Transformers Masterpiece MP-09 Rodimus Prime - Revised Edition

He's got the touch!

I own the Habro release of this figure, but I'm not a fan of the toy deco so I decided to compliment it with this reissue of the Takara version. I don't regret my decision, but there are a few caveats.

Firstly, this mould is certainly showing its age from a design and engineering perspective. While a nice thought, the incorporation of both Rodimus and Hot Rod modes result in an over-engineered figure that doesn't do either mode real justice. Personally I don't even use the Hot Rod mode because it's completely out of scale, so I'd have preferred that Takara concentrated on delivering the best Rodimus it could...

This reissue purportedly fixes a number of issues that - depending on who you believe - may actually have already been fixed with the v2 release. Some of these - such as failing knee, ankle and shoulder joints - may only become apparent over the course of time, but there are definitely tangible improvements. The chest and backpack now tab in securely (even better than the Hosbro version) and I can even pick mine up by the backpack and shake it quite vigorously without it becoming detached! The shin pieces are still problematic in that they don't like to tab in all that securely, but at least they are now designed to pop off instead of snapping (although so was the v2)... He can even hold his weapons securely, which was a big problem with the older versions because the handles of the guns don't sit perpendicular to the slots in the (still spindly and lacking articulation) hands. The ankles on mine are still a pain to get into the right position for posing, but they're poorly designed to begin with. Oh, and this version uses the same silly two-part elbow design as the Hasbro version, rather than the single piece used by the original release.

While the transformation is still a chore the end result is worth it. His 'space Winnebago' mode looks really great, as does the battle platform it converts to. In bot mode Rodimus has great shelf presence and scales fairly well with the rest of the line and third parties. He's not completely toon accurate, but is a much better option something like DX9's Carry in that regard.

One oddity with this reissue is that the crotch piece - which used to be red - is now orange. It's not noticeable from the front as the hip skirts are red, but when viewed from the back the butt flaps are orange instead of red like they were on the v1/v2 and the same goes for the crotch itself. I'm assuming this was a cost cutting exercise, but it's annoying as it further erodes the toon accuracy.

Still, as I said at the top of the review I don't regret getting this figure. It's still the best available option until a third-party company produces a more screen-accurate version, which is still some way off (if at all). As long as you go in with your eyes open and accept that the figure has its issues, you should be very happy with your purchase.

• 1 out of 1 people found this review useful.

Arise, Rodimus Prime!

A fantastic looking figure in robot mode and nothing short of stunning in the two alternate modes! Whilst showing its age in some respects despite the updates the intricacy of the transformation and some still impressive engineering (I like how the bonnet flips!) along with the looks made this a still worthy purchase. I'd watch a few videos of the transformation first though, especially for getting the feet out of the way in car mode.

I can't give full marks because the tabs for the leg pieces on the underside of the back of the car don't peg in perfectly everytime and require some jiggery-pokery. I don't mind the shell-forming for the trailer mode at all. I don't have a lot of space for multiple versions of a character and as much as I like the look of it, the scale of the alt mode for DX9's Carry rules it out for me. I'm not holding my breath for a new version from Takara either so this was a belated but welcome update for my wants!

• 2 out of 2 people found this review useful.