The Energon Pub

News Credits: 19 · by **Carnivius_Prime** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 3:47 am

Is tight better than loose though? I mean in action figure articulation terms obviously (dirty minds) I think I'd rather have one that stands up fine rather than one that flops around the place. Ok that still sounds bad but you know what I mean.

What are the actual problems with the mold degradation here? Is it likely to break if you try to force the affected pieces apart?

News Credits: 11 · by **Overcracker** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 2:56 pm

Optimusu Primu is finally here. After having to deal with DHL and $20 worth of import and processing fees which AmiAmi did not disclose.

Its quite a large box.

Having never owned this mold before, I really did not think he was as big as he is.

Gonna have to wait till later this afternoon to crack this baby open.

So far I'm impressed.

News Credits: 4838 · by **william-james88** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 3:04 pm

Overcracker wrote:Optimusu Primu is finally here. After having to deal with DHL and $20 worth of import and processing fees which AmiAmi did not disclose.

Its quite a large box.

Having never owning this mold before, I really did not think he was as big as he is.

Gonna have to wait till later this afternoon to crack this baby open.

So far I'm impressed.

Yeah man, this is how leaders used to be back in the golden age that was ROTF.

The duties and processing is really odd, I thought the US had 0 import fees. I am in Canada and its the norm and Amiami isnt responsible since those fees are with your government and not them. Unless the money was to go to Amiami, in any case let me know cause this sounds odd.

News Credits: 241 · by **Jelze Bunnycat** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 3:11 pm

Carnivius_Prime wrote:Is tight better than loose though? I mean in action figure articulation terms obviously (dirty minds) I think I'd rather have one that stands up fine rather than one that flops around the place. Ok that still sounds bad but you know what I mean.

What are the actual problems with the mold degradation here? Is it likely to break if you try to force the affected pieces apart?

This is where the saying "Too much of a good thing is bad" rings true. I added "unnecessarily" to "tight", because they could potentially be so tight they can't budge. That runs the risk of using too much force to move it, resulting in breakage.

News Credits: 11 · by **Overcracker** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 3:33 pm

william-james88 wrote:
Overcracker wrote:Optimusu Primu is finally here. After having to deal with DHL and $20 worth of import and processing fees which AmiAmi did not disclose.

It's quite a large box.

Having never owning this mold before, I really did not think he was as big as he is.

Gonna have to wait till later this afternoon to crack this baby open.

So far I'm impressed.

Yeah man, this is how leaders used to be back in the golden age that was ROTF.

The duties and processing is really odd, I thought the US had 0 import fees. I am in Canada and its the norm and Amiami isnt responsible since those fees are with your government and not them. Unless the money was to go to Amiami, in any case let me know cause this sounds odd.

It appears to be more an issue with DHL than AmiAmi. For whatever reason, the DHL invoice reads:

Payment for import and processing on behalf of recipient.

It is very strange. I have contacted DHL, and I'm waiting for a response.

The shipping price through DHL was around 2000 Yen less than through EMS. All my previous orders from AmiAmi had been shipped through EMS and there had been no extra import fees beyond the price quoted by AmiAmi. This time I had a choice, and picked DHL. Seems like that was a bad idea.

If I get any insight from DHL, I'll post back.

There's also an interesting bit on the invoice, where the Country of Manufacture which reads Japan, was crossed out, and replaced with a CHN in pencil. Implying China. Maybe that was an issue.

News Credits: 100 · by **-Kanrabat-** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 4:08 pm

Overcracker wrote:Optimusu Primu is finally here. After having to deal with DHL and $20 worth of import and processing fees which AmiAmi did not disclose.

Its quite a large box.

Having never owned this mold before, I really did not think he was as big as he is.

Gonna have to wait till later this afternoon to crack this baby open.

So far I'm impressed.

You're a ROTF/Buster leader Optimus Prime virgin?
Oh boy... Better apply LOTS of lube because he's gonna RIP YOU APPART! :shock:

Dat transformation, bro...

News Credits: 11 · by **Overcracker** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 4:15 pm

-Kanrabat- wrote:
Overcracker wrote:Optimusu Primu is finally here. After having to deal with DHL and $20 worth of import and processing fees which AmiAmi did not disclose.

Its quite a large box.

Having never owned this mold before, I really did not think he was as big as he is.

Gonna have to wait till later this afternoon to crack this baby open.

So far I'm impressed.

You're a ROTF/Buster leader Optimus Prime virgin?
Oh boy... Better apply LOTS of lube because he's gonna RIP YOU APPART!
Dat transformation, bro...

Yup. I expect it to be an interesting process. But I can say I survived Alternators Grimlock just fine, so this should not be too bad I think.

News Credits: 11 · by **Overcracker** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 6:35 pm

got him out of package.

