My plan is to have my MP's displayed based on era. 1st Gen MP-1 to MP-8, then 2nd. Gen MP-9 to 35, (plus 3p when applicable, and the Skids molds), then 3rd ('Full Toon) MP-36 on up that fit the toon aesthetic. This way I can appreciate the whole range. Also enjoy the evolution of the line.

 

Oh, on the original toy. I tend to think the hood scoop might have interfered with the leg transformation. The leg kind of hangs over the top of the foot, right where the scoop would be, or very near it, so they went with the duct that's recessed so it doesn't get in the way.

 

If you can, get one of each. They're both great and I'm glad I held on to my MP-21 (I especially love him with the masked face). 21 is fun for a relatively simple transformation with a great bot mode and the realistic proportioned alt mode. 45 is so much better in hand than he looks in photos and exudes the G1 toon character. Lots of fun to pose and very expressive.  

 

Well, if nothing else, this recent slew of updates on old Cliffy J has convinced me to re-examine my initial views on MP-45, which weren't... well, all that great to begin with. So out from storage comes MP-45.

Bumblebee still has a few issues that make him far from perfect imo, but the update to this mold erases most of them handily. Cliff's backpack cleans up far better visually for one (to me, anyway), and the overall build looks better at a glance with the added bulk (incremental though it may be), especially in the arms. Bumblebee's shoulders were a solid square box, but Cliffjumper's shoulders taper slightly at the bottom to add a tiny bit of length. The forearms are thicker as well, and don't require panel folding along the back to create the illusion of mass like Bumblebee did. And I might be seeing things, but it seems like the central robot body looks to be slightly wider as well.

Still gonna grab the FT version though, because I like the feel of most (key word here) of their figures in hand, and the added door/window/overall car length in vehicle mode really scratches that primal itch between original toy and Sunbow that appeals to me far more than an "all toon" look most of you seem to prefer. To be honest, there's not much leeway in regards to interpretation for these original six minibots design-wise between real world and chibi alt modes (BadCube's Grump was a real surprise visually in alt-mode, though!), and this figure really looks good enough for me to want to display both in my collection.

And for the record, I ain't no front-pager. I just read a hell of a lot more than I post.

 

Is it at all possible at this point that this is NOT a Takara Tomy release? ...and some 3rd Party/KO of sorts?

 

That sounds like a cool set up.  

Sorry, I should have been more clear in my post. I already have both. Just like each for different reasons.

 

Those were my thoughts as well.

 

His car mode looks smaller to bumblebee car mode almost looks same size as his g1 toy

 

THAT'S the Cliffjumper I've been waiting for!

 

It was my first, too, but mine was yellow. I’m almost tempted to preorder XTB’s yellow Toro, but I’m not a fan of that figure.

 

Ah, okay!  

 

Pissdumper looks pretty cool, but I'm still not a fan of how squished his alt mode is.

 

MP Cliffjumper is looking better. It is going to be hard to chose between this and Fans Toys Cliffjumper.

 

Normally I'd share your optimism, but there's quite a few of us out there still waiting on other official Diaclone inspired repaints from Takara -- a black Ironhide being chief among them. (And Detritus, provided they fix Hound *grumble*)

I would be down for a yellow CJ for sure if the price is right.

 

Pissdumper? He yellow?

 

Sick opinion

 

Does the spoiler look too big? 

That style of spoiler doesn\'t really match the animation model for the car mode as there was no gap, and it is distractingly large in robot mode. Especially compared to the smaller faux chest.