Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

Posted: **Mon Sep 08, 2014 4:04 pm**

Optimizzy wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
Optimizzy wrote:Im totally unfamiliar with this character.
Cuz it's a brand new character never been given a TF toy until now.

The deco and remolding, however, are based on a variant of the Diaclone toy that would become G1 Wheeljack. A variant that had a different head and with colors and endorsement decals that promoted Malboro cigarettes, but with the word intentionally misspelled as "Marlboor". Hence, the figure was referred by fans as "Marlboor Wheeljack" for years until this toy finally gave it an official TF name.
ugh. I really don't know whats more irritating: A marlboor wheeljack turned into a new character that nobody really asked for turned into a masterpiece or that many of you seem excited.

Don't take it personal please, to each his own, but I get irritated at the "quick buck" mentality sometimes. Acid Rain and Sunstorm masterpieces are examples of that to me. Same with this. I expect "one of a kind" quality with masterpiece and it just seems like a more expensive version of everything else.

forgive me. in a bad mood.

isnt this even i higher level of "one of a kind"? not only are we getting MP G1 cars, but we're getting versions of them that were the original inspirations for them. thats pretty special to me. and i bet theres enough diaclone fans, MP completists, and maybe even average fans that will like this enough to make it sell.

i feel they wanted to get this mold out here, and fast. because WJ's not even released yet and we have his repaint already solicited. and i think theyre just stalling for the one we really want, which will knock the wind out of MP20's sails: MP20A. ill bet my next cheque that they make a cartoon (or "anime") accurate MP20, but they cant even hint at that yet otherwise who would buy MP20?

whats my basis for this theory? bluestreak, silverstreak, and the possible blue bluestreak (diaclone). which seems a lot more likely now that we see exhaust am i right?

Posted: **Mon Sep 08, 2014 4:24 pm**

Wasn't this the one MP mold they didn't have to worry about a redeco for? (I mean, for which they didn't have to worry about a redeco?) Maybe they didn't have to worry this time because they had it planned?

Posted: **Mon Sep 08, 2014 4:33 pm**

Convoy wrote:Wasn't this the one MP mold they didn't have to worry about a redeco for? (I mean, for which they didn't have to worry about a redeco?) Maybe they didn't have to worry this time because they had it planned?

It's indeed the Wheeljack mold. And all of the primary retools were planned from the start I think. The likes of Sunstorm, Tigertrack and G2 Lambor can be considered "gambles": options kept open for a later date. Given Exhaust's obscurity, he could have been a gamble, but with the success of the line TakaraTomy probably felt confident enough to include him in the main line and not as a limited exclusive. What also helped that decision is that G1 mold was only used once and that the original toolings are confirmed lost so a proper reissue is out of the question.

Posted: **Mon Sep 08, 2014 4:34 pm**

Convoy wrote:Wasn't this the one MP mold they didn't have to worry about a redeco for? (I mean, for which they didn't have to worry about a redeco?) Maybe they didn't have to worry this time because they had it planned?

I guess that the didn't have to plan for a reuse of this mold but are still doing so anyway is a sign of their confidence in this mold's upcoming success.

Posted: **Mon Sep 08, 2014 4:59 pm**

I WANT MY SLICER!!! please... even though smoking is cool, I want the REAL original repaint...

http://tfwiki.net/wiki/File:G1_Slicer_toy.jpg

Posted: **Mon Sep 08, 2014 5:30 pm**

Posted: **Mon Sep 08, 2014 8:39 pm**

megatronus wrote:

*literally laughed out loud*

Posted: **Mon Sep 08, 2014 10:04 pm**

If you guys are complaining about this, then I doubt we'll ever see a MP Mirage

Posted: **Mon Sep 08, 2014 10:24 pm**

To the occasional complaints about this remold being too much of a cheap, unwarranted cash-in, I have but one question:

Am I the only one who looked into this new visor and immediately saw the potential for the coolest black-repaint ever?

Namely, 2016's Joe/TF crossover: Masterpiece Snake-Eyes!

...

...

...and if they gave him a sword, that'd be cool for Slicer right?

Okay, nevermind...

Posted: **Tue Sep 09, 2014 12:50 am**

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
Convoy wrote:Wasn't this the one MP mold they didn't have to worry about a redeco for? (I mean, for which they didn't have to worry about a redeco?) Maybe they didn't have to worry this time because they had it planned?

