Takara Will be Unveiling a New Premium Finish Bayverse Prime + PF Starscream Comparisons

So PF wasn't cancelled after all, interesting. Maybe it's just the movie stuff that's continuing since they previously did these reveals in pairs? It's going to have to look really good for an SS05 repaint to replace my SS32. Let's see if the eBay prices crash when this is released.

Emerje

So, lowering the contrast of pale characters like Starscream and Ultra Magnus is "premium."

EEEEEEEEEEeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhh...................

I'm curious about that Optimus Prime though. If it's the "ROTF" mold and he's awesome looking, I may buy it. It may be ironically cheaper than the normal release at after-market prices.

I hope they release both Optimus and Jetfire in Premium Finish.
Then we can have a combined mode in PF.
That would be swesome

optimeow wrote:I hope they release both Optimus and Jetfire in Premium Finish.
Then we can have a combined mode in PF.
That would be swesome

That may be the ONLY reason I'd buy a premium finish figure.

-Kanrabat- wrote:So, lowering the contrast of pale characters like Starscream and Ultra Magnus is "premium."

EEEEEEEEEEeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhh...................

The battle damage on Starscream is a completely different pattern, one shared by no other use of the Siege Seeker mold (seriously, every single use of that mold has the exact same battle damage pattern).

optimeow wrote:I hope they release both Optimus and Jetfire in Premium Finish.
Then we can have a combined mode in PF.
That would be swesome

I agree, that would be awesome!

I’m sure the final figure will be the SS-32 mold, but at least in the promo they’re using SS-05, which can’t combine and is a lot less accurate. They show him holding the Ion Blaster though, which was SS-32’s accessory (SS-05 had the Energon blades), so I think the actual figure itself will be the newer mold.

I’m so glad the premium finish line is still kicking specifically for this figure. I’m really excited to see what they do with it!

Easy pass on both. PF Siege Starscream just looks greyer, not 'better'. And as I'm no fan of the Bayverse movies or stylings, saying that there will be a PF Bayverse figure is, to my mind, like saying they'll be selling premium sewage....

So turns out it is SS-05 (which is kinda unfortunate), those flames are gorgeous though. . .

EvasionModeBumblebee wrote:So turns out it is SS-05 (which is kinda unfortunate), those flames are gorgeous though. . .

0322154F-3A52-4D00-AF67-023EE2E351FA.jpeg

7D4919BC-5D2F-4949-B889-82229C09E156.jpeg

DFB048D4-9741-46AE-A96A-5E4B0404269F.jpeg

Odd they did not go for SS-32. That guy really needs a re-release. With the insane prices he's going for.

Overcracker wrote:
Odd they did not go for SS-32. That guy really needs a re-release. With the insane prices he's going for.

I know right? It just doesn’t make sense - SS-32 looks so much better in bot mode and combines with Jetfire, who is supposed to be the next PF release! I actually would’ve picked it up if it was the SS-32, but as is. . . I’m so disappointed they used the older mold.

EvasionModeBumblebee wrote:So turns out it is SS-05 (which is kinda unfortunate), those flames are gorgeous though. . .

0322154F-3A52-4D00-AF67-023EE2E351FA.jpeg

7D4919BC-5D2F-4949-B889-82229C09E156.jpeg

DFB048D4-9741-46AE-A96A-5E4B0404269F.jpeg

Doesn't look much different from the normal SS-05 with ToyHax decals
Wish they re-release SS32 or SS44

EvasionModeBumblebee wrote:So turns out it is SS-05 (which is kinda unfortunate), those flames are gorgeous though. . .

0322154F-3A52-4D00-AF67-023EE2E351FA.jpeg

7D4919BC-5D2F-4949-B889-82229C09E156.jpeg

DFB048D4-9741-46AE-A96A-5E4B0404269F.jpeg

Doesn't look much different from the normal SS-05 with ToyHax decals
Wish they re-release SS32 or SS44

EvasionModeBumblebee wrote:

Overcracker wrote:
Odd they did not go for SS-32. That guy really needs a re-release. With the insane prices he's going for.

I know right? It just doesn’t make sense - SS-32 looks so much better in bot mode and combines with Jetfire, who is supposed to be the next PF release! I actually would’ve picked it up if it was the SS-32, but as is. . . I’m so disappointed they used the older mold.

Agreed. Unless they plan on releasing SS-32 in PF later on, I don't see the need of re-releasing this guy.

"Premium Finish" aka how TT would normally release Transformers in their market before Brand Unification.

