Series: Masterpiece Optimus Prime MP-01

Date Purchased: 2015

Price purchased: Gift

Story:  When I was a child in the 80’s, I LOVED transformers.  I would watch the original cartoon religiously and my parents would buy me the toys whenever there was an occasion (birthdays, Christmas, etc.).  I still remember many of the toys I had, including the experiences and emotions of getting them.   There was the time we were at Yorkdale Mall and my Dad bought me the original Optimus Prime from the Simpsons department store.  I remember opening the box at a restaurant in the mall, Dianna Sweets, where we would regularly have roast beef dinners (unfortunately both Simpsons and Dianna Sweets are long gone now).  There was also the time I went to the toy store at a local plaza, “Market Lane”, staring at the Dinobot Swoop.  It was the last of the series I needed to complete the set but my parents refused to buy it.  I forgot if it was that day or a few days later, but they went back and eventually bought it for me.  I was so happy.  I also remember going to Toysrus one night where my Dad bought me the large Omega Supreme figure for Christmas, only to have a defective track that wouldn’t work.  We had to return it but there were no replacements available so we got a refund.  I had so many great memories of Transformers and we really played with them at the time.  I remember epic battles with my cousins where we would have GI Joe armies facing off with Transformers squads.  Many of the figures got smashed and didn’t make it.  For those that survived, they were often missing accessories and limbs.  I gave most of them away over the years but of the few I kept, they were pretty roughed up.

For me today, Transformers is more of a fond childhood memory.  Since the original 80’s figures, there have been many reissues, new characters, new series’ and collaborations.  I never really followed the new stuff and after seeing the new films, the franchise was as good as dead to me.  I’m not sure if I just grew out of them or if the new shit just lacked the original luster.  I’m fortunate that my good friend Justin kept pace with the franchise over the years and was there to assure me that it wasn’t me and rather that the new stuff was just trash.  Justin remained loyal to the original characters and became a pretty serious collector.  He reintroduced me to the new world of Transformers (quality stuff, not the shit at the local toy store today).  He showed me the high end licensed Masterpiece reissues which were premium quality, larger sized, made of better materials and had more detail.  He introduced me to the aftermarket producer world of both licensed and non licensed figures.  I’m still not a collector by any means, but through my daily chats with Justin, my interest was rekindled (I’m even thinking of picking up a few of my childhood favourite reissues – DEVASTATOR!).

Justin’s been a good friend and “loaned” me this Prime figure.  Its a Masterpiece Optimus Prime MP-01 Convey Figure produced by Takara.   The chest is actually diecast metal and the vehicle mode is a red flat-nose truck which has a chromed grille, working suspension and wheels with rubber tires.  The robot mode features extensive articulation, including individual fingers, wrists, elbows (with a piston feature), biceps, shoulders, knees and hips, a head with a large range of motion, and a suspension feature in the feet, with additional pistons.  The figure was released in 2003 and does not include the trailer.  To my kids, if we ever have to sell off our collection, this one goes back to Uncle Justin first!  Thanks Justin.