Since Inferno right?

 

I thought that was a plus? Simple enjoyable none fragile puzzle play? Heck, after all the flack MP-44 and 52 mold absorbed

Exactly! Warts and all.......it's the nostalgia charm  

 

But that's not how Takara makes MP's. They're not going to change the design. They're going to make the figures look as they should. If people want a more heroic/ unique take on a figure, there are options (Fanstoys, etc.). I have Phoenix too. I like that it's different from the cartoon look. But I'm also happy to have a cartoon accurate Jetfire from Takara.

 

People don't. Only Japanese market is into this kind of stuff.

 

So go buy Phoenix?

Yeah, nobody outside Japan bought MP44, 47, 52, 52+, 52+SW, 56, or this 57.

 

Probably more than half the people in this comment section have this on preorder.

 

It's still a bad figure. A brick with articulation worse than Siege.

 

Yup, and Inferno came out in 2016 so that’s, checks notes, nearly seven years now of toon-style MPs. It’s embarrassing that people are still whining about this.

Do you have sales figures of Japanese customers vs. overseas customers to back this claim up?

 

He’s gloriously derpy. Normally I’ve been out of the habit of replacing masterpiece scale figures of characters I already have, But I might have to make an exception for this one, since the fans toys version just looks way too heroic and buffed to really feel like the character. At that size he actually kind of needs to look a little goofy so as to not seem overpowering. For some reason the new pics look less gappy in altmode than the promos. I’m here for it

 

MP Trailbreaker has a dad bod yet heroic.

Technically, the mainland China market  TF surprisingly isn't THAT popular in Japan (look a Diaclone, the reason for such high SRPs is because of the limited small market). Hence Skyfire didn't go mainstream release. TT being really careful with the excess inventory curse.

 

Looks amazing. Hopefully the plastic quality is good.

 

Man, this dude is BIG. Can't believe how he just towers over the others!

I absolutely love all the little compartments for the mini-figures. Reminds me of old Starcom toys. Anyone remember that Starcom space shuttle? I love how it had room for several figures inside it.

I dropped out of MPs years ago cause the 'toony styling was absolutely not my thing. My personal preference would be the Siege version..it's closer to my beloved Hasui-bots.

Having said that, this guy still looks awesome. I loved the Valkyrie toy as a kid, but I also really loved the Sunbow model that was (briefly) in the cartoon and comics. Never thought I'd ever see it in plastic, but here we are! I can't imagine anyone that bought this being disappointed.

 

Then buy Siege and be happy.

 

let's not get carried away

 

I can extrapolate (on your second question) that TT goes to the extent of selling special eds version to the Asian (ahem China) market that never reach the JP and international market means they are really killing it. I was surprised myself that China is the primary TF market  I was under the false impression too years back (until 2007) that the brand was strong in Japan. It's Gundam, Gundam, Gundam, then Macross/Evangelion  TF doesn't even come close.

 

Oh I don’t want it to be $100 more but this probably has as much junk as MP-44 and costs a fraction.

 

That totally makes sense. The majority of 3rd Party comes from China and that's probably a majority of where the 3rd Party sales come from as well.

 

Where is the best/lowest price currently for this piece?

 

That fraction is about 4/5s... anyone comparing MP44 with this needs to do like for like, not the stupid $400 figures that some folks paid (for absolutely no reason)

 

It's a bit tricky now. Most of the Japanese etailers are sold out. They have it on Amazon Japan, but it's from a 3rd party seller and it's overpriced there. Best bet is from one of the American retailers (BBTS etc.). Everyone's price is about the same for this (~$250- $270 USD). I'm in Canada, so I bought mine from Ages Three and Up (I think for $350 CAD).