Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450
Tuesday, December 4th, 2018 11:50AM CST
Categories: Toy News, Site Articles, EditorialsPosted by: william-james88 Views: 41,362
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Unless you have been living under a rock recently, you probably know that Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime is the highest priced Transformer of all time, with an MSRP of 50,000 Yen, which is around the $450 USD mark depending on currency conversion.
Now, while that is the official price from Takara, not everyone will or has to pay that price. The MSRP, as in the US, is just a guide and a price point to extract other prices from (like the cost per unit to sellers). It is not necessarily the price on shelves and, in Japan, the retail market for Transformers usually has them at 15%-30% off the MSRP. So the actual retail price is consistently lower than the MSRP for non exclusive toys in Japan.
That is no different for this Optimus Prime. His current price on Japan's biggest toy retailer, Amazon Japan, is about 35,000 Yen, which is closer to the $300 USD mark and indeed 70% of the MSRP.
So then why are all the preorders we saw last week more like $450 USD? Well, the thing is that Takara can only sell Transformers toys in Japan. Hasbro owns that trademark for every other market on the planet and thus only Japanese vendors can buy directly from Takara. That means the price is as cheap as it gets but if someone outside Japan purchases from a Japanese seller, they will have to pay any shipping and import charges from Japan to their own country. I have an example below of an order placed for MP 44 Optimus Prime and you can see that while I as a Canadian can get him from a good price from a Japanese seller, Amazon Japan in this case, I still have to pay shipping (about $10) and import fees (about $50!!!!). Of course these fees can differ from country to country but the point is they are YOUR responsibility. In my example from Amazon Japan, importing this toy myself would come out to $360 USD.
And if your toy breaks, well you have to deal with the Japanese seller you got it from. Takara's customer service is useless to foreigners since they only support Japanese residents (since they only sell to the Japanese). My Takara MP Dinobot's head broke off and I had to deal with a Japanese seller for 3 months until I got a replacement. FUN!
So to help with all this importing business, domestic companies like Big Bad Toy Store or TF Source, will do all this importing for you. They cannot buy directly from Takara as they do not reside in Japan, so they have to get a middleman to buy from Takara at wholesale prices and then sell to them. And they have to deal with any import fees and above all shipping a crate of these from Japan to the US. These costs (middleman, duty, shipping) add up and a toy that would have been $300 locally becomes $450 elsewhere because the company offering this service to you (i.e. TF Source) needs to make some money. If you think it all sounds inneficient, well it is. That is the cost of market exclusive IP and region based contracts and it results in all these workarounds to get the toys we love, where money must be spent at every step.
But at least you dont have to bother with importing and if a piece is missing or something is wrong, you can speak to someone locally, who speaks english, and they will deal with the problem themselves.
Of course Hasbro can import and release the product themselves in the US, which they do in China through Hasbro Asia (we have an example below from Robot Kingdom), but as we have seen with the likes of Masterpiece Beast Wars Megatron, it usually comes out to the exact same amount as other local importers like TF Source.
Below is a breakdown of the different price points available for this toy depending on its location of purchase.
Low end price, import from Japanese at $305 USD
Mid Tier price, import from China at $370 USD
High end price, already imported for Americans at $450 USD
This is of course a very simplified look at the different markets for MP-44 Optimus Prime and certain details may have been glossed over but hopefully it helps you understand what the options are and why the price range can be so vast.
Credit(s): Amazon Japan, TF Source and Robot Kingdom
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Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997021)
Posted by william-james88 on December 4th, 2018 @ 11:58am CST
The price you see in the amazon lsiting includes Tax for Japanese customers, which you are exempted. When adding it to your cart you see that the actual price of the figure is 34400 Yen which is closer to 305 right this second.
Posted by william-james88 on December 4th, 2018 @ 11:58am CST
Nemesis Maximo wrote:william-james88 wrote:Article in progress
Low end price $304 USD: https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%83%88%E3%8 ... g=UTF8&me=?tag=seibertron00-22&
Ho dang, that’s a price I can get behind.
Not to nitpick here, but my conversions are saying that the USD price should be closer to $325-$330, not $304 with the yen about equal to .008797 USD. What source do you use to get the exchange rates?
I ask because you tend to be right in these situations.
The price you see in the amazon lsiting includes Tax for Japanese customers, which you are exempted. When adding it to your cart you see that the actual price of the figure is 34400 Yen which is closer to 305 right this second.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997026)
Posted by Cyberpath on December 4th, 2018 @ 12:12pm CST
Posted by Cyberpath on December 4th, 2018 @ 12:12pm CST
Anyone here have experience ordering MPs from Amazon Japan? How about experience with their customer service?
Waiting for the listing on HLJ in the meantime.
Waiting for the listing on HLJ in the meantime.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997027)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on December 4th, 2018 @ 12:16pm CST
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on December 4th, 2018 @ 12:16pm CST
william-james88 wrote:The price you see in the amazon lsiting includes Tax for Japanese customers, which you are exempted. When adding it to your cart you see that the actual price of the figure is 34400 Yen which is closer to 305 right this second.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997032)
Posted by william-james88 on December 4th, 2018 @ 12:40pm CST
I didnt have to deal with their customer service since there was never anything wrong with my order so far. I paid, got my item for cheap, it shipped quickly and went right through customs and I got it before anyone else. Was fun.
