The Energon Pub

My understanding of Masterpiece is that these are the best interpretation of these characters there will ever be. Aesthetically, physically etc

Looking across at my shelf, I don't expect to ever see a better looking version of Beast Megs or Primal/Burning Convoy. But then I see BB 2.0 or Blackarachnia and I'm starting to think maybe Takara doesn't feel the same way about what is expected of an MP figure as I do.

Emerje wrote:

Immortal Starscream wrote:from these images, looking at mp jetfire compared to the nearby menasor, it looks like jetfire is only slightly bigger then the siege jetfire.

It's a bigger difference that you'd think just looking at them. Here's a comparison shot between Siege Jetfire and FT-10 Phoenix which TFSource tells me is 13.8", only .4" taller than MP Skyfire assuming TT is measuring to the top of his head.

m1j8mav62b831.jpg

Another comparison, here's MP Skyfire next to some MPs from Takara Tomy Mall, notice Optimus just barely clears his waist.

Skyfire with MPs.JPG

And then another shot of Siege Jetfire with some of the same MP molds, Optimus is about half way up his chest (I'm pretty sure both MP Primes are the same height).

2tgDIOO.jpeg

Skyfire should tower over Siege Jetfire and any non-Titan combiner.

Emerje

I doubt the difference is quite that extreme. MP Skyfire's jet cockpit lines up with MP Prime's head, while Siege Jetfire's cockpit lines up with MP Prime's chest. Coupled with MP Skyfire's proportionally squatter torso, the MP is probably only a head, maybe a head and a half taller than Siege. Hardly towering, and definitely shorter than FT-10 Phoenix.

Tuned Agent wrote:

Emerje wrote:

Immortal Starscream wrote:from these images, looking at mp jetfire compared to the nearby menasor, it looks like jetfire is only slightly bigger then the siege jetfire.

It's a bigger difference that you'd think just looking at them. Here's a comparison shot between Siege Jetfire and FT-10 Phoenix which TFSource tells me is 13.8", only .4" taller than MP Skyfire assuming TT is measuring to the top of his head.

m1j8mav62b831.jpg

Another comparison, here's MP Skyfire next to some MPs from Takara Tomy Mall, notice Optimus just barely clears his waist.

Skyfire with MPs.JPG

And then another shot of Siege Jetfire with some of the same MP molds, Optimus is about half way up his chest (I'm pretty sure both MP Primes are the same height).

2tgDIOO.jpeg

Skyfire should tower over Siege Jetfire and any non-Titan combiner.

Emerje

I doubt the difference is quite that extreme. MP Skyfire's jet cockpit lines up with MP Prime's head, while Siege Jetfire's cockpit lines up with MP Prime's chest. Coupled with MP Skyfire's proportionally squatter torso, the MP is probably only a head, maybe a head and a half taller than Siege. Hardly towering, and definitely shorter than FT-10 Phoenix.

I'm sure Takara wont be able to resist doing a comparison of the two eventually. Just going off measurements Siege Jetfire is 11", MP Skyfire is 13.4" and Phoenix is 13.8".

Emerje

Japanese toy reviewer Wotafa has a review up for mp Jetfire already. It sounds like he said it was a review sample, but it is in Japanese so don't know for sure.

Skyfire looks incredible. Transformation appears to be intuitive with some really unique and interesting bits.

Clicking on the thread for a potential Beast Wars announcement..

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Clicking on the thread for a potential Beast Wars announcement..

There is one, Black Lio Convoy. Which is based on the original toy rather than being toon accurate.

william-james88 wrote:

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Clicking on the thread for a potential Beast Wars announcement..

There is one, Black Lio Convoy. Which is based on the original toy rather than being toon accurate.

Ah, I see. Not surprised. MP Primal got two redecos. So it stands to reason the other "Prime" would too.

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Clicking on the thread for a potential Beast Wars announcement..

There is one, Black Lio Convoy. Which is based on the original toy rather than being toon accurate.

Ah, I see. Not surprised. MP Primal got two redecos. So it stands to reason the other "Prime" would too.

There ya go, you were just an hour early. Should ask you for lotto numbers

I should have specified Mainframe Beast Wars. As I care less for the Takara series than Beast Machines. But at least it isn't another MP Autobot/Decepticon redux.

I find it impressive that Takara was able to integrate space fillers into Skyfire, something Bandai hasn't been able to do on the DX VF-1 line.

chuckdawg1999 wrote:I find it impressive that Takara was able to integrate space fillers into Skyfire, something Bandai hasn't been able to do on the DX VF-1 line.

For the price point. There should be no visible hollow spaces in any MP figure. Personally I think it a failing in design if there are.

Masterpiece Rhinox coming soon!?

