The Energon Pub

Sat Mar 28, 2015 5:37 pm

I've been looking into getting some of the Japanese BW toys and have noticed the Korean versions are generally cheaper. Are they of lower quality or something? The box doesn't really matter to me if that's the only difference.

News Credits: 241 · Sat Mar 28, 2015 6:08 pm

The Korean versions are generally easier to come by, thus cheaper, yet they don't suffer a (major) decline in quality. However, Sonokong (the former Korean distributor for Takara) released a scant few Beast Wars toys compared to the TakaraTomy lines, and some even received name changes:

Beast Wars II
C-16 Lion Convoy (Lioconvoy)
X-4 Magnaboss
D-12 Megastorm
D-13 Starscream & BB
D-16 Galvatron
D-17 Autostinger
D-18 Autoslasher (Autocrusher)
D-19 Autojet (Autojetter)
D-20 Autolauncher
D-22 Gigastorm

The Destron/Predacons except for Gigastorm were re-released for the Korean release of Car Robots/RiD, renamed and turned into Autobots while the toys remained the same.

Beast Wars Neo
DX-01 Giraffot vs. Trikero (Longrack vs. Guiledart)
DX-02 Cobrio vs. Stegorat (Corahda vs. Saberback)
DX-03 Stampy vs. Dimetron (Sling)
DX-04 Break vs. Ammonat (Dead End)
DX-05 Mammolike (Big Convoy) vs. Magmatron
DX-06 Mach Kick vs. Archadis
C-05 Mammolike (Big Convoy)
D-05 Magmatron

As you can see, only versus sets were released for Neo, and only the Leaders both stand-alone or together.

You'll still be looking at Takara for the other Japan-only figures, as those lists are it. Nothing more.

News Credits: 41 · Sat Mar 28, 2015 7:01 pm

I have a few of these. I haven't noticed any quality issues.
WilliamJames88 just picked up a few too. He was happy. I'm sure he'll chime in here soon.

Sat Mar 28, 2015 8:20 pm

Thanks! Big Convoy's the real "big" one on my list but the prices for the Japanese one have been keeping me away. It'll be nice to finally get him.

Sat Mar 28, 2015 10:52 pm

If you don't mind he's not boxed http://www.ebay.com/itm/Transformers-Be ... 3a9e26b797 I bought mine from him. If it's a KO I can't tell as it feels sturdier than my Universe Nemesis Prime version.

News Credits: 3 · Sat Mar 28, 2015 10:53 pm

I got the Korean version of Big Convoy, and if I ever had anything to complain about, it would be that a few of the screws were a little rusty, and I mean VERY little. A quick clean and everything was cool.

News Credits: 4877 · Sun Mar 29, 2015 6:30 pm

Cobotron wrote:I have a few of these. I haven't noticed any quality issues.
WilliamJames88 just picked up a few too. He was happy. I'm sure he'll chime in here soon.

Sure, I'll chime in, those toys are great!!!!!! The quality is the same if not better because its actually the same product as what was found in japan, just distributed in Korea. I love my Big Convoy and he is sturdy (apparently, sturdier than the original release).

These are the ones I got recently and they are all winners (with Big Convoy being the clear standout though, and Cohrada being second best).

This whole lot cost me about 85$ US including all costs!

And those boxes are awesome. I like them better than the clear window japanese packaging, and these are probably the only boxes I will ever keep.

News Credits: 12 · Mon Mar 30, 2015 8:54 am

I've bought several! They're great deals, and I like the packaging. I highly recommend them. Get them while they're still available.

News Credits: 129 · Mon Mar 30, 2015 3:58 pm

They are legit and there's no (real) drop in quality.

I'm surprised some of the more recent lines haven't had Korean releases as well. Seemed to stop after Armada. :/

News Credits: 241 · Mon Mar 30, 2015 4:12 pm

Counterpunch wrote:They are legit and there's no (real) drop in quality.

I'm surprised some of the more recent lines haven't had Korean releases as well. Seemed to stop after Armada. :/

Cybertron, or rather Galaxy Force had a Korean release as well. Not by Sonokong this time, but by Mocom. They're more in style to the Galaxy Force boxes (which means open windows), but on the flipside some sport (a variation of) their US names. The line-up:

Autobots
Exilion (Hot Shot)
Dreadrock (Jetfire)
First Aid (Red Alert)
Autovolt (Crosswise)
Nitrocon (Override)
Livecon (Evac)
Mega Liger (Leobreaker)
Mega Vector Prime
Ultra First Aid (Cybertron Defense Red Alert)
Ultra Jet (Wing Saber, used the fixed Hasbro mold)
Super Optimus Prime
Super Metroplex

Decepticons
Master Megatron
Mega Starscream (Voyager mold)
Ultra Dragon (Scourge)

Planet X
Side Way (Sideways)

Versus Sets
Buzz (Buzzsaw) vs. Blurr
Runabout vs. Longrack

News Credits: 4877 · Mon Mar 30, 2015 4:16 pm

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
Counterpunch wrote:They are legit and there's no (real) drop in quality.

