Takara Tomy Masterpiece MP-44 Convoy/Optimus Prime Ver. 3

Discussion in 'Transformers News and Rumors' started by Retroheavy, Feb 21, 2018.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. [Wing_Saber-X]

    [Wing_Saber-X] Takara Fanboy Collector

    Joined:
    May 24, 2004
    Posts:
    27,318
    News Credits:
    37
    Trophy Points:
    412
    Likes:
    +16,901
    Agree with your assessment about MP44's over complicated transformation scheme. Boy did the Takaratomy engineers go absolutley crazy! There's some areas which had too many folding bits ...esp the legs....lol
     
    • Like Like x 1
  2. flynnibus

    flynnibus Masterpiece Addict

    Joined:
    May 22, 2014
    Posts:
    1,318
    Trophy Points:
    197
    Location:
    NorthernVA
    Likes:
    +721
    Ebay:
    Thx for the review... seems like Same $% Different Day with the MP figures now :( 

    I mean, certainly now that we've seen MP-44 in all it's guts.. we know its the most complex figure to date... but all these posts leading up to this talking about TT trying to get into the 'high end' price points like the other collector kit out there just made me chuckle. Reviews like yours just confirm it... its about what TT can get away with.. not elevating.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  3. Robotmonkeys

    Robotmonkeys Sons of Cybertron

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2014
    Posts:
    2,105
    Trophy Points:
    222
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Likes:
    +4,429
    Ebay:
    EF88FA3C-1493-42D1-99A7-7561E9C80BDA.jpeg Finally! Lil’ sis came through.

    image.jpg
    Edit: bottom left of box is a little smashed in and it looks like customs opened it due to the double tape.
    Now to look inside!
     
    Last edited: Sep 3, 2019
    • Like Like x 15
  4. Xaxis

    Xaxis Multi-dimensional Traveler

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2002
    Posts:
    7,339
    News Credits:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    337
    Location:
    Near Mt. St. Hilary
    Likes:
    +24,431
    Twitter:
    Instagram:
    Had a few things to take care of before I could get to this tonight. Did a quick surface inspection a couple of hours ago. I’m about to embark on first transformation, but before I start there’s a promise I need to fulfill…

    55AF1226-A2C0-459C-ACDE-03EC429E0A75.png
    Wherever you are, I hope you’re at peace.
     
    • Like Like x 49
  5. maz25

    maz25 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2009
    Posts:
    1,913
    Trophy Points:
    227
    Location:
    Skippack, PA
    Likes:
    +1,181
    Ebay:
    Aye Nay!;) 
     
  6. oku

    oku Chill.

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2009
    Posts:
    10,329
    News Credits:
    42
    Trophy Points:
    362
    Location:
    CA 91754
    Likes:
    +30,815
    IMG_20190903_205348.jpg IMG_20190903_210022.jpg
     
    • Like Like x 28
  7. LigerPrime

    LigerPrime Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2002
    Posts:
    26,892
    News Credits:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    412
    Likes:
    +6,949
    If you plan to get it, get it when its reissued as most of the time TT will (most likely) fix the issues the 2nd time round...don’t get this batch.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  8. Flapjacks

    Flapjacks Well-well-well Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2018
    Posts:
    4,220
    Trophy Points:
    222
    Likes:
    +5,992
    I can't imagine customs opened every AJP package. That double tape thing might be Amazon JP themselves doing it. Mine is the same.
     
  9. Agent 539

    Agent 539 Blackrock Gas Attendant TFW2005 Supporter

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2014
    Posts:
    4,792
    Trophy Points:
    257
    Location:
    Moorpark, CA
    Likes:
    +21,825
    image.jpeg
     
    • Like Like x 25
  10. RustedCross

    RustedCross Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2018
    Posts:
    477
    News Credits:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    142
    Likes:
    +1,991
    DEDA809E-19C7-4254-A994-3C14FA03B96C.jpeg

    To Bee, or not to Bee...

    Just got my MP-44, and I am very happy.
    i have to admit, as soon as I watched the first transformation video online, I immediately had buyer’s remorse.
    I thought it looked like a nightmare to transform.
    But having watched three transformation videos prior to receiving it actually got me prepared for the figure.
    I had initial trouble with a couple of panels, but after referring to the videos, it actually wasn’t hard at all.
    I’m still scared to transform my Megatron figure again, but Optimus seems way easier to me.
    And they look awesome together.

    No more buyer’s remorse.
     
    • Like Like x 22
  11. giafunk

    giafunk Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2007
    Posts:
    569
    News Credits:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    262
    Likes:
    +542
    transformation was petty cool. not as complicated as i thought it would be, but definitely more advanced. all panels line up like they're supposed to. robot mode looks smooth and flows so well. the panel lines just look like detailed moulding that so many have clamored for. guess i got lucky with perfect paint apps and fully functioning ratchet knees. i didn't think i would care much for this one, but next to mp-10, it shines as a true to source optimus. the articulation is out of this world.
     
    • Like Like x 7
  12. Pugnate

    Pugnate Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2017
    Posts:
    39
    Trophy Points:
    62
    Likes:
    +39
    A few people calling this good engineering are confusing me. That's not what good engineering is. Good engineering isn't needless complexity. MP36 was OK engineering in the context of how difficult it is to go from a beautiful cartoon accurate looking Megatron to a pistol. We can give Takara the benefit of the doubt there.

    But MP 44 isn't good engineering. It's poor engineering. This figure is needlessly complex. It's more complicated than MP36, which is senseless. There's absolutely no benefit to this tedious design.

