The Energon Pub

This isn't racist, it's bananas.

Just to be clear, the bananas are not Standard. they only come with the hasbro asia release which japanese sellers cannot sell. Hence why these pics come from hong kong retailer, robotkingdom.

Oh, and speaking of that...

Just got my Payment Request from Amiami.
That gorilla is in full swing!

Cobotron wrote:Oh, and speaking of that...

Just got my Payment Request from Amiami.
That gorilla is in full swing!

Welcome to the jungle, we got fun and games
We got everything you want, honey we know the names
We are the people that can find whatever you may need
If you got the money honey, we got your disease

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:

Cobotron wrote:Oh, and speaking of that...

Just got my Payment Request from Amiami.
That gorilla is in full swing!

Welcome to the jungle, we got fun and games
We got everything you want, honey we know the names
We are the people that can find whatever you may need
If you got the money honey, we got your disease

Ah, Dinobot's 2010 Hall of Fame theme song.

Loves the review and pics

I love that you love him as much as I love him and thought you'd love him

shajaki wrote:*apparent love*

You were right weren't you sir!

MUNKY COMMANDER BANANA-PANTS! I need an MP Primal but I'll probably get the toon deco, unless I am able to get the toy version off an import site for $80-$90. Funny, I have a strong dislike for the cartoon accuracy on the G1 MPs but I love it on the BW ones, I should elaborate on that at a later date.

Photobucket hasn't pooped on me yet, but it has been awfully troublesome lately. I'm sure I have plenty of time before I have that happen to me but I think a switch in image hosting is in order.

Cant say I agree with the author about toy accurate shiny finish for beast fur. It makes him look like an inflatable float at a parade. To each their own. By the way...Wheres the bananas he comes with?

I was also drawn to this version more than the original version. This was the first Masterpiece figure I've bought since the original MP03. I don't know if it was the colors or the weapons or a combination of both but I just had to own this version.

Well, I guess I did buy an MP Prowl but I really only wanted the Samurai Prowl that came with it and ended up selling MP Prowl a few days after I received it. I ended up getting Samurai Prowl for free that way since I made back the purchase price just by selling the MP Prowl.

Great review, bro! Did you have Henry Doorly in mind when you mentioned the glass?

So I wasn't thrilled with what I saw with MP-32. Toon accuracy has never been my bag. While I loved the Beast Wars cartoon, I didn't love it for it's art. I knew then they were maxing out their CG capabilities. They did the best they could with what they had. But what that show really did best was tell a story.
Oh but man! I do love me those Beat Wars toys. I often refer to my OG Primal toy as my "Buzz Lightyear". He is hands down one of my all time favorite Transformers.

The beast mode sculpt On MP-32 is what bothered me, and the painted hair texture even more. When I saw the reveal of MP-38 Optimus Primal Legendary Leader Version, my interests were peaked. Although it still had that smooth car dealership inflatable gorilla look to the beast mode, the new deco helped me see more of what I wanted to see. The toy. And the accessories sure helped that too. So I decided I'd give the old ape a try.

So let's get down to monkeying around!




I don't mind eating a little crow. This Masterpiece certainly exceeded my expectations.
This is my first time with this mold. So for me this isn't a rehash of what I already know. This is a real time first impression.



BACK OFF THE GLASS KIDS! The alpha is angry.


While I'm still not crazy about the beast mode, it is starting to grow on me. Poseability is OK, but the character that the different faces bring really help this mode become more enjoyable. Legendary Leader comes with one less face for each mode than 32, but the ones he comes with are still fun.





I do have some concern for the finish. He has this beautiful matte finish all over. I fear that it could wear quickly. Matte finishes like this love to show scratches and rubs. Especially in black. You definitely have to handle him gingerly. Keep those nails trimmed, and be careful with those clearances during transformation.



What does it really mean...... to have a spark?


BOT MODE!


Well now this mode just saved the day! The deco is so true to the original. The transformation was elegant, and not too complicated. I never liked the exposed mouth from the show. This version does come with the optional face, but the first thing I did was slap the muzzle on that monkey maw.





The inclusion of some of the OG toy gimmicks is great. I got pretty excited when I deployed those wrist rockets. He's got all the right weapons to put this homage to work for me.


But the very best accessories?





The mask and the morningstar! The mask is TOTALLY RAD!!!! (Yaeh, I said rad) I lost the mask to my original Primal years ago. And miss it to this day. It looks so good on 38, I'm pretty convinced this is how I'll display him. What's interesting is it pegs into the back of his head, which has a translucent window, so the light-up eyes gimmick will still function.
What's AWESOME is the added gnarlyness you get by folding down the bot head antennas to form TUSKS!!!



Exhaust! Looks like you and my flail are gonna get in a little FACE TIME!




Another added feature over 32 is the weapon rack. You can still stow the separate blades in his back pack, but with this added piece, he can stash all the extras. The conjoined sword looks a tad ridiculous sticking out there, but the mask and flail storage is much appreciated.


