Dengeki Hobby Magazine December Pics

Better be careful. I'll bet all that chrome on Grimlock is gonna blind someone when the sun hits it on your shelf!

It's a bit like Hasbro releasing a Chewbacca figure that, instead of being the same size or taller than the Han figure in THE SAME SERIES ended up being released the same size as a Jawa. And to rub salt in the wounds they then made it more expensive.

Seriously, no other fanbase gets fucked over on scale and proportional size issues than Transformers fans. I blame the fact that people actually bought G1 Broadside! It's been an uphill struggle ever since. ;-)

That and the fact it'll probably have that rust effect MP-5 had.

Actually the tail forms the back of the legs, if you look closely. the inside of the legs is formed by part of Grimlock's back.

I pray to the toy gods that Grimlock IS the size of Masterpiece Starscream. I want a Grimlock I can display with my Classics/Universe figures and be clsoe to scale with everybody there, not this "MASTERPIECES MUST BE BIG AND DISPLAYABLE WITH NOTHING BUT MASTERPIECES!" bs.

Oh yeah, and it's a high-end collector item - the price being more than the actual toy's worth should be expected. Takaratomy knows only grown nerds with paychecks will buy this, not little kids with allowances. So they bleed them for all their worth.

Well, I dunno what factory this is gonna pop out of, but I hope for the best. lol.
I hope China's woes arent gonna rear its ugly head in the Masterpiece Grimlock release, I'm sure thats like TakaraTomy's baby.

Grimlock looks awesome. The size does not bother me one bit. If anything him being a smaller size will help him fit in better with the rest of my collection, and more than likely make the eventual Hasbro release of him over here in the states a bit cheaper. Depending on how big he is compared to my other Classics Autobots, I might put him in with them, and either give my current Classics Grimlock a new name or put him with my Universe Autobots. As for his rather simplistic transformation, it doesn't bother me one bit, and for those complaining, did you really expect something more complex for Grimlock? I honestly didn't. It's not like they aren't adding plenty of more detail and what not. If anything the simple transformation saves him from being too complex like Megatron was, imo. In the end, he's at least more complex than the original.

Edit: That and when have we ever had a Transformers toy line where every single figure was in-scale with every other figure in the line? Alternators/Binaltechs don't really count in this case, as their in-scale-ness was all about their alt-modes, and really didn't have anything to do with their bot-modes. In theory the Masterpiece line should be an exception to this one little fact about Transformer lines, but it isn't. On a side note, does anybody have any bot-mode comparison shots between a MP Starscream and a Classics Voyager Optimus Prime? It's kinda odd, but I'm curious about how big Grimlock here will be compared to my classics Prime.

(Excluding MP Convoy which I think is lackluster at most) I think that those guys don't deserve the critism they get. Grimlock, however, could've easily been replaced with someone else with a more complex transformation. I would've much prefered and MP of someone else, simply because I knew Grimlock would end up being too simple. (Now simple isn't always a bad thing, but complex transformations are a hallmark of MPs and that's what I buy them for, so I have a right to be less-than entralled by Grimlock)

Let me get this straight: you say that wanting a toy to be in proportion (I'm not deluding myself with the word "scale" here) with the line that it's A PART OF is bullshit?

Then you say you want it smaller to fit in with another line? Wow - you must have been gutted when MP-01 looked rubbish next to WST Megatron.

I feel the same as Split Lip. Grimlock is a waste of a masterpiece.

Yes. Because I don't give a fig about the Masterpiece toyline. I just care about Grimlock. It's called picking and choosing the toys you like, not buying every new Alternator/Alternity/Binaltech figure because it's part of that line. I pick Grimlock to purchase out of all the other Masterpiece figures because it actually looks good and I hope he isn't ridiculously big that he'll dwarf stuff on my display, because I AM A RENEGADE WHO DOESN'T KEEP MY TRANSFORMERS GROUPED TOGETHER BY TOYLINE!

Also, my opinion differs from yours. That is all.

Interesting, I woulda thought he'd be prime sized at that price. Thats what i would picture him to be.

But as someone who doesn't collect mp stuff anymore, him maybe being as big as starscream could be really cool for classic collectors. I hate the classics version of grimlock, and feel this is exactly what i wanted.

I'm pretty sure it will end up being released in the US, and probably wait for that.



Also I'm bummed about hound, that just seems like a picture of the US version still, i reallly want to see what the henkei version looks like. I'm hoping for it to be the colorscheme from the g1 toy, and i think it'd be cool if the grill was chrome.

Very guilty on this charge. I've been a big fan of the two (Disney, then Transformers) and seeing them come together in Mickey Prime has doing backflips. I honestly can't wait to see the coloured final version!

