Takara Transformers

G.I.*EDDIE

gobbles a LOT of cock
Founder
Mar 14, 2011
43,432
428
83
S.E. Mich :(
Spotter/Reflector is sooooooooo tempting! I was initially leaning towards MTs version IF i caved on one set or the other, but FTs has quickly won me over.
 

nacho

"Big Guns"
Founder
I've got FT Spotter in my PoL that's en route as we speak. I'll have a better feel next week. So far the only complains I hear are about some joints/flaps being too tight. Looks-wise, Spotter nails it for me. MT's look nice, but they are kinda short and stumpy by comparison.

I'm not likely to transform them often, if ever, so as long as they look good on my shelf and have plenty of pose-ability, I'm good.
 

Mandingo Rex

★★★★★
Founder
Mar 14, 2011
14,392
7
38
42
Gone Baby, Gone
Got in a haul, and have transformed roughly half (fuck Spotter right now, though. I don't have the patience for that shit.)

Broke a tab on Sunsurge as I was unpegging the hood/foot piece from the hood/chest area. Tore part of the hood back, and I reglued it but it now is damaged. Fuck! Debating on returning it for a replacement. Also, biggest exploding mess of a transformation ever. Completely counter-intuitive, and I never have to look at instructions for a Transformer, but goddamn is that thing a floppy mess till you get it into either mode. I'm leaning towards preferring the Omnigonix version, if it ever comes to stores.

The FT Insecticons are simply amazing. Heavy, well-built. Perfectly fit in with the official MPs. X-Transbot's Windcharger is amazing in car and bot mode, but fuck that arm/leg transformation. Fiddly bullshit. Fantastic bot mode, though. They're giving Badcube a run for their money on mini-bots.

Spotter is a great looking figure too. Perhaps a bit too complex-looking in some areas, but fits in well with the Takara MPs as well. Easily the best 3P Reflector.

I actually really like MP Ironhide. He looks so much better in person. Those butt-wheels are a misstep, though. Unfortunate design decision, but I can live with the hip flaps. I just wish they'd somehow hinged it so the hip flaps were on the torso, or somehow hid those damn butt-wheels. Such a dumb design decision. And I'm going to go out on a limb and say it, but Ironhide came with too much shit. Fuck those accessories, they're staying in the box. Give him a gun and call it a day.

Got the proper Takara Thundercracker, and I'm selling my TRU one this afternoon to someone off CL. Speaking of, anyone want a cheap iGear Ironhide and Ratchet (PP-05 series)? I did some basic detail painting on both and a dry wash on Ironhide, but I'd practically give them away to the right person if you'll just pay for shipping the fuckers and toss in a little extra. I just want rid of them.

Also looking to sell my Hercules. I think I'm done with the Constructicons till an official MP one comes. I removed the Takara version of the Combiner Wars one from my BBTS Preorders months before they came in-stock, and I don't regret it.
 
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nacho

"Big Guns"
Founder
I agree about the FT Insecticons. I would argue they are some of the finest MP figures, official or 3P. Essentially perfect in every meaningful way.

Still waiting on the Voodoo Ironhide, and I suspect I'll transplant the TFC Ironhide head onto him. A good official paint job cannot make up for a lazy design. The reviews seem more positive than the pre-release reactions, but I'm just not going down the hip flap/butt wheels road.

I've always liked the look of Omni Sunstreaker better anyway, but after many reports like yours about the BC version being an exploding fiddly mess, it just reaffirms that I'll wait for Omni or whoever else takes a stab at him down the road.

I like BC windcharger, but I'm waiting on the *correct* colors version in a couple of months. I'm not surprised that he's fiddly, as Ollie was the same way, like they're trying to out-FP fansproject on the fiddly scale. Plus, I still plan to mod WC to make the window louvers go all the way to the knee, even if it's at the expense of the transformation. I just don't like the toon booties on an otherwise great looking figure.

I have no plans to transform Spotter. In fact, I was thrilled he came in robot mode. He fits scale-wise with nothing in camera mode, and he's necessary in bot mode in my display to even out the ranks a bit. Fits my ideal Reflector pretty nicely, far better than the competition, IMO.

Sounds like you got an excellent haul! I'm sure your cat is excited ;)
 

G.I.*EDDIE

gobbles a LOT of cock
Founder
Mar 14, 2011
43,432
428
83
S.E. Mich :(
I've always liked the look of Omni Sunstreaker better anyway, but after many reports like yours about the BC version being an exploding fiddly mess, it just reaffirms that I'll wait for Omni or whoever else takes a stab at him down the road.

Seeing side by sides reaffirms why i prefer Spinout. BCs is so terribly lanky.
 

Mandingo Rex

★★★★★
Founder
Mar 14, 2011
14,392
7
38
42
Gone Baby, Gone
Seeing side by sides reaffirms why i prefer Spinout. BCs is so terribly lanky.

Stork legs, duck feet, and squished chest. I like most BC figures, but that one just is a complete whiff.

Haha, Spinout's not terrible, he's actually a really solid car mode and bot mode. But I agree, something's off. And I agree with most of those assessments. He would be absolutely terrific if I hadn't seen Spinout first! But damn, Omni, you took your sweet ass time and SunSurge grew on me.

