The Energon Pub

Tue Jan 22, 2013 8:37 pm

why in the world did takara not use the first prototype, release a crappy version with hip kibble... then turnaround and release the first prototype as improved seekers. it just boggles my mind we got all the v1 figures then suddenly they go back and use the original mold making some of us have to buy all over again. insight anyone?

Tue Jan 22, 2013 9:38 pm

If I had to guess, it was either a budgetary issue for the original mold (because a simple ball jointed section is presumably cheaper to produce than whatever they did with Starscream v.2) or they didn't want to make the sacrifice to the jet mode v.2 makes first time round. I suspect it's the latter.

News Credits: 402 · Updated Oct 21, 2022

TFWiki wrote:Masterpiece Starscream's creation was overseen by famed Japanese mecha designer Shōji Kawamori, who was particularly intent on hiding the robot-mode details on the underside of the fighter mode. The first prototype for the figure was essentially an upgraded, more complex version of the original toy, with much more accurate robot and jet modes, but Kawamori's desire to avoid simply making a new version of an old toy saw the figure go through a major redesign into its finished form. Perhaps the most notable change was the repositioning of Starscream's tail-fin structures from his legs to his hips, with the intent of creating the feel of a samurai wearing a pair of swords at his waist (presumably, if somewhat oddly, based on the then-recent Armada and Energon cartoons' portrayal of their Starscream as a noble swordsman). Even so, Kawamori was still unhappy with the amount of robotic parts visible underneath the plane, but conceded that too many changes would essentially not make the toy look like Starscream in robot mode. In this pursuit of realism, the most visible concession to the Starscream's design was the abandonment of his traditional color scheme, replaced with an all-over greenish-tinged grey. Given that this color is inaccurate to most real F-15 fighters (whose Gunship Gray coloration is much closer to Starscream's traditional shade), the question of why it was changed at all is not an unreasonable one. However, there are instances of F-15 Strike Eagles that actually utilize this (seldom seen) color scheme.

source article

tl; dr The Designer wanted to hide all aspects of SS's robot mode in jet mode, and possibly wanted to homage the "honourable swordsman" role that SS was playing in Armada and Energon.

Tue Jan 22, 2013 10:07 pm

Mkall wrote:tl; dr The Designer wanted to hide all aspects of SS's robot mode in jet mode, and possibly wanted to homage the "honourable swordsman" role that SS was playing in Armada and Energon.

So my guess was basically correct? Cool. :lol:

News Credits: 60 · Tue Jan 22, 2013 10:28 pm

Blame Mr. Kawamori(?) :lol:

News Credits: 226 · Tue Jan 22, 2013 10:30 pm

VioMeTriX wrote:release a gay version

That sort of comment and attitude isn't welcome on this site.

Tue Jan 22, 2013 10:31 pm

Thanks guys... appreciate the info

News Credits: 101 · Wed Jan 23, 2013 10:16 pm

I'd like to point out that often, the first ideas are the bests. Just look at ROTF voyager Starscream's instruction manual. See the step that tell to fold the hands neatly under for a perfect jet mode?

Oh boy... did I raged.

News Credits: 1 · Wed Jan 23, 2013 10:36 pm

-Kanrabat- wrote:I'd like to point out that often, the first ideas are the bests. Just look at ROTF voyager Starscream's instruction manual. See the step that tell to fold the hands neatly under for a perfect jet mode?

Oh boy... did I raged.

That probably has more to do with budget and a quota for moving parts than design decisions. But yeah, the protruding hands ruined what could have been a perfect alt mode and an awesome movieverse Starscream.

...well, not exactly "ruined", but it's like having stale fries and flat beer to go with a perfectly grilled, juicy steak. Kinda spoils what could have been something great.

Thu Jan 24, 2013 2:18 am

SKYWARPED_128 wrote:
-Kanrabat- wrote:I'd like to point out that often, the first ideas are the bests. Just look at ROTF voyager Starscream's instruction manual. See the step that tell to fold the hands neatly under for a perfect jet mode?

Oh boy... did I raged.

That probably has more to do with budget and a quota for moving parts than design decisions. But yeah, the protruding hands ruined what could have been a perfect alt mode and an awesome movieverse Starscream.

...well, not exactly "ruined", but it's like having stale fries and flat beer to go with a perfectly grilled, juicy steak. Kinda spoils what could have been something great.

Prime Dreadwing knows that feel.

News Credits: 101 · Thu Jan 24, 2013 5:30 am

RAcast wrote:
SKYWARPED_128 wrote:
-Kanrabat- wrote:I'd like to point out that often, the first ideas are the bests. Just look at ROTF voyager Starscream's instruction manual. See the step that tell to fold the hands neatly under for a perfect jet mode?

That probably has more to do with budget and a quota for moving parts than design decisions. But yeah, the protruding hands ruined what could have been a perfect alt mode and an awesome movieverse Starscream.

Prime Dreadwing knows that feel.

But at least, Prime voyager Dreadwing's instruction manual DID NOT LIE! :sad:

Thu Jan 24, 2013 2:48 pm

I'm sure this has been discussed before, even in this thread, but sorry if I missed it:

What is the story with MP Skywarp, did he ever get the new Starscream mold treatment or no? If not, do you think he will or do you think HasTak is done with him???

News Credits: 15 · Thu Jan 24, 2013 3:24 pm

-Kanrabat- wrote:But at least, Prime voyager Dreadwing's instruction manual DID NOT LIE!

If it did, Dreadwing would've gone berserk trying to kill the instruction manual for disgracing his toy. And then the box would have to shoot him through the torso.

News Credits: 12 · Thu Jan 24, 2013 4:03 pm

Speaking of boxes and instruction manuals that lie, I'm still looking for Masterpiece Thundercracker's extra head and FoC Soundblaster's G1-style gun. 8-}

Fri Jan 25, 2013 4:11 am

warzon3 wrote:I'm sure this has been discussed before, even in this thread, but sorry if I missed it:

What is the story with MP Skywarp, did he ever get the new Starscream mold treatment or no? If not, do you think he will or do you think HasTak is done with him???

To date, Skywarp has only been cast in the original seeker mold. I think that Hasbro's done with him; Thundercracker's TRU release rounds the original seeker trilogy out.