First Look at Masterpiece Yukikaze, the Third MP Raiden Trainbot

Each one of the trainbots looks great so far! I’m hoping soon enough we can get some Raiden size comparisons to the rest of the MP line.

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I've watched the reviews of the moon studios bots as they come out. They defintely look cool, and may give you the "most bang for your buck". However, for me personally, they would not scale well with anything in my collection, so I'm going for the genuine article. I may regret it down the line, but nobody has reviewed even the first MPG Trainbot yet, which is supposed to ship at the end of June. So I remain cautiously optimistic especially since I have 2 orders locked in with Amazon Japan.

Let's keep the discussion to Takara's official product please. The 3p stuff needs to be kept to its own part of the boards.

Anyway, I do love the design that's gone into these trainbots, the alts are superb, and as to be expected, the character models are on point with what was in the Headmasters anime. Had I the budget, I would be all in with them.

Any idea how these scale with the Shinkalion line?

chuckdawg1999 wrote:Any idea how these scale with the Shinkalion line?

If you have any of the MP cars like Prowl or Sideswipe, use them as a measuring stick since Shouki seems to be around their height, if not slightly taller.

Sabrblade wrote:

chuckdawg1999 wrote:Any idea how these scale with the Shinkalion line?

If you have any of the MP cars like Prowl or Sideswipe, use them as a measuring stick since Shouki seems to be around their height, if not slightly taller.

I wouldn't rely on that shot. It seems to be a composite piece.

chuckdawg1999 wrote:Any idea how these scale with the Shinkalion line?

There are measurements, but unfortunately I'm not sure if they are measuring bot mode or train mode, for either line. It would be amazing of both these lines were in scale, and the train modes would fit on HO gauge track just for model train enthusiasts, but hopefully in about a month, we shall see.

Takara has revealed the latest Masterpiece trainbot, Yukikaze. The MSRP is the same as Shouki, at 19,800 yen but that includes taxes and we all know by now that non exclusives are sold at a different price by Japanese retailers like Amazon Japan or AmiAmi which has him for 4000 yen less. We will be getting preorders for this throughout the week from our sponsors and other retailers so keep an eye out for the specific retailer you have chosen to buy these trainbots from.

It is fun to see that while Yukikaze turns into a leg, this is the release Takara chose to also add the combiner head with. So this below you will see our first look at Raiden's head.

Raiden's head comes with Yukikaze

Looks great. Also the price is much easier to take being spaced out. I only have to worry about 2 of them this year. Yukikaze coming out in February 23 will be in next year's tax return season.

Also these releases have caused me to follow the exchange almost daily. Just today it lowered to 75 yen per 1 USD, the lowest in years! Of course it fluctuates constantly it went up and down between 76 and 79 during May.

I hope it holds at this rate or goes lower, but who knows. If Amazon Japan took my payment today for Shouki, it should be about $132 USD, final price, which is fantastic.

I wonder if the Combiner head can morph in some way in order to remove the lateral "wings" and get a more anime-ish look for Raiden.

Given the cost behind designing and developing these characters, another thing I'm curious about is whether their molds will be released also in the original Diaclone alternate color scheme:

Someone better come with some turns...pretty silly if they all have straight track.

These look great, but I know little of Raiden. But this DOES make me wanna break out my RID Railracer!

o.supreme wrote:

chuckdawg1999 wrote:Any idea how these scale with the Shinkalion line?

There are measurements, but unfortunately I'm not sure if they are measuring bot mode or train mode, for either line. It would be amazing of both these lines were in scale, and the train modes would fit on HO gauge track just for model train enthusiasts, but hopefully in about a month, we shall see.

Problem is, while they all have the same scale, namely H0, the gauges are different between the 6. The Shinkansen bots Shouki and Getsuei use normal gauge, while the rest use narrow gauge; that's reflected in the track they come with. Gotta respect that level of detail.

As for size, the standard Shinkalion Z bots are roughly two heads taller than ER Optimus Prime,and Shouki's measurements should be a few pages back and I looked up Shouki's height: 180mm or 7.2 inches. Forget about scaling train modes as they're made for Tomy's Plarail line and thus have SD proportions.

angtre wrote:Given the cost behind designing and developing these characters, another thing I'm curious about is whether their molds will be released also in the original Diaclone alternate color scheme

What may help is that Yukikaze is in a Dr. Yellow scheme; those trains are for rail diagnostics along the Shinkansen lines and seeing one is quite a treat for railfans from what I gather.

Pulse Pre-Order:

https://hasbropulse.com/products/transf ... t-yukikaze


Pretty much everybody has pre orders now except Amazon Japan...