All in all, if we never get Spinout, Sunsurge is still a great figure. But side-by-side with Sideswipe, he looks a bit... Not quite right. And Sideswipe suffers a little bit from being first out the gate in the series of carbots, but he's still a decent figure.

I think Huff and Brawny are great figures, since neither of them really showcase much of any actual car-body parts on their front sides (a saving grace for them, really) and I think that Wardog (Warpath) is a terrific figure, specifically in how genius they were in keeping a small bot with a larger vehicle mode, but I wish they'd stuck to tackling Gears first. While he's not a bad figure at all, I can't say that SunSurge is a success overall.
 

nacho

"Big Guns"
Founder
Yeah, I like Huff (mine had no QC issues), and Brawny is about as perfect-looking as an MP minibot could get.

I skipped Wardog because he seemed huge for a minibot, and there was no way I was paying $120 for a S2 character I can barely tolerate. I understand he's a neat figure, but that alone isn't enough to make me part with dollars.

I assume BC or XTB will do a Gears in the next 12 months. Hard to imagine we're a Gears, Cliffjumper, Jazz, and Trailbreaker away from completing the '84 cast. Pretty awesome!
 

Mandingo Rex

★★★★★
Founder
Mar 14, 2011
14,392
7
38
42
Gone Baby, Gone
Yeah, I like Huff (mine had no QC issues), and Brawny is about as perfect-looking as an MP minibot could get.

I skipped Wardog because he seemed huge for a minibot, and there was no way I was paying $120 for a S2 character I can barely tolerate. I understand he's a neat figure, but that alone isn't enough to make me part with dollars.

I assume BC or XTB will do a Gears in the next 12 months. Hard to imagine we're a Gears, Cliffjumper, Jazz, and Trailbreaker away from completing the '84 cast. Pretty awesome!

Jazz is the biggest hole, hands down. Gears is the lowest on my wishlist, but the others are pretty crucial. I'm hoping Takara tackles him next, to be honest. FT's Hound looks amazing. I think FT could also do a killer Trailbreaker, but I really want Takara to nail Jazz. He deserves an official figure sooner than later.

As far as S2 characters, I dig the design of Warpath. Hate the character, but whatever. Same with Beachcomber. Inferno is one of the other S2 characters I'll get, and I like the bigger one that XTB is doing.
 

nacho

"Big Guns"
Founder
I bought Red Alert and Smokescreen because that was during my "all-in" MP phase. Plus, those were the two S2 toys I liked the most. But I've skipped the subsequent figures out of strong S2 apathy. No Warpath, no Beachcomber, no Tracks, no Grapple, no Inferno. Zero interest, as I feel they would water down a pure S1 display. I even sold my igear coneheads a year or so back. S2 blows :D

I do have FT Perceptor and KFC Blaster, but they're on the S3/Movie shelf since they were both prominent in TFTM.

Jazz does deserve proper treatment, but after the last couple of official designs, I'm about 80% convinced that one of the top-tier 3P companies could do him better than TT.
 
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G.I.*EDDIE

gobbles a LOT of cock
Founder
Mar 14, 2011
43,432
428
83
S.E. Mich :(
I'm really surprised at the lack of a Jazz. It'd have been like if Hasbro saved making, i don't know, Shipwreck, for a long time. Such a popular character to not have been represented yet. You'd think nearly all of the 3Ps would've tried to capitalize on him by now.

... and I like the bigger one that XTB is doing.

As do i. Not only is he the largest, not only does he have the best looking alt mode, but he has the best looking proportions of the three (aside from his humongous feet). The MT one, while nice, is a hint too chunky. MMCs torso seems, stretched? I don't know...something is off about it. It also seems just a wee bit too skinny. XTBs seems perfect. Not too fat...not too skinny...not weirdly stretched. Goldilocks.

I do really like MMCs use of diamond plate on their version, though. That alone nearly sold me.
 

nacho

"Big Guns"
Founder
Sooooo, MP-31 is "Delta Magnus". Who the fuck is Delta Magnus? (and don't give some bullshit about him being japanese Powered Ultra Convoy Saber's third descendant's headmaster's roommate reborn). This is just beyond lame. I know, let's make some beast wars figures too that are equally as obscure and worthless.... oh wait, they're working on that too.

Thank the lord above for third party companies. No Jazz, No Mirage, No Cliffjumper.... but we've got Delta fuck-me-with-a-pitchfork Magnus....:whatever:
 

G.I.*EDDIE

gobbles a LOT of cock
Founder
Mar 14, 2011
43,432
428
83
S.E. Mich :(
I get that they want to get the most bang for their buck with the molds, but why not introduce it simultaneously with something new to make it easier to swallow. The boobs that will buy literally anything in the line will still be purchasing it regardless along with the new mold. The guys that weren't ever gonna buy the remold will buy the new mold. Every one is happy!
 

