Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained

Thursday, March 13th, 2014 6:08AM CDT

Category: Toy News
Posted by: Autobot032 Views: 23,311

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The Masterpiece Bumblebee news train just keeps on chuggin' along! We now have a picture explaining what both the face gimmick is, and what the Amazon exclusive faceplate is. Drumroll please? G1 toy accurate masked faceplate!

Bumblebee will see release in November and seeing all of these pictures just makes it more and more difficult to wait for his release!

Fellow Seibertronian Down_Shift has posted a picture, courtesy of Amazon.co.jp, of the add on piece in question and we've mirrored the image for you here, below.

Keep your optics tuned to Seibertron.com for the latest in news and updates, plus the best galleries around!

Credit(s): Amazon.co.jp, Down_Shift

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Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557254)
Posted by fenrir72 on March 13th, 2014 @ 6:55am CDT

This?

http://tfwiki.net/wiki/File:Bumblebeebattlemask.jpg

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557255)
Posted by Stormrider on March 13th, 2014 @ 7:12am CDT

Looks good. Hope the panels in alt mode won't be fidgety. I would like to see a scale. If he is too large, that could ruin everything.

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557256)
Posted by Down_Shift on March 13th, 2014 @ 7:12am CDT

zodconvoy wrote:
mooncake623 wrote:Pre-orders up at Anime-Export

http://www.anime-export.com/product/18568

40 bucks

What's their shipping to the US? I really don't feel like signing up for yet another site just to find out that their shipping prices are insane.

They are pretty good into Canada.

Keep in mind that they do not include the coin or the Amazon exclusives.

eToys include the coin but no Amazon add on, and for about $4-$5 more.

RobotKingdom might be the best place for most. If you order more than one, perhaps to split shipping with a friend or in the hopes of selling one off in the future, then this is your best bet.

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557257)
Posted by Down_Shift on March 13th, 2014 @ 7:13am CDT

zodconvoy wrote:
mooncake623 wrote:Pre-orders up at Anime-Export

http://www.anime-export.com/product/18568

40 bucks

What's their shipping to the US? I really don't feel like signing up for yet another site just to find out that their shipping prices are insane.

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557259)
Posted by Mykltron on March 13th, 2014 @ 7:22am CDT

That faceplate thing isn't really a face, is it? Apart from that it looks good, although the exo-suit doesn't seem to have much in the way of functional knees.

November 19th release + inevitable delay = may be available in time for Christmas.

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557277)
Posted by Seibertron on March 13th, 2014 @ 8:59am CDT

It's like they're making all of my wishes come true with this. Didn't I say something about a battle mask on the podcast?

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557282)
Posted by User897 on March 13th, 2014 @ 9:24am CDT

I still don't understand why Bumblebee is so much more expensive at BBTS than HLJ and the others. Can someone explain it to me? I usually get Hasbro releases and don't get Takara stuff until it's already here in the USA. Are the taxes and tariffs really that high for a retailer like BBTS?

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557286)
Posted by durroth on March 13th, 2014 @ 9:46am CDT

Mykltron wrote:That faceplate thing isn't really a face, is it?

That's the original toy's face. http://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/images2/1/1 ... eg1toy.jpg Bumblebee didn't get a head matching his cartoon model until the pretender and action master versions. And then they ignored those and switched him back to the battle mask face for g2.

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557298)
Posted by Dead Metal on March 13th, 2014 @ 11:20am CDT

Man it's awesome. I don't think I've ever been this exited for Bumblebee.

Just one thing, did they put in the whole face-plate swapping gimmick, exclusively for the amazon battle-mask? That's a little excessive. Or will there be a different face with the toy to swap out, cos from the picks it doesn't look like that.

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557300)
Posted by AutoBorst on March 13th, 2014 @ 11:26am CDT

User897 wrote:I still don't understand why Bumblebee is so much more expensive at BBTS than HLJ and the others. Can someone explain it to me? I usually get Hasbro releases and don't get Takara stuff until it's already here in the USA. Are the taxes and tariffs really that high for a retailer like BBTS?

Because, GREED.

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557303)
Posted by durroth on March 13th, 2014 @ 11:42am CDT

Dead Metal wrote:Man it's awesome. I don't think I've ever been this exited for Bumblebee.

Just one thing, did they put in the whole face-plate swapping gimmick, exclusively for the amazon battle-mask? That's a little excessive. Or will there be a different face with the toy to swap out, cos from the picks it doesn't look like that.

I just relooked at the pics, there's two faces with the toy. One mouth closed/serious, one smiling/mouth open

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557334)
Posted by Stormrider on March 13th, 2014 @ 1:10pm CDT

User897 wrote:I still don't understand why Bumblebee is so much more expensive at BBTS than HLJ and the others. Can someone explain it to me? I usually get Hasbro releases and don't get Takara stuff until it's already here in the USA. Are the taxes and tariffs really that high for a retailer like BBTS?

