TRAINBOT SHOUKI
Series - Masterpiece
Size/class - N/A
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - MPG-01
Released here - N/A (Japan, late June 2022)
Approximate Retail Price - 19800JPY ($215)
Approximate Size - 18cm
Allegiance - Autobot
Sub-Group - Trainbot
Alt-mode - Series 0 Shinkansen (bullet train)
Main Features/Gimmicks - HO scale (16.5mm gauge) train mode, combines with fellow MP Trainbots to form Raiden
Main Colours - eggshell white, blue, grey
Main Accessories - Mach Laser gun, x2 railway track parts, shield, flight stand connector, x2 seats

Train mode: MP & G1 [size="1](actually Diaclone; close enough)[/size]


Bullet train mode side view


Front end


Rear end


The shield can be folded and stored inside the driver's compartment. However, I find that the front halves of the cockpit don't sit flush with the shield inside.


Seats can also be installed with an MP-scale human figure. The cockpit halves do close up nicely and sit flush. According to tfwiki, the new Diaclone pilots can also sit on these seats.


In train mode attached to MP Tracks' flight stand. The railway parts have slots for the armature from MP-52 Starscream's flight stand; but I don't own MP-52 (nor any repaints), and I'm not going to buy any of them just for that armature.


Robot mode with gun and shield


High angle and rear shot of robot mode. One challenge was the cockpit section. This is a detachable accessory on the G1 toy, but TakaraTOMY have chosen to make it non-detachable, thus it relies on an in-built armature to have it swing from front to back and attach to said back. It's somewhat reminiscent of how MP Laserwave has his gun barrel becoming the robot backpack without ever being removed. I do appreciate the cleverness and ambition on opting to do this!


Close-up shots


MP & G1 comparison, robot mode


Kicking balance test


Robot mode on flight stand


Box; rear includes information about the history of the Series 0 bullet train.




Overall
Presumably for trademark reasons, TakaraTOMY has called this toy Trainbot Shouki instead of just "Shouki." If you're not sure about how to pronounce this name, say "shore-key." This toy also retains the G1 toy's original dual Functions of both "Light Speed Commander" and "Trainbot Leader." Although MPG Shouki shows both Functions on the front of the box, whereas both the 1987 and 1990 releases of G1 Shouki only display "Light Speed Commander" on the front of the box, with the secondary Function of "Trainbot Leader" only displayed on the tech specs bio (which is admittedly the back of the box).

I gotta be honest; I almost forgot that this toy is a gestalt. It wasn't until I sat down and started typing this review that I remembered! And this tells me just how good this toy is as a stand alone Transformer action figure. TakaraTOMY have done really well in creating a bulky robot mode from a sleek bullet train mode. It's not quite as bulky as the cartoon model, but it's pretty damn close. The forearm panels are also inaccurate to G1 as they are parts of the sides of the train instead of the roof, but I personally think it looks better, as the white and blue helps to break up the otherwise all grey arms. The paint ops and over aesthetics of this toy are just gorgeous. The level of detailing on the sculpt in both bullet train and robot mode is also quite exquisite.

The 16.5mm HO gauge scale is a neat idea, as it means that the MP Trainbots can fit on any HO gauge model railway tracks. This is also a throwback to the G1 toys who are N gauge scale (9mm). The Diaclone Train Robo come with their own railway tracks, just like MPG, but the Transformers Trainbots did not. I also love how all the train/robot parts are self contained. My G1 Shouki is missing his chest piece, but it's cool to know that this will never happen with MP Shouki. And likewise, nobody will ever lose the front section either.

I haven't transformed mine into his Raiden component mode yet. That's something that I'm not going to do until after I've completed the set. But as a stand-alone Transformer; in terms of an action figure robot and train, MP Shouki is a great figure. Pricey, yes, but this is technically a triple-changer (robot, train, torso). I'm a big fan of gestalt members who are just great toys on their own. Highly recommended.