English Video Review for Takara Tomy MP-36 Masterpiece Megatron

1. You cannot insult a toy. It's an inanimate object. I can write "MP Megatron blows chunks" or even worse, and not only will the toy not be insulted, it won't react at all. This is because it's not alive and sentient.

2. Although, it seems, that Takara has achieved its goal or recreating a cartoon depiction of Megatron, it seems that it's fallen further down the "anime-poi" rabbit hole. Although previous MPs have become increasingly anime accurate, some provisions were given to collectors for toy/"premium"/"realistic" looks, too (alternative stickers, chromed parts, different faces, etc).

With Megatron, that doesn't seem to be the case, which is frustrating for collectors, especially those outside Japan, who want an official product but can't (legally/officially) get this.

Takara should release two versions of every MP; one that's anime accurate, and one that's more in line with MP Optimus/the older and larger MPs (excluding "Greenscream"). That way, more, if not most, of the fans would be happy.

As it is, I perfectly understand why this figure is getting slack; the anime look, plus the long face/long chin don't capture the essence of the character in some people's minds. I for one will sell my MP Shockwave and Megatron as soon as a toy/metallic version comes out. I might buy a 3P Shockwave, too, due to the badly designed robot backpack not having the (obviously engineered but gimped) ability to attach to the rear of the gun (and the incorrect colours on it).

However, what also frustrates some is the poor QC and high prices for 3P MP figures, like Megatron, and the resulting problems if they break, have missing pieces, etc.

As it is, although I buy official MP figures, they don't really excite or delight me like the original MPs or even recent CHUG figures do.

Takara have lost their mojo IMO for MPs.

FYI, if this is anything like MP-05, you will not be able to attach the barrel extension with an orange plug.

primalxconvoy wrote:With Megatron, that doesn't seem to be the case, which is frustrating for collectors, especially those outside Japan, who want an official product but can't (legally/officially) get this.

Uh, what are you talking about? Anyone can order MP-36 Megatron, not just people in Japan. You can either order directly from a Japanese retailer or go through an importer, like TFSource or BBTS in the US, or Kapow Toys in the UK. Yes, in some countries, Megatron will have an orange safety plug applied, but it's still the official figure.

primalxconvoy wrote:Takara should release two versions of every MP; one that's anime accurate, and one that's more in line with MP Optimus/the older and larger MPs (excluding "Greenscream"). That way, more, if not most, of the fans would be happy.

They already did a G1 toy version of Masterpiece Megatron. It was MP-5. Fans had YEARS to pick this one up. It's spindly and awkward just like the original G1 toy. Unfortunately, it was also fragile and prone to rusting.

The Chosen Prime has a video review up.








https://youtu.be/GC5fTPVFi4U

Urge to buy: high.

Urge to spend $230: very low

Urge to still buy despite money: high

dammit

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:Urge to buy: high.

Urge to spend $230: very low

Urge to still buy despite money: high

dammit

me too but the darkside one has already been announced.

anyways. he odes look oaky.
but be prepared too dump a bottle of floor polish on him to protect that paint

Bumblebee21 wrote:

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:Urge to buy: high.

Urge to spend $230: very low

Urge to still buy despite money: high

dammit

me too but the darkside one has already been announced.

Wait, he has? Could you give a link because that'd be awesome.

Wolfman Jake wrote:

primalxconvoy wrote:With Megatron, that doesn't seem to be the case, which is frustrating for collectors, especially those outside Japan, who want an official product but can't (legally/officially) get this.

Uh, what are you talking about? Anyone can order MP-36 Megatron, not just people in Japan. You can either order directly from a Japanese retailer or go through an importer, like TFSource or BBTS in the US, or Kapow Toys in the UK. Yes, in some countries, Megatron will have an orange safety plug applied, but it's still the official figure.

primalxconvoy wrote:Takara should release two versions of every MP; one that's anime accurate, and one that's more in line with MP Optimus/the older and larger MPs (excluding "Greenscream"). That way, more, if not most, of the fans would be happy.

They already did a G1 toy version of Masterpiece Megatron. It was MP-5. Fans had YEARS to pick this one up. It's spindly and awkward just like the original G1 toy. Unfortunately, it was also fragile and prone to rusting.

I'm sorry that you didn't understand my points.


Currently, Hasbro cannot/will not release this in the USA/outside Japan. Thus, there is no option of a Hasbro "toy version". Due to the added cost to import them, and the issue of adding a mandatory orange cap, it can be thought that this is a challenge for fans to order, especially in the USA.

The original MP Megatron was indeed a spindly mess, which is exactly why fans such as myself want a metallic/non-anime coloured version of the current MP, or a 3P alternative that almost guarantees no QC issues.

I hope this clears your confusion.

Kurona wrote:

Bumblebee21 wrote:

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:Urge to buy: high.

Urge to spend $230: very low

Urge to still buy despite money: high

dammit

me too but the darkside one has already been announced.

Wait, he has? Could you give a link because that'd be awesome.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/r ... t.1104630/
i guess you could say this is an announcement.the feedback on will hopefully help them gofrom consider to make. they are also doing sw.

primalxconvoy, can you explain how it's Takara's fault that Hasbro won't release a gun Megatron like MP-36? I don't think they should have to cater to what Hasbro will or wont do, for a toy line that's entirely of their own design, which Hasbro has been randomly cherry-picking from for over a decade without any real care to port the entire collection to the rest of the world in a timely fashion. As for the "toy look" for a Masterpiece Megatron, like I said, you have MP-5. If you just want a "shiny/chrome" version of MP-36, maybe that'll happen some day, but my guess, just from seeing the complexity and number of moving parts in this figure, is that extensive silver paint apps or vacuum metal paint apps will be a nightmare of flaking, rubbing, and scratching, if you dare to transform the figure even ONCE. I think the metallic plastic flaking effect used for MP-36 Megatron is a great compromise and is as much a matter of practicality as it is "screen authenticity."

Wolfman Jake wrote:primalxconvoy, can you explain how it's Takara's fault that Hasbro won't release a gun Megatron like MP-36? I don't think they should have to cater to what Hasbro will or wont do, for a toy line that's entirely of their own design, which Hasbro has been randomly cherry-picking from for over a decade without any real care to port the entire collection to the rest of the world in a timely fashion. As for the "toy look" for a Masterpiece Megatron, like I said, you have MP-5. If you just want a "shiny/chrome" version of MP-36, maybe that'll happen some day, but my guess, just from seeing the complexity and number of moving parts in this figure, is that extensive silver paint apps or vacuum metal paint apps will be a nightmare of flaking, rubbing, and scratching, if you dare to transform the figure even ONCE. I think the metallic plastic flaking effect used for MP-36 Megatron is a great compromise and is as much a matter of practicality as it is "screen authenticity."

I'm not blaming Hasbro. In blaming Bakara on this one. It's not good to just release anime styles ones, when there is demand for toy versions. I think it's good form of Takara does this for all MPs if they release two versions and announces them at the save time and/or makes one version with options for either (which they've done before with inferno, Op Primal, etc).

As for paint, the entire body on this mp Megs is painted in slightly metallic grey, so full metallic would not be a problem.

