MP-32 Beast Convoy Video Review

SO stoked about this! Yes!

very nice, i hope they do more beast wars masterpieces besides cheetor

Hi,

Here is my review in English for MP32 Beast Convoy (Optimus Primal):

Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3_QmpUQ7n0
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn-GXFfyiWI
Part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqw_v5lZp4I


I hope it is helpful for everyone.

Fellow Seibertronians tumacher and optibotimus have both joined in the gorilla train, by sharing with us on the Energon Pub boards video reviews (both in English, the first in three parts) for the recently released Takara Tomy Transformers Masterpiece MP-32 Beast Convoy / Optimus Primal! You can find the first part of tumacher's review embedded below, with links to the second and third to follow, and also embedded is optibotimus' version. Take a look!


Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn-GXFfyiWI
Part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqw_v5lZp4I

Wow, that transformation is truly magical!

could that peg on his back be meant for a stand?

Mine from kapow arrives on tuesday. Well looking forward to it!

IF I remember correctly people will complaining about primal backside is same situation with generations ultra Magnus ,.

I skipped past articulation waste of my time I know movement of figure by looking it all I don't know is size of figure how does primal size compare to first master piece prime

Burn wrote:Wow, that transformation is truly magical!

Well, my friend, does this mean you've changed your mind in regards to a purchase?

A few things to add to Optibotimus' review:

- The back tab, regardless of a possible future feature, is meant to homage the original toy, which had a similar pull-out handle, which was then used to activate the gorrila "chest thumping" action on the arms.

- The wrist guns can be extended and thus are longer.

- The clear part on the back of the robot head is simply made from the same molding that allows the head to be lit up inside. TT just got lazy and didn't paint that part.

- Although the swords ARE meant to be stored as they are shown in the video, I have found that switching the sides, then inverting them, so that they tab-in handles DOWN, gives the figure more space to move the legs/waist.

- The swords don't tab in securely into the hands. You need to put them in the hands AND close the fingers around the swords to keep them secure.

- I belive that the TT "Masterpiece" version of film Starscream/Bumblebee were the first Masterpieces to have light-up eyes. However, these were released first in the USA as non-masterpiece figures.

- In order to change robot faceplates, simply move the antennas (antennai?) back and use your nail to pull the BLUE ridge part of the top of his face. You will see an obvious gap. Do the same for both sides and the face will come off. I am a bit puzzled why a veteran reviewer, in a 30 minute video, didn't manage/bother to actually show this feature.

Ironhidensh wrote:

Burn wrote:Wow, that transformation is truly magical!

Well, my friend, does this mean you've changed your mind in regards to a purchase?

Not at all. I simply do not need this figure.

Burn wrote:

Ironhidensh wrote:

Burn wrote:Wow, that transformation is truly magical!

Well, my friend, does this mean you've changed your mind in regards to a purchase?

Not at all. I simply do not need this figure.

And what can I do to change your mind? [Wink wink nudge nudge ]

Seriously though, I can respect that. Thus guys imminent arrival actually has me wanting to track down a Takara Legends Beast Convoy, as I only have the Hasbro Universe version of this mold.

Ultra Markus wrote:could that peg on his back be meant for a stand?

I once saw a pic in which somebody used that pegs to attach Generations Rattrap in beast mode to Convoy's robot mode back.

I wonder if maybe Takara planned ahead for a MP Rattle and made that peg now to use it for attaching a MP Rattle later one.

primalxconvoy wrote:A few things to add to Optibotimus' review:

- The back tab, regardless of a possible future feature, is meant to homage the original toy, which had a similar pull-out handle, which was then used to activate the gorrila "chest thumping" action on the arms.

- The wrist guns can be extended and thus are longer.

- The clear part on the back of the robot head is simply made from the same molding that allows the head to be lit up inside. TT just got lazy and didn't paint that part.

- Although the swords ARE meant to be stored as they are shown in the video, I have found that switching the sides, then inverting them, so that they tab-in handles DOWN, gives the figure more space to move the legs/waist.

- The swords don't tab in securely into the hands. You need to put them in the hands AND close the fingers around the swords to keep them secure.

