When Mattel revealed their MOTU Origins x ThunderCats crossover figures, it wasn’t just toy news—it felt like two childhood universes colliding in the best way possible. These action figures aren’t just rehashes of old ideas; they’re a creative leap into what happens when you fuse the legendary worlds of Eternia and Third Earth. Let’s break down the line-up and then take a nostalgic look at the history of Masters of the Universe crossover toy lines.
Skell-Ra: The Villainous Powerhouse
Where do you even start with Skell-Ra? This figure merges Skeletor’s sinister energy with Mumm-Ra’s dark mysticism. The result is a character that oozes menace. Skell-Ra features two interchangeable heads—one with Mumm-Ra’s signature glowing red eyes and another with Skeletor’s eerie grin.
The reversible cape has two distinct designs: one side pays homage to Skeletor’s classic purple, while the other has Mumm-Ra’s striking blue and red patterns. And that Sword of Plun-darr? It’s sculpted to perfection, with intricate detailing that showcases both franchises’ flair for dramatic weaponry.
Lion-O: The Legendary Hero Reimagined
Lion-O fits into the Masters of the Universe aesthetic surprisingly well, with added bulk and a slightly exaggerated armour design. His Sword of Omens comes with a translucent “sight beyond sight” effect attachment, and his claw shield now has sharper edges, blending the MOTU’s rugged style with the ThunderCats’ sleekness. He also has interchangeable hair sculpts for more display options—whether you prefer a windswept mane or a tamer style.
Cheetarah: Grace Meets Power
Cheetarah is a masterclass in dynamic design. Her battle staves, now with modular pieces, allow you to transform her iconic weapon into various forms. What stands out here is the paintwork—her yellow and orange tones are vibrant but muted just enough to fit the MOTU aesthetic. The armour detail is removable, giving collectors options to customise her look for display.
Battle Cat-Man: A Risk That Paid Off
This one’s a bold choice by Mattel. Turning Battle Cat into a humanoid warrior could’ve been a disaster, but the execution is excellent. With his feline helmet, removable harness, and clawed gauntlets, Battle Cat-Man brings a savage energy to the lineup. His green-and-orange colour scheme ties back to his origins as He-Man’s steed, but now, he stands as a fully realised character in his own right.
Masters of the Universe Crossover History: How We Got Here
The MOTU x ThunderCats crossover isn’t Mattel’s first foray into blending universes. Over the years, Masters of the Universe has ventured into some intriguing collaborations:
- MOTU x WWE
Mattel’s WWE crossover line gave us wrestlers like The Rock, Roman Reigns, and Ultimate Warrior reimagined as Masters of the Universe characters. From Roman Reigns’ Snake Mountain-inspired armour to Triple H wielding a Power Sword, these figures seamlessly merged the bombastic worlds of wrestling and MOTU. - He-Man and DC Comics
In the early 1980s, He-Man crossed paths with Superman and Batman in a series of DC Comics stories. Mattel capitalised on this partnership with a figure set featuring Superman and He-Man battling Skeletor. - TMNT x MOTU
Masters of the Universe Origins also crossed into the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles universe with the “Turtles of Grayskull” line. Imagine Donatello wielding a magical staff powered by Eternian technology—check out my Wave 5 Turtles of Grayskull figures review to see how these universes meshed. - MOTU and Star Wars Mashups
Unofficial custom creators have imagined MOTU characters as Star Wars figures. While these aren’t official Mattel releases, the fan response shows how much collectors crave these kinds of crossovers.
MOTU x ThunderCats Line
This crossover feels like a love letter to fans who grew up watching both shows. The figures aren’t just superficial mashups; they’re thoughtfully designed to respect the distinct identities of each franchise while blending them seamlessly. The added articulation and modular features give the figures incredible customisation potential.
If you’re already collecting Masters of the Universe Origins figures or vintage ThunderCats figures like the ones I covered in my Super7 ThunderCats review, this line is an absolute must-have. And with Mattel’s attention to detail, it’s clear these aren’t just for display—they’re meant to be played with, posed, and admired.