Well… this Blokees Classic Class Optimus Prime (code 71141) has been sitting in my cart for months. You know how it goes: tell yourself you’re not buying another Optimus, pretend to be disciplined, then one quiet Tuesday night, you recheck the price, and suddenly, twenty bucks feels “reasonable.”
So yes, I caved.
And what arrived was a small, non-transforming Rise of the Beasts Optimus model kit, snap-fit, pre-painted, and comes with a light-up gimmick. At this price, I expected something that feels like a toy you’d find buried in a clearance bin.
But honestly? For a cheap kit, the Blokees Classic Class Optimus Prime is… not bad at all. In fact, it surprised me. And as someone whose eyesight isn’t as young as it used to be, I appreciated that this thing didn’t require tweezers, Gundam-level precision, or a prayer.
Let’s go through it.
Who Exactly Is Blokees?
If you’re new to the brand, Blokees is a relatively fresh company from China making officially licensed Transformers model kits. They sit comfortably between “toy for kids” and “model kit for hobbyists”, some kind of middle lane I never knew I needed.
They don’t compete with Flame Toys or Threezero, of course. Those things cost as much as car instalments. Blokees is more like:
- Beginner-friendly
- Pre-painted parts
- Snap-fit build
- No tools required
- And cheap enough to buy without asking your wallet for permission
For collectors like us, it’s a low-stress option that doesn’t look embarrassing on the shelf.
Unboxing Blokees Classic Class Optimus Prime: Simple, Clean, No Drama
Inside the box you get:
- 83 ABS plastic parts on runners
- The body with a battery for the light-up gimmick
- A small, full-color manual
- Swappable hands
- The arm cannon
- A stand
No fancy extras, just the essentials.
The paint actually surprised me. The metallic reds and blues catch light well, and the sculpt leans closer to the Rise of the Beasts design without going full “over-detailed Michael Bay spaghetti.” It’s clean, solid, and looks more expensive than 20-ish has any right to look.
Build Experience: Like Gunpla’s Chill Uncle
The Blokees Classic Class Optimus Prime took me about two to three podcast episodes to finish. Basically one comfortable evening after work.
Everything is broken into familiar model-kit sections:
- torso
- arms
- legs
- head
The instructions are easy to follow, and even if you’ve never built a kit before, you won’t stare at the manual like you’re sitting for your final exam again.
Most parts snap in with a confident click. A few joints needed a gentle push, but nothing stressful. No nippers required. No glue. No tiny stickers threatening your sanity.
If you’ve built Bandai’s HG Gunpla kits before, this will feel like the hobby’s easygoing uncle, less pressure, less detail work, and definitely fewer late-night moments crawling on the floor looking for missing parts.
Out of the box, it already looks presentable.
This, at my age, is a blessing.
Light-Up Gimmick: Surprisingly Fun
The party trick is the built-in LED that lights up his eyes and chest. You don’t press a switch, you just tap or gently shake the figure and it comes to life.
It feels slightly strange tapping Optimus in the chest like you’re rebooting him, but hey, it works. And in low light, the blue glow adds just enough drama to make him look like a mini desk guardian watching over your late-night YouTube “research.”
Stats, Articulation & Shelf Presence
Here are the basics for the Blokees Classic Class Optimus Prime:
- Height: around 12.5 cm (about coffee-mug height)
- Parts: 83 snap-fit ABS pieces
- Articulation: around 20 joints (ball-jointed shoulders/hips, elbows, knees, waist twist, head movement)
- Mode: Robot mode only, no transforming
- Gimmick: LED light-up chest + eyes
Posing is decent. You can get:
- the heroic “Optimus giving a speech” stance
- the classic blaster-aiming pose
- dynamic lunges and turns
It won’t beat SHFiguarts or anything premium, but it stands confidently on a desk and looks good doing it.
