Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

[mooncake623]

I'm sure it'll be a fine figure, but... I just can't help but get the feeling that, like with Tracks, it could have been done better with Hasui instead of Kobayashi.

At which Masterpiece did Kobayashi take over?

Ultra Magnus. Well, Hasui started it, but handed the project over the Kobayashi halfway through, who finished it. But since he took over, Tracks is the first new-mold one he did by himself (Star Saber was done instead by Yuki).

I guess we really don't have any basis to judge Kobayashi's work until tracks then... unless we go way back but that's not fair since MPs back then are a different thing. Grimlock was done by Kobayashi no?

[Sabrblade]

I'm sure it'll be a fine figure, but... I just can't help but get the feeling that, like with Tracks, it could have been done better with Hasui instead of Kobayashi.

At which Masterpiece did Kobayashi take over?

Ultra Magnus. Well, Hasui started it, but handed the project over the Kobayashi halfway through, who finished it. But since he took over, Tracks is the first new-mold one he did by himself (Star Saber was done instead by Yuki).

I guess we really don't have any basis to judge Kobayashi's work until tracks then... unless we go way back but that's not fair since MPs back then are a different thing. Grimlock was done by Kobayashi no?

He did, yes. But Grimlock had the fortune of being very toy-accurate in his cartoon model's design.

It's just, I look at Tracks and Ironhide and don't see the same level of media-accuracy that Hasui strived for, which was highly commendable. Hasui seemed to be trying to get the toys to be as close to the animation models as humanly possible, while Kobayashi instead seems to be using the cartoon models as a starting base but then improving upon altering the proportions and details to update their looks a bit, as though the original looks of the animation models needed updating when most people were fine with how they looked in the cartoon (and updated looks are what CHUG toys are for, not MPs).

Thus, we have a taller, slenderer Tracks instead of the somewhat stout, stocky Tracks we saw in the show, and Ironide's torso proportions have been turned on themselves to make his belly more prominent than his chest instead of his chest more prominent than his belly.

[Cobotron]

Wait, how did Captain Kirk get involved in this?

I get your silly joke Mr. Maru.

I'm on the side of the fence that really wants the sled integrated into alt mode. I lean towards toy accuracy in my tastes. After studying the photos, maybe it's the back half of the roof of the van? But then, where do all those accessories go?
What ever the case is with the sled, this toy is a must have. The grumpy old fella has deserved this for 30 years now.
Also, whether or not all the accessories drive up the price, he is going to cost more than the other cars because he is just bigger.

[mooncake623]

He did, yes. But Grimlock had the fortune of being very toy-accurate in his cartoon model's design.

It's just, I look at Tracks and Ironhide and don't see the same level of media-accuracy that Hasui strived for, which was highly commendable. Hasui seemed to be trying to get the toys to be as close to the animation models as humanly possible, while Kobayashi instead seems to be using the cartoon models as a starting base but then improving upon altering the proportions and details to update their looks a bit, as though the original looks of the animation models needed updating when most people were fine with how they looked in the cartoon (and updated looks are what CHUG toys are for, not MPs).

Thus, we have a taller, slenderer Tracks instead of the somewhat stout, stocky Tracks we saw in the show, and Ironide's torso proportions have been turned on themselves to make his belly more prominent than his chest instead of his chest more prominent than his belly.

I see where you're coming from. But I'm still very optimistic about these releases. and until we get it in hand.. who knows maybe it'll be better then Hasui's designs. Believe it or not some people have complained that those MPs are visually very boring because of their G1 accuracy. (wasn't me)

[Robogeek1973]

I'm still not loving this guy like I do the other MP cars. I was hoping he'd grow on me, but if anything I like him even less now.

[Cobotron]

I see where you're coming from. But I'm still very optimistic about these releases. and until we get it in hand.. who knows maybe it'll be better then Hasui's designs. Believe it or not some people have complained that those MPs are visually very boring because of their G1 accuracy. (wasn't me)

Agreed. The proof will inevitably be in the proverbial "pudding". And ya, I absolutely love MP Magnus, but I feel he could have used a little more bling, a la OG toy. I may have to look into some stickers one day.

[Hellscream9999]

Wow, all this talk of the new/former designer taking 'shortcuts' for want of a better term, has me worried about Optimus Primal, I know that it is such a simple design, it would be nearly impossible to screw up, but I only hope he doesn't cut corners to include dumb stuff from the toy (bat mask, chest pounding, etc.) and really ruin it; the bw toy still holds today (although I still don't have one ), what we really want is a show accurate figure with a show accurate beast mode head

[mooncake623]

Wow, all this talk of the new/former designer taking 'shortcuts' for want of a better term, has me worried about Optimus Primal, I know that it is such a simple design, it would be nearly impossible to screw up, but I only hope he doesn't cut corners to include dumb stuff from the toy (bat mask, chest pounding, etc.) and really ruin it; the bw toy still holds today (although I still don't have one ), what we really want is a show accurate figure with a show accurate beast mode head

How does one cut corners by including something? I think you're using the term wrong...

[Sabrblade]

Well, I sure feel silly. I just found out that that Kobayashi didn't design this figure. Hisao Nishimoto did.

[mooncake623]

Well, I sure feel silly. I just found out that that Kobayashi didn't design this figure. Hisao Nishimoto did.

Wait really? I thought started to Kobayashi take over the line? was that only for a few figures?

[Hellscream9999]

Wow, all this talk of the new/former designer taking 'shortcuts' for want of a better term, has me worried about Optimus Primal, I know that it is such a simple design, it would be nearly impossible to screw up, but I only hope he doesn't cut corners to include dumb stuff from the toy (bat mask, chest pounding, etc.) and really ruin it; the bw toy still holds today (although I still don't have one ), what we really want is a show accurate figure with a show accurate beast mode head

How does one cut corners by including something? I think you're using the term wrong...

