Not too long ago, we’d reported that famed Takara designer Shogo Hasui – known for his work on such Transformers items as the Masterpiece line and Combiner Wars Devastator – would be attending SDCC 2015. Today, we are starting to get reports from TFW members of their experiences with him – we thought we’d collect them here for all to see.
The most pertinent information to come out here is that it appears Hasui did, in fact, NOT design Masterpiece Tracks or Ironhide – rather, it sounds like it was Hironori Kobayashi who designed them. He is also not currently on the Masterpiece team, but he is still a member of the general Transformers team, and says he hopes to return to the Masterpiece line within the next year.
There’s more details and photos, and you can check it all out after the break! Keep an eye on this post as it will be updated with any further reports that come in.
(Image courtesy of Shogo Hasui’s Twitter: “Devastator at Hasbro booth – What a size! So cool!”)
From Big Hache:
“Here are the pics from Mrmwforce!
He says he thanked Hasui-san for all of us.
Hasui did not design Tracks. The lead designer for MP did Tracks and Ironhide. Hasui is not currently on the MP line but works on the same team and hopes to return next year. Hasui is very proud of Devastator.
And he should be! It’s a great looking product. Thanks Mrmwforce! “
From Mrmwforce:
“Ok guys sorry for the late post on my “brief” chat today with Hasui. Just got in from SDCC.
So here’s the recap:
1. He is SUPER nice and seemed to be overwhelmed with everything going on.
2. I thanked him from all of us here on the boards and praised his work on the MP line. That took him aback a bit and he was VERY grateful and wanted me to thank all of you for the support.
3. His English is EXTREMELY MINIMAL so an intense Q&A was out of the question.
4. 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.
5. He is not currently on the MP line but said he IS still a member of the team and he personally hopes to return this year.
6. He is VERY VERY proud of his work on Devastator. I asked if it was looked at by the team as MP he said no. He stated that MP combines were not in any plans at the moment.
He then took some pics and signed a Devastator print that I had. Thanked me again and was kinda ushered out of the booth by a Hasbro team member.
I know it wasn’t a ton of information but the set up absolutely did not warrant an in depth Q&A. Hopefully I got at least a little bit of info for everyone to chew on.”
From EightiesKid:
“I met Hasui today. It was pretty awesome. I brought my mp sideswipe box and he signed it for me. Got to talk to him a little bit too. Still at the con, I will post more later.
So I got to meet Hasui yesterday and it was pretty cool. My wife and I had our 6 and 3 year old boys with us. Both were in costume, our 6 year old dressed as the new Black Chrome Trooper from the Force Awakens, and my 3 year old was dressed as Optimus Prime complete with a cloth helmet. They wanted to go see the combiner toys in the Hasbro booth. While we were there, I saw three guys up in the Hasbro autograph booth. I asked a lady about Hasui and she pointed to the guy in the middle and said he was right there. Not believing my good luck, I started getting excited.
I pulled out my MP Sideswipe box, I had been carrying it around the con for three days in hopes of meeting Hasui. The Hasbro lady smiled in approval and directed me over to the line. I was the last person in line, and my wife sent over our 3 year old “Optimus” to join me in the line.
They had some really cool two-sided posters up for signing by the artists at the autograph table. Many of the people in line were getting the posters signed. I don’t think anyone knew who Hasui was. I approached the autograph table while carrying my MP Sideswipe box in one hand, and my 3 year old in the other hand. I got up to the table and the guys at the table call out “Hi Optimus!!” My 3 year old is usually shy, but he smiles and actually calls out “Autobots transform!”
Hasui had noticed me in line with the box. And when I got up there, he took the box and said “I designed this toy!” I said “I know! It’s awesome!!” The exchange then proceeded as follows:
(In my head)
Me: Mr. Hasui, you’ve designed some incredible toys that have really expanded the appeal of the Masterpiece line for adult collectors. Thank you for your contributions.
(In reality)
Me: Mr. Hasui, duh . . duh . . duh . . you do awesome work!!
Hasui: Thank you.
(In my head)
Me: Mr. Hasui, can you give us any information about future releases, what you are working on right now, or the possibility of getting Masterpiece style/scaled combiner robots?
(in reality)
Me: Uhh . . . any chance of getting Masterpiece combiners . . . please ?
Hasui: Well, I am not on Masterpiece team anymore. However, I designed this Devastator.
Me: Yes, it . . . is . . very . . . awesome, thank you! I love your designs, please continue the good work! Thank you for coming here to see us . . . do you do appearances like this in Japan?