Blokees vs Gundam Kits: Quick Comparison
If you’re coming from Gunpla, here’s the translation:
Gunpla (HG/MG/RG)
- high detail
- lots of articulation
- optional painting/panel lining
- more time-consuming
- more tools needed
Blokees Classic Class Optimus Prime
- pre-painted
- simple snap-fit
- quick build
- zero tools
- built-in gimmick
This isn’t a hobby project, it’s a chill evening activity that ends with a display piece.
Who Should Buy This?
This kit is good for you if:
- You’re curious about model kits but don’t want the stress
- You like Rise of the Beasts designs
- You’re a collector who wants something cheap but shelf-worthy
- You want a fun desk piece with a gimmick that actually works
But if you only want a transforming Optimus figure, this won’t scratch that itch.
This is purely a robot-mode model kit.
Juan’s Score: 9/10
For around twenty USD equivalent, the Blokees Classic Class Optimus Prime delivers:
Pros
- Easy, relaxing build
- Pre-painted parts look great
- LED gimmick is fun
- Good value for money
- Nice sculpt and clean proportions
Cons
- Doesn’t transform
- Accessories are basic
Right now, this little Blokees Classic Class Optimus Prime is parked on my desk. And honestly? For something this cheap, it earns its space.
I’ve been reading Transformers comics on and off since the old IDW days, you know, the ones where Optimus gives long speeches that would make even Captain America sweat. Maybe that’s why I have a soft spot for these smaller figures and kits. They’re like tiny snapshots of characters I’ve followed on the page for years.
That’s the funny thing about collecting: you start with comics, just the stories. Then one day you buy a small figure just to try, and suddenly you’ve got a mix of paper and plastic sharing one shelf like they’ve been friends since G1. It’s a natural progression… or a dangerous one, depending on how you look at your bank account.
But for me? A simple, relaxing kit like this Blokees Optimus is the perfect bridge between the two hobbies. It’s quick, satisfying, and doesn’t demand a whole Saturday afternoon with tools scattered everywhere. You build it, you pose it, and it quietly reminds you why you liked the character in the first place.
So if you’re a comic reader who’s curious about dipping your toes into action figures or model kits, this is a great place to start. Low stress, low cost, high enjoyment. And who knows… this might be the beginning of the “one last Optimus” problem we all pretend we don’t have.
If you love the character, the hobby, or just want a chill evening build, this kit is absolutely worth it.
FAQ: Blokees Classic Class Optimus Prime
Is the Blokees Classic Class Optimus Prime good for beginners?
Yes, this is one of the easiest Transformers model kits you can start with. No tools, no glue, and no tiny stickers. Even if you’ve never touched a model kit before, this build is relaxing and straightforward.
Does the Blokees Optimus Prime transform?
No, the Classic Class Optimus only comes in robot mode. It’s designed as a display model, not a transforming toy. If truck mode is important to you, you’ll need a different line like Studio Series or Legacy.
How long does it take to build?
Most people can finish it in 1-2 hours. I took two to three podcast episodes, comfortably paced, no stress. Great for an after-work build.
Do I need tools to build this Blokees kit?
No tools are required. The parts snap off by hand and fit together cleanly. If you want cleaner edges, using nippers will help, but they aren’t necessary.
How good is the articulation?
For a small, budget kit, articulation is surprisingly solid: 20 or so joints, enough for heroic poses. It won’t replace a high-end figure, but it looks good on a desk
Does the light-up feature work well?
Yes, the LED lights the eyes and chest with a bright blue glow. It activates with a tap or gentle shake, which feels odd at first, but works reliably.
How does it compare to building a Gundam kit (Gunpla)?
Think of it as Gunpla’s chill cousin. Less detail, fewer parts, zero stickers, but still satisfying. Perfect if you want something simple between bigger projects.
Is the Blokees Classic Class Optimus Prime worth the price?
For around twenty bucks, yes. The paint finish, sculpt, and gimmick alone make it a great value for casual collectors or Transformers fans.
If you’re new to collecting and still figuring out your limits, it helps to step back and think about how you want to collect. This beginner’s guide on action figures explains how to avoid overspending and build a collection with intention.
