The Energon Pub

Cobotron wrote:I'm betting hoping we'll see a Diaclone-esque repaint of Sunstreaker this year in some form or another.

Oh yes. I'm not a big fan of how Sunstreaker looks (especially that head) but if we got the police deco, ESPECIALLY as a fembot retool ala Road Rage, I'd buy it.

Black Hat wrote:

Cobotron wrote:I'm betting hoping we'll see a Diaclone-esque repaint of Sunstreaker this year in some form or another.

Oh yes. I'm not a big fan of how Sunstreaker looks (especially that head) but if we got the police deco, ESPECIALLY as a fembot retool ala Road Rage, I'd buy it.

If I were a betting man, I'd put my money on red Dia-Streaker to come first. Which will make it hard because ultimately I'd prefer the police type to complete my Blue Collar Heros line up of Artfire, Clampdown, and Red Alert. Gonna be hard to wait on police type if the do Red-Streaker first.

I hadn't considered a femmed out version of police type. That would be cool.

Cobotron wrote:

Black Hat wrote:

Cobotron wrote:I'm betting hoping we'll see a Diaclone-esque repaint of Sunstreaker this year in some form or another.

Oh yes. I'm not a big fan of how Sunstreaker looks (especially that head) but if we got the police deco, ESPECIALLY as a fembot retool ala Road Rage, I'd buy it.

If I were a betting man, I'd put my money on red Dia-Streaker to come first. Which will make it hard because ultimately I'd prefer the police type to complete my Blue Collar Heros line up of Artfire, Clampdown, and Red Alert. Gonna be hard to wait on police type if the do Red-Streaker first.

I hadn't considered a femmed out version of police type. That would be cool.

Oh yeah, red will definitely come first, no doubt. I probably wouldn't buy that as it'd be a straight redeco or head-swap at most of Sunstreaker, and something about a red Lambo that isn't Sideswipe seems so...cliche (and I have the G2 version of Sideswipe so eh). Police cars though, they are the best. And a female police bot would be especially cool.

I'm honestly kinda sad that Diaclone never did police versions of pre-Tracks or pre-Wheeljack. Partly because I am a sucker for a police car, and partly because a police Stingray or a police Stratos would be absolutely awesome. Problem is they'd never leave vehicle mode if I had them...

(Note to self: Track down the regular version of MP Prowl after house move...)

Black Hat wrote:

Cobotron wrote:

Black Hat wrote:

Cobotron wrote:I'm betting hoping we'll see a Diaclone-esque repaint of Sunstreaker this year in some form or another.

Oh yes. I'm not a big fan of how Sunstreaker looks (especially that head) but if we got the police deco, ESPECIALLY as a fembot retool ala Road Rage, I'd buy it.

If I were a betting man, I'd put my money on red Dia-Streaker to come first. Which will make it hard because ultimately I'd prefer the police type to complete my Blue Collar Heros line up of Artfire, Clampdown, and Red Alert. Gonna be hard to wait on police type if the do Red-Streaker first.

I hadn't considered a femmed out version of police type. That would be cool.

Oh yeah, red will definitely come first, no doubt. I probably wouldn't buy that as it'd be a straight redeco or head-swap at most of Sunstreaker, and something about a red Lambo that isn't Sideswipe seems so...cliche (and I have the G2 version of Sideswipe so eh). Police cars though, they are the best. And a female police bot would be especially cool.

I'm honestly kinda sad that Diaclone never did police versions of pre-Tracks or pre-Wheeljack. Partly because I am a sucker for a police car, and partly because a police Stingray or a police Stratos would be absolutely awesome. Problem is they'd never leave vehicle mode if I had them...

(Note to self: Track down the regular version of MP Prowl after house move...)

(Note to self: Track down a 2nd hand regular version of MP Prowl after 17+ comes out and people trade up their old version.)

Cobotron wrote:I'm betting hoping we'll see a Diaclone-esque repaint of Sunstreaker this year in some form or another.

We just got the Sideswipe repaint and the Prowl repaint comes out in September so I doubt we'll get another this year.

