MP-11 - Masterpiece Starscream?

[Hursticon]

Courtesy of TFW2005.com (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/japanese-transformers-40/mp11-masterpiece-starscream-173601/), apparently there is a listing for an MP-11 Masterpiece Starscream on Hobby Search (http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10165537); translated details suggest that this figure will be of a new mold with new features including a Hologram Pilot and Coronation gear along with a Crown. :eek:

Will this really be the next MP?, is there any legitimacy to this listing? and how annoyed will fans get at the prospect of more rehashed MP figures rather than outright new ones? :p

[UltraMarginal]

Derp.

I have all 3 of the original MP seekers, give me cone heads at least!

[liegeprime]

Wow MP line is dead then......it may come out with new molds, but a rehash is a rehash.... nothing new to inject the line just can it then, there's been a lot of suggestions, good ones at that, I see no reason why the people behind this subline just dont take a hint. There's the rest of the dinobots and Soundwave with cassettrons that have been discussed to death in various forums yet.

I mean it's not a line for kids at all anyways it's for the collector end market... so if this is all they can offer, and come up after that midget MP prime Rehash is this.... epic fail....

[griffin]

So... a $250 Starscream rehash to go with the $250 Optimus rehash, which was already over-priced.
I'm losing the love for the MP line real fast.
There was just so much potential too.
(then again, the first 7 MP figures were just 3 moulds, with an extra 4 ltd-ed decos, making it 11 MPs using the first 3 MP moulds - perhaps since the Convoy & Seeker moulds made more money than the other 3 moulds (Grim, Meg, Rod) Tomy are just going with what is a guaranteed seller)

[GoktimusPrime]

Yeah... this is stupid. Give us new freakin' characters. Where's MP Time Warrior??

[UltraMarginal]

So... a $250 Starscream rehash to go with the $250 Optimus rehash, which was already over-priced.
I'm losing the love for the MP line real fast.
There was just so much potential too.
(then again, the first 7 MP figures were just 3 moulds, with an extra 4 ltd-ed decos, making it 11 MPs using the first 3 MP moulds - perhaps since the Convoy & Seeker moulds made more money than the other 3 moulds (Grim, Meg, Rod) Tomy are just going with what is a guaranteed seller)

I'd wager that it's not such a guarnateed seller the second time around, especially based on all the comments in this thread so far.

[liegeprime]

Yeah... this is stupid. Give us new freakin' characters. Where's MP Time Warrior??

It got bought by Casio:p:p

[LordCyrusOmega]

Hmm, not sure what to think about this.

[canofwhoopass_87]

Oh man I got excited for a sec after seeing the thread title. There isn't much that's overly flawed with the first MP Starscream release to warrant this is there? The Hasbro version can be picked up for a meager $50. Even if this new mould is outstanding in comparison, you'd be hard pressed to find many collectors willing to shell out $250.

Major fizzler man.

[Zippo]

...
Sigh

[UltraMarginal]

Oh man I got excited for a sec after seeing the thread title. There isn't much that's overly flawed with the first MP Starscream release to warrant this is there? The Hasbro version can be picked up for a meager $50. Even if this new mould is outstanding in comparison, you'd be hard pressed to find many collectors willing to shell out $250.

Major fizzler man.

the cheapest I can see on eBay is 117 +40 postage

[Shirokaze]

What was that?

Oh, that's right! It's the sound of 90% of the fandom giving up on the MP line.

Thanks Takara Tomy. :mad:

[Gutsman Heavy]

God they better get rid of that bloody hip kibble.

[kaiden]

hursti is on fire with the news.

I currently have MP-04 Prime, 03 Scream, 08 Grimlock and 09 Rodimus.

After the problems with Rodimus and the resized Optimus, to hear they are doing a new mold of Starcream really just breaks my heart.

I for one really have no issues with Starscream's original mold except maybe his face. So I'm guessing they're going to shrink Starscream like they did prime and charge even more because this time it comes with the coronation accessories.

I'm really disappointed that the MP line is not really a 'Masterpiece' but more like 'Master Piece of crap...' in that it feels like we're just beta testing everything for them.

Us: Yes this toy is awesome! but this part and this part could use improvement.
Takara: Indeed, we'll make a revised version in a few months then.
Us: Wait, what?
Takara: It's okay, all your monies are belong to us.

[kurdt_the_goat]

lol so much hate considering no pics yet!
I want it cause i only have MP6 Skywarp and i'm loving MP10.
A Starscream that can stand in something other than straight up would be nice!
I get the feeling lots of people are pissed cause they have collectively spent a LOT more buying up all the variants previously...

But, there's some good news in there.....!
- The box is bigger than previous MP Seekers so probably at least the same size (why would they go smaller after making huge strides to get everything in robot scale?)
- The price is NOT $250!
It's retailing for 13,000Y, compared to 23,100Y for MP10.
Also pretty favourable with original seekers which were 10,290Y
- It's releasing in MARCH, ~6 months after MP10.
Faster MP releases yes please!

[yoshi594]

lol so much hate considering no pics yet!
I want it cause i only have MP6 Skywarp and i'm loving MP10.
A Starscream that can stand in something other than straight up would be nice!
I get the feeling lots of people are pissed cause they have collectively spent a LOT more buying up all the variants previously...

