Thanks to Twitter user @Hiwokun we can share for you images of the gray prototype of the upcoming Transformers Masterpiece MPG Raiden for our viewing pleasure.
This image comes from the latest edition of the Transformers Generations Book which has just been released in Japan. We have a look at a block prototype of the combiner form of the six Masterpiece Trainbots. Keep in mind that this is still a prototype and not the final product, but it gives an idea on how the combination may work. As an extra bonus, we have a look at some pages of the Trainbots manga/comic included with the book.
See the mirrored images after the break and then sound off on the 2005 Boards!
Throway
I actually like Yukikaze more than Getsuei, maybe even more than Seizan.
ATFan
I take issue with a lot of this, especially since I have a high opinion of Suiken as a figure.
The hand is not visible when the backpack is on. Parts forming is completely ok as long as the part has a place to go and it does. Suiken is very fun to transform with no scary moments and his arms really aren't that confusing. Yukikaze's transformation from the waist up is fine, but the legs are a mess of thin pannels on thin sliders that are scary to move every time, if one of these are going to break it's him. Ive never had any trouble getting Suiken into a pose and I've never had a problem with the back pack, I actually think it looks cool.
Scyla
Both are not fun to mess around with at all. Suiken is hampered by the gigantic backpack that makes him hard to pose and Yukikaze by his legs made out of panels which will disengage when handled.
Yukikaze at least is made out of the whole train without the need of being a partsformer. He also has no visible combiner parts in robot mode while Suiken has the hand of Raiden on his back.
Yukikaze is a bit easier to transform but is very nerve-wracking because the leverage of the panels can stress the transformation joints.
I greatly dislike the transformation on Suiken because there is no good indication on how to rotate the arms and I always have to consult a video (the instructions aren’t of any use).
So they are both terrible Transformers when it comes to handling them. If you put a gun to my head I would go with Yukikaze since he turns into a cool Shinkansen train, is not a partsformer with no visible combiner parts and is slightly easier to transform.
However, I would recommend spending the money elsewhere.
PlanckEpoch
I still haven't gotten around to watching it but the vintage toys are licensed or at least based on the real deals? The MPG ones are certainly licensed training modes, and that really excited me as a big alt mode enthusiast.
Jarrod
Ah, I can see why you'd feel that way then. Dynazenon is noticeably limited, articulation wise, as well, for modern combiners this size.
However, I still feel Raiden is, as you say, fine for his size, density, and construction. Definitely not a "brick".
Gumblor Gimbles
I'm sorry you use American import sites to gauge pricing. this is a $550-700 set if you buy from japan…
don't worry, It'll be fine! takara has very little interest in international opinions on a product line they market almost exclusively in japan.
Pixelmaster
Curious to how is Raiden a brick. He's my second high end combiner (after GSC's DX Dynazenon) and Raiden is fine?
johnny barracuda
I bought the KO a few years ago, when it was still affordable. Even the KO is expensive nowadays. The trains are N scale, but some are slightly oversized, Kaen being bigger than the others.
HolyCulture
Isn’t it closer to $500 USD for the full set? It was for me.
and I’m extremely happy with this guy. It looks fantastic! ^^
View attachment 30325133
Athenor
Oh hey, I figured out how to unlock the knees and recreate the pose from the box!
I wasn't trying to, but it admittedly looks really good.
Funemployed
Absolutely stunning
Sy-Rein
I would suggest Suiken out of those two.
Suiken is my personal favorite Trainbot and 2nd favorite of the MPG figures, right behind Kaen.
ATFan
Of the two, Suiken. Yukikaze is the only member of the set I actively dislike and Suiken is my 3rd favorite.
JazzAlert13
Looking for advice: if I was to get just one (as a standalone figure, with genuinely no intention of building out the combiner) who would you recommend, Yukikaze or Suiken?
They are the two that look the coolest to me out of the six (mainly for being green lol) but which is more fun to mess around with? Thanks!
David Hingtgen
That, but even more so. Even HO isn't all that popular, but it's not "unknown/super-rare" there. But full-on O gauge? It's not even 1% of the Japanese train market AFAIK and I would imagine a fair number of hobby shops don't carry anything at all for it.
ATFan
Oh really? I don't have the og toys, and I can't bring myself to pay the current asking price for a set of non articulated G1 figures, but from pictures I always assumed they were a bit bigger than n scale.
johnny barracuda
The originals are about N scale. I have them displayed on N scale rails and that does the job.
johnny barracuda
In O scale the trains would have been gigantic, twice the lenght! Hard to manage on shelves.