The Energon Pub

News Credits: 7 · Sat May 11, 2019 7:03 am

Price point wise, I wasn’t surprised or disappointed at first. Mostly because I’ve been so taken aback by her robot mode. Which at that point was all I had seen. Add in the accessories, and it makes sense to me.

After the beast mode reveal, I’m a little more “eeeh.” Blackarachnia is a really, really tough one to do in this line. We can all usually expect there to be a trade off somewhere. A better alt mode means a bigger backpack, or some chunkier legs. It’s all par for the course. Conversely a sleeker bot means some sacrifice(s) somewhere in the alt mode. This is really something we should all have accepted by now. But the disparity between the two modes for Blackarachnia is jarring. So much so that I’m inclined to think, and hope, that she is mistransformed somewhere. The gaps in beast mode are enormous, and very off putting.

If it’s not mistransformed, and that’s how she looks, I don’t think it will be a deal breaker for me. Just a disappointing aspect of this toy that I’ll get over eventually. As many have stated they will do, I’ll keep her in bot mode. However I will be feeling like I’ll only be buying half a transformers toy. This is because a huge reason why I’m such a massive fan of BW and BW toys, is because I actually like to display half of them in beast mode. I adore beast modes.

This is speculation, but I’m sure that Takara has to seriously consider exactly how much engineering will go into a figure like this. More complex engineering means more parts and a greater cost to both them, and the customer. Perhaps after the very pricey Dinobot and Megatron they weighed their options, and opted for a more streamlined Blackarachnia. Reasoning that the buyer would be more hesitant to shell out, let’s say $175-$200, for her after however much they forked over for the last two figures. Especially since Blackarachnia is so much smaller.

Another more positive way to look at this is that Blackarachnia also doubles as a dry run for the inevitable Tarantulas. I’d hazard a guess that he’ll be a heavy retool of Blackarachnia, for all the obvious reasons. But by the time they get to him, there’s also a good chance that they’ll have been able to revisit Blackarachnia’s short comings, and come up with some alternative engineering. Albeit with an increase to Tarantulas’ cost. Because while Blackarachnia may be a fan favorite, and one of the comparatively few fembots that we have, especially for BW, there’s an argument to be made that the conniving double agent Tarantulas is a bit more popular. That might be another justification. But this is all speculation, so grain of salt.

No matter what, I fully expect that I’ll be purchasing her.

News Credits: 6 · Sat May 11, 2019 9:24 am

william-james88 wrote:
AllNewSuperRobot wrote:No, the Spiders were never physically impossible, Dinobot was the only one in the series that was.

Not terrorsaur?

In the General MP thread, I wrote:Let's talk about this guy:

For the longest time, he was considered an "impossible" Transformer to reproduce with show accuracy. Largely because this was his toy:

But now that it is common knowledge he is in fact, the third tallest Predacon after Megatron and Inferno, that perceived impossibility isn't so clear cut.

In terms of accessories, he would be most likely to bear pieces from his perhaps best standalone story in "Power Surge".

This:

and this:

To these:

However, he isn't necessarily going to be an easy figure to replicate in both forms. As above he does have some unusual bulk to his Bot Mode IE big shoulders, whereas his Beast Mode...

So from an engineering standpoint, while everyone remaining within the Season one cast won't require the complex wizardry of Dinobot, Terrorsaur is still the most interesting to see realised.

Dinobot was "impossible", because only his arms and chest had any sign of his Beast Mode. Terrorsaur was thought impossible because his original figure was ridiculously tiny.

Sat May 11, 2019 9:51 am

Emerje wrote:
william-james88 wrote:
GrangerPerry wrote:This has to be mistransformed because look at megatron’s backpack it’s not properly folded and clipped together. Bumblebee 2.0 was also slightly unclipped from the first shots of his backpack. Finally mp10’s truck mode has always had the flaps behind his wheels incorrectly folded up I can’t remember one showcase that got it right

In every single one of the examples mentioned, did the fact that it was mistransformed in any way change anyone's opinion of the figure?

Is it even fair to call them mistransformed? I mean, they just aren't completely tabbed because their at the hand painted stage and there's thick paint on the tabs. They're intentionally not tabbed together. Knowing this the gaps don't bother me until we're at the final product.

