Better Look at Masterpiece Raiden's Combiner Head and Torso

I dunno, there's something off about that face? It doesn't look very Masterpiece to me.

The Moon Studios head looks so much better. Better sculpt, better paint and more cartoon accurate. It looks like Takara is trying for a blend of G1 toy and toon, but they're not really hitting either very well. Those horns on the front of the Takara head are an odd choice because they don't match the G1 toon or toy look at all. They're much too tall.

whacko wrote:Those horns on the front of the Takara head are an odd choice because they don't match the G1 toon or toy look at all. They're much too tall.

This looks like another one of those examples of "we really shouldn't be basing high end figure designs on wonky and inconsistent animation models"...

Yukikaze is on Deep Discount for only $116.68 and free shipping. Amazon Japan isn't likely going to be able to touch that price.

Emerje

Emerje wrote:Yukikaze is on Deep Discount for only $116.68 and free shipping. Amazon Japan isn't likely going to be able to touch that price.

Emerje

Thanks, I took the plunge. I figured I'd lock in the low price in the event the exchange rates aren't as favorable next year.

Emerje wrote:Yukikaze is on Deep Discount for only $116.68 and free shipping. Amazon Japan isn't likely going to be able to touch that price.

Emerje

That is a Really good Price, and very tempting. After Tax, DD comes to about $125. With current exchange rates however, MPG-02 Getsuei is down to $121.00 final price after shipping with Amazon Japan . (also a Leg coincidentally). I know exchange rates can vary. However I still want to wait. If nothing else, even if Amazon Japan turns out to be slightly more expensive, there is the advantage of getting the item earlier than most other North American retailers. Also with DD you pay immediately. That can have advantages and disadvantages. I do have the item in my cart just in case, hopefully Amazon Japan will have their listing up soon.

I think the head look pretty damn cool despite those tough critics!

Okay so does anyone feel that when all the figures are finally released will Takara reach back and release a complete box set like the Dinobots Selects and make some variations and add some extras...?

If this was already thrown out in the ring then sorry for missing it!

Considering the individual prices for each Train Bot. I don't think the price tag for a MP Gestalt boxset would look too appealing, if on sale.

Nemesis Destron wrote:Okay so does anyone feel that when all the figures are finally released will Takara reach back and release a complete box set like the Dinobots Selects and make some variations and add some extras...?

Only if you're willing to pay twelve hundred bucks (plus tax and shipping) for it.

Sabrblade wrote:

Nemesis Destron wrote:Okay so does anyone feel that when all the figures are finally released will Takara reach back and release a complete box set like the Dinobots Selects and make some variations and add some extras...?

Only if you're willing to pay twelve hundred bucks (plus tax and shipping) for it.

Oh I dunno...what if there is an introductory price and the $1200 is the after market price. Look at the current prices of our favorite Haslab Chaos Bringer!

*If* I am able to get all 6 from Amazon Japan, and current exchange rates hold (who knows where it will in a year from now), I'll be paying around $750 for all 6. Most folks who order from Pulse, BBTS, and other sites will be paying close to $900. So $1000 wouldn't be out of the reach of reasonability for a Box Set. I seriously doubt TT is going to offer such a thing though.

The best scenario I could think of would be for a Generations styled Trainbots/Raiden to come along (I don't see that happening though as these Masterpiece MPG are pretty much Generation scale already). Then I could sell the MP ones for a profit, and would pay in advance for the much cheaper Generations versions, which I would be fine with.

Nemesis Destron wrote:I think the head look pretty damn cool despite those tough critics!

Okay so does anyone feel that when all the figures are finally released will Takara reach back and release a complete box set like the Dinobots Selects and make some variations and add some extras...?

If this was already thrown out in the ring then sorry for missing it!

No, I don't feel they will

Nemesis Destron wrote:I think the head look pretty damn cool despite those tough critics!

My issue is that the face looks like it could be part of the main line. The silver doesn't mesh with the "anime" aesthetic either.

Different character and all that, but for the Masterpiece line, G1 faces should look more stylised and distinct. Like Motormaster here:



That said, all of my MP Beast Wars characters have really detailed and charismatic faces. Which is my only point of reference. So maybe the uncanny valley look is the standard for Anime+ G1?

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:

Nemesis Destron wrote:I think the head look pretty damn cool despite those tough critics!

My issue is that the face looks like it could be part of the main line. The silver doesn't mesh with the "anime" aesthetic either.

