Takara Transformers

[pcsguy88]

Not gonna lie, those chrome intakes on his back are absurdly large feeling, but because everything tucks up high and tight, you really stop fixating on it. It does not hinder any movement nor is it visible from the front. I'd say the most annoying thing to me is the Autobot tramp stamp on his butt flap. To me his feet alone make him superior to all Streakers' that have come before and combined with the sleek limbs and articulation, I can no longer find any enjoyment with the Datsun, Wheeljack or Sideswipe mold. One is an action figure and the others feel like geewun bricks now. Just wish he had 1 freakin face that had some sharpness to it.

I want to say a figure this size is never worth the price, but 3rd party cars are always around $100 and the fit, feel and finish are only matched by MP Megs. It sucks because the line really did split at before and after Megs.

 

[nacho]

Apparently I'm being left behind, as I didn't like the look of MP Megs or Streaker. They are 0-2 with this new aesthetic. I like good figures with nifty, clever designs. And if it was my job to fiddle with them all day, I'd probably be over the moon about the new ones. But when all I do is pose on the shelf, looks are far more important than anything else. I don't even care about the transformations b/c I'm not likely to ever do it more than once.

Sure, it would be nice to have it all. But high waists, ugly faces, and flat, toon-y colors are the complete opposite of what I want out of my MP collection. My MP01 weeps in shame for the line.

 

[pcsguy88]

I'll never transform either of them again because they are action figures that can transform (insanely well) if you want to take the hour to do it. What they have done is add double joints, swivels and tilts to everything possible making these latest figures better moving than a 6" Black Series figure. Far better really. Not even the Ironhide mold can pose like these guys and it's really getting obvious when I tool around with others. Megs, Inferno and Sunstreaker had long legs in the anime, so hopefully that is just a coincidence having them back to back to back and they are not just adding long legs to everyone moving forward.

 

[pcsguy88]

Sunstreaker looks great with toon Gundog and toon Sphinx. The 3 of them definitely reflect the toon while all cars before them have that toy kibble aesthetic.

 

[nacho]

I hope you're right about those waists. It would be a disturbing trend if it was intentional.

I really do want to play around with a Takara Streaker. While the Omni figure is far from perfect, I can't pay retail for an upgrade/replacement figure that's going to need work just to break even in the looks dept. When the $30 KO hits, I'll spring for one, and you can say "I told you so."

I have the darker Sphinx and darker Gundog. As much as I loved the cartoon, apparently I'm a "toy" guy.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

Apparently I'm being left behind, as I didn't like the look of MP Megs or Streaker. They are 0-2 with this new aesthetic.

Sure, it would be nice to have it all. But high waists, ugly faces, and flat, toon-y colors are the complete opposite of what I want out of my MP collection. My MP01 weeps in shame for the line.

 

[pcsguy88]

Wasn't it nice when all the figures and collectors could co-exist? My heart is with you guys and having the definitive toy version, but there is something about having them step out of the screen and into your hand that lights a new nostalgia fire. I'd be all in on going back to the toy-tastic style if they can incorporate this new articulation and sleekness into them. Megs and Sunstreaker do to MP-01 what MP-01 did to G1 Prime. It's that whole "I didn't know I could have a transformer with poseable joints" all over again. It's also why the damn price doubled...

 

[pcsguy88]

Thankfully I'm out after Jazz and possibly Trailbreaker, so the future toon/toy battles will pass me by completely. Sunstreaker is the only one that doesn't mesh well with all of my other bots, but I feel a sharper toy slanted head would instantly correct this (as long as he is a few figures away from his brother).

 

[nacho]

I'm not far behind you. I'm waiting on XTB Toro (Cliffjumper), and then I'm done with the S1 collection. And after wrapping up the Zeta aerialbots and probably XTB's menasor, I won't have much to pick up from later seasons either.

Sure, I might pick up a new version here and there if something noticeably better comes along (XTB Kup and Springer, I'm waiting....), but I won't be actively searching or anticipating anything. There's always a chance some company will pique my interest with MP Jumpstarters or Clones, but by and large, I'm pretty content with what I've got. My TF spending is down to a trickle (thank goodness!).

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

Have you guys been following DX9s Stunticons? Their Breakdown is killer! Functioning doors and headlights?!

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/dx9-stunticons.1114721/page-38#post-15697762

 

[nacho]

I have the XTB Breakdown on order. The DX9 version looks great, no question. I wish they'd both show their final gestalts so everyone could make informed decisions on appearance, size, and the major cost differences.

And of course, the thing on everyone's mind: XTB is $40 vs DX9 being $100. That adds up for a combiner, so I'd have to be very sure the delta was worth the $300 difference.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

From pics it looks like DX9s are significantly bigger, but in a good way: they scale in alt mode. That probably explains at least part of the additional cost.

But yeah, some final combined pics would be great. You won't see any blind commitment from me.

 

[pcsguy88]

Let me know when they get the hood to open.

