I got TE-01 and I couldn't be any happier. Great figure, sturdy material, and it has enough articulations to make great poses. It's not like I'll be transforming it regularly, it'll be on the shelf for a long time. And yes the reasonable price and backpack its a great incentive to get this figure.

I really wanted to get the MP 44 but $450 is simply nuts.

$450 is a complete non-starter for me. Utterly ridiculous price point. TE-01 is firmly entrenched on my shelf and maybe a KO of MP-44 after they work out the kinks.

Simple solution: I bought TE-01 and the MP-44 KO. best of both worlds without going bankrupt. If I decide I need shiny paint I can do it myself.

The fact that te op leader is unpainted is actually a good selling point in my opinion because that leads to less paint chipping, unlike mp44 which has a serious problem with paint chipping especially when in truck mode where the bottom of the truck scrapes against the floor.

I really prefer the matte look of TE-01. MP-44 is too shiny.

I already ordered the KO MP-44 Optimus Prime for a $105. It is a huge improvement over the official one. Better knee joints, a little taller and more bulkier, has LED features, sound clips from the movie and cartoon.

TE-01 OP Leader is way better than mp-44, flat back, not painted figure (pain chip is a bitch), not as articulated but is more solid and less floppy (not to mention the possible brake up of the ratchet joints in the knees of mp-44) also 140 to 150$ vs 400 to 500$. TE-01 is way better and way more solid and a more durable figure, it may not be as articulated but it is a solid durable figure. MP-44 is a great figure but Takara made it sloppy, with many issues and very fragile parts and not worth 400 to 500$ and not even worth 240$ without trailer even, TE -01 does what MP-44 does for way less and is worth it.

This was it. The Super Bowl of comparison. Perfect job. Makes me rethink my decision on MP-44. Thank you again for the time and detail you take.

Though MP-44 looks amazing, as you've shown it's clearly much more fragile than TE-01. Many have stated that TE does what you need for MP-44 for a fraction of the price. I have the shattered glass version of TE-01 and I love it, nice and solid.

I have had them all including magic square but Mp 44 is my prime and very happy with my copy. But like you said if you have either of these figures and are happy with it then it’s a win win situation

I personally love Op Leader he looks good just wish i couldve gotten a trailer for it

I love TE. So much cleaner looking.

Been following and watching your videos forever and finally bought TE-01. Absolutely love it. I have no other transformers. I got V3 and the butterfly joints were locked in place. Took 2 days of prying to get them released and I’ve never pushed them back flush cause I’m scared they’ll lock up again. Outside that issue, love the figure and the transformation. Was difficult at first but now I can do it easily and it’s fun and I’m not worried I’m gonna break anything. I noticed that you have a squeaky wheel in truck mode with the one in this video. I sprayed WD-40 on my tires and squeak is gone. Thanks for all the work you do!

This is one of the all time great show downs between two figures. I owned both. But sold Mp-44. Now waiting for Mp-44 KO to arrive so I can do a comparison all over again. Such a close call who is a better figure. I just loved the value for money with TE-01 but it's so close with the smoother look of MP-44. Great review TM !

Exceedingly fair review. It is hard not to get subjective here, but I think you got as close as you can. Very well done sir.

In my honest opinion, TE goes head to head with Takara's and comes out on top. TE looks solid and it is...Takara's is a $400 wiggly mess. If TE had the paint job that Takara's had...Man...in fact TE could actually re-re-release this figure with a better paint job.

I decided to buy the TE-01. I can't justify the price on the Takara Tomy. TE-01 looks cleaner and feels great to transform.

0:09 this is all I needed to see, I already know what the transformation looks like, and op leader isn’t good, it’s not death itself, so op leader is 100 times better

i preferred when Prime had Silver instead of White. MP-44 looks like Disney Prime with those soft rounded edges. i like TE-01 but won’t buy unless he gets a metallic paint job, cuz most my bots got that premium metallic paint finish.

You can get TE-01 into plenty of nice, dynamic poses if you know what you’re doing.😉

Thank you for this colossally cool comparison video!

