The Energon Pub

_Anshin_ wrote:Gen 1 Hot Rod is still the best incarnation of this character.

On so many levels, I have to ask: WTF? How? Just how? The cartoon character was an irritation, both his toys were crap, and they've been surpassed by... well, almost everything since, with the possible exception of the original Armada Hot Shot toy. Then again, even that was an improvement given it had leg articulation.

Why in the world would they make any Armada figure they suck! Damn waste of plastic. Hows about a masterpiece Galvatron or cyclonus!!!

doubledealer25 wrote:am i missing some thing? why remake armada hotshot? and jolt? i am confused

For GREAT JUSTICE.

And because you touch yourself at night.

Am I missing something here?
The title, and the story itself refer to the figure as "Henkei Hot Rod"

typo??

Savage wrote:Am I missing something here?
The title, and the story itself refer to the figure as "Henkei Hot Rod"

typo??

Hot Shot was called "Hot Rod" in Micron Legends (the Japanese version of Armada). G1 Hot Rod was called "Hot Rodimus" in 2010 (the Japanese version of G1 season 3).

Sledge wrote:

_Anshin_ wrote:Gen 1 Hot Rod is still the best incarnation of this character.

On so many levels, I have to ask: WTF? How? Just how? The cartoon character was an irritation, both his toys were crap, and they've been surpassed by... well, almost everything since, with the possible exception of the original Armada Hot Shot toy. Then again, even that was an improvement given it had leg articulation.

That's not Hot Rod that's Hot Shot!
That's as if you'd say G1 Megatron was the best incarnation of Starscream.

Hot Rod and Hot Shot are pretty much the same character: sports cars who are regarded as having leadership potential when any sane being would lock them in a padded cell with some non-toxic crayons.

Mkall wrote:

harvester wrote:

Sledge wrote:Takara and Hasbro are seperate companies.

Well isn't Hasbro pretty much just the American distributor? The way that I thought it was laid out was that Takara [before Tomy], made the figs and owns the rights to the figs and Hasbro is the American toy company that helps distribute the toyline here and for the figs that came after G1, they made their own "cost-effective" releases of them [less paint apps, no chrome, etc].

So these Henkei figures are first produced by and for Takara/Tomy and then Hasbro gets the figs [minus paint apps] and does what they want with them. Is this roughly correct?

[PS/sidenote/... the movie line was pretty much the first hasbro designed figs right?]

1) Hasbro owns the Transformer licenses, molds etc. If anything TakaraTomy are the Japanese distributors. They can't do anything without Hasbro's approval. They're made in TomyTakara's factories though, cheaper labour over there and all that stuff.

2) The Movie TFs were designed by Dreamworks and their companies. Hasbro provided consultation and then made molds based on the figures.

3) Japanese Transformers are aimed at collectors, not kids like Hasbro's Transformers are. That's why Henkei has better, or at least more detailed, paint apps and cost more money.

Takara created transforming robot toys that were sold under the Diaclone, Microman and Micro-Change lines. Hasbro branded these transforming robots as "The Transformers" which were the redistributed here everywhere but Japan who was still selling Diaclones in 1984. "The Transformers" made their debut in Japan in 1985.

For all intents and purposes, Transformers are all Hasbro. Takara is just along for the ride at this point.

Mkall wrote:

harvester wrote:

Sledge wrote:Takara and Hasbro are seperate companies.

Well isn't Hasbro pretty much just the American distributor? The way that I thought it was laid out was that Takara [before Tomy], made the figs and owns the rights to the figs and Hasbro is the American toy company that helps distribute the toyline here and for the figs that came after G1, they made their own "cost-effective" releases of them [less paint apps, no chrome, etc].

So these Henkei figures are first produced by and for Takara/Tomy and then Hasbro gets the figs [minus paint apps] and does what they want with them. Is this roughly correct?

[PS/sidenote/... the movie line was pretty much the first hasbro designed figs right?]

1) Hasbro owns the Transformer licenses, molds etc. If anything TakaraTomy are the Japanese distributors. They can't do anything without Hasbro's approval. They're made in TomyTakara's factories though, cheaper labour over there and all that stuff.

2) The Movie TFs were designed by Dreamworks and their companies. Hasbro provided consultation and then made molds based on the figures.

3) Japanese Transformers are aimed at collectors, not kids like Hasbro's Transformers are. That's why Henkei has better, or at least more detailed, paint apps and cost more money.

Correct.

There seems to be this perception that Hasbro is like a second-string quarterback and that Takara is the star of the team.

Hasbro owns Transformers lock stock and barrel. The misperceptions surrounding the interactions of the two companies are widespread.