I'll be pre-ordering Blackarachnia. Even at this stage this is the best version of her in this form we've had and by now I'm used to the beast modes being a little iffy. I do wonder if her weapon will fill in the gaps at all since we still haven't seen that and integrated weapons are a thing in this line.

Emerje

That’s a good point about the paint it is clearly a painted prototype I can even see a few layers of paint like some touch ups were needed before display. But yes my opinion changed. After they released bumblebee 2.0 properly transformed I preordered 3 from amazon and guarantee every opinion on this form will change when the official photos show a better looking alt mode. Maybe mistransformed isn’t the proper term but the middle abdomen is half covered by the rear I know that’s not spider accurate but the animation model had three sections like an ant and you can see them in the photos I don’t know why they would bother adding the middle section if it’s just supposed to be covered up by the rear

News Credits: 4889 · Sat May 11, 2019 1:09 pm

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Dinobot was "impossible", because only his arms and chest had any sign of his Beast Mode. Terrorsaur was thought impossible because his original figure was ridiculously tiny.

I dont know what it is with you and these arbitrary positions you take on toys that dont even exist yet, like its this and nothing else. Very odd.
From my point of view, terrorsaur is as impossible and the height has nothing to do with it, it never did. It's his wingspan and the fact almost none of his wings aside from the tips end up in the robot mode. Whether he is a small or large toy, his wings will always be a massive piece of kibble to deal with.

Hence why I am really curious to see what they do with .

News Credits: 6 · Sat May 11, 2019 1:47 pm

It wasn't Terrorsaur's height that was the problem, with the original toy. The size of figure simply limited the level of the transformation.

william-james88 wrote: It's his wingspan and the fact almost none of his wings aside from the tips end up in the robot mode. Whether he is a small or large toy, his wings will always be a massive piece of kibble to deal with.

Hence why I am really curious to see what they do with .

Oh, wings? Those are an easy fix. Example, Gigatron:

Wings extended:

Wings retracted:

Note: the upside down wings here are applicable to Terrorsaur's show model "wings".

Gigatron was made in 2001. 18 years later, let alone within the Masterpiece Line, I'm sure collapsing the wings neatly around Terrorsaur's arm should be just as easy. I don't think they would need to be anywhere near as creative as MP-36.

News Credits: 1350 · Sat May 11, 2019 3:13 pm

Couldn't they find a solution where the wings become his arms instead?

News Credits: 6 · Sat May 11, 2019 3:17 pm

ZeroWolf wrote:Couldn't they find a solution where the wings become his arms instead?

Yeah, the wings could easily collapse into becoming his arms. I think the main issue with Terrorsaur's Bot mode (noting that a figure of the Show Model would probably be a lot thinner than expected) is those shoulders. They are the biggest "bot part" of his design. Although, perhaps they too could be folded out/reversed into the Beast Mode chest... :-?

News Credits: 2 · Sat May 11, 2019 3:43 pm

My guess with terrorsaur is that his shoulders/biceps end up in his chest with the forearms folding forward around the fists to fill out his wing frame. How or if, this folded wings slide up onto his biceps in robot mode, who knows. Alternatively they could cheat and large portions of the wings just come off.

News Credits: 4889 · Sat May 11, 2019 6:34 pm

I dont get the gigatron comparison. Wings make up practically 80% of Terorsaur's beast mode but end up only being less than 5% of the robot mode.

Sat May 11, 2019 8:09 pm

william-james88 wrote:I dont get the gigatron comparison. Wings make up practically 80% of Terorsaur's beast mode but end up only being less than 5% of the robot mode.

I’m just as confused by it. Gigatron’s wings are treated the same as Starscream’s, they just hang out there. Terrorsaur’s shrink and disappear.

News Credits: 6 · Sun May 12, 2019 5:26 am

Nemesis Maximo wrote:
william-james88 wrote:I dont get the gigatron comparison. Wings make up practically 80% of Terorsaur's beast mode but end up only being less than 5% of the robot mode.

I’m just as confused by it. Gigatron’s wings are treated the same as Starscream’s, they just hang out there. Terrorsaur’s shrink and disappear.

I'm talking about how easily wings can be folded away. Terroraur's wings do not completely disappear, like for example, Dinobot's Raptor arms in his show model.

They are ever present on his triceps. His wings are always visible, just like every other Flier. Aside from Inferno, wherein his "Flight Mode" is a bit... odd.

News Credits: 226 · Sun May 12, 2019 4:24 pm

Blackarachnia people ...

