MP-36 and MP-44 are made for each other, and are both incredible transformers offering uncanny cartoon likeness with intricate yet rewarding transformation schemes. But which is the better Masterpiece? The million-long war between Optimus Prime and his nemesis Megatron wages on in the MP line, who will triumph? Feel free to explain which of the two is your favourite and why (be as objective or subjective as you wish!). Photos are more than welcome. Posts saying “I prefer MP-10” are fine but really what’s the point? I love MP-36 and MP-44 and depending on the day one or the other is my favourite, so I really can’t choose at the moment! That’s what inspired this poll
They tried too hard to make Optimus match Megatron's level of complexity. He didn't need it. I've now tripled dipped on TE01 and ignored even the "cheap as chips" KO 44. The sculpt is just too broken with all those panels. MP36 pulls it off partly due to his colors. I think that's why Nemesis 44 looks a little better to my eyes.
I don't have the official copies of either of these molds, but from the copies I do have and from what I've observed on the original copies: The MP-44 has better articulation. The MP-36 mold has less issues out the gate than the MP-44 has (the knees for one, dispit the paint chipping). Both are fairly cartoon accurate although I won't give a point for that since I prefer modern takes on the designs over the simplified cartoon. MP-36 has less of a backpack (although MP-44's isn't nearly as big of an issue in person). MP-36 has more "useful" accessories (I'm not storing half of them and a trailer in a box). I have transformed the MP-44 mold more times with less pain than MP-36. Ignoring Prices, overall I'd give it to MP-36, although I still think MP-44 is best G1 cartoon Optimus, as TE-01 looks to stiff for me.
As someone who actually owns and appreciates both, this is about the closest race I can imagine! Like Sam I go back and forth all the time...there are aspects of each that I prefer slightly over the other, making them even moreso perfect complements. In the end I usually give it to MP-44, just BARELY...and that might be my bias toward Optimus as my favorite character I appreciate the smoothness of his articulation, particularly in the arms, though I sometimes wish his hips had firmer ratchets like Megatron's (I'll be attempting to rectify that soon with some styrene). Megatron's transformation is more ingenious but Optimus's is more enjoyable. They both burst with character and are the toys I've dreamed of (literally) for 30+ years!
I’ve got to give it to my-44, optimus prime. I LOVE both, and my official copies are tight and gorgeous. Definitely like not the utter crap the cheap knock offs are, but hey if that’s what you can swing then whatever makes your a$$ get by then do it. Prime and Megatron both have incredible articulation. I give it to prime because of the girth and heft his mold has. Megatron feels a little thin in the waist, and prime’s girthier feel fills up my hand so good. If Megatron was a little thicker then I’d might swing that way, but I’ll stick w9th the big boy, Prime as my go to when I need a fix.
I honestly can’t choose. 44 is special. It’s the prime we all deserve, but I STILL can’t believe I own a toy like 36. It boggles my Mind that a gun megatron got made. AND it’s hyper articulated and cartoon accurate. We’ve had lots of primes and most have been acceptable when they came out. Each prime was pretty close subjectively. But a cartoon megatron has NEVER had an acceptable toy. That toy was the result of some dark voodoo in the world. It’s because 36 sucked all the luck out of the year that we got a dry 2018 and a fucky 2020. still I can’t really choose.
I personally go with MP-36, though that mainly comes down to my view that a proper toon-accurate MP Prime was simply an inevitability due to the aesthetic of the design itself as well as ever continued refinements in engineering based solely around turning Prime from truck to robot. MP-44 is awesome but I think it's more than fair to say TE-01 shows it was indeed possible to create something similar without need of being over-engineered. Megatron on the other hand I still find incredible that it was accomplished. His robot design is one that doesn't lend itself well in making the attempt any easier. A lot of the 3P options were cool but they never really seemed to nail down something that worked for both modes whether it be due to articulation, aesthetic choices or proportions. MP-36 manages to really capture those flowing curves of the original animation model without compromise for the articulation, especially in those slender legs since they're not compromised with having to fully become the stock. MP-36 is certainly one of the few bots I think is deserving of the Masterpiece label.
Geez, its like asking which one of your kids you love more Honestly , both of them gave me that "it gets no better than this" feeling when I took them out of the insert. But I'm going to give the edge to Megatron for now and that's simplly because he changed the standards for what we expected from a MP.
Megatron all day! That dude was my hero growing up. My original G1 lost his arm due to my dopey sister transforming him wrong. I was over joyed hearing that they were remaking him for a second time in the MP line. Although I had a pretty strong reaction to MP-05 back in the day, it just dosen't compare to MP-36. Now don't get me wrong I have nothing against MP-44, it is a damn fine figure. But having never owned an original Optimus growing up I don't have the connection I had towards Megatron (or most of the other Decepticons for that matter).
Megatron. It's the maniacal laughing face that does it I think. And it was the first next level figure. I mean inferno and grapple are kind of along those lines but I think it was Megatron which really took it up to the supercar level. Hideously complex, you're scared of scratching the paint, stupidly expensive and better than everything else. It's a Lamborghini of a transformer. Not literally. And if you factor price into the equation stupidly expensive beats I'm not even going to try to justify this price. And MP10 is a very good toy. I can stand it next to 44 and it doesn't get the crap kicked out of it. Unlike bumblebee who knocks the socks off the first effort. There were no decent Megatron's.
Man I dunno, I'm tempted to vote for MP-44 now I see MP-36 out in the lead, but I still feel like I can't pick just one of them! Megatron has this amazing presence that maybe just edges out Optimus (and it might just be because he has different faces with more emotion), but Optimus trumps Megatron on articulation. Such a toughie!
Wow...what a battle! I can only speak for MP36 as I don't yet own MP44. I think MP36 is the pinnacle for pre MP44 bots, though. But MP44 is just amazing. I can't vote, lol!
Probably the best couple of Transformers ever made I could go either way but I choose Prime because I had to think “if I could keep only 1 which would it be??”
Although I love both, I'm going with MP-36. He didn't need surgery out of the box, and although he does have paint issues, I think they're not as bad as in MP-44s case. I also am a bit tired of the amount of accessories that come with the new MPs. Not only in terms of they impact they probably have on the price, but I also don't have where to keep them. That said, both are terrific figured despite their issues, and I regret buying neither.
I don't own either. All I'm gonna say is Megatron's Laughing face it the most expression I've ever seen on a toy.
Fantastic job! You've become a true photoshoot pro! Where did you get the green versions of the blast effects?
Ah thank you!! Too kind I think I've got major room for improvement but I'm thrilled people might actually enjoy these, ha. I actually just recolored the stock effects parts digitally and added those crappy motion blurs Only other cheating was erasing my hand and a flight stand in a few shots
I’d have to go with MP-44. The hype train alone was worth the wait . Just wish he didn’t have the paint chipping. I Never had a knee issue .
I'll admit I didn't look that closely at the blast effect parts but your digital trickery is getting REALLY good! I thought for sure some company was making those parts in different colours. Hmmmm...... that's a good idea for Takara or a third party company. Takara should sell a blast effect kit or something with various colours. They did that with Generations Selects so maybe it might happen one day.