The Energon Pub

News Credits: 187 · by **GetRightRobot** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 8:44 am

Agamemnon wrote:
GetRightRobot wrote:
Mindmaster wrote:
robofreak wrote:
Agamemnon wrote:
GetRightRobot wrote:For those who want repaints: you'll get them. Not one single "classics" figure has only been issued once.

Were Hound and Ravage repainted? Octane? Astrotrain?

I don't know why I do that...

Hound and Ravege: Repainted for Botcon 2010

Astrotrain: If you count Classics and Henkei as repaints then yes. Seeing how they both have very different color schemse

Octane/Tankor: To my knowledge he has not been repainted. He most likely will though. Just a matter of time.

Tell the truth, I kinda need a new Octane. Mine's leg keeps wanting to pop off, and I've tried everything, but nothing seems to get that dang leg to stay!

Wow I have missed alot in this discussion. Need a new Octane, are you going to get the grey and purple Hasbro version or THE REPAINTED HENKEI BLUE AND PURPLE ONE?? HUH? Which of the TWO paint apps will your buy? Or will you buy BOTH of the OCTANE molds? One or the other of the TWO? Or BOTH perhaps?

Bah! That's cheating to consider the Takara version a repaint of Hasbro. That's a technicality!

I had thought you meant the general re-paints we have seen. You know, like Ultra Magnus from Optimus Prime; Treadbolt from Jetfire; Smokescreen and Bluestreak, from Prowl; Red Alert and Sideswipe from Sunstreaker; the Seekers from Starscream; Tracks from Wheeljack, etc. If we don't count the Takara-Hasbro differences, and we don't count the convention exclusives, then we do only have a handful of deluxe, voyager, and leader molds from the classics line that have not been released as a new character, right? I can really only think of Megatron, Galvatron, Octane, Astrotrain, Cyclonus, and Hound/Ravage. (I'm purposefully leaving out the newest Generations/Reveal the Shield and United versions.) Plus, as I look at my classics shelf....have we really only had one scout released in Wheelie (and there was a repaint of Wheelie, right)? Or was Wheelie a legends figure? I cannot remember now.

Man, it's waaayyyyy past my bedtime. This eight year old has to get up tomorrow and teach Windows 7 to a bunch of college students...

[Edit] Okay, Cyclonus was re-released as a Target Exclusive in "Anime" colors. Maybe that's good enough... That leaves 5 and a half molds, I guess...

[Edit2] And as I went through the Seibertron galleries on Classics, I realized that Galvatron was also repainted to be more "Anime" accurate. Perhaps I should have limited my conditions to new characters, and not just repainting into other colors of the same character. If that's the case, then I stand by my original list. Except I didn't see a repaint of Wheelie in the galleries. But then I was also purposefully leaving out Legends figures, and Wheelie was indeed a Legends figure. Man, s/he was a huge Legends figure!

HAHA

I said off the bat issued. Some are just premium like paint jobs. But like Galvatron; orignally universe, then the 3 pack with Cyclonus and Roddy, The the funky NEW three pack with Scourge and Cyclonus. But like, Universe Sideswipe; Sunstreaker, RedAlert, Botcon G2 Breakdown, Club Exclusive Punch/Counterpunch. My point being, if you like a mold, you'll have the oppurtunity to buy it over and over and over and.....

News Credits: 3 · by **Jazz-1982** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 9:05 am

Counterpunch wrote:
Naked Magnus wrote:Now you Henkei snobs will be forced to buy those "inferior" Hasbro toys.

To be fair to this particular Henkei snob, I buy both. I buy the Henkei version for myself and the Hasbro version so that you can't have one. QQ

LOL. Nice response CP :lol:

In my case, I live in Japan so of course I prefer Henkei/United as they're cheaper, easier to get and much better painted.

