MP-57 Masterpiece Skyfire Soars Supreme

[GoktimusPrime]

TakaraTOMY have released a teaser image for MP Skyfire:
https://twitter.com/TF_pr/status/1532195302895067137

Speculation: While they haven't revealed the name of the toy, it should be called "Skyfire," not Jetfire, because Jetfire was never called 'Jetfire' in Japan, only Skyfire. The original Jetfire toy was never released in Japan (for obvious reasons); and so the character only existed in the cartoon series in Japan, where he was called "Skyfire." Until the recent brand unification thing, G1 Jetfire has been consistently called "Skyfire" in Japan (e.g. Henkei Skyfire etc.). Masterpiece is a line that appears to be exempt from the brand unification rule; as TakaraTOMY continues to use the Japanese G1 names instead of Anglophone names (e.g. MP Convoy, Bumble etc.); so I would expect that this toy will be called "Skyfire." This will make it the first Transformer toy to be directly modelled after the G1 Skyfire cartoon model and bear the name "Skyfire." Not a Jetfire/Skyfire hybrid like Classics/Henkei or T30, and not called "Jetfire" like Siege.

[DELTAprime]

I can't see much demand for a massively expensive MP Skyfire/Jetfire because of both the decline in the MP line and the already amazing Commander Class Jetfire.

[High_Q]

I can't see much demand for a massively expensive MP Skyfire/Jetfire because of both the decline in the MP line and the already amazing Commander Class Jetfire.

In what ways is the Takara MP line declining, in your view? Is it their design, QC, price?

I might get this since I didn't get the Siege one and, side by side, this MP is much more Sunbow accurate than Siege Jetfire in design and bot mode scale.

I just hope it doesn't include stupid electronic gimmicks like MP-44 and MP-36 did, which i don't think any MP collector wants.

[GoktimusPrime]

I just hope it doesn't include stupid electronic gimmicks like MP-44 and MP-36 did, which i don't think any MP collector wants.

Those sound gimmicks are surprisingly unobtrusive though.

[Skyfire]

I guess I have to get this - he's my namesake . But I'm expecting some disappointment to go along with my elation. I'm glad I bought the MP-52 trio but they were really expensive and, after getting 3 for 3 cracks in the tailfins (and saying to myself, "The next one will be fine"), as well as some minor cosmetic issues, I am almost expecting some love-hate with the MP-57 I receive. Sigh... and yay at the same time!

I collected a bunch of Bandai Origin of Valkyrie Macross toys to fill my 1980s Jetfire hole (good thing I also like Robotech), but it was my Siege toy that really cured the problem. But having MP-57 would be like reaching back in time and patting a sad little boy on the back and saying, "Hey, look what I got you."

[Jetfire in the sky]

I guess I have to get this - he's my namesake . But I'm expecting some disappointment to go along with my elation. I'm glad I bought the MP-52 trio but they were really expensive and, after getting 3 for 3 cracks in the tailfins (and saying to myself, "The next one will be fine"), as well as some minor cosmetic issues, I am almost expecting some love-hate with the MP-57 I receive. Sigh... and yay at the same time!

I collected a bunch of Bandai Origin of Valkyrie Macross toys to fill my 1980s Jetfire hole (good thing I also like Robotech), but it was my Siege toy that really cured the problem. But having MP-57 would be like reaching back in time and patting a sad little boy on the back and saying, "Hey, look what I got you."

Just being immature here but I'm glad you filled your 1980's Jetfire hole. I never managed that

[Jetfire in the sky]

I guess I have to get this - he's my namesake . But I'm expecting some disappointment to go along with my elation. I'm glad I bought the MP-52 trio but they were really expensive and, after getting 3 for 3 cracks in the tailfins (and saying to myself, "The next one will be fine"), as well as some minor cosmetic issues, I am almost expecting some love-hate with the MP-57 I receive. Sigh... and yay at the same time!

I collected a bunch of Bandai Origin of Valkyrie Macross toys to fill my 1980s Jetfire hole (good thing I also like Robotech), but it was my Siege toy that really cured the problem. But having MP-57 would be like reaching back in time and patting a sad little boy on the back and saying, "Hey, look what I got you."

LOL, despite my name, Skyfire is close to my heart, this is a definite Skyfire figure and a brilliant one at that.

[Skyfire]

I guess I have to get this - he's my namesake . But I'm expecting some disappointment to go along with my elation... I am almost expecting some love-hate with the MP-57 I receive. Sigh... and yay at the same time!... having MP-57 would be like reaching back in time and patting a sad little boy on the back and saying, "Hey, look what I got you."

I got my copy and have not transformed him yet, but first impressions:

All love and no hate! He's immense. I've had so much fun flying him around. The cosmetic finish is great. Just a faintness of red paint transfer from the "backpack" onto the forward fuselage. But the faces and insignia are perfect and the minifigures are painted impossibly well. The flight stand connector obstructs side tilting as Skyfire is too heavy; he can only pitch up or down slightly and is really meant to be level. My only issue so far is a bit of warping of the starboard flap, exactly the same as the model in the Takara Tomy transformation video. Also Wheeljack's hip and shoulder joints are a little loose/dislocatable (like some previous MP humans) but the other two minifigures are good and the elbows on these minifigures are super solid.

Speaking of the video, the manual and video say to unfold the wings and vertical stabilisers out of the box, but the video also points out at 30sec to clip a bottom tab through a hole at the bottom of the jet. I can't remember if mine was untabbed out of the box (I noticed it when fiddling with the nose in order to inspect Skyfire's head), but after tabbing it in, the side profile looked more in line. I watched a youtube unboxing and that copy was untabbed.

I'm having so much fun that I think this is going to be my 2nd or 3rd favourite TF I own (the top being MP-36 Megatron, and the other MP-44 Optimus). That little boy who was disappointed G1 toy Jetfire didn't look like TV Jetfire is truly at peace.

[DELTAprime]

Is it their design, QC, price?

Yes, overly complex design, poor QC and insane prices. Also, their popularity seems to have dropped over the years. A decade ago people on the TF forums seemed much more into MP figures.

[Tha_Phantom]

Also, their popularity seems to have dropped over the years. A decade ago people on the TF forums seemed much more into MP figures.

I'm noticing less sooking lately with things like Skids and Trailbreaker which means less chatter overall. Don't know if that means the popularity has dropped.