Posted by william-james88 on December 4th, 2018 @ 12:40pm CST
Cyberpath wrote:Anyone here have experience ordering MPs from Amazon Japan? How about experience with their customer service?
Waiting for the listing on HLJ in the meantime.
I didnt have to deal with their customer service since there was never anything wrong with my order so far. I paid, got my item for cheap, it shipped quickly and went right through customs and I got it before anyone else. Was fun.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997051)
Posted by RK_Striker_JK_5 on December 4th, 2018 @ 2:17pm CST
Posted by RK_Striker_JK_5 on December 4th, 2018 @ 2:17pm CST
I have two great MP-Primes sitting about six feet from me. I can literally stand up, walk over, and grab them. Why would I get this overpriced one that looks like a step backwards from MP-10?
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997052)
Posted by Quint on December 4th, 2018 @ 2:20pm CST
It's an absolutely beautiful toy though, it has to be said.
Posted by Quint on December 4th, 2018 @ 2:20pm CST
It's an absolutely beautiful toy though, it has to be said.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997086)
Posted by worldsgreatest on December 4th, 2018 @ 6:26pm CST
No experience with customer service, but shipping is faster and cheaper than any other import site by far. Im in PA and shipments get to me in about 2 days. Sometimes 3.
Shipping on something like an MP car in like, $12.
Posted by worldsgreatest on December 4th, 2018 @ 6:26pm CST
Cyberpath wrote:Anyone here have experience ordering MPs from Amazon Japan? How about experience with their customer service?
Waiting for the listing on HLJ in the meantime.
No experience with customer service, but shipping is faster and cheaper than any other import site by far. Im in PA and shipments get to me in about 2 days. Sometimes 3.
Shipping on something like an MP car in like, $12.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997087)
Posted by blueridgefox on December 4th, 2018 @ 6:32pm CST
Posted by blueridgefox on December 4th, 2018 @ 6:32pm CST
All that is completely useless unless you can justify the price of previous releases. The high end has been $200(approximate) for years, MP Megatron was $230 and that was high but we accepted it because we needed a 10 inch scale Megatron. The price that BBTS and TFSource are asking is more than double of the current MP-10 that by the way, many folks are very satisfied with. This new MP Optimus looks very good, but damn... $450??? Another great example of the price gouging is the newly re-release MP Shockwave, original release a 18 or 20 months ago was $139 from TFSource and BBTS, now its $210? for the same figure??? darker color, whoopy-doo... I've dealt with TFsource and Bigbadtoystore customer service... much to be desired there... I appreciate the service they provide, but it's not like they are the only way to get these pieces... I'll take my chances with Amazon.jp and save $150... give me a break and stop trying to justify the prices and processes involved.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997088)
Posted by GrangerPerry on December 4th, 2018 @ 6:32pm CST
Posted by GrangerPerry on December 4th, 2018 @ 6:32pm CST
I’m probably going to have to buy this just because I love Megatron so much. Question though about Amazon Japan. I pre-ordered Beast Wars Megatron from Amazon Japan but can I pay for it? Or do I just have to wait until March when it’s being shipped to pay?
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997091)
Posted by chuckdawg1999 on December 4th, 2018 @ 6:48pm CST
Their customer service is just like Amazon US, helpful but they won't bend over backwards for you.
Posted by chuckdawg1999 on December 4th, 2018 @ 6:48pm CST
worldsgreatest wrote:Cyberpath wrote:Anyone here have experience ordering MPs from Amazon Japan? How about experience with their customer service?
Waiting for the listing on HLJ in the meantime.
No experience with customer service, but shipping is faster and cheaper than any other import site by far. Im in PA and shipments get to me in about 2 days. Sometimes 3.
Shipping on something like an MP car in like, $12.
Their customer service is just like Amazon US, helpful but they won't bend over backwards for you.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997093)
Posted by Aimless Misfire on December 4th, 2018 @ 6:49pm CST
Posted by Aimless Misfire on December 4th, 2018 @ 6:49pm CST
$300 is too high. There is no reason it has to be that high. It's a "NAME BRAND" thing. Transformers is popular & well known so they can gouge the shit out of the fans. If Transformers weren't that popular or well known this toy (yeah, I said "TOY" because no matter how you look at it, that's all it really is) would be about $60.
Don't agree? Well then you don't know how the world works & you've been living under a rock.
