The Energon Pub

[Emerje]

Dude...I'm cool with paying a premium on import toys but this one is redonkulous. It's not even a new mold. No new content...I cant do it. I'm so afraid of what Megatron will cost.

I'm good with the original, although color scheme wise, I like MP-29+ better. They say this is the "anime" version? He's the exact same color as G1 Shockwave.

While I'm not getting this one, I'm hoping the price increase isn't due to the Tariff situation...or oil prices going up again, or whatever other worldly nonsense is occurring.

It is expensive for one reason and one reason only. It is because it is not a wide release in Japan, only available at one retailer. So Hasbro Asia will be distributing it elsewhere instead and since they know you can't get the actual takara release, they are charging as much as they can for their release. Same situation as the seekers.

I don't really see where the BBTS or TFSource price is all that bad, though, comparatively anyway. The Japanese price is 21,600JPY (about US$198) plus shipping from Japan (MP-29 in 2016 cost me US$27 for SAL parcel which you likely wouldn't be able to get from a Japanese forwarding service, plus fees). Then there's the Asia price which is better at US$170, but shipping, in my case, starts at $35 bringing the total to US$205. Compared to US$210 at TFSource with free shipping or US$214 at BBTS after shipping, I'd just as well spend the extra US$5 to get it from a domestic seller that'll be easier to work with in case of defects or damage.

Emerje

[SpikeyTigertron]

I don't really see where the BBTS or TFSource price is all that bad, though, comparatively anyway. The Japanese price is 21,600JPY (about US$198) plus shipping from Japan (MP-29 in 2016 cost me US$27 for SAL parcel which you likely wouldn't be able to get from a Japanese forwarding service, plus fees). Then there's the Asia price which is better at US$170, but shipping, in my case, starts at $35 bringing the total to US$205. Compared to US$210 at TFSource with free shipping or US$214 at BBTS after shipping, I'd just as well spend the extra US$5 to get it from a domestic seller that'll be easier to work with in case of defects or damage.

After trying my had at importing, even with the discount from Amiami/HLJ/etc... sometimes by the time you factor in shipping... it really all comes out in the wash. Devastator (takara) and Megatron... oh boy.... Though... that was *one* way to get around the "barrel plug" issue.

[AlphaBass]

Are the only real differences between the two are more lights and a darker color?

Even if I were considering getting it, I can't justify that much of an upcharge for an "upgrade", even if we all know TT will charge it because reasons.

[shajaki]

Hmmm... looks like he has tampo's this time around...

[Sabrblade]

Cheem the Rup has done comparison pics between the Destron and Boei Sanbo versions of Laserwave.

First batch:








Second batch:

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Question: why the "Boei Sanbo" for the MP-29+ one? That's just his Japanese function (防衛参謀 bōei sanbō), not a special title.

[Sabrblade]

Question: why the "Boei Sanbo" for the MP-29+ one? That's just his Japanese function (防衛参謀 bōei sanbō), not a special title.

Takara seems to be unable to use "Laserwave" Trademark as is, hence both the Q-TF and the Legends toy using the Hasbro name "Shockwave" and the previous MP being "Destron Laserwave".

[sol magnus]

Dude...I'm cool with paying a premium on import toys but this one is redonkulous. It's not even a new mold. No new content...I cant do it. I'm so afraid of what Megatron will cost.

I'm good with the original, although color scheme wise, I like MP-29+ better. They say this is the "anime" version? He's the exact same color as G1 Shockwave.

While I'm not getting this one, I'm hoping the price increase isn't due to the Tariff situation...or oil prices going up again, or whatever other worldly nonsense is occurring.

It is expensive for one reason and one reason only. It is because it is not a wide release in Japan, only available at one retailer. So Hasbro Asia will be distributing it elsewhere instead and since they know you can't get the actual takara release, they are charging as much as they can for their release. Same situation as the seekers.

I don't really see where the BBTS or TFSource price is all that bad, though, comparatively anyway. The Japanese price is 21,600JPY (about US$198) plus shipping from Japan (MP-29 in 2016 cost me US$27 for SAL parcel which you likely wouldn't be able to get from a Japanese forwarding service, plus fees). Then there's the Asia price which is better at US$170, but shipping, in my case, starts at $35 bringing the total to US$205. Compared to US$210 at TFSource with free shipping or US$214 at BBTS after shipping, I'd just as well spend the extra US$5 to get it from a domestic seller that'll be easier to work with in case of defects or damage.

Emerje

I don't think it's "bad" other than the generic bad any increase tends to bring. This is an expensive hobby. I spend the money, but I'm concious of the money. As William-James pointed out, and I didn't factor in, this is an exclusive not as widely available, so it's really not that bad.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Question: why the "Boei Sanbo" for the MP-29+ one? That's just his Japanese function (防衛参謀 bōei sanbō), not a special title.