But, there's some good news in there.....!
- The box is bigger than previous MP Seekers so probably at least the same size (why would they go smaller after making huge strides to get everything in robot scale?)
- The price is NOT $250!
It's retailing for 13,000Y, compared to 23,100Y for MP10.
Also pretty favourable with original seekers which were 10,290Y
- It's releasing in MARCH, ~6 months after MP10.
Faster MP releases yes please!

definitely a purchase for me. the masterpiece seeker mold wasnt perfect, i didn't even play with it much due to it's crap balance.

[Firestorm]

Starscream, again ... meh

i only have 2 masterpieces (Hasbro Starscream and Takara Grimlock) and that looks like all I'll be getting, for a while at least.

you'd think they'd keep doing differant characters like Soundwave or Shockwave or etc

hmm, maybe they're just doing these "improved" versions while they work on something new and amazing like a masterpiece Springer or something (better yet Masterpiece Beast Convoy :D)

[Sarquiss]

I wonder what reasoning the people at Hasbro/Takara use to see fit to release yet another Starscream :mad:

Seriously, I would really like to know the reason why they insist on releasing the characters in the Masterpiece Line instead of releasing new characters. Are they that retarded that they cannot see that this is pointless :confused::confused::confused::confused:

[Tober]

Yeah, a lot of hate/panic over a listing.

If it's similar to the MP-10 treatment I'm all for it. Lose the gimmicks and give me better G1 accuracy. And G1 or real world colors.

I like the MP Seeker mold and welcome any improvements. Like the loss of the hip kibble, better feet and a decent looking head sculpt.

And for the love of Primus please gag and bind Kawamori this time... Unless you're going to color it gunship gray, like it should be.

[griffin]

- The price is NOT $250!
It's retailing for 13,000Y, compared to 23,100Y for MP10.


Yeah, I'm to blame for that bit of mis-information. I was just using the MP10 figure as a sarcastic expectation of what Starscream might be... but the link listed in the first post does say that it will be about $150 instead.

Still... as people are noting, each of these (downsized?) revisions are ending up being more expensive than the original version.

[Hursticon]

@Kaiden: Cheers mate. :D

Personally, if this listing ends up being true then I consider it a wasted opportunity from TakaraTomy. :(
Although; if they do a Thundercracker based on said mold and it is of a similar scale to the MP03 Seeker mold, and it's cheaper than the stupid asking prices for the current MP Thundercrackers :mad:, then I might pick up a version of this mold - If it comes to fruition. ;)

[Tober]

The construction of high grade toys requires the use of specialised factories. Far more expensive than the more typical toy manufacturing plants that Hasbro use.

Then you have price increases in China and Asia for labor and increased material costs - metal and plastics.

Add the increasing exchange due to the inflated Yen and degraded AUD.

Throw in inflation for the overseas distributors as well.

And if you want to add insult to injury it's worth keeping in mind that high-grade toys like the Masterpiece line usually retail at around 20-40% off at physical stores in Japan and Asia.

[SharkyMcShark]

lol so much hate considering no pics yet!
I want it cause i only have MP6 Skywarp and i'm loving MP10.
A Starscream that can stand in something other than straight up would be nice!
I get the feeling lots of people are pissed cause they have collectively spent a LOT more buying up all the variants previously...

But, there's some good news in there.....!
- The box is bigger than previous MP Seekers so probably at least the same size (why would they go smaller after making huge strides to get everything in robot scale?)
- The price is NOT $250!
It's retailing for 13,000Y, compared to 23,100Y for MP10.
Also pretty favourable with original seekers which were 10,290Y
- It's releasing in MARCH, ~6 months after MP10.
Faster MP releases yes please!

Basically this.

If they can do for Starscream what they did for Optimus, which is to say release a new Masterpiece figure that's tighter in both modes, more stable, and more playable, then I'm all over it.

[SharkyMcShark]

But then I'm a sucker for jet fighter based mecha, so I suppose I'd have bought this regardless.

[Prowl]

@Kaiden: Cheers mate. :D

Personally, if this listing ends up being true then I consider it a wasted opportunity from TakaraTomy. :(
Although; if they do a Thundercracker based on said mold and it is of a similar scale to the MP03 Seeker mold, and it's cheaper than the stupid asking prices for the current MP Thundercrackers :mad:, then I might pick up a version of this mold - If it comes to fruition. ;)

I am of the same sentiments. If they do a cracker & it is in scale I will buy otherwise........

Yet they wonder why 3rd parties are doing good trade. Because they try & give us what we as collectors want.

[KaRNiV8L PRiME]

Dug this up

Preorder price is £139.99

[Hursticon]

Dug this up

Preorder price is £139.99

Oh wow! - Well done KaRNiV8L, nice find! :eek::cool:
But at a converted cost of $215.00AUD? - Hell Pass! :rolleyes:

[SharkyMcShark]

A retool.

Interesting.

[kup]

Dug this up

Preorder price is £139.99

Based on those pics, it looks like they are re-using several parts of the original MP Starscream kind o like how MOTUC reuses parts to make new characters.

This is pretty 'WTF?' This doesn't even look to be a whole new mold but more of a retool. The new inflated cost is certainly not justified.

[kurdt_the_goat]

That literally looks like the pre-kawamori version to me.
http://i51.tinypic.com/20zctmr.jpg
Now, i'm think that's pretty disappointing :(

[VERT]

Since my MP Screamer is already sporting a Crown, Cape and Shoulder pads its a easy pass.

[kup]

That literally looks like the pre-kawamori version to me.
http://i52.tinypic.com/f9hb0i.jpg
Now, i'm less interested!

