Takara Transformers

[pcsguy88]

Well here is a nice list that I'm sure you guys know about from the very first toy forum I was ever a member of. I'm even a supporter.

The Masterpiece Character Guide (or "do they have an MP yet", and what substitutes?) - TFW2005.com

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

Somebody shopped this. Added the color from the TW poster and beefed up the torso and fixed up the head. I'm in love.

 

[thelegoguy]

Just curious, do any of you guys collect the Combiner Wars transformers? I have been slowly getting into them and they seem like great updates to the toys/likeness' that I had as a kid.

 

[nacho]

I think they're great for kids, and I've bought a few for my son (who is slowly getting into TFs). I appreciate that they are loosely based on G1 characters & likenesses so that my son knows who these great characters are, and I can enjoy them with him.

For adult collectibles, I really don't like them. The sculpts aren't great, the number of repaints is ungodly, and my collection is really focused on official and third-party MP-style figures, i.e. the best possible representations of the G1 toy/toon a characters can have. I've sold all my CHUGs and alternators. The only non-MP figures I still own are the Revoltechs (offical, 3P, and custom) because they are small and really fun. So in that regard, I have zero use for CW figures. But I can see the appeal, even if they don't work for me.

 

[Goldbug]

the number of repaints is ungodly,

That is the reason I decided to pass.
2 Aerialbots are the same mold!
I want Blast-Off as a space shuttle.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

I shall not comment on Hasbros kiddie stuff as not to offend.

 

[thelegoguy]

Ha! No worries, no offense taken. I really can't afford the higher end stuff so the "kiddie" stuff is ok to me. Especially since I "play" with them still. Reminds me of my childhood

 

[pcsguy88]

I would like to buy enough to make a combiner since I've never owned one in my 40yrs, but $100 for something I'm going to quickly toss aside seems like a stupid move. I mean, that's 3 KO MP cars!

 

[thelegoguy]

I hear ya PCS. I never really had any combiners as a kid except for a Go-Bot set of cars that combined. I bought the Combiner Wars because they looked like nice updates to my old G1 favorites. The fact they combined was just icing. Plus, I can let my kids play with them(when I'm not) and not have to worry about something cool getting destroyed.

 

[Goldbug]

Takara Masterpiece-11NR Ramjet - Transformer World 2005 - TFW2005.COM

 

[nacho]

Saw that this morning, very cool. Makes me really glad I cashed in and sold my igear coneheads last year. Those are fixin' to get plentiful.

 

[Mandingo Rex]

I dunno, I kinda dig that the Coneheads are different from iGear. Not sure I'll be getting 3 more jets at $200/pop. For some reason, that head looks humongous, and the kneecaps look awkward as fuck.

The smaller wings on the legs look better, and I do prefer the MP-11 construction, but iGear honestly fixed most of my qualms with the MP-03 mold. This may very well be the first official one I skip in lieu of the KO 3P version!

What's with the "exclusive" numbering? Not that I give a shit but that should require its own number, it's not a repaint but a retool.

 

[nacho]

While I agree that the TT version isn't perfect, there should be enough "official is king" types to put plenty of igears back on the secondary market.

Personally, I'm still hoping that the Toymecha versions are released next spring. They are both cheaper and better looking than TT or igear versions, IMO. Either way, more coneheads = more choice, cheaper prices. Even if I buy back the igears, I'll bet it'll be for much less than I sold them!

 

[Mandingo Rex]

I kinda have a feeling, perhaps misplaced, that they won't go for too cheap. They're still hard to come by and iGear is basically done right? Did the market flood with Quakewaves when they announced the reissue?

 

[nacho]

Pretty much... if you look at prices from before. I'm not saying people will be giving them away, but when the QW reissue and TT version actually hit, QW will go for no more than list price, not 4x like earlier this year.

 

[Goldbug]

Well Nacho maybe you did need to keep your coneheads.
The TakTom is an exclusive!!! ARG!!!
I can only hope that Hasbro releases it too.

 

[nacho]

Eh, even at exclusive prices, I should come out ahead...

 

[Goldbug]

Eh, even at exclusive prices, I should come out ahead...

limited to 2000
what are the odds to get one?

 

[nacho]

limited to 2000 in JP, not worldwide. Just like blue Bluestreak, it shouldn't be THAT hard to get.

 

[Goldbug]

Takara Tomy Transformers Masterpiece MP-11NR Ramjet

For those not living in Japan (or who can't get this limited release), this will most probably be available through a (non exclusive) Chinese release with Hasbro Asia, as is the case for Thundercracker, Blue Bluestreak and SkyWarp. There would be an increase on the price though.

 

[nacho]

Yep. The last "exclusive" seeker cost about $230 when it made it over here. Sure, that's high for a mold we all own scads of already, but it's cheaper than rebuying igear seekers...

