The Energon Pub

And here's my answer.

People, I've seen all kinds of prices for the Takara version of the Transformers movie line. I've heard sellers claim things like it's the Japanese version, so the quality, paint apps, etc will be better. I've heard propagators of rumours that the Japanese versions don't have the same safety issue bugbears that the Hasbro ones do, so we can all get the movie realistic Optimus and Ironhide smokestacks. Most importantly - and what prompted me to write this post - I have seen Takara versions selling for 2 to 3 times the RRP that you Americans can get from Hasbro.

As someone who lives in Asia, has easy access to and bought all the Takara versions of the toys I can find, here is my take:

There is absolutely nothing that would justify paying that amount just to get the Takara versions. Here are the toys I happen to have with me. You can decide if you think whatever differences are worth paying $24.99 a figure:

1. The packaging is exactly the same! The only difference is one small decal in Japanese that indicates to you it's Takara version. The instructions are in Japanese. The picture instructions remain equally insightful in the Takara as in the Hasbro versions. That's it!

2. Hasbro or Takara, they're all made in China! The machining, the moulds, etc. There's no difference! Jazz is equally fat in both versions, Barricade's problems remain, Blackout still doesn't align, etc

3. BB74: So there are clear windows and his missiles are translucent. And for some people that's a big difference. But if I had to buy him at 2 or 3x RRP (which for us is about USD$18-20) I would pass. What good are clear windows if all you see through them are robot parts and not car seats and other detail?


4. Ironhide: NFD...The smokestacks are exactly the same! His waist peg alignment problems remain in Takara as in Hasbro.

5. Optimus Prime: No difference! Paint job identical, smoke stacks the same: equally short and rubbery! Sorry but don't get excited believing those rumours about how the Japanese don't have the same safety issues as Americans so you get nice long smoke stacks. And speaking about quality, I have foot problems with my Takara, but my Hasbro foot automorph work perfectly.

6. Barricade: The paint job looks a little bit better. Maybe like 5% more shiny. The problems with his punching action hair trigger remain in Takara.

7. Jazz: A bit more silvery/ shiny, but that's just comparing to my Hasbro Barricade. Compared to a friend's Hasbro version, not much difference. In other words, the only differences seem to be expected variances and not deliberate differences.

8. Starscream: NFD

9. Blackout: NFD


I'm still debating hard if I should open my Takara 08 BB just to compare the robot modes. The paint job looks good, but it's hard to say since it's in the box and I'm viewing it through the plastic. Makes everything look shiny. My Takara Arcee will arrive 4 weeks time so I can't comment on that.

But the above are what I have and my conclusion is: it's not worth spending extra money on Takara if you're assuming there'll be significant differences in features or quality. Use the money to buy another Transformer or two!

I didn't know the Takara '08 Bumblebee had been released. Woo, I suppose.

NFD? Haha. No F-ing Difference? Hey good job covering it. In my opinion, the only people who collect both Hasbro and Takara are psycho collectionists.

Blurrz wrote:NFD? Haha. No F-ing Difference? Hey good job covering it. In my opinion, the only people who collect both Hasbro and Takara are psycho collectionists.

Haha, I could have meant No Find Difference, as in Me Grimlock No Find Difference!

Sigh... Saw another Arcee Takara version advertised for $24.99. I really hope not many people are going to pay that amount!

well folks here said takara version got nice plastic quality im not sure if that's true cause i don't have any of those yet...

collecting hasbro and ta kara is a good way to end up using food stamps