COUNTDOWN: 14 Masterpiece repaints that outclass the originals (part 1)

I always look forward to a new Masterpiece toy. Something about a TakaraTomy design always feels like an actual event, even if they sometimes have their flaws.

I’m currently enamoured with MP-55 Nightbird (or Nightbirdshadow, to give her the name on the box!), a character I honestly never expected in this line but one that has been so fabulously realised. I have a full review on the way soon, but needless to say, she’s a bit of a stunner!

One thing that interests me about Nightbird is how she doesn’t even feel like a repaint (or, in this case, a retool) of MP-51 Arcee. It’s more than just the change in colours or the newly-moulded head – there’s something about the look and feel of her that’s enough to make her entirely distinct somehow, as many of the best repaints are.

Of course, most Masterpiece collectors are now well-engrained in the world of repaints, especially given how prolific they have been during the line’s nearly-nineteen year history! Yet that’s no bad thing, as, like Nightbird, I’d argue many such examples from over the years easily match or even overshadow the original moulds from which they were derived.

So today, let’s look at fourteen such examples, counting them down in vaguely the order of how much wow factor they give off versus the first uses of the mould in each case.

NOTE: I’m purposefully not including the various ‘+’ repaints of the carbots in favour of more original fare.

 

#14: MP-29+ Laserwave

Many fans were delighted when TakaraTomy announced they were doing a new version of Masterpiece Laserwave in 2018, as although the design had generally gone down well, some felt the lilac colour scheme of the first release left a little to be desired. Whilst I do enjoy that version, there’s little doubt that the MP-29+ repaint is a true sight to behold, immediately catching the eye because of its darker hues and the more plentiful paint applications on the body. Despite being planned as a cartoon-accurate take on the character (though I debated how much this works in my recent Masterpiece Masterclass video), the colour ended up being pretty much spot on to the 1985 G1 toy. Whatever the case, it’s a gorgeous specimen.

 

#13: MP-52+ Thundercracker

MP-52 Starscream hasn’t been out all that long, but already TakaraTomy are cracking (eh?) on with the repaints. Skywarp may not be in every collectors’ hands yet (I’m still waiting patiently myself!), but already, I can confirm that Thundercracker quite easily outshines the first use of the mould in several ways. There’s no real debate about the colour scheme with this one, after many fans remained undecided on the merits of Starscream’s darker grey; that gorgeous blue is a fantastic match for the cartoon and shows off this design to its very best at the same time. I’m pretty sure Skywarp will pip even this lad to the post once he arrives, but for now, I’m very much enjoying my time with Mr Thunder.

 

#12: MP-21R Bumble Red Body

Despite a new Masterpiece Bumblebee mould on the roster these days, there’s still something rather charming about the original MP-21 design in my book. It has a highly repeatable transformation, and it looks as cute as a button, as evidenced by the undeniable beauty that is MP-21R. The release, often nicknamed ‘Red Bobby’ (thanks to the accompanying Hasbro Asia collector’s coin spelling the word ‘body’ with a second ‘b’), looks fantastic up close, with that high gloss red paint ably doing this guy justice. I’m also a major fan of those fabulous baby blues!

 

#11: G.I. Joe featuring Ninja Force and Transformers Ratbat

OK, here’s an unusual one! The original MP Ratbat release accompanied MP-13B Soundblaster and is still celebrated for its fantastic design. It brings to life the character in a way we’ve never seen in toy form before, and honestly, I think it will be hard to beat in the future. Yet as lovely as it was, the colour scheme was taken up a notch by a lesser-known repainted version included with the 2016 G.I. Joe crossover set, G.I. Joe featuring Ninja Force and Transformers. It was an attempt to make the Ratbat design more accurate to the Marvel G1 comic, but whatever the case, it looks fantastic with a more saturated pink plastic used and a striking blue-grey paint job on the main body. One to look out for.

 

#10: MP-23 Exhaust

This one might cop a bit of disagreement in some circles, but no matter. As great as the original MP-20 Wheeljack design is, it was pretty definitely topped by MP-23 Exhaust, in my opinion. This retool caused all kinds of controversy when first unveiled, as it was set to recreate the Marlboro-inspired look of the original Diaclone release it homages. That would have included a more triangular appearance to the bottom of the green rectangles on the shins and the red finish on the main body of the car mode. Philip Morris USA, the parent company of Marlboro, took significant exception to this design and started threatening worldwide retailers with legal troubles if they stocked the figure.

Additionally, it also encountered problems with the American Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, whereby products that could reasonably be intended for children may not feature smoking-related imagery, making it technically illegal for it to be sold at all! Because of all this, TakaraTomy altered the design slightly to what we now have in hand, but none of that stops it from being a showstopper. The remoulded head is a wonderful nod to the original Diaclone figure, and the colour scheme is off the charts.

 

#9: MP-13B Soundblaster

I’m pretty sure that when MP-13 Soundwave was first released in 2013, I would have happily told you I couldn’t imagine how TakaraTomy could improve upon it. I didn’t have long to wait to see how wrong I was, as this beauty landed a little over a year later! Sure, the changes aren’t all that plentiful in theory, yet something about Soundblaster just ruthlessly outstrips his predecessor in every regard. Firstly, the black is shiny and luscious in hand, making for a more showstopping first impression than Soundwave’s dark blue. Yet the finer details help to sell Soundblaster, in my opinion, as the red eyes and yellow highlights all look even more vibrant than before, to say nothing of how much better that translucent purple chest section is than the comparatively drab equivalent on Soundwave. They’re both great toys, but if you were only to get one? No contest.

 

#8: MP-34S Shadow Panther

I was as surprised by this next entry as anyone, but I can’t deny it’s true. Though far from a perfect design, MP-34’s Cheetor (or Cheetus, to use his Japanese name!) brings the character to life in stunningly accurate form and has about as sublime a robot mode as you could probably desire. However, in my mind, it’s entirely topped by the subsequent MP-34S retool, and not just because of that sexy jet black colour scheme. The painted silver parts look exceptional, as do those popping yellow highlights but with that shiny new ‘mutant mask’ head sculpt? Forget about it; it’s all over.

 
 
Be sure to check out part 2 soon!

TTFN