Transformers Titans Return Fortress Maximus - Shogo Hasui Interview

It's something that Will brought up on the Combiner Wars thread but I figured that taking it here rather than responding there would be more appropriate but



Bloody hell these are closer to the originals than I thought. It's honestly kind of incredible; this is basically just taking the G1 toy and adding new engineering, proportions and articulation - I can't recall the last time something that exact and accurate happened.
Personally I'm cool with it; I do prefer the Classics Optimus approach of updating the character and coming up with a new version that keeps in mind the general silhouette, idea and feel. But I do also enjoy the Classics Starscream approach of endless redecoes just a straight-up update. Especially considering we're really not likely to get most these characters again, at least for a long time - most of them being from 1987 or after and hence after the period most fans have nostalgia for.

So on closer inspection, it looks like Max's spikes do just out-height Metroplex's... uh... pipe cleaner... ear... things.

Will "Fortress' head be that of the anime or that of Rebirth?

My guess is that Yuki will retool "Cerebros" into "Fortress."

Cyberpath wrote:

megatronus wrote:That's Hasbro Fort Max, right?

Yes. Shogo Hasui retooled it from Metroplex.

I meant is that Hasbro Fort Max rather than Takara's?

I know he's a retool.

megatronus wrote:

Cyberpath wrote:

megatronus wrote:That's Hasbro Fort Max, right?

Yes. Shogo Hasui retooled it from Metroplex.

I meant is that Hasbro Fort Max rather than Takara's?

I know he's a retool.

I think he's more meaning Hasbro Fort Max is being shown because Shogo worked on it.

Went to Myer today.

Didn't find Fortress Maximus.

Huzzah for regional Australia!
Good thing I wasn't planning on getting him anyway until he comes down in price

megatronus wrote:

Cyberpath wrote:

megatronus wrote:That's Hasbro Fort Max, right?

Yes. Shogo Hasui retooled it from Metroplex.

I meant is that Hasbro Fort Max rather than Takara's?

Yup, that is Hasbro's Fort Max. Dont know if this should be in the Titans Return thread then since its about how he designed the retool for Hasbro

william-james88 wrote:

megatronus wrote:

Cyberpath wrote:

megatronus wrote:That's Hasbro Fort Max, right?

Yes. Shogo Hasui retooled it from Metroplex.

I meant is that Hasbro Fort Max rather than Takara's?

Yup, that is Hasbro's Fort Max. Dont know if this should be in the Titans Return thread then since its about how he designed the retool for Hasbro

Don't see why not. It pertains completely to the toy itself rather than anything specific to the japanese market or deco.

I'm still trying to figure out how the feet works there's no visible hinge so do they just pop off and pop back on for Flying Fortress and city mode?

Cyberpath wrote:My guess is that Yuki will retool "Cerebros" into "Fortress."

That's what I'm planning on!! Caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan't wait!

Also, Google Translate FTW. Pretty fun read

william-james88 wrote:

megatronus wrote:

Cyberpath wrote:

megatronus wrote:That's Hasbro Fort Max, right?

Yes. Shogo Hasui retooled it from Metroplex.

I meant is that Hasbro Fort Max rather than Takara's?

Yup, that is Hasbro's Fort Max. Dont know if this should be in the Titans Return thread then since its about how he designed the retool for Hasbro

Leave it in here. For reasons.

I gone done moved it.

SillySpringer wrote:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

SillySpringer wrote:

Kurona wrote:Sad thing is, we got a better city mode last line.

That actually looks pretty dang awesome not gonna lie. Can anyone think of a character this could be retooled into for the TR line with a similar mode to this? (Perceptor)

Strictly speaking, nobody thanks to the combiner gimmick. Or they'd have to abandon the Titan Master idea and come up with 4 more new members for his team... Nah, too much of a headache

Starting from scratch with a similar transformation is the way to go.

Think again. They could use the same engineering as Rook for Perceptor, just like they did with Dead-end/Chromedome, and he can have both his Microscope mode, and a weird tank mode!


