Optimus Prime (Convoy in Japan) is the leader of the Autobot and towards the end of 2011, Takara Tomy had decided to come out with another Masterpiece line, the MP-10 which is said to be the perfect model of its predecessor.
It has a beautiful and neat packaging. Exactly the same size as the MP-09 Rodimus Convoy and MP13 Soundwave. I manage to get hold of it for RM600 back then. The price has ballooned to RM800 now.
The package includes Optimus Prime itself with trailer, energon axe, ion blaster rifle, Roller, Spike Witwicky and The Autobot Matrix of Leadership.
This is one awesome figure and it couldn't get any better than this. It is very G1 accurate and definitely feels like it just came out from the TV set.
It came also with his bio card. Optimus is almost perfect in every sense except for his speed and fire blast.He has no known weakness except for his compassion for other sentient beings.
Optimus Prime transforms into a Kenworth K100 cab over truck. The MP-10 is more flush compare to its predecessor and even comes with a side mirror. However, the floodlight is not painted which somehow affect the overall appearance of the cab. I had seen the Hasbro version and their version has the flood light painted and it did make a lot of difference, especially in it aesthetic look.
The ion blaster within the trailer can be positioned on top of the trailer to give Optimus alternate mode a little fire power. However, this type of setting never appears in any of the animation series.
This is the size of Optimus alternate mode compare to Rodimus RV vehicle. Obviously, Optimus is slightly longer due to its trailer.
Spike Witwicky can fit into the cab which somehow make the cab more functional. It is a shame though that Spike won't be able to fit into Rodimus cab.
Optimus transforms to an awesome looking robot. However, his eyes are kind of dull without the light blue colour as appear in the animation series. Somehow, the Hasbro version make the figure more lively with the introduction of the light blue coloured eyes. That little details actually made a huge impact on the figure in my opinion.
The figure is very articulate and is ideal for display. The figure is mostly plastic but it definitely feel more solid if compared to the fragile Rodimus Prime MP-09.
There is a storage bay for his ion blaster at his back. I am a bit disappointed when there is no jet pack when Sideswipe (MP-12) was released to go with Optimus. I wonder if the designer had overlook this detail it was featured in one of the episode in Season One where Optimus borrowed the jet pack from Sideswipe in order to stop the Decepticons space ship from leaving planet Earth.
The energon axe is a cool weapon but it can only fit into Optimus right arm. It was only used briefly in one of the duel with Megatron at a hydro dam.
Within his chest is the mystic talisman, the Autobot Matrix of Leadership. Even the way his chest is opening up is accurate although without the light effect to enhance the Matrix.
The Matrix is made of metal and definitely a sight to behold based on the details and paint job. Unfortunately, it is only good display as it is not capable of been hold by both Optimus hand to mimic the action of opening the Matrix.
Before passing away in The Transformers: The Movie, Optimus spoke of a prophecy that one day, "The Chosen One" would rise from the ranks of the Autobots and use the power of the Matrix to light their darkest hour.
During their darkest hour, the Chosen One who could open the Matrix proved to be Hot Rod and was reformatted by its power to Rodimus Prime.
When Optimus transforms, his cab disconnect to become a sentient robot and his trailer opens to reveal a combat deck.
The combat deck also serves as an radio antenna for battlefield communication between Autobots.
Spike Witwicky figure can be positioned in various locations within the combat deck. He could virtually manned the whole combat deck.
I remember Optimus has this pose from one of the animation episode before his trailer been blasted by Megatron.
The combat deck can be converted into repair bay for Optimus although this is never been shown in the animation series. The trailer also acts as a storage bay for his weapon.
Another cool thing about the trailer is that Rodimus Prime can fit in and use the repair bay as well. The overhead crane can only reach up to the chest part for both of the figures.
The combat deck includes "Roller", a mobile scout buggy meant to scout behind enemy lines. When Roller is deployed, Optimus can hear what Roller sees and hears.
The trailer also can fit other Masterpiece series such as Lambor (MP12), Red Alert (MP-14), Prowl (MP-17) and Smokescreen (MP-18).
Roller has a few gimmicks in this Masterpiece series. It can carries Spike, Optimus Ion Blaster and even the trailer. Other than scouting, I can't recall Roller performs any other roles in the animation series.
MP-10 size has been streamlined to MP-09 and the subsequent Masterpiece line.There are hardly any difference in term of quality between the Takara Tomy and Hasbro Masterpiece except for a few minor paint job.
In my opinion, Takara Tomy Masterpiece MP-10 has a better packaging and bio card whereas Hasbro on the other hand has better paint job on his eyes and floodlights which really make a huge difference. The Roller in the Hasbro version has an odd blue colour but I guess it won't really matter much. With a price tag of RM599, I'm sure the Hasbro version will be a better alternative for the cost conscious fan out there.
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