The Energon Pub

Well, there doesn't seem to be a thread yet as only a few lucky Canucks (like me) and those over the pond have seen him, so I'm making one.

I don't have Takara's Skywarp (only Greenscream) to compare to, so I'm not going to go into a detailed comparison like that, but I'll give a general overview, and observations you might not be able to tell from pics, or general things to know. I can take a few pics later if people want.

First of all, it's a very nice looking, well-painted figure, if you are able to take the time to compare a few in-store before buying. I found minor paint flaws on a few, but nothing major. The packaging is nice, pretty similar to the Hasbro Starscream from what I've seen, though I don't have it to compare to.

His eyes are yellow, which is a big difference from the Takara version. He's got a very G1 paint scheme, as seen from previous pictures. The stripes are all very well-painted. There is also no sticker sheet like the Takara one, so what you see is what you get, which is fine with me, because he's got some of the nice details from the G1 version, the red on the intakes, and a little on the hip pieces. Also, the nametag on the stand is painted on, whereas it was a sticker for the Takara MPs, if I recall correctly. The Decepticon symbol on the stand is properly chromed, as it should be. The little minifigure (forgot his name) is completely unpainted, but no one cares about him anyway. One nice detail I noticed was some gunmetal detail on the weapons, as well as some colored stripes on the missiles. Just a nice little detail they didn't have to put on, but they did anyway.

Edit: A couple more notes on the paint job - the rocket launchers behind his chest fans are not painted in detail like the Takara versions. However, since his whole chest is painted silver, this doesn't look as bad as on the US Starscream where it's all red. Also, the fans on the chest are also not painted gunmetal, but again, it looks fine because it's silver.

There are two big things people should know: His faces are the same as MP Starscream's, not Skywarp's. So he really is a repaint of Starscream. That's fine with me, but might bother some. Another, perhaps bigger thing, is the shade of purple used for his hands/forearms and leg detail is the same slightly-transleucent, pinkish purple from the Classics version, NOT the G1-esque lilac. This may bother a lot of people. For me, it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make for a more affordable Skywarp.

One more slight flaw is some of the joints are a bit loose, especialy the rear thrusters which become his heels in robot mode. The ball joints are not very tight, and this could cause problems standing the figure. But it's a pretty back-heavy figure that takes a lot of work to stand up, so I'm betting most people would use the stand anyway. The fingers are also a bit loose on mine, but they still stay in place, so that's fine with me. I did notice it's a lot easier to get the landing gear out, which is a good thing. Otherwise, the joints on mine are pretty good, a couple are even tighter than on my MP-03. No stress marks so far, though I've only Transformed him twice.

I'm not familiar with/can't remember the assembly flaw that happened with MP Thundercracker's chest, but this Skywarp looks normal to me. Haha, hopefully it's not one of those "once you see it, you can't unsee it" things.

So, I guess that's it. If you're trying to decide between the Hasbro and Takara versions, I would recommend this: If you can manage to find the Hasbro figure at retail, get it, unless the purple really bothers you. It's a great-looking, quality figure, for a great price, with only a few very minor flaws. However, if you have to buy online, the cost is going to be almost as much as the Takara version, judging by scalper and aftermarket prices so far. So I'd think carefully about which version appeals more to you, and make your decision based on that.

Feel free to ask questions, post comments, or request pictures!

Purple pictures please.

If you could post the MP Skywarp, Classics Skywarp, and G1 Skywarp next to each other such that the colors can be compared, that'd be great.

Thanks man.

Unfortunately I sold off my Classics Skywarp (duh, brain fart... yeah, I'll compare MP Skywarp with Starscream lawl), but I'll definitely do some comparisons alongside the G1 (TRU Reissue) & Henkei versions. It'll be several hours though, I'm at work.

If you have any other Masterpieces.. compare them to it please! Compare it to Unicron/Primus/RotFDevastator if you have those.

I don't have the others, but I can certainly compare it to some other MPs.

Alright guys, several hours later (including HK-Skywarp missile retrieval from under the fridge, and a dinner break), here's the goods. Sorry for the cut off images, I'm too tired tonight to do any more. Right click and select "view image" for the whole pics.

Some robot mode pics, note lack of detailing on arms. Different from Takara MP, but G1 accurate:





Undetailed chest fans & yellow optics:


("Starscream, is that you?")


("Take a hint!" lol) Undetailed rockets:


With stand:









Paint detail shots:

Stripes on missiles:


The wings actually have the port and starboard lights - cool detail!

