Not super related, but looking at this makes me appreciate MP-44's likeness even more

 

Can definitely see the resemblance.

 

Does anyone know if there's a particular reason Takara picked this project?

Of all the MP combiners they could make, there are certainly more famous, popular teams I would have expected them to start with.

I guess just some promotion with Japanese railroad companies?

 

Besides the railroad corporate event, I say we start taking into account if Raiden was picked out of nowhere.

I chalk that up almost solely to the Japanese market, as that obviously is what MPs cater to first and foremost. Raiden definitely is popular in Japan, of course thanks to being a part of the Headmasters anime, also to a lesser extent thanks to the popularity of trains in Japan, both literally, as well as adaptationally through anime and such. Shinkalion, anyone?

I would also argue that since Raiden is popular, like I mentioned earlier, he would stand as the first in order to create a foundation for Takara's future MP combiner endeavors, while also being able to most likely garner enough funds to pay back for the engineering, and being able to put the rest towards whoever comes next after Raiden.

Now, onto that event, I like to believe that it was a motivating factor for Takara to get an official announcement out in the air a bit sooner than planned. Since the event had nationwide sponsors, I feel that they believe that it could help garner more attention than if they just put out an announcement on their own out of random.

 

I just can't see there being as much demand for Raiden as for Devastator or Bruticus, even in Japan... but if the train companies agreed to cover part of the development costs as part of the promotion, so that it's only costing Takara half as much to produce as a combiner normally would, then that would probably explain it.

 

Right, of course we won't know who ends up being the more popular one there. I personally would be surprised if he was more popular than Devastator. But in comparison to elsewhere in the world, he definitely has more of a following at home. That's primarily what I meant.

 

I reckon Japan Railways will be involved in promoting this project once the PR machine starts picking up steam (pun intended  )

Trains are pretty huge in Japan so I can see why they went with Raiden.

 

Just take my like for that pun already, haha.

Full disclosure, always love me a good pun, lol.

 

I'd guess the plan is less to rely on just the transformers fandom but also for the rather robust community of model train collectors and fans of other anime that involve train robots. Unveiling the project in the manner they did probably put it on the map for more than a few train collectors

 

While I have some expensive figures in my collection (including the Haslab Unicron that could end costing me around $900) I still not ready to not care anymore about prices, especially if they might be in the thousands for a giant no compromises combiner.

 

I wouldn't say rely less, but more throw that community into the fold as well in order to build that metaphorical foundation I was eluding to earlier.

 

I doubt they are covering any of the costs but are likely being paid or getting a portion of the profits for their licensing.

I'm sure they're involved in the design process (probably need to sign off on things like the car manufacturers do) and possibly the promotion of the product.

 

Now THAT'S something I almost forgot about. Would be interesting to see a JR logo or whatever slapped onto the box.

 

Are there any updates on this project?

 

Wasn’t Raiden the first Diaclone “real world vehicle” combiner?

 

It's a custom

 

Yeah, I missed that. Deleted.

 

Is this project still on? Anyone want to place bets on whether or not it will be steps behind other 3rd party combiner technology? Ex - The combiner elbows will have big gaps; lots of kibble.

 

Zeta tired of doing combiners - collectors cry everywhere. bayverse projects rip zeta

 

I wonder if Raiden will be the height ( or close to it) of the CW/POTP/GS gestalts ? I bet they are ...looking at G1 ...there not that big to begin with .. at least I hope so... these will be my first MasterPiece figures . I am stoked! Was there any dates involved in and with the talk regarding the project ?