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M'Kyuun

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Everything posted by M'Kyuun

  1. M'Kyuun
    I'm not really a big fan of cel-shading, but I certainly appreciate the artistry of it, especially when done well. LEK's work always impresses; it's difficult to tell that's an actual toy standing there and not a 2D render, a testament and a compliment to LEK's skill. Amazing. I like the toon's Skyfire design because it's not the VF-1, which was ubiquitous in the 80s, from official to KO toys. It was everywhere. Granted, Jetfire's toy was the VF-1, which I found confusing after watching "Fire in the Sky" for the first time, as the artists, perhaps even Floro Dery himself, did a pretty extensive redesign that, aside from being a jet with a large red jet pack, shares virtually no visual similarity to the VF-1. I pined for a Skyfire toy for years until I finally got Fans Toys Phoenix. I was pretty excited for Hasbro's Generations Jetfire, as he at least shared some similarity to Skyfire's bot mode, and I figured that was probably the closest we were ever going to get to a proper Skyfire in the Hasbro mainline. When Siege Jefire was announced, I was over the moon, and the toy didn't disappoint- about as good as one could hope for in a mass retail figure. When MP Skyfire was announced, well, it was a no-brainer purchase. While I think I still prefer FT's Phoenix, the MP is a pretty fine figure, and I'm happy to have him. I'm also glad that he was marketed under his proper namesake, the only official Skyfire fig that I'm aware of. The Siege toy may be called Jetfire on the box, but he's Skyfire to me, too.
  2. M'Kyuun
    This. Although it runs counter to Kawamori's line art, which employs copious animation magic to fit the legs, from a toy manufacturer's perspective, the most logical course is to use what space the design allows for, and I think Bandai did well by using the nacelles to that effect. The only other option would be to make the bulbous sides of the lower legs be separate panels that somehow hinge into some other part of the leg bay, a tall order given how cramped said space is. I think orienting the legs straight ahead and placing them in widened nacelles is the best compromise for this design. Kawamori did toymakers no favors, thus necessitating some creative solutions to achieve balance in aesthetics and functionality. Following the line art, I realize, is what most of us die-hards want, but with some of his questionable designs, it becomes necessary to say "F" the line art and go with what works.
  3. M'Kyuun
    Modular Space Station 60433 | City | Buy online at the Official LEGO® Shop US Finished building this today. It was a fun, if somewhat repetitive, set to put together, but the final result is a large station with plenty of play built in. It's done very well, and the only change I would have made is to have the pods arranged so that they themselves form a ring with internal access from pod to pod. However, I think that was a bit beyond the scope of what the designers wanted to do, and the singular interchangeable pods in this and a couple other sets in the line lend themselves to extensive modularity, which is admittedly far more fun. I love the clear delineation of roles based on color coding of the astrofigs' helmets and backpacks; the og red, white, black, blue, and yellow astrofigs were similarly delineated, at least in the minds of the designers if not so overtly indicated in the sets themselves. While not a new idea in Space themes (Galaxy Squad did it well in 2013), I appreciate the way it has been done in the 2024 sets, with the orangish-yellow maintenance/construction figs sporting a helmet with similar shaping to construction or mining hard hats, blue pilot figs sporting a non-opening but spacious visor, and the green scientists sporting an opening visor (which is helpful for making quick visorless observations without doffing the helmet, in pressurized areas, of course). The various backpack accoutrement is similarly role-specific, especially the mechanical arms on the fig that comes with the Space Construction Mech. Notable in these sets is the lack of any implied conflict; it's a welcome return to exploration and science-based play that so characterized the Classic Space era. That said, the use of minifig heads for the aliens included in some of the sets lend themselves, in my dark sci-fi loving grey cells, to "The Thing"-like parasitic possession of the human astrofigs. Whether that ever crossed the designers' minds, I don't know, but it sure crossed mine. I digress. I have the majority of the 2024 City Space sets, excluding the polybag and the 4+ Spaceship