Don't agree? Well then you don't know how the world works & you've been living under a rock.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997098)
Posted by Ironhidensh on December 4th, 2018 @ 7:39pm CST
Posted by Ironhidensh on December 4th, 2018 @ 7:39pm CST
HLJ has him listed for $371.30 USD.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997099)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on December 4th, 2018 @ 7:40pm CST
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on December 4th, 2018 @ 7:40pm CST
No, something that size and so overly complicated it makes ROTF Leader Optimus look like a Throttlebot in comparison would NEVER MSRP for a paltry $60 in today's money. Brandflation is very much a rampant phenomenon, but fancy fiddly things with a lot of moving parts are still more costly to make.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997118)
Posted by Cyberpath on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:02am CST
Posted by Cyberpath on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:02am CST
New photos from Takara --
Pre-orders:
Amazon.co.jp
https://www.amazon.co.jp/transformers-masterpiece-mp-44-convoy-ver-3-0/dp/B07L324QLS/?tag=seibertron00-22&
Anime Export
http://www.anime-export.com/product/42330
Ami Ami
https://www.amiami.com/eng/detail/?gcode=FIGURE-044621
HLJ
https://hlj.com/transformers-masterpiece-mp-44-convoy-optimus-prime-ver-3-0-tkt87753?utm_source=seibertron.com&=&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=news%20post
Pre-orders:
Amazon.co.jp
https://www.amazon.co.jp/transformers-masterpiece-mp-44-convoy-ver-3-0/dp/B07L324QLS/?tag=seibertron00-22&
Anime Export
http://www.anime-export.com/product/42330
Ami Ami
https://www.amiami.com/eng/detail/?gcode=FIGURE-044621
HLJ
https://hlj.com/transformers-masterpiece-mp-44-convoy-optimus-prime-ver-3-0-tkt87753?utm_source=seibertron.com&=&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=news%20post
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997119)
Posted by Seibertron on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:08am CST
Posted by Seibertron on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:08am CST
I don't remember Optimus Prime having a ginormous backpack before.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997120)
Posted by Seibertron on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:15am CST
Nope, he doesn't have one!
It's a cool looking toy, but far from a "Masterpiece" in my book. It's very overpriced and seems to be overly complicated for an Optimus Prime toy. Alternate modes that "explode" nonsensically into a robot to accommodate animation "errors" or "creative liberties" seems more like a cheat to me than good design, with the exception of many of the Beast Wars characters if you want a more animated accurate robot mode and beast mode, though I think I still prefer the charm of a velociraptor head sitting on the chest of Dinobot instead of a faux dinosaur head. Not sure why I'm kind-of-sort-of OK with alt modes exploding into robots with Beast Wars Transformers but not G1 Transformers. Maybe someone can help pinpoint my mixed feelings.
Posted by Seibertron on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:15am CST
Seibertron wrote:I don't remember Optimus Prime having a ginormous backpack before.
Nope, he doesn't have one!
It's a cool looking toy, but far from a "Masterpiece" in my book. It's very overpriced and seems to be overly complicated for an Optimus Prime toy. Alternate modes that "explode" nonsensically into a robot to accommodate animation "errors" or "creative liberties" seems more like a cheat to me than good design, with the exception of many of the Beast Wars characters if you want a more animated accurate robot mode and beast mode, though I think I still prefer the charm of a velociraptor head sitting on the chest of Dinobot instead of a faux dinosaur head. Not sure why I'm kind-of-sort-of OK with alt modes exploding into robots with Beast Wars Transformers but not G1 Transformers. Maybe someone can help pinpoint my mixed feelings.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997121)
Posted by Cyberpath on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:28am CST
It's tempting, if anything for the fast shipping, but with something this big/expansive I should probably go with HLJ. Back when I received MP-29 Shockwave with a missing a piece they replaced the figure and reimbursed postage without any issues.
Posted by Cyberpath on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:28am CST
chuckdawg1999 wrote:worldsgreatest wrote:Cyberpath wrote:Anyone here have experience ordering MPs from Amazon Japan? How about experience with their customer service?
Waiting for the listing on HLJ in the meantime.
No experience with customer service, but shipping is faster and cheaper than any other import site by far. Im in PA and shipments get to me in about 2 days. Sometimes 3.
Shipping on something like an MP car in like, $12.
Their customer service is just like Amazon US, helpful but they won't bend over backwards for you.
It's tempting, if anything for the fast shipping, but with something this big/expansive I should probably go with HLJ. Back when I received MP-29 Shockwave with a missing a piece they replaced the figure and reimbursed postage without any issues.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997122)
Posted by Seibertron on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:31am CST
Are we dealing with the same company? Amazon US customer service is fantastic. I just ordered a shirt from them that wasn't quite right, and they simply refunded me my money flat out instead of having me return it. I ordered some boxes from them in the past for the Seibertron.com store, the shipment was short a few boxes per bundle, so they just sent me a whole new bundle free of charge to make up the shortage and inconvenience. Have a problem with a Transformers toy? I can return it no questions asked via UPS or Kohl's with free return shipping. It's so hassle free that I continue doing less and less business with other retailers because of the extreme convenience and hassle-free experience. I feel like if people aren't having a hassle-free experience with Amazon, they're doing something wrong somehow.
Posted by Seibertron on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:31am CST
chuckdawg1999 wrote:Their customer service is just like Amazon US, helpful but they won't bend over backwards for you.
Are we dealing with the same company? Amazon US customer service is fantastic. I just ordered a shirt from them that wasn't quite right, and they simply refunded me my money flat out instead of having me return it. I ordered some boxes from them in the past for the Seibertron.com store, the shipment was short a few boxes per bundle, so they just sent me a whole new bundle free of charge to make up the shortage and inconvenience. Have a problem with a Transformers toy? I can return it no questions asked via UPS or Kohl's with free return shipping. It's so hassle free that I continue doing less and less business with other retailers because of the extreme convenience and hassle-free experience. I feel like if people aren't having a hassle-free experience with Amazon, they're doing something wrong somehow.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997123)
Posted by kiwijinxter on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:37am CST
I still don't understand why the truck's cabin seem to be "nose-diving" whenever coupled with the truck trailer...
