The Energon Pub

[DedicatedGhostArt]

Man if I could only get one Masterpiece car bot, I want Wheeljack. Is that weird?

[Cobotron]

Not at all, Sill. Not at all.

[shajaki]

Man if I could only get one Masterpiece car bot, I want Wheeljack. Is that weird?

Not at all. Many regard him to be the best of the cars thus far. Me however, my vote went towards this fella.

[DedicatedGhostArt]

Not at all, Sill. Not at all.

Good.

Ratchet, Rodimus, and Shockwave fight for second place.

[Amelie]

Ok... I've mulled this issue over.

Its not (for me, maybe) the argument of total, 100% cartoon accuracy. Because none of the MPs have really achieved that and since MP10, I've felt the line has been really strong. We've read about the designers themselves not aiming for total cartoon accuracy, too.

Hip panels were briefly mentioned as being something on Japanese robots that aren't on Transformers (often). There were similar eruptions about MP3 Starscream, over the same issue.

If this was say - a Gundam that turned into a van (lol!) - the hips wouldn't be an issue.

The transformation is excellent and I fully accept that... just - those hips aren't something Transformers "have". I think thats where the disappointment is laying and to me, it seems like a liberty outside of the MP remit. Ironhide could've had those doors hanging off almost anywhere a transformer usually has them (knees, wing-doors, arms ect) and hardly anyone would bat an eyelid.

TLDR - Its not "bad" its just not "right". Like a Tomato does not go into a fruit salad - hip panels do not belong on Transformers.

[Cobotron]

If this was say - a Gundam that turned into a van (lol!) - the hips wouldn't be an issue.

Gundum!

Hip panels were briefly mentioned as being something on Japanese robots that aren't on Transformers (often). There were similar eruptions about MP3 Starscream, over the same issue.

I did not know this.
I wasn't around when Prowl came out. Were people mad about the Datsun's hip panels?

[Ironhidensh]

If this was say - a Gundam that turned into a van (lol!) - the hips wouldn't be an issue.

Gundum!

Hip panels were briefly mentioned as being something on Japanese robots that aren't on Transformers (often). There were similar eruptions about MP3 Starscream, over the same issue.

I did not know this.
I wasn't around when Prowl came out. Were people mad about the Datsun's hip panels?

That was during my "hiatus", but I don't think they quite compare. Prowl's hips look more like a natural part of his waist, Ironhide's look like kibble that they ran out of time to clean up.

I think Amelie hit the nail on the head. Its not bad, it just could be better. The rest of Ironhide is so neatly folded in and tucked away, that those panels just really stand out. I'll know how I feel better on Thursday.

[Amelie]

I wasn't around when Prowl came out. Were people mad about the Datsun's hip panels?

They look more like part of Prowls big ol' black y-fronts, though, with the panel there being to allow more poses.



MP3 Starscream isn't a bad toy, either - but those huge hip panels are... not very transformery. Slap a Veritech head on it and you wouldn't even blink at it.

[Cobotron]

Oooooooooh! Those hip panels. SURE!
I was seeing MP-11's in my mind.

[megatronus]

Ok... I've mulled this issue over.

Its not (for me, maybe) the argument of total, 100% cartoon accuracy. Because none of the MPs have really achieved that and since MP10, I've felt the line has been really strong. We've read about the designers themselves not aiming for total cartoon accuracy, too.

Hip panels were briefly mentioned as being something on Japanese robots that aren't on Transformers (often). There were similar eruptions about MP3 Starscream, over the same issue.

Right - they're not going for 100% cartoon accuracy. It's all about balance between cartoon likeness and the licensed vehicle modes those likenesses have to contort into. The two are related, but somewhat different things.

I think MP3 was a different case of expectations dashed by a design bait and switch, and besides, those faux 'sheaths' take Transformers kibble to a whole new dimension.

If this was say - a Gundam that turned into a van (lol!) - the hips wouldn't be an issue.

The transformation is excellent and I fully accept that... just - those hips aren't something Transformers "have". I think thats where the disappointment is laying and to me, it seems like a liberty outside of the MP remit. Ironhide could've had those doors hanging off almost anywhere a transformer usually has them (knees, wing-doors, arms ect) and hardly anyone would bat an eyelid.

TLDR - Its not "bad" its just not "right". Like a Tomato does not go into a fruit salad - hip panels do not belong on Transformers.

Yes! The panels probably jive very closely with the designer's sensibilities, but are foreign to our understanding of what a Transformer is and what it should and should not have. Thank you for articulating it.



My Ironhide arrived today, and I have him fully transformed. I will admit the hip panels are not terrible in and of themselves. The hip panels ARE a strange aesthetic for a TF, but the problem for me is more that their placement detracts from the figure's upper body. Ironhide shouldn't seem so hollowed out, and if his upper torso was robust, the hips would be a minor aesthetic dissonance rather than a fundamental design flaw.

