UPCOMING RELEASES #05: E-hobby Japan Exclusive Masterpiece-03G Star Scream's Ghost!

3:34 PM in Collector's Edition, e-hobby, Ghost Starscream, MASTERPIECE, not in collection

Well, it's finally "official". Here is the confirmation that the hush-hush release of the Masterpiece Ghost/ Clear version of the treacherous Destron/ Decepticon Air commander Star Scream would turn into a reality, and not be consigned to the depths of nothingness-- dude, deep words, I know! LOL! 

As of today, all thanks to THE uber-transfan website that is tfw2005.com, has on their front page made public some shots, courtesy of the folks at ehobby japan, of this literally elusive and "ghostly"--ahem --pun intended Masterpiece release. The inconsistent rumors and countless false alarms that ensued leading up to the confirmation and final word from Takartomy was pretty intense to those die-hard Transformer collectors like myself. 

With Ghost Starscream anticipated to be hitting mass retail sometime next month in July 2010-- im pretty psyched and am anticipating the same kind of reception that greeted the release of MP-01 Convoy Black ver. however, not with the same fanfare as the release of the former Black version of the CYBERTRON Commander. 

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS: -

So, most of us would have the notion that with more remakes or reissues of a particular mold or Masterpiece toy would get tiring and become incredibly boring and predictable? Well, all I have to say that sometimes it does too, for me, if I have to be honest. However, it's another novelty release that would appeal to serious collectors, and those who have some extra cash to splash. It'll be on my list of things to buy, but only if the price is selling below the RM 300 mark-- 

  

HAVE PLANE, WILLING TO FLY!

Well, the usual consensus is that most clear plastic toys are usually pretty sturdy, if not some think they also have the tendency to snap and bend fairly quickly!-- "fragility" to me, is just a subjective view, of course, not shared by yours truly! Just handle it with TLC.LOL! There are some solidly built clear versions of transformers toys over the years, and Takaratomy looks to be heading for another gold-mind of a potential release.. Adding once again to the intrigue and mystique of the Ghost Starscream character release, it is commemorated with another sneak peak in the form of the "mini-manga/ comic" drawn to evoke the same level of dramatist effect, by none other than the super-talented (damn, aren't they all, usually??!!) Japanese artist who has been around the block since the 80's-- Mr.Hidetsugu Yoshioka-san!!

FINAL VERDICT:- 

BEING A BIASED FAN-BOY, IT'S EASY TO ASSUME THAT THIS WILL BE BOUGHT ON SIGHT. ON THE CONTRARY, ID MUCH PREFER THE HENKEI/CLASSICS VERSION OF THE STAR-SCREAM CLEAR PLASTICS MOLD. THIS PURCHASE, OF THE BIGGER AND MORE DETAILED MASTERPIECE COUSIN, WILL BE CAREFULLY THOUGHT OUT AND PLANNED. LIKE I MENTIONED BEFORE, IT ALL HINGES ON THE PRICE POINT, AND OF COURSE INITIAL REACTIONS OR REVIEWS BY MORE SEASONED AND WELL RESPECTED REVIEWERS. I STILL GIVE IT A SOLID RECOMMENDATION TO THOSE WHO LOVE CLEAR TOYS/ AND OR IS A MASTERPIECE COMPLETEST. A++

 * ALL IMAGES, PICTURES ARE COPYRIGHTED TO TAKARATOMY JAPAN, HASBRO INC AND EHOBBY

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WSTOYZ FEATURED COLLECTION: GENTEI EXCLUSIVE CLEAR / GHOST HENKEI STAR SCREAM!

