Slug figure
| The name or term "Slug" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Slug (disambiguation). |
"Slug figure" –or, commonly, just "slug"– is the term used by toy collectors and industry professionals to refer to a small figurine. Slugs take their name from the ammunition term in reference to their small size. Slug figures are characterised by their lack of articulation, and are made from or are presented as one piece of material, usually plastic.
The term "slug figure" began cropping up in Hasbro Pulse livestreams and Transformers product descriptions[1] in the 2020s, though internal product listings have been shown to mention slugs long before then.[2] The practice of including slugs with Transformers toys, usually to demonstrate scale, is nothing new – though slugs are typically renamed things like "mini figures" in customer-facing product copy.[3]
Examples of slug figures
Not all "mini figures" are slug figures! Following the strict definition of a slug being an unarticulated, immovable plastic construction, some slugs in Transformers include...
Generation 1 Figure-Collection
The Generation 1 Figure-Collection was a series of candy toys released by Kabaya in 2003. The line consisted of fourteen blindpacked figures, known colloquially as "bottlecap" figures. The figures themselves, standing at about only one inch in height, were all rendered in a monochromatic black-and-white color scheme (save for two full-color chase figures).
Masterpiece
A part of the Masterpiece toyline, Starscream's realistic F-15E vehicle mode was complemented by a small figurine of the dastardly Doctor Arkeville to fit into his cockpit. And since the Seeker body is such a popular choice for redecos, the molded component of Arkeville ended up being released seven times over, all told!
Transformers (2007)
The "Screen Battles" segment of the Transformers live-action movie toyline paired Deluxe Class movie toys with slug figures of (largely) human characters in an attempt at representing the difference in scale between them and the robots. Slugs in this line include prominent movie characters like Sam Witwicky, Mikaela Banes, Sergeant Epps, Agent Simmons, the Decepticon Frenzy, and nearly Captain Lennox.
Transformers: Prime
Entertainment Pack Jack, Mike, and Raf NYCC Jack and Raf Entertainment Pack Silas and MECH soldier
Generations
The six little guys that keep coming with Metroplex
Studio Series
15 Charlie Watson 15BB Charlie Watson 56 Brains and Wheelie, NEST paratrooper 68 Steeljaw 74 Sam Witwicky 77 Sam Witwicky 74BB Sam Witwicky
War for Cybertron Trilogy
Kranix Kingdom Ark Centurion Optimus Prime Unicron Rodimus/Galvatron Behold Galvatron with all his little guys
References
- ↑ Hasbro Pulse War for Cybertron Trilogy Unicron listing: "The included Galvatron and newly added Hot Rod slug figures make the perfect snacks!"
- ↑ Monzo’s Mega Hasbro Customer Service Transformers Listing Breakdown Pt1: Non-TF4:
"TRA BUMBLEBEE DLX W MMO CARD AND SLUG 38328
TRA FRENZY DLX W MMO CARD AND SLUG 38331
TRA IRONHIDE DLX W MMOG CARD AND SLUG 38330
TRA STARSCREAM DLX W MMOG AND SLUG 38289" - ↑ Hasbro Pulse War for Cybertron Trilogy Behold, Galvatron! Unicron Companion Pack listing: "Includes 14 mini figures and 3 mini ships to display with War for Cybertron Unicron"
