| 03.06.2020 – The Last Wave of Siege from the first part of War For Cybertron was colorful and surprisingly impressive at the same time underappreciated. This is due to distribution depends in every country. The Deluxe Class range was the most sought after aside from the rarity of most Voyager Class in the same wave.
Mirage is one of those much awaited characters getting an upgrade to the last figure was from Combiner Wars, which was not entirely an original figure but based on Stunticon Dragstrip. The new Siege version is based on its cartoon model from the classic cartoon and also one of the most sought after figure from the fourth wave. |
The original Mirage figure is based from Takara’s the Diaclone that featured real world livery of the JS-11 formula one race car. But not entirely based on the cartoon accurate version which represented Mirage. With so many versions of the character that included the canceled Machine Wars version from the 1990s Mirage has found its own cult following from stories in the comicbooks.
Prior to the Combiner Wars version the last figure representing the characters was from the 2006 Classics, which reused the mold several times producing other characters like Dragstrip and Fracture. But this latest representation of Mirage for the Siege range of Deluxe Class assortment is entirely new.
There has been many interpretation of Mirage from various media, but the character gained popularity as one of the Autobots doomed in the Ark crash. In the classic cartoon it was revealed that he has the ability to be invisible though that concept can be similar to Hound’s abilities to produce holograms. But in the toy bio he uses his elecro-disruptor to scramble the senses of other Transformers, causing them to see images that were not there or to make him appear to be somewhere he was not which defined his name.
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Packaging | Window-Type
Siege depicts the ‘Great War” of Cybertron that conflict redefined in the latest toyline by Hasbro, and in that the vehicle forms they have taken is from their native planet. But not all figures produce from the first part of this trilogy don’t translate to their localized vehicle modes they have taken though more of this will be tackled focused on Mirage alternate form.
But the collaboration with Hasbro and Takara Tomy to produce a unified product instead of a separate variation like in the previous toylines certainly gives the consumers a single perspective of how they present this globally. The packaging with product art with limited text and bio at the back is a welcoming change.
It also depicts the poster art from the other side of the box revealing the war and the Autobots trying to escape using the Ark. Of course, Mirage’s packaging has a slight difference from the others as this is the winner from the fan poll that was released alongside Impactor and Barricade for the fourth wave assortment.
In the Philippines, this was released sometime in February 2020 that was unexpected since the last wave featuring Spinister and Crosshairs was released by December 2020. Most of the local collectors were not hoping anymore if retail will bring it to local shores as they scrambled to getting them through specialty shops that pre-ordered them. It was unexpected that wave four would eventually appear at Toys R’ Us by the first week of February. But eventually that won’t be the same case with the Voyager Class assortment that made it to Malaysia and Singapore retail.
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Robot Mode | Electro-Disrupting Autobot
Siege Mirage takes some design cues from the classic cartoon and other iteration of the character’s aesthetics in other various media. The figure comes with his “C-20 Electro-Disruptor” and “W-15 Armor-Piercing Rocket-Dart Launcher” made of three pieces of his weapon accessories based from the cartoon model that is compatible with the C.O.M.B.A.T. System, and features multiple 5mm hardpoints. Unlike with the other Siege figures Mirage is clean without any visible battle damage paint applications that can be seen all over his body.
This figure appears to be untouched with all the battle damage paints that are obviously seen in other figures, although the Netflix version seems to entirely the polar opposite of this figure revealing the character’s origin in the upcoming CG animated series from the streaming giant.
Featured Articulation:
- Tight Joints
- Swivel Shoulder
- Rotating Waist
- Limited Head Movement
Transformation | Intricate & Seemless
The transformation is not complicated but it has 14 steps based on the instruction manual, which also reveals more about the toy when you actually take its vehicle form. In a rather odd way of engineering Mirage is what Siege Starscream and the rest of the seekers reveal about the front parts of their robot mode. In the process of transforming the figure into its alternate form you get to see the designers put into this figure that most surprised mixed reaction.
Vehicle Mode | Cybertronian Formula 1 Racer
The F1 Racer very distinctly different from the original toy tries to be more of what Cybertronian vehicles would appear, and this is where the reactions for some had mixed perspective about the aesthetics and design takes into play. The chest of Mirage is just faux part that turns into the rear of the race car while the front is what used to be the legs in robot mode done with impressive engineering.
Not all are thrilled with the translucent parts, which makes the majority of its vehicle form that tries to be ‘alien’ while the spoiler that form both of his arms are not aero dynamic spoilers that isn’t entirely appealing. Of course, there’s a tampograph on both sides in Cybertronian text that needs care due to very smooth surface it can immediately chipped off. But due to winning the fan poll Mirage was included in the Siege assortment that can be an Earth vehicle from Earthrise.
But this will do to explain how less of a Cybertronian is vehicle mode than appear like an experimental futuristic race car from Earth. The vehicle mode didn’t get much appeal entirely than being in robot mode that invites nostalgia, which is what made the Siege figures appealing close to their classic cartoon counterparts.
Cybertronian Car Features:
- Cybertronian Aesthetics
- Translucent Bluie Body
- Aero Racing Dynamic
- Don't Look at the Rear
Mold Comparison | Classics to Siege
The Classics Mirage was not a popular version of the character but it redefines as the modern take of this Autobot. It is articulated figure for its time when Hasbro is slowly redefining the brand after the Unicron Trilogy. But it’s not Mirage what everyone remembers the design takes more of a feminine look when Hasbro retooled the mold in bringing Fracture (Originally called Crasher from the Gobots but couldn’t get the trademark) released under the expansion of the movie series in 2008.
But after so many versions in-between Siege Mirage was made right barring the alternate mode it was replacing most collector’s version of Mirage that’s been taking up on their display space.
Though a little bit shorter than Fracture (see photo comparison) Hasbro/Takara Tomy was on point trying to make it in scale with the other Siege figures that makes the previous figure quite obsolete. The Classics mold has been impressive and its good Hasbro reused the body and made it into a different character, which is a chance to keep this version and either let go of the old Mirage.
Siege has the best figures representing G1 aesthetics and design at the same time incorporates a modern take of the character. Mirage was one of the most sought after figure that gets immediately sold out after being put on the shelf followed by Impactor. Barricade ends up the one that is leftover considering is a retool of the same mold/body of the last three figures that came before.
Mirage is entirely a mixed bagged due to the concept that his chest is the rear part of the vehicle mode at the same time the spoiler is not aero dynamic, which hinders the racing aesthetic being sporty. Entirely, the nostalgic factor made it a favorite aside from being a fan poll winner which drove interest and being sold out.
War For Cybertron Siege | Deluxe Class Mirage is now on available in general retail across Australasia and Southeast Asia. This was acquired at Toys R'Us in Estancia Mall in Mandaluyong City retailed at:
₱ 999.75 Pesos | $ 28.17 AUD | $ 19.67 USD
Product Rating:
Transformation (Difficulty): 3
Aesthetics: 10
Quality: 9
Robot Points: 9.0
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Some of the Product Description Courtesy of TF Wiki
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