The Energon Pub

The whole reason I got into the MP line is because of it's apparent mission of bringing the iconic G1 animation models to life. Or, in other words, make the toys I'd wished for since I was six to nine years old and watched the show religiously (and still do). So what's frustrating for me is when the figures deviates from the animation for no good reason. In my mind, the designers should strive for toon accuracy first and only refer to the original toys for surface detailing (Grimlock being a perfect example here). The only real misstep on Takara's end since refocusing the MP line is giving Red Alert red thighs. It would have been so easy to paint his thighs silver! I can't stand the half-assed toon/toy hybrid approach. Hasbro's the bigger offender with their terrible Rodimus deco that takes it's cues from the original toy. If I'd wanted a nod to the original toy I'd hunt one down or ask for a reissue! Hasbro ruined Soundwave for me with the yellow visor. Such a small thing, but I ended up paying $100 more for Takara's Soundwave (including his cassettes) just because the red visor is so much a part of his classic iconic image for me. Hasbro's Thundercracker is a little better, but his faction symbols are upside down and his tattoos are completely obnoxious and unnecessary. At least his eyes are red. To their credit, though, Hasbro's OP trumps Takara's because of it's generally more cartoon accurate colors (except for roller). It seems that Hasbro's MP goal is to take the mold and deco it opposite of what Takara did, regardless of whether it looks good, makes sense, or is what TFans want.

All that said, I cannot wait for the Datsun trio to finally arrive and eventually get peeks at Wheeljack and Bumblebee. CAN. NOT. WAIT!

I'm really curious how accurate they can get Bumblebee.

Like even Bumblebee's back had no kibble and that simple circle?

warzon3 wrote:I'm really curious how accurate they can get Bumblebee.

Like even Bumblebee's back had no kibble and that simple circle?

Well they've certainly done right by the Autobot cars so far, so I expect it'll be spot on.

Dead Metal wrote:But feature the exact same transformation as the original toys, they would basically be the same, just feature more joints, be larger and maybe even look better in alt-mode, but they would still work the same and look pretty much the same in bot-mode.

That's why I'm saying your point is oxymoronic though. What you've described here is how a Masterpiece Microman/Dorvack/Beetras/Diaclone/misc figure would be done (eg a Masterpiece Diaclone Battle Convoy), rather than how a Masterpiece Transformers figure is done.

warzon3 wrote:I'm really curious how accurate they can get Bumblebee.

Like even Bumblebee's back had no kibble and that simple circle?

My guess is that the back/base will be a hinged panel that internalises all the kibble.

warzon3 wrote:I'm really curious how accurate they can get Bumblebee.

Like even Bumblebee's back had no kibble and that simple circle?

No idea, but looking at the engineering that went into Optimus and especially Rodimus (QC aside), I'm confident they can pull it off.

I always interpreted the disk on his back as traces of his spare tire.

Can hardly wait to see how they pull off MP Bee. The character deserves a proper cartoon-accurate toy, finally.

Bowspearer wrote:

Dead Metal wrote:But feature the exact same transformation as the original toys, they would basically be the same, just feature more joints, be larger and maybe even look better in alt-mode, but they would still work the same and look pretty much the same in bot-mode.

That's why I'm saying your point is oxymoronic though. What you've described here is how a Masterpiece Microman/Dorvack/Beetras/Diaclone/misc figure would be done (eg a Masterpiece Diaclone Battle Convoy), rather than how a Masterpiece Transformers figure is done.

That's the point, the argument was made that the MP line was there to update the original toys to today's standards, which isn't true. I simply pointed out what they would look like if that where the case.
This is Don't concept sketch of MP 01, and is basically what it would look like if the MPs where there to update the original toys.


And the matter of Bumblebee and if they can pull him off. When I first singed on on this site and the art section was just one forum, someone posted a scratch built G1 Bumblebee that was amazing. It was pretty toon accurate, super articulated it even had articulated fingers, turned into a realistic VW Beetle and it was just about scout sized.

If that guy managed to do that on his own, Takara can do the same at MP scale.

Edit:
Found the Bumblebee
///bumblebee-scratchbuild-t16860.php
It's not as cartoon accurate as I remember it to be, but at MP scale and a couple more flip panels it can be pulled off.

WOW!! That scratch build BB is effing amazing!!!!!

What will sting (pun intended) is the price point if it's $80+ and the toy is small. I hope they add value to it somehow with pack-ins or something.

We will all drool when the WJ grayscale pics hit.

Dead Metal wrote:Edit:
Found the Bumblebee
///bumblebee-scratchbuild-t16860.php
It's not as cartoon accurate as I remember it to be, but at MP scale and a couple more flip panels it can be pulled off.

Found this nifty Bee custom earlier via Google Images: http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transform ... er-23.html (the one with the "actoys" logo.)

