Once again thanks to aniline, we have a clear look at MP-21 Bumblebee and Spike in color! Pretty much every angle in each mode is covered, along with comparisons, so check em out after the break!
See, I love the toy-accessories… you know, the stuff that actually makes them look awesome, and like the toys I played with as a kid (except better). I guess the difference in focus makes sense. For me the toys were the awesome thing. The cartoon was just some intermittently fun/stupid accompaniment to help sell the toys. It was never the main attraction.
On the flip side, I dislike all the extra bits lying around. I'd be 1000% more pleased with integrated launchers and piledrivers. It bugs me that MP BB's face-switch isn't built into his head, the way MP Starscream's was (or Grimlock's eye-switch). It's nice that the Datsuns have the fold out launchers… sort of… but they just look like flashlights on their shoulders. I was also kind of shocked that Smokescreen doesn't have them at all. I expected his large launchers would just fit over top, but nope.
zmog
I hear where you're coming from. I loved my toys, too, but the cartoon was definitely the main attraction for me. It's the reason I loved the toys and I don't know if I'd have been half as crazy about them if it wasn't for the show. I'm still nuts about it.
I agree with you about integrated weapons and accessories. Obviously the cassette's pile drivers couldn't have been integrated like Laserbeak and Buzzsaw's rocket packs, but have you checked out the instructions on those guys? I did the other week and had completely forgotten that those pieces can be worn on their backs, Soundwave can use them as weapons on his forearms, and they store their weapons and attach to Soundwave's tape deck mode as connectors. I rarely see them used this way in photos, but the thought Hasui put into them as well as nearly every other bot's weapon, is still impressive. I just wish Grimlock could store his gun in dino mode…
Spike, let alone his "scale", is the last thing I worry about. I just permanently leave him in MP-10's box along with the awful glove-axe, and will be doing the same with the exosuit version that's coming with Bumblebee and whatever it is that they're packaging with Ultra Magnus.
I'm with you, man. That stuff just sits in the box mostly. I realize it's cool to have the extras, but in practical terms, it's just clutter.
I'm also coming to the realization that I hate all that fancy, attractive packaging… because then I feel the need to keep/store it. Argh! Why should I have a closet full of nothing but empty boxes??
*glares at gigantic Hasbro MP Soundwave box*
Sigh…
Dean ML
Granted, I've no interest in the toy homage accessories like Bumblebee's battle mask or the Datsun's giant launchers, but I love Soundwave's extra Energon cubes, Sideswipe's piledrivers, and I'll be trying to pick up Wheeljack's hypno-box on the aftermarket, too.
See, I love the toy-accessories… you know, the stuff that actually makes them look awesome, and like the toys I played with as a kid (except better). I guess the difference in focus makes sense. For me the toys were the awesome thing. The cartoon was just some intermittently fun/stupid accompaniment to help sell the toys. It was never the main attraction.
On the flip side, I dislike all the extra bits lying around. I'd be 1000% more pleased with integrated launchers and piledrivers. It bugs me that MP BB's face-switch isn't built into his head, the way MP Starscream's was (or Grimlock's eye-switch). It's nice that the Datsuns have the fold out launchers… sort of… but they just look like flashlights on their shoulders. I was also kind of shocked that Smokescreen doesn't have them at all. I expected his large launchers would just fit over top, but nope.
For those asking about the "pilots" in the exosuits, I thought it was known how it was. At least for Daniel because of the Movie. Here are two pics showing that indeed Daniels arms are not part of the transformation and are just "at his sides" type deal. Or at least for the transformation. Not sure if that changes for "bot" mode. But at least we know for Vehicle mode.
Cool thanks for finding those. I'd never noticed that before. 30 year old question answered
Bii makes me want to see how Hasui might have handled a chibi vehicle approach to Bumblebee.
There are alot of nice aspects about TW Bii.
yeah, I've got some wonk on my Spike eyes as well. I'm going to try and clean it up a bit. Sparkplug is perfect though.
No doubt he'd have proportionally smaller feet and back kibble. I'm over the moon with what we're getting, but I'd love to see any sketches he produced of a Chibibee. In fact, I'd love a whole book with behind the scenes info and art.
