Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

[ScottyP]

I will be honest guys, even if money was not an issue, I am not that impressed.

Same. This just doesn't seem that great.

It looks incomplete, but given these are color pictures I don't expect much to change on it between now and its release, if anything. Very disappointing given the price tag.

The head is an improvement and the articulation looks to be as well, but the rest looks like a regression.

[DeathReviews]

Sorry - but unless that figure is made out of solid GOLD, it ain't worth no $350....

[Black Bumblebee]

Do I like the look of the figure? Sure. Am I going to spend $400+ on it? Heck no. There is absolutely no freaking reason for it. I got my MP10 for $99 at ToysRUs, and even then I thought the price tag was high as I was pretty happy with my original MP1 Optimus.

It's a pretty figure, and if I had lots of money and I saw it for $100 I "might" buy it. But for me, for my collection... I just don't need it. It won't bring me hundreds of dollars of enjoyment. And at the end of the day, that's what matters.

[TulioDude]

I like the all red cab.

Not on a rush to own this,but it is cool

[Manterax Prime]

"Is he as beautiful as you imagined?"

No, quite the opposite. He's as bland and boring as I imagined.
That mess of a back section in truck mode doesn't help either.

[TheForgottenTaxi]

Wait, I thought yesterday's report was that it was $440? Now it's $350? That's a lot closer to reasonable, if still pretty ridiculous.

Anyway, as far as the actual photos go... it looks pretty good?

Loving: The head sculpt (I didn't realize how much I wanted this particular Prime head sculpt until laying eyes on these photos), the colors, the legs, the articulation.

Not Loving: The backpack, the smokestacks extending down past the shoulders (I realize this is cartoon accurate, but I think it looks like butts), and the side of the cab proportions, particularly the awkward "interior" bit -- seriously, if you're not going to do the interior well, just skip it.

Also: Am I the only one completely over elaborate accessories that reference a single episode of the cartoon? Nice Starscream parts. I'm going to maybe put them on once, take a picture, then have to figure out somewhere to store them for the rest of the time I own the figure. Megatron's Master Plan was my favorite episode as a kid, and I still see zero value in this.

[Supreme Convoy]

Whoa! This looks cool.

What is the Starscream head a reference to?

[Seibertron]

Oh my god cartoon accuracy drives me f*****g crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where is the silver paint on the figure? What is with the dull flat grays? Why does Takara think they have to be so slavish to their perceived cartoon accuracy? Not what I want to spend $400+ on, let alone $200+!!! I have never ever wanted G1 cartoon accurate toys that are so slavish that they forget that the grays should represent silver in most cases or that the lack of details was to make it easier for the animators to HAND draw, neither of which should apply to "masterpiece" Transformers.

It definitely looks better in color, though the upper torso angled on the lower body looks really odd to me.

And before anyone says it, I get it ... if you don't like it, don't buy it. But I want to like it and I think the reasons for not liking it could easily be overcome with some appropriate changes and I don't like the idea of Takara double-dipping on these with a "cartoon" accurate color scheme first and then a more "toy accurate" color scheme later. Just come out with the best color scheme first and go from there.

[Hellscream9999]

Wait, I thought yesterday's report was that it was $440? Now it's $350? That's a lot closer to reasonable, if still pretty ridiculous.

No, it's $350 if you import it yourself, it'll be $450 to buy it from domestic retailers like bbts - unless I missed something

[william-james88]

Wait, I thought yesterday's report was that it was $440? Now it's $350? That's a lot closer to reasonable, if still pretty ridiculous.

No, it's $350 if you import it yourself, it'll be $450 to buy it from domestic retailers like bbts - unless I missed something

Thats right, could not have said it better myself.

[Colt]

This does not look that good. His hips look off, and his backpack is distracting. His head is nice, just not $400 nice. Overall seems like a pointless figure especially considering we have MP-1 and MP-10.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

He was also rare shown in robot mode with it and guess which mode I'll be displaying Optimus in? For the price they really should have come up with an alternative. Even the super expensive non-transforming Optimus Prime from Hot Toys came at two price points (with and without Starscream armor). If they can do it then so can Takara Tomy.

Well, why do you even want a transforming Optimus at all if you only care about the robot mode? Much less this one that comes with so much stuff you've flat-out said you'll never use? I am honestly just baffled here. What do you get out of it? I am very confused here

In the case of a high-end transforming G1 Optimus, most would see the trailer as an essential part of the package.

Oh my god cartoon accuracy drives me f*****g crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where is the silver paint on the figure? What is with the dull flat grays? Why does Takara think they have to be so slavish to their perceived cartoon accuracy? Not what I want to spend $400+ on, let alone $200+!!! I have never ever wanted G1 cartoon accurate toys that are so slavish that they forget that the grays should represent silver in most cases or that the lack of details was to make it easier for the animators to HAND draw, neither of which should apply to "masterpiece" Transformers.