Deadass If MP-44 only came without all the accessories that artificially jack up the price and only had the trailer, Ion cannon, energon axe, and damaged head and side panel I would definitely buy It but If all the others make It cost OVER $400 US then there's no way I'm buying It any time soon give me op leader any time I won't be missing that backpack anytime soon #BACKLIVESMATTERASINTRANSFORMERSFIGURESANDNOTBLM

Awesome comparison! After MP-44's QC issues and the $...TE all the way, especially after the applying the toyhax label set. Their cell shaded windshield labels make him look like he jumped out of the cartoon. With TE-01, I have no regrets

I have both. I like TE01 better than MP44.

Transform element for me too. With the toy hax stickers just wow. Thx for the review im late in getting one just today.

I like the te 01. I like the flat back better along with it being a fraction of the price

I think the back matters, and the backpack, the gaps in the legs (front and back) and the blue crotch section on MP44 all look messy/wrong. I would argue that TE01 wins Sculpt. My son is getting TE01 and he is so excited. As much as I love both Optimus Primes my choice for Optimus is Op Ex. He looks way cooler and the IDW styling is a win for me. I grew up with the cartoon and never read the comics but when I saw this IDW interpretation of him I was so impressed. It was how Optimus Prime should have looked if the on screen designs were not a slave to the 80's toys. When the opportunity arises I really can't wait to see Transform Elements Mirage vs MMC's. I hope that is in the cards.

There's just no comparisons, MP-44 wins! Hands down!..😆 lol Bias! I love the Fact you're Honest! I would do the same thing! As always great video review! ♥️🌟

I bought MP-44 partly because he was the new 'hotness' and FOMO. He's still in the box because, after seeing so many reviews, I just can't get over some things. The first is the floppiness. Those loose hips drive me crazy! Whenever a reviewer picks him up and puts him back down, I just wait for MP-44's legs to slide apart a little bit and the bot to shrink another quarter of an inch. The second thing that bugs me are all the gaps and panel break ups. I understand that the real issue is on the back side but, like you pointed out, a lot comes through the front as well. And it's inescapable in alt mode unless you're looking at him straight on. Like you, I just want a solid, moderately posable figure to sit on my shelf. I have a Op Leader coming in and I think he'll be my Prime of choice. If TE had spent $25 more in paint, I think it would have been a no-brainer choice.

MP 44 is a beautiful plastic statue, TE 01 is a great looking figure that is Transformable in the Representation of Optimus Prime. If TE 01 would just have the Takara Lable.

I have both and I 100% agree with you. Spot on.

Finally got my notification this morning for availability on OP Leader. It’s just better in my opinion, solid and true to screen...

400-500 dollars depending on where you buy mp44, and the truck bed looks like, a michael bay action scene

I wanna see someone make a spiderman meme with these figures 🙃

I Honestly think if TE did a fully painted version, they'd make so much money! I'd happily pay $150 for it! And would elevate it to another level. This coming from someone who has the V2 of TE-01.

Great work on the comparison video, IMHO you set aside biases and got it right. I bought MS-01 and TE-01, highly considering MP-44 KO, if the build is improved, glossy paint would be nice, but trade-off is always the risk of chipping. Takara really had the balls to ask so much for a wobbly mess, and to be honest, I simply could not afford it, and probably would have cried if the knee broke. But looking at them from the front, pretending they are statues, MP 44 does look slightly better, but looses looking at the back, in both modes. So in the end it's kind of a toss up for different reasons. I think build has become more important to me the more figures I have purchased, almost as important as overall aesthetic, while articulation takes a backseat to build and aesthetics.

I personally go for Te 01 because it’s more so life, don’t have to worry about paint chipping, more affordable,the minimum of accessories to have fun with and a transformation that doesn’t give me cancer

i have 2 complaints about te01 (i own him and i still love him) his possiblity only works with certain poses especially with that knee swivel joint limiting the poses with the legs, and the pivot isnt enough sadly, and the second complaint is that he doesn't scale well with mp36 megatron if u are gonna use te01 as a replacement for mp44, te01s shoulders are taller than mp36s shoulders but mp36 has a longer head than te01 making him overall taller but in most instances mp36 will look shorter overall sadly, but i still think the good traits of te01 cancel out the bad ones

The Belly Button which is off color from the waist is the reason why I am holding off on getting the TE. The MP-44 looks like the legs are too long, it has an exposed hinge, and the grill is too short. MP44 has too much panel look going on in the alt mode. However, the TT has the lower riding trailer which I love!

