Video Review of the Henkei KOs; Ghost Starscream, Thundercracker and Skywarp

[TheDrinkingDragons]

could you get masterpiece skywarp

[CMDRKillsalot]

@optibotimus I think I probably had one of the original Conehead variants. I remember it being basically the same mold as the Seekers, but metal, in grey, with a black nose cone. It had a single Decepticon sticker on it, but might have started out with 2 stickers. This is when I was a kid, but I remember it distinctly. I have no idea where it eventually ended up, but it was one of my favorite figures of all time. Is there, such a figure as I have described, or am I simply "misremebering"?

[jrewing73]

Very informative review, Optibotimus. I have the Ghost Starscream figure and have Henkei Thundercracker on the way. I only gave $13 and change for 'Screamer' and $8 and change for Thundercracker w/ free shipping on both. My Starscream is genuine and you might try checking on the inner left calve for the Hasbro Takara marking.. Also, my card and insert were slightly different from those of yours. Once again, great review and keep up the good work!

[ironprime18]

how much is skywarp by himself cause i seen some loose ones on ebay for $50.00 and i need one. and also great review :D

[UltraMagnus165]

@optibotimus If you would like a Classics Skywarp go to ii-toys and you will get one for $30 with free P&P.

[jpkHouston]

.-

[vilvile]

Ultramagnus:

If you have a hard time finding the figures in ko toys, use the site map. They are listed there. Search for the chms figures that are of much higher quality.

[killedbygirls]

are these the chsm knock offs?

[UltraMagnus165]

@optibotimus I cannot find these on KOtoys.com can you please send me a link. :)

[gavinfuzzy]

I bought a CHMS thundercracker for the heck of it as it was going for $11 at a sale.

The plastic is great! The only downside is that i had to take apart the whole torso as the arms and wings were reversed.

Im sure i got the 2nd batch. the Box now says CHMS instead of TAKARA, and the bubble is embossed with CHMS. The one you own seems to have a molding diffrence at the kneecap.. where it is not indented. Mine fixes all the moulding issues and is great ! I want to get the SW and SS one too XD

[808jspekeg6]

How's the stiffness and quality of the CHMS ghost starscream version 2? This KO is gorgeous, but I'd hate to spend $32 on a figure that can barely hold a pose.

[bitchface235]

can i have ko starscream i will give you 10 bucks

[legohero451]

3:38 Decepti-cum

[chardenver]

i just bought a KO henkei starscream (g1 color not the ghost ver). and the Packaging at the front/back is detailed in color. The KO you are reviewing has one colored front drawings. I dont know if they sold me a real henkei or a KO.

[TwistedGentleman]

Just as an update, there was a second wave of these KO's made. The reason for the guns being loose was because he was derived from a late released seeker, which suffered mold degradation. The second release corrected these errors and everything is nice and tight, the guns fire fine, and transforms fine. If anything it's higher quality than any of the Hasbro releases I have.

[MrJazzMan88]

@optibotimus lololololol exactly thats what i mean the company that makes these knock offs has had better quality controll than takara tomy

[MrJazzMan88]

Hey optibotimus. It's almost slightly sad that you would reccomend these KNOCK OFFS but not MASTERPIECE hotrod lolololol

[optibotimus]

@MrJazzMan88 these things cost like 20 bucks and haven't broke yet....MP Rodimus costs 10 times that and fell apart twice my first time transforming him.

[bennylaser]

@optibotimus About MP Hotrod: I opened the box, removed the model with great attention, analyzed it with the manual carefully, touched the external panel of the left leg.. and it popped off! It was slightly attached by a small, short skrew, never broke a Tf model in my life, 1st time. With my great disappointment.

[7prowl]

you now there is a generations thundercracker coming out soon

[optibotimus]

@7prowl NO WAYYYYYYYYY?!?!?!

[Toydude1984]

@optibotimus so I saw in your Gen Thundercracker review you had the updated CHMS version. Which is better the original or the CHMS?

[DESTROKAN]

@optibotimus its already out

[sweetguy13]

well i got my CHMS KO HENKEI thundercracker and skywrap well that what they say they were cause they werent factory sealed they look ok but i have sone issue you might beable to help me with i find the legs on both are very losse and one of skywarp hand are very loose. i almust got all 6 seekers now i have thrust on hes way all im missing it starscream and ramjet to go any ideas where i can get good shape ones.

ps sorry to hear about your sister hope everything works out

[money7830]

they made henkei rainmakers if you get em review them please.

[money7830]

I commented your freind peaugh about the henkei thundercracker,starscream,and skywarp.

