The Energon Pub

[ZeroWolf]

More cost cutting methods then I guess, unless that was what takara added to the deal about brand unification

[Emerje]

Unfortunately, We'll not be getting any more versions of MPs. One of the SDCC interviews with John Warden stated that any US releases will be the exact same production run of the figure as the markets, even in the exact same box, the only difference will be a cardboard sleeve around the box with english language text (and presumably hasbro branding).

Yeah, I know about that, but I don't think that means it's the only way they'll ever do an MP release from now on. If they think they can get Amazon to pick up a special MP release as an exclusive they're going to do it. It's Optimus Prime after all, of course they'd give him special treatment, especially if there really is a voice chip in there.

Emerje

[daoist]

Even if Hasbro isn't releasing their own MPs, that doesn't mean this figure will only be available with Japanese audio clips. It could easily just be pew-pew/transformation sounds. Or, given how expensive this thing looks, maybe the identified switch isn't power. Maybe it's language?

[bigcee66]

Aw crap, that's a soundbox if I ever saw one, you can see the speaker holes on the bottom and an on/off switch on the side. I'm not surprised, but I was really hoping this one would be lights only. This will most definitely be the new "most expensive MP ever". Maybe I'll pass and hold out for a Hasbro release with Peter Cullen's voice...

Emerje

Unfortunately, We'll not be getting any more versions of MPs. One of the SDCC interviews with John Warden stated that any US releases will be the exact same production run of the figure as the markets, even in the exact same box, the only difference will be a cardboard sleeve around the box with english language text (and presumably hasbro branding).

I'd actually be 100% ok with this lol! Too many cost cuts on the U.S. versions(missing accessories, stripped down instructions etc.)

[shajaki]

'bashed

[ZeroWolf]

I know it's a digibash but he does look quite nice there.

[ciano]

very nice, but still if they go through the trouble of going cartoon accurate with robot mode this one especially they should make the truck mode cartoon accurate as well, who knows there might be less panel forming with it

Agreed, a bot mode like that (especially with his entire chest being fake kibble) really merits a truck mode with those big, square headlights, and no rivets.

[daoist]

I think the windows on his chest are not fake. They are the real windows from the front of the truck cab.

Look at the panel lines on truck mode.

In truck mode, the frames around the windows are fake. They are panels sitting on top of the windows.

[Emerje]

I think the windows on his chest are not fake. They are the real windows from the front of the truck cab.

Look at the panel lines on truck mode.

In truck mode, the frames around the windows are fake. They are panels sitting on top of the windows.

I'm going to take it a step further and say it's the same window inside out. There's a seam that runs down the side and a small lump just half way down, I think the windows open, rotate at the lump, and then close again to flip them over. It'll be easier to tell for sure when we see him in color.

Emerje

[Cyberpath]

Source: https://www.facebook.com/loopaza/posts/1988360254558813

[bigcee66]

Take my money already.

[william-james88]

For those unaware, Takara will be releasing a third Masterpiece Optimus Prime (the first being MP 01, then MP 10). This version will be more articulated than ever before, more accurate than ever before and surely more expensive than ever before. We just didn't know how expensive, until now.

A listing from Action Robo on Facebook has a simple set of details but they are all crucial, here is what is stated:

MP-44 Optimus Prime ver. 3.0
Late August 2019
50,000 Yen

Firstly, we now know the numbering of the figure, MP-44, and that it will be coming out in august next year. Also, while the 50,000 price point (seems high, it fits in line with the increase in prices in the MP line. We had a similar reaction when MP-41 Dinobot was revealed to be 28,000 Yen. MP Beast Wars Megatron was revealed to be even more expensive than that, and with Optimus Prime coming with a massive trailer, this is the around the price point we were gearing up to get. Of course, this is the MSRP and while domestic importers may stick with this price, the figure may be up to 30% cheaper if you deal with the importing yourself.

Just to give an idea of the current exchange rate, 50,000 Yen is equivalent to:
$440 USD
$585 CAD
$610 AUD
390 Euros
345 Pounds

[starfish]

£345! Yikes!

