 Is the Masterpiece line dead in the US? |
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 Feb 12 2012, 07:43 AM
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#1
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Group: Citizen Posts: 375 Joined: 26-December 09 Member No.: 12,997 Faction: Autobot  |
One thing I was hoping for was a US release of the newest MP Optimus or Thundercracker. Maybe some news at Botcon?
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Feb 12 2012, 07:55 AM
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#2
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 Have Zord, Will Travel Group: Citizen Posts: 4,488 Joined: 5-March 03 From: Living in a VAN down by the RIVER! Member No.: 2,441 Faction: Free Agent |
Optimus is a possibility; there's usually a LONG time between the original release of a Masterpiece figure and a US release announcement.
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Feb 12 2012, 10:54 AM
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#3
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 The power of metal, unchained Group: Citizen Posts: 13,589 Joined: 25-January 04 From: South of Heaven, north of Hell Member No.: 4,035 Faction: Unicron's Spawn |
Masterpieces aren't really such rapid-fire releases that going a few months without hearing about a new one is cause for rioting in the streets.
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Feb 12 2012, 11:02 AM
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#4
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 President of the Deflowering Club Group: News and Content Posts: 40,987 Joined: 26-April 02 Member No.: 905 Faction: RIRFIB |
We found out about Rodimus Prime while most of us were at BotCon 2011, so I doubt we'll be hearing anything for a while.
Randy --------------------  |
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Feb 12 2012, 11:08 AM
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#5
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I write stuff...just not as much as I used to. Group: Citizen Posts: 4,180 Joined: 25-October 05 From: Indianapolis Member No.: 7,491 Faction: Maximal |
Given the negative complaints I've heard concerning Rodimus and the expense related to the size class, I wouldn't be shocked if we didn't see many more Masterpiece releases stateside.
Then again, what do I know? -------------------- William Rendfeld
That Echowarrior guy... Author of "Transformers: Armada (Revisited)"- Allspark Fic of the Month for December 2005. Archive here. |
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Feb 12 2012, 11:11 AM
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#6
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 Yep. Group: Retired Staff Posts: 23,392 Joined: 23-December 01 From: Columbus, IN Member No.: 110 Faction: Free Agent |
I don't think it's dead so much, as it was never really alive. It's just a thing where we might get something out of it every couple of years, if they can find a retailer willing to carry the very specific, high-end product as an exclusive.
-------------------- "Wise men profit more from fools than fools from wise men; for the wise men shun the mistakes of fools, but fools do not imitate the successes of the wise." - Cato the Elder "Majority rule only works if you're also considering individual rights. Because you can't have five wolves and one sheep voting on what to have for supper." - Larry Flynt |
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Feb 12 2012, 06:50 PM
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#7
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Group: MORON Posts: 0 Joined: 19-February 07 Member No.: 9,988 Faction: Maximal |
I never had much use for Masterpiece. Costs a lot and way oversized for my collection. I'd rather buy 10-20 legends for the same money.
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Feb 12 2012, 08:00 PM
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#8
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 Mm? What's that, my boy?  Group: Supporter Posts: 2,414 Joined: 12-October 10 From: Indiana, United States Member No.: 13,734 Faction: Free Agent |
QUOTE(Jeremy @ Feb 12 2012, 11:11 AM)  I don't think it's dead so much, as it was never really alive. It's just a thing where we might get something out of it every couple of years, if they can find a retailer willing to carry the very specific, high-end product as an exclusive. This. More or less. I never really got the feeling it was meant to be a thing in the US, just that they were bringing them over as they saw it profitable to do so. That said... I would really love to see a US release of the new Masterpiece Prime. Even if they did away with the trailer to cut costs, that guy looks pretty amazing (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon-hotrod.gif) -------------------- |
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Feb 13 2012, 10:17 AM
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#9
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 Group: Supporter Posts: 1,561 Joined: 20-January 02 Member No.: 446 Faction: Autobot |
If dead equals about 1 per year (2011 Rodimus, 2010 Grimlock, Skywarp 2008, Starscream 2007, Optimus 2006, Optimus 2004). I guess 2009 didn't see a release if that counts as dead? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon-hotrod.gif)
-------------------- "Someone once told me that Time is a predator that stalked us all our lives, but I'd rather believe that Time is a companion who goes with us on the journey, and reminds us to cherish every moment -- because they'll never come again."