Well first of all regarding masterpiece grimlock, I would think that anyone who buys a MP edition wants it to be set apart from all other figures because of it's overall quality, thats why we pay big bucks. IMO this includes many things: poseability, articulation, materials, paint apps, detail, appearance, proportionality, character accuracy and transformation. I think if any of these is considerably lacking, it's no longer a masterpiece transformer. It's got to have it all to be a masterpiece. Size (within reason) I believe does not necessarily make it a masterpiece or not, as long as the price reflects the reduction in size. As for Grimlocks transformation, heres how I figure it

Transformation too easy = no fun,
Transformation too difficult = really not fun
Transformation somewhere in between = win

I think MP Prime, and Magnus set the standard and all other MPs so far have been lacking in comparison. let me know what you all think.

talk about a buzz kill with mp grimlock being so small.

same size as starscream ???!!!! fuck this. ill wait for the us release.

The small size of Grimlock is a big let-down. I was hoping for another huge MP Prime-quality figure.

Oh, I'll be getting one regardless, being a Grimlock fan 'n' all. I do think it's overpriced given the size, though I prefer toys that are not needlessly huge or overcomplicated, so the news is mostly a good thing to me. Perhaps metal content and gimmicks offset that somewhat. I also hope Hasbro bring it over here at a lower price (and it's easier to find than Starscream was), especially if I like the mold enough to want an extra.

I'm glad the size doesn't bother me too much. My displays are spread out anyway, so it's not like I have MP's 1 to 8 lined up in a row to worry about scale issues although $140 is abit steep. Can't wait for painted pics

Just me...or does the miniature Mickey on the robot Mickey's head look super pissed off while the one in sketch to the pictures left looks goofy and happy?

Oh, and Grimlock being so small is epic fail for that price tag. WTF is going on inside all these toy company owners' heads? The economy sucks right now, prices should drop, not go up...

Wow. MP Grimlock just went from a maybe to a do want.

Seconded. I like Grimlock, but the other MP figures don't really do it for me. So I kinda hope he is a bit smaller, so he doesn't tower over all my other TFs.

I'm not going to panic yet. Judging by the price and rumored weight of this thing, I'm still inclined to believe the rumblings that it could be as big as (or bigger than) MP-01. Didn't we hear a couple of weeks ago that it's anticipated to actually be about 15 inches tall?

Either way, it's an instant buy if it's a larger figure. If it's the size of MP Screamer (which is barely taller than an Alternator), I'll be passing on it.

Based on the price tag and the cartoon-scaled btw. OP and Grimlock, my bet is this will be a BIG MP Grimlock with most of the parts being die-cast. The reason why Megatron and SS were mainly plastic was mainly because of the complexity of the transformation. With Grimlock being a rather simpler transformation, making it die-cast shouldn't be a huge problem. And this is why it has such a big price tag because of the material and size.

The next thing that worries me is the shipping cost. If it is mainly die-cast, it's gotta be really heavy... and this is really costly, in addition to the big price tag for the actual toy. Hmmm...

If Grimlock is in fact MP Starscream sized I'll be a happy camper indeed! Finally, a big Grimlock to go with my Classics/Universe bots.

Nope.

In the very first leaked pics with text regarding MP-8, it said that it's a toy for kids 15 years old and older. Someone saw the 15 next to a kanji an assumed it meant 15 inches, which is a pretty baseless assumption since Japan uses the metric system.

IMO, MP-8 is still a sale even if it's the size of MP-3. If he's big, he'll interact with Prime and Megs, if he's small, then he'll belong to the Classics.

The economy card can be used to demand lower prices, but it can also be used to explain inflation and why some companies have to charge more for something they used to sell at lower prices.

-airfox

Thanks for the translations E.C.R.

MP Grimlock's size is a deal breaker for me. I like that its MP-3 sized but not for 13,000yen MSRP. Unless I can get one at a really good price, I'm either going to skip this or wait and see what Hasbro does with the mold.

I like him, I think the reason he is upright is:

1. the original is upright
2. Godzilla is upright, and Japan has a real problem with how we did Godzilla.

I'm not sporting an extra $100 bucks though, but I do like him!

I wonder if they may end up selling more grimlocks at this size.

Because if they did a prime sized one it'd be even more expensive which would put more people off, and only MP collectors would buy it. While the smallish size may have some MP people passing, some will still be getting it and some may also get it to go with the classics figures. So they may be going for a broader audience.

Is it just me or does it seem like Henkei's doing away with chrome? I see none on Hound or Cheetor & there was none on the Ultras.

Eh, not interested. Just give me Hound and Cyclonus and I'll be happy.

I don't think those are the henkei versions. there still just showing the US versions. I didn't check cheetor, but i compared hounds and they seemed the same. They might very well just be exactly like the us versions who knows... but i'm betting that those arn't the henkei colors.

