Transformers Studio Series: 56 Shockwave

Shockwave (Leader Class, 2019)
Movie: Dark of the Moon
Hasbro ID number: 56
TakaraTomy ID number: SS-45
TakaraTomy release date: February 29, 2020

Accessories: Brains figure, Wheelie figure, NEST Paratrooper, sword, ”Battle of Chicago” backdrop (3rd version)

Studio Series Shockwave transforms from robot mode to a Cybertronian tank in 17 steps. He is a mostly new sculpt (though he reuses some parts from the Studio Series Voyager Class Revenge of the Fallen Megatron figure, notably the arm joints, hip pieces as well as his tank treads), with the hose being connected into the cannon. He comes with a cardboard backdrop display depicting a war-torn Chicago.

While the original promotional render showcased his purple coloring in the solid, brighter shade, the figure itself has purple color applied mostly with extensive dry-brushed paint applications over black plastic, with the only purple plastic being in his feet. A similar silver dry-brushing technique is also present in his arm-blade.
While roughly Voyager-sized (as stated before, he even reuses some parts from a Voyager Class figure), he is sold under the Leader Class price point, with the additional budget being devoted not only to his large cannon and an arm blade but also to a surprising three additionally included figurines, namely with a scale accurate Brains, Wheelie and the parachuting NEST soldier that obscures his face, with a parachute made from clear white plastic film.

With Wheelie and Brains being 1.5cm tall, you will definitely lose them. Unfortunately, the parachuting soldier does not descend slowly when you drop him from a high altitude.

This mold uses rubbery plastic extensively, possibly for safety reasons, with his gun barrel, hose, spikes on his legs, hand, right thumb, and blade being cast from said material.

Although the instructions show that the hose port is facing backward in the tank mode, due to the short length of the hose on the actual figure it is impossible to do this. Fortunately, the port can be rotated downwards and even inwards avoid the tube from being awkwardly disconnected. While also not mentioned in the instructions, there is another port that the hose can connect to further back on his cannon arm. This is more than likely where the hose is supposed to go in vehicle mode to stop the aforementioned issue.

Depending on the individual quality of the figure, it can be a bit tricky to get Shockwave to stand up straight, as the weight of his backpack can cause him to fall back on his ankles.

He first saw release in Hong Kong in December 2019.

Studio Series: Dark Of The Moon

Hasbro / Takara Tomy

630509899395

2020

United States

2020-02-29

Studio Series

2020-06-07 09:15:10

~$44.98

2026-02-21

2020-06-07 09:15:10