I think that's exactly what MP-11 is and that prototype was indeed much better than what was originally released (IMO) due to the Kawamori modifications that did not exactly take the character tribute or play value into account.

However much of the limitations of he Kawamori modifications were isolated to the original 'green' release of Starscream as the stronger plastic in subsequent releases allowed for parts to be easily re-arranged to look more like the prototype so it still makes this new toy a bit of a 'waste' since it's very, very similar to the original with the parts re-arranged.

[kaiden]

Oh wow! - Well done KaRNiV8L, nice find! :eek::cool:
But at a converted cost of $215.00AUD? - Hell Pass! :rolleyes:

Yeah nice... *rage* that screamer looks so improved!

@hursti, the Yen price is the one to go by - the £139.99 price is just the marked up price for whatever british retailer site. like how BBTS mark up the price for their american customers.

[SharkyMcShark]

I think that's exactly what MP-11 is and that prototype was indeed much better than what was originally released (IMO) due to the Kawamori modifications that did not exactly take the character tribute or play value into account.

However much of the limitations of he Kawamori modifications were isolated to the original 'green' release of Starscream as the stronger plastic in subsequent releases allowed for parts to be easily re-arranged to look more like the prototype so it still makes this new toy a bit of a 'waste'.

Not exactly the same - at a glance this new MP Screamer has heel spurs not present on the MP03 proto

I'm sure there are other changes.

[Lord_Zed]

Where's Galvatron?

So it's a retool, meh I'm not excited either so far, but at the same time the whinge factor seems excessive, with oh noes this is the end of the MP line and what not.

The MP line has always made maximum use of repaints in order to make its costs, endless Prime repaints etc, so If this does turn out to be just a retool, then hey maybe that's a good thing, less money and time spend making a new Starscream and hopefully more making an Ultra Magnus or something. Maybe.

The Price is a bit much I agree yeah, but generally speaking the price of MP's ALWAYS goes up, we all complained about the cost of the new Prime. we all complained about the cost of Rodimus Prime, we all complained about the cost of Grimlock, anyone else seeing a pattern here? It's not a good thing, but it seems to be a fact of life as far as MP's go. If a person wants an MP Starscream enough, then they will probably pay it, so I guess we'll see.

On a side note the cost does make you wonder compared to Igears own modified knock offs.

[kup]

Not exactly the same - at a glance this new MP Screamer has heel spurs not present on the MP03 proto

I'm sure there are other changes.

It still looks super close to the existing MP seeker mold and at a drastically inflated sales price, there isn't anywhere near enough 'new' to justify it.

[1orion2many]

The dust hasn't even settled on MP-10 yet, I'm hoping they'll do a drastic price drop on 10 and dump it in Australia:D. MP-11:confused: I'm happy with the seekers I have,I was hoping for the conheads as I'd pay money for them, I have 3 Starscreams, Green, G1 and Ghost, Do I really need another one:rolleyes::(

[Hursticon]

@hursti, the Yen price is the one to go by - the £139.99 price is just the marked up price for whatever british retailer site. like how BBTS mark up the price for their american customers.

Indeed, you're dead right Kaiden but I wouldn't be too surprised if we get similar prices being thrown at us; be it by TRU or our Asian Online Store friends... :)
(Though, we could get lucky ;))

Courtesy of both Seibertron.com (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/mp11a-revealed/23039/) and TFW2005.com (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/japanese-transformers-40/mp-11-masterpiece-coronation-starscream-official-and-up-for-pre-order-173605/), Online Retail sites; Kapow Toys (http://www.kapowtoys.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=4915), Big Bad Toy Store (http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TAK11364&mode=retail&picture=aux2) and TFSource (http://tfsource.com/products/view/product_id/3107/) have all confirmed MP-11A as being a Retooled MP Starscream whilst also providing Pre-Orders. :cool:
Below are each store's current Pre-Order Price which should give a reasonably accurate estimate as to what we Aussies may have to pay (Not Including Postage):

Kapow Toys (GBP): £139.99
TFSource (USD): $159.95-$164.95
BBTS (USD): $159.99-$161.99

[Dkaris]

This is a fair slap in the face to most high end TF collectors, however i'm sure if you hit up the bigger TF boards you'll find plenty of american fans defending this release.

[Sutton]

This is a fair slap in the face to most high end TF collectors, however i'm sure if you hit up the bigger TF boards you'll find plenty of american fans defending this release.

Ha ha! :D So true.


What confuses me is how much of the figure is retooled. It's such a high percentage that surely it would have been easier just to do a completely new design? :confused:

[Tober]

Beats me why they just don't make the conformal tanks (the side parts under the wings that form the kibble) detachable. They could just stay on the back and under the wings in bot mode.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

And if you want to add insult to injury it's worth keeping in mind that high-grade toys like the Masterpiece line usually retail at around 20-40% off at physical stores in Japan and Asia.Really? I was wondering why mine was Y18800 from Joshin.

With the money I saved I was able to eat that night!:D

[Verno]

This even pisses me off, and I have nothing invested in the line.

I don't understand the purpose of the line any more.

[5FDP]

I'm happy that I can finally start saving ;) Easy pass.

[Tober]

HLJ (http://www.hlj.com/product/TKT42286) pre-order is up for ¥10400

Amiami and Anime Export yet to list.