Options are key for MP figures as collectors are discerning and picky. With a KO version in the works, I and other people might move away from certain/all further official releases and wait for the ko versions. They seem to have increasingly better joints and features than the originals (such as the mp seeket legs).

primalxconvoy wrote:I'm not blaming Hasbro. In blaming Bakara on this one. It's not good to just release anime styles ones, when there is demand for toy versions. I think it's good form of Takara does this for all MPs if they release two versions and announces them at the save time and/or makes one version with options for either (which they've done before with inferno, Op Primal, etc).

As for paint, the entire body on this mp Megs is painted in slightly metallic grey, so full metallic would not be a problem.

Options are key for MP figures as collectors are discerning and picky. With a KO version in the works, I and other people might move away from certain/all further official releases and wait for the ko versions. They seem to have increasingly better joints and features than the originals (such as the mp seeket legs).

Like I said, Takara already did a toy-inspired Masterpiece Megatron with MP-5. It's a lot more like the original than simply giving the MP-36 mold a shiny coat of paint. The proportions are very different. They're not doing you a disservice by offering a different, more anime take on Megatron now. Besides, why would you just settle for a shiny version of cartoon Megatron if what you want is a Masterpice "toy" Megatron? It's going to take more than a deco change to make a convincing toy Megatron out of MP-26, like a new headsculpt, a completely different leg transformation, etc.

Also, keep this in mind. While there is definitely demand for toy versions of the G1 characters, Masterpiece or otherwise, that's likely a smaller corner of the Japanese market than you may think. Takara is almost always about screen representation in their modern products, and their mainly Japanese fan and consumer base eats it up. Remember, Takara makes their Transformers products for JAPAN. It's incidental to them that fans outside of Japan want their products too, especially since it is Hasbro that is supposed to cater to the Transformers demand of the rest of the world.

primalxconvoy, I know you have your tastes, and you want something that is not available right now (and may never really be), but that's just reality. Complaining that Takara isn't giving you G1 toy options in a Masterpiece figure that is primarily designed to be accurate to the cartoon look of a character isn't that far off from complaining that the figure "sucks" because you wanted it to be a different character altogether. For what MP-36 is, it's pretty fantastic.

Primalxconvoy, none of my biz really but, don't you live in Japan?

I am fully confident that Takara will do an alternate deco on this figure. It's why I am in no hurry to get this one. I think this version looks great, I would just prefer a more toy like deco. Silver with more red.

If I'm wrong, I'll get the re-issue when it comes out.

Wolfman Jake wrote:

primalxconvoy wrote:I'm not blaming Hasbro. In blaming Bakara on this one. It's not good to just release anime styles ones, when there is demand for toy versions. I think it's good form of Takara does this for all MPs if they release two versions and announces them at the save time and/or makes one version with options for either (which they've done before with inferno, Op Primal, etc).

As for paint, the entire body on this mp Megs is painted in slightly metallic grey, so full metallic would not be a problem.

Options are key for MP figures as collectors are discerning and picky. With a KO version in the works, I and other people might move away from certain/all further official releases and wait for the ko versions. They seem to have increasingly better joints and features than the originals (such as the mp seeket legs).

Like I said, Takara already did a toy-inspired Masterpiece Megatron with MP-5. It's a lot more like the original than simply giving the MP-36 mold a shiny coat of paint. The proportions are very different. They're not doing you a disservice by offering a different, more anime take on Megatron now. Besides, why would you just settle for a shiny version of cartoon Megatron if what you want is a Masterpice "toy" Megatron? It's going to take more than a deco change to make a convincing toy Megatron out of MP-26, like a new headsculpt, a completely different leg transformation, etc.

Also, keep this in mind. While there is definitely demand for toy versions of the G1 characters, Masterpiece or otherwise, that's likely a smaller corner of the Japanese market than you may think. Takara is almost always about screen representation in their modern products, and their mainly Japanese fan and consumer base eats it up. Remember, Takara makes their Transformers products for JAPAN. It's incidental to them that fans outside of Japan want their products too, especially since it is Hasbro that is supposed to cater to the Transformers demand of the rest of the world.

primalxconvoy, I know you have your tastes, and you want something that is not available right now (and may never really be), but that's just reality. Complaining that Takara isn't giving you G1 toy options in a Masterpiece figure that is primarily designed to be accurate to the cartoon look of a character isn't that far off from complaining that the figure "sucks" because you wanted it to be a different character altogether. For what MP-36 is, it's pretty fantastic.

I disagree.

The original toy version is not what I want. As for a "toy" version, you seem to misunderstand what I and perhaps others are referring to. I/we want this toy in more "realistic" colours, not anime ones. This was something Takara has done with MP Optimus and also, via alternate stickers and faces, etc, with the likes of MP Inferno.

This shows that you are wrong on this. Takara have already shown a precedent in providing two different versions. I just wished they had either included these options in this figure out announced a metallic version sooner (which they've done with almost every Japanese release of a g1 style Megatron to date).

As for "It's only in Japan", then I question your opinion. I live in Japan and have spoken with Japanese collectors, who have voiced similar opinions and/or acknowledged that this release has been inconsistent with other Japanese releases. Also, Takara also officially releases their products through Hasbro Asia and I'm also sure fully understands their products are bought by fans all over the world. While I'm sure they cannot please everyone, everywhere, they are sure to have considered, and will consider international opinions. Marlboor was a rather extreme example of this, with Takara having no obligation to change their design, but did so after pressure from Philip Morris (admittedly not a customer though).

Cobotron wrote:Primalxconvoy, none of my biz really but, don't you live in Japan?

I am fully confident that Takara will do an alternate deco on this figure. It's why I am in no hurry to get this one. I think this version looks great, I would just prefer a more toy like deco. Silver with more red.

If I'm wrong, I'll get the re-issue when it comes out.

Thats what I am waiting for. I want to see the full opinion of people and the fallout if it happens, and then when I am fully decided on this guy I will get the reissue that is 100% certain to come. And hopefully then my dollar will have recovered and he will be less than now simply due to the exchange.

william-james88 wrote:

Cobotron wrote:Primalxconvoy, none of my biz really but, don't you live in Japan?

I am fully confident that Takara will do an alternate deco on this figure. It's why I am in no hurry to get this one. I think this version looks great, I would just prefer a more toy like deco. Silver with more red.

If I'm wrong, I'll get the re-issue when it comes out.

Thats what I am waiting for. I want to see the full opinion of people and the fallout if it happens, and then when I am fully decided on this guy I will get the reissue that is 100% certain to come. And hopefully then my dollar will have recovered and he will be less than now simply due to the exchange.

my original plan was to get him but i think my money will be better spent with ft phoenix after hearing all the in hand thoughts and reviews

Bumblebee21 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Cobotron wrote:Primalxconvoy, none of my biz really but, don't you live in Japan?

I am fully confident that Takara will do an alternate deco on this figure. It's why I am in no hurry to get this one. I think this version looks great, I would just prefer a more toy like deco. Silver with more red.

If I'm wrong, I'll get the re-issue when it comes out.

