The Energon Pub

[Hal7300]

I agree that this Hasbro intended this to be more of a Masterpiece Hot Rod than a Masterpiece Rodimus Prime.

But unless you're a MISB collector, I wouldn't have thought the name on the box is a big deal. If it was on my shelf I would just call it Masterpiece Hot Rod, and it wouldn't lessen the figure any. I would have thought that fans would be more excited about getting a brand spanking new targetmaster mould.

I'm not having a go at you specifically, I was just surprised (and amused) by the overwhelmingly negative reaction here on Seibertron, which I find uncharacteristic of these forums. I had a look at a few other sites and the reaction was much more welcoming. Usually I find it is the other way around.

Probably the most sensible post of the entire thread.

This IS MP Hot Rod w/Firebolt, and i'll definitely pick him up - i'll probably get him on clearance too, if all the negative comments are anything to go by...

[SJ21]

I am buying this as soon as I see it. Unfortunately, I might not see it. The two TRUs near me didn't get any MP Grimlocks.

Frustrating.

[Razorclaw0000]

I am buying this as soon as I see it. Unfortunately, I might not see it. The two TRUs near me didn't get any MP Grimlocks.

Frustrating.

That's terrible, because we had a mountain of them an hour and half up 81. There were around 12 at the peek.

[kirbenvost]

So much unnecessary, but hilarious, rage.. what were people expecting? This is par for the course. Do we expect less paint apps for a Hasbro release - yes, of course, it's part of the reason why it is cheaper. Do we expect toy accuracy over show accuracy - naturally, 99% of the time Hasbro goes for toy accuracy and Takara goes for show accuracy. It's one of the points of difference to set their products apart.

The thing is, the reduction of paint apps is an ongoing, and worsening problem. Each line seems to see a reduction in paint detail, and it really started to become noticeable in ROTF and Generations when they stopped painting things like tailpipes, brake lights and wheels. I don't know about you guys, but I'd rather pay $1 more for a quality, detailed deluxe than a downsized, under-detailed one like we're seeing in DOTM.

Now this problem is bleeding over into MP toys. Consider all of the past ones. Most had more, yet different paint apps from the Takara versions. Prime and Starscream had their battle damage. Skywarp had noticeably less small details but was still quite detailed and had a toy-accurate paint scheme. Grimlock again had slightly more paint apps. Rodimus - Well, looking at his G1 toy, I guess he's pretty accurate. But he also looks so plain, with the only major details being the flames and leg apps. These are Masterpiece toys, and I don't see the amount of detail I feel that moniker suggests. I see a big Hot Rod with some cool accessories that have a lot of paint, some of which could have been used on the figure instead.

Now for some disclaimers:

-I don't give a crap about the name either. He'll be whomever I want him to be. Heck, he can be Rodimus Prime while the Alternator is Hot Rod. I don't care, really.

-I'm still happy it's getting released, don't get me wrong.

-I am 100% planning on buying it.

[craggy]

how many people cannot grasp that Hasbro are calling the character (who was called Hot Rod in the 80s) Rodimus nowadays? Its only been...*checks watch...5 years since Classics, and there were the reissues before that.

Plenty of reasons to gripe about this, if you're so inclined, but the name isn't, unless you think the price is going to be higher because of all those extra letters on the packaging. Then you're an idiot.

Who you callin an idiot?

It's not that it's called Rodimus, it's that it's called Rodimus PRIME

Everyone knows they can't use Hot Rod for whatever stupid reason, but that doesn't make a version that only turns into the car appropriate to call by the name of the version that turns into a space winnebago.

it's their product. they can call him Super Happy Go Go Rodimus for all the difference it will make. If you decide to buy it, you can call it whatever you want as well.

Optimus Prime always had a trailer in G1. Cartoon and toys. Yet I don't see people gurning over him being named Prime when he has no trailer in Classics, all the movie lines, etc.

If anyone is getting upset at them calling him Rodimus Prime but not coming with the trailer, there's the Takara version that does come with the trailer. If you just want this toy but are going to cry because it says a different name on the packaging than the one you'd prefer, get counselling; or some paper, crayons and tape, whichever is easier for you to manage.

