Takara Tomy Designer Shogo Hasui Discusses Transformers Masterpiece MP-20 Wheeljack

Posted by Va'al Feb 25, 2014 at 1:01pm CST 32,814 views

View Discussion Sign in or Join to reply

Courtesy of the Snakas blog from Autobase Aichi, we are able to get a glimpse of a feature from issue 193 of Figure King, in which Takara Designer Shogo Hasui reveals some elements of the upcoming Transformers Masterpiece Wheeljack figure. Read on below for an attempted translation of the original, found here.

(The article also lists other highlights from the magazine, including a special Tomy licensed Transformers iPhone 5 case).

* The interpretation of Wheeljack's transformation was rather 'arcane' (new? innovative?).
* "Structure of the head and waist became great way stuffing"
* The removable shoulder cannon can be installed in the vehicle mode roof.
* The hand gun can be stored in the figure's 'underbody' (?).
* The wings on the robot's back are transformable, and do not need to be removed.
* Thansk to the Tomica branch of the company (model cars), the licensing was a lot easier to negotiate with car manufacturers.
* Color of the car mode is faithful to the actual vehicle. On the other hand, the robot mode colors are closer to the cartoon.
* Thanks to the sale numbers for MP- Lambor to Streak, they were able to add new parts to Smokescreen, and Wheeljack was developed without having to consider repurposing.
* The first three realistic cars of the Masterpiece line were supposed to become 'super cars'.

More Bots. More News. More Awesome.

Walmart Opens Store Page For Retro G1-Inspired Seaspray, Plus Potential Brawn Leak

11 hours ago 952 views

New Galleries: Power of the Primes Prime Masters Vector Prime, Micronus and Liege Maximo

16 hours ago 529 views

New Gallery: Robosaur Triceratops (aka KO G1 Dinobot Slag)

Jul 16, 2025 2,145 views

New Gallery: G2 Seaspray (Purple Variant)

Jul 13, 2025 2,101 views

Full Look at Lego Soundwave Including Sounds and Video Review

Jul 11, 2025 3,358 views

First Look at Lego Transformers Soundwave Coming Out August 1st

Jul 9, 2025 3,367 views

Re: Takara Tomy Designer Shogo Hasui Discusses Transformers Masterpiece MP-20 Wheeljack (view post)

Comment by Counterpunch Feb 25, 2014

Cool. Sounds like the profitability of the Datsun bros helped this more one-shot character get produced.

Re: Takara Tomy Designer Shogo Hasui Discusses Transformers Masterpiece MP-20 Wheeljack (view post)

Comment by Jelze Bunnycat Feb 25, 2014

* The interpretation of Wheeljack's transformation was rather 'arcane' (new? innovative?).
* "Structure of the head and waist became great way stuffing"
* The removable shoulder cannon can be installed in the vehicle mode roof.
* The hand gun can be stored in the figure's 'underbody' (?).
* The wings on the robot's back are transformable, and do not need to be removed.
* Thansk to the Tomica branch of the company (model cars), the licensing was a lot easier to negotiate with car manufacturers.
* Color of the car mode is faithful to the actual vehicle. On the other hand, the robot mode colors are closer to the cartoon.
* Thanks to the sale numbers for MP- Lambor to Streak, they were able to add new parts to Smokescreen, and Wheeljack was developed without having to consider repurposing.
* The first three realistic cars of the Masterpiece line were supposed to become 'super cars'.

So, in a nutshell:

1) The transformation should be similar to the original toy, with a few surprising twists
2) Licensing of car models has gone through Tomica, which is like Hot Wheels to Mattel. That would mean Hasbro has no such luxury.
3) We shouldn't count of him being retooled at all (let alone into Sunstreaker), as they didn't have to take that into consideration

Re: Takara Tomy Designer Shogo Hasui Discusses Transformers Masterpiece MP-20 Wheeljack (view post)

Comment by Va'al Feb 25, 2014

Yurp.