TFW2005 wrote:We are now getting various reports on Twitter that a Masterpiece Rhinox has been announced by Takara at Tokyo Toy Show 2023!

Although no photos were allowed, his signature Chainguns of Doom were apparently shown as a teaser.

Stay tuned for updates!

And I know the perfect accessory for him that nobody in their right mind would include:

Wild Bean Vines

I've started a new Rhinox topic.

Emerje

Completely out of nowhere Takara Tomy has revealed two new figures for the Transformers Masterpiece line. MP-44S Optimus Prime is, in fact, being sold as Optimus Prime rather than Convoy for the first time in Japan. According to Takara Tomy the name change comes in honor of the live action movie series, basically catching up with the name changes that have taken place elsewhere in the franchise for over a decade now. The new release is based on the "Ver. 3" figure minus the electronics, trailer and a lot of the accessories. The figure has how been given a '84 toy deco and even a sticker sheet to finish the look. The accessories that did get carried over from the original release are his Ion Blaster, Energon Axe, blast effect, Matrix of Leadership and the "round" head. Priced at 33,000 JPY in Japan and showing up as a pre-order for February at most Japanese online stores for a February 2024 release.

Then we've got MP-56+ Riggorus, a new Decepticon character based on a Diaclone design we haven't seen used in Transformers before. Thanks to Seibertronian Sabrblade for pointing out that this figure combines the body of Hoist with the truck cap of Trailbreaker and a new head in a mustard yellow deco. For accessories he includes two shoulder mounted guns, double barreled hand replacement guns (these guns may be interchangeable though not shown in pictures), force shield effect part and a sticker that isn't described but is likely a Decepticon symbol since one isn't seen in the pictures. He has a Japanese retail price of 24,200 JPY and expected to be out in March 2024.

As always prices will vary greatly depending on where you order, though Amazon Japan (and Deep Discount when Hasbro pre-orders open) will likely be your best bet.

Emerje wrote:Then we've got MP-56+ Rigorous,

"Riggorus". And is a Decepticon.

Sabrblade wrote:

Emerje wrote:Then we've got MP-56+ Rigorous,

"Riggorus". And is a Decepticon.

Weird. In my defence Takara Tomy Mall doesn't use that image or mention a faction on the site. AmiAmi is going with Rigorous while HLJ was calling it Rigoras but that seemed to be a direct translation from Japanese (they've since changed it to Riggorus on the product page, not the front page). Hobby Search calls it both Rigoras and Rigolas. Needless to say I went with the most obvious one. Guess I'll fix it.

Emerje

Emerje wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Emerje wrote:Then we've got MP-56+ Rigorous,

"Riggorus". And is a Decepticon.

Weird. In my defence Takara Tomy Mall doesn't use that image or mention a faction on the site. AmiAmi is going with Rigorous while HLJ was calling it Rigoras but that seemed to be a direct translation from Japanese (they've since changed it to Riggorus on the product page, not the front page). Hobby Search calls it both Rigoras and Rigolas. Needless to say I went with the most obvious one. Guess I'll fix it.

Emerje

I did too, at first. But then TakaraTomy posted that pic on their website, so I rolled with it.

Sabrblade wrote:

Emerje wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Emerje wrote:Then we've got MP-56+ Rigorous,

"Riggorus". And is a Decepticon.

Weird. In my defence Takara Tomy Mall doesn't use that image or mention a faction on the site. AmiAmi is going with Rigorous while HLJ was calling it Rigoras but that seemed to be a direct translation from Japanese (they've since changed it to Riggorus on the product page, not the front page). Hobby Search calls it both Rigoras and Rigolas. Needless to say I went with the most obvious one. Guess I'll fix it.

Emerje

I did too, at first. But then TakaraTomy posted that pic on their website, so I rolled with it.

I saw that post (even referenced it in the news), yet somehow managed to gloss over the text above the image and clearly wasn't paying close attention to the image itself.

Is it weird to anyone else that Optimus has Action Master orange eyes while the alternative head has the proper yellow ones?

Emerje

On a different note, one could think of this MP Optimus as a Masterpiece toy of the Marvel version of the character.

Sabrblade wrote:On a different note, one could think of this MP Optimus as a Masterpiece toy of the Marvel version of the character.

Aside from the eye color I think the original is much closer to the comic than this one.




MP-44 with red sides on the bot and yellow eyes would be ideal.

Emerje

I'm probably just letting my bias show but I really dig how OP looks in his toy colours. Just feels more visually impactful to me.

Besides Loudpedal and now Riggorus ( ), have there been any other Diaclone based Decepticons? It seems they've almost exclusively been Autobots until now.

Bounti76 wrote:Besides Loudpedal and now Riggorus ( ), have there been any other Diaclone based Decepticons? It seems they've almost exclusively been Autobots until now.

There's Exhaust as well, I believe!