Transformers Asia Masterpiece MP-35 Grapple Exclusive Die-Cast Minifigure

Again with this... why?

Wait, there is something I dont get. Is it new that Transforemrs Asia handles the MP releases? Because I thought it was Hasbro Asia who handled them and they wre the ones providing the coin and such (and distributing them in australia).

william-james88 wrote:Wait, there is something I dont get. Is it new that Transforemrs Asia handles the MP releases? Because I thought it was Hasbro Asia who handled them and they wre the ones providing the coin and such (and distributing them in australia).

Takara distributes in Japan, Hasbro Asia in the rest of the Asian market, with links to Australia too. In addition to the regular Takara accessories, they usually have the coin, and recently some other stuff too.

Dr Va'al wrote:

william-james88 wrote:Wait, there is something I dont get. Is it new that Transforemrs Asia handles the MP releases? Because I thought it was Hasbro Asia who handled them and they wre the ones providing the coin and such (and distributing them in australia).

Takara distributes in Japan, Hasbro Asia in the rest of the Asian market, with links to Australia too. In addition to the regular Takara accessories, they usually have the coin, and recently some other stuff too.

But if you look at the official pics again, you will notice that they arent from HAsbro asia but from Transformers Asia instead who is a 3p licencee (like funpub) who reissues previously used molds like Shattered Glass Optimus, Ultimate Movie Prime and now (it seems) the MP toys.

william-james88 wrote:

Dr Va'al wrote:

william-james88 wrote:Wait, there is something I dont get. Is it new that Transforemrs Asia handles the MP releases? Because I thought it was Hasbro Asia who handled them and they wre the ones providing the coin and such (and distributing them in australia).

Takara distributes in Japan, Hasbro Asia in the rest of the Asian market, with links to Australia too. In addition to the regular Takara accessories, they usually have the coin, and recently some other stuff too.

But if you look at the official pics again, you will notice that they arent from HAsbro asia but from Transformers Asia instead who is a 3p licencee (like funpub) who reissues previously used molds like Shattered Glass Optimus, Ultimate Movie Prime and now (it seems) the MP toys.

Huh. So it is.

This whole Takara - Hasbro Asia - Transformers Asia - thing, is confusing. Not really the idea, but to get straight who's doing what.

shajaki wrote:This whole Takara - Hasbro Asia - Transformers Asia - thing, is confusing. Not really the idea, but to get straight who's doing what.

Yes. So now I am wondering are there 3 different companies releasing Grappel? Like will there be a version of him just coming with the coin and then another where he comes with the coin and die cast figure? Or will the die cast figure version not come with a coin?

shajaki wrote:Again with this... why?

Probably because Takara got all his accessories covered in the original release.

shajaki wrote:This whole Takara - Hasbro Asia - Transformers Asia - thing, is confusing. Not really the idea, but to get straight who's doing what.

I think Ironhide is the only one getting released by 3 different companies. The ones since are only released by Transformers Asia who seems to be replacing Hasbro Asia for the release of MPs. Sadly that means the coinc collections are at an end and will be replaced by a collection of die cast minifigures.

That sucks.

Coins > Minifigs

shajaki wrote:That sucks.

Coins > Minifigs

What sucks to me is that they are abandoning a set to start a new one.

Nothing new to report, just wanted to share the model sheet of the Solar Power Blueprints --

Can't decide which helmet color I'm going to go with.

Some stragglers from the news out of Wonderfest 2017, in Tokyo, Japan, include the Takara Tomy Masterpiece and Unite Warriors line - the first update is for the MP-35 figure, a redeco and newly accessorised Inferno: Grapple! Not a lot of love for this yellow guy, but check out two images below.

I'm still getting him.

Just noticed this. Related to the Inferno mold. Takara didn't just do a lazy recolor.In order to make each unique, they added extra molding on Grapple's side shoulders and shins that were absent in Inferno.

So it wasn't lazy but intentional to "personalized" them. Same with Artfire who is a hybrid of both molds.

fenrir72 wrote:Just noticed this. Related to the Inferno mold. Takara didn't just do a lazy recolor.In order to make each unique, they added extra molding on Grapple's side shoulders and shins that were absent in Inferno.

So it wasn't lazy but intentional to "personalized" them. Same with Artfire who is a hybrid of both molds.

Yes, according to Takara, Inferno and Grapple have only 50% parts in common, and here they are:


The rest was retooled.

Here's a chart showing some of the differences --

viewtopic.php?t=107790&p=1827584#p1823081


I think Artfire is a straight up redeco of Inferno.
     