Does anyone with more Japanese than me (not that difficult) help decipher that second point about stuffing?

Re: Takara Tomy Designer Shogo Hasui Discusses Transformers Masterpiece MP-20 Wheeljack (view post)

Comment by Jelze Bunnycat Feb 25, 2014

Let's see... Ah, I think it means that the design of the head and waist is such that it can be collapsed and tucked in in an ingenious way. That's me guessing though, I'll have have to owe you a definitive answer.

Re: Takara Tomy Designer Shogo Hasui Discusses Transformers Masterpiece MP-20 Wheeljack (view post)

Comment by Va'al Feb 25, 2014

That's what I thought it could be, too. But I can't phrase it in a satisfying way. Hmph.

Re: Takara Tomy Designer Shogo Hasui Discusses Transformers Masterpiece MP-20 Wheeljack (view post)

Comment by Jelze Bunnycat Feb 25, 2014

Va'al wrote:That's what I thought it could be, too. But I can't phrase it in a satisfying way. Hmph.

I had a Japanese friend look at it and here's what she said: "The head and torso has a compressed structure". Makes more sense than Google, huh?

Re: Takara Tomy Designer Shogo Hasui Discusses Transformers Masterpiece MP-20 Wheeljack (view post)

Comment by Va'al Feb 25, 2014

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
Va'al wrote:That's what I thought it could be, too. But I can't phrase it in a satisfying way. Hmph.

I had a Japanese friend look at it and here's what she said: "The head and torso has a compressed structure". Makes more sense than Google, huh?

I can see clearly now, the rain has gone.

Re: Takara Tomy Designer Shogo Hasui Discusses Transformers Masterpiece MP-20 Wheeljack (view post)

Comment by Mindmaster Feb 25, 2014

Va'al wrote:
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
Va'al wrote:That's what I thought it could be, too. But I can't phrase it in a satisfying way. Hmph.

I had a Japanese friend look at it and here's what she said: "The head and torso has a compressed structure". Makes more sense than Google, huh?

I can see clearly now, the rain has gone.

Seriously, we need a speaker of Japanese on the staff. It would help us out by the butt-tons.

Re: Takara Tomy Designer Shogo Hasui Discusses Transformers Masterpiece MP-20 Wheeljack (view post)

Comment by kirbenvost Feb 25, 2014

The Tomica thing makes so much sense! No wonder they were able to get these licences so easily. It doesn't bode well for those hoping for Hasbro releases, but this is a great insight for everyone importing. Takara shouldn't have trouble getting the licenses for most of the Autobots at all if they can negotiate using their existing licences.

Really cool to hear that the success of the early releases is helping finance future ones as well.

Re: Takara Tomy Designer Shogo Hasui Discusses Transformers Masterpiece MP-20 Wheeljack (view post)

Comment by Va'al Feb 25, 2014

Mindmaster wrote:
Va'al wrote:
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
Va'al wrote:That's what I thought it could be, too. But I can't phrase it in a satisfying way. Hmph.

I had a Japanese friend look at it and here's what she said: "The head and torso has a compressed structure". Makes more sense than Google, huh?

I can see clearly now, the rain has gone.

Seriously, we need a speaker of Japanese on the staff. It would help us out by the butt-tons.

A reader would suffice, to be fair. But yes.

Re: Takara Tomy Designer Shogo Hasui Discusses Transformers Masterpiece MP-20 Wheeljack (view post)

Comment by Sabrblade Feb 25, 2014

Fellow Transformers fan SydneyY to the rescue!

