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We now have beautiful images of the newly revealed Masterpiece MP-55 Nightbird Shadow. The images show us that while there is retooling on the chest (and of course, head), it still has the same issue as Arcee where the breast plate is set lower and not flush with the side. However, due to Nightbird's collar, it doesn't seem as apparent when looking from the front. It definitely works better on her than Arcee, who's longer collar was not cartoon accurate.

One important point to note for those decrying that this toy is odd in terms of not being as G1 accurate, this toy is not purely based on the G1 character. While the G1 character was called Nightbird in Japan, this is a Masterpiece version of "Nightbird Shadow" which is a different character, heavily based on G1 Nightbird. Nightbird Shadow is from the Legends continuity (the comic that an with the toyline of the same name in Japan) and it was a mass produced bot that could transform and had this same altmode. So this toy is a Masterpiece version of that continuity/toyline. While that is a new facet within Takara's Transformers Masterpiece line, it isn't new that other toylines are homaged since we also have Beast Wars and Diaclone all within this same Masterpiece toyline.

While there is no listing yet, one will be posted soon so stay tuned. The MSRP is 17,600 yen.

I like her high-top sneakers.
Nike Air or Reebok Pump?


Still, it's a shame that one-shot novelty characters are getting MP toys before mainstays such as Jazz, Mirage, Trailbreaker, Blaster, Perceptor, Reflector, Galvatron, Cyclonus, Scourge, etc.

I like that Nightbird id becoming a Decepticon mainstay. There's not enough female Decepticons.

Although, since I don't collect MPs, I'll be taking a pass.

Deathsanras wrote:Still, it's a shame that one-shot novelty characters are getting MP toys before mainstays

Two words: Mold reuse.

Now that Arcee is out there. Expect to see a regular conveyor belt of Fembots in her image.



Nightbird, Lifeline, Chromia, Greenlight, Lancer, Fire/Novastar, Moonracer, Elita One etc etc

Also, bear in mind, it would be naïve to think there will be two separate Fembot molds. If need be, a heavy retool of Arcee will likely suffice. As the only have to be accurate to their Sunbow appearances.

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:

Deathsanras wrote:Still, it's a shame that one-shot novelty characters are getting MP toys before mainstays

Two words: Mold reuse.

Now that Arcee is out there. Expect to see a regular conveyor belt of Fembots in her image.



Nightbird, Lifeline, Chromia, Greenlight, Lancer, Fire/Novastar, Moonracer, Elita One etc etc

Also, bear in mind, it would be naïve to think there will be two separate Fembot molds. If need be, a heavy retool of Arcee will likely suffice. As the only have to be accurate to their Sunbow appearances.

As much as we all love the variety in body shapes that the contemporary toys have brought to these female characters, their G1 selves really do kinda have all the same frame. Elita is the only one who MAYBE could get a new mold, but that’s a far out hope.
As long as the subsequent molds were noticeably different enough, I think they would sell just fine.

Exactly. I'd say they will all get new shoulders and heads, with some retooling of the torso and that will be enough.

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Exactly. I'd say they will all get new shoulders and heads, with some retooling of the torso and that will be enough.

Yeah no. Chromia's and Elita's alt modes have been featured in the cartoon (with the latter larger hidden), and Chromia's is quite boxy, similar to her Siege toy. Until they find a way to replicate that in MP form, I wouldn't expect any more Female Autobots to appear.

Jelze Bunnycat wrote:

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Exactly. I'd say they will all get new shoulders and heads, with some retooling of the torso and that will be enough.

Yeah no. Chromia's and Elita's alt modes have been featured in the cartoon (with the latter larger hidden), and Chromia's is quite boxy, similar to her Siege toy. Until they find a way to replicate that in MP form, I wouldn't expect any more Female Autobots to appear.

I'll add to that, then: retooling of the backpack too. I don't see Takara going to go out of their way with a brand new MP mold just for Chromia. I don't think it would be worth their while financially. 'Extensive retool of a base mold' is the more pragmatic option for the Fembot cast of Sunbow.

The madlads threw in a Sakamoto-styled face! I might actually bite on this- I wasn't a big fan of the way Arcee looked but this, this I can dig.

I would have chosen a darker shade of chrome for her (or maybe these pics are a touch too bright), yet this mold is perhaps better suited to Nightbird than Arcee herself IMHO. I'll probably get her.

Evil Eye wrote:
The madlads threw in a Sakamoto-styled face! I might actually bite on this- I wasn't a big fan of the way Arcee looked but this, this I can dig.

That is pretty funny. For reference:



This figure looks way better than Arcee. Looks like the blades pop off of her laser swords, you can see the blue hilt hanging off her back. What's the silver piece on the top left corner of her accessories? Shame she doesn't come with nunchaku or the World Energy Chip, seems obvious, I guess maybe they really are going full Legends here.

