The Energon Pub

[ScottyP]

Until Kobayashi lets his grip loosen on the line a bit (which isn't likely to happen anytime soon), you're not getting panel lines.

[Big Grim]

I have the MakeToys Hellfire. Seeing the plainess of Inferno, I am happy I do.

[Bronzewolf]

I'm sorry, but wait. This might have been pointed out already, but in the fourth pic, is that CW G2 Devastator?

[Wolfman Jake]

I'm sorry, but wait. This might have been pointed out already, but in the fourth pic, is that CW G2 Devastator?

Nope, that would be Unite Warriors (G1) Bruticus.

[xMXUx]

Inferno looks glorious! The 3rd Party versions all seem to be lacking a certain something (not that I could afford them anyways). But this is exactly what I was hoping for when I saw the first teaser

[Sowndwave76]

I see both sides of the detail vs cartoon-look...
I think there is a chance this will look a little better once painted.
Overall I'd say this looks really nice though. The headsculpt is awesome, and the proportions are spot on.

[DedicatedGhostArt]

This guy looks amazing. I don't know what you guys are complaining about. I do kinda see how people could get upset about the lack of molded detail when comparing it to CHUG figures, which is what I'd have him mostly with. I still really like him though, and MOTHER OF GOD he looks better than Ironhide!

[Bronzewolf]

I'm sorry, but wait. This might have been pointed out already, but in the fourth pic, is that CW G2 Devastator?

Nope, that would be Unite Warriors (G1) Bruticus.

Ah, right. . Sorry, just wishful thinking.

[SpikeyTigertron]

No problem ... and I don't see how adding some detailing to the panels takes away from those who want "cartoon accuracy". I just don't want giant smooth panels. And I want the line to stay consistent. Stick to what they were doing with Masterpiece Grimlock, MP-10 Convoy, MP-12 Lambor, Wheeljack, etc and I'm good to go. Deviate from that and go with the more simpler animation look and I'm not a happy camper because I think "Masterpiece" should be more than replicating on screen looks. Maybe on a deluxe class figure, but on a $70 to $200+ figure it should have a little detail to the figure. I don't think I'm asking a lot.

While I agree with your Sentiment Boss man. Some of the magic of the TF: Animated line, was that magic of engineering those crazy proportions into plastic form. And as "vanilla" as Ironhide's legs are I enjoyed the tranformation, same with Mangus. Engineering-wise there were some magic "oh neat" moments.

That said... I also totally agree about MP-10. If they sanded/smoothed those pannel lines or truck rivets... he'd feel less.

I'm similarly offended by the MP+ Red Alert. While I can give people that really want that off-white. I'm hurt and confused why they would paint OVER those wonderful headlights, or smooth/wipe out all that detail in the back and legs...

[Sabrblade]

Until Kobayashi lets his grip loosen on the line a bit (which isn't likely to happen anytime soon), you're not getting panel lines.

To be fair to Ironhide, Hisao Nishimoto did that MP mold rather than Kobayashi.

[Wolfman Jake]

After getting home this evening, I checked my Masterpiece Ultra Magnus figure, and he's got TONS of sculpted detailing all over his paneling. Seibertron and others, what are your qualms with the "cartoon accuracy" of MP Ultra Magnus in this case? Is it just that he's not white MP-10 with partsforming battle armor?

[Hellscream9999]

After getting home this evening, I checked my Masterpiece Ultra Magnus figure, and he's got TONS of sculpted detailing all over his paneling. Seibertron and others, what are your qualms with the "cartoon accuracy" of MP Ultra Magnus in this case? Is it just that he's not white MP-10 with partsforming battle armor?

I can't speak for anything other than how he looks to me, he looks like he's lacking something; like some painted details, he's just acres and acres of plain red and blue plastic, if they had taken *some* liscense with his deco, he probably would've looked amazing. Just look at the difference between these two magnus', the addition of a fourth plastic color and some colorful flairs, really helps out his overall look.