Posted by kiwijinxter on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:37am CST
I still don't understand why the truck's cabin seem to be "nose-diving" whenever coupled with the truck trailer...
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997124)
Posted by Seibertron on December 5th, 2018 @ 2:00am CST
The whole thing just doesn't do it for me, unfortunately. I've said that since the very first prototype pics surfaced, long before the price came out. I really want to like it, but MP-44 is rubbing me the wrong way unfortunately.
I've been bummed about most Masterpieces since Wheeljack. The line has just not been what I want as a fan, which is a bummer, because they were doing it right for a while there with Grimlock, MP-10 Convoy, Sideswipe (despite some minor flaws/issues), Soundwave for the most part, the Cassettes for the most part), Prowl, Wheeljack, and Bumblebee for the most part. My problems with the Masterpiece line really started with Ultra Magnus, which was an overall good toy, his style was just too cartoonish for my tastes. Tracks was too thin and long, Ironhide and Ratchet were missing their backs, Hot Rod had a slew of design problems with his robot mode (similar to Tracks), Shockwave was the wrong color, Inferno lacked detail (but was a cool transformation), Megatron had too big of a head/upper shoulders were screwed-up with no cover panel/and my biggest issue is his robo-vagina that I see every time I look at that toy.
The Masterpiece Beast Wars Transformers have been enjoyable because I think it's amazing what they've done with them. Sunstreaker conjures similar thoughts and he also "cheats" like the Beast Wars Transformers. However, I just don't see how else you'd achieve their "proper" looks. In the case of Sunstreaker, due to his transformation he ends up with more detail in his robot mode than I'd expect. Unfortunately, he also suffers from a similar upper shoulder problem as Megatron, though it bothers me less on Sunstreaker, perhaps because of the iconic shape of Megatron's upper torso.
Trying to please all of the individual Transformers from around the world must be an extreme challenge. I miss the days where I seemed to love just about every Transformers toy that had come out with a handful or so that I disliked, but still liked because I disliked them (if that makes any sense). But now, there are so many choices and design styles, that I find that I've become so picky with what I like and don't like. The Masterpiece line hasn't helped itself by its own inconsistencies that make each release difficult to accept the design direction changes between molds (though it seems the cartoon direction is here to stay unfortunately and I'm living in a pipe dream where I hope they'll deviate from the cartoon look takes precedence).
Posted by Seibertron on December 5th, 2018 @ 2:00am CST
kiwijinxter wrote:I still don't understand why the truck's cabin seem to be "nose-diving" whenever coupled with the truck trailer...
The whole thing just doesn't do it for me, unfortunately. I've said that since the very first prototype pics surfaced, long before the price came out. I really want to like it, but MP-44 is rubbing me the wrong way unfortunately.
I've been bummed about most Masterpieces since Wheeljack. The line has just not been what I want as a fan, which is a bummer, because they were doing it right for a while there with Grimlock, MP-10 Convoy, Sideswipe (despite some minor flaws/issues), Soundwave for the most part, the Cassettes for the most part), Prowl, Wheeljack, and Bumblebee for the most part. My problems with the Masterpiece line really started with Ultra Magnus, which was an overall good toy, his style was just too cartoonish for my tastes. Tracks was too thin and long, Ironhide and Ratchet were missing their backs, Hot Rod had a slew of design problems with his robot mode (similar to Tracks), Shockwave was the wrong color, Inferno lacked detail (but was a cool transformation), Megatron had too big of a head/upper shoulders were screwed-up with no cover panel/and my biggest issue is his robo-vagina that I see every time I look at that toy.
The Masterpiece Beast Wars Transformers have been enjoyable because I think it's amazing what they've done with them. Sunstreaker conjures similar thoughts and he also "cheats" like the Beast Wars Transformers. However, I just don't see how else you'd achieve their "proper" looks. In the case of Sunstreaker, due to his transformation he ends up with more detail in his robot mode than I'd expect. Unfortunately, he also suffers from a similar upper shoulder problem as Megatron, though it bothers me less on Sunstreaker, perhaps because of the iconic shape of Megatron's upper torso.
Trying to please all of the individual Transformers from around the world must be an extreme challenge. I miss the days where I seemed to love just about every Transformers toy that had come out with a handful or so that I disliked, but still liked because I disliked them (if that makes any sense). But now, there are so many choices and design styles, that I find that I've become so picky with what I like and don't like. The Masterpiece line hasn't helped itself by its own inconsistencies that make each release difficult to accept the design direction changes between molds (though it seems the cartoon direction is here to stay unfortunately and I'm living in a pipe dream where I hope they'll deviate from the cartoon look takes precedence).
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997125)
Posted by Cyberpath on December 5th, 2018 @ 2:07am CST
I hope it's just a sloppy transformation/posing and not alignment issues, especially for this price.
