The Energon Pub

[guarayakha]

The MMC fembots all use the same robot sculpted mode. With retooled or added parts for the head and alt modes.

As one video reviewer stated and I agree with him. The alt modes on the MMC Fembots look terrible.

Think HasTak created the better Fembots Sculpts in both modes here. With their 30th Arcee, 30th Windblade and 30th Chromia. For a fraction of the 3rd party price

I'm still getting 30th Arcee/Chromia/Windblade, but they're hardly better when both Chromia and Arcee comes with a humongous backpack. The MMC fembots are hardly terrible, but to each his own, i guess.

But enough with the "3rd party price" talk, it's getting old and you seems to flipflop on it between OMG-expensive on stuffs you don't like and OMG-Worth-every-penny on things you do. Not to disrespect your opinion but it kinda makes the complaint pointless. Just my 2cents

[Evil Eye]

Well, the MMC Fembots look INSANELY poseable, so they have that going for them. Chest and waist balljoints, double jointed knees, those ankle tilts everyone loves so much...

The alt modes are a bit iffy, but then they are pretty spot on to the IDW Arcee vehicle mode, which was essentially a wedge (I think, I haven't read the comics) and the jet mode is pretty cool. Elita-1 I think I'll get, and I might get the Asterisk Azalea and the Nightbird if I can find them for non-silly prices.

[shajaki]

DM, you didnt see the stealth assassin when it was listed at BBTS?

[Evil Eye]

What are BBTS's shipping rates to the UK? Some of these places charge a fortune for shipping. And the UK based stores like Kapow barely have a fraction of what, say, TFSource gets in.

[mooncake623]

Hey Check this out. Apparently Zinnia (the medic) is not going to include Panel Flaps and Sword and people are getting really mad about it and made a whole Thread. Here is MMC's response.



MMC

First off, I'm the customer service rep for MMC proper, not PSX, so I don't deal with any refunds/order issues through them. Secondly, I'm not in charge of anything other than representing the company here on the web and getting replacement parts out when people need them. That said, while I don't know the entire story, I have talked with the other MMC members and have an idea of what happened.

All of the Zinnia's shown at conventions were mold test shots that were simply run to test the mold, and included all the parts. There are only a couple of these that were shipped around to various conventions. All of our internal renders are as you see on the box, with just the guns and no swords/flaps. I think the expectation was that all the bits would be run together, but when the final figures showed up from the factory, they were all produced to the internal renders we'd always been using (no flaps/swords). It came as a little bit of a surprise. I know *I* had no idea about it until in package shots surfaced on Weibo.

Now, with something like Tigris, with the red/yellow faceplate, it's easier to fix, since when large orders like that are done, production is done for the larger retailers whose shipments go early by boat in order to time with the smaller air shipments so they all hit *around* the same time (although that has hit some snags with port slowdowns and such as you've seen.) Since we're still producing more figures for later air shipment, its easy to run some replacement parts and air ship those smaller packages to the retailers affected in time for distribution with that initial batch. As well as the fact that most people ARE buying the full set so it's possible to include fixes with later figures.

In the case of Zinnia, she was ordered in MUCH lower quantities than Azalea proper, so it's harder to provide an easy solution. Is it worth the cost of firing up the factory just to produce a run of fenders when production needs to start on the next figure to be released? The possibility of including them in a later figure is just as troublesome, because then you have the issue of requiring someone to buy a whole new figure to get parts for a previous one. It's easy to do with a combiner, less easy when not everyone is buying the full set of fembots (as borne out by the volume of Azalea orders vs. Zinnia orders.)

It's being discussed. I don't know what the final outcome will be. It could very well be that Zinnia will remain fenderless. But I do know that no one at MMC is outright lying or trying to pull one over on anybody. But unlike running some replacements for a figure that's still being produced, there are a lot of numbers and discussions that need to take place before a decision is announced. If it was possible to snap our fingers and have all the fenders appear in the boxes it would happen. This one's just going to take a little time to come up with a solution. And once that decision has been made it will be posted. I know I speak for everyone at MMC when I say we don't want to see anyone unsatisfied with any of our products. We work really hard in our aftercare department to make sure we get people replacements for anything that arrives in unsatisfactory condition. I'd hate to see all that hard work get tossed under the bus over one problem with one figure. We're working on it. I can't guarantee everyone will be satisfied with the solution, but we ARE trying to come up with one.

