The Energon Pub

Hasbro and Takara definitely put themselves in a weird position with all these licensed vehicles back in the 80's. Hindsight being 20-20, and all that.
They might have been better off just with generic altmode designs from the beginning. Kids wouldn't have known any better.

On the subject of a MP Warpath. Personally I think the anime+ initiative would be a negative in his case. As above, his animation model wasn't great and I think he has been better represented in later media. Besides, a Tank Bot should be something massive, like Blitzwing.

Jelze Bunnycat wrote:

chuckdawg1999 wrote:

Emerje wrote:

Jelze Bunnycat wrote:

Spartron wrote:

Emerje wrote:Sometimes I think HasTak should just make a new line that has all the same quality and scale as Masterpiece, but without the need for costly licenses, just "close enough" proximities. Call it Master Classics or something.

Emerje

That seems to be what the did with the Bumblebee 2.0? Maybe thats their solution - be more cartoon accurate and hence not have to license the automobile license?

MP-45 Bumblebee v.2 is still officially licensed, despite the Penny Racer proportions... Like the recent Walmart G1 reissue. That may be a consequence of them already holding the license for the Beetle because of the Bumblebee movie and HasTak wanting to be consistent.

Could also just be Hasbro not wanting to betray VW's faith in them. Both companies know what G1 Bumblebee was supposed to be so releasing the squat little figure without a VW badge while having a current license could have been seen as an insult.

Emerje

I agree. Has/Taks, as well as other companies, got away with a lot in the 80s that I think those companies are paying for now. If I remember correctly there were a few licensing issues during Alternators that were due to some bad blood from the early days.

Not quite true, back then there were no licensing regulations AFAIK; they came into play in 2001/2002 with Dodge for RiD Side Burn (that possibly planted the seed for Alternators/Binaltech). It's mostly reputation and being associated with "war toys" or "toys having guns", and given the history of some companies and that of the country they are headquartered in I can understand. Volkswagen was a holdout during that time, initially Chevrolet was one for Tracks (now look where they are now), and Honda USA (not the main Honda HQ) requested the gunbarrel removed from Windcharger.

All that is true as well as the companies having issues with extra panel lines. Apparently, they were hearing from their influencers and car media in general complaining about the extra panel lines and feeling it was misrepresenting the vehicle. I still think there was some soreness from the 80s but that's basically worked out now.

Heads up. There's a new Masterpiece promotional campaign coming for the MP-52 Seeker mold.

According to TakaraTomy Mall's order page for MP-52+ Thundercracker, anyone who buys MP-52 Starscream, MP-52+ Thundercracker, and the forthcoming MP-52+ Skywarp, and then fills out and mails in the product questionnaire included in the flap part of all three figure's boxes, will receive the "New Emperor of Destruction Parts" for MP-52 Starscream.

These are the same cape and shoulder pieces that came with MP-11 Starscream (meaning that the MP-52 mold is backwards-compatible with these parts), but also a new crown, two new blast effects pieces, and another new piece of some kind.

I wonder if that promo will only be available to be ordered within Japan?

-Kanrabat- wrote:I wonder if that promo will only be available to be ordered within Japan?

Probably yes, sadly.

Sabrblade wrote:Heads up. There's a new Masterpiece promotional campaign coming for the MP-52 Seeker mold.

According to TakaraTomy Mall's order page for MP-52+ Thundercracker, anyone who buys MP-52 Starscream, MP-52+ Thundercracker, and the forthcoming MP-52+ Skywarp, and then fills out and mails in the product questionnaire included in the flap part of all three figure's boxes, will receive the "New Emperor of Destruction Parts" for MP-52 Starscream.

These are the same cape and shoulder pieces that came with MP-11 Starscream (meaning that the MP-52 mold is backwards-compatible with these parts), but also a new crown, two new blast effects pieces, and another new piece of some kind.

Good, already have the "coronation" gear. I guess the old crown is incompatible with the new head sculpt?

I kinda like MP-11 as a representation of that scene anyway, because of the segment's unique animation style.

Sabrblade wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:I wonder if that promo will only be available to be ordered within Japan?

Probably yes, sadly.

Whatever, that poopy MP-11 will finally have a purpose. The crown may not fit but eh.

For the price, I thought the coronation set was already included.

chuckdawg1999 wrote:For the price, I thought the coronation set was already included.

Right? The way they stuff some of these with accessories and the way they've jacked up the price, it sure would be nice if it was included...

Syclone wrote:

chuckdawg1999 wrote:For the price, I thought the coronation set was already included.

Right? The way they stuff some of these with accessories and the way they've jacked up the price, it sure would be nice if it was included...

Not for nothing, I thought I saw the crown and such when they revealed the figure.

Lego now have a premium Porsche 911 set:

https://www.lego.com/en-ca/product/porsche-911-10295

Is it a sign from them to loosen their grip on the license so that a MP G1 Jazz finally happen?

-Kanrabat- wrote:Lego now have a premium Porsche 911 set:

https://www.lego.com/en-ca/product/porsche-911-10295

Is it a sign from them to loosen their grip on the license so that a MP G1 Jazz finally happen?

Lego isn't a line of gun-wielding war soldier toys. Their main selling point is construction and creativity.