Very. Much. Agreed. The "comic colors" Grimlock is dumb for the same reasons - black was represented by dark blue with black accents because that was the only way to give it any shading with the print tech of the time (plus too much black ink in one spot would soak through and tear the page). I think incorporating the disappearing tires is dumb as well because those too were a form of dumbing the design down for easier and cheaper animation.
Looking at this, they were so stupidly accurate to the animation limits it's amazing he doesn't have cel-shaded windows!

[Cyberpath]

Oh my god cartoon accuracy drives me f*****g crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where is the silver paint on the figure? What is with the dull flat grays? Why does Takara think they have to be so slavish to their perceived cartoon accuracy? Not what I want to spend $400+ on, let alone $200+!!! I have never ever wanted G1 cartoon accurate toys that are so slavish that they forget that the grays should represent silver in most cases or that the lack of details was to make it easier for the animators to HAND draw, neither of which should apply to "masterpiece" Transformers.

It definitely looks better in color, though the upper torso angled on the lower body looks really odd to me.

And before anyone says it, I get it ... if you don't like it, don't buy it. But I want to like it and I think the reasons for not liking it could easily be overcome with some appropriate changes and I don't like the idea of Takara double-dipping on these with a "cartoon" accurate color scheme first and then a more "toy accurate" color scheme later. Just come out with the best color scheme first and go from there.

Why not? By now we all know the drill, ie, get the cartoon version or wait for the "plus" edition. Something for (almost) everyone.


The white on Optimus Prime represents chrome but I can understand why they made the thighs and pelvis white because it immediately evokes the character from the screen. Sunbow's Prime is my all-time favourite cartoon character. Years ago MP-10 was the closest thing to it; now this new figure is an even more "literal" representation of him, and I'm down for that.

The fact that like Inferno, his head can be switched between the more rounded design and the signature angular TOEI design is pretty neat. Makes fans of both styles happy. But I really want to see it from this angle --

Also, I sort of got the feeling he should be packed with more battle damage parts than just the head? There will probably be more stock photos later showing that, and him interacting with other characters, including a remake of the Sherman Dam fight with MP-36 Megatron.

We see the trailer and it does not seem to have more functionality than the one that came with MP-10.

The blue piece it houses serves as a flight-stand. And the double barrel cockpit can detach from the trailer and run on a blue roller to reference "Fire in the Sky."

[Regimus Prime]

I’m normally in a rush to throw down my wallet and it’s hard earned contents to support any G1 themed Optimus product. This time, not so much, because frankly this cost too much. I’m still happy with my 20th Anniversary Optimus/MP-01 TRU Exclusive from 2004 and currently in the hunt for an unopened one since years ago I opened mine. If I’m lucky enough to snag one on eBay it will still cost less than MP-44. I’m even still ecstatic for my MP-10 TRU release that scales wonderfully with my other MP’s including the recent MP-36. At least MP-36 included the battle damaged face and chest plate to recreate their epic ‘86 movie battle. This MP-44 only includes the damaged head. At least give us a detailed damaged cab front and grill at this price point Takara. If I really need an animated G1 fix, I’ll save about $190.00 and stick with my pre-order of the Transformers Classic Scale Optimus Prime Statue from Pop Culture Shock

[starfish]

For me, the “toon-esque” designs are something I can take or leave. I did enjoy the old MP aesthetic which went for a more detailed look.

That said, the engineering on these guys is fantastic. It’s not such a hard trick to turn an officially-licenced vehicle into a well-detailed robot. But to turn a detailed vehicle into one with lots of flat surfaces - that’s pretty mind-blowing! Looks-wise, I couldn’t care less as to whether his leg wheels are visible or not. I loved the look of MP1, and his leg-wheels stared you right in the face.

But I’m far more interested in engineering and the ‘brain teaser’ aspect of MP transformers, the ingenuity and the “Wow” moments. MP Megatron is one of my all-time favourite figures - not necessarily because of his looks (although he does look great), but because his transformation, and the mental gymnastics the designers pulled off in order to get from one mode to the other.

I realise that different people want different things from their toys, and there were a lot of complaints about Megatron, Sunstreaker and Dinobot, to various extents. But speaking personally, the switch from ‘detailed cab’ to ‘flat-surfaces robot’ is an achievement and marvel in itself, irrespective of what the robot actually looks like.

But that’s just me - your mileage may vary!

[Cyberpath]

[Amelie]

The proportions on this blow Mp10 away, especially with the articulation. Very impressed. I prefer the anime look as well and since they'll do a lavish toy accurate deco later - everyone that can afford the toy is a winner.

