The Energon Pub

[Burn]

Yah the chest is just awkward. I'd rather him look better in robot mode than vehicle mode. I think for most of us, he'll be in robot mode anyways on display.

Bingo. The only ones I have in alt mode are duplicate Optimus Primes. Everything else gets displayed in robot mode.

I really was hoping it was an early prototype we first saw, then they could have done something about that blocky chest and that massive backpack, sadly, looks like this is what we're going to get.

Anyone wanna bet my stinky Whirl he gets revisited AGAIN within 10 years?

[Sabrblade]

Anyone wanna bet my stinky Whirl he gets revisited AGAIN within 10 years?

It would make sense since that'd be the 40th anniversary of the 1986 movie.

That next year is the 30th anniversary of that movie is also why I think Takara decided to revisit him for a 2016 release.

[Cobotron]

See, this is good case of why I've never been a fan of the G1 cartoon or G1 toon accuracy in the toys. The cartoon models were crummy approximations full of cheats and trickery so they could pump out those shows on a low budget. I saw it when I was 9, and I see it now. They streamlined and simplified important kibble ( ) that, in toy form were some of the most interesting and defining aesthetics of the characters.

This Hot Rod's legs are a perfect example. They are completely kibble free. So now you have to build a box to contain them in alt mode. Which leads to over panelocity! By removing the kibble from his legs they now have to shove it all up his torso, which in turn yields a massive back pack and that goofy chest.
The old toy had cool legs! He had wheels and pipes hanging off 'em, and looked tuff. the Classics Hot Rod did it even better. Sometimes I just wish they would try to find the happy medium between toon and toy accurate. 2 dimensional drawings can't function in 3 dimensional space, and that's OK. Hot Rod is a badarss sharp shooting warrior, not a ballet dancer. Put some meat on those gams.

It makes me wonder if Hot Rod is going to be our first Masterpiece SHELLFORMER?!?!


Now all that being said, I'm still gonna try this figure out, because I'm a sucker for cool robot toys!

[alexison]

Yah the chest is just awkward. I'd rather him look better in robot mode than vehicle mode. I think for most of us, he'll be in robot mode anyways on display.

For sure. Maybe the chest will look less awkward in hand like MP Sideswipe? The lack of angles just doesn't play well for Hot Rod's chest.

[Sabrblade]

See, this is good case of why I've never been a fan of the G1 cartoon or G1 toon accuracy in the toys. The cartoon models were crummy approximations full of cheats and trickery so they could pump out those shows on a low budget. I saw it when I was 9, and I see it now. They streamlined and simplified important kibble ( ) that, in toy form were some of the most interesting and defining aesthetics of the characters.

Thing is, though, Hot Rod and all of the other new movie characters (minus Ultra Magnus and maybe one or two others) had their animation models made first, with their toys coming second and being based on the animation models. So you can't fault Hot Rod's cartoon model for simplifying the toy's design simply because the opposite was true. The toy failed to capture the cartoon look, rather than the other way around.

[Cobotron]

See, this is good case of why I've never been a fan of the G1 cartoon or G1 toon accuracy in the toys. The cartoon models were crummy approximations full of cheats and trickery so they could pump out those shows on a low budget. I saw it when I was 9, and I see it now. They streamlined and simplified important kibble ( ) that, in toy form were some of the most interesting and defining aesthetics of the characters.

Thing is, though, Hot Rod and all of the other new movie characters (minus Ultra Magnus and maybe one or two others) had their animation models made first, with their toys coming second and being based on the animation models. So you can't fault Hot Rod's cartoon model for simplifying the toy's design simply because the opposite was true. The toy failed to capture the cartoon look, rather than the other way around.

Sabe, I knew you would be the one to tell me this, and I knew this. It proves what I said about 2D in 3D space. I feel that it's ok to bend the rules in favor of the medium your working in. And the G1 and Classics toys bent those rules to create a nice, aesthetically pleasing and functional robot shape. I know it's their mission with the MP line, I just liked that the older Autobot cars leaned heavy on the toy accurate side. I think Magnus found a good happy medium between toon and toy. Ironhide is just a wild card.

[Seibertron]

Yah the chest is just awkward. I'd rather him look better in robot mode than vehicle mode. I think for most of us, he'll be in robot mode anyways on display.

For sure. Maybe the chest will look less awkward in hand like MP Sideswipe? The lack of angles just doesn't play well for Hot Rod's chest.

Perhaps. Time will tell.

I also wanted to add that if they weren't going to do Hot Rod right, then why do him again after just 6 years? I didn't want another Hot Rod with a different set of flaws (albeit these ones are more aesthetic instead of functional) to make up for the last one.

I also agree with some of the statements above regarding the cartoon style for the Masterpiece figures. I really wish they'd get rid of that rule. Use the G1 toy and the G1 cartoon model sheets as a guide, not the rule. Get them close, refer to the G1 toy when the cartoon just is too simplistic. Use the detail from the G1 toys. Ultra Magnus looks pretty good but he's missing so much of the detail that he should have had and is too simplistic because they went for the cartoon look too much.

[Cobotron]

Use the G1 toy and the G1 cartoon model sheets as a guide, not the rule. Get them close, refer to the G1 toy when the cartoon just is too simplistic. Use the detail from the G1 toys.

This would truly make for a masterpiece. The blending of both mediums to make the best version of any given character.

[padfoo]

Yah the chest is just awkward. I'd rather him look better in robot mode than vehicle mode. I think for most of us, he'll be in robot mode anyways on display.

For sure. Maybe the chest will look less awkward in hand like MP Sideswipe? The lack of angles just doesn't play well for Hot Rod's chest.