I imagine the biggest hurdle when it comes to Hoist and Trailbreaker is figuring out how to incorporate the tow lift and truck cab into the transformation.

Now will Beast Megatron be a normal figure with a few bonus parts like Primal or an expensive super deluxe release like Dinbot? I'm guessing the former since he might be coming around the same time as the possible Optimus Prime 3.0 which will certainly be packed with stuff.

Emerje

Emerje wrote:

Cobotron wrote:I'm betting hoping we'll see a Diaclone-esque repaint of Sunstreaker this year in some form or another.

We just got the Sideswipe repaint and the Prowl repaint comes out in September so I doubt we'll get another this year.

I imagine the biggest hurdle when it comes to Hoist and Trailbreaker is figuring out how to incorporate the tow lift and truck cab into the transformation.

Now will Beast Megatron be a normal figure with a few bonus parts like Primal or an expensive super deluxe release like Dinbot? I'm guessing the former since he might be coming around the same time as the possible Optimus Prime 3.0 which will certainly be packed with stuff.

Emerje

I'm hoping Dinobot is a one off with his plethora of stuff like the stand and such because he is one of the most beloved characters in Transformers. Without that stuff, he would have a better price, and if this becomes something happening more often, price will certainly be an issue.

But if it's a one off, it'll be ok. I'm hoping they go the Primal route with Megatron

Red Sunstreaker and police Sunstreaker would be gotten. Expensive as they would be.

So seriously, were is new masterpiece news? I'm starting to get worried about the future of this line, with Hasbro having more influence on Takara.

Ironhidensh wrote:So seriously, were is new masterpiece news? I'm starting to get worried about the future of this line, with Hasbro having more influence on Takara.

Agreed, I'm getting concerned. I hope the line isn't getting canned- or perhaps worse, being "Hasbro-ified" (that is, being made from the start with US budget/safety restrictions in place rather than being designed 100% in Japan and either redecoed for the West or not domestically released outside of imports). If either of those end up happening, well, the 3P market will get much more of my money.

Ironhidensh wrote:So seriously, were is new masterpiece news? I'm starting to get worried about the future of this line, with Hasbro having more influence on Takara.

I feel last year's MP galore was more an exception than the rule.

We do have several MPs in 2018 with

(Sunstreaker, if that counts, maybe not)
MP E-Hoby Casettes
Shadow Panther
Targetmaster Rodimus
Dinobot
Optimus Prime Gold Version (still to be confirmed)
Movie Ironhide
Movie Barricade
Anime Prowl

And yes, those last three are identical for Hasbro and Takara. But thats not a bad thing to me. Thats 3 MPs in one year (so far) that we are getting from Hasbro and they are the same quality level as anything coming rom Takara.

william-james88 wrote:

Ironhidensh wrote:So seriously, were is new masterpiece news? I'm starting to get worried about the future of this line, with Hasbro having more influence on Takara.

I feel last year's MP galore was more an exception than the rule.

We do have several MPs in 2018 with

(Sunstreaker, if that counts, maybe not)
MP E-Hoby Casettes
Shadow Panther
Targetmaster Rodimus
Dinobot
Optimus Prime Gold Version (still to be confirmed)
Movie Ironhide
Movie Barricade
Anime Prowl

And yes, those last three are identical for Hasbro and Takara. But thats not a bad thing to me. Thats 3 MPs in one year (so far) that we are getting from Hasbro and they are the same quality level as anything coming rom Takara.

One, (and I know I'll be shot for this) but I don't count or care about repaints. I'm more referring to new molds, or at least characters from the mainstream.

Two, do we have confirmation that Hasbro will still release MP figures with TRU now gone?


Also, we typically get news or leaks of new MP figures about a year in advance. All the figures you listed, we've know about for some time. At this point, it feels like next year will have no MP figures.

Ironhidensh wrote:Two, do we have confirmation that Hasbro will still release MP figures with TRU now gone?


Also, we typically get news or leaks of new MP figures about a year in advance. All the figures you listed, we've know about for some time. At this point, it feels like next year will have no MP figures.

Yes, we do. Hasbro's MP Anime Prowl will be released through diamond distributions among other chanels. BBTS has him on preorder too.

