RUMOR - Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust To Be Cancelled Outright?

While preorders for Masterpiece Exhaust have been cancelled previously, restricting the figure's release to Japan only, it now seems possible that MP-23 may be well and truly cancelled according to an email sent from a retailer to Radio Free Cybertron's diecast. Citing communication with Hasbro Asia, the retailer says that the official cancellation will be coming shortly. Whether that's a cancellation from Hasbro Asia only or if Takara has decided it's not worth the trouble to make Exhaust is unknown, but keep reading for the tweet, and for more details on the Exhaust situation.

More Exhaust troubles. Looks like Hasbro Asia maybe canceling MP-23. pic.twitter.com/NGf9rbLe9D

— Diecast (@diecast2) March 10, 2015

A recolor of Wheeljack based on the Diaclone "Marlboor" version of the original Lancia Stratos mold, Exhaust runs afoul of US laws preventing products that are ostensibly for children being used to advertise tobacco products. While Takara modified Exhaust's deco to be less accurate to the Marlboor/Marlboro trade dress, it wasn't enough, and retailers began cancelling preorders.

Whether this cancellation only affects Hasbro Asia or if the inability to sell the figure internationally has made Takara deem it not cost-effective to produce is currently unknown. As soon as we know, you'll know!