Overcracker wrote:

EvasionModeBumblebee wrote:

Overcracker wrote:
Odd they did not go for SS-32. That guy really needs a re-release. With the insane prices he's going for.

I know right? It just doesn’t make sense - SS-32 looks so much better in bot mode and combines with Jetfire, who is supposed to be the next PF release! I actually would’ve picked it up if it was the SS-32, but as is. . . I’m so disappointed they used the older mold.

Agreed. Unless they plan on releasing SS-32 in PF later on, I don't see the need of re-releasing this guy.

#32 may look better in Robot Mode, but the Vehicle Mode has some problems as a trade-off, most notably the removal of the toolboxes behind the gas tanks:



...plus the clear plastic tabs and a more complex transformation would make anyone nervous.

Don't forget we also have #44: #32 mold plus the MechTech trailer from Dark of the Moon. That's a more suitable candidate for a PF re-release as the changes are more drastic.

Images courtesy of Takara, via Daimchoc's Facebook group.

This is available for preorder at Takara Tomy Mall for ¥6,380:

- https://takaratomymall.jp/shop/g/g4904810188308/















The Allspark also has listings for the various online links to buy both this and some of the new Legacy line figures.

Thanks to Dengeki Hobby, we have our next reveal for the Premium Finish line, Transformers 2007 Optimus Prime! Optimus Prime, in a surprise twist, is a repaint of the SS-05 mold, the original Revenge of the Fallen figure that came with the pair of swords, instead of the later SS-32 figure which featured a more accurate chest and the ability to combine with Jetfire. This figure has been decked out in an incredible movie accurate paint job, and includes a pair of blasters that came with SS-32 and the swords that came with the original SS-05.

Sadly, as previously mentioned, as this figure uses the first Studio Series Optimus Prime tooling, he cannot combine with Jetfire or the Dark of the Moon trailer in robot mode, which is a shame as Jetfire is rumored to also be in the Premium Finish line.

With this reveal, Japanese importers have started to list the figure for a price of 6,380 yen (roughly $55 USD) with a late July 2022 release date.

Check out the images below, and let us know what you think in the comments section below!

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:Thanks to Denkegi Hobby, we have our next reveal for the Premium Finish line, Transformers 2007 Optimus Prime! Optimus Prime, in a surprise twist, is a repaint of the SS-05 mold, the original Revenge of the Fallen figure that came with the pair of swords, instead of the later SS-32 figure which featured a more accurate chest and the ability to combine with Jetfire. This figure has been decked out in an incredible movie accurate paint job, and includes a pair of blasters that came with SS-32 and the swords that came with the original SS-05.

Sadly, as previously mentioned, as this figure uses the first Studio Series Optimus Prime tooling, he cannot combine with Jetfire or the Dark of the Moon trailer in robot mode, which is a shame as Jetfire is rumored to also be in the Premium Finish line.

With this reveal, Japanese importers have started to list the figure for a price of 6,380 yen (roughly $55 USD) with a late July 2022 release date.

Check out the images below, and let us know what you think in the comments section below!

Er, I literally just posted these pictures before your post. Didn't you check this thread before posting the news article? What am I missing here?

primalxconvoy wrote:Er, I literally just posted these pictures before your post. Didn't you check this thread before posting the news article? What am I missing here?

Yes I do. I was writing the actual news that got front paged. My post with the news information was front paged. Your post was the photos, it wasn't a news post.

primalxconvoy wrote:Er, I literally just posted these pictures before your post. Didn't you check this thread before posting the news article? What am I missing here?

This is Seibertron.com... didn't you know that you have to actually write the news articles for them, citing all sources, and hand over your firstborn before getting credit for news

transformers_va wrote:

primalxconvoy wrote:Er, I literally just posted these pictures before your post. Didn't you check this thread before posting the news article? What am I missing here?

This is Seibertron.com... didn't you know that you have to actually write the news articles for them, citing all sources, and hand over your firstborn before getting credit for news

That's how your original post can be news without having to draft a new story. But usually, users post the source and pictures, which is fine, but someone has to write the story with all the information.

As for news credit, Evasion Mode Bumblebee was given credit since he posted in this thread first. I had originally sent this to news from work early this morning, before anyone commented in this thread, but if a user posts the information before I news it, I credit the first user to share. He isn't mentioned since the original source was shared, but the news credit source was given to him.

Sometimes, I don't check the thread before posting either because I have limited time, so sometimes a post can be missed. We usually go based off of news emails AKA when you report news via the many links on the site pages, thread posts are usually secondary or even tertiary checks for news.

