The Energon Pub

[Mach]

Japanese online shop - Rakuten has posted the pre-order page for upcoming Takara Tomy Transformers Masterpiece MP-09 Rodimus Convoy.

MP-09 is scheduled to be released at the end of January 2011 and according to the price listed at Rakuten, MP-09 will cost Japanese Yen 17640.

Check out original post here: http://item.rakuten.co.jp/auc-ookawaya/ ... h_link_txt

Seibertron, Ultimate Resource of Transformers!

[Skullcrunchberries]

Plenty of time to save up.

I really almost want to get two to have both characters @_@

[Rated X]

How does Hot Rod convert to Rodimus in car mode ??? Totally different hood. Hot rod has the engine popping out and Rodimus has a shorter hood...

[Skullcrunchberries]

How does Hot Rod convert to Rodimus in car mode ??? Totally different hood. Hot rod has the engine popping out and Rodimus has a shorter hood...

Magic Japan Science.

[Autobot032]

How does Hot Rod convert to Rodimus in car mode ??? Totally different hood. Hot rod has the engine popping out and Rodimus has a shorter hood...

It rotates at the collar. It's most likely connected to a mechanism that allows the head to hide.

Jizai Toys had a flash presentation on their site that shows how the transformation might work. Looks to be rather accurate.

[WolfDawg]

Well, from what I understand Hasbro is going to release just the Hotrod portion of the mold with a Targetmaster. That way, you can have your Takara version displayed as Rodimus with his command center, and the Hasbro version displayed as Hotrod with his Targetmaster partner.

Still, 200 bucks is pretty steep. I'm not sure I want to pay what'll most likely be an extra 150 bucks for a trailer I won't ever display in command center mode when I could get a cheaper version with a Targetmaster that'll actually look good on display.

[Autobot032]

Well, from what I understand Hasbro is going to release just the Hotrod portion of the mold with a Targetmaster. That way, you can have your Takara version displayed as Rodimus with his command center, and the Hasbro version displayed as Hotrod with his Targetmaster partner.

Still, 200 bucks is pretty steep. I'm not sure I want to pay what'll most likely be an extra 150 bucks for a trailer I won't ever display in command center mode when I could get a cheaper version with a Targetmaster that'll actually look good on display.

Hasbro stripping the trailer as an official statement, is actually a rumor started by ToyArena's owner. He says he has an inside source at Hasbro that told him that.

It's been pointed out that Hasbro wouldn't go to the trouble of designing and manufacturing a new item to replace another, so there would be no Targetmaster.

TA's owner also claims that the color scheme will be changed.

Neither of which has been confirmed.

People (including me) have speculated, but have no proof, that Hasbro would strip the trailer to cut costs because the Japanese version is so expensive and no US retailer would want to take the risk.

Now that we see Takara's pricing, the chances of them taking the trailer away to cut costs is more likely. A $202.00 Masterpiece wouldn't be much cheaper here in the states and a $100+ Masterpiece is likely if it comes stateside.

Even Wal-Mart or TRU wouldn't touch that with a 100 foot pole. I don't even think Target would try and tackle that. I'm not sure Target carried any Masterpiece molds.

[WolfDawg]

Oh, thanks for the corrections Autobot. I was almost certain I had read somewhere that it was proven factual that Hasbro would strip the trailer and give us the Targetmaster.

I do, however, hope we get the Targetmaster since it's all but certain the trailer is going to be stripped. If not, I guess I'll just start saving my money, because I really do want Hotrod/Rodimus. IMO, though, I think a Targetmaster would display better than a command center.

[Megatron Wolf]

Well i know what im asking for for christmas, this preordered and payed off. If i could only get one more TF in my lifetime this would be it. Now to try and convince someone to get it for me, wish me luck.

[alexison]

I'll pick up hasbro's version if it is just Hot Rod. I not, easy pass for me.