10:49 AM in Clear plastic, Exclusive, Ghost Starscream, Henkei, Limited

Ghost Starscream stylised pic courtesy of Japaneses blog

Hi guys, welcome again to WSTOYZ! Well, before i move further to this particular post with the usual gratuitous pictorial mini review, the Unicorn Gundam Master Grade Ka. Version which I am currently completing, has unfotunetely taken a slight backtrack due to the unfortunate incident of a few brittle and somewhat fragile snap-on parts (ie. : one waist piece and both of its fingers and fists) which accidentally broke-off during mid fixing-- Sigh-- Have ordered an emergency "repair kit" for the fists as replacement, but still haven't figured out on exactly how am i going to replace the waist piece-- (mulled on getting another non-MG but 1/100th scale Unicorn Gundam Ka. Version for around RM100) --but we shall see if the desperation mounts! So, while i take a rain-cheque and put that thought of displaying that awesome Gundam on hold, fret not, for i have still MORE than enough stuff from my growing collection to blog about! :-P

The "money" shot!

This time, the above mentioned Transformers Generations Book exclusive "mail-order" toy is under the spotlight. There is no reason to give a through review on this figure, simply because it an exclusive clear mold that was used several times for the Universe Classics 2.0 Seekers/ Series- used namely for the Deluxe class Starscream, Acid Storm, Thundercracker and Skywarp incarnations, just to name a few. Gentei Ghost Starscream, as mentioned is another uber exclusive release, molded in clear coloured plastic parts , with some chrome added for good measure! LOL! More information-however minor-and provided in Japanese only can be found on this link by the publisher of the Volume 2. Generations Transformers book, the Japanese company : Million Publishing Co.

Front of Henkei box- blue themed

Back of box-regular Henkei seeker carded-back

Okay folks, I will just give a basic run-down of the figure . As with most of the so-called "clear" released ones, Gentei Ghost Starscream's colour scheme is quite eye-catching both in plane mode and his robot mode. The combination mainly red, white, blue and ember (cockpit) translucent plastic work extremely well to bring out the intricate details of the mold design, and will no doubt look excellent on the display shelve in wither both modes. According to the Transformers mythos and storyline, this representation is just one of the many -Ghosts of the villainous and treacherous Starscream.

GENTEI GHOST STARSCREAM: PLANE MODE

It is estimated that roughlt around a limited run of 2,000 to 3,000 of Ghost Henkei Starscreams were made, but this figure has yet to be verified by the appropriate sources available. In plane mode, he basically resembles a F-14 Fighter jet, and his cockpit can open up to one side, tail fins can be moved upwards and downwards, and the missile launchers can be pegged tot he underside of his wings. The only noticeable parts of his plane mode which are not molded in clear plastic are his thrusters and nosecone. The man colour which is a translucent white plastic, gives it the illusion of the body being somewhat 'invisible' , adding more sense and purpose to the 'ghost' tag . Its a already solid fighter jet mode but it looks even more pretty in clear plastic, add to the minor detailing on silver/red pattern on the wings, it adds another dimension of sharpness overall. Awesome.

Top view

View of plane underside

Comparison with the regular version of Henkei Starscream

Next, we take an in depth look at the robot mode.

GENTEI GHOST STARSCREAM: ROBOT MODE

Close up of face



In robot mode, the clear red gives off an almost effiavesant glow, while the smoke-black plastic used to mold the head is a nice touch to add, this capped off by a a dark silver/ gun metal face paint with glowing red eyes, gives this ' ghost' a truly 'eerie' appearance! The missile launchers can now be pegged into his fists to become hand weapons. Poseability is pretty standard fare, as he is able to perform the same poses/positions as similar to those of the other Henkei releases.


SOME POSING SHOTS:




FINAL THOUGHTS:

As yet that this is another stroke of genius by the makers of the Million Publishing Co. Japan, teaming up with TakaraTomy was a good call as they have managed to produce one of the most 'sought after' versions of Starscream. Stunningly beautiful in both modes, he is another one of those "gee, they got it right" kind of moments when it comes to the folklore and many fanfics associated with this iconic "Seeker". If you have about RM300 to spare, and also an avid Starscream/ fighter jet plane fan, then by all means, splash the cash, don't think too much, and just marvel at this incredible looking collectors item. Well, what are you waiting for?!! Go out now, track it down on the internet, or by whatever means necessary -- and BUY IT!

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