Takara Transformers

[nacho]

The other swoop from Bullsfire is a bit short, even though they are billing it as a MP figure. More like a properly scaled voyager generations swoop. He's noticeably shorter than MP-08 & MP-10.

I know FT has said they plan to do four dinos, and there is speculation about whether or not they'll do their own grimlock or just depend on the risers for MP-08 that come with FT Slag.

Between FT, Bullsfire, and Gigapower... it's hard to keep track. Plus, two of the three are completely newcomers, so no one knows what to expect in design/price/quality or ability to get out the remaining dinos. No one wants to get on board one brand only to get abandoned before the team is finished.

FT clearly has a leg up in reputation and probably also design and manufacturing. It's the safest horse in the race. But the figures are going to be friggin' huge with a matching pricetag. I just have to question whether or not I want to spend $800-1000 for dinobots of any size or quality. I just don't know if I like dinobots that much.

(this coming from a guy who just spent $160 on Warden, a guy that despises the character of Fort Max and Headmasters in general... but the reviews were so universally good, I had to see what the fuss was about).

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

Warden is bada$$!...I don't have no do I ever intend to get a fort max to put the head mode to use, but I can't help loving the head mode...it's so dang cool!

The one thing I don't like about him is that his legs seem a hint stumpy, but I think they had to be to make the head mode...

Here's a few pics to help get head mode lined up and compacted right...

The first pic, make sure that black piece by his temple has the hole facing the rear of the head...

 

[nacho]

I'm almost 100% sure I'll never transform him to head mode. I don't have a fort max to put it on, and I like to think of him as the MTMTE version that hasn't done any headmaster shit yet.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

Like I said, I don't have a Fort Brick either, but you will be missing out if you don't at least try it...I was surprised at how cool I found the head mode...it's just so heavy and solid feeling...*shrugs*

 

[nacho]

Gigapower Snarl... holy hell he's huge, even larger than FT Slag. I just don't know which direction I'll go, or if I'll just pass... or wait and see.

 

[XOC2008]

That's how Dinobots should be, dammit.

 

[nacho]

I know the 'toon portrayed them that size... part of the time. And other times the dinos were only a half-a-head taller than prime. That's how I prefer mine. That pic there has Snarl closer to Omega Supreme size than Prime size. It's just a bit much for my tastes.

 

[Mandingo Rex]

Something about that one I dislike, though. The FT one looks closer to the Takara Grimlock aesthetic. Maybe it's the clear plastic that looks cheap?

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

That's how Dinobots should be, dammit.

Yes!...I mean, they're freaking dinosaurs after all...

How does that thing compare to MP Grimlock?

 

[nacho]

It dwarfs him. A bunch. MP-08 is roughly the same size as MP-10. However, GP is supposedly doing all five dinos (their silhouette tease showed them all), so they must have plans for their own Grimmy. But the first questions is, do you trust them to survive long enough to get them all out? What happens when you spend hundreds of $$$ for 2-3 massive dinos and then they go under before getting a matching Grimlock for them? (cue disappointment sound effect).

 

[Mandingo Rex]

Yeah, it's disappointing that Takara's MP Grimlock is so much smaller than he should be. A good 15-20% too small. It's not a deal-breaker difference like MP-05 Megatron, though, who is simply gigantic compared to the new scale.

(WHY WON'T THEY JUST RELEASE MEGS 2.0!?! ARGH!)

Grimlock has lots of areas for improvement, but overall he was a pretty solid figure. If it wasn't for the scale issue, I'd say he was probably the oldest MP that still holds up in the new line. (Besides the revised Starscream, I guess.)

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

Looks like getting a set of Dinobots (for those interested) is a wait-and-see situation...though, doing that, you run the risk of sell outs and/or scalper pricing...

 

[nacho]

I'm willing to take my chances and wait. I want reviews that show lots of group pics showing scale, lots of reviews about quality, and new reveals about upcoming figs that show me a company is dedicated (and profitable) enough to finish all five. If I miss out, so be it. I'm not paying $200+ each to get a poorly designed/QC'd fig or end up with half a set of dinos before my chosen company goes tits up.

