The Energon Pub

I like to read everyone's comments/thoughts on all the real or knock-off reissues there are, but my question is how do new reissues keep coming out? Like on iOffer there is a Wheeljack? But I get this from wiki..

"The toy that was to become the Autobot Wheeljack was originally released as part of the Japanese Diaclone series by Takara. He was later released in 1984 by Hasbro in the U.S. According to a panel discussion at BotCon 2005, the original Wheeljack mold is "no longer available," and is most likely destroyed, limiting the likelihood of a future reissue of the toy."

Where do these non-Hasbro companies get the molds to remake them?

THe most common theory is that Hasbro/Takara used certain factories to make the original figures, and then as time went on packed up and moved out. The theory goes that they didn't get everything, or stuff was lost/left behind during the move. A new company moves into the building and finds, hiding in a back room somewhere, a bunch of Transformer molds. They see profit and we see KOs.

Another theory is that over time, the molds wore out or broke and thus became unusable. The KO companies thus survive by reverse-engineering the molds, which is far harder and more expensive than it sounds, making this theory unlikely

The final theory is that after the G1 line was finished completely, the molds were tucked away into storage. Someone of disreputableness knew where some were stored, took them, and sold them off to these KO Companies.

hmm.... very intersting

Mkall wrote:THe most common theory is that Hasbro/Takara used certain factories to make the original figures, and then as time went on packed up and moved out. The theory goes that they didn't get everything, or stuff was lost/left behind during the move. A new company moves into the building and finds, hiding in a back room somewhere, a bunch of Transformer molds. They see profit and we see KOs.

Another theory is that over time, the molds wore out or broke and thus became unusable. The KO companies thus survive by reverse-engineering the molds, which is far harder and more expensive than it sounds, making this theory unlikely

The final theory is that after the G1 line was finished completely, the molds were tucked away into storage. Someone of disreputableness knew where some were stored, took them, and sold them off to these KO Companies.

I like the final theory, the first theory seems pretty unlikely that something as important as molds would be left behind in the factory.

shonenfan4 wrote:

Mkall wrote:THe most common theory is that Hasbro/Takara used certain factories to make the original figures, and then as time went on packed up and moved out. The theory goes that they didn't get everything, or stuff was lost/left behind during the move. A new company moves into the building and finds, hiding in a back room somewhere, a bunch of Transformer molds. They see profit and we see KOs.

Another theory is that over time, the molds wore out or broke and thus became unusable. The KO companies thus survive by reverse-engineering the molds, which is far harder and more expensive than it sounds, making this theory unlikely

The final theory is that after the G1 line was finished completely, the molds were tucked away into storage. Someone of disreputableness knew where some were stored, took them, and sold them off to these KO Companies.

I like the final theory, the first theory seems pretty unlikely that something as important as molds would be left behind in the factory.

"Mistakes happen"

Seriously, it's not like every toy has one single mold. Rather, the toy is split up between different molds that make the different pieces. It's like pieces of a puzzle.

I always thought it woulda been cool if Hasbro included a feature on how the toys were made, maybe some behind the scenes if footage of what the "molds" actually are ha and what the process is what goes into the packaging etc. but guess they probably didn't think to film all that stuff back then and if these molds are "broken" I'm sure all the TF fans around the world would chip in and pay for the price to get them fixed ha...in exchange for that figure to be made for reselling again ha

like on how its made?

That would be cool to see, however Hasbro has stated officially that it doesn't disclose its manufacturing techniques or business practices.

I guess they don't want to show us all the labourers.

Mkall wrote:That would be cool to see, however Hasbro has stated officially that it doesn't disclose its manufacturing techniques or business practices.

I guess they don't want to show us all the labourers.

Business behind close doors. Guess we'll have to wait for some youtube cellphone-filmed clips