Goldbug

BND
Mar 15, 2011
2,151
0
0
Smallville, IL
goldbug.yolasite.com
I got my MP Hot Rod yesterday.
Oh! I also know why we don't have KO's of Tracks etc onward. TakTom has moved production to Vietnam. My Tracks, Ironhide, & Hot Rod are all made there. I don't expect there to be any KO's of them made either.
 

G.I.*EDDIE

gobbles a LOT of cock
Founder
Mar 14, 2011
43,432
428
83
S.E. Mich :(
Heck yeah they do (are). It's difficult for me to blame the manufacturers, though. Once the etailers tack on their "convenience fee" of $20, something once reasonable suddenly seems "oh c'mon!" ridiculous.
 

Mandingo Rex

★★★★★
Founder
Mar 14, 2011
14,392
7
38
42
Gone Baby, Gone
Meh, I've paid extra for the add-ons. The hands and shoulder upgrades to Ultra Magnus really did improve his articulation a LOT. Also, for all the Prime-sized MPs, I've upgraded almost all their hands to the 3P ones that are articulated. Cars, I couldn't care less about swapping out the hands because they're too small and fiddly, but the bigger guys need to all have the better hands.
 

G.I.*EDDIE

gobbles a LOT of cock
Founder
Mar 14, 2011
43,432
428
83
S.E. Mich :(
Yeah, $40 wouldn't seem too bad if there were zero concessions. As it stands, all you get thats worth while is the door and butt wheel mod. The head is meh and the diaper crotch still sucks.
 

Mandingo Rex

★★★★★
Founder
Mar 14, 2011
14,392
7
38
42
Gone Baby, Gone
Yeah, $40 wouldn't seem too bad if there were zero concessions. As it stands, all you get thats worth while is the door and butt wheel mod. The head is meh and the diaper crotch still sucks.

Complain all you want about the crotch mess looking bad, but it's toon-accurate. The hip flaps do suck, but the "fix" kit looks gappy as all fuck at the windows, so I wouldn't bother at the $40 pricetag or $20. The head is awful with those silly square duck lips.

Ironhide's not great but he's not that bad in person. The butt wheels are behind him and not that noticeable, but if they'd have just moved the hip flaps to somehow cover the back, that'd be all the fix the figure needs in my eyes.

I can't wait for Ratchet to be released. I'm looking forward to shipping my POL as soon as he comes in.
 

G.I.*EDDIE

gobbles a LOT of cock
Founder
Mar 14, 2011
43,432
428
83
S.E. Mich :(
That's going to put a damper on the MT and other 3P Infernos/Grapples. I have no dog in that fight, as I'm not interested in S2 characters, but there are plenty of people who will wait for the official figure... even if it's not as good as one or more 3P counterpart.

Bonkers, isn't it? The blind loyalty even its sub-par.

Someone at TFW said it wonderfully. "I'm a TF fan, not a Hasbro/Tak fan."
 

Mandingo Rex

★★★★★
Founder
Mar 14, 2011
14,392
7
38
42
Gone Baby, Gone
Weird, MP Ratchet just fell into my POL at BBTS. I think I'm gonna hit ship, I doubt any FansToys items are going to be popping into stores anytime soon, and that's all I have left in my preorders.
 

nacho

"Big Guns"
Founder
I shipped my POL in early Feb, and I don't have a single thing in it now. Nearly three months (gotta be some kind of record for me)... still waiting on Omni Sunstreaker, the 3rd FT Insecticon, XTB Cyclonus, Some DX9 WIP Legends, Warbo Legends Grimlock kit, and the proper colors on the XTB Windcharger... that thing was supposed to be out by now, and the preorders aren't even up yet.

It's like CNY lasted the whole first half of the year.
 

G.I.*EDDIE

gobbles a LOT of cock
Founder
Mar 14, 2011
43,432
428
83
S.E. Mich :(
Spinout...sigh. He was so cool, and then they had to go and do a sticker side scoop. It seems like such a huge CVS toy move. The headlights aren't any better, but at least they were expected.
 

nacho

"Big Guns"
Founder
Season 2 / 1985 characters are a huge "meh". My shelves have limited space, and a big antique firetruck with a horribly-imitated hick accent... no, no thank you.

I'll be interested in how the two 3P options fare in the face of official competition. I think the 3P Shockwaves did ok, mostly because the official was so short and lavender. But all the firetrucks look the same to me. I'll be interested in how they all do, even though I have no plans to buy any of them.
 

CoreyD

Enlisted
May 3, 2015
236
0
0
DC
I already have the 3P Hellfire figure. No intention on getting the official one at this point
 

nacho

"Big Guns"
Founder
More TT douchebaggery. At least they didn't make it a japanese amazon exclusive or something. Plus, you know that KO drill accessories will be $5 within 60 days of release.

Wow, the omni Sunstreaker has turned into a real shitstorm. I ordered one at the reduced price from toydojo just to see if I could fix/improve him enough to look good on the shelf. It's a shame that such a promising design got killed by really shoddy production.
 

G.I.*EDDIE

gobbles a LOT of cock
Founder
Mar 14, 2011
43,432
428
83
S.E. Mich :(
It really is a shame. SO was the one i was looking forward to. At this point I'd just rather go without than pick up one of two bad choices. Same reason i won't bother voting.