Takara Tomy Mall has put up a listing for MP-18+ Streak, aka Bluestreak. This is a cartoon inspired deco of the original release featuring a more matte paint job, new faces, and effect parts that can plug into his gun or shoulder canons coming directly from the show. He’s a limited release through the direct Takara sales website but many of our sponsors should get copies of it below, keep an eye out for pre-orders there. MP18+ Bluestreak is retailing for 9180 Yen (about $83 US) and is due to ship in Late July 2019. Read on to check out all the pretty pics!
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Digger
Looks wonderful. Do you think it’d be possible to get some pictures with Wheeljack + please?
RichP
@Dean ML you're right, bud! Good eye (pun intended. Hey, I’m a dad with lots of bad dad jokes). This highlights what’s so good about this final production sculpt. The level of precision! It has sharp edges all over. Nothing like no-21 with soft edges everywhere. I’m hoping this continues.
I’m picking mine up through eBay using $20 in every eBay bucks. Soon as something comes up at a good price I’ll bite.
Sam
Oh I’d love to see how far the head can tilt too! A cocked head adds so much character to a smiling face.
I’ll be excited for MP-44 again in a week or so, but right now it’d Bluestreak’s time to shine
Absolutely. It’s the contrast between te darker head and shoulders and the rest of the body that is a key part of his colour scheme. Neither MP-18 nor MP-18S could do it, but combining parts from both of them got close:
That was totally the right way to play someone so scarred that they can’t stop blabbering on to hide their trauma. Though the script writers didn’t play on Bluestreak’s verbal-diarrhea nature in the same way he got in Budiansky’s bio or comics.
For me, Bluestreak was one of the bots who stood out the most in More Than Meets The Eye, for going after hot-headed Ironhide so he didn’t have to fight alone, and helping pull him out of the water when he gets blasted out of the sky by teleporting Skywarp.
The toon did a great job of going beyond the bios and bringing life to the characters in different directions, and he voice-acting was so much a part of that. So Bluestreak’s a bit of a loser and train-wreck, but he can also be a hero when it’s called for. It was the nature of all Autobots. Even more suitable then that Bluestreak’s face is the basis for the Autobot insignia.
chchchch
I don't know if this means much, but I just checked with Hasbro Pulse customer service and they say the expected ship date is still 7-27. Here's hoping that's for real…
Dean ML
Rich, I think what's happening is that there's strong downlighting, the helmet and crest are casting a shadow that falls below his eyes. But because the highlights on the planes of the face right under his eyes (his lower "eyelids") are right above the bottom of the helmet/crest's cast shadow it ends up looking like he has meth eyelids. Still, it suits the character! Kasem played him like an obnoxious idiot, always laughing at his own lame jokes.
C'mon, BBTS! Get your stock in on time!!!
PoweredConvoy
The lighter color (particularly on his lower legs) coupled with the darker head, certainly make him look more like the cartoon.
Appothos
I believe it is a ball joint, certainly feels like it. Some of my pics have the head tilted slightly, but not to the extreme.
Can do, will post some more obvious ones.
Gamerlingual
There’s a small chance I might be at summer wonder fest in Japan. Depends if it’s in Tokyo or not
Appothos
LOL whaaaaaaaat never knew!
Not a problem, I know the feeling. Like right now I wouldn't mind seeing any new pics of MP-44 from anywhere.
RetroElectro
Nice. Is his head on a ball joint? If so, could you try taking a picture with his head at an angle? Thanks!
Sam
You’ve made my weekend with all these pics, thanks for sharing them!
Definitely looks less crazed in brighter lighting, but the harrowed looks suits the sole-survivor of the destruction of his city. That’s what I’m going with anyway
Oh and btw, to @Appothos and others, Bluestreak’s launchers can actually extend out further than you think. Extend them once, and then pull them again for the full length
Appothos
Viking metal
Gamerlingual
If the points for this guy kick in before MP19+ preorder window stops, I can get him for 1500 Yen. I’ve got like 8,000 points potentially on hold. So it’s a very doable possibility. But then again, he’s a 2020 MP
Appothos
Yeah, today I experienced and agree with what others have suggested before – that the new head, faces and blast effects make this release truly worthy of the Plus designation, compared to a straight up repaint.
All in on 19+
RichP
There's something about the eyes that makes him look psychopathic. Maybe the heavy outlines, but he looks crazed. Still love the figure and can't wait to have in hand.
kshaps
YES YES YES. Hope I have this in two weeks time.
Gamerlingual
This is the only masterpiece I’ll be getting for the rest of the year. Had him paid when he was up for reserve. At least I can say I got one new MP in the second half of the year. No MP44 to MP47 for me. Hope this guy turns out just as fun as others have said.
Appothos
Different faces and different light this time.
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RustyScreamer
Looks fabulous, these current + figures are nailing it for me!
Digger
Damn he looks so great. He’s gonna be great when I pick up a Wheeljack + and a nice Drift.