I didn't want to post about this until I had confirmed it myself, but I haven't had time to check my own opened MPC (opened but living in the box and its tight blister packing, so not easy to take out to check). Still, I think this is information which would be useful to board members; maybe one of you can verify it for me.

I wrote Toynami to confirm receipt of their replacement lions for my MPC, and in my e-mail, I said that they should look into not making the joints so tight. Here was the response:

quote:

If you find some of your Lion's legs to hard to move, simply untighten the screws to alleviate the stress. We've found that most of the cases where legs have broken were caused by overtightening. We have already taken action and this issue is already addressed. Please feel free to contact us should you have any more Voltron inquiries. Thank you.

If there really are screws on the joints where you can tune how tightly bound the leg pieces are, this may be the answer to all our breakage problems. I don't recall seeing any screws on the joints, though. Can someone confirm?

Defiant NX-74205

I might have to sdjust mine, but the lion legs are made from a very cheap fragile plastic. Not cool.

Yeah. "Sturdy plastic" my tuchus.

I pre-ordered the MP Voltron way before I moved out to Las Vegas. It arrived in December to my brother in New York. He opened it and the Blue Lion's left hind leg broke off. I contacted Toynami and they replaced the Blue Lion with another one (shipped in the same box my brother sent them). This time, there's a paint scracth on the bottom. I don't know much more about it but I'll let everyone know what I think about the MP Voltron set when I visit New York at the end of June.

It hardly sounds like a "masterpiece" to me!

The masterpreice edition rocks it.

Sorry about your blue lions leg, but i really don't think it's a reason to dis the whole product.

Think of all of the other "Masterpiece" products out there (though some have different companies). Masterpiece Valkyries, Masterpiece Transformers, etc. Most are under $150 and they are durable.

I bought the Hasbro Masterpiece Optimus Prime for less than $50 (I replaced the smokestacks to make it look like the Takara version) and I truly think that's a masterpiece! Yes, I also bought a trailor for it (not the JustToys version, but a better one). I can't wait for Masterpiece Starscream!

Anyways, for $150 (less for preorder), the quality of Masterpiece Voltron should be better. The Matchbox and Trendmasters Voltron never had a problem like that (except if you drop it from a long distance).

I finally remembered to go and check my MPC lions, and yes, I did find the screws in the legs. Each "femur" part has a screw on the side that faces the lion's body. Also, each knee joint (but not the ankle joints) has a screw on the same side. This is all true at least for the Red and Green Lions; I didn't check the others, as these were the two I was most concerned about for the small, weak legs.

Loosening the femur screws helps, but do so too much, and the screw will protrude far enough to scratch the paint. The knee joint screw is really the way to go. However, while a loosened knee does make the plastic less likely to break, it does not make up for the fact that better plastic would have made all this stupid screw loosening unnecessary in the first place. A child, and a weak, undernourished one at that, could take one of the smaller lions' legs between thumb, forefinger, and middle finger and snap it. I'm in complete agreement with DMD (and said so vehemently in the e-mail I sent to Toynami months ago). My $80 transforming Valkyrie could take punishment, but this $150 hunk of balsa wood is suitable only for looking pretty.

By the way, DMD, the brother in NY that you mentioned, is this the one that used to cause you all sorts of trouble?

Good to hear from you again after all this time!

Defiant NX-74205

Yes but we're all okay now. His life is like that of a social outcast since a lot of New Yorkers seen him preach in 42nd Street when he was in that cult group. Even though it's been more than 10 years already since he left that cult group (and I hear the group is no more), a lot of people tend to remember the bad in people and therefore, choose to treat my brother like crap. Maybe he should have moved out to Las Vegas instead!

Im sadly dissapointed in Toynami being the company to release Voltron Masterpiece.

It doesnt "rock". Its 150.00 hard earned dollars coming out of our pockets and we shouldnt have to loosen any screws or whatever to have a good product.

For us to make such an acception is wrong.
Wether its a toy, clothes, car, apartment, etc etc.

Be smart, spend smart.

I got to tell you, I've had a MP for a couple months, and havent had any problems with it. Im not pro-toynami or anything...I'm just happy with my MP.

Well Ive Heard a few Problems with the Voltrom Master Piece set. But I don tthink this was a toy to trley be played with. Its a colectors item for a set of fans that loved a cartoon with all of our hearts. They made this to be the best looking and realistic voltron ever. Not to be the matchbox set or panoshe set from the 80s.

Heres my lil debate though.. and you made a good point in which I will use to make my point about this item.
You said for "a set of fans that loved a cartoon with all of our hearts"...

For 150 dollars, I think the item couldve shown a little more love for such a set of devoted fans. Thats all Im saying.

The toy doesnt look terrible, but it is far from perfect in my eyes. As a sculptor artist, I wont go and slam it too much, but there are some things that could have been obviously fixed for a low cost.

Like perhaps, small metal pegs to hold the heads of Blue and Yellow lion that seem to be among the first things to break. Tougher plastic (i forget the name of the strong plastic used for durability on some toys) pieces (small ones atleast) for the arm attachments.

I would forgive this set if it wasnt branded as Masterpiece. Just like I wouldve forgiven the american look of Godzilla if wasnt called Godzilla.

It just feels like this is it you know? Like this IS the masterpiece, dont hold your breath for a "super masterpiece, perfect edition" lol.
Its dissapointing because I imagined it was going to look super coool like Prime did..

I have to admit, the Masterpiece Primes and Valikyries are more masterpiece-like than this.

And dont get mad or displeased. Im really sorry that I sound so resentful. Its just my opion. I understand you bought it and it sucks when you see people saying "meh" because it almosts jerks you into looking for the flaws yourself.

If youre happy with it, then thats all that matters.

For me, they just look like lions that havent been fed in weeks. lol. And thats the small part of it. When I heard how easily breakable this was, it just flipped my mind. I wont be spending good hard earned money on something I cant enjoy without fearing something's gonna break. (and i dont mean, play play play with them like a 10 year old)

If I wanted to stare at a 150.00 - and rising -dollar toy and not touch it, Id rather, A. buy or sculpt my own statue, or B. go online and download as many pics possible (which I did) and satisfy any, visual needs.

Again, not a terrible item, just not worthy of the masterpiece trophy.
And say if i did agree to it as a masterpiece, I sure as heck am not thrilled about the pricing for sensestive Voltron.

If i have the extra cash lying around (not bloody likely lol) Id pick it up because I do like Voltron in general very much.

Oh well. Anywho, again, no worries. Just my two cents. I dont mean to sound as if im trying to convince people it sucks. So I'll retract any statements made that makes it sound so.

Have a good one!

** i couldnt delete this message** sorry

oops. sorry, double post

hey all noob alert!

i recently purchased this toy and was wondering if theres any new problems i should look out for that wasn't mentioned in this thread?

like areas that are prone to breaking, snapping, scratching, and all that other evil stuff we all hate?
this is toynami afterall and they don't really have a stellar track record when it comes to plastic quality, durability, and QC. AFAIC, all their products have been questionable since they started up.

thanks in advance for you help!