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AllNewSuperRobot wrote:

primalxconvoy wrote:

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Hindsight being what it is but, if so many people hadn't literally thrown money at the blatantly overpriced MP-44. HasTak might have given pause to the price hikes of the MP line.

"So many people"? Almost everyone I know in my (real-life) TF-collecting circle of chums didn't bother getting it, due to the price, QC issues, aesthetic choice (compared the VERY popular MP10), etc.

If that circle refers to people in the range of four or five figures. That makes it an effective metric, for a collector line. I do a lot of sourcing figures. MP-44 was one of a small handful of MP's consistently sold out across multiple outlets. By the same token, the few available on the secondary market have an insane mark-up. Yet, they too also sell. Indicative of demand. Subsequently, since the first month or two after MP-44 was released. I see a lot of used MP-10's appear on the secondary market.

primalxconvoy wrote:The price hikes, amongst other things, were due to a shrinking market. Takara shed most surplus fans (interested in the previous aesthetic for MPs) and concentrated upon a smaller, but consistent "hardcore G1/toon aesthetic" demographic of older Japanese collectors. I think this moved into alignment with them then largely abandoning spending more money on extensive repaints of CHUG figures (to share such costs with Hasbro) and concentrating their "hardcore domestic collectors' line" more MPs, similar to how Bandai does with their (IMO, absurdly overpriced) collectors' figures (Gundam metal builds, Macross, etc).

The distinction being, prices always rise. That is the nature of retail. But there were certain milestones wherein the price leapt to a far higher level than it's contemporaries. From the Beast Wars line, Blackarachnia is the prime example. Yes, Megs and Dinobot are very expensive. But unlike BA, they aren't more expensive than figures bigger and better made than them (within the line). That hike, which they tried to justify with the inclusion of a stand.

An opportunity presented itself. Both Takara and Hasbro seized upon it and MP-44 was sold for the price he was. Conversely, MP-49 was released with what was probably a more honest mark-up (and better knees, apparently). Those that buy into the idea the trailer covered the price difference between them...

"* This product will be sold exclusively at TAKARATOMY MALL in Japan. Cannot be canceled after ordering

See more product description

Selling price :

The

38,500 yen (tax included)

Earned points: 350 points In stock: ◎ In stock Release date: Late January 2023

Item No .: 4904810133452 Manufacturer: TAKARATOMY Brand: Transformer Package size: W490 x H410 x D160mm Target age: 15 years old ~"

Original Japanese:

※この商品は、国内ではタカラトミーモール限定で販売いたします。ご注文後のキャンセルはできません

商品説明をもっとみる

販売価格 :

 

38,500円（税込）

獲得ポイント :350ポイント在庫 :◎在庫あり発売日 :2023年1月下旬

商品番号 :4904810133452メーカー :タカラトミーブランド :トランスフォーマーパッケージサイズ :W490×H410×D160mm対象年齢 :15歳～

chuckdawg1999 wrote:I never thought we'd see this and due to being a Takara Tomy Mall exclusive I'll never have it.

chuckdawg1999 wrote:I never thought we'd see this and due to being a Takara Tomy Mall exclusive I'll never have it.

william-james88 wrote:Come see the images for this epic reveal of MP-57 Masterpiece Skyfire / Jetfire.The pics come from Dengeki Hobby which has become the place where Takara reveals their Masterpiece figures.

william-james88 wrote:

chuckdawg1999 wrote:I never thought we'd see this and due to being a Takara Tomy Mall exclusive I'll never have it.

Just buy it from bbts or pulse like all other ttm exclusive. The hasbro release is even cheaper, only 260
https://www.bigbadtoystore.com/Product/ ... ils/208223

blackeyedprime wrote:
Also really nice to see an official toy being better than third parties for a change and not needing upgrades out of the box.

primalxconvoy wrote:

blackeyedprime wrote:
Also really nice to see an official toy being better than third parties for a change and not needing upgrades out of the box.

Wait to see what KOs will come out..

blackeyedprime wrote:

primalxconvoy wrote:

blackeyedprime wrote:
Also really nice to see an official toy being better than third parties for a change and not needing upgrades out of the box.

Wait to see what KOs will come out..

That and if its crotch doesnt self explode and parts can be moved with out breaking.

primalxconvoy wrote:

blackeyedprime wrote:

primalxconvoy wrote:

blackeyedprime wrote:
Also really nice to see an official toy being better than third parties for a change and not needing upgrades out of the box.

Wait to see what KOs will come out..

That and if its crotch doesnt self explode and parts can be moved with out breaking.

Exploding crotch?

Care to explain, please?

blackeyedprime wrote:

primalxconvoy wrote:

blackeyedprime wrote:

primalxconvoy wrote:

blackeyedprime wrote:
Also really nice to see an official toy being better than third parties for a change and not needing upgrades out of the box.

Wait to see what KOs will come out..

That and if its crotch doesnt self explode and parts can be moved with out breaking.

Exploding crotch?

Care to explain, please?

There was some reports of the swirly plastic on MP Beast Wars Megatrons groin area occasionally self destructing.

Barricade.it wrote:I hate that this figure has the wings attached to the backpack: the original Skyfire (like the Macross toy He was derivated from) has the wings on the reare of the chest, not on the backpack.

This gives to the alt mode a weird shape.