Don't get me wrong; I like that we're going to have a choice. But so many companies doing the same thing at a high price point makes me question if there is enough fandom to keep them all alive long enough to finish the set. This isn't the predaking wars of 2013. I assume at least one will fold or choose to focus on something besides dinobots before we reach the end. It simply costs too much to find out you backed the wrong horse.

 

[nacho]

Wow, Daca Kronos went from a blocky, homemade-looking garage figure... to an MP beast in relatively short time. I was on the fence, leaning toward "no", and now I can't wait for this figure. Our resident scale nut should be pleased to learn the Kronos is 14" tall...

And he's only $165. If the quality is anything close to acceptable, this is a steal.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

Oh!...I've been waiting for a good Jetfire...that could certainly be it...

 

[nacho]

FT supposedly has one in the pipeline, but right now it's just vapor-ware. It's supposed to be very large as well, but I can't imagine that their price point won't exceed this one by a substantial margin if/when it actually comes out.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

Yeah, if FTs smaller Dinobots are already more expensive than the larger Daca JF, what does that say about an FT JF?

 

[nacho]

Exactly. Kronos is incredibly cheap for his size. The designer/creator posts on tfw2005 boards, and he said he's not trying to make money off him, just trying to get him out there. He also has another similar project that hinges on the success of this one.

I've never bought anything from Daca before (since they're new), but they did just this week release some alt heads for MP-10, and the design and build are very nice. Look just like they were made by HasTak. He says the big figs are made in the same factory, and that the MP-10 heads were merely made to test the factory.

 

[Mandingo Rex]

Yay!

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/...m_campaign=BigBadToyStore-Retail&utm_content=

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

Not bad...those thighs though, kinda spindly...

 

[nacho]

Overall, he looks far better than I expected.

 

[Goldbug]

I have a huge problem with pre-ordering stuff so far away from release. I just do not do it. It is way too risky.

and it is Spike

 

[nacho]

Well, I order from BBTS, so it's not risky in any way. They don't charge me until it ships, and I can cancel at any time if I change my mind. While ArtFire and Bii are nice figures, I think this MP will absolutely blow them away (unless you're really into the chibi look of Bii).

Yep Spike. Did anyone say it was someone else? Maybe MP Hotrod will be in the queue and come with Daniel.

 

[Mandingo Rex]

Dammit! I really want a Megs 2.0. This gives me a little hope that we may see one sooner than later, since the Optimus version is basically a giant MP-10.

http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/fewture-announces-um03-ultimetal-megatron/29670/

 

[nacho]

They're 18 inches tall, $800, and not made by HasTak. I wouldn't read too much into it... although I do think we're overdue for a new-scale MP Megs. I halfway expect a 3P to beat them to it first.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

Man, do they make some beautiful toys or what!

 

[Mandingo Rex]

It's a tad large and $800 is too expensive, but it is amazing looking. I can't imagine they sell too many, which is why it's so pricy.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

I don't think it's all that large, but this is one cool looking Metroplex...

http://www.maketoys.jp/Utopia-page.html

A character I have zero interst in due to my issues with scale...

 

[nacho]

Regardless of it's coolness, I just don't know how I would pay 3P prices when I only spent $110 on the 24" Generations version.

And while TF-scale issues don't normally bother me... metroplex does. He's supposed to turn into a city and the G1 toy was the same size as Ultra Magnus. I hated that about Broadside too. He turned into an aircraft carrier, but the G1 toy was shorter than Optimus Prime. It's funny, I have no problem ignoring that stuff with '84-85 characters, but the ones that were released later bothered me more... even though they probably weren't any more absurd.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

Haha!...that's how I feel about ALL transformers...OP being larger than ANY of the Constructicons?

But yeah, MTs Metroplex being half the size at twice the cost makes zero sense...yeah it's much cooler and has much more convincing transformations, but twice the price? Again,

 

[Mandingo Rex]

AGH! Too much awesome!