And yes, there is another rumour, there is MP Prime Version 3.0 where the wheels dissapear within the leg, better proportions and so on and so on. That should come out in 2019, along with more beast MPs and trailbreaker/hoist.

I only wrote the stuff that had actual release windows and preorders.

This has been going on on TFW2005 (not a member, but i've been visiting for the more active 3P section) for a couple of weeks now, Fortunately the discussion here is a lot more civil.
My opinion is this: The MP line doesn't finish unless HasTak says it does, and the fact that there haven't been announcements doesn't mean that nothing is coming.
As WJ said, we've had some strong hints, and i suspect Takara is playing their cards a bit closer to their chest currently.

wilcosu35 wrote:This has been going on on TFW2005 (not a member, but i've been visiting for the more active 3P section) for a couple of weeks now, Fortunately the discussion here is a lot more civil.
My opinion is this: The MP line doesn't finish unless HasTak says it does, and the fact that there haven't been announcements doesn't mean that nothing is coming.
As WJ said, we've had some strong hints, and i suspect Takara is playing their cards a bit closer to their chest currently.

Technically there are a bunch of MPs coming.

We know that MP Movie Ironhide is coming. We know a re-release of MP-09 Rodimus is coming from Hasbro Asia.

There's MP-41 Beastwars Dinobot also coming.

Takara also teased they are working on an MP Beastwars Megatron.

There's no really indication the line is ending at this point.

We may have no information of G1 based MPs coming in the near future, but the MP line is still alive and well.

I'm glad we get a break (apparently.) It's a chance to gear up for MP Convoy - take III + enjoy previous MPs (there are so many!)

However, Takara used to tease these with a silhouette, followed by a grey prototype, and eventually the stock photos. In recent years Takara had skipped these steps releasing just the stock photos closer to the release date. (Either through a magazine, a con, or on their own.) Most recent example -- we found out about MP-39 Sunstreaker on May 22 and he was released on Dec 22. So there's still a chance they will release a new G1 mold in 2018.

Not to mention the fact that maybe they want to take their time and do a surprise and very anticipated reveal. Sometimes knowing what's coming 6-12 months in advance sucks and ruins some of the fun for the designers as well

william-james88 wrote:(Sunstreaker, if that counts, maybe not)
MP E-Hoby Casettes
Shadow Panther
Targetmaster Rodimus
Dinobot
Optimus Prime Gold Version (still to be confirmed)
Movie Ironhide
Movie Barricade
Anime Prowl

Plus (we assume) Trailbreaker, Hoist, BW Megatron, and Prime V3.

I for one am not worried. And honestly, this is the first time I realized there WAS worry. I just point to the positives:
-Seeing the extreme care and cartoon accuracy of MP-36 leads me to believe in the Prime V3 rumor.
-I'm inclined to believe that they are seriously gearing up for more BW characters after seeing the finished Dinobot, and the Megatron rumor.
-Plans for MP+ continues with the addition Prowl, and there's more where he came from.
-And maybe the slow down can be attributed to the complexity these figures now seem to demand. Megatron, Sunstreaker, and Dinobot all have an impressive amount of engineering involved so it's not difficult to come to the conclusion that they require more time and effort to achieve.

shajaki wrote:

william-james88 wrote:(Sunstreaker, if that counts, maybe not)
MP E-Hoby Casettes
Shadow Panther
Targetmaster Rodimus
Dinobot
Optimus Prime Gold Version (still to be confirmed)
Movie Ironhide
Movie Barricade
Anime Prowl

Plus (we assume) Trailbreaker, Hoist, BW Megatron, and Prime V3.

I for one am not worried. And honestly, this is the first time I realized there WAS worry. I just point to the positives:
-Seeing the extreme care and cartoon accuracy of MP-36 leads me to believe in the Prime V3 rumor.
-I'm inclined to believe that they are seriously gearing up for more BW characters after seeing the finished Dinobot, and the Megatron rumor.
-Plans for MP+ continues with the addition Prowl, and there's more where he came from.
-And maybe the slow down can be attributed to the complexity these figures now seem to demand. Megatron, Sunstreaker, and Dinobot all have an impressive amount of engineering involved so it's not difficult to come to the conclusion that they require more time and effort to achieve.