- I belive that the TT "Masterpiece" version of film Starscream/Bumblebee were the first Masterpieces to have light-up eyes. However, these were released first in the USA as non-masterpiece figures.

- In order to change robot faceplates, simply move the antennas (antennai?) back and use your nail to pull the BLUE ridge part of the top of his face. You will see an obvious gap. Do the same for both sides and the face will come off. I am a bit puzzled why a veteran reviewer, in a 30 minute video, didn't manage/bother to actually show this feature.

#1 i don't necessarily agree that the back tab is meant to homage the original toy. They're completely different shapes and looks. The only thing i would say that they have in common, is i believe the tag on his back is functional for something like the original toy was. I'm not saying you're wrong, as it's entirely possible that is the intent Takara had. But to say it "is meant to homage the original toy" as if it's a certainty, is a bit of a stretch.

#2 You are correct about the guns extending. I did an update video in which i show that feature and also the tab section which makes pulling the guns out of his wrists much easier.

#3 Again, they might not have painted it because they were lazy. But to say they did that definitively, is a bit of a stretch. We don't know for certain.

#4 Swapping the blades around as you suggested does give a little bit more range of backward motion for the legs, but as you indicated, the proper arrangement is how i showed it per the instructions.

#5 My swords tabbed in fairly securely with just the slot and tabs. Putting the fingers around the handle helps the stability but they can hold in his hand fine without the fingers gripping it.

#6 I don't consider the Movie Starscream and Bumblebee to be Masterpiece figures. I suppose you could, but i don't.

#7 There is no puzzle to why i didn't show the face swapping. I struggled with it for a good minute and a half to two minutes. So while and during post production, decided it wasn't necessary as i verbally expressed what you needed to do and i cut the extra time out of the final video.

Either way, thank you for watching the whole video and your critiques. Hopefully you found my replies just as useful.

Sabrblade wrote:

Ultra Markus wrote:could that peg on his back be meant for a stand?

I once saw a pic in which somebody used that pegs to attach Generations Rattrap in beast mode to Convoy's robot mode back.

I wonder if maybe Takara planned ahead for a MP Rattle and made that peg now to use it for attaching a MP Rattle later one.

I don't think that has anything to do with it. You could have Bumblebee hold onto that peg if you wanted lol. It does work with Rattrap, but the pictures i saw, have you having to detach the side panels, rotate his arms around at the elbow then peg it into the back. You don't have to do all that if you still want to use the hands to hold the peg, but you have more surface area by rotating the hand around and it's more of a secure connection. Which is why i think the person did it for the pictures that i at least saw. You can however do all that without detaching the side panel or rotating the arms around. Remove his binoculars or bombs (i forgot what they are) and the round holes that were there, can tab into the back of Primal easily.

I show it here in my update video i made
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxVeD5EInS0

Insurgent wrote:Mine from kapow arrives on tuesday. Well looking forward to it!

Got mine from sitting on my desk, from Kapow.

The fur effect looks great.

Just a little while ago, we reported on some English-language video reviews for one of the most anticipated figures of the year, MP-32, Beast Convoy (also known as Optimus Primal), the first of the Masterpiece Beast Wars figured. Well today, Seibertron is pleased to bring you a pictoral review, courtesy of Chinese site Toy People.

The photos (some of which have been mirrored below for you) show not only some of the great functionality of the figure, such as the weapon storage and changable faces, but also how it scales with the other Maximals, including it's original toy, as well as poseability in robot and Ape mode.

Check out some of the photos below, and click on any of them to find the full gallery!

Also:

This is such a gorgeous looking Primal

It's a shame that he cost so much for how big he is, though I'm still going to get him. Hopefully we'll get a BW Megs announcement soon!

Mine has arrived in the country finally, and is going through customs.


As for price that's going to depend on where you buy it. I paid $86 bucks plus $23 shipping. All in all less than the $119.99 that BBTS and TFSource are asking for it before shipping.

$86 is not really bad for this type of figure.

119 on the other hand is a bit steep.

Not sure it will linger as Tracks has, and get knocked down to $40 bucks any time soon, but it may be put on sale if they don't sell all that well.

Mine arrived this afternoon, UK time, excellent figure.

http://reinahw.deviantart.com/art/Primal-Time-643393206

Overcracker wrote:Mine has arrived in the country finally, and is going through customs.