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Feb 13 2012, 11:52 AM
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#10
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Group: Citizen Posts: 829 Joined: 14-June 08 Member No.: 11,729 |
I would be really surprised if they don't bring a trailer-less version of the new MP Prime over here at some point. Might take a couple of years, but it's Prime, so it's more of a seller than Skywarp or Rodimus even.
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Feb 13 2012, 05:54 PM
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#11
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 Autobot Rainbow Brigade Group: Citizen Posts: 2,159 Joined: 3-June 04 From: Charlotte NC Member No.: 4,622 Faction: Autobot |
I've been hoping for Wal-Mart to do Thundercracker since they had the others. And I think Hasbro's choice of plastic color would be much better than the Tak version. For me anyway, that's been the case for the last two jets. I was surprised Wal-Mart didn't do that this past year. Hopefully this year. If not then TRU seems willing to take them. They've done the last two with lots of success.
-------------------- How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?
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Feb 13 2012, 05:58 PM
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#12
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 Fort Max-tan Group: Citizen Posts: 1,194 Joined: 27-July 06 From: Calgary, AB, CA Member No.: 8,560 Faction: Decepticon |
Yeah; people talking about dead are jumping the gun.
I'm guessing MP-10 is gonna be the Masterpiece release this year. Rodimus Prime/Grimlock sold well enough from what I saw. --------------------  BT Toons - updates Tuesdays and Fridays. Tekno Reviews: Watch Tekno and the Lugnut-tans review and rate toys! Blog | Youtube | Twitter | DeviantArt | Formspring |
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Feb 13 2012, 07:24 PM
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#13
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 Jungle Warrior Group: Citizen Posts: 6,312 Joined: 3-December 02 From: Earth 616 Member No.: 1,776 Faction: Autobot |
Masterpieces have sold very well at TRU, better than any other TF exclusive over the last few years.
-------------------- What is singature?
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Feb 14 2012, 11:49 AM
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#14
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 Group: Citizen Posts: 23,818 Joined: 8-February 03 Member No.: 2,246 |
I'd fully expect a trailer-less new MP Optimus at TRU within a year or so.
Masterpiece stuff isn't really a "line" in the US anyway. It's a collector novelty item, so it just requires time. -------------------- Fall of Cybertron will blow your mind. That is all.
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Feb 14 2012, 11:53 AM
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#15
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The power of metal, unchained Group: Citizen Posts: 13,589 Joined: 25-January 04 From: South of Heaven, north of Hell Member No.: 4,035 Faction: Unicron's Spawn |
QUOTE(The Doctor Who @ Feb 12 2012, 08:00 PM) That said... I would really love to see a US release of the new Masterpiece Prime. Even if they did away with the trailer to cut costs, that guy looks pretty amazing (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon-hotrod.gif) I would HOPE they'd do away with the trailer, but then, I'm not fond of big boxes that don't really do much but take up space. Even awesome trailers like RID Scourge's don't do much for me. -------------------- |
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Feb 14 2012, 12:04 PM
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#16
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 Group: Supporter Posts: 2,062 Joined: 14-July 11 From: Dublin, OH Member No.: 14,614 Faction: Autobot |
If it’s not dead in the US, it should be. The Masterpiece line should be a no-expense-barred line of figures where expense and “safety” are not considerations so designers can build with as much detail and complexity as possible to make a truly “masterpiece” representation of a character. Hasbro instead tends to cheapen them with inferior paint, fewer accessories, and clipped or rounded points to the effect they’re no longer ultimate masterpieces. Go all out or not at all, I say. But the US releases are at least good for those who want a masterpiece-ish figure but can’t afford the Takara version.
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Feb 14 2012, 12:05 PM
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#17
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 for Princess Celestia!!! Group: Citizen Posts: 2,450 Joined: 7-March 07 From: Colombia Member No.: 10,024 Faction: Free Agent |
we have the TF 30 annniversarya around 2014, maybe we will have more masterpiece related news next year. who knows? -------------------- C'est l'étoile Beta de la Grande Ourse!! la danse du feu et de glace!!!