Thats what I am waiting for. I want to see the full opinion of people and the fallout if it happens, and then when I am fully decided on this guy I will get the reissue that is 100% certain to come. And hopefully then my dollar will have recovered and he will be less than now simply due to the exchange.

my original plan was to get him but i think my money will be better spent with ft phoenix after hearing all the in hand thoughts and reviews

Opposite for me. I had no interest but the in hand images from yesterday and the review have made me want him. Maybe not at the moment due to some stuff, but a couple months down the road he will be worth the grab

Wolfman Jake wrote:

primalxconvoy wrote:I'm not blaming Hasbro. In blaming Bakara on this one. It's not good to just release anime styles ones, when there is demand for toy versions. I think it's good form of Takara does this for all MPs if they release two versions and announces them at the save time and/or makes one version with options for either (which they've done before with inferno, Op Primal, etc).

As for paint, the entire body on this mp Megs is painted in slightly metallic grey, so full metallic would not be a problem.

Options are key for MP figures as collectors are discerning and picky. With a KO version in the works, I and other people might move away from certain/all further official releases and wait for the ko versions. They seem to have increasingly better joints and features than the originals (such as the mp seeket legs).

Like I said, Takara already did a toy-inspired Masterpiece Megatron with MP-5. It's a lot more like the original than simply giving the MP-36 mold a shiny coat of paint. The proportions are very different. They're not doing you a disservice by offering a different, more anime take on Megatron now. Besides, why would you just settle for a shiny version of cartoon Megatron if what you want is a Masterpice "toy" Megatron? It's going to take more than a deco change to make a convincing toy Megatron out of MP-26, like a new headsculpt, a completely different leg transformation, etc.

Also, keep this in mind. While there is definitely demand for toy versions of the G1 characters, Masterpiece or otherwise, that's likely a smaller corner of the Japanese market than you may think. Takara is almost always about screen representation in their modern products, and their mainly Japanese fan and consumer base eats it up. Remember, Takara makes their Transformers products for JAPAN. It's incidental to them that fans outside of Japan want their products too, especially since it is Hasbro that is supposed to cater to the Transformers demand of the rest of the world.

primalxconvoy, I know you have your tastes, and you want something that is not available right now (and may never really be), but that's just reality. Complaining that Takara isn't giving you G1 toy options in a Masterpiece figure that is primarily designed to be accurate to the cartoon look of a character isn't that far off from complaining that the figure "sucks" because you wanted it to be a different character altogether. For what MP-36 is, it's pretty fantastic.

I "think" the point that he's trying to make is that, people want mp's in non-anime deco's - that is to say, more toy inspired deco's - like the dark purple shockwave we're still waiting on (that, if we're being serious with ourselves, isn't going to happen, because TT doesn't seem to acknowledge that shockwave, galvatron, or cyclonus were ever that color), kind of like what they're doing with MP Primal, a show-accurate version, and a toy-accurate version, to please everybody

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:

Bumblebee21 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Cobotron wrote:Primalxconvoy, none of my biz really but, don't you live in Japan?

I am fully confident that Takara will do an alternate deco on this figure. It's why I am in no hurry to get this one. I think this version looks great, I would just prefer a more toy like deco. Silver with more red.

If I'm wrong, I'll get the re-issue when it comes out.

Thats what I am waiting for. I want to see the full opinion of people and the fallout if it happens, and then when I am fully decided on this guy I will get the reissue that is 100% certain to come. And hopefully then my dollar will have recovered and he will be less than now simply due to the exchange.

my original plan was to get him but i think my money will be better spent with ft phoenix after hearing all the in hand thoughts and reviews

Opposite for me. I had no interest but the in hand images from yesterday and the review have made me want him. Maybe not at the moment due to some stuff, but a couple months down the road he will be worth the grab

the main takeaway are all the qc issues.
hes gonna have paint chips all over if you transform him. if you put the silencer on him hes gonna chip.
theres no way to prevent paint chipping on him.
at least you can transform apollyon without getting scratches on him
and its not just him.
mp-35 gets paint scratches from the crane transformation
mp-34 and the easy breakage points.
dont even get me started with ironhide

Bumblebee21 wrote:

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:Opposite for me. I had no interest but the in hand images from yesterday and the review have made me want him. Maybe not at the moment due to some stuff, but a couple months down the road he will be worth the grab

the main takeaway are all the qc issues.
hes gonna have paint chips all over if you transform him. if you put the silencer on him hes gonna chip.
theres no way to prevent paint chipping on him.
at least you can transform apollyon without getting scratches on him
and its not just him.
mp-35 gets paint scratches from the crane transformation
mp-34 and the easy breakage points.
dont even get me started with ironhide

See, the issues you are bringing up are issues that I have only heard of rarely. Besides, I'm not sure how often I'll transform him, though I will transform him. I've accepted that he will be difficult, but I will still transform him. I'll just have free time and not something on TV I'd want to watch but more listen to.

And while you are obsessed with the 3P stuff, I really am not. I ordered that Iron Maiden last semester that was a bust, but that is it. 3P stuff just hasn't appealed to me yet. And I kind of do prefer the look of this guy over 3P stuff.

Plus, call me a stickler or whatever, but I feel a bit better about owning something official. It feels I dunno, more special and more worth it.

either way, this guy in some form or another will hopefully be mine within the next 6 months. He's grown on me.

primalxconvoy wrote:1. You cannot insult a toy. It's an inanimate object. I can write "MP Megatron blows chunks" or even worse, and not only will the toy not be insulted, it won't react at all. This is because it's not alive and sentient.

2. Although, it seems, that Takara has achieved its goal or recreating a cartoon depiction of Megatron, it seems that it's fallen further down the "anime-poi" rabbit hole. Although previous MPs have become increasingly anime accurate, some provisions were given to collectors for toy/"premium"/"realistic" looks, too (alternative stickers, chromed parts, different faces, etc).

With Megatron, that doesn't seem to be the case, which is frustrating for collectors, especially those outside Japan, who want an official product but can't (legally/officially) get this.

Takara should release two versions of every MP; one that's anime accurate, and one that's more in line with MP Optimus/the older and larger MPs (excluding "Greenscream"). That way, more, if not most, of the fans would be happy.

As it is, I perfectly understand why this figure is getting slack; the anime look, plus the long face/long chin don't capture the essence of the character in some people's minds. I for one will sell my MP Shockwave and Megatron as soon as a toy/metallic version comes out. I might buy a 3P Shockwave, too, due to the badly designed robot backpack not having the (obviously engineered but gimped) ability to attach to the rear of the gun (and the incorrect colours on it).

However, what also frustrates some is the poor QC and high prices for 3P MP figures, like Megatron, and the resulting problems if they break, have missing pieces, etc.

As it is, although I buy official MP figures, they don't really excite or delight me like the original MPs or even recent CHUG figures do.

Takara have lost their mojo IMO for MPs.

Repaints? Red Alert is one good example. There's gonna be another repaint of Megs. I guarantee it!

As for losing your mojo on MPs, that's understandable on all consumer products.

