Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

[Cobotron]

Cyb, it just dawned on me, there is some precedence of Takara giving a crap about this kind of thing.

When the first Diaclone reboot Diabattles V2 was released his antenna were cast in a soft rubber. Most likely for safety and to prevent breakage. Most, including my own, ended up looking pretty wiggly and crocked. Either they got enough lash back from customers or the designers didn't like it, so Takara issued replacements cast in hard plastic. I believe these replacements were looked at as an upgrade rather than a replacement, and had to be purchased by those who wanted the fix.

Sorry, I can't recall all the specifics about why they did it, or how these parts were made available, as I wasn't bothered by the soft ones so I didn't bother with the replacement. I just remember it was a thing they did.

So there's that long winded story.

P.S. I think your fix looks great!

[Cyberpath]

Thanks for the input, guys!

And Cobs --
Are you sure it was Takara though and not a 3P?
This is all I could find posts/275691979447903

[Hellscream9999]

I think I agree. I mean, it looked really bad out of the box, almost like the "battle damage" head -- but I think my fix turned out decent..? And since otherwise I got a pretty good copy (no paint flaws) (not to jinx it!) I better not take a risk with a reissue that may or may not happen, and may or may not have new flaws.

This thing sounds like its your spirit animal, so, I say, if you can look at it in bot mode and not be endlessly irritated for that imperfection, I'd say you're golden; besides, if a 3p company doesn't make parts for it, I'm sure you could commission someone on shapeways to do it

[Cobotron]

Thanks for the input, guys!

And Cobs --
Are you sure it was Takara though and not a 3P?
This is all I could find posts/275691979447903

Well, like I said, my memory on this was hazy at best. But...

Speaking of the Diacron Expo 2017 (taking place right now at Akihabara), there appear to be Exclusives. First is "Dia Battle V2 Head Unit Collection" which is an alternate head for the Dia Battle V2, this time with an orange visor and antenna made of ABS plastic as opposed to the softer type used in his original release. Second up, is "Powered System C Type Solid Scan Ver" which appears to be a clear version of one of their Powered Suits.

From this news post.

I still think part of their reasoning for this head was to address the issue with the soft cast antenna, but the circumstances to acquire one were less than perfect. Being a convention exclusive and all.

And of course one had to purchase it, as opposed to it being a replacement for a flaw from a customer care side of things.

[william-james88]

Thanks for the input, guys!

Your fix looks great Cyberpath. If that was your only reason to return it then i would recomend now to keep it.

[Cyberpath]

Your fix looks great Cyberpath. If that was your only reason to return it then i would recomend now to keep it.

Thanks! Yeah, pretty much. I considered the possible outcomes of every decision and came to a conclusion that trying fix it myself first was the most logical way to go. The only drawback would have been a result that didn't satisfy me, yet passable enough so AJ wouldn't see it as a defect anymore.

Well, like I said, my memory on this was hazy at best. But...

From this news post.

I still think part of their reasoning for this head was to address the issue with the soft cast antenna, but the circumstances to acquire one were less than perfect. Being a convention exclusive and all.

And of course one had to purchase it, as opposed to it being a replacement for a flaw from a customer care side of things.

You found it! Reminds me more of the exclusive parts they used to give away with AJ pre-orders, like the stoic Bumblebee face plate. With the antennas being them learning from a past mistake. Shame they have a short memory.



I'm happy that like with the Megatron sculpt they based Optimus Prime's head on that very particular TOEI Animation style that I love so much. This is exactly the reference I had in mind. Photos of him look like screen captures. I appreciate the round face, too.

Source: @dai_xp

The face/head swap gimmick is one of the best things to have happened to Transformers toys in recent years. (Wish it had carried over to Siege Skyfire, too.)
Wouldn't mind if someone made more options for MP-44 even though I already I have my favourite head style.


A few more from @dai_xp --







(They also have good comparisons with the unlicensed ones.)


And his torso compared to the cab, from @HailHasbro --

And if anyone was wondering how much space the voice box takes, someone took a photo without it -- img_20190903_190530-jpg.28380405/
I don't understand Takara's choice to include sound gimmicks in this line. I prefer a light in Megatron's fusion cannon and a sloping backpack for Optimus. But oh well.

[sol magnus]

I think I agree. I mean, it looked really bad out of the box, almost like the "battle damage" head -- but I think my fix turned out decent..? And since otherwise I got a pretty good copy (no paint flaws) (not to jinx it!) I better not take a risk with a reissue that may or may not happen, and may or may not have new flaws.

The thing is, those antennas after your fix are probably as good as they will ever be, even if you got a new copy.

I'm glad you found a fix and you didn't return it. Seemed to be over the top. Just me.