Posted by Cyberpath on December 5th, 2018 @ 2:07am CST
kiwijinxter wrote:I still don't understand why the truck's cabin seem to be "nose-diving" whenever coupled with the truck trailer...
I hope it's just a sloppy transformation/posing and not alignment issues, especially for this price.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997132)
Posted by Autobot Roadburn on December 5th, 2018 @ 3:54am CST
Posted by Autobot Roadburn on December 5th, 2018 @ 3:54am CST
Gotta be honest, I'm not a huge G1 purist but I really like this thing. The price still scares me but AmiAmi listed him for around the equivalent of $340 and I bit the bullet. The way I see it the robot mode looks very posable (LOVE the shot of his torso twisting as he swings his axe), the head sculpt is great and has a sense of calm to it, I actually really like the white on his legs and crotch and it's nice they still have silver for a realistic truck mode. I'm so happy they didn't do a perfectly cartoon accurate truck, that underdetailed wheeled box would've looked pretty bizarre driving next to a Lamborghini. I understand everyone's complaints but this is the first non-Beast MP I've been really into for a long time (and possibly the last G1 MP I get until they make a Hoist) so I'm personally very excited to get him in August even if he's got a heavy price tag.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997141)
Posted by Emerje on December 5th, 2018 @ 7:37am CST
Posted by Emerje on December 5th, 2018 @ 7:37am CST
Huge backpack and strangely thick lower legs, it just isn't a good look. And yet, despite my best attempts to resist, I ended up ordering one off Amazon Japan. The price was just too good. Hopefully he's the type of figure that's better in hand.
Emerje
Emerje
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997145)
Posted by ZeroWolf on December 5th, 2018 @ 7:58am CST
Posted by ZeroWolf on December 5th, 2018 @ 7:58am CST
Thanks to fellow Seibertron users, Cyberpath and Nathaniel Prime, we have some more new photos of MP-44 to share with you all! The photos come from Takara Tomy Mall's website and show the new Masterpiece figure in all its glory, including a better shot of what Primes backpack looks like. The backpack is where the electronics of the toy is located as a speaker is visible in the pictures.
We have mirrored the images below for your convenience.
That's not all, in addition to the images, we have more pre-order listings, so you have a wealth of options to choose from in getting Prime.
Amazon.co.jp
https://www.amazon.co.jp/transformers-masterpiece-mp-44-convoy-ver-3-0/dp/B07L324QLS/?tag=seibertron00-22&
Anime Export
http://www.anime-export.com/product/42330
Ami Ami
https://www.amiami.com/eng/detail/?gcode=FIGURE-044621
HLJ
https://hlj.com/transformers-masterpiece-mp-44-convoy-optimus-prime-ver-3-0-tkt87753?utm_source=seibertron.com&=&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=news%20post
Don't forget to check out this article as well which discusses the price of MP-44 and the best deals you can achieve.
Will you be getting this version of Prime? Is the price still the greatest deal breaker? Let us know in the Energon Pub and stay tuned to Seibertron for all the latest news and reviews.
We have mirrored the images below for your convenience.
That's not all, in addition to the images, we have more pre-order listings, so you have a wealth of options to choose from in getting Prime.
Amazon.co.jp
https://www.amazon.co.jp/transformers-masterpiece-mp-44-convoy-ver-3-0/dp/B07L324QLS/?tag=seibertron00-22&
Anime Export
http://www.anime-export.com/product/42330
Ami Ami
https://www.amiami.com/eng/detail/?gcode=FIGURE-044621
HLJ
https://hlj.com/transformers-masterpiece-mp-44-convoy-optimus-prime-ver-3-0-tkt87753?utm_source=seibertron.com&=&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=news%20post
Don't forget to check out this article as well which discusses the price of MP-44 and the best deals you can achieve.
Will you be getting this version of Prime? Is the price still the greatest deal breaker? Let us know in the Energon Pub and stay tuned to Seibertron for all the latest news and reviews.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997149)
Posted by william-james88 on December 5th, 2018 @ 8:24am CST
I will give it a shot because I feel the same way.
The in show transformations are very different. In G1, it’s blocks rearranging themselves. We see that all the time, like that amazing shot from the movie with Optimus Transforming. MP 10 does a great job replicating that, we could even use the toy and recreate that in a stop motion sequence. There is a nice geometric feel to it and that goes for most of G1 (Rodimus is an exception, that transformation is super wonky). With Beast Wars, there is this morphing phenomenon since the animation is switching from one 3d model to the other, replacing them. Cheetor’s legs go from slender spotted cheetah legs to thicker blue robot legs. Unlike in G1, the alt modes use the same limbs as the robot modes in many cases and yet they look different from one mode to the next. As an extreme example, Dinobot’s raptor face floats into the air while it flattens and enlarges itself. It’s a bit surreal. I knew the show before the toys and didn’t know the toys existed and I didn’t dream they would because I, as a kid, could not conceptualize how such toys could exist. So Takara is charged with doing the impossible and they do a pretty great job getting from one totally different 3d model to the other in the same toy. And while Dinobot’s chest is not the raptor face, they still manage to use actual raptor parts (the underbelly in this case) to become the robot mode chest. So it’s not 100% fake, just a different part of the beast mode, which I find ingenious.
