Mattel Creations MOTU Origins He-Man 40th Anniversary 4-Pack In Hand Review
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We take an in-depth look at the new Mattel Creations MOTU Origins He-Man 40th Anniversary 4-Pack with in hand review!
Summary
Rewind the clock 40 years…. and we get He-Man through out the ages in this incredible Mattel Creations MOTU Origins He-Man 40th Anniversary 4-Pack! For the first time, Mattel brings us He-Man in his various forms in one glorious box set! The new Masters of the Universe Origins He-Man 40th Anniversary 4 Pack that was unveiled at this years San Diego Comic Com and is available for purchase on Mattel Creations.com. Themed after all the various versions of television He-Mans through out the years, you get a Filmation style He-Man, New Adventures He-Man, 200X He-Man and CGI He-Man all in Origins style! They come with individually styled card backs and unique card back rear art as well. I have to say at first I was on the fence to about spending $150 for this set, but now that I have them in hand, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I love this set and it was worth the price of admission!
Product Description by Mattel:
By the power of Grayskull! This MOTU Origins 4-pack celebrates He-Man over the last 40 years. From his famous bowl cut on the 1980’s figure to the futuristic galactic outfit on the most modern figure, He-Man has always looked great defending Eternia. Each figure is highly posable, comes with exclusive VUM accessories, and has true-to-character details to look like our legendary hero from TV in each decade. This collector’s set comes in premium “TV” packaging complete with programming designs from each era and an Eternia tube slipcover.
- MOTU He-Man 40th Anniversary 4-Pack
- 5 inch MOTU Origins collectible figures
- 16 points of articulation for timeless poses
- He-Man action figures from the 80’s Filmation Series, ’90’s New Adventures, the early 200x defender, and most recent Netflix He-Man and the Master of the Universe series
- Premium “TV” packaging with MOTU easter eggs for fanatics
HE-MAN THROUGH THE YEARS
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, we couldn’t wait to launch this epic 4-Pack of 5.5” MOTU Origins figures. Each figure comes with 16 points of articulation and multiple exclusive VUM accessories to showcase each decade’s version of the mythic hero.
THE OG FILMATION HERO
Back in 1982, we got the original hero introduced into the Masters of the Universe Line. Based on his look of the 1983 Filmation Series, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, He-Man is back with his fabulous secret powers and famous bowl-cut. He is packaged on the original red rock burst packaging with original new rear artwork .
THE NEW ADVENTURES HE-MAN
In the 1990s, we got a brand new galactic defender, with this newly designed space swashbuckling He-Man Galactic Protector. This version comes complete with his futuristic Power Sword and special golden colored shield. He comes on unique newly branded New Adventures style packaging with unique artwork on the rear of the cardback.
THE 200X DEFENDER
The next version of He-Man was again reinvented in the early 2000s, which took us back to Eternia in the 200x cartoon series by Mike Young Production. This is an upgraded version of the 200X He-Man we got in wave 9 as he is on a unique 200X MYP branded cardback and vac metalized chest piece, sword and shield.
A HERO FOR A NEW GENERATION
The latest version of He-Man brings Prince Adam into some new adventures in the CGI Netflix series, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Price Adam discovers the Power of Grayskull and sets off on new adventures! This design embraces the new CGI animated style and blends it with the classic looks of an Origins figure!
Packaging
It seems that the packaging is where all the extra cha ching went into this set! By taking a look at the elaborate packaging, we can see where Mattel spent the money of this supped up set of Origins figures. The 4 pack comes with a brown outter shipping box with the huge 40th Anniversary logo sketched onto it. Mattel then designed the inner box as an Eternian display TV tube with ‘80s-style programming graphics. Inside the package, includes collectible, unique figure posters and outer cases mimicking a collection of TV guides from each decade. They even made sure to pack in easter eggs to hunt for teasers and never-before-seen art designs for each figure.
Shipper Box
The brown shipper box is similar to all the rest of the Mattel Masters of the Universe exclusives. It features a beautiful 40th Anniversary Logo pencil sketch on the front with a big 40 and rock bursts. The back of the box features pencil sketches of all 4 variations of the included He-Mans with a parchment scroll in the backgorund.