 

[pcsguy88]

Say what you will about the Bayformers, you have to appreciate the Studio Series for what it is. Mini MP line as far as details, transformation and articulation go since they used the cgi models for the sculpts. Higher price, more paint (and tons for you to bring out with paint) and quality model kit hard plastic. It’s the Black Series of Transformers where the scale is unified and if they ever did this to the G1 line, I’d seriously consider selling my MPs... Box them up at the very least.



It doesn’t hurt that Blackout is the single greatest transformer ever put on a tv or movie screen. So badass. He’s how I’d imagine a real life Soundwave.

 

[nacho]

I'm glad you like them. I know there's a generation of movie fans that these will really appeal to.

For me personally, unless they do my windows and taxes, I have zero fucks to give about bayformers, even the very bestest ones ever. No amount of sweet engineering can cover up the ugly that permeates every part of the character designs. They seem to capture the likenesses very well, but I wouldn't put these in my collection if they were free. That's how much I hate the movie look.

But I'm sure I like plenty of things that others hate, so it's all good as long as you're satisfied. I admire your passion for them.

 

[pcsguy88]

And if Hasbro did a mass release Studio Series G1 line? It’s awfully nice having so much detail and complexity in such a manageable, displayable size.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

I have zero fucks to give about bayformers, even the very bestest ones ever. No amount of sweet engineering can cover up the ugly that permeates every part of the character designs. They seem to capture the likenesses very well, but I wouldn't put these in my collection if they were free. That's how much I hate the movie look.

I know that I couldn't have said it better. I dislike them so much I actually get angry when I see them. I get at angry at the people that keep giving up their money for them, proving that there is a market and in turn furthering films based on that trash. We'll NEVER get a more G1 influenced film franchise so long as people keep telling them "YES! Yes we do like this! MORRRRE!"

Sorry, pcs. My selfish desire anger isn't directed at you.

 

[nacho]

And if Hasbro did a mass release Studio Series G1 line? It’s awfully nice having so much detail and complexity in such a manageable, displayable size.

I'm a sucker for anything G1 in the '84-86 range (not so much the later stuff - headmasters and pretenders can fuck off). I already collect MP as well as Revoltech & 3P Scout/Legends (i.e. 3-4" figures), so why not cram another scale in there for good measure. Yeah, I'd do it in theory.

The problem is that hasbro would want to charge MP prices for them since we're already conditioned to paying through the nose, and that would be hard to take. But I always have room for more nostalgia-porn.

 

[pcsguy88]

The price point is what makes the Studio Series attractive. They seem to have stolen the 6” Black Series recipe of have vast height differences within the class. Deluxe is $20, Voyager $30 and Leader is $50. That Bumble Bee is the same size as the MP one and even more complex. 22 step transformation with excellent molds in both modes. If they can offer me my G1 MP collection in this pint size scale at those price points, then I’d have to do it. This scale is everything we loved about 4” figures.

 

[nacho]

Presumably they're going to have to try something new, as I assume that G1 MP is going to wind down over the next few years, and I don't think there is enough volume in Beast Wars, Energon, Animated etc to really keep the $$$ flowing.

On the other hand, I'm starting to reach that super-content phase of my toy collecting journey. 15 years ago, I had a massive want-list of figures and franchises to revisit. One by one, I've nearly hit them all. At this point, the only thing that could really get me red-lined would be a new scale of ARAH Joe, either Mega-mini-style or Marvel Legends-esque. Otherwise, it's just cherry-picking here and there across various lines. My toy spending is way down compared to a few years ago.

 

[nacho]

Maybe I don't fully understand how special your Studio Series figures are. To me, all bayformer Primes look like you took the G1 character and turned him completely inside-out. And every bayformer Prime looks identical to me, just a big greebley mess. What really makes this line special compared to the 20-something voyager/leader bayformer primes that came before it? Aren't there plenty of cleverly engineered versions already?

 

[pcsguy88]

Well, they are made up of as many parts as some of the MPs and they use a lot of the same origami tricks to streamline the bot mode. All of the alt-mode body parts are made of that thin, hard model plastic that allows for sharp edges and fine detail molded in. The cars are really tiny, like midrange train set tiny. Prime’s truck can’t be more than 5” long, but then he stands 6.5” in bot mode and is a Voyager class. Blackout’s chopper is 16” long from refueling rod to the tail and his bot is only 8.5”, a really bulky 8.5” as he should be. The paint is also consistently well done on the 4 I have and the molds are just begging to be dry brushed.

It’s pretty unbelievable that this is stuff coming from Hasbro to mass market, but I think with the end of the movies after Bumblebee and the confirmed reboot, they were left looking at SW and Marvel lines to see what keeps them going. Everyone who wanted them has several copies of the same shitty figures, so the only way to get people to rebuy them (especially those 13yr olds from 2007 who are now coming out of college) is to make an adult oriented line like the Black Series.

I sure hope this idea gets some traction and makes enough money for a G1 sub line. Megatron we would just have to smuggle in from Japan. The thought of having 16 highly detailed G1 figures all interacting on one shelf sounds lovely.