As for PrimalxConvoy, you posted images after the news was shared via email and in the thread, so while you did share images, you were not first, and only 1 user, the first user, can be credited for news for a story.

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:

primalxconvoy wrote:Er, I literally just posted these pictures before your post. Didn't you check this thread before posting the news article? What am I missing here?

Yes I do. I was writing the actual news that got front paged. My post with the news information was front paged. Your post was the photos, it wasn't a news post.

I see. In the future, I suppose I had better leave posting the news to people like yourself, as I'm still confused as to how "posting photos of a new TF figure" isn't considered "news" and thus not worthy of recognition. To be honest, I'm more surprised you didn't cite Takara Tomy Mall and DimeChoc's sites. I would have been happier if they were included over me, as that's where I got the pictures/news from.

I'm also confused over posting news via email. I've done that in the past and I believe I was asked to post the information in a thread, so it seems it's a "Catch 22" for posting news here.

I think you can give news credits, or at least mentions to various people, or sources cited in emails/PMs/thread posts, moving forward. That would at least cover all bases, surely.

Regardless, I suppose this issue is better resolved or discussed in the "Ask the Staff" thread, so I'm happy to continue it there if need be.

Thank you for your time and explanation.

NOTE: The reply below was to an earlier draft of my reply above and this might not have answered all of my points. I've not answered the reply below in order to not take up this thread's space regarding this topic. The editing was not designed to make the reply below appear out of touch with my concerns (which I'm sure there's an internet term for; a form of "reverse ninja'd-aring"?).

primalxconvoy wrote:

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:

primalxconvoy wrote:Er, I literally just posted these pictures before your post. Didn't you check this thread before posting the news article? What am I missing here?

Yes I do. I was writing the actual news that got front paged. My post with the news information was front paged. Your post was the photos, it wasn't a news post.

I see. In the future, I suppose I had better leave posting the news to people like yourself, as I'm still confused as to how "posting photos of a new TF figure" isn't considered "news" and thus not worthy of recognition. To be honest, I'm more surprised you didn't cite Takara Tomy Mall and DimeChoc's sites. I would have been happier if they were included over me, as that's where I got the pictures/news from.

I really do not see how you didn't know the process, given how long you have been here, nor why this is an issue. Someone else shared the news first. Someone has to share the news for me to write it if I don't see it myself, which is about half the time. This was a case where I saw it first and used my source, which is a common source to use for Takara news for me, but still gave official credit to Evasion Mode Bee since he posted the news first in the thread and I saw it before i wrote the news story.

I appreciate you sharing the news, but you don't need to get annoyed when you are not named in the news story.

primalxconvoy wrote:In the future, I suppose I had better leave posting the news to people like yourself, as I'm still confused as to how "posting photos of a new TF figure" isn't considered "news" and thus not worthy of recognition.

It is news. We should be posting news articles with videos and galleries and user comparisons and all sorts of things. However, we're short staffed at the moment. If any of you want to join the team and help us out with posting news, we'd really appreciate it. There are some rules and guidelines to follow, but we could really use the help. Also looking for a news admin to kind of take over the whole "posting news" thing as well if anyone is interested.

primalxconvoy wrote:I'm also confused over posting news via email. I've done that in the past and I believe I was asked to post the information in a thread, so it seems it's a "Catch 22" for posting news here.

I appreciate the feedback. We're short staffed. The staff members we have are doing this in their spare time between their jobs and family life. They are doing the best that they can. If any of you are interested in helping, we could use a few more staff members helping us out. Please contact me if interested. Thanks.

Seibertron wrote:

primalxconvoy wrote:In the future, I suppose I had better leave posting the news to people like yourself, as I'm still confused as to how "posting photos of a new TF figure" isn't considered "news" and thus not worthy of recognition.

It is news. We should be posting news articles with videos and galleries and user comparisons and all sorts of things. However, we're short staffed at the moment. If any of you want to join the team and help us out with posting news, we'd really appreciate it. There are some rules and guidelines to follow, but we could really use the help. Also looking for a news admin to kind of take over the whole "posting news" thing as well if anyone is interested.

primalxconvoy wrote:I'm also confused over posting news via email. I've done that in the past and I believe I was asked to post the information in a thread, so it seems it's a "Catch 22" for posting news here.

I appreciate the feedback. We're short staffed. The staff members we have are doing this in their spare time between their jobs and family life. They are doing the best that they can. If any of you are interested in helping, we could use a few more staff members helping us out. Please contact me if interested. Thanks.