Transformers G1 1985 Perceptor Gallery


Transformers G1 1985 Perceptor Gallery

They could also use the same chest piece transformation as the original toy if they used the Rook mold, since the chest is positioned in the same way.

Hey! I didn't know that you could do that with Perceptor, nice one

Stuartmaximus wrote:Hey! I didn't know that you could do that with Perceptor, nice one

Did you know you could do this:

william-james88 wrote:

Stuartmaximus wrote:Hey! I didn't know that you could do that with Perceptor, nice one

Did you know you could do this:

Are you suggesting he needs to overcompensate?

Randomhero wrote:I'm still trying to figure out how the feet works there's no visible hinge so do they just pop off and pop back on for Flying Fortress and city mode?

Yes, there is indeed a hinge. Did you watch the video review?

william-james88 wrote:

Stuartmaximus wrote:Hey! I didn't know that you could do that with Perceptor, nice one

Did you know you could do this:

That guy looks a bit like Burn's old avatar.

Hellscream9999 wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:Fortmax is a risk investment as evidenced by using a shared mold instead of an entirely new design. It's a big bruiser. Limited market penetration. So if it doesn't sell enough, this might limit the amount of other subsequent projects in the pipeline.

Seriously man? Why are you treating this as some new thing? It's the third release in the f&%king titan class line. Obviously they're doing well enough to release a third figure and schedule/budget 3 more after it. You keep claiming econ 101, isn't the real first step in that whole process companies putting out product that meet consumer standards? This release doesn't for a lot of fans, get over it

Nailed it!

Doesn't do a lot for fans? Or just a very few fans. I don't think it is fair to say you speak for ALL fans.

fenrir72 wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:Fortmax is a risk investment as evidenced by using a shared mold instead of an entirely new design. It's a big bruiser. Limited market penetration. So if it doesn't sell enough, this might limit the amount of other subsequent projects in the pipeline.

Seriously man? Why are you treating this as some new thing? It's the third release in the f&%king titan class line. Obviously they're doing well enough to release a third figure and schedule/budget 3 more after it. You keep claiming econ 101, isn't the real first step in that whole process companies putting out product that meet consumer standards? This release doesn't for a lot of fans, get over it

Nailed it!

Doesn't do a lot for fans? Or just a very few fans. I don't think it is fair to say you speak for ALL fans.

Alt modes don't look incredible, but it would be a nice toy to get for my biggest Transformer.

Okay then, quick poll. Who here has the opinion that the new Fort Max meets their personal standards, and who doesn't? I, personally, feel it doesn't.

Sigma Magnus wrote:Okay then, quick poll. Who here has the opinion that the new Fort Max meets their personal standards, and who doesn't? I, personally, feel it doesn't.

I'm okay with it. Could use some tweaking, but I like what we're getting.

Sigma Magnus wrote:Okay then, quick poll. Who here has the opinion that the new Fort Max meets their personal standards, and who doesn't? I, personally, feel it doesn't.

It meets my standards since I am wanting to design some replacement parts for it anyway in CAD, so I'll probably be able to rework some sections to make a more G1-accurate base mode. At long as it's durable it's alright.

Sigma Magnus wrote:Okay then, quick poll. Who here has the opinion that the new Fort Max meets their personal standards, and who doesn't? I, personally, feel it doesn't.

It doesnt meet my standards, no decent city mode.

Sigma Magnus wrote:Okay then, quick poll. Who here has the opinion that the new Fort Max meets their personal standards, and who doesn't? I, personally, feel it doesn't.

Not even close;

Also, if it's supposed to be economical, and if producing remolds is cheaper than making new molds, why is this release more expensive than devs or metroplex? (it is, isn't it? it's ~$180 and the others were ~$150? please let me know if this is wrong)

Retail is $150, SDCC is $180.

Autobot N wrote:Retail is $150, SDCC is $180.

Well, alright then, maybe the electronics over-compensated, but I still feel that they could've dropped the electronics to produce a better figure

Hellscream9999 wrote:

Autobot N wrote:Retail is $150, SDCC is $180.

