The Energon Pub

[Stargrave]

I loved him in those first few episodes my mom always loved it’s a Wonderful Life and always used to watch it so I thought it was actually Jimmy Stuart when I was little kid.

He was like the cool older uncle/younger grandpa I always wanted.

[sol magnus]

It is sad that he was the original POV character for the pilot episodes. Only to be thrown under the bus for the lesser Bumblebee.

The whole concept of him being the POV character is debatable, as well as who's "lesser." Don't get me wrong, I love Hound. But I don't he was "thrown under the bus" as a POV character.

The pilot was just that - the pilot. A lot of characters didn't have the same role after they did during on the Autobot side.

[sol magnus]

It is sad that he was the original POV character for the pilot episodes. Only to be thrown under the bus for the lesser Bumblebee.

I thought I was the only one thinking that!

Agreed on him being underrated, he was such a great character in those first few episodes.

I don't think we have had confirmation yet, but is Hound a fully licensed Jeep? I don't think I've seen the a logo or badge of any kind on him. Knowing Takara, they've done unlicensed alt modes for the MP line before (why haven't they done that with Jazz is beyond me though).

Even though Porsche is owned by Volkswagen, the licensing rights are retained by Porsche, and for whatever reason, they've not agreed to allow their use for Jazz.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

I think they ultimately settled on Bumblebee as the kid-appeal character because of price. Bumblebee, being at the lowest price point, would be much easier for a kid to save up their allowance or beg their parents for.

[theguru1974]

I think they ultimately settled on Bumblebee as the kid-appeal character because of price. Bumblebee, being at the lowest price point, would be much easier for a kid to save up their allowance or beg their parents for.

His small size made him more relatable to the human characters, also. More of a buddy - buddy kind of feel to it between he and Spike.

Eric

[D-Maximal_Primal]

I feel like revisiting the alternators line with some new designs and transformation techniques could yield a really nice budget masterpiece line

"Budget"? In these days and age, I wouldn't be surprised if those new and improved Alternators would cost the same as leader class figures. Still, by MP modern standards, those could be "budget MPs".

Arent the human alliance figures an evolutuon of that concept but brought to the movie line?

Yep, and some of them (Roadbuster) are incredible figures that are near MP level.

I think they ultimately settled on Bumblebee as the kid-appeal character because of price. Bumblebee, being at the lowest price point, would be much easier for a kid to save up their allowance or beg their parents for.

Yellow also tends to be a good color for a kid appear character too. Prime Smokescreen is one of the exceptions to this rule to me.

and it's a shame Hound didn't become that kid appeal character, he was fun in the 3 part opener

[Nathaniel Prime]

It is sad that he was the original POV character for the pilot episodes. Only to be thrown under the bus for the lesser Bumblebee.

I thought I was the only one thinking that!

Agreed on him being underrated, he was such a great character in those first few episodes.

I don't think we have had confirmation yet, but is Hound a fully licensed Jeep? I don't think I've seen the a logo or badge of any kind on him. Knowing Takara, they've done unlicensed alt modes for the MP line before (why haven't they done that with Jazz is beyond me though).

Even though Porsche is owned by Volkswagen, the licensing rights are retained by Porsche, and for whatever reason, they've not agreed to allow their use for Jazz.

Wait, so even if the vehicle mode isn't licensed, Porsche will forbid the release of an MP Jazz? I thought Takara would be off the hook if Porshe allows 3P to create otherwise perfect replicas of their cars

[william-james88]

It is sad that he was the original POV character for the pilot episodes. Only to be thrown under the bus for the lesser Bumblebee.

I thought I was the only one thinking that!

Agreed on him being underrated, he was such a great character in those first few episodes.

I don't think we have had confirmation yet, but is Hound a fully licensed Jeep? I don't think I've seen the a logo or badge of any kind on him. Knowing Takara, they've done unlicensed alt modes for the MP line before (why haven't they done that with Jazz is beyond me though).

