The Energon Pub

zodconvoy wrote:Splitting hairs, dude. Shockwave was a huge part of Season 1 and Reflector was aboard the Nemesis making them as '84 as you can get. They go by characters on in the cartoon as Grimlock's reissue proves. Shockwave won't happen because it's not theirs to make but nothing's stopping a toon accurate Reflector. Devastator might be too much to ask for though.

Why is Shockwave not theirs to make? I'm aware of the Fan's toys Shockwave, but why would that affect Takara's ability to make one themselves? Maybe I'm missing something? Obviously that will cut into DEMAND for an official Shockwavw, but wouldn't make it prohibitive for Takara. For my money, I love the official MP's myself. As for gestalts...that may be a later endeavor...we can hope anyway! Would love to see a Takara Devastator, though the most recent unlicensed version looks amazing!!

DinobotSix wrote:

zodconvoy wrote:Splitting hairs, dude. Shockwave was a huge part of Season 1 and Reflector was aboard the Nemesis making them as '84 as you can get. They go by characters on in the cartoon as Grimlock's reissue proves. Shockwave won't happen because it's not theirs to make but nothing's stopping a toon accurate Reflector. Devastator might be too much to ask for though.

Why is Shockwave not theirs to make? I'm aware of the Fan's toys Shockwave, but why would that affect Takara's ability to make one themselves? Maybe I'm missing something? Obviously that will cut into DEMAND for an official Shockwavw, but wouldn't make it prohibitive for Takara. For my money, I love the official MP's myself. As for gestalts...that may be a later endeavor...we can hope anyway! Would love to see a Takara Devastator, though the most recent unlicensed version looks amazing!!

yeah.. you're WAY off.. no one is talking about 3rd party companies here.. what he's referring to is the original toy.. the original G1 shockwave wasn't designed by takara.

DinobotSix wrote:

Henry921 wrote:I said it about Prowl, but it's even more true in this case:

Dude, his feet are huge!

GuyIncognito wrote:

Rated X wrote:The ban on information will soon be lifted....really ? Companies in this hobby have a dumb way of marketing their product. You dont see car companies posting Silloettes on websites and hiding crap for months.

Car makers go to great lengths to hide their cars before they're ready to reveal them to the public. During testing on outdoor tracks, they'll cover the car with random patches of fabric and fake bulges to hide the car's actual lines. They do that because the car magazines and website send photographers to hide in the bushes and try to take photos of them. It's not that different. They like to tease the new product and only reveal it when they want.

i don't see how that is similar at all.. this is an official image released by takara.. this isn't someone taking a blurry picture in a factory.. takara has complete control over this situation.

they're not trying to hide anything like car companies do.. they're trying to create excitement.

Ain't ya ever wondered why he's such a hit with the ladies? ;D

For my money I love it!

Gotta agree, that for us old G1 dogs this is spot on, classic VW bug!

True that in the G1 animation they'd be smaller in bot form, but that was just size morphing. They had to be this big to make a proper front end.

I love it!!

size morphing? .. hmm.. i'd lean more to the fact that bumblebee's vehicle proportions in the cartoon weren't similar to the proportions of the actual real world vehicle.. had hasbro used the specs of the vehicle from the show, i think it'd be a bit more accurate in robot mode.

i think the fact that a robot needs to fit in the vehicle also factors in to the wonky sizes.

overall.. this is definitely the weakest silhouette they've released thus far. i'm sure the fully revealed toy will be cool looking.. but it definitely doesn't look like it's going to be as accurate as sideswipe through wheeljack.

Skinny thighs again.

Complain about the size of the feet, will ya?

Thanks! Clearly Shockwave was from a different design school (not based on real world items), but didn't realize Takara didn't own the rights to his design. So who does, then? Does Hasbro even have rights?

As for B's feet, I love em!

The cartoon was cell shaded animation...often the proportions changed fluidly as it was hand drawn and mathematically imperfect. I'd agree that the front end may have often been a bit smaller than a proper VW bug, but not that much smaller. This design certainly doesn't bother me, but to each their own!

Thanks for the info on Shockwave!

I feel this should have been one Masterpiece where the realistic alt-mode should have been ditched in favour of cartoon accuracy. After all, the G1 toys of Sideswipe, Wheeljack, Optimus Prime, Starscream and even Soundwave were about as close to a realistic alt-mode as technology (and price point) would have allowed at the time. The early minicars (Microchange) didn't follow that logic, even if later ones (Warpath, Seaspray, ECT) did.

I'll hold judgement until I actually see the toys robot mode, as for me thats the important thing, but I have a strong suspicion that its going to be far too tall compared to Sideswipe et al, especially if they use a realistic alt-mode.

Sabrblade wrote:

wewyllenium wrote:I trust TT would deliver a great design. I just hope they counter this onslaught of autobot cars with maybe something like half a dozed green decepticon construction vehicles.

They wanna get the 1984 cast done first and foremost. Aside from a new Megatron and MP-11 mold versions of Thundercracker and Skywarp by Takara, they've already finished all the 1984 Decepticons.