As for price that's going to depend on where you buy it. I paid $86 bucks plus $23 shipping. All in all less than the $119.99 that BBTS and TFSource are asking for it before shipping.

$86 is not really bad for this type of figure.

119 on the other hand is a bit steep.

Not sure it will linger as Tracks has, and get knocked down to $40 bucks any time soon, but it may be put on sale if they don't sell all that well.

Leaders sell very well. I dont foresee him going the way of Tracks, which only happened to Tracks (and roadrage).

I used Anime Export and my Primal was $81 + $13 shipping making it a total of $94. Keeping score, that is at least 20% less than US retailers, and thats before you include the extra shipping cost.

20-30$ here and there adds up over time and helps me buy more

william-james88 wrote:Leaders sell very well. I dont foresee him going the way of Tracks, which only happened to Tracks (and roadrage).

I used Anime Export and my Primal was $81 + $13 shipping making it a total of $94. Keeping score, that is at least 20% less than US retailers, and thats before you include the extra shipping cost.

20-30$ here and there adds up over time and helps me buy more

Leaders do sell well, but surprisingly, love for Beastwars is not as abundant as G1, and considering even MP Ultra Magnus is still hanging around U.S. online retailers, I'm not sure how fast Primal is going to sell out.

I hope he sells well enough for Takara to at least gives an MP Megatron.

The generation that grew up with BW, unfortunately seems to be less nostalgic than G1-ers are for G1.

Overcracker wrote:The generation that grew up with BW, unfortunately seems to be less nostalgic than G1-ers are for G1.

No, we just tend to get drowned out by all the G1 lovers. As does pretty much the entire rest of the franchise.

Insurgent wrote:

Overcracker wrote:The generation that grew up with BW, unfortunately seems to be less nostalgic than G1-ers are for G1.

No, we just tend to get drowned out by all the G1 lovers. As does pretty much the entire rest of the franchise.

Yeah, the people who grew up on G1 had at least seven years' worth of product to get nostalgic over (with one of those years itself being preying of the nostalgia of the earliest G1 years), along with an additional three or four years of G2 riding off of G1's popularity, whereas Beast Wars only got 4 years' worth of product, with a few stragglers in 2000-2001.

I was just going to ignore that. But no. I won't.


My point is, the other series have just as much dedicated fans being nostalgic over it. But G1 overrides everything, especially lately with this new design team. Before, we got a nice mix of all series in generations. Cybertron re-releases. New BW guys. New Armada Hot shot. But now it's all G1.


Just look at Hasbro's offerings for the two anniversarries this year. G1 gets multiple platinum sets for the movie. Homages out thw wazoo. BW is barely mentioned, with only one year of the monkey release of a beast machines toy that was released in rid, and even THAT is done up in G1 colours!



I really don't give a flying monkeys backside (pun intended) if G1 had twice as many years of running. What? Because they made the comics run longer, we're suppossed to ignore all other series in favour of it? I like the titans returns/combiner wars and so on, but come on dude. At least let other series shine in their own freaking anniversarry year. It's like G1 is that old guy in the public square shouting for attention and everyone keeps listening to him, despite the fact there are more coherant people trying to make valid points not five metres away.


At least we have this wonderful figure from Takara.

Insurgent wrote:I was just going to ignore that. But no. I won't.

But I was agreeing with you.

Insurgent wrote:My point is, the other series have just as much dedicated fans being nostalgic over it. But G1 overrides everything, especially lately with this new design team.

And I was trying to make my point build upon your point, as G1's longer run gave it a longer window of opportunity to gather up more followers than Beast Wars's shorter-by-comparison run did.

Insurgent wrote:Before, we got a nice mix of all series in generations. Cybertron re-releases. New BW guys. New Armada Hot shot. But now it's all G1.

You mean in points besides the two "brand anniversary"-themed years of 2009 and 2014? Cuz outside of those two years, all the Classics-style lines have been predominately themed around 1980s G1 reimaginings, WFC, FOC, or IDW G1.

Insurgent wrote:I really don't give a flying monkeys backside (pun intended) if G1 had twice as many years of running. What? Because they made the comics run longer, we're suppossed to ignore all other series in favour of it?

