As the pre-order deadline for the new Transformers Overgear OG-03 Optimus Prime approaches, Hobby Watch Impress has shared a special interview with Mr. Yukiya Amano, head of Takara Tomy’s Hobby Character Business Division, Collector’s Department, along with a new, extensive preview of the figure.
Below is the full interview, specially translated by Passion4Fun.

The new “Transformers Overgear” line, based on the concept of “realistic mecha,” features Optimus Prime as a realistic vehicle that can transform into a meticulously detailed robot. Featuring a tactical design and a wide range of play possibilities thanks to numerous interchangeable weapons and posable joints for customization, the figure is a meticulously detailed robot.
In “Overgear,” the Decepticons have secretly infiltrated Earth, taking control of the most advanced bases and war machines. To counter this threat, the Autobots, along with humans, form a resistance and rebel. Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobot Resistance, leads the warriors fighting for freedom, including Ironhide. Normally, he transforms into an eight-wheeled tank and infiltrates the GOA, the Decepticons’ most effective cover. In times of crisis, he transforms into robot mode, wielding various weapons such as an axe and an assault rifle, and fighting fiercely.

.- First, can you tell us about the development history of OG-03 Optimus Prime? Was Optimus Prime’s appearance decided upon during the early stages of development of the Overgear series?

– Amano: Regarding the development history, the idea of ​​Optimus Prime was included right from the concept planning stage of the Overgear series.
Therefore, the design and appearance of the transformation remained unchanged from the initial concept to the prototype we’re showing you today.

– What’s the concept behind Optimus Prime in the Overgear series?

– Amano: The concept behind OG-03 Optimus Prime is “infiltration.” Just as there are proverbs like “hide a tree in the forest” and “the darkest place is under the candlestick”, Optimus Prime deliberately infiltrates the GOA, a fictional Decepticon organization, to carry out acts of sabotage and gather intelligence. I believe this aggressiveness is a defining characteristic of Optimus Prime in this series.

– This gives a different impression than the previous image of Optimus Prime, which showed him both in combat and commanding troops. His background as a former space explorer, as seen in the trailer, is also quite unusual.

– Amano: I hope you’ll appreciate this new side of him.

– Speaking of OG-03 Optimus Prime, the color scheme is also quite bold, a radical departure from his iconic red.

– Amano: Exactly. This Optimus Prime transforms into a military truck, abandoning his iconic bright red for a dark blue and sand color. This color scheme also reflects the gravity of the situation in the world of Overgear, showing how Optimus Prime, who loves freedom and peace, was forced to choose a military vehicle. I also hope to share, at some point, the story of the operation and its outcome, which Optimus Prime and “a certain individual” decided to carry out to conduct a dangerous covert operation.

– We have some questions about the design. First, regarding the vehicle mode, can you tell us about some of the aspects you focused on?

– Amano: The image of the vehicle mode is that of a military truck, specifically one that carries tanks and heavy machinery.
The aspect I focused on was the asymmetrical design.
One side has the spare tire and the other an additional fuel tank. I also like the fact that both components end up at the back when the vehicle transforms.

– Were there any specific points you focused on when designing robot mode?

– Amano: One point I focused on when designing robot mode was the arrangement of the nine tires, including the spare, which are a distinctive feature of vehicle mode. I like how the vehicle tires leave a lasting impression in robot mode, so I focused on how the tires should be arranged to create an eye-catching silhouette when viewed from the side.

– The equipment includes not only Optimus Prime’s signature axe and assault rifle, but also a missile launcher, a really cool addition.

– Amano: Obviously, we focused on the Overgear concept of improving equipment customization, but since it’s an external component, we also considered how attaching it would dramatically change the figure’s silhouette in both vehicle and robot modes.
The Overgear series features 5mm and 3mm joints at various points on the main body, allowing it to be attached in different positions and the silhouette to be modified according to the customer’s preferences.
I also find it interesting that it can be combined with the OG-01 Ironhide and OG-02 Blackout equipment to create a completely new look, such as equipping Optimus Prime with heavy weapons on both shoulders.

– Let’s talk about joints. Can you explain what you focused on regarding the movement and range of motion of the limbs in robot mode?

– Amano: The wrists have a wide range of motion, similar to that of OG-01 Ironhide and OG-02 Blackout.
Additionally, the wrists feature a locking mechanism, so even when holding large weapons like OG-03 Optimus Prime’s assault rifle or OG-01 Ironhide’s machine gun, the hands don’t bend, allowing for stable poses.
Next, we focused on hip articulation. Optimus Prime from the Overgear series has very sturdy legs to express strength. While giving the thighs volume, we designed a hip joint structure that allows for sufficient movement even with the wheels attached. We moved the position of the rotation axis and designed it so that the front of the skirt doesn’t hinder the joint.
Unlike the bulky legs and robust shoulders, the hips and waist were designed to be slim, making integrating such a structure into the design even more challenging…

– Regarding the transformation, how complicated is it?

– Amano: I think the transformation difficulty is about the same as the Studio Series or AOTP (Age of the Primes) Leader Class figures.

– Are there any new transformation mechanisms in the Transformers figures?

– Amano: Rather than calling it a new feature, I think the inverted chest and the large winch on the cargo bed that forms Optimus Prime’s abdomen are new elements.
Real transport tanks have winches on the cargo bed to pull heavy loads, and some have a wire mesh to prevent injury from bouncing cables.
The Overgear Optimus Prime has that winch and that wire mesh forming his abdomen.

– Amano: I think many people have the impression that, like in Optimus Prime G1, the windshield becomes the chest and the front grille the abdominal muscles. This time, to convey a more massive proportion, the windshield is inverted and the winch portion becomes the abdomen.
By inverting the windshield, the sloping portion bends upward, expressing the robustness of the chest, and by placing the winch portion on the abdomen, we managed to give the abdominal area a more toned appearance.

– Can you tell us about the key points you focused on and the challenges you faced when creating OG-03 Optimus Prime?

– Amano: I focused on transferring the vehicle’s design directly into robot mode, making it function as a design element.
It’s my personal belief, but I like it when the vehicle’s distinctive design elements are boldly retained even in robot mode. The same goes for OG-01 Ironhide; after deciding on the vehicle’s motif and overall design, I considered which parts of the vehicle should go into robot mode to create a sleek and natural transformation structure.

– Amano: The most challenging aspect was the coloring. I struggled to find a color scheme that suited the setting he’s hiding in.
I considered using previous color schemes, but ultimately decided that desert colors best suited the world of this piece.
I imagined Optimus Prime wearing desert-colored armor. Therefore, I added orange accents in areas like the upper arms, a nod to the original Optimus Prime.
This is the color scheme I used to decide on the color scheme for the final product.

– Optimus Prime is usually associated with a heroic red and blue color scheme, so choosing the Overgear series color scheme must have been quite a challenge.

.- Amano: Exactly. We displayed it at the 64th Shizuoka Hobby Show in May and received a lot of positive feedback. However, choosing this color scheme took courage.
The traditional red and blue color scheme is far from the concept and image of a military truck, so we opted for a desert-like color scheme more suited to a vehicle infiltrating an enemy organization, in keeping with the hard-boiled world and tactical theme of the Overgear series.

– Finally, do you have a message for our fans?

– Amano: The Overgear Optimus Prime features a design representative of the series. The model is only available for pre-order until July 8th, so I invite you to take a look. I hope you enjoy this unprecedented tactical Optimus Prime.

– Thank you very much.

You can find all the official images and details of the Takara Tomy: Transformers Overgear OG-03 Optimus Prime in our dedicated article.