[Ironhidensh]

I found this on Facebook, a stop motion transformation video.







These vids are helping me get over my desire for this figure. Yeah, it still looks great, but not as amazing as first thought. This transformation is far more involved and complicated than it needs to be. My Magic Square Prime proves that at less than a third of the cost. Sure, the trailer is nice, but not $200+ nice.

Anyway, enjoy the vid.

[Ironhidensh]

Another good comparison video:

[Cyberpath]

[Cyberpath]

It's insane, MP-44 looks like a screen capture. I can almost hear the sound effects from the show.

I remember being a little envious when MP Shockwave & Inferno/Grapple came out.

Even non-transforming PVC figures didn't get this close.

[Syclone]

I love love love how the bot mode looks. The alt mode, not so much. But, truth be told, I never display my TFs in alt mode, so how much does it even matter? Argh, I want this guy....

[Cyberpath]

Check it out -- stop motion

Source: 匕匕定格

[Cyberpath]

From OptimusTimelord --

[Cyberpath]

[Syclone]

I never had anything bad to say about MP-10 but next to MP-44.....woof

[-Kanrabat-]

Jobby have his review.
He have a love/hate thing going on.

[Ironhidensh]

I know this guy is not worth the money. I know it, no doubts. Yet, everyday I find myself within one finger twitch of purchasing, running all kinds of asinine and bullshit justifications in head.

God damn, plastic crack addiction is real.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

I know this guy is not worth the money. I know it, no doubts. Yet, everyday I find myself within one finger twitch of purchasing, running all kinds of asinine and bullshit justifications in head.

God damn, plastic crack addiction is real.

Breaking knee joints...

[-Kanrabat-]

I know this guy is not worth the money. I know it, no doubts. Yet, everyday I find myself within one finger twitch of purchasing, running all kinds of asinine and bullshit justifications in head.

God damn, plastic crack addiction is real.

Breaking knee joints...

Chipping paint...

FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS!

[Syclone]

I know this guy is not worth the money. I know it, no doubts. Yet, everyday I find myself within one finger twitch of purchasing, running all kinds of asinine and bullshit justifications in head.

God damn, plastic crack addiction is real.

I am right there with you

[william-james88]

I know this guy is not worth the money. I know it, no doubts. Yet, everyday I find myself within one finger twitch of purchasing, running all kinds of asinine and bullshit justifications in head.

God damn, plastic crack addiction is real.

Its gonna be worse when he wont be available at first party retailers, and 100$ more on the secondary market.

[Ironhidensh]

I know this guy is not worth the money. I know it, no doubts. Yet, everyday I find myself within one finger twitch of purchasing, running all kinds of asinine and bullshit justifications in head.

God damn, plastic crack addiction is real.

Its gonna be worse when he wont be available at first party retailers, and 100$ more on the secondary market.

Actually, the way my mind works, that will make it much easier to do without. My problem is that it's still readily available for $350. I need that price point to disappear.

[-Kanrabat-]

I know this guy is not worth the money. I know it, no doubts. Yet, everyday I find myself within one finger twitch of purchasing, running all kinds of asinine and bullshit justifications in head.

God damn, plastic crack addiction is real.

Its gonna be worse when he wont be available at first party retailers, and 100$ more on the secondary market.

Actually, the way my mind works, that will make it much easier to do without. My problem is that it's still readily available for $350. I need that price point to disappear.

Look like your inner caveman want it NAO.
So better commit when he's at the cheapest. Because otherwise, it will be too late.

[Ironhidensh]

I know this guy is not worth the money. I know it, no doubts. Yet, everyday I find myself within one finger twitch of purchasing, running all kinds of asinine and bullshit justifications in head.

God damn, plastic crack addiction is real.

Its gonna be worse when he wont be available at first party retailers, and 100$ more on the secondary market.

Actually, the way my mind works, that will make it much easier to do without. My problem is that it's still readily available for $350. I need that price point to disappear.

Look like your inner caveman want it NAO.
So better commit when he's at the cheapest. Because otherwise, it will be too late.

My inner caveman is a complete dumbass when it comes to money, he should always be ignored. See, here is the problem with me: if I buy this guy, even at its cheapest, its still over priced. I'm gonna enjoy it for a couple of weeks, but that feeling is gonna keep eating at me. Eventually, all I'll be able to see is the loss of money.

It happened with BWMP Dinobot.

It happened with BWMP Megatron.

Both great figures, and I enjoyed and liked them both (Megatron far more than Dinobot, but whatevs), and both figures not worth the money charged for them. It ate at me and ate at me. Eventually, I sold them both, and I have no regrets.