One of the things I’m most enjoying about MP-39 Sunstreaker is exploring how his differences from MP-12 so ably demonstrate the evolution of the Takara Masterpiece.
Reviews
2017’s Top 10 Transformers
Standard2017 was fucking grim, right? Britain is needlessly tearing itself apart over a vote cast on the back of lies, hate and ignorance, and America has already torn itself apart after the victory of that vacuous idiot and his hollow rhetoric. So let’s take a moment to celebrate the little joys the last 12 months have offered us, shall we? There was PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, for one. And the #metoo movement. And BBC’s Taboo. And more Detectorists. And that Anansi scene from American Gods. Robot Wars was great this year too, eh? And a female Doctor! And that fight in The Last Jedi! And dogs! And a shit load of great Transformers.
2016’s Top 10 Transformers
Standard2016 has been fucking shite, as we all know. Just this week we’ve lost the incredible Carrie Fisher. Yet that utterly devastating news isn’t even the worst of it when you consider the election of Donald Drumpf and the fucking madness that is the Brexit vote and all that has followed. And Wogan. And Daniels. Yet flying in the face of this relentless unimaginable shit storm, 2016 has somehow been an absolute cracker in one respect – Transformers.
Not only has there not been a Bay film, but we’ve also been treated to an unprecedented number of official and third party Masterpiece releases. On top of that, we’ve enjoyed the debut of one of the best mainstream Hasbro lines in recent times. Picking a Top 10 was quite the task. But nonetheless, here it is:
REVIEW: Fanstoys FT-18 Lupus
StandardDo you reckon Fanstoys are the most divisive third party company on the market? Actually, no, thinking about it, that would be X-Transbots. But what does set Fanstoys apart is its following. I don’t think there’s a more actively loyal fanbase for a 3P company out there. But where ardent support comes, vocal opposition always follows. Such is the way with fandoms. It’s almost impossible to mention the company online without supporters and detractors pouring in. Which is all a bit tedious, really.
REVIEW: Generation Toy J4zz
StandardThe Masterpiece Autobot cars are, I’d say (and I’m always right so that’s a fact), one of the best and most consistent series Takara has produced. The Lamborghini and Nissan molds are both top-tier stuff, and even the molds that don’t reach quite those heights – Tracks, Wheeljack (arguably), Hot Rod – are all big, big winners.
But the line has always lacked something. Specifically, a Porsche-shaped something. Jazz, possibly the most popular Autobot car of them all, is STILL missing in action from Takara’s line-up. Popular myth will have you believe that it’s due to Porsche’s unwillingness to license the 935 for a “war toy”, a category which an armed robot sort of falls into. These theories are lessened somewhat by the fact that Porsche owner Volkswagen licensed out its Beetle for Bumblebee, but it’s still a compelling narrative.
REVIEW: DX9 D08 Gewalt
StandardI’ve chosen Gewalt for my second review subject for a couple of reasons. Firstly, having been pretty negative in my initial piece (Ollie), I wanted to write about something I feel more positive about. Secondly, I’ve not handled this guy too much since he first arrived, and this seemed like a good excuse.
I’ll put my hands up and admit, I’m quite a fan of DX9. Chigurh seemed to get a middling reception, but he tickled my fancy. Maybe I’m sweet on skinny thighs? Carry has the unique honour of being the only third party toy to actually replace an official Masterpiece on my shelf, booting MP-09 from his spot. Tyrant, too, I quite enjoyed. Mightron is a success as well, and would have been a worthy MP Megatron ‘winner’ had it not launched alongside a certain rival.
ben parfitt 