They also never had intentions of buying the figure . Either it was to pricey , or preferred there MP-10’s or 3rd party options. Which is fine . But don’t hate on folks that want the MP-44 experience . Flawless or not , it was never your problem to begin with .

( not actually speaking to you @giafunk )

 

My replacement MP-44 from Amazon Japan is arriving coming Wednesday. I was planning on returning my current MP-44 (with one knee broken out of the box) this weekend, but I'm keeping it until Wednesday. Except for the knee, my copy was flawless. Might mix and match both copies on Wednesday if a face has a blemish or something. Hopefully I'll end up with one good MP-44 then.

 

@ambitron , so great hearing you're feeling this guy! Your new #1, at least for the next four weeks, right?  

@GearsRollo , great shot! Glad you dig! Did you see the photo tips that TT tweeted out that better shows out to separate his front wheels and clip his torso in? @chockey88 's right, but if helps to see the photo tips (I reposted them a day or two ago).

 

If you like the unofficial Optimus Prime then that's cool too man.
I just find it hilarious to compare the 3P more favorably especially considering the designer admitted to copying the head of MP44.. looks like he stole the boots too.

The 3P seriously looks wooden and stiff, its visible matrix chamber with the ugly yellow nipple is also a real glaring eyesore IMO.

I do love the figure wars however as it makes sure TakaraTomy step their game up each time design wise as I'm sure there would be great dishonor in actually being trumped.

 

I think I'm going to apply HG Product 77 on some parts, which is comparable to Future (Pledge) Floor Polish, but which I can't get here in The Netherlands.

 

So I finally got around to trying the knee fix with the help of the amazing @BrutiKing

While he walked me through it, I tested it out, and sure enough, because the blue tab couldn't slide into the channel, it broke the super glue's seal and the issue continued. So I did the fix again, except this time, also used an X-acto knife to shave the blue tab, thereby minimizing the amount of clearance needed for the blue tab to fit into the channel. After putting it all back together, I'm so relieved and happy to report, the issue is 100% fixed and it functions flawlessly, just like the right leg (it never had an issue.

Again, I can't thank @BrutiKing enough for his fix, as well as @Jarrod for his insight into shaving the blue tab (didn't need to clip it off).

Despite the knee issue, and the fact I had to correct a manufacturing defect (and likely engineering oversight), I am so happy with this figure, as it really is beautiful. TE & MS definitely have their strengths, but ultimately, MP-44 is a transformable action figure, and the fluid aesthetic and incredible articulation looks and feels like a non-transformable action figure, which I think is amazing. The complex transformation was daunting to me (this is the second MP I've ever transformed, with MP-21 being the first), but it doesn't bother me, and I like the puzzle aspect of it. Just about every moment is a Masterpiece moment to me because of how intricate and complex it is; most likely due to my limited experience with MP to begin with.

So, shame on Takara for allowing this to go to production. This shouldn't even be happening in a $50 figure, to be honest. But I am truly grateful to the people we have in the forums. Takara should be hiring you guys.

Here is a picture I snapped of MP-44 right after the successful fix (don't mind the inner leg flap I forgot to push in lol)

 

Yes I know that , was just pointing it out as he didn’t point it out in his comparison .

I’ll give it to them , straight antennas .

Yeah the bent antennas , it’s more fixable be it steaming it or hair dryer method . But definitely an issue that needs to be accounted for . One more to mp-44’s credit, it comes with a better S1 head or at least that’s what I assume te’s first head sculpt was doing . Again I was mentioning the head seams as he missed it while pointing out the rest . Just find it odd it’s ignored in most comparison .

 

Also in watching Wotofa’s vid, he shows how to position the fore-arm flap so that it doesn’t touch the pelvic area that some are having paint scratch issues.

Man I love his vids. He moves are slow, thoughtful, deliberate.

 

That’s exactly my plan. All my accessories, heads, etc, we’re flawless. So I definitely plan to mix and match if need be when my replacement arrives on Monday

 

I did, but for the life of me, I can’t find them. I got the tab/hinges working right now, but if you know that page number to jump to, I’d be very grateful.

 

My replacement showed up today, and this time I didn't break anything. All the components are better than the previous copy, to boot. The antennae are even straight.

 

Pic pls!

 

Curious...do you see any production number on the box and do you still have your old copy?

 

Not trying to be an ass, just curious. If you backed out of the hobby, then why are you still on this forum?

 

@Jarrod hey mate, I followed your instructions and have put the legs back but it didnt work for me, for sure I wasn't able to trim it down quite well, I was using a cutter, I'll get a sand paper and do it some time   thanks for the instructions!

 

Maybe because in hand it's not very glaring... I dunno, when doing my own in hand comparison the other night, that honestly didn't even cross my mind while weighing the pros in cons of each. If you look at the top of MP-44's head in hand, there is sort of molded detail line around the crown of his head. On TE, that detail is the seam line... I'd give a full list of MY findings, where I though each came out ahead, but I don't think many in this thread care. But for what it's worth, MP-44 comes out ahead even up for me. Factoring in cost and QC, I think I'd still give TE the better buy nod...but for many MP collectors (or maybe collectors in general,) they're willing to pay whatever it takes for the better end result. We buy the same figures over and over to upgrade by varying degrees...

 

But most are being critical over something you dont either own nor had intention of owning. That's just trolling. And yeah most need to get a life.

 

That knee bend.. mmmm.

 

Is the round head the S1 head? If so, I also felt it seemed small when I put it on for fun. I much prefer the head that is preinstalled.

I think it was alignment. When I opened the back to put the batteries in I tried readjusting some stuff and it locked in.

I'm not a huge fan of ratchets for that reason. On the other hand, friction joints are sometimes not tight enough and tend to loosen over time.

 

Is there any hope of getting a replacement ratchet for the inside of my prime's hip? It's the smaller ratchet piece within the hip assembly that's just completely missing (nothing broken). Do I contact Takara directly?