Masterpiece Megatron: Coming Soon
I just received an email from Big Bad Toy store announcing that the Masterpiece Megatron that is knocking the socks off of many a Transformer fan is now a pre-order item.
The biggest difference between this version and the “real” version available in the far East is that in order to sell it here in the states, it has to be “safe” for kids to play with. In order to do that, they have to put one of those stupid orange tips on the end of the barrel. This is not something that toy maker Takara is doing either, it’s all Big Bad Toy Store. The reason they give for having to put the tip on is pretty sound:
Without this orange tip modification, US Customs may seize any incoming shipments for this item that they discover because it does not comply with US Laws, so we are providing a legal and risk-free solution to that problem.
To even get it over here to sell, they’ve got to go to this extreme. It’s too bad that this means that all the packages have to be opened for them to do this, but why anyone would want to keep Megatron in a mint package is beyond me.
If you can’t stand the plug, I suppose your only other option would be to get it imported illegally. If you’re not Johnny Lawbreaker though, I’m sure it won’t be impossible to take it out somehow. With it’s 99 dollar price point, it should be obvious that Megatron isn’t meant for kids to play with. It’s a collector’s item, pure and simple. Still, I’m sure there will be idiots that let their kids run around with these things. Here’s the only tip that is really safe: Teach your kids to never point a toy gun at a cop. Regardless, Big Bad Toy Store should be commended for putting this much effort into getting Megatron to collector’s in the states. Way to go guys, you get the cool stamp:
If you want to check out a ton of pictures of the master of robotic evil, head on over here. It would also be a shame if I didn’t point you once again to the Fortress of Testicular Fortitude where webmaster Shaun has pics of his own Megatron. He’s also got some nifty pics of Master Piece Megatron duking it out with his Autobot counterpart, 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime. Sweet!
Toy, toy collecting, Transformers, Takara, Masterpiece Megatron
April 9th, 2007 at 8:57 am
Definitely cool that they would go to these lengths to make this available for US collectors. Awesome.
April 9th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
[...] UPDATE: If your interested in Masterpiece Megatron, be sure to check out important Megatron information right here! [...]
April 9th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
“If you can’t stand the plug, I suppose your only other option would be to get it imported illegally. If you’re not Johnny Lawbreaker though, I’m sure it won’t be impossible to take it out somehow.”
Paul, I’d advise to go the safe route on this. Reason being one of the bigger toy speciality store owners in Singapore who tried to ship to the US got their shipment stuck at US customs.
I was talking to a friend and we were wondering that since the toy is packaged in robot mode, wouldn’t modification to the gun images on the box be enough? Just wondering.
April 9th, 2007 at 10:53 pm
Shaun, I’d hope that others would follow your advice. I believe the law is very clear that if it’s a toy, whether it transforms or not, it has to have the orange tip no matter what.
From the BBTS Page:
”
§ 1150.2 Prohibitions. No person shall manufacture, enter into commerce, ship, transport, or receive any toy, look-alike, or imitation firearm (‘‘device’’) covered by this part as set forth in § 1150.1 of this part unless such device contains, or has affixed to it, one of the markings set forth in § 1150.3 of this part.”
April 10th, 2007 at 8:02 am
There should be an “I’m Megatron, so kiss my hiney.” Clause that supercedes this one.