I just wish that person affording it was me...

:edit: I also hope y'all paying attention to that new Starscream head and storing your pennies for the V3...

[Coptur]

I do like it more compared to MP10 but I outright refuse to pay that much.

If they want quick bucks and cash grabs why not announce:

- Clampdown
- Spin Out
- Hauler
- Detritus
- Slicer
- G1 inspired Barricade?!

[Amelie]

If they want quick bucks and cash grabs why not announce:

- Clampdown
- Spin Out
- Hauler
- Detritus
- Slicer
- G1 inspired Barricade?!

I think we can expect a Detritus, simply so Takara get two uses of the mold out, which now seems to be the minimum. The others I completely agree with... but... "Hauler" was actually yellow in the cartoon, so that might be a sticking point (but I'm sure it wouldn't stop them). If they're really looking to grab quick, big bucks - a new Seeker mold with a quick pump out of Starscream, Thundercracker, Skywarp, Sunstorm and Acid Storm would be very welcome.

They're going to get at least 3 of this Convoy out (anime, toy and black/sleep/nemesis), which is another reason I feel like the price is a little over the top. Its hardly like a one shot release.

[Coptur]

yeah that that's true Hauler is the same colour as Grapple.

Sometimes they retcon him to be green?

So maybe different head sculpt/original toy head sculpt and a tool for one of his hands. I know that's not much but it's something 'different'.

edit...i think grapple came with multiple heads so i guess he'll have to be green lol unless they can do something special

[-Kanrabat-]

That's one amazing set but holy crap, the MP prices are getting more and more ludicrous as time go by. So that Optimus will be skipped. Mostly because I plan to get myself some other expensive toys so the space and budget cannot go for the MP line anymore. Plus I already have MP-01 and MP-10. That's more than enough for my collection.

[blackeyedprime]

If it was mainly die cast metal like MP01 then maybe, the correct lack of forearm stripes make me like this one a bit more thsn MP10 but I don't think a toy version would work with the lack of leg barrels (or more accurately things that no longer look like barrels) & hidden wheels wouldn't do it for me.

I'd be tempted for a battle damage movie version down the line but I can't even justify the price of Sunstreaker (or a £45+ KO of him!). Will be nice to work on the backlog that I'm missing but kind of sad with being priced out of future releases.

[Carnivius_Prime]

Nice proportions even if I'm not a big G1 fan. It certainly looks better than the other ones in that area. How much of the truck is actually used for the torso though, Chest looks different and the stripes in robot mode aren't on the truck at all. A lot of fakery? I don't mind that myself but I know SOME PEOPLE get annoyed with that sorta thing.
Anyways yeah I can understand the crazy price putting even hardcore MP fans off. It doesn't even need all those silly accessories. Most of them will end up staying in the box, or hidden in a drawer or his trailer or something. I got KO of the MP Hot Rod and that frickin' stupid fishing rod annoys the heck out of me cos it don't even fit in my accessories drawer. =p

[Emerje]

He was also rare shown in robot mode with it and guess which mode I'll be displaying Optimus in? For the price they really should have come up with an alternative. Even the super expensive non-transforming Optimus Prime from Hot Toys came at two price points (with and without Starscream armor). If they can do it then so can Takara Tomy.

Well, why do you even want a transforming Optimus at all if you only care about the robot mode? Much less this one that comes with so much stuff you've flat-out said you'll never use? I am honestly just baffled here. What do you get out of it? I am very confused here

In the case of a high-end transforming G1 Optimus, most would see the trailer as an essential part of the package.

I enjoy transforming my Transformers, but I don't consider the trailer and essential part of his transformation. He isn't Motormaster, I can still transform him into a truck without the trailer. If I had a small collection with room to display trailers I'd be happy to have it, but for those of us with space constraints and large collections they're just going back into the box just like with MP-10 making them a big boxy money sponge.

Anyway, I think I'm going to pass and wait for reviews and then jump on the inevitable second run if it's any good. Money isn't an issue and the colored pics look good (these seem to be still hand painted so we'll get even better shots later), but I'm reminded looking at these new pics of something that really bothered me before.



That backpack is HUGE! That is not his jet pack, that's all leftover truck parts which the jet pack and Screamer parts attach to. Compared to this...



...that's pretty excessive and definitely not what most of us would consider an upgrade.

Emerje

[Agamemnon]

Wait, I thought yesterday's report was that it was $440? Now it's $350? That's a lot closer to reasonable, if still pretty ridiculous.

No, it's $350 if you import it yourself, it'll be $450 to buy it from domestic retailers like bbts - unless I missed something

Thats right, could not have said it better myself.

Hrm...interestingly, BBTS has removed the price (and even the ability to preorder) from their site. Maybe the fan backlash is having an impact?