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[JelZe GoldRabbit]

So, will Go! still feature microns? I was at TF source and the pics they are using for Japanese Beast Hunters looks to have the US toy weapons. It could just be a place holder but I'm curious how long they are going to ride the Micron gimmick out. I personally like the Microns.

They were a cheap into to Japanese Transformers and I'm definitely going to start buying some Takara versions from here on out. With US prices going up so much the hit doesn't seem as hard now.

It doesn't look like TF:Go! while features Arms Microns, but don't be surprised if they do return again as store give-aways.

[KUMA-NIN Maximus]

So, will Go! still feature microns? I was at TF source and the pics they are using for Japanese Beast Hunters looks to have the US toy weapons. It could just be a place holder but I'm curious how long they are going to ride the Micron gimmick out. I personally like the Microns.

They were a cheap into to Japanese Transformers and I'm definitely going to start buying some Takara versions from here on out. With US prices going up so much the hit doesn't seem as hard now.

Like Jelze said, they might do a store campaign for the Arms Microns themselves. However, seeing how they are the result of Earth-based energon mutating the Cybertronian technology in TOMY's fiction... I have to assume that they will not have these be based on Earth. Or, at the very least, within the same continuity. Not sure yet what to think. But between us, I am 100% hoping that they will do a series starring Leo Prime.

[Antron]

So, it looks like I have no real reason to start paying more for Takara toys after all. The Arms Micron series is sweet and I'd pony up for those just because they came with something you don't get in the US. But, if it's gonna be like all of the other series again, what's really the point?

Are Takara toys HONESTLY worth twice the price if they are just gonna be copies of the US toys? Sure, I hear they are "made better" but how? Better plastic? Aren't they all manufactured at the same place?

I was sort of excited to be in the market for Japanese figures and the dramatic differences between the PRID and the Arms Micron lines really made it feasible. Now I'm back to "'eh".

So, now that they've removed my incentive, I'd like for some of you folks to tell me why I should spend twice the money, to a foreign economy on top of it, for a product that, for now, seems to not be even close to twice the toy now that they lack that exclusive Micron appeal.

I haven't seen any of the Go! toys that I'm aware of so I am making some assumptions. Please feel free to correct me. (That is ultimately what I want.) And before you start putting planks together to make crosses to nail me to, I am well aware that I am supporting a foreign economy on about 80%-90% of my purchases, but why should I deny Hasbro US of their cut? If the products are substantially better then I don't have any issues of where my money goes.

Please post your opinions. I know there are a lot of collectors on one side of the fence or the other but I'd really like to hear from both sides. Preferably people who have experience with both US and Japanese toys. Thanks for all of your input so far. Even though it really wasn't the news I wanted to hear.

[JelZe GoldRabbit]

Generally speaking, TakaraTomy versions have more paint apps compared to Hasbro versions and sometimes differences in plastic colors. More often than not this results in better accuracy, but whether or not it's worth the extra dough is up to one's individual tastes.
If the differences are minor I go with Hasbro, especially if it's cheaper and plentiful. However, if TakaraTomy releases a unique version or is easier to come by, I'm all over it.

[KUMA-NIN Maximus]

Antron, it is simply this: Takara Tomy pieces cost more because they are imports. So you are paying the same price as it would cost to buy it here, plus additional import related fees.

And on a different note... I am skipping on GO! for the time being, as it appears that GO! is nothing more like they are either going to have this line fill in any gaps tied to their PRIME continuity or just add it to their own Generation One multiverse. Or that PRIME is just another branch of the post-merger Generation One tree. All possible because from what I am seeing, unless things change, "EG" and "G" are the same line... With "EG" possibly meaning "Early Generation." And for those who have not seen the current line-up, here it is (compliments of TFsource):

EG-01: Optimus Prime
EG-02: Bumblebee
EG-03: Prowl
EG-04: Smokescreen
EG-05: Hound
EG-06: Tank Megatron
EG-07: Starscream
EG-08: Airachnid
EG-09 and EG-10: TBA
G-11: Optimus Prime
G-12: Dragotron (Predaking)
G-13: Shockwave
G-14: Bumblebee
G-15: Bulkhead
G-16: Wheeljack
G-17: Starscream
G-18: Soundwave
G-19: Smokescreen

And to be honest, here is what I am thinking: "....."

