New Turn A Around Photos of Masterpiece MP-44 3.0 and More Pre-Orders

Seibertron wrote:Not sure why I'm kind-of-sort-of OK with alt modes exploding into robots with Beast Wars Transformers but not G1 Transformers. Maybe someone can help pinpoint my mixed feelings.

I will give it a shot because I feel the same way.

The in show transformations are very different. In G1, it’s blocks rearranging themselves. We see that all the time, like that amazing shot from the movie with Optimus Transforming. MP 10 does a great job replicating that, we could even use the toy and recreate that in a stop motion sequence. There is a nice geometric feel to it and that goes for most of G1 (Rodimus is an exception, that transformation is super wonky). With Beast Wars, there is this morphing phenomenon since the animation is switching from one 3d model to the other, replacing them. Cheetor’s legs go from slender spotted cheetah legs to thicker blue robot legs. Unlike in G1, the alt modes use the same limbs as the robot modes in many cases and yet they look different from one mode to the next. As an extreme example, Dinobot’s raptor face floats into the air while it flattens and enlarges itself. It’s a bit surreal. I knew the show before the toys and didn’t know the toys existed and I didn’t dream they would because I, as a kid, could not conceptualize how such toys could exist. So Takara is charged with doing the impossible and they do a pretty great job getting from one totally different 3d model to the other in the same toy. And while Dinobot’s chest is not the raptor face, they still manage to use actual raptor parts (the underbelly in this case) to become the robot mode chest. So it’s not 100% fake, just a different part of the beast mode, which I find ingenious.
Thats my take on things.

blueridgefox wrote:I'll take my chances with Amazon.jp and save $150... give me a break and stop trying to justify the prices and processes involved.

No one is justifying anything, its just facts. The debate might instead be: with the world so connected, should BBTS and TFSource still bother importing toys when people can do it themselves instead? I mean if someone is tech savy enough to oder from BBTS, why not just buy from an asian seller?

Cyberpath wrote:

Truly a peaceful leader compelely different from the killer in live action films

Joking aside, my 3 year old lives the Transformers film and her favourite scene is easily Optimus Prime shooting all the decepticons. Its not necesarily when he does that jump, its instead when he lands and just unleashes on the seekers.

Well, in the cartoon at least Optimus was rebuilt from Orion to be a powerful warrior to counter the Decepticon warriors and their murderous, merciless imperialism.

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:Well, in the cartoon at least Optimus was rebuilt from Orion to be a powerful warrior to counter the Decepticon warriors and their murderous, merciless imperialism.

What was the live action movies take on that again? Live action Optimus to me just looks like the age old saying :stare into the abyss and the abyss stares into you"... I'm paraphrasing obviously.

If judging from the non Japanese Transformers community on social media and the forums, one would think Takara's Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime Ver 3 to be dead on arrival, due to the price which makes it the most expensive Transformers figure ever released by them.

Well as it turns out, money talks, and the current best selling collectible on Amazon Japan (the preffered destination for Transformers in Japan) is none other than MP-44 Optimus Prime. This confirms that Takara's target audience, Japanese fans, are excited about this release and the price was not the deterent some thought it would be. Of course, Amazon Japan is selling this toy at 30% off MSRP, but that is customary for toy retailers in Japan and in line with every other Japanese retailer selling this toy.

Plus, the $300 USD price on Amazon is still a major increase to the previous high priced MP, Beast Wars Megatron, which Amazon Japan was selling for around $200 USD. That means retail prices for high priced MPs have jumped 50% from one release to the next and yet the toy is still a #1 best seller.





We will leave you now with this fun comparison by fellow CSeibertronian Cyberpath between MP 10, MP 44 and the G1 cartoon.

Cyberpath wrote:

Obviously the price makes it impossible to get for me, but I will say that it looks good. The colors could be better, but otherwise it seems to be an improvement over MP-01 and MP-10. Looks like they finally got both modes right.

One of my friends really wants one but cant justify spending that price. I told him if “if you can, just put $30-$50 to the side every month until he’s released”. That’s plenty of time. That’s my plan. I get our weekday and I’m just gonna out $10 to the side every week until he comes out and if I’m short than I’m short around $20-$30.

Damn, that's depressing.

william-james88 wrote:
Well as it turns out, money talks, and the current best selling collectible on Amazon Japan

And i love that one of the most complained about figures of all time is their third best seller right now.

I think there must be a lot of Japanese collectors with more money than sense. Or taste.

Rodimus Prime wrote:Obviously the price makes it impossible to get for me, but I will say that it looks good. The colors could be better, but otherwise it seems to be an improvement over MP-01 and MP-10. Looks like they finally got both modes right.

