The Energon Pub

kirbenvost wrote:The whole point of the MP line is to be as G1 cartoon-accurate as possible in robot mode and real life car-accurate in vehicle mode,

Sorry to disappoint, but MP is for G1 characters so far.

Mate, you are what the world needs. I feel like this statement needs to be pasted on bill boards all across the world. We are 10 years into the MP line, and it baffles me how many people still seem oblivious to it's purpose. (yes, I know, some smart ass is going to bring up the recent fan's choice list-for the millionth time, that will be a one-off special release to celebrate 30 years of TFs)
If you don't know G1, then the MP line is possibly not going to interest you %100 of the time. If you don't like G1, then chances are the line won't interest you at all. You are not entitled to like the masterpiece line. It is not a crime to ignore or skip it in favor of collecting a line that does suit your TF interests. This is why more than one line exists.

The greatest comment I have ever seen on the internet was a guy who hated MP Soundwave because it didn't (per his expectations) transform into a satelite.

hinomars19 wrote:

kirbenvost wrote:The greatest comment I have ever seen on the internet was a guy who hated MP Soundwave because it didn't (per his expectations) transform into a satelite.

This story upsets me. I'm right there with you.

megatronus wrote:

hinomars19 wrote:The greatest comment I have ever seen on the internet was a guy who hated MP Soundwave because it didn't (per his expectations) transform into a satelite.

This story upsets me. I'm right there with you.

As he seemingly expected RotF Soundwave all I can say is: Hentai baka...

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

megatronus wrote:

hinomars19 wrote:The greatest comment I have ever seen on the internet was a guy who hated MP Soundwave because it didn't (per his expectations) transform into a satelite.

This story upsets me. I'm right there with you.

As he seemingly expected RotF Soundwave all I can say is: Hentai baka...

Maybe he was hoping for ROFT Soundwave to get the Starscream treatment?
...Still, though....Jeez...

griftimus prime wrote:let me guess. a cliffjumper repaint of bb will be made.

this line is such a joke.

I agree. It's so stupid getting the best figures ever made for the characters that started it all.

Bumblebee? meh, it'll be nice but ... WHEELJACK! **** yeah!

Kibble wrote:

griftimus prime wrote:let me guess. a cliffjumper repaint of bb will be made.

this line is such a joke.

I agree. It's so stupid getting the best figures ever made for the characters that started it all.

...Literally just spit seltzer all over my keyboard.

love the news ! Wish they would just re-release g1 sideswipe again, missed out on him as he was in stores for about 2 days before selling out and I thought I would be able to buy him in stores and not have to preorder him

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:As he seemingly expected RotF Soundwave all I can say is: Hentai baka...

I'm right there with you on the baka part... but what sick and perverted thing did this person intent to do with a Masterpiece Soundwave satellite that causes you to call them hentai?

megatronus wrote:That's all well & good. But if the reason you don't want the new MPs isn't scale issues, don't attribute your lack of interest in the new MPs to scale issues.

MP-10 is magnificent. He's just a solid toy that comes with all the bells and whistles. If you're just comparing MP-01 to MP-10 in a vacuum, than yes, the cost difference might seem extravagant. But when you consider that 10 years separates the two figures, and that a host material costs changes, compounded annual inflation, and exchange rate fluctuations happened in those 10 years, the new prices make some sense.

I also collect Generations - I love those figures. But for great quality, cartoon accurate updates to G1 characters, the recent spate of MPs is the way to go.

Sorry for the equivocation. I used the word "since" as in since they've released these figures i haven't been able to get into them... as in timeframe etc. I did not mean that the scale shift was the reason for me not getting them. Having a set of complete G1 transformers with the same detail as these, and all in scale in relation to their real world alt modes and somehow in relation to each other would be a holy grail... And these seem pretty close so kudos to takara.

And though mp-10 isn't my favourite, I agree with your points and if I didn't already have mp1 i'd get him instead, ultimately costs are what keep me collecting these.

frogbat wrote:

megatronus wrote:That's all well & good. But if the reason you don't want the new MPs isn't scale issues, don't attribute your lack of interest in the new MPs to scale issues.

MP-10 is magnificent. He's just a solid toy that comes with all the bells and whistles. If you're just comparing MP-01 to MP-10 in a vacuum, than yes, the cost difference might seem extravagant. But when you consider that 10 years separates the two figures, and that a host material costs changes, compounded annual inflation, and exchange rate fluctuations happened in those 10 years, the new prices make some sense.

I also collect Generations - I love those figures. But for great quality, cartoon accurate updates to G1 characters, the recent spate of MPs is the way to go.

Sorry for the equivocation. I used the word "since" as in since they've released these figures i haven't been able to get into them... as in timeframe etc. I did not mean that the scale shift was the reason for me not getting them. Having a set of complete G1 transformers with the same detail as these, and all in scale in relation to their real world alt modes and somehow in relation to each other would be a holy grail... And these seem pretty close so kudos to takara.

And though mp-10 isn't my favourite, I agree with your points and if I didn't already have mp1 i'd get him instead, ultimately costs are what keep me collecting these.