Different character and all that, but for the Masterpiece line, G1 faces should look more stylised and distinct. Like Motormaster here:



That said, all of my MP Beast Wars characters have really detailed and charismatic faces. Which is my only point of reference. So maybe the uncanny valley look is the standard for Anime+ G1?

Looking at the big picture I wouldn't call that an anime aesthetic at all. It's far too detailed. It's more of an original toy aesthetic with improved real world train details. It has more in common with the early MPs than the the strictly anime ones.

Emerje

Amazon Japan pre-order is finally up:

https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/gp/produc ... UTF8&psc=1?tag=seibertron00-22&

Keep in mind, that while this price isn't the best, it should drop (hopefully soon), to what the cost will actually be.

o.supreme wrote:Amazon Japan pre-order is finally up:

https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/gp/produc ... UTF8&psc=1?tag=seibertron00-22&

Keep in mind, that while this price isn't the best, it should drop (hopefully soon), to what the cost will actually be.

Looks like they've removed the cancelation deadline, personally I think that's a good thing.

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!

Well alright then give it up!

An as-yet-unreleased toy already gets an award...

Dang that's awesome I was trying to avoid getting these but the more I see them the more I feel I might regret skipping them

TF fan Justin M reached out to let us know that Transformers MPG-03 Yukikaze is available on Amazon Japan which is a site many international fans get their Masterpiece Transformers from. Not only is it usually one of the places to get them for cheaper but you also get them quicker than most other retailers thanks to their shipping. Right now, the base price for the toy without taxes is 14809 Yen (you HAVE to add to cart to see this no tax price appear). That converts to $110 USD. Of course depending on where you are located, the shipping and customs fees will change, making it less of a deal.

Here is the link: https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Transform ... 245&sr=8-1?tag=seibertron00-22&

william-james88 wrote:TF fan Justin M reached out to let us know that Transformers MPG-03 Yukikaze is available on Amazon Japan which

What am I chopped liver? (See above from Monday). Anyway, I hope the price does come down. My base price is 16,290 Yen currently.

o.supreme wrote:My base price is 16,290 Yen currently.

No, it isn't. You didn't read the article, even though I put it all caps in bold.

I read the article, I just had the wrong screenshot. My apologies. But still a higher price than stated. I know shipping/ taxes etc will vary, but as you say, this is before all that.

Amazon.jp doesn't ever show me the base price, even when I put it in the cart. I wonder if what they show differs from country to country for tax purposes.

I can't recall...I know Amazon US doesn't charge your card until the ítem ships.... does Amazon Japan charge right away?

Bounti76 wrote:I can't recall...I know Amazon US doesn't charge your card until the ítem ships.... does Amazon Japan charge right away?

Nope, they don't.

chuckdawg1999 wrote:

Bounti76 wrote:I can't recall...I know Amazon US doesn't charge your card until the ítem ships.... does Amazon Japan charge right away?

Nope, they don't.

Ooh, thanks, Chuck!

Yukikaze looks a little weird, but I like it. I really like the aesthetic of these figures. and that Raiden face is something I like.

I placed my preorder though Amazon JP. 15,731 yen base, 18,167 total cost, so right now about 135 shipped. Not too bad.

chuckdawg1999 wrote:

Bounti76 wrote:I can't recall...I know Amazon US doesn't charge your card until the ítem ships.... does Amazon Japan charge right away?

Nope, they don't.

This is actually one reason I'm willing to give Deep Discount a try on this one since their base price for the pre-order is in USD and not JPY. The yen is at a pretty unusual low versus the dollar right now and I think there is a better chance of it going up by the time amazon.jp would start charging than there is of it staying the same or going lower.

By that same measure I'm really glad I locked in the first 2 in JPY with amazon.jp.

Playing the next 3 out will be interesting, especially if deep discount comes through with no issues on this one.

Bounti76 wrote:

chuckdawg1999 wrote:

Bounti76 wrote:I can't recall...I know Amazon US doesn't charge your card until the ítem ships.... does Amazon Japan charge right away?

Nope, they don't.

Ooh, thanks, Chuck!

Just don't use a debit card.

What is wrong with using a debit card?

o.supreme wrote:What is wrong with using a debit card?

Nothing, they do a card hold but it'll go away after a few days.

Emerje

Emerje wrote:

o.supreme wrote:What is wrong with using a debit card?