Cyberpath wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:Just noticed this. Related to the Inferno mold. Takara didn't just do a lazy recolor.In order to make each unique, they added extra molding on Grapple's side shoulders and shins that were absent in Inferno.

So it wasn't lazy but intentional to "personalized" them. Same with Artfire who is a hybrid of both molds.

Yes, according to Takara, Inferno and Grapple have only 50% parts in common, and here they are:

The rest was retooled.

Here's a chart showing some of the differences --

viewtopic.php?t=107790&p=1827584#p1823081


I think Artfire is a straight up redeco of Inferno.
     

Artfire has that disc like thingie on his shoulders. Like Grapple's.

Even if he is highly retooled, the Inferno mold was one of the better recent Masterpieces, so Grapple should be an excellent addition to the line. I look forward to getting ahold of one.

Just got my payment request from HLJ. He's out!

Its a race then. Got my payment request as well, and for Cheetor too. Paid and shipped both. Niece to see shipping prices have gone down.

Ironhidensh wrote:Its a race then. Got my payment request as well, and for Cheetor too. Paid and shipped both. Niece to see shipping prices have gone down.

Did they go down or did your dollar go up?

The dollar probably went up. Money loves the cheeto head.

Ironhidensh wrote:Its a race then. Got my payment request as well, and for Cheetor too. Paid and shipped both. Niece to see shipping prices have gone down.

No race. You'll win easily as I can't afford to ship this week ($1,600 in local rates bill plus my car wants fuel)

Just got a shipping notice!

Fellow Seibertronian xMXUx has pointed towards the Facebook page of The Chosen Prime, who have uploaded a small series of in-hand images for the just released Takara Tomy Transformers Masterpiece MP-35 Grapple - a redeco and retool of the MP Inferno mold - which you can check out below! The items are shipping from various pre-orders around the world, so expect to have yours in hand soon if you purchased him

glorious, i have inferno who I couldn't resist getting together with red alert. The engineering is fantastic as are the different front fascias for the anime vs toy look. If there's anyone who hasn't got a version of this mould.. it's definitely one of the best figures to date.

And though I'm trying to avoid repaints cos well i'm broke, I will be getting grapple as he's one of the figures I always wanted to most as a kid, still have my g1 and an encore. Admittedly wasn't a fan of the generations figure...

I have Inferno so I already know what to expect, but here's a review by The Chosen Prime for anyone's interested --








     

Wow, I'm impressed by how different the transformation is compared to Inferno, despite the vehicle modes being so similar

From fellow Seibertronian Cyberpath, we have a double-feature today focusing on the latest non Beast Wars Masterpiece figure from Takara Tomy Transformers: MP-35 Grapple! We've seen some in-hand images already, but toy blogger Alfes2010 has a batch more, and The Chosen Prime have also uploaded a video review of this Inferno retool with new paint. Check it all out mirrored and embedded below for your viewing convenience.

He looks more plain than the slice of bread I had this morning.

10/10 would haul again.

william-james88 wrote:He looks more plain than the slice of bread I had this morning.

Heh. Using the other helmet helps to break up the sea of orange.

With Takara Tomy's Transformers Masterpiece MP-35 Grapple, instead, Hasbro Asia will be releasing a collectable diecast minifigure of Ultra Magnus, who also already appeared in the MP toyline. You can check out below the image courtesy of site sponsor Robot Kingdom!

The Chosen Prime gallery --







Evolution --







Comparison with Inferno --

william-james88 wrote:

He looks more plain than the slice of bread I had this morning.

You plan on getting him?

fenrir72 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

He looks more plain than the slice of bread I had this morning.

You plan on getting him?

Any chance of getting him now without paying a fortune?

fenrir72 wrote:You plan on getting him?

I gind these very expensive. I would only get either of them if I could get them for a good price. Like less than $100 shipped.

And he is still available for standard retail prices, you can get him at nippon yassan: https://www.nippon-yasan.com/figures/18 ... apple.html

william-james88 wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:You plan on getting him?

I gind these very expensive. I would only get either of them if I could get them for a good price. Like less than $100 shipped.

And he is still available for standard retail prices, you can get him at nippon yassan: https://www.nippon-yasan.com/figures/18 ... apple.html

I feel the negativity feedback of the lack of details from Inferno may be holding you back. But don't deprive yourself of the joy of owning him. Remember the negativity on MP-IH? Also, Grapple does have a tad more details than Inferno.

fenrir72 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:You plan on getting him?

I gind these very expensive. I would only get either of them if I could get them for a good price. Like less than $100 shipped.