Nameplate & insignia:


Rightside-up Decepticon symbol and gunmetal detail:


Jet mode:





Some paint detail. Really nice looking wing stripes:


Metallic Decepticon symbol:

Tailfins:


Underside (forgot to take comparison shots of this):


Rear view:


Rear gimmicks. The detail below the flaps is painted gunmetal:


Front gimmicks. Radar array and cockpit are unpainted:


With stand:





Now, on to the comparison shots:

With G1 Reissue & Henkei Skywarp:



Arms for color comparison. MP Skywarp's purple plastic is noticably different from the G1 version. I hadn't noticed before, but so is Henkei Skyarp's:


Even closer:


Jet modes:


The paint is actually a lot closer to G1 colors than the plastic is - the stripes are nearly spot on:






With Emperor Greenscream:


Megatron:


Battle with Prime:


Fellow Decepticons:




Full album, including my lame attempts at stop-motion fly-bys (lol) here - this gets addictive.

Looks damn sexy. I may be a minority, but I love the shade of purple. The lilac looks too washed out compared to this orchid-y color. The stripes are extremely well done.

Sweet mother of GOD I hope I can find this at retail. None of the Wally Worlds in my are ever got the MP Starscream before

Looks great.

I am green with envy. Now i want Warp even more -as if that were possible. Looks like there were no changes from the display model shown at Botcon and Comic con. Robot mode nor the missles were shown though. Am I gonna have to drive up to Vancouver right now KV?? Tempted to!

Thank you for the pictures, it's very helpful.

I'm glad that people who don't have the opportunity to import Masterpiece figures are getting a shot at this guy. I'm also glad that Hasbro is continuing to use that vibrant purple as opposed to the lilac purple. The figure looks good. The yellow eyes are cool.

That being said, it becomes kind of obvious where the additional $40 goes for a Takara release. It's really cool that a version is available for $60, but having owned the Takara version for two years now, I can see all the little differences.

Where if I had not owned the Japanese version, I would probably never have noticed these differences between the two, the fact that I have had this toy and really do like it makes those differences glaring.

Without attempting to even pretend sounding elitist, even if Hasbro continues to release MP figures stateside, I think I will continue to import. With Masterpiece style toys, style and detail count as much for me as mold and character. It's cool that this is available, but this pricing discount isn't worth the cost in detail to me.

I have the MP Skywarp. The hasbro one looks really good too. I'll be picking one up. I do wish the Decepticon symbols on the wing were correct. They should be upside down in Robot mode. Oh well, little things I guess...

RodimusConvoy13 wrote:I have the MP Skywarp. The hasbro one looks really good too. I'll be picking one up. I do wish the Decepticon symbols on the wing were correct. They should be upside down in Robot mode. Oh well, little things I guess...

I've always preferred them "right side up" in robot mode. They just look a lot better, since most of figures spend most of the time in robot mode. I guess I'm just not nostalgic enough.

Razorclaw0000 wrote:

RodimusConvoy13 wrote:I have the MP Skywarp. The hasbro one looks really good too. I'll be picking one up. I do wish the Decepticon symbols on the wing were correct. They should be upside down in Robot mode. Oh well, little things I guess...

I've always preferred them "right side up" in robot mode. They just look a lot better, since most of figures spend most of the time in robot mode. I guess I'm just not nostalgic enough.

It's kind of a cartoon/real life accuracy thing for me. They were always upside down on the cartoon and also, in real life, the symbols would be that way so they are right side up if you're approaching the plane from behind. In the long run, it doesn't really matter. Still a great looking figure!

I have the Takara MP Skywarp and probably wont be picking this baby up since Ive already gotten one version of him. But I think Hasbro did a commendable job with this baby.

But I seriously think kirbenvost did a good job with this review: I love the commentary that came along with the good quality pics and I really appreciate that he was straight up about the good, bad and ugly of this version of Skywarp. No Hasbro boot-licking... just the facts. Great job there kirbenvost!

Seibertron.com could really do with more good reviewers like you guys.

wow!!the prple is definitely a fine touch(same like takara's,actualy)..n the slver on its chest too..
it's realy G1'ish..

hehe their all playing rock, paper, sisscors

Is this the argos, UK version/Hasbro ? If so I may change my mind and keep greenscream. Even though hes fragile I expect quality and good paint apps, but skywarp dos'nt have as many as I would like for £60.

Nice photo's

Give me this version over the Takara one any day.

Razorclaw0000 wrote:

RodimusConvoy13 wrote:I have the MP Skywarp. The hasbro one looks really good too. I'll be picking one up. I do wish the Decepticon symbols on the wing were correct. They should be upside down in Robot mode. Oh well, little things I guess...

I've always preferred them "right side up" in robot mode. They just look a lot better, since most of figures spend most of the time in robot mode. I guess I'm just not nostalgic enough.

The insignia would drive me nuts on this thing. I might not mind as much if they were at least consistent, but that Starscream's were correct, but then they do Skywarp's the opposite = teh suckz. Glad I already have the Takara version.

Really hope they do them the right way on Thundercracker if they release him because I don't have the Takara of that one and would buy a Hasbro one.