Thats my take on things.
No one is justifying anything, its just facts. The debate might instead be: with the world so connected, should BBTS and TFSource still bother importing toys when people can do it themselves instead? I mean if someone is tech savy enough to oder from BBTS, why not just buy from an asian seller?
Posted by william-james88 on December 5th, 2018 @ 8:24am CST
Seibertron wrote:Not sure why I'm kind-of-sort-of OK with alt modes exploding into robots with Beast Wars Transformers but not G1 Transformers. Maybe someone can help pinpoint my mixed feelings.
I will give it a shot because I feel the same way.
The in show transformations are very different. In G1, it’s blocks rearranging themselves. We see that all the time, like that amazing shot from the movie with Optimus Transforming. MP 10 does a great job replicating that, we could even use the toy and recreate that in a stop motion sequence. There is a nice geometric feel to it and that goes for most of G1 (Rodimus is an exception, that transformation is super wonky). With Beast Wars, there is this morphing phenomenon since the animation is switching from one 3d model to the other, replacing them. Cheetor’s legs go from slender spotted cheetah legs to thicker blue robot legs. Unlike in G1, the alt modes use the same limbs as the robot modes in many cases and yet they look different from one mode to the next. As an extreme example, Dinobot’s raptor face floats into the air while it flattens and enlarges itself. It’s a bit surreal. I knew the show before the toys and didn’t know the toys existed and I didn’t dream they would because I, as a kid, could not conceptualize how such toys could exist. So Takara is charged with doing the impossible and they do a pretty great job getting from one totally different 3d model to the other in the same toy. And while Dinobot’s chest is not the raptor face, they still manage to use actual raptor parts (the underbelly in this case) to become the robot mode chest. So it’s not 100% fake, just a different part of the beast mode, which I find ingenious.
Thats my take on things.
blueridgefox wrote:I'll take my chances with Amazon.jp and save $150... give me a break and stop trying to justify the prices and processes involved.
No one is justifying anything, its just facts. The debate might instead be: with the world so connected, should BBTS and TFSource still bother importing toys when people can do it themselves instead? I mean if someone is tech savy enough to oder from BBTS, why not just buy from an asian seller?
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997155)
Posted by Cyberpath on December 5th, 2018 @ 8:55am CST
Posted by Cyberpath on December 5th, 2018 @ 8:55am CST
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997159)
Posted by william-james88 on December 5th, 2018 @ 9:07am CST
Truly a peaceful leader compelely different from the killer in live action films
Joking aside, my 3 year old lives the Transformers film and her favourite scene is easily Optimus Prime shooting all the decepticons. Its not necesarily when he does that jump, its instead when he lands and just unleashes on the seekers.
Posted by william-james88 on December 5th, 2018 @ 9:07am CST
Cyberpath wrote:
Truly a peaceful leader compelely different from the killer in live action films
Joking aside, my 3 year old lives the Transformers film and her favourite scene is easily Optimus Prime shooting all the decepticons. Its not necesarily when he does that jump, its instead when he lands and just unleashes on the seekers.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997161)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on December 5th, 2018 @ 9:22am CST
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on December 5th, 2018 @ 9:22am CST
Well, in the cartoon at least Optimus was rebuilt from Orion to be a powerful warrior to counter the Decepticon warriors and their murderous, merciless imperialism.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997162)
Posted by ZeroWolf on December 5th, 2018 @ 9:30am CST
What was the live action movies take on that again? Live action Optimus to me just looks like the age old saying :stare into the abyss and the abyss stares into you"... I'm paraphrasing obviously.
Posted by ZeroWolf on December 5th, 2018 @ 9:30am CST
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:Well, in the cartoon at least Optimus was rebuilt from Orion to be a powerful warrior to counter the Decepticon warriors and their murderous, merciless imperialism.
What was the live action movies take on that again? Live action Optimus to me just looks like the age old saying :stare into the abyss and the abyss stares into you"... I'm paraphrasing obviously.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997163)
Posted by william-james88 on December 5th, 2018 @ 9:31am CST
Posted by william-james88 on December 5th, 2018 @ 9:31am CST
If judging from the non Japanese Transformers community on social media and the forums, one would think Takara's Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime Ver 3 to be dead on arrival, due to the price which makes it the most expensive Transformers figure ever released by them.
Well as it turns out, money talks, and the current best selling collectible on Amazon Japan (the preffered destination for Transformers in Japan) is none other than MP-44 Optimus Prime. This confirms that Takara's target audience, Japanese fans, are excited about this release and the price was not the deterent some thought it would be. Of course, Amazon Japan is selling this toy at 30% off MSRP, but that is customary for toy retailers in Japan and in line with every other Japanese retailer selling this toy.
Plus, the $300 USD price on Amazon is still a major increase to the previous high priced MP, Beast Wars Megatron, which Amazon Japan was selling for around $200 USD. That means retail prices for high priced MPs have jumped 50% from one release to the next and yet the toy is still a #1 best seller.
We will leave you now with this fun comparison by fellow CSeibertronian Cyberpath between MP 10, MP 44 and the G1 cartoon.