and Asteroid Discovery, and I saved the largest, Space Base and Rocket Launchpad, for last. Given my very positive impressions from the previous sets, I'm looking forward to building it too. I lament I don't have the space, pun coincidental, to display all these sets as a collective; they beggar to be played with, and I'd love to have them on a table where I can just interact with them on a whim. Alas, not right now, but hopefully I'll remedy that in the next couple of years. I also feel compelled to build a large vehicle akin to the excellent M:Tron Mega-Core Magnetizer in the theme's color scheme that, as is my wont, transforms into a mech. I'm adding it to the shortlist of projects I hope to accomplish this year. In other LEGO news, goat lovers rejoice! As has been their habit over the last few years, LEGO is once again releasing a more robust successor to an older set, this time the 2009 Medieval Market Village gets a hearty update via the Icons 10332 Medieval Town Square, which also combines aspects of another 2011 set, the Mill Village Raid which came with a single and highly sought after goat, the only occurrence of that animal element until 2024's CMF line featured a Goatherd w/ goat. The upcoming Town Square comes with a goat, newly molded in grey, which will likely make this an irresistible purchase for goat fans and collectors of rare LEGO elements. I still have the Medieval Market Village on display, still a remarkable set, and this update looks amazing. I'll likely skip it due to lack of space, but my hat's off to LEGO for doing such a great job. To those for whom this appeals enough to drop $230 for it, I envy you greatly and I hope you enjoy it immensely!
  4. M'Kyuun
    Oh man, I hope not. I avoided that whole mess with the ver. 1 of the VF-25, which looked terrible to me. I went in on this YF-21, and I hope it's not the same scenario. It's a lot of ducats to drop on a purposely poorly-done first pass.
  5. M'Kyuun
    Wow, great find, Mike. Congrats!
  6. M'Kyuun
    Honestly, I think they'd be further ahead to put Ramen Toys under contract with full licensing and let them do the hard work of development. Take a page from the Japanese approach: make the best toy possible and assign pricing accordingly instead of placing each product under a severely limited budget resulting in toys with subsequent limitations as we often see with Transformers. Promote it as a 'craft toy' line and see how it does. Of course, the prices would be higher, but if the quality and designs of the toys are this well executed, it's worth it, I suspect, to collectors and fans, especially considering what we Transformers fans pay for third party toys.
  7. M'Kyuun
    Yes to all your suggestions. I'd be happy with just better proportioned legs and stronger hip joints, but far be it from me to hinder any attempts at improving articulation throughout and even adding more so long as the joints are strong and well-toleranced. I'm firmly in the camp that would love to see Arcadia apply said fixes to the Yamato design. It would likely require less tooling to accomplish, and they'd still sell it at north of $300 ensuring they made a healthy profit. And we would buy it, many among us buying multiple copies. Seems a sure-fire win for Arcadia if they chose to retrofit the Yammie. Win for us the fans, too.
  8. M'Kyuun
    Interesting news indeed. Considering Hasbro is a toy company first, one can only assume there are toys in the pipeline, although I'm dubious that they'll come close to what Ramen Toys are doing.
  9. M'Kyuun
    I get the feeling that this is going to be one of those divisive toys that inspires conversation for years to come. Usually once POs come and go, the chatter kinda dies off as we wait, only to pick back up when toys start arriving and folks are anxious to get their views and reviews out there. I think the long absence of a new YF-21, especially since Bandai's releases of the VF-19 Advance and their YF-19 (I have the former) left a bit of a void for want of Isamu's nemesis along with the prospect of better battroid proportions. YMMV concerning that regard (I prefer the thicker legs, but that backpack and its distance from the figure's back have me concerned about stability and durability over time). I hope it turns out to be a good toy overall, but right out the gate, I don't think it's as refined as many of us would have hoped. Yamato created a toy that continues to be hard to beat with the exception of its too-skinny legs and wobbly hip joints, but in all other respects, a nigh perfect transforming toy of a very difficult valk to realize. I'd be interested to see them take a second crack, especially if they can solve the skinny leg problem.
