The Energon Pub

[sol magnus]

Oh, and there wasn't any Instruments of Destruction playing during the transformation. It was a random collection of music from the 1986 movie soundtrack as well as the regular cartoon series soundtrack... along with a rather odd and out-of-place incidental piece of music which I'm pretty sure was either in an old disney cartoon, a cheesy 70s romance movie or Series 5 of Doctor Who. I mean hey, the reviewer's got good taste.

While I was bummed Instruments of Destruction wasn't in there, I was very pleased that the "odd and out-of-place" original Transformers theme music from the Marvel Comic TV commercial was in there. I even posted asking where he got that music from. I have to have it.

[william-james88]

so i figured out why i dont like mp megs
the fact that he goes from a diaper to a slim area to a big chest.
and the weird things the legs are doing

It gets weirder when you start using that waist articulation



And good eye to the person who spotted TR Soundwave, I totally didnt. I think thas a compliment to the figue being able to fit in halfway decently with toys worth more than twice his full price.

[fenrir72]

so i figured out why i dont like mp megs
the fact that he goes from a diaper to a slim area to a big chest.
and the weird things the legs are doing

Well, a few years back, he didn't have any Speedos on at all

[sol magnus]

"the most complex transformation ever seen on a Transformer"

Don't know if I like the sound of that

There's a full video on it.

A full 27-minute video.

To be fair, the transformation doesn't start until 13:37.

[chuckdawg1999]

Having watched the video I think there's a specific order of transformation that he sometimes forgets. There were times panels on Megatron had to be pegged in before continuing.

[Va'al]

We brought you a fair amount of content recently on Takara Tomy Transformers Masterpiece MP-36 Megatron - our latest here - but thanks to Twincaster megatronus, we also have so eyebrow-raising information via site sponsor HobbyLinkJapan: the return of the orange cap for the gun mode of the toy. This seems to only apply to US and Australia, due to their firearm laws, but may extend to other markets too. Read more about it below!

Hello-

This is Mark Kutsugi at HobbyLink Japan. Thank you very much for your order with us for Takara-Tomy's Transformers Masterpiece MP-36 Megatron. We anticipate starting to fill orders for this item on or about April 3 Japan time.

This toy will be packaged in robot mode. However, it can be transformed into a realistic-looking likeness of a gun, which we understand is also pictured on this item's packaging. As a result, for customers in the United States and Australia, HobbyLink Japan will be placing a plastic orange plug into the end of the barrel in order to keep this toy in compliance with Title 15, Chapter 76 of the United States Code.

Installing this plug on the item will require our staff to open the packaging, which will require cutting the tape holding the box flap closed. This will be performed with the utmost care, but of course it will prevent us from delivering this product to U.S. and Australian customers in "unopened" condition. Note that without this modification, your purchase could be confiscated by your country's customs service, and U.S. customers could be charged with a crime under the above U.S. Federal law.

HobbyLink Japan understands and appreciates the desires of toy collectors in the U.S. and Australia related to merchandise of this nature, and we feel this is the best solution to meet those needs under the circumstances. In order to maintain your item's compliance with your country's laws, we recommend that you do not remove the plastic plug after you have received the item.

We appreciate your understanding, and your business with us.


Best Regards,


Mark Kutsugi
HobbyLink Japan

[fenrir72]

We brought you a fair amount of content recently on Takara Tomy Transformers Masterpiece MP-36 Megatron - our latest here - but thanks to Twincaster megatronus, we also have so eyebrow-raising information via site sponsor HobbyLinkJapan: the return of the orange cap for the gun mode of the toy. This seems to only apply to US and Australia, due to their firearm laws, but may extend to other markets too. Read more about it below!

Hello-

This is Mark Kutsugi at HobbyLink Japan. Thank you very much for your order with us for Takara-Tomy's Transformers Masterpiece MP-36 Megatron. We anticipate starting to fill orders for this item on or about April 3 Japan time.

This toy will be packaged in robot mode. However, it can be transformed into a realistic-looking likeness of a gun, which we understand is also pictured on this item's packaging. As a result, for customers in the United States and Australia, HobbyLink Japan will be placing a plastic orange plug into the end of the barrel in order to keep this toy in compliance with Title 15, Chapter 76 of the United States Code.

Installing this plug on the item will require our staff to open the packaging, which will require cutting the tape holding the box flap closed. This will be performed with the utmost care, but of course it will prevent us from delivering this product to U.S. and Australian customers in "unopened" condition. Note that without this modification, your purchase could be confiscated by your country's customs service, and U.S. customers could be charged with a crime under the above U.S. Federal law.

HobbyLink Japan understands and appreciates the desires of toy collectors in the U.S. and Australia related to merchandise of this nature, and we feel this is the best solution to meet those needs under the circumstances. In order to maintain your item's compliance with your country's laws, we recommend that you do not remove the plastic plug after you have received the item.