Nothing, they do a card hold but it'll go away after a few days.

Emerje

Yes, however if that debit card is linked to your primary bank account and you are light on funds when you pre-order, it could screw you if other bills come in while the hold is on, whereas a credit card won't affect you in that way. The hold will be temporary, but the timing could be a disaster if someone didn't know and wasn't prepared.

TF-fan kev777 wrote:

Emerje wrote:

o.supreme wrote:What is wrong with using a debit card?

Nothing, they do a card hold but it'll go away after a few days.

Emerje

Yes, however if that debit card is linked to your primary bank account and you are light on funds when you pre-order, it could screw you if other bills come in while the hold is on, whereas a credit card won't affect you in that way. The hold will be temporary, but the timing could be a disaster if someone didn't know and wasn't prepared.

Well yeah, but that's just a reason to be cautious, not a reason not to use it at all.

Emerje

I am aware that holds on debit cards are common, but I've ordered all 3 MPG from Amazon Japan now with my Debit card from a credit union, and never had a hold placed on my orders. Perhaps it depends on the individual financial institution?

Emerje wrote:

o.supreme wrote:What is wrong with using a debit card?

Nothing, they do a card hold but it'll go away after a few days.

Emerje

Nope. They have a different policy for Debit cards. When the item comes in they charge it, as a temporary hold. By the time you actually get the item they put ANOTHER charge through on your card, it often caused me to have a negative balance in my PayPal account and I believe was one of the reasons that PayPal closed my account back in October.

chuckdawg1999 wrote:

Emerje wrote:

o.supreme wrote:What is wrong with using a debit card?

Nothing, they do a card hold but it'll go away after a few days.

Emerje

Nope. They have a different policy for Debit cards. When the item comes in they charge it, as a temporary hold. By the time you actually get the item they put ANOTHER charge through on your card, it often caused me to have a negative balance in my PayPal account and I believe was one of the reasons that PayPal closed my account back in October.

I've placed three large preorders with them over the last few months. The first two were PayPal pay in 4 so I started paying for those immediately, but their policy says PayPal orders are charged at time of order. You always have to check this, every store handles preorder charges differently. My third order for Skyfire and Yukikaze I put on my debit card. I placed the order, had a hold that day and it cleared Monday as it often does in these situations. I haven't experienced anything unusual in the way they handle payments. If they charge your debit as a bank card you likely won't have a hold (like with Amazon), but if they charge your card as credit based on the logo on it (Visa or Mastercard or something else) you'll probably see a hold.

Emerje

Some great pics of Shouki in Hand

https://tieba.baidu.com/p/7883718331

https://tieba.baidu.com/p/7884013706






I originally thought the combined mode would be about a head taller than CW/UW/PotP combiners, but with Shouki being around 7 inches in Robot Mode, I'm hoping he will actually be closer to CW/UW Dev/PotP Predaking height. Raiden would be the perfect rival for PotP Predaking if this works out.

Seems very promising, but I'm not optimistic about the combined form being more than 12" when an entire leg is the height of the bot, unlike Predaking which had taller bots and longer thighs.





He gets a little more height from the hips, but not quite enough get him up to CW Titan height.

Emerje

The more I look at that silhouette of MPG Raiden, I wonder...where is Kaen? (the lower torso?), seems like he contributes very little/almost nothing to the combined mode, and that may make all the difference in the world. (Whereas Long Haul which serves the same purpose on Devastator is actually the largest bot)

While PotP Predaking leg bots (Headstrong and Tantrum) do have thigh extensions, Raiden (Like CW Dev) relies on 6 bots and still gets to the same height. Upper chest, arms & legs all seem about right, but its that lower Torso that is the real unknown right now, and will likely be the last bot revealed...Go figure.

o.supreme wrote:The more I look at that silhouette of MPG Raiden, I wonder...where is Kaen? (the lower torso?), seems like he contributes very little/almost nothing to the combined mode, and that may make all the difference in the world. (Whereas Long Haul which serves the same purpose on Devastator is actually the largest bot)

While PotP Predaking leg bots (Headstrong and Tantrum) do have thigh extensions, Raiden (Like CW Dev) relies on 6 bots and still gets to the same height. Upper chest, arms & legs all seem about right, but its that lower Torso that is the real unknown right now, and will likely be the last bot revealed...Go figure.

