The Energon Pub

[Evil Eye]

So it's MP-01 but scaled down and possibly able to bend forward this time. Meh.

I dont get this, the toy here seems to be a completely different mold and transformation to MP-01. It doesnt even reuse the same truck parts in robot mode.

MP-10 was closer to a down scaled MP-01 since they shared a very similar transformation.

Not to mention that MP-01 sacrificed 100% toon accuracy in favour of realism/extra details (pistons and the like) which the new version seems to be doing the exact opposite of.

[SpikeyTigertron]

While I don't care for how bland his shins look now (they don't even look like vents any more). I'm *more* curious if this'll bring forward the idea of an 'upgradeable' (Ultra) Magnus; or as other's have mentioned, battle damaged parts for "final battle" Prime.

I'd also like to see a better integration of the energy axe component other than "slips on top of fist" that felt like a dropped ball with MP10, which MP-01 side stepped.

I am curious if they'll fancy up the trailer at all. Or omit it completely.

[SpikeyTigertron]

Click to enlarge...



Source: @optibotimus

Finally, a transformable wheel-less Optimus Prime. Truck mode still looks close enough to go with MP-22 Magnus.

I also appreciate the arms looking/transitioning more naturally.. I forgot how, blocky (?) the MP10s are. Also the wheel wells on the legs didn't bother me... until you see a version where they *aren't* there.

[DeathReviews]

The reason why OP had no shin wheels and such is because the animators were too lazy to draw him toy accurate. Toon making tech hadn’t evolved to having that much detail and still being cheap enough to mass produce. So this figure will strive to look show accurate as, what? A tribute to lazy animation?

[Qwan]

The reason why OP had no shin wheels and such is because the animators were too lazy to draw him toy accurate. Toon making tech hadn’t evolved to having that much detail and still being cheap enough to mass produce. So this figure will strive to look show accurate as, what? A tribute to lazy animation?

I'd say more accurately, a tribute to childhood nostalgia for lazy animation. It sounds a little less scathing that way

I don't feel the need to pick up this guy yet, personally. But for those that wanted a new 100%-Sunbow-accurate MP Optimus I'm very glad for you all, and I hope he turns out well! If nothing else, I'm interested to see his accessories and how the engineering works. It may not be up my alley but it does look to be a right design marvel

[sol magnus]

While the idea of me not getting this is...bordering on the absurd, I will have to be convinced it's going to be fun and not just a *ahem* robotic purchase.

While it doesn't bother me nearly as much as some, it's stuff like this that allow me to get the opinions against slavish devotion to the cartoons, as ironic as that is being a fan from day one.

I'll be watching this one with great interest.

[Emerje]

The reason why OP had no shin wheels and such is because the animators were too lazy to draw him toy accurate. Toon making tech hadn’t evolved to having that much detail and still being cheap enough to mass produce. So this figure will strive to look show accurate as, what? A tribute to lazy animation?

No, it strives to be show accurate to be... show accurate. Doesn't matter why he doesn't have wheels, if it's going to be show accurate then the wheels have to go. It's about iconography, about an Optimus Prime that you could really only get in the cartoon and comics. An Optimus that for a generation of fans looked like that, it was the toy that was limited by technology for not being able to hide its wheels, not the other way around.

Emerje

[william-james88]

An Optimus that for a generation of fans looked like that, it was the toy that was limited by technology for not being able to hide its wheels, not the other way around.

Emerje

But the toys came first, so how does that make a lick of sense?

And as far as fiction, this below was the first look at Transformers in a fictional environment for the US, notice that he does have wheels:

[fenrir72]

MP10 also hid his wheels. What the Big Deal?

[YRQRM0]

It's pretty neat, I think the proportions are a big deal. I look at him and it more strongly evokes the cartoon feel than MP-10. That being said, I don't need this unless he can easily be grabbed for no more than $100 some day..

[Emerje]

An Optimus that for a generation of fans looked like that, it was the toy that was limited by technology for not being able to hide its wheels, not the other way around.

Emerje

But the toys came first, so how does that make a lick of sense?

And as far as fiction, this below was the first look at Transformers in a fictional environment for the US, notice that he does have wheels:

When you're five you don't know that and it doesn't have to make sense.

And cover art is hardly representative of anything meaningful, it's literally just a piece of art. There's a lot of art that features him with the wheels, but for most it's the cartoon and comic look that's going to be the iconic version. It's not like Optimus was 500 feet tall, too.

Emerje

[SpikeyTigertron]

MP10 also hid his wheels. What the Big Deal?

The main difference (besides general proportions as others have stated) is the fact that the wheel wells, the *whole* assembly retracts into the shin (somewhere) and the leg is streamlined and smooth. I'm also not 100% sure... but does his truck bumper actually collapse into his waist guard?!

[fenrir72]

MP10 also hid his wheels. What the Big Deal?

The main difference (besides general proportions as others have stated) is the fact that the wheel wells, the *whole* assembly retracts into the shin (somewhere) and the leg is streamlined and smooth. I'm also not 100% sure... but does his truck bumper actually collapse into his waist guard?!

You were reading the argument about the wheels right? The much ado about nothing was that the original G1 inspiration, from Diaclone to it's first Marvel incarnation, Optimus had those wheels on his shins. Heck, even Studio Ox rendered him as such but thanks to Floro Dery's simplification for animation, those details were lost and Takara's going OCD with near animation style is causing some to lose sleep.