We appreciate your understanding, and your business with us.


Best Regards,


Mark Kutsugi
HobbyLink Japan

A necessary evil for those who live in such countries.

Also, with all the other people cancelling the pre orders, this won't be an issue to them right?

[Envisaged0ne]

This isn't new. BigBadToyStore & The Chosen Prime, amongst other sites have had this posted for quite a while now. Of COURSE it's going to have to have an orange cap if you live in the U.S. & Austrailia. I don't know why they're making this out to be new, or surprising in any way.

[Ironhidensh]

I'm a little worried. I cancelled my preorder a couple of days ago, and I still got this letter.....

[SpikeyTigertron]

One reason to news it is because some folks specifically try to import from Japan in order to *not* have to deal with the cap. However, it sounds like even exporters are getting behind it. I'm curious if Amiami will buckle. My whole thing is I wish the caps were removable. I think last time around, some plugs were easier to "manage" than others.

I'm still hoping to get mine through customs w/o a plug, but maybe I won't get a choice. We'll all find out together I guess.

[Va'al]

This isn't new. BigBadToyStore & The Chosen Prime, amongst other sites have had this posted for quite a while now. Of COURSE it's going to have to have an orange cap if you live in the U.S. & Austrailia. I don't know why they're making this out to be new, or surprising in any way.

Pretty much as below:

One reason to news it is because some folks specifically try to import from Japan in order to *not* have to deal with the cap. However, it sounds like even exporters are getting behind it. I'm curious if Amiami will buckle. My whole thing is I wish the caps were removable. I think last time around, some plugs were easier to "manage" than others.

I'm still hoping to get mine through customs w/o a plug, but maybe I won't get a choice. We'll all find out together I guess.

Not surprising, not new, just confirmation and information (also for new collectors who may just be coming in to the MP game).

[BumbleDouche]

As an Australian, I'm more surprised that the figure isn't banned outright. As far as I'm aware, G1 & MP-05 Megatron are still illegal to own without the appropriate license, with or without the orange plug. It was such a big deal at the time MP-05 was released that it even made the nation-wide news services, with numerous unlucky collectors having their figures seized and destroyed by customs before they ever got to even see it.

Because it was classed as a firearms replica, MP-05 first required federal permission to even get into the country, followed by registration for ownership via a gun replica license (an outrageously expensive license that requires yearly renewal for as long as you own the figure). Assuming you somehow managed to sneak one through customs, subsequent failure to "register" the figure would put you at risk of *significant* punishment, should your possession of the figure ever be discovered by authorities.

Overall, a huge, expensive pain in the butt that would be hardly worth the trouble for most Aussie collectors. The stupid irony is that it's probably easier to buy a *real* gun with far less hassle.

[Burn]

As an Australian, I'm more surprised that the figure isn't banned outright. As far as I'm aware, G1 & MP-05 Megatron are still illegal to own without the appropriate license, with or without the orange plug. It was such a big deal at the time MP-05 was released that it even made the nation-wide news services, with numerous unlucky collectors having their figures seized and destroyed by customs before they ever got to even see it.

Because it was classed as a firearms replica, MP-05 first required federal permission to even get into the country, followed by registration for ownership via a gun replica license (an outrageously expensive license that requires yearly renewal for as long as you own the figure). Assuming you somehow managed to sneak one through customs, subsequent failure to "register" the figure would put you at risk of *significant* punishment, should your possession of the figure ever be discovered by authorities.

Overall, a huge, expensive pain in the butt that would be hardly worth the trouble for most Aussie collectors. The stupid irony is that it's probably easier to buy a *real* gun with far less hassle.

The rules vary from State to State to Territory.
http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=20265

He can be imported, but depending on which State/Territory you reside will determine what, if any, paperwork/licenses you will require.

Check the link, Griff has done a fantastic job compiling the laws for each State and Territory.

[Mindmaster]

The Chosen Prime's stock should be untouched (credit to Diem for asking Brandon)!

[Bumblebee21]

so i figured out why i dont like mp megs
the fact that he goes from a diaper to a slim area to a big chest.
and the weird things the legs are doing

It gets weirder when you start using that waist articulation



And good eye to the person who spotted TR Soundwave, I totally didnt. I think thas a compliment to the figue being able to fit in halfway decently with toys worth more than twice his full price.

yeah that gets worse. probably horrible from the back.

[fenrir72]

so i figured out why i dont like mp megs
the fact that he goes from a diaper to a slim area to a big chest.
and the weird things the legs are doing

It gets weirder when you start using that waist articulation



And good eye to the person who spotted TR Soundwave, I totally didnt. I think thas a compliment to the figue being able to fit in halfway decently with toys worth more than twice his full price.

yeah that gets worse. probably horrible from the back.

The original G1 's back wasn't all that great to look at in the first place so not surprising.

[fenrir72]

I'm a little worried. I cancelled my preorder a couple of days ago, and I still got this letter.....

