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chuckdawg1999 wrote:It looks good but I've lost interest after missing out on MPG-03. This reminds me I have to sell of 01 and 02.

MPG-03 is still available to buy online: https://hasbropulse.com/products/transf ... t-yukikaze

Even cheaper on Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/Transformers-Mas ... 134&sr=8-1

I decided against finishing the Trainbot team ($$$) but this one looks the best of all of them, to me.

This was the member of the team was looking forward to the most and he looks pretty good. Now I just have to wait for the next time Transformeres makes some train characters.

There are two questions in my mind:
1 - Will they ever reuse these molds for the alternative Diaclone color scheme? Apart from transparent and chromium ones, they were pretty neat.
2 - Will they release more MP Combiners and give us the Devastator we deserve?

He's a pretty chunky figure. I can't help but think that they really hamstrung themselves here and for no good reason. There's plenty of figure in Kaen that he could have formed those thighs rather than interfere with the leg bots by making them have to form the entire leg and work in fake Kaen parts. And now we have an ever growing abundance of kibble on the back of Raiden, completely unnecessary. He went from being an integral part forming half the torso and the thighs to being Raiden's belt. The end result is a combiner that looks too bulky, busy, and overloaded with extraneous parts. It doesn't look like he'll be fun to pose at all. I feel like at some point they lost focus on what they were trying to make because in the end Raiden is neither cartoon accurate nor toy accurate, it's just its own thing that sort of looks like Raiden. They should have left him at MP scale and really stretched him out and put all that extra bulk to work instead of trying to make him fit in with Combiner Wars scale for no real practical reason.

That said, I do plan on still buying the remaining three, but I have my doubts about displaying them as Raiden.

Emerje

In the end, I am still loving this set, but this is really the first combiner of any kind that I wont display in combined mode. I think the individual trainbots are fantastic imho, and I feel like all of the effort went into them as opposed to making the focus Raiden and building around that. I do feel like they shot themselves in the foot on this one, seemingly making it up as they went along. I know they can do better, but I am still happy enough with the end result

angtre wrote:There are two questions in my mind:
1 - Will they ever reuse these molds for the alternative Diaclone color scheme? Apart from transparent and chromium ones, they were pretty neat.

I'm no expert, but I dont think it is likely. While MP do have repaints, this would be a very niche requested item, and very expensive to issue repaints for all 6. Somehow I doubt it.

angtre wrote:2 - Will they release more MP Combiners and give us the Devastator we deserve?

I'm still fully satisfied with UW Devastator (more articulation than CW, and individual weapons, more animation acccurate deco).

This is my first foray into MP. As expensive as they are, having them spaced out makes it a little easier to acquire them. Still, if a solid Generations version were to be released, I'd sell the MP's with no hesitation. They are cool, but just not really my thing. I only have them because I think The Trainbots/Raiden are such great characters, and I seriously doubt we will get another version of them any time soon.

If anything I would think/hope any future MPG's *might* be combiners that haven't been revisited in modern times (see my wish list in m signature). I mean I know an MPG Devastator would probably be something many fans would want, but it would definitely be a pass for me. I feel the same however when I hear people talk about a SS86 Devastator.

While Raiden's combined mode may not be *perfect*, the focus was obviously on the trains, which are. For UW Devastator, while the individual construct icons dont look the greatest in bot mode, Devastator himself is pretty solid, and accurate to animation. a SS86 version would really REALLY have to do something amazing for me to warrant the upgrade, and of course, no matter how pretty an MPG version would be, I wouldn't want it.

The pre-order hasn't been set up yet for MPG-06 Kaen, but I sincerely hope they are able to keep the expected release date of the end of December (12/30/23).

I have trouble believing they created the MPG sub line with the intention of doing just one combiner. Whether or not these have sold well enough to keep the line going is a different story.

As for Diaclone, I could see it happening, but not as aggressively as this set, maybe over the course of four or five years. A box set sounds like a huge ask.

Emerje

Emerje wrote:I have trouble believing they created the MPG sub line with the intention of doing just one combiner. Whether or not these have sold well enough to keep the line going is a different story.

Don't forget, the Trainbots were a collaboration with TOMIX, the model train department of subsidiary Tomytec, which accounts for their realistic train modes and H0 scale. I don't see any more coming without another company being pulled into the mix.

Jelze Bunnycat wrote:

Emerje wrote:I have trouble believing they created the MPG sub line with the intention of doing just one combiner. Whether or not these have sold well enough to keep the line going is a different story.

Don't forget, the Trainbots were a collaboration with TOMIX, the model train department of subsidiary Tomytec, which accounts for their realistic train modes and H0 scale. I don't see any more coming without another company being pulled into the mix.

Nothing about the name MPG implies anything to do with TOMIX so I don't see why that would matter. Heck, I don't think TOMIX is mentioned anywhere on the box so I doubt it's a very strong collaboration, more like a conscious effort at compatibility.

Emerje

Emerje wrote:

Jelze Bunnycat wrote:

Emerje wrote:I have trouble believing they created the MPG sub line with the intention of doing just one combiner. Whether or not these have sold well enough to keep the line going is a different story.

Don't forget, the Trainbots were a collaboration with TOMIX, the model train department of subsidiary Tomytec, which accounts for their realistic train modes and H0 scale. I don't see any more coming without another company being pulled into the mix.

Nothing about the name MPG implies anything to do with TOMIX so I don't see why that would matter. Heck, I don't think TOMIX is mentioned anywhere on the box so I doubt it's a very strong collaboration, more like a conscious effort at compatibility.