Even though Porsche is owned by Volkswagen, the licensing rights are retained by Porsche, and for whatever reason, they've not agreed to allow their use for Jazz.

Wait, so even if the vehicle mode isn't licensed, Porsche will forbid the release of an MP Jazz? I thought Takara would be off the hook if Porshe allows 3P to create otherwise perfect replicas of their cars

If Takara wants to make an alt mode thst looks exactly like G1 jazz, it needs a license or else they will get sued. Porshe does not allow 3p companies, they simply have not sued them yet.

[sol magnus]

It is sad that he was the original POV character for the pilot episodes. Only to be thrown under the bus for the lesser Bumblebee.

I thought I was the only one thinking that!

Agreed on him being underrated, he was such a great character in those first few episodes.

I don't think we have had confirmation yet, but is Hound a fully licensed Jeep? I don't think I've seen the a logo or badge of any kind on him. Knowing Takara, they've done unlicensed alt modes for the MP line before (why haven't they done that with Jazz is beyond me though).

Even though Porsche is owned by Volkswagen, the licensing rights are retained by Porsche, and for whatever reason, they've not agreed to allow their use for Jazz.

Wait, so even if the vehicle mode isn't licensed, Porsche will forbid the release of an MP Jazz? I thought Takara would be off the hook if Porshe allows 3P to create otherwise perfect replicas of their cars

If Takara wants to make an alt mode thst looks exactly like G1 jazz, it needs a license or else they will get sued. Porshe does not allow 3p companies, they simply have not sued them yet.

And to demonstrate the difference even further, Lamborghini is owned by Volkswagen. Volkswagen owns it lock stock and barrel. Thus, the licensing can go through for Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, etc.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Regarding Hound himself, I'm pretty sure he's licensed - otherwise he wouldn't be allowed to duplicate the distinctive Jeep headlights, grille, etc. And he has the Willys "W" on the winch or engine block or whatever it is that sticks out of his front.

[william-james88]

Regarding Hound himself, I'm pretty sure he's licensed - otherwise he wouldn't be allowed to duplicate the distinctive Jeep headlights, grille, etc. And he has the Willys "W" on the winch or engine block or whatever it is that sticks out of his front.

Takara confirmed his license in their reveal.

[william-james88]

Dangit. Here I was all grateful that I was going to save money this year because Takara-bro wasn't putting anything on the shelves I wanted, and then they pull this one.

*sigh* Good-bye, $160.

why not settle for only losing $135?

https://www.seibertron.com/transformers ... -uk/43409/

[Nathaniel Prime]

Regarding Hound himself, I'm pretty sure he's licensed - otherwise he wouldn't be allowed to duplicate the distinctive Jeep headlights, grille, etc. And he has the Willys "W" on the winch or engine block or whatever it is that sticks out of his front.

Takara confirmed his license in their reveal.

Thanks, that's what I wanted to know. That's cool then

[PadForce]

So the listing for £128 at Kapow means it is time for me to get off the official MP train. I thought I would be ok oaying the price.. but i just cant bring myself to, same with MP44.

Its a shame but im not paying 150% more for a 6 - 8" plastic figure that 3 - 4 years ago cost £50.

Ill be having a look for 3p or see what else the market produces down the line.

[BLUDGEON]

I wouldn't mind paying up to £70 but £128 is ridiculous for a bot that size. I paid that much for Road King

[Burn]

They need a cheaper option WITHOUT all the accessories.

I have no need for any of that ****. I just want me a toy robot that changes from one thing to another.

[PadForce]

Agreed with both of the above.

At the end of the day i am confused why HasTak think consumers will pay more for this than what they got MP Magnus, MP10 for? The only other MPs i have that were more expensive are MP36 and Soundwave when you include the cassette costs.

Its just silly. I just went straight on Kapow and ordered Downbeat for £50 less.

[EVS090374]

Don't like it don't buy it.

[PadForce]

Don't like it don't buy it.

