The Energon Pub

[Booda]

Ugh, I really should be sleeping before work instead of this.

After a shaky start, the Masterpiece Collection looks like it's starting to fall into a normal pattern. Despite Starscream's shocking departure from the traditional look of the characters, Megatron and Skywarp give evidence that MP figures will be more geared towards their 1984-85 counterparts.

There's also a developing pattern with new molds versus repaints. With MP4 being a somewhat fluke, it seems odd-numbered figures will be new molds while even-numbered figures are repaints, redecos, or whatever. This is a smart move, since in the time between new molds, the collection could lose momentum. Repaints aren't as exciting, but they fill in the cracks while new molds are developed. Thus, while new images of Skywarp will be on everybody's mind until Fall, already someone is probably working on a new mold for MP7.

Which bears the repeating of the $1,000,000 question: What will Masterpiece #7 be? Well, I've given it some hard thought.

First of all, since Optimus Prime was immediately repainted as Ultra Magnus, I thought that Starscream would be immediately repainted as another character as well. I was wrong. I feel much more confident now that Takara is going to go with one new mold per year with a second (or even a third, if they take a good cut from the new movie) being a modified version of an existing mold. Since we already know the repaint for this year, it's highly plausible that MP7 will be a new mold.

Second of all, there's currently 3 Autobot figures and 3 Decepticon figures. Technically, they're balanced, but on the Autobot side there's really only one figure: Optimus Prime. There's two identical versions of him (one with a trailer), and the third is white, intended to be Ultra Magnus (sans trailer). This makes the Autobot side of the collection look a little... lame? Redundant? I don't know the right word to describe it, but it doesn't look as good as the Decepticon side. Even with Starscream's drab colors, standing him and Skywarp behind Megatron will just look awesome. Just imagining it gives me a vision of the classic Decepticons. No such imagery is conjured with the Autobots.

Yet, technically it's 3 to 3. Even though the Autobots desperately need a new mold, it's still anyone's game. And that's where the big problem is for Autobot fans: Soundwave. Soundwave's popularity is simply huge, and nobody would be disappointed by his arrival on the MP line. Plus, Megatron set the precedent of his robot mode being sized to match Convoy's while his alt mode was oversized. The same could be done for Soundwave. Did I say oversized? That's good, because it gives more room in Soundwave's chest cavity for an MP Cassetticon! The idea is just too good to pass up. So while the Decepticons keep getting more cool figures, the Autobots will languish behind with just 3 versions of Optimus Prime.

There's another problem. The top picks for Autobots to be put in the Masterpiece Collection also happen to be German cars: Bumblebee, Jazz, Mirage, Prowl, etc. Without them, there's still a handful of popular characters that could be made into Masterpieces. The problem? All of them pale in comparison to Soundwave's popularity. All except one...

Jetfire. Although not without his own controversial issues, Jetfire at the very least has the luxury of being based on a fictional vehicle. It's hard to say how the whole Jetfire-Skyfire conflict would play out, and how much variance would be needed to make a figure unique from Veritech Fighters. One thing is for sure though, and that's that Jetfire's popularity rivals Soundwave's, making him a very probable choice for the Autobot's new mold.

So there's my theory. MP7 will be either Jetfire or Soundwave. I'll bet $5 on it.

[Basketball Jones]

Mirage is a Formula One car from Ligier, a French motorsports company , while Prowl is a Datsun Z-car of some sort, which is Japanese.

[zodconvoy]

Grimlock is the most popular Autobot pick by far and the only people with a copyright on T-Rex are God and Steven Speilberg so it's my pick to win!

[Shin Optimus Prime]

I have to agree with Zod. I'd say Grimlock is hands down the best pick for the next MP figure. And considering the shape of the T-Rex, not to mention current toy design and production technology, I'd bet they could make an awesome, show accurate Grimlock both in dino and robot modes. Maybe they could even jazz him up a little and give him the look of some of the more recent comic art, in robot mode I mean. Give him a bit of extra size and that more fierce quality.

Of course, if I could really stretch it, an unbelievable MP figure, if done right, would be the Aerialbots/Superion. Of course, he'd probably be ridiculously expensive, but if they could make an articulated and aesthetically well-done version of him that's to scale with the other MP figures, that would just drop my jaw!

Another character that would probably do well, although he's not early G1 is Hot Rod...

[wmpyr]

very nice read,

Jetfire was very well done in classics line so
hopefully they won't do him.

Soundwave?
German car?

following your logic, I say autobot.

who is popular enough?

G R I M L O C K!!!

[PrimeFan]

MP-08 will most likely be if

Autobot: Rodimus Prime or Grimlock
Decepticon: Soundwave or Soundwave

[Professor Smooth]

Grimlock is unlikely. The Dinobots are simply not very popular in Japan.