Well, alright then, maybe the electronics over-compensated, but I still feel that they could've dropped the electronics to produce a better figure

Metroplex had electronics too.

Sabrblade wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

Autobot N wrote:Retail is $150, SDCC is $180.

Well, alright then, maybe the electronics over-compensated, but I still feel that they could've dropped the electronics to produce a better figure

Metroplex had electronics too.

Yeah, but maybe squishing them into the deluxe guy complicated things, don't know, don't care, disappointed in the figure either way

Sigma Magnus wrote:Okay then, quick poll. Who here has the opinion that the new Fort Max meets their personal standards, and who doesn't? I, personally, feel it doesn't.

Yes, as my Fort Max will be displayed in bot mode, so the lack of base mode towers doesn't bother me in the slightest.

Autobot N wrote:

Sigma Magnus wrote:Okay then, quick poll. Who here has the opinion that the new Fort Max meets their personal standards, and who doesn't? I, personally, feel it doesn't.

Yes, as my Fort Max will be displayed in bot mode, so the lack of base mode towers doesn't bother me in the slightest.

But doesnt buying a Transformer figure only for one mode defeat the purpose of it being a Transformer?

william-james88 wrote:

Autobot N wrote:

Sigma Magnus wrote:Okay then, quick poll. Who here has the opinion that the new Fort Max meets their personal standards, and who doesn't? I, personally, feel it doesn't.

Yes, as my Fort Max will be displayed in bot mode, so the lack of base mode towers doesn't bother me in the slightest.

But doesnt buying a Transformer figure only for one mode defeat the purpose of it being a Transformer?

One could argue that Fort Max doesn't have 'alt modes' but merely two varieties of him laying, splayed out on the ground, having fallen over

Hellscream9999 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

Autobot N wrote:Retail is $150, SDCC is $180.

Well, alright then, maybe the electronics over-compensated, but I still feel that they could've dropped the electronics to produce a better figure

Metroplex had electronics too.

Yeah, but maybe squishing them into the deluxe guy complicated things, don't know, don't care, disappointed in the figure either way

A disappointment, but not a deal-breaker. All he needs is some slight CAD replacement parts and he'd be good to go.

william-james88 wrote:

Autobot N wrote:

Sigma Magnus wrote:Okay then, quick poll. Who here has the opinion that the new Fort Max meets their personal standards, and who doesn't? I, personally, feel it doesn't.

Yes, as my Fort Max will be displayed in bot mode, so the lack of base mode towers doesn't bother me in the slightest.

But doesnt buying a Transformer figure only for one mode defeat the purpose of it being a Transformer?

I'm pretty sure this has been discussed before, but I'll give my 2 cents regardless:
I tend to display a figure in one mode (usually robot mode or combined mode), but will often take them off of the shelf to just fiddle around with them for a while, like the Rook currently at my side.

Autobot N wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Autobot N wrote:

Sigma Magnus wrote:Okay then, quick poll. Who here has the opinion that the new Fort Max meets their personal standards, and who doesn't? I, personally, feel it doesn't.

Yes, as my Fort Max will be displayed in bot mode, so the lack of base mode towers doesn't bother me in the slightest.

But doesnt buying a Transformer figure only for one mode defeat the purpose of it being a Transformer?

I'm pretty sure this has been discussed before, but I'll give my 2 cents regardless:
I tend to display a figure in one mode (usually robot mode or combined mode), but will often take them off of the shelf to just fiddle around with them for a while, like the Rook currently at my side.

I was always a fan of the 'rolling shelf' mode on Metroplex, just looked formidable, I'd almost be able to give Fort Max a pass, if he could pull that mode off, oh well, another strike against him

Hellscream9999 wrote:I was always a fan of the 'rolling shelf' mode on Metroplex, just looked formidable, I'd almost be able to give Fort Max a pass, if he could pull that mode off, oh well, another strike against him

As in the ship/boat/thing? Looking at Fort max, you could probably pull it off (but it wouldn't look as good).

