HLJ Listings for Takara Transformers Siege Line and PP Counterpunch

ThunderThruster wrote:When Classics first started, it was about updating the old designs, not just in articulation, but also style. And IMO classics Prime is still the go to figure to fit this ideology.
If I wanted a new 'G1' Prime, I'd go for an MP figure, not this new Siege figure.

But MP Prime is expensive and doesn't scale well with 'regular' Transformer figures so I can see the appeal of this Siege one at least in robot mode because we've never really had a decent G1 Voyager class Optimus Prime figure. Just a shame the truck mode is 'cybertronian'.


And for those bothered about the weathering paint apps? That sorta stuff comes off real easily. I even removed some silver factory paint off the legs on my Studio Series Ratchet (just a smidge where they put silver paint where they shouldn't be) with a lil gentle scrubbing. So while it might be annoying to some that Hasbro are 'wasting' paint budget by doing it, well at least you can take it off if you want (though won't be mint anymore)

I'm here for Siege Prime. I had the Classics figure but the vehicle update meant I couldn't see it as G1. The Siege vehicle mode isn't pure either, but the bot accuracy makes up for that. And maybe I'm in the minority but I'm not worried about the weathering.

I'm perfectly happy with CW Magnus so I'm going to pass on that. $50 is a lot for an incremental change on a figure that's only 3 years old. RiD was after my time, though, so I don't have the nostalgia angle.

We're not expecting Legends class in Siege, right? Might have to wait until next year for a good Cliffjumper?

ZeroWolf wrote:

leokearon wrote:I don't need another Ultra Magnus
I don't need another Ultra Magnus
I don't need another Ultra Magnus
I don't need another Ultra Magnus

I think you are protesting a bit too much

All I need now is a stop motion video of Siege Magnus armouring up and I'll be getting him... Some how,

I'm not protesting, I trying to convince myself I don't need another version of my favourite TF. (so far I'm failing)

AcademyofDrX wrote:I'm here for Siege Prime. I had the Classics figure but the vehicle update meant I couldn't see it as G1. The Siege vehicle mode isn't pure either, but the bot accuracy makes up for that. And maybe I'm in the minority but I'm not worried about the weathering.

I'm perfectly happy with CW Magnus so I'm going to pass on that. $50 is a lot for an incremental change on a figure that's only 3 years old. RiD was after my time, though, so I don't have the nostalgia angle.

We're not expecting Legends class in Siege, right? Might have to wait until next year for a good Cliffjumper?

No legends class planned for seige, instead its the micromaster 2 packs.

I jus wanted to comment on what you wrote in bold. I disagree about it being an incremental change, it is instead a totally different interpretation of the transformation, fiction and homage. CW Magnus is more comparable to the MP in the sense that its about converting from one mode the next and the cab beign integrated into the transformation rather than transforming into a bot itself. Sure CW magnus has that extra IDW bit of a tiny white guy but thats more of a bonus and not integral to the transformation from car carrier to bot.

This Magnus here is a completely new take in the generations line, something we have not seen in Magnus in 20 years where the cab does become its own white prime with the trailer becoming armour for it. And since I buy ots to experience their transformations and the little tricks from designers, this is a sure buy for me.

I'll get Optimus Prime, of course. Will just have to paint the crotch myself. And if the wear-effects can be removed, and easily, all the better.

Kind of tempted to finally get an Ultra Magnus with a "White Convoy" inside; never had or wanted one before, but it's cool (and surprising) that it's a totally different mold than Prime.

However, it looks a little cheap that the windshields and grill are the same piece of bare translucent plastic. Don't you think? A big blue T on his torso.



Still thinking about Cog and Sideswipe.. btw, Hasbro has been really cheap with guns lately.. (The Constructicons, Autobot Headmasters, Brawl..) and now Sideswipe, that has to alternate a single weapon as his shoulder cannon and hand-gun.

I think it looks Blue-T-ful.