Lack of QC in 3rd party? No surprise. Heck, even 1st party do major screw ups. And those guys have supposed standards

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:

Bumblebee21 wrote:

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:Opposite for me. I had no interest but the in hand images from yesterday and the review have made me want him. Maybe not at the moment due to some stuff, but a couple months down the road he will be worth the grab

the main takeaway are all the qc issues.
hes gonna have paint chips all over if you transform him. if you put the silencer on him hes gonna chip.
theres no way to prevent paint chipping on him.
at least you can transform apollyon without getting scratches on him
and its not just him.
mp-35 gets paint scratches from the crane transformation
mp-34 and the easy breakage points.
dont even get me started with ironhide

See, the issues you are bringing up are issues that I have only heard of rarely. Besides, I'm not sure how often I'll transform him, though I will transform him. I've accepted that he will be difficult, but I will still transform him. I'll just have free time and not something on TV I'd want to watch but more listen to.

And while you are obsessed with the 3P stuff, I really am not. I ordered that Iron Maiden last semester that was a bust, but that is it. 3P stuff just hasn't appealed to me yet. And I kind of do prefer the look of this guy over 3P stuff.

Plus, call me a stickler or whatever, but I feel a bit better about owning something official. It feels I dunno, more special and more worth it.

either way, this guy in some form or another will hopefully be mine within the next 6 months. He's grown on me.

So the price isn't the main take away? 3rd party is just as expensive or more than the official. Not that I have any aversion for 3rd party though I noticed something quirky/ a pattern of thought in some opinions Dmax, some statements in the official thread extol the advantages of 3rd party while in the 3rd party, it's the opposite, extolling the 1st party, all from the same source. You can't win them all I guess.

Hellscream9999 wrote:

Wolfman Jake wrote:

primalxconvoy wrote:I'm not blaming Hasbro. In blaming Bakara on this one. It's not good to just release anime styles ones, when there is demand for toy versions. I think it's good form of Takara does this for all MPs if they release two versions and announces them at the save time and/or makes one version with options for either (which they've done before with inferno, Op Primal, etc).

As for paint, the entire body on this mp Megs is painted in slightly metallic grey, so full metallic would not be a problem.

Options are key for MP figures as collectors are discerning and picky. With a KO version in the works, I and other people might move away from certain/all further official releases and wait for the ko versions. They seem to have increasingly better joints and features than the originals (such as the mp seeket legs).

Like I said, Takara already did a toy-inspired Masterpiece Megatron with MP-5. It's a lot more like the original than simply giving the MP-36 mold a shiny coat of paint. The proportions are very different. They're not doing you a disservice by offering a different, more anime take on Megatron now. Besides, why would you just settle for a shiny version of cartoon Megatron if what you want is a Masterpice "toy" Megatron? It's going to take more than a deco change to make a convincing toy Megatron out of MP-26, like a new headsculpt, a completely different leg transformation, etc.

Also, keep this in mind. While there is definitely demand for toy versions of the G1 characters, Masterpiece or otherwise, that's likely a smaller corner of the Japanese market than you may think. Takara is almost always about screen representation in their modern products, and their mainly Japanese fan and consumer base eats it up. Remember, Takara makes their Transformers products for JAPAN. It's incidental to them that fans outside of Japan want their products too, especially since it is Hasbro that is supposed to cater to the Transformers demand of the rest of the world.

primalxconvoy, I know you have your tastes, and you want something that is not available right now (and may never really be), but that's just reality. Complaining that Takara isn't giving you G1 toy options in a Masterpiece figure that is primarily designed to be accurate to the cartoon look of a character isn't that far off from complaining that the figure "sucks" because you wanted it to be a different character altogether. For what MP-36 is, it's pretty fantastic.

I "think" the point that he's trying to make is that, people want mp's in non-anime deco's - that is to say, more toy inspired deco's - like the dark purple shockwave we're still waiting on (that, if we're being serious with ourselves, isn't going to happen, because TT doesn't seem to acknowledge that shockwave, galvatron, or cyclonus were ever that color), kind of like what they're doing with MP Primal, a show-accurate version, and a toy-accurate version, to please everybody

Did Laserwave fly off the shelves? From what I heard, quite a vocal group here found his price a turn off. Will it be profitable for Takara? If he'll be released in toy colors, it might be a Tomy Mall exclusive. he is after all a bad guy. Badguys don't sell well generally in JP (Example I'll use are the Micromasters in 1990s, most were Cybertrons when internationally, split into Autobots and Decepticons. Will this same condition be still applicable now?

fenrir72 wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:I "think" the point that he's trying to make is that, people want mp's in non-anime deco's - that is to say, more toy inspired deco's - like the dark purple shockwave we're still waiting on (that, if we're being serious with ourselves, isn't going to happen, because TT doesn't seem to acknowledge that shockwave, galvatron, or cyclonus were ever that color), kind of like what they're doing with MP Primal, a show-accurate version, and a toy-accurate version, to please everybody

Did Laserwave fly off the shelves? From what I heard, quite a vocal group here found his price a turn off. Will it be profitable for Takara? If he'll be released in toy colors, it might be a Tomy Mall exclusive. he is after all a bad guy. Badguys don't sell well generally in JP (Example I'll use are the Micromasters in 1990s, most were Cybertrons when internationally, split into Autobots and Decepticons. Will this same condition be still applicable now?

I honestly can't answer any of that, I don't have any mp's yet. But I do think that everyone - to a point - is sick of TT's lavender-cons, but are willing to put up with them by living in hope that they are re-released in properly dark colors, I do know that was a point that pushed a lot of people towards quakewave and other less lavender shockwaves; I don't actually know this, it's just the sentiment that I was feeling from comments 'round the net.

As for megs' colors, having seen a couple transformation vids, any more premium paint would absolutely scrape off by the ounce due to having so many moving parts of varying tightness', and I agree, that, while not perfect, the sparkling grey plastic is a great compromise, and still evocative of megs without feeling like the cheap crappy bley plastic hasbro uses.

Bumblebee21 wrote:dont even get me started with ironhide

What was wrong with ironhide? And paint chips are part of the deal at this point since most of the surface of these MP toys are painted instead of using coloured plastic. It was really too bad with Hot Rodimus since a lot of the paint rubbed off on mine but I still find the toy great.

fenrir72 wrote:Did Laserwave fly off the shelves? From what I heard, quite a vocal group here found his price a turn off.

He was not sold out right away from online vendors, at least not the importers. And I believe he was even eventually discounted at a few places. The price was a turn off, I still find him very expensive for what you are getting compared to, say, Ironhide.

william-james88 wrote:

Bumblebee21 wrote:dont even get me started with ironhide

What was wrong with ironhide? And paint chips are part of the deal at this point since most of the surface of these MP toys are painted instead of using coloured plastic. It was really too bad with Hot Rodimus since a lot of the paint rubbed off on mine but I still find the toy great.

fenrir72 wrote:Did Laserwave fly off the shelves? From what I heard, quite a vocal group here found his price a turn off.

He was not sold out right away from online vendors, at least not the importers. And I believe he was even eventually discounted at a few places. The price was a turn off, I still find him very expensive for what you are getting compared to, say, Ironhide.

Yeah, he had minimal moving parts and accessories compared to megs, having seen the amount of work put into him (a possible price factor may have been man-hours?) he was so many small parts and pins, that, coupled with the accessories (even the stock and other parts transformed and were screwed together) that his price is totally justifiable to me.

fenrir72 wrote:So the price isn't the main take away? 3rd party is just as expensive or more than the official. Not that I have any aversion for 3rd party though I noticed something quirky/ a pattern of thought in some opinions Dmax, some statements in the official thread extol the advantages of 3rd party while in the 3rd party, it's the opposite, extolling the 1st party, all from the same source. You can't win them all I guess.

