Newb questions - Masterpice Transformers

For me the only difference between the Hasbro and Takara releases was the extra paperwork the came with the Takara versions.

Overall the masterpiece line is worth the money.

Except for the $250 TRU Ghost Starscream. Buy it elswhere

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Originally Posted by LordCyrusOmega

For me the only difference between the Hasbro and Takara releases was the extra paperwork the came with the Takara versions.

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There's actual differences in the toys too. Most noticeably with TAK Convoy (full length smoke stacks, "clean") vs. HAS Optimus Prime (shortened smoke stacks, "scorched") and TAK Starscream (green, inferior plastic) vs. HAS Starscream (G1 colours, better plastic). Differences between the HAS and TAK versions of other MPs are not as significant IMO, but they do exist.

the takara ones come with techspec cards
'nuff said

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Originally Posted by Kranix

Hi all,

I have been a G1 collector for a little while but nothing past that. The Transformers Masterpiece series was something I was not aware of until recently. They look amazing in the pictures! I have seen that in Japan they are looking to re-issue Optimus Prime and Megatron in this series. I am tempted to pick these two up.

I have done some searches but is there anything I should know about these figures? Issues etc? Mold degradation? Are they available locally or should I try and import them? I think the shipping on these items would be quite expensive though? Any info would be great!

Thanks

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The upcoming MP-1L Masterpiece Convoy (Optimus Prime) is expected to be the cab with a bonus Japanese sound stage (no trailer). If you want the trailer then you are looking for MP-4 or a third party separate trailer.

As said before, Masterpiece MP-5 Megatron requires a permit to legally own in NSW. You risk confiscation otherwise.

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Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime

+ Starscream: SharkyMcShark already detailed the flaws with this mould. The problem with this mould is that it was designed more as a display piece rather than a proper action figure :( The first Takara version ("Greenscream") also suffers from inferior plastic quality which feels brittle. The Hasbro version (which was a Toys R Us exclusive in Australia) has G1 colours and better quality plastic. TOMY also released their own version of a G1 coloured MP Starscream called "USA Edition" which is similar to Hasbro's, but minus the scorch marks and it has a Decepticon logo on the nosecone.

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The TakaraTomy version does have scorch marks as well.

So he does. I guess the main difference is just the extra Decepticon logo on the nosecone then.

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Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime

There's actual differences in the toys too. Most noticeably with TAK Convoy (full length smoke stacks, "clean") vs. HAS Optimus Prime (shortened smoke stacks, "scorched") and TAK Starscream (green, inferior plastic) vs. HAS Starscream (G1 colours, better plastic). Differences between the HAS and TAK versions of other MPs are not as significant IMO, but they do exist.

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I didn't know there were differences between Has and Tak Versions of Prime. I was more saying the difference of toy for me was what came with them.

Like Blackie said: Takara comes with Trchspecs, nuff said.

Unless Kranix can read Japanese, I'm not sure how much he would value the tech spec cards aside from just staring at the character art. <shrug> Even though I can read Japanese, I prefer to get the better toy, even if it doesn't have a tech spec card (e.g. I prefer HAS Grimlock over TAK Grim). But I must admit, I do feel kinda robbed when I open a Hasbro Masterpiece and there's this cheap colourless (and textless) instruction booklet and no tech spec card. Not sure how I'd feel about this if I couldn't read Japanese though. <shrugs.again>

MP Grimlock king!!!! Any version is good just get it!:)

Prime and the Starscream mold are good too, Prime has awesomely G1 cartoon styling but a little simple looking detail wise, while the Starscream mould has oddles of detail but breaks from the G1 cartoon look. Alas I do not own Megs. in any case all three would be on my top 5 TF toy's of all time list.

The jury is still out on Rodimus cause I just got him.

While I prefer the TakaraTomy versions most Hasbro ones have their own merits.

There is an amazing amount of great info in here, thankyou to everyone who contributed. Makes my purchase much easier :)