I actually like the blue on inner Magnus chest. It ties the deco together.

It's not perfect but it does make him stand out from Optimus a bit more.

Cobotron wrote:I think it looks Blue-T-ful.

I might do it myself, with some silver paint or a chrome pen, whichever works better.

Skritz wrote:It's not perfect but it does make him stand out from Optimus a bit more.

I think the molds are different enough that a little silver paint on the grill and some definition on the windshield frames wouldn't hurt.









⠀

Good ol reliable HLJ. Just threw everything on order, then if they manage to turn up locally I'll cancel them otherwise I'll be importing.

Sad part is, even with freight from Japan, they still work out roughly the same price as if I were to buy them locally.

Optimus also has a clear blue grill in truck mode, I guess that's their idea of Cybertronian.

Just noticed something from the recent photos. At first I thought he had an unsightly hollow space on the back of his legs, and on a figure line that we were told would feel a little more premium.



Then I noticed on the inside of his legs he has gray panels that are supposed to swing around and cover that space.



Now why haven't we seen the hover mode Warden told us about yet?

I was also trying to figure out why white Magnus had so many hinges in his chest when they didn't seem to be used in bot or truck mode. Turns out they're used flatten his torso a slight big more and probably sink the grill in to make room for the armor without it making his chest stick out more. You can see inside the chest windows that the top half the smaller torso is pulled in and tilted slightly to make room. They're really going above and beyond trying to make good looking figures.



He also has a rotating crotch to give Ultra Magnus his belt. There's a feature.



Emerje

Good eye there Emerje I spotted the back of Primes legs but not thd panel to hide them. We really shouldn't be surprised at mistransformations now should we .

Y'know, despite not caring much for Siege Prime at first, every picture I see of him makes me want him even more.

I wonder why TT's Punch-Counterpunch comes with Solus Prime, when Hasbro's comes with Prima. Solus came with Repugnus.

Emerje wrote:a rotating crotch

...those are words I never expected to read.

I have to say, as much as I'm bummed that there's a new magnus with the evolution gimmick after I already have CW Magnus+PE White Prime, but this toy's look and colours make him a more than worthwhile replacement. CW Magnus was just TOO IDW and as much as I liked the toy I really was never completely happy with the look. I'll just have to paint him as Diaclone Magnus one day to honour my 1 character, one toy rule.

That being said, I want prime just to scale with magnus, and sideswipe looks like a mini masterpiece! Hoping his brother Sunstreaker is in the pipeline. Hasbro really put some effort into this wave and hopefully that will continue on through the line.

Cyberpath wrote:

What's up with the weathering specifically on the thighs of some of these figures in Siege? What kind of combat gets your thighs dirty but your shins pristine? Sideswipe has much more believable wear with it being mostly on his shins.

Also, from where on earth do Hasbro and Takara Tomy get the gray shin paint apps for Optimus Prime? They're not from the original toy or the original cartoon, but they're a staple of almost every "G1" Optimus Prime update for over 12 years now. Even MP-10 sports the gray shin vents.

Wolfman Jake wrote:

Cyberpath wrote:

What's up with the weathering specifically on the thighs of some of these figures in Siege? What kind of combat gets your thighs dirty but your shins pristine? Sideswipe has much more believable wear with it being mostly on his shins.

Also, from where on earth do Hasbro and Takara Tomy get the gray shin paint apps for Optimus Prime? They're not from the original toy or the original cartoon, but they're a staple of almost every "G1" Optimus Prime update for over 12 years now. Even MP-10 sports the gray shin vents.

My guess is that vent, in general, aren't exactly known to be painted.

I must be in the minority in that I really like the battle damaged deco. It really helps set the decos apart, and I think it looks good.

Prime keeps convincing me I really don't need him, those new shots make him seem even less appealing

Still on board with the battlemasters and micromasters. I will buy all of them. I love the little dudes, and they take up a lot less space.