Spike, let alone his "scale", is the last thing I worry about. I just permanently leave him in MP-10's box along with the awful glove-axe, and will be doing the same with the exosuit version that's coming with Bumblebee and whatever it is that they're packaging with Ultra Magnus.
Same here.
ambitron
Indeed – I'm looking forward to seeing more photos of MP-21 with Spike, like this one of Bii:
(Which actually makes Bii look much better than he is…)
It is a good set, but they are still on the small side. (Plus, the paint on Spike's eye in my set is wonky, making him look as though he's had a stroke.) I'm usually not bothered about human figures, but Bumblebee just needs to be alongside Spike.
To be honest, I actually prefer toyworld Bii's proportions and not his aesthetics, to MP-21's. It's strange but even though not chibifying MP-21 didn't have as much impact on MP-21's proportions as I thought it would have, his proportions seem slightly off and I thought he'd look more like Bii, whose proportions look better.
Indeed – I'm looking forward to seeing more photos of MP-21 with Spike, like this one of Bii:
(Which actually makes Bii look much better than he is…)
It is a good set, but they are still on the small side. (Plus, the paint on Spike's eye in my set is wonky, making him look as though he's had a stroke.) I'm usually not bothered about human figures, but Bumblebee just needs to be alongside Spike.
Bii makes me want to see how Hasui might have handled a chibi vehicle approach to Bumblebee.
There are alot of nice aspects about TW Bii.
yeah, I've got some wonk on my Spike eyes as well. I'm going to try and clean it up a bit. Sparkplug is perfect though.
Same here. The exo-suit is a huge "bonus"! I love having human figures for scale and for photo shoots. Really adds life to the line.
Indeed – I'm looking forward to seeing more photos of MP-21 with Spike, like this one of Bii:
(Which actually makes Bii look much better than he is…)
Zambot
Folks should grab the awesome Dr. Wu "partners" set. Really nice set of Spike and Sparkplug. Better scale-wise and detail-wise.
It is a good set, but they are still on the small side. (Plus, the paint on Spike's eye in my set is wonky, making him look as though he's had a stroke.) I'm usually not bothered about human figures, but Bumblebee just needs to be alongside Spike.
Shit, man, I love all the little extras! Some guys seem to have outright contempt for them, even going so far as to say they throw them in the trash, but for me, they flesh out and add color to the G1 universe. Not only that, more display options! Granted, I've no interest in the toy homage accessories like Bumblebee's battle mask or the Datsun's giant launchers, but I love Soundwave's extra Energon cubes, Sideswipe's piledrivers, and I'll be trying to pick up Wheeljack's hypno-box on the aftermarket, too.
Same here. The exo-suit is a huge "bonus"! I love having human figures for scale and for photo shoots. Really adds life to the line.
Oh don't get me wrong, I completely understand why many people like/want things like Spike, Sparkplug and seen-in-one-episode-only-for-two-seconds accessories, and all the power to them – they're just not anything I'm personally interested in. I'd never throw them out, but I'd also never pay more to get one of those kinds of add-ons or things like the collector coins.
I understand about the coins. They do nothing for me, either. I have three sitting somewhere collecting dust. I need to sell them and put that money towards Wheeljack's anti-hypnosis box.
Shit, man, I love all the little extras! Some guys seem to have outright contempt for them, even going so far as to say they throw them in the trash, but for me, they flesh out and add color to the G1 universe. Not only that, more display options! Granted, I've no interest in the toy homage accessories like Bumblebee's battle mask or the Datsun's giant launchers, but I love Soundwave's extra Energon cubes, Sideswipe's piledrivers, and I'll be trying to pick up Wheeljack's hypno-box on the aftermarket, too.
Oh don't get me wrong, I completely understand why many people like/want things like Spike, Sparkplug and seen-in-one-episode-only-for-two-seconds accessories, and all the power to them – they're just not anything I'm personally interested in. I'd never throw them out, but I'd also never pay more to get one of those kinds of add-ons or things like the collector coins.
Shit, man, I love all the little extras! Some guys seem to have outright contempt for them, even going so far as to say they throw them in the trash, but for me, they flesh out and add color to the G1 universe. Not only that, more display options! Granted, I've no interest in the toy homage accessories like Bumblebee's battle mask or the Datsun's giant launchers, but I love Soundwave's extra Energon cubes, Sideswipe's piledrivers, and I'll be trying to pick up Wheeljack's hypno-box on the aftermarket, too.
