TakaraTomy Unite Warriors Menasor Official Image (Plus Legends Arcee Reissue!)

Takara's Dead End is a definite improvement over Hasbro's. The grey chest helps. I like Hasbro's Dragstrip better. The burgundy breaks the yellow up. No meaningful difference between Breakdown and Wildrider. Need a bigger picture to decide on Motormaster.

Yep, I'll be getting this one. Menasor is looking great and does Wildrider's chest look chromed to anyone else? Check out the back of his chest in leg mode. Maybe they're just using a really good silver paint on him and Motormaster.

Emerje

The obvious question seems to be - why would anyone buy Alpha Bravo or Offroad any more? You'd have to either be hard-core into just the extremely specific IDW version of G1, or very specifically against redecos within a team (but completely fine with redecos between teams). Taking their toys entirely on their own they stand out as being somewhat mismatched among their teams.

I find it interesting that they are so (to use a bobism/razorclaw2000) slavish to G1 that they even painted in a piece, at least in this picture, that makes it look like Dragstrip has his 4 front wheels like in G1.

And it's amazing what simply standing him upright can do for people's outlook on Menasor.

Tigertrack wrote:I find it interesting that they are so (to use a bobism/razorclaw2000) slavish to G1 that they even painted in a piece, at least in this picture, that makes it look like Dragstrip has his 4 front wheels like in G1.

Sweet mercy, they did!...that's possibly going a little overboard...

Deathsanras wrote:The obvious question seems to be - why would anyone buy Alpha Bravo or Offroad any more? You'd have to either be hard-core into just the extremely specific IDW version of G1, or very specifically against redecos within a team (but completely fine with redecos between teams). Taking their toys entirely on their own they stand out as being somewhat mismatched among their teams.

I still don't think they seem so mis-matched. But anyways, I already have Bravo, but intend to get offroad regardless of also getting Brake Nek. Reason being, I love new characters, and both figures look good to me. Also, the very mix and match element of this line means more characters, more options, more fun!
I want the core teams, but I love Scramble city, so putting Bravo on Superion is no different to plonking on Blades, Streetwise or even any of the cons! Who knows what each adventure may call for

Deathsanras wrote:The obvious question seems to be - why would anyone buy Alpha Bravo or Offroad any more? You'd have to either be hard-core into just the extremely specific IDW version of G1, or very specifically against redecos within a team (but completely fine with redecos between teams). Taking their toys entirely on their own they stand out as being somewhat mismatched among their teams.

3 words "Energon Ultra Prime"

also some may actually prefer the new guys to one of the old Members of these teams. Personally, i wish each Deluxe had a "Weapon mode" like the G1 Seacons did. I know the Legends are taking that role but it would have been fun to have the Deluxes able to alternate between being limbs, or weapons as well as robots

also the preorders for Takara Menasor and Arcee have also hit BBTS in case anyone has a preference for them

Deathsanras wrote:The obvious question seems to be - why would anyone buy Alpha Bravo or Offroad any more? You'd have to either be hard-core into just the extremely specific IDW version of G1, or very specifically against redecos within a team (but completely fine with redecos between teams). Taking their toys entirely on their own they stand out as being somewhat mismatched among their teams.

Because new mold beats recolor any day of the week. Especially when said new molds are great figures. Not everyone is a slave to the original. Also, the IDW fiction is quite good, so having figures based off that is good.

So the major differences seem to be:

Motormaster - dark gray / black instead of gray, silver / white arms.

Dragstrip - mostly yellow with cartoon accurate head deco and some G1 car specific detailing

Breakdown - mostly identical. Removes weird text on window, may have some other cartoon accurate details like yellow eyes and blue hands that we can't see.

Dead End - Brown instead of maroon. No yellow stripe in car mode. Silver chest instead of maroon. No gray sides in car mode.

Wildrider - less red. For example arms are gray with red detailing, legs are gray instead of red. Silver chest carries over to both sides of the panel.