Granted, it is their call. They already introduced Lio Convoy (as Leo Prime) into this continuity, which means that they have full rights to say that their version of PRIME is part of the Generation One multiverse. It is their call. They can also say that the events in their own timeline go: EG -> AM -> G. That also would make sense.

But for me... Yeah. I am now wondering what this means for the "Beast Hunters" line, and if those are actually red herrings in the most part. And if that is the case, I also wonder what it will mean for TOMY's handle of season 3.

[JelZe GoldRabbit]

Actually, a more likely explanation for "EG" is as a contraction of "EZ", their catch-all term for Legends and by extension, Cyberverse, and "Go": EZ-Go = EG

EG-numbers all refer to Cyberverse and Legends figures, and are a mix of G1 and Prime Beast Hunters.

[KUMA-NIN Maximus]

Actually, a more likely explanation for "EG" is as a contraction of "EZ", their catch-all term for Legends and by extension, Cyberverse, and "Go": EZ-Go = EG

EG-numbers all refer to Cyberverse and Legends figures, and are a mix of G1 and Prime Beast Hunters.

I agree with that. However, this is Takara Tomy. So them doing this has an extra meaning. And knowing them, they will eventually say that Transformers GO! is part of the G1 multiverse, and connects with such series. Or... Throw us a curveball, as I recognize some of the figures from a Kabaya set, and put out more PRIME-centric versions of them. Or... They hired M. Night to write the back story for this series and the twist is that everybody becomes a Prime... As Takara Tomy has decided that they do not have enough of them.

But in all honesty, I tend to over-think on certain things when I make speculations. Because for all I know is that they are trying to turn this line into a G1-meets-PRIME series, and nothing more. So don't mind me, as I have to cut this short (donating red blood cells today) and need to figure out how to handle a few aspects tied to my collection. (Lets just say that I have a hard time wanting to collect certain Commanders/Leaders.) And all-in-all... I am hoping to see the final pics of E-11 Optimus Prime now.

[Antron]

Antron, it is simply this: Takara Tomy pieces cost more because they are imports. So you are paying the same price as it would cost to buy it here, plus additional import related fees.

Yeah I know that most of the markup is because of shipping. I really like Alternators and wanted BinalTech but I just couldn't spend 20-25 on the figure and 40-50 for shipping. Sadly, if they would have cost more, I prob would have gotten a couple because the shipping and cost were even.

Anyway, I'm gonna skip on Go! for now too and pick up some Arms Microns now that some of them are getting fairly cheap. I may get some Takara Generations (or whatever their version is) There's just so much out and so much coming out.

My poor wallet

[KUMA-NIN Maximus]

Antron, it is simply this: Takara Tomy pieces cost more because they are imports. So you are paying the same price as it would cost to buy it here, plus additional import related fees.

Yeah I know that most of the markup is because of shipping. I really like Alternators and wanted BinalTech but I just couldn't spend 20-25 on the figure and 40-50 for shipping. Sadly, if they would have cost more, I prob would have gotten a couple because the shipping and cost were even.

Anyway, I'm gonna skip on Go! for now too and pick up some Arms Microns now that some of them are getting fairly cheap. I may get some Takara Generations (or whatever their version is) There's just so much out and so much coming out.

My poor wallet

I 100% relate. While I am skipping GO! as well, I am having a very hard time choosing which Commanders and Supreme Commanders (and their exclusive variants) to add. Namely because of limited finances, limited planned space, and other aspects. And what sucks is that they also added pics promoting Transformers GT to this topic!

Seriously. I hope that turns out to be some non-G1 promotional line. Much less one solely put out by Toy Hobby Market if it is. Otherwise, I think my wallet is going to launch itself into the sun.

[Sabrblade]

So tell me... Would you prefer hoping that this decision may mean you get to see Lio Convoy/Leo Prime return to the small screen? Or the point you tried making here?

I... don't think we're on the same page here. What point was I making?

As for Leo Prime, I doubt we'll see him since his toy was mostly just a means to use the Thundertron mold, and his bio was written autonomously from the people behind the Japanese dub.