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M'Kyuun

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  1. M'Kyuun
    I've never seen the film nor read the manga, but the mecha designs are amazing. Those models are beautiful already without even being painted. I've always been fond of the Jagd Mirage "Green Demon", after seeing pics of a custom model at some convention years ago. It's such an intricate, delicate, and insectile design-very eyecatching. It'd make for a tedious, but rewarding production model. But so many of the other FSS mecha would also make great displays. I forget who posted it above, but I agree that these designs approach high art in this medium.
  2. M'Kyuun

    BANDAI DX YF-19!!

    M'Kyuun replied to seti88's topic in Toys

    That;s some serious handi-work on that Advance. There seems to be no shortage of amazing talent out there. Wish I had just a smidge. As for a possible Bandai YF-19 color scheme, I'll second Supernova. It always reminds me of this: http://www.mahq.net/mecha/macross/modelgraphix/yf-19-6th.htm That blue on white with all the various markings just looks fantastic.
  3. M'Kyuun

    Bandai Sv-262 DX valk

    M'Kyuun replied to seti88's topic in Toys

    QFT. I didn't care for the Tornado packs, as they were just so over the top. The Super Packs looked good to me, although I'm glad they attach to the more solid wing roots rather than the wings themselves. I guess I prefer the simpler, less busy look. While there's something cool about oversized guns, boosters, and other add-on equipment so often featured in anime, they don't usually agree with gravity when realized in plastic Those -262 packs do look like mini-Koenigs. It'd be kinda cool if they separated and transformed to provide backup for the main valk, controlled by a backseater, or as A.I. controlled drones.
  4. M'Kyuun
    That last line gives me both a good chuckle...and serious pause. Honestly, I don't think I'd have regret, at least not so much as I've had with other toy purchases over the years. Mileage varies. For fans, and for TT, it's a positive that they had a second use for the mold, warts and all, to recoup the cost of production. I'm still mulling whether to pick up one of them or just let it go. I must admit, I've been fascinated with the all-in-one tractor-trailer transformer idea ever since I saw the first TF commercial back in '83 and thought Prime was both cab and trailer forming the robot. Something about the engineering involved really grabbed me and has maintained a tenacious grasp over the past few decades. I still regret never picking up a Road ranger Gobot. I also never had the G1 Motormaster, who intrigued me, but was also so simplistic and brick-like that I have no regrets. When the Combiners were announced, I happily awaited a new all-in-one Motormaster, just to have my hopes dashed. He's still a decent figure, but I somehow feel like I've been cheated. I also built a fully functional, albeit partsforming, all-in-one tractor-trailer transformer from LEGO when I was in my late teens, based largely on the transforming scheme of Road Ranger. It worked well, but it hasn't survived the ravages of time, sadly. Anyway, the MP and UW/CW Magnus toys hold a certain fascination for me more from an engineering standpoint than for any connection with the character. Perhaps TMI, but this is where my interest in MP Magnus originates.
  5. M'Kyuun
    I also noticed that MP Magnus doesn't have painted tail-lights, either. I mean, c'mon. While clear red plastic would be really nice and preferable, painted lights would at least show they tried. Small details like this should be a hallmark of the MP series. I also agree that TT are taking their slavish inspiration from the animation a bit too far for today's aesthetic sensibilities. I'd like my MP toys to be as realistic as possible in their vehicle modes, and to have tasteful color choices and schemes to make for a more aesthetically pleasing figure in both modes, regardless of the tacky 80's colorations. For those in the know, since these are really aimed at the Aisian market with no regard to the West, do the target audience share this viewpoint, or do they like the toon-accuracy as much as Takara would have us think? I'm genuinely curious. I wonder if any of them are complaining about TT's color choices, too. If so, there should be a petition.
  6. M'Kyuun
    Correct on both counts. That said, the red bumper looks like poop. Both Delta and Ultra Magnuses are available on HLJ currently. I'm on the fence whether to get one of them. After my previous post, curiosity took me to Youtube for a UM review. Overall, the fig looks pretty solid to me. The buttflap doesn't bother me all that much; waist swivel would have been nice, but I could live without it; and the little gaps between the shin plates and the legs are a non-issue to me. The only two things I don't like are the limited shoulder articulation, which was, ironically, done far better on the leader class CW figure, and that terrible red bumper. So, since I have the UW Ultra Magnus, I'm starting to favor the idea of getting Delta Magnus, since I like his color scheme, mostly, and his lovely blue truck cab looks far better with all that chrome. Really wish those extending arms were silver, though, or at least had some other colored paint apps to break up all that stark black. My eyes are drawn to them, not in a good way. Nevertheless, I'll likely cave within the next 24 hrs and preorder some DM goodness. Also on HLJ, a few of the upcoming Titans Return figs/Headmasters are available for PO: Galvatron (which I PO'd without hesitation) , Hardhead, and Skull (big Crocodile headmaster). I'm assuming that Takara's Galvatron will benefit, as most of their releases do, from better paint apps than Hasbro's, plus his PO price is $35, about $5 less than domestic pricing at any retailer except TRU. I PW'd him and hopefully will get a better shipping deal. Hopefully.
