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Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Riggorus

Posted by Emerje Jul 7, 2023 at 10:17pm CDT 98,517 views
Completely out of nowhere Takara Tomy has revealed two new figures for the Transformers Masterpiece line. MP-44S Optimus Prime is, in fact, being sold as Optimus Prime rather than Convoy for the first time in Japan. According to Takara Tomy the name change comes in honor of the live action movie series, basically catching up with the name changes that have taken place elsewhere in the franchise for over a decade now. The new release is based on the "Ver. 3" figure minus the electronics, trailer and a lot of the accessories. The figure has how been given a '84 toy deco and even a sticker sheet to finish the look. The accessories that did get carried over from the original release are his Ion Blaster, Energon Axe, blast effect, Matrix of Leadership and the "round" head. Priced at 33,000 JPY in Japan and showing up as a pre-order for February at most Japanese online stores for a February 2024 release.

Then we've got MP-56+ Riggorus, a new Decepticon character based on a Diaclone design we haven't seen used in Transformers before. Thanks to Seibertronian Sabrblade for pointing out that this figure combines the body of Hoist with the truck cap of Trailbreaker and a new head in a mustard yellow deco. For accessories he includes two shoulder mounted guns, double barreled hand replacement guns (these guns may be interchangeable though not shown in pictures), force shield effect part and a sticker that isn't described but is likely an Decepticon symbol since one isn't seen in the pictures. He has a Japanese retail price of 24,200 JPY and expected to be out in March 2024.

As always prices will vary greatly depending on where you order, though Amazon Japan (and Deep Discount when Hasbro pre-orders open) will likely be your best bet.





































Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous
Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Rigorous

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Re: Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Riggorus (view post)
Comment by Sabrblade Jul 7, 2023
Emerje wrote:Then we've got MP-56+ Rigorous,
"Riggorus". And is a Decepticon.

Image
Re: Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Riggorus (view post)
Comment by Emerje Jul 7, 2023
Sabrblade wrote:
Emerje wrote:Then we've got MP-56+ Rigorous,
"Riggorus". And is a Decepticon.

Image

Weird. In my defence Takara Tomy Mall doesn't use that image or mention a faction on the site. AmiAmi is going with Rigorous while HLJ was calling it Rigoras but that seemed to be a direct translation from Japanese (they've since changed it to Riggorus on the product page, not the front page). Hobby Search calls it both Rigoras and Rigolas. Needless to say I went with the most obvious one. Guess I'll fix it.

Emerje
Re: Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Riggorus (view post)
Comment by Sabrblade Jul 7, 2023
Emerje wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
Emerje wrote:Then we've got MP-56+ Rigorous,
"Riggorus". And is a Decepticon.

Image

Weird. In my defence Takara Tomy Mall doesn't use that image or mention a faction on the site. AmiAmi is going with Rigorous while HLJ was calling it Rigoras but that seemed to be a direct translation from Japanese (they've since changed it to Riggorus on the product page, not the front page). Hobby Search calls it both Rigoras and Rigolas. Needless to say I went with the most obvious one. Guess I'll fix it.

Emerje
I did too, at first. But then TakaraTomy posted that pic on their website, so I rolled with it.
Re: Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Riggorus (view post)
Comment by Emerje Jul 7, 2023
Sabrblade wrote:
Emerje wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
Emerje wrote:Then we've got MP-56+ Rigorous,
"Riggorus". And is a Decepticon.

Image

Weird. In my defence Takara Tomy Mall doesn't use that image or mention a faction on the site. AmiAmi is going with Rigorous while HLJ was calling it Rigoras but that seemed to be a direct translation from Japanese (they've since changed it to Riggorus on the product page, not the front page). Hobby Search calls it both Rigoras and Rigolas. Needless to say I went with the most obvious one. Guess I'll fix it.

Emerje
I did too, at first. But then TakaraTomy posted that pic on their website, so I rolled with it.

I saw that post (even referenced it in the news), yet somehow managed to gloss over the text above the image and clearly wasn't paying close attention to the image itself. #-o

Is it weird to anyone else that Optimus has Action Master orange eyes while the alternative head has the proper yellow ones?

Emerje
Re: Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Riggorus (view post)
Comment by Sabrblade Jul 7, 2023
On a different note, one could think of this MP Optimus as a Masterpiece toy of the Marvel version of the character.
Re: Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Riggorus (view post)
Comment by Emerje Jul 8, 2023
Sabrblade wrote:On a different note, one could think of this MP Optimus as a Masterpiece toy of the Marvel version of the character.

Aside from the eye color I think the original is much closer to the comic than this one.

Image
Image

MP-44 with red sides on the bot and yellow eyes would be ideal.

Emerje
Re: Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Riggorus (view post)
Comment by SpaceEagle Jul 8, 2023
I'm probably just letting my bias show but I really dig how OP looks in his toy colours. Just feels more visually impactful to me.
Re: Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Riggorus (view post)
Comment by Bounti76 Jul 8, 2023
Besides Loudpedal and now Riggorus ( #-o ), have there been any other Diaclone based Decepticons? It seems they've almost exclusively been Autobots until now.
Re: Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Riggorus (view post)
Comment by SpaceEagle Jul 8, 2023
Bounti76 wrote:Besides Loudpedal and now Riggorus ( #-o ), have there been any other Diaclone based Decepticons? It seems they've almost exclusively been Autobots until now.

There's Exhaust as well, I believe!
Re: Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Riggorus (view post)
Comment by -Kanrabat- Jul 8, 2023
So basically, MP44S Optimus Prime is a repaint of MP49 Black Convoy.
That's what I can call going full circle!

Still expensive as balls though.

