The Energon Pub

[Jones]

Glad I was lucky enough to have scored the TRU version when he was released here in Canada at regular retail of $70 CDN - a total bargain for this figure. While this is nice, and great to see the Takara collectors getting the third and final seeker in the vastly superior MP11 mold, I much prefer the deco of the TRU version even if it is slightly less cartoon accurate.

And on that note, I was definitely pumped to learn about the TRU release of MP11 Starscream coming down the pipe! I have hope that this will be followed by a TRU version of Skywarp so I can have all three G1 seekers at much more affordable prices. Even if Starscream is more expensive than Thundercracker was (say around $100), he will still be easier on the wallet than the Takara version. If they do the same thing for Skywarp? I will be experiencing much happiness.

[Wolfman Jake]

Part of me is scratching out my eyeballs because TC and SW have right side up insignias while SS has them upside down. A small part of me. But really I'm just happy that I can now have a set of three with matching yellow cockpits.

How are the insignias on the Hasbro Starscream coming out this year?

The Hasbro version, at least from stock photography, appears to have the Decepticon emblems correctly oriented (upside down when in robot mode). That is also, as I understand it, how identifying markings are supposed to be oriented on actual fighter jets. I have no idea why it gets mixed up so often, and so inconsistently, with seeker releases.

[SteveGo]

Does anyone have any experience ordering from Takara Tomy Mall via a forwarding service like Tenso? I'm seriously contemplating doing this for MP-11T.

[Wolfman Jake]

I'm surprised that Takara gave Thundercracker a black nosecone. Perhaps not the same people that are in charge of the main figures?

Now that I think about it, MP-10 also has some inconsistencies with his screen appearance, like the silver striping on the sides of the cab and the gray shin plates on his legs. The first is at least toy accurate, but the latter isn't particularly accurate to anything G1. Still, it doesn't seem to distract from MP-10 being the best rendition of G1 Optimus to date. Thundercracker's black nose cone is at least toy accurate, like the blue nosecone Hasbro is using for their otherwise identical to the Takara version release of MP-11 (sine coronation accessories). At least it's not a situation such as with MP-11SW, with extraneous paint apps that don't at all correspond to his G1 cartoon OR toy look.

[william-james88]

Does anyone have any experience ordering from Takara Tomy Mall via a forwarding service like Tenso? I'm seriously contemplating doing this for MP-11T.

This will be released in asia under hasbro asia though, at a mark up. I think that is the easier way to get him by bypassing ttmall since your intermidiary is Hasbro and plus you'd be getting a cool collector coin.

[megatronus]

Does anyone have any experience ordering from Takara Tomy Mall via a forwarding service like Tenso? I'm seriously contemplating doing this for MP-11T.

This will be released in asia under hasbro asia though, at a mark up. I think that is the easier way to get him by bypassing ttmall since your intermidiary is Hasbro and plus you'd be getting a cool collector coin.

Also, I believe you need to be a resident of Japan to order from TakaraTomy Mall. Or is that just Amazon.jp?

[SteveGo]

Does anyone have any experience ordering from Takara Tomy Mall via a forwarding service like Tenso? I'm seriously contemplating doing this for MP-11T.

This will be released in asia under hasbro asia though, at a mark up. I think that is the easier way to get him by bypassing ttmall since your intermidiary is Hasbro and plus you'd be getting a cool collector coin.

Also, I believe you need to be a resident of Japan to order from TakaraTomy Mall. Or is that just Amazon.jp?

Which is why I mentioned the forwarding service, Tenso. They ae located in Japan and will take shipments from places like Amazon.co.jp and then send it to you.

[william-james88]

Does anyone have any experience ordering from Takara Tomy Mall via a forwarding service like Tenso? I'm seriously contemplating doing this for MP-11T.

This will be released in asia under hasbro asia though, at a mark up. I think that is the easier way to get him by bypassing ttmall since your intermidiary is Hasbro and plus you'd be getting a cool collector coin.

Also, I believe you need to be a resident of Japan to order from TakaraTomy Mall. Or is that just Amazon.jp?

Which is why I mentioned the forwarding service, Tenso. They ae located in Japan and will take shipments from places like Amazon.co.jp and then send it to you.

Depending on what they charge, you might just be better off waiting for hadbro Asia to distribute it. Less of a headache for sure.

[megatronus]

Does anyone have any experience ordering from Takara Tomy Mall via a forwarding service like Tenso? I'm seriously contemplating doing this for MP-11T.

This will be released in asia under hasbro asia though, at a mark up. I think that is the easier way to get him by bypassing ttmall since your intermidiary is Hasbro and plus you'd be getting a cool collector coin.