The sides of the shipper both are both the same and feature the same 40th anniversary logo with a black background.
Inner Box
The inner box is shaped like an old tube style Eternian televsion. It has all sorts of circuitry and details on it as if it was a piece of equipment Man At Arms would have made on Eternia. It shows the dates of 1982 on the back through 2022. The front of the picture tube is a convex piece of plastic that gives the illusion of a television screen and then there is a beautiful artt print underneath that features the various versions of animated He-Man and Skeletor for the past 40 years. That makes you wonder, will Mattel come out with a similar set for Skeletor?
When you open the front of the TV you will find 4 boxes inside, shaped like TV guides, called MOTU Guides, one for each of the figures.
Each box labeled a “MOTU Guide” contains each of the figures inside on their respective cardbacks. The front art features each version of He-Man in a 3D animated style. The back of the MOTU Guide features cute MOTU and cartoon themed fake TV listings. Each cardback within, has that clear packaging that you can slide off and it allows you to reuse the packaging.
OG Filmation He-Man
Packaging
The packaging for the original FIlmation He-Man features a CGI rendered version of He-Man in his famous pose when he transforms and holds his power sword in front of him. He-Man is shown sporting his famous bowl-cut hair do.
Then like the rest of the packages, the rear of the package features a TV Guide like listings featuring Saturday Morning Cartoon inspired TV listings like “Cringers Corner” and “It Stinks”
Cardback
Filmation He-Man comes packaged on the original red rock burst packaging with original new rear artwork . The back of the card back features He-Man in his famous pose holding his power sword aloft and transforming into He-Man, a beautiful homage to the opening of the 1980’s Filmation cartoon series.
He-Man comes packaged in his standard MOTU shaped plastic bubble packaging, but this time in a collector’s friendly version so you can slip him in and out of the package. Here you can see He-Man with that animated look, dough boy hair cute, and simplified arm bracers, belt and chest armor to complete that animated look.
Filmation He-Man Figure
Looking at this He-Man figure, you can’t help but think to yourself ” I am Adam, Prince of Eternia, Defender of the Secrets of Castle Grayskull. This is Kringer, my fearless friend. Fabulous, secret powers were revealed to me the day I held aloft my magic sword and said: “By the Power of Grayskull! He-Man, He-Man . . . I have the power! This FIlmation of He-Man is a perfect blend of MOTU Origins style with that Filmation look.
WIth that bright yellow hair in his bowl cut style, orange arm bracers and belt and classic looking chest armor with that huge sword holster on his back, this version of He-Man is truly molded after the FIlmation Cartoon.
Head, Torso, Arms & Legs
Head
Mattel did a wonderful job at capturing the look of He-Man from the FIlmation cartoon with this head sculpt. That dough boy bowl style hair cut has just enough detail, but is simple looking enough to give it that animated look. His furrowed brow and whites around his eyes help to complete that cartoon look on his face .The only criticism I have on the head sculpt is the lips look a little to puckered for my taste. It would have been nice for them to maybe have him smiling or something.
Torso
The chest on this figure is the same buck as the standard Origins buck, but where this figure differs is in the design of the chest armor. This chest armor is much more simplified to give it a more animated look. The red squares have been removed and the back of the armor includes He-Man’s signature sword hilt just like on the cartoon series.
He-Man’s orange belt has also been simplified as well to replicate the look of the cartoon character.
Arms
The arms on this figure are the same buck as the standards Origins buck, but where this figure differs is in the design of the arm bracers.
The orange arm bracers are too simplified by removing the round bumps and trim and just using a smooth arm bracer. This again is trying to give them an animated look.
Legs
The furry shorts, legs and boots are the on this figure are the same as the standard Origins buck. They are the same brown color as well. These boot however are all brown again to give it that more simplified animated look.
Accessories
The OG Filmation He-Man includes an all new designed power sword and this time it’s in vac metal! This shinny sword looks great in He-Man’s hands.
Comparison to retail release
Here are take a look at the retail release figure versus the new 40th Anniversary Filmation He-Man. As mentioned above, both figures pretty much use the same buck with similar torso, arms and legs. But where they differ is in the accessories like the simplified arm bracers, belt and chest armor. When you see the two figures side by side, you can really see the animated look of the new figure.