The increasing price may also contribute to that. MP-36 and MP-41 are highly expensive, with MP-41 closing in on some TF high end statue prices. Maybe this is a wallet break too, so collectors can enjoy their MPs and properly gear up for a next one

Overcracker wrote:

wilcosu35 wrote:This has been going on on TFW2005 (not a member, but i've been visiting for the more active 3P section) for a couple of weeks now, Fortunately the discussion here is a lot more civil.
My opinion is this: The MP line doesn't finish unless HasTak says it does, and the fact that there haven't been announcements doesn't mean that nothing is coming.
As WJ said, we've had some strong hints, and i suspect Takara is playing their cards a bit closer to their chest currently.

Technically there are a bunch of MPs coming.

We know that MP Movie Ironhide is coming. We know a re-release of MP-09 Rodimus is coming from Hasbro Asia.

There's MP-41 Beastwars Dinobot also coming.

Takara also teased they are working on an MP Beastwars Megatron.

There's no really indication the line is ending at this point.

We may have no information of G1 based MPs coming in the near future, but the MP line is still alive and well.

That is basically what i said (or at least meant ) . We've still got a bunch of releases coming up (Dinobot, Ironhide, Cartoon Prowl) and they've dropped some strong hints, such as BW Megs, Trailbreaker, Hoist and a possible new Optimus (and from the Steeljaw mold, Blaster must be in the works). Just no solid actual announcements, but that doesn't mean anything. It's only April, we still have 8 months to go in this year.

Am I alone who want MP oddballs? Like MP pretenders (especially Bludgeon and Thunderwing) MP Gnaw, or even a MP Fortmax?

This is just the calm before the storm. We're getting close to Tokyo Toy Show on June 7 and Wonder Festival 2018 Summer in July. The hype train will be arriving soon.

Emerje

So, unless amazing news is dropped at these show, the rest of the year will only see two new releases: Dinobot and movie Ironhide. That no other new figures until December at the earliest, and most likely not until next April or May. Again, for me, repaints dont count (unless original fiction reflects it, such as seekers and Datsun bros), not even the "+" line.

Add in Sunstreaker, and that is only three original MP figures this year. A slow down from past years. Look, I know I'm a cynical person, but I just don't get positive vibes from this.

Oh well, I guess it's more money to spend elsewhere, right? I do have the studio series though.

Ironhidensh wrote:Add in Sunstreaker, and that is only three original MP figures this year. A slow down from past years.

There is barricade too, along with the new lion casette bot. There were only 2 new molds last year: Cheetor and Megatron (and you could count sunstreaker for either year if you wish).

william-james88 wrote:

Ironhidensh wrote:Add in Sunstreaker, and that is only three original MP figures this year. A slow down from past years.

There is barricade too, along with the new lion casette bot. There were only 2 new molds last year: Cheetor and Megatron (and you could count sunstreaker for either year if you wish).

I did forget about Barry.

Also, last year had MPM Bumble and Prime, I swear there was another, but now I'm pressing myself for it, I can't recall. I could be mixing in 3rd party figures, as I bought a ton last year, but even those are slowing down a bit.

Ironhidensh wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Ironhidensh wrote:Add in Sunstreaker, and that is only three original MP figures this year. A slow down from past years.

There is barricade too, along with the new lion casette bot. There were only 2 new molds last year: Cheetor and Megatron (and you could count sunstreaker for either year if you wish).

I did forget about Barry.

Also, last year had MPM Bumble and Prime, I swear there was another, but now I'm pressing myself for it, I can't recall. I could be mixing in 3rd party figures, as I bought a ton last year, but even those are slowing down a bit.

Right of course, silly me. So it comes to a wash then. About the same from this year and last year. There was Grapple last year but he was a retool and there was a new MP targetmaster mold as well. But all in all, when it comes to original stuff, it ends up being about the same. 2 MPMs, one major and expensive release and a new carbot right between the two years (of course I am being super general here). I agree this year isnt great, but its not all that much weaker from last year.

2016 was insane though!