Well hoping anway, i really wanted a hound with a color scheme like the g1 toy and a chrome grill.

Agreed.
I collect figures I like (hence why I wouldnt allow Animated figs in my house if someone PAID me)
And if MP Grimlock is going to be the same scale as MP Starscream, well, Takomy just saved me $130.
When the first rumors of a MP Grimlock came out a year or so ago, I said I would only buy one if he was colossal (like head and shoulders taller than MP-01, while in bot mode.
My feelings have not changed.

Oh, I am sure enough people out there will pick one up, and they will be perfectly happy with mini MP Grimlock, but if MP Grimmy is going to only come up to MP Convoy's waist, I can think of better things I can blow my money on than that piece of crap.

-Viper 486 out

I'm sure it's for the best if they are. I don't want to imagine Cheetor and Dinobot's beast modes subjected to Takara's random chrome treatment.

Cool looks for Masterpiece Grimlock and Alternity Convoy!

Mickey however - meh.

I don't mind MP Grimlock being much smaller than he should be...

Except for the inflated price tag. For $140, if he's only MP Starscream size, I'm afraid I may have to pass.

Now, if they want to drop the price back down to about $104, which is what I paid for my larger MP Convoy, well, I can do that.

I don't get how people are getting this for Classics? There is a classics Grimlock, not to mention that this one even at MP Starscream size should dwarf the Classics figures...right?

What you are calling "bs" actually matters to many other people. This being said, I actually do display my 20th Prime and MP-2 with my Alts and BTs. Their scale is right around 1:28, so they're not that far off. I display my Seekers together, and I have my MP Megatron just by himself. Sure it's an odd way of displaying them, and they're even not together, but I'd still really enjoy Grimlock being a part of Masterpiece instead of simply an overblown G1 toy. I also think for Grimlock, even if the size is different, he doesn't need to be as small as MP-3, MP-6, and MP-7, especially for the higher price tag. Just because the target is collectors doesn't necessitate charging as much as possible. Also, I am an Alt/BT completist, but that's because I really enjoy the line. I'm passing on Alternity for many reasons as well. That being the case, I have to pick and choose my toys too. Perhaps that makes me a "renegade" as well?

I think I'd warn you from being too extremist when you talk about different persons. I've never seen that such is a wise practice.

While I may or may not display my MPs together or with other lines, I'm not buying any of those toys for the purpose of being a part of another line. If Grimlock, for instance, works well with Classics, that's a bonus. However, he should fit better within the line he's a part of first. I think this is where a lot of the guys who've posted are coming from. Also, I've already commented on the topic of complexity and Masterpieces, so I feel little need to repeat that here. A Masterpiece toy shouldn't have to sacrifice complexity of transformation for level of detail though.

As far as scale goes, the Alt/BT was in scale with each other. By default their robot modes are in scale with each other because their alt modes are. But if scale isn't an issue, then why worry about MP Grimlock? Classics/Universe 2.0 and Masterpiece have a similar but different aesthetic anyways. I mean, I know it might be cool to have a Dinobot that towers over Classics toys, but as a fan of Masterpiece toys, I think it would be cool to have the same for the other Masterpiece toys.

QFTW

If the toy is in a particular line, it should be made to fit in, aesthetically, and all things equal, in scale with the other toys in the line, especially in a line without multiple price points per character.

Why do you think MP Megatron's and Starscream's bot modes were both in scale to Prime (even while sacrificing the scale of their alt modes)?

Oh, I was just basically giving reasons why I personally don't have a problem with his size, and just basically saying that as this is a Transformers line, it shouldn't be too surprising that not all the figures are in-scale with each other. Either way I honestly wouldn't have a problem if Grimlock here was more in-scale with Prime and Megs. Basically I'm happy enough with his design that his scale to the other MP figures doesn't really matter to me (might help that I don't have any MP figures, and Grimlock is the only one I plan on getting). As for my detail comment, I was just pointing out that while his transformation may be simple, we really aren't being shorted anywhere else.

Edit: Was bored, so I decided to try and come up with a size comparison with Classics Voyager Prime if Grimlock is about the same height as Starscream in bot-mode. I do understand how some people don't like the idea of this, but it looks good to me. Looks like MP Grimlock, if indeed this size, has a good chance of making it into my Classics Autobots.

I wouldn't be surprised if the rest of the MP line is a smaller size while only giving the 12 inch size to prime and megs. every other toy in this line may only end up being 8 inches tall. Grimlock should be the same size if not bigger than optimus but i'm still going to get grimlock because he is my favorite character.

If Grimlock was the same height as Prime his overall dimensions would make him absolutely enormous and most likely well beyond the $150 price tag.

I'm just thankful that I take my toys on a case by case basis and appreciate them for what they are, not what they aren't.