Well as it turns out, money talks, and the current best selling collectible on Amazon Japan (the preffered destination for Transformers in Japan) is none other than MP-44 Optimus Prime. This confirms that Takara's target audience, Japanese fans, are excited about this release and the price was not the deterent some thought it would be. Of course, Amazon Japan is selling this toy at 30% off MSRP, but that is customary for toy retailers in Japan and in line with every other Japanese retailer selling this toy.
Plus, the $300 USD price on Amazon is still a major increase to the previous high priced MP, Beast Wars Megatron, which Amazon Japan was selling for around $200 USD. That means retail prices for high priced MPs have jumped 50% from one release to the next and yet the toy is still a #1 best seller.
We will leave you now with this fun comparison by fellow CSeibertronian Cyberpath between MP 10, MP 44 and the G1 cartoon.
Cyberpath wrote:
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997170)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on December 5th, 2018 @ 10:00am CST
Posted by Rodimus Prime on December 5th, 2018 @ 10:00am CST
Obviously the price makes it impossible to get for me, but I will say that it looks good. The colors could be better, but otherwise it seems to be an improvement over MP-01 and MP-10. Looks like they finally got both modes right.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997182)
Posted by Randomhero on December 5th, 2018 @ 11:03am CST
Posted by Randomhero on December 5th, 2018 @ 11:03am CST
One of my friends really wants one but cant justify spending that price. I told him if “if you can, just put $30-$50 to the side every month until he’s released”. That’s plenty of time. That’s my plan. I get our weekday and I’m just gonna out $10 to the side every week until he comes out and if I’m short than I’m short around $20-$30.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997183)
Posted by joevill on December 5th, 2018 @ 11:04am CST
Posted by joevill on December 5th, 2018 @ 11:04am CST
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997185)
Posted by Ironhidensh on December 5th, 2018 @ 11:12am CST
Posted by Ironhidensh on December 5th, 2018 @ 11:12am CST
Damn, that's depressing.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997186)
Posted by hausjam on December 5th, 2018 @ 12:17pm CST
And i love that one of the most complained about figures of all time is their third best seller right now.
Posted by hausjam on December 5th, 2018 @ 12:17pm CST
william-james88 wrote:
Well as it turns out, money talks, and the current best selling collectible on Amazon Japan
And i love that one of the most complained about figures of all time is their third best seller right now.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997187)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on December 5th, 2018 @ 12:18pm CST
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on December 5th, 2018 @ 12:18pm CST
I think there must be a lot of Japanese collectors with more money than sense. Or taste.
The way I see it they made them both even more wrong. The truck mode with those pathetic ugly nigh-2D fuel tanks (which are DEFINITELY not cartoon accurate) and that mess of kibble on the bed, the robot mode by actually indulging in the disappearing tires on his legs, both modes with the dumbed-down (and inconsistent) decals and the flat colors. To call those cartoon accurate is to insult the efforts of animators to depict those parts as shiny silver chrome and whatnot like the toys within the limits of their budget and time constraints.
Rodimus Prime wrote:Obviously the price makes it impossible to get for me, but I will say that it looks good. The colors could be better, but otherwise it seems to be an improvement over MP-01 and MP-10. Looks like they finally got both modes right.
The way I see it they made them both even more wrong. The truck mode with those pathetic ugly nigh-2D fuel tanks (which are DEFINITELY not cartoon accurate) and that mess of kibble on the bed, the robot mode by actually indulging in the disappearing tires on his legs, both modes with the dumbed-down (and inconsistent) decals and the flat colors. To call those cartoon accurate is to insult the efforts of animators to depict those parts as shiny silver chrome and whatnot like the toys within the limits of their budget and time constraints.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997188)
Posted by Nathaniel Prime on December 5th, 2018 @ 12:36pm CST
Posted by Nathaniel Prime on December 5th, 2018 @ 12:36pm CST
When I first saw the backpack, Ivwas ok with it even though I knew MP10 did it better. But upon hearing this thing actually houses speakers, I forgave it completely. Maybe he can have light up eyes too? I kinda feel like his damaged face could use some for his deathbed scene. 
I really like this Prime, from the Gundam-esque headsculpt and proportions to the extreme posability(he pulls off the "holding his ion cannon with two hands" look way better than any other Prime I've seen.) Wish I could afford it though, but I will probably put aside 20$ a week for it till it comes.
I really like this Prime, from the Gundam-esque headsculpt and proportions to the extreme posability(he pulls off the "holding his ion cannon with two hands" look way better than any other Prime I've seen.) Wish I could afford it though, but I will probably put aside 20$ a week for it till it comes.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997190)
Posted by Octobotimus on December 5th, 2018 @ 12:44pm CST
Posted by Octobotimus on December 5th, 2018 @ 12:44pm CST
I find it rather sad seeing how some people are too dam loyal to takara, takara will see this as an "oh, sweet, we can sell it at any price at this point. lets release the next one at $500". We need to show them with out wallets that we don't want these prices, not with forums. They will never care what we say on here, but they do care when they end up making less money.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997193)
Posted by william-james88 on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:09pm CST
For sure, but as the article shows, its too late. People did vote with their wallets and they voted yes to the most expensive Transformers product ever released by Takara.