The way I see it they made them both even more wrong. The truck mode with those pathetic ugly nigh-2D fuel tanks (which are DEFINITELY not cartoon accurate) and that mess of kibble on the bed, the robot mode by actually indulging in the disappearing tires on his legs, both modes with the dumbed-down (and inconsistent) decals and the flat colors. To call those cartoon accurate is to insult the efforts of animators to depict those parts as shiny silver chrome and whatnot like the toys within the limits of their budget and time constraints.

When I first saw the backpack, Ivwas ok with it even though I knew MP10 did it better. But upon hearing this thing actually houses speakers, I forgave it completely. Maybe he can have light up eyes too? I kinda feel like his damaged face could use some for his deathbed scene. I really like this Prime, from the Gundam-esque headsculpt and proportions to the extreme posability(he pulls off the "holding his ion cannon with two hands" look way better than any other Prime I've seen.) Wish I could afford it though, but I will probably put aside 20$ a week for it till it comes.

I find it rather sad seeing how some people are too dam loyal to takara, takara will see this as an "oh, sweet, we can sell it at any price at this point. lets release the next one at $500". We need to show them with out wallets that we don't want these prices, not with forums. They will never care what we say on here, but they do care when they end up making less money.

Octobotimus wrote:We need to show them with out wallets that we don't want these prices, not with forums. They will never care what we say on here, but they do care when they end up making less money.

For sure, but as the article shows, its too late. People did vote with their wallets and they voted yes to the most expensive Transformers product ever released by Takara.

joevill wrote::lol:

I was laughing too, hence why I just had to news this.

william-james88 wrote:We will leave you now with this fun comparison by fellow CSeibertronian Cyberpath between MP 10, MP 44 and the G1 cartoon.

Cyberpath wrote:[center]

I feel like this image is really unfair to MP10. He can get waaayyy closer to the iconic pose than that.

Case in point:

megatronus wrote:

william-james88 wrote:We will leave you now with this fun comparison by fellow CSeibertronian Cyberpath between MP 10, MP 44 and the G1 cartoon.

Cyberpath wrote:

I feel like this image is really unfair to MP10. He can get waaayyy closer to the iconic pose than that.

Yeah! Cyberpath, I demand you post that kickass stop motion GIF you made of this scene with your MP-10.

^Quite. It's not even actually that hard a pose. Hell, the G1 Optimus toy can do it (at least above the waist) if holding a version of his rifle that has the peg where it should be.

william-james88 wrote:

Octobotimus wrote:We need to show them with out wallets that we don't want these prices, not with forums. They will never care what we say on here, but they do care when they end up making less money.

For sure, but as the article shows, its too late. People did vote with their wallets and they voted yes to the most expensive Transformers product ever released by Takara.

Like I said, Japanese collectors with more money than sense or taste.

Seems a little too biased against MP-10. It feels like it was purposely posed bad to make MP-44 look better.

It has nothing to do with loyalty to Takara. People love this character, especially in this form, they want him; the company knows this and is making bank.

I have a feeling that quite a few of the people saying that they won't buy him, will get him eventually. Whether they'll jump on board till August, or get him as a gift from a loved one, or look for him later on eBay, or get an eventual reissue, or something. Wait and see. I was right about him being a top seller.

megatronus wrote:I feel like this image is really unfair to MP10. He can get waaayyy closer to the iconic pose than that.

I got you.

Colt wrote:Seems a little too biased against MP-10. It feels like it was purposely posed bad to make MP-44 look better.

It's from a magazine piece promoting MP-10.

Cyberpath wrote:It has nothing to do with loyalty to Takara. People love this character, especially in this form, they want him; the company knows this and is making bank.

I have a feeling that quite a few of the people saying that they won't buy him, will get him eventually. Whether they'll jump on board till August, or get him as a gift from a loved one, or look for him later on eBay, or get an eventual reissue, or something. Wait and see. I was right about him being a top seller.

I smell what you’re cooking, Cyber, and I’m with ya. Haters gonna wait, but but only so long.

I'm not. If I sock away for an MP Optimus it'll be MP-10. Unless they make one that's an actual improvement instead of this waste of plastic.

Even if I won the lotto and had the money to burn, I'd still be questioning whether it's worth spending that much on a figure that I won't be transforming.

Burn wrote:Even if I won the lotto and had the money to burn, I'd still be questioning whether it's worth spending that much on a figure that I won't be transforming.

I'm warming to MP44 and I hate myself for it.

Too many people attempting to justify it or not.