News Credits: 19 · Mon May 13, 2019 5:59 am

Burns right... Blackarachnia will be retooled into terorsaur :p

News Credits: 1646 · Mon May 13, 2019 6:42 pm

Ouch, the price.

unlike Megs and Dinobot, I think my collection can settle for a nice Animated Blackarachnia, and that will probably be the one I hunt down.

The MP is gorgeous in robot mode, but even at about $110 on AmazonJP, I think I'd still pass

Mon May 13, 2019 9:10 pm

Hello Bots.

Is tfsource a good site for international orders? Blackarachnia is up for pre-order. Any sites you recommend? Thanks.

News Credits: 4889 · Tue May 14, 2019 8:02 am

Blackalekthor wrote:Hello Bots.

Is tfsource a good site for international orders? Blackarachnia is up for pre-order. Any sites you recommend? Thanks.

Amazon japan. TFSource is fine but it will cost you double (when you add international shipping) and arrive later. If you would rather pay less and get it sooner, wait for it to go up on amazon japan and preorder there. Start by going to Amazon japan and creating your own log in and get aquainted with the site.

News Credits: 1350 · Tue May 14, 2019 8:12 am

How much is Blackarachnia going for on amazon jp?

News Credits: 4889 · Tue May 14, 2019 8:19 am

ZeroWolf wrote:How much is Blackarachnia going for on amazon jp?

We dont know yet, thats why I said to wait. There is no official preorder yet from anyone. TF Source doesn't even have its final price from supplier, they are just doing these mock preorders to hopefully get fans who want preorders asap before other retailers list her for cheaper.

I estimate about $110 at Amazon japan when the preorders will be up later this month.

Tue May 14, 2019 9:53 am

william-james88 wrote:
Blackalekthor wrote:Hello Bots.

Is tfsource a good site for international orders? Blackarachnia is up for pre-order. Any sites you recommend? Thanks.

Amazon japan. TFSource is fine but it will cost you double (when you add international shipping) and arrive later. If you would rather pay less and get it sooner, wait for it to go up on amazon japan and preorder there. Start by going to Amazon japan and creating your own log in and get aquainted with the site.

Excellent thanks a Bunch.

News Credits: 65 · Tue May 14, 2019 1:00 pm

Beast Wars fans are in for a treat later this fall with the impending release of MP-46 Masterpiece Blackwidow, known as Blackarachnia to most western fans. Recent trade show sightings have fans in awe of her screen-accurate robot mode, while seemingly leaving a lot to be desired of the beast mode. Forum member Sabrblade has made us aware that Takara Tomy Mall now has a listing up for MP-46 along with 9 new photos to show off both robot and beast mode in conjunction with some of the included accessories, like the energy spider web and base, her signature crossbow weapon, a visor Blackarachnia used on the original show, and even an alternate facial expression. Surprising no one, MP-46 seems to be exceptionally poseable, the recent norm for the Masterpiece series in general. Masterpiece Blackwidow/Blackarachnia is priced at 16,200 Yen on Takara Tomy Mall and schedule to be released in "Late November 2019." Take a look for yourselves below at these new pictures of infamous femme fatale of the Beast Wars series.

What do these latest images make you think of the latest Masterpiece offering for the Beast Wars series of Transformers history? Have the new pictures of a seemingly more correctly transformed beast mode changed your mind on the overall quality of the figure? Let us know in the comments below, and stay tuned to Seibertron.com for the latest news on all things Transformers!

News Credits: 1350 · Tue May 14, 2019 1:14 pm

Now we just need a mp silver bolt to pose with her...

News Credits: 25 · Tue May 14, 2019 1:16 pm

16200 yen = $147.79. They can get the **** out of here with that price.

Tue May 14, 2019 1:22 pm

Man, they really didn't try at all when it came to the beast mode, did they?

News Credits: 6 · Tue May 14, 2019 1:28 pm

Malicron wrote:Man, they really didn't try at all when it came to the beast mode, did they?

Indeed. So much for thinking there was mistransformation with the previous images

News Credits: 4889 · Tue May 14, 2019 1:38 pm

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:
Malicron wrote:Man, they really didn't try at all when it came to the beast mode, did they?

Indeed. So much for thinking there was mistransformation with the previous images

There was some mistransformation, but as I wrote, it was never gonna be enough to change people's minds over paying $130-$150 for this.