Hasbro does not make 'cost-effective' versions of the toys. Most times, they are the originator of a release and Takara, later, puts out a slightly different version of the same thing. In doing it this way, Takara is able to make "Show Accurate" versions because they don't have to go into production until the animation is complete. Hasbro and Takara are also then able to 'game' collectors by releasing a superior 'follow up' version of the same Hasbro toy, that many like myself, will buy again.

So, the Hasbro version of this figure is Hot Shot, and the Henkei version is Hot Rod?

Meh. The characters are, for all intents and purposes, much the same and interchangeable. I still prefer to distinguish them, mostly because Hot Shot is one of the few AEC-original characters to reach the level of recognizability generally held only by main G1-based characters.

with regards to henkei price i think its just the same with classics because our toys r us carries both henkei and classics and its the same price

I think it looks a good bit better than the US version, but that doesn't mean I'll buy it. I reserve my Import purchases for things that offer something actually significantly different, to me at least (such as Henkei Astrtrain and Skyfire)

Savage wrote:So, the Hasbro version of this figure is Hot Shot, and the Henkei version is Hot Rod?

Meh. The characters are, for all intents and purposes, much the same and interchangeable. I still prefer to distinguish them, mostly because Hot Shot is one of the few AEC-original characters to reach the level of recognizability generally held only by main G1-based characters.

Please read my above quote. They are not the same character. Hot Rodimus is Takara's character from 1986 who was called "Hot Rod" in the American series. Hot Rod is Takara's character from Micron Legends who was called Hot Shot in the American series. Different characters altogether guys.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_Rod_(Transformers)#Transformers:_Armada.2FEnergeon.2Fcybertron

Seibertron wrote:

Savage wrote:So, the Hasbro version of this figure is Hot Shot, and the Henkei version is Hot Rod?

Meh. The characters are, for all intents and purposes, much the same and interchangeable. I still prefer to distinguish them, mostly because Hot Shot is one of the few AEC-original characters to reach the level of recognizability generally held only by main G1-based characters.

Please read my above quote. They are not the same character. Hot Rodimus is Takara's character from 1986 who was called "Hot Rod" in the American series. Hot Rod is Takara's character from Micron Legends who was called Hot Shot in the American series. Different characters altogether guys.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_Rod_(Transformers)#Transformers:_Armada.2FEnergeon.2Fcybertron

Yeah, I read it. I'm just talking about (US)AEC Hot Shot. I was unaware that he was known as Hot Rod in Japan. Makes sense though. Thanks for clearing that up!

The story says there is chrome on the engine, guns and Jolt's arms, but I only see it on the engine. The rest just looks like matte silver paint to me.

spiritofcat wrote:The story says there is chrome on the engine, guns and Jolt's arms, but I only see it on the engine. The rest just looks like matte silver paint to me.

I agree.

Chrome or matte silver, though, I'd generally rather pass on Henkei versions. I'll be getting the U2.0 version of Hot Shot when it turns up because it's a better mold than Armada Hot Shot.

Sabrblade wrote:I can't tell whcih is more show-accurate.

Remember, Hasbro has hand painted test shots. Universe Hot Shot won't look anything like he does in that stock photo.

nice to see armarda getting a bit of recognition. Shame RiD was missed comnpletely. the 25th anniversary should celebrate all the goodness that is TF. G1 may still be the best, but in my opinion Armarda is a pretty decent show, and ive only seen the 1st 26 episodes

HEY!!!

Who dumbed down my news title!!!

Pottermus_Prime wrote:nice to see armarda getting a bit of recognition. Shame RiD was missed comnpletely. the 25th anniversary should celebrate all the goodness that is TF. G1 may still be the best, but in my opinion Armarda is a pretty decent show, and ive only seen the 1st 26 episodes

I'd like to think this'd be the case too.

Sledge wrote:Ok, can people please try and think about this a little? We've got people in the same thread saying "Why does Henkei have to cost so much?" and "Why doesn't Hasbro use the same paint apps as Takara?" Does anyone other than me see the connection?

Nope. You must be smarter than the rest of us or have some inside track you smart person you.

Sledge wrote:So does this one have shoulder articulation? Only it looks like the chest plate would be in the way.

I've been wondering the same thing.

forgotten wrote:I think I like the Hasbro release better, The paint just strikes my fance more. And the thighs appear to be molded a tad better.

Takara and Hasbro are using the same mold, so the thighs will be the same - unless you are referring to the paint apps and overdone photoshopping.

I'll tell ya what this 25th anniversary line could use. Armada Tidal Wave with knees and in Micron Legend Shockwave colors (show accurate), and a remold of Armada Overload that has articulation. Primarily elbows and knees, and anything else would be just gravy.

im thinking hot shot should come with star sabre myslef..................mainly because im having a bugger of a job tracking a new set down lol