Thank you for the clarification.

This Premium Finish toy, I'm impressed with, even if it is the lesser version of SS Bayverse Optimus. Still, even the SS05 version of the mold looks orders of magnitude better with this premium deco, and it's overall a more premium-looking one IMO than the SIEGE PF decoes (although those at least have better weathering/damage than the baseline).

You know what would be cool, if unlikely? Premium Finish Unicron Trilogy reissues.

Well, that Optimus is another pass for me.
Still waiting for the DOTM/ROTF version.



Also, "short staffed..." Ha!

-Kanrabat- wrote:Well, that Optimus is another pass for me.
Still waiting for the DOTM/ROTF version.



Also, "short staffed..." Ha!

Is there a universal/majority-felt "CHUG"-scaled Bayverse Optimus that SHOULD get a full "premium" treatment?

What does everyone think?

primalxconvoy wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:Well, that Optimus is another pass for me.
Still waiting for the DOTM/ROTF version.



Also, "short staffed..." Ha!

Is there a universal/majority-felt "CHUG"-scaled Bayverse Optimus that SHOULD get a full "premium" treatment?

What does everyone think?

A lot of fans seen the want SS-32 (which was the first version being compatible with SS Jetfire, allowing for the jet Prime combination)

ZeroWolf wrote:

primalxconvoy wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:Well, that Optimus is another pass for me.
Still waiting for the DOTM/ROTF version.



Also, "short staffed..." Ha!

Is there a universal/majority-felt "CHUG"-scaled Bayverse Optimus that SHOULD get a full "premium" treatment?

What does everyone think?

A lot of fans seen the want SS-32 (which was the first version being compatible with SS Jetfire, allowing for the jet Prime combination)

Im waiting for that one as well.

But as far as "CHUG" classic style goes, I think only the ER Optimus mold remains to be "premiumded".

i have enough of these

-Kanrabat- wrote:

ZeroWolf wrote:

primalxconvoy wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:Well, that Optimus is another pass for me.
Still waiting for the DOTM/ROTF version.



Also, "short staffed..." Ha!

Is there a universal/majority-felt "CHUG"-scaled Bayverse Optimus that SHOULD get a full "premium" treatment?

What does everyone think?

A lot of fans seen the want SS-32 (which was the first version being compatible with SS Jetfire, allowing for the jet Prime combination)

Im waiting for that one as well.

But as far as "CHUG" classic style goes, I think only the ER Optimus mold remains to be "premiumded".

primalxconvoy said CHUG scale. Which, midgets like WFC Optimus notwithstanding, is still around 1/32 for carformers. And also specifically said Bayverse Optimus. The Bayverse Optimus in line with that scale would in fact be the ROTF Leader mold.

Which, as it happens, got the premium treatment years ago in the Movie The Best series.

Yes, that's what I meant. I just wasn't that eloquent about it. I had forgotten about "The Best" line. The top pic looks nice. Could do with some (unnecessary?) chrome bits and bobs though, IMO.

I am sure they will release a PF SS32 if they are releasing a PF Jetfire. Will wait for those

#32 may look better in Robot Mode, but the Vehicle Mode has some problems as a trade-off, most notably the removal of the toolboxes behind the gas tanks:

Don't forget we also have #44: #32 mold plus the MechTech trailer from Dark of the Moon. That's a more suitable candidate for a PF re-release as the changes are more drastic.

SS32 also has a bad deco, like really bad, in both modes. SS 44 at least has better deco in Truck mode.

Sabrblade wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:So, lowering the contrast of pale characters like Starscream and Ultra Magnus is "premium."

EEEEEEEEEEeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhh...................

The battle damage on Starscream is a completely different pattern, one shared by no other use of the Siege Seeker mold (seriously, every single use of that mold has the exact same battle damage pattern).

Hotlink's is different.

william-james88 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:So, lowering the contrast of pale characters like Starscream and Ultra Magnus is "premium."

EEEEEEEEEEeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhh...................

The battle damage on Starscream is a completely different pattern, one shared by no other use of the Siege Seeker mold (seriously, every single use of that mold has the exact same battle damage pattern).

Hotlink's is different.

Sparkless Seeker A.K.A Shitstorm too.

The different Siege gribble dosent change the fact that "lowering the contrast" on a character =/= "premium."

-Kanrabat- wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:So, lowering the contrast of pale characters like Starscream and Ultra Magnus is "premium."

EEEEEEEEEEeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhh...................

