New G1 Masterpiece - MP53 SKIDS & MP54 Reboost

[dirge]

While I can't read it, I'm assured this is a genuine announcment of Masterpiece Skids (https://twitter.com/TF_pr/status/1344810572752318473?s=19&fbclid=IwAR0ynmETcT5mO1Aq3sMszjdf_cjR83YaRxFwQbLug RxOAwD_LSkiD_oF5No)!

I'm excited & keen for both Skids and the inevitable Crosscut!

[High_Q]

Yes!!! Happy new year to me! My favourite 80s compact car and my first Diaclone toy. Curiously, the design reminds me more of early MP and Binaltech than recent G1 MPs. Can someone do a proper translation of the Japanese? Google Translate mentions 'hybrid version of MP', and i want to know what that means. Imagine if you could turn this G1-toy-looking MP into an animation-accurate version by adding panels and pieces that can stay on during transformation, like the MP BW Megatron. That would be nice. In which case, fans who are adamant about MP animation accuracy can be happy too since that wouldn't count as 'cheating' or parts-forming.

[Tha_Phantom]

Won't grab Skids, but keen for Crosscut. Happy for Dirge and those who have been wanting it for some time now.

[Omega Metro]

About 2 years too late HasTak. My 3P Skids does me fine.

[Handsprime]

I named my car after Skids, so I'll probably grab either him or Crosscut (or both)

[griffin]

Considering the transformation would be pretty simple (almost a shell-former by today's standards), I imagine that this one hadn't been done yet because it wasn't sporty enough or an iconic enough character (probably the least amount of screen/comic time of the second year Autobot cars).
The artwork looks like they might be aiming more for a toy-homaged MP toy like the earlier MP toys... rather than cartoon-homaged MP toy like more recently, which probably would have been more difficult to design than a toy-homage figure.

A translation from tfw...


\ Masterpiece Skids / There are several new MP products scheduled to be released this year, one of which is “Skids”. With instinctive deformation and a wide range of movement, it is a new work that will be a hybrid version of MP these days! We will update the information from time to time so please look forward to it!

[Paulbot]

Skids cartoon model had hard to fathom arms (Cartoon (https://tfwiki.net/wiki/File:Skidsanimated.jpg) or comic (https://tfwiki.net/wiki/File:Marvel22-heavy-traffic-skids-reason.jpg)) so not going for 100% accuracy is not a bad thing.

As a Skids owner and fan since 1986 this definitely appeals to me, and gives me hope he won’t be forgotten in WFC - he’s so far the only Autobot Car we haven’t got a toy of (as well as Tracks who all rumours say will be in Kingdom).

I take a little objection to the comment that he didn’t get enough appearances in the comic - he was the main Autobot character for several months and one of the extremely few to get a solo story in the Marvel US comic. Of his fellow 1985 Cars, Inferno barely appeared at the end (when his Classics and Action Master toys appeared), Red Alert effectively did not appear, and Smokscreen maybe said four lines, and Tracks, Hoist and Grapple did not much better - good thing all of those guys got their spotlight cartoon eps. Poor Skids missing out on TV stardom.

[Akky82]

snip

gives me hope he won’t be forgotten in WFC - he’s so far the only Autobot Car we haven’t got a toy of (as well as Tracks who all rumours say will be in Kingdom)

snip

Yep I bought takara skids and hasbro crosscut last xmas, skids never showed up and I was unimpressed with crosscut so much I never tried to get another. I have a skids shaped hole on my shelf though and hoping for a Kingdom skids cos they've been smashing it for the other cars in earthrise (a Tracks should be a goven too, with some genselects).

[llamatron]

Given how much of a non-entity this guy was in the cartoon but how fairly important and popular of a toy he is I'm totally on board with the less toon style. Really hope they include the scooter.

[dirge]

Yep I bought takara skids and hasbro crosscut last xmas, skids never showed up and I was unimpressed with crosscut so much I never tried to get another. I have a skids shaped hole on my shelf though and hoping for a Kingdom skids cos they've been smashing it for the other cars in earthrise (a Tracks should be a goven too, with some genselects).