It's indeed the Wheeljack mold. And all of the primary retools were planned from the start I think. The likes of Sunstorm, Tigertrack and G2 Lambor can be considered "gambles": options kept open for a later date. Given Exhaust's obscurity, he could have been a gamble, but with the success of the line TakaraTomy probably felt confident enough to include him in the main line and not as a limited exclusive. What also helped that decision is that G1 mold was only used once and that the original toolings are confirmed lost so a proper reissue is out of the question.

I think the biggest part that proves all of the above is the ID for the figure: it's not MP-20E or S, it's a straight-up number following Bumblebee (21) ad Ultra Magnus (22). So remold, yes. 'Variant', no.

Posted: **Tue Sep 09, 2014 2:23 am**

MP-23 Exhaust & MP-24 Star Saber are up for pre-order on HLJ, for those who are interested. ¥5,200 ($49) & ¥14,400 ($135) respectively.

Also, HQ photos from Amazon Japan; click to enlarge:

Looks like these were digitally decoed.

Posted: **Tue Sep 09, 2014 3:33 am**

Posted: **Tue Sep 09, 2014 7:15 am**

Still loving this retooling. I think it's better looking than Wheeljack, if I do say so myself. Hopefully we get more Decepticons in the Masterpiece lineup, considering how many Autobots there have been.

Posted: **Tue Sep 09, 2014 7:22 am**

datguy86 wrote:
Problem is, the uses for a Wheeljack MP mold are severely limited. You got Wheeljack, Smoke-Filled Delicious Wheeljack aka Exhaust, and Slicer. That "quick buck" mentality is what is going to pay for the extremely one-off MP Sunstreaker (hopefully) down the road. Because guess who Sunstreaker gets a redeco as? No one.

Hopefully Takara will prove me wrong and do a Diaclone Sunstreaker version named Nemo.

That makes a lot of sense but I'm still irritated by it. I mean, maybe they shouldn't spend time designing transforming shoes and 20 year old game consoles and put that money into masterpieces and maybe thow wouldn't have to try to get a few sales on an obscure character. I like the loom of exhaust. It's neat they created a character to match Marlboro wheel jack but it's not a character I want a "masterpiece" of if you get my meaning. Sunstreaker on the other hand, is.

Posted: **Tue Sep 09, 2014 7:51 am**

Optimizzy wrote:
datguy86 wrote:
Problem is, the uses for a Wheeljack MP mold are severely limited. You got Wheeljack, Smoke-Filled Delicious Wheeljack aka Exhaust, and Slicer. That "quick buck" mentality is what is going to pay for the extremely one-off MP Sunstreaker (hopefully) down the road. Because guess who Sunstreaker gets a redeco as? No one.

Hopefully Takara will prove me wrong and do a Diaclone Sunstreaker version named Nemo.

That makes a lot of sense but I'm still irritated by it. I mean, maybe they shouldn't spend time designing transforming shoes and 20 year old game consoles and put that money into masterpieces and maybe thow wouldn't have to try to get a few sales on an obscure character. I like the loom of exhaust. It's neat they created a character to match Marlboro wheel jack but it's not a character I want a "masterpiece" of if you get my meaning. Sunstreaker on the other hand, is.

Redecos help fund the continuation of the line. That's just a fact.

If you look at the success of Exhaust as an indicator of how much human and financial capital Takara is willing to invest in the Masterpiece line in the future, suddenly it's existence is not only justified, but the future release of that Sunstreaker you want becomes that much more plausible.

Posted: **Tue Sep 09, 2014 7:58 am**

I've preemptively bought some Marlboro decals off ebay for this guy. Figured there were enough sizes there that one of em should accommodate him pretty good.

Posted: **Fri Sep 26, 2014 2:47 am**

Interesting, now I understand this colors:

besides I pass, I prefer references based on the cartoon.

Posted: **Fri Sep 26, 2014 7:18 am**

BERSEKAEL wrote:Interesting, now I understand this colors:

besides I pass, I prefer references based on the cartoon.

Exhaust definitely doesn't homage TF:Prime Cyberverse, just the opposite.

Posted: **Fri Sep 26, 2014 7:25 am**

megatronus wrote:
BERSEKAEL wrote:Interesting, now I understand this colors:

besides I pass, I prefer references based on the cartoon.

Exhaust definitely doesn't homage TF:Prime Cyberverse, just the opposite.

I think BERSEKAEL means that he understands what Cyberverse Wheeljack's colors were based on.

Posted: **Fri Nov 21, 2014 5:39 pm**

Uh Oh... Exhaust is having some legal issues.