Aside from the accessories, some of my Seiber-friends, much better versed than I in TF fiction and lore helped me with a few fun factoids that make Legendary Leader's release different from MP-32.



MP-38 is the first Masterpiece to be released as a Beast Wars 2 character. The box, instructions, and collector's card all sport the BW2 logo, as well as feature artwork from a very specific one-off anime titled, Beast Wars Special Super Lifeform Transformers. While I'm sure Takara wanted to reference the anime with their deco on 38, as they are increasingly needing to do these days, the artists at the studio responsible for the film were most likely directly referencing the original toy's design. Since I'm unfamiliar with this anime, when I look at 38, I obviously see the old, now classic Kenner/Hasbro deco.



Not bad for an old timer!


Will this Masterpiece version ever replace the original beast's warm fuzzy nest in my primate heart? NOPE! But, 38 is starting to build his own. If cartoon accuracy is your thang, then 32 is allllll-right. But if like me, the buck stops at the toys, 38 is a really great Masterpiece figure. Whether he is to replace the old one your Mom sold at that garage sale, or to be added to your Optimus Primal shelf, he's and outstanding transforming robot toy high-end collectible! It definitely scratched the itch on my silver back!

Rated X wrote:Cant say I agree with the author about toy accurate shiny finish for beast fur. It makes him look like an inflatable float at a parade. To each their own. By the way...Wheres the bananas he comes with?

Sorry X. Guess I didn't make that clear. The thing I like least about this fig is the smoothness of the body. I would have much preferred he have sculpted fur. But the paint apps and their shapes are what I see as totally like the OG toy.

And I think the bananas are exclusive to the Asia release, not the Japanese. Like all the other little die cast doo-dads that come with MP's, they're an Asia thing.

DecepticonFinishline wrote:Great review, bro! Did you have Henry Doorly in mind when you mentioned the glass?

Totally! Those poor gorillas get so pissed some times. Can you blame them though?

Are you kidding me, Takara!??! You couldn't bother to correctly translate 総司令官 (Sōshireikan) as "Supreme Commander", opting instead to go with the much less impressive, far more simplistic , inaccurate translation of "Leader"? That is so royally dumb, Takara.

Sabrblade wrote:Are you kidding me, Takara!??! You couldn't bother to correctly translate 総司令官 (Sōshireikan) as "Supreme Commander", opting instead to go with the much less impressive, far more simplistic , inaccurate translation of "Leader"? That is so royally dumb, Takara.

Their English isn't up to scratch, remember? Look at the titles for the Unite Warriors sets. Plus, the rough basic idea is still present.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:Are you kidding me, Takara!??! You couldn't bother to correctly translate 総司令官 (Sōshireikan) as "Supreme Commander", opting instead to go with the much less impressive, far more simplistic , inaccurate translation of "Leader"? That is so royally dumb, Takara.

Their English isn't up to scratch, remember? Look at the titles for the Unite Warriors sets. Plus, the rough basic idea is still present.

"Legendary Leader" just sounds so stupid, though.

MP-38 is truly a masterpiece! That mask is srsly rad, so I get why you'd go with that mode for display, Cobo.

I actually prefer "Legendary Leader". Anyone can be a supreme commander, that's just a rank, but not everyone gets to be a legend.

Emerje

Emerje wrote:I actually prefer "Legendary Leader". Anyone can be a supreme commander, that's just a rank, but not everyone gets to be a legend.

Emerje

Anyone can be a "leader" too, there's like no uniqueness in that at all. But you gotta earn the much lauded "Supreme Commander" rank. Only reason Primal here's a "Legendary Supreme Commander" is cuz he's a revered history figure from the past when he appeared before a bunch of younger guys from generations after him, like how he himself viewed the original Optimus Prime.

Thing is though, Primal was never really a 'Supreme Commander' in the cartoon, was he? He just led a bunch of guys. He was never officially in any high position in the wider Maximal hierarchy -- experienced and good enough to lead a team, most certainly, but nothing more than Animated Optimus Prime. So the whole 'Supreme Commander' title being applied to him just always seemed... weird.

Kurona wrote:Thing is though, Primal was never really a 'Supreme Commander' in the cartoon, was he?

Japanese Primal (Convoy) was, which is who this toy is meant to represent, in his movie appearance before he powered up his Energon Matrix to become Burning Convoy.

Cobotron wrote:a really well done review, as well as getting all pictorial up in this female dog

I do not need another MP Primal.......
I do not need another MP Primal.......
I do not need another MP Primal.......
I do not need another MP Primal.......
I do not need another MP Primal.......
I do not need another MP Primal.......
I do not need another MP Primal.......

Ironhidensh wrote:

Cobotron wrote:a really well done review, as well as getting all pictorial up in this female dog

I do not need another MP Primal.......
I do not need another MP Primal.......
I do not need another MP Primal.......
I do not need another MP Primal.......
I do not need another MP Primal.......
I do not need another MP Primal.......
I do not need another MP Primal.......

Keep tellin yourself that

Cobs, I'm glad you finally did get a version of this, and I am glad you love him. He does look better than the 32 to me as well!