While I _do_ like that mould, it's a little fidgetty & doesn't really mesh with what WFC has been doing. A Skids in Kingdom would fill that hole better, methinks.


Given how much of a non-entity this guy was in the cartoon but how fairly important and popular of a toy he is I'm totally on board with the less toon style. Really hope they include the scooter.

I like your thinking. Skids, to me, is an important toy also.

The Scooter should be included because 1) there's no "that thing from that episode" available for Skids and 2) Crosscut should follow and he'll come with the scooter.

[JJJ]

As a Skids owner and fan since 1986 this definitely appeals to me, and gives me hope he won’t be forgotten in WFC - he’s so far the only Autobot Car we haven’t got a toy of (as well as Tracks who all rumours say will be in Kingdom).

I'm also hoping that this means that somewhere along the line (not toooooo far) we'll get a deluxe Skids. I mean, I'll buy the Thrilling 30 one if I have to, but I'd rather not.


I take a little objection to the comment that he didn’t get enough appearances in the comic - he was the main Autobot character for several months and one of the extremely few to get a solo story in the Marvel US comic. Of his fellow 1985 Cars, Inferno barely appeared at the end (when his Classics and Action Master toys appeared), Red Alert effectively did not appear, and Smokscreen maybe said four lines, and Tracks, Hoist and Grapple did not much better - good thing all of those guys got their spotlight cartoon eps. Poor Skids missing out on TV stardom.

Yeah, never understood those who claimed he was obscure. And anyway, he isn't obscure any more, not after his run in the MTME/LL comics.

[danny-boy]

I remember when I skipped over this character when I was collecting the book style reissues and I?ll be doing the same again. I?ve got absolutely no interest in Skids.

I hope there?s another announcement soon. The glacial pace isn?t helping.

[shockNwave]

I'm also hoping that this means that somewhere along the line (not toooooo far) we'll get a deluxe Skids. I mean, I'll buy the Thrilling 30 one if I have to, but I'd rather not.



Yeah, never understood those who claimed he was obscure. And anyway, he isn't obscure any more, not after his run in the MTME/LL comics.

As much as TF fans hate the Bayverse, let's not forget that ROTF also added to Skid's profile.

[Paulbot]

As much as TF fans hate the Bayverse, let's not forget that ROTF also added to Skid's profile.

Imagine if they announced the next MP was going to be Skids but were less specific and no image, and everyone assumed it was the G1 toy but it was an MPM Skids!

But still, Skids or Mudflap haven’t appeared in Studio Series despite 85 releases so someone at Hasbro must really not want to go there.

[DaptoDog]

With Skids being my very first Transformer I have a special place in my heart for it so can't wait. Nice that we have another Diaclone car coming out.

[gamblor916]

My first comic was the Skids solo issue so this is a must buy for me.

[Seraphim Prime]

I'm interested in what they mean by "hybrid" if it means toys more in the style of Inferno then I'm in, even though I never had Skids or remember him from the two episodes of the cartoon. (Marvel Skids is great, but not really what Masterpiece aims at)

The MP Autobot cars were just really cleverly designed toys that reasonably matched the cartoon appearance. If this Skids goes back to those roots, I'm very keen.

[Magnus]

The side and back views are in the TFW2005 article. (https://news.tfw2005.com/2020/12/31/transformers-masterpiece-skids-revealed-426841#more-426841)


Considering the transformation would be pretty simple (almost a shell-former by today's standards), I imagine that this one hadn't been done yet because it wasn't sporty enough or an iconic enough character (probably the least amount of screen/comic time of the second year Autobot cars).
The artwork looks like they might be aiming more for a toy-homaged MP toy like the earlier MP toys... rather than cartoon-homaged MP toy like more recently, which probably would have been more difficult to design than a toy-homage figure.


It seems a little weird that Skids is a release in the vein of the Lamborghini and Datsun moulds, which aren't given over to absolute accuracy to the Flory Dery character models the way later figures are.


Imagine if they announced the next MP was going to be Skids but were less specific and no image, and everyone assumed it was the G1 toy but it was an MPM Skids!