Deluxes are still killing it. I'm pretty happy with Sideswipe, seeing as how it took so long for me to finally get my 2nd favorite bot in generations form. Cog keeps looking even better!

Magnus has actually started to warm to me, and it's hard because I have my perfect Magnus in CW, but this one is so different and trying for something so much separated from my CW Magnus.

ThunderThruster wrote:See, I like G1, I grew up on the G1 toon, but that doesn't mean I want the same characters and designs being rehashed every few years.
When Classics first started, it was about updating the old designs, not just in articulation, but also style. And IMO classics Prime is still the go to figure to fit this ideology.
If I wanted a new 'G1' Prime, I'd go for an MP figure, not this new Siege figure.

The Classics 2006 mold of Optimus Prime was pretty good for its time, but it hasn't aged as well compared to the majority of the rest of the Classics/Universe 2008/Generations line. It's undersized for a voyager class toy, so it doesn't scale as well as it should with other characters in the series. The truck kibble hanging off the arms is pretty atrocious, especially if you want to put the figure in any kind of a dynamic pose. Even though there are many options for the mold out there: Classics, Henkei, AoE Evolution, Cloud, Platinum Edition, etc., there's always something a little off with any deco, and you're going to have to mix and match parts to get a really good, cohesive, accurate looking Optimus Prime.

Skritz wrote:My guess is that vent, in general, aren't exactly known to be painted.

I'm not sure what you're trying to say here. The vents on the shins aren't supposed to be painted, from what I can see of the original toy and cartoon, but they almost always are, particularly by Hasbro, but even by Takara too. It's a weird "accepted" detail that kind of came out of nowhere and is based on nothing from the original source material.

Yeah, i am still icky about the battle damage deco. Yeah, they are easy to remove, but first i want to be sure they are paint on a plastic, not paint on top of another paint, otherwise i might risk taking off the paint that makes the figure looks good.

Wolfman Jake wrote:

Skritz wrote:My guess is that vent, in general, aren't exactly known to be painted.

I'm not sure what you're trying to say here. The vents on the shins aren't supposed to be painted, from what I can see of the original toy and cartoon, but they almost always are, particularly by Hasbro, but even by Takara too. It's a weird "accepted" detail that kind of came out of nowhere and is based on nothing from the original source material.

Creative preference of the designers? Starscream too never had those breast turbines (Studio Ox I believe started the trend) yet here we have them.

Bounti76 wrote:I wonder why TT's Punch-Counterpunch comes with Solus Prime, when Hasbro's comes with Prima. Solus came with Blast Off.

Megatronus came with blast off.
But yeah, Prima comes with Punch, i will make the edit later

Wolfman Jake wrote:

Skritz wrote:My guess is that vent, in general, aren't exactly known to be painted.

I'm not sure what you're trying to say here. The vents on the shins aren't supposed to be painted, from what I can see of the original toy and cartoon, but they almost always are, particularly by Hasbro, but even by Takara too. It's a weird "accepted" detail that kind of came out of nowhere and is based on nothing from the original source material.

If those are meant to be vents you see on a truck it would make sense for them to be unpainted grey. Which, in turn, translate to painted parts on a figure.

Wolfman Jake wrote:Also, from where on earth do Hasbro and Takara Tomy get the gray shin paint apps for Optimus Prime? They're not from the original toy or the original cartoon, but they're a staple of almost every "G1" Optimus Prime update for over 12 years now. Even MP-10 sports the gray shin vents.

MP-1 seems to be the originator of the gray vents, with lots of artists and designers just following in suit from MP-1's example with the vents being gray.

I wanna say the thigh paint is reminiscent of grease lubing up thier mechanical parts for transformation, and prime’s leg transformation is known for his thighs collapsing into his lower leg. Warring robots have no time to clean off excess fluids and replace paint chipped from constant transformation.

As for the shins, it’s a vent, so I guess just to break up the swathe of blue?