The heads are where the most difference can be seen. The retail release He-Man has the vintage figure styled head. Where as the new Filmation version has an animated style head that has a very cartoon like face with the whites in the eyes, expressive eyebrows and facial expression.
From the back, you can really seen the difference in their head sculpts where the retail release He-Man has the vintage figure styled hair style. Where as the new Filmation version has an animated style hais style.
Also the back of the chest armor is very different in both the detail and the way it attaches. The retail release chest armor has the red squares along the straps and the MOTU Origins He-Man style holder for the sword or axe. Where as the Filmation version has straps that attach more like the vintage figure, but then include a huge sword holster with the look of the one He-Man has in the cartoon.
New Adventures Galactic Protector He-Man
Packaging
The packaging for the New Adventures He-Man features a CGI rendered version of the Galactic Protector He-Man with his signature power sword. It includes the New Adventures logo in the lower right corner. Again branded with the same “MOTU GUIDE” like the rest of the figures in this 4 pack.
Then like the rest of the packages, the rear of the package features a TV Guide like listings featuring Saturday Morning Cartoon inspired TV listings like “Mer-Man’s Undersea Adventures” and “Orko’s Universe of Magic”
Cardback
The New Adventures Galactic Protector He-Man comes packaged on New Adventure inspired and branded packaging with original new rear artwork . The back of the card back features He-Man in his famous pose holding his space power sword aloft and transforming into He-Man with a red skull planet and space in the background in a beautiful homage to the opening of the 1988 cartoon series.
Galactic Protector He-Man comes packaged in his standard MOTU shaped plastic bubble packaging, but also in the same collector’s friendly version so you can slip him in and out of the package. Here you can see our New Adventures style He-Man with that animated look, pony tail style hair do, and simplified New Adventures style arm brown bracers, belt and chest armor to complete that animated look. He is also holding a gold colored vac metal shield in that New Adventures style. This has to be my favorite figure of the 4-pack!
Galactic Protector He-Man Figure
Out of all 4 version of He-Man in this special edition set, this has got to be my favorite of the bunch! Galactic Protector He Man is a perfect tribute to the 1988 version reimagined into Origins form! We got a brand new galactic defender, with this newly designed space swashbuckling He-Man Galactic Protector. This version comes complete with his futuristic Power Sword and special golden colored shield.
Head, Torso, Arms & Legs
Head
This head sculpt is the best of the bunch! In a unique totally animated look, this pony tailed space squash buckling hero’s head sculpt is translated beautifully into Origins form. His cute eyes with the whites and brown pupils, blonde eye brows, and smirk on his face help to complete his adorable animated look!
Torso
This version of He-Man uses the standard Origins torso, but features a totally new brown chest strap with red buckled accents. He includes a strap on the back to place his galactic power sword as well. His belt is intergrated into his chest strap in the same brown plastic color with red buckled accents.
Arms
The arms feature the same standard MOTU Origins arms we have become accustomed to and, to change it up, they are using the same simplified arm bracers but in a brown color, with darker brown colored paint app accents.
Legs
This He-Man features uniquely styled legs wearing blue tights and newly sculpted New Adventure styled boots. They also have some nice darker brown colored trim along the top and brown laces.
Accessories
Galactic Protector He-Man also comes with vac metal accessories styled after the 1988 New Adventures He-Man vintage action figure. but this time his shield is a beautiful gold vac metal finish. Making the shield in a gold colored finish was the chef’s kiss on this figure and finishes him off nicely! And he come with space designed power sword in a silver vac metal color.
200X He-Man
Packaging
The packaging for the 200X He-Man features a CGI rendered version of the MYP styled He-Man with that crazy wind swept hair. Again branded with the same “MOTU GUIDE” like the rest of the figures in this 4 pack.
This one too, like the rest of the packages, the rear of the package features a TV Guide like listings featuring different TV show inspired listings like ” Good Morning Eternia” and “Duncan’s Creek”
Cardback
200X He-Man comes packaged on Mike Young Productions inspired and branded packaging with original new rear artwork . The back of the card back features He-Man in his famous pose holding his power sword aloft and transforming into He-Man, a beautiful homage to the opening of the MYP cartoon series.
