Hairsplitter

Hairsplitter is a Decepticon-allied Nebulan Targetmaster from 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.

Fiction

Generations Selects Special Comic

In 2050, Spinister wielded Shrute and Singe as the Autobots and Decepticons charged into battle against the Dinobots. Volcanicus comic 3

Games

Transformers:Earth wars

Hairsplitter was introduced to Earth Wars as a M.E.D.I.C. bot. Hairsplitter can be equipped to another bot can boost shielding. Transformers: Earth Wars

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)

Part of the fifth year of The Transformers product, Hairsplitter transforms into a "twin lock-target laser rifle" in basically one and a half steps. As a Targetmaster, his handle is a 5 mm post, making him compatible with a lot of toys throughout the entire franchise. His base also features a 5mm post-hole, nominally used to combine him with his pack-in partner Singe to form a super-rifle.

Singe and Hairsplitter were only available with the Decepticon Targetmaster 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)

Combiner Wars "Shrute" (likely due to trademark reasons) is a redeco of Thrilling 30 Holepunch, transforming into a double-barreled gun. He can also combine with his pack-in partner Singe (or any other iteration of the Caliburst mold) to form a super-rifle, with either one forming the "front" part.

He was only available as an accessory with Spinister, the third figure released in the Figure Subscription Service 4.0.

This mold was also used to make Timelines Cline, and Combiner Wars Zputty.

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)
  • Hasbro ID number: WFC-S27
  • TakaraTomy ID Number: SG-EX
  • Japanese release date: January 20, 2021
  • Accessories: 2 "fire blast" effects

Part of the Amazon-exclusive "Decepticon Phantomstrike Squadron", "Shrute" is a redeco of Aimless, transforming into a "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 line to simulate blaster fire or explosions. The actual gun barrel piece can detach from his back, revealing a 3 mm peg, and connect to his arm for robot-mode use.

This set also includes Skywarp, Fracas, and Terror-Daxtyl. It was made available at general retail in Taiwan without prior announcement from Hasbro, and was an Amazon exclusive for North America (which also labels the set as "Final Strike Figure Series: Part 2") and a TakaraTomy Mall exclusive in Japan.

Hairsplitter's original partners, Spinister and Singe, were also each remade and released separately as part of Siege.

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.
• Hairsplitter's trademark-friendly name, "Shrute", is derived from Rainn Wilson's character, the fellow pencil-pushing petty bureaucrat Dwight Schrute from The Office.

Foreign names

• Japanese: Shrute (シュルート Shurūto)