Alright, let me try to straighten out my seemingly confusing thought process for you (no snark here, this is pure my thought process):

I am ok with 3rd parties. I have nothing against them. There are occasional 3P stuff that I see that I like, like the 3P IDW Rodimus's (Rodimi?) and I would not be against getting them, but I lack the money, and don't think it's overly worth it to pay that sort of price unless it is meant to be a masterpiece. It mainly comes down to liking 3P stuff that isn't trying to be a big deal toy, but rather something that no one will do or will do for a long long time.

Then it comes to 3P masterpiece stuff. I like, but I don't have desire to own since the official MP line is chugging along and it is good. There aren't that many figures I would get as MP's, but they are there and at the rate they are going we will get them at some point.

so i like 3P stuff of things less likely to actually get toys, but i like official stuff more for masterpieces, and I like official stuff better. Price is always a factor, hence the lack of things very expensive and not mainline/in stores available in my collection, but sometimes things are worth it. No 3P stuff has proven worthy enough yet, and only 2 MP's have. When it comes to price, I'm hard to please.

Does that help at all

primalxconvoy wrote:I disagree.

The original toy version is not what I want. As for a "toy" version, you seem to misunderstand what I and perhaps others are referring to. I/we want this toy in more "realistic" colours, not anime ones. This was something Takara has done with MP Optimus and also, via alternate stickers and faces, etc, with the likes of MP Inferno.

This shows that you are wrong on this. Takara have already shown a precedent in providing two different versions. I just wished they had either included these options in this figure out announced a metallic version sooner (which they've done with almost every Japanese release of a g1 style Megatron to date).

As for "It's only in Japan", then I question your opinion. I live in Japan and have spoken with Japanese collectors, who have voiced similar opinions and/or acknowledged that this release has been inconsistent with other Japanese releases. Also, Takara also officially releases their products through Hasbro Asia and I'm also sure fully understands their products are bought by fans all over the world. While I'm sure they cannot please everyone, everywhere, they are sure to have considered, and will consider international opinions. Marlboor was a rather extreme example of this, with Takara having no obligation to change their design, but did so after pressure from Philip Morris (admittedly not a customer though).

If all you want is a shiny version of MP-36, it could certainly happen at some point in the future, but expecting Takara to have offered something like that concurrent with the standard version of Masterpiece Megatron MP-36 doesn't make any sense, and I'll cite precedence in the Masterpiece line to prove such. MP-29 Masterpiece Shockwave was released in his cartoon accurate light purple/lavender color scheme back in March 2016. There is demand for a more toy-accurate dark purple edition, but it's not happened yet. We do have an example of getting a toy version and cartoon version of a Masterpiece figure with MP-14 Red Alert, but those two releases were almost FOUR YEARS apart. It doesn't really seem "inconsistent" for the modern Masterpiece line when you look at what is happening with MP-36 and compared it to MP-14/+ and MP-29. It makes business sense for Takara not to pair up their alternate versions together. When a new version is released later on, people are more likely to double dip to get the version that is "superior" to them. If you offered all choices at once, people will just pick their favorite and be done with it. Again, that's just the reality of the business world.

Yes, there are some recent examples of Masterpieces designed to give the best of both worlds with interchangeable display options, like MP-33 Inferno and MP-33 Grapple, but in that case, it's a matter of molding, not paint apps, that create the desired effect. It was easy enough for Takara to design these figures to include more "realistic" or "toy accurate" vehicle fronts with chromed bumpers and extra details, like windshield wipers, and simplified cartoon fronts based on the animated character models. This is a very recent development in the Masterpiece line too. Not even the recent MP-27 Ironhide and MP-30 Ratchet offered this. Also, you can't exactly offer different molding to give Megatron more red on his inner calves or silver chrome all over his body.

For you, I hope there is another release of MP-36 that's closer to what you want in terms of deco, and in fact, that might be likely (as is another shot at Shockwave with darker purple paint/plastic), since those molds are pretty uniquely those characters and hard to redeco into any other character. Takara does like to get a LOT of uses out of each Masterpiece mold. To be honest, though, expect MP-20 Wheeljack to get a cartoon deco release first, as anime is the direction Masterpiece is going right now.

I'm just annoyed the next Takara MP Soundwave reissue has a redecoed Megatron gun accessory to match MP-36. Hopefully those show up on eBay on their own.

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:

Bumblebee21 wrote:

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:Opposite for me. I had no interest but the in hand images from yesterday and the review have made me want him. Maybe not at the moment due to some stuff, but a couple months down the road he will be worth the grab

the main takeaway are all the qc issues.
hes gonna have paint chips all over if you transform him. if you put the silencer on him hes gonna chip.
theres no way to prevent paint chipping on him.
at least you can transform apollyon without getting scratches on him
and its not just him.
mp-35 gets paint scratches from the crane transformation
mp-34 and the easy breakage points.
dont even get me started with ironhide

See, the issues you are bringing up are issues that I have only heard of rarely. Besides, I'm not sure how often I'll transform him, though I will transform him. I've accepted that he will be difficult, but I will still transform him. I'll just have free time and not something on TV I'd want to watch but more listen to.

And while you are obsessed with the 3P stuff, I really am not. I ordered that Iron Maiden last semester that was a bust, but that is it. 3P stuff just hasn't appealed to me yet. And I kind of do prefer the look of this guy over 3P stuff.

Plus, call me a stickler or whatever, but I feel a bit better about owning something official. It feels I dunno, more special and more worth it.

either way, this guy in some form or another will hopefully be mine within the next 6 months. He's grown on me.

all the time i hear people talking about paint issues on mp-35 and now mp-36
you dont really hear about it much because most that do still praise the figure and the ones that have big problems with it get overshadowed by those ones.
same thing with mp-36. in Paik's and Phamduc's reviews you can see all the paint chips that have happened.
im not that obsessed with 3rd party figures its just that when i feel like takara hasnt done a good job i go 3rd party.its easier now because takara is going full toon so if i want a trailbreaker that is black i have to go 3rd party.

william-james88 wrote:

Bumblebee21 wrote:dont even get me started with ironhide

What was wrong with ironhide? And paint chips are part of the deal at this point since most of the surface of these MP toys are painted instead of using coloured plastic. It was really too bad with Hot Rodimus since a lot of the paint rubbed off on mine but I still find the toy great.

i kknew that there would be paint chips on him but i didnt think soo fast. the chrome is rusted and faded.i wouldnt say rusted as its wore off so much that it looks like rust. the thumbs are broken. i played with him a lot and i was always careful taking stuff in and out. the left leg is really loose.
these are supposed to be collectors items but they way everything breaks and chips so easily makes them feel like glorified chugs. as much as i want mp-36. whos to say that i will get it spend $230 of money that i have to work hard to get since im 15 and dont get much money to get him in hand go to transform him or play ith him and he chips and something breaks.i love ironhide even with his flaws but my ko wheeljack and ko thundercracker have better paint applications than him. well mainly thundercracker.
then takara decides to make an aesthetic change in the middle of the line to go full toon.
im sorry about this rant.

mp-36 does look great.

im not trying to get you not to buy them. thats never my intent at all.
i just share my opinion and what i hear.
im sorry if sometimes i sound mean, rude, or snippy. i try my best not too. it doesnt help that when i read it sounds rude.
and where i found the pics
https://tfsource.com/blog/2017/03/28/dr ... ointments/

Sabrblade wrote:

Wolfman Jake wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Wolfman Jake wrote:Anyone know why Megatron has 3 blue circles on his belly plate? He's usually depicted with just two, the larger, upper central one, and then a much smaller one below, typically offset towards the right a bit. I can't find any reference where this pattern with an additional small blue circle towards the middle bottom of the belly is used besides MP-36 Megatron. Is it to give him an actual belly button, lol?