Also, I believe you need to be a resident of Japan to order from TakaraTomy Mall. Or is that just Amazon.jp?

Which is why I mentioned the forwarding service, Tenso. They ae located in Japan and will take shipments from places like Amazon.co.jp and then send it to you.

That... changes everything.

[SteveGo]

Does anyone have any experience ordering from Takara Tomy Mall via a forwarding service like Tenso? I'm seriously contemplating doing this for MP-11T.

This will be released in asia under hasbro asia though, at a mark up. I think that is the easier way to get him by bypassing ttmall since your intermidiary is Hasbro and plus you'd be getting a cool collector coin.

Also, I believe you need to be a resident of Japan to order from TakaraTomy Mall. Or is that just Amazon.jp?

Which is why I mentioned the forwarding service, Tenso. They ae located in Japan and will take shipments from places like Amazon.co.jp and then send it to you.

Depending on what they charge, you might just be better off waiting for hadbro Asia to distribute it. Less of a headache for sure.

Well, for instance, I have a package there currently that weighs 380 grams and for EMS it will cost 2010 yen.

I believe they go by weight. I don't know what the weight of MP-11T will be, but here is a calculator for their service: http://www.tenso.com/en/estimate/

[Powered Convoy]

Well it's about time Takara gave Thundercracker this treatment with this mold. Hasbro's was Generations Deluxe-accurate while this one will be given proper show-accurate justice.

Or will it?

Hey Randy, any show-inaccuracies to be found on this one like with Skywarp?

- Black Nosecone
- Black forearms and hands (they should be gray)
- Wrong orientation on Decepticon symbols on wings
- Silver outline on Decepticon symbols
- Chest turbines should be the same silver used on the rest of his body (some photos they look darker)

Well it's about time Takara gave Thundercracker this treatment with this mold. Hasbro's was Generations Deluxe-accurate while this one will be given proper show-accurate justice.

Or will it?

Hey Randy, any show-inaccuracies to be found on this one like with Skywarp?

Wasn't MP-11SW released only in the greater Asian market and not in Japan? I wonder if Takara will eventually do a more show accurate Masterpiece Skywarp, nixing those extraneous paint apps on the shoulders, wrists, and chest, and make it another Takara-Tomy Mall exclusive, but restrict the distribution to Japan, unlike what they're planning with MP-11T.

Yes, MP-11SW was China only release (no Malaysia, Hong Kong, etc).

Does anyone have any experience ordering from Takara Tomy Mall via a forwarding service like Tenso? I'm seriously contemplating doing this for MP-11T.

Yes. It's not easy as I've had inconsistent luck getting my credit card to work with TTM.

Randy

[william-james88]

I believe they go by weight. I don't know what the weight of MP-11T will be, but here is a calculator for their service: http://www.tenso.com/en/estimate/

So I did the calculation and EMS is 3,580Yen for MP Seekers (they weigh about 1120 grams). I assume you ship to Tenso first so the cost would be the TTMall price plus shipping domestic plus 3,580Yen, which is not bad since that price is "shipped" while the premium of the Hasbro asia edition would not include the shipping. You are not saving that much in the end.

Look at this:

Limited exclusive Bluestreak for 64.64$ US : http://takaratomymall.jp/shop/g/g4904810827825/

Hasbro Asia distributed version (does it come with coin?) for 69.99$ US: http://www.robotkingdom.com/tftrmp18b.html

So for 5$ more, you avoid having to pay double shipping and handling fees. Tenso might not be your best option. However, if it turns out Hasbro Asia cant/wont distribute this, then there may be no choice.

[megatronus]

I believe they go by weight. I don't know what the weight of MP-11T will be, but here is a calculator for their service: http://www.tenso.com/en/estimate/

So I did the calculation and EMS is 3,580Yen for MP Seekers (they weigh about 1120 grams). I assume you ship to Tenso first so the cost would be the TTMall price plus shipping domestic plus 3,580Yen, which is not bad since that price is "shipped" while the premium of the Hasbro asia edition would not include the shipping. You are not saving that much in the end.

Look at this:

Limited exclusive Bluestreak for 64.64$ US : http://takaratomymall.jp/shop/g/g4904810827825/

Hasbro Asia distributed version (does it come with coin?) for 69.99$ US: http://www.robotkingdom.com/tftrmp18b.html

So for 5$ more, you avoid having to pay double shipping and handling fees. Tenso might not be your best option. However, if it turns out Hasbro Asia cant/wont distribute this, then there may be no choice.