No pre-orders on Amazon Japan yet?

not liking the pencil holder legs on two of the bots so far. Thinking third party slightly wins it for me but I'm liking how they are each doing their own thing and this may well win out on trains/combined mode.

Sorry in advance for the dumb question...but after checking out BBTS for these guys why are the prices set the way they are? Are all the figures to be the exact same size or almost?

Nemesis Destron wrote:Sorry in advance for the dumb question...but after checking out BBTS for these guys why are the prices set the way they are? Are all the figures to be the exact same size or almost?

My guess the exchange rate. They are priced in JPY, which was doing better versus the USD when the first 2 were announced last year versus right now. I really nice benefit for those of us who ordered from Amazon.jp

Any clue on what's going on in with Amazon Japan ( why no listing for Yukikaze yet?)

o.supreme wrote:Any clue on what's going on in with Amazon Japan ( why no listing for Yukikaze yet?)

Amazon Japan usually takes a while, I'm not surprised

@ TF-fan kev777....thanks dude for the insight!

The combiner head for Transformers MPG Raiden comes with the third trainbot and that means you can build the torso then. So Takara showed us what that will look like on their Twitter. We get a nice close up shot of the headsculpt too.

As of right now, all trains are available to order in the west through online collectible stores.

I dunno, there's something off about that face? It doesn't look very Masterpiece to me.

The Moon Studios head looks so much better. Better sculpt, better paint and more cartoon accurate. It looks like Takara is trying for a blend of G1 toy and toon, but they're not really hitting either very well. Those horns on the front of the Takara head are an odd choice because they don't match the G1 toon or toy look at all. They're much too tall.

whacko wrote:Those horns on the front of the Takara head are an odd choice because they don't match the G1 toon or toy look at all. They're much too tall.

This looks like another one of those examples of "we really shouldn't be basing high end figure designs on wonky and inconsistent animation models"...

Yukikaze is on Deep Discount for only $116.68 and free shipping. Amazon Japan isn't likely going to be able to touch that price.

Emerje

Emerje wrote:Yukikaze is on Deep Discount for only $116.68 and free shipping. Amazon Japan isn't likely going to be able to touch that price.

Emerje

Thanks, I took the plunge. I figured I'd lock in the low price in the event the exchange rates aren't as favorable next year.

Emerje wrote:Yukikaze is on Deep Discount for only $116.68 and free shipping. Amazon Japan isn't likely going to be able to touch that price.

Emerje

That is a Really good Price, and very tempting. After Tax, DD comes to about $125. With current exchange rates however, MPG-02 Getsuei is down to $121.00 final price after shipping with Amazon Japan . (also a Leg coincidentally). I know exchange rates can vary. However I still want to wait. If nothing else, even if Amazon Japan turns out to be slightly more expensive, there is the advantage of getting the item earlier than most other North American retailers. Also with DD you pay immediately. That can have advantages and disadvantages. I do have the item in my cart just in case, hopefully Amazon Japan will have their listing up soon.

I think the head look pretty damn cool despite those tough critics!

Okay so does anyone feel that when all the figures are finally released will Takara reach back and release a complete box set like the Dinobots Selects and make some variations and add some extras...?

If this was already thrown out in the ring then sorry for missing it!

Considering the individual prices for each Train Bot. I don't think the price tag for a MP Gestalt boxset would look too appealing, if on sale.

Nemesis Destron wrote:Okay so does anyone feel that when all the figures are finally released will Takara reach back and release a complete box set like the Dinobots Selects and make some variations and add some extras...?

Only if you're willing to pay twelve hundred bucks (plus tax and shipping) for it.

Sabrblade wrote:

Nemesis Destron wrote:Okay so does anyone feel that when all the figures are finally released will Takara reach back and release a complete box set like the Dinobots Selects and make some variations and add some extras...?

Only if you're willing to pay twelve hundred bucks (plus tax and shipping) for it.

Oh I dunno...what if there is an introductory price and the $1200 is the after market price. Look at the current prices of our favorite Haslab Chaos Bringer!

*If* I am able to get all 6 from Amazon Japan, and current exchange rates hold (who knows where it will in a year from now), I'll be paying around $750 for all 6. Most folks who order from Pulse, BBTS, and other sites will be paying close to $900. So $1000 wouldn't be out of the reach of reasonability for a Box Set. I seriously doubt TT is going to offer such a thing though.

The best scenario I could think of would be for a Generations styled Trainbots/Raiden to come along (I don't see that happening though as these Masterpiece MPG are pretty much Generation scale already). Then I could sell the MP ones for a profit, and would pay in advance for the much cheaper Generations versions, which I would be fine with.