That said, compared to Classics, this time around with Generations/RTS I think Hasbro has run Takara Tomy very close and it's come out even in my opinion as both lines have better versions of different figures so although I've bought mostly United figures, I'll happily buy better Hasbro versions and any figures that Hasbro releases that don't make it to United/aren't going to make it for a long time, like Warpath.

News Credits: 2 · by **Stockade** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 12:49 pm

Jazz-1982 wrote:
Counterpunch wrote:
Naked Magnus wrote:Now you Henkei snobs will be forced to buy those "inferior" Hasbro toys.

To be fair to this particular Henkei snob, I buy both. I buy the Henkei version for myself and the Hasbro version so that you can't have one. QQ

LOL. Nice response CP

In my case, I live in Japan so of course I prefer Henkei/United as they're cheaper, easier to get and much better painted.

That said, compared to Classics, this time around with Generations/RTS I think Hasbro has run Takara Tomy very close and it's come out even in my opinion as both lines have better versions of different figures so although I've bought mostly United figures, I'll happily buy better Hasbro versions and any figures that Hasbro releases that don't make it to United/aren't going to make it for a long time, like Warpath.

First off, I agree with CP about his statement, cause I too, collect both Hasbro and Takara lines...Hasbro gets displayed alot more than Takara's in my room.

And Jazz-1982, come on man! every time a Takara topic or subject comes up you have to mention that you live in Japan and you have access to ALL the Takara stuff or in this case the United lines! your beating a dead horse here, just let it go. :roll:

News Credits: 251 · by **Mindmaster** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 8:16 pm

GetRightRobot wrote:
Mindmaster wrote:
robofreak wrote:
Agamemnon wrote:
GetRightRobot wrote:For those who want repaints: you'll get them. Not one single "classics" figure has only been issued once.

Were Hound and Ravage repainted? Octane? Astrotrain?

I don't know why I do that...

Hound and Ravege: Repainted for Botcon 2010

Astrotrain: If you count Classics and Henkei as repaints then yes. Seeing how they both have very different color schemse

Octane/Tankor: To my knowledge he has not been repainted. He most likely will though. Just a matter of time.

Tell the truth, I kinda need a new Octane. Mine's leg keeps wanting to pop off, and I've tried everything, but nothing seems to get that dang leg to stay!

Wow I have missed alot in this discussion. Need a new Octane, are you going to get the grey and purple Hasbro version or THE REPAINTED HENKEI BLUE AND PURPLE ONE?? HUH? Which of the TWO paint apps will your buy? Or will you buy BOTH of the OCTANE molds? One or the other of the TWO? Or BOTH perhaps?

Well, uh, I can't order over-seas. So that's why I stick with the Hasbro versions.

News Credits: 187 · by **GetRightRobot** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 11:11 pm

Well, uh, I can't order over-seas. So that's why I stick with the Hasbro versions.

Hey man, get what you can! IMO, Hasbro flat out won some of these head to head match ups.

News Credits: 3 · by **Jazz-1982** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 1:05 am

Stockade wrote:
Jazz-1982 wrote:
Counterpunch wrote:
Naked Magnus wrote:Now you Henkei snobs will be forced to buy those "inferior" Hasbro toys.

To be fair to this particular Henkei snob, I buy both. I buy the Henkei version for myself and the Hasbro version so that you can't have one. QQ

LOL. Nice response CP

In my case, I live in Japan so of course I prefer Henkei/United as they're cheaper, easier to get and much better painted.

That said, compared to Classics, this time around with Generations/RTS I think Hasbro has run Takara Tomy very close and it's come out even in my opinion as both lines have better versions of different figures so although I've bought mostly United figures, I'll happily buy better Hasbro versions and any figures that Hasbro releases that don't make it to United/aren't going to make it for a long time, like Warpath.

First off, I agree with CP about his statement, cause I too, collect both Hasbro and Takara lines...Hasbro gets displayed alot more than Takara's in my room.