BBTS wrote:Hi - We wanted to update you about a new development in regards to your preorder of the Transformers Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust figure with coin from Takara. We were just contacted by a law firm on behalf of Marlboro & Phillip Morris USA. They informed us that the MP-23 Exhaust figure infringes on their trademark and trade dress for products marketed and sold in the USA.

The mark in question is generally shaped like this:

| |
|/\|

This mark is found on the hood/roof of the MP-23 car in red, and also in smaller green shapes on the left and right fenders. They are concerned because these marks cannot be used on products that could be intended for children as dictated by the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobacco_Ma ... _Agreement).

We must comply with the requests they have made in order to avoid legal action with Phillip Morris. We have removed the MP-23 listing from our website. Your preorders have been transferred to a generic unpublished listing in case the product is changed or modified before release and would no longer be infringing. If the product is not changed, we will cancel all preorders and we will not be able to sell this product.

We apologize for the trouble on this item.

Thanks!
Joel Boblit
President
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com

Posted: **Fri Nov 21, 2014 5:40 pm**

BigBadToyStore.com wrote:Hi - We wanted to update you about a new development in regards to your preorder of the Transformers Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust figure from Takara. We were just contacted by a law firm on behalf of Marlboro & Phillip Morris USA. They informed us that the MP-23 Exhaust figure infringes on their trademark and trade dress for products marketed and sold in the USA.

The mark in question is generally shaped like this:

| |
|/\|

This mark is found on the hood/roof of the MP-23 car in red, and also in smaller green shapes on the left and right fenders. They are concerned because these marks cannot be used on products that could be intended for children as dictated by the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobacco_Ma ... _Agreement).

We must comply with the requests they have made in order to avoid legal action with Phillip Morris. We have removed the MP-23 listing from our website. Your preorders have been transferred to a generic unpublished listing in case the product is changed or modified before release and would no longer be infringing. If the product is not changed, we will cancel all preorders and we will not be able to sell this product.

We apologize for the trouble on this item.

Thanks!
Joel Boblit
President
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com

Join our discussion about this figure by clicking here!

Posted: **Fri Nov 21, 2014 5:50 pm**

Wow, their lawyers are smart cookies. :shock:

So let me get this straight: TakaraTomy is allowed to sell Exhaust as is in Japan, but importing him into the US is a no-no?

Posted: **Fri Nov 21, 2014 5:52 pm**

That Tom & Jerry picture is priceless.

This is truly a bummer. I can see how PM might think these are for kids, but I hope they find these are adult collectibles, and cease their legal action against MP23 (or rather, the retailers carrying it).

Do we know if anything's happening on Takara's end? They've been careful to obtain official vehicle licenses, and I'm surprised they didn't clear MP23 with PM before proceeding (I know it's a different situation, but still). Maybe they thought they were in a safe(-ish) grey area?

Posted: **Fri Nov 21, 2014 5:53 pm**

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Wow, their lawyers are smart cookies.

So let me get this straight: TakaraTomy is allowed to sell Exhaust as is in Japan, but importing him into the US is a no-no?

Well, remember when retailers had difficulty being allowed to legally sell MP-5 Megatron without first having to put an orange tip on it?

Posted: **Fri Nov 21, 2014 6:01 pm**

Sabrblade wrote:
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Wow, their lawyers are smart cookies.

So let me get this straight: TakaraTomy is allowed to sell Exhaust as is in Japan, but importing him into the US is a no-no?
Well, remember when retailers had difficulty being allowed to legally sell MP-5 Megatron without first having to put an orange tip on it?

It's that all over again... And only because Japanese law is more relaxed than US law :BANG_HEAD:

Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust Unveiled

Re: Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust Unveiled

Re: Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust Unveiled

Re: Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust Unveiled

Re: Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust Unveiled

Re: Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust Unveiled

Re: Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust Unveiled

Re: Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust Unveiled

Re: Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust Unveiled

Re: Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust Unveiled

Re: Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust Unveiled

Re: Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust Unveiled

Re: Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust Unveiled

Re: Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust Unveiled

Re: Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust Unveiled

Re: Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust Unveiled

Re: Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust Unveiled

Re: Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust Unveiled

Re: Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust Unveiled

Re: Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust Unveiled

Re: Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust Unveiled

Problem with Takara Tomy Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust and Marlboro's parent company Phillip Morris

Re: Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust Unveiled

Re: Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust Unveiled

Re: Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust Unveiled

Re: Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust Unveiled