Erm, I was a talking about the G1 toyline, not the media.

This pic is awesome!

Sabrblade wrote:

Insurgent wrote:I was just going to ignore that. But no. I won't.

But I was agreeing with you.

Insurgent wrote:My point is, the other series have just as much dedicated fans being nostalgic over it. But G1 overrides everything, especially lately with this new design team.

And I was trying to make my point build upon your point, as G1's longer run gave it a longer window of opportunity to gather up more followers than Beast Wars's shorter-by-comparison run did.

Insurgent wrote:Before, we got a nice mix of all series in generations. Cybertron re-releases. New BW guys. New Armada Hot shot. But now it's all G1.

You mean in points besides the two "brand anniversary"-themed years of 2009 and 2014? Cuz outside of those two years, all the Classics-style lines have been predominately themed around 1980s G1 reimaginings, WFC, FOC, or IDW G1.

Insurgent wrote:I really don't give a flying monkeys backside (pun intended) if G1 had twice as many years of running. What? Because they made the comics run longer, we're suppossed to ignore all other series in favour of it?

Erm, I was a talking about the G1 toyline, not the media.

I'd like to add in this discussion. Insurgent more or less want's more variety/focus on other toylines and not just G1. Yet nearly everything TF out there is/has a G1 reference or a re-imagining of a G1 product.

Why?

Business decisions today , well hopefully in both sides of the Pacific follow more than just gut or nostalgia. Metadata collection, buying and discussion patterns, feed back from the web/net etc etc.

Or Takara knows something we don't or they just decide using dart boards or gut feelings in Starsaber's case, it was from a poll (so there must have been some scientific method to their choice of project/product). Supposedly, MP Tracks sold poorly for online retailers (but Takara more or less got rid of their entire inventory)

Is it always successful? Maybe.If you use Tracks as an example, online retailers were supposedly stuck with a lot of unsold inventory. Maybe they'll be giving Takara a feedback to chose their projects wisely in the future...maybe the Corvette license was just dirt cheap.

That being said, there must be indeed a method to this madness when choosing a particular character (seems like G1 is a sure/safe bet with regards to Takara's MP series ) and the BW is more like a trial balloon. Primal looks to have sold out online wise (Japan retailers) But his a "Convoy" and he always sells. Cheetas on the other hand.........

Insurgent, I like your passion but don't get too flustered over this, Beast Wars will forever be known as what saved the entire Transformers Brand as well as being the foundation for modern Transformers articulation. G1 started it, but it is Beast Wars that saved it. For me, both those lines are the cornerstones that have made it so that we have this wonderful hobby still around today

fenrir72 wrote: Primal looks to have sold out online wise (Japan retailers)

How many did you check? He is still readily available at HLJ and Nippon Yassan, maybe more but those are the only ones I checked so far.

http://hlj.com/product/TKT86177?utm_source=seibertron.com&=&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=news%20post

https://www.nippon-yasan.com/figures/16 ... -wars.html

william-james88 wrote:

fenrir72 wrote: Primal looks to have sold out online wise (Japan retailers)

How many did you check? He is still readily available at HLJ and Nippon Yassan, maybe more but those are the only ones I checked so far.

http://hlj.com/product/TKT86177?utm_source=seibertron.com&=&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=news%20post

https://www.nippon-yasan.com/figures/16 ... -wars.html

And from Amazon Japan, which can now, shock of all shocks, finally ship toys directly to the U.S.!!!

william-james88 wrote:

fenrir72 wrote: Primal looks to have sold out online wise (Japan retailers)

How many did you check? He is still readily available at HLJ and Nippon Yassan, maybe more but those are the only ones I checked so far.

http://hlj.com/product/TKT86177?utm_source=seibertron.com&=&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=news%20post

https://www.nippon-yasan.com/figures/16 ... -wars.html

"Looks" to have sold out.Emphasis on "looks" You can measure that later if by your example Tracks, a certain product gets sold off at a massive sale from retail price to discount.

As Beast Convoy was just released, the 1st stocks are all gone especially at hobbysearch and Amiami. These are best gauges in sellability because you do't have to put up any cash first and they get sold out.