The battle damage on Starscream is a completely different pattern, one shared by no other use of the Siege Seeker mold (seriously, every single use of that mold has the exact same battle damage pattern).

Hotlink's is different.

Sparkless Seeker A.K.A Shitstorm too.

The different Siege gribble dosent change the fact that "lowering the contrast" on a character =/= "premium."

Arguably, the paint jobs on Hotlink and "Sparkless Seeker" (aka "Skyquake", aka "Airshock") are more akin to "weathering" (and can't even be thought of as simply their actual paint job, as Sparkless looks like he's camouflaged), rather than the metallic splurges found on the other seekers. The "Premium Finish" (sic) SS probably has the same "pixilated" effect too simulate battle damage that Megatron and Optimus did, right? Regardless, it just looks like a grey SS with little else changed to me.

Gotta hand it to Takara when it comes to milking a mold! So sad it’s the original but maybe they’ll release a premium finish 2 pack Jetfire Optimus like they did with the leader class? Standard Megatron 54 was a day one for the silver paint but I could never bring myself to picking up an Optimus because they all looked so dull. Not a fan of this mold but the paint is just enough to match Megs. Love the line and hoping for a premium 86 Hot Rod to kick my masterpiece off the shelf for good

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:

ZeroWolf wrote:

primalxconvoy wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:Well, that Optimus is another pass for me.
Still waiting for the DOTM/ROTF version.



Also, "short staffed..." Ha!

Is there a universal/majority-felt "CHUG"-scaled Bayverse Optimus that SHOULD get a full "premium" treatment?

What does everyone think?

A lot of fans seen the want SS-32 (which was the first version being compatible with SS Jetfire, allowing for the jet Prime combination)

Im waiting for that one as well.

But as far as "CHUG" classic style goes, I think only the ER Optimus mold remains to be "premiumded".

primalxconvoy said CHUG scale. Which, midgets like WFC Optimus notwithstanding, is still around 1/32 for carformers. And also specifically said Bayverse Optimus. The Bayverse Optimus in line with that scale would in fact be the ROTF Leader mold.

Which, as it happens, got the premium treatment years ago in the Movie The Best series.

Takara's Movie the Best line (awkward title) was pretty good for its time. It wasn't really any more expensive than the original figures. And they did get a really good coat of paint.

Just got MB-11 out of the back of the shelf for these pictures:

Gotta say, Premium Finish Ultra Magnus is easily my favorite figure in this lineup. His colors are so dark he's practically a new character, maybe Nemesis Magnus? The inner bot being dark gray and very metallic teal definitely gives a Nemesis Prime or Black Convoy vibe. Really love this guy.




Emerje

Though, the brightness of your lighting is making him look less Nemesis-y and more Ultra Magnus-y.

Sabrblade wrote:Though, the brightness of your lighting is making him look less Nemesis-y and more Ultra Magnus-y.

Quick and dirty photo, there was an LED ring a couple inches from his head. His actual colors are closer to the bottom of his legs, it's a very dark gray, not even close to white. Maybe I'll take some better photos in the morning.

Emerje

As promised, some better photos comparing the PF with the original and Netflix versions. They each bring a little something different and none of them handle paint the same way. Also should point out that the "blue" on the armor is actually dark purple even though it doesn't show up so well in these photos. Purple and gray instead of blue and white really does give it an evil vibe.













Emerje

Premium is definitely Nemesis Magnus.

The Netflix one, it looks like Magnus was on the bad end of a Looney Tunes explosion.

I just got my Premium Series movie 1 Megatron from SS. The new wash and copper really did this thing justice. i love the retail release, but damn the premium series one brings it home! The wash detail covers a lot of components makes for some nice detailing. the copper is also movie accurate, and helps break up that nice silver and gray wash, and helps pull more of that detail forward. My original release is still in a tote, but I can't wait to put them side by side

Oh, wow, that's stunning!! What a beautiful figure! Although I have to know what's going on here:

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:

Sorry, wrong thread xD

PF Megatron looks great though, I would like to pick it up. Hoping Ratchet gets here sometime soon!

RotorstormNZ wrote:Oh, wow, that's stunning!! What a beautiful figure! Although I have to know what's going on here:

It's the robot feet on the top of the jet mode.

Sabrblade wrote:

RotorstormNZ wrote:Oh, wow, that's stunning!! What a beautiful figure! Although I have to know what's going on here:

It's the robot feet on the top of the jet mode.

I should've been clearer: the weird blotch of silver paint on the nose is what I was asking about.