you might have figured out, there is a risk of failing to combine Jetfire with Miku Prime. Jetfire is from the ROTF movie while Miku Prime comes from the DOTM movie which is 3 years apart. But with fingers crossed and ~~some~~ one proof in the internet that the two figures can combine, I made an eBay purchase of the Jetfire reissue version this morning. So let's see how that pans out. You can watch Miku Prime (not in his Black color) in his Jetwing Mode base on the DOTM movie below.

If you are wondering how many main version of Optimus Prime exist in the Transformer Movies, the answer is 3 4. In the first movie there's only Optimus Prime (2007). The second movie ROTF (2009) featured Jetfire combined with Optimus Prime version called the Jetpower mode. The third movie DOTM (2011) saw Optimus Prime in his Jetwing version. Finally, at the moment of this writing there is a fourth version Optimus Prime from the next Transformer Movie 4 Age of Extinction (AOE) set to be released June 2014. Watch the trailer below.

Can't wait to watch this movie. However, I'm not really excited with the new Optimus Prime toy on this fourth version though. Click here to see it yourself. Miku Prime is much more cooler no?

What if you want Optimus Prime's fingers to make a V sign? Or strum an electric guitar for Hatsune Miku? Well Unidentified Factory Originals (UFO) sells these awesome Optimus Prime hands with flexible fingers. Will ebay it soon. The original hand is very rigid with only a hole on it to hold a weapon.

peace

Obviously, you will notice that I already bought the Jetwing Optimus Prime Black Version. Hence the Miku Prime. This Transformer details will be featured in the next post. The first part of this website as you have noticed is heavily loaded with Optimus Prime and less about Hatsune Miku cause I don't have any Hatsune Miku figurine yet :(

Skip this paragraph if you are not familiar with the Bleach anime or weekly Shonen Jump manga from Japan. Since Miku Prime also looks like a shinigami (with the Black color and all), Bleach crossed my mind. Let's see where this idea will bring us. For now, I haven't thought of any Bleach Character that can pair nicely with Miku Prime. Food for thought, for Shikai mode Miku Prime can transform into its Jetwing mode, and for Bangkai, Miku Prime can combine with Jetfire to become the awesome Jetpower Miku Prime! I don't think Bleach Miku Prime needs a Zanpakutō but let's see. I just saw a perfect Zanpakutō here. The blood color matches Miku Prime's windshield red colour.

3. The History

You can go read the whole Optimus Prime history at the Transformer Wiki here. For shortcut, I'm just gonna copy the history of the Jetwing Optimus Prime Black Version part below. Apparently there were many black version of Optimus Prime produced over the years. However, this current version which is the replica of Transformer Dark Of the Moon (third Transformer movie) is by far the coolest Black version ever made.

(copied from the Transformers Wiki)
Jetwing Optimus Prime Black Version (MechTech Supreme, 2011)

Accessories: Tank A & Tank B (forms Ion Blaster), Jetwing jet pack, Arm Gatling Cannon A & B, Leg Armor A & B.

Jetwing Optimus Prime Black Version was to have been a Japanese raffle prize exclusive to Circle K stores. No official information about it or the other raffle prizes ever appeared after the initial images surfaced.

the first sighting of black ver jet wing optimus prime

JETWING OPTIMUS PRIME Black Ver. (MechTech Supreme, 2011)

Accessories: Tank A & Tank B (forms Ion Blaster), Jetwing jet pack, Arm Gatling Cannon A & B, Leg Armor A & B

JETWING OPTIMUS PRIME Black Ver. is a black, teal, and chrome redeco of Jetwing Optimus Prime exclusive to the Asian market. He appears to have been based on the cancelled TakaraTomy contest prize Jetwing Optimus Prime Black Version (see above), with a few color alterations here and there, plus the obvious addition of chrome. It was originally solicited by online retailers as the far goofier-sounding "Dark Nightwatch Jetwing Optimus Prime". It comes in packaging identical to TakaraTomy's Jetwing Optimus Prime figure, with the exception of an additional sticker on the front denoting the toy's name.

black, teal, red, chrome, grey

4. JETWING OPTIMUS PRIME Black Ver

Miku Prime comes with a standard Fender Guitar Blaster. Just Kidding:) Feast your eyes on Miku Prime's teal coloured tattoos. It is as close as you can get to make Optimus Prime Vocaloid worthy.

Jetwing Miku Prime

And for the main event, presenting in the black conner, is the whole picture of Miku Prime ミク·プライム,..

Without Jet Wing

The wings are just chrome cool. But can't wait till I see the Jetfire Power-Up Optimus Prime combination. I got a feeling that this Jetwing version will pale in comparison. One of the drawback feature of those Big Add On Jet Wing is that they are BIG! HUGE! It really does make Miku Prime look bulgingly disproportionate on his rear upper body. And with those HUGE Gatling Cannons, things really can't be any bigger. Actually things do get bigger if you spread out the wings! It's not ugly by the way. If it makes you feel better, in the movie, the Jet Wing on Optimus Prime doesn't look any smaller.

With Jet Wing

It took me two tries to transform Miku Prime into his vehicle mode. And it probably took more than half an hour to succeed the second time. No joke. This is not for kids under 30. It does feel like something is bound to break off because you need to apply some insane pressure to most of the steps. By the way, in the instruction guide, it takes 26 steps to transform this piece. Yes, 26 steps! But once it gets transformed, you'd be like, wow, this toy really does transform into a truck. Lol!

Optimus Prime Truck Mode

Optimus Prime Truck Side View

Truck showroom view

Jetfire in the background

Ps: In the background is Jetfire in his robot mode.

