Soundwave came very close. TakaraTomy beat them to the punch with their official version.

 

Thinking about it more (and I realize nothing can be changed now besides colors), it is the legs down that I don't like about this figure. If you compare it to screencaps, the upper body is spot on besides the placement of the hose. But the legs deviate a lot from the cartoon model. They are simply rectangular blocks whereas the original has a trapezoidal shape on the top and "squares out" at the bottom. These legs look like they could belong on any generic Transformer other than the sliver gun handle details on the sides.

Argh, I want to be absolutely ecstatic but for now I just can't be - I absolutely love Shockwave but I will have to hold off on a decision to buy until I see a lot more pictures.

 

The only thing I don't like is the hose. I've never been a fan of the plain black hose, but that's a very minor nitpick. Everything else looks great to me.

 

Yeah; I think the big issues I see with this are the blocky legs and the cannon wire being on the TOP of the arm rather than underslung. Doesn't strike me that the latter would be that hard to engineer anyway - just engineer in a swivel on the lower elbow.

 

That's not the final color correct?

 

Regarding the hose. I can see that there is a bicep swivel. If the elbow bends both ways, would it not be possible to just turn the bicep around and have the hose at the bottom? As far as I can tell, there is no difference if the forearm/hand is one way or the other.

Long story short, I believe that hose can be displayed under the arm vs over.

 

I looks at it like MP-03's hip kibble. Yeah, not G1 or cartoon accurate - but it was still a sweet toy  

I'm in for Shockwave. Where do I sign?  

 

Looks more like a test shot.

 

Not really that impressed. Looks like g1 Shockwave with a little more articulation thrown in there. Seems to me that the most basic basher could crank something like this out.

 

I kinda want him if he's that blue. I dunno why but I love it!

 

my nitpicks, incase Takara tries to trump thos  



This will make a good placeholder, shame they left easy area's to improve on. Their Soundwave was better than this imo.

 

About the hose, I think the prototype is just mistransformed. Pretty sure the blaster forearm can be rotated so that the hose attachment is at the back.

 

You did a much better job at showing what I wanted too. We agree fully except I still think you can place that hose on the bottom due to the bicep swivel.


P.S. Why is the FT Shockwave a perfect purple in your picture but blue in theirs. Did you touch it up? Cuz that laser hand is a nice light purple too.

 

Pretty much the case with the new MP Soundwave. Or MP Grimlock.

 

Either way, I bet the actual figure doesn't look anywhere near that color in person. I bet it's a purple that just coming across as blue in the photo.

 

Sooo.....WHERE THE HELL ARE THE PREORDERS!!!?? Unless Takara decides to throw FT another bitch slap, this guy will be bought. I'm really impressed.

Edit* Cartoon colors also!

 

It's Trikeboy's from the quote above.

The hose could be made to be under the arm but then the rivets/screws will be showing on the outside instead of hidden inside like they are now. The elbow joint would also be reversed and look stupid and work wrong and his bicep would be at the back of his arm.

 

Or maybe they're not dumb enough to make the same mistake twice...like any rational person...smarty.

 

It has nothing to do with the 3rd Parties, and everthing to do with he Japanese collectibles market. They're priced similarly to other high-end Japanese toys.

 

Did all high-end Japanese toys increse in price by 50% around the time MP-Grimlock was released? I know the exchange rate isn't what it was, but it seems prices have increased beyond the exchange rate for MPs.