- MP Wheeljack's colour scheme in vehicle mode is close to the real car, but he tried to make the robot mode's colours as close to the cartoon as possible.
- WJ's shoulder cannon can be attached to the car roof.
- WJ's Wings on the back do not require detaching when transforming.
- Thanks to Tomica (Tomy's Hot Wheels size, real vehicle base toy car series) it has become much easier to negotiate with car manufacturers. (I assume easier than when dealing with them as Takara, since Tomy has long-established connections thanks to Tomica)
- The sales of MP Lambor to Streak were excellent, and as a result, Smokescreen could have additional parts, and Wheeljack could be developed without considering re-purposing the mould.
- The first 3 real vehicle MPs were meant to be "Super Cars".

I guess they aren't listed in the same order as those in the above post from Autobase Aichi, huh. :oops:

Nor are all nine of the points included here (only six). But I think we can guess what the other three mean:
* The interpretation of Wheeljack's transformation in this toy is probably unique, creative, and original.
* JelZe already covered the "stuffing" one.
* The handgun can be stored on the underside of the car.

Re: Takara Tomy Designer Shogo Hasui Discusses Transformers Masterpiece MP-20 Wheeljack (view post)

Comment by Va'al Feb 25, 2014

Er.. yes. That's what I said in the main post, I don't see major differences, really.. :-?

Re: Takara Tomy Designer Shogo Hasui Discusses Transformers Masterpiece MP-20 Wheeljack (view post)

Comment by Stormrider Feb 25, 2014

Va'al wrote:Yurp.

Does anyone with more Japanese than me (not that difficult) help decipher that second point about stuffing?

Wheeljack's head and waist will make a good Autobot stuffing for your roast chicken.

Re: Takara Tomy Designer Shogo Hasui Discusses Transformers Masterpiece MP-20 Wheeljack (view post)

Comment by Samsonator Feb 26, 2014

"Structure of the head and waist became great way stuffing"

"Great Way Stuffing" I like this... it's no "SEND THE BOOKS" (for those of use who've been here long enough to remember that one) but it's still great. I think I'mma adapt that to describe Shellformers... since you stuff the robot inside. "Big Convoy: Great Way Stuffing."

Re: Takara Tomy Designer Shogo Hasui Discusses Transformers Masterpiece MP-20 Wheeljack (view post)

Comment by Va'al Feb 26, 2014

Hah! I like that one.

Re: Takara Tomy Designer Shogo Hasui Discusses Transformers Masterpiece MP-20 Wheeljack (view post)

Comment by Mykltron Feb 26, 2014

But I want some great way stuffing. I was hoping it was one of the accessories.

Re: Takara Tomy Designer Shogo Hasui Discusses Transformers Masterpiece MP-20 Wheeljack (view post)

Comment by Venoose1 Feb 26, 2014

* The first three realistic cars of the Masterpiece line were supposed to become 'super cars'.

Any ideas?

Re: Takara Tomy Designer Shogo Hasui Discusses Transformers Masterpiece MP-20 Wheeljack (view post)

Comment by Sabrblade Feb 26, 2014

Venoose1 wrote:
* The first three realistic cars of the Masterpiece line were supposed to become 'super cars'.

Any ideas?

For what? They already are supercars.

Re: Takara Tomy Designer Shogo Hasui Discusses Transformers Masterpiece MP-20 Wheeljack (view post)

Comment by Agent-539 Feb 26, 2014

Deathscythetransform wrote:its stupid to put this thingy as an exclusive, since it was seen only once. that lunchbox is just a piece of plastic...

Hero Alpha wrote:I do hope they add Chip Chase.

keep hoping. we got a green/gray, blue, white and black versions of doc arkeville, and a lime-green pilot for acidstorm.
we got nothing with the cars.

I would love to have chip, but it would be to good to be true.

Well, to follow that cab, we only saw both versions of Sideswipe's pile drivers once and Red's head sparks once as well.

539

Re: Takara Tomy Designer Shogo Hasui Discusses Transformers Masterpiece MP-20 Wheeljack (view post)

Comment by Stormrider Feb 27, 2014

What is a super car? Does that mean race car? Or is it a 1980's G1 reference?

Click here to view additional comments about this topic ...