[horus]

I would say soundwave cause:
1- he is my fav tf
2- from what I understand, dinobots weren't that big on japan
3- G1 Soundwave is almost masterpiece material.. ALMOST!
4- Masterpiece cassettes.. well, at least one to come with him

[Professor Smooth]

I'm surprised TakaraTomy haven't put out a Masterpiece Ultra Magnus Perfect Edition yet. It seems like a natural fit. I would bet that Soundwave gets the MP treatment soon. I can't think of any other Autobots who would merit the MP treatment, honestly. Binaltech's got most of 'em covered.

[Exulted Unicron]

It seems that Takara may decide to release more Masterpiece Transformers when the movie is over and done, if they don't start up with Heroes.

I'd love to see one of three Transformers get the MP treatment: Blitzwing, Jetfire/Skyfire and Hot Rod

[REMINATOR]

If they're gonna do Jetfire/Skyfire, let it be the cartoon Skyfire! As great as Jetfire is as a toy, he's basically a veritech. Secondly, the 1/48 VF-1S is pretty much a masterpiece of Jetfire so we kind know what he looks like. Skyfire on the hands, with the scale of the MP version (excluding MP3 size) and high level of detail, I think he's one great autobot anybody would love to have. Third, I think it's time Takara has its own Skyfire version and not base on the Veritech.

My second choice, a perfect UM version with the chest plate open so I could do the mis-alignment of the Matrix, muahhahaha. And the open damn it open comedy, hehee.

As for Decepticon, Soundwave!!!

[Bonger]

Mirage is a Formula One car from Ligier, a French motorsports company , while Prowl is a Datsun Z-car of some sort, which is Japanese.

Well, one mold would yield them Prowl, Bluestreak and Smokescreen. Good bang for the buck. I would not be shocked at seeing these.

However, the BT line kinda covered the autobots. Doing an MP of something they did the BT line with so shortly after would seem to defeat the purpose of the BT line. Not to mention, asides from the dinobots and Blaster, the autobot line is, well, boring.

The decepticons have tanks, shuttles, jets, insects, a camera, tape player, a lot of cool stuff for the MP line.

That said, I do not want a Grimlock unless they decide to do all the dinobots. However, I want Thundercracker first. Err, or Starscream if we already have Thundercracker.

Or as I have said before, My choice would be Blitzwing and Astrotrain next. IMO, both would be exceptional as well done MPs.

[dabattousai]

I want to see Rodimus Prime as a Masterpiece and I mean the trailer is apart of him like in the show and not a detachment like Prime (just like the Titanium) that would be an interesting challenge.

Ultra Magnus w/Trailer that transforms into his armor would also be awesome and I am sure that will be coming.

Then there is the great thought of a Movie Accurate Unicron as a Masterpiece. That would be insane

[CyberTooth]

There's now two incomplete Masterpiece figures to finish up before they move on; Magnus/Ultra Magnus and Megatron. I'd rather they spend the time completing Magnus before they move too far down the line.

Personally, I hope that the Masterpiece line doesn't become a flood. The slow steady trickle of one or two more notable characters a year is fine with me. The line needs to stay exclusive to larger more unique figures that really don't have decent counterparts in other lines.

Galvatron, Megatron [Tank], Rodimus Prime, Grimlock, Shockwave and Soundwave are all good choices because they don't fit the theme of the Binaltech/Alt lines which is still primarily a collectors line that [not by accident] meshes perfectly with the Masterpiece figures. My example being MP Starscream [and seeker counterparts], the mold's a perfect bridge between the lines.

For Autobots, I still put my vote towards characters like Inferno and Grapple, their alt modes would be perfect for the 1:24 scale to blend into the BT/Alt lines and their bot modes would stand just as tall as Prime. And nothing is as cool as a firetruck. Thingsis they're still second string characters compared to Ironhide or Jazz or Bumblebee; and honestly, I don't know that I'd need to see an of those characters in the Masterpiece line when they'd be better candidates for the Binaltech upgrade.

[009*]

Galvatron would be a good pick for the Masterpiece line. Since his alt mode doesn't conform to any real world cannon, the designers could easily balance out the proportions of both forms, like the convoy mold. That's the kind of MP figure to balance with Prime. Megatron's good, but the robot mode suffered to make the gun mode work.

[Ravage XK]

The future is bright, the future is orange. Orange capped that is!

I think the smart money would be on Soundwave as the next new design. Bad guys always seem to sell better.

[JetfireUK]

Seeing what a great job they did of Megatron - I'd love to see a MP Shockwave.

[Brakethrough]

Come onnnnnn, Huffer!

[CyberTooth]

Why is firetruck censored?

fire... truck? What the hell?