But still, Skids or Mudflap haven’t appeared in Studio Series despite 85 releases so someone at Hasbro must really not want to go there.

There have been a few other movieverse characters that have yet to get Studio Series releases, like Jolt, the Fallen, RotF Sideswipe, and DotM Bumblebee. Mirage/Dino only got announced in November, and the figure is due out later this year.

[Paulbot]

There have been a few other movieverse characters that have yet to get Studio Series releases, like Jolt, the Fallen, RotF Sideswipe, and DotM Bumblebee. Mirage/Dino only got announced in November, and the figure is due out later this year.

From that list they seem to have something against ROTF - or maybe because there's 8 Constructicon toys already from that film they want so spread things out a bit?

I assume that scale wise Skids and Mudflap (with their car modes) might be too small to sell as deluxes and they'd need to be a two pack Voyager (like Arcee being a deluxe price point for three small figures), and the Ice-Cream truck version of the pair would be similar, and given there's fewer Voyager spots to go around than Deluxe spots, that's holding them up.

[JJJ]

I assume that scale wise Skids and Mudflap (with their car modes) might be too small to sell as deluxes and they'd need to be a two pack Voyager (like Arcee being a deluxe price point for three small figures), and the Ice-Cream truck version of the pair would be similar, and given there's fewer Voyager spots to go around than Deluxe spots, that's holding them up.

Or maybe there just won't be a toy of those things, given the furor around their characterisations...

[nalops]

Considering they made DoTM toys for them, I don't think they're too worried about it. Probably don't have the rights or something like that or don't see the need just yet. I have a feeling we'll eventually see them, especially since they're a fairly big part of the whole Devastator thing.

[Tha_Phantom]

Great discussion about Masterpiece Skids. :rolleyes:

[Paulbot]

Sorry Mr Thread Policeman, but maybe some people want a MPM Skids too?

(Not like there's much more to discuss at this point about the MP G1 one...)

[Tha_Phantom]

Sorry Mr Thread Policeman, but maybe some people want a MPM Skids too?

Not even that, it's moved onto Studio Series now. Hardly seems relevant.

[Paulbot]

Well rather than complaining, maybe bring it back on topic?

What accessories could Skids come with. The scooter as mentioned above seems a no-brainer but it's got no canon appearance in Transformers lore (that I'm aware of)

So um, one of the bombs Blitzwing was planting in Triple Takeover?

Will they acknowledge his comic book role?

A Charlene figure would be a nice touch, A Donny Finkleberg (civilan clothes not Robot-Master) ones too? His hippie holo-avatar?

What about a life size version of his pea-sized brain (as show in Circuit Breaker's hands in Decepticon Graffiti)!? A removabe face plate you can put on the wall as a trophy like she did?

I'd like them to include one of those Limbo parasites to attach to his head (see Time Wars). It wouldn't be too far off the Hoist Goes Hollywood masks but maybe UK comics are a step too far.

[Tha_Phantom]

My apologies, you're right.

I reckon the scooter will certainly be moulded now (along with Crosscut head), but if it doesn't come with Skids it might appear with Crosscut (perhaps further incentive for people to double dip).

[Paulbot]

A scooter with a later toy has the feel of those stickers with Spin-Out that help you toy-ify the earlier Sunstreaker, so yeah I think an MP Crosscut coming with it is likely.

[Tha_Phantom]

I also wonder if the more toy accurate look is not just because of his lack of show presence, but also to bring down the cost of the toy, being a lesser known character. It's been confirmed by Takara that the more show accurate Masterpieces have higher parts counts, thus cost more. Might make it an easier sell to collectors since he's not as well known as the other 1984/1985 cars. Potentially could also be a market test to see if people are over cartoon accuracy.

[nalops]

Sorry, I wasn't around for G1 so I have no real ideas about Skids outside the TFwiki page and the ROTF one but if it's cheap, fits in Prime's trailer and available at Zing/EB I'll probably end up getting it.