 

[pcsguy88]

Awesome. About time my favorite toy line represents in my city.

http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/04/28/tfexpo-2018-announced-3-4-august-2018-kansas-city-missouri-363108

 

[pcsguy88]

I’ve been watching Transformers Prime the past week and it’s not bad at all. The character models are goofy, but the cgi is really good at times. What makes it watchable is Frank Welker and Peter Cullen making Prime and Megatron the same as G1. I’ll have to dial it up on Netflix this weekend to see what my daughter thinks about it since it blends G1 and the live action movies that she loves.

 

[nacho]

My son and I watched Prime as it aired, and he liked it ok. (I think he was still a little young at the time). The recognizable voices definitely help.

My only issues is that Prime and Megs sound very stiff, especially Optimus. Cullen never cracks a joke, never gets excited, and sounds too... robotic (as stupid as that sounds). I keep thinking back to the end of the original G1 mini when prime tells Mirage that there's a fine line between being a hero and being a memory. It got a good laugh and showed a more human-esque side of the leader. He often struggled with choices in G1. In the Prime series, it's just extremely slow, stiff dialogue, a la the Bay-films, as if he's just mechanically reading lines. I remember G1 OP being a bit more upbeat, a bit more jovial... like the hero of a good John Wayne cowboy movie.

It's still a good series, but I think they could have done more with the voice talent they had. And so many swords, hammers, and crystals. I remember when transformers fought with laser guns, cybertronian munitions, null rays, cluster bombs, etc. Now it's all swords and hammers. Stupid PC robots.

 

[pcsguy88]

I see what you’re saying about Prime. Also having such limited characters (I’m about a dozen episodes in) and then using ones from Animated definitely hurt. The one glowing light so far has been Starscream. I think this might be my favorite SS yet since he seems fleshed out and somewhat competent to go with his sniveling coward side.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

The kids drove me absolutely nuts in that series. A lot of the characters being walking twigs was also terrible. Why were they so opposed to bulky limbs?

 

[pcsguy88]

Makes sense for SS and Arcee to be skinny which are the only 2 I’ve seen so far. Oh, and the spider chick. I actually laugh at how overly clunky everyone but B.B. is. I’m able to look past the kids most of the time by simply remembering Spike and Chip.

Don’t get me wrong, the show is nowhere near as good as G1 to me, but I’ll give it the best since G1 award which isn’t really saying much.

 

[nacho]

I agree, it's the most watchable since G1, but that's not saying much. Aside from Prime being a stiff, I think most of the issues I had with the series were aesthetic choices. Everyone apparently had their noses chopped off. And the kinny/pointy limbs, especially on SS and Soundwave are jarring. And I fucking hated that Optimus has a visible mouth. I know that's a Bay-leftover, but ugh.

The follow-up/sequel series, Transformers RID, definitely skews younger. I thought I was going to hate it, but my kids were the right age at the time, and so I watched a lot of it. It's a bit goofier, has a more villain/lesson-of-the-week feel, and has different annoying humans, but it's still FAR better than TFA. I despised Animated.

I came to the conclusion long ago that none of them were for me, and I just needed to watch reruns to get my TF tv fix.

 

[pcsguy88]

Seeing Bulkhead from Animated in Prime was almost enough for me to instantly shut it down. Sad we will never get anything remotely as good as G1, but at least Prime seems to have a cohesive story line and a few good characters like Rachet and Arcee.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

So weird that they didn't scale the cars to the same, uh, scale.

 

[pcsguy88]

Missed opportunity for the first true MP scaled combiner...

 

[nacho]

I'm not a TF-scale nazi, and that bothers even me! WTF mattel?! If it's the same model of car, it looks stupid being a completely different scale. Hopefully XTB will get it a bit closer.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

I'm pretty sure XTB's is substantially smaller...well, smaller than DX9's.

I'm wondering if the stupid bot mode heights were prioritized and that's the reason for the off alt scale. Heaven forbid the heights are off by a millimeter the Holy Height Chart toon slaves will riot.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

No idea what they were going for now. The just said "F$#@ it" and scaled it to nothing.

16:54

 

[pcsguy88]

That SS is adorable.

 

[nacho]

Good lord, DX9 Breakdown looks like he'd be bigger than Ironhide! If I didn't know better, I'd swear it was a knocked-up version.

If not for the scale, it looks nice... except that one-piece crotch plate is all kinds of weird. Why no individual hip flaps like every other bot in existence?

 

[Videoviper]

Looking to sell:

UNRUSTABLE BASTARDS - Yellow and black bike. the Unrustable Bastards comes with enough heads to make two characters - Iride and Burley

118th special $125 Just trying to get my money back as I am not a big transformers fan.
PM me if interested.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

I actually like the "diaper", but yeah, he totally looks knocked-up. I bet they did it so that it's the same height as TW's Devastator.

ROBOTS CAN BE DIFFERENT HEIGHTS!

 

[nacho]

The funny thing is, I don't think TW/Zeta would have made him that big. I've always considered Menasor to be a relatively small combiner because of the size of his component bots. There is no reason for him to be Devy sized...