A thought.... is the Korean edition any better QC wise than the normal Takara one?

 

According to Protoman: No.

 

Might have already been asked but, why do you guys think this happend? Really they had almost half a year maybe even more to work out any major flaws such as these.

 

Takara wanted to teach all of you non-Rodimus-believers a lesson. Only true Rodimus fans (all three of us) got the figure problem free  

He's taken years of verbal abuse being compared to Optimus, and now it's the ultimate retaliation.

He is the chosen one!

 

No, it isn't, if the one that TFsource got in are from Korea.. Anyway, I found something interesting guys!! The reason the white piece that is supposed to keep the backpack up doesn't connect at all is because the tabs the arms pop onto in alt mode are in the way. SO!! If you file those down a bit, you can mod them to fit the backpack better! YAAAAAAAAAAAYY!! I are samart!!

 

LMAO

 

Y'know, that's a really interesting thought and the only assumption I can make seems a little outlandish even to me: Perhaps it was a choice really early in the design process to make the plastic thinner so as to save money. Maybe by the time they could handle the finished toy, it was too late to rectify. I suppose that's what prototypes are for but (correct me if I'm wrong) the prototypes aren't made of plastic and may not carry the same issues.

In any case, regardless of whether I should have to (which we know I shouldn't), I'll be at least somewhat prepared to do whatever modifications I need since I already have access to most of the necessary tools. Design-wise, I want this toy more than any other toy that has ever been conceived in any way. The execution is unfortunate but I'm not patient enough to wait for the next release. I may feel ripped off, but dammit I'll still be happy.

Mine should show up this week or possibly early next week.  

 

Hmmmm, to heck with it! Although there is a lesson to be learnt from this MP-09 Rodimus-fiasco, I damn well sure as hell am going to support TakaraTomy no matter what.  
Only 12 days more to buy.

 

I think @ first it was suppose to be just Hot Rod, then Hasbro said they were gonna release one too. Now Takara knows its fans, most of us would wait for the cheaper one. Takara at last minute is like let make Rodimus Prime out of Hot Rod. Then it became a rush job. No separate fingers, small matrix, I don't think they test the trailer with paint on it. I just think they started to rush @ the last moment tryna meet deadlines....my 2 cents.

 

I got mine from BBTS and it has very severe stress marks on the tabs that clip the backpack on the back of the car. Also the back pack is very floppy and will not stay up at all plus it is very hard to lock the backpack in place. It barely holds and comes of very easily.

 

I thought I would share some pics of vehicle mode in hopes that it might help some of you. As it was pictured...the figure was rolling on all four wheels...and everything was locked into place perfectly. Not showing off...just hoping to help those of you with alignment issues. Maybe you can use my placement of bits and pieces to get "rolling."

Standard issue top shot:


3/4 Side View...note that the arms are aligned with the roof sections:


Wheels and clearance (all four wheels are touching the ground, and nothing else):


Underneath:


View to the back:


View to the front:


Driver Side Alignment:


Passenger Side Alignment:


Rodimus Prime Vehicle Mode:


More Rodimus Prime:


Size Comparison:

 

Took some more pics...this time of robot mode...er...modes. I believe someone mentioned not being able to put him in a "running" pose.

Perfectly balanced on his own...no assistance:



Such a Cavalier...


There's a hole in the shuttle!


Guns at other angles:


One day an Autobot shall rise from our ranks...


Rodimus Prime:


OG Badass:


Now! Light our darkest hour!

 

So what's the final verdict on this guy? Are the problems mentioned universal or is it kinda hit-and-miss???

 

Do your shin panels clip on easily underneath? I'm sure I have mine transformed correctly and they simply won't reach!

 

Come to think of it, it's not impossible either. you still recall the early days of the whole 3rd party thing?

When Justitoys released their upgrade kit for MP-05 Megs, they also included die-cast leg panels for him. makes him much more heftier & better at balancing too.

 

My advice for the legs is to make sure you bend the lower knee joint first so that it is as far as it can go. Then bend the upper knee joint. This makes it a lot easier to align the peg with the slot on the back of the leg.

Make sure the crotch extenders (that sounds so awkward) are set to Hot Rod mode and make sure the legs are as flush as possible with the crotch.

The feet need to be aligned properly as well. The foot joint closest to the leg needs to be fully turned towards the leg. You'll see a governor that will stop it from going any further. Once you have the feel aligned past the aligning posts on the underside of the roof piece...push the joint in as far as it will go while keep the feet in place. This is very tough, but is a necessary step towards getting the arms aligned later. This is the best picture I have found that illustrates this:


(Thanks Matrix Soul for linking us to that Japanese blog)

You get everything in position as illustrated, and your panels should be perfect!

Hope that helps!

 

My guess is maybe production was rushed in order to release the toys before Chinese New Year.

 

It was planned it as a quadruple changer from the beginning.

Link to translated interview with TakaraTomy designer Hironori Kobayashi below.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/trans...32-takaratomy-staff-interview-mp-rodimus.html

 

Hey guys, for those of you who have scuffed up the wings on your Rodimi, Testors acrylic insignia yellow is almost a dead match for the paint that is on the figure. If any of you feel that you can't live with the scuff's you can possibly paint them back up yourselves   I hope that this helps a little bit.

 

I'd say wait to see what the Hasbro version comes with before we start wanting new accessories just yet. HOWEVER!! I COULD be down for some metal replacement panels.. it would give the figure a little more heft to him I think, and those who are worried about breaking the plastic ones off would not need to worry anymore.