I only see two blue circles and a tiny dot, which he does have on his cartoon model:

Thanks, Sabr! I knew you'd come through for me, lol! I was looking at tons of on screen examples of Megatron from the original cartoon, and various G1-related toys, and couldn't find all three blue dots. Figures it would be on the character model. I'm sure that tiny dot got omitted most of the time in practice when drawing the actual episodes. Could you share your source for these character models with me? I'd love to have them for reference in the future. I have a hunch there are more little oddities with deco details that Takara has produced that can be explained by comparing them to the character models rather than the actual cartoon footage.

Granted, these all appear to be fan-colored versions of the cartoon models, but here's where I get them from - http://www.transformers.kiev.ua/index.php?pageid=g1encyclopedia

Also, here are a couple of screencaps of Megatron with the third dot in the cartoon:

Megatron's head is pretty big in that animation model.

Bumblebee21 wrote:this is an insult

Emerje wrote:I honestly don't think Megatron's head looks too big at all. Seems perfectly fine to me. I guess next to those pin headed knockoffs it looks big.

Emerje

sol magnus wrote:

Ironhidensh wrote:What a kibble-tastic, panel lined nightmare.

Pre order officially canceled.

That's an insult.

this is an opinion

How is me calling the knockoffs pin headed an insult? It's my opinion that they all have tiny heads in proportion to their bodies. You need thicker skin, my friend, if you can't accept the criticism.

Emerje

Was the original Microchange toy that became Megatron released in any colours other than the one we all know? Any bizarre greens or blues or something?

Actually, that's something. A G2-coloured MP-36. I don't care how little sense it makes, go for the tacky camouflage that only works in forests of purple trees!

Kurona wrote:Was the original Microchange toy that became Megatron released in any colours other than the one we all know? Any bizarre greens or blues or something?

Actually, that's something. A G2-coloured MP-36. I don't care how little sense it makes, go for the tacky camouflage that only works in forests of purple trees!

How about releasing it in the concept "safety" colors? I think the original toy was released in black with a brown grip.

chuckdawg1999 wrote:

Kurona wrote:Was the original Microchange toy that became Megatron released in any colours other than the one we all know? Any bizarre greens or blues or something?

Actually, that's something. A G2-coloured MP-36. I don't care how little sense it makes, go for the tacky camouflage that only works in forests of purple trees!

How about releasing it in the concept "safety" colors? I think the original toy was released in black with a brown grip.

Is that the one that the Choro-Q black version was based on?



Wouldn't mind that

chuckdawg1999 wrote:I think the original toy was released in black with a brown grip.

Yup.

This news isn't all that welcome. I was hoping the updated MP Megatron would be EASIER to transform than the original. Now there was a figure that you had to sit down for a long time to convert. I wound up leaving him in robot mode for the longest time because transforming him was such a pain...

DeathReviews wrote:This news isn't all that welcome. I was hoping the updated MP Megatron would be EASIER to transform than the original. Now there was a figure that you had to sit down for a long time to convert. I wound up leaving him in robot mode for the longest time because transforming him was such a pain...

Then by this context, you'll never, ever transform this figure

My money is on Tak-Mall doing a Marvel Blue/Silver Megs and or Browning over a chromed "toy" version of Megs.

Wolfman Jake wrote:

primalxconvoy wrote:I disagree.

The original toy version is not what I want. As for a "toy" version, you seem to misunderstand what I and perhaps others are referring to. I/we want this toy in more "realistic" colours, not anime ones. This was something Takara has done with MP Optimus and also, via alternate stickers and faces, etc, with the likes of MP Inferno.

This shows that you are wrong on this. Takara have already shown a precedent in providing two different versions. I just wished they had either included these options in this figure out announced a metallic version sooner (which they've done with almost every Japanese release of a g1 style Megatron to date).

As for "It's only in Japan", then I question your opinion. I live in Japan and have spoken with Japanese collectors, who have voiced similar opinions and/or acknowledged that this release has been inconsistent with other Japanese releases. Also, Takara also officially releases their products through Hasbro Asia and I'm also sure fully understands their products are bought by fans all over the world. While I'm sure they cannot please everyone, everywhere, they are sure to have considered, and will consider international opinions. Marlboor was a rather extreme example of this, with Takara having no obligation to change their design, but did so after pressure from Philip Morris (admittedly not a customer though).

If all you want is a shiny version of MP-36, it could certainly happen at some point in the future, but expecting Takara to have offered something like that concurrent with the standard version of Masterpiece Megatron MP-36 doesn't make any sense, and I'll cite precedence in the Masterpiece line to prove such. MP-29 Masterpiece Shockwave was released in his cartoon accurate light purple/lavender color scheme back in March 2016. There is demand for a more toy-accurate dark purple edition, but it's not happened yet. We do have an example of getting a toy version and cartoon version of a Masterpiece figure with MP-14 Red Alert, but those two releases were almost FOUR YEARS apart. It doesn't really seem "inconsistent" for the modern Masterpiece line when you look at what is happening with MP-36 and compared it to MP-14/+ and MP-29. It makes business sense for Takara not to pair up their alternate versions together. When a new version is released later on, people are more likely to double dip to get the version that is "superior" to them. If you offered all choices at once, people will just pick their favorite and be done with it. Again, that's just the reality of the business world.

Yes, there are some recent examples of Masterpieces designed to give the best of both worlds with interchangeable display options, like MP-33 Inferno and MP-33 Grapple, but in that case, it's a matter of molding, not paint apps, that create the desired effect. It was easy enough for Takara to design these figures to include more "realistic" or "toy accurate" vehicle fronts with chromed bumpers and extra details, like windshield wipers, and simplified cartoon fronts based on the animated character models. This is a very recent development in the Masterpiece line too. Not even the recent MP-27 Ironhide and MP-30 Ratchet offered this. Also, you can't exactly offer different molding to give Megatron more red on his inner calves or silver chrome all over his body.

For you, I hope there is another release of MP-36 that's closer to what you want in terms of deco, and in fact, that might be likely (as is another shot at Shockwave with darker purple paint/plastic), since those molds are pretty uniquely those characters and hard to redeco into any other character. Takara does like to get a LOT of uses out of each Masterpiece mold. To be honest, though, expect MP-20 Wheeljack to get a cartoon deco release first, as anime is the direction Masterpiece is going right now.

Thanks. I see your points for Shockwave, but that toy, plus Inferno, at least got extra parts and stickers to give either a fully cartoon or (partially?) non-cartoon look.

