TakaraTomy Staff Interview - Shogo Hasui on MP-10 Convoy Version 2.0

Tell us why Convoy was selected again as the (Masterpiece) subject.
Hasui: It has a lot to do with our future hopes for the series; the Masterpiece series can become a more enjoyable line to collect if all of the robot modes are in scale with each other.

Do you mean there will be many different kinds of Masterpiece figures?
Hasui: I believe the past MP figures are supurb on their own, but I must say there wasn't much consideration to match the scales. I think the appeal of Transformers is the world view in which many characters co-exist. We want the Masterpieces to become the series that can recreate the Transformers World by lining up different kind of characters - large, small or combiners - Convoy was chosen as the herald of such a lineup.

The Masterpiece series began as an individual commemoration, but now you are starting over as a standardised series?
Hasui: That is right. This (MP- 10) is not simply meant to be a shrunken remake of MP-1 to match the scale with MP Rodimus Convoy, but a new beginning. I hope this Convoy will lead the characters that will be released in the future.

On the other hand, were there any gimmicks and such you had to give up?
Hasui: Personally, I wanted to include Drag (Huffer).

Masterpiece Minibot!?
Hasui: The reason way I was so particular about Drag was that I was very impressed with the episode in which he pulled Convoy's trailer when Convoy was hurt. So, as the herald of smaller Masterpiece figures, I wanted to create a Drag that is compatible with the trailer. I believe the Transformers world is based on such compatibility. I knew I wouldn't get another chance (for MP Drag) if I couldn't make one then, and I put lots of effort into it.... Unfortunately, there was no spare budget for such an extra and I had to abandon him. This is another reason that the Roller can pull the trailer - it is substituting for Drag.

By the way, is there a plan for Ultra Magnus using this Convoy?
Hasui: It depends on how well MP-10 is received, but he is a character I would like to consider. To tell you the truth, I took many possibilities into consideration when I developed Convoy. You might find some clues while playing with him.

We might want Megatron in the same scale, too.
Hasui: I would like to eventually, although I do not want to take an easy way and release second versions consecutively. I can't comment on what is coming up next yet, but I want this series to have a variety that the fans can enjoy by anticipating who might come out next. Firstly we would like to concentrate on G1 and by releasing Transformers in various sizes, I hope the series will have a sense of scale. I want Masterpiece to be the series where you can visualise the G1 world by lining up all characters.