Video Reviews for MP-47 Masterpiece Hound

This breakage thing in MP figures is quickly becoming a fact of life for the line. This newfound fragility coupled with the ever increasing price tags and the new artistic direction have completely driven me away from MP collecting.

after prices of mp products started to increase just around the time mp-wheeljack came out, i knew quality was dropping dramatically. after mp-dinobot was released i knew something was up and not just prices. then came mp-shockwave and mp-megatron v2. That's when shit hit the fan real fast. these figures went from less than $100 for Lambor, streak, wheeljack, bumblebee v1, etc......now starting over $150 and now pitching over $500. That is an insane mark up. for what? crap plastic, crap construction, and sub-par workmanship.

I purchased mp-44.......and though it's a great figure....still IT IS NOT worth the price tag! I am regretting the purchase. The only time i ever bought a transformer that expensive was to get my hands on the original g1 Fortress Maximus. ORIGINAL! A product with vintage value. Hell, Soul of Chogokin GX-88 Vehicle Voltron (with numerous parts) was worth less than MP-44.

This is not a good sign. I feel as if the original collectors of MP's have now, or, already have left Takara Tomy for more affordable 3rd party alternatives.

Collecting these figures have gotten a lot harder to obtain on the wallet. However there are multiple alternatives which, if not, are better than the Takara Tomy versions.

The CHUG line is CHUG, a cheaper alternatives at a smaller scale. Just not for me. The plastic is hallow, cheap, ball-joints are always lose after 10 transformations, and the paint apps are insulting and lazy. Again, not for me. For others on a budget it is absolutely perfect.

Seeing the reviews of this mp-hound is disappointing and just solidifies my take on dropping out of the transformers collecting hobby.

I don't know, is it wrong for me to say I've now lost interest in the figures? i'll always be a transformers fan, breather transformers, watch transformers every chance i get.....but I can't afford them anymore. And I refuse to start buying the chug line of figures.

sigh, sad time for older transformers fans that is for sure.

This - if true and widespread - is just sad, I guess this is just the downside to complex panel-forming, lots of pins to screw things up; but, this has become such a stark trend that I honestly don't see the line succeeding for much longer, the inflation, the breakages, the fact that TT has yet to acknowledge or attempt to rectify any of it, it's embarrassing to call these things high end collectibles

Posted on FB about using lubricant on panel hinges to prevent breakage. Most said just be careful when transforming it, but one guy suggested shock fluid as it doesn't degrade or ruin plastic/paint. What are your thoughts? My MP Hound is coming in a few weeks.

Hellscream9999 wrote:This - if true and widespread - is just sad, I guess this is just the downside to complex panel-forming, lots of pins to screw things up; but, this has become such a stark trend that I honestly don't see the line succeeding for much longer

I dont know man, the line will succeed as long as people are paying for these things and so far there has been no limit to how much people will pay and keep paying.

SpaceKaseJase wrote:Posted on FB about using lubricant on panel hinges to prevent breakage. Most said just be careful when transforming it, but one guy suggested shock fluid as it doesn't degrade or ruin plastic/paint. What are your thoughts? My MP Hound is coming in a few weeks.

Ace Hardware sells Lub-E, which is a plastic safe product similar to WD40. I've been using it for years, especially on gold plastic figures. Works like a charm to lube up these toys.

Thx bud.

william-james88 wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:This - if true and widespread - is just sad, I guess this is just the downside to complex panel-forming, lots of pins to screw things up; but, this has become such a stark trend that I honestly don't see the line succeeding for much longer

I dont know man, the line will succeed as long as people are paying for these things and so far there has been no limit to how much people will pay and keep paying.

*raises hand*

Yeah, I'm living proof of that foolishness

william-james88 wrote:... there have also been some breakage reports, some either already broken in the box or after the first transformation and it is all in regards to some tight hinges...
...These are just early reports of course and just as many have received flawless copies.

People who are still buying these: is there any other product you would buy at full MSRP that has a roughly 50% failure rate and no manufacturer warranty?
This poor quality control iteration of the MP line needs to die financially. If we're being asked to pay premium prices, we deserve premium goods.

MCutter wrote:

william-james88 wrote:... there have also been some breakage reports, some either already broken in the box or after the first transformation and it is all in regards to some tight hinges...
...These are just early reports of course and just as many have received flawless copies.

People who are still buying these: is there any other product you would buy at full MSRP that has a roughly 50% failure rate and no manufacturer warranty?
This poor quality control iteration of the MP line needs to die financially. If we're being asked to pay premium prices, we deserve premium goods.

There is no "50%" failure rate. Its just a few cases being highlighted by the wonders of social media. I have bought every single official MP released in the last ten years, and not a one of them have broken on me.

Ironhidensh wrote:

MCutter wrote:

william-james88 wrote:... there have also been some breakage reports, some either already broken in the box or after the first transformation and it is all in regards to some tight hinges...
...These are just early reports of course and just as many have received flawless copies.

