Previously revealed last July at STGCC, Mastermind Creations has revealed the final colored prototype images of their next release in the Ocular Max series, Kojin with Nightbeam. This is Ocular Max’s version of Artfire which features new head wings from their Backdraft release. Nightbeam is an homage to Nightstick, and is a completely new tooling with tons of articulation for optimum poseability. This figure will be crowd-funded through their website and if the goal is met, will be released a month afterwards.
You can check out all the new images after the jump.
Destructimis Prime
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Thinktank
I got mine new and I was pleasantly surprised me that it came with the gray wings, cards, and clear TM.
I got him at Toy Dojo here: Mastermind Creations Ocular Max PS-08 Kojin w/ Nightbeam Perfection Series Limited Exclusive
PS: I did have to swap the thighs on both TMs. The clear one was a real challenge.
PSS: I also had to tighten the hips and knees on mine. I first coated his hips, knees,
and ankles with 'Future'. Then I inserted a strip of high fiber paper towel tinted black
with a sharpie. He stands solid now with no issues. The clear version has some of the
most solid small sized ball joints I have ever seen.
ChromeMagnus
MMC OM PS Kojin is available from Taobao seller Planet Steel Toys/Steel Star Toy Store
After Alipay fees and shipping EMS fee, the grand total will be about $83 USD shipped via EMS to the USA.
MMC红白色OX消防车火流星-淘宝网
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gaseous clay
Ah, I ended up going with the smaller grey wings. I think he and Bounceback look fine together:
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Heh, it frustrates me that you can't mount Bounceback's targetmaster on his shoulder unless you tuck the doors in, and I prefer the doors out. Particularly since I also have Downbeat, who does have his doors tucked in so as to differentiate the two more than just the color scheme. (And looking at these photos now, I realize I've totally forgotten to add Autobot badges to Kojin)
I really like his alt mode:
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It looks more rugged (plus an actual rear bumper with molded in tail lights!), though I prefer the way MP Inferno does the… stabilizers? Whatever you call those things on the side that secure the truck to the ground. MP Inferno's ladder also seems more sturdy.
As for bot mode, I think I actually prefer MPs more bulky proportions:
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But Kojin is still a pretty good looking bot, I'm satisfied with my purchase. Is his targetmaster supposed to be able to tab into his fist? I couldn't get it in on either fist for the life of me. Closing the fist around it seems to hold it okay enough for display purposes, but I was hoping for something more solid.
slideshot
The factory apparently made a mistake and used Inferno's wing colors for Kojin. MMC send out replacements grey wings about a month later to everyone who ordered him. The different sizes are just for whichever preference you prefer.
gaseous clay
Okay, had this waiting for me after getting off work, haven't had too much time to fiddle with him. Very nice! But yikes, that Targetmaster is pretty flimsy, particularly compared to the one that come with Bounceback or Andras. He's staying in gun mode.
But yeah, what's with all the wings? As near as I can guess, the figure was made with white wings and came with an even bigger set of white wings. But that wasn't accurate to the original toy, so they threw a baggie of grey wings so you can replace the white ones?
Wheeljoker
I don't think you go wrong with either choice for Artfire. I chose the official because I just think Takara really made the Inferno mold look way better with the tampos. That said though,Kojin looks fantastic so I'm sure you'll enjoy him. MMC did a great job on this mold.
unmc2001
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gaseous clay
It was a tough decision, but I ended up going with Kojin. They both look nice, but another thing I realized was I'm guessing Kojin was made in much more limited numbers than Artfire? So I figured i should pick him up while I still could. I might still pick up Artfire later.
Skrunklemin
I had MP Artfire paired with Bounceback initially, but it just didn't feel right. Switched to Kojin and I love it. The TMs are a better match aesthetically and like Predakwon, I wanted him to look more like his toy-centric manga appearance.
Predakwon
It's fine in gun mode, but the pins are terrible in the legs for robot mode. Floppy figure. The TT targetmaster is amazing compared to this.
gaseous clay
Hmm, that's disappointing to hear about his targetmaster. Is he fine if he's just kept in gun mode and hardly ever transformed? Or is it the gun mode that has issues?
Destructimis Prime
Get Kojin!
Predakwon
My POV from my type of collecting for what it's worth:
1. Targetmaster is shit. I don't complain about a lot of stuff, but it's pretty shitty.
2. I, too wanted Kojin/Artfire to be a different mold which is why I got him. I also wanted him to look like the toy (ladder on his back which I'm pretty sure the TT version can't) and look closer to his manga appearance.
View attachment 27990585 .
That said, I have no regrets about getting Kojin. If you can deal with a craptastic TM, the MMC mold is pretty good.
madpanda
Normally I say MMC, but in this case go with the Takara MP. I had the same issue when the MMC and Takara version were going head to head, but went with the MP. MMC looks more Toy while Takara look more toon, and Bounceback definitely looks more toon.
gaseous clay
Sorry to dig up this old thread, but I'm thinking of getting an Artfire to pair with my Bounceback, and I was wondering if people would recommend this, or the official MP Artfire? It sounded like both reviewed well and I can get them for the exact came price, so cost is not an issue. I also have MP Inferno, which I do like a lot, but part of me thinks I should get Kojin just to have a different mold. But it sounds like MP Artfire has more bells and whistles, like being able to attach his targetmaster directly to his wrist?
Destructimis Prime
Ocular Max – PS-08 Kojin (Limited Edition)
Chrisola
Are these for sale anywhere? The OM website shows 237/800 claimed. I wonder how many others were made
Destructimis Prime
Thank you. Still too much red and white on my Diaclone shelf though it could use some more color variation.
Fortynickel
Your assessment is pretty spot on. I like the MMC mold because of that heroic-look.
Also great Diaclone display!