SHADOW ARMS MICRON

I finally got hold of these! I was told they were available as part of Japan's Toys 'R Us campaign.

The 4 shadow microns are:

• Shadow Ciel (AM-03 Cliffjumper's micron)
• Shadow Arue (AM-04 Ratchet's micron)
• Shadow Gola (AM-05 Megatron's micron)
• Shadow Varo (Am-06 Skywarp's micron)

Here's how they look like after assembly.

At first glance, they look like some of the Japanese Armada series Mini-Cons with black plastic mold. Upon further inspection, these molds actually come in semi-translucent smoke color. Assembling them didn't take too long as they only had 1 sticker to apply each, which is the Autobot/Decepticon emblem under the crystals. Apparently the normal series of Arms Micron are equipped with Energon crystals, while the Shadow Microns are equipped with Dark Energon crystals instead.

Let's have a closer look at them individually:

1) Shadow Ciel

Currently my favorite micron due to its simplicity. Transformation for this blade is very straight forward and there are very minimal points of articulation. It has 2 pegs & a hole to combine with other microns.

2) Shadow Arue

Somehow, this dude just reminds me of TF Generations Warpath. Although a little more articulated, transformation is a piece of cake actually.

3) Shadow Gola

As you can see, there are a few forms that this micron can change into; From a blade, to blaster to a gorilla. This micron has the most pieces required for assembly. However, one thing bad about the blaster mode is that the blades/wings can't be fully kept and tucked in to give it a sleeker appearance. This micron also has quite a number of pegs & holes for combination purpose.

4) Shadow Varo

The last of the shadows microns is also a triple changer. It changes from a drill bit to a shuriken and into a form of beetled bug. The drill bit which forms the leg of this micron is very articulate and provides for a variety of poses.

Overall, these microns provide for an array of combination that you can form into various weapons for the Bots/Cons. I've prepared a few samples for your imagination to run wild below.