People who are still buying these: is there any other product you would buy at full MSRP that has a roughly 50% failure rate and no manufacturer warranty?
This poor quality control iteration of the MP line needs to die financially. If we're being asked to pay premium prices, we deserve premium goods.

There is no "50%" failure rate. Its just a few cases being highlighted by the wonders of social media. I have bought every single official MP released in the last ten years, and not a one of them have broken on me.

To counter that, my mp hot rodimus' visor broke off and my mp Dinobot lost his head. But yes, we are indeed more likely to see qc failures highligted as is the nature with complaints in general.

I don't know, I'm not so sure they are exaggerating this time.

Look how many breaks and cracks --
https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/ ... t-17536242

And that's not all of it, I've also seen some from people that I follow.

Kind of tired of doing "research" every time a new MP comes out -- Takara should improve its QC or make the figures a little less complex.

Anyhow, mine should be here today. Edit: it's here.

Vietnamese plastic syndrome?

Appreciated the the Jeep mode and checked for cracks, then transformed him thanks to Wotafa --



I always have the instructions in-front of me, too. But I don't really bother with them anymore, the figures have grown too complex. Mostly I use them to double check things.

Transformation was not fun. It rarely is the first time; though I suspect I will never like it in this case. So many moving parts, even the wheels and neck transform. You can also transform him without removing the Jeep's gun, spare wheel and jerrycan, but I'm not sure it's worth the effort.

Could have done without the air-mask gimmick, they could have included it as another expression plate instead (same with Hot Rod's goggles. How is it that the star of TFTM had only one expression?) And I wish Hound's faces connected like Inferno and Grapple's.

Weird that Hound's thighs can't bend backwards much. And I find it amusing that he has index finger articulation so he can hold the key like in the pilot mini-series.

I love how almost everything can be stored under his roof. Takara is starting to think about this probably because we've amassed so many MP accessories.

I like the inclusion of a larger-scale Spike Witwicky, shame he doesn't have magnets in his boots like the one from MP-44.

There's no denying that Hound looks good in both modes but I don't know.. it's just so much work.

But this is only my initial impression.

Mine is on the DHL truck on its way here now. I'll have thoughts to share tonight.

Just pointing out that as it apply to almost everything, only the ones who complain speak out and loud. Making the problems seem 1000 times more bad that it's actually is.

That's why so many things get either "fixed" or greenlighted despite the majority who either never had any problems and/or did not care in the first place.

Time for a little silliness...

I got mine today, the usual top notch Amazon Japan packaging but the glue on the side of the box popped. Everything is fine thus far.

Just realised that I didn't pull out the fin from Hound's cannon. I knew something was bugging me. It's weird how much difference it makes.

Cyberpath wrote:Just realised that I didn't pull out the fin from Hound's cannon. I knew something was bugging me. It's weird how much difference it makes.

Don't feel bad, I didn't notice until you said something.

He is looking pretty good.

Ham hands break toys. Remember that folks

Hound is amazing. The transformation is more complex than, say, wheeljack, but a lot simpler than Prime 44.

I dont see anymore frailty than any other masterpiece. Just have to remember that these are collector pieces, and not kids toys like the siege line.

Ironhidensh wrote:Hound is amazing. The transformation is more complex than, say, wheeljack, but a lot simpler than Prime 44.

I dont see anymore frailty than any other masterpiece. Just have to remember that these are collector pieces, and not kids toys like the siege line.

I'm cheap so I treat all my figures with kidd gloves.

But this wasn't the first time they've handled an MP and some of them even had the cracks straight out of the box. I hope it's the factory that screwed up some copies rather than a design-flaw / material allocation.

Transformed him back into Jeep! Figured now's the time while he's still under AJ "warranty." But also principle (fish gotta swim, birds gotta fly, Transformers gonna transform.) It was a better experience this time. Might even remember the steps.

Love how he has one cannon design in alt-mode and another in robot-mode. Maybe I'll try again leaving it on for the next transformation.

More pix of the Jeep mode --

Might have spoken too soon about my Hound, there are some panels in Jeep mode that right out of the box aren't lined up right. Hopefully it's something that'll work it's way out in transformation. I do appreciate the extra insert that clears up some of the steps, 4 in particular looks like it could've led to some breakage.

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:

Ironhidensh wrote:I'm gonna wait for the Amazon Japan price before I continue my freakout.

I'm guessing Amazon Japan will be around $125 shipped

Dmax, you were spot fucking one with this.


I have now transformed Hound several times. Yeah, he definitely has some fragile parts, but so do all Masterpieces from the last several years. Take it easy, with no rush, and you will be fine.

This figure is simply amazing and fun. It really captures the feel of good 'ole G1 Hound.

Thankfully mine had no issues

Between yesterday and today I transformed Hound once. Not bad, the feet are a bit fiddly as are the panels going back to jeep mode. It is imperative that you read the directions before transforming, especially the supplemental sheet. You can rip the sides off if you aren't careful with step four.