[SteveGo]

You guys complaining about "smoothness" and "lack of detail" remind me of the sentiment during the 90's that adding lines and more stuff was better, i.e. adding lines for the sake of lines to costume design, etc. Kinda lile Bayformers, ew.

You guys need to learn that sometimes less is more.

[Hellscream9999]

You guys complaining about "smoothness" and "lack of detail" remind me of the sentiment during the 90's that adding lines and more stuff was better, i.e. adding lines for the sake of lines to costume design, etc. Kinda lile Bayformers, ew.

You guys need to learn that sometimes less is more.

And yet MP-10 is constantly hailed as perfect and he is coated in molded detail, so I don't really get why people are freaking out over some of us wanting some more details in our 'collectors figures', sometimes too much 'less' amounts to nothing at all. I could have designed and printed MP IH in maya with only a few weeks messing around with the program, that doesn't say much for his overall smooth look. When the wheels have more detailing than half of the entire figure (minus said wheels) there's an issue. The hoses on the side of his legs aren't smooth, nor are the wheels; TT clearly went out of their way to add details, but not where they truly mattered. I'm not asking for a ton of detailing, just enough to break up the design.

[DedicatedGhostArt]

You guys complaining about "smoothness" and "lack of detail" remind me of the sentiment during the 90's that adding lines and more stuff was better, i.e. adding lines for the sake of lines to costume design, etc. Kinda lile Bayformers, ew.

You guys need to learn that sometimes less is more.

Agreed, but when you have a ton of figures that have too much detail on them, a figure next to them with less detail just looks out of place.

[Ultra Markus]

More detail! Less detail i want this or i want that or im not happy!
you do realize that were at the mercy of the company's decisions and time and budgeting
and all the great things that influence these creations reflect on the finished product
so take what you can get and if its not what you want there is always 3rd party or stickers
but they have been pretty close incarnations of the cartoon character/toy with some added licencing
from auto manufacturers

[fenrir72]

You guys complaining about "smoothness" and "lack of detail" remind me of the sentiment during the 90's that adding lines and more stuff was better, i.e. adding lines for the sake of lines to costume design, etc. Kinda lile Bayformers, ew.

You guys need to learn that sometimes less is more.

And yet MP-10 is constantly hailed as perfect and he is coated in molded detail, so I don't really get why people are freaking out over some of us wanting some more details in our 'collectors figures', sometimes too much 'less' amounts to nothing at all. I could have designed and printed MP IH in maya with only a few weeks messing around with the program, that doesn't say much for his overall smooth look. When the wheels have more detailing than half of the entire figure (minus said wheels) there's an issue. The hoses on the side of his legs aren't smooth, nor are the wheels; TT clearly went out of their way to add details, but not where they truly mattered. I'm not asking for a ton of detailing, just enough to break up the design.

In the bold. Each side will always have their inherent biases. As your sig itself stated you don't dig G1 that match and request others to respect them as it is so too will the other side "freak out" over the opposing views........especially from one with a bias against the line.

So is it bias against the G1 line itself or the general lack of details on a G1 product or current TF products or the general focus of massive resources by Hb or Takara on the G1 line?

In the end, we can all decide by just not buying the line and focus on your particular preference.

[Kurona]

Personally I'm fine with extra detail... or no extra detail. It's cool if it's there, doesn't really damage the figure in my eyes if it's not.

[fenrir72]

Personally I'm fine with extra detail... or no extra detail. It's cool if it's there, doesn't really damage the figure in my eyes if it's not.

Yes (cool if there but not bad if not so long as TT releases one) and iirc, the thrust of MP is to be more anime, so it's an alibi to lessen the "details". Even in UW, Defensor had less "details" over the CW version.

[Thanos]

I want the first release of the mold to be Hauler.

Do it, Takara!

I'd like to see a Hauler as well. Despite the lack of screen time, he's one of those cult-like characters where 'less is more'. I liken it to Boba Fett or Vader before the prequels.

On that note... wow. I didn't realize how long it had been since I visited this site. I joined way back while I was in college!

[Hellscream9999]

I want the first release of the mold to be Hauler.

Do it, Takara!