And Jazz-1982, come on man! every time a Takara topic or subject comes up you have to mention that you live in Japan and you have access to ALL the Takara stuff or in this case the United lines! your beating a dead horse here, just let it go.

Noted

by **Fortress_Maximus** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 2:46 am

if it is true that is somewhat sad. never got into united but so far would like the optimus but it is pricey for the size i rather get a henkei optimus prime misb. oh wells. hopefully the classics line will continue and maybe a few reissues too boot!

News Credits: 62 · by **Primeultimus** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 5:50 am

When Generations , United and Reveal the Shield are killed I will probally quit buying newer figures until PRIME figures come out.

I am hoping they just mix the Reveal the Shield Classics figures in with HFTD movie figures like they have been.

There is very little difference to the card design and bubble blister only has a sticker on the HFTD figures. People will not notice as my friend who went hunting with me thought that a HFTD figure was something I was looking for. I had to show him the difference. I think this was also a way to get the Generations lines and more G1 influenced stuff onto shelves at retail as the RTS stuff ships under a movie Sku.

Hasbro likes money I think they should just keep doing what they are doing and keeps a good mixture of RTS G1 figures mixed in over the year to go with those crappy movie figures!

by **breakthru** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 1:52 pm

I live in the UK so it doesn't really make a difference price-wise to import the figures, so I tend to just go for the version I prefer which is almost always the Takara/Henkei/United version. I can honestly count on one hand the amount of Hasbro Genrtations figures I have. I so much more prefer the Takara ones for their paint jobs and G1 accuracy

Hope this line reappears even if it's under yet another new name

News Credits: 2 · by **Nemesis Destron** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 2:56 pm

This all sux IMHO but does anyone know or heard rumor if we might or might not see a United-Warpath?

News Credits: 331 · by **chuckdawg1999** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 4:32 pm

Nemesis Destron wrote:This all sux IMHO but does anyone know or heard rumor if we might or might not see a United-Warpath?

If we haven't seen him yet I would say no. BUT, as we've seen some of the retools from HFTD and Generations are showing up in the DOTM line, we might see him there in Japan.

News Credits: 1 · by **JackStraw** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 6:20 pm

I have been lurking for a while, but just registered today and this subject has finally drawn me out.

While I do agree that the Hasbro versions of Gen/RTS have faired much better in comparison to Takara than in the past, some of the "products" Hasbro has put out in this line are just garbage! The white plastic they are using on these figures is an insult to any paying consumer.

RTS Jazz - WTF was that? Are they kidding? No paint apps on the rear of the car at all? Does Hasbro hate us? Absolutely unacceptable.

In my opinion the majority of Transformers are based on vehicles and paint on vehicles should be shiny. I understand some not liking the patchwork job Takara has done with some of these guys, but I'd still rather some of the figure look good than none at all. I feel most of the people who defend Hasbro do so because that's what is available to them and can't afford to pay a premium and import every toy. I know I can't, but I aint tryin to fool myself.

Also, I haven't seen anyone bring up the issue of packaging. United packages are sleek, clean, modern looking using nice white/silver while to me Gen/RTS looks ugly gawdy Red/Orange/Yellow putridness.

Don't mean to offend anyone (except a certain whore of an American company). I have strong opinions, but do respect others for theirs, and I just wanted to bounce some of my ideas off the community.

Peace

by **MINDVVIPE** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 6:28 pm

JackStraw wrote:I have been lurking for a while, but just registered today and this subject has finally drawn me out.

While I do agree that the Hasbro versions of Gen/RTS have faired much better in comparison to Takara than in the past, some of the "products" Hasbro has put out in this line are just garbage! The white plastic they are using on these figures is an insult to any paying consumer.

RTS Jazz - WTF was that? Are they kidding? No paint apps on the rear of the car at all? Does Hasbro hate us? Absolutely unacceptable.

