Interview With Takara Tomy Designer Hirinori Kobayashi--Hints At Next Masterpiece Figure?

Hope you're wrong. There are so many other figures I would like to see get the MP treatment before Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime.

El Duque wrote:Hope you're wrong. There are so many other figures I would like to see get the MP treatment before Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime.

I could be wrong. 2010...leader, takes over as Prime. Possible to make as Hot Rod and transforms into Rodimus...I think it might be kind of sweet.

Lots of other possibilities too.

Kibble wrote:SJ21 wrote:
I could see them doing Soundwave as a new mold. That would give them plenty of options for MP tapes to sell. I know I would buy every one of those. Heck, they could do a black repaint as Soundblaster and a red one as Blaster. Make that money!
My only concern with a(n) MP Soundwave is they may not have much room to jazz it up and it'll just turn into an oversized version of the G1 figure with gimmicks and a little added articulation, even more so than Grimlock. I guess for some people that would be considered perfection, but for $100-150 I want a little more action than folding out the arms and legs and flipping up the head. Maybe they could do more with the cassettes, but even those seem to be limiting in options. But if it happens, maybe I'll be surprised...

I am sure they could come up with a way to make Soundwave more more intricate to transform. I know the G1 mold doesn't involved much, but neither did Grimlock's. They managed to make Grimlock a great figure. I would like to see a new Decepticon mold before another Autobot comes out.

If they are planning on using Hot Rod / Rodimus Prime, my guess is that they choose Hot Rod. You really can't do R.P. without his Winnebago-trailer-thing. Making that would probably cost them a lot more money. I mean, they didn't origionally include a trailer with MP Prime.

I like Hot Rod's car mode better anyway.

El Duque wrote:Has/Tak has already stated that reverse engineering a mold is a piece of cake, so loss of the original mold shouldn't be that big of an issue.

They have more-or-less stated that. Please note that it is extremely expensive to do this which I imagine is more the reason why they haven't started pumping out reissues of old school Transformers left and right yet.

El Duque wrote:They have also stated they don't really consider doing reissues of figures that have been KO'd since the KO's are essentially filling the demand for that particular figure. That seems like the more reasonable explaination to me.

They definitely DID NOT state that. If anything, the KOs would show the exact opposite point ... which is that they should make these figures because there's a demand for them.

FYI - KO figures that were recently reissued: Takara Tomy's Encore Rumble and Frenzy.

I'm holding out hope for MP Galvatron as far as new MP molds go.

I expect and demand a US release of Thundercracker. My US MP Starscream and Skywarp look lonely. Plus I want to re-create some AHM scenes with Cracker and Warp.

heh...funny hint but I`m gonna guess on that hint that it WON`T be Rodimus Prime but MP-09 Ultra Magnus Perfect Edition WITH his trailer armor. why? well gee, it`ll take the least effort and they can milk the MP-01 mold some more. plus, Prime got HIS trailer in MP-04 so Magnus is overdue for his.

Rodimu's trailer is MUCH smaller than Optimus' ... and MPs in general are smaller, so they may very well do him, trailer and all.

Although I'm much more of a Hot Rod fan myself ...

I'm hoping for Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime, myself, as he's one of my favorite characters. I can only imagine how awesome an MP version could be. Of course, I'd be just as happy with a Galvatron as well.

kirbenvost wrote:I'm hoping for Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime, myself, as he's one of my favorite characters. I can only imagine how awesome an MP version could be. Of course, I'd be just as happy with a Galvatron as well.

Since when have you liked Rodimus??? I never knew! LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

My best guess foir MP09? Galvatron or Hotrod.

As a wildcard hows about a MP Wheelie with Sharkticon?

MP Cyclonus and Scourge would rule as would a MP Arcee

Neurie wrote:My best guess foir MP09? Galvatron or Hotrod.

As a wildcard hows about a MP Wheelie with Sharkticon?

MP Cyclonus and Scourge would rule as would a MP Arcee

MP Arcee could be a monumental toy for many reasons, and of course, they could repaint it add nauseum putting whomever female name they would like on it.

