The Energon Pub

[o.supreme]

I've been watching the currency exchange again lately in anticipation of the release of Getsuei at the end of this month. After a brief uptick in early August to around 75/76 Y per USD, it has dropped to a new low of 70 Y per USD. Now that I hopefully have my issues sorted out with Amazon.jp (which delayed me getting the first release), I should hopefully have no issues this time around. I have to admit, getting him shipped for anywhere between $115-$120 USD as opposed to $150 is easier to justify, especially as he is a smaller bot.

I know Getsuei has been seen on display at conventions in Japan, but hopefully in hand pics start showing up soon (and not the dubious broken ones shown a couple of weeks ago).

[D-Maximal_Primal]

I've been watching the currency exchange again lately in anticipation of the release of Getsuei at the end of this month. After a brief uptick in early August to around 75/76 Y per USD, it has dropped to a new low of 70 Y per USD. Now that I hopefully have my issues sorted out with Amazon.jp (which delayed me getting the first release), I should hopefully have no issues this time around. I have to admit, getting him shipped for anywhere between $115-$120 USD as opposed to $150 is easier to justify, especially as he is a smaller bot.

I know Getsuei has been seen on display at conventions in Japan, but hopefully in hand pics start showing up soon (and not the dubious broken ones shown a couple of weeks ago).

That exchange rate is a good sign, I hope it continues to stay low, MP Trailbreaker is dependent on it in addition to the MPGs!

[o.supreme]

...and a day later we get news about more releases...





The video showcases many TT lines. Start watching at 5 minutes specifically for MPG.

We have a look at the color prototype of Suiken’s robot mode and his realistic Tokai-type 153 Express locomotive. Full reveal is planned for October 2022, and due to be released in June 2023.

Additionally, we also have teaser images of the next and final Masterpiece Trainbots MPG-05 Seizan and MPG-06 Kaen which will be officially revealed in January and April 2023.

No release dates yet for the last 2, but if all goes well, I'm really hoping we could have a completed Raiden in hand by the end of 2023.

[TF-fan kev777]

If the last one isn't revealed until April 2023, I think there is little to no chance of it being in hand by the end of 2023.

[william-james88]

Takara Tomy (TT) has chosen today to reveal several of their upcoming toys and they even released a preview video for more to come. The video showcases many TT lines. Start watching at 5 minutes specifically for MPG.

They give us a look at the color prototype of Suiken’s robot mode and his Tokai-type 153 Express locomotive. It will be fully revealed October 2022, and released in June 2023.

There is also teaser images of the next and final Masterpiece Trainbots MPG-05 Seizan and MPG-06 Kaen which will be fully revealed in January and April 2023.

No release dates yet for the last 2.

[o.supreme]

If the last one isn't revealed until April 2023, I think there is little to no chance of it being in hand by the end of 2023.

Its not a guaranty, but it is certainly possible, especially if you order directly from Japan. If you order from Pulse, or any 3P retailer, then yes, you'll probably be into the first part of 2024

MPG-01 (pre order October 2021, released June 2022) 8 months
MPG-02 (pre-order January 2022, being released October 2022) 9 Months
MPG-03 (pre-order June 2022, being released March 2023) 9 months

MPG-04 (pre-order October 2022, released June 2023) 8 months
MPG-05 (pre-order January 2023)
MPG-06 (pre-order April 2023)

You can look at this a couple of ways.

1.If the release windows of the last 3 mirror the first 3, yes it will probably be early 2024 before MPG-06 is released.


2. Since a LOT of the development work of MPG 4 and 5 was already done with 2 and 3, the release windows could be slightly shorter. Revealing #6 2 months earlier in 2023, then they did #3 this year (2022), definitely makes it possible.

I also believe MPG-03 probably was intended to have a pre-order in April 2022, but was pushed back until June because development of other MP's took priority. I'm sure other MP's will be coming in the near future as well, which will be interesting. Does TT want to finish this project ASAP, or do they want to drag it out further, offering other MP's in-between. Its definitely a situation I wouldn't want to be in, and is probably one of the reasons they hesitated for the longest time of working on any combiner at MP quality.