In my opinion the majority of Transformers are based on vehicles and paint on vehicles should be shiny. I understand some not liking the patchwork job Takara has done with some of these guys, but I'd still rather some of the figure look good than none at all. I feel most of the people who defend Hasbro do so because that's what is available to them and can't afford to pay a premium and import every toy. I know I can't, but I aint tryin to fool myself.

Also, I haven't seen anyone bring up the issue of packaging. United packages are sleek, clean, modern looking using nice white/silver while to me Gen/RTS looks ugly gawdy Red/Orange/Yellow putridness.

Don't mean to offend anyone (except a certain whore of an American company). I have strong opinions, but do respect others for theirs, and I just wanted to bounce some of my ideas off the community.

Peace

I actually like the RTS packaging, theres atleast some artwork for the figure. But I also like the Takara back of the card, they got some cool poses of the figure and effects. Its a mix if you ask me, there are takara figures in my collection that are sorta cruddy with the plastic, and vice versa. I think it's unique to the figure for each one. I haven't had any problems with the new figures except for Thundercracker having a slightly fudged nose cone, but i fixed it. What is kind of annoying is that the paint on my RTS wreck-gars face isn't the best. Its messy at the teeth, and the eyes could all do with a lil more red paint to ensure a nice uniform colour.

News Credits: 409 · by **Stormrider** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 9:49 pm

JackStraw wrote:I have been lurking for a while, but just registered today and this subject has finally drawn me out.

While I do agree that the Hasbro versions of Gen/RTS have faired much better in comparison to Takara than in the past, some of the "products" Hasbro has put out in this line are just garbage! The white plastic they are using on these figures is an insult to any paying consumer.

RTS Jazz - WTF was that? Are they kidding? No paint apps on the rear of the car at all? Does Hasbro hate us? Absolutely unacceptable.

In my opinion the majority of Transformers are based on vehicles and paint on vehicles should be shiny. I understand some not liking the patchwork job Takara has done with some of these guys, but I'd still rather some of the figure look good than none at all. I feel most of the people who defend Hasbro do so because that's what is available to them and can't afford to pay a premium and import every toy. I know I can't, but I aint tryin to fool myself.

Also, I haven't seen anyone bring up the issue of packaging. United packages are sleek, clean, modern looking using nice white/silver while to me Gen/RTS looks ugly gawdy Red/Orange/Yellow putridness.

Don't mean to offend anyone (except a certain whore of an American company). I have strong opinions, but do respect others for theirs, and I just wanted to bounce some of my ideas off the community.

Peace

I share similiar feelings. Some Hasbro figures have been pretty good, but Takara definitely caters to a select crowd.

News Credits: 331 · by **chuckdawg1999** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 10:38 pm

Stormrider wrote:
JackStraw wrote:I have been lurking for a while, but just registered today and this subject has finally drawn me out.

While I do agree that the Hasbro versions of Gen/RTS have faired much better in comparison to Takara than in the past, some of the "products" Hasbro has put out in this line are just garbage! The white plastic they are using on these figures is an insult to any paying consumer.

RTS Jazz - WTF was that? Are they kidding? No paint apps on the rear of the car at all? Does Hasbro hate us? Absolutely unacceptable.

In my opinion the majority of Transformers are based on vehicles and paint on vehicles should be shiny. I understand some not liking the patchwork job Takara has done with some of these guys, but I'd still rather some of the figure look good than none at all. I feel most of the people who defend Hasbro do so because that's what is available to them and can't afford to pay a premium and import every toy. I know I can't, but I aint tryin to fool myself.

Also, I haven't seen anyone bring up the issue of packaging. United packages are sleek, clean, modern looking using nice white/silver while to me Gen/RTS looks ugly gawdy Red/Orange/Yellow putridness.

Don't mean to offend anyone (except a certain whore of an American company). I have strong opinions, but do respect others for theirs, and I just wanted to bounce some of my ideas off the community.

Peace

I share similiar feelings. Some Hasbro figures have been pretty good, but Takara definitely caters to a select crowd.

