The Energon Pub

[zodconvoy]

Inferno might open up the MP Season 2 floodgates for me. I didn't want Smokescreen or Tracks or Red Alert on their own but Inferno AND Red Alert are peanut butter and jelly. Though having any of them and still not having Jazz or Cliffjumper is weird.

[shajaki]

We hear numerous rumors about upcoming Masterpiece figures (most recently being Inferno teased by TakaraTomy themselves) but Seibertronian ScottyP brought us an update on the most recent one. Tonight we get our first glimpse at a delicious grey proto-type of Masterpiece Inferno, at what is likely the Transformers Fest event in Japan via Twitter user くろさび@chromless. TakaraTomy seems to be sticking with their devotion to cartoon accuracy with the Autobot Firetruck, making him a nice companion piece to upcoming MP-14+ Red Alert. See the pics below and stay tuned to Seibertron.com: home for the best Galleries and Conversation around!

[Hellscream9999]

Looks really dumb, not even remotely interested

[shajaki]

Looks really dumb, not even remotely interested

Because..... you hate cartoon accuracy?

[Sabrblade]

Looks really dumb, not even remotely interested

Because..... you hate cartoon accuracy?

Look at the bolded text right below the image in his sig.

[megatronus]

Looks really dumb, not even remotely interested

A colored test shot might change your mind.

[Hellscream9999]

Looks really dumb, not even remotely interested

Because..... you hate cartoon accuracy?

Because it looks stupid, has nothing to do with anything else

but yeah, the cartoon smoothness is doing this no favors - I honestly thought it was fake when I saw it...

Looks really dumb, not even remotely interested

A colored test shot might change your mind.

[Sabrblade]

My interest in this figure mainly stems from Inferno being the only Transformer to ever be voiced by the late great Walker Edmiston. That man's talent was criminally underutilized in the G1 cartoon, as he only ever voiced Inferno and four forgettable guest/minor roles.

[shajaki]

Looks really dumb, not even remotely interested

Because..... you hate cartoon accuracy?

Because it looks stupid, has nothing to do with anything else

but yeah, the cartoon smoothness is doing this no favors - I honestly thought it was fake when I saw it...

I don't know how you feel about MP Ironhide/Ratchet, but they're just as smooth.

Either way, I think it's rather nice. I just have no attachment to the character. I'd rather have Grapple (who I call Hauler ).

*edit*

Looks really dumb, not even remotely interested

Because..... you hate cartoon accuracy?

Look at the bolded text right below the image in his sig.

Oh.

[Hellscream9999]

Looks really dumb, not even remotely interested

Because..... you hate cartoon accuracy?

Because it looks stupid, has nothing to do with anything else

but yeah, the cartoon smoothness is doing this no favors - I honestly thought it was fake when I saw it...

I don't know how you feel about MP Ironhide/Ratchet, but they're just as smooth.

Either way, I think it's rather nice. I just have no attachment to the character. I'd rather have Grapple (who I call Hauler ).

I like Soundwave, and Shockwave was cool, so is MP Nemesis Prime, that's all I like...

[megatronus]

Looks really dumb, not even remotely interested

Because..... you hate cartoon accuracy?

Because it looks stupid, has nothing to do with anything else

but yeah, the cartoon smoothness is doing this no favors - I honestly thought it was fake when I saw it...

Looks really dumb, not even remotely interested

A colored test shot might change your mind.

My mental image of you is the goth kids from South Park.

[Hellscream9999]

Looks really dumb, not even remotely interested

Because..... you hate cartoon accuracy?

Because it looks stupid, has nothing to do with anything else

but yeah, the cartoon smoothness is doing this no favors - I honestly thought it was fake when I saw it...

Looks really dumb, not even remotely interested

A colored test shot might change your mind.

My mental image of you is the goth kids from South Park.

Not really, just really don't like G1 stuff in general, I've been really bored with Generations for the last several years

[DedicatedGhostArt]

I hope they retool him as Grapple to go with the CW/UW Constructicons.

Also, the legs on this guy actually look better than the ones on MMC's version. That is a plus. This guy already looks superior.

[shajaki]

I hope they retool him as Grapple to go with the CW/UW Constructicons.

That Silly, is more guaranteed than the sun rising

[Seibertron]

Looks really dumb, not even remotely interested

Because..... you hate cartoon accuracy?

Because it looks stupid, has nothing to do with anything else

but yeah, the cartoon smoothness is doing this no favors - I honestly thought it was fake when I saw it...

Looks really dumb, not even remotely interested

A colored test shot might change your mind.

I agree about the cartoon simplicity ... this does not look good. The cartoon look needs to go. I have never wanted the simplified cartoon designs as our toys. I want updated versions of the G1 toys that take cues from the cartoon models, similar to what we've been getting until recently. I was excited until I saw this. Takara this is not a good direction!!!

[Seibertron]

Not really, just really don't like G1 stuff in general, I've been really bored with Generations for the last several years

You're in luck then ... we've got Robots In Disguise and Rescue Bots!

[DedicatedGhostArt]

I hope they retool him as Grapple to go with the CW/UW Constructicons.

That Silly, is more guaranteed than the sun rising

Considering the fact though that they have not done a Cliffjumper retool of Bumblebee yet, I am not certain of anything at this point.

[Seibertron]

I hope they retool him as Grapple to go with the CW/UW Constructicons.

That Silly, is more guaranteed than the sun rising

Considering the fact though that they have not done a Cliffjumper retool of Bumblebee yet, I am not certain of anything at this point.