Menasor - his torso is mostly black with some additional purple detailing. Changes from other components carry over.

Randy

Deathsanras wrote:You'd have to either be hard-core into just the extremely specific IDW version of G1,

I don't understand what the confusion over being a hardcore IDW G1 fan is. Lots of people love IDW G1 over Marvel G1 or Sunbow G1. Lots of other people even love Marvel G1 over Sunbow G1. It's no different from back when people preferred the Armada and Energon Dreamwave comics over their respective cartoon counterparts, or even when people prefer any one series (G1-based or otherwise) over all others in general. Beast Wars, Animated, the movies, Prime, Rescue Bots, the new RID series... all have become top fan favorites over the years. It's not like the Sunbow G1 cartoon is some grand king that everyone automatically defaults to as the #1 series.

I like how Wildrider has a lot less red on him than with Break-neck which was my only complaint with him. Motormaster looks quite good having a black Cab instead of the CW's grey. Deadend's red seems a bit to dark for me but that may be accurate so I don't know and Breakdown looks the same as his CW version. I don't know about Dragstrip I like his silver cockpit but the extra black on the sides kind of ruins him for me. Hopefully when there are clearer pictures of Menasor I can give my final judgement on Pre-ordering him or not but right now the set looks pretty good. Definitely considering the pre-order.

Autobot032 wrote:

I a not so gun ho to get this one over the hasbro one as I was with Superion. The hands are the same colors this time and I dont find the motormaster toy to be as influenced on G1 as the Silverbolt toy was, both the individual alt mode and the torso mode. I am surprised with the approach Takara took on the torso colors since that purple is neither found on the toy or the cartoon model. I would have found it quite cooler if they actually made those chest details red and grey like the G1 toy.

Crosscheck wrote:

Deathsanras wrote:The obvious question seems to be - why would anyone buy Alpha Bravo or Offroad any more? You'd have to either be hard-core into just the extremely specific IDW version of G1, or very specifically against redecos within a team (but completely fine with redecos between teams). Taking their toys entirely on their own they stand out as being somewhat mismatched among their teams.

Because new mold beats recolor any day of the week. Especially when said new molds are great figures. Not everyone is a slave to the original. Also, the IDW fiction is quite good, so having figures based off that is good.

But in this case, hey arent new molds. It's the Blades and First Aid mode being released first.

william-james88 wrote:

Crosscheck wrote:

Deathsanras wrote:The obvious question seems to be - why would anyone buy Alpha Bravo or Offroad any more? You'd have to either be hard-core into just the extremely specific IDW version of G1, or very specifically against redecos within a team (but completely fine with redecos between teams). Taking their toys entirely on their own they stand out as being somewhat mismatched among their teams.

Because new mold beats recolor any day of the week. Especially when said new molds are great figures. Not everyone is a slave to the original. Also, the IDW fiction is quite good, so having figures based off that is good.

But in this case, hey arent new molds. It's the Blades and First Aid mode being released first.

To be exact, the molds were made with those characters in mind, and others were made on the go. It's safe to assume each mold has two vehicle shells, and 3 heads at the most, judging from Offroad (planned as "Ruckus"), First Aid and the Ironhide sketch.

Rook's status as such remains to be seen, but I have a feeling we won't find out until next year. Any idea on who he could be retooled into?

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Rook's status as such remains to be seen, but I have a feeling we won't find out until next year. Any idea on who he could be retooled into?

Put a drill on the front bumper and call him Nosecone?

shajaki wrote:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Rook's status as such remains to be seen, but I have a feeling we won't find out until next year. Any idea on who he could be retooled into?

Put a drill on the front bumper and call him Nosecone?

