Japanese Exclusive: Black Shadow

I had the fortune of finding this guy on eBay for a steal a few years back. Black Shadow can be one of the more difficult Japanese Transformers to obtain (along with Blue Bacchus which I am still hunting). He was released as part of the Transformers: Victory line in Japan. Though I believe he was released near the end of the line and because his character only appeared in one episode of Transformers: Victory he wasn't that popular. This particular find was a complete figure with unopened paperwork but no box. However he was in great shape so I decided to go for it. I was able to pick up the box from a TFW member last year finally completing my Black Shadow. There was an American counterpart of this toy released as well; Thunderwing which had a remolded front plate effectively making him a different figure altogether. So in my ongoing quest to own all molds I had to grab this guy. On to the pictures!

The 'Pretender' Black Shadow

The actual figure that fits inside the Pretender Shell.

Alt mode of the smaller figure.

Alt mode of the Pretender Shell.

Combined alt mode, quite an innovation for 1989!

Compared with the American Thunderwing on the left.

Pretender shell alt modes, notice the stickers are almost exactly the same.

Alt modes of the smaller robots.

I really like Black Shadow better as his colors are more cohesive.

The figures with their shells.

Here you can really see the mold differences between the two.

A complete Black Shadow! And no, I will not be stickering him up.

Overall this is a great figure and a nice addition to your collection if you can find it. If Thunderwing's popularity continues to skyrocket you may be able to eventually find this guy cheaper than Thunderwing himself.