An official video has been posted over on NicoVideo.jp which features the transformation sequence for the upcoming Masterpiece Beast Convoy (Beast Wars Optimus Primal to Western fans). You can watch the video at http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/1458044905

Online stores are starting to receive new images of upcoming TakaraTomy product including a new Masterpiece in the form of MP-31 Delta Magnus, a homage to the original Diaclone Ultra Magnus figure. Other figures who were shown as gray prototypes were Galvatron, Skullcruncher and Hardhead.

TakaraTomy were in attendance at Winter Wonderfest 2016 in Japan and had display cases showing off their upcoming 20th Anniversary Masterpiece Beast Wars Convoy along with the grey prototype for Unite Warriors Bruticus.

You can view the images after the jump

New images of the prototype figure of Masterpiece Beast Wars Convoy (Optimus Primal) have been posted in this months Figure King magazine. A copy can be seen below

Hobbylog have posted a new image of the upcoming Masterpiece MP-30 Ratchet. The Autobot doctor is due for release in April and is a remold of the soon to be released Masterpiece Ironhide. Additional images are expected to be contained within this months Figure King magazine.

The first official image of the upcoming Masterpiece Optimus Primal toy has been shown. The image is of a CGI render of the character who will be released next yeat to commerate the 20th anniversary of Beast Wars.

Takara have suprised everyone by announcing over on the Takara Tomy mall that they will be releasing Masterpiece Ramjet after all this time.  The figure is numbered MP-11NR and is a remold of the MP-11 Starscream figure. He is priced at $134 and will be released at the end of February 2016.  Does this mean that Dirge and Thrust will also finally be seeing official Masterpiece releases? We'd expect so.

View the images after the jump

K-Hobby Twitter feed and hobbylog.jp have posted images of grey prototypes for two new Transformers Masterpiece figures from TakaraTomy. The first is a new look at the recently announced new Hot Rod figure with the second reveal being an official Masterpiece Shockwave. Yes, we are finally getting a NEW Decepticon Masterpiece character.

You can view the images after the jump

TakaraTomy Mall have posted up a new product page for an upcoming MP-11T Masterpiece Thundecracker figure. This version of MP Thundercracker will be a recolour of the MP11 Starscream with a more accurate animation based color scheme and will comes with a "hologram pilot figure" that will fit into the cockpit.  The toy will be available for preorder on the TakaraTomy Mall from August, 3rd to August, 17th for 14,904 yen and is limited to 2,000 units domestically in Japan. 

So Botcon is taking place this weekend over in the United States whilst the Toyko Toy Show is taking placed in Japan at the same time, so here is a round-up of the news so far:

BOTCON

The additional figures for this years set turned out to be General Optimus Prime, Sergeant Hound, Diaclone Skidz (Burnout), Diaclone Hoist (Lift Ticket), The Waruders 4-Pack with the Custom Class figure being Galva-Leo Convoy a recolour of the Collectors Club exclusive figure based on the original "Lucky Draw" figure of the same name.

Transformers Titan Wars - This will be the toyline following on from the Combiner Wars theme and sees the return of the Headmasters to the main Transformers line.  Wireframe outlines were shown, drawn by Emiliano Santalucia (going by his Facebook reaction), which include Blaster (now a Headmaster), Astrotrain (a triple changer headmaster) and Fortress Maximus (a re-tool of Metroplex wtih both Cerebros and Spike much like the original toy / character).  More is expect to be announced on this over the weekend.

TOKYO TOY SHOW

Meanwhile in the other big news was being announced. 

Masterpiece Ironhide was confirmed and shown. The figure, as you would expect from the Masterpiece line, is very muhc designed on the animated series and will come with a whole host of weapons and accessories.  You can expect a Ratchet repaint and, most likely, a black "Diaclone" version later (in our opinion).

Masterpiece Optimus Primal / Gorilla Convoy - Masterpiece is going Beast Wars! To commemorate the 20th anniversary of Beast Wars, 2016 is going to see the Masterpiece line cover that incarnation of Transformers start off with the Maximal leader Optimus Primal. A mock-up was shown in beast form which you can view below.

