The Energon Pub

hey... that's an idea, a 1:1 scale Wheelie transforming RC

like this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyk5EwEJxV0

Gauntlet101010 wrote:

Droptested Thrice wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I guess this means that the Leader class Bumbelebee will also be a Masterpeice?

How about Animated Bulkhead? Give him a shiny coat of paint and Energon Galvatron can be Masterpeice Galvatron.

It's really not the use of a movie character that I object to, personally. Although, if they wanted to go this route, Prime would be a more logical first choice. It's the use of a lesser quality mold.

It's the same reason I wouldn't really want to see a Jazz or Ironhide Masterpeice. They'd be glorified Alternators. Alternators are nice, but when you're advertising "Masterpieces" that's kind of what you expect to get. Making a Leader class figure with actual good paint apps isn't the sort of quality I've come to expect fromt he MP line.

And, although Takara CAN do whatever they want to with the Transformers brand, that doesn't nessasarily mean they SHOULD. There are bad ideas out there. And the MP line was concieved of for both Takara and hasbro, and both put work into Prime. Although the line did become more japan-centric.

I like Masterpiece too. But to say that any toy that wasn't designed specifically for MP is thus "of lesser quality" is a flawed argument. Otherwise, we wouldn't have complaints:

- about how MP Seekers have unnecessary hip kibble, which have to be "fixed" through fan mods
- or how Takara "didn't get right" MP Starscream's colors
- or how MP Seekers and Grimlock are not in scale with MP Prime and Megatron
- or how Prime originally didn't include the trailer
- and then, when they did add a trailer for Prime, we get complaints on why they didn't include Roller
- or how MP Megatron's a fragile toy, is not that poseable, isn't in the right size when in gun mode, has missing gun accessories, and has metal parts that tarnish easily

And those are just the more common complaints regarding Masterpiece. I agree that there are ideas which should not be used for this line, but it's not like everything that's come out under MP has been flawless.

Flawless? No. Greater quality than a Leader class toy? Yes. And if they're not, then do away with the so-called "Masterpiece" label and give us the leader-class toy at a Leader-class price.

You are already getting a Screamer at a Leader price point, though. This Masterpice is for Japan. Takara isn't forcing you to import it.

Droptested Thrice wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:

Droptested Thrice wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I guess this means that the Leader class Bumbelebee will also be a Masterpeice?

How about Animated Bulkhead? Give him a shiny coat of paint and Energon Galvatron can be Masterpeice Galvatron.

It's really not the use of a movie character that I object to, personally. Although, if they wanted to go this route, Prime would be a more logical first choice. It's the use of a lesser quality mold.

It's the same reason I wouldn't really want to see a Jazz or Ironhide Masterpeice. They'd be glorified Alternators. Alternators are nice, but when you're advertising "Masterpieces" that's kind of what you expect to get. Making a Leader class figure with actual good paint apps isn't the sort of quality I've come to expect fromt he MP line.

And, although Takara CAN do whatever they want to with the Transformers brand, that doesn't nessasarily mean they SHOULD. There are bad ideas out there. And the MP line was concieved of for both Takara and hasbro, and both put work into Prime. Although the line did become more japan-centric.

I like Masterpiece too. But to say that any toy that wasn't designed specifically for MP is thus "of lesser quality" is a flawed argument. Otherwise, we wouldn't have complaints:

- about how MP Seekers have unnecessary hip kibble, which have to be "fixed" through fan mods
- or how Takara "didn't get right" MP Starscream's colors
- or how MP Seekers and Grimlock are not in scale with MP Prime and Megatron
- or how Prime originally didn't include the trailer
- and then, when they did add a trailer for Prime, we get complaints on why they didn't include Roller
- or how MP Megatron's a fragile toy, is not that poseable, isn't in the right size when in gun mode, has missing gun accessories, and has metal parts that tarnish easily

And those are just the more common complaints regarding Masterpiece. I agree that there are ideas which should not be used for this line, but it's not like everything that's come out under MP has been flawless.

Flawless? No. Greater quality than a Leader class toy? Yes. And if they're not, then do away with the so-called "Masterpiece" label and give us the leader-class toy at a Leader-class price.

You are already getting a Screamer at a Leader price point, though. This Masterpice is for Japan. Takara isn't forcing you to import it.

Saying that misses the point entirely.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:

Droptested Thrice wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:

Droptested Thrice wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I guess this means that the Leader class Bumbelebee will also be a Masterpeice?

How about Animated Bulkhead? Give him a shiny coat of paint and Energon Galvatron can be Masterpeice Galvatron.

It's really not the use of a movie character that I object to, personally. Although, if they wanted to go this route, Prime would be a more logical first choice. It's the use of a lesser quality mold.