So how does MP Ultra Magnus and Dai Atlas fit into this? I don't dismiss that Takara said a few years ago that they wanted to make the original cast, but I think they are using it as a guideline and not a firm line in the sand (meaning that they can't make any other character until their original statement is complete).

Takara also stated that they wanted to make 1 big MP and 2 smaller MPs per year. There aren't any more 1984 big characters left. Shockwave and Galvatron are legitimate choices. I don't feel 100% certain that Skywarp and Thundercracker will be redone. Is there a need too? Their colors and scale from their previous releases work perfectly.

Stormrider wrote:There aren't any more 1984 big characters left.

Decepticons -
Skywarp V2
Thundercracker V2
Reflector
Megatron V2
Devastator (yes, released in '85, but in the first season of the show)

Autobots -

Trailbreaker
Ratchet
Ironhide
Jazz
Sunstreaker
Cliffjumper
Mirage
Hound
Brawn

(splitting hairs - Huffer, Gears, Windcharger)

They're far, far from done with 1984, even if we discount the Autobots. Trailbreaker, Ratchet, Jazz all have repaint\retooling potential, so we might get those.

Amelie wrote:

Stormrider wrote:There aren't any more 1984 big characters left.

Decepticons -
Skywarp V2
Thundercracker V2
Reflector
Megatron V2
Devastator (yes, released in '85, but in the first season of the show)

Autobots -

Trailbreaker
Ratchet
Ironhide
Jazz
Sunstreaker
Cliffjumper
Mirage
Hound
Brawn

(splitting hairs - Huffer, Gears, Windcharger)

They're far, far from done with 1984, even if we discount the Autobots. Trailbreaker, Ratchet, Jazz all have repaint\retooling potential, so we might get those.

Not sure if you understand my post because the cars you listed are not considered big MPs by Takara's logic. I was replying to Sabrblade's post:

Sabrblade wrote:

wewyllenium wrote:I trust TT would deliver a great design. I just hope they counter this onslaught of autobot cars with maybe something like half a dozed green decepticon construction vehicles.

They wanna get the 1984 cast done first and foremost. Aside from a new Megatron and MP-11 mold versions of Thundercracker and Skywarp by Takara, they've already finished all the 1984 Decepticons.

Stormrider wrote:Not sure if you understand my post because the cars you listed are not considered big MPs by Takara's logic. I was replying to Sabrblade's post:

It was a mild misread, yeah. Apologies.

But they do still have 3 "big" Decepticons left with the jets and Megatron. Plenty of time to fit most of the G1 Cars in between them

I'm still so impressed with the Masterpiece figures that I have. Prowl's feet are really well done -- the articulation is crazy and they fit seamlessly with the whole look. I'm sure Bumblebee will be the same.

Perhaps Takara's doing Ultra Magnus next because of Hasui's rumoured forthcoming departure from the line; (since Ultra Magnus might be based on Hasui's MP-10.) He said in an interview that you might find some clues for Magnus in MP Prime. And said in a later interview that it's the toy he'd love to release most.

zodconvoy wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

manofsteel2397 wrote:i thought they were going with the cartoon line?

Cartoon designs, yes, but the original toyline is what dictated all of G1 in the first place.

Splitting hairs, dude. Shockwave was a huge part of Season 1 and Reflector was aboard the Nemesis making them as '84 as you can get. They go by characters on in the cartoon as Grimlock's reissue proves. Shockwave won't happen because it's not theirs to make but nothing's stopping a toon accurate Reflector. Devastator might be too much to ask for though.

The cartoon is not the end-all, be-all, only thing that matters in regards to G1. Before the cartoon, there was the comic; before the comic, there was the toyline, and in that toyline were 28 toys. 18 Autobots and 10 Decepticons. Those are the ones that Takara wants to get done first, with any others being made either as redecos/remolds of the original 28 in order to milk the molds of the original 28, or as extra special case side projects like Masterpiece Fans Choice winner Star Saber.

And Grimlock's reissue proves nothing since it was only reissued in non-Japanese markets, not as a part of the main Japanese Masterpiece line as it currently is.

Stormrider wrote:So how does MP Ultra Magnus and Dai Atlas fit into this?

Ultra Magnus is a remold of the existing MP-10 Convoy mold, meaning they can make him without having to do so from complete scratch and can further promote the MP-10 mold. With new molds, however, they wanna complete the '84 cast before dipping into new molds of later characters.

As for Star Saber (not Dai Atlas), he's a special side project being made by an entirely different designer for a very special case, being the winner of the Masterpiece Fans Choice poll, in celebration of the brand's 30th Anniversary. Thus, his case demands special treatment.

Stormrider wrote:Takara also stated that they wanted to make 1 big MP and 2 smaller MPs per year. There aren't any more 1984 big characters left. Shockwave and Galvatron are legitimate choices. I don't feel 100% certain that Skywarp and Thundercracker will be redone. Is there a need too? Their colors and scale from their previous releases work perfectly.

They could still remake Megatron, and he badly needs it.