[tron07]

I have a hasbro Starscream and I am happy with that, something else please, though I know its easier to just remake and redesign the mold from existing design then completely design a new toy and make a mold

[Hursticon]

Courtesy of TFW2005.com (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/japanese-transformers-40/mp11-masterpiece-coronation-starscream-color-images-173607/), online retailer Red Mercury (http://www.redmercury.co.jp/shop/detail.php?code=1203A-RED-8862) have provided some colour photos of the upcoming MP-11A Masterpiece Starscream:


http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a409/Darkone666au/Webpics/MP11-Masterpiece-Coronation-Starscream-01_1319166714.jpg http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a409/Darkone666au/Webpics/MP11-Masterpiece-Coronation-Starscream-03_1319166714.jpg

http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a409/Darkone666au/Webpics/MP11-Masterpiece-Coronation-Starscream-02_1319166714.jpg

[yoshi594]

Those new arms and legs are to die for! Consider it purchased multiple times (1 of each seeker that is released). Mmm what to do with the original mp seekers :S?

[Zippo]

With those pictures -- SOLD!
I take back my yawn.

[Paulbot]

Looks cool

[kurdt_the_goat]

What a rollercoaster of emotions! I'm back on board again, what a great looking deco!

[SharkyMcShark]

Fixed two of my three main gripes with the MP Screamer mold - it not really being able to stand in many poses because it had no heels, and the bits that used to hang off the shoulder intakes always falling off (because now they're just part of the wing assembly).

If they can fix my other main problem (the wing double hinge cracking over time) then they've got my vote.

Oh hell, they've got it anyway. It'd just be the cherry on top of the icing on the cake.

[SharkyMcShark]

Also I can't emphasise enough how much I like the new abdomen pieces.

[1orion2many]

What a fickle bunch:D

[Tallestblue]

Oh that's nice. Loving the Crazy Grin face.

[Aqua Prime]

I would have considered it regardless, being a SS fan but this is great.. I'm down for a Ghost version of him too. I hope he looks as great in real life as he does from those photos.

[loophole]

that does look good, looks like im going to have two versions one for robot mode and one for jet mode

[canofwhoopass_87]

Ah that does look pretty cool actually :D Surely those photos won over some skeptics!

If this trend is anything to go by, I'm sort of hoping they redo Megatron as well. His robot mode didn't do him any justice. It's a little embarrassing displaying a twig legged evil lord with a grossly oversized cannon on his arm.

If this news also leads to an armoured MP Ultra Magnus I'm gona run down Swanston St naked in joy I tells ya!

[Tober]

So this will be MP-11A..?

The Starscream iGear Troll version :cool:

The head looks different too :confused: Smaller but better proportioned

[Hursticon]

So this will be MP-11A..?

Hopefully 11B & C will be Skywarp and Thundercracker. :D

[kup]

Those new arms and legs are to die for! Consider it purchased multiple times (1 of each seeker that is released). Mmm what to do with the original mp seekers :S?

I don't see much difference in the arms aside from a brighter blue. As for the rest, I still stand by what I said earlier - It is too close to the original release to warrant me to buy it again.

I will not be getting this retool unless by some miracle, Tak-Tom starts doing coneheads.

[yoshi594]

I don't see much difference in the arms aside from a brighter blue. As for the rest, I still stand by what I said earlier - It is too close to the original release to warrant me to buy it again.

I will not getting this retool unless by some miracle, Tak-Tom starts doing coneheads.

in the original mold, the arms were wider then the shoulders making it look weird.

[kup]

in the original mold, the arms were wider then the shoulders making it look weird.

I see what you mean but the 'G1 colored' paint job helped in that and it never bothered me so not really a factor to win me over.

I admit, this paint job is much nicer than the original 'G1' colored MP Starscream but again, not enough for me to fork out the premium for a toy I pretty much already own 3 of.

[Hursticon]

I admit, this paint job is much nicer than the original 'G1' colored MP Starscream but again, not enough for me to fork out the premium for a toy I pretty much already own 3 of.

I'm with you dude, I'm only interested in this Retool if it bares a Thundercracker Repaint as he's the only MP Seeker I'm missing; Otherwise, this is still a budgetary waste by TakTom. ;):)

[kurdt_the_goat]

I find it a bit shocking how seeker completists have to do it for every line!
G1, Classics, Movie, Masterpiece! Isn't one set of the seekers enough!

[SharkyMcShark]

I find it a bit shocking how seeker completists have to do it for every line!
G1, Classics, Movie, Masterpiece! Isn't one set of the seekers enough!

I prefer the have one from each line approach. Hence my seekers lineup is

Energon Energon Starscream
Universe (1.0) Skywarp
Cybertron Thundercracker
Classics Ramjet
RotF NEST Alliance Dirge
RotF Thrust

[gdmetro]

I certainly understand the POV of those who have already bought many of the previous MP moulds. However, this interests me in the same way MP-10 interests me. Id like to get it, since I don't have any of the previous MP-seeker mould. But the price is just bad. And if I get this, Id have to get MP-10 aswell. And then Takara MP Rodimus v2. And then....


*wallet explodes*


On a more serious note, elsewhere, some are speculating that this might be some kind of response from Has/Tak towards the igear seekers. It seems that recently, some online retailers were told not to stock igear stuff by some official reps at a convention and that there would be major action taken with regards to igear and KOtoys. It follows that this could be part of such a response.