[Naked Magnus]

Optimus Prime always had a trailer in G1. Cartoon and toys. Yet I don't see people gurning over him being named Prime when he has no trailer in Classics, all the movie lines, etc.

People did complain a little about Optimus and I agree with you that all of the complaining going on here is absurd, but I do think there is a subtle difference between this Roddy and previous Prime toys sans trailer. Optimus' alt mode, the truck/lorry, is technically a separate piece from his trailer. Although the toy feels more complete with a trailer, you still technically have a complete alt mode without one.

Roddy's alt mode, by contrast, includes his trailer as the cab and the trailer are one piece. If you had the G1 alt mode without the trailer, it really was not a complete toy. At least with G1 Optimus you had a complete truck but with G1 Roddy you had this weird looking thing.

Hasbro is doing the best they can by giving us something at a price point that Americans are willing to pay for. Want a trailer? Then buy the Takara one and shut the hell up. They are re-releasing him anyway so you should not have a problem getting one.

Who the hell cares what the name is that Hasbro stamped on the box? Instead of the 4 in 1 Takara version, you have a 3 in 1 with the Hasbro version which is still pretty darn impressive.

[burning_sirius]

Did anyone complain when Animated Rodimus Prime was called Rodimus Minor OR that animated Rodimus Prime did not come with a trailer because Rodimus Prime must turn into a crappy space winnebago. Sorry guys, I never even liked Rodimus Prime's alt mode. It's exclusion imo is for the best. I would love to own the Takara version to gain a 'Rodimus Prime' The Hasbro version will be my Hot Rod. Stop hating on whether or not things are toy or show accurate... It seems like Hasbro and Takara flip a coin to see what version each one gets.

[Sabrblade]

Did anyone complain when Animated Rodimus Prime was called Rodimus Minor OR that animated Rodimus Prime did not come with a trailer because Rodimus Prime must turn into a crappy space winnebago.

Yes and yes.

People did indeed complaint about both of these. The fact that Animated Rodimus Prime's toy was not called by his official name, and the fact that his altmode bore more of a resemblance to Hot Rod irked many people. Though, I recall the name being more of a bigger issue.

My problem with this figure, however, is neither of these. "Rodimus Prime" instead of just "Rodimus"? Eh, a bi irking but bearable. The lack of the trailer? Well, that was to be expected. No, my problem with this figure is its cop-out color scheme!

The lack of paint apps is a bit unnerving, but it's the whole toy-accuracy angle that Hasbro went with this thing, when this mold was clearly designed to mimic a show-accurate appearance, as it draws many cues from Roddy's animation model more than it does the G1 toys.

With Hasbro choosing to ignore that obvious notion, they completely miss the mark on what the intended inspiration of this mold's design was.

And with them going with a toy-accurate look instead of a show-accurate one, they further distance this figure's resemblance to the character it was based on from said character. This`color scheme does not evoke the look of the G1 Hot Rod character, but instead the G1 Hot Rod toy.

With toy-accuracy in general, instead of the toys looking like the characters they're based on, it looks less like the characters themselves and more like their toys. It's an indirect connection rather than a direct one (like the Takara one did with).

I do not want a toy that looks like another toy from the real world. I want a toy that looks like the character from the fictional world.

Toy-accuracy works to give us toys that look like other toys that look like characters. Show-accuracy, however, gives us toys that look like characters without that redundant additional step.

And before anyone speaks up with the notion of "The toys come first, the characters are designed to look like the toys," in this case that does not apply here. Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime was designed as an animated character before his toy was conceived. In this case, the toy was based off the drawing, rather than the drawing based off the toy.

So, long story short, Hasbro had the chance to give us a good, show-accurate rendition of this Masterpiece figure, and they blew it with the wrong color scheme.

[craggy]

yeah it's the colours that have me not liking it. I like the Takara one because of the colours. The trailer? The name? I don't care about them, I just want a toy of that cool car robot who shot Optimus Prime in the real movie.

[chuckdawg1999]

OK, fifteen pages of butthurt later, and I'm clearly in the minority. I'm OK with that. This is wicked cool. I love that there's major differentiation between the two, and the Hasbro version is fairly toy accurate:



I wish they'd shiny up the chest a bit and go with a gold color, but I can live. If this looked the same and just subbed the targetmaster for the trailer, I'd be pissed. I love the radically different deco.

