BEAST
WARS: TOY REVIEW
Name: BLACK WIDOW (a.k.a. Blackarachnia)
Allegiance: Destron
Function: Saboteur, Construction
Beast Mode: Mecha Silk
Spider
Average Price: 2500 JPY
BEAST MODE
Black Widow transforms into a huge spider! She's positively
enormous! In beast mode, she measures 220mm in length, making her larger
than Metals Tarans (who's 170mm). The body is asymmetrically moulded with
green and metallic red parts. Hmmm, her build is rather waif, but that's
a matter of personal taste. Perhaps some parents may be reluctant in purchasing
this figure for their kids...
Gimmicks: Metals Black Widow has great leg mobility!
Metals Tarans has no joints in his knees, but Metals Black Widow has articulated
knees (in Beast mode)! I'm really happy with how all the legs in beast
mode can move. There is a wire between the mandibles which can be pulled
out. Ensare enemies by pushing on the mandibles! The wire automatically
recoils itself, resetting back into its original position. The mandibles
are also capable to gripping onto opponents (but somewhat inadequately
since it's very limited in the way it opens and closes).
TRANSFORMATION TO ROBOT MODE
Flip Black Widow over and swing up the purple panels on the
sides. Flip Black Widow over again and swing out the panels which form
the rear of her beast mode. Then rotate out the robot legs. Roatate the
lower body and legs up and forward. Swing up and rotate the robot head.
Now slide down the upper chest piece. Flip the toy over again and detach
the mandible weapon and set it aside. Swing the robot arms and beast mode
legs out to the side. Now swing up the piece with the robot arms and snap
it into place. Now fold up the rear section (be sure to position the hinge
correctly, otherwise the arms won't snap into place correctly). Fold down
her robot arms and place her weapon in her hand.
ROBOT MODE
Height: 120mm
Points of articulation: 18 (not including the spider
legs and armour shielding)
Wow! This is the strangest female robot I've ever seen
in Beast Wars. Mmm, she's quite sexy, eh? The proportions are fantastic!!
Her knees allow her to be posed in numerous positions, making this a very
fun toy. Would she have any affections towards your Silverbolt toy? Perhaps
some kiddies might get a bit embarrassed by this.
The legs are difficult to stand due to the high heels, however,
you can compensate by using one of her spider legs from her back. Her weapon
is actually her spider mandibles. Her mandible wire gimmick also works
and can be played in the same way in this mode!
The body's gimmick is the same as her kick action on TV!
Twist the waist and push the head back and the entire lower half of her
body performs the kick! Furthermore, she can transform into a defensive
mode! Close her shoulder panels in front of her bust. Then lift up three
of her spider legs. I wonder if she uses this mode when she wants to be
cold towards Silverbolt?
SPARK CRYSTAL LOCATION
What a surprise! By turning her spark crystal, you can choose
between a Cybertron or Destron insignia. Which one do you prefer? (I prefer
the 'bad girl' Destron insignia). The crystal is located
on the spider's back.
OVERALL
Overall, I think this is a very well made toy. Like all Metals
toys, the tech specs card has three images which can be viewed as one looks
at the card from a different angle.
*****
This toy review was written by Taiga
"Kaigunsantohei" Ota. Translated and edited by Kelvin
Chan.
BEAST TRIVIA
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Species: Nephila
Aliases: Silk Spider, Golden Silk Spider.
The golden silk spider gained its name from the great strength of its
silk and the golden colour of their huge orb webs. These webs often measure
one metre or more in diameter and are suspended between trees by guy lines.
They tend to dwell in the warmer regions of the world. Adult females are
very large with a body length of 25 to 50 millimetres. Males are dwarves,
measuring only 4 to 6 mm. As adults, they build no webs, but rather live
in the webs of females where they are sometimes captured and eaten while
attempting to mate. Juvenile silk spiders build complete orbs, whereas
the the older ones build only the bottom portion, which is frequently repaired
but not rebuilt every day as in the case of most other orb weaving spiders.
Bibliography: Encyclopaedia
Britannica
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