[kurdt_the_goat]

Hmm what do i have then
Classics Starscream, Ramjet - Henkei Dirge, Thrust
MP Skywarp
ROTF Voyager Starscream
ROTF Deluxe Dirge
Animated Voyager Starscream
G1 Starscream
Alternity Starscream + Skywarp

Looks like i need to get a something Thundercracker or GTFO! :o

[Tober]

On a more serious note, elsewhere, some are speculating that this might be some kind of response from Has/Tak towards the igear seekers. It seems that recently, some online retailers were told not to stock igear stuff by some official reps at a convention and that there would be major action taken with regards to igear and KOtoys. It follows that this could be part of such a response.

Heh! If by "major reaction" they mean giving fans what they actually want... ;)


Hmm what do i have then
Classics Starscream, Ramjet - Henkei Dirge, Thrust
MP Skywarp
ROTF Voyager Starscream
ROTF Deluxe Dirge
Animated Voyager Starscream
G1 Starscream
Alternity Starscream + Skywarp

Looks like i need to get a something Thundercracker or GTFO! :o

MP-7 is a gorgeous mica blue. :eek: Hopefully they will do his v2 seeker in the same color.

[kurdt_the_goat]

I recently saw the Alternity Thundercracker and boy the blue of that one, i should have waited!
But it was $75 so i'll reconsider if i find cheap in Japan sometime!

[Hursticon]

Just received the latest RobotKingdom Newsletter:

Takara Transformers Masterpiece MP-11 Masterpiece Coronation Starscream (http://www.robotkingdom.com/services/eshop/main.php?action=details&CatType=&II=TFTRMP11&lang=us&CatID=).
Pre-order, available March 2011.
US$145/pcs

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Meh, I got MP10 but I didn't have MP 1 or 4. This one's a pass for me, Animated Starscream still works fine.

[k.wong23]

This looks pretty good, considering now I no longer have any MP seeker. Will purchase later down the track :)

[bruticus]

Just received the latest RobotKingdom Newsletter:

Takara Transformers Masterpiece MP-11 Masterpiece Coronation Starscream (http://www.robotkingdom.com/services/eshop/main.php?action=details&CatType=&II=TFTRMP11&lang=us&CatID=).
Pre-order, available March 2011.
US$145/pcs

looks like they may have borrowed technology (hip kibble transformation) from the customisers....:confused:

also, why oh why did they not paint the 2 black tabs in jet mode to white? or is it meant to be black on the real jet?

apart from that...the photos makes me really want to buy it for some reason even though i have like a whole bunch of this mould already... grrr....

[yoshi594]

looks like they may have borrowed technology (hip kibble transformation) from the customisers....:confused:

also, why oh why did they not paint the 2 black tabs in jet mode to white? or is it meant to be black on the real jet?

apart from that...the photos makes me really want to buy it for some reason even though i have like a whole bunch of this mould already... grrr....

The is probably the biggest downside to the toy. I hate how they don't have full finger articulation like they do for unicron and i think primus. Starscream needs to be able to flip the bird!

[bruticus]

The is probably the biggest downside to the toy. I hate how they don't have full finger articulation like they do for unicron and i think primus. Starscream needs to be able to flip the bird!
lol... they probably spent the entire year's R&D budget just on copying changing the hip kibble region. so making all fingers articulated would have broken the bank. :rolleyes::p

[kurdt_the_goat]

\also, why oh why did they not paint the 2 black tabs in jet mode to white? or is it meant to be black on the real jet?

Those do look a bit funny but they're just trying to mimic the G1 toy

http://i54.tinypic.com/211ksow.gif

[kup]

On a more serious note, elsewhere, some are speculating that this might be some kind of response from Has/Tak towards the igear seekers. It seems that recently, some online retailers were told not to stock igear stuff by some official reps at a convention and that there would be major action taken with regards to igear and KOtoys. It follows that this could be part of such a response.

That doesn't make sense to me. If they wanted to have a response to the IGear knock offs then they should have at least released Sunstorm and the conehead characters at a matching price (even if a bit higher). Fans would go for the official 'improved' mold instead of the knock off one specially since the IGear KO seekers are pretty expensive as they are.

I can understand that they 'need' to debut the new retooled mold with an A list character like Starscream but the least they could have done is tell us if the next MP seeker releases will be characters not officially seen before. So far it looks like they are 'rebooting' the line with a big 'F U' to all the people who have already spend hundreds if not thousands on the MP line so far. I can somewhat understand another Prime and even perhaps a new Megatron but a whole set of seekers with the associated repaints again?

The least they could do is throw us a bone as the assumption would naturally be that the next MP releases will be none other than Skywarp and Thundercracker - Again. What would be after that? Perhaps the same 3 seekers again but at a smaller scale and triple the price?

[Lint]

My chief gripes are that it isn't much different to the original seeker mold and that Takara's plastic colours are kind of vanilla. Also they ditched starscreamsmirk for whysoserious!?! I'm holding out for a Hasbro version :p

He does look a tad bit more forgiving on poseability but given that he's pretty much the same design as the original I don't think you're going to get many truly dynamic action poses out of this guy.

Love the cape assembly! :D Beats that poorly sewn dustcloth that TFC spruiked for more than it was worth.

[Tober]

What are the bets that the coneheads and Magnus with armor will be announced by the end of 2012? I say petty good. Decent chance of seeing Soundwave too I reckon.

E-Hobby Sunstorm? Yes please. The reboot of the MP line means they can fix everything they fubared the first time.

[kup]

What are the bets that the coneheads and Magnus with armor will be announced by the end of 2012? I say petty good. Decent chance of seeing Soundwave too I reckon.

E-Hobby Sunstorm? Yes please. The reboot of the MP line means they can fix everything they fubared the first time.

I really hope so but I am not holding my breath.