Spike, let alone his "scale", is the last thing I worry about. I just permanently leave him in MP-10's box along with the awful glove-axe, and will be doing the same with the exosuit version that's coming with Bumblebee and whatever it is that they're packaging with Ultra Magnus.
I agree, I got the Wu set too and it makes the stock Spike look like poo. This one actually looks like spike. I don't mind that he has the hard hat either. The details are so much better.
Funny thing about Spike is he's not even really in scale with MP-10 either. Sure he fits in to all the seats in the trailer, and fits in roller and the cab, but he's not actually in scale to a truck.
It's an interesting post. Basically Spike is as tall as a 10 year old, but he didn't look that small next to Sparkplug in the show.
Though I do think Spike looks cute on Bumblebee's shoulder. At the moment I've got Bluestreak cupping Spike in his hand. But he is a little too small. And from the looks of it even Spike and Daniel with Magnus will be too small (but at least they'll fit in the cabs).
For those asking about the "pilots" in the exosuits, I thought it was known how it was. At least for Daniel because of the Movie. Here are two pics showing that indeed Daniels arms are not part of the transformation and are just "at his sides" type deal. Or at least for the transformation. Not sure if that changes for "bot" mode. But at least we know for Vehicle mode.
The thing is that the original Spike figure that came with MP-10 was scaled to his alt mode, not his bot mode. So he comes across small when lined up next to the bots. Plus we can see how out of scale MP-10's bot mode actually is compared with the full-size cars through that Spike figure. Most people act like Prime's truck and Prowl's (for example) car modes scale well. They work well enough as toys, but in truth they are quite out of scale.
Though I do agree the Human Alliance size works really well with the cars, and would like to see any humans released at that size, they would be grossly out of scale with other alt modes. So with all that you're always going to have scale issues when you include humans who don't mass shift between forms.
Yeah, unavoidable really. That's why I think they should be scaled to MP bot mode so that alt size doesn't matter. HA is at the maximum end, I wouldn't mind a little smaller as long as they kept the detail and articulation. Tiny figures like MP-10 Spike though are almost useless for displaying.
OptimushedPrune
Grimlock can store his gun in dino mode, there's a little lift up clear seat on his back, it doesn't peg in or anything but it sits just fine.
Dean ML
I hear where you're coming from. I loved my toys, too, but the cartoon was definitely the main attraction for me. It's the reason I loved the toys and I don't know if I'd have been half as crazy about them if it wasn't for the show. I'm still nuts about it.
I agree with you about integrated weapons and accessories. Obviously the cassette's pile drivers couldn't have been integrated like Laserbeak and Buzzsaw's rocket packs, but have you checked out the instructions on those guys? I did the other week and had completely forgotten that those pieces can be worn on their backs, Soundwave can use them as weapons on his forearms, and they store their weapons and attach to Soundwave's tape deck mode as connectors. I rarely see them used this way in photos, but the thought Hasui put into them as well as nearly every other bot's weapon, is still impressive. I just wish Grimlock could store his gun in dino mode…
leov36
damn son i agree 100% with this! i love mp and all, but it coulda been better
SMOG
I'm with you, man. That stuff just sits in the box mostly. I realize it's cool to have the extras, but in practical terms, it's just clutter.
I'm also coming to the realization that I hate all that fancy, attractive packaging… because then I feel the need to keep/store it. Argh! Why should I have a closet full of nothing but empty boxes??
*glares at gigantic Hasbro MP Soundwave box*
Sigh…
See, I love the toy-accessories… you know, the stuff that actually makes them look awesome, and like the toys I played with as a kid (except better). I guess the difference in focus makes sense. For me the toys were the awesome thing. The cartoon was just some intermittently fun/stupid accompaniment to help sell the toys. It was never the main attraction.
On the flip side, I dislike all the extra bits lying around. I'd be 1000% more pleased with integrated launchers and piledrivers. It bugs me that MP BB's face-switch isn't built into his head, the way MP Starscream's was (or Grimlock's eye-switch). It's nice that the Datsuns have the fold out launchers… sort of… but they just look like flashlights on their shoulders. I was also kind of shocked that Smokescreen doesn't have them at all. I expected his large launchers would just fit over top, but nope.
zmog
Stepper
I have always wanted highly articulated, in-scale cartoon accurate G1 toys since 1984,so my dream comes true when these MP figures come about.
