Transformers Cartoon News on Seibertron.com

It's the End of the Road for the Masterpiece Line According to Takara Tomy

Date: Tuesday, April 9th 2024 11:17pm CDT
Categories: Cartoon News, Movie Related News, Toy News, Collectables
Posted by: Emerje | Credit(s): Sabrblade on Seibertron, Takara Tomy

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Views: 70,449

The 40th anniversary of Transformers is bringing us a lot of big and new things, but one of the biggest staples of the franchise is coming to an end. With the release of MP-60 Ginrai, what they're calling the 100th MP figure when including certain special edition and limited releases they're calling it quits on the Masterpiece line as we know it. That's not to say we wont be getting anymore MPs at all, but the primary line that originated with MP-01 some 21 years ago will no longer Exist at the end of 2024. A blurb on the official website for MP-60 and MP-09 states that the line will continue with the MPG line moving forward. Whether this means all future MPs will be combiners of some sort or if the MPG line is being rebranded is currently unknown. What this might mean for the Masterpiece Movie line headed by Hasbro is also unknow, but probably wont be affected by this news, at least not outside of Japan. Until Takara Tomy clarifies further all we can do is speculate. Below you'll find the pertinent bit from the website as translated by Google.



With so many characters left undone it's hard to guess what the future might bring for the line. Thanks to Sabrblade in the Seibertron Energon Pub Forums for letting us know. And be sure to let us know how you feel about what may be sad news for many fans in the forums as well.

New Images Surface of MP-60 Ginrai and MPG-09 Super Ginrai

Date: Saturday, April 6th 2024 12:39am CDT
Categories: Cartoon News, Comic Book News, Toy News
Posted by: Emerje | Credit(s): TFW2005.com

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Views: 38,405

We're still a few days away from the official reveal of MP-60 Ginrai and MPG-09 Super Ginrai on April 10, but a new batch of solicitation images have surfaced. Coming via HK retailer HobbyLand (via TFW2005) the new images are not just clearer but also include more looks at the figures and the accessories they both come with. Of note is replacement red eye lenses for Super Ginrai to give him toy accurate eyes, as well as some additional effect parts. Pre-orders will likely open the same day as the full reveal and both will be released in December. Apparently, thanks to some counting system, MP-60 is actually the 100th MP release and the instruction will include a book to commemorate the milestone (that's the blue box in the bottom corner of the last image).

Do the new pictures change your feelings for these figures? Do you plan on buying one, both or neither? Let us know in the Seibertron Energon Pub Forums!

Takara Tomy Announces MP-44S Optimus Prime and MP-56+ Riggorus

Date: Friday, July 7th 2023 10:17pm CDT
Categories: Cartoon News, Toy News, Collectables
Posted by: Emerje | Credit(s): Takara Tomy Mall

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Views: 89,525

Completely out of nowhere Takara Tomy has revealed two new figures for the Transformers Masterpiece line. MP-44S Optimus Prime is, in fact, being sold as Optimus Prime rather than Convoy for the first time in Japan. According to Takara Tomy the name change comes in honor of the live action movie series, basically catching up with the name changes that have taken place elsewhere in the franchise for over a decade now. The new release is based on the "Ver. 3" figure minus the electronics, trailer and a lot of the accessories. The figure has how been given a '84 toy deco and even a sticker sheet to finish the look. The accessories that did get carried over from the original release are his Ion Blaster, Energon Axe, blast effect, Matrix of Leadership and the "round" head. Priced at 33,000 JPY in Japan and showing up as a pre-order for February at most Japanese online stores for a February 2024 release.

Then we've got MP-56+ Riggorus, a new Decepticon character based on a Diaclone design we haven't seen used in Transformers before. Thanks to Seibertronian Sabrblade for pointing out that this figure combines the body of Hoist with the truck cap of Trailbreaker and a new head in a mustard yellow deco. For accessories he includes two shoulder mounted guns, double barreled hand replacement guns (these guns may be interchangeable though not shown in pictures), force shield effect part and a sticker that isn't described but is likely an Decepticon symbol since one isn't seen in the pictures. He has a Japanese retail price of 24,200 JPY and expected to be out in March 2024.