I hear you on cost. Every time a new wave of MPs are announced, an older part of my collection seems to make its way to eBay...

Good news; they were both very likeable characters on the show. Also, VW-Bumblebee is one of the most iconic Transformers; while the G1 Wheeljack toy had terrible proportions, they both deserve an MP iteration.

I know that this mp-20 and generations wheeljack and prime wheeljack was all based on the original g1 toy but that's where the similarities end. The prime Wheeljack character is so awesome that it made any other wheeljack character obsolete but not the figures themselves.
ITS NOW WHEELJACK THE WARRIOR REBEL AND HERO THAT. This mp-20 will be the wheeljack and only in my collection all the other ones that came before were no where near worthy to be in my great collection.

Just a few thoughts of my own....

To those worrying about 'Bee being anything else but a Volkswagen Beetle, I don't think that will be an issue. The MP Lambos (Sideswipe, Red Alert, Tigertrack, G2 Sideswipe) are officially licensed Lamborghinis. Lamborghini is owned by Audi. Who owns Audi? Volkswagen Group, which also owns the Volkswagen, SEAT, Bentley, Škoda and Bugatti brands. This bodes very well for 'Bee being a Beetle. Additionally, VW Group also owns the Porsche brand, which may mean it's a lot more likely for MP Cliffjumper and MP Jazz to come about.

Wheeljack is a different story. He turns into a Lancia Stratos, and the Lancia brand is owned by Fiat. I think what held him up was all the sponsor logos on his vehicle mode.

I'm excited for both of these MPs and will be preordering them both shortly. I can only hope for a few repaints of MP 'Bee as Goldbug, Glyph and Bug Bite. While the last two are obscure-ish characters, so are Acid Storm and Sunstorm, and they have Masterpieces.

And while I'm on the subject of obscure characters for repaints, how about a red head and weapons for G2 Sideswipe, and two more repaints as MP Deep Cover and MP Clampdown? Thanks.

these two being announced as a pair would be a great way to have them be the Cybertron modes shown in the first episode of the cartoon. I'd actually quite like that in a Voyager/Scout two-pack, where lil Bee could ride inside big Jacky. But yeah, I'm looking very forward to Beetle Bee and maybe even Wheeljack.

Was hoping for Jazz, but I'm okay with Wheeljack. Honestly, I was half-expecting Sunstreaker, despite the "hard-license-to-get" hint.

Kinda iffy about Bumblebee. Strangely, I'm pretty satisfied with my Generations RTS Bee, despite the lacking articulation on his legs. He, along with the Cliffjumper repaint, make great stand-ins on my Neo-G1 shelf.

That said, if he looks good and it reasonably price, I'll buy the toy.

Bounti76 wrote:I'm excited for both of these MPs and will be preordering them both shortly. I can only hope for a few repaints of MP 'Bee as Goldbug, Glyph and Bug Bite. While the last two are obscure-ish characters, so are Acid Storm and Sunstorm, and they have Masterpieces.

Given their recent (and extremely well-recieved) round of repaints, I can certainly imagine that they'll end up doing Bug Bite and Glyph, though I don't think I'd expect Gold Bug out of this mold, but who knows.

And while I'm on the subject of obscure characters for repaints, how about a red head and weapons for G2 Sideswipe, and two more repaints as MP Deep Cover and MP Clampdown? Thanks.

G2 Sideswipe will have a red head. The version that was shown was more of a teaser, evidenced by the test-shot grey weapons. Lol, and they may very well end up doing Deep Cover and/or Clampdown, they seem to be enjoying the Sideswipe mold quite a bit (as they should!).

FFS give us more Decepticons!

craggy wrote:these two being announced as a pair would be a great way to have them be the Cybertron modes shown in the first episode of the cartoon. I'd actually quite like that in a Voyager/Scout two-pack, where lil Bee could ride inside big Jacky. But yeah, I'm looking very forward to Beetle Bee and maybe even Wheeljack.

Great call out, I did not even remember that these two were two of the first transformers to appear on screen in the original series.

Awesome news. Preordered both instantly. I was a little surprised with Wheeljack but not disappointed. Curious what they have in mind for retooling/repaint options for Wheeljack....(Sunstreaker anyone?).

Surprised they decided to go with G2 Sideswipe for the black deco instead of Deep Cover. I guess G2 Sideswipe has a greater appeal.

EagleBot13 wrote:I am now officially worried about that bumblebee. With them going for scale in the MP line than this bumblebee is going to be really small so hopefully the price does not seem too crazy once we see the figure and some size comparisons.

Based on the string of fantastic Masterpiece molds, transformations, sizing and accessories I will put faith into Takara that they can figure out a way to design Bumblebee so he will fit into the proper scaling that they have laid out for the series.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

Mindmaster wrote:

hinomars19 wrote:Shockwave is potentially still tied up in licensing and copyright issues with the Korean folk.

What's the deal with that? Shockwave is a Cybertronian handgun. What, did the North Korean Armed Forces decide to patent it for military use?

Not by Hasbro or Takara, despite being released by both.