Is shipping cost being taken into consideration?

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557338)
Posted by wilcosu35 on March 13th, 2014 @ 1:17pm CDT

Stormrider wrote:
User897 wrote:I still don't understand why Bumblebee is so much more expensive at BBTS than HLJ and the others. Can someone explain it to me? I usually get Hasbro releases and don't get Takara stuff until it's already here in the USA. Are the taxes and tariffs really that high for a retailer like BBTS?

Is shipping cost being taken into consideration?

i can understand why their prices are higher, even though i think they're expensive. they have to buy the thing, ship it over to the US, pay import taxes, and on top of that they have to make a profit too.

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557352)
Posted by Siger on March 13th, 2014 @ 2:19pm CDT

Changing faces is kinda interesting, though it's not something I look for on TF toys. That battle mask looks stupid though. I don't care how much of a throwback that is, at least put a pair of eyes on it.

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557360)
Posted by kirbenvost on March 13th, 2014 @ 2:56pm CDT

Beeeeeeeeeee! I neeeed you!

Never thought I'd hear myself say that. :lol:

These pictures make me happy. His face looks a little chubby though? I guess that's kind of accurate. Anyway, this is probably as close to the perfect G1 Bumblebee they could do, so I'm perfectly content with it.

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557364)
Posted by durroth on March 13th, 2014 @ 3:09pm CDT

Siger wrote:Changing faces is kinda interesting, though it's not something I look for on TF toys. That battle mask looks stupid though. I don't care how much of a throwback that is, at least put a pair of eyes on it.

It has a blue visor, you just can't tell because it's not painted.

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557368)
Posted by GuyIncognito on March 13th, 2014 @ 3:11pm CDT

Let's see who can find the pettiest, most minor detail to complain about.

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557370)
Posted by Sabrblade on March 13th, 2014 @ 3:15pm CDT

GuyIncognito wrote:Let's see who can find the pettiest, most minor detail to complain about.

I hate the particular shade of gray they used for this prototype's left knee joint!

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557371)
Posted by Autobot032 on March 13th, 2014 @ 3:19pm CDT

wilcosu35 wrote:
Stormrider wrote:
User897 wrote:I still don't understand why Bumblebee is so much more expensive at BBTS than HLJ and the others. Can someone explain it to me? I usually get Hasbro releases and don't get Takara stuff until it's already here in the USA. Are the taxes and tariffs really that high for a retailer like BBTS?

Is shipping cost being taken into consideration?

i can understand why their prices are higher, even though i think they're expensive. they have to buy the thing, ship it over to the US, pay import taxes, and on top of that they have to make a profit too.

Last I heard, the US doesn't pay import taxes. At least, that's what a lot of people claim.

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557389)
Posted by Siger on March 13th, 2014 @ 4:01pm CDT

durroth wrote:
Siger wrote:Changing faces is kinda interesting, though it's not something I look for on TF toys. That battle mask looks stupid though. I don't care how much of a throwback that is, at least put a pair of eyes on it.
It has a blue visor, you just can't tell because it's not painted.

Ok, thanks for the info. I hope it looks good cause I still don't like the design of that mask. Very pointless to have if it doesn't look good, no?

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557401)
Posted by Deathscythetransform on March 13th, 2014 @ 4:29pm CDT

Meh.

just. meh.

it was Meh when they announced the figure, it is stille meh with the pictures, it is still meh with the gimmick face changing thingy and the character in exo-suit (spike would be more logic since he was bee's partner and not Daniel) and it is still meh with the g1 face thing.

but now that we are certain that yellow bug will be released, can someone give us a masterpiece on G1 JAZZ for crying out loud!!!

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557402)
Posted by Sabrblade on March 13th, 2014 @ 4:32pm CDT

Deathscythetransform wrote:it is still meh with the gimmick face changing thingy and the character in exo-suit (spike would be more logic since he was bee's partner and not Daniel)

Who said that it isn't Spike?

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557439)
Posted by fenrir72 on March 13th, 2014 @ 8:38pm CDT

Lucky for those who ordered the Amazon exclusive. I wish I could.............only managed to get a hold of one via another Japan store and now this "bug" is all sold out.

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557489)
Posted by Dead Metal on March 14th, 2014 @ 3:48am CDT

durroth wrote:
Dead Metal wrote:Man it's awesome. I don't think I've ever been this exited for Bumblebee.

Just one thing, did they put in the whole face-plate swapping gimmick, exclusively for the amazon battle-mask? That's a little excessive. Or will there be a different face with the toy to swap out, cos from the picks it doesn't look like that.