True on both counts... but the thing is that a lot of folks (myself included) are not too fond of the existing Classics Grimlock, both for his slender, oddly-shaped design and his small size. While scale is pretty fluid (a nicer way of saying "maddeningly inconsistent") in G1, the consensus seems to be that Grimlock should be a good bit taller, or at least as tall, as Prime. So yes, this figure would dwarf many of the Classics figures, but that's a GOOD thing in this case. Only 'cause it's Grimlock, who is huge. People wouldn't be saying that if we were talking about MP Laserbeak, or something.

So this MP Grimlock, if the measurements are correct, could provide a larger and more traditionally-designed Grimlock for folks to fold into their Classics/Universe displays. I'm not saying this will ultimately work... I think once we see and handle the real figure, there's a decent chance that it won't be a good match. And you could be right, it could seem just a little TOO big. We'll see. But I believe those are the reasons why folks have been mentioning him in the same breath as "Classics."

exactly how I feel when people complain about Starscream/seekers. The plane is a perfect size to me and so is his size in bot mode. But this is just another

I hope Grimlock's size isn't true. It would be pretty disappointing. Why is he an extra $40+ if he's gonna be the same size as Starscream? It doesn't make any sense... hopefully the mag has their facts wrong.

Well personally I really don't like the classics grimlock, i think it's a crappy figure. The robot mode isn't accurate to his g1 look, and i feel he's way to skinny and small. At the minimum grimlock should be optimus sized he's always portrayed as a very big powerful guy. Classics grimlock is the only g1 based figure i'm skipping and won't buy.

If he is as big as MP starscream then that about makes him the same size as an Ultra Classics figure, which for me works perfect for grimlock. In the cartoon he was often portrayed as bigger than Op. So i think he may end up my perfect grimlock if that does pan out

My only problem is the price, i'm waiting to see how much the hasbro version is.

Well, mickey is interesting at best. Not really worth a purchase so far.

Grimlock- I just can't agree with the negative feedback I'm hearing. Looks like the G1 Dino and Bot, with lots of nice detail spliced in, has much much more articulation, and will probably be pretty big. I'm pretty sure that sounds like a perfect formula for a MP IMO. Complaining about him not having a needlessly complex transformation and not looking like a "true-to-life-scientifically-guessed" alt mode both seem to be just reaching for something to be upset about.

Megatron had to have a complex transformation to pull off a gun turning into a decently sized bot. Prime and Starscream both had complicated transformations in order to conceal bot parts in the alt modes and maintain the cartoon look for both. Grimlock from G1 already did a good job of concealing bot parts in T-rex mode, and if they altered the bot mode, he wouldn't resemble himself anymore. Grimlock, as a toy in G1, was already really close to his animation model (or vice versa). So, adding detail and articulation and size seems to be the best thing they could do. Making the transformation more complicated "just because" is, to me, senseless. Ahh, everyone knows this, I know we just need something to fuss about. The only thing I will concern myself with is the quality of the material used. That was my issue with Megatron, and unfortunately we won't be able to know about this until someone has him in hand.

I'm liking Hound - obviously there's not much difference to the Classics, but it looks like the green colour is more muted and less... fluorescent.

Grimlock looks pretty tasty, all things considered, but I'm not collecting the Masterpieces anyway - I got Prime, but that was it.

Similarly, Mickey actually looks pretty cool, though I doubt I'll be shelling out for it.

Is it just me, or does Alternity Convoy's head design look like it has a big block on the back - almost as if it has somebody else's head on the other side..?
I'm sure we'd know about that already if that was the case, it just occurs to me that it loos like there's a potential Reverse Convoy in it - especially as the fig's also available in silver.

And what the hell is the deal with the red-headed Exile Prime? That's not the G1 head - is it the same head they used on the previous version of Music Label Convoy?
I've just Googled the phrase "Exile Perfect Year" and it would appear it's something to do with a 7-man J-Pop R&B group. WTF?

(Apologies if this has already been covered, but 10 pages is too much to read through ATM)

Love Grimlock~

That's the engine block behind Convoy's head. There's no Megatron remold/repaint of the GT-R in the works and I doubt anyone would bother doing a custom one since Megatron has already been revealed to be the next figure in the series as a Nissan Fairlady Z.

It looks like TakaraTomy has been handing out Hasbro versions of Hound and Cheetor for the various magazines to showcase. I don't think these figures are in their final Henkei colors.

Music Label Convoy (both the white and G1 colored versions) sported a new head sculpt based on the Masterpiece one. This one looks to be the same.

I'll buy grimlock because I think he'll be awesome regardless. I think he isn't as big as we hoped because they want the 2 leaders to be the tallest. that's my theory. besides I wouldn't want him TOO big, I dislike really big transformers.