Since there was no G1 toy produced and released, this would indeed be a phenomenal piece.

With all the extra bells and wistles that MP's often get, it'd be cool to see a MP Hot Rod that is also MP Rodimus Prime and is able to convert between the two somehow. Doesn't seem like it's be terribly easy to do or necessarily even possible, but the transformation on the movie Prime toy shows me they can at least do a lot more than I would have thought possible.

I'm hoping for Fortress Maximus, as tall as G1 Scorponok.

tigertracks 24 wrote:

kirbenvost wrote:I'm hoping for Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime, myself, as he's one of my favorite characters. I can only imagine how awesome an MP version could be. Of course, I'd be just as happy with a Galvatron as well.

Since when have you liked Rodimus??? I never knew! LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

Since I first saw the G1 toy...neighbor's melted windshield and all. :p Later on, I dunno, I just think he looks cool, and he's not as annoying as everyone makes him out to be, IMO. Is that why you're loling? :p

If there is an mp HotRod(or Rodimus) im going to put money aside for it as soon as its announced and preorder it first chance i can. I missed out on Megatron (still pissed about that) im not gonna miss out on my favorite autobot of all time. Same thing if theres a Soundwave one. But the next MP I want to see is Mirage. There hasnt been a F1 TF in so long its time to make another. Hell ill be happy if they make an F1 mirage of any class even ROTF.

yellow Camaro wrote:I'm hoping for Fortress Maximus, as tall as G1 Scorponok.

I'd hope for a Fortress Maximus, as tall as G1 Fortress Maximus!

Am I the only one hoping it's Galvatron?

If it's either Galvatron or Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime, they can claim my money now. I'd go up to $150 for a proper MP of either of them.

Rodimus and Galvatron seem like obvious choices, though I am hoping for Soundwave or Shockwave, or continue with the Dinobots.

Gee, tough question, as they already evened them up... No, wait, there's three Autobots and 2 Decepticons. Who am I talking about, you might ask. Well, there's Optimus Prime, Grimlock, and Ultra Magnus, then on the Decepticon side there's Starscream and Megatron. Oh, yea, then there's the two other Seekers. Man, this reply is complicated... Yea, it's gonna be either Rodimus Prime or Hot Rod.

They need to make a Soundwave. Hell, for all we know it could be him he was in 2010.

MASTERPIECE KUPP!!!

My guess is Galvatron.

How about they just come up with a trailer/armor upgrade for MP-02 repackage the whole set and call it the Perfect Edition Ultra Magnus. They're already half-way there.

This probably won't happen, (due to the 2010 hint, most likely Rodimus), but I am hoping for MP Ironhide. Only the Masterpiece treatment can produce a G1 accurate Ironhide for both robot and vehicle mode, since the cartoon robot mode was essentially a cheat to cover up the fact that the original toy robot did not have a head. Obviously, they can milk the mold for a Ratchet repaint.

I think everyone can agree that Wheelie deserves the MP treatment.

I can see Hot Rod or Rodimus Prime. The only other Autobot I can easily see would be a complete Ultra Magnus or Bumblebee, both of which I want ahead of Rodimus Prime, though.

Bumblebee's sort of small, but is an integral figure if you ask me, and his G1 figure sucked. Bad.

Decepticons? I can see several more, but I'd say I'm hoping Soundwave above all else, and possibly Shockwave as new sculpts. But I don't know how popular Shockwave would be. Retools of the coneheads makes sense, and I'd buy all 3 of them.

But if they're doing "Leaders", then Rodimus and Galvatron have to go hand-in-hand. I was hoping they'd end the line with those two though, as they're not high on my list.

One thing in Rodimus's favor is the fact that the new Black Convoy has Rodimus on his comm-link, and that's been an indicator before of which MP would be coming next previously. The only one appearing on the screen before who we haven't seen an MP of is Bumblebee, which is the one thing that throws that off.