  7. M'Kyuun
    Delta Magnus would have looked better if the sliding arm bits had been done in the silver to match the legs, IMO. That black contrasts too much and just doesn't look right. These pics are starting to make me regret not getting MP UM, regardless of his flaws. He looks pretty sharp in that picture. Delta looks good, too, ecept for the aformentioned black bits. That blue paint job is lovely. And, for the love of God, who's questionable idea was it to put a red bumper on UM? I realize it's based off the G1 figure, but the 80's were often gaudy, as in this case, and good sense should override nostalgia. DM's truck mode looks amazing, and far more realistic with his chrome bumper.
  8. M'Kyuun
    The Arcadia looks great by candlelight. just sayin'
  9. M'Kyuun
    "Such heroic nonsense." Such a great line in a a great scene of pointless slaughter. There's a part of me that will never forgive Hasbro for this scene, or for killing Prime. Yet, UM was blasted to pieces, and just reassembled good-as-new. But yeah, MP Megatron is a must. Judging by MP Shockwave's legs, they've found a solution to bulk up the legs in bot mode, and hopefully that'll carry over. And, yep, the new Machine Robo/Gobots are pretty sweet, and hopefully they'll be reasonably priced when they finally get around to opening preorders. I'm thinking/hoping around $50. Less would be better, but considering these are kinda niche, plus production costs, I'm thinking the $50 range puts them comparably with most of the MP car-bots. I honestly don't know how popular MR is in Japan, so I welcome any correction to my assumption.
  10. M'Kyuun
    I passed on MP UM, but the UW version looked great to me in promo pics, and he turned out to be a fantastic figure. Not perfect: I wish his wrists could swivel and that he had ankle tilts in bot mode, and that his loading ramps (shin armor) could sit flush to the ground, but these are fairly minor issues. I love the all-in-one transformation; despite the two part UM from the 80's, which I feel was due to toy tech limitations, this is the way I've always felt Magnus should be. Beyond that, I love the engineering involved to accomplish the transformation and still make him a fully functional tractor-trailer. I wish they'd done something similar for CW Motormaster, but you can't have everything. Initially, I wasn't too interested in the upcoming Powermaster Prime, as I generally don't buy multiple versions of a mold, but there are enough changes to the figure to justify it. Looking forward to getting Titans Return Galvatron. TT did a great job on this figure, IMHO: http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/03/08/new-colored-images-takara-transformers-legends-titans-return-figures-311001
  11. M'Kyuun
    While not exactly Transformers, it looks like Bandai & Action Toys are making progress on their new Machine Robo figs. https://www.facebook.com/loopaza/videos/1065790020149179/ There hasn't been much news about these since they were first shown last Feb, so I'm happy to see a few painted protos among the group. I'm interested in snapping up most of these guys, esp Leader 1, Snoop, and Spay-C. I'm surprised there isn't a Crasher or Cop-tur in there, but then these aren't based on the American Gobots show. Happily anticipating preorders. You may now return to the Ultra Magnus discussion already in progress.
  12. M'Kyuun
    Unfortunately, Toynami is not known for its build or material quality. My Bernard Legioss sits on my desk with his crumbly hands and poor glue applications as a constant reminder. Also, $400 is a steep price, esp for Toynami. I also wish they'd contract better factories and improve their overall quality to at least near-Arcadia standards. I think their Legioss is the best looking of all the various releases, but the poor quality made me stop at one. I love their hand design, as it's one of the best poseable hands I've seen on a toy this size, but the rubbery, crumbly material from which they're made just adds a further frustration. Anyway, if anyone here gets the new Voltron, I'd be interested in a review. Maybe they've made improvements (not holding my breath).
  13. M'Kyuun
    Toynami's Ultimate Voltron is available for preorder over at BBTS. It looks nice, and has some excellent articulation, both individual lions and Voltron. http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TOY10645&mode=retail&utm_source=retail_news&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=BigBadToyStore-Retail&utm_content= Personal pass for me, but for die-hard fans, I thought this might be interesting.
  14. M'Kyuun
    After discussing MP Shockwave, I looked up some pics online out of anticipation. Concerning whether he has a waist swivel, I'm thinking yes. Look at the second pic from the top. It's slight, but noticeable: http://www.collectiondx.com/news_item/10215/transformers_masterpiece_mp29_shockwave_laserwave_updated
  15. M'Kyuun
    Dr. Smoov is the reason I love the Mighty Shockwave. That video has become my default image of the character.
  16. M'Kyuun