Both of those mods are impressive.

Do you all think that BB will be a true Volkswagen? If so, a modern or vintage version? Or do people think he will be more similar to his G1 toy or cartoon version?

Regarding the scale - Will the car mode be in scale with Sideswipe and Prowl's car mode? Or be small like the cartoon?

If he is overall small, anyone feel that they will release him with a second, yet unannounced minibot figure so the price remains the same as the Sideswipe and Prowl?

I think he'll be shorter than Sideswipe and Prowl, but I hope he isn't too small as to justify the $80 cost. I don't think Takara will include another mini-car with him, but it wouldn't surprise me if an MP Cliffjumper soon follows.

Stormrider wrote:
Regarding the scale - Will the car mode be in scale with Sideswipe and Prowl's car mode? Or be small like the cartoon?

I think he will be a small car,they are trying to stick with cartoon robot mode scale.

Suz wrote:I think he'll be shorter than Sideswipe and Prowl, but I hope he isn't too small as to justify the $80 cost. I don't think Takara will include another mini-car with him, but it wouldn't surprise me if an MP Cliffjumper soon follows.

Suz, your argument is flawed. There is absolutely no basis to Bumblebee costing $80 as yet. Yes BBTS have listed him as that, but considering that protos haven't even surfaced yet, it's clearly a placeholder price rather than a specific indication of RRP. Expect a price revision closer to release date. My guess is that the price for him will either be more like the Cassette 2-packs, or he'll be $80 and in a 2-pack with Cliffjumper.

If (and I'll believe it when TakaraTomy officially announces it) Bumblebee is MP-21, he'll come upto Prowl's waist, as that's his comparative height on the scale guide.



There is no debate on this. That's how Sideswipe, Prowl, Smokescreen, Starscream, Thundercracker, Soundwave, Red Alert, Bluestreak, Prime, Rumble, Frenzy, Ravage, Laserbeak and Buzzsaw have all been scaled to date and so quite clearly, that is how every Masterpiece from here on in will be done, until such time as the Masterpiece line either ends or is rebooted again. Given that the current line is one giant case of "shut up and take my money!", I can't see that happening anytime soon.

If (and I'll believe it when TakaraTomy officially announces it) Bumblebee is MP-21, he'll come upto Prowl's waist, as that's his comparative height on the scale guide.

Why do you doubt that MP-21 will be Bumblebee? Is there any indication it wouldn't be? I don't recall inaccurate listings for any previous Masterpieces. However, I do remember that when MP Megatron was announced by the online retailers 6 months before Takara officially announced him - fans were in disbelief.

Stormrider wrote:

If (and I'll believe it when TakaraTomy officially announces it) Bumblebee is MP-21, he'll come upto Prowl's waist, as that's his comparative height on the scale guide.

Why do you doubt that MP-21 will be Bumblebee? Is there any indication it wouldn't be? I don't recall inaccurate listings for any previous Masterpieces. However, I do remember that when MP Megatron was announced by the online retailers 6 months before Takara officially announced him - fans were in disbelief.

BBTS have a bad habit of listing on rumour. You might not remember any inaccurate listings, but I do. I can't remember the original order listed, but Prowl, Bluestreak and Smokescreen for example all had wrong Mp designations initially. That tells me that they're listing things before they've been officially confirmed. I'm not saying they're wrong here, but the fact they have Bumblebee listed at $80 when he wont be anywhere near that cost, tells me that things are far from confirmed and that we shouldn't be jumping for joy until something shows up in either a magazine feed of Shogo Hasui's twitter feed that comfirms them as legit.

Bowspearer wrote:

Stormrider wrote:

If (and I'll believe it when TakaraTomy officially announces it) Bumblebee is MP-21, he'll come upto Prowl's waist, as that's his comparative height on the scale guide.

Why do you doubt that MP-21 will be Bumblebee? Is there any indication it wouldn't be? I don't recall inaccurate listings for any previous Masterpieces. However, I do remember that when MP Megatron was announced by the online retailers 6 months before Takara officially announced him - fans were in disbelief.

BBTS have a bad habit of listing on rumour. You might not remember any inaccurate listings, but I do. I can't remember the original order listed, but Prowl, Bluestreak and Smokescreen for example all had wrong Mp designations initially. That tells me that they're listing things before they've been officially confirmed. I'm not saying they're wrong here, but the fact they have Bumblebee listed at $80 when he wont be anywhere near that cost, tells me that things are far from confirmed and that we shouldn't be jumping for joy until something shows up in either a magazine feed of Shogo Hasui's twitter feed that comfirms them as legit.

Are you talking about Prowl, Bluestreak, and Smokescreen's original number and release order? If so, that is not the same thing. I would agree with you that the order and dates that they will be released could and often do change. During the planning and design phase, set backs can affect launch dates.