3P companies can crank out combiners relatively quickly, but with TT, its going to be at minimum a 2 year commitment, if not longer (as we will see it will be 4+ years from development to final product when this is all said and done). It may be better if TT just stick to individual characters for MP, and ones they can easily reuse multiple times for additional profit.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Suiken looks really good! I think he already looks much better than the leg bots overall, much more solid, and that color scheme is pleasing. The picture is starting to come into focus

[o.supreme]

Happy Release Day (well in Japan at least) for MPG-02 Getsuei it is currently 1:22 am 09/24 in Japan, and Amazon.jp has MPG-02 for sale at retail price (higher of course than the pre-order price). I hope mine ships soon.

There have been many photos from TT Hobby Expo currently going on, including a grey Prototype of the Combined Raiden. It is drawing some criticism from fans. While I agree, it seems the trains themselves were the priority for these toys creation, I still look forward to getting them all combined. The one thing lacking is the ability to make any sort of comparison with any other toys seeing as how all pics are basically by itself.

Gamerlingual from TFW2005 has 50 pics from the display for view:

https://news.tfw2005.com/2022/09/23/tak ... ook-465823

[D-Maximal_Primal]

My Getsuei shipped and should be here Thursday. I am looking forward to that train mode, and from people in Japan getting it early, the transformation and play factor sound more fun then Shouki, who I still liked

[Emerje]

My Getsuei shipped and should be here Thursday. I am looking forward to that train mode, and from people in Japan getting it early, the transformation and play factor sound more fun then Shouki, who I still liked

Same here as well as Diaclone Powered Convoy (ouch, it wasn't a cheap month).

Emerje

[chuckdawg1999]

My Getsuei shipped and should be here Thursday. I am looking forward to that train mode, and from people in Japan getting it early, the transformation and play factor sound more fun then Shouki, who I still liked

Same here as well as Diaclone Powered Convoy (ouch, it wasn't a cheap month).

Emerje

It hasn't been a cheap two months.

[Sabrblade]

My Getsuei shipped and should be here Thursday. I am looking forward to that train mode, and from people in Japan getting it early, the transformation and play factor sound more fun then Shouki, who I still liked

Same here as well as Diaclone Powered Convoy (ouch, it wasn't a cheap month).

Emerje

It hasn't been a cheap two months.

You said it. Especially for those of us who went to BotCon last month.

[o.supreme]

My Getsuei shipped and should be here Thursday.

Just curious, did you pay extra for priority shipping? Mine shipped Saturday the 24th, but isn't expected to arrive for another week or so. I'm just glad it shipped, but I was just curious.

[chuckdawg1999]

My Getsuei shipped and should be here Thursday. I am looking forward to that train mode, and from people in Japan getting it early, the transformation and play factor sound more fun then Shouki, who I still liked

Same here as well as Diaclone Powered Convoy (ouch, it wasn't a cheap month).

Emerje

It hasn't been a cheap two months.

You said it. Especially for those of us who went to BotCon last month.

Oof. I hear ya

[D-Maximal_Primal]

My Getsuei shipped and should be here Thursday.

Just curious, did you pay extra for priority shipping? Mine shipped Saturday the 24th, but isn't expected to arrive for another week or so. I'm just glad it shipped, but I was just curious.

I am cheap, so I always pay minimum for shipping costs

so I got my Getsuei, and messed with him last night, even have him on my WFH desk today. He is pretty neat.

For one thing, I like his train mode more than Shouki, and I suspect that is only because of how "utilitarian" it feels with all the details and with the pantographs. I just love it! I also love all the wheels, wonderful.

He is noticeably smaller than Shouki in train mode, and I do think I will need to throw him into leg mode to compare to Menasor on combiner side, but I would say Raiden will end up around Legacy Menasor sized when all is said and done based on this.

I also like his transformation more, it feels a bit more intuitive with a bit less fiddle factor. I transformed him and Shouki back to back for some of these pictures, and Shouki was a bit challenging to remember how the backpack and arm/wing kibble worked.

Robot mode is a bit weird. I wish his train front backpack could actually condense inwards some, since it is the 1 thing that really stands out in his profile. His legs are also a bit weird with how skinny and deep they are, but it's still nice. I just like Shouki's robot mode better.