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Feb 14 2012, 12:30 PM
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#18
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 I prayed for a friend, and he came. His name is Timmy! Group: Supporter Posts: 2,681 Joined: 11-October 06 From: I live in a Lake Member No.: 9,132 Faction: Cannonball's Pirate Crew |
QUOTE(The Doctor Who @ Feb 12 2012, 08:00 PM) QUOTE(Jeremy @ Feb 12 2012, 11:11 AM) I don't think it's dead so much, as it was never really alive. It's just a thing where we might get something out of it every couple of years, if they can find a retailer willing to carry the very specific, high-end product as an exclusive. This. More or less. I never really got the feeling it was meant to be a thing in the US, just that they were bringing them over as they saw it profitable to do so. Just agreeing on similar lines. Hasbro has seen that they can make a profit off toy designs that would come out of Japan, regardless of their involvement. So, they're making a profit. Of course, that doesn't mean we'll get every Masterpiece mold over here. I doubt we'll ever see Megatron's face. And I really don't think Takara will ever touch a tank version. I know of no G2 cartoon in Japan (or comic book, but I admit I'm on even shakier ground here), and suspect that it's not all that endearing (but I could be wrong). As for creating a whole new mold, just to satisfy US toy laws, well I don't see that happening. We might eventually see something along the lines of Alternity, but not in the same size class as Masterpiece. Plus, it isn't clear that Hasbro would bring it over, since Alternity, Music Label & other toy lines seem to be resistent to import. -------------------- My FlickR folder...
And yes, I was too lazy to come up with a decent TF related forum name, and just *GASP* used my own. |
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Feb 15 2012, 02:13 AM
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#19
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Jungle Warrior Group: Citizen Posts: 6,312 Joined: 3-December 02 From: Earth 616 Member No.: 1,776 Faction: Autobot |
QUOTE(Benbot @ Feb 14 2012, 11:04 AM) If it’s not dead in the US, it should be. The Masterpiece line should be a no-expense-barred line of figures where expense and “safety” are not considerations so designers can build with as much detail and complexity as possible to make a truly “masterpiece” representation of a character. Hasbro instead tends to cheapen them with inferior paint, fewer accessories, and clipped or rounded points to the effect they’re no longer ultimate masterpieces. Go all out or not at all, I say. But the US releases are at least good for those who want a masterpiece-ish figure but can’t afford the Takara version. Hasbro wants the figure designed and intended for 25-year-olds to be able to sell to little Billy the 5-year-old bed-wetter prone to wearing his socks on his penis. They produce toys within a paradox that even Michio Kaku himself has yet to fully understand. This post has been edited by GALVATRON I: Feb 15 2012, 02:14 AM -------------------- What is singature?
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Feb 15 2012, 02:51 AM
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#20
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The power of metal, unchained Group: Citizen Posts: 13,589 Joined: 25-January 04 From: South of Heaven, north of Hell Member No.: 4,035 Faction: Unicron's Spawn |
QUOTE(GALVATRON I @ Feb 15 2012, 02:13 AM) QUOTE(Benbot @ Feb 14 2012, 11:04 AM) If it’s not dead in the US, it should be. The Masterpiece line should be a no-expense-barred line of figures where expense and “safety” are not considerations so designers can build with as much detail and complexity as possible to make a truly “masterpiece” representation of a character. Hasbro instead tends to cheapen them with inferior paint, fewer accessories, and clipped or rounded points to the effect they’re no longer ultimate masterpieces. Go all out or not at all, I say. But the US releases are at least good for those who want a masterpiece-ish figure but can’t afford the Takara version. Hasbro wants the figure designed and intended for 25-year-olds to be able to sell to little Billy the 5-year-old bed-wetter prone to wearing his socks on his penis. They produce toys within a paradox that even Michio Kaku himself has yet to fully understand. It's still sold as a toy, therefore it has to pass toy safety regulations. Not complicated. -------------------- |
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