Interview: Overgear Optimus Prime Developer Yūkiya Amano

Transformers: An Interview with the Developer of OG-03 Optimus Prime 

Translated & Interpreted by Jeremy Barlow © Soundwave's Oblivion 2026. 

“Transforming from a military truck into a robot, the resistance leader fighting for freedom arrives.” By Yoshida Kōhei 

7th July 2026 

OVERGEAR OG-03 Optimus Prime
Scheduled for release late February 2027
Price: ¥19,800 

Takara Tomy's collector-focused T-SPARK brand will release OG-03 Optimus Prime, the third entry in the Transformers OVERGEAR action figure series, in late February 2027.

"OVERGEAR" is a new Transformers series built around the concept of "real world mecha." These figures transform from highly realistic vehicle modes into robot modes featuring intricate detailing and a tactical aesthetic. With an extensive arsenal of weapons and customisation options made possible by standardised connection joints, they offer a wide variety of play possibilities.

The third instalment features Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobot resistance.

In OVERGEAR, the story follows the Autobots, who have formed a resistance movement alongside humanity, as they rise up against the Decepticons. Having secretly infiltrated Earth, the Decepticons have taken control of advanced bases and cutting-edge combat vehicles.

As the leader of the Autobot resistance, Optimus Prime commands a force of freedom fighters, including Ironhide.

He transforms into an eight-wheeled tank transporter, allowing him to infiltrate "GOA", the Decepticons' vast covert operation, without detection. When a crisis strikes, he transforms into robot mode and enters battle, wielding a versatile arsenal that includes a hatchet and assault rifle.

In this article, we spoke with Yūkiya Amano from Takara Tomy's Hobby Character Business Division (Collector Business Department) about the appeal of "OG-03 Optimus Prime", accompanied by photos of the prototype.

Combining the design heritage of previous Optimus Prime incarnations with OVERGEAR's distinctive tactical style.

-First, could you tell us about the development story behind "OG-03 Optimus Prime"? Was Optimus Prime always intended to be part of the "OVERGEAR" series from its initial planning stages? 

Amano-san: The decision to include Optimus Prime was made from the very earliest stages of the "OVERGEAR" series concept. As a result, the design and transformation concept created in the initial concept artwork have been faithfully carried through to the prototype we are presenting today.

-Could you tell us about the design concept behind Optimus Prime in the "OVERGEAR" series? Amano-san: The concept behind "OG-03 Optimus Prime" is "infiltration." Based on the ideas that "the best place to hide a tree is in a forest" and "the darkest place is beneath a lighthouse," Optimus Prime intentionally infiltrates GOA, a front organisation controlled by the Decepticons, in order to conduct sabotage operations and gather intelligence. This bold proactive approach is what defines Optimus Prime in the "OVERGEAR" series.

-This presents a very different image of Optimus Prime from what we have seen before, where he is typically portrayed as both a combatant and a commander leading his forces. His background as a former space explorer, as revealed in the promotional video, is also a fascinating and unique element.
Amano-san: I hope everyone enjoys discovering this new side of Optimus Prime as well.

-Changing the colour scheme for "OG-03 Optimus Prime so dramatically and moving away from his iconic red is a very bold decision.

Amano-san: Indeed. For "OG-03 Optimus Prime," he transforms into a military truck and has moved away from his trademark vivid red, instead adopting a colour scheme featuring navy tones, almost black in appearance, combined with desert colours. The fact that Optimus Prime, a character who values freedom and peace above all else, has chosen a military vehicle as his alternate mode reflects the seriousness of the situation unfolding in the world of OVERGEAR. I also hope that, one day, we will have the opportunity to share the story behind the operation, and its outcome, that Optimus Prime and "a certain other character" undertook as part of this dangerous covert mission.

-Let's discuss the sculpting. Could you tell us about the key design points you focused on for the vehicle mode?

Amano-san: The vehicle mode is based on a military truck, specifically, a transporter designed to carry tanks and other heavy equipment. One of the key design focuses was the use of asymmetry. We gave it a spare tyre on one side and an additional fuel tank on the other. One of my favourite aspects of the design is that, during transformation, both of these elements are positioned together on the back of the robot mode.

-Were there any particular details you focused on for the robot mode?

Amano-san: One of the key points I focused on for the robot mode was the placement of the nine tyres, including the distinctive spare tyre from the vehicle mode. I really like how the vehicle's tyres create such a strong impression even in robot mode, so I paid particular attention to their positioning in order to achieve a cool silhouette when viewed from the side.

-It’s a nice touch to see a missile pod added alongside Optimus Prime’s classic weapons, the axe and assault rifle.