Emerje

More like a helping hand to get the project actually approved by management.

AJP Link for MPG-06

https://amzn.asia/d/hHiDfsZ

triKlops wrote:AJP Link for MPG-06

https://amzn.asia/d/hHiDfsZ

Thank you, preordered.

Special MPG-06S (This is just the 6th Trainbot, NOT a box set of all 6) ...with box plus a plated version of the Light Sword and bases/stand arms for all 6 MPG’s and Raiden’s character card. The box features a very nice Raiden art with the other Trainbots around him. This special pack has a pre-order window from June 5 to July 10 in Japan.

I certainly hope Pulse or BBTS offers it, not just TT Mall, as there's no way for residents in North America to order it directly.

https://takaratomymall.jp/shop/g/g4904810914846/

That is a cool option for the bots.

I adore Kaen. I am almost thinking that I may want to get 2, so 1 can be by himself

I am hoping Pulse or AJP gets some of those boxes. Being TTMall, it will be a tough get otherwise, sans a proxy.

He's available from Anime-Export (https://anime-export.com/index.php?product=69113), but costs almost double than the standard version (27.800 JPY vs. 14.800JPY).
Not sure I can justify the price difference

xMXUx wrote:He's available from Anime-Export (https://anime-export.com/index.php?product=69113), but costs almost double than the standard version (27.800 JPY vs. 14.800JPY).
Not sure I can justify the price difference

That's ridiculous, the MSRP is 20,350 JPY and after tax is removed for exports and the usual Japanese discounted prices it should be closer to that other price at most retailers. AmiAmi has it listed at 16,280 JPY and will likely be less through Amazon Japan.

Emerje

Emerje wrote:

xMXUx wrote:He's available from Anime-Export (https://anime-export.com/index.php?product=69113), but costs almost double than the standard version (27.800 JPY vs. 14.800JPY).
Not sure I can justify the price difference

That's ridiculous, the MSRP is 20,350 JPY and after tax is removed for exports and the usual Japanese discounted prices it should be closer to that other price at most retailers. AmiAmi has it listed at 16,280 JPY and will likely be less through Amazon Japan.

Emerje

The one listed on AmiAmi looks to be the standard version tho. I was comparing the prices of the standard version vs. the TTMall exclusive version. AmiAmi doesn't seem to offer the exclusive version (yet).

Does Amazon Japan sell TT Mall Exlcusives?

o.supreme wrote:Does Amazon Japan sell TT Mall Exlcusives?

Sadly no, then again that might be a good thing, I'm less poor that way.

xMXUx wrote:

Emerje wrote:

xMXUx wrote:He's available from Anime-Export (https://anime-export.com/index.php?product=69113), but costs almost double than the standard version (27.800 JPY vs. 14.800JPY).
Not sure I can justify the price difference

That's ridiculous, the MSRP is 20,350 JPY and after tax is removed for exports and the usual Japanese discounted prices it should be closer to that other price at most retailers. AmiAmi has it listed at 16,280 JPY and will likely be less through Amazon Japan.

Emerje

The one listed on AmiAmi looks to be the standard version tho. I was comparing the prices of the standard version vs. the TTMall exclusive version. AmiAmi doesn't seem to offer the exclusive version (yet).

Ah, sorry, I misunderstood. It's too bad it's a TTM exclusive, the price is only 5,000 JPY more than the regular one, but won't get discounted like that one is.

o.supreme wrote:Does Amazon Japan sell TT Mall Exlcusives?

No but Pulse does so we'll have to wait and see if they sell it. Would certainly be the best price option.

Emerje

Thanks to Seibertronian o.supreme for making us aware of a special edition release of MPG-06 Kaen that includes additional accessories only available through Takara Tomy Mall currently. MPG-06S features bronze stands that can be attached to the train tracks, a MP stand for Raiden, and a a metallic sword for Raiden along with all of Kaen's other accessories. He comes in much larger box, but should be stressed that this isn't a multi-figure box set of any kind. The set is priced at 25,300 JPY compared the standard edition priced at 20,350 JPY.

o.supreme wrote:Special MPG-06S (This is just the 6th Trainbot, NOT a box set of all 6) ...with box plus a plated version of the Light Sword and bases/stand arms for all 6 MPG’s and Raiden’s character card. The box features a very nice Raiden art with the other Trainbots around him. This special pack has a pre-order window from June 5 to July 10 in Japan.

I certainly hope Pulse or BBTS offers it, not just TT Mall, as there's no way for residents in North America to order it directly.

https://takaratomymall.jp/shop/g/g4904810914846/

Well looks like Pulse made good on the offering. In an odd twist however they have ONLY the MPG-06S box with extras, no listing yet for the stand-alone MPG-06 Kaen.

https://hasbropulse.com/collections/new ... inbot-kaen

Price is pretty reasonable all things considered. I'm glad I was able to cancel my Amazon Japan order for the standard Kaen.

The only downside is now, I'll have MPG-05 by October, it will be a long 8 months waiting after that to finally finish Raiden in May of 2024.

o.supreme wrote:Well looks like Pulse made good on the offering. In an odd twist however they have ONLY the MPG-06S box with extras, no listing yet for the stand-alone MPG-06 Kaen.

https://hasbropulse.com/collections/new ... inbot-kaen

Price is pretty reasonable all things considered. I'm glad I was able to cancel my Amazon Japan order for the standard Kaen.

The only downside is now, I'll have MPG-05 by October, it will be a long 8 months waiting after that to finally finish Raiden in May of 2024.

Yeah, they definitely hit the right price on that set, definitely the way to go over the standard Kaen.

Emerje