The Energon Pub

News Credits: 217 · by **Diem** » Mon Jun 11, 2012 12:36 am

So I'm planning to grab some of the BW figures that I missed out on first time round and I noticed that in many cases the Korean box versions are way cheaper. I know that in some toylines (Super Sentai for example) the Korean versions use a cheaper-feeling plastic and have fewer paint apps. Is that the case with Beast Wars?

Thanks in advance.

News Credits: 7 · by **alldarker** » Mon Jun 11, 2012 2:27 am

No, not at all... The Sonokong produced Beast Wars toys are of the same quality as the Takara produced ones. Paint apps are almost always exactly the same, as is the plastic quality (I have heard rumors that the Sonokong BW figures are slightly lighter; I can't say that I've noticed that myself).
The TFwiki entry for Sonokong states: "Sonokong quality control is arguably sometimes a little lower." but I wonder if that has ever been proven, or if it is more based on unfounded 'gut feelings', perhaps based on the different packaging.

I have several BW Neo figures from both Takara and Sonokong, and they are extremely difficulty to tell apart, based on paint or quality. As far as I'm concerned, there's a much bigger quality gap between Takara and Hasbro than between Takara and Sonokong. Seriously, you can't go wrong with the Sonokong BW figures: they really are great quality and value for money considering how cheap they still are compared to Takara's versions.

News Credits: 226 · by **Burn** » Mon Jun 11, 2012 3:35 am

I have a Korean Big Convoy and while I can't compare it to a Takara version, I don't consider it to be low in quality at all.

News Credits: 1452 · by **Blurrz** » Mon Jun 11, 2012 4:16 am

Pretty sure the Korean versions are were just Takara versions repacked. I have a ton of Micron legend figures that originating from Korea that are on par/better than their Hasbro variants.

News Credits: 226 · by **Burn** » Mon Jun 11, 2012 4:50 am

Where did you source them B?

News Credits: 10 · by **gavinfuzzy** » Mon Jun 11, 2012 6:23 am

I Have Korean Galaxy Force Red Alert, Crosswise and Starscream. They don't seem cheaper in quality, just much cheaper. :lol:

Red Alert and Crosswise were bought for around $9 each at random convenience stores in Korea. Starscream was bought locally from a collector store.

News Credits: 217 · by **Diem** » Mon Jun 11, 2012 8:17 am

Thanks guys, I appreciate the advice!

News Credits: 650 · by **ScottyP** » Mon Jun 11, 2012 8:48 am

It has already been said a lot, but I'll agree. I have several Korean releases from RiD, BWII, BW Neo, etc. and they're all equal in quality to the Takara stuff.

News Credits: 60 · by **fenrir72** » Mon Jun 11, 2012 11:24 am

BW Bigconvoy Korean blue is a bit darker than the Japanese version.

News Credits: 241 · by **Jelze Bunnycat** » Mon Jun 11, 2012 11:59 am

I have the Korean Break vs. Dead End and Longrack vs. Guiledart sets, and both are fine, aside from some ball joints being a bit weak. However, the differences between TakaraTomy and Sonokong are negligible for the most part.

However, one thing you should keep in mind is that Sonokong always uses the Hasbro-updated versions of the molds, which means:

- Sonokong CR Black Convoy has the blunted sword and blank discs
- Sonokong CR Baldigus is basically Ruination in Baldigus deco
- Sonokong GF Sonic Bomber actually benefits from C-Wing Saber's noseguard fix that plagued initial Takara releases

It's the third I'm truly after, with the lovely lovely chrome =P~

News Credits: 60 · by **fenrir72** » Mon Jun 11, 2012 7:33 pm

Ms Rabbit

You mean that Sonic bomber's face guard has been corrected and chromed right? As opposed to the Hasbro corrected face guard bt non chrome chest plate?

Gawd, sometimes the choices we have to make :BANG_HEAD:

I have the GF version and am currently staring at the Sonokong version right now in a specialty shop gathering dust.

by **Akroyer** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 6:38 am

I have several and they seem to be just fine.

News Credits: 12 · by **GuyIncognito** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 8:00 am

Are these Korean?

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/prod ... ode=retail

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/prod ... ode=retail

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/prod ... ode=retail

News Credits: 60 · by **fenrir72** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 8:24 am

Nope. Those are the made in Taiwan "Takara" versions.

News Credits: 12 · by **GuyIncognito** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 9:18 am

fenrir72 wrote:Nope. Those are the made in Taiwan "Takara" versions.

Ah, thanks. Well, for what it's worth, I bought them recently and the quality seems very good.