Takara seems to be unable to use "Laserwave" Trademark as is, hence both the Q-TF and the Legends toy using the Hasbro name "Shockwave" and the previous MP being "Destron Laserwave".

Oooooo... Doing some comparing with MP boxes, and there's something we overlooked all this time. Look at how the names are rendered on the back of some boxes:

Ironhide

Transformers Masterpiece Ironhide Gallery

Bumble

Transformers Masterpiece Bumblebee Gallery

Streak

Transformers Masterpiece Bluestreak (Streak) Gallery

Allegiance and function in the black, (trademarked) name in yellow. But...

Shockwave

Transformers Masterpiece Shockwave (Laserwave) Gallery

The function is part of the (trademarked) name now, sneaky. So it's not a recent occurrence, it's his full name since the release of the first MP.

[TMan978]

Would this be easier to understand if you can read Japanese? I can't tell where the trademark is listed

[Sabrblade]

Would this be easier to understand if you can read Japanese? I can't tell where the trademark is listed

She means that the names we know to be the Trademarked ones are written in the yellow boxes, not that the TM logo is visible with those names.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

For clarification, the names in yellow are the presumably trademarked names:

アイアンハイド aianhaido: "Ironhide"
バンブル banburu: "Bumble" (aka Bumblebee)
ストリーク sutorīku: "Streak" (aka Bluestreak)
防衛参謀レーザーウェーブ bōei sanbō rēzāuēbu: "Defense Official Laserwave"

As you can see, Laserwave has to have a prefix in Japanese script, but Latin script for English, they made due with the "Destron" one.

[Emerje]

Question: why the "Boei Sanbo" for the MP-29+ one? That's just his Japanese function (防衛参謀 bōei sanbō), not a special title.

The original MP-29 was also listed as "Boei Sanbo" as part of its name so it isn't something specific to MP-29+.

Emerje

[Relic0037]

Awww....I like this color better, but I cannot justify two MP Shockies...

I don't own an MP-29 yet, but the cheaper price may make me choose Lavenderwave

[TMan978]

For clarification, the names in yellow are the presumably trademarked names:

アイアンハイド aianhaido: "Ironhide"
バンブル banburu: "Bumble" (aka Bumblebee)
ストリーク sutorīku: "Streak" (aka Bluestreak)
防衛参謀レーザーウェーブ bōei sanbō rēzāuēbu: "Defense Official Laserwave"

As you can see, Laserwave has to have a prefix in Japanese script, but Latin script for English, they made due with the "Destron" one.

Thx

[shajaki]

[shajaki]

A video from TakaraTomy's Youtube page. Go to 18:33 to see MP+ Shocky. Not sure if it's already known, but he look's insignia'less. Guess he's got stickers like Lavenderwave

[TMan978]

Shiny!

[Cyberpath]

FROM: https://www.facebook.com/GenmonTCracker



































MORE: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 5981041c31

[Wolfman Jake]

Lookin' good! That darker shade of purple is perfect on Masterpiece Shockwave. It's too bad that's not the purple Takara went with initially.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Lookin' good! That darker shade of purple is perfect on Masterpiece Shockwave. It's too bad that's not the purple Takara went with initially.

Well, we know they have something of a lavender fixation.

[Sabrblade]

Was kinda hoping they'd name the + version something other than "Destron Laserwave" (as in, a different prefix in front of "Laserwave") to help better differentiate the + version from the regular version that was also named "Destron Laserwave".

[ZeroWolf]

Thanks to fellow Seibertron user, Cyberpath, we have done brand new photographs to share of Takara Tomy Masterpiece Shockwave MP 29+! These come couresty of Facebook user GenmonTCracker. The pictures show off more of MP 29+'s cartoon accurate paint job compared to the old MP 29, which is included for comparison. Also pictured is the Hasbro Asia exclusive coin that is being bundled with the release, and as usual with these releases, the coin's case has been made to resemble Shockwaves head.

The pictures have all been mirrored below for your convenience.





















































What's your take on Shockwaves new colours? Let us know in the Energon Pub and stay tuned to Seibertron for all the latest news and reviews.

[frogbat]

One of my least favourite mp figures... felt a bit lazy and phoned in. Too many visible screw holes and gaps.


I probably prefer the new colour scheme cos it looks better in general but, the original’s works extremely well when he’s placed side by side with mp36

[angtre]

One of my least favourite mp figures... felt a bit lazy and phoned in. Too many visible screw holes and gaps.

Exactly my thoughts. If the character itself weren't this cool... the original toy color scheme suits it well, though. Not a huge fan of the subtle head retooling, by the way.