New Images of TakaraTomy Transformers Masterpiece MP-31 Delta Magnus with Marissa Faireborn

Glarryg wrote:

shajaki wrote:Also, it's been pointed out that MP-31 was named as Primal by a more reputable source. So it's likely that Delta's number designate is wrong

It's odd how some of the early Masterpiece redecoes that constituted new characters (like MP2 Magnus and the first versions of the Seekers) got new numbers. Lately, though, it seems like a straight-up new deco (like Tigertrack) gets a letter after the number, while it takes a retool (like Red Alert) to earn a new number. That said, it seem likely that Delta Magnus wouldn't be MP-31 unless there was some retooling involved, thus maintaining Munky's status as MP-31.

shajaki wrote:Oh man... dont even get me started on the numbering system. I've read some long winded debates over what TT's reasoning has been, and even then I don't think a solid conclusion was reached. Good ideas, but nothing solid.

The simplest answer is that new-character MPs that are sold at mass retail and not exclusives get their own numbers. All the lettered ones have been either exclusives and/or same-character-redecoed/remolded MPs.

The only one that seems to be an exception to this is MP-10B Black Convoy. I guess the marketing department didn't deem him different enough to get his own number.

Cobotron wrote:What's the significance of Marisa Fairborn? It would have been really cool if he came with a Diaclone pilot figure instead.

Marissa and Ultra Magnus teamed up in "The Killing Jar", but I guess she's coming with Ultra Magnus's redeco since Ultra Magnus already had Spike and Daniel come with him.

Sabrblade wrote:The simplest answer is that new-character MPs that are sold at mass retail and not exclusives get their own numbers. All the lettered ones have been either exclusives and/or same-character-redecoed/remolded MPs.

The only one that seems to be an exception to this is MP-10B Black Convoy. I guess the marketing department didn't deem him different enough to get his own number.

I dont think there's any logic to it.

MP14-C and MP-31 are both diaclone redecos and yet one has a new number and one doesnt (TFSource is no longer the only one reporting that number). I still find it odd how the heavily retooled Ramjet is simply MP11NR. He deserves his own number. Plus, what's with the N in NR?

Looks nice, I may get him. I don't collect many MPs, but I like what i see so far. I wish they recolor CW/Legends Ultra Magnus like this, and repaint Minimus Ambus into a Diaclone driver. That would be awesome too. I think once I go full on collecting MPs, I may have to backtrack and get the Daiclone repaints.

megatronus wrote:I'm excited for this - I have my problems with the Magnus mold, but this recolor is totally worth it to me. Especially since he comes with Magnus glasses face!

Would you care to share what you have problems with. I dont have that toy yet and was considering it (either him or Encore Fort Max)

william-james88 wrote:

megatronus wrote:I'm excited for this - I have my problems with the Magnus mold, but this recolor is totally worth it to me. Especially since he comes with Magnus glasses face!

Would you care to share what you have problems with. I dont have that toy yet and was considering it (either him or Encore Fort Max)

Sure. I whined about him a lot way back when he was released, and have no problem getting back on my soap box.

The lack of waist swivel really, really upset me. It's inexplicable that every other post-MP10 mold (besides the Seeker mold, of course) has a waist swivel except Magnus. It's a hallmark of modern articulation, and I sorely miss it. To add insult to injury, the designers have more or less admitted in interviews that Magnus was constrained by budgets, and it kills me this would be the case for a line of figures dubbed 'Masterpiece', especially since price points in Japan vary based on cost. In my mind, a few thousand more yen would have been worth that waist movement, and the admission that it was possible will forever make me wonder 'what if'.

I'm also bothered by the shoulder articulation and butt flap, but to a much lesser and forgivable degree - especially with the shoulders, the amazing transformation makes it almost worth it.

Magnus is a good figure - and more than that, a fun, transformable one - but he lets me down in ways that make it hard for me to describe him as 'great'.

Still, I'd pick him up over Fort Max, I think. But that's my MP bias talking.

william-james88 wrote:

megatronus wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

megatronus wrote:I'm excited for this - I have my problems with the Magnus mold, but this recolor is totally worth it to me. Especially since he comes with Magnus glasses face!

Would you care to share what you have problems with. I dont have that toy yet and was considering it (either him or Encore Fort Max)

Sure. I whined about him a lot way back when he was released, and have no problem getting back on my soap box.

