Beast Wars Megatron (Telemocha)

Series: Beast Wars Japan Telemocha
Allegiance: Destron
Year: 2007

Prelude: He is the Alpha and Omega. The beginning and the end. He is Megatron, and not that constantly retreating bucket-wearing gun guy, but rather the world-conquering, time-smashing, yes-saying tyrant from Beast Wars. He is Megatron and not even in this more diminutive form that was part of the Telemocha subline will he ever be stopped. Let’s say go, yes!

Robot Mode: This Megatron here is a scaled-down version of the original Ultra-Class figure from 1996. It’s about the size of a large Deluxe or small Voyager and has a far more screen-accurate paintjob than the bigger figure, too. It foregoes most of the gimmicks, so there is no Mutant Head, no water-squeezer, and no firing missiles, either. The T-Rex head on his right hand does have a tongue, though, if that matters to you.

The proportions are the slightest bit chibby, I’d say, with a very large T-Rex head as a right hand and a slightly too large robot head. Otherwise, though, it’s very much Beast Wars Megatron as we saw him on the screen. Articulation is very nice, no complaints here, and the figure has one big advantage over the 1996 original, too: Megatron actually has a hand! You can take off the large tail-pincer he has for a left arm, leaving him with a standard fist. 

And that’s pretty much it. It’s a smaller scale version of Megatron as we saw him in the first season of the Beast Wars TV series. Very nicely articulated, looking very good, and while he foregoes the gimmicks, he has everything you need for a (very slightly misproportioned) Megatron.

Alternate Mode: Naturally Megatron transforms into a purple T-Rex and in much the same way as the original 1996 figure does. The slightly off proportions of the robot mode are somewhat more exaggerated here, as the T-Rex has a very big head for its body. Otherwise, nothing new here. A big purple T-Rex with tiny little arms. The arms swivel, the legs move (somewhat) and the T-Rex can open and close its mouth. Nicely done, but no surprises here.

Remarks: In 2004 Takara released the Robot Masters line, a crossover of G1, G2, Beast Wars, and the various Japanese G1 follow-up series. The line included Beast Convoy (aka Optimus Primal) and Beast Megatron, both of whom got reissued three years later in the Beast Telemocha line. The interesting thing is that both characters also got their original 1996 figures re-released in the same line. So if you intend to buy a Telemocha Megatron or Primal, be sure to check which of the two you’re actually bidding on, just saying.

The Telemocha Megatron aka the Robot Masters Beast Megatron is pretty much just as advertised. A scaled-down version of the 1996 toys without gimmicks but better paint details. Just about the only downside is that he is a bit on the small side when compared with other Beast Wars figures, both in the original and the Telemocha line. Apart from that: very nice.

Rating: B+