I was laughing too, hence why I just had to news this.
Posted by william-james88 on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:09pm CST
Octobotimus wrote:We need to show them with out wallets that we don't want these prices, not with forums. They will never care what we say on here, but they do care when they end up making less money.
For sure, but as the article shows, its too late. People did vote with their wallets and they voted yes to the most expensive Transformers product ever released by Takara.
joevill wrote::lol:
I was laughing too, hence why I just had to news this.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997197)
Posted by megatronus on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:18pm CST
I feel like this image is really unfair to MP10. He can get waaayyy closer to the iconic pose than that.
Posted by megatronus on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:18pm CST
william-james88 wrote:We will leave you now with this fun comparison by fellow CSeibertronian Cyberpath between MP 10, MP 44 and the G1 cartoon.Cyberpath wrote:[center]
I feel like this image is really unfair to MP10. He can get waaayyy closer to the iconic pose than that.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997198)
Posted by megatronus on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:21pm CST
Posted by megatronus on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:21pm CST
Case in point:
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997199)
Posted by Cobotron on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:22pm CST
Posted by Cobotron on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:22pm CST
Yeah! Cyberpath, I demand you post that kickass stop motion GIF you made of this scene with your MP-10.megatronus wrote:william-james88 wrote:We will leave you now with this fun comparison by fellow CSeibertronian Cyberpath between MP 10, MP 44 and the G1 cartoon.Cyberpath wrote:
I feel like this image is really unfair to MP10. He can get waaayyy closer to the iconic pose than that.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997200)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:25pm CST
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:25pm CST
^Quite. It's not even actually that hard a pose. Hell, the G1 Optimus toy can do it (at least above the waist) if holding a version of his rifle that has the peg where it should be.
Like I said, Japanese collectors with more money than sense or taste.
william-james88 wrote:Octobotimus wrote:We need to show them with out wallets that we don't want these prices, not with forums. They will never care what we say on here, but they do care when they end up making less money.
For sure, but as the article shows, its too late. People did vote with their wallets and they voted yes to the most expensive Transformers product ever released by Takara.
Like I said, Japanese collectors with more money than sense or taste.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997201)
Posted by Colt on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:27pm CST
Posted by Colt on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:27pm CST
Seems a little too biased against MP-10. It feels like it was purposely posed bad to make MP-44 look better.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997202)
Posted by Cyberpath on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:29pm CST
Posted by Cyberpath on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:29pm CST
It has nothing to do with loyalty to Takara. People love this character, especially in this form, they want him; the company knows this and is making bank.
I have a feeling that quite a few of the people saying that they won't buy him, will get him eventually. Whether they'll jump on board till August, or get him as a gift from a loved one, or look for him later on eBay, or get an eventual reissue, or something. Wait and see. I was right about him being a top seller.
I got you.
I have a feeling that quite a few of the people saying that they won't buy him, will get him eventually. Whether they'll jump on board till August, or get him as a gift from a loved one, or look for him later on eBay, or get an eventual reissue, or something. Wait and see. I was right about him being a top seller.
megatronus wrote:I feel like this image is really unfair to MP10. He can get waaayyy closer to the iconic pose than that.
I got you.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997205)
Posted by Cyberpath on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:38pm CST
It's from a magazine piece promoting MP-10.
Posted by Cyberpath on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:38pm CST
Colt wrote:Seems a little too biased against MP-10. It feels like it was purposely posed bad to make MP-44 look better.
It's from a magazine piece promoting MP-10.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997208)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:41pm CST
I smell what you’re cooking, Cyber, and I’m with ya. Haters gonna wait, but but only so long.
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:41pm CST
Cyberpath wrote:It has nothing to do with loyalty to Takara. People love this character, especially in this form, they want him; the company knows this and is making bank.
I have a feeling that quite a few of the people saying that they won't buy him, will get him eventually. Whether they'll jump on board till August, or get him as a gift from a loved one, or look for him later on eBay, or get an eventual reissue, or something. Wait and see. I was right about him being a top seller.
I smell what you’re cooking, Cyber, and I’m with ya. Haters gonna wait, but but only so long.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997211)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:49pm CST
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on December 5th, 2018 @ 1:49pm CST
I'm not. If I sock away for an MP Optimus it'll be MP-10. Unless they make one that's an actual improvement instead of this waste of plastic.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997213)
Posted by Burn on December 5th, 2018 @ 2:07pm CST
Posted by Burn on December 5th, 2018 @ 2:07pm CST
Even if I won the lotto and had the money to burn, I'd still be questioning whether it's worth spending that much on a figure that I won't be transforming.
Re: Why Masterpiece MP-44 Optimus Prime's Price Varries from $300-$450 (1997214)
Posted by megatronus on December 5th, 2018 @ 2:09pm CST
I'm warming to MP44 and I hate myself for it.
Posted by megatronus on December 5th, 2018 @ 2:09pm CST
Burn wrote:Even if I won the lotto and had the money to burn, I'd still be questioning whether it's worth spending that much on a figure that I won't be transforming.
I'm warming to MP44 and I hate myself for it.