Also, who gives a crap about the name. I'm calling him Gluestick.

Butthurt, Counter Punch likes putting meat in his mouth, I'm starting to wonder about you guys; more than I was before. Back on point I'm really holding judgement until I see that Targetmaster in gun mode and we know what version of the roddy mold we're getting. I got lucky once, I know that's all I'm good for.

[burning_sirius]

Yes and yes.

Rhetorical Question, fandom will always complain about something.

People did indeed complaint about both of these. The fact that Animated Rodimus Prime's toy was not called by his official name, and the fact that his altmode bore more of a resemblance to Hot Rod irked many people. Though, I recall the name being more of a bigger issue.

Animated Rodimus was slavish to his G1 self so much. You might of had an argument with Energon Rodimus, but Animated Rodimus?... >.> If you are talking about him not having his space winnebago mode, I doubt that was missed by anyone given how high quality the figure is. He really is one of the definitive Rodimus figures.

My problem with this figure, however, is neither of these. "Rodimus Prime" instead of just "Rodimus"? Eh, a bi irking but bearable. The lack of the trailer? Well, that was to be expected. No, my problem with this figure is its cop-out color scheme!

This figure has Rodimus Prime's robot mode. He lacks only Rodimus Prime's Mobile Defense Bay... not a big deal given Rodimus Prime EVER used it in ANY fiction save in his alt mode. So what if he cannot transform into Rodimus Prime's alt mode. Takara had to CHEAT to include it in there to begin with. Also you had to sand down the places where Rodimus's spoiler went. If you scratched it... you got green underneath? Anyways we can go on and on about the horrible execution of the trailer. Yes, big guns are cool, but is it REALLY a knock against this figure? If you want to argue how 'great' the trailer is... I guess we can. If not, I do not think it belongs in this debate about the actual Rodimus figure.

The lack of paint apps is a bit unnerving, but it's the whole toy-accuracy angle that Hasbro went with this thing, when this mold was clearly designed to mimic a show-accurate appearance, as it draws many cues from Roddy's animation model more than it does the G1 toys.

With Hasbro choosing to ignore that obvious notion, they completely miss the mark on what the intended inspiration of this mold's design was.

And with them going with a toy-accurate look instead of a show-accurate one, they further distance this figure's resemblance to the character it was based on from said character. This`color scheme does not evoke the look of the G1 Hot Rod character, but instead the G1 Hot Rod toy.

With toy-accuracy in general, instead of the toys looking like the characters they're based on, it looks less like the characters themselves and more like their toys. It's an indirect connection rather than a direct one (like the Takara one did with).

I do not want a toy that looks like another toy from the real world. I want a toy that looks like the character from the fictional world.

Toy-accuracy works to give us toys that look like other toys that look like characters. Show-accuracy, however, gives us toys that look like characters without that redundant additional step.

And before anyone speaks up with the notion of "The toys come first, the characters are designed to look like the toys," in this case that does not apply here. Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime was designed as an animated character before his toy was conceived. In this case, the toy was based off the drawing, rather than the drawing based off the toy.

So, long story short, Hasbro had the chance to give us a good, show-accurate rendition of this Masterpiece figure, and they blew it with the wrong color scheme.

This is a bunch of canard about how he is 'missing' paint aps? Do you really want a green spoiler painted yellow like on the original figure which can get scratched by your beloved trailer. The original figure was very simple (which I liked about it). This figure is much more active (again another good thing just in a different area). I like how you think that these companies should just bow and give us uninspired paint schemes that are not unique on either release. I do not like that Rodimus is red, but I can appriciate Hasbro trying to offer something unique to the table without blanketly stating TAKARA IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN HASBRO. Also, going by your show model vs the toy deal you miss one important detail that the animation model is a transient concept and the toy could of been based on an older concept model.

[Hal7300]

I just want a toy of that cool car robot who shot Optimus Prime in the real movie.

Which movie was that?

[Sabrblade]

Unbelievable. You completely missed almost everything I said in my post.

Animated Rodimus was slavish to his G1 self so much. You might of had an argument with Energon Rodimus, but Animated Rodimus?... >.> If you are talking about him not having his space winnebago mode, I doubt that was missed by anyone given how high quality the figure is. He really is one of the definitive Rodimus figures.