If you want it and can afford it, buy it. If you want it but can’t. Do as I said, save up here and there. Use a portion from taxes. Whatever. It’s still 9 months from release(August right?). If you absolutely can’t than it’s not meant to be. It’s jusy another Optimus prime. If it’s just gonna sit on a shelf and be dusted every couple months than don’t.

Trying to justify on it or not is stupid to me. At the end of the day if you feel that you will not get your enjoyments worth than you have your answer.

Just my two cents. I’m just getting so tired of the comments that are repeatedly the same I guess.

I jumped on the Amazon.jp preorder
(c'mon now, we all knew I would)

You know what I really dislike about 44... in truck mode there's no white stripe:



I never realised it wasn't present in the cartoon, so seeing 44 stripeless was off-putting. I mean, it's my bad, but it doesn't match what I picture in my head.

shajaki wrote:I jumped on the Amazon.jp preorder
(c'mon now, we all knew I would)

You know what I really dislike about 44... in truck mode there's no white stripe:



I never realised it wasn't present in the cartoon, so seeing 44 stripeless was off-putting. I mean, it's my bad, but it doesn't match what I picture in my head.

I’m having dejavu of Ultra Magnus and his red bumper from a few years ago...

This just in: Next Transformers Masterpiece figure will be $950.


Addiction + stupidity - self control talks even louder than money.

On that screencap clipping in the comparison you can make out the outline of where the stripe ought to be. I think a Masterpiece should capture the essence of the cartoon depiction without stooping to its omissions and errors.

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:On that screencap clipping in the comparison you can make out the outline of where the stripe ought to be. I think a Masterpiece should capture the essence of the cartoon depiction without stooping to its omissions and errors.

What you think and what Takara thinks are two different things. The goal of the Masterpiece series is to capture what the characters looked like in the original cartoon, which is the most important work of fiction for all of Transformers.

You can say all you want how you don’t agree with the direction of the line, but you can’t seriously tell me you don’t think that what they’ve accomplished is anything short of amazing. It looks almost exactly as Optimus Prime was presented on the show.

I think the extent to which they took that looks stupid. It's overengineering and I personally find it cringeworthy especially in truck mode.
The cartoon is important and the only G1 continuity I care for, but I don't think toys should be dumbed down to the limitations of its animation, especially when A. The animation was trying its best to portray things as shiny within its limits and B. this dumbing down paradoxically overcomplicates a toy as is the case here.

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:I think there must be a lot of Japanese collectors with more money than sense. Or taste.

Japanese collectors have a different mindset from a lot of western collectors. Where we tend to try to get as much as we can on our shelves and do the biggest and best displays we can, that's not all that practical in Japan. A lot of typical collectors either live at home or live in small one-room apartments (literally one room and a water closet, you go to a bathhouse to bathe) with very limited space for collecting. Some collectors have their character shrines and maybe a bookshelf and not much more. Collecting isn't really about retention it's about the experience. For big and/or expensive figures they'll buy it, enjoy it for a while and then sell it off if they need the space or something better comes along. Places like Mandarake and Jungle thrive on this sort of collector mentality. I'm positive when MP-44 hits we'll see a lot of secondhand MP-10s hit the used market in Japan.

Emerje

You can also blame Hasbro for the price too. Since we never know which Masterpieces will be released by Hasbro, people run out and buy the Takara one. The demand is there, they can charge more.
Then when you get the whole Rodimus fiasco, with Hasbro only releasing the Hot Rod part and no trailer, now you have collectors going to Takara just in case Hasbro does release the new Optimus without the trailer.

megatronus wrote:

Burn wrote:Even if I won the lotto and had the money to burn, I'd still be questioning whether it's worth spending that much on a figure that I won't be transforming.

I'm warming to MP44 and I hate myself for it.

I found the amazon price tempting as hell, and still do, but I set a firm $250 limit for myself, for any figure, and I'm going to hold to it. The struggle is real though.

Ironhidensh wrote:

megatronus wrote:

Burn wrote:Even if I won the lotto and had the money to burn, I'd still be questioning whether it's worth spending that much on a figure that I won't be transforming.

I'm warming to MP44 and I hate myself for it.

I found the amazon price tempting as hell, and still do, but I set a firm $250 limit for myself, for any figure, and I'm going to hold to it. The struggle is real though.

Yeah, I think amazon knocking off $150 makes him much more reasonable to people, and if it doesn't cost a ton to ship, then, you know what, good for them, I'm not gonna hold that against anyone

Cyberpath wrote:

I feel like Sideswipe doesnt fit as much anymore

Then again he was made with same design thoughs as MP10

There is nothing wrong with wanting cartoon accurate toys,but how far are we willing to?I wonder if vehicles are gone get cartoony too

Sideswipe, they had to keep the mold usable for the more toy-based Red Alert, whose hood doesn't get all squashed up like that on his robot mode nor do his tires get as hidden. And they had to keep him (and Sunstreaker) acceptable to Lamborghini. And honestly, I think he's the better for it.