^Interesting, has that communicator bit been confirmed, or just speculation?

Mkall wrote:Am I the only one hoping it's Galvatron?

I mentioned him. I just stated my slight preference for Hot Rod first.

Hot Rod would be cool.

Just as long as he is in scale with MP Prime. If it is Hot Rod he should be the size of an Alternator. If they are going for Rodimus Prime he should be bigger in botmode than an Alternator.

MP Grimlock was a disappointment in my book, figure is way too small.

kirbenvost wrote:^Interesting, has that communicator bit been confirmed, or just speculation?

No idea if it's been proven by any reliable source, but it's been a pattern I've noticed. I've read others' comments too, and they seem to have found the pattern.

MP-01 had Bumblebee and Starscream, if I remember correctly, then the MP-02 had Prime on the comm-link (the other arm just had some techno-babble), MP-04 had Megatron AND Grimlock...

So far, the only comm-link to not "preview" (and precede) a forthcoming figure is the MP-01 Bumblebee comm-link. I found it odd that it was Starscream on the MP-01 display, and not Megatron, then we got Starscream. MP-02 wasn't previewed, but Starscream-forward were.

I'm assuming that the Black Convoy comm-link wasn't an accident, and is a sneak-peak at the next MP.

I could be 100% wrong and it's all speculation, but it's worked so far.

I would kill for a Masterpiece Triple Changer! MP Blitzwing anyone?

Otherwise I'd be happy for a Galvatron or Rodimus. Or maybe the Perfect Edition Ultra Magnus.

I bet they'd be itching to do Bumblebee, if only Volkswagen would let up on the use-of-image thing. Not only would it be a well-known and iconic character, but the repaints and remolds could go on for a while. Masterpiece Glyph and Tap-Out as exclusives, anyone?

Galvatron or Rodimus would be nice. I can't see Soundwave really working - there are too many aspects which can't be usefully reconciled.

However, there is one possibility that everyone seems to have overlooked for the moment (possibly due to the Binaltech version of him). A highly repaintable, well-known G1 character who appeared in many stories and arcs, has continued appearing in comics to the present day, and who forms part of the Autobot command structure.

Who would be interested in... Masterpiece Prowl?

Geminii wrote:
However, there is one possibility that everyone seems to have overlooked for the moment (possibly due to the Binaltech version of him). A highly repaintable, well-known G1 character who appeared in many stories and arcs, has continued appearing in comics to the present day, and who forms part of the Autobot command structure.

Who would be interested in... Masterpiece Prowl?

It's a nice idea, but....

a) The Classics/Henkei Prowl is pretty damn G1 accurate already.
b) There's really not enough detail or interest to Prowl. There's no real room for lights or sound, no extra accessories beyond his rifle and shoulder missiles (and maybe a Chip Chase figure?)
c) He's not that popular a character among many fans, owing to his having been turned into a simperimg wimp by Furman's writing.
d) Maintaining a license (eg. Nissan) could be expensive for a figure of high price and short production length.
e) Unless he was shorter than both Prime and Grimlock, people will bitch about scale again.

On the plus side, he could be repainted into Bluestreak and Smokescreen...

I think for next year, they should attempt an MP Soundwave. A working MP Soundwave + Tapes. It sounds daunting at first, but in reality you could just simply take the body of a Walkman and stick arms, legs, and a small cavity on it where Soundwave's head could fold in. And the body of the Walkman could be painted to resemble a miniature boombox.

He'd should be able to have real batteries inserted into him, and the weapon on the shoulder could have a real battery inserted into the purple plastic sleeve (to be G1). It would have the metal prongs inside to complete the circuit when it was folded back into Soundwave's body.