  10. M'Kyuun
    I have the first largely undecoed version of Jive (Thank you Toyhax for remedying the toony plainness), but I would have waited for this version had I known it was coming, as applying stickers isn't my idea of fun. I also have Zeta's Jazzy (originally marketed as Toyworld's Coolsville before the two companies parted ways), which is a rather unsung MP scaled 3P Jazz which came out around the time that Maketoys released their very popular Downbeat. I preferred the Zeta version for its more G1 toy-inspired look in bot mode. Neither toy is perfect, especially when it comes to the transformations, but once accomplished, both present well, IMHO, in both modes. TBH, I wasn't familiar with the TR-01, so this vid was enlightening in that respect. It's amazing how many options we've had over the years, and hopefully Takara will eventually take their crack, although, admittedly, I haven't really been all that impressed with the majority of toon-slavish designs they've been putting out over the last few years. Skids was my last official MP purchase, and my only gripe with him is that I wish he'd come with swappable shins to recreate his 'windowed shins' look from his og box art.
  11. M'Kyuun
    The skinny legs were the only detractor, especially if you're a battroid guy like me. In all other respects, it was about as perfect as a fully transformable YF-21 can be.
  12. M'Kyuun
    Kinda my impression as well. Based on the trailers, I was excited for this film, but it fell flat in dialog, a bit contradictory regarding the androids, the plot more simplistic than implied, the main character just lacked charm or anything memorable or likeable, really. The bond between him and the girl was there b/c it was scripted and not because any real relationship was forged. In the end, I felt the visuals were striking but wasted on the script. Quite disappointing.
  13. M'Kyuun
    I missed all the corrective posts on the stream time, but as I'm not an RiD fan, I didn't mind watching it an hour later. Regardless of my bias, as a fan who can totally empathize with a strong yearning for a character to get a toy or a much-needed, much-wanted update, I'm happy for my fellow fans, especially a certain TF fan and reviewer close to home, that these characters are getting improved figs. Sorry the new Omega Prime doesn't fulfill what you wanted from an update. I have no dog in this particular race, but the HasLab looked pretty good to me. That said, I haven't handled my Fire Convoy fig since he was new and never had Magnus, so my recollection is myopic and incomplete. Although I bought a number of the toys (I was one of those happy to see TFs return to car & plane alts), I found the RiD and later UT designs to be, um, well, kinda crappy and the toon didn't appeal to me at all. For the disenchanted, I lament once again the reluctance of third parties to touch CHUG scale, as it's times like this that an alternative would be a welcome option.
  14. M'Kyuun
    After seeing a little of the UT, I lost all interest in the Japanese Transformers continuity. Despite being a mecha fan, I'm not really into the super robot aesthetic and they just went off on their own tangents with the stories. I love the simple, straightforward storytelling of the first season of the Sunbow show and that is pretty much the end-all, be-all of G1 Transformers for me. I didn't care for second season onward. The '86 Movie was ok- some good parts, but more that wasn't. If I ever stumble across my RiD toys, especially Optimus, I'll let you know. Chances are, he's still in his box in like-new condition. Thanks, Mike!
  15. M'Kyuun
    They sure did love their super robot combining gimmick back in the day. I actually have RID Fire Convoy; he's been tucked away in storage for many a year now. Like most of the UT toys, he just never made much of an impression on me. I'd rather have Devastator or Animated Omega Supreme. Remind me, when is the Haslab announcement?
  16. M'Kyuun
    I also hope they do something from '84 G1 to mark the 40th. It's apropos. However, I have no idea who Omega Prime is, but if they do an Animated Omega Supreme, my Paypal will make a somewhat stealthier sonic boom. 😜 I'm so out of space it's ridiculous, but I'll still find somewhere to stash a TFA Omega Supreme.😍 So long overdue a toy.