As far as I've seen in my MP Megatron box, there are no additional stickers to at least give him a "normal" faction symbol. If the slightly metallic grey paint was Bakara's attempt at a compromise, and they've done so before with other MP figures, then why have they omitted at least the option for a symbol?

I hope TT releases a non-cartoon version, but if they are too slow, and/or a KO company beats them to the punch with a revised KO of this figure, I might bite and then not bother to pre-order these from Amazon Japan line I've done in the past. I'll be more wary of TT's efforts and look to 3P or KOs for "proper" or higher quality MPs.

That's why I believe it's important for TT to pull their fingers out and give two choices near to each other, or at least announced around the same time; it can forestall customers like me from choosing alternatives from other companies, while upbringing customer faith that a version for them will be out.

As for transforming it, I'm going to watch Ben's, Wotofa's and Chosen Prime's long reviews before and while doing so.

I hope one day they an easy to transform MP Megs will come out!

SpikeyTigertron wrote:My money is on Tak-Mall doing a Marvel Blue/Silver Megs and or Browning over a chromed "toy" version of Megs.

Browning was an entirely different type of gun with an entirely different transformation.


I think Megaplex (gray and blue) definitely stands a chance as a repaint.


Emerje

Took me roughly an hour to get back into robot mode. It's a mental exercise reversing instructions I'll tell you.

Heh, we got all of these variants of the G1 toy to choose from for redeco possibilities:

Sabrblade wrote:

• 1984 Hasbro version: Silver chrome and red, stock, silencer, sight/Fusion Cannon, handheld gun, no spring-loaded bullet-firing gimmick
• 1985 Hasbro version A: The 1984 Hasbro version w/ a rubsign on the toy's right arm
• 1985 Hasbro version B: The 1894 Hasbro version w/ a rubsign on the toy's left hip guard
• 1985 Takara version: Flat gray and blue, handheld gun, sword, 20 blue bullets, spring-loaded bullet-firing gimmick
• 1985 Takara "Convoy VS Megatron" version: The 1985 Takara version packaged with Optimus Prime
• 1986 Takara "Good Bye Megatron" version: Flat gray and red, sight/Fusion Cannon, sword, handheld gun, 20 red bullets, spring-loaded bullet-firing gimmick, packaged with Starscream
• 2001 Takara reissue version: Silver chrome and red, stock, silencer, sight/Fusion Cannon, handheld gun, sword, 20 bullets, spring-loaded bullet-firing gimmick
• 2001 e-HOBBY Black version: The 2001 Takara reissue version in dark gunmetal chrome, black, red, and brown
• 2003 Takara Transformers Collection version: The 2001 Takara reissue version with a new Energon flail, Transformers Collection packaging, and a Decepticon mouse pad
• 2003 e-HOBBY Collector's Edition Megaplex version: The 1985 Takara version with all of the 2003 Takara Transformers Collection version, with the flail now yellow instead of purple
• Unreleased Hasbro Commemorative Series Lava Megatron"/"Safety Megatron" version: blue chrome, orange, red, silencer, stock, sight/Fusion Cannon, handheld gun, sword, no spring-loaded bullet-firing gimmick
• 2007 Takara Encore version: The 2001 Takara reissue version, but now with tan-shaded gray plastic and tan-shaded silver chrome
• 2009 e-HOBBY Collector's Edition Black version: The 2001 e-HOBBY Black version packaged in Collector's Edition packaging and with an all new comic
• 2011 e-HOBBY Chronicle version: 1986 Takara "Good Bye Megatron" version with a darker gray, tampographed symbols, no Starscream, and packaged with a redeco of Voyager DOTM Megatron

But, to give some redeco ideas for something beyond just "Megatron as himself but with a slight change of color", there's there black version, the gold MP-5 version, the unreleased "safety" version, the "Man of Iron" cover/Conder Verlag covers version, Megaplex, Emirate Xaaron...

primalxconvoy wrote:Thanks. I see your points for Shockwave, but that toy, plus Inferno, at least got extra parts and stickers to give either a fully cartoon or (partially?) non-cartoon look.

Don't you find it interesting, btw, that Masterpiece Inferno came with that extra sticker sheet of faction symbols, but Grapple didn't? I think it was done to help you match up Inferno with EITHER version of Masterpiece Red Alert. I guess Takara figured this would be fitting as the two are a "best buddies" pairing in the cartoon. You can give Inferno the cartoon Autobot logos and match him with MP-14+, or give Inferno the regular logos and match him with the original MP-14 release. You can even use the extra symbols on Red Alert instead, changing the standard symbol on MP-14 to the cartoon version, or stick the standard symbol on MP-14+ (my personal preference).

By the way, why do you keep spelling Takara as "Bakara?" It keeps making me think of Baraka from the Mortal Kombat series.

Wolfman Jake wrote:By the way, why do you keep spelling Takara as "Bakara?"

Short for "Baka Takara" (meaning "Stupid Takara", "Idiot Takara", "Dummy Takara", "Foolish Takara", etc.), I'm guessing.

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:So the price isn't the main take away? 3rd party is just as expensive or more than the official. Not that I have any aversion for 3rd party though I noticed something quirky/ a pattern of thought in some opinions Dmax, some statements in the official thread extol the advantages of 3rd party while in the 3rd party, it's the opposite, extolling the 1st party, all from the same source. You can't win them all I guess.

Alright, let me try to straighten out my seemingly confusing thought process for you (no snark here, this is pure my thought process):

I am ok with 3rd parties. I have nothing against them. There are occasional 3P stuff that I see that I like, like the 3P IDW Rodimus's (Rodimi?) and I would not be against getting them, but I lack the money, and don't think it's overly worth it to pay that sort of price unless it is meant to be a masterpiece. It mainly comes down to liking 3P stuff that isn't trying to be a big deal toy, but rather something that no one will do or will do for a long long time.

Then it comes to 3P masterpiece stuff. I like, but I don't have desire to own since the official MP line is chugging along and it is good. There aren't that many figures I would get as MP's, but they are there and at the rate they are going we will get them at some point.

so i like 3P stuff of things less likely to actually get toys, but i like official stuff more for masterpieces, and I like official stuff better. Price is always a factor, hence the lack of things very expensive and not mainline/in stores available in my collection, but sometimes things are worth it. No 3P stuff has proven worthy enough yet, and only 2 MP's have. When it comes to price, I'm hard to please.

Does that help at all

Just to be clear Dmax, the inconsistent posting I mentioned isn't you. The inconsistency with other members digging at the official thread with 3rd party praises and vice versa is enough to drive you

primalxconvoy wrote:

Wolfman Jake wrote:

primalxconvoy wrote:I disagree.

The original toy version is not what I want. As for a "toy" version, you seem to misunderstand what I and perhaps others are referring to. I/we want this toy in more "realistic" colours, not anime ones. This was something Takara has done with MP Optimus and also, via alternate stickers and faces, etc, with the likes of MP Inferno.

This shows that you are wrong on this. Takara have already shown a precedent in providing two different versions. I just wished they had either included these options in this figure out announced a metallic version sooner (which they've done with almost every Japanese release of a g1 style Megatron to date).