[Glarryg]

Gotta say, I'm not nearly impressed enough with that figure to want to pay about twice what the previous version costs. (Yes, I know the price hasn't been finalized yet, etc., but I wouldn't even pay thirty dollars more for that over MP-10.)

Glarryg

[Nathaniel Prime]

Wow, this must have been a huge story on facebook with so many people submitting news here about it. Anyway, the figure looks nice, but I can barely afford a 60$ Masterpiece figure let alone a 440$ one so this is a pass for me

[Big Grim]

MORE than happy with MP10.

[DedicatedGhostArt]

Why is TFP Optimus in the thumbnail?

Wow, this must have been a huge story on facebook with so many people submitting news here about it. Anyway, the figure looks nice, but I can barely afford a 60$ Masterpiece figure let alone a 440$ one so this is a pass for me

Yeeeeeahhh... I'm gonna wait for one from Maketoys most likely. Their Despotron looks amazing, and it's only like 130 bucks. Seriously, you're paying way less for a Megatron way less likely to drive you absolutely insane. Plus I prefer more bulky characters anyway for the leaders, so Despotron's "thickboi" legs actually look awesome to me, regardless of how many people go full super saiyan crybaby over it. But.. 440 **** DOLLARS for an MP OPTIMUS at BASE LEVEL? WHY??? Takara, these are not Prime One Studios **** STATUES!!! THEY'RE MPS!!!! **** STOP!!!! *breathes* I thought Sunstreaker's steep price was crazy, but ohohoh boy.. I didn't know nothing yet. This frankly makes me wanna support 3rd Party companies almost outta spite. Maybe I'll just take my Siege and 3rd Party MPs and be happy with that. Dunno if I'll ever get official MPs at this point.

[Nathaniel Prime]

Why is TFP Optimus in the thumbnail?

He's as shocked about the price as we are

[DedicatedGhostArt]

Why is TFP Optimus in the thumbnail?

He's as shocked about the price as we are

I only realized how steep it was after writing that post, so I edited in a ton of angry words about it.

Seriously, I'm legitimately angry right now. At this point I've become jaded towards Takara's MPs to the point of forsaking my integrity to get KOs instead. I was like the biggest preacher against KOs, but their choices have driven ME to want and consider buying KOs. Kill me now.

[Ironhidensh]

Well, Takasa Tony is going to do amazing business off of this one.

[no-one]

MP-44 Optimus Prime ver. 3.0
Late August 2019
50,000 Yen

Well that's an appropriate face.

Well, Takasa Tony is going to do amazing business off of this one.

yup

[Deadput]

It's a good looking figure and all but is any figure actually worth that much?

When buying things I try to think of not only about if I want it but also how much time I'll get out of it compared to the price.

So a few hundred dollars for something I'll probably only fiddle with for a couple days tops (not literal days but the actual amount of time I'm interacting with it) is probably not worth it.

[ScottyP]

Assuming this is accurate and that the exchange rate holds, this will be a ~$350 preorder. I expected $300 so this stinks, yes, but is probably not a deal breaker.

Now this being said, the exchange rate will almost definitely swing a good bit between now and next August. Hopefully it does so in a beneficial direction.

[whacko]

At these prices... goodbye Takara, hello 3rd parties!

Takara's quality control lately hasn't been high enough to justify their increasing price tags for these figures. The trailer, which is likely to be mostly a hollow box doesn't justify a $100 premium over MP Beastwars Megatron. The fact that it is "official" has always been a huge selling point, but with 3rd party companies producing figures of comparable or better quality and design for half the price or less.. I wonder if 1st party toys are starting to become irrelevant at least for the high-end collector market. It isn't as if Takara is releasing toys based on NEW character designs, and 3rd party toy companies have shown they can do a lot of great things with the G1 character designs.

[Terrsolpix]

We live in a society where magic square prime is over $300 cheaper than this. What a time to be alive