I've mitigated the problem, if just a tad, by slightly angling the hip panels back. This raises the wheels from the 'butt position' to help fill out Ironhide's lower back, which makes the proportions seem less... wonky... I guess.

[megatronus]

Alright. Even positioned in the way I posted previously, they just... irked me. Too much.

I removed the hip panels entirely. It's quite easy to do - they come right off once you've removed the 3 butt screws. His profile is still a tad trim, but I think he looks WAY better.

[MelRains]

I can't believe how much people are bothered by the hip panels. To go so far as to completely sacrifice the alt mode over them.... I just... I dunno...

I haven't got mine in hand yet, so I can't say for sure, but from the images and videos I've seen; it just doesn't bother me at all. And even if it did, I think I'd rather leave my transformer an actual transformer.

[megatronus]

I can't believe how much people are bothered by the hip panels. To go so far as to completely sacrifice the alt mode over them.... I just... I dunno...

I haven't got mine in hand yet, so I can't say for sure, but from the images and videos I've seen; it just doesn't bother me at all. And even if it did, I think I'd rather leave my transformer an actual transformer.

Yes, I totally ruined my toy by not destroying anything.

[MelRains]

Are those panels not integral to the van mode or are you committed to reattaching them each time you transform it?

[megatronus]

Are those panels not integral to the van mode or are you committed to reattaching them each time you transform it?

I don't transform my MPs with much frequency (and when I do, it's usually Prowl or Sideswipe), so I'm not bothered by it for now. At this point, I think I'm just waiting for a 3rd Party fix that does integrate better.

[xMXUx]

My Ironhide has been stuck in Tokyo for the last 10 days
Hurry up already

[Evil Eye]

Watched Skullface's review. I think I'm convinced on him. He's not perfect by any means, but I'm willing to forgive his aesthetic shortcomings simply by virtue of the fact that Ironhide's cartoon model (more specifically the way it transforms) simply does not work in real life. Even aside from the fact it's turning from a mostly red van into a mostly grey robot, there's so much morphing and general animation magic going on that a perfectly animation-accurate Ironhide that actually transforms just isn't plausible.

Ironically, the hip-panels and butt-tyres don't bother me at all. What annoys me aesthetically is the chest area. He kinda looks...fat?

[Sabrblade]

What annoys me aesthetically is the chest area. He kinda looks...fat?

That's what I've been saying. It's because of the trapezoidal shape of the windshield. In the show, Ironhide's chest windshield was rectangular, giving him a much more broad-chested look. But since the MP transforms into a realistic-looking version of his altmode, the windshield ends up being trapezoidal, which makes the toy's lower torso look wider than its upper torso, making it look less fit and more fat.

[Ravage XK]

Other than use a fake, rectangular windscreen in bot mode which would have resulted in having to hide the trapezoidal one in bot mode they couldn't really do much about that.

[Ironhidensh]

[D-Maximal_Primal]

[Cobotron]

Yup! Looks kinda Ironhidensh to me.

Hope you'll tell us how he makes you feel.

Before you have to pack him up out of reach of the wee ones.

[Ironhidensh]

Yup! Looks kinda Ironhidensh to me.

Hope you'll tell us how he makes you feel.

Before you have to pack him up out of reach of the wee ones.

I like him, but I'm not in love with him. We might get there, but it's still the casual sex stage at this point, no deep love making.

One point of amazment, though, is the engineering. Watching a video doesn't do it justice. Its complex, yet incredibly simple. When you transform him, you finally find out why he is a Masterpiece.

The hips aren't nearly as bad in person (as I had hoped), but they still nag at the back of your mind. You get over it. The chest works, but it could have been done better. I think Takara would have done better to design him with a hidden "false" chest, ahla Badcube's Sunsurge, but you get over it.

[megatronus]

Yup! Looks kinda Ironhidensh to me.

Hope you'll tell us how he makes you feel.

Before you have to pack him up out of reach of the wee ones.

I like him, but I'm not in love with him. We might get there, but it's still the casual sex stage at this point, no deep love making.

One point of amazment, though, is the engineering. Watching a video doesn't do it justice. Its complex, yet incredibly simple. When you transform him, you finally find out why he is a Masterpiece.

The hips aren't nearly as bad in person (as I had hoped), but they still nag at the back of your mind. You get over it. The chest works, but it could have been done better. I think Takara would have done better to design him with a hidden "false" chest, ahla Badcube's Sunsurge, but you get over it.

I'm fine with the chest; I don't have a problem with it, just wish the sides were a bit more filled out.

[fenrir72]

Just got him 2 days ago and transformed yesterday. You know what fellas? Screw the naysayers!
Side panel, beer gut, long face issues? See it for yourself. In person. All that will just disappear once IH is in your hands.

Oh, and one youtube poster said something about IH thighs being feminine? Well I sure as heck don't know where he gets that vive! really now..........