As for "It's only in Japan", then I question your opinion. I live in Japan and have spoken with Japanese collectors, who have voiced similar opinions and/or acknowledged that this release has been inconsistent with other Japanese releases. Also, Takara also officially releases their products through Hasbro Asia and I'm also sure fully understands their products are bought by fans all over the world. While I'm sure they cannot please everyone, everywhere, they are sure to have considered, and will consider international opinions. Marlboor was a rather extreme example of this, with Takara having no obligation to change their design, but did so after pressure from Philip Morris (admittedly not a customer though).

If all you want is a shiny version of MP-36, it could certainly happen at some point in the future, but expecting Takara to have offered something like that concurrent with the standard version of Masterpiece Megatron MP-36 doesn't make any sense, and I'll cite precedence in the Masterpiece line to prove such. MP-29 Masterpiece Shockwave was released in his cartoon accurate light purple/lavender color scheme back in March 2016. There is demand for a more toy-accurate dark purple edition, but it's not happened yet. We do have an example of getting a toy version and cartoon version of a Masterpiece figure with MP-14 Red Alert, but those two releases were almost FOUR YEARS apart. It doesn't really seem "inconsistent" for the modern Masterpiece line when you look at what is happening with MP-36 and compared it to MP-14/+ and MP-29. It makes business sense for Takara not to pair up their alternate versions together. When a new version is released later on, people are more likely to double dip to get the version that is "superior" to them. If you offered all choices at once, people will just pick their favorite and be done with it. Again, that's just the reality of the business world.

Yes, there are some recent examples of Masterpieces designed to give the best of both worlds with interchangeable display options, like MP-33 Inferno and MP-33 Grapple, but in that case, it's a matter of molding, not paint apps, that create the desired effect. It was easy enough for Takara to design these figures to include more "realistic" or "toy accurate" vehicle fronts with chromed bumpers and extra details, like windshield wipers, and simplified cartoon fronts based on the animated character models. This is a very recent development in the Masterpiece line too. Not even the recent MP-27 Ironhide and MP-30 Ratchet offered this. Also, you can't exactly offer different molding to give Megatron more red on his inner calves or silver chrome all over his body.

For you, I hope there is another release of MP-36 that's closer to what you want in terms of deco, and in fact, that might be likely (as is another shot at Shockwave with darker purple paint/plastic), since those molds are pretty uniquely those characters and hard to redeco into any other character. Takara does like to get a LOT of uses out of each Masterpiece mold. To be honest, though, expect MP-20 Wheeljack to get a cartoon deco release first, as anime is the direction Masterpiece is going right now.

Thanks. I see your points for Shockwave, but that toy, plus Inferno, at least got extra parts and stickers to give either a fully cartoon or (partially?) non-cartoon look.

As far as I've seen in my MP Megatron box, there are no additional stickers to at least give him a "normal" faction symbol. If the slightly metallic grey paint was Bakara's attempt at a compromise, and they've done so before with other MP figures, then why have they omitted at least the option for a symbol?

I hope TT releases a non-cartoon version, but if they are too slow, and/or a KO company beats them to the punch with a revised KO of this figure, I might bite and then not bother to pre-order these from Amazon Japan line I've done in the past. I'll be more wary of TT's efforts and look to 3P or KOs for "proper" or higher quality MPs.

That's why I believe it's important for TT to pull their fingers out and give two choices near to each other, or at least announced around the same time; it can forestall customers like me from choosing alternatives from other companies, while upbringing customer faith that a version for them will be out.

As for transforming it, I'm going to watch Ben's, Wotofa's and Chosen Prime's long reviews before and while doing so.

I hope one day they an easy to transform MP Megs will come out!

MP Megatron easy to transform?

Kurona wrote:Was the original Microchange toy that became Megatron released in any colours other than the one we all know? Any bizarre greens or blues or something?

Actually, that's something. A G2-coloured MP-36. I don't care how little sense it makes, go for the tacky camouflage that only works in forests of purple trees!

Brown and black.

Bumblebee21 wrote:

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:

Bumblebee21 wrote:

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:Opposite for me. I had no interest but the in hand images from yesterday and the review have made me want him. Maybe not at the moment due to some stuff, but a couple months down the road he will be worth the grab

the main takeaway are all the qc issues.
hes gonna have paint chips all over if you transform him. if you put the silencer on him hes gonna chip.
theres no way to prevent paint chipping on him.
at least you can transform apollyon without getting scratches on him
and its not just him.
mp-35 gets paint scratches from the crane transformation
mp-34 and the easy breakage points.
dont even get me started with ironhide

See, the issues you are bringing up are issues that I have only heard of rarely. Besides, I'm not sure how often I'll transform him, though I will transform him. I've accepted that he will be difficult, but I will still transform him. I'll just have free time and not something on TV I'd want to watch but more listen to.

And while you are obsessed with the 3P stuff, I really am not. I ordered that Iron Maiden last semester that was a bust, but that is it. 3P stuff just hasn't appealed to me yet. And I kind of do prefer the look of this guy over 3P stuff.

Plus, call me a stickler or whatever, but I feel a bit better about owning something official. It feels I dunno, more special and more worth it.

either way, this guy in some form or another will hopefully be mine within the next 6 months. He's grown on me.

all the time i hear people talking about paint issues on mp-35 and now mp-36
you dont really hear about it much because most that do still praise the figure and the ones that have big problems with it get overshadowed by those ones.
same thing with mp-36. in Paik's and Phamduc's reviews you can see all the paint chips that have happened.
im not that obsessed with 3rd party figures its just that when i feel like takara hasnt done a good job i go 3rd party.its easier now because takara is going full toon so if i want a trailbreaker that is black i have to go 3rd party.

william-james88 wrote:

Bumblebee21 wrote:dont even get me started with ironhide

What was wrong with ironhide? And paint chips are part of the deal at this point since most of the surface of these MP toys are painted instead of using coloured plastic. It was really too bad with Hot Rodimus since a lot of the paint rubbed off on mine but I still find the toy great.

i kknew that there would be paint chips on him but i didnt think soo fast. the chrome is rusted and faded.i wouldnt say rusted as its wore off so much that it looks like rust. the thumbs are broken. i played with him a lot and i was always careful taking stuff in and out. the left leg is really loose.
these are supposed to be collectors items but they way everything breaks and chips so easily makes them feel like glorified chugs. as much as i want mp-36. whos to say that i will get it spend $230 of money that i have to work hard to get since im 15 and dont get much money to get him in hand go to transform him or play ith him and he chips and something breaks.i love ironhide even with his flaws but my ko wheeljack and ko thundercracker have better paint applications than him. well mainly thundercracker.
then takara decides to make an aesthetic change in the middle of the line to go full toon.
im sorry about this rant.

mp-36 does look great.

im not trying to get you not to buy them. thats never my intent at all.
i just share my opinion and what i hear.
im sorry if sometimes i sound mean, rude, or snippy. i try my best not too. it doesnt help that when i read it sounds rude.
and where i found the pics
https://tfsource.com/blog/2017/03/28/dr ... ointments/

Paint chips happens. My MP-14A Alert inner thighs(those in the backside) chipped the minute I transformed him. It's bad but a waaaaaaaay better improvement from the binaltech days.

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