Sabrblade wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:Lego now have a premium Porsche 911 set:

https://www.lego.com/en-ca/product/porsche-911-10295

Is it a sign from them to loosen their grip on the license so that a MP G1 Jazz finally happen?

Lego isn't a line of gun-wielding war soldier toys. Their main selling point is construction and creativity.

They canceled an Opspry kit days before its release because it's still in service with the US military, they don't fool around. (Looks over at Star Wars kits)

chuckdawg1999 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:Lego now have a premium Porsche 911 set:

https://www.lego.com/en-ca/product/porsche-911-10295

Is it a sign from them to loosen their grip on the license so that a MP G1 Jazz finally happen?

Lego isn't a line of gun-wielding war soldier toys. Their main selling point is construction and creativity.

They canceled an Opspry kit days before its release because it's still in service with the US military, they don't fool around. (Looks over at Star Wars kits)

Ferrari and Porsche both have licensed toys out there, but transforming robots may be a bit outside of their comfort zone. That's what they need to work on.

From the general chatter discussing his possible Selects figure in the Kingdom thread. It got me thinking about the MP counterpart...



It has been a couple years now, since MP-41. So what do you think are the chances of the BW Grimlock redeco at this point?

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:From the general chatter discussing his possible Selects figure in the Kingdom thread. It got me thinking about the MP counterpart...



It has been a couple years now, since MP-41. So what do you think are the chances of the BW Grimlock redeco at this point?

Only possibility: an ultra expensive exclusive like BAPE.

-Kanrabat- wrote:Only possibility: an ultra expensive exclusive like BAPE.

I was thinking about that. The cost being a hinderance. Much like a T-Wrecks redeco for MP-43. But as they are redecos of characters that have never appeared in non-print Media. There are ways they could cut the costs, that many wouldn't really complain about.

1. Rip out the electronics - Neither [Grimlock/T-Wrecks] figure needs them.
2. Less accessories (including stands) - Just standard weapons with a couple face plates. Just like Shadow Panther.

Personally I'd like to see more redecos for the BW MP line. Beyond MP-34S and Burning Convoy. As we've discussed before, virtually every Season One mold has at least one redeco.

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Personally I'd like to see more redecos for the BW MP line. Beyond MP-34S and Burning Convoy. As we've discussed before, virtually every Season One mold has at least one redeco.

In the US line, maybe, including convention and Fox Kids redecos. But the Japanese line was far more scarce in the redeco department (not counting contest pieces):

Optimus Primal: Burning Convoy
Cheetor: Tigatron (own MP mold) and Shadow Panther
Rhinox: none
Rattrap: none
Dinobot: none
Airazor: none

Megatron: none
Scorponok: none
Terrorsaur: BW Neo Hydra
Waspinator: none
Tarantulas: Blackarachnia (own MP mold)
Inferno: none

That's not to say there won't be any MP BW Grimlock, in fact him not being a same-character redeco may help his chances. He would just be a bit obscure. Better wait on how Gen. Select Grimlock will do.

Yeah, I did overlook that most of those redecos are Convention characters, such as Antagony. I think Airazor and the Spiders have none regardless though.

Although Buzz Saw does exist as a redeco of the Waspinator mold.

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Yeah, I did overlook that most of those redecos are Convention characters, such as Antagony. I think Airazor and the Spiders have none regardless though.

Although Buzz Saw does exist as a redeco of the Waspinator mold.

Airazor got a darker Fox Kids redeco and is really loose... Don't.

And Buzz Saw did get a Japanese release. Derp

Buzz Saw was another weird one, like Polar Claw. That featured heavily in the early toy marketing.
I never understood why there were so few Bird Bots in Beast Wars

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:Only possibility: an ultra expensive exclusive like BAPE.

I was thinking about that. The cost being a hinderance. Much like a T-Wrecks redeco for MP-43. But as they are redecos of characters that have never appeared in non-print Media. There are ways they could cut the costs, that many wouldn't really complain about.

1. Rip out the electronics - Neither [Grimlock/T-Wrecks] figure needs them.
2. Less accessories (including stands) - Just standard weapons with a couple face plates. Just like Shadow Panther.

Personally I'd like to see more redecos for the BW MP line. Beyond MP-34S and Burning Convoy. As we've discussed before, virtually every Season One mold has at least one redeco.

I simply base my assumptions on all those crazy and absurdly expensive MP-10 repaints.
But to be fair, maybe those BW repaints will have NOTHING to do with any continuities or previously released toys. We may see nonsensical repaints like a green and gold Optimus Primal for Bape or a Godzilla X-Over with BW Megatron.

Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised. I just think they did a really good job with Shadow Panther and Burning Convoy. I'd like to see some more BW redecos. Be that Grimlock, Buzz Saw or Nightprowler.

The most likely BW redecos I coud see Japan doing that haven't already been done are Destron Rhinox (after they get around to doing Rhinox proper) and Vok Blackwidow.

I'm sure the reason why figures like Megatron and Dinobot are so expensive is because Takara Tomy has no intention of reusing the molds. They padded the price with extra accessories, but you'll notice some of those (Dinobot's stand) got reused elsewhere and they're making up the costs every time.

Emerje