I'm surprised some of the more recent lines haven't had Korean releases as well. Seemed to stop after Armada. :/

Cybertron, or rather Galaxy Force had a Korean release as well. Not by Sonokong this time, but by Mocom.

Are they as easy to find and as cheap as the Beast Wars Neo stuff?

News Credits: 241 · Mon Mar 30, 2015 4:23 pm

william-james88 wrote:
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
Counterpunch wrote:They are legit and there's no (real) drop in quality.

I'm surprised some of the more recent lines haven't had Korean releases as well. Seemed to stop after Armada. :/

Cybertron, or rather Galaxy Force had a Korean release as well. Not by Sonokong this time, but by Mocom.

Are they as easy to find and as cheap as the Beast Wars Neo stuff?

I have only seen a few, not as many as the Korean Beast Wars or even Brave releases. I was personally hunting for the Korean Ultra Jet/Sonic Bomber/Wing Saber myself, as it has Takara's chrome and Hasbro's fix.

News Credits: 4877 · Mon Mar 30, 2015 4:31 pm

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
william-james88 wrote:
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
Counterpunch wrote:They are legit and there's no (real) drop in quality.

I'm surprised some of the more recent lines haven't had Korean releases as well. Seemed to stop after Armada. :/

Cybertron, or rather Galaxy Force had a Korean release as well. Not by Sonokong this time, but by Mocom.

Are they as easy to find and as cheap as the Beast Wars Neo stuff?

I have only seen a few, not as many as the Korean Beast Wars or even Brave releases. I was personally hunting for the Korean Ultra Jet/Sonic Bomber/Wing Saber myself, as it has Takara's chrome and Hasbro's fix.

They have Brave stuff?!?!?! IS it cheap?

News Credits: 41 · Mon Mar 30, 2015 4:34 pm

william-james88 wrote:
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
william-james88 wrote:
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
Counterpunch wrote:They are legit and there's no (real) drop in quality.

I'm surprised some of the more recent lines haven't had Korean releases as well. Seemed to stop after Armada. :/

Cybertron, or rather Galaxy Force had a Korean release as well. Not by Sonokong this time, but by Mocom.

Are they as easy to find and as cheap as the Beast Wars Neo stuff?

I have only seen a few, not as many as the Korean Beast Wars or even Brave releases. I was personally hunting for the Korean Ultra Jet/Sonic Bomber/Wing Saber myself, as it has Takara's chrome and Hasbro's fix.

They have Brave stuff?!?!?! IS it cheap?

Keep talking you two. Because I'm listening.

News Credits: 241 · Mon Mar 30, 2015 4:35 pm

william-james88 wrote:
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
william-james88 wrote:
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
Counterpunch wrote:They are legit and there's no (real) drop in quality.

I'm surprised some of the more recent lines haven't had Korean releases as well. Seemed to stop after Armada. :/

Cybertron, or rather Galaxy Force had a Korean release as well. Not by Sonokong this time, but by Mocom.

Are they as easy to find and as cheap as the Beast Wars Neo stuff?

I have only seen a few, not as many as the Korean Beast Wars or even Brave releases. I was personally hunting for the Korean Ultra Jet/Sonic Bomber/Wing Saber myself, as it has Takara's chrome and Hasbro's fix.

They have Brave stuff?!?!?! IS it cheap?

The Korean Brave releases are certainly cheaper than the Japanese ones, and easier to come by. The J-Decker toys have the red and blue emblem in the middle of the badges and lack electronics though, and the first series Exkaiser was skipped.

News Credits: 4877 · Mon Mar 30, 2015 4:48 pm

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

The Korean Brave releases are certainly cheaper than the Japanese ones, and easier to come by. The J-Decker toys have the red and blue emblem in the middle of the badges and lack electronics though, and the first series Exkaiser was skipped.

I couldnt find too much on e-bay, just the following:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Transformers-BRAVE-GREAT-SUN-GUARD-Korean-Version-MIB-Nice-/380683441519?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58a280556f

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dran-from-Brave-Of-Gold-Goldran-Korean-Figure-/251590508185?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a93f67e99

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yuusha-Brave-of-the-Sun-Fighbird-Watch-Hero-Figure-Takara-Korean-Ver-/130793132514?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e73e0d1e2

Mon Mar 30, 2015 8:01 pm

There's more of them out there so that's why the Korean versions are cheaper

News Credits: 3 · Tue Mar 31, 2015 12:44 am

I actually got the Korean version of Cybertron Wing Saber when it was released, good toy. A little sloppy on some of the paint apps, but otherwise a great purchase.

Wed Feb 15, 2017 2:56 pm

anyone know where to puchase it in korea? As i am making a trip down to korea in march

News Credits: 4877 · Wed Feb 15, 2017 3:30 pm

TMK wrote:anyone know where to puchase it in korea? As i am making a trip down to korea in march

You probably wont find them easily there, its all in warehouses of e-bay sellers.

If you want these at the best prices, just get them on e-bay where they are cheap and ship anywhere.