And he is still available for standard retail prices, you can get him at nippon yassan: https://www.nippon-yasan.com/figures/18 ... apple.html

I feel the negativity feedback of the lack of details from Inferno may be holding you back. But don't deprive yourself of the joy of owning him. Remember the negativity on MP-IH? Also, Grapple does have a tad more details than Inferno.

Its not so much negativity, but the fact that Inferno and Grapple are not worth paying over 100 bucks for.

fenrir72 wrote:I feel the negativity feedback of the lack of details from Inferno may be holding you back. But don't deprive yourself of the joy of owning him. Remember the negativity on MP-IH? Also, Grapple does have a tad more details than Inferno.

Its the price that is holding me back. I paid $60 USD for Ironhide. If someone was selling MP Inferno or Grapple for that price, I would buy it. I would be uch more forgiving of the lack of detail and plain-ness if they were $60.

william-james88 wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:I feel the negativity feedback of the lack of details from Inferno may be holding you back. But don't deprive yourself of the joy of owning him. Remember the negativity on MP-IH? Also, Grapple does have a tad more details than Inferno.

Its the price that is holding me back. I paid $60 USD for Ironhide. If someone was selling MP Inferno or Grapple for that price, I would buy it.

Based on your previous statement I thought it was the lack of molding details. Anyways, being pragmatic, costs also factors in big time. Trouble is, great molds appreciate too fast in the secondary market and are so gone ,while misses like the Tracks mold drops like a hot potato. (And Mitsubishi must be charging an arm and a leg for the license (and yet I find nary an actual Mitsubishi emblem on Inferno )

Ironhidensh wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:You plan on getting him?

I gind these very expensive. I would only get either of them if I could get them for a good price. Like less than $100 shipped.

And he is still available for standard retail prices, you can get him at nippon yassan: https://www.nippon-yasan.com/figures/18 ... apple.html

I feel the negativity feedback of the lack of details from Inferno may be holding you back. But don't deprive yourself of the joy of owning him. Remember the negativity on MP-IH? Also, Grapple does have a tad more details than Inferno.

Its not so much negativity, but the fact that Inferno and Grapple are not worth paying over 100 bucks for.

I hear you too IHD. But on your side of the fence, I don't think it's the cost issues that bothers you but more on the "zing" of the figure. I'm also a bit like you with regards to Beastwars (though I did get the recent MP Munky and haven't regretted the decision). Though you have to admit, when it came to the IH mold, it did impressed you eventually.

fenrir72 wrote:Based on your previous statement I thought it was the lack of molding details. Anyways, being pragmatic, costs also factors in big time. Trouble is, great molds appreciate too fast in the secondary market and are so gone ,while misses like the Tracks mold drops like a hot potato. (And Mitsubishi must be charging an arm and a leg for the license (and yet I find nary an actual Mitsubishi emblem on Inferno )

The lack of detail is just a very easy visual factor t point out when showing the contrast behind the price and what you are getting for it. Ironhide was 7000 yen (while inferno is 11000) and while both dont have the most of detail, I am more forgiving of ironhide especially with the ton of accessories. Of all the MPs so far, I would say Ironhide has the best value.

Now for the secondary market, things are changing. Takara and Hasbro have started reissuing plenty. MP 10 and Soundwave are good examples, but there is also wheeljack and magnus. If these sell out before I have a chance of getting them for a decent price, then I can always wait for a rerelease. Development cost is high so Takara is bound to rerelease them and i can wait. Plus as I wait, you will have people liquidating their collections and I really dont mind getting a second hand MP toy, especially when most collectors just pose them like statues.

So I have plenty of options in the long run and I am waiting this guy out.

Ironhide did eventually grow on me. Inferno still hasnt, and I'll let you know about grapple in a couple hours.

Ironhidensh wrote:Ironhide did eventually grow on me. Inferno still hasnt, and I'll let you know about grapple in a couple hours.

plz do

On today's episode of "Ironhidensh makes no goddamn sense at all", I still hate Inferno, but I'm really digging on Grapple. Not sure why, but there you go.

Ironhidensh wrote:On today's episode of "Ironhidensh makes no goddamn sense at all", I still hate Inferno, but I'm really digging on Grapple. Not sure why, but there you go.

I am surprised you spent the big bucks to get these two. They are just too much for me (as was Magnus).

I only got Inferno after reading positive review after positive review. I figured that many people couldn't be wrong. What I've come to realize, is that most of those (most, not all) reviews come from people who are not very big fans of the 3rd party market. Ignoring the superior 3rd party offerings, Inferno is amazing. Its all perspective.

With Grapple, I preordered when they first became available, just in case, and decided to stick with it. I've heard MMC's Grapple didn't come out as well as Inferno, so there we are.