Hairsplitter

Hairsplitter is a Decepticon-allied Nebulan Targetmaster from the toyline portion of the Generation 1 continuity family.

Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.

Nobody likes Hairsplitter (aka Shrute). He's a pencil-pushing bureaucrat who gets his kicks by writing memos that point out the inefficiencies of others. Even though he's moved from the Nebulos Department of the Environment to the Decepticons, and changed job titles—from ecological efficiency expert to Targetmaster—he's the same nit-picking dink he always was. He remains precise in everything he does, from snitching on layabouts to searing his name on a microchip in laser rifle mode. Presumably, his partners Spinister and Singe hate him as much as his co-workers did.

Hairsplitter's nature varies. In some universes he is an organic Nebulan; in others he is a robotic Cybertronian.

Commercial appearances

Spinister wielded both Hairsplitter and Singe in a battle against the three Autobot Double Targetmasters, firing them both wildly in their gun modes while chasing down his targets. Double Targetmasters commercial

Toys

The Transformers

"What kind of bear is best?"
"That's a ridiculous question."
"False. Black bear"

• Spinister (Targetmaster, 1988)

The Transformers Hairsplitter, like all the "double" Targetmaster Nebulans, is one of the smallest and least complicated Transformers; fold the barrel away, and stand him up. He was released with the Decepticon Spinister in 1988. No version of this character or mold was released in Japan.

• More information on Hairsplitter at TFU.info

Generations

Combiner Wars

"Identity theft is not a joke, Singe! Millions of families suffer every orbital cycle!"

• Spinister (TFSS 4.0, 2016)

Renamed "Shrute" (likely due to trademark reasons), this Combiner Wars version of Hairsplitter is a redeco of the Thrilling 30 Holepunch mold. He converts into a gun, and can combine with his buddy Singe to form a super-gun.

He and Singe were packed in with Spinister, the third figure sent in the Figure Subscription Service 4.0.

War for Cybertron: Siege

"I'm the Assistant Squadron leader."
"Assistant to the Squadron Leader."
"Same thing."
"No, it's lower, so..."
"It's close."

• Decepticon Phantomstrike Squadron (Multi-pack, 2019)
  • ID number: WFC-S27
  • Accessories: 2 "HPI Null-Ray Laser Launchers, Fracas Battle Master, Shrute Battle Master, Terror-Daxtyl Battle Master, 5 fire blasts

Packaged with Skywarp, Fracas, and Terror-Daxtyl, "Shrute" is a redeco of Aimless, who is in turn a retool of Blowpipe. He transforms from robot to the "Manifold Ion Particle Blaster" and back. He includes two "Fire Blast" effect pieces that can be used to simulate his blaster mode firing, and can slot onto the various hardpoints found on other figures and weaponry from the same subline to simulate blaster fire or explosions. The actual gun barrel piece can detach from the back, revealing a 3 mm peg, and connect to his arm like a cannon.

This set was made available at general retail in Taiwan without prior announcement from Hasbro, and was an Amazon exclusive for North America, which also label the set as "Final Strike Figure Series: Part 2." If you choose, you can pair him with any version of Spinister, including his most recent Siege figure.

Notes

• Singe and Hairsplitter's images were swapped in More than Meets the Eye.
• Hairsplitter is the only Double Targetmaster to have a 'generic' recolor—a Mini-Con based on his character model appeared in Armada.
• A pencil-pushing petty bureaucrat office drone named "Shrute"? Sounds vaguely familiar...