[Darkclyde]

already booked my order for this and the fansproject rodimus trailer+target master

My question is: can the fansproject's target master for rodimus can be use with takara MP-09 rodimus? if it can, it will be so cool

[zodconvoy]

On the Targetmaster front, as Takara has taken to rereleasing their MPs as a second repaint with new accessories (I'm lookin' at you, Waiter Grimlock) and Hasbro takes the best coloration and puts it with the best accessories (Grimlock, King) and sells it for half the price, I'm fully expecting another MP Rodimus from Takara in another 6 months in maroon. Marvel Comic edition, GO!

This gold and maroon monstrosity with have a Targetmaster Firebold. Hasbro will put the Targetmaster with the best color scheme, drop the trailer, and this time next year we'll all be searching for it at TRU.

[Vicalliose]

I would not have the faintest idea why in the inferno Hasbro would leave the trailer out of this set.
Costs? Who do they think they're marketing this to, kids? This is a high dollar collectible figure, intended for col-lec-tors, y'know people who don't mind spending the extra of money on their toys so long as everything is included and it's a proper homage to the character. At least with Grimlock all we lost was a waiter costume, but a hole friggin trailer? That ludicrous!

Well, it's not a total loss. At least Fansproject's protector armor is gonna be kick @$$.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

I would not have the faintest idea why in the inferno Hasbro would leave the trailer out of this set.
Costs? Who do they think they're marketing this to, kids? This is a high dollar collectible figure, intended for col-lec-tors, y'know people who don't mind spending the extra of money on their toys so long as everything is included and it's a proper homage to the character. At least with Grimlock all we lost was a waiter costume, but a hole friggin trailer? That ludicrous!

Well, it's not a total loss. At least Fansproject's protector armor is gonna be kick @$$.

It's mostly costs and potential sales. Remember how much 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime retailed for? And that's without a real trailer. A trailer would have made the price astronomical, which only some collectors would be ready to pay. That's too small of a target audience for Hasbro as a toy and entertainment company to consider.
I must also mention that even though Masterpieces aren't "toys" per se, they're marketed as such by Hasbro, to increase said audience to parents and their kids. Why do you think MP Prime has shorter smokestacks?

[Mindmaster]

Anyone remember me stating that Wal-Mart or any other place may release MP 'Cracker? Well, I think I may take that back, and replace my theory with MP Roddy here.

[sabrigami]

So Hasbro is not including the trailer? (how did I miss that?) Sounds better to me. I'm only interested in Roddy himself so this suits me just fine. Just have to be patient and wait for Hasbro release

[Autobot032]

So Hasbro is not including the trailer? (how did I miss that?) Sounds better to me. I'm only interested in Roddy himself so this suits me just fine. Just have to be patient and wait for Hasbro release

That's not confirmed. In no way, shape, or form is it anything but a rumor. We don't even know if Hasbro will be releasing him. (It's assumed, but we don't know for sure.)

If he does get released here, they could take the trailer to cut costs. Could, not would.

We just don't know anything concrete right now.

[Jazz-1982]

I live in Tokyo and I'm going to pre-order MP Rodimus ASAP but I'm much more interested in Hot Rod than Rodimus Prime so I'll definitely be selling the trailer on Ebay come February. Hot Rod is way cooler and as has already been said, the trailer is just the same as the G1 version and isn't necessary to complete Hot Rod as a figure like it is for Rodimus Prime.

Hasbro are definitely doing the right thing just releasing Hot Rod, the target master is a cool idea too.
But we have to give Takara Tomy some respect for seeing the genius that is Fansproject and trying to use parts of the trailer to act as add ons to make a new character (if indeed this is true).

[Autobot032]

I live in Tokyo and I'm going to pre-order MP Rodimus ASAP but I'm much more interested in Hot Rod than Rodimus Prime so I'll definitely be selling the trailer on Ebay come February. Hot Rod is way cooler and as has already been said, the trailer is just the same as the G1 version and isn't necessary to complete Hot Rod as a figure like it is for Rodimus Prime.