Random thought: What if Magnus has a Matrix chamber? I know it's very unlikely to happen given they severed all ties to Prime Wars, but I think it'd be a nice touch to have a non-MP Magnus be able to carry the Matrix like in the movie. Plus, he looks to be the right size for it. Oh well, a guy can dream

Sabrblade wrote:

Wolfman Jake wrote:Also, from where on earth do Hasbro and Takara Tomy get the gray shin paint apps for Optimus Prime? They're not from the original toy or the original cartoon, but they're a staple of almost every "G1" Optimus Prime update for over 12 years now. Even MP-10 sports the gray shin vents.

MP-1 seems to be the originator of the gray vents, with lots of artists and designers just following in suit from MP-1's example with the vents being gray.

Now we're getting somewhere! Thanks, Sabr. I wonder why MP-1 became the "go to" character model for G1 Optimus Prime.

Wolfman Jake wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Wolfman Jake wrote:Also, from where on earth do Hasbro and Takara Tomy get the gray shin paint apps for Optimus Prime? They're not from the original toy or the original cartoon, but they're a staple of almost every "G1" Optimus Prime update for over 12 years now. Even MP-10 sports the gray shin vents.

MP-1 seems to be the originator of the gray vents, with lots of artists and designers just following in suit from MP-1's example with the vents being gray.

Now we're getting somewhere! Thanks, Sabr. I wonder why MP-1 became the "go to" character model for G1 Optimus Prime.

I can answer that bit. It was the first full 3d rendering of G1 prime. And i believe it was even used in Beast Machines, so from the time it was made it became the go to design for both animation and toys.

william-james88 wrote:

Wolfman Jake wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Wolfman Jake wrote:Also, from where on earth do Hasbro and Takara Tomy get the gray shin paint apps for Optimus Prime? They're not from the original toy or the original cartoon, but they're a staple of almost every "G1" Optimus Prime update for over 12 years now. Even MP-10 sports the gray shin vents.

MP-1 seems to be the originator of the gray vents, with lots of artists and designers just following in suit from MP-1's example with the vents being gray.

Now we're getting somewhere! Thanks, Sabr. I wonder why MP-1 became the "go to" character model for G1 Optimus Prime.

I can answer that bit. It was the first full 3d rendering of G1 prime. And i believe it was even used in Beast Machines, so from the time it was made it became the go to design for both animation and toys.

MP-1 came about in 2003, three years after Beast Machines ended.

What's more, the Optimus Prime CG model seen in Beast Machines was only ever seen first in solid blue-gray then in holographic green. And the properly-colored version from Beast Wars had blue leg vents.

Sabrblade wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Wolfman Jake wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Wolfman Jake wrote:Also, from where on earth do Hasbro and Takara Tomy get the gray shin paint apps for Optimus Prime? They're not from the original toy or the original cartoon, but they're a staple of almost every "G1" Optimus Prime update for over 12 years now. Even MP-10 sports the gray shin vents.

MP-1 seems to be the originator of the gray vents, with lots of artists and designers just following in suit from MP-1's example with the vents being gray.

Now we're getting somewhere! Thanks, Sabr. I wonder why MP-1 became the "go to" character model for G1 Optimus Prime.

I can answer that bit. It was the first full 3d rendering of G1 prime. And i believe it was even used in Beast Machines, so from the time it was made it became the go to design for both animation and toys.

MP-1 came about in 2003, three years after Beast Machines ended.

What's more, the Optimus Prime CG model seen in Beast Machines was only ever seen first in solid blue-gray then in holographic green. And the properly-colored version from Beast Wars had blue leg vents.

I must have been mixing up some other bits of trivia together, sorry.

Wolfman Jake wrote:

Cyberpath wrote:

What's up with the weathering specifically on the thighs of some of these figures in Siege? What kind of combat gets your thighs dirty but your shins pristine? Sideswipe has much more believable wear with it being mostly on his shins.