Autobot N wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:I was always a fan of the 'rolling shelf' mode on Metroplex, just looked formidable, I'd almost be able to give Fort Max a pass, if he could pull that mode off, oh well, another strike against him

As in the ship/boat/thing? Looking at Fort max, you could probably pull it off (but it wouldn't look as good).

Well, the long ramps are now attached to his arms instead of his legs, and he has no wheels on his legs (as far as I can see) not to mention that he may not even be able to bend that way due to being engineered backwards now

Autobot N wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Autobot N wrote:

Sigma Magnus wrote:Okay then, quick poll. Who here has the opinion that the new Fort Max meets their personal standards, and who doesn't? I, personally, feel it doesn't.

Yes, as my Fort Max will be displayed in bot mode, so the lack of base mode towers doesn't bother me in the slightest.

But doesnt buying a Transformer figure only for one mode defeat the purpose of it being a Transformer?

I'm pretty sure this has been discussed before, but I'll give my 2 cents regardless:
I tend to display a figure in one mode (usually robot mode or combined mode), but will often take them off of the shelf to just fiddle around with them for a while, like the Rook currently at my side.

I always enjoy reading people's 2 cents !

william-james88 wrote:

Autobot N wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Autobot N wrote:

Sigma Magnus wrote:Okay then, quick poll. Who here has the opinion that the new Fort Max meets their personal standards, and who doesn't? I, personally, feel it doesn't.

Yes, as my Fort Max will be displayed in bot mode, so the lack of base mode towers doesn't bother me in the slightest.

But doesnt buying a Transformer figure only for one mode defeat the purpose of it being a Transformer?

I'm pretty sure this has been discussed before, but I'll give my 2 cents regardless:
I tend to display a figure in one mode (usually robot mode or combined mode), but will often take them off of the shelf to just fiddle around with them for a while, like the Rook currently at my side.

I always enjoy reading people's 2 cents !

Here's mine.



Did you enjoy them?

Hellscream9999 wrote:

Autobot N wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:I was always a fan of the 'rolling shelf' mode on Metroplex, just looked formidable, I'd almost be able to give Fort Max a pass, if he could pull that mode off, oh well, another strike against him

As in the ship/boat/thing? Looking at Fort max, you could probably pull it off (but it wouldn't look as good).

Well, the long ramps are now attached to his arms instead of his legs, and he has no wheels on his legs (as far as I can see) not to mention that he may not even be able to bend that way due to being engineered backwards now

Plexymetro's legs can go both ways, so it might be possible.

william-james88 wrote:I always enjoy reading people's 2 cents !

Autobot N wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

Autobot N wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:I was always a fan of the 'rolling shelf' mode on Metroplex, just looked formidable, I'd almost be able to give Fort Max a pass, if he could pull that mode off, oh well, another strike against him

As in the ship/boat/thing? Looking at Fort max, you could probably pull it off (but it wouldn't look as good).

Well, the long ramps are now attached to his arms instead of his legs, and he has no wheels on his legs (as far as I can see) not to mention that he may not even be able to bend that way due to being engineered backwards now

Plexymetro's legs can go both ways, so it might be possible.

Still doesn't have the ramps or wheels...

Hellscream9999 wrote:

Autobot N wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

Autobot N wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:I was always a fan of the 'rolling shelf' mode on Metroplex, just looked formidable, I'd almost be able to give Fort Max a pass, if he could pull that mode off, oh well, another strike against him

As in the ship/boat/thing? Looking at Fort max, you could probably pull it off (but it wouldn't look as good).

Well, the long ramps are now attached to his arms instead of his legs, and he has no wheels on his legs (as far as I can see) not to mention that he may not even be able to bend that way due to being engineered backwards now

Plexymetro's legs can go both ways, so it might be possible.

Still doesn't have the ramps or wheels...

I'll give you that one.