It's the same reason I wouldn't really want to see a Jazz or Ironhide Masterpeice. They'd be glorified Alternators. Alternators are nice, but when you're advertising "Masterpieces" that's kind of what you expect to get. Making a Leader class figure with actual good paint apps isn't the sort of quality I've come to expect fromt he MP line.

And, although Takara CAN do whatever they want to with the Transformers brand, that doesn't nessasarily mean they SHOULD. There are bad ideas out there. And the MP line was concieved of for both Takara and hasbro, and both put work into Prime. Although the line did become more japan-centric.

I like Masterpiece too. But to say that any toy that wasn't designed specifically for MP is thus "of lesser quality" is a flawed argument. Otherwise, we wouldn't have complaints:

- about how MP Seekers have unnecessary hip kibble, which have to be "fixed" through fan mods
- or how Takara "didn't get right" MP Starscream's colors
- or how MP Seekers and Grimlock are not in scale with MP Prime and Megatron
- or how Prime originally didn't include the trailer
- and then, when they did add a trailer for Prime, we get complaints on why they didn't include Roller
- or how MP Megatron's a fragile toy, is not that poseable, isn't in the right size when in gun mode, has missing gun accessories, and has metal parts that tarnish easily

And those are just the more common complaints regarding Masterpiece. I agree that there are ideas which should not be used for this line, but it's not like everything that's come out under MP has been flawless.

Flawless? No. Greater quality than a Leader class toy? Yes. And if they're not, then do away with the so-called "Masterpiece" label and give us the leader-class toy at a Leader-class price.

You are already getting a Screamer at a Leader price point, though. This Masterpice is for Japan. Takara isn't forcing you to import it.

Saying that misses the point entirely.

I already gave you specific examples of how people complain about G1 Masterpieces' flaws. Leader toy doesn't automatically mean < Masterpiece toy.

Buster Prime got very good reviews, and it seems Starscream will get a similar amount of positive press for the engineering that went into him. It's a shame he'll probably get crapped on simply because those wacky Japanese decided to put him in a Masterpiece box.

What are you looking for that makes it "Masterpiece quality"?

Making good leader class figures should be the norm. Not so especially fantastic that they can be slapped with a masterpiece label.

I have all the MP molds and I have a few leader class figures and the MP line beats them all. Even with their flaws. Now, Prime and Screamer raised the Leader class bar. But even then they're not designed to be Masterpieces. Conversly, the only MPs that might pass as Leader class is Grimlock, maybe. Because of the inherent simplicity of the mold.

This "MP" Starscream is not an MP. It's just not. So it should have one fantastic paint job, because that's what you're really the only true masterpiece quality it'll have. The MP line should have their own molds with high quality paint apps and accessories.

By the same token, the new Unicron remold is not Masterpiece. It's supreme class with a remolded head and a new paint job ... but not an MP. If they put G1 Devestator in an MP box and called it an MP, it also would not be an MP figure. If they repackaged Energon Galvatron as an MP it also would not be an MP figure.

I mean, you see what I'm saying here, don't you? I like ALL of these figures. But Masterpieces they ain't. By the same token, no MPs could really pass as Leader class figures.

Edit: after comparing it seems like it might be priced at lower levels than the other MPs ... but still higher than the other leaders there. Could just be BBTS. So maybe it isn't a total cash grab and I'll concede that point. But it still seems like a lie to say a leader class toy is an MP.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:Making good leader class figures should be the norm. Not so especially fantastic that they can be slapped with a masterpiece label ... and masterpiece price.

I have all the MP molds and I have a few leader class figures and the MP line beats them all. Even with their flaws. Now, Prime and Screamer raised the Leader class bar. But even then they're not designed to be Masterpieces. The only one that might pass as Leader class is Grimlock. Because of the inherent simplicity of the mold.

This "MP" Starscream is not an MP. It's just not. So it should have one fantastic paint job, because that's what you're really the only true masterpiece quality it'll have. This here is a cash grab. It's a cash grab that lowers the MP line and I don't like it. The MP line should have their own molds with high quality paint apps and accessories.

MP has long built a house on "cash grab" territory with Hasbro version repaints, Sleep Mode Convoy, that black Convoy, and Ghost Starscream. Maybe they aren't making as much money as they would like with the MP line, so new molds are few and far between.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:By the same token, the new Unicron remold is not Masterpiece. It's supreme class with a remolded head and a new paint job ... but not an MP. If they put G1 Devestator in an MP box and called it an MP, it also would not be an MP figure. If they repackaged Energon Galvatron as an MP it also would not be an MP figure.

I mean, you see what I'm saying here, don't you? I like ALL of these figures. But Masterpieces they ain't.