[High_Q]

I also wonder if the more toy accurate look is not just because of his lack of show presence, but also to bring down the cost of the toy, being a lesser known character. It's been confirmed by Takara that the more show accurate Masterpieces have higher parts counts, thus cost more. Might make it an easier sell to collectors since he's not as well known as the other 1984/1985 cars. Potentially could also be a market test to see if people are over cartoon accuracy.

Probably all of the above, and maybe the MP designers took a look at the derpy Sunbow animation model, shook their heads and thought, for once, the original lanky toy bot looked better than the animation model. While they looked plain compared to their toy versions, most other G1 character models were better proportioned in robot mode (from a conventional aesthetics perspective) than their toy counterparts.

[Kranix]

From what I've seen, I'm going to pick up this MP. I am not a huge Skids fan but I do love the Autobot Cars and the "Hybrid" style. MP-39 Sunstreaker was my last MP purchase but he is still in his box, never even transformed him as I couldn't get into the figure. I'll sell him I think.

So, it will be nice to have a new MP. I even made room in my display cabinet for Skids and hopefully an MP licenced "hybrid" Jazz! I didn't think I would ever be getting another MP after they moved to the toon style. Although Hound tempted me as I like the character but dodged a bullet skipping that one.

[philby]

what are all those lines in the artwork?? is that...detail? sculpted details? not a blank block of plain? my gosh!

[Tober]

https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/02/25/transformers-masterpiece-skids-gray-prototype-images-429223

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2021/022501.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2021/022502.jpg

[griffin]

I'm both surprised and happy to see that it is very toy-based... like the earlier MPs before the recent trend for cartoon based MPs.
The robot mode is like looking at the Gen1 toy, but with two legs. :p

[griffin]

I just read the article at the tfw link, and it was actually Honda that tweeted up the reveal... so this project must really be a close partnership with that car company.

[nalops]

It seems to do with the Honda City turning 40 this year so a collaboration between the 2 makes sense.

[High_Q]

The Honda tweet also mentioned Figure King #277, so maybe there'll be more information on this MP in that issue. Definitely getting a lime green Quantum Operative Skids as well if they release one (hopefully with a retooled head sculpt). Unfortunately, the altmode doesn't seem to have space for driver/passenger, so no Charlene.

[griffin]

Looks like room in the back for a scooter though... if they decide to do a pre-Transformers release later.

[Bidoofdude]

Certainly looks to be a departure from the usual cartoon aesthetic, probably because of the circumstances of the character. The shape reminds me a lot of Alternators figures.

[gamblor916]

This is where masterpiece should be going. Looks great.

[danny-boy]

I?ve got no love for Skids but would have considered it if it resembled the toon. As it stands I?m having a hard time justifying a purchase.

[Tha_Phantom]

I?ve got no love for Skids but would have considered it if it resembled the toon. As it stands I?m having a hard time justifying a purchase.

Tell me what was your favourite Skids moment in the cartoon? :D

[nalops]

Considering where his arms end up in the cartoon, I'm ok with them taking inspiration from the toy instead.

[Kranix]

Really liking this, more appealing than any new MP I've seen in a very long time. Looking forward to seeing the colour pics.

[danny-boy]

Tell me what was your favourite Skids moment in the cartoon? :D

When he got crunched by Blitzwing. ;)

[High_Q]

TFW2005 has newer screenshots of MP Skids from Figure King No. 277 (https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/02/27/figure-king-no-276-scans-masterpiece-skids-prototype-images-429386). Based on Google Translate, this MP appears to be designed by Kojin Ohno, who also designed the Diaclone Honda City moulds. The article also mentions the release year coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the Honda City model. For those who collected Japanese toy cars in the 80s, the Honda City was extremely popular in Japan. No mention of the Motocompo scooter in the article AFAIK, even though you can see that the trunk area of the car is spacious. I appreciate that this space is filled-in in the bot mode's lower back leg.


I?ve got no love for Skids but would have considered it if it resembled the toon. As it stands I?m having a hard time justifying a purchase.

I want an animation-accurate MP Skids too so that we have something that fits in with the rest of the MP line. However, given how iconic Honda City is in Japan, and how it's also my favourite subcompact car, i'm also happy we have this 'hybrid' design MP.

