Preamble
Modfans…. I’d heard that name before but I couldn’t place it. So, I took myself off to the Internet and soon found out where I’d seen it before. A few years back they produced a ‘talking’ fusion canon replacement for MP-36 Megatron that spoke English. With my thought niggle fully abated I could turn my focus to the figure that they were releasing, AL01S Ruller, or an MP version of a transforming Roller to you and me. Now I don’t usually hold much value in having things transform that hadn’t had that ability previously, for example; Cybertron, The Ark, The Nemesis etc… Don’t get me wrong, I can see the appeal but it’s not something that has really caught my attention. However after seeing the preview images of Ruller…. Modfans, you have my attention!
Box & Accessories
The box is very simple, borderline drab one could say but not me. Its simplicity makes it stand out, I like the muted colours and the ‘technical’ drawings of the robot and vehicle that adorn it, gives it a premium feel. The air of a product that has been well thought out and designed. Opening the box up and Ruller is housed in a two part clam (in robot mode), with his two guns at his side. Under the clam is a bag containing the instructions and the all important hose (no collectors card here folks). My fellow G1 enthusiast will know how precious that little item is these days. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, printed to both sides with a splash of colour here and there over the monochrome. The two guns can be joined together to make a ‘rifle’, but while separated the hose can be attached to both to mimic it’s G1 inspiration.
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In vehicle mode, Ruller is immediately recognisable as Roller. This being the silver version that was more common with the Diaclone Battle Convoy, Convoy (Japan) and the numerous re-releases since. I do have the Blue/Red version on order, but as of writing it has not yet arrived to me. I am considering ordering the IDW colour version, but not decided as yet. But back to Ruller. In this mode he is bigger than Roller that comes with MP-10, I don’t have the Official MP-44 so cannot compare him to that versions Roller, but looking at images over the Web it appears to be larger than that one also. As you’d expect, six wheels and four seats, but there is no leg room to accommodate a figure to ride along. Ruller can hitch up to both MP-10 and MP-44 without the need of an adapter, and due to his diminutive size, can fit comfortably in both versions trailers. The guns (when combined) fit in a slot behind the read light, however the front portion needs rotating to fit, this stops the handle catching on the front seat backrest. Separate the guns and insert the hose and you can re-create all those Transformers refuelling missions you had Roller go on as a child. All the wheels spin freely and he rolls out well, no rubber on those wheels but there is die-cast, which I’ll mention later. Not much more to comment upon here, other than it’s a solid vehicle mode, all clips together well, no gaps and looks really good.
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Transformation is straight forward, quite simple with nothing taxing here. There is plenty of clearance so no bending of parts to move around stuff and at no point did I feel that anything would break or stress. All parts tuck away with only the wheels on the tops of the arms left out as ‘kibble’. But, on the Transformers that change from cars, this does not bother me in the slightest.
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Ruller is a great looking bot, no denying that, and for his size he has shelf presence well above his station. There is a chunk and heft to the little fella, blocky yet with nice lines pleasing to the eye from any angle. Articulation is a mixture of ratchets and ball joints, but all are tight and give me no pause to think they will loosen up anytime soon. This selection of articulation points afford him a good range of posing potential, which I’ve attempted to showcase in some of the photos included, but I’d say he is capable of more given some assistance and a stand or two. Hands are fixed, akin to what you’d find on some of the more recent Legacy stuff, that’s not a complaint might I add. And to be fair, they don’t look out of place here for some reason.
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