The only bad thing about the TF Masterpiece line is it's going to take forever to complete, even at the increased pace and with 3rd Party guys helping out, and it's pricier than any other thing I collect. But damn do I get excited with each reveal.

http://www.seibertron.com/transform...gnus-teaser-mp-star-saber-art-and-more/29716/

Fucking Ratbat! I bet he won't sell individually for less than $70 on eBay.

http://www.seibertron.com/transform...dditional-images-closer-look-at-ratbat/29706/

 

[nacho]

I hear you. It's awesome, but it's tough on the wallet.

Wheeljack looks really good, but is it me, or does his torso look really tall? I'm excited about the figure, but something in the back of my mind... he's just look off a tad.

I'm skipping Star Saber. I have no affection for the Japanese-only TFs. He looks ok, but I can't spend MP money on a guy I know nothing about, other than he's a Prime replacement with a sword. (BTW, why do they always end up with a sword? It's like after millions of years of using projectile/energy weapons, now we're going to use swords, axes, and giant hammers... it makes no f@$% sense...)

I assume that Ratbat will get KO'd and sell for $30 all day long. I'm fine with that, as I don't need to buy black soundwave or pay ebay prices for an exclusive cassette. But it's damn-near perfect for being KO'd quickly. One month after official release, tops.

 

[Mandingo Rex]

I hope they KO it as well, and normally I'm against straight up KOs of MP items. But fuck Takara for putting out a unique mold packed into a $120+ repaint. Fortunately, I don't care too much for Ratbat, but knowing that he was in the movie makes me want him just a little bit. And like you, I don't give 2 shits about Star Saber or any Japanese-only crap. He'll be the first one I skip and don't care one bit about, with Ratbat being a maybe-skip if I can't find a KO for less than $50.

 

[nacho]

His toon appearances didn't amount to squat, but Ratbat was arguably one of the 5-6 most used decepticons in the original marvel run. Plus, in the IDW comics, it turns out he was a pre-war senator that was a casualty who Soundwave turned into one of his minions.

Quite frankly, he's the cassette that's gotten more attention than all the other cassettes combined in the publishing history of TF.

 

[Mandingo Rex]

I know, but I am buying off my canon, which is the cartoon. I can't get past how awful the comics are drawn.

 

[XOC2008]

So I finally got Not-MotorMaster. I have to say that I dig the whole set, and I like the individual bots. Combined mode is pretty solid and stable. But his combined mode head is no bigger than his regular robot mode head.

 

[nacho]

I know, but I am buying off my canon, which is the cartoon. I can't get past how awful the comics are drawn.

I completely get that. I agree that the early marvel TF comics had some pretty sub-par artwork... but the modern stuff is pretty damn awesome. Most IDW TF titles have better artwork than average Marvel or DC books. I just wish I could say the same for IDW's joe titles. Once Atkins left, those books have had some really d-list artists. But TF has managed to keep the art to a very high level.

Any TF fan that hasn't read the current MTMTE ongoing or LSotW mini is seriously missing out. Long form story-telling with satisfying short term payoffs, well developed characters, virtually no human nonsense, and lots of humor and drama. They are the best TF stories I've ever encountered in any medium.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

So I finally got Not-MotorMaster. I have to say that I dig the whole set, and I like the individual bots. Combined mode is pretty solid and stable. But his combined mode head is no bigger than his regular robot mode head.

Haha, his head is pretty dang tiny...but given the constraints, they had no choice...honestly, a head is totally pointless for Menasor due the shoulder pauldrons and how far back it sits...his field of view is ridiculously small...

 

[Keenan]

So what was the reason for the decreased height on the MP Prime....

 

[nacho]

They basically changed the scale of the entire MP line to match the MP seekers, Rodimus, and Grimlock (although many argue that Grimlock is still too small). As such, they replaced MP-01 with a smaller MP-10 Prime. The new scale isn't bad, but it leaves the early MP's way too big for the current releases. Only Ultra Magnus and Megatron have yet to be remade in the new scale, but UM is on the schedule for later this year in his traditional G1 look (not just a white prime repaint).

Sooooo, as many TF fans have lamented, we're sorely in need of a new MP Megatron more than anything. Not only is MP-05 huge, but the skinny legs were never well received in the first place. HasTak has said nothing, but it seems inevitable.... eventually.