MYP 200X He-Man comes packaged in his standard MOTU shaped plastic bubble packaging, but this time in a collector’s friendly version so you can slip him in and out of the package. Here you can see He-Man with that animated MYP look including his iconic styled chest armor, wind swept hair and silver arm bracers and belt. We also get to see his stunning vac metal shield he is holding in the front of the packaging.
200X He-Man Figure
The 200x He-Man and 200x is a reimagining of the Mike Young Productions figures in Origins form! Featuring a brand new head sculpt, armor, weapons, and accessories, Mattel paid homage to the this iconic characters in a major way as we get to look at what the 200x figure could have looked like IF he was made for the vintage line! This figure has already been released in the standard line in Wave 9, but with minor updates to the figure but some major upgrades to his weapons!
Head, Torso, Arms & Legs
Head
Just like the retail release, with a brand new head sculpt and expression, this version of He-Man features yellow hair that is sculpted like it is blowing in the wind. The hair hangs down over his eyebrows and is sculpted to look very natural, with lots of layers in the back. His hair is also shoulder length and hangs down above his trapezius muscles. This version of 200X He-Man however has a darker color hair, which I think looks much better. He has an open, gritting teeth facial feature and they gave him really high apple looking cheekbones that go well with the MYP style. Another aspect to point out is He-Man has ears in this sculpt where the previous versions do not as his hair hides his ears.
Torso
The chest armor is amazing as it features the symbol from the MYP cartoon and the 200x figure line! In a hexagonal piece that connects the brown straps together, the symbol is painted a nice red and a textured gold background setting it off! This version differs from the retail release because the squares are painted red where as on the retail release, they are the plastic brown color. The chest straps feature rectangular sculpted parts that mirror real life straps, which are not present on the back of the harness. There is one contact point where the harness secures for easy access if you want take it off and you can even stow his iconic power sword in the back!
Arms
The arms feature the same standard MOTU Origins arms we have become accustomed to and, to change it up, they added silver paint to the wrist cuffs that match his belt and weapons that tie everything in so nicely! They are the same on the standard 200X He-Man retail release.
Waist and Legs
The belt design is stunning and it features the same red and gold paint app we saw in his chest armor, with the cross design smack dab in the middle! It also has a more angular design to it than the standard MOTU belt pieces we are used to! What hasn’t changed in the furry loin cloth in the front below the belt that has a brown color that ties in with the rest of the figure. In the back of the loin cloth, they sculpted what looks like a pocket in the back, which was a nice surprise as this was not a feature on the original He-Man 200x MYP figure! The belt also features smaller rivet detail that goes all the way around to the back!
He is wearing all brown boots, which are the same boots as the standard He-Man is a darker brown color. They are the same on the 200X retail release.
Accessories
The Power Sword is one of coolest designs. This is a gorgous vac metal finish with green painted accents. The cross-guard, or quillons have almost a claw-like appearance and seem to cradle the base of the blade. It also has the cross symbol that is found on He-Man’s belt in the middle of the cross-guard. The standard retail release is just a silver colored plastic.
The axe absolutely beautiful looking. It is a scaled down version that has a lot of the ornate detail that was found on the original MYP version. There is a lot of intricate detail and on this vac metal version they added paint to match the he MYP version. The standard retail release is just a silver colored plastic with no added paint detail, which is expected for an Origins accessory.
The shield is the most detailed out of any in the Origins line. It has a lot of rivets surrounding the outer part of the shield and the inner parts. The red texture on the shield is a very nice touch too! This too is in a stunning vac metal finish, unlike the standard retail release is just a silver colored plastic with red accents.
Comparison to retail release
Both figures are exactly the same except for two features. The standard retail release comes with a different hair color than the 40th Anniversary version. And the second change in the figure is the chest armor on the 40th anniversary version has the squares painted in red, where the standard retail release is just the plastic brown color.
Here we can see the two heads next to each other. The standard retail release comes with bright yellow hair, while 40th Anniversary version has a more dirty blonde colored hair. I actually really like the look of the newer dirty blonde version much better.
The biggest difference in the two figures is the included accessories. The 40th anniversary edition includes those beautiful vac metal weapons with added paint applications. Where the standard retail release is just a silver colored plastic, besides the shield with some red accents.