  17. M'Kyuun
    I'd be totally down with supporting a CHUG scaled Megatron as a HasLab project if they felt that was their only avenue in which to produce him faithfully to G1. That said, I'm surprised that Takara-Tomy, unfettered by our restrictions on toy guns, haven't produced their own for the Asian market, which would be great for US fans, too. I was also thinking they might be looking to HasLab Devastator, although, as you said, they've already proven a combiner can be done at retail. However, if they want to go the serious partsformer route, like Toyworld and any number of other third parties, with large portions like the crotch and thighs being partsforming chunks, HasLab may be the better platform to really include everything the designers want to have in there. As bonuses, they could include the chip rectifier machine from S1 Ep 14 "Heavy Metal War", and Grapple's solar energy tower from S2 Ep 12 "The Master Builder". I was hoping they'd do the Constructicons as voyager class figs in the SS86 line, but given the heavy partsforming nature of Devastator, at least a few of those figs would have to be upscaled to leader or commander to fit all those parts in. It might just be easier to do the whole thing as a HasLab, where you get the whole team together in one package along w/ all the partsforming bits along with any fully-funded bonuses. Getting it funded is a no-brainer, considering Devy's popularity. And, it's apropos to the 40-year anniversary given that the Constructicons were introduced in S1 in the aforementioned Ep 14. Somehow, I thought they were introed much earlier in S1, but nope- third from the last ep. Like everyone else, I'm curious. Given the anniversary, I really want it to be something from G1, preferably first season where it all began. Devastator just makes sense. Guess we'll see.
  18. M'Kyuun
    Visored and visor-less figs did overlap, especially in 1987 when the final wave of visorless sets released along with Futuron and Blacktron, and likely spent several years on the shelves together, as sets generally enjoyed a longer shelf life at that time. LEGO's yearly production was but a fraction then of what it is today, and sets remained available for longer periods. It's a point that long haunts me with regret as I didn't pick up nearly as many sets as I wish I had, especially in the 90s when I had enough disposable income as a young Airman to splurge on a nice set from time to time. I was pretty frugal back then, though, and let a lot of opportunities slip by to my eternal regret. So far as collecting, different strokes; our own @mikeszekely, along with collecting Transformers toys across the board, specifically collects Optimus Prime figs. Some folks love the Seekers or different versions of Soundwave. Collecting runs the gamut, and the collectors have their reasons for collecting broadly, as I do, or specifically collecting this character or that. I have a preference for G1 Prowl, and I have a few versions of him in my collection, although I don't take it to the extreme that other collectors do. Regardless, it's a hobby and if it's harmless and brings joy to the collector, more power to them I say. At least those toys are loved. I have likely a couple thousand LEGO sets in my collection at this point across many themes stretching all the way back to those '79 Classic Space sets. I never had a Dark Age, as I collected continually, although minimally at times, since I was about 6 or 7 years old. I'm 52 now, and I'll never give up LEGO as a hobby. It's an intrinsic part of who I am, as is my love of transforming robots, and mecha in general. I'm just happy to be living in an era where both are very popular and abundantly available. As our interior space diminishes with each acquisition, however, my wife is less than enthused, and admittedly, it's becoming a point of frustration for me too. Alas, it's every collector's conundrum: running out of space.
  19. M'Kyuun
    I'm glad you got some small measure of enjoyment from the book. Having grown up with Classic Space from the beginning, its impact, and thus enjoyment, is far greater for me. The nostalgia factor is certainly a huge part of that, as my collection was rather small as a kid, and though I've managed to pick up a few sets over the years, there are still many I don't own and would eventually like to find, or re-find, to add to my collection. To have a consolidated collection of nice clear photos of all those sets along with background, of which I vehemently wish there was far more than what was provided, makes for a valuable resource and just an enjoyable perusable to have at hand. I very much wish more in-depth interviews, and just more interviews period, had been conducted with Jens Nygaard Knudsen while he was with us. We see so much stuff written about guys like Steve Jobs, but here's the guy who was absolutely central to LEGO's success from the 70s onward creating and influencing major themes, inventing parts, the minifig itself, and numerous innovations and improvements through the several decades he worked at LEGO. It's not hyperbole to say LEGO is the most successful toy company in the world today in no small part due to his contributions. And yet, there seems to be so little info about him, especially in his own words, and that frustrates and saddens me. I digress. I complain, but honestly I'm glad this book exists. I hope it's received well enough to inspire a second volume covering the rest of the Space themes from '92 to the present City Space sets, which are leaning hard into that sense of exploration that so characterized the original '70s & 80s sets. If it happens, I'm down for a copy.