Couple of comparison's with my other movie Prime's in vehicle mode.

And with Ginrai

News Credits: 11 · by **Overcracker** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 8:08 pm

I'll get the negatives out of the way first:

1. Soft rubber smokestacks. Kind of annoying.

2. Gas Tank gun, its a little hard to get the parts to move since they are a bit tight, and either I;m doing something wrong or its not quite made for the articulated hands because it simply does not stay in his hand very well. I can feel it friction into the slot in his palm, but if I move the arm it pops the gun out.

3. He is incredibly top heavy. The balljoints in his ankles are just a tad bit less tight than they need to be so he tends to lean back and then just fall backwards.

Other than that, and honestly those are very minor nitpicks, HE IS FREAKIN' AMAZING!. :michaelbay:

Huge, heavy, detailed, and just plain awesome.

Transformation is not as difficult as I feared. Though going back to Truck mode may be a challenge since his size makes him a little hard to manipulate.

Also, not sure if this was known, but if you hold down the button on the back of the truck mode, for a couple seconds, he'll just run through all his sounds and phrases in one go.

And he has a ton of things to say.

Transuforum! ....

News Credits: 456 · by **Sabrblade** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 11:39 pm

Overcracker wrote:I'll get the negatives out of the way first:

1. Soft rubber smokestacks. Kind of annoying.

Yeah, toy safety laws required it. Most Hasbro-released Optimus Prime retail toy molds that have long smokestacks these days have them in rubber to avoid having them be short smokestacks, which is what they'd be were they in plastic.

Overcracker wrote:2. Gas Tank gun, its a little hard to get the parts to move since they are a bit tight, and either I;m doing something wrong or its not quite made for the articulated hands because it simply does not stay in his hand very well. I can feel it friction into the slot in his palm, but if I move the arm it pops the gun out.

Originally, this mold did not have those gas tank guns. They were a product purely of TakaraTomy when they did their first special release of this figure as Buster Optimus Prime. Though, as far as the tightness is concerned, JelZe mentioned that that is an unfortunate result of mold degradation after so many releases of this mold.

Overcracker wrote:3. He is incredibly top heavy. The balljoints in his ankles are just a tad bit less tight than they need to be so he tends to lean back and then just fall backwards.

Possibly more signs of mold degradation. Between Hasbro, Takara, and all of their variants and venues, I think this might be the 18th release of the mold.

News Credits: 241 · by **Jelze Bunnycat** » Thu Mar 30, 2017 2:06 am

Sabrblade wrote:
Overcracker wrote:3. He is incredibly top heavy. The balljoints in his ankles are just a tad bit less tight than they need to be so he tends to lean back and then just fall backwards.
Possibly more signs of mold degradation. Between Hasbro, Takara, and all of their variants and venues, I think this might be the 18th release of the mold.

I'll take your word for it. If anyone else wants to count starting with the original RotF release, be my guest

News Credits: 456 · by **Sabrblade** » Thu Mar 30, 2017 10:01 am

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
Overcracker wrote:3. He is incredibly top heavy. The balljoints in his ankles are just a tad bit less tight than they need to be so he tends to lean back and then just fall backwards.
Possibly more signs of mold degradation. Between Hasbro, Takara, and all of their variants and venues, I think this might be the 18th release of the mold.

I'll take your word for it. If anyone else wants to count starting with the original RotF release, be my guest

Let's see. Using the Wiki for help:

01. Hasbro ROTF Leader class Optimus Prime
02. TakaraTomy ROTF RA-01 Optimus Prime
03. Hasbro ROTF Leader class Limited Edition Optimus Prime (Shanghai Toys'R'Us exclusive)
04. Hasbro ROTF Leader class Optimus Prime BONUS VALUE includes Deluxe class Autobot Camshaft (Walmart exclusive)
05. TakaraTomy ROTF Optimus Prime Black Version (Amazon Japan DVD exclusive)
06. TakaraTomy ROTF RA-24 Buster Optimus Prime
07. TakaraTomy ROTF Jetpower Optimus Prime Buster Optimus Prime (Asian market exclusive)
08. TakaraTomy ROTF Optimus Prime Limited Clear Color Edition (Family Mart competition prize)
09. TakaraTomy ROTF Optimus Prime Gold Version (Lucky Draw figure)
10. Hasbro Transformers (2010) Leader class Optimus Prime
11. TakaraTomy DOTM DA-15 Jetwing Optimus Prime
12. TakaraTomy DOTM DA-28 Striker Optimus Optimus
13. TakaraTomy DOTM Jetpower Optimus Prime Buster Optimus Prime
00. TakaraTomy DOTM Jetwing Optimus Prime Black Version (Circle K raffle prize) canceled
14. TakaraTomy DOTM JETWING OPTIMUS PRIME Black Ver.
15. Asia Premium Series APS-01 Striker Optimus Prime
16. Hasbro DOTM Supreme class Jetiwing Optimus Prime (Amazon exclusive/2013 Black Friday Toys'R'Us exclusive)
17. Asia Premium Series APS-01U Optimus Prime Ultimate Edition
18. TakaraTomy Movie the Best MB-11 Movie 10th Anniversary Optimus Prime