[UltraMarginal]

Still meh, it looks nice but like so many have said, not worth it when I already have a set of MP seekers.

I also don't like that it looks like the null rays are used in both modes and the vehicle mode no longer has the conformal fuel tanks. see the wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_F-15_Eagle) page, the earlier models didn't have it but most versions of the aircraft had the fuel tanks along the side of the intakes, just like MP-03. even the classics version has conformal fuel tanks molded in.

Even "greenscream" is a good paint job not a far stretch for a marine paint scheme. I always quite liked it, very "in disguise"

and like mentioned above the posability of this isn't going to be much more than the original version.

bring on the cone heads, I'll buy them.

[Hursticon]

Courtesy of Seibertron.com (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/new-takara-product-images-united-and-mp11/23055/), Chara-Net (http://www.chara-net.com/item/list/character/4546/) have provided some pictures of some of Takara's upcoming products, in this case a Live Shot of MP-11A MP Starscream:


http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a409/Darkone666au/Webpics/MP-11StarscreamLiveDisplay.jpg

[Lord_Zed]

I definitely see Improvement but I'm probably over the MP seekers enough that I don't need to get this.

I still don't understand why some people are so up in arms about this saying it's a slap in the face or a screw you to the fans, last I checked Hasbro was a business so of course they are going to always release and re-release their more cost effective money spinners. Recreating improving and rebooting and all that is pretty much part and parcel with modern consumerism. How often do we update our computers or mobile phones? How many damn I Phone versions are there now, does that mean console companies screw over there customers when they release a new console or is it just business?

How can we be so surprised that the toy companies are following the same business line, I don't get it, it's always going to happen.

[UltraMarginal]

I don't see it so much as a slap in the face as a disappointment for me, I love the masterpiece line and I was hoping for something new.

My concern is that MP 10 and 11 aren't going to do well because there isn't much new about them and potentially Takara might decide to abandon the line if it stops selling, even if they are repeating.

when someone gets a new iPhone for example, they aren't usually replacing the last version but 2 or 3 models ago, at that point it's time for an upgrade (especially as their plan is expired and they have paid for their phone, staying on the same plan means they are paying more than they need to for the same phone). between g1 and classics it was time for an upgrade and between classics and Masterpiece, the step is so great in improvement that it's also time for an upgrade.

Between MP4 and MP 11, it's really like having the same phone case that's two different colours, if you've got one it's hardly worth the trouble of changing to the other.

(my other 2c:o:D)

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Courtesy of Seibertron.com (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/new-takara-product-images-united-and-mp11/23055/), Chara-Net (http://www.chara-net.com/item/list/character/4546/) have provided some pictures of some of Takara's upcoming products, in this case a Live Shot of MP-11A MP Starscream:

<snip>[/CENTER]He totally has manboobs.:D
Slipstream repaint FTW!

[liegeprime]

As Ive said. MP line is dead.

[Tober]

As Ive said. MP line is dead.

The Masterpiece line is dead. Long live the Masterpiece line!! :D

It looks like the null-rays have the original concept swing-arms.

[ChlorHex]

The 3rd party coronation gear works well for my current SS... not touching this or any future "upgrades" of any masterpiece.
If masterpieces continually require improvements then they shouldn't be tagged as masterpieces till the company's satisfied that they make the cut.

Sick of recolours and sick of upgrades... just keen on new molds/characters...

[Verno]

Hasbro has just announced MP-11GS - Ghost Starscream.

So ghostly in fact that you can't even see it, but it will still cost you $250.

(This is of course said in jest, and is meant to illustrate the next step in the MP line, no longer using moulds at all, just releasing an empty box because they can and because they know people will buy it)

[kup]

I definitely see Improvement but I'm probably over the MP seekers enough that I don't need to get this.

I still don't understand why some people are so up in arms about this saying it's a slap in the face or a screw you to the fans, last I checked Hasbro was a business so of course they are going to always release and re-release their more cost effective money spinners. Recreating improving and rebooting and all that is pretty much part and parcel with modern consumerism. How often do we update our computers or mobile phones? How many damn I Phone versions are there now, does that mean console companies screw over there customers when they release a new console or is it just business?

How can we be so surprised that the toy companies are following the same business line, I don't get it, it's always going to happen.

Consoles have a life span of about 3-4 years before the 'next-gen' comes around. Mobile phones are indeed released often enough but it's not the same thing, it's a progression of technology while this is just a retool of a toy with minor aesthetic differences.

Yeah this is to be expected and I can't say I am too surprised by it. However just because this sort of move is common in modern consumerism, it doesn't mean that I have to like and or accept it. I like to be regarded as a customer not a thing to be exploited. As it has been said, this is more disappointing than surprising.

After the first release of MP Rodimus being so buggy and now this, I can't say I have much enthusiasm for the MP line anymore.

[kup]

Hasbro has just announced MP-11GS - Ghost Starscream.

So ghostly in fact that you can't even see it, but it will still cost you $250.

(This is of course said in jest, and is meant to illustrate the next step in the MP line, no longer using moulds at all, just releasing an empty box because they can and because they know people will buy it)

Modern consumerism at work! ;)

[yoshi594]

I wonder if he still has the face change gimmick. Will he get a pilot??? His Null rays look to be on a ball joint and connected to his arms and they still haven't given us spring loaded missiles like the classics and original screamer...

[SharkyMcShark]

I wonder if he still has the face change gimmick. Will he get a pilot??? His Null rays look to be on a ball joint and connected to his arms and they still haven't given us spring loaded missiles like the classics and original screamer...

