Meet the first Decepticons in the LEGO® Icons Transformers line-up

Everyone who knows the robots in disguise is aware that the story is built on a battle between two opposing factions: the Autobots and the Decepticons.

Previously, we’ve released LEGO® Transformers sets based on Autobot leader Optimus Prime and fan-favorite Bumblebee.

Now, we felt it was time to give the Decepticons their day, and we’re starting with Soundwave, an important member of the team who is fiercely loyal to Megatron. He’s a Decepticon spy and a master of communications who intercepts signals and collects information for his faction.

As we prepare to release this new set, we spoke to Transformers superfan and LEGO designer Áron Gerencsér to learn more about the LEGO Icons Transformers: Soundwave set.

Building a childhood dream

Working on a Transformers set was a dream come true for Áron and tapped into a passion he has held since he was young.

“I’ve been a Transformers fan since childhood,” says Áron. “I’ve been collecting the toys ever since and currently have a collection of over five hundred figures and counting!”

And as a fan, Áron understood the significance of Soundwave.

“His design is iconic, and some features and characteristics unique to him allowed us to explore interesting new functions in the set that helped this release feel like the next step up.”

So, where does a Transformers-loving LEGO set designer start on a set like this?

“The first step was figuring out the opening cassette window,” says Áron. “This would inform the scale of the entire model, and I also wanted to make sure the mechanical function was viable and satisfying to use, with the ‘click’ sound upon closing it like the real thing.”

From there, Áron and the team focused on the conversion before thinking about the look.

“Once the engineering was figured out, it was time to ‘dress up’ the model and make it look blue and silver and like a microcassette player,” Áron continues. “The conversion process is directly based on the way the original toys convert, so even as you go from one mode to the next, the legs, the arms, the head all fold away much the same way.”

He makes it sound easy, but Áron is quick to point out it was a complicated process.

“Soundwave went through roughly 30 iterations,” he says. “The differences between the shapes and forms, coupled with the need to make him poseable and accurate to the source made it a difficult set to pull off while following all of our design rules.”

Challenging though it might have been, Áron also found it rewarding.

“It was an incredibly enjoyable and energizing process, but also emotionally important to me personally.”

The 1,505-piece figure comes with rocket pod, laser blaster and dart accessories. It seamlessly converts to cassette player mode and back without disassembly.

And since sound is such a big part of what makes Soundwave special, there’s a sound brick included in the set. So just hit the play button to activate the specially recorded voice and sound effects.

More than meets the eye

The LEGO Soundwave set also comes with two smaller Transformers bots, both of which are based on constant companions of Soundwave.

But designing these smaller sets was a big challenge.

“Ravage and Laserbeak offered their own challenges,” continues Áron. “Because of their smaller size and because they had to fit the cassette slot exactly, they gave us very little wiggle room. They had to convert into a very specific shape at very specific dimensions, while still being stable, buildable, strong and poseable.”

We know LEGO designers love to hide Easter eggs within sets, though Áron did make it clear that it is difficult to hide anything in a set with such a complex conversion process.

That said, he did sneak a couple in for the fans.

“We have the microscale tape deck on the side of the plaque with two decorated tiles for customization, and a little pocket to hold them,” he says. “And we included swappable eyes as well as toy-inspired stickers that allow fans to pick which Decepticon they prefer to display.”

The world’s favorite robots (in disguise)

With 40 years of history, the Transformers remain one of the most popular franchises in the world.

We asked Áron why he thought that was.

“Robots are cool! Robots that convert into stuff are cooler!” he says. “It speaks to different age groups, different demographics, and as a fan you always have something fresh and new to jump into, while still retaining the recognizable elements that make them Transformers bots. This diversity is its greatest strength.”

So, whether you’re looking for a set to display with your Optimus Prime and Bumblebee models or you’re looking for a gift for a Transformers fan, say hello to Soundwave Superior!