I said people complained about his altmode not looking like his G1 altmode since he bore the Prime rank. I was not one of these people.

And, I said that his name was a bigger issue, since he was officially named "Rodimus Prime", yet his toy was named "Rodimus Minor".

This figure has Rodimus Prime's robot mode. He lacks only Rodimus Prime's Mobile Defense Bay... not a big deal given Rodimus Prime EVER used it in ANY fiction save in his alt mode. So what if he cannot transform into Rodimus Prime's alt mode. Takara had to CHEAT to include it in there to begin with. Also you had to sand down the places where Rodimus's spoiler went. If you scratched it... you got green underneath? Anyways we can go on and on about the horrible execution of the trailer. Yes, big guns are cool, but is it REALLY a knock against this figure? If you want to argue how 'great' the trailer is... I guess we can. If not, I do not think it belongs in this debate about the actual Rodimus figure.

Let me make this clear to you. I don't give a care about this figure's name or his lack of a trailer! While a bit irking, those two nits do NOT bother me that much! How did you not understand that?

This is a bunch of canard about how he is 'missing' paint aps?

NO! This is about him having the WRONG paint apps.

Do you really want a green spoiler painted yellow like on the original figure which can get scratched by your beloved trailer. The original figure was very simple (which I liked about it). This figure is much more active (again another good thing just in a different area). I like how you think that these companies should just bow and give us uninspired paint schemes that are not unique on either release. I do not like that Rodimus is red, but I can appriciate Hasbro trying to offer something unique to the table without blanketly stating TAKARA IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN HASBRO.

How is the show-accurate color scheme of the Takara version "uninspired"? It is inspired by the animation model's color scheme, just as this one is inspired by the G1 toy's color scheme.

Also, going by your show model vs the toy deal you miss one important detail that the animation model is a transient concept and the toy could of been based on an older concept model.

When you say "the toy could of been based on an older concept model," are you referring to the G1 toy or the MP toy?

If the G1 toy, it was indeed based on an earlier animation model, but this new MP toy is based on the final version, rectifying the discrepancies between the G1 toy and the cartoon model.

If the MP toy, it was based on the final model, which is also what the Takara version based its color scheme on.

Plus, even though this fiugre can assume a Rodimus Prime Robot Mode, its color scheme is still very pro-Hot Rod, since it bear characteristics of the G1 Hot Rod toy that the G1 Rodimus Prime toy does not have.

[burning_sirius]

What is wrong with a 'pro' Hot Rod color scheme for the Masterpiece Rodimus Prime/Hot Rod mold?

[Sabrblade]

What is wrong with a 'pro' Hot Rod color scheme for the Masterpiece Rodimus Prime/Hot Rod mold?

Because it is being marketed as his Prime self, rather than his non-Prime self. It's false advertising when the toy is based off of his non-Prime G1 toy's Robot Mode yet marketed as being his Prime self (which would imply that it is based off of his Prime G1 toy's Robot Mode instead).

It's like making a toy that is clearly based on G1 Orion Pax and promoting it as being G1 Optimus Prime. The toy represents a version of the the character that does not match its label.

I'm not saying that they should simply change "Rodimus Prime" to "Rodimus" (while that would indeed work, it would also be taking the easy way out). I'm saying that for this to be Rodimus Prime, it has to look like Rodimus Prime. This looks like "Hot Rod", or rather "Hot Rod's toy". Hot Rod himself didn't even look like this. Both he and his Prime form had, more or less, the same look as the Takara MP toy.

[Mindmaster]

I have to say both "yay" and "nay" on this. Why? I'm excited, because we're getting Hot Rod in the U.S that comes with the first MP Targetmaster, but "nay" only because he doesn't come with a trailer (which I understand would raise the price of the toy, but still, so sad... ) and I was really hoping for a Masterpiece Decepticon (Megatron or Thundercracker would've worked). S now I'm torn; either save up and get the Spark Blue MP3 Soundwave (if I can ever find one that isn't out of stock... ), or just skip out on Soundwave and get an offer of a lifetime by getting a Japanese figure in American retail. I both love and hate you, Hasbro. Thanks for screwing up my plans/loving me.

