Takara Tomy Transformers Masterpiece 2014 Line to be Designed by Hironori Kobayashi
Monday, December 30th, 2013 9:54PM CST
Categories: Toy News, People NewsPosted by: El Duque Views: 92,220
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Kobayashi is no stranger to the Masterpiece line, he designed MP-01 through MP-09, although his designs for MP-03 Starscream were tweaked by Shoji Kawamori. Kobayashi was also the designer behind the Alternity line. He will be taking over for current Masterpiece designer is Shogo Hasui, who's credits include MP-11 through MP-19. This change will not impact the the development of Masterpiece Fan Poll Winner Star Saber who is currently being designed by Hishashi Yuki.
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Posted by Tronus_Rex on December 30th, 2013 @ 10:12pm CST
Posted by RodimalToyota on December 30th, 2013 @ 10:13pm CST
Wat?
Posted by Powered Convoy on December 30th, 2013 @ 10:18pm CST
http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/97 ... ers-scans/
Randy
Posted by xyl360 on December 30th, 2013 @ 10:49pm CST
RodimalToyota wrote:Just as the MP line was becoming epic, they change the line up...
Wat?
Yeah, I was kinda thinking the same at first, but this guy did design MP-10, the one that started it all with regards to the 'new' MPs so I think we'll be OK .
Besides, who better to create MP-22 which is itself based on MP-10 than the one who designed MP-10?
Posted by mesh on December 31st, 2013 @ 12:35am CST
the masterpiece line started to become engineered amazingly since mp-11 to mp-19. why the change? and i thought mp-20 was supposed to be wheeljack, then bumblebee, THEN Ultra Magnus.
I hope to God they don't change the line up. there really is no need to change a good thing.
Posted by Sabrblade on December 31st, 2013 @ 12:51am CST
Posted by Cyberpath on December 31st, 2013 @ 2:20am CST
Because I read an interview with Hasui where he stated that he deigned the new Masterpiece Optimus Prime while Kobayashi was working on Rodimus Prime.
And why does Shogo Hasui have to leave the project anyway? I don't like the sound of this.
Posted by griftimus prime on December 31st, 2013 @ 7:49am CST
Posted by Stormrider on December 31st, 2013 @ 7:58am CST
Posted by mooncake623 on December 31st, 2013 @ 8:00am CST
Posted by Sabrblade on December 31st, 2013 @ 10:30am CST
Yeah, Hasui definitely did MP-10 while Kobayashi's last MP was MP-9 Rodimus.Cyberpath wrote:Wait, are you sure it wasn't actually Shogo Hasui behind the MP-10?
Because I read an interview with Hasui where he stated that he deigned the new Masterpiece Optimus Prime while Kobayashi was working on Rodimus Prime.
Posted by megatronus on December 31st, 2013 @ 10:52am CST
Posted by Sabrblade on December 31st, 2013 @ 10:59am CST
On here, it looks less like a freak out more like just a cautionary awareness. The MP line has been doing so well so far, so to hear of a change of staff would naturally spur a reaction of some kind.megatronus wrote:I'm not sure what to make of the fandom's collective freak out...
At least we can still look forward to Hisashi Yuki's MP Star Saber since he's good at designing Super Robots like that.
Posted by megatronus on December 31st, 2013 @ 12:00pm CST
Sabrblade wrote:On here, it looks less like a freak out more like just a cautionary awareness. The MP line has been doing so well so far, so to hear of a change of staff would naturally spur a reaction of some kind.megatronus wrote:I'm not sure what to make of the fandom's collective freak out...
At least we can still look forward to Hisashi Yuki's MP Star Saber since he's good at designing Super Robots like that.
Mmmm... Star Saber
Posted by El Duque on December 31st, 2013 @ 2:08pm CST
Posted by fenrir72 on December 31st, 2013 @ 6:52pm CST
Posted by Sabrblade on December 31st, 2013 @ 7:02pm CST
A little of both (as some parts were either too fragile or designed unworkable ways for the figure to function), as well as due to it simply being too ambitious for its own good, trying to play the role of both Hot Rod and Rodimus when it could have benefited from being constrained to just one and giving the other his own separate mold.fenrir72 wrote:People, I'm one of the unfortunates who don't own an MP Hotrodimus. Were the problems due to design or bad materials?