  20. M'Kyuun
    For whatever reason, I never saw Robotech (nor Voltron) on tv as a kid; almost certainly, the Macross Saga portion would have captivated me. I was TDY in England in the early 00s and the BX (Air Force's version of a convenience store) had the entire RT series to rent. I still hadn't seen the og SDF:M at this point, so I went in with tempered expectations having known all the vitriol it received from Macross fans. I managed to finish the Macross portion and got a couple eps into the Southern Cross portion, but SC was losing me with its lackluster mecha and story. Let's face it, Kawamori's VF-1 set a pretty high bar and SC seemed a serious downgrade despite its supposed existence in the future relative to the Macross portion. At that point, I quit, so I didn't see the majority of the SC portion or any of the Mospeada portion. I ended up buying the ADV Macross Saga DVD set, so I've at least seen the og show as it was intended. The voice work, including Mari Iijima reprising her role as Miss Macross herself, Lynn Minmay, was decent. I've also seen Mospeada , which I enjoyed. While I'm sure Robotech would have had an incredible impact on me as a kid, I'm thankful that I didn't see it until later in life, and that I have seen the original shows, which IMHO, are superior to the edited versions that were cludged together to make RT. That is, except for Super Dimension Calvary Southern Cross, which I've not seen and honestly have no interest in seeing- the mecha designs are less than inspiring, and that erodes the appeal for me. Yeah, I'm a mecha snob.
  21. M'Kyuun
    Flame Toys' Arcee is a nice-looking kit, but it's inability to transform removes the very thing that gives the franchise its appeal to me. I won't be giving up my Azalea, who remains, IMHO, the best transforming Arcee figure in existence. If Hasbro ends up doing a better version of Arcee to make up for the terrible Earthrise fig and the just ok SS86 fig, I hope they take major design cues from Azalea. Sounds like Hasbro is tapping into their Gobots repertoire a bit. Shame they can't make a limited contract with Bandai to actually use the og designs. Takara have worked with Bandai in the past on Zoids and Gundam, so in the very limited context of recreating Gobots based on the Machine Robo toys, I wonder if they'd have an objection? I'd like to see that collaboration. I was hoping the upcoming leader Soundwave would be a completely new mold, hopefully returning to the og micro-cassette scale of G1 with updated and improved cassettes, but disappointingly, I guess not. Netflix Soundwave is ok, but there's definitely room for improvement, and I was pinning my hopes on the rumored leader toy. Hopes dashed.
  22. M'Kyuun
    Thanks, Mike. I may end up missing this one, as I have to take my mother-in-law to an appointment at 9, and upon return, my pup will surely need to go out, and he's not always quick in getting about his business given his second-long attention span. Never knew what a pain raising a dog from a puppy was- never again. My saving grace, however, is that any POs arising from the stream usually don't go live until an hour or two later, so I'll hopefully still get the opportunity to get them, especially if Gears or Origins Wheeljack are included. Zero interest in Armada Tidal Wave, who's apparently the star of the show today.
  23. M'Kyuun
    What time is the fanstream? I didn't receive an email.
  24. M'Kyuun
    I like it, too. Rather reminiscent of the YF-23 "Grey Ghost", which of course influenced the YF-21's design as well as the aircraft competition subplot in Macross Plus.
  25. M'Kyuun
    BBTS is charging $350, plus $4 S&H. Amazon may be charging $20 less for the valk, but what's their shipping cost like? I'm thinking BBTS is looking pretty fair, as most of the other e-tailers are likely to be in the same ballpark, especially once shipping is tacked on. The only negative thing about BBTS is that they seem to take longer than other stores to get their stock. I'm curious to see what the US Gundam store will price it. If it's in the $300+ range as well, it's a notable contrast to the DX YF-19, arguably the more popular of the M+ valks, which has a current PO price of $250. All things considered, however, it's a bit surreal after years of midnight madness to score a Macross valk to see these toys now available, sometimes for weeks, on American stores' inventories. Dream come true.
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