I just relooked at the pics, there's two faces with the toy. One mouth closed/serious, one smiling/mouth open

Oh wow, you're right, now that I look at them again I can totally see the difference. I think I'll go with the smiling face, unless the final version doesn't look as good as the serious one.

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557491)
Posted by craggy on March 14th, 2014 @ 6:52am CDT

the changing face and facemask will probably come in handy when they do the Goldbug repaint too. Although I'd like Goldbug's face to have a bit more of a defined mouthguard, more like Prime or Soundwave than the toy accurate G1 Bee's quite flat face.

edit: wonder if it will be Goldbug, or if they'll got for a similar G2 style Bee?

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557492)
Posted by Sabrblade on March 14th, 2014 @ 6:59am CDT

craggy wrote:the changing face and facemask will probably come in handy when they do the Goldbug repaint too. Although I'd like Goldbug's face to have a bit more of a defined mouthguard, more like Prime or Soundwave than the toy accurate G1 Bee's quite flat face.

edit: wonder if it will be Goldbug, or if they'll got for a similar G2 style Bee?

Thoguh he's also a VW Bug, Goldbug has a whole different body-type from Bumblebee that mere headsculpt change simply wouldn't cut it.

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557597)
Posted by Deathscythetransform on March 14th, 2014 @ 2:34pm CDT

Sabrblade wrote:
Deathscythetransform wrote:it is still meh with the gimmick face changing thingy and the character in exo-suit (spike would be more logic since he was bee's partner and not Daniel)
Who said that it isn't Spike?

I read it was not confirmed that the character was either Daniel or Spike.
Hope that's spike.

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557600)
Posted by Sideshow Sideswipe on March 14th, 2014 @ 2:53pm CDT

At first I was going to cancel my preorder and cut my losses with this line as I have literally NO desire to get the exo-suit. But the more I see of the bee, the more I want it. Can someone tell me how to preorder this item and get the additional faceplate?

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557604)
Posted by GuyIncognito on March 14th, 2014 @ 3:01pm CDT

Sideshow Sideswipe wrote:Can someone tell me how to preorder this item and get the additional faceplate?

The faceplate is an Amazon Japan exclusive, so unless you know someone in Japan or you have some means of ordering from Amazon Japan, you'll have to settle for the version without the faceplate or wait for scalpers to put the Amazon version on eBay.

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557623)
Posted by mooncake623 on March 14th, 2014 @ 4:00pm CDT

GuyIncognito wrote:
Sideshow Sideswipe wrote:Can someone tell me how to preorder this item and get the additional faceplate?

The faceplate is an Amazon Japan exclusive, so unless you know someone in Japan or you have some means of ordering from Amazon Japan, you'll have to settle for the version without the faceplate or wait for scalpers to put the Amazon version on eBay.

I find that all the Asian retailers have "amazon Japan" exclusives. and Japanese retailers does not. strange. RK would have them but HLJ would not.

Also BBTS and US retailers sells them too. at a price increase.

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557629)
Posted by Cyberpath on March 14th, 2014 @ 5:15pm CDT

I'm sure that at least one 3rd party company will make a kit with a diverse selection of alternative face designs and expressions. I'm interested only in the two cartoon ones though.

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557630)
Posted by Siger on March 14th, 2014 @ 5:21pm CDT

Cyberpath wrote:I'm sure that at least one 3rd party company will make a kit with a diverse selection of alternative face designs and expressions. I'm interested only in the two cartoon ones though.

Like bumblebee O face? No thanks!

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557672)
Posted by padfoo on March 14th, 2014 @ 9:15pm CDT

Looks absolutely fantastic, I can imagine it in color.

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557756)
Posted by Amelie on March 15th, 2014 @ 2:43pm CDT

The ghastly join lines where the Autobot symbol has the stupid switch gimmick is an eyesore and the face is a deal breaker, for me. The upturned chin never looked good in the show, and it looks even more pug-like on a toy. Its not like he even always looked like that in the show, either.

I'm reminded of the pre-MP10 toys suddenly ><

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1557845)
Posted by zodconvoy on March 15th, 2014 @ 11:52pm CDT

I got someone on 4chan's /toy/ board to photoshop some color onto the prototype. I like it!

I think the second head is the Classics one. That's 4chan for you.

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1558558)
Posted by El Duque on March 18th, 2014 @ 3:16pm CDT

In the less than surprising news, we just received word from site sponsor BigBadToyStore that there will be a collector coin for the upcoming Takara Tomy Transformers Masterpiece MP-21 Bumblebee. They have listed a pre-order for the Collector Coin version, which can be found by clicking here, it will run you five more dollars at $79.99. No image of the coin or it's package at this time.

