The Energon Pub

[kiwijinxter]

When I got into collecting Masterpieces a few years ago, I knew they were far from cheap. But typically they would rarely go over the $200 price point with many of the car Autobots costing $80, which I could work into my budget. If the starting price starts to edge towards the $200 mark that would probably price me out right now, which would be a shame, because I have most of the previously released figures I want other than Ratchet & maybe MP-09, & I would hate to have to tap out because Takara is just trying to test where the line is in the general fans' pocket books.

I agree, when I was a kid a long long time ago in a galaxy far far away, I played with $20 Transformers and had a lot of joy out of it. However, now that I'm grown up and been working for years, I could finally budget for, and selectively buy some Masterpieces. But when a Masterpiece hits the $400+ level, even I couldn't justify it . Not unless it self-transforms. That said, power to those who can afford this. My favourite Transformers is and always has been the G1 Optimus Prime and Megatron, and it'll be hard to beat the MP-10 and MP-36 - they're a magnificent work of art.

[kiwijinxter]

The real kicker for me in all of this? I want this figure. It looks simply amazing, and I am one of the lucky ones here who can afford this price. But I can't justify it by any means. I have two little boys, and we have started trying to teach them the value of money. How can I do that with a straight face when I waste money on something like this? Answer: I can't.

Oh well, we move on.

Brilliant summation, love it. As a father of 3 kids, I have the same dilemma, but boy those Masterpieces are beautiful works of art for Transformers lovers!

[Cobotron]

I want to get back to Prowl and Wheeljack, who look like their cartoon models but also have the extra detailing and didn't "cheat" to achieve the look.

Bossbot, I'm so riding this train right next to you. Meet me at the bar in the cafe car so we can drown our sorrows.

[Cyberpath]

I'm actually pleased that they stripped away the "made-up" gribble.

It seems like CHUG went the other, wildly so.



Yikes.

[Seibertron]

I want to get back to Prowl and Wheeljack, who look like their cartoon models but also have the extra detailing and didn't "cheat" to achieve the look.

Bossbot, I'm so riding this train right next to you. Meet me at the bar in the cafe car so we can drown our sorrows.

Damn I would love to do that. Why do all of you live far away from me! Come to Chicago!!!

Well, in my efforts to find the positive side of things today since it's Friday, at least MP-44 doesn't have the "gorilla arms" problem or oddly slanted abdomen grill that has zero precedence prior to MP-10. Yay for that.

[hausjam]

I don't get the hateful comments. Toon accuracy or Toy accuracy. There is plenty of room for both. Buy whichever one you like. Or if you have the means, buy both and appreciate both. If you don't like one or the other, don't buy it. And don't worry about it.

Those of you complaining about the price just don't get it. If $450 is too much for a masterpiece, mark downs will be coming. If it sells out at $450, then they were right. It's called capitalism. If you don't agree with that, that is your prerogative. But it won't make you right. And complaining about it here won't make you feel any better.

[Torneira]

After long consideration, I have come to this conclusion:
"Optimus must be obtained, no matter the costs."

[Coptur]

If they want quick bucks and cash grabs why not announce:

- Clampdown

Clampdown already exists as MP-14C, uness you want an animation style figure of a character that was never in the 'toon?

Then I meant Deep Cover the red alert repaint

[Jelze Bunnycat]

If they want quick bucks and cash grabs why not announce:

- Clampdown

Clampdown already exists as MP-14C, uness you want an animation style figure of a character that was never in the 'toon?

Then I meant Deep Cover the red alert repaint

For the record, Clamp Down is the police car redeco of Red Alert:


Transformers Masterpiece Clampdown Gallery

While Deep Cover is the black Sideswipe redeco, who doesn't exist as an MP yet. I know, confusing...

[william-james88]

If they want quick bucks and cash grabs why not announce:

- Clampdown

Clampdown already exists as MP-14C, uness you want an animation style figure of a character that was never in the 'toon?

Then I meant Deep Cover the red alert repaint

Deep cover is a sideswipe repaint.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Who's on first?

[Amelie]

So the toy goes out of its way to technically makes no sense and represent animation simplification.

I actually think that is something I really celebrate about the most recent Masterpiece figures. There is an element of "it makes no sense to do this" and "that'll never work" that to some designers and artists is more like challenge that can't be ignored. Whilst I appreciate a nice, uncluttered transformation (I feel like MP28 is a good example of this), I appreciate that Takara have been going the extra mile for accuracy on things that only made sense in animation for simplicity's sake.

