Yes I agree that we won't get a new Prowl or Wheeljack. Despite some greebles, they still match the cartoon aesthetic really well, and have articulation no worse than Shockwave (who definitely doesn't need a new version). The only things which stand out to me are the added details on Prowl and Wheeljack's shoulders, but I can live with them. The inside of Wheeljack's lower legs in particular are a good interpretation of the cartoon triangles.

In the case of MP-21, Hasui's added details are even more prominent at this smaller size. I'm cool with the extra lines on his thighs, which reference the original toy, but I'm not sure what the pattern on his shins represents (his shins are also not long enough, proportionally). The forearms are a little too busy also, and I still have no idea what he referenced with the details on the back of his hands.

Still, overall I would've been pretty happy with a brighter yellow repaint of MP-21. That we're getting MP-45 with perfect arms, chest and legs is awesome. I always felt that no wrist swivel and no finger articulation was unforgivable on an MP (acceptable on Frumble and the Target Masters, sure).

Only shame about MP-17+ and MP-20+ is they didn't get the same treatment that Bluestreak was afforded. Would've been really nice if they had made a more cartoon accurate head for Prowl, with a variety of facial expressions (maybe a death face instead of a smiling face). Some blaster effects would've been great too.
Wheeljack's head is pretty fantastic already, honestly, but putting it on a ball-joint, maybe making it a little bigger if possible, and somehow having the option for changeable 'ears' between blue and grey would've been incredible.


Still, the MP-20 mould is incredibly fun. Best articulation in a carbot when it came out, despite the 90 degree elbow and knee bends, because of those clever hips! Finally a carbot that could sit with no ugly crotch flap. I was never bothered by the lack of paint (in fact, I was annoyed by it chipping off on the back of his hands), but the Alitalia deco didn't evoke Wheeljack enough for me. The cartoon colour scheme, fully painted but with no paint on the back of his hands this time around is perfect!

 

@Sam , good call on how great WJ's hip/thigh design was for its time. Guy pulls off a fantastic run, too! I'd be down for a new WJ down the road, though. One of my favorite and most expressive characters deserves a ball joint head that can be cocked and look down, swappable blue ears, butterfly shoulders, deep elbow bends, Sunstreaker-style hands, deep knee bends, and more tools and inventions! Who knows if that'll ever happen, though, so I'm more than ok looking at WJ+ as the best G1 cartoon Wheeljack I'll ever get - certainly beyond what I could've hoped for 35 years ago!

 

Yes that's right, his forward and backward ankle movement is brilliant as well! Forgot about that. Even though I kept Exhaust, I don't mess around with him very much, so reacquiring the mould will be pretty damn sweet.

More tools would be great (I always thought Ratchet came with so many to compensate for that), and of course I'd take better articulation. If they could get those flaps under his hands that'd be pretty awesome, too! The butterfly shoulders would be cool so that he could roughly pull off an arms-folded pose.

Wheeljack might not be as iconic or recognisable as some other characters (he's probably straddling the A and B list), but when it comes to the cartoon he's definitely one of the most prominent Autobots in the first season, and he doesn't fade into the background later on unlike Jazz or Brawn.

Also the possibility of a new mould could lead to a toy-accurate + repaint, with that awesome toy face! Eyeless - so badass. At the same time they could go even further and make the car deco even more real-world accurate than MP-20 was.

Gimme Jazz, Mirage and Trailbreaker first though  

 

mp45's success is gateway for future MP characters .

 

And future version 2.0s?

 

Yeah, as far as a WJ v2 goes, WJ+ is plenty good enough for now and I'd rather have other characters before a re-do (though I could not be more thrilled about OPv3 and BBv2!). I know what you mean about those weird hand flaps! Yeah, his arms would surely look quite different on a v2. No spoiler on his forearms and he'd have that bar that runs down the outside of his shoulder to the bottom of his bicep. It's kinda there in MP-20 but stops at the bottom of his shoulder. And I like to think you're right about Ratchet's almost excessive amount of tools! Even that little welding torch fits perfectly in WJ's hand.

Like you say, WJ managed to stay part of the core cast (or Prime's inner circle as I like to think of it) even though guys like Perceptor, Grapple, and Hoist were introduced who played a similar role. Reminds me - I'd sure as hell love an MP Perceptor and Hoist!

@Phamduc , tell us what you know, bro! Would love for you to chime in more on the Speculation thread!

 

I read it to mean more minibots vs more 2.0s. We kind of already assumed they'll create a real starscream 2.0 without depending on how well 45 does.

 

Specifically he’s talking about more minibots  

If Chibi sells well (spoiler it will) expect Cliffjumper, Windcharger, and Huffer almost within a year.

 

Wow, that would be super fast!

 

I don't like to speculate outside of the Speculation thread but that would definitely break the drought from previous years! Is their any chance for more Decepticons in this stepped up effort? Maybe an Insecticon sprinkled in-between the mini bots?

 

Been staring at old MP Wheeljack a lot lately. Almost everytime I walk pass my display. It doesn't help that he's literally standing next to MP 21 Bumble Bee and Prime. Anyday now, MP20+ will arrive and an era will end. Wheeljack was the first MP I imported directly from Japan. After that, it's been an unbroken stream of getting every G1 MP released. I had MP01 and TRU Grimlock before but I bought those out of curiosity. Wheeljack was my first committed step into the hobby. It's a long quiet good bye. The bright side is, they took a great Hasui era design and made it even better with the Sunbow paint.

BTW, my friend asked me what toys I was planning on getting this year now that Toyfair is over. My list surprised me with how many G1 MP's are planned this year:
MP Optimus v3, Mp BumbleBee v2, Mp Wheeljack+, Mp Bluestreak+, MP Hound most likely. Also, the Siege line is so G1 heavy. Has it ever been this good for G1 Sunbow fans, are we living in the Golden Age now?

 

Just got request for payment for my 2 MP20+ from Ami.
Also got request for payment for MP Primal. I accidently ordered him and could not cancel him.
Anyone interested in buying him off me?
Ami billed me 107.00usd for him, which I have yet to pay. I'm happy to sell him for 90.00usd.

 

There are absolutely zero rumors for decepticons right now. There’s a plus repaint of one of the larger cons and a V2 of another larger con rumored. But no new characters.

 

Hope all this happens, it will be nice to use the MP Speculation thread again .

 

I neeeeeeeeeed my V2 Starscream! Here's to hoping we'll see him in 2020.
There's also the rumored MPM Starscream next year. Would be really cool if we got both renditions of this dude in the same year  

 

when we are living in Golden age but then there are folks who pin us for simply loving things takara put out. Hardcore purists they say. Criticize us for blindingly purchase expensive products when there are cheaper 3rd party products , or even criticize for being G1 fans and not cater to IDW or Bay , etc. Ridiculous.
That said do you want me to snap any specific shot of mp20+ in the waiting time ? I can pose it with my other figures.

 

So SW e SS they are ( there aren't other, lol)

 

V2 or V3? Would be annoyed if it is Soundwave, since the pattern becomes redoing every single release that we got only ~5 or less years ago. Pretty ridiculous