Stormrider wrote:Not sure if you understand my post because the cars you listed are not considered big MPs by Takara's logic. I was replying to Sabrblade's post:

Ironhide/Ratchet and Trailbreaker(/Hoist) are bigger than the other Autobot Cars and could possibly be counted among the bigger MPs (if they're only about a head shorter than Convoy/Starscream/Soundwave/etc.).

I agree, I think Ironhide/Ratchet/Trailbreaker would fall into the category of "big" MP's

Their head's should theoretically be as tall or a hair shorter than the head of the MP Seekers.

If they make the battle sleds that is a whole ton of extra playability too....

Sabrblade wrote:

Stormrider wrote:So how does MP Ultra Magnus and Dai Atlas fit into this?

Ultra Magnus is a remold of the existing MP-10 Convoy mold, meaning they can make him without having to do so from complete scratch and can further promote the MP-10 mold. With new molds, however, they wanna complete the '84 cast before dipping into new molds of later characters.

As for Star Saber (not Dai Atlas), he's a special side project being made by an entirely different designer for a very special case, being the winner of the Masterpiece Fans Choice poll, in celebration of the brand's 30th Anniversary. Thus, his case demands special treatment

Ultra Magnus stretches the concept of remold when 2/3 of his body is redesigned with a new trailer that integrates into the robot cab.

Your reasons for Dai Atlas doesn't fit into your argument that the original 1984 cast need to be completed before dipping into new molds or later characters. First, it is controversial that the fans chose Dai Atlas. Even though he was one of 10 characters that fans could choose, I doubt that fan choice had anything to do with his selection. Takara would like you to believe he is a fan choice. However, it's irrelevant because the same thing could be said if they decide to make Galvatron or some other later character. It's not like Dai Atlas is a repaint of another character, like G2 Sideswipe.

Takara will make any character they wish in any order. They can easily use any excuse for a new mold. They are not set in stone to make the original 1984 characters before other characters, and their recent reveals prove that.

Hell yeah!, now that´s what I´m talkling about, no more Bay-verse, light feather, banta, heavy weight, toy world, third party whatever crap, nothin´but good old fashion yeellow bettle Bumblebee, i´m definetely goanna pick this guy up, he reminds my of a time when I acually liked B´!

By the same guy that did the Wheeljack demo.

that works for me

Stormrider wrote:Your reasons for Dai Atlas doesn't fit into your argument that the original 1984 cast need to be completed before dipping into new molds or later characters. First, it is controversial that the fans chose Dai Atlas. Even though he was one of 10 characters that fans could choose, I doubt that fan choice had anything to do with his selection. Takara would like you to believe he is a fan choice. However, it's irrelevant because the same thing could be said if they decide to make Galvatron or some other later character. It's not like Dai Atlas is a repaint of another character, like G2 Sideswipe.

Takara will make any character they wish in any order. They can easily use any excuse for a new mold. They are not set in stone to make the original 1984 characters before other characters, and their recent reveals prove that.

1. Stop saying Dai Atlas

2. I already said that Star Saber isn't being made under the same rules as the current MPs are because he isn't a part of the main MP line. He's being made as a completely different designer's special project. He doesn't adhere to the current state of the main MP line because he's a special anniversary case. All of the new mold MPs in the main MP line are for 1984 characters, with any post-1984 characters be made from those 1984 character molds as a means to milk them for all that they're worth.

The only current mainline MP that comes close to your argument is Ratbat, but he could be seen as a mere accessory to Soundblaster (made from the existing Soundwave mold), despite some fans treating the two in an opposite manner (with Soundblaster as Ratbat's accessory ). And plenty of mold-reuse MPs get new accessories all the time.

Cyberpath wrote:By the same guy that did the Wheeljack demo.

And BBTS definitely gets more of my money. I've had Bee preordered since 10 minutes after his announcement and now nothing is going to stop him from being on my shelf.

Dai Atlas

robotmel wrote:
Dai Atlas

Wow, is that really it? If not then by Dai Atlas I'll still buy it!

EDIT: Upon comparison with the silhouette, that is not it. Still, who makes that one? iGear?

zodconvoy wrote:Wow, is that really it? If not then by Dai Atlas I'll still buy it!

EDIT: Upon comparison with the silhouette, that is not it. Still, who makes that one? iGear?

That's TW03 BII by Toyworld.

So...Autobot symbol on foot, hood/chest, or both???!!!!???

warzon3 wrote:So...Autobot symbol on foot, hood/chest, or both???!!!!???

Butt!

Sabrblade wrote:

warzon3 wrote:So...Autobot symbol on foot, hood/chest, or both???!!!!???

Butt!

A little too Revealing the Shield for me thanks. But seriously, chest.

Sabrblade wrote:The only current mainline MP that comes close to your argument is Ratbat, but he could be seen as a mere accessory to Soundblaster (made from the existing Soundwave mold), despite some fans treating the two in an opposite manner (with Soundblaster as Ratbat's accessory ). And plenty of mold-reuse MPs get new accessories all the time.

So you believe that Takara won't make Galvatron, Shockwave, or any other character that came 1985 or later until the original 18 Autobots or 10 Decepticons are made as MPs (except for repaints). I guess we'll wait and see who is right.