IH sold well because it was given a second release in both Japan and Asia

At hlj, a good place to search as a last resort, despite their SRP being a bit lower than hobbysearch, doesn't always sell out.......must be the name of the store that also factors in.

fenrir72 wrote:At hlj, a good place to search as a last resort, despite their SRP being a bit lower than hobbysearch, doesn't always sell out.......must be the name of the store that also factors in.

Now you've got me curious, what does HLJ's name (or repuration) have going against it? I thought they were one fo the most trusted places in Japan and have an excellent track record. They've been around for a longtime too.

Sabrblade wrote:And from Amazon Japan, which can now, shock of all shocks, finally ship toys directly to the U.S.!!!

Whoa Sabr, when did this happen?
This legit across the board on imports??
If so, this opens up a lot of doors.

triKlops wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:And from Amazon Japan, which can now, shock of all shocks, finally ship toys directly to the U.S.!!!

Whoa Sabr, when did this happen?
This legit across the board on imports??
If so, this opens up a lot of doors.

I just found out today.

i just want to see the whole original beast wars cast done in masterpiece form
how awesome would that be?

william-james88 wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:At hlj, a good place to search as a last resort, despite their SRP being a bit lower than hobbysearch, doesn't always sell out.......must be the name of the store that also factors in.

Now you've got me curious, what does HLJ's name (or repuration) have going against it? I thought they were one fo the most trusted places in Japan and have an excellent track record. They've been around for a longtime too.

I don't get this either. They've also got a bad rep on Rangerboard for some reason.
I've been buying stuff from them for more than 10 years now, and i've never had any problems with them.

william-james88 wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:At hlj, a good place to search as a last resort, despite their SRP being a bit lower than hobbysearch, doesn't always sell out.......must be the name of the store that also factors in.

Now you've got me curious, what does HLJ's name (or repuration) have going against it? I thought they were one fo the most trusted places in Japan and have an excellent track record. They've been around for a longtime too.

If you know me by now I don't post without basis.

First, even before Amiami or hobbysearch (pre PayPal), I've been getting my anime fix from hlj. But even back then their prices were much more expensive than the two former I mentioned.

Amiami and hobbysearch won't accept credit cards btw. It was in the advent of PayPal that I shifted to those two. It was around 2009 to 2010.

Around that time hlj also dropped their prices. Though their store catalog wasn't as good as before (i.e. very limited stocks and choices and brands unlike when their prices were higher)

One good thing is that they allow you to cancel, no mess no fuss then they recently added their own "warehouse" option.

Now, why the last option to buy from them?

1. Their search engine is all over. Even if I punch in HMR Bandai Macross, I get to nowhere, by the time I did find it, the item is long gone/sold out. In other words, their search engine sucks!

2. 3 incidents where orders I made were not served in full. Meaning, they processed my order but later informed me that the 5 I ordered could not be filled and that their description was a "mistake"

3. Irony from #1, I did managed to score an HMR Macross from them by the skin of my teeth (most likely as all the other stores well sold out and online buyers most probably didn't think of ordering from them hence they suddenly had extra stocks).

4. Dependability of stocks. My primary issue. You pray that indeed your order will be filled.

The other online stores, I have had only one incident in Amiami that they turned down my order for TF Go!Kenzan ( a restock btw but got sold out or it was an error in their system). Other than that.......all orders served.

Now my beef with Amiami on the other hand is, their stocks, from SoC and the SoC Macross' and to some extent , some TF get sold out faster that a spit dries in a hot summer day...............

wilcosu35 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:At hlj, a good place to search as a last resort, despite their SRP being a bit lower than hobbysearch, doesn't always sell out.......must be the name of the store that also factors in.

Now you've got me curious, what does HLJ's name (or repuration) have going against it? I thought they were one fo the most trusted places in Japan and have an excellent track record. They've been around for a longtime too.

I don't get this either. They've also got a bad rep on Rangerboard for some reason.
I've been buying stuff from them for more than 10 years now, and i've never had any problems with them.

I don't know Rangerboard but that proves that there are some issues with them.