Give him tank treads while you're at it.

william-james88 wrote:

Crosscheck wrote:

Deathsanras wrote:The obvious question seems to be - why would anyone buy Alpha Bravo or Offroad any more? You'd have to either be hard-core into just the extremely specific IDW version of G1, or very specifically against redecos within a team (but completely fine with redecos between teams). Taking their toys entirely on their own they stand out as being somewhat mismatched among their teams.

Because new mold beats recolor any day of the week. Especially when said new molds are great figures. Not everyone is a slave to the original. Also, the IDW fiction is quite good, so having figures based off that is good.

But in this case, hey arent new molds. It's the Blades and First Aid mode being released first.

Blades and Alpha Bravo are essentially the same (which is why I think Blades should have new arms that turn into helicopter landing struts), but Offroad and First Aid only share the core figure. The vehicle shell is completely different (except maybe the arms). So getting Offroad doesn't feel like you are getting the same figure as First Aid. But the only difference between Slingshot and Fireflight is color and head, same with Deadend and Wildrider. And that just doesn't do it for me anymore. Especially since they are attached to the same combiner. I can also forgive AB and Offroad sharing a mold because it is on a different figure. Also why I don't care that Streetwise and Deadend share a core figure, it is on a different combiner.

I just hope there will be more Fans Project (purple and black) hands and feet to pre-order later down the line. I got the black ones pre-ordered for Superion, but didn't have the scratch to get the purple ones,m at the time, for Menasor.

I think the "faux" wheels on Dragstrip are really odd. Not liking the idea...

shajaki wrote:I think the "faux" wheels on Dragstrip are really odd. Not liking the idea...

You're not the only one. It looks really weird and unnecessary.

Deathsanras wrote:The obvious question seems to be - why would anyone buy Alpha Bravo or Offroad any more? You'd have to either be hard-core into just the extremely specific IDW version of G1, or very specifically against redecos within a team (but completely fine with redecos between teams). Taking their toys entirely on their own they stand out as being somewhat mismatched among their teams.

I bought Offroad because the only way I could get the wave 2 limbs was in a set of all four, and because I just don't care that much about Wildrider the way I do Slingshot (but I'll still totally get "brake neck" if I can). I bought AB because Slingshot was still a rumor at the time and I needed to have something for Superion to use as an arm in the meantime. I figure he'll eventually wind up with Ultra Prime once I get "quickslinger" (hopefully, oh I'll want to kill myself if I don't wind up getting that)

I'm not hardcore IDW, frankly from what I hear about them, they sound like I'd loathe them if I was still buying comics. I haven't even bothered to read the comics packed in with any of the Gen deluxes I have.

munkimus prime wrote:

shajaki wrote:I think the "faux" wheels on Dragstrip are really odd. Not liking the idea...

You're not the only one. It looks really weird and unnecessary.

Agreed, the menasor mold itself is more classics G1 redux than straight up G1 like Superion, so adding these extra details feel less warranted and a bit more odd in the end.

Better pix:



From: http://takaratomymall.jp/shop/g/g4904810831723/

Huh, I just checked out the listings and the release dates are... interesting:

UW01 Superion: June 27th
UW02 Menasor: August 22nd

Two months apart. Think they'll unveil plans for next year at BotCon (Come on, Computron and Deluxe Groove!)

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Huh, I just checked out the listings and the release dates are... interesting:

UW01 Superion: June 27th
UW02 Menasor: August 22nd

Two months apart. Think they'll unveil plans for next year at BotCon (Come on, Computron and Deluxe Groove!)

Are you still talking about the United Warriors line in that last sentence?

I am just increasingly curious about UW Defensor.

william-james88 wrote:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Huh, I just checked out the listings and the release dates are... interesting:

UW01 Superion: June 27th
UW02 Menasor: August 22nd

Two months apart. Think they'll unveil plans for next year at BotCon (Come on, Computron and Deluxe Groove!)

Are you still talking about the United Warriors line in that last sentence?

I am just increasingly curious about UW Defensor.

Talking Hasbro, but it relates to a certain motorcycle for UW Groove.