    Bandai DX VF-31

    M'Kyuun replied to UN Spacy's topic in Toys

    Well, unfortunately, unless the valks had longer bulkier thighs to accommodate the mains, the only part of most valks capable of housing them are the shins, thus necessitating their location far aft of CG. Having worked on aircraft landing gear, it always looks a little dodgy to me to have the mains located so far aft, but I realize it's a necessary compromise. I'm just glad they have retractable gears and doors at all; consider most aircraft TFs.
  17. M'Kyuun
    LOL. So true, and so fair. I've never been a big fan of Hot Rod, anyway, but I'll buy any good figure if it looks decent to me. This doesn't, and hasn't since it was first revealed. Animated Hot Rod is my favorite version of the character, and I have Classics HR on my CHUG shelf, who still looks better than MP HR, IMHO. I think the MP figure could have been significantly improved if that hood had been shortened a bit (get rid of the Matrix slot) and if there'd been a nice taper from the waist out to the shoulders for a little bit of "v" to his torso. Also, lose that single piece crotch plate and just make small hinged panels for forward thigh movement. Those two changes alone would have made him a better looking figure, IMO. I also passed on MP UM, but I like the CW version. Fun figure, but he would have been even cooler had they scaled him up just a little more to make his truck cab in scale with the rest of the CHUG/CW cars.
  18. M'Kyuun

    Bandai Sv-262 DX valk

    M'Kyuun replied to seti88's topic in Toys

    Whatever the 'Sv' stands for, the fact that Kawamori is using it for this valk's model designation makes me think there's going to be a lineage between it and the Sv-51 and -52. How that plays out remains to be seen, but I doubt the 'Sv' was used randomly, or out of a lack of imagination. That's one resource of which Kawamori-sensei has no shortage. Only a little over a month til we hopefully will finally get to see the Sv-262's battroid.
  19. M'Kyuun
    Y'know, with all the miniaturization that's been achieved with electronics, how difficult would it be to put a small sound chip, powered by a watch battery, in this without compromising the overall design. Same can be said for his eye; they could put an LED in there and it would work great. Once he releases, I doubt it'll be long before we see some nice mods to add those things. I'm honestly not a huge fan of electronics in toys, but sometimes, as in this case, it brings something cool to the figure, and makes it all that much more enjoyable.
  20. M'Kyuun
    $33?! The CW toys aren't worth the $16 MSRP, relatively speaking. That's just pure rip-offery. Concerning MP Shockwave, I wish he were the darker purple like the G1 toy, but I'm not as big a stickler on colors as a few folks around here are. I'm glad they made him, and he looks pretty good to me. I think Cloud 9's version has more accurate feet, though, closer to both G1 toy and animation. Shockwave had some big clodhoppers. I've been looking through the various pics online, and I've not seen one that gives any indication of waist swivel, so they may just have forgone that joint altogether due to his big backpack. I'm curious to see a an early review of this fig to see how that barrel folds and stows. It's a creative solution to what could have easily been written off as a partial parts-former. I'm hoping that more car-bots will be announced for this year...other than the upcoming releases and BW Primal, there hasn't been much MP news.
  21. M'Kyuun