One thing I just found out that I find interesting is that Takara prices figures on a per figure basis unlike Hasbro, who prices per case. That's why Takara can really go to town on some of their figures.

News Credits: 2 · by **Nemesis Destron** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 10:56 pm

Stormrider wrote:
JackStraw wrote:I have been lurking for a while, but just registered today and this subject has finally drawn me out.

While I do agree that the Hasbro versions of Gen/RTS have faired much better in comparison to Takara than in the past, some of the "products" Hasbro has put out in this line are just garbage! The white plastic they are using on these figures is an insult to any paying consumer.

RTS Jazz - WTF was that? Are they kidding? No paint apps on the rear of the car at all? Does Hasbro hate us? Absolutely unacceptable.

In my opinion the majority of Transformers are based on vehicles and paint on vehicles should be shiny. I understand some not liking the patchwork job Takara has done with some of these guys, but I'd still rather some of the figure look good than none at all. I feel most of the people who defend Hasbro do so because that's what is available to them and can't afford to pay a premium and import every toy. I know I can't, but I aint tryin to fool myself.

Also, I haven't seen anyone bring up the issue of packaging. United packages are sleek, clean, modern looking using nice white/silver while to me Gen/RTS looks ugly gawdy Red/Orange/Yellow putridness.

Don't mean to offend anyone (except a certain whore of an American company). I have strong opinions, but do respect others for theirs, and I just wanted to bounce some of my ideas off the community.

Peace

I share similiar feelings. Some Hasbro figures have been pretty good, but Takara definitely caters to a select crowd.

.....'nuff said and welcome to the fold JackStraw!

by **funklizard** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 12:03 am

Nemesis Destron wrote:This all sux IMHO but does anyone know or heard rumor if we might or might not see a United-Warpath?

I'd love to see United pick back up after a hiatus with Warpath and Windcharger, at least.

That might not happen. Nonetheless, I'd be shocked if these figures didn't show up somewhere in TakaraTomy's stable sometime in the next year.

News Credits: 7 · by **alldarker** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 2:55 am

JackStraw wrote:I have been lurking for a while, but just registered today and this subject has finally drawn me out.

While I do agree that the Hasbro versions of Gen/RTS have faired much better in comparison to Takara than in the past, some of the "products" Hasbro has put out in this line are just garbage! The white plastic they are using on these figures is an insult to any paying consumer.

RTS Jazz - WTF was that? Are they kidding? No paint apps on the rear of the car at all? Does Hasbro hate us? Absolutely unacceptable.

(...)

Don't mean to offend anyone (except a certain whore of an American company). I have strong opinions, but do respect others for theirs, and I just wanted to bounce some of my ideas off the community.

Peace

Yup, these are fair points you are making. I did buy RtS Jazz and Tracks, but even before opening them I decided that their paint apps were so bad that I couldn't bear to know there were much better Takara versions out there. Received UN-12 and UN-13 yesterday!
I'd really wish that Hasbro would put some more resources in getting the full potential out of these amazing designs in the Generations and RtS lines. Right now Hasbro is taking great designs and turning them into good toys, while Takara is taking these same great designs and making them into great toys. It seems such a waste of design potential to see the sloppy plastic quality and paint applications hold back many of Hasbro's Transformers.

I'm actually not that fussed about Hasbro's packaging versus Takara's packaging. Japanese packaging always seems to be sleeker and better designed, but that's very subjective too: I guess I like the exotic aspect of the kanji text on the packages.

Anyhow, I'd imagine that there is no way that either Hasbro OR Takara will let the whole line up of current molds go to waste without a repaint or two per mold. So even if 'United' bites the dust, I'm pretty sure that Japan too will see another more classic oriented line after DotM has come and gone.

News Credits: 409 · by **Stormrider** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 7:17 pm

I a recently noticed that many United figures are outpricing Generation/2011/RTS figures quickly on eBay. There is more demand for them than I realized.