Meanwhile, between the blandness from omitting the stripe and the mutilation and overcomplication done to disappear the tires in robot mode, MP-44 is the second-worst depiction of G1 Optimus' truck mode ever (first place is a 3-way tie between Hybrid Style, Robot Masters, and Classics Deluxe although THS-01 at least doesn't blandify the cab and trailer). And you can't even call the cab on MP-44 cartoon-accurate even with the stupid omission of the stripe, thanks to the ridiculously flat fuel tanks and the mess of exposed kibble on the bed! Full cartoon accuracy would require legs that looked just like the original toy's, front and back, in both modes. And hell, have those open up at the back and you'd be able to have the tires tilt 90 degrees and slide in and be hidden without all the overcomplication!

william-james88 wrote:

Octobotimus wrote:We need to show them with out wallets that we don't want these prices, not with forums. They will never care what we say on here, but they do care when they end up making less money.

For sure, but as the article shows, its too late. People did vote with their wallets and they voted yes to the most expensive Transformers product ever released by Takara.

joevill wrote::lol:

I was laughing too, hence why I just had to news this.

It should be noted though, that these are just pre-orders, with no payments. I'd be very curious to see how many are actually full-filled come next August.

My biggest gripe is that they keep putting electronics, which jacks the price up. But his backpack wasn’t as bad as I was expecting it to be. But I do hope this doesn’t set a new precedence for prices. But I do think that folks are freaking out a bit and getting the cart before the horse.

If Hasbro releases just the cab portion by itself for under $150, I'll get it.

I believe if hasbro were to release mp-44 here.
It would still be above $250+ .
Takaras mp-10 was $250 or $300 at a U.S. retailer.
Hasbros 2012 release was around $130, some got lucky for $99.99. Hasbros 2016 mp-10 release was $160.

Maybe if hasbro were too release it without the starscream bits and the season 1 head, maybe they can lower the price. Possibly without electronics? But that would leave out peter cullen iconic voice .
The trailer will always be included i believe.

Ironhidensh wrote:

megatronus wrote:

Burn wrote:Even if I won the lotto and had the money to burn, I'd still be questioning whether it's worth spending that much on a figure that I won't be transforming.

I'm warming to MP44 and I hate myself for it.

I found the amazon price tempting as hell, and still do, but I set a firm $250 limit for myself, for any figure, and I'm going to hold to it. The struggle is real though.

I think we are just feeling this because 300$ looks great in comparison to 450$. But its still 300$, which is 100$ more than Encore fort max and MP Best Megatron was on that same amazon site. If we were told this would be 300$ from the start, we might feel differently.

Emerje wrote: For big and/or expensive figures they'll buy it, enjoy it for a while and then sell it off if they need the space or something better comes along. Places like Mandarake and Jungle thrive on this sort of collector mentality. I'm positive when MP-44 hits we'll see a lot of secondhand MP-10s hit the used market in Japan.

Emerje

That explains A LOT. I was wondering how come TTMall exclusives could be so cheap on the secondary Japanese market, within 1 year of them coming out. I guess this is how I will get Big Powered as well.

Rodimus Knight wrote:You can also blame Hasbro for the price too. Since we never know which Masterpieces will be released by Hasbro, people run out and buy the Takara one. The demand is there, they can charge more.
Then when you get the whole Rodimus fiasco, with Hasbro only releasing the Hot Rod part and no trailer, now you have collectors going to Takara just in case Hasbro does release the new Optimus without the trailer.

Thats a thing of the past, we wont be getting that anymore. From now on all MPs will simply be imported directly to the US by Hasbro for the same MSRP. You will probably be able to get it at Entertainment Earth, which seems to be Hasbro's new Toysrus. There is really nothing to blame Hasbro about here.

william-james88 wrote:

Rodimus Knight wrote:You can also blame Hasbro for the price too. Since we never know which Masterpieces will be released by Hasbro, people run out and buy the Takara one. The demand is there, they can charge more.
Then when you get the whole Rodimus fiasco, with Hasbro only releasing the Hot Rod part and no trailer, now you have collectors going to Takara just in case Hasbro does release the new Optimus without the trailer.

Thats a thing of the past, we wont be getting that anymore. From now on all MPs will simply be imported directly to the US by Hasbro for the same MSRP. You will probably be able to get it at Entertainment Earth, which seems to be Hasbro's new Toysrus. There is really nothing to blame Hasbro about here.