    Bandai Sv-262 DX valk

    M'Kyuun replied to seti88's topic in Toys

    I doubt it, unless Kawamori comes up with some convoluted backstory to explain the lack of their prior appearances throughout the series. I suppose he could say that the prototypes were shrouded in absolute secrecy following development of the SV-51 and -52. Sukhoi has quite a legacy.
  22. M'Kyuun
    Late to the party replying, but I have to wonder if Kawamori told Yamato that the VF-4's shoulders are immobile, or if they made them that way as a cost saving measure, since they knew this was their swan song and were probably under some strain just to get it produced. I remember reading somewhere they made the legs longer than they should be per the lineart to make the fighter look better, so they weren't above taking liberties. As excellent as Yamato's design turned out, I'd still love one that more faithfully produces the battroid...the fighter would be a bit stubbier, but I think it could still be made and look pretty good. It'd also be great if the shoulders were articulated, which is really the biggest weak point for me. Kawamori's lineart really makes the battroid look stocky and imposing, like it can just bash the enemy with those big ass shoulders. A thousand times, yes to both. Some serious tweaking would be needed to achieve those large round engines, though. I've given the matter considerable thought, as I'm of a mind to attempt making a variable Blackbird with LEGO. I'd also be happy if Bandai or Arcadia made the VF-14 Space Pope, er... Vampire. It's the closest thing we could get to a variable SR-71 in the Macross Universe.
  23. M'Kyuun
    I agree absolutely, and until now, I think that market was largely ignored by Hasbro, who I think just wanted to target kids, specifically boys. Their opening presentation at NY Toy Fair showed a shift in their thinking, as it relates to market: they established a 4-tier collector fanbase towards which to target specific toylines, and acknowledged that adult TF sales, by their estimation, was 30%. I imagine it's a greater percentage than that, but it's a promising start towards seeing more complex and sophisticated TF toys intended for adult collectors. Granted, Takara's way ahead of them, but I hope as time goes on, and a clear demand is manifested by virtue of all these Cons and Toy fairs, Hasbro will explore the adult collector market with more enthusiasm, and hopefully good returns on their investments. Hopefully, too, the MP line will see more domestic releases, and more than just overpriced limited runs of specific MP figs at TRU. I suppose the big sell will be to the retailers, though. Hasbro needs to convince the Big Box stores that there's a market. Watching the vid, I got the sense that it was a little too complicated for the reviewer. It looked fairly straightforward to me...it was very clear how the component parts went together. The final result was pretty spindly; I wasn't crazy about the 'hands'. I think a more experienced reviewer would have handled the toy more deftly, and provided a less frustrated review. I'll say this; it's a unique combiner, and I like the three component bots' alt modes. Crustaceans, and insects by extension, make great subjects for translation into mechanical creatures.
  24. M'Kyuun
    Beautiful. It's beyond me how some folks don't like the look of the VF-4's battroid; it's one of my favorites, even over the VF-1. (Ducks for cover)
  25. M'Kyuun
    Definitely one of Kawamori's best fighter designs. That's a sweet diorama setup, Gundam@EFSF. That floor lighting is a nice detail. If I might make a suggestion, open the feet up a little in fighter; they're the main engine augmenters controlling the thrust.
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