The Energon Pub

[-Kanrabat-]

I'm looking forward to that MP.
I certainly hope the quality will be high without problematic parts that snap if you look at them wrong.

[chuckdawg1999]

Amazon Japan charged me for mine. I should have it on July 7th.

[AllNewSuperRobot]

InDemand charged me this week. I know a certain SS fan who is going to be very excited.
I do hope for some announcements of MP's for me, before the end of the year though

[-Kanrabat-]

Not only Amazon.jp charged me for my MP-52, but it's already being shipped via DHL.
So if everything goes well, I should have it by this Friday despite Canada Day.

As soon that I receive MP-52, I'll make an extensive pictures review and news it.

Look forward to it!

[-Kanrabat-]

Greetings Seibertronians!

Today is a great day because I already got the highly anticipated MP-52 Starscream! This is the 3rd time the Seeker has been made into a Masterpiece. The first time, MP-03 had way too much Macross influence. It resulted in a magnificent robot, but the cartoon accuracy was basically zero. Then years later, they remolded it into MP-11. A much more cartoon accurate Starscream with coronation gear. However, some faults of the ancient mold remained and what's worse, an unforgivable drop in quality.

And then today, finally, the most cartoon accurate Starscream ever, MP-52, is here in a brand new and original mold!

Without further ado, let's unbox this bad boy!









At the bottom of the box, the main pieces of the stand.



Starscream come packed in jet mode, with all of it's accessories in full display.



Unlike MP-11, the null-rays are detachable and count as accessories. Of course there's the obligatory faces, blast effects, and gun Megatron. Let's not forget the tidbits that were used in ONE episode, meaning the drill, claw, and rock.



Right from the start I'm blown away. The null-rays actually TRANSFORM into the jet's missiles! There's also two display options. For a more streamlined look, the missiles are separated from the side of the jet and simply peg under the wings. The other is to attach them on the arms as it was with MP-11.





From the top, the jet is very clean and perfect.



Here's the side with his landing gears out. The jet here is wrong. So wrong... from a "true" jet perspective. In fact, that silhouette is 100% cartoon accurate! They could have just left the bot to "hang underside", but the designers went the extra mile to give it that very specific look. Impressive!









Secret weapon of the nosecone as it was for the previous versions:



Opening cockpit:



The stand is not the best, but it does the job:
(Also, obligatory card.)





There's a pair of blast effects specifically designed for the jet in flight:



If you want to plug in gun Megatron under the jet, better be prepared to play with Jet Starscream by going whoosh! and zoom! around the room because Gun Megs plug in where the stand must peg.



Here's MP-52 compared to MP-03G. No comparison with MP-11 because I don't want to transform that damn thing.





MP-03 really have the PERFECT jet mode. No contest. But ironically not cartoon accurate.







Transformation is much more straightforward than I expected. The instructions are clear enough and I was rarely stumped.

So we begin with the "gerwalk" or more accurately, "starting to transform" mode. I did not expected that mode to be official. There's even hinges and joints designed specifically for this mode! The flight stand is mandatory once you are done:







When transforming, there's a secret weapon revealed. Powered by solar panels. For when Starscream is in orbit?



When the transformation is done, you end up with the most cartoon accurate Starscream ever! As if he popped right out of the screen! The transformation was no harder than MP-03 or MP-11. Plus at no point was I afraid of breaking something.



However, that Starscream have a serious flaw appart the lack of a waist joint due to transformation. He have very hollow and light legs and he's VERY top heavy. The knees are too weak to support all that weight. This limit poseability by a large margin.

Still, he's incredibly beautiful.



Considering that a great deal of the jet (if not all) goes to the back, the backpack is insanely compressed.







Compared to the MP-03 original, the differences are as night and day.



Guess we will compare with MP-11 too...





MP-03 is a kibble explosion compared to the newest MP-52:



MP-11 was barely an improvement.





Friendly reminder why MP-11 was such a disappointment:
(And the thing cost the same price as MP-52 at the time!)



Compared to MP-11, MP-52 feel like a QUALITY and PREMIUM toy. He also stay SOLID in hand.

He also have a perfect head sculpt:



Spare faces:



The one-shot-deal accessories. Not too shabby and they are small enough to not be a significant factor in the overall price.





Starscream can hold his null-rays in his hands because why not? However, it's a challenge for him to hold them because it's the usual bad slot design.



Same deal with gun Megs:


"All right, I'll shoot you over-glorified Targetmaster."
What?
"Nothing."

FIRE IN THE HOLE!



The stand is pretty much useless in bot mode. It can only plug in on the back so flight poses a impossible. At least this will make sure Starscream's weak knees won't betray you.





STARSCREAM WILL RULE THE DECEPTICON!
MUAHAHAHAHA!



Oh yeah, breasts missiles!



Overall, this MP-52 Starscream is the best MP seeker ever and truly worthy of being called the true successor of MP-03. I still adore MP-03 for what it is, but MP-52 truly deserves the title:
MASTERPIECE.