I'm still hoping for a deluxe Groove as well from Takara

Other than the unnecessary black on Dragstrip, I much prefer these over the Hasbro versions.

Robogeek1973 wrote:Other than the unnecessary black on Dragstrip, I much prefer these over the Hasbro versions.

Maybe seeing Dragstrip's head coloring being much more g1 like, at least that's how I see it, will help you feel better about this Dragstrip.

I like the Motormaste colors. Totally pulls at my g1 cartoon memories.

Damn that Dragstrip nonsense throws me off. You can't just pretend that upper arm is actually a leg (well... I can't anyways). Other than that though... really nice.

shajaki wrote:Damn that Dragstrip nonsense throws me off. You can't just pretend that upper arm is actually a leg (well... I can't anyways). Other than that though... really nice.

On the other hand, since his shoulders were where his wheels are positioned in robot mode in the G1 cartoon, Takara's black shoulders do work to simulate that shoulder wheel placement.

Sabrblade wrote:

shajaki wrote:Damn that Dragstrip nonsense throws me off. You can't just pretend that upper arm is actually a leg (well... I can't anyways). Other than that though... really nice.

On the other hand, since his shoulders were where his wheels are positioned in robot mode in the G1 cartoon, Takara's black shoulders do work to simulate that shoulder wheel placement.

Japan, just accept Drag Stripe has 4 wheels now...

Sabrblade wrote:

shajaki wrote:Damn that Dragstrip nonsense throws me off. You can't just pretend that upper arm is actually a leg (well... I can't anyways). Other than that though... really nice.

On the other hand, since his shoulders were where his wheels are positioned in robot mode in the G1 cartoon, Takara's black shoulders do work to simulate that shoulder wheel placement.

Not for me they don't

They screwed up Dragstrip!

Seibertron wrote:They screwed up Dragstrip!

How so?

Sabrblade wrote:

Seibertron wrote:They screwed up Dragstrip!

How so?

So the black on the sides dont bother you?

william-james88 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Seibertron wrote:They screwed up Dragstrip!

How so?

So the black on the sides dont bother you?

He's just bland yellow, has the silly gray chest piece, out-of-place black, etc.

Seibertron wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Seibertron wrote:They screwed up Dragstrip!

How so?

So the black on the sides dont bother you?

He's just bland yellow, has the silly gray chest piece, out-of-place black, etc.

Such is the devil in the G1 cartoon accurate details.

The Hasbro version also has a gray chest piece/connector. The Takara version DOES have some nice red striping along the top and on the spoiler in vehicle mode, so it's not just plain yellow, though the striping detailing doesn't show up in much of the robot mode.

If I buy this set, Dragstrip will totally be replaced by Hasbro's

shajaki wrote:If I buy this set, Dragstrip will totally be replaced by Hasbro's

I absolutely adore the deco on the Hasbro version's face. Its odd but as much as I like Takara's Superion for being a perfect interpretation of the G1 cartoon model , I am starting to much prefer Hasbro's Menasor for taking the more classics route of being a G1 redux instead of just straight up G1.

Fellow Seibertronian, Cyberpath, has informed us that Takara Tomy Mall now has some much clearer pictures of Takara's Unite Warriors Menasor and his individual components. All these images have been mirrored below and show quite a few differences compared to Hasbro's versions which can all be viewed here, in our galleries.











And to compare with Hasbro's version:


Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Dead End Gallery

william-james88 wrote:

shajaki wrote:If I buy this set, Dragstrip will totally be replaced by Hasbro's

I absolutely adore the deco on the Hasbro version's face. Its odd but as much as I like Takara's Superion for being a perfect interpretation of the G1 cartoon model , I am starting to much prefer Hasbro's Menasor for taking the more classics route of being a G1 redux instead of just straight up G1.