Well, Hound broke.

Same spot as has been reported on all the others (side jeep panel). I wasn't forcing it, it quite literally just broke on the hinge. Its very easy to hide in bot mode, so I think that is just how Hound will now spend his life.

At this point, I'd call that a design flaw.
Will another version come out in the long run with the issue fixed?

I have 2 here, one for a friend, and transformed both of them this weekend to check on the condition. On one i couldn't find any defects, the other has a small straight line in the fixed hinge eye of the car side/rear calf panel. Took a picture and magnified on my pc but i couldn't make out if it's a crack or a mold leftover.
In any case, i'm handing him the good one next weekend. Mine will be transformed only once when he finally goes into the display case and that'll be the end of it. I'll advise him to do the same.

I randomly stumbled upon this on reddit...


Source: Turns out Hound is the right scale for Lego Minifigs, This is the Way

Thought it was a fun way to add some more playability to Hound.

carytheone wrote:I randomly stumbled upon this on reddit...


Source: Turns out Hound is the right scale for Lego Minifigs, This is the Way

Thought it was a fun way to add some more playability to Hound.

This is actually pretty damn sweet!

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:

carytheone wrote:I randomly stumbled upon this on reddit...

[img]Houndajeepian.jpg[/img]
Source: Turns out Hound is the right scale for Lego Minifigs, This is the Way

Thought it was a fun way to add some more playability to Hound.

This is actually pretty damn sweet!

It is the way

Get your sniffers of Brandy ready!

Ironhidensh wrote:Well, Hound broke.

Same spot as has been reported on all the others (side jeep panel). I wasn't forcing it, it quite literally just broke on the hinge. Its very easy to hide in bot mode, so I think that is just how Hound will now spend his life.

Perhaps you could try something like this, a fan from Japan fixed it with a small screw:

(実は序盤の行程で早速破損してました。「リアを少し開きます。」時に別のパーツを避けるために更に開いてしまったために折れました…

ヒンジ付近かつ非常に小さい箇所なので修理できるか微妙でしたが金属棒で補強しつつ直せました。今は元状態より強度が得られてますけどここ絶対折れやすいはず…)


Translated from Japanese by Google
(Actually, it was damaged immediately in the early process. It broke because it opened further to avoid another part at the time of "Opening the rear a little."

It was delicate whether it could be repaired because it was near the hinge and very small, but I could fix it while reinforcing it with a metal rod. Now the strength is higher than the original state, but it should be easy to break here ...)

That isn't the part that broke.

chuckdawg1999 wrote:Get your sniffers of Brandy ready!

[vid]MacHound_15yr[/vid]

It's snifter, although I prefer a Glencairn glass. They really concentrate the new figure smell on the nose.

carytheone wrote:

chuckdawg1999 wrote:Get your sniffers of Brandy ready!

[vid]MacHound_15yr[/vid]

It's snifter, although I prefer a Glencairn glass. They really concentrate the new figure smell on the nose.

I sit corrected

well, I have transformed my hound a dozen or so times, gently have you, and have had no cracks or breakage. use extra care collapsing the feet, overall I'm very pleased

I got mine yesterday and thanks to some youtube videos, I managed not to broke mine. That being said...this is a one horrible masterpiece toy. The worst I have thus far.

There is really nothing wrong with the looks and poseability as such. Those are fine, but man that transformation. Not too difficult, but it is like disarming a bomb. One false move and it's game over man. Also the plastic feels like super cheap for some reason. Did they make the whole thing from clear plastic and then just painted it. Or could this be the same kind of plastic one uses with scale models, where the plastic itself might be good quality, but too thin for someting like this. Then there are also some paint issues, but those alone wouldn't be THAT bad.

For a toy that costs this much, this is not ok. There is no way to defend this kind of a crap. The prices go up and the quality and qc goes down. There is not even a proper way to do a reissue, since they would have to roll over this one and do a completely new figure (using perhaps the same desing). It is just ridiculous that most likely some KO company will come and make a better version of this, unless you have already got some 3p not-Hound.

If you are on the fence about this one, then I would recommend not to buy. Or if you will get one, check some of those youtube videos first. Like from Peaugh, Bobby Skullface (who btw breaks his one), Kuma Style (if he does one) etc. I followed the video by Peaugh and it was a very very usefull, since some parts of those instructions in the Takara manual are just plain wrong.

Like I said, nothing wrong with the looks of this one and that is a even bigger shame. For I don't know, if I can accept this kind of overall quality anymore. Not with these prices. 3P and even some plain KO companies do things better.

2,5/5

Dorkimus wrote:There is really nothing wrong with the looks and poseability as such. Those are fine, but man that transformation. Not too difficult, but it is like disarming a bomb. One false move and it's game over man.

That's hilarious and sad.

And I think I'm done pre-ordering MPs. Let other people take the gamble and try out the product first. If the figures turn our to be of good quality, well then, you can generally still find them for pre-order price months after the release day.

That said, I think I'm out of space anyway.