I don't know about anyone else here, but I have zero gap issues with this version nor paint issues. Something that plagued my previous version. And it does seem to be more stable and painted better.

 

That's why MP BW's have to have fake parts. Can't really do it without them. But at this point who cares? Still great figures. Same holds true for some of the G1 MP's. I've gotten over the anxiety about it.

 

Am I wrong or is MP-12+ face = MP-12 KO face?

(And is MP-12 KO face = MP-14+ face?)

 

Mm that's about what I thought, along with the lack of silver trim along the windows and the door-slider.

 

What do you guys count as the various versions of MP12?

I thought it went like this:

V1: 2012 Original Takara release (squinty eyes)
V1a: 2014 TF Expo Exclusive release (no chest symbol)
V2: 2015 Hasbro Asia Exclusive release (MP14 face)
V3: 2016 Second Run Takara release (squinty eyes)
V4: 2017 MP12+ Takara release (MP14 face)

Sound right?

 

Exactly. What other line has come close to having cartoon accuracy for G1 other than the current MP line? There simply is none.

As a child it always confused my as to why the toys looked so much different than the cartoon versions, which I liked much better. Obviously I know the whole diaclone backstory now. But as much as I loved my G1 Optimus Prime I remember wishing badly that my Transformers looked like they did in the cartoon. It's absolutely incredible to me to see that wish finally come true with the Masterpiece line. And I love how they are going back and making their previous releases even better now that I think Takara pretty much knows what the fans "expect" out of the Masterpiece line. And they do a great job of delivering overall minus a few things like the MP 27 and MP 30 hip skirt issue- and even things like that are fairly easily fixed with the proper upgrade kit.

Literally the only "complaint" I have is they haven't released all of the first season characters....yet.

 

What I like better about the anime version is (from top to bottom): The face, to start with. The anime version has the same face now as Red Alert and it is a better color. No squinty eyes too.



Some do not like the bigger Autobot symbol on the chest, but I believe it makes the wide chest look smaller now, so I prefer the larger symbol.

Sideswipe now also has a hole in his butt, like the anime version of Red Alert, so you can pose him on a flight stand, like the one that came with Tracks and which can also be bought separately.

The legs are a major improvement too. With the anime version, the legs now look like one straight piece, with some kibble to the side. Previously, those black vents and the red backside of the car made the legs look less nice. Some people complained about the color of the wheels being grey now, but I believe this was mainly done for the legs, in order to get that straight black look of the legs.



The back of the legs and the back top of the car now also look more like one piece.



As you can see, the color of the paint is much more even on the anime version. This goes for the side of the car as well. No color differences. Also notice the cartoon accurate blue windows and the red lining on there, to match with the looks of Sunstreaker.



The red paint is nicer in my opinion on the anime version, it pops more.



There are also two disadvantages to the anime version, just like Red Alert had, and that is no more colored Lamborghini logo on the hood and no more Countach on the back of the care. Both had to go for cartoon accuracy. I prefer the red back of the car, but the black was necessary for the look of the legs, so it is a sacrifice which I am glad they made. A car enthusiast however may prefer the original version of the car because of this. In that case, get both the original version and anime version and display the first in car mode and the second in robot mode.  



I sold my original version a while ago already when the first photos of the anime version appeared. No regrets here. Well, maybe one regret; having Sideswipe ship together with Sunstreaker, so I have to wait until January to get both from AE.  

 

Yeah, basically, if you prefer bot mode or toon-accuracy (and especially if both), you'll likely prefer the MP-12+ version. If you prefer alt mode or Hasui-style (and especially if both), you'll likely prefer the original MP-12 version. And pretty much for all the reasons Arie just mentioned above. The differences between the two can be more or less meaningful depending upon your preferences for the line.

 

Ordered today with Sunstreaker and should be here tomorrow already. Oh, and MP-10B as well  

 

I love this figure!!!!! Blows the original out of the water!!!!!

 

i know people have different taste but its really no comparison between this and the original. I understand you lose some things like some alt mode paint apps, but i feel what you get in return more than makes up for it. He almost feels like a new bot.

 

once again....you frigging guys with your frigging photos accompanied by your frigging enthusiasm have made me buy a figure that I told myself I would not. I already own 2 copies of the original.....now I own this one too. First it was MP-41, now it's swipey........Thanks.


P.S. knock it off.

 

I’m on that threshold myself, have almost placed an order a couple of times now. The only thing stopping me is that I really don’t have the money.

 

to be honest...the only reason I caved was because I got $25 gift card for Ebay this X-mas....and I have been eyeing this mo-fer for a little while....free ebay money+money in my paypal account+I am a sideswipe junkie=purchase. Simple math right there.




Oh yeah....DO IT! Give in......don't fight it.

 

Does anyone has a photo of the back of the coin that comes with MP-12+? I wanna know if it has MP-12+ on it? specifically if there's a "+".

 

Got MP-12+ and MP-39 on Tuesday. Transformed MP-12+ yesterday. He can indeed hold his rifle much better than my MP-12 could, but also much better than MP-14+ which I also own. Love the plus look on him. The wheels are a big improvement in robot mode, but in car mode I would have preferred them to be darker. Will not complain about it too much, as I display my Masterpieces in robot mode most of the time. Absolutely the best version of all the different MP-12 based Masterpieces. Happy I got him.

 

I came to the conclusion that the grey wheels actually make it more realistic. Even more realistic would have been, if there was a color fade starting at the inner side of the wheels at the rims with black and going to the outer side to be grey.
Because real life vehicles have dirt on their wheels and that makes them often almost look grey. But of course that clashes a bit with the rest of the cartoony look. I just would have preferred if in alt mode he still had the black accents at the windows and on the hood. It's still the hood if it's in the back right? Hood is where the motor is or am I using the word wrong? ^^; But as I'm mostly displaying it in robot mode probably, it's not that big of a deal. It still looks good like that. I also have a model Lamborghini somewhere from my childhood, that looks exactly the same. Completely red, no black accents and the back is black (where the tail lights are) instead of red. Was there actually a real life version which was completely red withouth the black accents? Or did they just cheap out on the model car that I own?

 

I would buy this but I don't know where in my collection I'd stick it.

 

Somewhere in the middle, on eye level height.