According to FansHobby, Energon Optimus is supposed to release sometime later this month. This one only now has official colored sample pictures released and is estimated only to release before the end of 2022, so I think it’s safe to say that Energon Optimus will be arriving prior to this one’s release. I have both preordered, so I’m happy either way.

As for the paint, yeah I noticed the colors were a bit different from how he looked in the earlier renders, and while that’s a little disappointing (the early render colors looked to resemble the cartoon more), it doesn’t really bother me because I’m just happy this bad boy is releasing at all, and the colors still look great on him.

 

Please tell me they are also going to make Leobreaker

 

I was just thinking. I don't own the original figure, but I've seen pictures and Leo Breaker looks too big as a toy. At least that's how I feel. I wonder if it'll work better to attach him to an MP scale figure. Again, I'm probably talking out of my ass since I don't even have the damn thing. It would be interesting to try if anyone has the original toy. I know there's a 3rd party upgrade kit for it.

 

if this does well then maybe

 

I don't think it's Leobreaker's size so much as his shitty transformation. The toy was severely hobbled and jerked around in the design process, leading to a really gimped robot mode and a very unconvincing arm mode. If they could make the legs fold into the thighs, give the arm mode an actual hand, and add proper articulation at the elbow and shoulder (as well as articulate Leobreaker himself) then they could absolutely keep his size relative to Optimus and have it all work.

 

The car mode is gorgeous, probably the best among all existing MP jazz. The robot mode is ok, but shoulder joint is weird.
However the real great story is the design team hired a psychopath ("全形手艺人") to improve TR01's wings，and didn't pay him enough (or at least the psycho thought not enough), so the psycho took the company's computer, secretly left his name "全形“ in the inner calf of TR01 Jazz.  

 

I'm thinking they could design him with similar transformation to Cang Toys Ferocious. It doesn't have to be 100% cartoon accurate. Just a slight modern interpretation.

 

Honestly Hova was a pretty decent first go, minus the shoulders, which makes it pretty tragic. I really respected how they wanted to do options for both the toy look and the cartoon look when it came to the door wings and the wheel shoulders. Ironically, I think the wheel shoulder option was what made the shoulders on the figure such a problem.

Nevertheless, this Optimus seems to generally follow the original transformation with only a few extra steps, thus keeping the simplicity and hopefully avoiding any problems similar to Agent Meister/Hova.

 

That's not far off from what Leobreaker's transformation already is, but they don't need to really reinvent the wheel, just go off what the show did. If they go for the same level of accuracy as they have with Optimus then copying another figure's transformation isn't necessary.

 

Yeah that's what I actually meant. Leobreaker has similar transformation to Ferocious. I think adding the elbow joint could help with articulation.
Like this early concept of the arm.

 

Our wallets too

 

I'm so happy this is finally coming out.

I NEED IT.

 

Do people know the exact price this thing will cost?

 

So if they were to do a Leobreaker, would you guys want a separate hand piece or have one integrated.

I think $100ish

 

I think both would be cool. Do it like how SMP handles a lot of their mecha, with perfect transformation options but more proportional extra pieces to allow for better looks and articulation.

 

They're basically the finishing touches and features.

Added lots of stuff
- Added missile detailing on top of backpack
- Jet port (thrusters?) at the back of backpack
- Chrome plated pieces on the lower legs
- LED for Matrix/Cannon
- Filled some gaps of on top of the cab
- 142 points of articulation
- Fully articulated hands
- Rubber tires
- LED turns on via magnets.

 

Doesn’t look like we will be getting that bumper piece that covers the fist.

 

The Transformation doesn't require that I think.

 

I don't collect MPs anymore, but if the reviews for this guy are good I may just hafta pick him up.