Hasbro are definitely doing the right thing just releasing Hot Rod, the target master is a cool idea too.
But we have to give Takara Tomy some respect for seeing the genius that is Fansproject and trying to use parts of the trailer to act as add ons to make a new character (if indeed this is true).

Two problems with this post:

1.) You do actually need the trailer for Prime's vehicle mode, and it's not "just like" the G1 original. (Yes, I realize you said it's not necessary to complete Hot Rod's robot mode, but this is Masterpiece Rodimus Convoy, not just one or the other. To truly complete it, you need the trailer to make Rodimus Prime's vehicle mode. If you don't get the whole set, then what's the point? By you, I don't mean you directly. I mean people in general.)

2.) The Targetmaster thing is part of the rumor started by ToyArena. No one has any proof of a Targetmaster being included with the US version or replacing the trailer. It's been stated that designing and tooling a Targetmaster could cost as much or more than the trailer. (This was said over at The ALLSpark) As it stands now, there is no Targetmaster. Nor is there a US release for Hot Rod/Rodimus, currently.

[Jazz-1982]

On the second point you are absolutely right.

But on the first point: what I meant was that I only plan on keeping Hot Rod from Masterpiece Rodimus Convoy.
The trailer is essential if you want Rodimus Prime, but I don't. Hot Rod is one of my favourite characters and is what I'm interested in. I don't want to display Rodimus Prime in vehicle or robot mode (the 2 robot modes aren't different enough and i've never liked the trailer for Rodimus anyway. I think the Hot Rod figure in robot mode or in vehicle mode look superb and that's all I plan on keeping. The trailer will go to the highest bidder!


Just pre-ordered it from Amazon right now - it became available at midnight here in Japan from them - for $140. Roll on February! (I know the release date is January 29th but by the time he's delivered/or I have time to collect him from the post office, it'll be Feb).

[DavidT]

I really don't see Hasbro selling this without the trailer... with that said and knowing how much it would more than likely cost, I can see this becoming next years SDCC exclusive. Being that it will cost more than the average figure, I don't see it being sold at retail, especially since it's mainly aimed at Collectors... They could limited their production numbers and make it exclusive to the convention so they don't have to worry about shelf-warmers... then they would have just enough to list on hasbrotoyshop.com afterwards.


.

[william-james88]

Do any of you wish to own an MP 09 Masterpiece Rodimus Prime (Convoy)? Well, if you do, you are in luck because he will be getting rereleased by Hasbro Asia at the end of the year. Just to be clear, we are talking about the initial Rodimus Masterpiece toy, the one as big as MP 10 (which defined the scale for the current Masterpiece line) which can become a space winebago. While Takara may have moved on from the mold, Hasbro Asia assumes there is still demand for it, especially for those who have the latest Hot Rod Masterpiece toy and would wish to own one of his evolved form.

This release will look identical to the previous release, as has been the case with previous Hasbro Asia reissues like Masterpiece Optimus Prime and Soundwave, and includes the fixed knees we saw in that reissue. With the original release the knees were practically guaranteed to break but the listing states that this release does not have that issue. Several retailers on Taobao are already taking preorders and require a deposit. This toy will probably also show up at domestic collectable vendors as well as it appears to not be exclusive, nor a limited production run.

Here is a description from the listing:

The reissue revised the problem of easy knee fracture. The commemorative coins need to be confirmed by official shipments.

Estimated arrivals around the fourth quarter of 2018 (according to the actual arrival time)

For those less acquainted with this toy, here are a few images from our Seibertron gallery. Click on any image to be taken to the full gallery.












Optimus Prime not included

[Blitzwing is bae]

YAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!

[Blitzwing is bae]

its about time I could buy a mp version of my faviorite charecter without worrying about him coming shattered at arrival

[Jelze Bunnycat]

... what about the shoulders?

*hides*