Overall, he feels good and looks good. I'm excited to continue the journey.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Took some turnaround pictures of Getsuei for you all, he is nice.

also put him in leg mode to compare to Legacy Menasor. Raiden will be around the same size as Menasor

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

So, in the same height category as CW-style combiners.

Damn, now I want the MPG Trainbots.

[o.supreme]

Took some turnaround pictures of Getsuei for you all, he is nice.

also put him in leg mode to compare to Legacy Menasor. Raiden will be around the same size as Menasor

First off...wow you got it fast
Did you pay for express shipping? I'm in CA, and mine shipped on Saturday the 24th. Estimated delivery is Oct 7. I know it will arrive sooner than that, but I still don't see any updates other than it left Japan on Sunday.

2. Thank you for this picture. This is the one I wanted to see the most. I figure it will end up being slightly taller than Legacy Menasor, but still workable with it and all other CW/UW/ PotP Combiners.

I've been saying this for a while. But I wish the same company ( or any other really) that made the KO scaled down CW Devastator, would do the same for PotP Predaking, then all these combiners would be looking perfect together.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Took some turnaround pictures of Getsuei for you all, he is nice.

also put him in leg mode to compare to Legacy Menasor. Raiden will be around the same size as Menasor

First off...wow you got it fast
Did you pay for express shipping? I'm in CA, and mine shipped on Saturday the 24th. Estimated delivery is Oct 7. I know it will arrive sooner than that, but I still don't see any updates other than it left Japan on Sunday.

My Getsuei shipped and should be here Thursday.

Just curious, did you pay extra for priority shipping? Mine shipped Saturday the 24th, but isn't expected to arrive for another week or so. I'm just glad it shipped, but I was just curious.

I am cheap, so I always pay minimum for shipping costs

[o.supreme]

Sorry I didn't see your response in the other thread. Man that is odd. I just paid standard shipping also... Unless Amazon.jp ships the long way around the earth (going east instead of west) .

[TF-fan kev777]

Sorry I didn't see your response in the other thread. Man that is odd. I just paid standard shipping also... Unless Amazon.jp ships the long way around the earth (going east instead of west) .

Amazon ships DHL. It is most likely the DHL coverage in your area along with proximity to one of their 5 hubs.

[chuckdawg1999]

[Emerje]

First off...wow you got it fast

I got mine Tuesday. Apparently I shipped Priority according to the invoice, but I don't recall there even being an option at the time. It shipped on the 26th (effectively the 25th here) and arrived on the 27th by DHL which is a little mind blowing. Meanwhile my Diaclone Powered Greater was shipped standard on the 24th (23ed here) and isn't expected to show up until mid October through ECMS which I've never heard of before and their tracking hasn't updated since the 25th.

Emerje

[o.supreme]

Yeah, looks like Amazon Japan shipped mine using ECMS Express (Not DHL), which I've never heard of either, so that could be part of the reason it has been slow. (Expected 10/7, but no updates since the 25th when it left Japan) I do recall last time, it came rather quickly after the payment Snafu, but they used DHL for Shouki. I guess for international orders, its up to their choice? (If you dont pay extra for express shipping?) Kind of like how Amazon used to do (Random between USPS, FedEx, and UPS) before they had their own courier service.

It's Too bad Amazon can't coordinate with other countries to use their own courier services.

[o.supreme]

Well it all worked out. I woke up to an unexpected message this morning that my item was out for delivery! . He came around 9am via Fedex.

The train mode for Getsuei is great. However..as Chuck mentioned in his review, while the track pieces can fit together, the gauges (or width of the tracks themselves) are different, so connecting them together and having them travel along the track is an impossibility. Also, All of Getsuei's wheels become problematic to align on the track, plus there is a piece that drags bottom, making it impossible to glide smoothly on the track.

In Robot mode he is cool. I dont mind the kibble, and the back flap I keep down (despite the instructions), just looks way better.

Leg Mode (thanks again Chuck for the shortcut transformation) still... The back seems unfinished seeing as how the wheel sections dont clip back together, nor do the back panels. The Back of his calf is just left split open. Not the neatest look, but we shall see as time goes on. I definitely prefer Shouki so far. I dont mind his extra train kibble in Robot mode. I prefer him to Getsuei.

Well, its going to be a long 5 months until Yukikaze comes out, and hopefully pre orders for MPG-04 Suiken should be revealed soon.