As always prices will vary greatly depending on where you order, though Amazon Japan (and Deep Discount when Hasbro pre-orders open) will likely be your best bet.

Masterpiece Beast Wars Rhinox Teased at Tokyo Toy Show

Date: Saturday, June 10th 2023 6:00pm CDT
Categories: Cartoon News, Toy News
Posted by: Emerje | Credit(s): TFW2005

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Views: 51,099

Tokyo Toy Show is taking place this weekend and we're getting a few little tidbits in from Japanese fans. Multiple tweets from fans are saying Takara Tomy announced Masterpiece Beast Wars Rhinox at the show, teasing attendants with an image of one of his saw gatling guns. Photos weren't allowed and no more information was given, but this should be exciting news for Beast Wars fans who thought the line was no longer in production. Thanks to AllNewSuperRobot in the Energon Pub forums for letting us know!

Takara Tomy Announces Beast Wars VS Series and Select Episodes Returning to Broadcast in Japan

Date: Wednesday, March 8th 2023 8:50pm CST
Categories: Cartoon News, Toy News
Posted by: Emerje | Credit(s): @TF_pr on Twitter

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Views: 90,997

As was leaked and teased by Takara Tomy a few days ago we're getting our first look at the first of what appears to be a series of Beast Wars VS two-packs coming this year. Although not technically part of the actual Premium Finish line the figures are referred to as having a "premium finish". The new set applies cartoon accurate decos reminiscent of what we saw in the Masterpiece line to the Beast Wars figures that appeared in the Kingdom line. The first figures in the BWVS-01 set feature Optimus Primal now with painted gorilla eye details and Megatron using the gnashing teeth face sculpt for the first time. While Primal appears to be a slight step up from the Netflix box set release, Megatron has a very elaborate design that makes him almost unrecognizable from his Kingdom counterpart. There's also mention of a removable backdrop, likely similar to those of the Studio Series line. This set has a Japanese tax inclusive price of 15,400 JPY (about $112 USD), but will definitely be cheaper through normal retail like Amazon Japan as this is not an exclusive in Japan. AmiAmi already has it listed at 12,300 JPY (about $89.70 USD) which is the same as the current US price of a Voyager and a Leader. The set is expected to be released in August 2023.

As a side note, Japan will also be seeing Beast Wars return to television in Japan as select episodes of the animated series will begin broadcasting in April under the banner "Beast Wars Again".

What do you think about the new colors being applied to some arguably great figures? Do you think we'll see more VS sets recreated from the original Japanese BW line? Let us know in the Energon Pub forums!

Kingdom Premium Finish Optimus Primal and Megatron Teased and Possibly Leaked

Date: Friday, March 3rd 2023 6:08pm CST
Categories: Cartoon News, Toy News
Posted by: Emerje | Credit(s): @TF_pr on Twitter, o.supreme on the Energon Pub forums

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Views: 80,153

If you thought Takara Tomy's short lived Premium Finish line was dead then think again. Thanks to a post on our own Energon Pub forums by Seibertronian o.supreme we've learned of a tweet from the official Takara Tomy Transformers Twitter account teasing a Beast Wars reveal on March 9.

@TF_pr wrote:A big announcement is coming!? This battle is truly Beast Wars! Details will be announced on Thursday, March 9. Stay tuned for more news!!

While that doesn't imply much, around the same time an image was being circulated very similar to other ones used internally by Takara Tomy, most recently seen with Legacy Evolution Commander class Armada Optimus Prime. The image appears to show Kingdom Optimus Primal and Megatron in colors very similar to those used on the Masterpiece versions of the characters based on the CGI cartoon. The image also says reproduction is prohibited until March 9 linking them back to the original tweet. Text across the top of the image also refers to a versus set so we may be looking at a two pack.


Premium Finish comes at a premium price, let us know if you're willing to double (or triple) dip on these two for the price on the Seibertron Energon Pub forums!