Let us hope they never do a Masterpiece Cliffjumper out of a Bumblebee. I'd like to see Cliffjumper transform into an actual Porsche and figure out how to do a proper Cliffjumper robot mode out of it. I'm OK if the Porsche is smaller than a regular sized Masterpiece figure, I just want to see him be a proper Porsche.

[fenrir72]

We hear numerous rumors about upcoming Masterpiece figures (most recently being Inferno teased by TakaraTomy themselves) but Seibertronian ScottyP brought us an update on the most recent one. Tonight we get our first glimpse at a delicious grey proto-type of Masterpiece Inferno, at what is likely the Transformers Fest event in Japan via Twitter user くろさび@chromless. TakaraTomy seems to be sticking with their devotion to cartoon accuracy with the Autobot Firetruck, making him a nice companion piece to upcoming MP-14+ Red Alert. See the pics below and stay tuned to Seibertron.com: home for the best Galleries and Conversation around!

Inferno looks so intelligent!

Red Alert, here I come!

Btw, since this is a licensed Mitsubishi vehicle, expect Hound soon.

[Kurona]

I'm not entirely getting the responses here... Masterpiece is a line -solely- dedicated to absolute cartoon accuracy. What were you guys expecting? If you want cool updates, check out Generations or Third Parties or even new versions of the characters in new series or something... but Masterpiece is a G1 Cartoon line - with a few surprises in Star Saber and Optimus Primal here and there - and that is what it is. It doesn't make sense to criticize something for being what it is, it's kind of ridiculous.

[Hellscream9999]

I'm not entirely getting the responses here... Masterpiece is a line -solely- dedicated to absolute cartoon accuracy. What were you guys expecting? If you want cool updates, check out Generations or Third Parties or even new versions of the characters in new series or something... but Masterpiece is a G1 Cartoon line - with a few surprises in Star Saber and Optimus Primal here and there - and that is what it is. It doesn't make sense to criticize something for being what it is, it's kind of ridiculous.

Actually, I used to think that, but it's been quoted from the designers that that was not the original intent of the line, this is the direction the line has taken of late, and can even be seen in the Legends line too, it's just the direction they are taking.

You look at MP-10, he had all sort of details and lines and such that the cartoon model never had, and as he's the standard the line is literally measured against, this is clearly not the case...

Here's proof, compare this:



to this:



Clearly, you can have a show accurate toy, without being completely smooth and plain, that is the issue

[fenrir72]

I'm not entirely getting the responses here... Masterpiece is a line -solely- dedicated to absolute cartoon accuracy. What were you guys expecting? If you want cool updates, check out Generations or Third Parties or even new versions of the characters in new series or something... but Masterpiece is a G1 Cartoon line - with a few surprises in Star Saber and Optimus Primal here and there - and that is what it is. It doesn't make sense to criticize something for being what it is, it's kind of ridiculous.

Ditto. But give them their 15 minutes mein freund. Some solace to their individuality.

[Wolfman Jake]

I'm not entirely getting the responses here... Masterpiece is a line -solely- dedicated to absolute cartoon accuracy. What were you guys expecting? If you want cool updates, check out Generations or Third Parties or even new versions of the characters in new series or something... but Masterpiece is a G1 Cartoon line - with a few surprises in Star Saber and Optimus Primal here and there - and that is what it is. It doesn't make sense to criticize something for being what it is, it's kind of ridiculous.

THIS. It's like people haven't been paying attention since MP-10. I feel like we go through this every time with they gray prototype pictures. Then we get some colored test shots, and a few people get on board, and then more full production samples with stock photography, and more people come around, and then we get the actual release, and almost every one realizes the figure is mostly great, except for a vocal minority who are never pleased.

[Hellscream9999]

Not really, just really don't like G1 stuff in general, I've been really bored with Generations for the last several years

You're in luck then ... we've got Robots In Disguise and Rescue Bots!

Why would I like the rescue bots? I'm all about pose-ability RiD is okay as a cartoon, and the 's are great toys, but I feel like I'm drowning in repaints, but the future looks great for that line so far... SCORPONOK

[Kurona]

I'm not entirely getting the responses here... Masterpiece is a line -solely- dedicated to absolute cartoon accuracy. What were you guys expecting? If you want cool updates, check out Generations or Third Parties or even new versions of the characters in new series or something... but Masterpiece is a G1 Cartoon line - with a few surprises in Star Saber and Optimus Primal here and there - and that is what it is. It doesn't make sense to criticize something for being what it is, it's kind of ridiculous.

Actually, I used to think that, but it's been quoted from the designers that that was not the original intent of the line, this is the direction the line has taken of late, and can even be seen in the Legends line too, it's just the direction they are taking.

You look at MP-10, he had all sort of details and lines and such that the cartoon model never had, and as he's the standard the line is literally measured against, this is clearly not the case...

Added details and lines is barely any change at all though. You look at MP-10, and you can't tell me it's anything but an absolute represenation of G1 Cartoon Optimus Prime. There's nothing else it is. It's not a redesign, it's not a revamp, it's not a new version - it's the original cartoon guy, and nothing more.
And adding little details and lines tends to be standard fare on figures made to replicate animation, I find - not just with MP but with any series' figures. It's just a thing that happens.
I prefer updates and redesigns; that's why I love Generations and collect figures from those and don't look into MP much beyond a few I might want like Optimus, Road Rage and Soundwave. It's for the guys who love a G1 representation, and it's clearly working.
By the way, what is the original intention, then? Because the only deviations they've ever done in the MP line is in the wonky pre-MP-10 line where they clearly had no clue what on earth their standard actually was.

For the record the prototype imo looks pretty great. Inferno's not a guy I particularly care about but hey, it's nice. Hoping to see some impressive retooling for Grapple so I can admire from afar yet not actually spend money on it.