Edit: after comparing it seems like it might be priced at lower levels than the other MPs ... but still higher than the other leaders there. Could just be BBTS. So maybe it isn't a total cash grab and I'll concede that point. But it still seems like a lie to say a leader class toy is an MP.

What you're saying is that a Masterpiece should be the ultimate, final rendition of whatever character it's supposed to be. Fair enough; that's what Takara was doing before they added movie characters.

That doesn't mean Takara can't change the purpose of their brands. If they think movie Screamer is good enough to stand as a Masterpiece, they're probably right. They designed him in the first place.

Good Lord, you just won't let me have a negative opinion on this release, will you?

Fundamentally, it's not a MP so it shouldn't be in the MP line. Obviously you don't have a problem with that. I do. So just leave it at that already.

But other than $ reasons, why would Takara label this as a MP? Why not keep it leader class -or whatever class it is in Japanese? It seems very odd to throw a movie-verse toy (that really bears no resemblance to G1 SS btw) into a line dedicated to the ultimate versions of G1 favorites. I like the MP line so much I consider it superior to Sideshow 12" Star Wars and GI Joe figures. I love the immaculate detail.

Not hating on LC SS, still getting him in a shipment split w/another local collector that hopefully arrives by this wknd. I'm pumped. Only got a brief glimpse of the box at TRU Tues. It was too high on the top shelf to see.

vectorA3 wrote:But other than $ reasons, why would Takara label this as a MP? Why not keep it leader class -or whatever class it is in Japanese? It seems very odd to throw a movie-verse toy (that really bears no resemblance to G1 SS btw) into a line dedicated to the ultimate versions of G1 favorites.

If you ask me it has more to do with marketing. The Autobot Alliance line (HFTD) would only have two Leader molds, tops, both of familiar characters that already had toys in smaller classes in earlier lines. That would result in a smaller sales potential, especially with their high price. I mean, there already is a Bumblebee in that line, a Deluxe. Which would parents pick: the Leader or a Deluxe?
By shelving the two Leaders into a collector's line, the sales potential is slightly increased, since it will be Japanese collectors that would be picking it up, not the kids or their parents. Maybe Diem can tell us how well the movie lines have done, sales-wise?

I'm still loving the fact people think this is part of the original MP line the full name of this thing is this:
Master Piece - Movie 01 Transformers the Movie edition Starscream

This is a new line focusing on the Movie line it's not part of the main G1 line, just like the Brave MPs.

I also love how a couple of months back everybody was saying how this mold should get a Buster Prime treatment and sold as an MP, now Takara does just that and everybody bitches.

Dead Metal wrote:I'm still loving the fact people think this is part of the original MP line the full name of this thing is this:
Master Piece - Movie 01 Transformers the Movie edition Starscream

This is a new line focusing on the Movie line it's not part of the main G1 line, just like the Brave MPs.

I also love how a couple of months back everybody was saying how this mold should get a Buster Prime treatment and sold as an MP, now Takara does just that and everybody bitches.

Ah, Purists... Also, the only thing universal is fanboy complaint.

Well, the people who bitch about it probably aren't the same people who thought it should be a MP release.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:Well, the people who bitch about it probably aren't the same people who thought it should be a MP release.

It's still not part of the normal MP line, this is just the start of a new MP line for the Movie characters, it's not the first time Takara did this:
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu ... egory=1657
That line's name is Masterpice - Brave MP-B for short.
So if you feel like this kills the MP line due to it not being G1 Takara killed the line back in 06 already.

Dead Metal wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:Well, the people who bitch about it probably aren't the same people who thought it should be a MP release.

It's still not part of the normal MP line, this is just the start of a new MP line for the Movie characters, it's not the first time Takara did this:
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu ... egory=1657
That line's name is Masterpice - Brave MP-B for short.
So if you feel like this kills the MP line due to it not being G1 Takara killed the line back in 06 already.

Do we have to tell everyone this every single page?

Dead Metal wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:Well, the people who bitch about it probably aren't the same people who thought it should be a MP release.

It's still not part of the normal MP line, this is just the start of a new MP line for the Movie characters, it's not the first time Takara did this:
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu ... egory=1657
That line's name is Masterpice - Brave MP-B for short.
So if you feel like this kills the MP line due to it not being G1 Takara killed the line back in 06 already.

I don't know the Brave series .... and don't really care about it.

The Masterpiece good name was sullied with the plastic/die-cast abortion known as MP02 Ultra Magnus.

If anyone thought from that point forward, that the Masterpiece title was anything other than an opportunity to reach into collector's pockets every quarter for $100-150, you've got another thing coming.

The only true magic we've seen is that somehow, there've only been two completely unnecessary Seeker repaints (ok, so original MP03 isn't technically a repaint. It's just the baby that no one wanted).