Posted by Trikeboy on December 31st, 2013 @ 11:46pm CST
On the other hand, they have a Wheeljack and Bumblebee mold to repaint, not to mention Ultra Magnus so we do have some upcoming releases using the new Masterpieces.
Posted by REMINATOR on January 1st, 2014 @ 10:15am CST
Posted by DinobotSix on January 1st, 2014 @ 10:26am CST
Posted by Dead Metal on January 1st, 2014 @ 10:42am CST
fenrir72 wrote:People, I'm one of the unfortunates who don't own an MP Hotrodimus. Were the problems due to design or bad materials? Either way, the change in engineering designers would more or less have learned from mistakes and avoid them in future TF releases no? (and maybe avoid the stupid design flaws found in non MPs like TG Blitzwing)
Design and materials.
Its engineering feels and looks like it belongs on a figure twice the size. On top of that the Hasbro version featured the typical shitty paint Hasbro is known for, the kind that hates plastic and tries to get away from.
On top of that the QC wasn't that great, the thing is designed in a way that assembly needed to be very exact, which is something HasTak's factories aren't exactly known for.
This news is somewhat unnerving, Hasui really worked hard on the line so that everything worked scale and aesthetics wise. Kobayahi did some amazing work, but nothing in the line really worked out that well, none of the figures really looked like they came from the same line, hopefully they force him to comply with Hasui's established direction, if not I'll drop the line and just give up on the toys completely.
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on January 1st, 2014 @ 10:58am CST
Sabrblade wrote:A little of both (as some parts were either too fragile or designed unworkable ways for the figure to function), as well as due to it simply being too ambitious for its own good, trying to play the role of both Hot Rod and Rodimus when it could have benefited from being constrained to just one and giving the other his own separate mold.fenrir72 wrote:People, I'm one of the unfortunates who don't own an MP Hotrodimus. Were the problems due to design or bad materials?
And for the love of Primus, don't get the Hasbro version. It has a rather annoying problem in that shoulders really like to break on that version. Spring too strong or plastic too weak? Who knows? The little OffshootFirebolt isn't worth his hefty price tag alone.
Posted by Dead Metal on January 1st, 2014 @ 11:07am CST
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Sabrblade wrote:A little of both (as some parts were either too fragile or designed unworkable ways for the figure to function), as well as due to it simply being too ambitious for its own good, trying to play the role of both Hot Rod and Rodimus when it could have benefited from being constrained to just one and giving the other his own separate mold.fenrir72 wrote:People, I'm one of the unfortunates who don't own an MP Hotrodimus. Were the problems due to design or bad materials?
And for the love of Primus, don't get the Hasbro version. It has a rather annoying problem in that shoulders really like to break on that version. Spring too strong or plastic too weak? Who knows? The little OffshootFirebolt isn't worth his hefty price tag alone.
Especially not when it's been misasembled and its pin was forced into the wrong hole.
At least the large diecast matrix it came with is pretty awesome.
Posted by Stormrider on January 1st, 2014 @ 11:52am CST
Dead Metal wrote:JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Sabrblade wrote:A little of both (as some parts were either too fragile or designed unworkable ways for the figure to function), as well as due to it simply being too ambitious for its own good, trying to play the role of both Hot Rod and Rodimus when it could have benefited from being constrained to just one and giving the other his own separate mold.fenrir72 wrote:People, I'm one of the unfortunates who don't own an MP Hotrodimus. Were the problems due to design or bad materials?
And for the love of Primus, don't get the Hasbro version. It has a rather annoying problem in that shoulders really like to break on that version. Spring too strong or plastic too weak? Who knows? The little OffshootFirebolt isn't worth his hefty price tag alone.
Especially not when it's been misasembled and its pin was forced into the wrong hole.
At least the large diecast matrix it came with is pretty awesome.