News Credits: 23 · by **Bumblebee21** » Thu Mar 30, 2017 10:22 am

Sabrblade wrote:
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
Overcracker wrote:3. He is incredibly top heavy. The balljoints in his ankles are just a tad bit less tight than they need to be so he tends to lean back and then just fall backwards.
Possibly more signs of mold degradation. Between Hasbro, Takara, and all of their variants and venues, I think this might be the 18th release of the mold.

I'll take your word for it. If anyone else wants to count starting with the original RotF release, be my guest
Let's see. Using the Wiki for help:

01. Hasbro ROTF Leader class Optimus Prime
02. TakaraTomy ROTF RA-01 Optimus Prime
03. Hasbro ROTF Leader class Limited Edition Optimus Prime (Shanghai Toys'R'Us exclusive)
04. Hasbro ROTF Leader class Optimus Prime BONUS VALUE includes Deluxe class Autobot Camshaft (Walmart exclusive)
05. TakaraTomy ROTF Optimus Prime Black Version (Amazon Japan DVD exclusive)
06. TakaraTomy ROTF RA-24 Buster Optimus Prime
07. TakaraTomy ROTF Jetpower Optimus Prime Buster Optimus Prime (Asian market exclusive)
08. TakaraTomy ROTF Optimus Prime Limited Clear Color Edition (Family Mart competition prize)
09. TakaraTomy ROTF Optimus Prime Gold Version (Lucky Draw figure)
10. Hasbro Transformers (2010) Leader class Optimus Prime
11. TakaraTomy Autobot Alliance AA-01 Battle Hook Optimus Prime
12. TakaraTomy DOTM DA-15 Jetwing Optimus Prime
13. TakaraTomy DOTM DA-28 Striker Optimus Optimus
14. TakaraTomy DOTM Jetpower Optimus Prime Buster Optimus Prime
00. TakaraTomy DOTM Jetwing Optimus Prime Black Version (Circle K raffle prize) canceled
15. TakaraTomy DOTM JETWING OPTIMUS PRIME Black Ver.
16. Asia Premium Series APS-01 Striker Optimus Prime
17. Hasbro DOTM Supreme class Jetiwing Optimus Prime (Amazon exclusive/2013 Black Friday Toys'R'Us exclusive)
18. Asia Premium Series APS-01U Optimus Prime Ultimate Edition
19. TakaraTomy Movie the Best MB-11 Movie 10th Anniversary Optimus Prime

Huh, 19th. Guess I missed one the first time around.

this might be more than the mp seeker mold

News Credits: 11 · by **Overcracker** » Thu Mar 30, 2017 11:05 am

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
Overcracker wrote:3. He is incredibly top heavy. The balljoints in his ankles are just a tad bit less tight than they need to be so he tends to lean back and then just fall backwards.
Possibly more signs of mold degradation. Between Hasbro, Takara, and all of their variants and venues, I think this might be the 18th release of the mold.

I'll take your word for it. If anyone else wants to count starting with the original RotF release, be my guest

He's held up pretty well for 19 uses.

He's beating out Classics Prime, and even the Seeker mold I think in number of uses.

With that said, and having played around with it, Transformation is not that bad to Robot mode, going back to truck mode is quite finicky, and a little difficult to get everything to tab in correctly, and the position of the head is impressively specific to fit under the roof and windshield panels, still can't get that right though.

Gun will forever stay in gas can mode, and I think I'll just give him one sword.

News Credits: 456 · by **Sabrblade** » Thu Mar 30, 2017 11:13 am

Overcracker wrote:He's held up pretty well for 19 uses.

He's beating out Classics Prime, and even the Seeker mold I think in number of uses.

The Seeker mold has had 31 uses (click Expand to see them all).

Though, the Classics OP mold has had 14 uses.

News Credits: 11 · by **Overcracker** » Thu Mar 30, 2017 11:17 am

Sabrblade wrote:
Overcracker wrote:He's held up pretty well for 19 uses.

He's beating out Classics Prime, and even the Seeker mold I think in number of uses.
The Seeker mold has had 31 uses (click Expand to see them all).

Though, the Classics OP mold has had 14 uses.