The mp 44 actually costs 4,999 dollars and it as the backpack that is not cartoon accurate and it as less articulation and the paint chips off too easily thanks to the over-complicated transformation.

Good vid. I do want a Prime I'm my collection,all I have is an old,dusty Mp-01. The Shattered Glass version of mp44 is good but I still think it's a bit expensive. May go for TE. The Magic Square Prime looks good too,but I keep hearing things about their plastic choice.

Man TE-01 looks more like a statue than a transforming robot compared to mp-44.

Really like the vs... i agree with u the te01 is more solid and enjoy... is like the 44 is spectacular too... but more breakble

I have TE-01 V3 (the one in the video) and i love it, well, i wanted an MP-44 K.O que beacuse the poseability and more accesories, unpainted red, blue and grey plastics, excelent stable ratchet joints, and with the new MP-44 K.Os with upgraded backpacks, i am going to get a copy, but let's be honest, TE-01 is better in enginering, is way more stable, and fun to play with, well, the poseability is not that good but i'm not mad! Is not a messy 400$ origami figure that his "High quality premium" Paint, cheaps easilly, the two figures are good options for a masterpiece style Optimus prime, depending on what figure you choose, you will get an excelent optimus prime to your collection, if you wanna get MP-44, Buy the K.O, but if you wanna get TE-01, just get it

Good video. Personally, I'm going with the MP-44 KO. I may get a TE-01. I probably will.

Great 👍🏼 vid. Are you getting the cell shaded version TE-01? That would be an awesome comparison with MP-44. Paint 🎨 apps would go toe to toe.

Good job bro

Just waiting for my MP44-KO..He will stand next to my TE01 & Magic Square Optimus.

In my opinion, Te01 looks just as accurate as mp44 for sculpt depending on the shot, I also don't care for the paint. It's not cartoon accurate and I hate paint chipping. So Te01 is MUCH better in my opinion.

If you're a collector who only showcase MP-44 from the front, the backpack may not bother you. But if you like to do dynamic pose or dynamic shot when taking pics of him, the backpack does bothers a lot. If you try to catch a pic from the angle of the cartoon pic in this vid, you can definitely see the backpack.

Can I ask what style of background you’re using here? I’m looking for something like it but I’m not sure what words to search with. Many thanks!

Arguably the most balanced, honest and fair review of these products. Shared with 2 friends who were considering buying their definitive Prime, one went with TE01 the other bought both. Kind of sums up how we all feel.

Interesting. I have the MP44 KO pre-ordered (back when ShowZ was charging 95 for it. Seems like it went up since then to 97 and now to 100... good thing I got in when I did!!). I do hope that KuBianBao wakes up and gets to work on a downsized version of MP44 or TE01; their MP10V trio was NICE, and I've heard their oversized KO of NewAge "Flipper" (Bumblebee) is pretty sweet, too. Oddly, they've teased prototypes for a Shattered Glass repaint (MP10VSG), a downsized MP28 Hot Rod, and a possible MP36V...but they all ultimately never got made.

IMO if you are on a budget TE is the way to go. It's great in both modes and is super solid. However, MP-44 just amazes me more. You feel so much more of Optimus's character from the figure. Despite all it's flaws like paint chipping, knees breaking and high price, I don't think TE will ever "BE" Optimus. My advice is that if you want the best of the best, wait for an MP-44 re-issue. They'll fix the paint like they did with Megs and the knees have already been fixed (As seen on Nemesis Prime.)

TE-01 is easier to transform than Mp-44. (Mp-44 has soo many steps and foldings) Also TE-01 price is better, raging $150, while Mp-44 is raging between $400 to $500.

And also you're right MP 44 is all painted if you seen the toyfair of 2019 you can see the unpainted mp 44

Hey TMReviews I know this video is a bit late (and I am too on commenting) but it is hard to choose between TE-01 or MP44 ko, which should I choose? ps. I am commenting this st the beginning of the video

And also TE optimus prime have a show acurrate matrix chamber.i mean it looks like in the movie. and none of the g1 primes got That detail.

I have none of the loose joints with my MP44. Solid figure and looks absolutely beautiful but n my shelf.

The only thing I wish transform element op leader had was a damaged head

I’m gonna have to go with TE-01 mainly because of the price

I'm not a huge prime fan so I'm not sure if it's worth upgrading my MP-10. What do you guys think?