Perhaps. Time will tell.

I also wanted to add that if they weren't going to do Hot Rod right, then why do him again after just 6 years? I didn't want another Hot Rod with a different set of flaws (albeit these ones are more aesthetic instead of functional) to make up for the last one.

Totally agree with you on this Hot Rod, just too soon for a redo. In many ways I think the previous MP Hot Rod looks better, his chest for example is sleeker and closer to the animation.

[REMINATOR]

In term of looks, the only 3 things I like about this newly MP Hot Rod:
-He's in scale with the carbots
-Able to house the MP-10 Matrix size
-The fishing rod (lol)

Other than the above, MP9 Hot Rod just looks much, much better in both mode.

[Sabrblade]

Yah the chest is just awkward. I'd rather him look better in robot mode than vehicle mode. I think for most of us, he'll be in robot mode anyways on display.

For sure. Maybe the chest will look less awkward in hand like MP Sideswipe? The lack of angles just doesn't play well for Hot Rod's chest.

Perhaps. Time will tell.

I also wanted to add that if they weren't going to do Hot Rod right, then why do him again after just 6 years? I didn't want another Hot Rod with a different set of flaws (albeit these ones are more aesthetic instead of functional) to make up for the last one.

I also agree with some of the statements above regarding the cartoon style for the Masterpiece figures. I really wish they'd get rid of that rule. Use the G1 toy and the G1 cartoon model sheets as a guide, not the rule. Get them close, refer to the G1 toy when the cartoon just is too simplistic. Use the detail from the G1 toys. Ultra Magnus looks pretty good but he's missing so much of the detail that he should have had and is too simplistic because they went for the cartoon look too much.

But if the MPs weren't trying to be so faithful to the cartoon designs, then wouldn't that just make the line be a bunch of giant-sized Classics-style figures (and much more like what several of the 3rd party MPs resemble)? What would be the point of them if they were done that way when people could just buy the Classics/Generations toys and get the same variety of toy for less?

[Sabrblade]

Found this new comparison someone made elsewhere.

Left: MP-9
Right: MP-28
Center: Size-corrected MP-28 with very improved proportions (bigger head, waist, and legs)

[Spanbauer]

Found this new comparison someone made elsewhere.

Left: MP-9
Right: MP-28
Center: Size-corrected MP-28 with very improved proportions (bigger head, waist, and legs)

The mockup on the middle is hands-down the best and unquestionably a superior looking robot mode, but it could never successfully transform into an acceptable version of Hot Rod’s car mode, so...

[alexison]

Hasn't really been talked about but I do like the way his chest opens to reveal the matrix. It's like he's opening up a display case of himself. Very Rodimus like.

[Hellscream9999]

Definitely looks like trash, shame they based it on the overly lazy g1 animation designs

[fenrir72]

http://www.amiami.com/top/detail/review ... 0&page=top

fave pic

[Spanbauer]

http://www.amiami.com/top/detail/review?scode=FIGURE-014210&page=top

fave pic

That pic convinced me to break my "Season One-only" rule; I pre-ordered both of them together after pre-ordering Shockwave separately. They look so good together.

[Robogeek1973]

http://www.amiami.com/top/detail/review?scode=FIGURE-014210&page=top

fave pic

See now in this shot he looks fantastic.


I guess he's gonna be one of those bots that looks good in one position but horrible in another.

[Nemesis Destron]

Yeah okay a fishing pole right, guess he'll be FISHING for compliments for leadership right? Cause he's got that fishing pole you know, so he could fish. Fish for that and umm, you know other things too right? -crickets-

I guess the better watch out now with this pole in Hot Rod arsenal huh, right? I wonder what he'll use for bate? -crickets-

[procyon]

What... no Firebolt? Where's the Targetmaster love?

[SkyWarpt]

Yeah okay a fishing pole right, guess he'll be FISHING for compliments for leadership right? Cause he's got that fishing pole you know, so he could fish. Fish for that and umm, you know other things too right? -crickets-

I guess the better watch out now with this pole in Hot Rod arsenal huh, right? I wonder what he'll use for bate? -crickets-

Don't forget his spinning descaler

[galvatron00]

What... no Firebolt? Where's the Targetmaster love?

Hot Rod wasn't a Targetmaster user in Japan. Rodimus Prime, Blurr, and Kup were gone before they showed up in Transformers: Headmasters.

[william-james88]

I have been thinking, I am really not sure about this guy for my collection. I want him, no doubt, but I dont want to spend more than the cost of a leader. He looks quite small next to UM and I am so unsure about that back pack. And I dont care for the sacrifice made so that Prime's matrix fits in his chest. I dont need the matrix to fit inside him and not that low either. This is now my stategy for this rodimus:

I will wait for video reviews and feedback. If I like it, I will then wait for either a takara rerelease or a Hasbro release. With unlicensed MPs (that arent guns), you can always be sure Hasbro will eventually release it. MY MP starscream is waiting for me at home and I much preffer having spent 60$ on it than 150 (and upwards). I will use the same strategy for this guy.

[Burn]

I dont care for the sacrifice made so that Prime's matrix fits in his chest.

This is another one of those gimmicks that ruins figures. It's not something you expect in the Masterpiece line.

HLJ Pre-order is up.

[Shuttershock]

Yeah okay a fishing pole right, guess he'll be FISHING for compliments for leadership right? Cause he's got that fishing pole you know, so he could fish. Fish for that and umm, you know other things too right? -crickets-

I guess the better watch out now with this pole in Hot Rod arsenal huh, right? I wonder what he'll use for bate? -crickets-

Well, it wouldn't be Masterpiece without insanely meticulous homages to that thing character X did once.