Liampope
Cool thanks for finding those. I'd never noticed that before. 30 year old question answered
Dean ML
No doubt he'd have proportionally smaller feet and back kibble. I'm over the moon with what we're getting, but I'd love to see any sketches he produced of a Chibibee. In fact, I'd love a whole book with behind the scenes info and art.
malware5
Same here.
To be honest, I actually prefer toyworld Bii's proportions and not his aesthetics, to MP-21's. It's strange but even though not chibifying MP-21 didn't have as much impact on MP-21's proportions as I thought it would have, his proportions seem slightly off and I thought he'd look more like Bii, whose proportions look better.
Zambot
Bii makes me want to see how Hasui might have handled a chibi vehicle approach to Bumblebee.
There are alot of nice aspects about TW Bii.
yeah, I've got some wonk on my Spike eyes as well. I'm going to try and clean it up a bit. Sparkplug is perfect though.
ambitron
Indeed – I'm looking forward to seeing more photos of MP-21 with Spike, like this one of Bii:
(Which actually makes Bii look much better than he is…)
It is a good set, but they are still on the small side. (Plus, the paint on Spike's eye in my set is wonky, making him look as though he's had a stroke.) I'm usually not bothered about human figures, but Bumblebee just needs to be alongside Spike.
Zambot
Same here. The exo-suit is a huge "bonus"! I love having human figures for scale and for photo shoots. Really adds life to the line.
Dean ML
I understand about the coins. They do nothing for me, either. I have three sitting somewhere collecting dust. I need to sell them and put that money towards Wheeljack's anti-hypnosis box.
Incepticon
Oh don't get me wrong, I completely understand why many people like/want things like Spike, Sparkplug and seen-in-one-episode-only-for-two-seconds accessories, and all the power to them – they're just not anything I'm personally interested in. I'd never throw them out, but I'd also never pay more to get one of those kinds of add-ons or things like the collector coins.
Dean ML
Shit, man, I love all the little extras! Some guys seem to have outright contempt for them, even going so far as to say they throw them in the trash, but for me, they flesh out and add color to the G1 universe. Not only that, more display options! Granted, I've no interest in the toy homage accessories like Bumblebee's battle mask or the Datsun's giant launchers, but I love Soundwave's extra Energon cubes, Sideswipe's piledrivers, and I'll be trying to pick up Wheeljack's hypno-box on the aftermarket, too.
Incepticon
Spike, let alone his "scale", is the last thing I worry about. I just permanently leave him in MP-10's box along with the awful glove-axe, and will be doing the same with the exosuit version that's coming with Bumblebee and whatever it is that they're packaging with Ultra Magnus.
Peacefrog35
I agree, I got the Wu set too and it makes the stock Spike look like poo. This one actually looks like spike. I don't mind that he has the hard hat either. The details are so much better.
Zambot
Folks should grab the awesome Dr. Wu "partners" set. Really nice set of Spike and Sparkplug. Better scale-wise and detail-wise.
Sam
Funny thing about Spike is he's not even really in scale with MP-10 either. Sure he fits in to all the seats in the trailer, and fits in roller and the cab, but he's not actually in scale to a truck.
Grandum posted this in the Transformers Scale Project thread.
It's an interesting post. Basically Spike is as tall as a 10 year old, but he didn't look that small next to Sparkplug in the show.
Though I do think Spike looks cute on Bumblebee's shoulder. At the moment I've got Bluestreak cupping Spike in his hand. But he is a little too small. And from the looks of it even Spike and Daniel with Magnus will be too small (but at least they'll fit in the cabs).
Mewtwo
For those asking about the "pilots" in the exosuits, I thought it was known how it was. At least for Daniel because of the Movie. Here are two pics showing that indeed Daniels arms are not part of the transformation and are just "at his sides" type deal. Or at least for the transformation. Not sure if that changes for "bot" mode. But at least we know for Vehicle mode.
OptimusTimelord
Yeah, unavoidable really. That's why I think they should be scaled to MP bot mode so that alt size doesn't matter. HA is at the maximum end, I wouldn't mind a little smaller as long as they kept the detail and articulation. Tiny figures like MP-10 Spike though are almost useless for displaying.