Note - At this point the collector coin is confirmed to be included. The extra exclusive Battle Mask is NOT included, but if we are able to get the part it will be included for no additional cost.
Product Number: TAK11828
Shipping Weight: 1.05 pounds

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1558623)
Posted by Stormrider on March 18th, 2014 @ 9:10pm CDT

I have little interest in the coin and barely excitement for the battle mask. When MP Sideswipe first came out I was drooling over the alternate pile drivers. But it seems like every Masterpiece going forward is going to have an Amazon exclusive, but so far none of them are must have's for me (and perhaps that is a good thing for me).

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1558650)
Posted by fenrir72 on March 18th, 2014 @ 11:36pm CDT

Why do't they just sell it complete at retail anyway?

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1558656)
Posted by zodconvoy on March 19th, 2014 @ 12:13am CDT

fenrir72 wrote:Why do't they just sell it complete at retail anyway?

Because retailer pay extra for exclusives. When I first preordered MP Bumbleebee back in June, the price was $79.99 then they lowered it to $74.99 so the $79.99 for the coin and possible battle mask isn't bad. I was willing to pay that much before so I look at it this way: it's a $5 raffle for a chance to get the mask and the coin is a bonus prize.

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1558863)
Posted by El Duque on March 19th, 2014 @ 10:33pm CDT

Here's the latest Transformers Masterpiece MP-21 Tweet from Takara Tomy designer Shogo Hasui, a closer look at the included Excel suit. His tweet identifies the occupant of the suit as Spike. Check out the image mirrored below:

MP-21 Bumble, scheduled for release in November, comes with Spike wearing an exo-suit. While small-scale, it can transform to vehicle mode without parts forming, and has good posability.

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1558865)
Posted by zodconvoy on March 19th, 2014 @ 10:45pm CDT

El Duque wrote:Here's the latest Transformers Masterpiece MP-21 Tweet from Takara Tomy designer Shogo Hasui, Spike in his Excel suit. That's right, contrary to previous info Hasui's Tweet identifies the occupant of the Excel suit as Spike. Check out the image mirrored below:

The MP-21 Bumble of the month will be released, spike wearing the suit Excel is attached.
While small-scale, in addition to complete transformation without replacement to vehicle mode, posing also enabled some.

Well of course it was Spike.

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1558867)
Posted by Stormrider on March 19th, 2014 @ 10:48pm CDT

El Duque wrote:Here's the latest Transformers Masterpiece MP-21 Tweet from Takara Tomy designer Shogo Hasui, Spike in his Excel suit. That's right, contrary to previous info Hasui's Tweet identifies the occupant of the Excel suit as Spike. Check out the image mirrored below:

The MP-21 Bumble of the month will be released, spike wearing the suit Excel is attached.
While small-scale, in addition to complete transformation without replacement to vehicle mode, posing also enabled some.

Based on those screws, I would say that Spike is about a head taller than Rumble

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1558872)
Posted by Crosscheck on March 19th, 2014 @ 11:11pm CDT

Even if it lacks an inspiring alternate mode, this is one of the most exciting parts about this MP. It lets me have my favorite Transformer and one of the things I have wanted since the movie came out all those years ago, the Exo Suit.

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1558873)
Posted by Mkall on March 19th, 2014 @ 11:15pm CDT

I wouldn't mind getting this thing for my classics collection

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1558874)
Posted by VioMeTriX on March 19th, 2014 @ 11:27pm CDT

Mkall wrote:I wouldn't mind getting this thing for my classics collection

why not get it for your masterpiece collection?

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1558876)
Posted by megatronus on March 19th, 2014 @ 11:41pm CDT

I'm pretty excited about this Spike.

While I'm not 100% thrilled with the vehicle mode on 'Bee, I'm definitely psyched for the set as a whole.

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1558880)
Posted by Mkall on March 20th, 2014 @ 12:01am CDT

VioMeTriX wrote:
Mkall wrote:I wouldn't mind getting this thing for my classics collection

why not get it for your masterpiece collection?

Because I don't have a Masterpiece collection.

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1558885)
Posted by zodconvoy on March 20th, 2014 @ 2:20am CDT

Mkall wrote:Because I don't have a Masterpiece collection.

It's a good time to start. I hadn't gotten any since MP Rodimus from TRU in 2011 but since September I've gotten TRU Soundwave & cassettes, Nemesis Prime, Prowl, Sideswipe, Streak, G2 Sideswipe, plus I've got the KO of MP-10 Optimus and Fans Toys Quake Wave (MP Shockwave) both on the way. I'm selling my off Classics for space but just replacing them with MP's.

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1558890)
Posted by toyskingstudio on March 20th, 2014 @ 4:12am CDT

this is exciting!

Re: Masterpiece Bumblebee Faceplate Gimmick Explained (1558895)
Posted by craggy on March 20th, 2014 @ 4:37am CDT

this is the reason i'm keeping my MP Bee pre-order. The yellow bot himself is pretty decent, but I might have passed if not for Spike in the exo-suit.

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