[Kranix]

I want an animation-accurate MP Skids too so that we have something that fits in with the rest of the MP line.

This MP Skids will fit well with the rest of my MP collection... Since the newest figure in my display is MP-36 Megatron. :p

[Ultra Mackness]

Definitely looking forward to seeing the final product. I always preferred toy accuracy over cartoon accuracy and so far this guys looking great.

[Paulbot]

Images are out now (https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/mp-5-reboost-red-diaclone-honda-city-skids-repaint.1210770/). Looks good to me

Also being released is a red version called Reboost (based on another Diaclone colour scheme and apparently comes with a scooter)

As others have pointed out the colour scheme on Reboost makes him look like Alternity Convoy.

[nalops]

Ooooh, I want the one with the scooter.

[Skyfire]

This will fill out my 1984-85 cars just nicely. Hope he's not $220 though.

[Autocon]

So Reboost is red. Skids is blue. Crosscut is silver. Burn Out is black. And Screech is saved from the bell.

Think we will get limited edition black or silver? Which colour is screech?

[griffin]

In the first post of the discussion topic on tfw (https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/mp-5-reboost-red-diaclone-honda-city-skids-repaint.1210770/), there are some copies of toy photos, showing that there were 5 different versions of the Skids mould in the Diaclone line... and there were two red ones - one of which is being homaged with this red redeco of MP Skids.

[griffin]

From a Singapore online store, some more details for Skids and Reboost (https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/04/07/new-details-for-masterpiece-skids-and-reboost-431059).

It says that Reboost will have a new MP number (and yet Skywarp and Thundercracker don't)... and both could be out at the same time in November.


Transformers MP-53 Skids
– Series: Masterpiece
– Manufactured by: TAKARATOMY
– Preorder Price: Not More Than SGD $145.00
– Estimated Arrival November 2021

– liquid nitrogen rifle… 1
– Twin electron blaster… 1
– Instruction… 1


Transformers MP-54 Reboost
– Series: Masterpiece
– Manufactured by: TAKARATOMY
– Preorder Price: Not More Than SGD $145.00
– Estimated Arrival November 2021

– Weapon (Gun) … 2
– Twin electron blaster… 1
– Diaclone Figue… 1
– Diaclone Bike… 1
– Instruction… 1

[High_Q]

TFW2005 has mirrored new in-stock images (https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/04/12/transformers-masterpiece-mp-53-skids-and-mp-54-reboost-new-stock-images-431617) of MPs Skids and Reboost. I really like the engine details under the bonnet. Minor complaint are the feet hanging off the back bottom of the altmode visible from side and back views. Otherwise, perfect.

[Shirokaze]

Preorders up on Amiami @ 7540yen each. Can't believe the price is actually fair :D

I didn't need Reboost, but they got me with the inclusion of the Motocompo.

[Tha_Phantom]

The price makes sense considering MP cars used to be around this price before the jump to hyper cartoon accuracy.
Was only gonna get Reboost but for $90 I'll take Skids too. :)

[Paulbot]

$105 AUD each at HLJ

https://www.hlj.com/mp-53-transformers-masterpiece-skids-tkt17262
https://www.hlj.com/mp-54-transformers-masterpiece-reboost-tkt17285

[MayzaPrime]

For that price, I couldn't resist. This will be my first order with HLJ

[High_Q]

Takara or Honda uploaded a region-blocked clip of these MPs, but someone else has shared it region-free (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiIaSBygKOI&t=94s).

[griffin]

For that price, I couldn't resist. This will be my first order with HLJ

Just keep in mind that HLJ charges GST on top of their prices, so add another $10-ish, depending on where the exchange rate is in November.

I think these should be at EB Games as well (and Amazon Australia), but prices of imported MPs are usually quite high here, and probably still higher than HLJ plus GST plus postage. :(

[Skyfire]

Just keep in mind that HLJ charges GST on top of their prices, so add another $10-ish, depending on where the exchange rate is in November.