[necr0blivion]

I'm indifferent on the matter. Medic SHOULDN'T have swords, and the lack of panel flaps just provides a difference in character. I don't feel like I'm being cheated out of anything, but perhaps this whole situation would've been avoided had MMC not shown the full-build prototypes earlier with all of that.

I'm glad to see that MMC is trying to address the situation and not just sweep it under the rug. I guess some people feel very screwed by this and I hope that a fair outcome will be had.

[rpetras]

I agree with Necr0 on this one.
I like the slight differentiation, so if the parts never arrive, I'm OK with it.

If they do show up, that's OK too. Never said "no" to free parts before.

[guarayakha]

That was kinda lame...the haters i mean. Zinnia has always been shown fenderless and swordless.

That said, it's cool that MMC is addressing the (non)issue. I've always wondered the actual selling point of Zinnia, apart from being part of a set? Azalea is the default Arcee, Silva/Eupatorium has a new head and weapons, the exclusives has cool colors. But Zinnia always struck me as the extra, unwanted sister.Maybe someone can enlighten me on this

Maybe they'll give her Arcee's original blue swords? Though a bigass cybertronian syringe would be PERFECT!

[shajaki]

theres actual rage over this? jeeze...

if a medic came at me dual wielding swords id be all "WHOA WHOA THERE... dont worry i think i can handle this myself"...

[necr0blivion]

Though a bigass cybertronian syringe would be PERFECT!

Zinnia can be my "naughty" nurse with that.

[Agamemnon]

Yeah, I'm with you guys on the weird rage. I don't know that a medic should have any weapons, except for maybe defensive ones. I'd have preferred to see medical equipment (though a sniper syringe would have been pretty neat). And the lack of fenders? Again, I agree that it is a nice differentiation. Now, MMC's team should have showcased the prototypes as close to production as possible. (There are all of those disclaimers, right? "Prototype only; actual; product may vary." So, legally, they are covered! It's just a customer service issue, really...)

All of that said, this response from MMC is why I really, really like and respect them. They seem to want to take care of us customers! Any production delays were to improve the figure. Fixes were sent to us, at no charge. Top notch, MMC, and I will support any decision you make in regards to this character.

Now, please ship her so I can have her.

[guarayakha]

I'd have preferred to see medical equipment (though a sniper syringe would have been pretty neat).

If only MMC reads this and starts planning on a remold of their DJD Vos(Cynicus) so that he/she transforms into exactly that
Then Zinnia, Syringebot and their DJD Kaon would make a killer medic set!

[mooncake623]

Yeah, I'm with you guys on the weird rage. I don't know that a medic should have any weapons, except for maybe defensive ones. I'd have preferred to see medical equipment (though a sniper syringe would have been pretty neat). And the lack of fenders? Again, I agree that it is a nice differentiation. Now, MMC's team should have showcased the prototypes as close to production as possible. (There are all of those disclaimers, right? "Prototype only; actual; product may vary." So, legally, they are covered! It's just a customer service issue, really...)

All of that said, this response from MMC is why I really, really like and respect them. They seem to want to take care of us customers! Any production delays were to improve the figure. Fixes were sent to us, at no charge. Top notch, MMC, and I will support any decision you make in regards to this character.

Now, please ship her so I can have her.

I think the complaints were that they were being mislead because at one point MMC said that it would have been included. and that without the panels you get exposed legs and ball joints. Me.. I don't care i'm not going to get her, she looks too aggressive to be a medic to me which is perfect because Hasbro's Arcee repainted would make a great medic.

[Evil Eye]

Honestly I think Delicate Warrior would look great in Paradron Medic colours. That said, the sadly often forgotten Energon Arcee mold would make a good Paradron Medic too, especially if you sharpened the missile to a point, drilled a hole in the end, and painted up the launcher into a giant anime syringe cannon. Less naughty nurse and more nutty nurse.

