A reliable leaker says Takara Tomy has a Masterpiece MPG Optimus Prime 4.0 in the works, possibly bumping Masterpiece Jazz yet again. Early 2026 Studio Series listings reveal Leader Studio Series 86 Astrotrain and Soundwave, Last Knight Nemesis Prime and a Snarl refresh. Exvee hosts in Brian’s absence, and the crew guesses at the HasLab launching at MegaCon on February 7. They also size up Devastation Optimus Prime, Mark Maher’s Star Convoy photos and a DNA Design kit for MPG Raiden. In What We Got This Week, Don finds Legacy Lockdown at Walmart and Exvee unwraps the Super7 Ultimates Alligator-Con.
News
Rumor: Masterpiece MPG Optimus Prime 4.0 Is in the Works
A source with a solid record on Masterpiece leaks says an MPG Optimus Prime is coming. The rumor lists MPG-16 as Nucleon Quest Super Ginrai and MPG-18 as Hauler, a green Grapple recolor. MPG-17 is reportedly a coin toss between Optimus Prime 4.0 and Jazz. Exvee hopes for Jazz. Diecast predicted Jazz for 2025, so he wants the credit. One host pitched a Masterpiece Action Master Optimus Prime that transforms into the battle base cab. Manny Cara in chat relayed a rumor that Takara lost the MP-44 mold in a factory move. The same rumor says Masterpiece Cliffjumper died because the Bumblebee 2.0 mold was also lost. One host still expects Fire Guts God Ginrai and God Bomber as Tokyo Toy Show exclusives. [Source: TFW2005]
2026 Studio Series Listings Reveal 86 Soundwave, Astrotrain and More
The first 2026 listings show Studio Series leaders. The Last Knight Nemesis Prime should be an easy redeco of the upcoming movie Optimus Prime. The crew hopes Studio Series 86 Astrotrain gets a Springer-level retool, since the Siege mold is too greebly for the cartoon. Studio Series 86 Soundwave also appears, and Evan has said he would start over to scale it with 86 Blaster. One host may return his Legacy Soundwave. Blade Raider in chat noted Ratbat is coming in a Target set with Perceptor and Ramhorn, which makes Ratbat an easy pack-in. A Snarl package refresh rounds out the list. The crew expects smaller production runs this year, with reruns for popular figures. [Source: TFW2005]
Hasbro Will Launch the Next HasLab at MegaCon
Hasbro’s February 7 panel at MegaCon in Orlando will reveal and launch the next Transformers HasLab. Emily has hinted she’s been watching a lot of subtitled G1. That points to Liokaiser, though some of the crew want Liokaiser at retail for Rescue Force recolors. Overlord, Big Powered and Raiden also came up. Don says he won’t buy three if it’s Overlord, since he owns the Fans Hobby version. Matt bets he will. [Source: TFW2005]
Studio Series 86 Ultra Magnus and Legacy Beachcomber Get Reissues
Hasbro announced reissues of Studio Series 86 Ultra Magnus and Legacy Beachcomber for later this year. Both are already sold out on Hasbro Pulse. The crew likes this model of reruns 12 to 18 months later over overproduction that ends up at Ollie’s. Hasbro’s team has said it watches aftermarket prices and pushes reissues when figures get too costly. [Source: Hasbro Pulse] [Source: Hasbro Pulse]
First Look at Authentics Bravo Elita-1
The first Authentics Bravo Elita-1 images show a car mode the crew really likes. Exvee would love a Generations toy based on it. The robot mode fared worse, with hollow legs, and one host called Authentics blocky in a bad way. The line also appears to move from blister cards to an enclosed box. [Source: TFW2005]
Swapticons Wild Jungle Mission Five-Pack
The Swapticons Wild Jungle Mission five-pack brings Beast Wars characters: Optimus Primal, Apelinq, Skullcruncher, Megatron and Scorponok. Oddly, Optimus Primal is a back-end piece while Apelinq is the front. The crew hopes kids love them, but doubts they’ll match Bot Bots. [Source: TFW2005]
Studio Series Dark of the Moon Que In-Hand Images
In-hand images of Studio Series Dark of the Moon Que, or Wheeljack, show basic turnarounds and his accessories. The crew found the gray plastic weak, a problem across this Studio Series wave. They also recalled Que’s grim fate in the film. [Source: TFW2005]
Deluxe Devastation Optimus Prime In Hand
In-hand photos of Deluxe Devastation Optimus Prime split opinion. One host isn’t tempted, since he swore off 1984-style Optimus Primes after Studio Series 86. Evan said the small size lets it scale with Studio Series Devastator, as in the Devastation video game. The cab looks good with the Earthrise trailer, and the in-hand shots flatter the rocker ankles. The Matrix is unpainted, and the white parts may look gray. At $25, the crew thinks it falls into the same trap as 86 Bumblebee. Another would buy it on an Amazon discount, and a Toyhax cel-shading decal set would interest him. [Source: TFW2005]
Mark Maher posted more photos of Titan Class Star Optimus Prime, or Star Convoy, on Instagram. The crew loves how much play value the photos show, including the arms as gun emplacements. Its micro trailers recall what Sky Garry would carry. One host doesn’t feel compelled to spend $150 to $160 on it, while another does. [Source: Instagram]
DNA Design DK-58 Upgrade Kit for MPG Raiden
DNA Design’s DK-58 kit adds spacers to the lower torso and thighs, giving MPG Raiden taller proportions. It doesn’t fix the stubby arms or the train parts hanging off the legs. Matt bought three Raidens, and part of his Getaway fell off out of the package. He doesn’t think any kit can fix it. The crew joked that DNA’s target market is buyer’s remorse and the sunk cost fallacy. [Source: TFW2005]
What We Got This Week
Diecast
Diecast is on a business trip in Seattle, so any new arrivals are waiting at home. He hasn’t had time to dig further into Fans Hobby Tsunami.
Don
Don found Legacy Star Raider Lockdown at a Walmart, his first in-store sighting. He had qualms, but in person it’s better than he expected.
Matt
Matt had nothing in Transformers this week.
Rob Clay
Rob Clay had nothing in Transformers this week.
Exvee
Exvee got late birthday gifts. A longtime friend from his Gundam fandom days sent Legacy Armada Wheeljack, a toy with a lot of character in its sculpt. He still wants a correctly colored Mini-Con Windshear to finish it. Matt sent the Super7 Ultimates Alligator-Con with all its City of Steel accessories. Exvee calls it the best Transformers figure Super7 will ever make.