Hasui: Yes, it is an honor to come here.
Me: Uh . . . uh . . it’s an honor to have you here and meet you. Please keep up your great work!
He signed my MP Sideswipe box, and I showed him a quick picture of my display at home with all my MP’s out. He took my phone, looked at the picture and he seemed taken aback, remarking “wow!” I was able to get some pictures, and they asked me to go around the table to take a group shot with my son. They also personalized the posters for my two boys. It was pretty awesome.
Afterwards, I went back to my wife and started gushing about the nerd-gasm experience. My wife simply looked at me and asked “did you show him your display??” To which I replied sheepishly “uhhh . . . yeah.” That was met with a roll of the eyes and a bemused smile.
Here is Hasui with my signed MP Sideswipe box:
Here is what the posters looked like:”
EightiesKid
I don't typically stutter, but I was definitely a bit star struck and tongue-tied. It was really cool to meet him. I wonder if he gets a similar reception in Japan?
botfan
I don't see why he had to explain his preference. Is there a rule on the board that we can't have a preference between designers? Why are you moderating him?
Raiyuki
Fair enough I suppose.
Autovolt 127
Did you really stutter going uh like that to him?
otherwise that's pretty awesome
primetime77
gosh i'm totally jelly of those that got to talk to the man. he is IMO…"THE MAN" when it comes to TF designs.
oh and if anyone remembers i did say tracks didn't seem like a hasui design…more like similar to mp-09. guess i was right!! it does seem pretty obvious when he is involved as the lead or not. let's hope tracks is still good (he looks very good but is a touch different than i'd imagine a hasui version would look)….(i've not been a fan of magnus, which i own nor of the previews of ironhide i've seen)
Raiju
This. ROTF/HFTD was the pinnacle of movie toys (and much of Classics during that same general time frame, IMHO) and TF engineering outside of Masterpiece, I think. Both Hasui and Kobayashi worked on Bayverse stuff and the toys and their designer skills benefited, which then translated into cooler MP engineering for us down the line (and Classics when they can fit it into the budget, I suppose, like Takara's Titan Devy).
FortressMaximus1976
I'm hoping Hasui returns to do Mirage and Sunstreaker
WinstoBot
No, I never said that. You assume too much. Kobayashi rocks, I just like Hasui a bit better. No need to explain why you prefer red wine or white. Just preference.
Raiyuki
So I take it Kobayashi's skills make it too subpar for you eh?
Mixmaster
I'm very jealous, would've got my MP Wheeljack box signed if had gone to SDCC.
WinstoBot
Wasted for someone who doesn't collect movie stuff. If Has/TT pulls Hasui away from whatever and onto RID, I'm sure he'll design great toys for RID but it's WASTED time for others who might only collect MP and Generations. We want his skills on the toys that we buy.
Underwear
How can you say wasted? They honed their skills & cut their teeth designing those complex movie toys (pre-AOE).
WinstoBot
I hope Hasui returning to the MP line as one of the designers next year really happens. Dude's got some world class talent. I hate to see that talent wasted on TF movie toys.
BeevsSteeljaw
Someone ask him if Hasbro will release Deluxe Groove! Please! Oh wait, it is over. Nevermind then. :/
Sai
Man i am soo jealous right now,wish I could've met the legend that is Hasui san.The news about him possibly returning to the MP line within the next year has me smiling like a Cheshire cat,the MP line reboot really hit the ground running thanks to him.
Afterburner
Fun thread.
Raiyuki
Not surprised Hasui didn't do Tracks or Ironhide; we already knew Kobayashi took over mid Ultra Magnus so Tracks is Kobayashi's first full project since Rodimus in that lins. Still Shogo Hasui really does seem like an awesome guy. Kinda jealous of those of you who met him. Hopefully he and some of the other designers at Takara attend another event or two in the states some day.
You do make a fair point and I agree for the most part. To an extent though I think Star Saber tunred turned out better than he would've had he come out earlier. There are quite a few clever things in his articulation as well as with the Brainmaster gimmick.
That said yes, Megatron certainly is a monster to design to be both an accurate Walther and still look like Megatron.Even today it's a herculean task.
Overall my comment was more about comparing Mp5 to Mp12 though your point would stand on that comparison as well
Raiju
Nicely done! Hasui-san seems like a class act!
Bnz Toy
Thanks for a great little read, hilarious.
So how do we convince him to help improve Ironhide (there still might be time!)? lol