Also, from where on earth do Hasbro and Takara Tomy get the gray shin paint apps for Optimus Prime? They're not from the original toy or the original cartoon, but they're a staple of almost every "G1" Optimus Prime update for over 12 years now. Even MP-10 sports the gray shin vents.

From Studio OX most likely.

fenrir72 wrote:

Wolfman Jake wrote:

Skritz wrote:My guess is that vent, in general, aren't exactly known to be painted.

I'm not sure what you're trying to say here. The vents on the shins aren't supposed to be painted, from what I can see of the original toy and cartoon, but they almost always are, particularly by Hasbro, but even by Takara too. It's a weird "accepted" detail that kind of came out of nowhere and is based on nothing from the original source material.

Creative preference of the designers? Starscream too never had those breast turbines (Studio Ox I believe started the trend) yet here we have them.

It wasn't standard as some of their art had the shins full blue but this awesome image had it grayish

Had no one else really noticed the gray shins thing until now? It's been bugging me for years. So strange that some 3rd party artwork detail worked itself into the design canon retroactively for Optimus Prime. Even Takara picked up on it somehow, and they're usually so good about "screen accuracy" in their paint operations. Heck, it's even weird for Hasbro to have picked it up, as they usually go with toy accurate details, which the gray shin vents are decidedly not.

Wolfman Jake wrote:Had no one else really noticed the gray shins thing until now? It's been bugging me for years. So strange that some 3rd party artwork detail worked itself into the design canon retroactively for Optimus Prime. Even Takara picked up on it somehow, and they're usually so good about "screen accuracy" in their paint operations. Heck, it's even weird for Hasbro to have picked it up, as they usually go with toy accurate details, which the gray shin vents are decidedly not.

Just wait till the next MP Convoy with its super cartoon design that will undoubtedly restore the original blue vents.

william-james88 wrote:

Bounti76 wrote:I wonder why TT's Punch-Counterpunch comes with Solus Prime, when Hasbro's comes with Prima. Solus came with Blast Off.

Megatronus came with blast off.
But yeah, Prima comes with Punch, i will make the edit later

Oh, I legitimately thought that TT had changed it up just that bit. Thanks for the remind on Blast Off's PM.

Sabrblade wrote:

Wolfman Jake wrote:Had no one else really noticed the gray shins thing until now? It's been bugging me for years. So strange that some 3rd party artwork detail worked itself into the design canon retroactively for Optimus Prime. Even Takara picked up on it somehow, and they're usually so good about "screen accuracy" in their paint operations. Heck, it's even weird for Hasbro to have picked it up, as they usually go with toy accurate details, which the gray shin vents are decidedly not.

Just wait till the next MP Convoy with its super cartoon design that will undoubtedly restore the original blue vents.

Year of the Horse MP-10 has the blue vents

Wolfman Jake wrote:Had no one else really noticed the gray shins thing until now? It's been bugging me for years. So strange that some 3rd party artwork detail worked itself into the design canon retroactively for Optimus Prime. Even Takara picked up on it somehow, and they're usually so good about "screen accuracy" in their paint operations. Heck, it's even weird for Hasbro to have picked it up, as they usually go with toy accurate details, which the gray shin vents are decidedly not.

3rd party not in-house but Studio Ox was/is an officially Takara contracted company. Even their old G1 catalogs included Studio Ox artwork ( I still have those ). To name a few, there was Broadcast vs Soundwave with a tundra/plain at the background), Lambor and Alert (kicking the cockpit) vs the Seekers and Meister (kicking the cockpit) vs Starscream. So they were as official as can be.

Convoy's shins though, it varied from the metal blue to the one with gray from time to time.

