Good read.

He wasn't "responsible" for MP05. Oops.

He he he he ...........

 

Can you read Japanese, then? You might be right, but someone who can read Japanese would have to clarify what his meaning was, as it depends on whether the tense was mistranslated or not. I just don't think he was dropping a huge hint as you do - both Kobayashi and Hasui have thrown out lots of things in their various interviews, and very little has ever turned out to be an actual hint - they seem to be quite careful about what they say in that regard. As I say, I'd love to get a smaller Hot Rod, even though MP-09 is one of my favourite MPs. I wouldn't like to see another Rodimus Prime, though, as MP-09 is perfect as Rodimus, and I really doubt we'll see another RP anyway seeing as Takara include that figure in the photos with the new MPs (as can be seen from the Guide cover). If we get anything, it will be Hot Rod. But I don't think he'll get a make-over in the next couple of years.

EDIT: Just read the Shogo Hasui interview, where he says they planned MP-10 during MP-09 development, because they wanted an updated Convoy to be in scale with MP-10. Given that MP-10 was planned to go with MP-09, I don't think we'll be seeing an updated Rodimus for a while. But who knows - I'm sure I'll be excited about whatever they bring out next. Megatron, Ironhide and combiners if Hasui got his way...  

 

er, sorry if the translation was confusing. Japanese language is very lax on tense to begin with.
Kobayashisan is saying Rodimus Convoy "doesn't" get many opportunities to get a remake (present tense. he still thinks Roddy's not lucky in the remake department) He felt the same way back then and was keen on remaking the character as MP-9.

Though I can't see any hint in these lines whatsoever  

 

Great, thanks for the clarification, SydneyY, much appreciated!

 

That twitter post was a tribute to Kato Seizo (japanese megs voice actor) who had just passed away at that time. That would be cool if it was a hint at a possible new MP Meg design, but I doubt it.

Kobayashi also designed ROTF Leader Starscream. Which makes me wonder who designed ROTF Leader Optimus.

 

This old interview with Hasui shows him with ROTF Prime.

It doesn't really confirm anything but maybe.

I do recall an interview with Kobayashi from some time back where he talks about designing the Buster cannons though.

 

Thanks for the reminder Psychoshi. You could be right of course that I'm reading to much from the tweet, but taking into consideration the similarity of the head sketch to the style of the development sketches shown in the guide book AND that he decided to display a RTS megs right next to it really keeps the dream of a cartoon accurate MP Megatron alive for me. 

 

No matter what, I still have a soft spot for the first ever Masterpiece figure, the MP-1, or now, its the MP-01... Still love that figure till this day.. The size, the transformation, the diecast, the weight... Great figure!

 

True. I believe that he was in charge of the Buster Optimus Prime. Whether that means he had a hand in designing the figure, or just the Buster head/cannons, I don't know.

 

With regards to the ROTF leader Prime mold, its a great mold for sure. I love it. But my only gripe about it is that the front grilles form the legs. Not so great if the grilles are chromed like on the Buster and in robot mode, the grille part is touching the surface. I really think that if they can refine the mold further, they can find a way to have the grille fold up into his torso. I blame the electronics in the figure. Imagine the possibilities if the ROTF Leader Prime mold did not have that battery compartment.....

 

Alright, I found that interview.

Sydney helped with the translations back then too.

Based off that interview, we can safely say the Buster cannon was his doing as was the color scheme for Buster Optimus. Who designed the ROTF Prime mold is still anyone's guess.

Also interesting is that it was mentioned that he designed all Masterpiece products except MP-3. No mention of Yuki-san's involvement with MP-5 at all. I guess that's how the fandom ended up pinning that on Kobayashi-san until now.

 

I searched my own thread  D) and found this http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/trans...ew-rotf-human-alliance-gravity-bots-more.html
Sounds like it's Mr. Takashi Kunihiro that designed ROTF Prime, as well as TFTM 07 Prime and ROTF Ultimate OP - I recall a comment by one of TakTom designer few years back that the main character toy designs often go to senior designers.

Yeah that revelation was a surprise.

 

Sorry to resurrect and old thread but I must have been smoking something good to deduct that from the Kobayashi interview.

The interview is a great read if you haven't read it.

 

I always knew you had potential lad!  

 

  Nice, Underwear. I also read palms on weekends  

 

So wait, I thought originally Kobayashi designed the original MP3 prototype, the one before the hip kibble. But because Takara felt Starscream may not give them enough juice in the market, they brought the Macross dude, Kawamori to modify the prototype, hence, a cleaner jet but atrocious samurai hip kibble with seawee colors were added. So if Kobayashi did not design the original MP3 prototype, then who did the prototype before Kawamori took over?

 

You're right. Kobayashi definitely designed the original MP-03 prototype, as confirmed in other interviews. It was just about perfect - even better than MP-11. Ankle tilts, but more than that, the wings were originally designed to fold back then out, giving the arms and legs more clearance. Kawamori did away with that and added the splay wings to give his hip kibble clearance.

Enjoy!