The only difficulty with the Tapes that I could forsee might be the exposed ares of the tapes' ribbons, but collectors would have to discipline themselves not to touch that part

You can tell that I like to think out this sort of stuff

I think the BT/Alt versions of characters that appeared in those lines basically are their MP versions. Sure there are exceptions like Prime, but he appears in almost every line, and Grimlock whose vehicle alt mode obvisouly wasn't G1 accurate. Guys like Prowl, Sideswipe, Hound, Smokescreen, Jazz, etc in their BT/Alt versions are fairly accurate and roughly in scale with the MP Primes. If they do a "Hotrod" MP it will most likely be his Rodimus Prime incarnation, we already have HotRod in the Alt line. Just my two cents.

SJ21 wrote:I am sure they could come up with a way to make Soundwave more more intricate to transform. I know the G1 mold doesn't involved much, but neither did Grimlock's. They managed to make Grimlock a great figure. I would like to see a new Decepticon mold before another Autobot comes out.

I was actually a bit disappointed with Grimlock, but that's probably in large part due to his cost. The 50% mark-up probably raised my expectations...or at least put them equal to the previous molds, but he's my least favorite of the molds and I don't really see where the added cost went.

Zombie Starscream wrote:I think for next year, they should attempt an MP Soundwave. A working MP Soundwave + Tapes. It sounds daunting at first, but in reality you could just simply take the body of a Walkman and stick arms, legs, and a small cavity on it where Soundwave's head could fold in. And the body of the Walkman could be painted to resemble a miniature boombox.

That sounds moderately neat in theory, but I honestly don't see the point...and this coming from someone that still owns about 200 cassettes! But they don't make them anymore and hardly anyone even uses them. I don't use the ~200 I have... And it pretty much begs to take away from the figure as you'd all but guarantee the G1 transformation and that would be the "big" feature. I honestly just wouldn't have a use for it...especially at $150+. Skip the working cassette player and give me the best possible figure...if Soundwave ever actually happens.

revengeofstarscream wrote:This probably won't happen, (due to the 2010 hint, most likely Rodimus), but I am hoping for MP Ironhide. Only the Masterpiece treatment can produce a G1 accurate Ironhide for both robot and vehicle mode, since the cartoon robot mode was essentially a cheat to cover up the fact that the original toy robot did not have a head. Obviously, they can milk the mold for a Ratchet repaint.

I am surprised that Hasbro and Takara never repainted Alternator/Binaltech Skids as Ironhide. BT Skids was a very popular mold that got reissued last year. Takara could have easily repainted it as Ironhide instead as Skids a second time.

On a different topic - I don't think the com-links on Prime's wrists are necessarily a predictor for the next MP figure; but rather just illustrate popular characters that Prime would communicate with.

I do think that Soundwave maybe deserves the MP treatment most alongside Bumblebee and Ratchet/Ironhide as far as popular characters that got shitty figures as a kid.

And there's at least a 2:1 standard repaint at the very least as you could get Cliffjumper out of Bumblebee and Ratchet out of an Ironhide mold. And, they never did come out in the Alternator line (and they were 3-4 of my most-wanted figures that were never made in that line, too). As much as I want a more vintage-precise Smokescreen/Streak/Prowl in MP format, and as much of a repaint potential that they have, I just don't see them doing car-sized, more second-tier characters like them before we get such icons as Rodimus Prime or Bumblebee on the Autobot side of things.

Soundwave is one of the better original figures, but to me, doesn't look very much like his animated counterpart. And he doesn't have that great of articulation, which they could improve immensely upon. If they'd just done the Music Label Soundwave at double scale and done a few more points of articulation, he would be perfect for my collection standards. His head sculpt looks fantastic, but as much as I love classic Soundwave, the G1 figure doesn't look very much like his animation model, which is my favorite version of him, and I imagine a lot of folks like that look for him as well.

MP Grimlock, while out of scale, is as good a sculpt as any of the MPs if you ask me. They all have their flaws, but there hasn't been a "FAIL" MP yet, in my eyes. They may not meet everyone's expectations, but they're amazing sculpts and feats of engineering and design that many of us overlook in our nerd rage and absurd expectations.


I'm still betting on the comm-links and Rodimus Prime being the next.

If they do continue with Masterpiece, I'm guessing Soundwave is a likely candidate. As is Rodimus.

