Jump to content

technoblue

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    4246

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Everything posted by technoblue

  1. technoblue
    I'm liking it a lot myself. If DS decides to release a version using the G1 toy paint scheme, they could get me to double dip. For now, I'm going to see how it goes and read up on what people think once this hits retail. I hope it's a solid release.
  2. technoblue
    Deformation Space revealed the alt mode for their third-party Starscream today. Not bad. A little bit of MP-52 and a little bit of Newage too but upscaled to MP.
  3. technoblue
    Welp, I see 'Rent a Girlfriend' took an uncanny twist.
  4. technoblue
    IIRC, the story behind Shattered Glass is that it's using the mirror universe trope like Star Trek, so everyone appears as tweaked versions of themselves complete with opposite personalities. Jetfire is an Autobot just like his G1 counterpart but the implications of that are completely different since Autobots in the SG universe are authoritarian, underhanded, and antagonistic like Decepticons in G1. https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Jetfire_(SG) The WFC Jetfire toy is okay but I wasn't keen on it with the G1 deco and I'll be passing on the SG deco. I'm sticking to a very specific set of figures for my mainline collection and Jetfire didn't make the cut. The Studio Series Dinobots did, though, after some flip flopping. I haven't heard anything about the Insecticons but I might be interested if they are well done like the Dinobots.
  5. technoblue
    Thanks. I was able to set aside time today to take a few photos with the cell phone. Nothing high quality, but I did dig out G1 Starscream to sit it with the MP side-by-side. Although it's well used, that old G1 toy is still holding up after 37 years. Here they are together in bot mode. The blue nose cone, lighter grey fuselage, darker face, and tinted canopy color stand out on the G1 toy along with those stickers. I can see Takara taking those toy details and making an MP+ release or whatever they're calling the toy MPs today. As I noted in my earlier post, everything tabs together nicely in bot mode. Transforming MP-52 back to alt mode is more of a challenge. There are hidden tabs that take more finesse to lock into place. I'm going to have to transform him one or two more times back and forth to figure out all that stuff. Still, I like the way it looks. It's cool how on the G1 toy one can swap out parts to change the null rays into cluster bombs. On the new MP, you change the end piece by transforming it. And yes, I do have someone in MP Screamer's cockpit. Although Takara missed a beat by not including a figure of their own this time out, MP Screamer's cockpit is compatible with a number of small pilot figs. I have a Macross gummy pilot in there right now. Say hello to Nora! I thought they made for a good team. Alas, she can't stay in there during transformation, so this F-15 won't work as a substitute Valkyrie for her. It's still cool that she fits, though, without looking huge.
  6. technoblue
    I bought my copy form amiami and I was worried, but gave it a quick check when it arrived. My copy has none of the critical issues like the cracks that have been reported on other forums. It has good clicky ratchets in the knees and hips, with the right-side hip ratchets feeling a little more stiff out of the box than the left-side. The ankles are ok but I may add some floor polish as reinforcement anyway since the backpack does make Starscream top heavy in bot mode. All that said, my copy of MP-52 can pose without the stand and he doesn't flop around. Hm. If I were to compare my copy to a reviewer's copy, I would say that mine is more like peaugh's but with a few more blessings from the good QC spirits. In person, MP-52 looks mighty fine to me in bot mode. I don't know if it's due to lens distortion but he doesn't appear to be as bloated as he looks on camera. In his F-15 alt mode, holding and swooshing MP-52 is so much fun. I daresay it's as fun as swooshing MP-3 around, or even a VF-1 from Arcadia or Bandai. I think some of that is due to how well my copy tabs together in alt mode. It's solid. Of course, some of it is probably due to how the design plays on my nostalgia strings too, but I'm okay with that.
  7. technoblue