 

[pcsguy88]

After paying $60 for Star Scream in store, there's no way I could pony up over $100 for any seeker.

 

[Goldbug]

After paying $60 for Star Scream in store, there's no way I could pony up over $100 for any seeker.

I agree.
Takara Tomy Mall Exclusive Transformers Masterpiece MP-11T Thundercracker. Preorder! Available in December 2015! - Masterpiece - Takara - Transformers - Pre-Order by Brands
$100 too much

 

[Goldbug]

In Hand Images of Takara Tomy Masterpiece MP-11T Thundercracker - Transformers

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

I dig that vivid blue, but I think I like the silver thighed one on the far left the most.

 

[nacho]

That's the igear version... "Lightning"

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

I like it! The only seeker I have is their SS. I'd like to have the three main ones, but I'm in no hurry.

 

[Goldbug]

 

[nacho]

Not surprised that they made this, but I'm not sure who it appeals to besides hardcore bumblebee fans.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

 

[Goldbug]

 

[nacho]

I can't articulate how much I dislike the TT Ratchet and Ironhide. Diaper waist, butt wheels, and head sculpts done by the summer interns. Plus they dwarf the carbots, as they are nearly as tall as MP-10. I will be getting both of my vans from one or more 3P company.

Takara is absolutely asleep at the wheel. They've ramped up quantity but completely given up actually trying to make the figures look good.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

I actually like everything about them except for those super dumpy crotches. They are just so terrible that the entire figures are completely ruined. Ugh...just awful.

The autobot logos inside of the red crosses looks like crap too. Not only does it wreck the look in general, but it's emblem overload. Like those tools who get giant vinyl decals of their vehicles make emblazoned across the front and back glass. We get it! You have a Chevy Impala. Way to go balla!

 

[Goldbug]

I think the size is just right.

The Autobot cross is because of the Red Cross trademark.

 

[Mandingo Rex]

I dislike those fucking hip flaps on both of them, but the "diaper crotches" are accurate to the cartoon. It's shit like the flaps on the hips and Magnus' butt flap that leave me scratching my head as to why they go to all the effort of the extra accessories, yet fall short when an extra hinge or twist could flip a part around so it didn't sit awkwardly and just hang off as weird kibble. I feel like a contemporary 3P company wouldn't leave that shit just hanging there like that.

The fucking Red Cross! You can't trademark a fucking plus sign! I thought people were joking when they were saying that Ratchet would have to omit the red cross because of trademarks due to the Red Cross. That's absolutely fucking retarded, and the result looks like shit. I hope the shoulders are flat and not sculpted, because I'm going to Reprolabels the shit out of that nonsense. That looks terrible.

 

[pcsguy88]

Hmm... I could care less about Rachet, but will certainly pick up Ironhide when I can. He looks great, must have an incredible transformation and I like the butt wheels.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

I dislike those fucking hip flaps on both of them, but the "diaper crotches" are accurate to the cartoon. It's shit like the flaps on the hips and Magnus' butt flap that leave me scratching my head as to why they go to all the effort of the extra accessories, yet fall short when an extra hinge or twist could flip a part around so it didn't sit awkwardly and just hang off as weird kibble. I feel like a contemporary 3P company wouldn't leave that shit just hanging there like that..

Gawd I hate that old, poorly drawn cartoon. As long as the toys are accurate to it, who gives a crap if they look like garbage.

 

[Goldbug]

I wonder if the hip flaps could be taken off. I guess we will know when Ironhide gets released.

 

[Mandingo Rex]

Just got my POL the other day from BBTS. Finally had a chance to get into the boxes and pull out all the figures.

I got FT Grenadier (Bombshell), Sphinx (Mirage), Tracks, and the KFC Rover/Fader (Eject) set to finish off my Aubobot Cassettes. (Well, until they remake Steeljaw and Ramhorn.) And also the replacement shoulders/rifle-extensions for Ultra Magnus, which I finally got around to installing today. Boy, are they subtle changes but make a world of difference by just adding some extra movement.

Tracks is fiddly as fuck. I like him, but he doesn't seem to be as solid as previous MPs. Sphinx is the same way, but he's got more heft to him and his transformation is less complicated, so he seems to not suffer as much as Tracks (although both of them suck when it comes to moving their shoulders/arms... shit comes unpegged, drives me nuts).

I guess I got a good copy of Sphinx, because mine's pretty solid all around. No particularly loose parts or bad apps, unless I want to be an absolute petty pain in the ass. Fader is solid, too.

Bombshell is the most impressive all-around though. Buy is that figure solid. Can't wait for the other 2 Insecticons, and I don't even like the Insecticons.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

The more I see of Voodoo Ratchet, the more I like him.