Y'know, I wasn't looking to closely and comparing the two but damn.... you're right. The deco's on Hasbro's do fit that "neo" aesthetic pretty hard, and likewise Takara's hits the G1 just as hard. All that burgundy/maroon (or whatever that secondary color is) in Hasby's DS is really makes it stand out, but that color is present in the G1 figure as well... so it's "neo" but totally fits.

My biggest hangup is those black shoulders. If the yeollow plastic is the same shade between both versions, I'll swap parts. If not (and if he doesn't stand out too much) I'll simply replace Tak DS with Has DS.

Bigger pix on AmiAmi: http://www.amiami.com/top/detail/review ... URE-011113

And one from HLJ:



Not even Takara managed to salvage that Menasor mold. (though I've seen some nice fans-setups.) But the individual cons do look better. Especially Motormaster.

I think the problem with Dragstrip is the design. Everyone but him pretty much has a cartoon-head. And the six-wheels was kind of his thing. He's a bit plain without.

I have to admit I love those colors on Motormaster (I'm not very knowledgable on G1 so I don't know what colors are more accurate), but I'm not particularly sold on the others. I agree that Dragstrip is too yellow, I don't see any noticeable differences on Breakdown aside from the windshield sticker and Wildrider has some grey/red swapping I wouldn't mind either way. I don't like the Takara Dead End as much though, I prefer the red chest to the bright silver and I really don't like the lack of a stripe on the car mode. I prefer the Hasbro version of the majority of Menasor, so I'll stick with the ones I've got.

Autobot Roadburn wrote:I have to admit I love those colors on Motormaster (I'm not very knowledgable on G1 so I don't know what colors are more accurate), but I'm not particularly sold on the others. I agree that Dragstrip is too yellow, I don't see any noticeable differences on Breakdown aside from the windshield sticker and Wildrider has some grey/red swapping I wouldn't mind either way. I don't like the Takara Dead End as much though, I prefer the red chest to the bright silver and I really don't like the lack of a stripe on the car mode. I prefer the Hasbro version of the majority of Menasor, so I'll stick with the ones I've got.

I'm the same here actually - if Motormaster was available separately I'd likely pick him up, but for me the Hasbro decos are, for the most part, superior imo. This doesn't happen very often for me, but it's a similar story with Superion too...

prjkt wrote:

Autobot Roadburn wrote:I have to admit I love those colors on Motormaster (I'm not very knowledgable on G1 so I don't know what colors are more accurate), but I'm not particularly sold on the others. I agree that Dragstrip is too yellow, I don't see any noticeable differences on Breakdown aside from the windshield sticker and Wildrider has some grey/red swapping I wouldn't mind either way. I don't like the Takara Dead End as much though, I prefer the red chest to the bright silver and I really don't like the lack of a stripe on the car mode. I prefer the Hasbro version of the majority of Menasor, so I'll stick with the ones I've got.

I'm the same here actually - if Motormaster was available separately I'd likely pick him up, but for me the Hasbro decos are, for the most part, superior imo. This doesn't happen very often for me, but it's a similar story with Superion too...

I'm actually completely fine with Superion, I far prefer the black hands/feet similarly to Generations Arcee - white may be more accurate, but the black looks nicer and breaks up the figure better, and the colors/paint apps are fine with me. Heck, I even like Alpha Bravo. I do like the breaking up of planes vs a helicopter and, as a huge Combaticon fan, I like how similar he looks to Vortex. I won't argue whether he or Slingshot is better than the other objectively, but I personally prefer AB appearance-wise. He, Dead End and both versions of Leader Megatron are my favorite Combiner Wars figures so far.

Maybe Reprolabels can help out with Motormaster eventually, and if not I might try some paint myself.

It's like I explained it before but not with comparing images to show what I mean. While I went for Takara's Superion, I will actually go for Hasbro's Menasor with Offroad instead of Brake-neck. Here's why.