[Dclone Soundwave]

I don't think I really need to say anything about who I think the next Decepticon MP should be, I've voiced my oppinion many times. As for an Autobot, I would go w/Hot Rod/Rodimus, or Grimlock. Grimlock is part of one of the most popular sub-factions, & he's the most popular of that particular group. I see no reason not to make that badass Dinobot.

[dabattousai]

The only reason I can see why they would not do Grimlock is because he is already show accurate as a G1 Toy. Galvatron would be interesting too. His G1 Laser Gun is horrible.

[Booda]

Mirage is a Formula One car from Ligier, a French motorsports company , while Prowl is a Datsun Z-car of some sort, which is Japanese.

Well, that should tell you how much I know about cars.

That actually makes it more interesting, because Mirage has always had an ample fan following and Prowl is known as Optimus Prime's right-hand man. Good picks for an Autobot figure. As much as I'd like to see Jetfire, I'd much prefer the next Autobot mold to be a car. That way, the Autobot side of the MP collection has the same classic feeling as the Decepticon side.

So with that information, I'm leaning more towards Prowl. He's a car, he's an Autobot, and he can be repainted. Still, he's got to overcome the Soundwave hurdle.

Grimlock won't be getting a figure in the line soon, if at all. I've always been a fan of "the king," but the demand for his toy wouldn't support the development of the figure. I was pleasantly surprised that he got a Classics figure (despite the flaws he's still one of my favorites), but when I look around online, I don't see people paying $200 for an original Grimlock figure. I don't see them paying $200 for a reissue either, because to my knowledge he hasn't been reissued. Why is this important? Because people DO pay $200 for Soundwave. Just imagine a $100 version that's twice as awesome. Sorry Grimlock, but you can't beat Soundwave.

Of course, I'm worried that Takara will just do something unexpected to throw us off and make a random character like Rodimus or something. I hope that doesn't happen. I feel that as far as individual figures go, Soundwave is the best choice, but to make the collection look better with all the figures together, I'd go with Prowl.

[Head Shot]

Mirage is a Formula One car from Ligier, a French motorsports company , while Prowl is a Datsun Z-car of some sort, which is Japanese.

Well, that should tell you how much I know about cars.

That actually makes it more interesting, because Mirage has always had an ample fan following and Prowl is known as Optimus Prime's right-hand man. Good picks for an Autobot figure. As much as I'd like to see Jetfire, I'd much prefer the next Autobot mold to be a car. That way, the Autobot side of the MP collection has the same classic feeling as the Decepticon side.

So with that information, I'm leaning more towards Prowl. He's a car, he's an Autobot, and he can be repainted. Still, he's got to overcome the Soundwave hurdle.

Grimlock won't be getting a figure in the line soon, if at all. I've always been a fan of "the king," but the demand for his toy wouldn't support the development of the figure. I was pleasantly surprised that he got a Classics figure (despite the flaws he's still one of my favorites), but when I look around online, I don't see people paying $200 for an original Grimlock figure. I don't see them paying $200 for a reissue either, because to my knowledge he hasn't been reissued. Why is this important? Because people DO pay $200 for Soundwave. Just imagine a $100 version that's twice as awesome. Sorry Grimlock, but you can't beat Soundwave.

Of course, I'm worried that Takara will just do something unexpected to throw us off and make a random character like Rodimus or something. I hope that doesn't happen. I feel that as far as individual figures go, Soundwave is the best choice, but to make the collection look better with all the figures together, I'd go with Prowl.

Unfortunately, alot of fans, worldwide, feel that the alternators/binaltechs mesh with the masterpiece line. The scales may be off, but thats just the way it is. So chances are, we are not gonna get masterpiece versions of prowl, and some of the others, unless they truly believe that it will sell. I've seen plenty of fan art that involves all the current binaltechs, standign with mp prime, and even a picture of the decepticon binaltechs/alternators standing with mp-3 starscream. Sooner or later we'll see one with mp-05 megatron and mp-03 starscream standign with those binaltechs/alterantors.

(I'm like 99% sure that Nac {although i think he might have changed his name from Nac}, has the first picture I'm talking about in his signiture.)

EDIT: lo and behold the man I am talkign about is the first poster on this page, Ravage XK.

[YouFearGalvatron]

I am hoping for a masterpiece Galvatron, damnit. If not, then Soundwave, Hot Rod...or the underappreciated Springer.

But Grimlock would be six kinds of awesome, you can put that in the bank.

[D Banks]

I would really like to see Rodimus Prime make it on the Masterpiece line, But that is highly unlikely to happen. I agree that the Autobot line Desperetly needs a new mold, Hopefully Mp-07 will be as immpresive as Masterpiece Megatron is.