Netflix GCI He-Man
Packaging
The packaging for the Netflix’s 2021 CGI He-Man features a CGI rendered version of this new animated styled He-Man with that crazy stylized hair do, and yellow tattoo marking on his arms. Again branded with the same “MOTU GUIDE” like the rest of the figures in this 4 pack.
The back of this package too, like the rest of the packages, the rear of the package features a Saturday Morning TV Guide like listings featuring TV show inspired listings like ” Talking with Teela” and “Grayskull Greats”
Cardback
The Netflix He_Man and the Masters of the Universe CGI He-Man comes packaged on a cartoon branded branded packaging featuring the new version of Castle Grayskull and show logo with original new rear artwork . The back of the card back features He-Man in his famous pose holding his giant newly designed power sword aloft and transforming into He-Man, a beautiful homage to the opening of the Netflix CGI cartoon series.
CGI He-Man comes packaged in the same standard MOTU shaped plastic bubble packaging, also in the collector’s friendly version so you can slip him in and out of the package. Here you can see CGI He-Man with that animated look including his iconic styled hair do, uniquely redesigned chest armor, yellow tattoos on his arms, and newly designed belt, blue tights and silver boots.
Netflix CGI He-Man Figure
This version of He-Man brings Prince Adam into some new adventures in the CGI Netflix series, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Price Adam discovers the Power of Grayskull and sets off on new adventures! This design embraces the new CGI animated style and blends it with the classic looks of an Origins figure! This CGI version of He-Man gets the Origins treatment, and in my opinion, these proportions suit him nicely! He includes his signature newly designed chest armor, arm bracers, new loin cloth pants and boots. He includes his signature giant power sword in a gorgous silver and gold vac metal finish.
Head, Torso, Arms & Legs
Head
His head sculpt is where this figure really shines! They really did a great job in capturing the CGI animated look of He-Man with his crazy hair do, but made his face look really cute! I surprising like this figure a lot more than I expected to! Same as the New Adventures He-Man, this version also has white eyes, with greenish pupils, blonde eyebrows, and a very strong jaw line and a huge smile on his face! His facial expression makes him look adorable and I am really digging this figure!
Torso
His torso uses the same origins buck colored in dark blue ,but then he is wearing his CGI inspired silver chest armor with the newly design red H in the center. His back has a peg hole to store his giant power sword.
His waist has a brand new origins sculpted belt and loin cloth design that looks like the CGI version. It has the Grayskull skull as a belt buckle and cyan colored clothes draped from the front and back.
Arms
He uses standard Origins style arms, but with brand new silver and dark blue arm bracers styled after the CGI figure and this time includes those crazy looking yellow tattoo markings on his arms.
Legs
His legs are a brand new design as well, but look like the use the same buck as the New Adventures He-Man. He is wearing dark blue tights and uniquely styled silver boots.
Accessories
The CGI He-Man comes with his signature ginormous power sword finished in a gorgous silver vac metal finish with a gold vac metal base and hilt.
40 Years of He-Man
We are so lucky to be living thru a time where we get to celebrate 40 incredible years of He-Man! The Origins line has thus far been able to capture almost all of the versions of He-Man through out these 40 years. We know we are getting the one of the last two versions of He-Man yet to be made, Thunder Punch He-Man which was quickly seen in the Eternia Display at this years SDCC. And Laser Light He-Man has been hinted to on the Camo Khan card art. So we thought it only fitting to put together this graphic below illustrating the different figure versions of He-Man with their original release dates, but in Origins form!
Summary
After getting this new 40th Anniversary 4 Pack in hand, I have to say I was surprising pleased and ended up really loving this set! With the incredible packaging to the beautiful card backs and animated inspired figure designs, this is a must have set for any He-Man fan! Yes the price tag was a little hard to shallow, and perhaps a little over priced, but well worth the price of admission!
Where to Buy:
You can purchase this He-Man Anniversary 4 pack at:Masters of the Universe Origins He-Man 40th Anniversary 4-Pack – Mattel Creations
Be sure to check out our MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE SHOP PAGES! You can find links to your favorite retailers for all your favorite MOTU figures all in one convenient place from the vintage line all the way up to Origins and Masterverse!