The way they made superion, the mold is more in line with G1 and having all the jets makes sense, hence why I went with takara. I was gonna do the same with Menasor and when I saw that brake neck was coming out I thought I would go the hasbro route with the G1 members instead of takara, saving me some money (I bought the Takara superion before the extra jet limb was anounced). But when I saw the takara pics of the Menasor team, I didnt feel the g1 theme played out too well and while 4 same looking jets worked, having a team of 3 very different molds with one repeated just looked off. While Superion was very G1, Menasor looked more like a classics take on the character where alt modes are updated and slightly changed (like Motormaster being just a cab). Added to the fact that brake neck would come out costing me 40$ canadian if I get it retail price US$ on a website, I am not saving that much money from achieving a G1 menasor the hasbro route, so I will just stick to the mass retail hasbro toys for menasor. Superion is G1 right off the screen but Menasor is more like G1 redux, like the nerf gun megatron. I dont see a point going for a more G1 deco and team when the toys themselves arent all that G1.

What I mean is I like this:



Better than this:



BUT I like this:


Better than this:

william-james88 wrote:It's like I explained it before but not with comparing images to show what I mean. While I went for Takara's Superion, I will actually go for Hasbro's Menasor with Offroad instead of Brake-neck. Here's why.

The way they made superion, the mold is more in line with G1 and having all the jets makes sense, hence why I went with takara. I was gonna do the same with Menasor and when I saw that brake neck was coming out I thought I would go the hasbro route with the G1 members instead of takara, saving me some money (I bought the Takara superion before the extra jet limb was anounced). But when I saw the takara pics of the Menasor team, I didnt feel the g1 theme played out too well and while 4 same looking jets worked, having a team of 3 very different molds with one repeated just looked off. While Superion was very G1, Menasor looked more like a classics take on the character where alt modes are updated and slightly changed (like Motormaster being just a cab). Added to the fact that brake neck would come out costing me 40$ canadian if I get it retail price US$ on a website, I am not saving that much money from achieving a G1 menasor the hasbro route, so I will just stick to the mass retail hasbro toys for menasor. Superion is G1 right off the screen but Menasor is more like G1 redux, like the nerf gun megatron. I dont see a point going for a more G1 deco and team when the toys themselves arent all that G1.

What I mean is I like this:



Better than this:



BUT I like this:


Better than this:

Thats a good argument. I bought the Hasbro version of both (I dont do imports very often) and I'd say that the Takara Superion is better, but Im so glad they are coming out with Quick-something...er..Slingshot over here. When he is released he will replace my Alpha Bravo. I'm not a Alpha Bravo hater by any means but I'd rather have a jet there. Hasbro Menasor is totally better though. Man, I really like offroad. He's one of my favorites for this wave.

Up at Amiami. ETA late August 2015

http://www.amiami.com/top/detail/review ... 3&page=top

















After Cyberpath.

Just got to think, if ETA late August, then maybe Devastar or Defensor late October 2015(?)

I'm a bit surprised at all the disappointment with Unite Warriors Menasor, when Takara's Superion was so clearly superior for many fans. I think maybe the problem is that, with Hasbro's Superion versus Takara's, it's a case of tweaking some of the shades of color used (orange versus yellow) and remixing the applications a bit (stripes versus lightning bolts) on the alt-modes, where as with Menasor, Takara's G1 approach necessitates taking away detail and replacing it with...nothing, because that's how the characters looked on the show. So, the objection isn't so much with Takara's approach as it is with the way the Combaticons were drawn and colored on the original cartoon.

I know some people are also disappointed that Wildrider is just a repaint of Dead End with a new head, but I think that only really affects the bot modes. When you have Menasor combined properly, Wildrider is a Leg and Dead End is an arm, so the limbs will at least look quite a big different in how they are configured, even if the base mold is pretty much the same.

Not bad. Not my thing but as straight up updates of G1 while keeping the characters and alt-modes mostly the same the Stunticons do a good job.