Masterpiece G MPG-05 Seizan gets Fully Revealed

Date: Thursday, January 12th 2023 8:27am CST
Categories: Cartoon News, Toy News
Posted by: Emerje | Credit(s): Takara Tomy Mall, Amazon Japan

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Views: 73,388

It's been a long ride, but the end is starting to come into sight. Takara Tomy has finally revealed Masterpiece G MPG-05 Seizan, Raiden's right arm man. Thanks to listing on both Takara Tomy Mall and Amazon Japan and Seibertronian o.supreme in the forums we get our first clear look at the beige train and all his features including two Raiden Cannons, a Brain Laser gun and Raiden's giant Light Sword as well as more tracks. The Japanese tax inclusive price is 22,000JPY while the current Amazon Japan price that many of us will be using is currently at 21,997JPY (about US $169), but that will definitely drop in the coming days. Seizan is expected to ship in September, then we'll only have MPG-06 Kaen left.

Masterpiece Gattai Shouki Wins Japan Toy Award Ahead of Tokyo Toy Show

Date: Tuesday, June 14th 2022 11:01pm CDT
Categories: Cartoon News, Toy News, Event News
Posted by: Emerje | Credit(s): Takara Tomy Mall

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Views: 50,631

It's been two years but the Tokyo Toy Show is finally back! And with it comes the Japan Toy Awards 2022 where Masterpiece Gattai Shouki has won an award in the "high target toy division" (according to Google translate). OK, so it actually lost the top grand prize spot to Bandai Spirits' over $700 GX-100 Gaiking set and it's more of a runner up "outstanding performance award" in that category, but they only give out four of those in each category so it's still an achievement! And it lets them stick a silver Japan Toy Awards logo on their website (as seen below) and possibly even the figure's box, though there probably isn't time for that on the first batch due out in less than two weeks.



The Tokyo Toy Show runs Thursday and Friday this week (June 16 and 17). If there's Transformers news to be found there you can be sure we'll be sharing it here on Seibertron!

Hasbro Pulse Power Days Sales Event Will Save You 40% on a Combined $75+ Purchase

Date: Thursday, June 2nd 2022 9:31am CDT
Categories: Cartoon News, Comic Book News, Movie Related News, Toy News
Posted by: Emerje | Credit(s): Hasbro Pulse

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Views: 158,036

We've seen sales on Pulse before and they tend to be a little underwhelming on the Transformers front with a small selection of sales items and not particularly great deals. Well not this time! Hasbro Pulse's new Power Days sales event where spending $75 or more in select figures will save you 40% off instantly! No coupons and no memberships required! And the selection for Transformers fans is nothing to scoff at. How does Selects Titan Black Zarak $107 sound? Or how about Masterpiece Skywarp 2.0 for $143? Or maybe Jurassic Park Collaborative set for what some would call the right price of $63? And it's not just the big stuff! The first wave of Legacy and Studio Series Core Class are only $7 each. There's also several Selects figures, a few left over Shattered Glass figures, even a few left from the Premium Finish line. I personally picked up SS Grindor, Premium Finish Megatron and Legacy Bulkhead for a combined total of only $86 before tax and shipping saving nearly $60. It's definitely a sale worth checking out even if you aren't looking for Transformers.

Sale runs until June 6, but you'll want to get in early for the best deals as stuff is already selling out in the first hours!

Comparison of Possible Transformers Masterpiece Cliffjumper with MP 45 Bumblebee

Date: Thursday, January 6th 2022 7:43am CST
Categories: Cartoon News, Toy News, Rumors, Collectables
Posted by: ZeroWolf | Credit(s): Autobase Aichi blog

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Views: 157,913

Greetings Seibertronians!

With no official word from Takaratomy about Masterpiece Cliffjumper, this next story should be taken with a grain of salt.

The Japanese Transformers fan blog Autobase Aichi has reported on news that was originally found on Chinese social media, that of a comparison between the potential Masterpiece Cliffjumper figure, and the figure it shares parts with, MP-45 Bumblebee.

Check out the images below:



















What do you think of this? Is this the Masterpiece Cliffjumper you wanted?

Let us know in the Energon Pub and stay tuned to Seibertron for all the latest news and reviews!