TE can’t Be compared to MP-44 based on articulation and cartoon accuracy . This video is a proof in case that you can make anything look good .

If I message you a list of TF MP KO’s I’m looking for, could you please let me know which one is best for each one I’m looking for?

hey TM if you really want to give your TE more head movement there is a guy over on the tfw website has an articulated neck joint that give you side to side movement and can look down as well as up motion. it`s in the transform element te-o1 thread i got the neck and chest up grades.

$450 dollars just completely turned me away. OP leader just does so many things better, and I like the way it looks more. It just watches me from my desk now

I think TE is better than MP 44 because the backpack from MP 44 is so bulky and thick

I WOULD PREFER MOLDED COLOR PLASTIC OVER PAINT SPECIALLY ON A TRANSFORMER. AS PAINT CHIPPING YEAH IT`S DULL BUT IT STAYS CHIP FREE THAT`S MHO

I reeaally like the insignia on the MP and the fig looks great but bro, I preordered TE-01 from showz for $7O. GTFOutta here with that 450 price tag TT cmon!

TE all the way

If you want an MP44 but not pay that ridiculous price, get the KO one coming up for way less.

All Hasbro/Takara ratchets in the legs always have a ton of play.. It's like 2 ratchets are missing.. "Send them out, get that money$$"

whuut? scult definitely goes to TE-01

Que imparcial, como el MP 44 tendría mejor esculpido, haces buenos videos y me agradan las comparativas pero aquí si creo hay preferencia, reconozco que el MP 44 tiene mejor pintura pero creo es lo único.

MP-44 is only good for like a week. After that, all the paint will create some "battle damaged" spots and the joints will loosen severely.

個人的にはTE-01の方のコンボイが好きです

The tt makes the te look like 90s cgi

Te is so much cleaner looking

Look diferent

te01 all day its not even close

... usually paint is a big deal . But not in this instance? Love mp 44 ! To much , but love it. I sold TE.

TE for me 100% looks ,price

TE all the way for me.

Nice review, I take it you'll never own another mp 44. Lol

I’m so broke i can’t even afford te-01 also all the paint on mp44 just chips right off so te-01 wins as there is no paint to chip off while playing with it

I want Te to paint the red.

Paint chips I prefer unpainted plastic

te-01 feels like a transformer and gets both modes solidly enough that neither mode looks like they transform and its extremely accurate without having extreme sacrifices and most of the truck bits on the robot mode are in the vehicle mode besides for the grill i don't think a single truck bit on mp44 in the robot mode is in the vehicle mode maybe the smokestacks but thats it its not a transformer figure in my opinion more like well a model your meant to keep it in one mode and not transform it multiple times my conclusion te-01 is a much superior figure for a fraction of the price and it comes with the essentials for a optimus figure and doesn't have random junk that jacks the price up oh and the both of te-01's heads looks good mp-44 pre movie head looks fucking weird

TE-01 is the better figure. MP-44 is my choice.

No se si entenderán español pero q el optimus takara tenga mas pintura no quiere decir q sea de mejor calidad de hecho ese se le cae fácil cuando lo transforma q el ko. Ese tiene l ventaja de que la pintura sea de mejor calidad

It is weird to me that you give Takara the point for sculpt and engineering and then spend half the review complaining about all the gaps in the figure, the panel lines, and the un-fun transformation. IMO all of those aspects relate directly to sculpt and engineering.

I think the Magic Square is the best 3ed party optimus with a much simpler transformation than these 2 abominations. compare that to any of these and include MP10.

When it comes to cost I think you are forgetting that the third party do not pay for that and that lower the cost as well and didn’t mention that the transform element don’t even have the autobot logo , you have to find one to add it like In any third party , I’m sorry but I don’t agree with all your evaluation

What extra articulation? You mean the "ab crunch"? I wouldn't call that a crunch, and it's not even an intended point of articulation. I mean, what kind of idiot displays their figures broken in half?

Both not so good for me, too much to do to transform and not smooth, Magic Square did a great job.

Magic Square is a lot better than these 2. They are releasing a painted version soon.

Alt mode t.e is better Mp44... What?!?

any 3rd party knock offs that will redesign that ridiculous backpack?, *cough, weijiang *

And that's why I went with the Flame Toys Kuro Kara Kuri Optimus Prime