Emerje

At first, I thought that she looked better than Arcee in that mold. Then that ridiculous chin/Egyptian beard poked my eye.

I want to make a minor correction when it comes to this quote:

One important point to note for those decrying that this toy is odd in terms of not being as G1 accurate, this toy is not purely based on the G1 character. While the G1 character was called Nightbird in Japan, this is a Masterpiece version of "Nightbird Shadow" which is a different character, heavily based on G1 Nightbird. Nightbird Shadow is from the Legends continuity (the comic that an with the toyline of the same name in Japan) and it was a mass produced bot that could transform and had this same altmode. So this toy is a Masterpiece version of that continuity/toyline.

Both Nightbird and Nightbird Shadow are the same character.

In the manga it states that Nighbird escaped after she was reactivated and began training by the Six Clan. This is why she has a new look, an upgraded name, and also has a transformation mode. With the reason being tied to why she entered the Legends World being due to the fact TakaraTomy needed to explain why she was not in the G2 story arc. Which was brought up because they also stated she was the reason why both Road Pig and Road Rocket, her former disciples, were rivals in that arc.

As for her role in the Legends Universe... She was working for Megatron after he took over the Tera-Kura Co., with the majority of that arc being tied to that universe's version of Akihabara. (Which is my second favorite location, with Nakano Broadway being my first.)

But even then I might skip this one. I am rebuilding my collection from the ground up, and have shifted from a Japanese G1 focus to one that had gimmicks promoted in the Marvel G1 continuity.

Looks like cack. They haven't bothered to fix the chest, so it's an easy pass for me. Looking forward to the inevitably better 3P/KO version.

Saw this on pulse, I like it, but I don't $160 like it

we now know why Arcee lost half her chest, it was to fit Nightbird's chin.

Rodimus Knight wrote:we now know why Arcee lost half her chest, it was to fit Nightbird's chin.

Ouch!

We've been posting preorders for MP Nightbird NightShadow ever since it was revealed and most are around the 145-150 $USD mark. Amazon Japan, has it for much cheaper though at ¥11,437, which is just a little more than $100 USD. You only see that low amount when you add it to your cart if you are based outside of Japan. Shipping and duty fees will differ depending the country. You have just shy of a month to cancel, after that your order is stuck.
Here is the link:

https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/gp/produc ... RJN5&psc=1

You can see some images of her below. For those unaware, this MP toy is based on Nightbird's appearance in the Legends Manga where she changed form and name.

That price is a given for Canadian, Japanese, and Americans.

It's been confirmed that Mexibros get the very, VERY short end of the stick though. How is it for Europe, Australia, South America, Africa, and the rest of Asia?
(Anyone who have a VPN could cheat their location to tell us how it goes.)

You shouldn’t be posting those prices in headlines. They never last more than hour or so. It’s very aggravating to people who don’t follow this site every minute of every day.

hausjam wrote:You shouldn’t be posting those prices in headlines. They never last more than hour or so. It’s very aggravating to people who don’t follow this site every minute of every day.

I agree with that. Especially with Amazon, where the prices of items seems to have a mind of it's own.

hausjam wrote:You shouldn’t be posting those prices in headlines. They never last more than hour or so. It’s very aggravating to people who don’t follow this site every minute of every day.

It's still the same price now.

william-james88 wrote:

hausjam wrote:You shouldn’t be posting those prices in headlines. They never last more than hour or so. It’s very aggravating to people who don’t follow this site every minute of every day.

It's still the same price now.

Note that you should mention for which countries this price apply. Because the prices varies depending on the country you are from. Some countries get outrageously overcharged like Mexico for example.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

hausjam wrote:You shouldn’t be posting those prices in headlines. They never last more than hour or so. It’s very aggravating to people who don’t follow this site every minute of every day.

It's still the same price now.

Note that you should mention for which countries this price apply. Because the prices varies depending on the country you are from. Some countries get outrageously overcharged like Mexico for example.

I report what I see, I don't know what an other country sees
Also, inquiries or discussion on how news is presented should not be here. It should be handled internally.

william-james88 wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

hausjam wrote:You shouldn’t be posting those prices in headlines. They never last more than hour or so. It’s very aggravating to people who don’t follow this site every minute of every day.

It's still the same price now.

Note that you should mention for which countries this price apply. Because the prices varies depending on the country you are from. Some countries get outrageously overcharged like Mexico for example.

I report what I see, I don't know what an other country sees
Also, inquiries or discussion on how news is presented should not be here. It should be handled internally.

At least they still have the pre-order price guarantee there as well. When I submitted the information on this one, the price was about $10 more.