    There is some nuance here that shouldn't be overlooked. Although I think modern Macross toys are more premium, that doesn't mean that I entertain the hyperbole that all official MPs are trash or garbage. I feel I should state that explicitly first in case it is being misunderstood. Also, there are Macross toys (like v1 1/60-scale Yamato Valkyries) that are well past their prime. I should also reiterate that I do try to empathize with opposing viewpoints in passionate discussions like these. Really, rather than having a virtual shouting match or repeating tl;dr points, I like to keep an open mind. With that said, what I mean by premium can be defined in two parts: 1) that the standard of quality is consistent with the price that I'm paying and 2) that the toy embodies the stated mythology of the story. In my experience, Macross is often in line with parts 1 and 2 more often than not. Transformers MP is often in line with 1 or 2 but its rare to see MPs that get both down. I do think the toon-centric MPs are getting closer, mind you, but it took time for me to come around. I was also a fan of the Hasui-era MPs. More to the point, I've had QC issues with a couple of the later toon-centric MPs, as much as I enjoy them. My copy of MP-45 arrived in its box scratched up with multiple paint defects---not what I was expecting for the price I paid. MP-43, BW Megatron, one of the few BW MPs that I went out of my way to pick up had the less-than stellar grey swirly plastic and my copy did develop cracks, making it unusable. I haven't messed with MP-44 or MP-47 enough to know if I have the common issues that are reported with Hound and Prime v3, but part of me doesn't really want to go looking for those problems either. With regard to MP-52 specifically, I've already been writing about how I thought it was supposed to match the G1/Diaclone design. That's been my point from the beginning! I don't know how that was lost in the debate? Oh well, this is neither here nor there. I'll say again that I'm quite content with how MP-52 turned out. I think it's terrific how this toy, which looks so close to G1 Starscream from the cartoon/movie, transforms into an F-15 that looks almost like the G1 toy. That is almost its own MP moment for me. But please do appreciate how this doesn't mean that I'm unmoving or unwilling to relate to those who say that MPs are getting too expensive and who feel that the toon-centric design language is getting away from what they wanted from this line. It also doesn't mean that I can't appreciate designs from other toys like Go-Bots. Really, Takara is in a tough place. Go one way, disappoint this group of fans; go another way, disappoint that group of fans. You can't please everyone. Like @M'Kyuunsays, it's a good thing we fans have choices!
  8. technoblue
    I like how Devil's Deal is a Filoni filler episode, but a very well done filler establishing more context for this series.
  9. technoblue
    That’s a great comparison. The original Leader-1/Eagle Robo toy has a good balance between modes. The action toys redux of Eagle Robo adds modern engineering and articulation, sacrificing some of those clean alt mode aesthetics. Even so, the action toys updates (even the other fliers) are well received by fans. Yes. The DX version of Eagle Robo is long overdue. I hope the DX line is more than a one and done offshoot.
  10. technoblue
    It is. I read that the guy who created the comic series also thought the show was a good interpretation. That's always cool to see when that happens. What surprised me, is that the comics are reportedly even darker in tone and more violent. I was thinking of checking them out while waiting for news of season 2 but now I don't know. Oh! @Old_Nash created a dedicated thread in case you want to check it out, although it seems to have fallen off the first page.
  11. technoblue
    Macross is a little different, though. Yes, Kawamori takes inspiration from real-world aircraft now and then---before engineering his prototype Valkyries. However, the VF-1 has the benefit of being its own thing in fantasy, regardless of the source of inspiration and that works to its benefit in a way. It doesn't have to look exactly like an F-14 because it isn't one and was never meant to be one. It is a "what-if" prospect where alien technology is added to the mix of other marvels that propel humanity into an alternate future. For VF-1 toys, we have the benefit of history to see how they improved over time. Not all VF-1 toys are created equal. With MP Starscream, I've observed that the expectation is clearly different. I think this is due in part to how the show set up the Transformers mythology. It's understood that Autobots and Decepticons "scanned" vehicles to disguise themselves after their ships crashed on earth. The seekers took the form of F-15s that were parked at an airfield. Now, this is where perceptions split, and it becomes a subjective (even personal) thing for some. However, the way I see it, although one's own personal and technical background can contribute heavily to their reasoning, the end analysis is more about how far one is willing to suspend their disbelief. Therefore, on the one hand, you have fans who are forgiving of the goofy toon design and who can overlook its imperfections. Mind you, a portion of these forgiving fans are also Macross fans who enjoy sleek fighters and cool mecha design. Speaking for myself, I'm able to separate Macross and Transformers into two buckets. One is premium and the other not so much, Unfortunately, the prices are starting to look the same. That critique is fair. I can also sympathize with fans who are not forgiving of MP-52's alt mode design. The reasons explaining why they are disappointed in it are all legitimate. Some are not happy about the price increase when looking at the final retail package, some have very personal stories, some have more technical reasons. I think all of this is very much connected to how a person imagines Starscream themselves, perhaps even while watching the G1 cartoon when they were young. And if MP-52 doesn't match that perception, for whatever reason, then that's all there is really. The upside is that I think we will eventually get a Starscream that balances a real-world F-15 alt with a good looking bot mode. It's only a matter of time.
  12. technoblue
    I was under the impression that Takara's customer service is reputable as long as one is buying their products in Japan and has a Japanese address. Outside of Japan, one has to rely on the reseller's service and not all resellers are the same. Some are willing to sacrifice stock to resolve customer issues and others are not. It's unfortunate, especially given the partnership that Takara has with Hasbro globally. Hasbro could definitely afford to change the situation and set up the infrastructure to support international customers but they've decided against it to save on operational costs. What's worse is that they've also stopped marketing MPs domestically. These are now available as Takara imports only, even on the Hasbro Pulse website. Yeah, in this regard the more well-known 3P manufacturers are doing it better. I'm not willing to say it's all sunflowers and roses, though, just that Takara could learn a few things that would certainly improve their standing among fans.
  13. technoblue
    Did anyone get in on the Acousic Wave pre-order? I don't get the Fanstoys rebranding but I gotta admit that the add-on parts to complete Soundwave's toy look were tempting me. Anyway, I ended up missing all the pre-order windows (not enough Bandai DX pre-orders to keep my F5 reflexes in shape). Thinking about it now, that's probably a good thing. Acoustic Wave alone is $249.99US and the cassette pack runs another $119.99 to get three extra tapes. As much as I like the photos, MP-scale releases have been steadily marching out of reach for what I'm willing to pay. If all the listed items were bundled together and priced at $250, I think I would have been okay with it. Asking for another $120 for a full set of tapes is a bridge too far for me, but all US shops are sold out so I guess Fanstoys knows their audience. Also, I'm surprised to see that Buzzsaw isn't included. That means ol' Buzzy is on both WFC and FT's ignore list. He gets no respect.
  14. technoblue
    You make a very good point. I'm waiting for in-hand reports, but if Meteor EX is solid, I could see myself revisiting Maketoys again.
  15. technoblue
    This makes sense too. There are so many firms competing for silicon with the restrictions on supply and logistics. It could be that Nintendo decided to play it safe with nVidia's SoC to avoid potential delays and have a refresh (albeit a minor one) available for the holidays.
  16. technoblue
    * insert why not both meme here* Seriously, though, I was getting worried that I might get a bum copy of MP-52 myself. On first inspection, things look okay with no cracks or other reported QC issues. That said, comparing the in-hand reports, it’s clear this release is not as solid as Takara’s version of Arcee and that’s unfortunate. It will push more fans away, fans who were already on the fence thanks to Hound. Yeah…IMO, not having Takara as a serious first-party player is bad news. Anyway, it will be interesting to see if we get any tweaks for Thundercracker and/or Skywarp. I think it would behoove Takara to do something. However, the window is open again for a third party to step up with a different design, one that’s solid, has a toonish bot mode, a better F-15 alt, and covers today’s popular points of articulation. With regard to Skullface, I wish I could say that I was still tuning in but I’ve lost interest in his style over the last year. The thing is, I found his Maketoys Meteor review from 2017 quite helpful and I agree with the issues he brought up in it but the times keep changing.
