We all do know that Takara has a good line of MPs coming up.. My concern is Hasbro.. Will we see these MPs in the near future because I really don't want to whip out $$$$ to buy the takara version when I could spend a fraction of it for the Hasbro release. By the way, I really don't mind waiting if Hasbro indeed wwill bring them over to the US.. 1)Mp Ultra Magnus Should I be 90% sure that Hasbro will be releasing this guy in the US? He does not need any kind of liscng'ing I think. 2)More Mp Dinobots? Snarl, Swoop, Sluge, or Slag? 3)MP BumbleBee? Is WV a problem there? and 4)Mp wheeljack? this is is hardest to imagine.. I think. I'm only collecting G1 S1,S2,and S3 MP. Not into G2 and As for starSab, I'm not really into it.
Ultra Magnus, without a doubt. He's a popular character, it's a big flagship toy with lots of presence on the shelf, and no licensing required to complicate things. But it'd probably be another Toys R Us exclusive, mind you. MP Dinobots not named Grimlock, doubtful. Wheeljack, a weak maybe since car licensing is a huge factor. Same with Bee and any car Bot based on real life alt modes. Japanese and American car manufacturers are easier to work with than European ones.
#2 - not unless Takara makes 'em first. #3, #4 - certainly possible (maybe even more possible than the Lambos); but, who knows? #1 - Here's the thing. He should definitely be up for a US release in the next year or two. But: the Takara version right now is less than $200, and he'll probably be about $150 at TRU. So, that's the reason I would recommend getting the Takara one. (It's why I am buying the other cars on Ebay for about $65 shipped each; the US versions are going to be $60 + tax, so might as well get the Takara ones.)
TRU U.K just cancelled MP Prowls release, seems they realised he wouldn't sell very well at his price. Bumblebee is a flagship character of any line since bayverse........He'll get released, but doubt it for the others.
Ultra Magnus is a very likely candidate for Hasbro release. More Dinobots are a big no chance. Any G1 car that would require Volkswagon AG brand license* is very unlikely. Considering Hasbro started with Prowl (who's license comes from Nissan). *This covers Bumble Bee, Jazz, Sideswipe, Red Alert, Sunstreaker, and Cliffjumper
I think since Hasbro has release Rodimus here minus the trailer part,that its almost a given they will release Ultra Magnus (whether with his trailer armor or not I don't know),as for Wheeljack I really think he is just as much guaranteed as Ultra Magnus is. Now the ones I am not so sure of Bumblebee and the rest of the Dinobots it is like this,but VW may have allowed Takara to use the design for Bee for a short period,but if Hasbro were to try to get permission so they could release it here in the states then VW may flat out deny Hasbro to use that design,but who knows maybe VW will let Hasbro use it as a 30th Ann. tie-in. Finally about the Dinobots I will say this but since Hasbro is really promoting the Dinobots in one way or another I am hopefully optimistic we hear something about them before the 4th movie comes out,that would be EPIC,but I don't know if Hasbro would break away from Takara and start our own line of Masterpieces,I always thought Takara was the main force in what was designed and released,and Hasbro was just a secondary market.But I have my fingers crossed that Hasbro will one day release all 5 Dinobots in the MP Line.
I think Ultra Magnus and Bumblebee are two more likely to be brought over by Hasbro. But Star Saber being brought over? Well... cue J.J. Jameson's laugh....
Ultra Magnus no doubt, But I recon that he will got for a really high price. The others I don't think so.
To pple that say another Dinobot is a definite NO. Why is that though? Grimlock made it to MP. If it was an experiment for Takara to make an MP dinobot, they have succeed and the sales of them both takara and hasbro proved it. So why not continue on to make the other 4 one at a time? they don't need special lisc. just my thoughts.
Grimlock is a popular character and the leader of the Dinobots. The other Dinobots aren't nearly as popular or well known. Masterpiece figures are basically Takara Tomy's baby (and TT already have their hands full with fulfilling the Ark/Nemesis crew members, Season 2 repaints from said molds when they can, and Season 3 heavies like Ultra Magnus, much less Dinobots not named Grimlock); Hasbro simply picks and chooses which figures are the most marketable to bother importing and I don't believe they have anything to do with the actual development of MP toys.
If Takara makes more Dinobots, Hasbro will release them. But I don't think Hasbro will take point and design new Masterpiece Dinobots themselves, nor would I really want them to. The trailer is not armor. It's an all-in-one design. When Hasbro releases Ultra Magnus he'll have his trailer. And regardless of the fact that Takara's price is less than $200 and Hasbro's will probably be $150, I might wait in his case. It's just personal taste, but I really dislike that red bumper, and Hasbro might not like it either. Hasbro will also release Bumblebee. They'll pay through the nose for the Volkswagen license, no doubt, but Bumblebee really is the #3 character in the entire franchise behind Optimus and Megatron. They won't pass up the chance to sell another Bumblebee. I doubt Wheeljack. He's not an iconic car in America, they can't redeco him into anybody with significant profit potential, and it isn't just the Lancia license, it's Alitalia as well (unless they want to modify his deco and leave that logo off, making him inferior to the Takara release anyway).
1.I would say fairly good. there are no trademark issues to worry about here. He is also very popular and has seen alot of exposure in the comics. 2. Takara has to make them first. 3. This one is where it gets murky, we know Takara got the okay but there has been nothing to indicate if Hasbro has it as well. 4. same issues as with bumblebee and perhaps he is a harder sell since he has a hell of alot less exposure in recent years than bumblebee has.
I'd love to see Star Saber but he doesn't really have the presence outside of the collecting circle so Takara release is the one to get. UM and BB are almost guaranteed. They release enough of those character molds for it to be a given.
