The Ultimate Thunder Roarer's Relic: LJN ThunderCats Lion-O Action Figure (1985) – Vintage Hero's Sword!
Hey, Thunder fans and feline fighters! Claw into RareToyHub, your Cat's Lair for heroic heirlooms and action-packed artifacts. Today, we're roaring into the rarest of the rare – the 1985 LJN ThunderCats Lion-O Action Figure, the Lord of the ThunderCats who led the charge against Mumm-Ra with sword-swinging swagger. If you're a '80s cartoon crusader, your Eye of Thundera is throbbing. If you're not… grab the Sword of Omens, because this Lion-O is about to thunder your toy throne!
What Makes This 1985 Lion-O THE 1985 Lion-O?
Flash back to 1985: Rankin/Bass unleashes ThunderCats on TV, and LJN Toys drops the inaugural wave with Lion-O – the exiled prince turned muscle-bound man-child, voiced by Larry Kenney and sculpted in semi-poseable plastic glory. Standing 7.5 inches tall, he's the line's flagship feline, battling mutants and mummies with a Battle-Matic arm and light-up eyes that scream "Thunder… Thunder… ThunderCats, Hooo!" Early releases even bundled a free AAA battery for that glow.
This LJN original? Feline ferocity. Why the pride parade?
- Complete & Carded (CC) – Sword of Omens, Claw Shield, and mini PVC Snarf all intact. No battle scars, no lost whiskers – minty-fresh from the Cat's Lair.
- Vintage Thunder Triumph – First-wave hero with orange/red/maroon hair variants (matching accessories). It's the figure that fueled the frenzy, defining LJN's chunky, action-packed style.
- Rarity Alert – Mass-produced but survivors dwindle; light-up eye versions with Power Ring? Scarcer still. Pristine ones? Fewer than a Thunderian survivor.
The Anatomy of a Legend
Let's unsheathe this saber-toothed sovereign limb by limb:
| Feature | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Battle-Matic Arm Action | Back lever pumps the right arm for Sword of Omens slashes – mid-swing pose that captures Lion-O's "Thunder Punch" vibe. Durable yet delicate after decades! |
| Light-Up Eyes & Power Ring | Insert the ring (needs AAA battery) into the back port for glowing red eyes – a "sight beyond sight" gimmick shared only with Mumm-Ra. Glows like the Eye of Thundera! |
| Hair & Accessory Variants | Orange, red, or maroon mane with color-matched Sword/Claw Shield (and mini Snarf). Red hair sets command premiums – no mix-and-match fakes! |
| Semi-Poseable Body | 7 points of articulation (arms, legs, head, waist) in LJN's signature bulky build. Fur-textured mane and boots? Pure '80s cartoon cel-shaded charm. |
Unbox it, and you're the Thunder Lord. Lever clicks, eyes ignite, sword swings – one roar? Hooo! – instant heroism. It's not a GI Joe; it's your feline fortress, one thunderclap at a time.
Why Collectors Are Losing Their Minds
Time to tally the thunder (the treasure-kind – no mutant markups):
- Loose Played Figure → $50–$150
- Complete Loose (CL) → $200–$500 (accessories amp it up)
- MOC 1985 Original? → $800–$3,700+ (carded red-hair variants hit $3,666 at auction; light-up glowers go higher)
Why the claw marks? Supply scattered by time. Billions watched, but toys got thrashed in '80s battles; variants add variant value. Plus, ThunderCats revival? It's the Eye of Thundera inflation – up 200% as nostalgia networks roar back.
Fun Facts to Drop at Your Next Cat's Lair Con
- Battery Bonus Blitz – Early 1985 runs included a free Energizer AAA for the eyes – a promo tie-in that makes those packs "powered provenance" gold. Fun twist: The mini Snarf? Not the full poseable one; it's a pint-sized PVC pal!
- Variant Mane Mania – Red hair = rarest (matching red accessories); orange and maroon followed. Geek out: France's "Cosmocats" version? Subtle box art tweaks for international intrigue.
- Auction Apex – A complete light-up Lion-O smashed $3,666 in 2022; eBay loose reds hover $200–$300. Wheeljack's Lab calls it a "top ten" ThunderCat – no wonder Super7 remakes can't touch it!
- Rarer Than a Thunderian Eclipse – Over 100 figures in the line, but Lion-O's first-wave glow? Under 10% survive with ring and Snarf. No reissues match the original's chunk – this is pure pride rock pedigree!
Is This the Ultimate ThunderCats Action Figure Grail?
Short answer: Yes.
Long answer: YES, and here's why you'll claw your cache for it.
- Historical Howl: 1985's launchpad lion – birthed the ThunderCats toy empire from cartoon chaos. No other figure fronts the fight like this.
- Investment Potential: '80s action is animating assets. This one's the Sword of Omens stock – values slashed up 300% in a decade.
- Bragging Rights: "Got the '85 Lion-O, light-up and complete." Thunder… Thunder… – the envy echoes eternally.
Final Thoughts: Hunt, Hold, or HODL?
If you own one?
→ Dust it gently (grime grinds the gears).
→ Stage a Sword-swing showcase, then lair it locked.
→ Never mod the eyes. (Purists are purring.)
If you're hunting one?
→ Prowl estate prowls for "1985 LJN Lion-O."
→ Link in LJN leagues (but authenticate acute – no mutant mixes).
→ Budget like a Thunder Lord: This isn't a figure. It's fierce legacy.
RareToyHub Verdict: The 1985 LJN ThunderCats Lion-O Action Figure isn't just the crown jewel of feline collecting – it's the Eye that sees the value. Spot one in the wild? Thunder strike swift. Hesitate, and it's hoarded by heroes.
Now, roar your rallies, Thunder tribe.
ThunderCats, Hooo! … you have the sword!
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