However, changing the MP character to an unannounced character has not happened yet. If you disagree then please provide evidence to back it up.

When you say "officially confirmed" what do you specifically mean? Are you only referring to the statements that Takara makes to the public? What about the statements it makes to its distributors and resellers? BBTS, RobotKingdom, and all the other online retailers are not basing their preorders off of rumors. Takara is communicating with them. Isn't that official?

I'm really looking forward to these. If Masterpiece Bumblebee is really an old school Beetle, that would be a toy that we've been waiting impatiently for since the beginning of Binaltech/Alternators.

Amiami and Hobbysearch hasn't officially solicited them yet.

fenrir72 wrote:Amiami and Hobbysearch hasn't officially solicited them yet.

Exactly. The moment they and HLJ list preorders then you can essentially count it as being legit.

Bowspearer wrote:

Suz wrote:I think he'll be shorter than Sideswipe and Prowl, but I hope he isn't too small as to justify the $80 cost. I don't think Takara will include another mini-car with him, but it wouldn't surprise me if an MP Cliffjumper soon follows.

Suz, your argument is flawed. There is absolutely no basis to Bumblebee costing $80 as yet. Yes BBTS have listed him as that, but considering that protos haven't even surfaced yet, it's clearly a placeholder price rather than a specific indication of RRP. Expect a price revision closer to release date. My guess is that the price for him will either be more like the Cassette 2-packs, or he'll be $80 and in a 2-pack with Cliffjumper.

If (and I'll believe it when TakaraTomy officially announces it) Bumblebee is MP-21, he'll come upto Prowl's waist, as that's his comparative height on the scale guide.



There is no debate on this. That's how Sideswipe, Prowl, Smokescreen, Starscream, Thundercracker, Soundwave, Red Alert, Bluestreak, Prime, Rumble, Frenzy, Ravage, Laserbeak and Buzzsaw have all been scaled to date and so quite clearly, that is how every Masterpiece from here on in will be done, until such time as the Masterpiece line either ends or is rebooted again. Given that the current line is one giant case of "shut up and take my money!", I can't see that happening anytime soon.

What makes you think it won't be him? I'm basing the $80 price tag on Bad Toy Store's Bumblebee pre-order. I've dealt with BBTS before, so I'm well aware of their pricing. MP Prowl's was also a placeholder until it wasn't. We won't know Bumblebee's until it's final. In terms of scale, who's debating? All I said is that I hope he isn't too small.

Suz wrote:What makes you think it won't be him? I'm basing the $80 price tag on Bad Toy Store's Bumblebee pre-order. I've dealt with BBTS before, so I'm well aware of their pricing. MP Prowl's was also a placeholder until it wasn't. We won't know Bumblebee's until it's final. In terms of scale, who's debating? All I said is that I hope he isn't too small.

BBTS has been wrong before, such as recently with the Fire Convoy reissue. Until I see pre-orders from Asian online retailers, I'll remain skeptical. Secondly your entire argument about the size and value is completely baseless and flawed as you're essentially putting the cart before the horse.

First off you actually said you hoped he wouldn't be too small because you wouldn't want to pay $80 for him if he were too small. As I said, this is putting the cart before the horse. For starters, we know how big he'll be as the 2.0 Masterpieces follow the G1 scale guide. He'll come upto Prowl's waist- that's literally a done deal here.

As for your argument about value; to begin with anyone dealing with BBTS instead of an Asian online retailer, is already robbing themselves of value for money by nature of BBTS being an importer. Secondly, were the Cassette 2 packs $80? Of course not, they were $38 on preorder from Asian retailers. Given that and given the fact that Bumblebee will most likely wind up being twice the size of Rumble/Frenzy (again, looking at the scale guide); if MP-21 turns out to be Bumblebee, then chances are he'll cost what the Cassette 2-packs cost on BBTS and around the $40 mark to preorder from Asian online retailers.

Bee's price depends on a number of things....

The cassette 2-packs were $60 at BBTS. You may have bought them in Asia at $38, but say you choose EMS shipping, that is like an extra $10-12. So BBTS made $10 profit I suppose?

They were also 2 unique molds too, but they didn't have any licensing for them if that is an extra cost? Bee will be one unique mold, but it will need licensing from VW.

Bee will probably be the same size as deluxe classics Bee? Which, makes you wonder if he will have any hand/finger articulation like MP Swipe or Prowl...might be too small? All MP's so far have finger/hand movement?

Personally I would love a two pack with CJ.

Extras would be nice, but I think if he winds up being Cheaper at BBTS I would welcome it.

I hope we see a picture of something concrete in the next few weeks. Getting exciting. This will definitely shut the naysayers up and get discussion going again.

I would think more info would be soon. I am betting it will come close to Smokescreen's release.