I found the Matrix to be too fidgety. My favorite feature for MP Rodimus is the trailer/anti aircraft gun.
REMINATOR wrote:The words so far is Hasui will be doing MP20,21,22 then he'll jump into TF Movie line. Kobayahi will pick up the MP Line starting with MP23 and up. Going to be very interesting to see both lines.
I had not heard this before and hope it's true. But don't the movie toys need to be in the planning stages now in order to come out in time for the movie?
Posted by Dead Metal on January 1st, 2014 @ 12:34pm CST
Stormrider wrote:Dead Metal wrote:JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Sabrblade wrote:A little of both (as some parts were either too fragile or designed unworkable ways for the figure to function), as well as due to it simply being too ambitious for its own good, trying to play the role of both Hot Rod and Rodimus when it could have benefited from being constrained to just one and giving the other his own separate mold.fenrir72 wrote:People, I'm one of the unfortunates who don't own an MP Hotrodimus. Were the problems due to design or bad materials?
And for the love of Primus, don't get the Hasbro version. It has a rather annoying problem in that shoulders really like to break on that version. Spring too strong or plastic too weak? Who knows? The little OffshootFirebolt isn't worth his hefty price tag alone.
Especially not when it's been misasembled and its pin was forced into the wrong hole.
At least the large diecast matrix it came with is pretty awesome.
I found the Matrix to be too fidgety. My favorite feature for MP Rodimus is the trailer/anti aircraft gun.
I was talking about the awesome extra one that came with the Hasbro version, it's like the Mp 1 Matrix, just die-cast and incredibly detailed.
Posted by Stormrider on January 1st, 2014 @ 7:02pm CST
Dead Metal wrote:Stormrider wrote:Dead Metal wrote:JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Sabrblade wrote:A little of both (as some parts were either too fragile or designed unworkable ways for the figure to function), as well as due to it simply being too ambitious for its own good, trying to play the role of both Hot Rod and Rodimus when it could have benefited from being constrained to just one and giving the other his own separate mold.fenrir72 wrote:People, I'm one of the unfortunates who don't own an MP Hotrodimus. Were the problems due to design or bad materials?
And for the love of Primus, don't get the Hasbro version. It has a rather annoying problem in that shoulders really like to break on that version. Spring too strong or plastic too weak? Who knows? The little OffshootFirebolt isn't worth his hefty price tag alone.
Especially not when it's been misasembled and its pin was forced into the wrong hole.
At least the large diecast matrix it came with is pretty awesome.
I found the Matrix to be too fidgety. My favorite feature for MP Rodimus is the trailer/anti aircraft gun.
I was talking about the awesome extra one that came with the Hasbro version, it's like the Mp 1 Matrix, just die-cast and incredibly detailed.
Oh, I didn't realize the Hasbro version had a better Matrix. That's cool.
Posted by REMINATOR on January 1st, 2014 @ 8:11pm CST
Stormrider wrote:REMINATOR wrote:The words so far is Hasui will be doing MP20,21,22 then he'll jump into TF Movie line. Kobayahi will pick up the MP Line starting with MP23 and up. Going to be very interesting to see both lines.
I had not heard this before and hope it's true. But don't the movie toys need to be in the planning stages now in order to come out in time for the movie?
I have no clue about movie toy planning stage. But for info regarding Hasui is doing MP20-22 and Kobayshi will do MP23+, it was first brought up by TFW2005 poster zy80 (post #273):
http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transform ... hi-28.html
who got it from ACToy Forum:
http://bbs.actoys.net/read.php?tid-1800996.html
Posted by Sabrblade on January 1st, 2014 @ 8:33pm CST
It had two Matrixes. The tiny one that came with the Japanese version, and second bigger one that Rodimus could hold and wrap his fingers around the handles. As Dead Metal said, the bigger one is similar to the Matrix that came with MP-1 Convoy/20th Anniversary Optimus Prime, only without the shiny chrome and shaped a bit differently.Stormrider wrote:Dead Metal wrote:Stormrider wrote:Dead Metal wrote:JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Sabrblade wrote:A little of both (as some parts were either too fragile or designed unworkable ways for the figure to function), as well as due to it simply being too ambitious for its own good, trying to play the role of both Hot Rod and Rodimus when it could have benefited from being constrained to just one and giving the other his own separate mold.fenrir72 wrote:People, I'm one of the unfortunates who don't own an MP Hotrodimus. Were the problems due to design or bad materials?
