MP-01 Optimus Prime Masterpiece

Masterpiece Optimus Prime MP-01

Hasbro released Masterpiece Optimus in 2003 to great anticipation. The year prior, this particular prototype kept fans intreaqued as it popped onto ebay out of the depths of the Hong Kong and China factories.

Accessories include an Ion Blaster, Energon axe, Matrix of Leadership, miniature Megatron in gun mode complete with stock, scope and silencer, cardboard trailer.

The Japanese version, which cam e slighly later included a collector card which is unique to the Japanese release. The toy was a tour-de-force of Takara (soon to merge) and Japanese and U.S. engineering. Rear wheels were sprung, tires, made of rubber, and legs & chest of diecast.