Kibble wrote:

Razorclaw0000 wrote:

RodimusConvoy13 wrote:I have the MP Skywarp. The hasbro one looks really good too. I'll be picking one up. I do wish the Decepticon symbols on the wing were correct. They should be upside down in Robot mode. Oh well, little things I guess...

I've always preferred them "right side up" in robot mode. They just look a lot better, since most of figures spend most of the time in robot mode. I guess I'm just not nostalgic enough.

The insignia would drive me nuts on this thing. I might not mind as much if they were at least consistent, but that Starscream's were correct, but then they do Skywarp's the opposite = teh suckz. Glad I already have the Takara version.

Really hope they do them the right way on Thundercracker if they release him because I don't have the Takara of that one and would buy a Hasbro one.

As long as they get Thundercracker's chest correct, they could leave off the symbols for all I care

RodimusConvoy13 wrote:As long as they get Thundercracker's chest correct, they could leave off the symbols for all I care

This

MP Skywarp is coming out in November in the US right??

DevastaTTor wrote:

RodimusConvoy13 wrote:As long as they get Thundercracker's chest correct, they could leave off the symbols for all I care

This

If they had to do one backwards between the chest and the insignia, I'd actually take the chest. That would be a little less noticeable to me.

RodimusConvoy13 wrote:

Kibble wrote:

Razorclaw0000 wrote:

RodimusConvoy13 wrote:I have the MP Skywarp. The hasbro one looks really good too. I'll be picking one up. I do wish the Decepticon symbols on the wing were correct. They should be upside down in Robot mode. Oh well, little things I guess...

I've always preferred them "right side up" in robot mode. They just look a lot better, since most of figures spend most of the time in robot mode. I guess I'm just not nostalgic enough.

The insignia would drive me nuts on this thing. I might not mind as much if they were at least consistent, but that Starscream's were correct, but then they do Skywarp's the opposite = teh suckz. Glad I already have the Takara version.


In the cartoon the symbols position were inconsistent. See for example episode "Starscream's Brigade", where the decepticon insignia is right side up on his wings.

And later on in the episode the symbols are upside down once more**

vectorA3 wrote:I am green with envy. Now i want Warp even more -as if that were possible. Looks like there were no changes from the display model shown at Botcon and Comic con. Robot mode nor the missles were shown though. Am I gonna have to drive up to Vancouver right now KV?? Tempted to!

Haha, well you could, but most of the stores sold out in 2 days, which is why I was extremely lucky to find one in store. We're all hoping for a restock, and 1 store has so far, but in very limited numbers. Considering how fast they're going, Walmart would be crazy to not get more in.

Counterpunch wrote:Thank you for the pictures, it's very helpful.

I'm glad that people who don't have the opportunity to import Masterpiece figures are getting a shot at this guy. I'm also glad that Hasbro is continuing to use that vibrant purple as opposed to the lilac purple. The figure looks good. The yellow eyes are cool.

That being said, it becomes kind of obvious where the additional $40 goes for a Takara release. It's really cool that a version is available for $60, but having owned the Takara version for two years now, I can see all the little differences.

Where if I had not owned the Japanese version, I would probably never have noticed these differences between the two, the fact that I have had this toy and really do like it makes those differences glaring.

Without attempting to even pretend sounding elitist, even if Hasbro continues to release MP figures stateside, I think I will continue to import. With Masterpiece style toys, style and detail count as much for me as mold and character. It's cool that this is available, but this pricing discount isn't worth the cost in detail to me.

Yeah, after going through the MP galleries on the site, it is very obvious that there are many more paint apps on the Takara versions. I certainly don't regret waiting for the Hasbro version though, I'm very happy with it. But if I hadn't been able to get it in store, and had to make a choice between Hasbros for $80 online, or Takara's for $90 or $100, I'd probably go for the import.

mattyc1007 wrote:hehe their all playing rock, paper, sisscors

Is this the argos, UK version/Hasbro ? If so I may change my mind and keep greenscream. Even though hes fragile I expect quality and good paint apps, but skywarp dos'nt have as many as I would like for £60.

Nice photo's

lol yeah it does kinda look like rock, paper, scissors. This is the Hasbro Canada release of MP Skywarp, which should be the same as the UK and US releases, aside form the bilingual packaging we have here.

DevastaTTor wrote:

RodimusConvoy13 wrote:As long as they get Thundercracker's chest correct, they could leave off the symbols for all I care

This

Holy crap yeah. Saw it in the gallery and I remembered how awful it looks. I'd definitely take missing/incorrect symbols over that any day.

WinterSting wrote:But I seriously think kirbenvost did a good job with this review: I love the commentary that came along with the good quality pics and I really appreciate that he was straight up about the good, bad and ugly of this version of Skywarp. No Hasbro boot-licking... just the facts. Great job there kirbenvost!

Seibertron.com could really do with more good reviewers like you guys.

Thanks a bunch. The feedback is nice to hear.

Glad you guys like the pics, thanks for the comments everyone!