5. Jet Wing

Bigger than an iPhone

The twin chrome Gatling Guns or Gatling Cannons when connected to the jetpack is referred to as the Jet Wing in the instruction manual. Wait the minute, 'Jetwing' or 'Jet Wing' ? TakaraTomy should really standardize the naming convention.

Miku Prime in Jetwing Mode

There is another form of transformation that came from Optimus Primes' truck trailer apart from the Jet Wing that did not materialized into the toy form. The truck trailer transforms into a circular structure which only appears for a split second early in the movie (DOTM). You can watch it here (in slow motion) to catch it.

The circular shape thing with the floodlights is totally missing in the official toy.

Cicular Structure

And apparently, the circular structure also carries Optimus Prime's weapon and shield.

Weapon infantry?

Oh well, beggars can't be choosy, Miku Prime's chrome Gatling Guns and the chrome wings looks cool and that compensate for the lack of movie representation of this circular infantry structure. Well, after some digging, I found that U.F.O does produce this circular infantry thingy. It is called the UFO LED LIGHT UP SILVER ARMORY TRAILER FOR Transformers Optimus Prime.

Here're some screenshots of Jetwing Optimus Prime taken from the movie DOTM.

6. The Price Tag

This transformer piece cost me an Atom bomb. After conversion from MYR535.40, it's about USD160. Ka-Ching!

MYR535.42 after 15% member discount

There are two companies producing the Jetwing Optimus Prime. Hasbro from the US and TakaraTomy from Japan (they are business partners). The black version is however only sold in Asia by TakaraTomy. Now, there is a very steep difference in price between these two companies. Toys "R" Us sells the Hasbro (red-blue) version for about USD100. The black version by TakaraTomy is selling in the range of USD200 to USD300 in eBay. So, I didn't get a bad deal after all for paying so much for it. Plus, KKTOYS gave me 15% discount. I'd like to say, to change your attitude first change your perspective.

That said, checkout KKTOYS at https://www.facebook.com/KKTOYS. It was the last stock when I bought it though. But who knows, you might just get lucky.

7. Jetfire Reissue Version

As I have mentioned earlier, you can't purchase a new Jetfire Reissue Version without buying the 2 Pack Leader Class Toy that also includes the red-blue normal Prime in one box. So I had to turn to eBay. And lucky me, there is one seller who is in my country that sells the Jetfire Reissue Version. You can see the listing here. This guy sells a lot of transformer toys. Word of advice, always get the tracking number! It's really useful to calm the nerves.

I received the eBay parcel about 1 week after purchasing Miku Prime. Exactly on the 15th February 2014. Unboxing was unreal.

weapons checked!

Jetfire came with a cardbox full of bubble wrappers. It really does give the first impression that this transformer is free of defects. But I checked, and double checked, everything is just perfect.

bubble air wrapper for safety

I got to be honest, this piece is beautiful. With the walking stick, it really does feel that Jetfire is a thousand years old. He doesn't come with a red eye like the first version, but my oh my, in his robot mode, he really did blow my mind. Exceeded my expectation by two fold.

From the Front

From the Stick Side

From the walking stick side, you can see very little indication of any defects. On one of the wings in the picture, you'll see a red Decepticon Logo with the number 17972 printed below it. And for god knows why, there's also a round logo of a skunk in black and white. Maybe it's a normal thing for Jet Planes to have a logo like that? Or does Jetfire smells!

from the rear

From the rear you can see two scratched, rusted or decayed ~~white~~ grey Decepticon logo on each side of the wing. Just another indicator of how old Jetfire is.

from the gun side

Lastly, on the gun side, you'll see some tiny winy red font written on Jetfire's arm. All i can make off it is 'LT.COL.BRADLEY', next line, 'Warning', next line,.. can't see! You really need a microscope to see the rest. Another thing to note is that the Gun has a trigger that can send the long missile bullet flying! Seriously.

Unfortunately, I dared not transform Jetfire into his SR-71 Blackbird spy plane mode. There're a few reviews on youtube that really amplifies the difficulty level of Jetfire's transformation. Mind you i did try. And on the first step, yes, the first step, i abandoned it. I think i nearly broke one small protruding connecter thing. So no picture of Jetfire in vehicle mode.

Total damage, MYR354.90 ( USD108).

8. JETPOWER MIKU PRIME

Here comes the main course of this project, Jetpower Miku Prime with all his glory. Before starting this project, there are times when I looked at the existing pictures of Jetpower Optimus Prime on the net, I started to questioned myself, what is this indifferent feeling creeping over me. Is it ugliness that i'm seeing? Frankly, most of the combination that follows the standard configuration that you see on the net are just fugly. Just look at this, this and this (no offence, i'm not saying your transformers are ugly, they are awesome, i'm just saying the standard combination configuration result is damn ugly).

However, through some ingenious copycat here, here and here; and my own genuine innovation, I have manage to produce not only a Prime worthy of Hatsune Miku's guardian, but also a Jetpower Optimus Prime that is pleasing to the eye. I will not take no for an answer. There are only 5 customized steps that you need to change to get the same effect. Magnify the pictures below and you will definitely see it crystal clear.

There is one 3rd party Jetfire add-on that looks better than the standard Jetfire-Optimus combination configuration, and it's produced by Fans Want It (FWI). Cool company name right. The product model is called FWI-03-Jet Power Upgrade Kit. You can see it here. I think it's cool and realistic. It cost around USD100. The only drawback is that the kit cannot transform itself to either Jetfire Robot mode or Jet Plane mode. But to stay true to the movie, Jetfire had to die and fall apart before Optimus can harness his power and parts. So the upgrade kit drawbacks is plausible. However, after tweaking Jetpower Miku Prime's configuration, I think he looks absolutely fantastic and I'm glad that I purchase Jetfire instead of the upgrade kit.