The Energon Pub

[MaverickPrime]

Are there any notable differences between Hasbro's and Takara's versions?

[Shockwave7]

They're wasting time making Autobot G1 car Masterpieces and repaints of the Seeker jet mold, when they SHOULD be doing MP Shockwave!

[william-james88]

They're wasting time making Autobot G1 car Masterpieces and repaints of the Seeker jet mold, when they SHOULD be doing MP Shockwave!

I think there is a problem with the rights issue for likeness of the original toy. Same reason he can't be reissued.

[Cobotron]

Are there any notable differences between Hasbro's and Takara's versions?

No shoulder canons/rocket launchers?
I actually find them to be cumbersome anyway.

[sol magnus]

Are there any notable differences between Hasbro's and Takara's versions?

No shoulder canons/rocket launchers?
I actually find them to be cumbersome anyway.

I don't see any notable difference (like Prowl). The normal Bluestreak and Prowl don't come with the external missile launchers.

[Black Bumblebee]

I wish there were differences... something, anything. Have something different (like an add on) to justify buying it here in North America. The price of the American Masterpiece cars has been far too high in comparison to the imports from Japan. When the MP cars come out in Japan, you can usually find them for under $70 US.

Forget the fact that there's knock offs. That's beside the point.

The point is... anyone who wants this, should already have this.

I had high hopes when we got MP Soundwave in the states for such a great deal. The $100 I spent on Optimus, I felt was worth it. But Prowl and now Bluestreak... what gives?

The only thing I can figure is that the the North American licensing fees for the automobile companies must be much higher than in Japan. And that's a shame, as I see it as free advertising.

[Cobotron]

The only thing I can figure is that the the North American licensing fees for the automobile companies must be much higher than in Japan. And that's a shame, as I see it as free advertising.

Free advertising for Crazy Sammy's Used Car Emporium!
No, but I hear you. I never actually considered the licensing.

[william-james88]

While I a happy to have the option to get Bluestreak, it's too bad I will have to wait for a sale to get him since at this price, he is pretty much the same as going to an import boutique toy store and getting a takara release of the mold. It has been confirmed through a tru computer that Hasbro MP Starscream released later this year will cost the same price as bluestreak and that boggled my mind.

But then I realized something. License agreements are national/regional, not global (we know this from the alternators line when Honda Japan would allow stuff Honda USA wouldnt and thus the hasbro release was different from Takara's). So, a license could (and probably does) cost more for Hasbro than Takara. Which explains why the licensed MP cars cost so much compared to Hasbro's MP 10, Grimlock and Soundwave which were cheaper than Takara's and didnt need a license from a manufacturer outside of Hasbro.

The fact that Starscream doesnt need a license would explain why he will cost the same as this Bluestreak MP.

EDIT: Sorry Black Bumblebee if I am repeating what you wrote, I was writing my message for a while.

[-Kanrabat-]

ABOUT FAWKING TIME!!!

...

Still, that's one hefty pricetag for what is basically just a voyager/Alternators. :/

[Diem]

If this had the shoulder launchers I'd be all over it As it stands, I could take it or leave it.

[wangson]

I saw a difference: notice the awesome "tattoo" on the left foot? The CE logo...

[Convoy]

I'm hoping mold degradation fixes that perma-clip, that occurs in the chest when this mold is "properly" transformed into robot mode, for prospective buyers.
My poor TakaraTomy Streak/Bluestreak is still afflicted by the Nucleon and stuck in robot mode.
I miss transforming that guy.
That one issue is what's keeping me from jumping on the Blue Bluesteak before it's out of a reasonable price range forever.

[fenrir72]

@ the mods or anybody who is in the know. How is it that Australia TRU gets dibs on certain Materpieces while the US does not?

Iirc MP-02, MP-24 and the upcoming Bluestreak. Is it because Australia is in Asia or whatever is the reason?

[Diem]

@ the mods or anybody who is in the know. How is it that Australia TRU gets dibs on certain Materpieces while the US does not?

Iirc MP-02, MP-24 and the upcoming Bluestreak. Is it because Australia is in Asia or whatever is the reason?

Well to get nitpicky Australia is next to Asia, not in it.

I'm not sure of the exact reason but I would imagine that it's likely a far more limited run. To my knowledge there are fewer than 50 TRUs in Australia, meaning you could comfortably flood the shelves with a run of 1000. There's more than 800 TRUs in the US, which means that the run, and the costs and issues associated with it would be far larger.

[welcometothedarksyde]

But then I realized something. License agreements are national/regional, not global (we know this from the alternators line when Honda Japan would allow stuff Honda USA wouldnt and thus the hasbro release was different from Takara's). So, a license could (and probably does) cost more for Hasbro than Takara. Which explains why the licensed MP cars cost so much compared to Hasbro's MP 10, Grimlock and Soundwave which were cheaper than Takara's and didnt need a license from a manufacturer outside of Hasbro.

The fact that Starscream doesnt need a license would explain why he will cost the same as this Bluestreak MP.

You know the situation is more complex still. If you look at the MP seeker mold it is easily the most accurate replica of any aircraft from the Transformers line ever. Yet none of them are licensed by Boeing Defense. Meanwhile every single Movie Starscream toy, no matter how abstract of an F-22A Raptor it was, they were licensed by Lockheed Martin.
So either Lockheed is a stickler for licensing, or airplane Transformers don't need to be licensed at all. Which would make sense. Aircraft aren't consumer items and as such don't really have a brand/image to keep.