Nemesis Destron wrote:I think the head look pretty damn cool despite those tough critics!

Okay so does anyone feel that when all the figures are finally released will Takara reach back and release a complete box set like the Dinobots Selects and make some variations and add some extras...?

If this was already thrown out in the ring then sorry for missing it!

No, I don't feel they will

Nemesis Destron wrote:I think the head look pretty damn cool despite those tough critics!

My issue is that the face looks like it could be part of the main line. The silver doesn't mesh with the "anime" aesthetic either.

Different character and all that, but for the Masterpiece line, G1 faces should look more stylised and distinct. Like Motormaster here:



That said, all of my MP Beast Wars characters have really detailed and charismatic faces. Which is my only point of reference. So maybe the uncanny valley look is the standard for Anime+ G1?

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:

Nemesis Destron wrote:I think the head look pretty damn cool despite those tough critics!

My issue is that the face looks like it could be part of the main line. The silver doesn't mesh with the "anime" aesthetic either.

Different character and all that, but for the Masterpiece line, G1 faces should look more stylised and distinct. Like Motormaster here:



That said, all of my MP Beast Wars characters have really detailed and charismatic faces. Which is my only point of reference. So maybe the uncanny valley look is the standard for Anime+ G1?

Looking at the big picture I wouldn't call that an anime aesthetic at all. It's far too detailed. It's more of an original toy aesthetic with improved real world train details. It has more in common with the early MPs than the the strictly anime ones.

Emerje

Amazon Japan pre-order is finally up:

https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/gp/produc ... UTF8&psc=1?tag=seibertron00-22&

Keep in mind, that while this price isn't the best, it should drop (hopefully soon), to what the cost will actually be.

o.supreme wrote:Amazon Japan pre-order is finally up:

https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/gp/produc ... UTF8&psc=1?tag=seibertron00-22&

Keep in mind, that while this price isn't the best, it should drop (hopefully soon), to what the cost will actually be.

Looks like they've removed the cancelation deadline, personally I think that's a good thing.

It's been two years but the Tokyo Toy Show is finally back! And with it comes the Japan Toy Awards 2022 where Masterpiece Gattai Shouki has won an award in the "high target toy division" (according to Google translate). OK, so it actually lost the top grand prize spot to Bandai Spirits' over $700 GX-100 Gaiking set and it's more of a runner up "outstanding performance award" in that category, but they only give out four of those in each category so it's still an achievement! And it lets them stick a silver Japan Toy Awards logo on their website (as seen below) and possibly even the figure's box, though there probably isn't time for that on the first batch due out in less than two weeks.



The Tokyo Toy Show runs Thursday and Friday this week (June 16 and 17). If there's Transformers news to be found there you can be sure we'll be sharing it here on Seibertron!

Well alright then give it up!

An as-yet-unreleased toy already gets an award...

Dang that's awesome I was trying to avoid getting these but the more I see them the more I feel I might regret skipping them

TF fan Justin M reached out to let us know that Transformers MPG-03 Yukikaze is available on Amazon Japan which is a site many international fans get their Masterpiece Transformers from. Not only is it usually one of the places to get them for cheaper but you also get them quicker than most other retailers thanks to their shipping. Right now, the base price for the toy without taxes is 14809 Yen (you HAVE to add to cart to see this no tax price appear). That converts to $110 USD. Of course depending on where you are located, the shipping and customs fees will change, making it less of a deal.

Here is the link: https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Transform ... 245&sr=8-1?tag=seibertron00-22&

william-james88 wrote:TF fan Justin M reached out to let us know that Transformers MPG-03 Yukikaze is available on Amazon Japan which

What am I chopped liver? (See above from Monday). Anyway, I hope the price does come down. My base price is 16,290 Yen currently.

o.supreme wrote:My base price is 16,290 Yen currently.

No, it isn't. You didn't read the article, even though I put it all caps in bold.

I read the article, I just had the wrong screenshot. My apologies. But still a higher price than stated. I know shipping/ taxes etc will vary, but as you say, this is before all that.

Amazon.jp doesn't ever show me the base price, even when I put it in the cart. I wonder if what they show differs from country to country for tax purposes.

I can't recall...I know Amazon US doesn't charge your card until the ítem ships.... does Amazon Japan charge right away?

Bounti76 wrote:I can't recall...I know Amazon US doesn't charge your card until the ítem ships.... does Amazon Japan charge right away?

Nope, they don't.

chuckdawg1999 wrote:

Bounti76 wrote:I can't recall...I know Amazon US doesn't charge your card until the ítem ships.... does Amazon Japan charge right away?

Nope, they don't.

Ooh, thanks, Chuck!