Transformers Masterpiece MP-58 Hoist

Another new G1 mold in the Masterpiece series is always a great occasion since Takara release them so slowly these days. The previous Trailbreaker was pretty awesome, and this new Hoist is just as good. If you think the transformation is a reuse from the Trailbreaker, you'd be completely wrong! The engineers at Takara have done some incredible work to design a very similar car mode, coupled with a completely different transformation, into a bot mode that matches the cartoon aesthetic perfectly.

Click through below to watch my video review over on the Kool Kollectibles YouTube channel. Hope you can subscribe to stay tuned for upcoming reviews.

Box and packaging is the usual standard Masterpiece style, and the set comes with a decent array of accessories. You can recreate some of the classic scenes from the cartoon episodes, such as when they all acted on set in alien masks.

There's also the swap out bumper piece to go with the more realistic chromed look or the cartoon style matte grey finish. I love the cartoon look, but I always use that bit of chrome when provided on figures, since I think it adds that extra bit of premium style on display.

The main attraction is of course the figure itself. The car mode is awesome, with a beautiful deep green and orange paint app. The rear carriage folds down and can tow other vehicles if you hook them over the little notch at the end.

I found the wheel clearance not that great, but that was resolved after a bit of adjusting after transformation. But I tend to keep my main cast of characters in bot mode anyway, so it wouldn't have been a problem for my display.

The doors and hood open just like they did on Trailbreaker. The details are slightly different under the hood, mostly influenced by the different transformation sequences. You can fit one of the human accessories from previous figures into the car, but it's pretty tight and I didn't even bother trying.

Overall, if you're a fan of car mode, you'll love this new Hoist. I think it's a pretty faithful representation of the Hilux variants that were produced back in the day.

But I'm a bot mode fa, and Hoist does not disappoint. The transformation sequence is drammatically different to Trailbreaker's and really do bring out the chunky stature Hoist had in the cartoon. The hips and thighs are a very faithful recreation of the cartoon aesthetic, and it really makes him stand out as something different amongst the MP cast.

They include a couple of swap out face plates too. I decided to go with the look he had in the episode with Grapple and the Constructicons, with the more pronounced chin guard.

There were only a couple of trickier parts in the transformation sequence. The panel rotation and folding in the shoulder areas can be confusing, so definitely follow the official Takara transformation video to make sure you do it right.

The other trickier part was making sure the backpack pegged into the back of the waist tightly. The first time will require quite some effort, but you will hear a satisfying click as it pegs in properly. Once that is done, the figure holds together very well and looks like he just jumped out of the 80s TV screen.

Side by side with Trailbreaker, the major differences in transformation and design become obvious. I love how the Takara engineers were able to factor this between the two characters, giving them the unique style that they deserve, as opposed to reusing the mold like the classic G1 toy. I think Takara has found the perfect balance in bot mode proportions whilst maintaining that realistic licensed car mode.

Displayed with MP Grapple, these two really do look like they came straight out of the G1 cartoon episode. It just makes me wish even harder for Takara to hurry up and do a proper MP Constructicon series!

All in all, I think if you're a G1 cartoon fan, then this new Hoist is a no-brainer. I just hope Takara continues this amazing design aesthetic and give us more G1 Season 1/2 characters this year.

Transformers Masterpiece MP-20+ Wheeljack

I love the Transformers Masterpiece series, especially the G1 figures. I've even got all the "+" variants for their more cartoon accurate paint application, and this MP-20+ Wheeljack is no exception.

As always, the "+" variant looks best in bot mode I think. But click through below to check out my full video review on the Kool Kollectibles YouTube channel and have a look for yourself! Hope you can give the video a thumbsup and subscribe too!

You get the usual contents out of the box. This time I got the figure from Big Bad Toy Store, who had to wait months apparently for Hasbro USA to release the figure. And all they did was add a completely useless black wrapper box over the usual Takara box! A completely useless time waster that adds nothing to the figure except a 5 months wait over the Japanese/HK release of the figure!

The car mode looks decent, but rather plain in comparison to the original release or the MP-23 Exhaust repaint. This is certainly cartoon accurate, but is where the "+" variants can't really shine. I do love the fact that the white is now painted white, not unpainted white plastic, which makes it a lot brighter than the original figure. The blue windscreen also gives a nice contrast to the overall aesthetic, but looks even better in bot mode.

As always, it's the bot mode where the "+" variants truly shine. In the pic below you can see how much brighter the white is compared to the original. The blue windscreen and less decals around the torso area also make the definition and proportions of the bot mode appear better. Even the lower legs are better with this clearer style in bot mode.

I love that they improved the inner areas of the lower legs, using white paint in areas where the original had black plastic. This helps to blend the leg and feet together in much more seamless way. The new immobilser is also repainted, with more of the matte painted finish compared to the metallic sheen of the previous version. The extra red panels give it that extra bit of detail too.

With the matte finish on the head sculpt, wings, and shoulder cannon, the cartoon accurate repaint is as good as we can get for this mold. It all looks fantastic, and blends in perfectly with the more MP releases and the other "+" variants. They look like the cartoon just came alive on your shelf!

I know many collectors think the MP series is taking a step back with these "+" repaints. But I don't mind them at all. I prefer my main characters to be in bot mode, and these "+" variants give me the best possible representation of the cartoon aesthetic. The original releases, with all their real world decals, look fantastic in car mode! It really is the best of both worlds, and I'm very happy to have both in my collection.

I'm definitely looking forward to finishing the Nissan Fairlady "+" variants next year with MP-19+ Smokescreen. I am totally expecting them to announce a "+" version for Tracks as well. Here's hoping they announce more new molds too after Hound!

Mezco One:12 Collective Space Ghost

I've been seeing lots of collectors rave about how good Mezco's One:12 Collective range of figures has been, and the pics certainly look fantastic. But I couldn't double up on those characters in different scales, so held off until they released something that I didn't think would be released in a larger scale.

The Space Ghost figure fit that bill perfectly, especially since it was a cartoon that I loved watching through the 80s as a kid! I think the TV series was released earlier in the 60s or 70s, but I grew up watching the re-runs on Australian Saturday mornings and after school. So I had a lot of fond memories and nostalgia for this figure.

Click through below to check out my review on the Kool Kollectibles YouTube channel :)

The packaging art is beautifully done by Mezco, in a simple but classy style. The internal clamshell is also nicely laid out and collector friendly.

It comes with a nice array of accessories, with different options for his blast effects from his hands. The transluscent coloured plastic looks pretty nice. The stand is also nice, with the options to stand on the base or have him in flight poses.

The alternate head sculpt for Space Ghost looks a bit weird, with a somewhat strange grimace. I think the default head sculpt is a better look for display purposes. Blip the space monkey is a little on the large size, but the overall details and paint app are pretty good.

Mezco have done some outstanding outfits for their previous figures, and this Space Ghost is no exception. The full cloth body suit is nicely tailored and textured, and is not so delicate that I'm too afraid to touch it.

Poseability is not hindered by the outfit, and he can get into lots of action poses. The only nitpick I might have is that the feet are a bit over-scaled. Other than that, the details and build quality I find pretty amazing for this smaller scale. I definitely see now why collectors say Mezco are the Hot Toys of the 1/12th scale world!

Highly recommended for fans of the old cartoon series! Hopefully Mezco announce more classic characters like this!