Yes... plus GST on post. And HLJ post is not exactly cheap. And if it is not in stock, you can't get an exact shipping price added to your cart, which means you may be in for bill shock when the item arrives in stock.

At least I'm glad Skids is not $200+ like Hound was. But I miss the $80 Masterpiece cars :(, which I thought were expensive in the day ;).

[Paulbot]

Oh yeah... I just tend to trust HLJ for my MP purchases but some things to consider


Takara or Honda uploaded a region-blocked clip of these MPs, but someone else has shared it region-free (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiIaSBygKOI&).

Thanks, the transformation is skipped over but it generallly looks rather straight forward - compared to a Sunstreaker.

By that video Reboost's function is Citadel Guardian? Does that mean anything to anyone else? Of course Reboost's bio could be absolutely anything since it's a new character.

[griffin]

A couple of comparison photos of MP Skids in both modes, next to the original 1985 toy (https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/04/16/takara-tomy-transformers-masterpiece-mp-53-skids-official-in-hand-images-431862).

[High_Q]

A couple of comparison photos of MP Skids in both modes, next to the original 1985 toy (https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/04/16/takara-tomy-transformers-masterpiece-mp-53-skids-official-in-hand-images-431862).

I wish they included a G1 toy head in addition to the animation-homage version we're getting.

[1AZRAEL1]

I think I'm skipping Skids, I have the 3P one that I'm content with. Though I'm getting the red one lol

[Lord_Zed]

I think I'm skipping Skids, I have the 3P one that I'm content with. Though I'm getting the red one lol

I'm kinda thinking the same, the 3P one is more inline with the other recent cartoony MP designs.

[1AZRAEL1]

I'm kinda thinking the same, the 3P one is more inline with the other recent cartoony MP designs.

I'd like to see a side by side tbh. I did grab MP Sunstreaker even though I grabbed the BC one. But I just don't see this one as a major upgrade over the 3P one.

[griffin]

More images of MP Skids and Reboost, from TakaraTomy's twitter (https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/04/28/takara-tomy-transformers-masterpiece-mp-53-skids-new-official-in-hand-images-432605) and Figure King magazine (https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/04/28/figure-king-no-279-scans-masterpiece-mp-53-skids-mp-54-reboost-mp-52-skywarp-netflix-war-for-cybertron-and-more-432626).

[griffin]

MP Skids and Reboost are out in about a week in Japan and Asia, and the UK leaker has managed to already get a Reboost, and some screenshots can be seen here (https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/11/16/transformers-masterpiece-mp-54-reboost-in-hand-images-444859).

(that person has managed to show off two unreleased Japanese Transformers this week, which is unusual, because wherever they were getting their unreleased (and sometimes unrevealed) toys, it didn't appear to have access to the toys that were generated by TakaraTomy)

[griffin]

As the release is just days away, MP Reboost is arriving in dealers hands, and some first photos have surfaced (https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/11/23/transformers-masterpiece-mp-54-reboost-packaging-445347), giving us a look at the vehicle mode of this new mould (Skids is to be released this week as well).

[Tober]

Yep, I just charged by HLJ. :) :)

[Skyfire]

Skids and Reboost in stock at HLJ at 8036 Yen each (not including GST) but shipping is expensive. For one: Surface 2270 Yen, DHL Express 3570 Yen, FedEx Priority 5230 Yen. So DHL Express option is about AUD$165 (for one, including GST).

Cheaper option is The Falcon's Hangar in Singapore SGD$100 each + $16 (or $18 for both), but be quick. I got charged about AUD$123 for single Skids.

Edit: Robotoybase in Hong Kong is also in stock. Each USD$89.90 + $17.50 (for one), or about AUD$160.

Edit 2: Well, as expected, TFH Skids sold out within a few hours and Reboost within 24 hours of posting. But AmiAmi has them in stock for 7540 Yen each.

[Skyfire]

Takara Tomy official transformation video and pdf instructions (https://tf.takaratomy.co.jp/products-lineup/tf_mp/mp-53).

[Skyfire]

Robo Robo in Singapore has Skids and Reboost in stock for SGD$100 each.