Truly glorious:¸


If you wonder where MP-11 went, he got demoted to the "random" Starscreams shelf.


So, what do you guys think of this new seeker mold? Have you already secured yours? Are you tempted to get one? Will you catch-em-all the obvious repaints?

Let us know what you think down below!

[Nemesis Maximo]

Nice review, Kan! I’m very stoked to get mine! Should arrive any day now.

Did you try the coronation gear from MP-11 on 52 yet? I know the cape and pauldrons are the same, but I wonder if the crown will also fit.

[-Kanrabat-]

Nice review, Kan! I’m very stoked to get mine! Should arrive any day now.

Did you try the coronation gear from MP-11 on 52 yet? I know the cape and pauldrons are the same, but I wonder if the crown will also fit.

MP-11's coronation gear are 100% incompatible with MP-52. Nothing connect and the heads are not the same shape.

So if you want a Coronation Gear for MP-52, better hunt the official, severely mod the previous one, or wait for an unofficial set.

[Immortal Starscream]

Mine should be coming tomorrow. I'm hoping to have a video review up by Saturday. While I have been vocal about my dislike of the 2.0 masterpiece figures, and the "toon perfect" route they have been going, I have been very excited for this one. Not that it being Starescream has anything to do with it. Nope. dunno why anyone would think that...

[Sowndwave76]

Mine was delivered this afternoon, but because I initially wasn’t sure when it would show up (even the last notification said this Friday) and that I may still be in Hawaii, I had it delivered to my parents place…
So tomorrow I’ll be making a 40 min drive to pick him up!!

Thanks for sharing those photos, Kanrabat.
Very much looking forward to having this guy…
I knew I was never going to go anywhere close to all-in with MP’s,
So having Megatron, Soundwave, Shockwave, & now Starscream together is going to be pretty sweet, & definitely a highlight of my small-ish collection.
I think the only way I’d re-open the MP door would be for Blitzwing, Astrotrain, and/or the Insecticons…
And even then I’d have to absolutely love how they look.

Btw, mine was ordered through Amazon Japan…
A big thanks to you, Kanrabat—
Pretty sure it was you who recommended trying them. And it seems to have worked out!
And for $213, too!!

I’m leaving town again soon, but I may try and share a few pics before.

[-Kanrabat-]

Btw, mine was ordered through Amazon Japan…
A big thanks to you, Kanrabat—
Pretty sure it was you who recommended trying them. And it seems to have worked out!
And for $213, too!!

Everyone who got their MP-52 as for now ALL came from Amazon Japan. Not only it's the place for the BEST prices for Masterpieces, but the shipping is dirt cheap and insanely fast. Hell, I got my first shipping notice YESTERDAY and I got it in my hands TODAY.

From JAPAN to CANADA.

Are they using teleporters or something?
(Glad to be of service BTW!)


Anyway, looking forward everybody to receive theirs, unbox them, play with them, and share their impressions here!

[QuagDaddy]

Awesome Review!!!!!!!!! - Man, he really does look great. Those proportions are stellar.

[Immortal Starscream]

Btw, mine was ordered through Amazon Japan…
A big thanks to you, Kanrabat—
Pretty sure it was you who recommended trying them. And it seems to have worked out!
And for $213, too!!

Everyone who got their MP-52 as for now ALL came from Amazon Japan. Not only it's the place for the BEST prices for Masterpieces, but the shipping is dirt cheap and insanely fast. Hell, I got my first shipping notice YESTERDAY and I got it in my hands TODAY.

From JAPAN to CANADA.

Are they using teleporters or something?
(Glad to be of service BTW!)


Anyway, looking forward everybody to receive theirs, unbox them, play with them, and share their impressions here!

Same here with Amazon Japan. Shipped out Monday morning. If it had left customs just a couple hours earlier, I may have had it today. Space bridge technology at its finest. Or maybe transwarp magic.

[chuckdawg1999]

Let's see when I get mine. I got the shipping notice yesterday, hopefully, I get Diaclone Gridman too.

[Cyberpath]

Fun review, Kanrabat! Thanks for sharing. Mine should be here next week, also from AJP. Disappointed to hear about the balancing issues. It shouldn't be.

Secret weapon of the nosecone as it was for the previous versions:

Real world detail. Scanner/radar, I think.

BTW, the air-intakes are supposed to be flush with the back in jet mode and bent forward in robot-mode.

When transforming, there's a secret weapon revealed. Powered by solar panels. For when Starscream is in orbit?

I like this kind of hidden details. The cartoon used to do it all the time. file.php?mode=view&id=63278 Makes sense, too.


You can still use MP-11 for the coronation scene.

[-Kanrabat-]

You can still use MP-11 for the coronation scene.

Hell yeah!
He's bad comedy all right.

[Tuned Agent]

Great review! It's cool to see how different the expressions on Starscream's faces are, most recent MPs seem to have barely different expressions on their alternate faces (looking at you, Arcee and Bee 2.0).