Holo pilot

[maxirod]

They are just milking money from us. How many SS re-release they want to do before attempting new characters. I'm putting my money on 3rd party products. At least they are cheaper, better paint and QC.

[GoktimusPrime]

They are just milking money from us.
Only if we choose to buy it (I'm not). We all vote with our wallets...

[Magnus]

I must admit, it does look pretty good, and it's good that this version has heelspurs for support and all the other accessories, but I'm not exactly eager to get this one. I already have a figure from the Masterpiece seeker mould and don't see myself getting another anytime soon, even with the tweaks.

[canofwhoopass_87]

Anyone else just get this email ?

Kapow Toys Newsletter Issue 2‏

"...MP11A Masterpiece Starscream with Coronation kit - remolded legs and wings make this the seeker we all wanted in the first place, the first of a planned 6 get him early before the secondary market - http://www.kapowtoys.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=4915"

kapow toys does tend to get obscure inside info frequently, but if they're saying this revamped MP Starscream is the first of 6; and you guys say there's a Ghost version in the pipes - then that only leaves 4 other seekers planned :confused:

[Hursticon]

toys does tend to get obscure inside info frequently, but if they're saying this revamped MP Starscream is the first of 6; and you guys say there's a Ghost version in the pipes - then that only leaves 4 others :confused:

Thundercracker, Skywarp and their Ghost variants? :p:D
If this is true, then looks like there is very little luck of ever seeing Official Coneheads... :o

[Tober]

Anyone else just get this email ?

Kapow Toys Newsletter Issue 2‏

"...MP11A Masterpiece Starscream with Coronation kit - remolded legs and wings make this the seeker we all wanted in the first place, the first of a planned 6 get him early before the secondary market - http://www.kapowtoys.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=4915"

kapow toys does tend to get obscure inside info frequently, but if they're saying this revamped MP Starscream is the first of 6; and you guys say there's a Ghost version in the pipes - then that only leaves 4 other seekers planned :confused:

I think the Ghost Starscream comment was sarcasm at how it shelf-warmed everywhere.

Three original seekers plus three coneheads = six. Additional exclusive Ghost or Sunstorm variants wouldn't suprise me at all tho.

[kup]

Only if we choose to buy it (I'm not). We all vote with our wallets...

And this is probably why less and less of my money seems to be going to the official stuff, specially Hasbro's.




Three original seekers plus three coneheads = six. Additional exclusive Ghost or Sunstorm variants wouldn't suprise me at all tho.

If the coneheads are to be officially released then this whole thing would look better.

[canofwhoopass_87]

If the coneheads are to be officially released then this whole thing would look better.

I dunno, the more I think about this news the better it all seems. On the one hand I can see why so many are discontent - we've shelled out hundreds on premium Masterpiece figures and now they're being re-released? People want new characters and are clearly annoyed that the Masterpieces they've already bought are in a way "inferior".

I guess the best thing to come out of this new direction for the MP line is that we can at least expect better designed, more cartoon accurate and very poseable future releases. Perhaps Tak didn't feel that their earlier work was true to form?

Whatever the reason, I'm beginning to see that perhaps these changes will be something great for the fans in the long run. Just need to get over a few speed humps first before we see a new MP :p

[1orion2many]

Wont be a speed hump if they have low sales, Could be a brick wall:p:D

[SharkyMcShark]

I don't think anyone who has shelled out three times to have each seeker in the MP Starscream mold has grounds to be indignant really.

If you're going to buy a mold 3-6 times to have every seeker obviously they're going to more frequently release seekers - it's a money spinner

[GoktimusPrime]

Perhaps Tak didn't feel that their earlier work was true to form?
Then they should have rectified it before releasing MP Starscream in the first place. As others have pointed out, this MP Starscream seems to based on the prototype MP Starscream design before Kawamori Shouji came along and changed things in ways that many fans didn't like.

Later versions of MP Starscream (and indeed with Skywarp and Thundercracker) tried to improve the plastic quality... but the design remained the same. Kawamori designed MP Starscream as a nice display piece, but absolutely craphouse action figure.


I don't think anyone who has shelled out three times to have each seeker in the MP Starscream mold has grounds to be indignant really.
I'm not so much indignant as just blasé.


If you're going to buy a mold 3-6 times to have every seeker obviously they're going to more frequently release seekers - it's a money spinner
Yeah but it's not like people can accurately predict the future -- well I can't (if I could I would retire and win every Lotto, Powerball, Melbourne Cup etc. ;)). I picked up "Greenscream" even though the colours weren't G1-accurate (although as Ultra Marginal pointed out, they are arguably more real-life accurate... even if F-15s are more gray than green...) -- and nobody would've known about the delicate design and crummy plastic quality until after we'd gotten it and opened it.

And until now, I wouldn't have known that they would retool and re-release the mould like this. <shrug> I don't regret getting the original MP Seekers, because at the time it's all we had... but considering that I do have the MP Seekers - as nice as this retool may be - and especially given it's heftier price point, it just completely fails to interest me. I can see how it would appeal to people who didn't get the previous MP Seekers... but for those of us who did, it's essentially Malibu Stacey with a new hat.

[kup]

Whatever the reason, I'm beginning to see that perhaps these changes will be something great for the fans in the long run. Just need to get over a few speed humps first before we see a new MP :p

Unfortunately after what happened with MP Rodimus, I am not fully convinced that the driving attitude is to produce greater quality products, specially when they have decided to mark up release prices for a retool.