[sweetguy13]

i just paid 45 canadian 65with shipping for both of the CHMS KO HENKEI thundercracker and sykwarp ill let you know when i get them. i hope they dont have to many problem

[optibotimus]

@sweetguy13 the CHMS versions are made by different company then the ones i reviewed here

[sweetguy13]

@optibotimus well do you think they are better or worst anyways when i get them ill let you know what i think

[optibotimus]

@sweetguy13 the CHMS versions are HUGE improvements...well worth picking them up

[illiniguy34]

are you gonna get the henkei ko icestorm and sunstorm?

[trickymarigold]

Excellent as ever Optibotimus

[Das4real36]

well, i do own the classics sky warp figure and it looks nothing like the KO skywarp, i bought the KO thunder cracker and the paint apps look a lil boot leg, and the quality isn't the same as the takara/classics/generations figures However, it does mix well with your original collection. it will fill the void until the generations figure comes out. You can purchase these figures at KOtoys at a very reasonable price. 

[edmond5901]

man they are expencive on ebay and i cant find any kos on ebay!

can you do a review on g2 shockwave? if it is real that is lol.....:)

the non dead starscream has some red and white on it still the clear one is a muucj better ont cause its clear rofl!

[edmond5901]

man they are expencive on ebay and i cant find any kos on ebay!

can you do a review on g2 shockwave? if it is real that is lol.....:)

[edmond5901]

man they are expencive on ebay and i cant find any kos on ebay!

[edmond5901]

um i think well i have no starscreams but i watched a review about the original star scream you know, the one that was not dead? it was no clear or "transparent".i saw a masterpiece review on the ghost starscream and i found otu that the cockpit opens,and comes with dr.arcivan i thinks thats his name and yes h is clear lol.

i will tell you more differints later ok :)

[toslyforyou]

there are new versions that are fixed that say "CHMS" not "TAKARA TOMY"....hope this helps someone in someway XD.

[optibotimus]

@toslyforyou actually...i'm planning on doing a review of the CHMS..they are not made by the same company that made the ones i reviewed in this video

[mangamegs]

Ah!! I'm done with the Seeker mold after Generations Thundercracker. Fuck a Sunstorm.

[toslyforyou]

@mangamegs

actuly there is a sunstorm K.O. by the same people.

[blszakkwylde5]

Oh, ok cool.. Thanks!

[blszakkwylde5]

Maybe I worded it wrong lol... I was just asking about how long it took for you to get yours... If you can't remember, then it's all good haha... The hype for getting them in the mail is getting the best of me right now lol

[optibotimus]

@blszakkwylde5 i got mine in about a week...but i also paid for more quick shipping...that's an option too

[blszakkwylde5]

Guess I could... Just seemed as if I would have a faster (and a bit easier) response from someone who's dealt with them before... Suppose not though. Thanks anyways.

[optibotimus]

@blszakkwylde5 Dealing with them doesn't mean i know when they shipped things out or whatever. I've dealt with a lot of online retailers...it varies. But just because i've dealt with them..doesn't mean anything. Sorry

[blszakkwylde5]

Awesome review.. I ordered a few KO seekers a few days back... About how long does it take (guestimate) for a shipment from KOToys? Few days? A week? A few weeks? Thanks

[optibotimus]

@blszakkwylde5 with all due respect...how bout you ask them. I don't work for em

[paradeal]

Are these Chinese made?

[automan224]

Hey Paul hasbros coming out with an official thundercraker in a coulple mounths whats your thoughts

[optibotimus]

@automan224 it's about time lol

[UFOZ01]

I just recentley purchased a ko thundercracker. I didnt get the packaging but only with blister card, small card and instructions on the top right corner where your one says takara tomy, the one i have say's chms even the leg on the inner side of the figure has this stamped on it aswel as the wording hasbro. The one i have is a much better andthere seems to be more than afew different versions of these ko seekers going around...merry christmas to you and all!

[MrNinoslow]

niced review and awesome i just got today thundercraker and i just got today also sunstorm , just need skywarp , nice review liked always and awesome figure

[ultratron562]

i was just on tfw2005 i read they are making a generations thunderckracker!!!!!!!

[dinobot159]

I have a question for everyone.

Is it safe to pay with paypal?

I'm sorry for my bad English.

[lordginge2010]

Good - informative - review man. I have that Skywarp.... he does have "issues" lol.... the left arm and right wing are very loose. I do like him tho..... seems a good display piece as long as u dont touch him lol

[ultratron562]

hey they also made a ko henkei sunstorm will you be getting it?

[MechHaven1975]

They all look very good...other then some loose joints, the only problem i saw was the exhausts. I have henkei Ghost Starscream, and the exhausts are a gunmetal color metallic, not a metallic green color. easy to fix but it is there. All in all i like them.