[angtre]

Sorry, I still like the MP-11 mold more. So much lovely detail in robot mode, despite a few obvious faults when compared to the new one. That was one mold I couldn't get enough of, as the five different Seekers on my shelves might prove.

Great review though.

[cr3d1t]

You can still use MP-11 for the coronation scene.

Unrelated: I had no idea those two shots had the same camera angle!

[Sowndwave76]

Got mine earlier this morning... Here's a few thoughts.
He wasn't fun to transform imo. It wasn't difficult, but it just wasn't that fun for me.
The CQ is good for the most part, however if you get him and plan to transform him a lot, be careful with the double hinge pieces on the wings; those are tight on my copy and stress is going to happen.
I'm not that worried because I won't transform him much but wanted to give a heads-up.
I don't need to praise his appearance anymore than I already have. I'll just say I don't see how anyone could ask for more in the looks department unless this isn't your preferred style.
There are a few accessories that are mehhh for me, and the stand while a good idea, is also kind of meh, and used a decent amount of plastic.
The biggest issue imo are the knee joints-- should've been stronger ratchets to support his upper bulk/weight.
Waist swivel would've been nice, but other than that he's fun to pose.
Anyone who gets this figure should enjoy it... Even if you don't love it, I don't see how anyone would hate/regret it.
For $213, I am definitely more than happy with this guy. And am now on MP hiatus...

There have been a ton of good photos shared already, just wanted to show this one of my 4 MP's.
Feels so good to have this completed!!!
Quick note: Ss's lower left shin does tab in fully/correctly, and also in my rush I easily could've had the fronts of his feet flush on the table.

[Immortal Starscream]

got mine in, uploading an unboxing video now. After messing with it some, I gotta say I am impressed. Putting him back into jet mode though is not exactly what I would call fun, due to the folding flaps down the jet spine. Also, the flap on the bottom that covers the faux cockpit can collapse further in. The faux chest itself pushed in slightly, which will let the flap tab in and sit further back.

Im not the biggest fan of the faux chest, particularly since the cockpit is literally right behind it. you can see if through the window. I think Hastak could learn a bit from Bandai's soul of chogokin offerings. They like to have interchangeable parts so you can have the option of transformation perfect, or show perfect parts. I think I would rather have that then the re-use of the beastwars stand, that honestly doesn't work very well for screamer. Honestly though, it is a minor quibble in the end. I really like this one a lot. I am not going to replace my thundercracker with the new mold, because MONEY ugg. But, I do have Skywarp on pre-order. I had to sell my original mp Skywarp back in the day. Didn't think it would be a big deal because I thought at the time I was going to replace him with the mp-11 update.

Oh, and in case you didn't notice, The new Screamer DOES have an ab crunch, as shown on the front of the box. If you push in on the faux just just at the waist, it will unlock the forward hinge. the... ahem.. butt flaps will stay attached to his back, but will un-tab from itself for the movement. see the pics attached. also, found a new sig

EDIT:
here's my unboxing video. I'm really bad at this, but I don't care, I do it for fun:

[-Kanrabat-]

Despite his flaws, I'm glad to see that the general consensus so far is that MP-52 is well worth the money.

....Unlike the original release of MP-11.
Yes, the salt still flow deeper than a bottomless ocean trench.

[Immortal Starscream]

Despite his flaws, I'm glad to see that the general consensus so far is that MP-52 is well worth the money.

....Unlike the original release of MP-11.
Yes, the salt still flow deeper than a bottomless ocean trench.

I thought the faux chest was going to ruin it for me, but honestly, I'm having fun with him. and I'm not having any issue getting him to stand in a lot of poses, despite the scary feeling knees. the stand honestly doesn't work very well for robot mode. not bothered.

[Immortal Starscream]

just discovered a new... feature? starscreams neck can extend really far. and while it doesn't really hold on to it all that well... well you can do this

[-Kanrabat-]

just discovered a new... feature? starscreams neck can extend really far. and while it doesn't really hold on to it all that well... well you can do this

Well, it was an instant discovery in transformation. Starscream could then "do the Superman" with even the flame effects under his feet.
Unfortunately, the stand is completely USELESS for this.

Seriously, that stand have severe limitations. For the amount of plastics it use, it's pretty damn unfortunate it's only good for jet and "gerwalk" mode.

[Immortal Starscream]

just discovered a new... feature? starscreams neck can extend really far. and while it doesn't really hold on to it all that well... well you can do this

Well, it was an instant discovery in transformation. Starscream could then "do the Superman" with even the flame effects under his feet.
Unfortunately, the stand is completely USELESS for this.

Seriously, that stand have severe limitations. For the amount of plastics it use, it's pretty damn unfortunate it's only good for jet and "gerwalk" mode.

No arguments there. I have the original beast wars one with Primal in flight, but he's small enough and has the peg hole in his rear that helps with it. Like, I'm fine with the panels and all, but the arm is useless. Like you say, that's a lot of plastic and cost wasted. Maybe when the inevitable third party coronation set miraculously appears it will come with a new stand.