Well to include the chest pounding gimmick, a lot of structure would be sacrificed, the chest would be static, due to the gears - this entire assembly only serve to impede the playability of the figure (you can say, they may not be toys, so then why include the gimmick at all) The bat mask would be obtrusive, and take up additional space that could otherwise allow for 2 nice modes, and a smooth, clever transformation;

Now maybe I did use the wrong term, I have a large vocabulary, and it is hard to remember every word and every different use of every word; it is sometimes hard for me to try and put my abstract thoughts into words. So perhaps 'sacrifice', or 'take liberties' would be better phrases.

[Sabrblade]

Well, I sure feel silly. I just found out that that Kobayashi didn't design this figure. Hisao Nishimoto did.

Wait really? I thought started to Kobayashi take over the line? was that only for a few figures?

I'm as surprised/confused/in the dark about this as you are.

[Desslok2201]

Let me start by saying that I love this, I will be buying at least one. That said, I find it amazing that with all of the complex, unbelieveable transformations this toyline has pulled off in the past, it has taken over 30 years to bring to life a character who is one of the most blocky characters ever and turn him into essentially a box with wheels. You want a robot who can turn into 10 distinct things, including aircraft and animals? No biggie- just don't ask us to make a blocky stick figure that folds into a cube. That's just beyond our capabilities.

[Shuttershock]

Let me start by saying that I love this, I will be buying at least one. That said, I find it amazing that with all of the complex, unbelieveable transformations this toyline has pulled off in the past, it has taken over 30 years to bring to life a character who is one of the most blocky characters ever and turn him into essentially a box with wheels. You want a robot who can turn into 10 distinct things, including aircraft and animals? No biggie- just don't ask us to make a blocky stick figure that folds into a cube. That's just beyond our capabilities.

Make your own Ironhide today!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AKELEJ ... ds=cubebot

[Cobotron]

Let me start by saying that I love this, I will be buying at least one. That said, I find it amazing that with all of the complex, unbelieveable transformations this toyline has pulled off in the past, it has taken over 30 years to bring to life a character who is one of the most blocky characters ever and turn him into essentially a box with wheels. You want a robot who can turn into 10 distinct things, including aircraft and animals? No biggie- just don't ask us to make a blocky stick figure that folds into a cube. That's just beyond our capabilities.

Make your own Ironhide today!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AKELEJ ... ds=cubebot

What a blockhead!

[ausbot]

So far I think most of the MP's have knocked it out of the park but I think Ironhide looks rubbish, no offence to the people who like it, but it just does not do it for me.

[munkimus prime]

Wow I'm so glad to see everyone being so optimistic about a Masterpiece here. It's a masterpiece so of course it's going to be good. Even the bad ones were at least decent.

[Blozor]

They revealed his backside, and just like that VooDoo Robots is back in the running.

[Desslok2201]

Right now several 3rd parties are probably hard at work making butt prostheses

[sol magnus]

Butt wheels Shmutt Wheels, Side skirts Shmide skirts. This guy looks amazing and I don't care about a few liberties being taken to make a near perfect figure.

This is where I am with it.

[padfoo]

Side profile looks good.



Looking forward to photos straight from the source, especially non-stock.

Yes side view looks good, but the front looks busy and the wheel but should be covered by the flaps on his hips. They should swing back turn horizontal and be pushed up to cover the wheels.

[phantom1592]

I think he looks pretty good. He was never my favorite character or anything, he's immediately identifiable, Cartoon based (but not to the point of Simplified animation,) All in all, I deem him a win. Wheels don't bother me. I can't imagine putting him in a display facing backwards... PROFILE maybe, but with his back to me. Besides, if they hid the wheels there would probably be gaps or hollowness or something that people complain about



I'll probably get him, but not right away. I like Ratchet better and have an Igear one enroute... so no rush on Ironhide.

[Emerje]

Thus, we have a taller, slenderer Tracks instead of the somewhat stout, stocky Tracks we saw in the show, and Ironide's torso proportions have been turned on themselves to make his belly more prominent than his chest instead of his chest more prominent than his belly.

That's a sacrifice you have to be willing to accept when dealing with real car alt modes. A real Corvette is a narrow car so it would be hard to get a bulky robot out of it. The only way you're going to get a cartoon accurate chest window on Ironhide is by using a fake chest, the real van isn't built like that.

Let me start by saying that I love this, I will be buying at least one. That said, I find it amazing that with all of the complex, unbelieveable transformations this toyline has pulled off in the past, it has taken over 30 years to bring to life a character who is one of the most blocky characters ever and turn him into essentially a box with wheels. You want a robot who can turn into 10 distinct things, including aircraft and animals? No biggie- just don't ask us to make a blocky stick figure that folds into a cube. That's just beyond our capabilities.

Make your own Ironhide today!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AKELEJ ... ds=cubebot

I think you mean something more like this. I actually have two of these, but not the ones shown at the link. One has yellow and orange parts and Bumblebee's face tampographed on the head. The other is blue and yellow and has a face similar to Bumblebee's with a visor.

Emerje

[guarayakha]

LOL butt wheels. Remember how Optimus uses his leg wheels in TF:Prime on Megatron's face in their fight? Now imagine Ironhide sitting on a con's face doing just that.
inb4SKIDMARKS!

[Sabrblade]

That's a sacrifice you have to be willing to accept when dealing with real car alt modes. A real Corvette is a narrow car so it would be hard to get a bulky robot out of it.

Binaltech/Alternators Tracks was a real Corvette that turned into a bulky robot (though, I said "stout" and "stocky", not "bulky"), so it's not completely impossible.