I know who'd be the next if I it was up to me...



Followed by


This mold is obviously easy to repaint into more characters.

Yep... Megatron needs his two archenemies.

Soulgem wrote:

Yep... Megatron needs his two archenemies.

Werent they Optimus and Starscream? So he would already have had those

But seriously a masterpiece Rachet/Ironhide? Whilst good characters I dont think they would sell well outside of the collector community and thats something Takara has to look at. If not well we would all be having our MP Erectors to play with right now.

It would have to be something thats not licensed and tbh Soundwave? Again? The music label Soundwave is the ebst your gonna be getting. Hows about a MP Springer? Kup? Blur? Soundwaves a bad choice as it would be oversized for a cassette deck and well nowdays most kids dont even know what a VHS tape is let alone an audio tape. Now Galvatron, Hotrod or Rodimus Convoy are more logical choices. Id love shockwave but again there are licensing issues.

Now Id love a device label Reflector with 7 Megapixel camera, prolly will never happen though.

Oh my god... you know what would suck more then anyone employed by Vivid?

Masterpiece Beast Convoy... I can't see them ever wasting time on that but still... the thought of it makes my blood angry.

I think the next MP needs to be a Soundwave that transforms into a fully functional Blu-Ray player. He will come with working Blu-Ray discs that contain the entire G1 cartoon continuity including Headmasters, Supergod Masterforce, and Victory. These discs will transform into Rumble, Frenzy, Buzzsaw, Laserbeak, Ravage, Ratbat, Overkill, and Slugfest. Of course each figure will have a 100% G1 cartoon acurate bot mode. That is all.

El Duque wrote:I think the next MP needs to be a Soundwave that transforms into a fully functional Blu-Ray player. He will come with working Blu-Ray discs that contain the entire G1 cartoon continuity including Headmasters, Supergod Masterforce, and Victory. These discs will transform into Rumble, Frenzy, Buzzsaw, Laserbeak, Ravage, Ratbat, Overkill, and Slugfest. Of course each figure will have a 100% G1 cartoon acurate bot mode. That is all.

Wow, not asking for much, are ya?

Valandar wrote:

El Duque wrote:I think the next MP needs to be a Soundwave that transforms into a fully functional Blu-Ray player. He will come with working Blu-Ray discs that contain the entire G1 cartoon continuity including Headmasters, Supergod Masterforce, and Victory. These discs will transform into Rumble, Frenzy, Buzzsaw, Laserbeak, Ravage, Ratbat, Overkill, and Slugfest. Of course each figure will have a 100% G1 cartoon acurate bot mode. That is all.

Wow, not asking for much, are ya?

Well at first I wanted him to transform into a fully functional PS3, and the controllers would transform into Rumble and Frenzy that would utilize the controllers vibrating feature to have working pile drivers in bot mode. Plus all the other minions as previously stated, but I thought that might be asking too much.

Definitely too much.

Neurie wrote:Soundwaves a bad choice as it would be oversized for a cassette deck and well nowdays most kids dont even know what a VHS tape is let alone an audio tape.

Ermmm... I think most kids still have an idea of what a VHS tape or an audio tape is, otherwise they must've been pretty isolated...

Besides, these MPs aren't for them anyway. They're for us

I think Rodimus and Galvatron will be the best options for the next masterpiece. 2010 is the start of G1 season 3. They are the leaders. But I'll suggest one other option. I would like to see a MOTOR MASTER masterpiece!!!

I could actually see Beast Convoy/Optimus Primal being done well, but with some unique tweaks like actual fur over the plastic, a working mouth gimmick like screamer has, accurate weapons, with die-cast swords..

I want a Masterpiece Warpath.


And if that's not going to happen I'd like MP Soundwave, MP Shockwave, MP Arcee, MP Galvatron, MP Ironhide, MP Wheeljack, MP Bumblebee, MP Blitzwing, MP Ratchet, MP Hound, MP Jetfire and MP Astrotrain.
Not necessarily in that order.