Also shown at the event were Unite Warriors Devastator, this is the Japanese release of the Combiner Wars Devastator set with Scrapper, Long Haul, Hook and Mixmaster all being remoulded to include elbow articulation unlike the Western release.  The toy will also be released with two heads meaning that you'll be able to re-create the standard US and SDCC looks

pic.twitter.com/Wt79rP0Ukc

— たか (@Hawk753afd) June 20, 2015

For further images from the show, please see:

TFW2005.com, Seibertron.com

Griffin, the admin of OzFormers has posted some infromation from the Australian Toy Fair which includes word that MP Tracks will not be MP-25 and that 6 more Masterpiece figures will be released in Japan this year, after Star Saber with those toys being:

1. Gold Bumblebee (Goldbug) - July
2. Convoy re-issue - Assumed August
3. Tracks - Assumed August
4. Secret - MP25 expected to be announced shortly - September
5. New Sports Car - Oct
6. New Sports Car - Nov

Below you will find a quote of the full new report which contains further information on the Australian releases. 

Photos later tonight, and the full report.... but some teaser info to get you interested and to send the global fansites into meltdown.

Generations Devastator on display with my Gen1 Devastator - BigW already signed up for June/July. 

More JP Masterpiece coming this year - Gold bumblebee July, Convoy reissue, Tracks (not MP25), MP25 in Sept (I can't reveal name before TakaraTomy), and two new "sports cars" for OCT & NOV.

Platinum edition - Myer will have Seeker pack and YOTG pair... while ToysRUs will have Insecticon pack, Perceptor/Blaster, Trypticon, aaaaand.... Dinobots. YES, Gen1 Dinobots multipack which I hope is all five.

JP Stinger still for this month, only at TRU though.

GEN Slingshot & Wildrider don't exist (yet) for Hasbro Generations, but might next year as Combiners are going to be at least two years. 

Leader Starscream for wave 4.

Hasbro MP Starscream is the second (MP11) version because fans wanted it.

Hasbro MP Bluestreak will be in July.

Toyworld's cheaper prices were indeed just introductory prices from Hasbro. 

Loyal Subjects w3 should be out in the next month.

That's most of it. More later, probably after midnight though.

Go nuts... 

Go nuts indeed!

The Japanese Hobby Magazines are carrying the first images of the grey prototype of future Masterpiece Transformers figure Tracks. The toy will be released under the MP-25 number and is expected to come with a human figure.  Eventually we expect the toy to be recoloured into Roadrage as well as a black Tracks variant.

As you would have noticed, our regulary posting on the Moon hasn't been that regular in a long-time, and our focus on TheVisionaries.net has also slowed in recent months.  The basic reason is work and life　getting in the way.  We recently bought a second light tent and are hoping to get back to taking more (regular or semi-regular) pictures soon (once work  goes back to just 5 days a week).

Anyway the reason for that introduction is that we missed quiet a bit of 3rd Party news this week ... so here's a roundup.

3rd Party Masterpiece Hound

Like buses you wait for one, and two come along at once.  Both MakeToys and TFCToys have shown off grey prorotypes of their Not-Masterpiece Hound  figure, so you can substitute their Hound in place of the one Takara-Tomy haven't made ... yet

1. MakeToys
   Name; Gun Dog
   Height: 16.5 CM / 6 1/2 inches
   Notes: Has two robot modes (pretty much the shoulder postions) for "Classic G1 Look" and "Modern Classic Look"
   
   
2. TFC Toys
   Name: Detective
   Height: Unknown
   Notes: Less G1 toy accurate

3rd Party Masterpiece Chromdome

MakeToys' entrerance into the Masterpiece Class of Transformers figures doesn't stop with Gun Dog (Hound) as they have also announced a nive looking Masterpiece Chromedome.  The character, made popular by Nick Roche and James Roberts in the Transformers More Than Meets The Eye comic certainly looks nice.

1. Maketoys
2. Name: Cupola
   Height: 22 CM / 9 inches
   Notes: Comes with his Headmaster figure (Stylor in the West)

To see images make sure to click the stories link

The first recolour of the Masterpiece Bumblebee has been announced and it is not the expected Cliffjumper remould but instead is a metallic gold repaint based on the Generation 2 figure.  The figure comes with a facemask to mimic the original toy.  You can view the preview image below.

Friend to the site, and old site sponsor, Robot Kingdom, have posted a nice gallery of the soon to be released Transformers Masterpiece Ultra Magnus toy on their Facebook page.

Click the link to take a look

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.898106796874703.1073743004.168147899870600&type=1