Is there anything legally that is stopping Takara/Hasbro from making an upgraded version of Shockwave as a Masterpiece? I would think that the license would be needed if they intended to reissue the G1 version. But in this case they would be creating a new engineered character and alt mode. It wouldn't be too different than the Shockwaves they made in the recent years.

jamarmiller wrote:love the news ! Wish they would just re-release g1 sideswipe again, missed out on him as he was in stores for about 2 days before selling out and I thought I would be able to buy him in stores and not have to preorder him

They did, but you aren't going to like the price: http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TAK11706&mode=retail

Not. a Re release, that was stock being found,

Rated X wrote:

Bowspearer wrote:

Rated X wrote:He wont turn into a robot that is your precious "mini-bot" scale, because he is not an Isetta or a golf cart.

On the contrary, considering the line is in running with the animation scale guide, it's more than likely that he will. Also, expect that price to be adjusted once a more official announcement hits.

The robot scale in the cartoon doesnt comply with the actual size of the cars they transform into. So you cant have both. A VW Beetle isnt that much smaller than a Lamborghini or Datsun. If they go with the traditional mini-bot scale, the car mode will be the size of a golf cart next to the other MP cars.

That's what I'm saying though - the robot mode will be in cartoon scale with everyone else - where the robot mode is around half the size of Prowl, with the vehicle mode size being determined by the size of the robot mode. The current MP line follows the scale guide and by that time, will have since MP-09. Why would Takara suddenly change that - especially after pulling off the engineering of the MP cassettes?

Neurie wrote:If your getting technical about series 1 1984 G1, well old Red Alert was a series 2 toy.

The remaining series 1 toys that are left are: Brawn,Cliffjumper, Gears, Huffer, Windcharger, Hound Iornhide, Rachet, Sunstreaker, Jazz, Mirage and Trailbreaker

All the series 1 Decepticons have been done as MP except for 1 rainmaker/seeker.

For series 2('85) you have:-
Autobots:- Omega Supreme, Jetfire/Skyfire, Blaster, Perceptor, Beachcomber, Cosmos, Warpath, Seaspray, Grapple, Hoist, Inferno, Skids, Tracks and the Dinobots.

Deceps:- Shockwave, Thrust, Dirge, Ramjet, Reflector, the Insecticons, the Constructicons, Blitswing, Astrotrain

Then the non show toys like Roadbuster and Whirls(would be a nightmare to reissue those in any form), Deluxe Insecticons and Jumpstarters.

Reflector wasn't until series 3 in 1986.

I think they are going soley from the cartoon, so Reflector is a possibility on the season one 'rule', since he was there from episode 1. You'll have to forgive me if I make mistakes on certain issues concerning seasons. Here in the U.K back in the 80's season 1 and 2 to me was just 1 giant long series as far as airing was concerned. I'd just sit and watch any episode I could find anywhere I could find it. Despite my knowledge now it's a hard habit to break. Forgot Shockwave was not 'til season 2.

Yes you are correct on Red Alert, but the mold existed for Sideswipe, so why not get him in now. Same story with the upcoming Smokescreen. Plus, I'm guessing they will get to season 2 officially, they are just going through in order (with wiggle room for obvious re-paints etc, and the odd exclusive)
Basically the new direction for the MP line is focused on pre-movie stuff

People can moan about the lack of Decepticons all they want, but in the space of a few months we had:
Soundwave
LaserBeak
Rumble
Frenzy
Ravage
Buzzsaw

6 main Decepticon characters.In one giant block. The season 1 seekers have all been done. If you don't like that a lot of that list are all small guys, and only half of them are original molds, well...I guess Takara need to apologize for being so accurate and ruining Transformers forever.
Maybe you can attempt to contact them via their official site. Mouthing off here in a disrespectful fashion won't achieve anything.

Neurie wrote:Reflector wasn't until series 3 in 1986.

Actually as we're talking about Japan here, it was released in 1985 and at retail. What you're talking about is the US release which technically doesn't count when talking about the Masterpiece line.

Going by the toyline, the first wave of Decepticons only included:

Megatron, Soundwave, Starscream, Thundercracker, Skywarp, Rumble, Frenzy, Ravage, Laserbeak and Buzzsaw.

All of these have seen a release sometime or another. Only two have not been in the redesigned scale and they are Megatron and Skywarp.

Going my the cartoon, you have all of the above but include:

Reflector, Shockwave, the Rainmakers, the Constructicons, the Insecticons, and an army of Seekers.

The Decepticon army seems big but they had used recoloured seekers in the background to boost the ranks. Only one of the cartoon characters has been added to the MP line, that is Sunstorm. A case can be made for retconning MP03 into Acid Storm (though there will be a Hasbro version using the new seeker mold) with MP06 and 07 being background Decepticons.

The Autobot cast was incredibly large. The first wave of the toyline consisted of:

Optimus Prime, Sideswipe, Jazz, Wheeljack, Hound, Ironhide, Ratchet, Bluestreak, Trailbreaker, Mirage, Sunstreaker, Prowl, Bumblebee, Brawn, Cliffjumper, Windcharger, Huffer, and Gears.

The G1 cartoon added the Dinobots, and Skyfire. The only anomaly if going by first season is Red Alert who was a 2nd season character in the show and a 2nd wave toy.