[william-james88]

So the toy goes out of its way to technically makes no sense and represent animation simplification.

Yup, i can totally get behind that. And i too miss the days of Wheeljack, who is still my favorite mp car to this day.

[Coptur]

If they want quick bucks and cash grabs why not announce:

- Clampdown

Clampdown already exists as MP-14C, uness you want an animation style figure of a character that was never in the 'toon?

Then I meant Deep Cover the red alert repaint

Deep cover is a sideswipe repaint.

Meh my point still holds that they should release the missing repaint characters regardless of my very small mistake Takara know who's who

[-Kanrabat-]

Know what? My favorite MP is still MP-01 Optimus. Big. Massive. FULL METAL. He's his own thing. Plus he feel ridiculously heavy and SOLID. In hand I know I have my money's worth in PREMIUM toy.

I fear that Optimus 3.0 will be light and flimsy...

[william-james88]

Am I the only one who finds this really hilarious

[President-prime]

I agree. MP -1 us still my #1 Optimus

[chuckdawg1999]

Just a thought, Bandai has been doing their Soul Of Chogokin line for a very long time now and it's basically their masterpiece line for all the licenses they have. Some figures have been below $100 and some even below $75 but the really big ones have gone as high as $400 plus, those have quite a few add-ons and accessories. It hit me today that this version of Prime could be seen as being on the same level as those higher end SOC pieces.

[wilcosu35]

Just a thought, Bandai has been doing their Soul Of Chogokin line for a very long time now and it's basically their masterpiece line for all the licenses they have. Some figures have been below $100 and some even below $75 but the really big ones have gone as high as $400 plus, those have quite a few add-ons and accessories. It hit me today that this version of Prime could be seen as being on the same level as those higher end SOC pieces.

Having shelled out a wad of money for Daizyujin and with King Brachion on order, i get where you're coming from. -44 is expensive but imho, he's worth it and i'll order him when HLJ puts the preorder up.

[primalxconvoy]

For me, it's too expensive. I'll either stick with MP 10 or get the KO version.

[Nemesis Maximo]

Am I the only one who finds this really hilarious

You mean the fact the TFSource is claiming to offer a 10% discount while charging the same price as everyone else?

Yeah, hilarious. Honestly I’ve been questioning TFSources morals lately, Between questionable “early bird discounts” and them saying they buy collections but then won’t take half of my collection. I dunno, maybe I’m just looking into it too deeply.

[Ironhidensh]

Just a thought, Bandai has been doing their Soul Of Chogokin line for a very long time now and it's basically their masterpiece line for all the licenses they have. Some figures have been below $100 and some even below $75 but the really big ones have gone as high as $400 plus, those have quite a few add-ons and accessories. It hit me today that this version of Prime could be seen as being on the same level as those higher end SOC pieces.

There is a massive difference of quality there. Bandai is high end, Takara Masterpiece is no different than main line toys in terms of their quality. Also, Bandai SoC figures typically retail low, sell out immediately, than skyrocket on the secondary market.



I'm sorry, I don't mean to sound like a broken record, or a jerk, but there is no justification for this price, beyond greed. End of story. I get that people like Takara, and want to support it, but c'mon now. I want this figure too, and it pisses me off that Takara is trying to gouge me over my hobby love.

[no-one]

Honestly I’ve been questioning TFSources morals lately, Between questionable “early bird discounts” and them saying they buy collections but then won’t take half of my collection. I dunno, maybe I’m just looking into it too deeply.

The last time I did business with them left a bad taste in my mouth and I haven't been back.

[Emerje]

You mean the fact the TFSource is claiming to offer a 10% discount while charging the same price as everyone else?

Yeah, they're doing the same thing with Selects Swoop and Ricochet and Furai Model Starscream and probably others. It's a strange thing to do and baffling that they don't realize most of us price check before ordering and can see how transparent this tactic is.

Emerje

[Relic0037]

One way I look at my decision to pass on MP-44 is that I already have MP-10, although to be 100% accurate, I have the TRU version of MP-10. This new figure doesn't represent a drastic change in scale like going from MP-01 to MP-10, so I will view it the same way I did when MP-12+ was announced.....if I didn't have Sideswipe already, I would probably get the + version, but since I already have him, I'm not buying him again to get some paint upgrades & in the case of MP-44, a few extra accessories.