As if MP-10 also did not implement this (it being a highly praised version of the character)hiding the wheels (very thin ones at that).

If there is an issue I'd rant against, it's the lack of an MP Jazz,Hound or even Cliffjumper. This new Optimus is another checklist to be filled. Takara ain't forcing us to get him.

[ZeroWolf]

To be fair, there could be licensing issues as to why we haven't seen those three yet.

[Cyberpath]

The original animated series was the opposite of lazy. Everything had to be drawn and painted by hand. And they often animated extra things/gestures that they could have skipped. A lot of the art & animation in the original series was so lovely, I watch it without missing a sec.
Besides, some characters still had wheels on the show.

Additionally, hiding his wheels (on either TV or toy) shows evolution, basically another transformation step. Another thing to make the transformation from vehicle to humanoid more "complete."

I also look forward to more articulation and him finally having ratchets in his ankles!

Another good thing to likely come out of this figure (assuming it turns out great) is that Masterpiece Prime figures tend to lend their likeness to other toys and artwork. First MP-1 then MP-10 (most recent example is the PotP Optimus that looks very similar to MP-10.) So this could inspire a whole bunch of cartoon-accurate Optimus Prime merchandise/material.

BTW, MP-10 can kind of be posed with the wheels exposed. (Not perfect, nor all poses.)

[ZeroWolf]

Wasn't g1 riddled with animation errors? Or are you just thinking of the movie? They are chalk and cheese in comparison.

[fenrir72]

Wasn't g1 riddled with animation errors? Or are you just thinking of the movie? They are chalk and cheese in comparison.

If I'm not mistaken, MP-01 was more 1986 Movie style. And yup, the original show was rife errors , errors that most have come to love with the passage of time.

But then again, just like MotU, HB/Marvel/Sunbow must have penny pinched(though not to the former's levels) and subcontracted to the extreme leading to a very "fluid" animation quality (back then as kids, we didn't complain much and just enjoyed the show).

Back to those shins, they may just be hollow to allow for those wheels to fold in. Again no big as the Lambor mold also had that same design which through the magic of engineering, hides it with style.

[Emerje]

The original animated series was the opposite of lazy. Everything had to be drawn and painted by hand. And they often animated extra things/gestures that they could have skipped. A lot of the art & animation in the original series was so lovely, I watch it without missing a sec.
Besides, some characters still had wheels on the show.

Well said! I spent too much time explaining why I prefer him without the wheels and not enough defending the cartoon. You're right, the wheels probably weren't removed to make them simpler to draw considering most of the characters in this series turn into cars. Some round things on legs are nothing.

Wasn't g1 riddled with animation errors? Or are you just thinking of the movie? They are chalk and cheese in comparison.

The movie was packed with errors, too. Most hand drawn animation (and some CG animation) are full of animation errors, it's what happens when you have a dozen different animators of varying skill all drawing the same thing. We just notice it more because this is our fandom.






Emerje

[ZeroWolf]

That sailor moon error is disturbing...but yeah back to op, it looks like collectors will be spoilt for choice (and completionists will grumble) but it does limit any future optimus, as they have nothing left for him to be completely accurate to (that can't be achieved via redco that we know they'll do)

[Emerje]

That sailor moon error is disturbing...but yeah back to op, it looks like collectors will be spoilt for choice (and completionists will grumble) but it does limit any future optimus, as they have nothing left for him to be completely accurate to (that can't be achieved via redco that we know they'll do)

Optimus 4.0 will be a larger version of the original G1 toy with full articulation. Everyone remember I said that 10 years from now in case I'm right.

Realistically, though, they'll just move on to the other hundred different Primes and Convoys out there. I'd happily take a MP Flame Convoy.

Emerje

[Agamemnon]

Wow, that looks neat. I might have to do this someday...

I wonder if 3.0 can do something like this...

[Mindmaster]

That sailor moon error is disturbing...but yeah back to op, it looks like collectors will be spoilt for choice (and completionists will grumble) but it does limit any future optimus, as they have nothing left for him to be completely accurate to (that can't be achieved via redco that we know they'll do)

Optimus 4.0 will be a larger version of the original G1 toy with full articulation. Everyone remember I said that 10 years from now in case I'm right.

Realistically, though, they'll just move on to the other hundred different Primes and Convoys out there. I'd happily take a MP Flame Convoy.

Emerje

Masterpiece Armada Optimus Prime when?

No, seriously, I would buy the literal crap out of an MP Armada Prime

[Nathaniel Prime]

I like to think of this as another one of Takara's challenges. I mean, this new Prime now looks even more accurate to G1 Prime than MP-10, and that's a little shocking to me. Add to that the (obviously) additional articulation( praying for an ab crunch), a cleaner looking bot mode, and a nicer(?) truck mode, and it looks like a clear sell to me. With the possibility of more accessories, a more complex transformation, and battle damage parts, there's plenty to get excited about. I agree with those who said to expand on Primes. I'd love a Masterpiece Powermaster Optimus Prime, and a Masterpiece G2 Laser Optimus Prime too

[Prime Target]

Expect Repaints. LOTS of repaints.

[Cyberpath]

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