Toy Review - MP-32 Optimus Primal/Beast Convoy

[kurdt_the_goat]

BEAST CONVOY (a.k.a. Optimus Primal)
Series – Masterpiece
Size/class - N/A
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - N/A
Released here – No. Released in Japan in late October, 2016
Approximate Retail Price - 12000JPY (AU$155)
Approximate Size - 18cm
Allegiance - Maximal
Alt-mode – silverback gorilla
Main Features/Gimmicks – deployable forearm and shoulder cannons, LED eyes (batteries not included)
Main Colours – dark grey
Main Accessories – 2 swords & interchangeable face plates


Got mine today and wow, what a stunning piece!

There'll be no one complaining about the paint on this MP, that's for sure! Paint, joints, design, QC... everything is so well done. It's the perfect high-end companion to the original toy - and takes nothing away from it either. The original is great and your imagination fills in the rest (and then some); but this is virtually like playing with the model from the show - uncannily accurate.

I could see play-fans might get a little frustrated - things snap together so tightly it can take a little time to transform - with some gentle prying - plus the clearance on the beast head is probably the finest i've ever seen, less than milimetres.

But it does clear, and it just feels like it's been designed and produced to exacting standards. The transformation has nothing that seems unnecessary or overly complicated. The light up eye gimmick fits in what must be the smallest possible compartment, in the cleverest possible spot, where there is absolutely no light leakage. All the eyes are painted over transparent red plastic so they look stunning with and without light behind them too. The beast head is on a clever ball joint design that lets it safely and easily pop off, while staying firmly lodged otherwise - in 2 distinct spots - one completely flush with the body and another slightly raised for more movement. The fur rendering is incredible, and just makes me look at a mostly unpainted MP like Shockwave and wonder why they keep flip-flopping between releases! I still love you Shocky!

I'm struggling to think of another MP that exceeds the quality on show here. I don't want to sound like i'm gushing too much though, so i will add - it would have been nice to have some more downwards tilt on his knees for when you bend his legs to 90º. And for some reason, the angry beast head has a distinct lack of sculpted teeth in the middle bottom row. They're present on the promotional shots, and it doesn't look like QC, so it seems they got rid of them last minute for some bizarre reason!

Bring on Cheetor and may the MP Beast Wars continue!