Amano-san: Naturally, we wanted to expand on the equipment customisation aspect that is central to the "OVERGEAR" concept. However, since these are external attachments, we also placed a strong emphasis on how adding them, whether in vehicle mode or robot mode, can dramatically change the figure’s overall appearance. The "OVERGEAR" series features 5mm and 3mm connection points throughout the main figure, allowing parts to be attached in various locations and enabling users to customise the look of their figures to their own preferences. Another appealing feature is the ability to combine these with the equipment from "OG-01 Ironhide" and "OG-02 Blackout." For example, mounting guns on both of Optimus Prime’s shoulders creates a heavily armed configuration, offering a completely different kind of cool.

-Next, I’d like to ask about articulation. Could you tell us about the key points you focused on regarding the articulation and range of motion of the limbs in robot mode?

Amano-san: As with "OG-01 Ironhide" and "OG-02 Blackout," we incorporated a wide range of articulation into the wrists. We also added a locking mechanism to the wrist joints. This prevents the wrists from becoming loose, allowing for solid and stable posing even when holding heavy weapons, such as the assault rifle included with "OG-03 Optimus Prime" or the large Gatling gun from "OG-01 Ironhide." We also paid particular attention to the articulation of the hip joints. OVERGEAR Optimus Prime features extremely thick legs designed to convey a powerful presence. While maintaining the impressive volume of the thighs, we developed a unique hip joint structure that allows a full range of motion despite the tyres being built into the legs. By offsetting the rotation axis and designing the structure so that the front skirt armour does not interfere with movement, we were able to achieve both a powerful silhouette and excellent articulation. Because we designed the hips and waist to be slender in contrast to the bulky legs and large shoulders, incorporating the necessary internal mechanisms was an especially challenging task…

-How would you describe its level of difficulty with transformation?

Amano-san: I would say the transformation difficulty is comparable to that of Leader Class figures from the Studio Series or the Age of the Primes (AOTP) series.

-Does the transformation feature any innovative mechanisms?

Amano-san: I suppose you could describe it as an innovation. The way the chest section reverses, and how the large winch on the cargo bed transforms to become Optimus Prime’s torso, is something I believe is quite unique. Real tank transporters are equipped with winches on their cargo beds for towing heavy loads, and some are also fitted with wire mesh screens to prevent injuries caused by a snapped cable. In the OVERGEAR version of Optimus Prime, the winch and mesh screen are incorporated into the design of his torso. You probably have a strong image in mind, such as the G1 Optimus Prime design, where the windshield becomes the chest and the front grille forms the abdominal area. However, for this figure, we reversed the windshield section and positioned the winch components in the abdomen to create a more powerful, heavier-looking silhouette. By reversing the windshield section, the angled surface is tilted upwards, creating a sense of depth and volume in the chest. Meanwhile, placing the winch components in the midsection gives the waist area a more defined, compact appearance.

-Could you tell us about the key aspects you focused on, or any challenges you faced, during the development of "OG-03 Optimus Prime"?

Amano-san: One of the things I was particularly focused on was incorporating the vehicle’s design elements directly into the robot mode and making them feel like a natural part of the overall design. This is a personal design philosophy of mine: I really appreciate it when the distinctive features of a vehicle remain clearly visible and make a strong impression even in robot mode. As with "OG-01 Ironhide," once the vehicle concept and overall design direction had been established, I carefully considered where each vehicle component should be placed in robot mode, creating a stylish appearance while maintaining a natural and logical transformation mechanism. The most challenging aspect was the colour scheme. I spent a great deal of time considering what kind of colours would best suit the concept of Optimus Prime operating in a concealed role. While I considered drawing inspiration from previous colour schemes, I ultimately decided that a desert inspired palette was the best fit for the world of this series. I imagined Optimus Prime wearing desert-coloured armour, and to reflect that image, I incorporated orange accents, reminiscent of the original Optimus Prime, on areas such as the upper arms. This is the exact colour combination that has been carried through to the final product.

-Optimus Prime is typically associated with a heroic red and blue colour scheme, so I imagine adopting the "OVERGEAR" colour scheme was quite a bold decision.

Amano-san: Indeed. We displayed the figure at the 64th Shizuoka Hobby Show in May and received a very positive response. Even so, it still took some courage to commit to this particular colour scheme. The traditional red and blue would not have suited the concept of a military truck, so we chose a desert colour scheme instead, one that felt appropriate for a vehicle infiltrating an enemy organisation and better matched the gritty worldview and tactical theme of "OVERGEAR."

-Finally, could you share a closing message for our readers?

Amano-san: The OVERGEAR version of Optimus Prime features a design that truly embodies the concept of the OVERGEAR series. Please note that pre-orders for "OG-03 Optimus Prime" will only be accepted until July 8, so we hope you’ll take this opportunity to check it out. We sincerely hope you’ll experience this unprecedented tactical interpretation of Optimus Prime and enjoy everything it has to offer.

-Thank you very much

Original Interview: Hobby Watch Website