[william-james88]

But then I realized something. License agreements are national/regional, not global (we know this from the alternators line when Honda Japan would allow stuff Honda USA wouldnt and thus the hasbro release was different from Takara's). So, a license could (and probably does) cost more for Hasbro than Takara. Which explains why the licensed MP cars cost so much compared to Hasbro's MP 10, Grimlock and Soundwave which were cheaper than Takara's and didnt need a license from a manufacturer outside of Hasbro.

The fact that Starscream doesnt need a license would explain why he will cost the same as this Bluestreak MP.

You know the situation is more complex still. If you look at the MP seeker mold it is easily the most accurate replica of any aircraft from the Transformers line ever. Yet none of them are licensed by Boeing Defense. Meanwhile every single Movie Starscream toy, no matter how abstract of an F-22A Raptor it was, they were licensed by Lockheed Martin.
So either Lockheed is a stickler for licensing, or airplane Transformers don't need to be licensed at all. Which would make sense. Aircraft aren't consumer items and as such don't really have a brand/image to keep.

Yeah, its strange. And plus, last years AOE toys had licensed Lambourghini and Bugatti toys and they cost the same as every other toy.

[welcometothedarksyde]

But then I realized something. License agreements are national/regional, not global (we know this from the alternators line when Honda Japan would allow stuff Honda USA wouldnt and thus the hasbro release was different from Takara's). So, a license could (and probably does) cost more for Hasbro than Takara. Which explains why the licensed MP cars cost so much compared to Hasbro's MP 10, Grimlock and Soundwave which were cheaper than Takara's and didnt need a license from a manufacturer outside of Hasbro.

The fact that Starscream doesnt need a license would explain why he will cost the same as this Bluestreak MP.

You know the situation is more complex still. If you look at the MP seeker mold it is easily the most accurate replica of any aircraft from the Transformers line ever. Yet none of them are licensed by Boeing Defense. Meanwhile every single Movie Starscream toy, no matter how abstract of an F-22A Raptor it was, they were licensed by Lockheed Martin.
So either Lockheed is a stickler for licensing, or airplane Transformers don't need to be licensed at all. Which would make sense. Aircraft aren't consumer items and as such don't really have a brand/image to keep.

Yeah, its strange. And plus, last years AOE toys had licensed Lambourghini and Bugatti toys and they cost the same as every other toy.

That was the case for all the movies, and you're right. All toys cost the same regardless of license or not. My best guess is that there was some sort of deal with the owners of the license for product placement in the movie.

[Wheeljack808]

Really cool and I want it but DAYUM that price.

[william-james88]

That was the case for all the movies, and you're right. All toys cost the same regardless of license or not. My best guess is that there was some sort of deal with the owners of the license for product placement in the movie.

Part of me highly doubts Bugatti would care for advertising. They don't even have dealerships worldwide and only target a specific niche clientele (millionaires). I feel this is more Bay wanting the coolest cars in his film than Bugatti reaching out to want some coverage.

[welcometothedarksyde]

That was the case for all the movies, and you're right. All toys cost the same regardless of license or not. My best guess is that there was some sort of deal with the owners of the license for product placement in the movie.

Part of me highly doubts Bugatti would care for advertising. They don't even have dealerships worldwide and only target a specific niche clientele (millionaires). I feel this is more Bay wanting the coolest cars in his film than Bugatti reaching out to want some coverage.

Wasn't that the talk before the movie was coming out though? Actually I found the link that backs up what I was saying. It's a Michael Bay interview that alludes to these supercar companies being very forward with their cars this far into the franchise.
http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/ ... ion/30522/

[shajaki]

The Jedi Temple Archives has reported that the upcoming ToysRus Exclusive Hasbro Transformers Masterpiece MP-06 Bluestreak is going a slightly different route than the Masterpieces of old. Its customary for these Masterpieces to be sold at the San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) ToysRus booth before hitting general retail release, but supposedly there won't be one. The Star Wars fansite is saying that this figure is destined to be an online exclusive. We'll have to wait and see if this comes to fruition, so stay tuned to Seibertron.com for all your Transformers News!

[william-james88]

The online exclusivity makes perfect sense to me. Walmart was already doing it (and is currently doing it with the platinum seekers) and its no matter to me. It's the same price online, shipping is free at their price and I get it delivered to my door. These are for collectors and most are well versed in buying online. This will liberate shelf space for more toys that families can afford and keep scalpers at bay due to the restrictive purchasing quantities online. As long the item is available in some easy way (like this), I have no issues with it.

[-Kanrabat-]

At "leader" price, meaning 60$, I would buy that Bluestreak. At 90$+, that's just highway robbery. I don't really care about online exclusivity because NOW we can finally buy these in Quebec, with free shipping.

I'll just have to wait for the innevitable clearance sale and hope I will be able to grab one before the scalpers grab them all.

[shajaki]

I don't really know if financially it makes sense to this, but I will say it makes me was when ANY figure doesn't see a store shelf.

[X3ROhour]

my TRU IS TOTAL WEAK MUTHA-%$#@! SAUCE!!!

Ive checked every Sunday or

monday for 2 years. never a single one. not even acidstorm.

WTF!?