Not to be the old man on the porch or anything, but when MP Convoy was released, that thing was given a form of reverance. This was something special, unique, and really meant for the "collector" (term be damned). When MP02 was announced, used Convoy's mold, and added nothing to the equation; only then did the rules of the game become firmly established.

So, buy up and enjoy your MP Movie Starscream. It's certainly no worse than "Sleep Mode Convoy".

*Edited by staff due to inappropriate content*

Gauntlet101010 wrote:

Dead Metal wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:Well, the people who bitch about it probably aren't the same people who thought it should be a MP release.

It's still not part of the normal MP line, this is just the start of a new MP line for the Movie characters, it's not the first time Takara did this:
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu ... egory=1657
That line's name is Masterpice - Brave MP-B for short.
So if you feel like this kills the MP line due to it not being G1 Takara killed the line back in 06 already.

I don't know the Brave series .... and don't really care about it.

So why do you care so much that the movies get their own MP line now but nor for the Brave series doing the same thing prior?

Counterpunch wrote:The Masterpiece good name was sullied with the plastic/die-cast abortion known as MP02 Ultra Magnus.

If anyone thought from that point forward, that the Masterpiece title was anything other than an opportunity to reach into collector's pockets every quarter for $100-150, you've got another thing coming.

The only true magic we've seen is that somehow, there've only been two completely unnecessary Seeker repaints (ok, so original MP03 isn't technically a repaint. It's just the baby that no one wanted).

Not to be the old man on the porch or anything, but when MP Convoy was released, that thing was given a form of reverance. This was something special, unique, and really meant for the "collector" (term be damned). When MP02 was announced, used Convoy's mold, and added nothing to the equation; only then did the rules of the game become firmly established.

So, buy up and enjoy your MP Movie Starscream. It's certainly no worse than "Sleep Mode Convoy".

You've got a point, even the MP line resorted to turning Ultra Magnus into nothing more than white Optimus. It's a toyline to make as much money as possible, just like any other.

Dead Metal wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:

Dead Metal wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:Well, the people who bitch about it probably aren't the same people who thought it should be a MP release.

It's still not part of the normal MP line, this is just the start of a new MP line for the Movie characters, it's not the first time Takara did this:
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu ... egory=1657
That line's name is Masterpice - Brave MP-B for short.
So if you feel like this kills the MP line due to it not being G1 Takara killed the line back in 06 already.

I don't know the Brave series .... and don't really care about it.

So why do you care so much that the movies get their own MP line now but nor for the Brave series doing the same thing prior?

If they had actually made a masterpiece movie series Starscream, maybe I'd be excited about it.

Why don't I care that they made a Brave series MP line? Because I'm not a Brave series fan.

Edit: as for recolors, at least they're recolors of actual MP toys. Although it's true that Magnus lowered the bar.

Only reason I can figure there doing this is to fill the development time between the last mp and mp rodimus.

wow... did anyone have a cry over Universe\Classics that merged into the Movie-vers line?

LeL wrote:wow... did anyone have a cry over Universe\Classics that merged into the Movie-vers line?

Certainly not an appropriate comparison you're drawing there...

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

vectorA3 wrote:But other than $ reasons, why would Takara label this as a MP? Why not keep it leader class -or whatever class it is in Japanese? It seems very odd to throw a movie-verse toy (that really bears no resemblance to G1 SS btw) into a line dedicated to the ultimate versions of G1 favorites.

If you ask me it has more to do with marketing. The Autobot Alliance line (HFTD) would only have two Leader molds, tops, both of familiar characters that already had toys in smaller classes in earlier lines. That would result in a smaller sales potential, especially with their high price. I mean, there already is a Bumblebee in that line, a Deluxe. Which would parents pick: the Leader or a Deluxe?
By shelving the two Leaders into a collector's line, the sales potential is slightly increased, since it will be Japanese collectors that would be picking it up, not the kids or their parents. Maybe Diem can tell us how well the movie lines have done, sales-wise?

Certainly. I know a few shops that carry discount TFs that didn't sell wonderfully on Japanese shelves. Until recently they were fairly clear of everything except Henkei Streak but all of a sudden there are lots of Supreme Devastators, The Fallens, Skids, Mudflap, the Motorbike sisters and Ravage. These guys apparently sold very badly.

In stores, the above figures are clogging shelves along with the HA Twins.

I think Takara has made a smart move with choosing this Starscream so soon, knowing how well the movie has become and watching prices drop over Hasbro MP Starscream\Skywarp. I did post somewhere else that prior to TF3 that a repaint of leaderclass Starscream was going to hit the shevles. and come on... LC SS hasn't really taken a spot on the Masterpiece wishlist has has most likely been added due to popularity.