Pretty sure half of Kaen forms the "wings" (which are now huge blocks) at his feet. The thing about Devastator is Longhaul forms half the leg and the lower torso while on Raiden the leg trains form the entire leg up to the hip and Shouki is making most of the torso. Besides, we know the legs are roughly 7"-8" like a regular CW combiner.

Emerje

...How uncanny that just minutes ago I was thinking about Raiden an his height versus other Titans combiners and where might he fall in with height and all. But for me it's no problem.....

Greetings all,

ok may need some assistance here. Looks like Amazon Japan just tried to charge my Debit Card for Shouki, they "rejected" the payment, not sure why as there is far more than enough funds. So I addressed the issue directly, I reentered my Debit Card information, and now am awaiting judgment (I guess? Things look ok on my pre order at the moment) Even if they put an amount DOUBLE the cost on hold, it will not adversely effect me right now. I just need to make sure they accept the payment method. Others have stated they've ordered from Amazon Japan with U.S. Debit Cards without issue, I hope this can be resolved, calling Amazon Japan customer service isn't really an option for me...

I've heard others say they ordered through Amazon Japan with Paypal? I'm not sure how this was accomplished as I dont see that as an option, otherwise I would have gone that route.

I dunno how people ordered through amazon japan with paypal, I would prefer that route as well.

As for your main concern: every time I order from amazon japan, my credit card treats it as unauthorized charges. In my case, my credit card is set up so when I get charged, i approve the cost via text message and it processes. Not sure if you followed that route or not.

I haven't got the text yet, but my card is showing a pending charge for $131.99 from them, so I am guessing that is Shouki

My bank doesn't let me use debit cards for foreign transactions unless I call them ahead of time to "open" the card for 24 hours which is a huge hassle so I just use a credit card and pay it off. I have had Amazon Japan decline my card before, but I use virtual numbers for security so I just swap in another one and it usually works fine.

My pending transaction is for $123.66. My card usually has bad conversion rates, but I recently upgraded it to a travel card so I wonder if the rate improved?

Emerje

Emerje wrote:My bank doesn't let me use debit cards for foreign transactions unless I call them ahead of time to "open" the card for 24 hours which is a huge hassle

I just found out after a 40 minute call with my bank yesterday this was the case for me as well. Which is a pain because I have 3 pre-orders now with Amazon Japan that may not happen... Unfortunately I don't have a standard credit card. I may give the funds to someone else and switch the payment method that way...but we shall see.

I was thinking of perhaps purchasing a Visa gift card (which works as a credit card), and just put little over the amount needed on it, but I don't know if Amazon Japan would accept that either?

The safety/fraud prevention of my bank is awesome, but in this case is a hindrance, oh well, I guess you cant have everything.

Oof, sorry to hear about your situation o.supreme, I hope everything works out for you.

I've gotten my shipping notice from DHL and should have him in hand on Wednesday. I had forgotten how damn fast amazon.jp ships.

I was able to use a family members credit card, so should be good. Thanks for the advice from the members here. I haven't gotten a shipping confirmation yet, but we shall see. I did notice it is in stock now for any who didn't pre order, but the price is a bit more. Not sure if it would still be a better deal than Pulse at this point or not.

AJP charged my gift card yesterday; $132.17.
DHL is saying expect delivery on Wednesday 6/29 .

o.supreme wrote:

Emerje wrote:My bank doesn't let me use debit cards for foreign transactions unless I call them ahead of time to "open" the card for 24 hours which is a huge hassle

I just found out after a 40 minute call with my bank yesterday this was the case for me as well. Which is a pain because I have 3 pre-orders now with Amazon Japan that may not happen...

Future suggestion for both of you, if it is not possible for the current predicament.

If you only have that 24 hour window to work in and you have not been able to obtain a credit card, try purchasing an AJP gift card instead and use that as your card for payment of your order. It will auto-clear when the item ships, so no delays there. You can bang out the purchase in one shot within the 24 hour gap with no future ramifications.

For myself, i started using the gift cards routinely as an auto reload on a weekly basis to prepay for future pre-orders; generally $10 a week with a credit card. Then just go into the order after the reload and apply the gift card amount to the current pre-order. i have been able to do all of the AJP TF MP releases in the last year with this method, covering all, long before the pre-order is due and getting price drop refunds at a small weekly out of pocket rate. I even double down and do it on a card that i get reward points on so make a little extra back on the deal.

Regardless, good luck to both of you and i hope something can be done to get things back on track.