Speaking of which:

https://www.entertainmentearth.com/product/transformers-masterpiece-edition-mp44-optimus-prime-convoy/hse4009

Hellscream9999 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Rodimus Knight wrote:You can also blame Hasbro for the price too. Since we never know which Masterpieces will be released by Hasbro, people run out and buy the Takara one. The demand is there, they can charge more.
Then when you get the whole Rodimus fiasco, with Hasbro only releasing the Hot Rod part and no trailer, now you have collectors going to Takara just in case Hasbro does release the new Optimus without the trailer.

Thats a thing of the past, we wont be getting that anymore. From now on all MPs will simply be imported directly to the US by Hasbro for the same MSRP. You will probably be able to get it at Entertainment Earth, which seems to be Hasbro's new Toysrus. There is really nothing to blame Hasbro about here.

Speaking of which:

https://www.entertainmentearth.com/product/transformers-masterpiece-edition-mp44-optimus-prime-convoy/hse4009

Oh great, I really look forward to writing yet another article about MP-44's price.

Anyway, I TOLD you all. Hasbro aint gonna do you no favours. This toy is expensive, aint no way around that.

I love the Transformers community for always being optimist. Case in point, with the recent reveal that Takara's Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime Ver 3 had an MSRP of record breaking 50,000 Yen, some fans wondered what the Hasbro release would look like. Maybe it could be like Starscream where we all caught a break on the price, or like Hot Rod where he came without the trailer for cheaper. Well, Hasbro really did change gears with the Masterpiece line lately and the reveal of their release of MP-44 really cements the new reality (if there was any doubt).

As Hasbro has said in the past, their goal now is to release Masterpiece figures at the same time as Takara. No more waiting years for you to find them at US retail, and also no more skimping on accessories. Starting with Anime Prowl, they will release the exact same product, around the same time ... for the same MSRP.

So with Hasbro's release of MP Beast Wars Megatron being $320 USD at Entertainment Earth, you can easily guess what was in store for MP-44 Optimus Prime. A listing on Entertainment Earth has revealed that this Optimus Prime will be released in the US by Hasbro next year for $439.99 USD. It is the exact same figure with the same accessories though it may come with a wrap around cover with English text (for all you completionists). The item number is HSE4009 and here is the product detail:

The most complete Optimus Prime toy ever!
Redesigned to better match his appearances in media from the 1980s.
Transforms from truck to robot and back again.
Comes with an Ion Blaster, an Energon Axe, Starscream head and shoulders, hoses, blast effects, and much more!
The Transformers Masterpiece Edition Optimus Prime has been reformatted! The beloved original leader of the Autobots has been redesigned from head to toe to better match his appearances in media from the 1980s. The former Orion Pax transforms from truck to robot and back again, and he comes with an Ion Blaster and an amazing Energon Axe. With cartoon-specific detailing, Optimus looks incredible and includes more accessories than ever before. This Transformers Masterpiece Edition MP-44 Optimus Prime (Convoy) is the most complete Optimus Prime toy ever!

Prime also includes a cargo container, a Starscream head, a set of Starscream shoulders, nozzles, hoses, Spike, Sparkplug, a display stand, blast effects, Roller, variant damage parts, an instruction sheet, a character card, and so much more. Don't miss this one!

Man. I was hoping that IF Hasbro was to release this, we'd see a better price. Time to start saving. This will be the last MP Prime I ever purchase. I really do love the way it looks.

Two things, is there some sort of joint in the ax? Some pics make it look like there's a ratchet or something. We're all going nuts on the price, meanwhile I'm still waiting on them to get the Porsche license.

Looks like Takara has figured out how to make the "skirt" panels of articulation fold in, instead of out over the thighs.



Compare with the old way:

TulioDude wrote:I feel like Sideswipe doesnt fit as much anymore

Then again he was made with same design thoughs as MP10

There is nothing wrong with wanting cartoon accurate toys,but how far are we willing to?I wonder if vehicles are gone get cartoony too

I figure if Sideswipe were made as an MP today he'd be different than MP-12. But I think he's good enough. It's more Red Alet that bugs me, they left out his signature shoulders/arms because back then retooling was simpler due to lower budget.

As for vehicles, I'd say no. If anything they made Sunstreaker more like the real Countach.



And the reason Optimus Prime seems so complex is that they can have a super-accurate robot mode, with a more realistic truck. Different grills, different windows, different fuel tanks, lights, air intake, studs, wipers, etc.



A complete transformation. I think the smoke-stacks may be the only obvious truck parts shared by both modes.





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