And for the love of Primus, don't get the Hasbro version. It has a rather annoying problem in that shoulders really like to break on that version. Spring too strong or plastic too weak? Who knows? The little OffshootFirebolt isn't worth his hefty price tag alone.
Especially not when it's been misasembled and its pin was forced into the wrong hole.
At least the large diecast matrix it came with is pretty awesome.
I found the Matrix to be too fidgety. My favorite feature for MP Rodimus is the trailer/anti aircraft gun.
I was talking about the awesome extra one that came with the Hasbro version, it's like the Mp 1 Matrix, just die-cast and incredibly detailed.
Oh, I didn't realize the Hasbro version had a better Matrix. That's cool.
Though, Dead Metal, my Hasbro Rodimus's bigger Matrix isn't die-cast, IIRC. Was there a variant release or something else at work here?
Posted by megatronus on January 1st, 2014 @ 8:42pm CST
Posted by Cyberpath on January 1st, 2014 @ 10:35pm CST
I wonder if it was his decision to leave the line or if it was an order from higher up.
Posted by Dead Metal on January 2nd, 2014 @ 2:05am CST
Sabrblade wrote:It had two Matrixes. The tiny one that came with the Japanese version, and second bigger one that Rodimus could hold and wrap his fingers around the handles. As Dead Metal said, the bigger one is similar to the Matrix that came with MP-1 Convoy/20th Anniversary Optimus Prime, only without the shiny chrome and shaped a bit differently.
Though, Dead Metal, my Hasbro Rodimus's bigger Matrix isn't die-cast, IIRC. Was there a variant release or something else at work here?
Pretty sure it's die-cast.
I wanted to buy the Dr Wu die-cast Matrix, but before I pulled the trigger I got my Rodimus Matrix out of storage just to marvel at it again. I then realized that it was colder than the plastic on Rodimus and felt like metal.
It might be a variant, but I'll need to get it out of storage again.
But yea, pretty sure it's die-cast.
Posted by Sabrblade on January 2nd, 2014 @ 9:08am CST
Also, some coding needs fixing.
Posted by Dead Metal on January 2nd, 2014 @ 9:34am CST
Sabrblade wrote:Mine's at my dad's so next time I'm over there, I'll need to check it.
Also, some coding needs fixing.
Fixed the coding, that's due to me being used to having the comments start a line under the "[/quote] tag", while you just start writing eminently after the tag, I forgot and missed that part of the quote and tag.
So I got it out again, and it turns out it's not die-cast, it's also not as shiny as the Dr Wu Matrix, still way better than the crappy MP 01 Matrix, but still. Just checked, the shiny Die-cast one is actually the MP-10 Matrix, but that doesn't open, so I mixed them together and formed the most amazing Matrix in my mind ...
Posted by Sabrblade on January 2nd, 2014 @ 9:41am CST
Aw, I liked the MP-1 Matrix. All nice and shiny chrome. It looks beautiful. The Rodimus one look less "alive" by comparison.Dead Metal wrote:Sabrblade wrote:Mine's at my dad's so next time I'm over there, I'll need to check it.
Also, some coding needs fixing.
Fixed the coding, that's due to me being used to having the comments start a line under the "[/ quote] tag", while you just start writing eminently after the tag, I forgot and missed that part of the quote and tag.
So I got it out again, and it turns out it's not die-cast, it's also not as shiny as the Dr Wu Matrix, still way better than the crappy MP 01 Matrix, but still. Just checked, the shiny Die-cast one is actually the MP-10 Matrix, but that doesn't open, so I mixed them together and formed the most amazing Matrix in my mind ...
And, this may just be mine, but IIRC the MP-1 Matrix opens and closes much more freely and swimmingly than the Rodimus one, which is a bit more stiff.