It's worth keeping in mind that RobotKingdom prices are an absolute ripoff. The final price could turn out better with Tenso. ("Could." not "will.")

[william-james88]

It's worth keeping in mind that RobotKingdom prices are an absolute ripoff. The final price could turn out better with Tenso. ("Could." not "will.")

You mean their shipping prices right? Yeah, I agree. My absolutel favourite way to get Takara products is through other Japanese retailers who discount from the TTMALL MSRP (which has been proven to be bogus in Japanese retail). That's why I am always pissed that they get an exclusive, since other Japanese online retailers cant have them. There have been quite a few this year.

[Sabrblade]

It's worth keeping in mind that RobotKingdom prices are an absolute ripoff. The final price could turn out better with Tenso. ("Could." not "will.")

You mean their shipping prices right? Yeah, I agree. My absolutel favourite way to get Takara products is through other Japanese retailers who discount from the TTMALL MSRP (which has been proven to be bogus in Japanese retail). That's why I am always pissed that they get an exclusive, since other Japanese online retailers cant have them. There have been quite a few this year.

I only ever bought from RobotKingdom once, and it was only because the purchase in question was a special deal that included free shipping.

Though, the price for the item itself was still huge since it was a 3rd party item.

[megatronus]

It's worth keeping in mind that RobotKingdom prices are an absolute ripoff. The final price could turn out better with Tenso. ("Could." not "will.")

You mean their shipping prices right? Yeah, I agree. My absolutel favourite way to get Takara products is through other Japanese retailers who discount from the TTMALL MSRP (which has been proven to be bogus in Japanese retail). That's why I am always pissed that they get an exclusive, since other Japanese online retailers cant have them. There have been quite a few this year.

I only ever bought from RobotKingdom once, and it was only because the purchase in question was a special deal that included free shipping.

Though, the price for the item itself was still huge since it was a 3rd party item.

Sabr, was it Genesis?

And yea, Will, I was referring to the shipping.

Last time I shopped at RK was a few months ago, when TFsource announced that their stock of EVA MP10 would not be arriving. RK was the last place that had it.

[Sabrblade]

Sabr, was it Genesis?

Close. Twas actually a special bundle offer of Genesis, Genesis's head upgrade, and Caelus all in one.

Took my wallet forever to forgive me after that purchase, but the RK price w/ free shipping was still less expensive than the total price BBTS was offering for all of the same items.

[megatronus]

Sabr, was it Genesis?

Close. Twas actually a special bundle offer of Genesis, Genesis's head upgrade, and Caelus all in one.

Took my wallet forever to forgive me after that purchase, but the RK price w/ free shipping was still less expensive than the total price BBTS was offering for all of the same items.

I recall that deal. I had just sold my MISB Genesis, and was thinking about repurchasing because of that package. I didn't go for it.

[Powered Convoy]

Got my order in for 3 (the limit was 3 per order) last night at 11 PM (orders opened at 12 noon 8/3 Japanese time) with no problems.

He was sold out at least by 3 AM or so, possibly sooner.

Randy

[Va'al]

After last month's announcement of a new deco for the Seeker mold, in the Takara Tomy Transformers Masterpiece line, site sponsors TFSource and Big Bad Toy Store have been in touch with their pre-order listings for the toy as handsome as an F-22 Fighter Jet - Thundercracker! Check them out below.

TFSource - MP-11T Thundercracker, $199.99, November 2015.

BBTS - MP-11T Thundercracker, $199.99, December 2015.

[Powered Convoy]

Glad I’m getting mine for around $120.

[Joetx]

Just FYI: This version of Thundercracker is an F-15, not an F-22. The Bayverse Thundercracker was an F-22, though.

[Va'al]

Just FYI: This version of Thundercracker is an F-15, not an F-22. The Bayverse Thundercracker was an F-22, though.

I'm aware of that, I just wanted to use one of the best lines from the IDWverse Thundercracker.

[Bounti76]

I get that this won't have distribution as wide as some of their other releases, but even considering importers' markups, this is still RIDICULOUSLY overpriced, just for a change in the plastic color.

[william-james88]

Hi, I just wanted to precise something to people who may not know. As TF Source's listing says, anyone buying this from importers is NOT buying the exclusive TTMall release of MP 11T. Instead:

This is the Asian market release of this product

- http://tfsource.com/masterpiece/mp-11t-thundercracker/

There is no given amount for this release but it is not the 2000 limited item that was exclusive at Takaratomy mall. So the price isnt due to exclusivity in this case (unlike Takara Defensor, for instance) but solely due to importing.

I just wanted collectors to know the facts and not to be jipped on the notion of what they are buying.