    You can make a beautiful looking Masterpeice style Optimus that's fun and easy to transform. Takara proved it themselves with MP-10! Sure, it looks dated now, but look at TE01! Easier to transform than this. The vehicle mode is superior to MP-44. The bot mode is superior from the back, side, and in terms of having less ugly kibble, screw holes, and the like.

    Yes, MP-44 has better articulation and has a more aesthetically pleasing shape from the front. But I have no doubt that had this been well-engineered, we would have had an easier transformation, better looking back. Takara could have if they wanted to. It's clear that they don't give a rat's rear because we keep buying their stuff. This is Takara. Not Badcube. Not Fans Toys.

    Sorry if my comments offended anyone. For the record, I only buy MPs. Never KOs and some 3Ps. But in my first impressions, I am pretty shocked by this product.

    Amen to both of you. :( 
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 4, 2019
    • Like Like x 4
  13. Soundwave2

    Soundwave2 Banned

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2005
    Posts:
    4,835
    News Credits:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    312
    Likes:
    +1,087
    $325 well spent for my Prime. Overpriced, yes. But still the best Prime figure in my entire collection. And that was a “fun” 90 minutes trying to transform him without the instruction sheet. Scary, hell yeah. But still enjoyable as hell.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  14. BenLeong

    BenLeong Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2011
    Posts:
    395
    Trophy Points:
    182
    Likes:
    +1,065
    I’ve had the Amazon box just sitting with me in the living room, unopened. A little nervous about what luck I’ll have with QC.

    But, I’m also not afraid to just send it back if there are problems.

    So,

    Here goes nothing..

    .
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Sep 4, 2019
    • Like Like x 6
  15. Vakamadisk

    Vakamadisk Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2009
    Posts:
    381
    Trophy Points:
    232
    Likes:
    +1,492
    He's very photogenic!

    IMG_2826.JPG
     
    • Like Like x 17
  16. Mobb One

    Mobb One Godmaster

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2008
    Posts:
    2,962
    News Credits:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    312
    Location:
    Manhattan, NY
    Likes:
    +2,075
    20190904_000802.jpg Finally opened mine.

    I was a bit anxious with all the concerns. But as soon as I opened the box I was excited again...

    ....I have just spent 30 min just messing around with the trailer and the various battle components alone. Prime himself is still in the tray.

    I'm loving it so far. Takara really wanted to put as much versatility into roller and the trailer and the battle platform..and it shows. This is something that gets lost in all the comparisons with TE and MS. Granted it's not what people are buying Primes for but at the end of the day, the trailer and roller are still core parts of his character.

    I love the accessory storage too.

    Quick pic. Having a ton of fun with the trailer and components!
     
    • Like Like x 18
  17. Jtotheiso187

    Jtotheiso187 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2012
    Posts:
    1,673
    Trophy Points:
    232
    Likes:
    +1,689
    Some comparisons IMG_20190904_000255.jpg IMG_20190904_000235.jpg IMG_20190904_000205.jpg IMG_20190903_235610295.jpg IMG_20190903_183224.jpg
     
    • Like Like x 19
  18. TerminalRaptor

    TerminalRaptor Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2006
    Posts:
    170
    Trophy Points:
    212
    Likes:
    +437
    Just got mine. Shipping on Amazon Japan was insanely fast. It shipped on Monday and I got it today in Ohio.

    My initial observations are:
    This thing is unreal. I can't imagine what assembly is like in the factory. I can't even begin to comprehend how they designed the legs with how everything moves. I am afraid to transform him back into cab mode without damaging the paint. I wish I had "cheap" unpainted one I could just roughhouse with transforming back and forth. He is gorgeous though and a work of art. The backpack isn't an issue in hand, but I still don't understand how they couldn't minimize it further given all the other magic going on. Not sure how I feel about the face sculpts. They are animation accurate but I would have liked a tiny bit of artistic liberty. Given the ability to swap, I have no doubt a third party will fill my desire some day in the future. The poseability on him is some voodoo magic.

    Holy hell that trailer... I don't understand why it has many gimmicks as it does. They definitely wanted to go for, "not just another obligatory trailer". I would have liked a molded Autobot logo like on MP10, but that's not a complaint, just a desire. In fact my only complaint so far with the trailer is that you can't swing the trailer doors wide open like you could on MP10's. They stop at 90 degrees and I can't see why they made that change considering every other improvement. The storage compartment is awesome as well.

    I'm echoing the feelings on the minifigs, they just scream, "please break me!". I would have preferred the more limited articulation of the ones that came with MP10 and the other figures for the durability, and the weird tallness thing they have going on.

    I haven't noticed any knee issues yet, I'm thankful for everyone else investigating and giving warning.
    Now I just need to figure out what I'm going to do with my old MP10... I might keep him in cab mode 44 in bot, but space is starting to become and issue.
     
    • Like Like x 9
  19. BIOMEC

    BIOMEC Terrorcon, aka "Ratchetman"

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2016
    Posts:
    17,418
    News Credits:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    302
    Location:
    Arizona
    Likes:
    +23,829
    You bought two!!!! I want to do the same! But maybe the next year I will buy my second copy.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  20. Jtotheiso187

    Jtotheiso187 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2012
    Posts:
    1,673
    Trophy Points:
    232
    Likes:
    +1,689
    Nice observations! I do like how expressive the ball jointed head makes him. Amazing what a little tilt can do. I really like this figure. It's like MP36 Megatron all over again.
     
    • Like Like x 2
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.