Care of Planet Iacon on Facebook, we have a screengrab of what appears to be a computer listing showing a pair of upcoming Takara-Tomy Transformers releases, which translate as Masterpiece MP-37 Artfire, and Legends series LG-42 Godbomber. Taghobby supports the former listing, giving MP-37 Artfire a May 2015 release priced at 15,000 yen – so it looks like the next Masterpiece release is Masterpiece Artfire, and that Takara-Tomy’s Legends Ginrai will be getting his combiner upgrade in the same timeframe.
To bring those not aware of these characters up to speed – Artfire was a 1987 release who only came out in Japan, and was a Targetmaster remold of Inferno. So this release makes sense, in that Takara-Tomy will be releasing a retooling of Masterpiece Inferno with an additional Targetmaster and the sweet red and white deco. Godbomber, also known in the US as Apex Bomber, was similarly originally a Japan-only release. Released in 1988, he was a part of the Masterforce series, where he transformed into a secondary trailer and power-up armor set for Ginrai, the Japanese release of Powermaster Optimus Prime. This means that the new Ginrai who comes out at the end of this month will also get to transform into this ultimate power “God Ginrai” form. He’ll almost certainly not work with the US Powermaster Optimus Prime due to the redesign Takara-Tomy have given their Ginrai.
For now, please treat these listings as rumors, albeit with some very solid backing for Artfire. We’ll update you when official confirmation arrives, which will almost certainly be in Japanese hobby magazines in the new year.
ChromeMagnus
Really? Good. I guess it's resurrection day.
Hot Shot.
This thread was dead for over a year before you bumped it.
ChromeMagnus
Until now, I never realized how Artfire's colors match with Recon. Hopefully you'll post some matching bot mode pics soon.
Maz
View attachment 27765574
Loving it. The definition of luxury.
All the best
Maz
wrx20l
Finally shipped and received mine in a bundle from AE. Have to say, MP Artfire is my favorite example of this mold by miles. The added paint and tampos make him 100x more enjoyable visually and Nightstick is easily their best accessory of any included with the truck bros. Wish they had retooled a few parts, especially the shins and toes to look more accurate to the original character illustrations, but that's really just nitpicking. He's a lot more fun than his mold mates overall…I'm very pleased with this guy.
ChromeMagnus
Just wait for an Ebay flash sale and snag it for $15-$20 off from baba.
This'll look great displayed next to Contact Shot.
Prowl 76
I 100% felt the same about the decals, but my opinion changed once I got him in hand. They're not as crazy and pronounced as they look in some of the photos, they actually just add a lot of beautiful detail to him. And because they're tampos, they don't feel cheap at all.
He's kind of like Loud Pedal for me—in pictures, I thought his deco was a bit garish, but in had he's become one of my favourite MPs.
SPLIT LIP
I really hope I can find this guy for a decent price one day. I think he's way nicer than Inferno.
I only wish the decals were optional. I like some of them, but not all of them.
ChromeMagnus
I bought it about 2 weeks ago.
HolyCulture
Egads! Did you buy at launch?
ChromeMagnus
Just received my MP Artfire from Ebay seller bababobo00712 aka "baba" today. It arrived well packed.
Dark Jedi
Thanks and glad you liked the review!
Sam
Nice review
Seems you've forgotten the step of pushing out those circular parts in the thighs, they can be pushed towards the outside of the legs.
Raiju
Gonna need a footlocker just to store all these accessories.
Don't give them any ideas! My wallet is already crying uncle.
ChromeMagnus
Seeing these Takara MP accessories laid out like that makes me really wish there was a way we could order extra parts/accessories from Takara like we can from most 3P companies. It sucks that we can't.
ChromeMagnus
Scooped up Artfire today for $105 shipped from baba with the Ebay flash sale coupon.
Dark Jedi
My own review up on Youtube
Primus1998
That really suits them.
Sixo
Presenting Artferno & Infire!
Xaxis
I'd have posted a photo but I'm on vacation and away from my collection. I thought I might have a photo in my phone but nope.
If nobody's set this up and posted a pic by the time I'm back home, I'll make sure to follow up accordingly.