The QC issues really bother me. It's one thing for a $20 Marvel Legends figure to have some flaws. But when this thing costs almost $500, it's unacceptable.
For those who aren’t willing to pay that price I would look into the Transform-Element Te-01 figure as an alternative. Imo much better aesthetically in robot mode and vehicle mode, no huge backpack, way less panel lines, and it come with a trailer hitch for mp-10s trailer. The only thing this one has over Te-01 is articulation (te-01 still has good articulation, plus less panel lines) and accessories, (most of which are the trailer things that no one will really use that often, increasing mp-44s price). Te-01 looks much better in person than it comes off in videos, and it comes with a second head (if you get the second run of the figure) which can replace the old head, which many people didn’t like.
I thought that but I eventually buckled and in all areas mp 44 blows it out of the water, aesthetically, build, material, paint, articulation, pressence. It looks exactly how he did in the 80s cartoon and movie. I love this figure. Honestly it's night and day
Church 91 glad to hear. But I have the te01 and tbh it looks spot on it the cartoon, without the large backpack and crazy panel lines. If you ever feel like seeing one, pick it up. I’m not paying an extra 320 dollars on a trailer, some little figures and glossy paint. Yes, the mp44 does have better articulation but I’ve been messing with mine for months because he stands on my desk and no breaks or anything feeling off. Maybe I’ll pick up this one one day if they releases it as just the cab and the gun. (And I also did say for those who aren’t willing to pay the large pricetag. Meaning if you can’t afford the better (in some areas) figure, get the cheaper, basically just as good if not better figure. Not everyone has 450 dollars laying around for a transformers figure.)
THE DRAGON KNIGHT SLAYER64 well I mean this was 8 months ago and the ko still isn’t even out yet, so I’d rather get something back then and maybe get another in the future if I wanted
I would expect QC issues for an 80 bucks ko or something, but this is not justified for a figure this price. Plus nothing here justifies the price for me... I mean, the guys own the license, it is not like they are running small amounts of product like 3rd parties, we have had really complex transformations in the past from other 3rd companies and that did not reflect on the price. Add to that what seems quite a frustrating transformation... no thanks. What bums me here is that Takara is just trying to take advantage of people establishing new price points and with what seems a recent attack on 3rd parties from their part (zeta toys unicron), seems like they want to dominate the market offering only their jacked up prices. And this makes me wonder how far will the line go at this pace (let's face it, everytime there is more and more people that decide to not buy their products due to price)
This is very true. If I wanted this figure, I'd just buy the KO version because $450+ for something with the issues this has is insane. If I'm going to pay the premium to buy an official MP figure, I expect it to be of higher quality.
One too many QC issues for that $500 tag, no thanks! I'll stick with MP-10. Thanks for the review though, much appreciated Shart! I'll give it 3 out of 5 SHARTS!
Just because someone doesnt want an overpriced object doesnt mean they dont have the money for it. I mean, bill gates wears a $5 Walmart watch, and he's one of the richest people in the world.
Amazon Japan is your friend. Cost me only $320, and took only three days to arrive in New York. Gorgeous figure, the perfect rendition of Optimus Prime. I don't need any new Optimus Prime figures after this, it's just perfect! And yeah, definitely up for a new Seeker mold after seeing that Starscream head... show Maketoys Meteor how it's done! And I'm also up for an official Masterpiece Galvatron, always loved his design in the movie and after seeing MP-44, I'd love to see how Takara handles a Masterpiece.
Damn, $320 shipped??? And it only took 3 days??!! Mine was $340 + shipping and fees. But even w my Q/C issues, I still love it . . . it's actually my favorite figure ever already. For real, it's fucking brilliant!
Great review Shartimus! It's an awesome figure, but I feel it's a bit over-engineered, especially on the cab transformation. But then again, a beautiful and expensive OP!
Great review Shartimus. This fig looks great. Too bad you had all those QC issues dude! I’ll be sticking with my TE figure for the time being... 0 QC issues and a great Transformer all around. Thanks again for spending all the effort on this review, it shows!!
I'm more astonished that he still has that ROTF bumblebee you from 8 years ago, *and* that it still works. Thing'll be a relic that'll be worth actual money xD
Loved the review. Your transformer reviews are always my favorite. This figure is amazing. I can't say I'm a big fan of Takara's new price points but the figures are looking amazing. I also feel really lucky I grabbed mine from Anime export. They make you pay up front, but I got a really good price, about $320 US delivered. I always look forward to more content.
Excellent work on the review. It's nice to see someone thorough but also not biased about this (not saying someone else has been). That being said, my opinion on the figure has mostly been echoed in these comments. I hate the price rise of these masterpiece figures, and I dont feel it's worth it in my opinion. I can get the PG Exia with light set, Super Robot Chogokin Megazord, or any number of Hot Toys figures for the price of MP Megatron or Dinobot. For the prices, paint chipping and wrongly assembled parts shouldn't happen. I feel like we should have got a 2.5 Prime at some point. Replace a few parts on the 2.0 like the biceps, waist, and hands and give it a more show accurate paint job and a few more accessories. But that's just an idea.
Love the review man. I'm hoping to put this on my Birthday wishlist in January once Super 7 Snake Mountain and (fingers crossed) Haslab Unicron sticker shock wears off.
the Seeker MP deserves a 2.0 the most. after that, I want a new Soundwave. I want the cassettes to be more detailed and feel less.....frail? plus seeing this Prime's paper white thighs makes me wanna see Soundwave and Starscream both painted with white instead of silver/gray
I love the way this guy looks! I can't justify the price mainly because I have nowhere to put the trailer. I'm hoping I can get an opportunity to just get the figure. I'd pay $200 right now for that!
So good to see you doin review shar. Always a great review bro. I still love my mp10 KO 2nd run great paint. I also have the te-01 and mas-01. This mp-44 is too much for me right now. Plus the te-01 and ms-01 is also a great figure.
This is the best Optimus Prime out there but even for the amazon jp 320USD preorder price it's a very expensive toy, you can buy the Magic Square one for 120USD, in my opinion, it's the second best Optimus Prime and even when compared to this one it's a very good Transformer. Thank you for the review Shartimus.
All I care about is Prime and his gun everything else would stay in the box($300 staying in the box), hope they release it with just Prime and his gun.
Great review can't wait to get mine. and yes we need a new seeker mold Redoing all the seekers in a new mold Would be perfect. 💪 p.s more g1 masterpiece. 🙏🙏🙏
That transformation is a bloody NIGHTMARE...much worse than MP36. Ironically, I had an easier time going from truck to robot. I do see a couple of lil' mechanical nods to MP10, though. I really hate the axe. It's ugly and the connection point sucks. Only thing it's got over the MP10 axe is versatility: MP44 can use it on either hand, while MP10 is stuck exclusively on the right. Pretty sure it's been mentioned by now, but the round noggin is the G1 season 1 look, whilst the default squared head is season 2 and beyond. MP45 Bumblebee 2.0 is WAY to tall. The previous MP21 is a push as it's just barely too tall (he's supposed to come up to the *bottom* of Prime's knee), and 45 is even taller.
Imagine if a third party company makes a downscaled version of this. It woulda been crazy and awesome. Also, does this figure render MP10 Obsolete then?