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

Well, the Medic is processing now. I am... tempted to hit 'ship' even though the only other thing in my POL is a pair of third-party Go-Bots.

[Genocide G2.0]

Peaugh review .

[necr0blivion]

Just thought I'd give you all an update to something I found over at TFW today (and am participating in) regarding "naked" Zinnia:

Originally Posted by LazyAza View Post
Considering mmc has been so open about all the factories mistakes on top of addressing many with actual corrections (bovis' red feet now being a bonus with felisaber for example) they've gone very above and beyond what is expected of most companies.

And they have actually bothered to address the fender thing rather well and I'm still surprised they are actually going to make them now for the people who absolutely have to have them.

In case anyone missed it send an email to zinniafaps@mmc-hub.com (yes that's the email, I laughed at the typo too but Turnman decided to leave it as is.) with the number of panels you want (1 pair or two depending how many zinnias you intend to buy naturally) along with your address and he will be assisting mmc with sending them out to people while Zavien is helping with the US distribution specifically. The panels themselves are free but the shipping is not.

He'll be sending out shipping quotes to everyone who wants them once he's sorted through them all I gather.

I put an e-mail in this afternoon and received a prompt response from Turnman acknowledging the request. While I don't have a shipping quote yet, this is just an amazing thing to have coordinated. I hope those of you who were disappointed with the lack of flaps will be able to participate.

And on that note, Azalea and Stealth Azalea were delivered to me about 30 mins ago. Zinnia showed up about 2 days after requested my POL to ship. This is going to be a fun evening.

[fenrir72]

Honestly I think Delicate Warrior would look great in Paradron Medic colours. That said, the sadly often forgotten Energon Arcee mold would make a good Paradron Medic too, especially if you sharpened the missile to a point, drilled a hole in the end, and painted up the launcher into a giant anime syringe cannon. Less naughty nurse and more nutty nurse.

Takara did make a limited Paradon "Ariel" a few years back.

[Tsutsukakushi]

Honestly I think Delicate Warrior would look great in Paradron Medic colours. That said, the sadly often forgotten Energon Arcee mold would make a good Paradron Medic too, especially if you sharpened the missile to a point, drilled a hole in the end, and painted up the launcher into a giant anime syringe cannon. Less naughty nurse and more nutty nurse.

Takara did make a limited Paradon "Ariel" a few years back.

Heavily guessing that HasTak or TFCC are boound to create a Paradon Medic. Using the 30th Arcee toy.

[Mkall]

Takara did make a limited Paradon "Ariel" a few years back.

Heavily guessing that HasTak or TFCC are boound to create a Paradon Medic. Using the 30th Arcee toy.

I would wager on it being either in a Botcon set or as a TFCC Subscription figure. Right now I'm getting MMC's version though.

PS. I also have the paradron Ariel/Arcee - it's a real nice colourscheme

[Evil Eye]

Honestly I think Delicate Warrior would look great in Paradron Medic colours. That said, the sadly often forgotten Energon Arcee mold would make a good Paradron Medic too, especially if you sharpened the missile to a point, drilled a hole in the end, and painted up the launcher into a giant anime syringe cannon. Less naughty nurse and more nutty nurse.

Takara did make a limited Paradon "Ariel" a few years back.

Aye, but wasn't that thing released as a Toy Dreams exclusive with only 3000 made worldwide? Sounds...expensive.

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

I have the medic on my desk, and she's a fun little fembot. I love her look, her weapons and her sculpt. The pistols are cool, and her face for me is pretty much perfect. I look forward to their Elita-One and Solus Prime even more than before.

[gema]

Pictures from my review of MMC R08 Azalea. Full review can be found below









Full Review
http://blackplasticlife.blogspot.com/2014/12/mastermind-creations-r08-azalea.html

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

Dammit, gema! Stop taking such good pictures, there. I am SO tempted now to get their Arcee.

Okay, all seriousness, great pics again. Awesome review, too.

[necr0blivion]

Once again Gema, your pictures are very nice. I enjoyed the light review, as well as the comparison photos with Generations Arcee and Springer. I've enjoyed my Azalea the few weeks I've had her, and think she fills a lot of empty spots depending on which line you're looking at.