The official Takara Tomy YouTube channel has just uploaded our first official promotional video of the new Transformers Masterpiece MP-56 Trailbreaker.
The video shows Trailbreaker in all his glory. The classic Toyota 4WD Hi-Lux camper truck alt mode features opening hood and doors, and can place Masterpiece mini-figures inside. It comes with g1-cartoon inspired accessories like a parabolic antenna and an alternate front grill. Robot mode shows the cartoon-accurate style of recent Masterpiece figures and includes Trailbreaker’s shoulder weapons and multi-nozzle gun, blast effects and 3 interchangeable faces. Trailbreaker is scheduled for December 2022 and priced 21780 yen which is $167.61 approximately.
The video is region locked, but you can watch a mirror alternative after the break as well as a screencaps gallery. What do you think of this new Masterpiece figure? Let us know your impressions on the 2005 Boards!
Pre-Order Links: TFSource, Entertainment Earth, Big Bad Toy Store, Robot Kingdom, Hobby Link Japan, The Chosen Prime, ToyDojo, Ages Three & Up, Dorkside Toys, Amazon.JP
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Prime of Shadows
This. I know that I for instance barely go into 3P MP threads, and if I do it’s for figures that I like and want to buy. I don’t “invade” the MS Radiatron thread, for example, and then declare that those figures are stupid or ugly or whine about how they don’t fit my preferred aesthetic (which indirectly insults those who choose to buy it, btw, I know many folks here like to pretend that isn’t something that happens but it very much is). I will, therefore, frequent the XTB Ultra Magnus thread, or the MMC Bruticus thread, because I like those figures and am considering purchasing them. In my opinion that’s how everyone here should operate, but I understand that many people here disagree for some reason.
MoonchildVic
I don't think it works that way…
My general perspective is that collectors tend to buy the version of the character that suits their particular view of a character, regardless of what company is behind it.
Of course that there are purists that are attached to a brand, and collect every single release, but I don't think that's the majority.
Me for instance, my collection is mainly around FT's and TT's, my target is set for cartoon accuracy but I'm tolerant to the point of ignoring some details, if they are there for the benefit of the engendering. I've finally finished my FT Iron Dibots, I know that they are way off when compared to the cartoon, but they are awesome representations of the characters, and I doubt I'll ever trade them for Sunbow accurate versions.
Other example, Powerglide. FT announced that they are making their version, but I doubt i will change my mind about getting the DX Version, because to me he's good enough to have on my shelve as a representation of the character.
BrutiKing
As someone who collects TT and 3P (working on FT bots rn) I don’t see much TT people crapping on third party threads. A lot of people just stay in the TT threads and do their own thing. Meanwhile… 3P people crap on TT, each other, and sometimes themselves too…
Sylent
TT's response:
The TT lovers crap on 3rd party, but least many of those companies will offer a solution for a defective product.
Prime of Shadows
Man, if TT is reading this board….FIX HOUND!!!!!!
Effigy
Yeah, personally, the color doesn't matter to me at all. His color is fine. If it were darker, that would also be fine. My issue is with how his 'belly' looks. Especially from the sides.
He's sitting at 16,608 yen shipped for me right now. Which is $131.04. I wish the exchange rate would lock in, If we are headed for recession the dollar may fall a bit. But at $50 less than Outrider, that's a really nice deal. That's Prooooobably enough to sway me over to the Takara version. I think the last day to cancel the Amazon.jp pre order is Friday…
Shockwave81
Jeez Louise, if it’s not one thing it’s another.
Toonification is important to me, but I barely gave any thought to MP-56’ colour, in fact I mistakenly said he was black! Maybe I’m not doing MP right, since I don’t scrutinise these aspects all that often…
Or maybe it’s just a case of enough boxes being ticked that he falls into the ballpark of what I’m comfortable with? I dunno. Interesting to see what people home in on with these things.
Kranix_OZ
Don't toy with my emotions like that
. I've given up on that possibility 
The release of Jazz in this style is my dream Transformer! My grail !!! 
jackisking
Seeing how many blacks were switched to charcoals and dark grays on the plus releases made Trailbreaker not being black a nobrainer.
Effigy
Again though, people didn’t do it with Outrider, which is more relevant in this case, since it’s the same character. I think most of us DO think of Trailbreaker being black but since Takara made him grey people are ok with it since the cartoon backs that up also. I wasn’t part of the Blaster convo so I’m not sure what that was about.
4249david
Identical black v grey/real v toon/animation limitations etc. argument can be found in the DS Blaster thread. Only flipped around as I said. Same would happen here…
For TB, the MP crowd who want toon would say 'but he's too dark' (though ironically would probably live with it) and the anti-toon would say 'nah, that grey you want is a limitation of the animation, get over it'. Same arguments but from a different position in the context of it.
And, FT gonna FT. People mostly don't critique the deco because FT do their own thing mostly. With TT we (mostly) know what the aim is.
And the mainline one isn't remotely comparable (although I certain that if someone had said that, they'd have been eviscerated…those mainline threads are crazy)
Onilink
WFC+L toys are heavily cartoon scaled and inspired, but not tooned.
Fafnir72
Do they? Read this board that is.
JP first if I got it right for the MP line(and a little bit of China). Me? Toon look, real look, hybrid etc………no issue except for the crunchy flavor that is Hound.
Effigy
I actually don’t think that’s true. Earthrise Trailbreaker is much darker and I don’t remember anyone saying he should be lighter. Likewise Fanstoys Outrider. People think his white parts should be grey but I haven’t seen anyone say he should be lighter. I really think most of the people defending this are just defending Hasbro and would still be defending it if it had been darker. Just my two cents.
Mung daal
I’d be the happiest man alive with a menasor that has the amount of detail, and realistic car features that skids had, alongside a configuration like that of the g1 toy but with better proportions.
maz25
Yes, Yes, Yes!!!!!. Love this figure. My apologies from my last post – I am now earning an honest living and look to add not 1, but 2, of these true MP figures to my collection. 1 boxed, and another in all it's glory in bot mode to my shelf. After all, I can afford this, and so much more.
Some other "hardcore MP collectors" night not like this post. I'm sorry. Especially to the one that looks manphillipy – not your fault. Catch the tears, and just hold a glass below that chin. When you care to down it, please, advise the boards.
SunSwipe5
I'll bring the popcorn
Blingotron
I can't wait.
Zentropy
That's actually funny.
In all seriousness, though, Maketoys Downbeat is probably sufficient for the toy-aesthetic crowd. From what I've seen and read in the responses, Takara had better go the toon route with Jazz just to counter Fanstoy's effort, which seems to be well-received so far. Even I think its robot mode looks good, though I really dislike the vehicle mode. I like Takara's general trend (aside from the chibis) in creating fairly realistic alt modes, while Fanstoy's full-toon strategy even with the cars leaves me cold. MP-56's truck design looks fantastic, IMO, at least with the more realistic grille. I love the TOYOTA-embossed tailgate.
D307
Trying to cause a full scale riot I see