News Credits: 217 · by **Diem** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 7:21 pm

JackStraw wrote:RTS Jazz - WTF was that? Are they kidding? No paint apps on the rear of the car at all? Does Hasbro hate us? Absolutely unacceptable.

In my opinion the majority of Transformers are based on vehicles and paint on vehicles should be shiny. I understand some not liking the patchwork job Takara has done with some of these guys, but I'd still rather some of the figure look good than none at all. I feel most of the people who defend Hasbro do so because that's what is available to them and can't afford to pay a premium and import every toy. I know I can't, but I aint tryin to fool myself.

Also, I haven't seen anyone bring up the issue of packaging. United packages are sleek, clean, modern looking using nice white/silver while to me Gen/RTS looks ugly gawdy Red/Orange/Yellow putridness.

Bear in mind that even before import costs Takara figures routinely cost substantially more than Hasbro figures with deluxes in particular costing almost twice as much.

News Credits: 60 · by **fenrir72** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:58 pm

Being a recent victim of a headless United Wreck-gar, I agrre on certain points against the USA version.

1.RTS Jazz, no paint apps on his rear, WTF? Even the USA Drift had his rear headlights high lighted

2.Packaging. Isn't it cheaper to use a resealable package instead of a permanently glued one (Is scotch tape more expensive than glue?)?

3. About the twisty ties, on Takara's part, isn't the new paper based version of the Hasbro version cheaper than the wire based ones?

4. I won't be touching the paint apps difference, that's probably due to consumer dynamics whatchamacalit.

News Credits: 10 · by **Agamemnon** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 10:41 pm

fenrir72 wrote:3. About the twisty ties, on Takara's part, isn't the new paper based version of the Hasbro version cheaper than the wire based ones?

Cheaper, maybe. I thought the paper ones were supposed to be more eco-friendly. I certainly like them as they are easier to cut the figures out of the packaging, IMO.

News Credits: 1 · by **JackStraw** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 10:31 am

chuckdawg1999 wrote:
Stormrider wrote:
JackStraw wrote:I have been lurking for a while, but just registered today and this subject has finally drawn me out.

While I do agree that the Hasbro versions of Gen/RTS have faired much better in comparison to Takara than in the past, some of the "products" Hasbro has put out in this line are just garbage! The white plastic they are using on these figures is an insult to any paying consumer.

RTS Jazz - WTF was that? Are they kidding? No paint apps on the rear of the car at all? Does Hasbro hate us? Absolutely unacceptable.

In my opinion the majority of Transformers are based on vehicles and paint on vehicles should be shiny. I understand some not liking the patchwork job Takara has done with some of these guys, but I'd still rather some of the figure look good than none at all. I feel most of the people who defend Hasbro do so because that's what is available to them and can't afford to pay a premium and import every toy. I know I can't, but I aint tryin to fool myself.

Also, I haven't seen anyone bring up the issue of packaging. United packages are sleek, clean, modern looking using nice white/silver while to me Gen/RTS looks ugly gawdy Red/Orange/Yellow putridness.

Don't mean to offend anyone (except a certain whore of an American company). I have strong opinions, but do respect others for theirs, and I just wanted to bounce some of my ideas off the community.

Peace

I share similiar feelings. Some Hasbro figures have been pretty good, but Takara definitely caters to a select crowd.

One thing I just found out that I find interesting is that Takara prices figures on a per figure basis unlike Hasbro, who prices per case. That's why Takara can really go to town on some of their figures.

That is very interesting and explains a lot.
Thanks.

News Credits: 1 · by **JackStraw** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 10:32 am

Nemesis Destron wrote:
Stormrider wrote:
JackStraw wrote:I have been lurking for a while, but just registered today and this subject has finally drawn me out.

