With the new MP Optimus Prime coming out and MP-10 still being expensive, which other Optimus Prime figure, I can use as replacement with my MP collection? They're so many 3rd party figures, as I am looking for the closest to G1.
I guess it depends what you mean by G1, ars you talking toon or toy or not bothered? By far the best imo is transform element TE-01, it's a phenomenal figure and despite being very toon centric is by far my favourite (I'm not a super toon guy taste wise). Magic Square MS-01 is ok too, tbh I was't that enamoured but it's a solid enough figure. I have the metallic finish one and it's more like an mp10 with correct proportions and a beefy look to him. Alt mode cant interact with mp10 trailer tho which is a missed opportunity, unlike the one above.
I just saw both MS-01 and TE-01 in person today and both are amazing. I have ordered TE-01 already, but I have to say that MS-01 was more impressive in person than in reviews and pictures. There are a few minor color choices that MS made that I don't like involving the gray, but it's an excellent figure.
I think this might help, MS-01 looks like it has a more appealing transformation and better articulation but TE-01 might be better in all their categories:
MP-10 with shadow-fisher arm replacements. Wait for the MP-10 sell off that will come after MP-44 release.
I feel MP 44 will render all these 3p primes obsolete... at least to the toon accurate ones. The studio OX ones at least argue a different aesthetic. So many TE primes are gonna show up in the sales forum... Doesn’t really matter much to me though, I gave up G1 MP collecting.
I kind of feel the opposite. I think a lot of people are going to be disappointed with MP-44 when video reviews start coming out and becoming prevalent and folks see just how compromised it is for that price. Few collectors will admit it though because Takara Loyalists have all drunk the cool-aid, and many of those who are on the fence but spent the money, will feel obliged to convince themselves it wasn't a mistake. I highly doubt many folks who bought TE or MS are going to be selling them, even if they do get MP-44. The 3P versions are so much cheaper that it's an easy "purchase and keep" decision, even if you do get the overpriced official as well. MP-44's price is so preposterous that I imagine most people have either grit their teeth and pre-ordered for the discount or just passed on it. I can't imagine a huge number of collectors will have taken the "wait and see" approach and will buy 44 after release because the loss of the discount makes the already steep price for 44, so much worse. What I do expect to have the most impact is when the low cost, high-quality KO's of MP-44 crop up. As a comparison, look at MP-36. MP-36 was already pricey figure and a number of folks skipped him. I know I did. But the plethora of KO's that came out, which were as-good-as or better-than the official in quality and at a fraction of the price, totally changed the game for that figure. Personally, I happily skipped MP-36 as it wasn't worth it. But I have four of the KO's and a fifth on pre-order. (THF for bot mode, Magten for Alt mode, IT on my Optimus/ Megatron shelf, the gold Chrome version and a cell-shaded one on order) No way I would have bought THAT many of the officials. The same will apply to the MP-44 KO, if the quality and price are right. I guess the TL/DR of this is that both TE and MS are amazing If you like the look of MP-44, it's going to be insanely expensive and within a year of its release, expect at least one or two KO's that will be just as good for a fraction of the price. If you are okay with KO's.
After watching reviews online and doing some research i can personally say im in Camp Magic Square for G1 styled Masterpiece Optimus. Have already preordered the MS-01X (Metalic Version). Nothing wrong with TE-01 which is definitely more toon accurate, but i prefer the overall look of MS-01 more.
I got the MS-01 because it has ab crunch. If color is a concern, there is MS-01x with metallic paint. Also, Magic Square has a pearl white repaint for Ultra Magnus while TE announced a black Nemesis repaint. So now we have an excuse to get both molds lol
I was happy with MP-10 and was quite nonplussed by MP-44's announcement, I simply did not fell he was needed however being a huge Fan of the character I watched and waited to see how he turned out. Sadly he felt like the nail on the coffin of my love for the G1 MPs, too toon centric in aesthetics and too compromised by TTs now near fanatical pursuit of it and need to provided 'next level' articulation....and then there was the jaw dropping price tag. That seal the deal, no think you. However what MP-44 did do was raise the question, did I need a new MP Prime? Were there elements to MP-10 I'd like to see improved. Turns out there were and as if by 'Magic' MS-01 appeared. For me he's the best option, similar aesthetic, presenace and transformation to MP-10 but better proportions and articulation (without overly compromising sculpt). Plus no pesky trailer to store somewhere and a very reasonable price tag. It's a personal decision which you think is best. If you value toon accuracy over all else then MP-44 or TE-01 are for you, MP-44 if you simply have to go official for whatever reason. TE-01 seems to be the 'Budget' option of the two but also preferable in a few other ways. If you prefer a more nuanced and dynamic approach I'd recommend MS-01. Pay your money and take your choices, I'm very happy with what I chose.
I can't recommend TE Prime enough. For a company's first outing like this, they have absolutely nailed it. But I will say MS Prime is a good looking figure also and I'm sure the quality is just as good. Really just depends on the aesthetic you're going for.
I agree and disagree with some of your comments. I think no matter what, not everyone will be happy with MP-44 but as you mentioned, the strong Takara support base will think it's perfect. That's fine to me since everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I'm guessing the figure itself will be good but people will still feel a bit of sting on just the price. Had it been $250 or $300, I don't think very many people would have balked (considering MP-10 was $250 when it was originally released?) Specifically for the case of MS-01 and TE-01, I expect to see a spike of people trying to unload these figures after MP-44 is released but not a mass dumping of them for an extended period of time. Obviously some people are ok with having a cheaper stand-in for the time being just for something different, but for others, it won't be so much of a money issue as much as it is an issue with finding the space. That being said, we're in an interesting time -- I've ordered the MS-01x to see how it looks in person and it sounds like you really can't lose going either way. FT's Willis, on the other hand, I do expect to see a larger number of people dump in favor of the Takara option. I know no one has really opened up preorders for the official MP yet, but I don't anticipate him to be super expensive (as long as you shop around). But I think this specific case is different since we have a lot more options for Optimus than we do for an MP Hound. Personally, I plan on picking up both. You do raise a good point about KOs though. It will be really interesting to see if Weijiang/Bad Apple/etc try their hand on KO-ing MP-44 with all of its accessories and various improvements at a much lower price. To some extent, if the timing of this hypothetical release is as quick as it was with MP Megatron 2.0, I feel like over time, it will have an negative impact on future MP releases rather than Takara reevaluating their pricing structure, which is really more the message I feel the community is trying to send. Who knows though -- I guess time will tell.
This. Both eat the official Primes for breakfast. (TE for me.) I don't see that happening at all. People who bought MS Prime did so because they want more than the all toon look and aren't that interested in MP44. People who bought TE Prime did so because it is cheaper than MP44 but also because it fixes the terrible flaws of the official one. If you have bought one of the 3P Primes on purpose you really have no need for (the inferior) MP44.
