Transformers Masterpiece MP-20 Wheeljack Updated
Taghobby has the scoop this one. The next Masterpiece Autobot car has been revealed! It's the crazy inventor, Wheeljack! This classic character was the first Transformer to ever speak on screen way back in 1984 and was our first friend in a world where things are more than meets the eye. He comes with a laser pistol and shoulder cannons and also transforms into a fully licensed Lancia Stratos Turbo.Coming August 2014 for 6,500 yen.
If you order Wheeljack from Amazon.co.jp, he comes with the mind control scrambler device from The Ultimate Doom.
Updated with color pics!
You can preorder Wheeljack at Big Bad Toy Store.
More: TakaraTomy / Masterpiece / News / Transforming Toy /
Comments
12 comments postedDid he even have a small pistol like that? I honestly don't remember. Maybe he should have come with some of the wacky gadgets he's made over the show.
It's not the size that counts! It's how it blows up in his face because it's a faulty prototype!
...I'm sure Takara will do something like they did with Sideswipe and the Fairlady trio and have incentives of some sort.
OOOORRRR
One of the Third Party will capitalize.
As far as I can remember, Wheeljack was either useing some invention of the week, giggling in the corner as the Dinobots made Decepticon arguments invalid, or used his shoulder-launcher. He didn't really have a trademark gun like most of the others did.
I agree that a datapad for him to design on or the shattered remains of a failed weapon would be the perfect addition to what looks like another excellent figure of a classic and widely loved character.
I'm soooooooo glad we'r finally getting a masterpiece Wheeljack, he's one of my favorite characters from the original G1 show. Hopefully Mirage or Jazz will be next in line after Bumblebee and Ultramagnus. One thing that's a bit concerning though are those lines where i guess the parts separate on the hood and the roof, I hope they blend in more in the final product shots.
Also, PLEASE bring back rubber tires :(
While I get the appeal of rubber tires, I am glad the MP line has forgone them. I don't want to worry about my 'definitive' Autobot cast all having cracked and broken tires in a few years.
Coolies, I likes it. Be cool to see if he comes with those 'energy conductors' he and bubblebee were smuggling in the first episode.
I'm in the USA; can i just order this from amazon.co.jp and have it shipped, or is that not really possible for me? (and as i can't read japanese text, how do I make sure I'm getting the actual thing and not some reseller's promise?)
I get that people expect ankle joints, but the problem with such articulation is that it effects the look of the toy. Those giant gaps in Wheeljack's ankles really bother me. The same can be said for the other MP toys we've gotten. Articulation negatively impacts the look of the toy. I often wonder what MP toys would look like if they had less articulation...something much closer to the animation models I expect. Also, less articulation would enable the use of more diecast metal.
I don't think many of them would look much like the animation models at all without the added articulation. All that robot mode stuff wouldn't fit inside many G1 TF's alt modes without a lot of moving parts. As we've seen from the more recent cars, there are some pretty crafty tricks required to get the alt modes into those robot modes. If you want less articulated animation models, you might as well buy statues. The point of the MP line is to use good engineering to get accurate alt modes to turn into accurate and fully featured robot modes that can do what the characters did on the show.
There really is no strong correlation between articulation and the amount of diecast used in a figure. For example, Yamato's VF-19 toys have a lot of diecast and are easily the most articulation of all their Valkyrie toys. Similarly Bandai's Metal Composite Zeta Plus toys have a lot of diecast and are extremely posable. It's more likely of a case of Takara Tomy not wanting each Masterpiece car to cost $100 dollars or more. Honestly on a transformable figure of this size, diecast would probably hinder it more than help it. Even classic form changing toys have had issues due to diecast content.
Finally MP wheeljack
This looks AMAZING!! can not wait for bumblebee, JAZZ, MIRAGE, HOUND, IRON HIDE, HUFFER.BRAWN, TRACKS getting a little ahead of myself but we need the complete TEAM!!
Another candidate for being knocked off a couple of months after release. MP-10 and Prowl KOs have already popped up. The amazon exclusive for this guy is the toolbox thingy. Ive preordered two of these. Been waiting for this guy. Hopefully Jazz will pop up soon