If you sent a cancellation then you're good. To make sure, email them again.

[Dagon]

Must be a slow news day, because this plug information was in the preorder announcements from BBTS and TFSource and pretty much everyone else, so this is several months old at this point.

A more relevant question would be is the orange cap removable? I'd like to hope it is, since in the US something as simple as a background check is a tragic impediment to buying a real and potentially dangerous gun, and I would really hate to believe that it'd be harder to get this toy than the real thing. I think the cap was removeable on MP-05, but I got mine through a hook up so it never had a cap to begin with.

Also, if it's packaged in robot mode, what's the give away that he turns into a gun, for people who aren't G1 Transformers fans? Like if they didn't picture the gun mode on the box, would customs agents or whoever really know he turns into an obviously not real gun? Just wondering.

[william-james88]

Must be a slow news day, because this plug information was in the preorder announcements from BBTS and TFSource and pretty much everyone else, so this is several months old at this point.

Did you read the posts above yours? The plug information was given for sellers IN THE US, not Japan. So many fans bought directly from japan to avoid the plug. And now, just now, we know that some Japanese sellers, like HLJ, will still put a plug.

I don't get what your problem is Dagon, do you wake up going "let's see how I can be an asshat on the boards today"? What's the use in posting if anything you have to say is negative? What is your goal here?Plus, all you had to do was read a few posts above before posting yours to see why this was posted.

[fenrir72]

Must be a slow news day, because this plug information was in the preorder announcements from BBTS and TFSource and pretty much everyone else, so this is several months old at this point.

Did you read the posts above yours? The plug information was given for sellers IN THE US, not Japan. So many fans bought directly from japan to avoid the plug. And now, just now, we know that some Japanese sellers, like HLJ, will still put a plug.

I don't get what your problem is Dagon, do you wake up going "let's see how I can be an asshat on the boards today"? What's the use in posting if anything you have to say is negative? What is your goal here?Plus, all you had to do was read a few posts above before posting yours to see why this was posted.

Ahhh........some posts here on Mp 36 Megatron aren't all too positive for the figure either so what Dagon is doing isn't that weird or out of place.

[Dagon]

Must be a slow news day, because this plug information was in the preorder announcements from BBTS and TFSource and pretty much everyone else, so this is several months old at this point.

Did you read the posts above yours? The plug information was given for sellers IN THE US, not Japan. So many fans bought directly from japan to avoid the plug. And now, just now, we know that some Japanese sellers, like HLJ, will still put a plug.

I don't get what your problem is Dagon, do you wake up going "let's see how I can be an asshat on the boards today"? What's the use in posting if anything you have to say is negative? What is your goal here?Plus, all you had to do was read a few posts above before posting yours to see why this was posted.

That seems like an awfully strong reaction to one sentence in a post that is clearly asking more about the ability to remove the orange cap. Clearly, my "problem" is that I wanted to know if anyone knew if the cap could be taken out. I'm sorry I offended you by asking this totally unreasonable question.

[kurthy]

Must be a slow news day, because this plug information was in the preorder announcements from BBTS and TFSource and pretty much everyone else, so this is several months old at this point.

Did you read the posts above yours? The plug information was given for sellers IN THE US, not Japan. So many fans bought directly from japan to avoid the plug. And now, just now, we know that some Japanese sellers, like HLJ, will still put a plug.

I don't get what your problem is Dagon, do you wake up going "let's see how I can be an asshat on the boards today"? What's the use in posting if anything you have to say is negative? What is your goal here?Plus, all you had to do was read a few posts above before posting yours to see why this was posted.

Ahhh........some posts here on Mp 36 Megatron aren't all too positive for the figure either so what Dagon is doing isn't that weird or out of place.[/quote

I don't think he has a problem with negative comments about the figure. The problem is saying that something that is noteworthy (Japanese exporters including the orange plug) is not news (American importers having been doing this for MP-05 and posted notes on pages about out MP-36 that it would continue). If it had been about out bout BBTS doing it, it wouldn't have been news, but a Japanese exporter is now doing it with MP-36 when they didn't with MP-05. That's news as I was planning to buy from amiami to avoid the plug.

[Kurona]

In any case, the article's been edited to avoid confusion.

[william-james88]

I don't think he has a problem with negative comments about the figure. The problem is saying that something that is noteworthy (Japanese exporters including the orange plug) is not news (American importers having been doing this for MP-05 and posted notes on pages about out MP-36 that it would continue). If it had been about out bout BBTS doing it, it wouldn't have been news, but a Japanese exporter is now doing it with MP-36 when they didn't with MP-05. That's news as I was planning to buy from amiami to avoid the plug.

Thanks for understanding kurthy!

[fenrir72]

Well all the good then.

HLJ seems to have a big American and Asia presence (Australia probably) so they are just being on the safe side the way they became low key when MP Exhaust was sold a few years back.