Hellscream9999 wrote:

Autobot N wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

Autobot N wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:I was always a fan of the 'rolling shelf' mode on Metroplex, just looked formidable, I'd almost be able to give Fort Max a pass, if he could pull that mode off, oh well, another strike against him

As in the ship/boat/thing? Looking at Fort max, you could probably pull it off (but it wouldn't look as good).

Well, the long ramps are now attached to his arms instead of his legs, and he has no wheels on his legs (as far as I can see) not to mention that he may not even be able to bend that way due to being engineered backwards now

Plexymetro's legs can go both ways, so it might be possible.

Still doesn't have the ramps or wheels...

Fort Max never had ramps so that shouldn't be a complaint.

SillySpringer wrote:Here's mine.



Did you enjoy them?

SillySpringer wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

Autobot N wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

Autobot N wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:I was always a fan of the 'rolling shelf' mode on Metroplex, just looked formidable, I'd almost be able to give Fort Max a pass, if he could pull that mode off, oh well, another strike against him

As in the ship/boat/thing? Looking at Fort max, you could probably pull it off (but it wouldn't look as good).

Well, the long ramps are now attached to his arms instead of his legs, and he has no wheels on his legs (as far as I can see) not to mention that he may not even be able to bend that way due to being engineered backwards now

Plexymetro's legs can go both ways, so it might be possible.

Still doesn't have the ramps or wheels...

Fort Max never had ramps so that shouldn't be a complaint.

Guess you didn't read my post...

SillySpringer wrote:Fort Max never had ramps so that shouldn't be a complaint.

Look for before you leap, young grasshopper:


Transformers G1 1987 Fortress Maximus Gallery

So I wasn't just imagining things - they did just recycle Metroplex....

Ah well. Here's hoping they don't just slap a dinosaur head onto the Metroplex mold and call it Trypticon. Though perhaps I shouldn't give them any ideas....

DeathReviews wrote:So I wasn't just imagining things - they did just recycle Metroplex....

Ah well. Here's hoping they don't just slap a dinosaur head onto the Metroplex mold and call it Trypticon. Though perhaps I shouldn't give them any ideas....

Oh, don't worry about that. It's already been confirmed that Trypticon will have a totally new mold.

DeathReviews wrote:So I wasn't just imagining things - they did just recycle Metroplex....

Ah well. Here's hoping they don't just slap a dinosaur head onto the Metroplex mold and call it Trypticon. Though perhaps I shouldn't give them any ideas....

That actually sounds kinda cool - wouldn't buy that, but cool nonetheless

Hellscream9999 wrote:

SillySpringer wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

Autobot N wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

Autobot N wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:I was always a fan of the 'rolling shelf' mode on Metroplex, just looked formidable, I'd almost be able to give Fort Max a pass, if he could pull that mode off, oh well, another strike against him

As in the ship/boat/thing? Looking at Fort max, you could probably pull it off (but it wouldn't look as good).

Well, the long ramps are now attached to his arms instead of his legs, and he has no wheels on his legs (as far as I can see) not to mention that he may not even be able to bend that way due to being engineered backwards now

Plexymetro's legs can go both ways, so it might be possible.

Still doesn't have the ramps or wheels...

Fort Max never had ramps so that shouldn't be a complaint.

Guess you didn't read my post...

Of course I did. Who wants the robot mode to be worse just to keep Metroplex's driving "boat" mode?

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

SillySpringer wrote:Fort Max never had ramps so that shouldn't be a complaint.

Look for before you leap, young grasshopper:


Transformers G1 1987 Fortress Maximus Gallery

We were talking about the legs, Mrs. Toolazytoread. :B I am not blind, and am very familiar with Fort Max's design. I should've clarified.

SillySpringer wrote:We were talking about the legs, Mrs. Toolazytoread. :B I am not blind, and am very familiar with Fort Max's design. I should've clarified.

No need to be rude, snarky remarks are the price you pay for not being specific.

And I don't care what it would do to the bot mode - aside from the fact that they fold flush to the legs in bot mode, and as such wouldn't end up changing him all that much. Having that mode would've greatly enhanced the figure in my eyes, that was all I meant, nothing more