[burning_sirius]

Because it is being marketed as his Prime self, rather than his non-Prime self. It's false advertising when the toy is based off of his non-Prime G1 toy's Robot Mode yet marketed as being his Prime self (which would imply that it is based off of his Prime G1 toy's Robot Mode instead).

It's like making a toy that is clearly based on G1 Orion Pax and promoting it as being G1 Optimus Prime. The toy represents a version of the the character that does not match its label.

I'm not saying that they should simply change "Rodimus Prime" to "Rodimus" (while that would indeed work, it would also be taking the easy way out). I'm saying that for this to be Rodimus Prime, it has to look like Rodimus Prime. This looks like "Hot Rod", or rather "Hot Rod's toy". Hot Rod himself didn't even look like this. Both he and his Prime form had, more or less, the same look as the Takara MP toy.

This is probably the giant nit pick of all time. I am just... wow! This is all over a 'name'. Prime and Hot Rod were nearly identical in their animation models... to each his own I guess, but I cannot believe that you are just pissing all over this figure because he favors Hot Rod over Rodimus. When Hasbro gets the trademark for Hot Rod back we could have a more vigorous debate on the name of the figure.

[Sabrblade]

What bothers me is not that it favors Hot Rod over Rodimus Prime, but that it favor's Hot Rod's TOY over either animation model! Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime had near identical animation models (Rodimus was taller, had face wrinkles, and had some differing details in his waist), but Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime had very different TOYS.

If they had just gone with a show-accurate color scheme like what was intended with this mold, this issue wouldn't exist.

[alexison]

I think you guys are on two different pages. From what I've read, I don't think burning_sirius is understanding your argument at all Sabrblade.

[krenger99]

Mixed feelings on this. What does his alt mode look like without the trailer? And what will the trailer cost to get when you realize you have an incomplete transformer? But then if you don't buy it now, you'll have to snipe it on ebay at around the hundred dollar mark like I had to for TRU Grimlock.





<-----Be nice and click on my ebay link.

[Sabrblade]

I think you guys are on two different pages. From what I've read, I don't think burning_sirius is understanding your argument at all Sabrblade.

I guess. But you get what I'm saying, right?

Mixed feelings on this. What does his alt mode look like without the trailer?

This:



Though, it can also turn into this instead:

[alexison]

I think you guys are on two different pages. From what I've read, I don't think burning_sirius is understanding your argument at all Sabrblade.

I guess. But you get what I'm saying, right?

Mixed feelings on this. What does his alt mode look like without the trailer?

This:



Though, it can also turn into this instead:

Yes I am following and understand the point you are trying to make.

[vectorA3]

Pointless bickering. We should be thankful we're getting a US version of this MP at all. Hasbro is under no requisite to do this. The MP line is in many ways more impressive than Sideshow Collectibles' 12" line - any brand - Star wars, GI Joe. Those figures go for $100 to $200 no less -AND THEY DON'T TRANSFORM!! Stop b%^$@#$%&g!!!!

[Starscream GaGa]

What is wrong with a 'pro' Hot Rod color scheme for the Masterpiece Rodimus Prime/Hot Rod mold?

Because it is being marketed as his Prime self, rather than his non-Prime self. It's false advertising when the toy is based off of his non-Prime G1 toy's Robot Mode yet marketed as being his Prime self (which would imply that it is based off of his Prime G1 toy's Robot Mode instead).

It's like making a toy that is clearly based on G1 Orion Pax and promoting it as being G1 Optimus Prime. The toy represents a version of the the character that does not match its label.

I'm not saying that they should simply change "Rodimus Prime" to "Rodimus" (while that would indeed work, it would also be taking the easy way out). I'm saying that for this to be Rodimus Prime, it has to look like Rodimus Prime. This looks like "Hot Rod", or rather "Hot Rod's toy". Hot Rod himself didn't even look like this. Both he and his Prime form had, more or less, the same look as the Takara MP toy.

Isn't it because they can't traemark the name Hot Rod? Seriously though, I think you're whining over nothing.

[Motorthing]

Don't care about the arguing - as long as it doesn't have the issues that the Tak one did I'm getting one and saving some $$$.

A rare well-done Hasbro.