Yep, thats exactly whats happening. Hope hastak get the message through lower sales and arnt happy just harvesting a cash cow.

[AllNewSuperRobot]

The issue though, is that there isn't a united front on pricing. If Takara received a sufficient backlash, they would lower their prices as that would be a logical business solution. As it stands, for all those that decry their price hikes, pre-orders for MP-44 have sold out among many retailers. MP Dinobot has been reissued after he sold out and I imagine a similar trend for BW Megatron.

With things as they are, in Takara's eyes, if you can't/won't afford to support this line, others still will. Making it a 'you' problem, not one for them.

[william-james88]

The issue though, is that there isn't a united front on pricing. If Takara received a sufficient backlash, they would lower their prices as that would be a logical business solution. As it stands, for all those that decry their price hikes, pre-orders for MP-44 have sold out among many retailers. MP Dinobot has been reissued after he sold out and I imagine a similar trend for BW Megatron.

Did MP Dinobot ever get reissued by Takara? I havent found a Japanese listing for the reissue.

[AllNewSuperRobot]

It is sad that he was the original POV character for the pilot episodes. Only to be thrown under the bus for the lesser Bumblebee.

The whole concept of him being the POV character is debatable, as well as who's "lesser." Don't get me wrong, I love Hound. But I don't he was "thrown under the bus" as a POV character.

The pilot was just that - the pilot. A lot of characters didn't have the same role after they did during on the Autobot side.

He and Mirage were largely shelved after the pilot. So thrown under the bus is accurate. Hound was the introductory character to Spike, hence POV. Thematically, Hound makes more sense as a representative of what the Transformers are, to a human, than Bumblebee ever has.
Bumblebee has always been the pet mascot trope, along the lines of 'Uni' from the Dungeons and Dragons cartoon or Pikachu from PokéMon. As such, a "lesser" character, to the rest.

The issue though, is that there isn't a united front on pricing. If Takara received a sufficient backlash, they would lower their prices as that would be a logical business solution. As it stands, for all those that decry their price hikes, pre-orders for MP-44 have sold out among many retailers. MP Dinobot has been reissued after he sold out and I imagine a similar trend for BW Megatron.

Did MP Dinobot ever get reissued by Takara? I havent found a Japanese listing for the reissue.

I'm not surprised. Ever since he was a pre-order, he has been the cycle of being sold out, back in stock and even had his listing removed and back again, from so many retailers, it is easier to list who doesn't have him

[PadForce]

The issue though, is that there isn't a united front on pricing. If Takara received a sufficient backlash, they would lower their prices as that would be a logical business solution. As it stands, for all those that decry their price hikes, pre-orders for MP-44 have sold out among many retailers. MP Dinobot has been reissued after he sold out and I imagine a similar trend for BW Megatron.

With things as they are, in Takara's eyes, if you can't/won't afford to support this line, others still will. Making it a 'you' problem, not one for them.

I guess we dont know what volumes those pre orders are?

If people are happy to pay those prices fair play to them - im hoping they arnt and Hastak re-assess, but if they dont then i am fine with that, i simply wont be their customer anymore. Luckily there are plenty of other companies putting out comparable product at 1/3 the price.

[AllNewSuperRobot]

The issue though, is that there isn't a united front on pricing. If Takara received a sufficient backlash, they would lower their prices as that would be a logical business solution. As it stands, for all those that decry their price hikes, pre-orders for MP-44 have sold out among many retailers. MP Dinobot has been reissued after he sold out and I imagine a similar trend for BW Megatron.

With things as they are, in Takara's eyes, if you can't/won't afford to support this line, others still will. Making it a 'you' problem, not one for them.

I guess we dont know what volumes those pre orders are?

True. But at that price tag, the fact MP-44 has sold out anywhere at all, is the issue.

[PadForce]

Yep, agreed. Im impressed its sold out at those prices but everyone has different priorities so if ppl still pay it fair play to Hastak.