I have MP49 so I'm good. But for those who want just the Optimus without paying double the price because of the fluff, and want the OFFICIAL one, MP44S is a great opportunity.
Re: Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Riggorus (view post)
Comment by Syclone Jul 8, 2023
I was so excited until I saw the yellow/orange eyes. Now I'm like, I'll wait till they release one with blue eyes.

Maybe I'm just looking for any excuse to not buy it. I really like MP44, I just don't need (or want to pay for) all those accessories.

The other one (whatever we shall name him) looks pretty great actually, but I tend to only spend MP money on well known characters from my childhood, so I probably will not buy.
Re: Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Riggorus (view post)
Comment by AllNewSuperRobot Jul 8, 2023
Apparently MP44S Optimus Prime will have no trailer and the sound effects no longer function. So basically, just like MP-49, are they finally going to release this mould for an Honest price? :-?
Re: Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Riggorus (view post)
Comment by Jelze Bunnycat Jul 8, 2023
SpaceEagle wrote:
Bounti76 wrote:Besides Loudpedal and now Riggorus ( #-o ), have there been any other Diaclone based Decepticons? It seems they've almost exclusively been Autobots until now.

There's Exhaust as well, I believe!


With Car Robot we only have Loudpedal, Exhaust and now Riggorus (trademark-friendly version of "rigorous" I suppose). Let's see the complete list, the ones with "TF" are decos created for Transformers, and not counting later decos:

1. Countach LP500S
Red: Spin-Out
TF Yellow: Sunstreaker
2. Onebox Cherry Vanette
Black: DK-2 Guard
TF Red: Ironhide
3. Countach LP500S Patrol Car Type
White: Cordon
4. Onebox Ambulance Type
White: Ratchet
5. 4WD Hi-Lux
Black: Trailbreaker
Blue: DK-3 Breaker
Yellow: Riggorus
6. Honda City R
Silver: Crosscut
Red: Reboost
7. Fairlady Z
Silver: Bluestreak
Blue: Silverstreak (since Buzzworthy Bumblebee)
TF all Silver: Bluestreak
8. 4WD Wrecker Type
Red: Lift-Ticket
Blue: N/A
TF Green: Hoist
9. Honda City Turbo
Blue: Skids
Black: Burn Out
Red: N/A
10. Fire Engine
Red: Inferno
11. Fairlady Z Racing Type
Red: Smokescreen
12. J59 Jeep
Green: Hound
13. Police Car Fairlady Z
White: Prowl
14. Porsche 935 Turbo
White: Jazz
15. New Countach LP500S
Red: Sideswipe
Yellow: Tigertrack
Black: Deep Cover
16. F-1 Ligier JS-11
Blue: Mirage
Red: N/A
17. Battle Convoy
Red: Optimus Prime
18. Lancia Stratos Turbo
Green: Wheeljack
Red: Exhaust
19. New Countach Police Car
White: Clampdown
TF White: Red Alert
20. Truck Crane
Yellow: Grapple
21. Corvette Stringray
Red: Road Rage
TF Blue: Tracks

So we're still missing a blue Hoist, a red Skids that isn't Reboost, and a red Mirage AFAIK. 3 more chances for Decepticons ;) Regarding Loudpedal, that one isn't a Diaclone deco per se, but rather is based on one released only in Finland.
Re: Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Riggorus (view post)
Comment by blackeyedprime Jul 8, 2023
Def prefer Terraegis rally looks wise over Riggorus but at least Takaras shouldnt have flaws. I'm still wanting MP trailbreaker and hoist so going third party on one out of the three aint bad (if they do the purple version then it might be a buy).

I use a KO MP tigertracks with some saw hand weapons from Igear PP05 Ironhide as Buzzsaw just to have another decepticon car bot.

Really liking optimus, it might be different enough from MP10 for me to consider getting it
Re: Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Riggorus (view post)
Comment by SpaceEagle Jul 8, 2023
Syclone wrote:I was so excited until I saw the yellow/orange eyes. Now I'm like, I'll wait till they release one with blue eyes.

To be fair it is striving for toy accuracy, hence the lack of blue eyes. Probably wouldn't be too hard to paint them if so desired...

Maybe that helps with accepting the package but I'm also not a Hasbro/Takara salesperson so I don't want you to spend your money willy-nilly, heh.
Re: Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Riggorus (view post)
Comment by Sabrblade Jul 8, 2023
The yellow eyes are the whole point of this release.
Re: Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Riggorus (view post)
Comment by SpaceEagle Jul 8, 2023
I've always preferred the yellow eyed look for OP (Same goes for Soundwave), but again that's probably just my toy-accurate bias speaking. :lol:
Re: Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Riggorus (view post)
Comment by Sabrblade Jul 8, 2023
SpaceEagle wrote:I've always preferred the yellow eyed look for OP (Same goes for Soundwave), but again that's probably just my toy-accurate bias speaking. :lol:
It's also Marvel-accurate.

Image
Re: Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Riggorus (view post)
Comment by Burn Jul 8, 2023
I guess for those of us who couldn't afford the original MP44 release, this is a much more affordable opportunity, especially if you don't care about the trailer (that's what the previous MP Prime/Convoys were for!)
Re: Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Riggorus (view post)
Comment by Syclone Jul 8, 2023
SpaceEagle wrote:
Syclone wrote:I was so excited until I saw the yellow/orange eyes. Now I'm like, I'll wait till they release one with blue eyes.

To be fair it is striving for toy accuracy, hence the lack of blue eyes. Probably wouldn't be too hard to paint them if so desired...

Maybe that helps with accepting the package but I'm also not a Hasbro/Takara salesperson so I don't want you to spend your money willy-nilly, heh.


Oh absolutely. And it pulls it off great. It's just not the very specific thing I want haha. (Which is just regular MP44 without the trailer.)
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