[GrehgTube]

i have the real ones but for some reason it feels like u have some very good figures because i have some of the problems that u have and i got them the day of the realese. i went to ko toys website found them for sale and thought that it was called ko knock off because of the website name so i thought ko was branding there name on it but idk im just very confused about these just because of the quality

[anarchyrr]

Love your honesty on these things. Will you be reviewing the ko mirages???

[illiniguy34]

do you have universe Acid Storm??

[optibotimus]

@illiniguy34 yup

[2009DCD]

my favorite seeker is skywarp ... im gonna get this!

[JamesStainsTF]

I have Henkei SW and TC, and the back of packaging is NOT colored.

Thats the main give away to look for.

[DualorProductions]

Im sorry to say it, you've unwittedly bought real versions instead of KO's XD ..... Only if Life Was Like That ;)

[optibotimus]

@DualorProductions lmao...that'd be nice :P

[mangamegs]

Got a KO Thundercacker coming but after watching this I guess I'll be keeping my Botcon 07 Thundercracker.

[oreolainey]

I think these look amazing for KOs, I mean, I have a generations thrust that i picked up at toys r us and half of one leg wasn't painted silver, so KOs aren't the only ones with paint defects... and one of his feet don't actually level out either. Was kinda disappointed but whatever... still fun to transform!

[forgottenduelist]

despite the problems i think i will get them. i plan to try my hand at reviewing in the near future, and i think it would be cool to do a review series of the seekers. skywarp and thundercracker are the only ones i don't have (not counting ghost starscream and acid storm), so i figure i should at least pick up a version of them, and i simply cannot afford the originals.

[OhSlag]

I just got the three of them this morning and have some similar problems. NONE of the missle launches stay in, a few loose joints (mainly the balljoint hips) and the chest plate does not connect flush like your starscream. You mentioned you may sand down part of it to get to to sit flush against his back. I was wondering if you have, and where did you file down?

[omegasentinial]

happy late birthday

[shadowkilledsonic9x]

dam i guess im not getting sky warp i was about to by it. thanks paul. life saver

[nemesispeaugh]

after watching your review, i got really nervous about mine. after opening them, thundercracker was almost perfect but skywarp was a mess. he was very loose, but after a few applications with clear nail polish, he's fine. P.S. with clear nail polish, you can fix pinned or hinged joints.

[amewett]

LOL at limp-wristed Starscream

[cardguy123]

i had normal starscream, these figs are epic!

[Toydude1984]

Do any mods yet?

[ssjboys]

woww...its a important lesson that you brought it up!! thanks paul! =D Love your reviews!!

[ShiyojinRommyu]

That clear Starscream looks fantastic. :O

[gavinfuzzy]

Really nice! would really buy it f i see them anywhere... the ko's kneepad are perfectly squared while original has a notch in it ... the red stripes on thundercracker is also lighter

[pjokk18]

For your information; it's japanese. Takara Tomy is a japanese toy-making company.

Watch more japanese television :p

[optibotimus]

@pjokk18 I know that. However, these aren't made by takara. Get my point??

[ChristmasCarl]

F*ck yea, this video is awesome! If you'd like to see Robot Apocalypse, feel free to stop by my channel!

[JJPrime1994]

KO toys products are very common in my country.

[theprimo100]

The low stat must be courage or intelegence... or loyalty, wait, too high.

BTW, When I had my Acid Storm, before it broke somehow, my friend was dating him! :S

[theprimo100]

The low stat must be courage or intelegence... or loyalty, wait, too high.

[beastwarsfan286]

my thrust from toysrus has thunderccrackers back problem

[zeus5566]

i painted my own thundercracker from asid cloud cause i don't want to spend the money for exclusive henkei lol

[illiniguy34]

now your seekers are complete

[somarriba333]

The KO's are missing a little detail on the knees.

[Rc95]

I've heard the second run of these are much better, and more consistent as a batch.

[jclauterback]

im so getting these. well at least thundercracker and skywarp. i bet these are rejects from hasbro/ takara and instead of junking them i bet they sell them to 3rd party company's to make some extra money on bad toys.

[omegamaxusman1]

@optibotimus Thanks to you My dad said he would get me the original *not KO* version of menasor and a KO devastator...and he said he might buy me bruticus also...

[BottlesOnTheFloor]

I could be guessing, but the splotches on the back of the card could be some sort of exploding design but since they are monochrome it doesn't really help to tell.

[a1nall]

I'm glad I waited for the U.S. versions especially Thrust. I still don't see Dirge in local stores yet. The only one I'm waiting for is a Thundercracker, which I'm tempted in getting a Takara version, since Hasbro is taking forever to put one out.