  17. technoblue
    I tell you what, I would rather they do that than release a complete squad of 31AX but I know that a squad of 31AX is inevitable.
  18. technoblue
    Yeah, it's only speculation on my part. Given a choice, I agree with you wholeheartedly. It would be so much better to keep those important characters separate than to try to save cost or cut back the complexity of the interweaving subplots and merge them. Like I mentioned earlier, it will be interesting to see how far things get this first season. It will also be interesting to see which parts of the prequel books get the most focus.
  19. technoblue
    I don't know about the soundtrack and that makes me somewhat anxious. The old ADV Robotech Legacy DVD box sets have a single Dolby Digital 2.0 track using original effects. The new Blu-rays have two Dolby TrueHD tracks per Funimation's site, one 2.0 and the other 5.1. I would think that any 5.1 track will have the new effects. What I'm curious about is the 2.0 track. I'm hoping it uses the original effects like the old Dolby Digital 2.0 track from the ADV DVDs but I can't find anything that confirms this. Sadly, there is no mono track. I'm in the camp that thinks the faded edge artwork looks better on newer shows trying to pass as retro, like Stranger Things. The same look on actual shows from the 1970s or 1980s seems redundant. I would have rather seen some classic artwork on the box and/or slip cover, similar to the art that Funimation is using on the Blu-ray discs themselves.
  20. technoblue
    Most excellent. I’m looking forward to this bundle while also hoping that a DX TV Kaki isn’t too far off either.
  21. technoblue
    Great photo. For me, part of the fun is seeing the progress from generation to generation. The G1/Diaclone release was so cool for its time (decades ago) but such a parts former with the wing pieces and other accessories. Yeah, I still have mine. No, it’s not mint.😎 I like the darker grey on MP-52, myself. I also like the change Takara made to using more realistic RWR antenna on the vertical stabs. There are other things, but my copy should finally arrive today and I want to take an up close look before I go on.
  22. technoblue
    I missed that, perhaps…
  23. technoblue
    I had some time to mess with Newage's version of Bumblebee today, H25 Herbie. This is an update to their previous release, which has many fans. This release, like MP-45, goes for the alt-mode penny racer look. Here he is in alt mode compared to his mainline WFC cousin. Apologies, in advance, for the slightly mistransformed boot of Netflix/Earthrise Bee. I wasn't trying to disparage either one in these photos. I like them both and Earthrise Bee is one of the few mainline Chugs from the latest WFC waves that I'm keeping. And here's a side shot in alt mode. Although Earthrise Bee is small, Herbie is even more so. In fact, NA Bee is smol. Not to give alt mode all the love, here is a photo of H25 in bot mode. It's incredible to see how much articulation this tiny Bee has built right in. Some complain that the feet are still too big in bot mode. I don't mind them. The way the feet transform do remind me more of Earthrise Bee than MP-45, and that's a good thing. The accessories for both Newage Bee and Cliffy (not pictured) are included in the box in separate bags. Bee has his gun, a jetpack, and a spare tire to attach (it works both in bot and alt mode). Cliffy has his launcher with tripod/stand, and the alt mode skis from that one episode on sprues. Now for the downside. H25 is part of a bundle with Newage's version of Cliffjumper only and is not sold separately. The price is right up there with the NA seekers, Galvatron, and Shockwave. Even with the complex engineering that makes for a very fun toy, paying that much for something so small could be a turn off for some. In any case, if you can look past the price of it, or if you are so far down the Legends rabbit hole that price isn't an issue anymore (especially with Newage), then I can recommend it.
  24. technoblue

    Bandai DX VF-31

    technoblue replied to UN Spacy's topic in Toys

    I can't buy the whole squad again. Well, maybe Mirage's Valkyrie...
  25. technoblue
    Indeed. I finished a second, slower pace viewing with friends this weekend. It held up well, which is always good sign.
×
×
  • Create New...