I'd like to see a Hauler as well. Despite the lack of screen time, he's one of those cult-like characters where 'less is more'. I liken it to Boba Fett or Vader before the prequels.

On that note... wow. I didn't realize how long it had been since I visited this site. I joined way back while I was in college!

Would be a nice color to make the figure pop against the others on any given shelf, especially if it is more vivid than muted

[Thanos]

I want the first release of the mold to be Hauler.

Do it, Takara!

I'd like to see a Hauler as well. Despite the lack of screen time, he's one of those cult-like characters where 'less is more'. I liken it to Boba Fett or Vader before the prequels.

On that note... wow. I didn't realize how long it had been since I visited this site. I joined way back while I was in college!

Would be a nice color to make the figure pop against the others on any given shelf, especially if it is more vivid than muted

Great point. The Generation 1 Autobots are generally light in the cool colors department -- blues, greens and purples. Tracks, Hoist, Punch/Counterpunch, Freeway just to name a few. But a bright neon green Autobot in a traditionally Decepticon color scheme? That's a welcome addition in my book.

[Hellscream9999]

I want the first release of the mold to be Hauler.

Do it, Takara!

I'd like to see a Hauler as well. Despite the lack of screen time, he's one of those cult-like characters where 'less is more'. I liken it to Boba Fett or Vader before the prequels.

On that note... wow. I didn't realize how long it had been since I visited this site. I joined way back while I was in college!

Would be a nice color to make the figure pop against the others on any given shelf, especially if it is more vivid than muted

Great point. The Generation 1 Autobots are generally light in the cool colors department -- blues, greens and purples. Tracks, Hoist, Punch/Counterpunch, Freeway just to name a few. But a bright neon green Autobot in a traditionally Decepticon color scheme? That's a welcome addition in my book.

They were very uniform in the color palettes, lots of reds, blacks, blues, whites, and yellows, but very few purple, green and orange guys. A bright green crane guy would be pretty welcome, in fact, if he kept the inferno head-wings, I would actually consider getting Hauler, simply for being so out there (to be fair, I do like the mp inferno look overall, I just wish it had more details on the lower half of the body)

[Wolfman Jake]

After getting home this evening, I checked my Masterpiece Ultra Magnus figure, and he's got TONS of sculpted detailing all over his paneling. Seibertron and others, what are your qualms with the "cartoon accuracy" of MP Ultra Magnus in this case? Is it just that he's not white MP-10 with partsforming battle armor?

I can't speak for anything other than how he looks to me, he looks like he's lacking something; like some painted details, he's just acres and acres of plain red and blue plastic, if they had taken *some* liscense with his deco, he probably would've looked amazing. Just look at the difference between these two magnus', the addition of a fourth plastic color and some colorful flairs, really helps out his overall look.

But, those are the colors found in G1 Ultra Magnus, whether we're talking about the toy or the cartoon character model. He wouldn't be a "Masterpiece" of G1 Ultra Magnus if they threw in another contrasting plastic color just because.

[Hellscream9999]

After getting home this evening, I checked my Masterpiece Ultra Magnus figure, and he's got TONS of sculpted detailing all over his paneling. Seibertron and others, what are your qualms with the "cartoon accuracy" of MP Ultra Magnus in this case? Is it just that he's not white MP-10 with partsforming battle armor?

I can't speak for anything other than how he looks to me, he looks like he's lacking something; like some painted details, he's just acres and acres of plain red and blue plastic, if they had taken *some* liscense with his deco, he probably would've looked amazing. Just look at the difference between these two magnus', the addition of a fourth plastic color and some colorful flairs, really helps out his overall look.

But, those are the colors found in G1 Ultra Magnus, whether we're talking about the toy or the cartoon character model. He wouldn't be a "Masterpiece" of G1 Ultra Magnus if they threw in another contrasting plastic color just because.

Perhaps not a plastic color, but they could have picked out some of the details in paint. Honestly, I think he just looks kinda dumb in general - I would far and away prefer the leader magnus figure (and I did have it, twice at one point, but due to crap plastic, now I have none ), but I was just answering your question