Ahh, 31,

News Credits: 241 · by **Jelze Bunnycat** » Thu Mar 30, 2017 3:24 pm

Sabrblade wrote:
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
Overcracker wrote:3. He is incredibly top heavy. The balljoints in his ankles are just a tad bit less tight than they need to be so he tends to lean back and then just fall backwards.
Possibly more signs of mold degradation. Between Hasbro, Takara, and all of their variants and venues, I think this might be the 18th release of the mold.

I'll take your word for it. If anyone else wants to count starting with the original RotF release, be my guest
Let's see. Using the Wiki for help:

01. Hasbro ROTF Leader class Optimus Prime
02. TakaraTomy ROTF RA-01 Optimus Prime
03. Hasbro ROTF Leader class Limited Edition Optimus Prime (Shanghai Toys'R'Us exclusive)
04. Hasbro ROTF Leader class Optimus Prime BONUS VALUE includes Deluxe class Autobot Camshaft (Walmart exclusive)
05. TakaraTomy ROTF Optimus Prime Black Version (Amazon Japan DVD exclusive)
06. TakaraTomy ROTF RA-24 Buster Optimus Prime
07. TakaraTomy ROTF Jetpower Optimus Prime Buster Optimus Prime (Asian market exclusive)
08. TakaraTomy ROTF Optimus Prime Limited Clear Color Edition (Family Mart competition prize)
09. TakaraTomy ROTF Optimus Prime Gold Version (Lucky Draw figure)
10. Hasbro Transformers (2010) Leader class Optimus Prime
11. TakaraTomy Autobot Alliance AA-01 Battle Hook Optimus Prime
12. TakaraTomy DOTM DA-15 Jetwing Optimus Prime
13. TakaraTomy DOTM DA-28 Striker Optimus Optimus
14. TakaraTomy DOTM Jetpower Optimus Prime Buster Optimus Prime
00. TakaraTomy DOTM Jetwing Optimus Prime Black Version (Circle K raffle prize) canceled
15. TakaraTomy DOTM JETWING OPTIMUS PRIME Black Ver.
16. Asia Premium Series APS-01 Striker Optimus Prime
17. Hasbro DOTM Supreme class Jetiwing Optimus Prime (Amazon exclusive/2013 Black Friday Toys'R'Us exclusive)
18. Asia Premium Series APS-01U Optimus Prime Ultimate Edition
19. TakaraTomy Movie the Best MB-11 Movie 10th Anniversary Optimus Prime

Huh, 19th. Guess I missed one the first time around.

Still 18: AA-01 is the Voyager Battle Blade mold.

News Credits: 456 · by **Sabrblade** » Thu Mar 30, 2017 4:08 pm

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Still 18: AA-01 is the Voyager Battle Blade mold.

Darn it! Someone put the ID number on both figures. >_<

I've edited both my list and that Wiki page to correct the error.

News Credits: 6188 · by **Va'al** » Sat Apr 01, 2017 7:27 am

Takara Tomy is having some fun today, April 1st, with digibashes and photoshopped images on Twitter - including a mention to the replacement for the Gundam statue in Tokyo, recently retired - and the Transformers one features a pun on Transformers: The Last Knight with toys from the Movie The Best toyline!

As you can see the in the image below, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee are trying to consume their forbidden relationship, while the Decepticons Megatron, Soundwave, Shockwave and Starscream.. do something. In the background. The title of the mock film? Transformers: Last Night. Heh.

[They have also placed Beast Wars Megatron's voice actor Chiba Shigeru in charge of their customer service line. Check it out here!]

News Credits: 6188 · by **Va'al** » Sat Apr 01, 2017 7:33 am

I am giggling so very hard at this.

News Credits: 456 · by **Sabrblade** » Sat Apr 01, 2017 7:57 am

The bit about Shigeru Chiba being in charge of Takara's customer service line is especially funny if anyone here has ever heard the Japanese song "Megatron Ondo" ("Megatron's Marching Song") in which Shigeru Chiba reprised his role of Megatron during the speaking parts of the song that involved Megatron having a telephone conversation that just starts off civil at first but gets more and more insane as it goes on. :lol:

News Credits: 11 · by **RAR** » Sat Apr 01, 2017 8:09 am

You just can't get the Kiss Players out of Takara can you.

News Credits: 100 · by **-Kanrabat-** » Sat Apr 01, 2017 8:17 am

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The buttons edit, quote, and reports are invisible...

News Credits: 100 · by **-Kanrabat-** » Sat Apr 01, 2017 8:19 am

RAR wrote:You just can't get the Kiss Players out of Takara can you.

Come on, guys, Stop it with the Kiss Players bashing. It's not that bad. The only thing I'd really wish about that series is a proper 12 episodes high quality anime series. I mean, they did made a pilot episode. I even have a screeshot to proves it.

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Sniff, sniff... Something smell like Burning... Better get out of here!