News Credits: 241 · by **Jelze Bunnycat** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 12:11 pm

fenrir72 wrote:Ms Rabbit

You mean that Sonic bomber's face guard has been corrected and chromed right? As opposed to the Hasbro corrected face guard bt non chrome chest plate?

Gawd, sometimes the choices we have to make I have the GF version and am currently staring at the Sonokong version right now in a specialty shop gathering dust.

Sonokong's Sonic Bomber should have Hasbro's corrected noseguard, with Takara's chrome. Best of both worlds

Also, the repaint in the Sonic Convoy gift set has the same fix.

And where did you see Taiwan? They all say "Made in China" on mine. Imported Japanese Beast Wars overstock is still quite common, so they're definitely not fakes.

News Credits: 100 · by **-Kanrabat-** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 6:54 pm

Sonokong is the way to go for missed Transformers.

They are affordable and they are THE EXACT SAME TOY ARE THE TAKARA.

So far, I have:

Armada Jetfire
Armada Overload
Galaxy Force Voyager Supreme Starscream
BW Neo Magnaboss
BW Neo (dont remember the name but he's Magnaboss's nemesis. Combined from a T-Rex, a Pterodactyl, and another dino.)

I'm very satisfied of them all.
The only disaventage is that you don't have the shiny Takare box and paperwork.
Still, if you open and play with your toys, that's not a problem.

News Credits: 7 · by **alldarker** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 8:10 am

-Kanrabat- wrote:(...)
BW Neo (dont remember the name but he's Magnaboss's nemesis. Combined from a T-Rex, a Pterodactyl, and another dino.)
(...)

You mean Beast Wars Neo Magmatron, and he's actually comprised of a Quetzalcoatlus ("Skysaur"), a Giganotosaurus ("Landsaur"), and an Elasmosaurus ("Seasaur")

In fact he could more accurately be described as Big Convoy's 'nemesis' (although he's rather more honorable and professional than most TF Predacon/Decepticon enemy leader characters).

News Credits: 100 · by **-Kanrabat-** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 4:44 pm

alldarker wrote:
-Kanrabat- wrote:(...)
BW Neo (dont remember the name but he's Magnaboss's nemesis. Combined from a T-Rex, a Pterodactyl, and another dino.)
(...)

You mean Beast Wars Neo Magmatron, and he's actually comprised of a Quetzalcoatlus ("Skysaur"), a Giganotosaurus ("Landsaur"), and an Elasmosaurus ("Seasaur")
In fact he could more accurately be described as Big Convoy's 'nemesis' (although he's rather more honorable and professional than most TF Predacon/Decepticon enemy leader characters).

I had to buy him just for that Devilman look of his.

News Credits: 241 · by **Jelze Bunnycat** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 5:02 pm

-Kanrabat- wrote:
alldarker wrote:
-Kanrabat- wrote:(...)
BW Neo (dont remember the name but he's Magnaboss's nemesis. Combined from a T-Rex, a Pterodactyl, and another dino.)
(...)

You mean Beast Wars Neo Magmatron, and he's actually comprised of a Quetzalcoatlus ("Skysaur"), a Giganotosaurus ("Landsaur"), and an Elasmosaurus ("Seasaur")
In fact he could more accurately be described as Big Convoy's 'nemesis' (although he's rather more honorable and professional than most TF Predacon/Decepticon enemy leader characters).

I had to buy him just for that Devilman look of his.

Magnaboss' real nemesis in the US was Tripredacus:

Cicada, Rhinoceros Beetle and Lobster. In BWII his counterpart was Tripledacus, and a gigantic Mexican stereotype to boot.

Zemi, Kabuto, Ebi!

News Credits: 60 · by **fenrir72** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 10:26 am

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
fenrir72 wrote:Ms Rabbit

And where did you see Taiwan? They all say "Made in China" on mine. Imported Japanese Beast Wars overstock is still quite common, so they're definitely not fakes.

The ones I own, Beastwars II and Beastwars Neo, are Taiwan made. Some don't have the holograms though (Beastwars II Lio for instance), and no, I am 100% sure they ain't knock offs.........they weren't that wide spread then back in the late 90s. :lol:

(Most probably error overruns that managed to stray into my neck of the woods)

News Credits: 7 · by **waaaaghlord** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 4:06 pm

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:- Sonokong CR Black Convoy has the blunted sword and blank discs

Thanks for pointing this out. I'm in the market for a Black Convoy at the right price and when I've got some spare cash flow and always figured Sonokong would be the easiest way to go. I decided a long time ago that TRU Scourge just wasn't the figure for me and the mould alterations you've just mentioned are enough to rule out Sonokong BC as well (the 'safety' sword more than the discs). Looks like it's going to be Takara all the way on this guy.