[panzerjedi]

Ghost Starscream's plastic looks cheap.

[transformerfreak1007]

the negatives appear to be starscream in the color of skywarp and thundercracker

[mystery997]

Good prices you get the best deals man wow optibotimus 2thumbs up wow i like how u were confused on the language quite a bit funny

[mystery997]

wow prices are really good and thery're not even from this country man u get the best deals all the time overall good video

@L thumbs up

[BlacknRedTed]

I'm glad I got the original american release of skywarp. But I do agree, those guys arent that bad. A little work on them, and you can have a whole seeker set for a great price. I think I am going to pick up thundercracker and maybe starscream to.

[TheMaDonny]

I love the jalopy drivin' by right around 7:26. You didn't skip a beat, though. You really are the most informative and professional reviewer on the tube....and no commercials this vid. I can't believe it, although, it was a big one for KOTOYS. But I can accept that, because it's about toys.(come on, you didn't think I'd let you get away with it :) ) And, I'm out. Peace-a-Roni.

[TheHiphopopotamaus]

I have found on eBay that most of the people that are selling KO's, actually say that it's a KO. But, still, better than paying 200 for thundercracker!

[wawhupaw]

my missile launchers fires well!

[wawhupaw]

got mine! very awesome and the price too!

[Gabbos]

Wow... Took a look on ebay, its loaded with KO's selling for $150+ lol GUYS BEWARE! These are expert knock offs, its a trap!

[dismantle123]

this should only serve as a reminder to both hasbro and takara that highly sought after character figures should be released frequently. they are only loosing business, sucks to be hasbro or takara.

[HibikiPrime]

thumbs up for kotoys :)



[MewtwoPrime]

i want these for christmas because the originals are to much money

[optronixprime]

I think some of their detailing is slightly off or not as vibrant in my perspective.

They look very close to the originals indeed.

Thundercracker and Skywarp are $125 each or combined

Ghost starscream ironicly is the same price as the masterpiece version

[Kamentoyreviewer]

i want him because the ORIGINAL HENKIE is too expensive.

[dendariiprime]

so, where do you go to get the originals?

[confuzedcharles]

@sidesho229 Can you let us know how the condition of your seekers are? I was thinking about buying them too, but I don't want to risk having super loose joints.

[fujisakimari]

nice

[williamfurno]

i got the skywarp, ultra magnus two-pack at target, IT ONLY COSTED 5 BUCKS!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!!

[JediJennifer]

oh yeah and be careful with the screws, these knockoffs are made out of a softer plastic (i have a nemesis knockoff) so plastic can easily break around the screw!

[JediJennifer]

that packaging is SPOT on *looking at my thundercracker box* the instructions are indeed in color. the cards are identical too! scary o . o try some sewing thread around the pinjoint

[sidesho229]

I ordered mine for the same reason. I didnt want to pay the big prices just for a mold that i already have a bunch of that are just display pieces. Mine are set to arrive tomorrow in the mail I'm quite excited, Thanks for another great review.

[cactusfromrecordbin]

argh i want the thundercracker and skywarp so i can finish the seekers

[ZicronTheDestroyer]

i dont care if skywarps the worst im gettin him, also how much does a figure alone cost?

[carnut015]

Paul, as a casual collector, would you recommend these over the originals on a cost basis with full knowledge of them being KO's? I ask not to raise the ire of the serious collectors out there, just merely for informational purposes. I look forward to any and all comments from all.

[optibotimus]

@carnut015 Well I'm not a casual collector... And they have a place in my collection. Based entirely on the price

[carnut015]

@optibotimus Endorsement enough in my opinion. Thanks for a look at these guys. I appreciate it. As an aside, I recently bought a Generations Red Alert and painted the head red myself. He looks awesome with a red head! Also Red Alert is the first transformer I have bought in a looooooong time. I am not regretting it at all.

[zilvertron]

@carnut015

I think its just a matter of choice, depending on how much you care about the character itself and/or previous knowledge about the toy itself

[tfwdraven]

Excellent review. BTW, the originals DO indeed have full coloured card backs. They look like exact copeies of the originals.

[tfwdraven]

@tfwdraven (Thundercracker & Skywarp anyway; I can't check clear Starscream since I don't have him)

[shadowworrier321]

these r cool i would like to get the originals but they r hard to find. its in japanese and on the starsream i believe that was a small description

[frenzyXprime]

i want that Skywarp... i love Skywarp. All glory to the hypno...Skywarp. Great review wish i could finish watching it

[DaOttqzerrr17]

Should I assume that you're done with Toy Story stuff?