The lack of waist swivel really, really upset me. It's inexplicable that every other post-MP10 mold (besides the Seeker mold, of course) has a waist swivel except Magnus. It's a hallmark of modern articulation, and I sorely miss it. To add insult to injury, the designers have more or less admitted in interviews that Magnus was constrained by budgets, and it kills me this would be the case for a line of figures dubbed 'Masterpiece', especially since price points in Japan vary based on cost. In my mind, a few thousand more yen would have been worth that waist movement, and the admission that it was possible will forever make me wonder 'what if'.

Still, I'd pick him up over Fort Max, I think. But that's my MP bias talking.

You say that, and I am just about to order fort max. I feel that I would be more dissapointed to find that Fort Max ends up sold out everywhere than Magnus.

And I totally understand your need for waist articulation. I actually dont find it that crucial since it usually intercuts a design that leads from the abdomin to the thighs making any turn in the waist look odd (like with the new Hot Rodimus). I dont know if I am making sense here, but I dont like seeing the abdominal area move past the designated waist area. Like in the pick below:



So I usualyl rely on the thigh swivels more to achieve a similar pose. And hence my huge pet peeve is when a toy does not include thigh swivels. While the Legends Seeker mold got some praise, I really hate those toys for that reason. My first instinct when posing a toy is having them oriented a specific way and that is always achieved with the thigh swivel. So omitting it makes that toy dead in the water for me.

So yeah, all to say that I completely understand how the lack of what a particular fan may deem basic articulation can be a huge turn off

If I may join in, chaps

I agree with megatronus about Magnus, I think the articulation on him overall is quite a frustrating step backwards.
However I also agree with Will, there are many good figures with no waist swivel that can still pull off that look because of the leg movement (CW Superion for example) However-that's what really let's the MP Magnus mold down-the leg movement is badly restricted. Couple that with the elbow joint making the arms look too short when bent, leaves him looking strikingly odd and clunky in 99% of poses.

Magnus is a big bot, he's no ninja, but still. The cost thing miffed me as well. This isn't just an MP-It's ULTRA MAGNUS! I'd happily have him be the only mold of his year, if it meant all of the expense went into something that really deserved it. Quality over quantity. I also disliked how he functions like the cartoon (transformation wise) but looks more like the toy. MP Grimlock got a lot of flack for being nothing more than an upscale of his G1 toy, and in terms of most of his trailer, Magnus is no different. That may sound odd, but It bothered me.

Delta looks nice, the colours match the mold better in that respect-you expect Delta to look more like his toy (Powered Convoy) He still has that clumsy and clunky aspect though.

bvzxa wrote:I wish they recolor CW/Legends Ultra Magnus like this, and repaint Minimus Ambus into a Diaclone driver. That would be awesome too.

You're in luck, as that's a rumored upcoming figure (minus the diaclone thing, that wasn't mentioned)

First overseas listing I've come across! I was worried he might be a TT-Mall exclusive or something because I was NOT looking forward to paying BBTS's prices.

This is also another good indication that he might actually be numbered as MP-31.

shajaki wrote:After some quick searching (and based on other overseas sotre prices of MP UM) I decided to go with Biggy here, but check this out:



Maybe it's just cause I'm in Canada, but my best option is Fedex. I'll tell ya, I hate 3P carriers. So I'm going to wait for Amiami or HLJ so see what their shipping prices is like.

I HATE Fed EX for TFs. Its a guaranteed tax no matter the amount. And if you dont have a fed ex account, its an extra 7$ aside from the tax everytime, once again no matter the amount. So the cheap price you pay gets that extra fee added on top making it not so much worth it. To be fair to Fed EX, I did have an account with them before and it worked well for comics I bought from Heritage Auctions in Dallas. I was a hardcore comics collector before I went into TFS (I had one of the best vintage Detective Comics collections around, didnt have 27 though for obvious reasons) but the only reason I used Fed EX was because the government of canada considers vintage comics to be second hand books and thus the tax is minimal (not considered new product, unlike these TFs). So I was spared the fed Ex fee by being a member and just had to pay 5% tax and had good service and I was sure these newly aquired gems were well maintainted.

But as bad as Fed EX is, UPS is worse. This clip explains them pretty well: