The Transformers: Masterpiece

2015-11-06T16:56:49Z

Louie55: Added MP Ratchet's Image Collage Using Low-Res Images Just Released

'''''The Transformers: Masterpiece''''' (トランスフォーマーマスターピース) is a toyline of collector-focused toys that are mostly based upon characters from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''The Transformers'' cartoon]], but manufactured with today's advanced engineering techniques. As a line aimed towards collectors, ''Masterpiece'' Transformers tend to be very expensive.

Though the ''Masterpiece'' line is largely developed by [[TakaraTomy|Takara/TakaraTomy]] with the [[Japan]]ese market in mind, the line is also distributed by [[Hasbro]] in Asian markets outside Japan, and in [[Australia]] as [[Target]] and [[Toys"R"Us]] [[exclusive]]s. Hasbro has also [[redeco]]ed/[[retool]]ed molds from this line for release in their own markets under various toy lines, and almost always as store exclusives. These Hasbro versions originally saw release as [[Walmart]] exclusives until 2009, when they were succeeded by Toys"R"Us. From 2013 onwards, Hasbro released its versions as a single cohesive line (instead of as part of other, contemporary lines), with a numbering system similar to the one used by TakaraTomy. However, by 2015, the figures were again [[co-branding|co-branded]] as part of the ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' line, while still continuing their numbering system.

==Scale and rate of releases==
The ''Masterpiece'' line started at a slow pace in 2003, with new molds being released every two years or so, and with redecos/retools being released in-between. The figures that were released back then were exclusively of the larger main characters, and [[scale]] wasn't very consistent due to price constraints and their large size, with the results being that figures of certain huge characters (such as Grimlock) were too short compared to other characters they were meant to tower over (such as Convoy).

With the release of a new tooling of Convoy in 2011, the line was rebooted, featuring a smaller, more consistent scale based on MP-09 Rodimus Convoy, and a ''significant'' increase in releases per year. Rather notably, ''Masterpieces'' of the smaller characters were introduced.

==Sublines==
Two sub-lines emerged, one designated as MP-B## and being based upon the ''[[Brave (franchise)|Brave]]'' franchise (not covered in this wiki), and another with the MPM-# designation to represent [[live-action film series]] Transformers (see [[#Live-action movie series|below]]).

==Products==

<center>
===Generation 1===
====Standard Takara Versions====
<gallery>
File:20thAnniversary_OptimusPrimesm.jpg|MP-1 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#20th Anniversary/Masterpiece|Convoy]] ([[December 11|12-11]]-[[2003]])
File:Masterpiece_UltraMagnus_toy.jpg|MP-2 [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Ultra Magnus]] ([[March 24|3-24]]-[[2005]])
File:MasterpieceStarscream_toy.jpg|MP-3 [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Starscream]] ([[September 28|9-28]]-[[2006]])
File:MP04Convoy2.jpg|MP-4 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#mp4|Convoy Perfect Edition]] (9-28-2006/[[October 1|10-01]]-[[2009]])
File:MP05_megatron.jpg|MP-5 [[Megatron (G1)/toys#MasterpieceMegs|Megatron]] ([[March 29|3-29]]-[[2007]])
File:MP-6_Skywarp.jpg|MP-6 [[Skywarp (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Skywarp]] ([[September 1|9-1]]-[[2007]])
File:MP_Thundercracker_toy.jpg|MP-7 [[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Thundercracker]] ([[November 20|11-20]]-[[2008]])
File:Grimlock_Masterpiece.jpg|MP-8 [[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Grimlock]] ([[March 26|3-26]]-2009)
File:Takara Masterpiece Rodimus.jpg|MP-9 [[Hot Rod/toys#Masterpiece|Rodimus Convoy]] ([[January 29|1-29]]-[[2011]]/[[September 24|9-24]]-2011)
File:MP-10_toy_photo.jpg|MP-10 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#mp10|Convoy]] (9-24-2011)
File:Masterpiecetoy coronation starscream.jpg|MP-11 [[Starscream (G1)/toys#MP11|Starscream]] ([[March 31|3-31]]-[[2012]])
File:Masterpiece-MP12Lambor.jpg|MP-12 [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Lambor]] ([[October 27|10-27]]-2012)
File:Masterpiece-MP14Alert.jpg|MP-14 [[Red Alert (G1)#Masterpiece|Alert]] ([[December 15|12-15]]-2012)
File:Masterpiece_Soundwave.jpg|MP-13 [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Soundwave]] (with [[Laserbeak (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Condor]]) ([[January 26|1-26]]-[[2013]]/[[September 28|9-28]]-2013)
File:MP_Rumble_Ravage.JPG|MP-15 [[Rumble (G1)#Masterpiece|Rumble]] & [[Ravage (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Jaguar]] ([[February 23|2-23]]-[[2013]])
File:MP_Frenzy_Buzzsaw.jpg|MP-16 [[Frenzy (G1)#Masterpiece|Frenzy]] & [[Buzzsaw (G1)#Masterpiece|Buzzsaw]] ([[March 23|3-23]]-2013)
File:MP_Prowl.jpg|MP-17 [[Prowl (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Prowl]] (9-28-2013)
File:MP_Bluestreak.jpg|MP-18 [[Bluestreak (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Streak]] ([[October 26|10-16]]-2013)
File:MP19-Smokescreen.jpg|MP-19 [[Smokescreen (G1)#Masterpiece|Smokescreen]] ([[December 14|12-14]]-2013)
File:MP-20_Wheeljack.jpg|MP-20 [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Wheeljack]] ([[September 20|9-20]]-[[2014]])
File:Bumble Bee Masterpiece.jpg|MP-21 [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Bumble]] (with [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)#Masterpiece|Daniel Witwicky]]) ([[November 29|11-29]]-2014)
File:MP22-UltraMagnus.jpg|MP-22 [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#MP22|Ultra Magnus]] ([[December 27|12-27]]-2014)
File:MP Exhaust.jpg|MP-23 [[Exhaust]] ([[March 21|3-21]]-2015)
File:MP24-StarSaber.jpg|MP-24 [[Star Saber (Victory)#Masterpiece|Star Saber]] (03-21-2015)
File:MP25-Tracks.jpg|MP-25 [[Tracks (G1)#Masterpiece|Tracks]] ([[November 7|11-7]]-2015)
File:Masterpiecetoy-RoadRage.jpg|MP-26 [[Road Rage (G1)#Masterpiece|Road Rage]] ([[December 26|12-26]]-2015)
File:MP27-Ironhide.jpg|MP-27 [[Ironhide (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Ironhide]] (01-2016)
File:MP28-HotRodimus.jpg|MP-28 [[Hot Rod/toys#masterpieceHotRodimus|Hot Rodimus]] (02-2016)
File:MP29-Laserwave.jpg|MP-29 [[Shockwave (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Destron Laserwave]] (03-2016)
File:MP-30 Ratchet.jpg|MP-30 [[Ratchet (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Ratchet]] (04-2016)
File:Soon-silhouette.jpg|MP-?? [[Optimus Primal/toys#Masterpiece|Convoy]] (2016)
</gallery>

====Special editions====
<gallery>
File:Gold masterpiece prime.jpg|MP-1 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#goldmp|Convoy]] ([[Lucky Draw figure]], 2004)
File:MP-01B-BlackOptimusPrime-1.jpg|MP-1B [[Eldedroid#Masterpiece|Convoy Black Ver.]] ([[November 21|11-21]]-2009/1-2010)
File:Masterpiecetoy-GrimlockKing.jpg|MP-8X [[Grimlock (G1)/toys#King|King Grimlock]] (12-2009)
File:Masterpiece_ghost_starscream.jpg|MP-3G [[Starscream (G1)/toys#MP3G|Starscream Ghost Ver.]] (6-2010)
File:MP4Sconvoysleepmode.jpg|MP-4S [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#sleepmode|Convoy Sleep Mode]] (6-2010)
File:MPtoy_last_shot_convoy.jpg|MP-1L [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#lastshot|Convoy Last Production]] ([[March 26|3-26]]-2011)
File:MasterpieceBlackRodimus.jpg|MP-09B [[Black Rodimus Convoy#Masterpiece|Black Rodimus Convoy]] ([[November 28|11-28]]-2011)
File:MPtoy-Sunstorm.jpg|MP-11S [[Sunstorm (G1)#Masterpiece|Sunstorm]] ([[August 25|8-25]]-2012)
File:MP10_Black_Convoy_Official.jpg|MP-10B [[Nemesis Prime (G1)#Masterpiece|Black Convoy]] ([[March 30|3-30]]-2013)
File:Masterpiece-MP12TTigertrack.jpg|MP-12T [[Tigertrack#Masterpiece|Tigertrack]] (7-2013)
File:TRU Masterpiece Acid Storm.jpg|MP-11A [[Acid Storm#Masterpiece|Acid Storm]] (2013)
File:Masterpiece-MP12G-G2Lambor.jpg|MP-12G [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#G2Masterpiece|Lambor G-2 Ver.]] (2014)
File:Masterpiece-soundblaster-ratbat.jpg|MP-13B [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#MP13B|Soundblaster]] (with [[Ratbat (G1)#Masterpiece|Ratbat]]) (2014)
File:MP-18S-Silverstreak.jpg|MP-18S [[Bluestreak (G1)/toys#MP18S|Silverstreak]] ([[June 14|6-14]]-2014)
File:Bape-mp-optimus.jpg|MP-10A [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#mpbape|Convoy (BAPE ver.)]] ([[August 19|7-19]]-2014)
File:Eva-optimus.jpg|MP-10 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#eva|Convoy Mode "Eva"]] ([[November 28|11-28]]-2014)
File:MasterpieceGoldMegs.jpg|MP-05G [[Megatron (G1)/toys#MasterpieceGoldMegs|30th Anniversary Megatron]] (12-2014)
File:MP-11SW Skywarp.jpg|MP-11SW [[Skywarp (G1)/toys#Masterpiece11SW|Skywarp]] (1-[[2015]])
File:Bumble Bee Masterpiece G2.jpg|MP-21G [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#G2Masterpiece|Bumble G-2 Ver.]] (7-25-[[2015]])
File:MP-18B-Bluestreak.jpg|MP-18B [[Bluestreak (Masterpiece)#Masterpiece|Bluestreak]] (8-29-2015)
File:MP11TT Thundercracker.jpg|MP-11T [[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#MP-11T|Thundercracker]] (11-2015)
File:MP21R-RedBumble.jpg|MP-21R [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#MasterpieceRedBumble|Bumble Red Body]] (12-2015)
File:MP14C-Clampdown.jpg|MP-14C [[Clamp Down#Masterpiece|Clamp Down]] (12-2015)
File:Soon-silhouette.jpg|MP-11NR [[Ramjet (G1)#Masterpiece|Ramjet]] (2016?)
File:Bape2-mp-optimus.jpg|MP-10R [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#mpbape2|Convoy (BAPE ver. 2)]] (11-2015)
</gallery>

===Live-action movie series===
<gallery>
File:Masterpiece_Movie_Starscream.jpg|MPM-1 [[Starscream (Movie)/toys#Masterpiece|Starscream]] ([[October 30|10-30]]-2010)
File:Masterpiece Movie Bumblebee.jpg|MPM-2 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Masterpiece|Bumblebee]] ([[December 25|12-25]]-2010)
</gallery>

===Hasbro versions===
<gallery>
File:20thAnniversary OptimusPrimesm.jpg|20th Anniversary [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#20th Anniversary/Masterpiece|Optimus Prime]] (2003/2004)
File:DVD 20thPrime.jpg|20th Anniversary DVD Edition [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#20thDVD|Optimus Prime]] ([[Transformers: Classics|''Classics'']], 2006)
File:Hasbro Masterpiece Starscream toy.jpg|Masterpiece [[Starscream (G1)/toys#MasterpieceUS|Starscream]] (''Classics'', 2007)
File:Universe2008-toy MasterpieceSkywarp.jpg|Masterpiece [[Skywarp (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Skywarp]] ([[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|''Universe'']], 2009)
File:MPGrimlock Hasbro.jpg|Masterpiece [[Grimlock (G1)/toys#MPHasbro|Grimlock]] ([[Transformers (2010 toyline)|''Transformers'']], 2010)
File:TF2010toy masterpiece rodimus.jpg|Masterpiece [[Hot Rod/toys#Transformers (2010)|Rodimus Prime]] (''Transformers'', 2011)
File:Transformers2010toy-HasbroMP10OptimusPrime.jpg|Masterpiece [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#mp10hasbro|Optimus Prime]] (''Transformers'', 2012)
File:TRU Masterpiece Thundercracker.jpg|Masterpiece [[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#Transformers (2010)|Thundercracker]] (''Transformers'', 2012)
File:TRU Masterpiece Acid Storm.jpg|MP-01 [[Acid Storm#Masterpiece|Acid Storm]] (2013)
File:TRU Masterpiece Soundwave with Cassettes.jpg|MP-02 [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#HasbroMasterpiece|Soundwave]] (2013)
File:PlatinumEditiontoy-Year of the horse Optimus Prime.jpg|Year of the Horse [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Platinum Edition|Optimus Prime]] (''[[Transformers: Platinum Edition|Platinum Edition]]'', 2014)
File:Masterpiece-grimlock-hasbro-2014.jpg |MP-03 [[Grimlock (G1)/toys#2014MP|Grimlock]] (2014)
File:Hasbro MP Prowl.jpg|MP-04 [[Prowl (G1)/toys#HasbroMP|Prowl]] (2014)
File:Masterpiece-sunstorm-hasbro-2014.jpg|MP-05 [[Sunstorm (G1)#2014-Masterpiece|Sunstorm]] (2014)
File:MP-YOTGSoundwave.jpg|Year Of The Goat [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#SoundwaveMasterpieceYOTG|Soundwave]] (''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'', 2015)
File:Hasbro MP Bluestreak.jpg|MP-06 [[Bluestreak (G1)/toys#HasbroMP|Bluestreak]] (''Generations'', 2015)
File:Hasbro MP Starscream.jpg|MP-07 [[Starscream (G1)/toys#HasbroMP|Starscream]] (''Generations'', 2015)
</gallery></center>

==Design==
The Masterpiece line has had a number of designers.

===Standard Takara Versions===
{|
|''Mold''||''Designer''||''Notes''
|-
|MP-1, MP-2
|[[Hironori Kobayashi]]
|-
|MP-3, MP-6, MP-7
|Hironori Kobayashi (initial design) & [[Shōji Kawamori]] (final version)
|-
|MP-4 trailer
|[[Hisashi Yuki]]
|Designed in ''one night''!<ref name="mp4trailer">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-masterpiece-47/takaratomy-staff-interview-hisashi-yuki-on-masterpiece-180888/ TakaraTomy Staff Interview - Hisashi Yuki on Masterpiece]: Even more horrifying was the plan of reissuing MP-1 to go with Megatron - simply reissuing him wasn't considered to be appealing enough and it was decided to give him a trailer...I was told to come up with a proto (of the trailer) by the end of May, and I designed it in one night. [...] I couldn't shirk my task as the release date had already been set by backward calculation. I really did the best I could though there just wasn't enough time.</ref>
|-
|MP-5
|Hisashi Yuki
|Designed in twelve days<ref name="mpmegsdev">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-masterpiece-47/takaratomy-staff-interview-hisashi-yuki-on-masterpiece-180888/ TakaraTomy Staff Interview - Hisashi Yuki on Masterpiece]: - I hear the first Masterpiece figure you created was MP-5 Megatron and you hold the fastest development record with it.
[Yuki]: That is right. (*laughs) I was not assigned to be in charge of it initially, but due to the circumstance within the company I was unexpectedly handed down the project. The schedule came with it and I was stunned when I realised that I was only given 12 days, about 2 weeks...To make it worse, at the time of my receiving the task, even the product size wasn't decided. (*tears)</ref>
|-
|MP-8
|Hironori Kobayashi
|-
|MP-9
|Hironori Kobayashi
|-
|MP-10
|[[Shogo Hasui]]<ref name="mp10dev">[http://news.tfw2005.com/2014/08/03/takaratomy-staff-interview-shogo-hasui-on-masterpiece-180877/ TakaraTomy Staff Interview – Shogo Hasui on Masterpiece]: - Tell us about the time when you began working on the MP series. [Shogo]: MP-10 Convoy was the first Masterpiece I was involved in developing.
When the project was conceived I was mainly working on the products for the overseas Hasbro market, but was given a chance to develop a Masterpiece for the domestic market irregularly.</ref>
|
|-
|MP-11
|Hironori Kobayashi & Shogo Hasui
|-
|MP-12, MP-14
|Shogo Hasui
|-
|MP-13 & MP Cassettrons
|Shogo Hasui
|-
|MP-17, MP-18, MP-19
|Shogo Hasui
|-
|MP-20, MP-23
|Shogo Hasui
|-
|MP-21
|Shogo Hasui
|-
|MP-22
|Shogo Hasui (initial design) & Hironori Kobayashi (final version)
|Kobayashi took over the design to enable the carrier to carry four car MPs<ref name="mpmagnusdev">[http://news.tfw2005.com/2014/08/03/takaratomy-staff-interview-shogo-hasui-on-masterpiece-180877 TakaraTomy Staff Interview – Shogo Hasui on Masterpiece]: - [Shogo] Ultra Magnus, who was selected to be MP-22, was a character I was dreaming of making into a product since the time of MP-10 development. I was happy to be finally able to work on him. As there had already been several real car MP figures and Ultra Magnus is a car carrier that can carry them, I considered Magnus as a certain milestone in the new MP series. I wanted the car carrier to have a capacity of at least 4 real car MPs while in robot mode his height needed to be as close as seen in the cartoon. The transformation process was expected to require lots of folding of the parts to achieve it, and solving that problem became a very important task. Upon agreeing on that point, Kobayashi took over to work on the transformation mechanism and (Ultra Magnus is) finished as he is now.</ref>
|-
|MP-24
|Hisashi Yuki
|Hisashi took MP-24 in order for the other Masterpieces to be released on schedule<ref name="mpstarsaberdev">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-masterpiece-47/takaratomy-staff-interview-hisashi-yuki-on-masterpiece-180888/ TakaraTomy Staff Interview - Hisashi Yuki on Masterpiece]: - So the idea was to ask the fans directly what they want first, then realise it as a product. [Yuki]: Yes. It turned out Star Saber was the winner. Hasui, the main series designer, was going to be in charge of the 30th anniversary MP originally. But he was fully occupied with Bumble and Wheeljack, and since Star Saber was a character I was attached to personally, I stood for the job eagerly.</ref>
|-
|MP-25, MP-26
|Hironori Kobayashi (unconfirmed)<ref name="mptracksdev">[http://news.tfw2005.com/2015/07/12/sdcc-2015-the-shogo-hasui-report-296954/ SDCC 2015: The Shogo Hasui Report]: - I did ask about Tracks and he said he did not design him but he did say (I BELIEVE Kobayashi…again hard to understand) and slowly said Lead Designer. He also said that the same designer did Ironhide and he began to say another name (Ratchet) but stopped himself.</ref>
|
|-
|MP-27
|Hironori Kobayashi (unconfirmed)
|
|-
|MP-28
|?
|
|-
|MP-29
|?
|
|}

===Live-action movie series===
{|
|''Mold''||''Designer''
|-
|MPM-1||Shogo Hasui
|-
|MPM-2||Shogo Hasui
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Masterpiece}}
[[Category:Generation 1 toylines]]
[[Category:Japanese toylines]]
[[Category:Masterpiece| ]]

File:MP-30 Ratchet.jpg

2015-11-06T16:53:05Z

Louie55: A collage of photos from the initial low-res photo release for Masterpiece Ratchet.

A collage of photos from the initial low-res photo release for Masterpiece Ratchet.

MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

The Transformers: Masterpiece

File:MP-30 Ratchet.jpg