[canofwhoopass_87]

Unfortunately after what happened with MP Rodimus, I am not fully convinced that the driving attitude is to produce greater quality products, specially when they have decided to mark up release prices for a retool.

Yeh but it might have been those very problems themselves that plagued MP Rodimus that finally shifted the attitude of the makers. Shelf warming, high production costs vs poor turnover? and just general design flaws are probably all precursors to this revised MP line.

I don't know what the justification for marked up prices on retools is, but I wouldn't mind paying a little extra for a higher quality piece. I've been patiently planning my move back into collecting the MP line in recent months, but I'm very, very apprehensive about buying any other current MP releases (besides the new Optimus) out of fear that they might bring out another Rodimus or Grimlock. Then I'd be just as angry as everyone else :p

[Doubledealer]

With the new MP Prime and now this, and the new United toys...Is it just me, or have Takara totally lost the plot of late? It's like they're purposely sabotaging two of their greatest lines. Just seems bizarre to me. :/

[GoktimusPrime]

Takara have become terribly unfocused since their merger with TOMY. Takara were way more awesome before TOMY (IMHO). :(

[Lord_Zed]

I don't see it, sure fans have been critical of the re-use of characters in the same line, or moulds people don't like but I don't see any evidence that suddenly they lost the plot just because some fans don't like what they have announced. Takara Tomy gave us 3 new MPs, Grimlock, Rodimus and MP 10 Prime, as well as continuing on the idea of Takara's lines in things like United and the Alternity line. Seems to me they are dong much the same things as usual.

On the matters of QC and even more so pricing on the other hand, that's a whole different ballpark.

[Golden Phoenix]

I like it.
I don't have any of the mould. It would have to depend on the price I can get it for though. US$145 is a bit steep. If that was including shipping I might consider it.

But I like the overall look of it. I think it is an improvement over the previous one, at least from all the pictures I have seen of both moulds. I love the cape. The way it has the folds in the middle is great.

I think I might get it if I can get it cheap. I really could use a seeker with the other MP figures.

[GoktimusPrime]

US$145 is a bit steep.

Especially considering that the TRU exclusive MP Starscream sold here for approx. $100. I don't know if that cape & crown are worth $45 - nearly the full RRP of a Voyager.

[kup]

Especially considering that the TRU exclusive MP Starscream sold here for approx. $100. I don't know if that cape & crown are worth $45 - nearly the full RRP of a Voyager.

And who knows, maybe the Hasbro version will also have the cape and the crown.

[kaiden]

if the hasbro version is as cheap as the recent rodimus $80 then i'll probably get all 3.

[yoshi594]

When is amiami going to have him up for preorder?!?! If they dont' have it by november 6th, i'm going to go with HLJ's 20% off until November 7 offer.

[maxirod]

Here's to hoping it's 6 different characters and not 6 different versions of the same characters.

[VGMStudios]

Here's to hoping it's 6 different characters and not 6 different versions of the same characters.

Honestly. I am getting really tired of repaints, retools and reissues of the same guys over and over. There are 11 MP figures and 3(6) of them are the Prime mold, 2 of them are Rodimus and 4 are Starscream. I think we should get a new character yes?

[GoktimusPrime]

I hope they retool/repaint this new MP Starscream mould for Dirge, Thrust and Ramjet -- or maybe even Sunstorm. While it appears to be better than the previous MP Seeker mould, as someone who already owns the previous MP Seekers I can't justify getting it. But I'd happily get it if it were a new character. :)

I'd consider getting the new MP Starscream mould if it were Ghost Starscream and released here at a reasonable price... though I reckon that's unlikely.

[Doubledealer]

Honestly. I am getting really tired of repaints, retools and reissues of the same guys over and over. There are 11 MP figures and 3(6) of them are the Prime mold, 2 of them are Rodimus and 4 are Starscream. I think we should get a new character yes?

The Screamer retool will actually be the 6th F-15 mold in the MP line. I'm waiting for the 7th one rumoured to be called "Shiny Edition". Apparently it comes on a bouncy piece of string and is covered in gold tinsel.

[Deonasis]

I only have 2 MP's so far Ghost Starscream and Blue Grimlock. If I had more funds I would have gotten a Walmart Starscream and a Megatron because individually they are cool but that is it. The MP line just felt like many individual MP's gathered together and not a series as such.

I do feel for those who have all other releases, I would be pissed too.

Since the Grimlock release I like what I see. I want a v2 Rodimus, v2 Optimus, sexy Black Rodimus and v2 Starscream. They feel more consistant to me like a toyline should.

If a rumoured v2 tank Megatron and Ultra Magnus continue this trend I will really be sucked into the MP line.

[SpeedBreaker]

I really like the look of it. The only thing left to decide is to either get this version or wait for a possible Hasbro release.

[GoktimusPrime]

If you already have an old MP Starscream, wait for a local. If not, then go nuts if you don't mind paying for it.

[k.wong23]

Definitely hope there will be a Hasbro local release, seems the trend with all previous MP releases

[GoktimusPrime]

Yeah, to be fair to Hasbro they have released all MP moulds in their markets except for Megatron (probably because of legal concerns). And Hasbro Australia has released all Hasbro MPs here, even if MP Skywarp was only released in limited places. And Hasbro AU did give us MP Ultra Magnus, MP Convoy w/ trailer and Ghost Starscream (even if TRU are trying to gouge people with their stupid price for that toy).