[Animalvader1]

Outstanding video dude! Review, PSA, and thrifty alternative all rolled into one! I've always been a classic 3 seeker fan. Had Thundercracker as a kid, got all three as reissues, but missed them in the classics line. I'll definitely pick these up! Thanks man!

[OptimusSmyth]

My Universe Starscream also has a flimsy left hand! O.o

[shinkuragami]

can you hel me how i can tell if the henkei seekers i get are just KO? cept for the fact about the price? there are a lot of dishonest dealers here... if they are still unopen. thanks

[MrNinoslow]

Nice review liked always I just got ghost starscream I just was tried but skywarp and thundercracker but kotoys.com can't shipped to my address , awesome review

[MrNinoslow]

Nice review liked alwaays and nice figure I just got ghost starscream , I was tried buy skywarp and thundercracker , but kotoys.com can't shipped to my address , awesome review

[ProjectxDurge]

Use nail polish on the inside of the arm.

[Toydude1984]

Is there any way you could fix Starscream's wrists?

[skywarp82]

Does your Ghost starscream missile fire good? damn, your Ghost starscream is very bad, i bought mine from another store that sells Ko toys and my starscream was in really perfect shape, no loose arms, wrists, or guns, and the missiles fired really hard. Still waiting for my KO Tc and Sw.

[Zargkhon]

Always buy originals :)

[optibotimus]

@Zargkhon You wanna give me the 125-150 bucks per figure? I'll buy the originals then

[RyanUybengkee]

@optibotimus wise choice oh wise one. i wont mind KOs as long as the quality is almost at par.

[thomasj61]

@optibotimus is that sealed or loose?

[teGSR]

@optibotimus Yeah no crap lol

[powerlifter95]

@Zargkhon shut up !!!!

[darthdevious]

Hmm, Peaugh didnt seem to have as much of an issue with his KO Ghost Starscream, Sucks with the limp wrists, but the guns are an easy fix with superglue or clear nailpolish. I just need Thundercracker to complete my seekers, still holding out for a Hasbro release of the figure...

[poisanrage417]

Nipple wheels lol

[MrPandemonius1]

Just paint some loose circuits on Skywarp's arm and call it it battle damage, lol. In all serious though, it's unfortunate that KO Skywarp is in such bad shape. I really wanted Skywarp, even more so than Thundercracker. The color green on Ss's and Sw's thrusters is what I notice a lot of KOs tfs toys have. That green, imo, is an indication of a KO figure. I walked into Rite Aid as a kid & would see that color on even fake tfs that aren't even in the tf universe. I absolutely hate that color.

[turkworkz]

Is that classics/henkei or original G1 knockoffs?

[CollectionTF]

@turkworkz Those are Henkei knockoffs

[ProjectxDurge]

@turkworkz Dude do you even know g1!

[amartinez97]

@turkworkz It says henkai in the video title dumbass.

[amartinez97]

@turkworkz "henkei"

[Xybertron80]

only thing i notice that is a very small difference,my u.s. version star scream the shoulder has a tiny square in the sculpt that is placed lower than your KO's.somethin ya wouldnt notice realy.but those are nice for KO's id buy em all day long =]

[toarascus]

To train your self just ask the sellers " Show me the Transformer Facts"

[EvahcRetep]

Seeing as I only need thundercracker I may get him or just repaint my spare starscream.

[JonesSpirius]

I thin I'll give my wallet a break and pass on these guys. Seekers are cool but I am not as much of a fan as you are. Still, thank you for helping to expose the KO's and educate the masses!

[Toadalinakong]

cool

[CoolioVids101]

I would just keep them in the packaging

[CoolioVids101]

STARSCREAM (shouting his name feels so familiar like I have done this with another name)

[kris198921]

they do look real. i have a starsream that doesnt close right and it is from hasbro almost like your ghost starscream

[inane84]

Everything was loose on the real Henkei Thundercracker. Must be that the mold was used so much.

[distortedguitarist81]

@cazza2855 he said they were at ko.com

[luigu15]

Hey Paul .. where did you buy this guys ??? They look cool !

[transformercrazed]

They are nicely done, man

[ifba100]

i dont care which version of g1 starscream i get, i just need one!!!

[onslaught314]

Google "ko thundercracker", and click on the second link (it should be a seibertron page). Although it doesn't show the differences of the packaging, it shows the differences between the genuine henkei tc and the ko. there are very subtle differences, but careful inspection of the differences they highlight on the page will hopefully help differentiate KO from genuine.

[wheeljack52]

lol i wouldnt call that number if i were you, unless you wanna pay long distance and get confuseD. XD