While I do agree that the Hasbro versions of Gen/RTS have faired much better in comparison to Takara than in the past, some of the "products" Hasbro has put out in this line are just garbage! The white plastic they are using on these figures is an insult to any paying consumer.

RTS Jazz - WTF was that? Are they kidding? No paint apps on the rear of the car at all? Does Hasbro hate us? Absolutely unacceptable.

In my opinion the majority of Transformers are based on vehicles and paint on vehicles should be shiny. I understand some not liking the patchwork job Takara has done with some of these guys, but I'd still rather some of the figure look good than none at all. I feel most of the people who defend Hasbro do so because that's what is available to them and can't afford to pay a premium and import every toy. I know I can't, but I aint tryin to fool myself.

Also, I haven't seen anyone bring up the issue of packaging. United packages are sleek, clean, modern looking using nice white/silver while to me Gen/RTS looks ugly gawdy Red/Orange/Yellow putridness.

Don't mean to offend anyone (except a certain whore of an American company). I have strong opinions, but do respect others for theirs, and I just wanted to bounce some of my ideas off the community.

Peace

I share similiar feelings. Some Hasbro figures have been pretty good, but Takara definitely caters to a select crowd.

.....'nuff said and welcome to the fold JackStraw!

Thanks Nemesis!

News Credits: 1 · by **JackStraw** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 10:43 am

alldarker wrote:
JackStraw wrote:I have been lurking for a while, but just registered today and this subject has finally drawn me out.

While I do agree that the Hasbro versions of Gen/RTS have faired much better in comparison to Takara than in the past, some of the "products" Hasbro has put out in this line are just garbage! The white plastic they are using on these figures is an insult to any paying consumer.

RTS Jazz - WTF was that? Are they kidding? No paint apps on the rear of the car at all? Does Hasbro hate us? Absolutely unacceptable.

(...)

Don't mean to offend anyone (except a certain whore of an American company). I have strong opinions, but do respect others for theirs, and I just wanted to bounce some of my ideas off the community.

Peace

Yup, these are fair points you are making. I did buy RtS Jazz and Tracks, but even before opening them I decided that their paint apps were so bad that I couldn't bear to know there were much better Takara versions out there. Received UN-12 and UN-13 yesterday!
I'd really wish that Hasbro would put some more resources in getting the full potential out of these amazing designs in the Generations and RtS lines. Right now Hasbro is taking great designs and turning them into good toys, while Takara is taking these same great designs and making them into great toys. It seems such a waste of design potential to see the sloppy plastic quality and paint applications hold back many of Hasbro's Transformers.

I'm actually not that fussed about Hasbro's packaging versus Takara's packaging. Japanese packaging always seems to be sleeker and better designed, but that's very subjective too: I guess I like the exotic aspect of the kanji text on the packages.

Anyhow, I'd imagine that there is no way that either Hasbro OR Takara will let the whole line up of current molds go to waste without a repaint or two per mold. So even if 'United' bites the dust, I'm pretty sure that Japan too will see another more classic oriented line after DotM has come and gone.

Really good point alldarker. I sometimes find myself really amazed at these toys from a design aspect. They are really great examples of some impressive artistic ingenuity. It's such a shame that they seem to cut corners and be so cheap when it comes time for production.
I also wonder who actually designs the toy, Hasbro or Takara?

I think what this really all comes down to is who controls cost/price etc... for these products. It seems like the WalMarts of the world seem to have their hands in all of this. In order for Hasbro to sell the product to the store, the store needs it to be at a certain price point, and the toymakers then "adjust" certain aspects of manufacturing to be able to hit that predetermined mark. I believe this to be true in the states, and I wonder how this plays out in Japan.

Overheard in the factory: "Send back that white plastic and ask them to send some more of that pink/grey/whiteish stuff!"

I guess my point in this whole thing is not that Takara's versions are so awesome or so much better, but that a lot of Hasbro's stuff is so sub par...so cheap...almost to the point of being insulting, but somehow most of us have grown to accept this.