You're right in that it's definitely harder to translate these cartoon robot faces into 3d than it would seem at first blush but it is possible to do them justice. Azalea's face comes pretty close and I think this custom by some really awesome guy on here is not so bad (though the eyes could use a little tweaking). Yeah, it's kinda weird. They sculpted her with her back arched and chest thrust out. Would've been better if they'd articulated her waist so that you could pose her like that if you wanted or could pose her normally rather than having her constantly pushing her boobs forward. Maybe they just did it because they were aware that that's how her back would be carrying around that huge backpack all the time.
If you could get FT’s chest sculpt on this bot mode!!! I will say I will also always vote for a squared off torso and taller “panty” area like the cartoon compared to Takara’s take... There’s a lot to love in the car mode and overall presentation, but I think there is room for some tweaks!
Arcee's face sculpt from Wonderfest looks like the guy from Rocky Horror Picture Show instead of cartoon Arcee. It's the lips and eyes. Can't unsee it now. I agree, looks like it should retract/recess into the torso a lot more
Yeah, I take back my theory that the chest is mistransformed. Seeing the white trim line up like that on the front and back pieces confirms that this is how they wanted her. I'm not a fan.
There's two parts to the hood. The top part hides the top of the chest and separates into the top of the backpack, the bottom part is the actual chest with the rest hiding under the top hood. The picture isn't high-res enough to see it but the subtle cleavage line is there. After seeing this image multiple times, I keep wondering if the backpack is a problem for posing. Regardless the joints should be solid but I'm worried about her falling over. Also the stand looks like a transparent version of Track's included stand, maybe it'll be one of her accessories? It's even got an autobot logo tampo'd onto it so that may confirm my suspicion! Also the stand says 'MADE IN VIETNAM' in other close-up images of Arcee, so this probably means she'll be produced in Vietnam IF that stand is an accessory - which I don't see why it wouldn't. She seems to be the same height or slightly shorter than Hot Rod, and given MP Sunstreaker is shorter than Hotrod I actually don't mind the price.
Unicron having a stand in order to keep him stable, yeah. Dainty lil Arcee? Nope. If it's obligatory so she's not falling over 24/7 then that's a shame...
You know, being an Official MP supporter, this would be the first time I would buy a 3P version over the Official offering. With a backpack that massive and those dainty feet, I don't see how this figure could firmly stand on its own. The low bust and barely there bikini bottom section just looks off to me. The face is too pointy. It should be more rounded. The man hands look awful on this character IMO, this is not worth the $145 Takara wants for it.
errm well FT and MMC both managed to make the backpack fold up sensibly on her... especially FT ( tho their mistake was not making the backpack be able to peg in place somewhere and its just a floppy mess). So yeah... not as impossible as people think. TBH if Unique toys can make Bays Messy robot designs turn into cars and really accurate representations of robot mode... theres just no excuse anymore
Wow, it is a toss-up. The only thing that put me off about FT's offering was the gap in the chest. MMC had an offering that didn't look bad, but seeing the official.. yeah, I'm probably getting the official if only because it'll be available when I can afford it.
It's never at the price they show though. Pre-orders on Amazon usually discount up to 30% off and most import sites are about that range too. MP-45 was 13,000 Yen but sold around 9,800 Yen. Same story with MP-44. It's still steep, but that leaves Arcee about MP Sunstreaker price. If she has the right amount of accessories, it's worth it to me. But I know that's still a bit much. Sort of hard to see but it's definitely 'made in Vietnam', if what I said was correct then best guess is Arcee will be made in Vietnam too. Also that production number on there is interesting, wonder if that's the same for Track's stand or if that's for the characters it's included with. EDIT: It's the same as Tracks' although TT has used this stand for displays before.
Yeah. Shell-formers is really just for non-MPs. Like the CHUGs. I have LG10 and I've accepted her backpack coz it ain't an MP. This upcoming MP-51, tho. I'm having a difficult time accepting it. It's just weird and disappointing. They seem to have just basically upscaled LG10's design. With bizarro face-sculpt and even moar bizarro "granny boobies". TT should be and should do better than that for the MP class.
I'm all for people buying what makes them happy In all fairness, Sunny looks to have a more complex transformation than Arcee. If I were pricing this Arcee, she would be closer to 79.99, even with accessories.
As an owner of both FT Rouge and MMC Azalea, after looking at these pictures of MP-51 currently available, I think I will be getting one. The common complaints regarding the face and chest are valid, but not deal breakers for me. I think even without any modification, the current face looks better than any of Rouge's faces, but not quite as accurate as Azalea's (to me anyway). I would like to see MP-51's eyes be a bit smaller though. The issue with the chest seems overblown to me. Yes, it does appear that either the neck area is a bit long or the chest could be a bit low. But looking at the pictures I'm personally not seeing anything that's completely objectionable. I'm betting that in hand it'll look fine. As for the giant backpack, it's a sacrifice I'm willing to accept for the almost perfect looking alt mode. Neither Rouge or Azalea comes close in terms of alt mode, so even if MP-51's robot mode sucks, at least it will serve as a great alt mode display. (obviously I'm hoping that's not the case) My biggest concern will be QC. I've had pretty good luck as far as MP QC goes, with the only issue being MP-44's knees that I was able to fix, but when luck has to be involved with every MP release, that's a problem. Anyway, these ladies will most likely be welcoming MP-51 in when she gets released.