The more I think about it, the more I would be absolutely shocked if we didn't get a premium redeco of Siege Optimus Prime somewhere down the line. It's such a good looking G1 Optimus Prime in robot mode, it's hard to think Hasbro won't try to milk it as LEAST as much as they did the 2006 Classics Voyager Optimus Prime mold. A little minor retooling would bring the alt mode in line with his iconic Earth-based truck mode. Swap out the roof of the truck/back of the robot for a smaller piece without the flood lights. Maybe use different tires. Of course, loose the weathered paint apps. Touch up a few details on the front of the truck and on the robot mode. And voila! I bet we'll see something the next time we hit a big Transformers milestone, like the 35th anniversary of the 1986 movie, or the 40th anniversary of the franchise.

Wolfman Jake wrote:The more I think about it, the more I would be absolutely shocked if we didn't get a premium redeco of Siege Optimus Prime somewhere down the line. It's such a good looking G1 Optimus Prime in robot mode, it's hard to think Hasbro won't try to milk it as LEAST as much as they did the 2006 Classics Voyager Optimus Prime mold. A little minor retooling would bring the alt mode in line with his iconic Earth-based truck mode. Swap out the roof of the truck/back of the robot for a smaller piece without the flood lights. Maybe use different tires. Of course, loose the weathered paint apps. Touch up a few details on the front of the truck and on the robot mode. And voila! I bet we'll see something the next time we hit a big Transformers milestone, like the 35th anniversary of the 1986 movie, or the 40th anniversary of the franchise.

The "best" version of the original G1 mold was the iPod "Optimus Prime" version Takara. Despite it's limitation, it used the MP-01 head style on a ball joint, painted surfaces all over the existing red and blue ABS PVC plastic.

What you're suggesting is a nergasm dream for me if Takara or Hb implements a premium finish version somewhere along the road.

Pre-ordered from AE!

Optimus Prime - cause he's my favourite and I've wanted a decent "Sunbow" Prime for the CHUG shelf in forever

Ultra Magnus - for the White Convoy gimmick.

Cog - the gimmick thing again. Kind of wish he had a Headmaster port though so I could use him as Cerebros. But I'll come up with a backstory for him.

Skipped Sideswipe because he looks almost "identical" to MP-12 in look, articulation and whathaveyou. It's not a bad thing, on the contrary, but he's simply not my all-time favourite and I have to draw the line somewhere. (Apparently that line doesn't stop with another Ultra Magnus, but oh well. )

It came out $18 cheaper than my usual place, so it's kind of like a free figure!

I agree with you 100 % Wolfman. I hated the line when I first looked at it. But after some thought, I looked at those figures again and you said exactly what I thought. Some chrome, better paint apps and get rid of those weathering marks. One good looking line

Just wondering, but have we heard anything else about Sixgun and Flywheels/Skytread? Or are these going to be the Repugnus and "PotP" Blast-off again where it takes a year to find out anything?

Sentinel_Primal wrote:Just wondering, but have we heard anything else about Sixgun and Flywheels/Skytread? Or are these going to be the Repugnus and "PotP" Blast-off again where it takes a year to find out anything?

All we know is that both of those have a deluxe price point. That is all.

william-james88 wrote:

Sentinel_Primal wrote:Just wondering, but have we heard anything else about Sixgun and Flywheels/Skytread? Or are these going to be the Repugnus and "PotP" Blast-off again where it takes a year to find out anything?

All we know is that both of those have a deluxe price point. That is all.

However, a deluxe price point should mean a regular release and not and exclusive.

Not really, Studio Series Thundercracker and numerous other releases come out to the same price point as their wavemates. Only the "box set" exclusives really have different pricing but some other figure or accessory to compensate. So they may be exclusive but not a weird special release like repugnus p/cp and blastoff

President-prime wrote:I agree with you 100 % Wolfman. I hated the line when I first looked at it. But after some thought, I looked at those figures again and you said exactly what I thought. Some chrome, better paint apps and get rid of those weathering marks. One good looking line

It had a pretty 'meh' reveal but I think stuff like Magnus and Cog won people like me over.

all.

must acquire all.

Z3ROhour wrote:all.

must acquire all.

As much as I am trying to cut back as I have good representations of nearly all G1 characters....this is my feeling too...