Btw, Amiami isn't guilt free too.Their customer service is a mixed bag. As in sometimes, they're like clueless to an inquiry.Returns are a case to case basis

Sorry sabrblade. I misread your post as giviving excuses in a g1 fanboy forget everything else because g1 is ultimate way. I probably shouldn't internet at 2 am. Or what feels like 2am. Stupid clock changes.


And will, i will always be passionate about beast wars. It's not just my favourite tf serirs, its in my top 3 tv shows of all time. I can't explain what it means to me, so i do get a bit... Triggered? Is that the word people are using these days? When it just casually gets cast aside for the all mighty g1.



Anyway.... Mp primal is pure sex on a plate. Sure he has a little robot leg showing and his feet look clunky, but not as bad in person. I feel his shoulder covers are meant to close a little more to fully cover the robot white but they pop up for whatwver reason. Still looks awesome.

My only real issue is that peg in his back. No mention in the instructions and is a blemish on an otherwise perfect robot mode.

We are missing the most important question of all.

Which monkey face do you have on yours? Mine is a happy Optimus.

Ravage XK wrote:We are missing the most important question of all.

Which monkey face do you have on yours? Mine is a happy Optimus.

Full face plate.

I'll go happy optimus too. And not sure on the robot faces. But probably his smirk.

About Beast Wars nostalgia, keep in mind that 20 years means that the kids watching this back then are only in their mid-20s now so they aren't quite financially established just yet. The 20th anniversary of G1 wasn't exactly stellar either, it was basically MP-01 Optimus Prime and a bunch of reissues, not much more than that. It wasn't until the following years that we started to get a true G1 celebration from things like Classics which was an accidental hit.

Didn't Hasbro say they didn't feel the need to celebrate on the actual 20th anniversary year and that 2017 would be fine? Personally I think the 25th anniversary makes more sense.

Sabrblade wrote:

triKlops wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:And from Amazon Japan, which can now, shock of all shocks, finally ship toys directly to the U.S.!!!

Whoa Sabr, when did this happen?
This legit across the board on imports??
If so, this opens up a lot of doors.

I just found out today.

I made some posts about this months ago. Just keep in mind that it's only good on items sold directly by Amazon and their discounts aren't usually as good as the more popular exporters. Pretty sure they only ship EMS as well.

One nice thing: Being Amazon they too do the incremental price drops on some figures. MP-31 Delta Magnus had slipped down as far as 9,400JPY before settling back at its current price of 10,563JPY. The other nice thing is they don't charge tax on exports so the price is really 9,781. Shame they only seem to ship EMS. Still, even with shipping the total price is only slightly more than AmiAmi before shipping.

Emerje

Emerje wrote:About Beast Wars nostalgia, keep in mind that 20 years means that the kids watching this back then are only in their mid-20s now so they aren't quite financially established just yet. The 20th anniversary of G1 wasn't exactly stellar either, it was basically MP-01 Optimus Prime and a bunch of reissues, not much more than that. It wasn't until the following years that we started to get a true G1 celebration from things like Classics which was an accidental hit.

Didn't Hasbro say they didn't feel the need to celebrate on the actual 20th anniversary year and that 2017 would be fine? Personally I think the 25th anniversary makes more sense.

2004 also had the first "modern G1" and "collector-oriented" line in Binaltech/Alternators, as well as a ton of G1 homage toy designs in the Energon toyline.

Emerje wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

triKlops wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:And from Amazon Japan, which can now, shock of all shocks, finally ship toys directly to the U.S.!!!

Whoa Sabr, when did this happen?
This legit across the board on imports??
If so, this opens up a lot of doors.

I just found out today.

I made some posts about this months ago. Just keep in mind that it's only good on items sold directly by Amazon and their discounts aren't usually as good as the more popular exporters. Pretty sure they only ship EMS as well.

One nice thing: Being Amazon they too do the incremental price drops on some figures. MP-31 Delta Magnus had slipped down as far as 9,400JPY before settling back at its current price of 10,563JPY. The other nice thing is they don't charge tax on exports so the price is really 9,781. Shame they only seem to ship EMS. Still, even with shipping the total price is only slightly more than AmiAmi before shipping.

Emerje

Thank you both for the info.
I will start doing some more digging with them now.

Out for delivery! ! !