The Energon Pub

Site sponsor RobotKingdom.com have dropped by with a quick note about a new pre-order on their site. It appears as though Takara is planning another Asia exclusive (non-Japan) release, and this time it's three redecos of previously seen figures: check out the images and information below about the Takara Henkei Autobot Warriors Kup, Ratchet and Perceptor!

Here we have started a new preorder.

Takara Henkei Autobot Warriors Three Pack Kup, Ratchet and Perceptor. Asia Exclusive (Non Japan Release). Pre-order. Available in June 2014.
http://www.robotkingdom.com/just-listed ... stpaw.html
USD 134.9

That Ratchet's going to be popular.

Not to fond of the fancy metalic.

Fixed Ratchet's neck? Noticed that he's got new paint apps.

Urgh, what have they done to Ratchet? Looks like the bonnet and roof have been replaced following an accident and they couldn't get replacement panels in the right colour. Maybe Ironhide had spares.

It's no longer Henkei: the set is now under the Generations line.

Banjo-Tron wrote:Urgh, what have they done to Ratchet? Looks like the bonnet and roof have been replaced following an accident and they couldn't get replacement panels in the right colour. Maybe Ironhide had spares.

That's probably done to homage his two latest incarnations, not counting the movie: Animated and Prime.

My goodness, just how long have these gone without any imagery? Months? Years?

And why now, of all times? What sense does it make for these to be announced so far back yet never see the light of day until now?

And why these three? The Seekers and Coneheads made sense, but these? What's the connection?

And, "Henkei! Henkei!"? Seriously? Henkei! Henkei! is a dead toyline. Shouldn't Takara be marketing these as Generations, or at least as another late addition to United?

And why these decos? Were some really asking for a Perceptor with blue treads? Or a Ratchet (seriously, Universe Ratchet?) with a red hood/roof? Or a Kup with more symbols and more dark gray?

http://movie-sounds.org/fantasy-films-sound-bites/batman-forever-1995/it-just-raises-too-many-questions

Sabrblade wrote:And, "Henkei! Henkei!"? Seriously? Henkei! Henkei! is a dead toyline. Shouldn't Takara be marketing these as Generations, or at least as another late addition to United?

Check the logo on the box image. It's clearly the Generations logo, not Henkei or United. Some people just won't accept the fact that line names can be supplanted I guess

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:And, "Henkei! Henkei!"? Seriously? Henkei! Henkei! is a dead toyline. Shouldn't Takara be marketing these as Generations, or at least as another late addition to United?

Check the logo on the box image. It's clearly the Generations logo, not Henkei or United. Some people just won't accept the fact that line names can be supplanted I guess

Good eye.

I'm kinda wondering about the 'Specialist' moniker that's being attached to this trio. What makes these 3 characters specialists, and in what fields?

Of the 3 I already have Kup and Perceptor, but Universe 2008 Ratchet I have no interest in, I strictly want Henkei, but this one actually looks less bland in vehicle mode thanks to the red hood and roof. As for specialism:

Ratchet: Medic
Perceptor: Scientist
Kup: Veteran

The fact they all have a specialism is what unifies the set, not a specialism shared by all three.

Shadowstream wrote:I'm kinda wondering about the 'Specialist' moniker that's being attached to this trio. What makes these 3 characters specialists, and in what fields?

Good question. We got a war veteran, a medic, and a scientist, so maybe each of them are specialists at those jobs, but that still leaves us wondering how those three relate to one another.

Sabrblade wrote:

Shadowstream wrote:I'm kinda wondering about the 'Specialist' moniker that's being attached to this trio. What makes these 3 characters specialists, and in what fields?

Good question. We got a war veteran, a medic, and a scientist, so maybe each of them are specialists at those jobs, but that still leaves us wondering how those three relate to one another.

I'd have gone with Unit Commander, Sniper and Combat Medic as specialist titles and this set may actually be the one set that makes me break my "No online purchase rule" rule and break down and get them. I still need Perceptor and Ratchet and I'd gladly give my youngest son my American release of Kup and keep the one from this set for myself. It would be even cooler if I could actually get this set at my local TRU the way I was able to pick up Generations Legends class Thundercracker and the Prime Deluxe class Sgt. Kup.
I know that's never going to happen but it's a nice thought since shipping will be easily 10 times the cost of what my gas would cost me to go to TRU. Still, I'm digging this set a lot and would be will to splurge for it.

I would say this pack came out too late.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:It's no longer Henkei: the set is now under the Generations line.

Banjo-Tron wrote:Urgh, what have they done to Ratchet? Looks like the bonnet and roof have been replaced following an accident and they couldn't get replacement panels in the right colour. Maybe Ironhide had spares.

That's probably done to homage his two latest incarnations, not counting the movie: Animated and Prime.

I would never have made that connection on my own.

I own the first japanese release of all three so easy pass. And henkei, gentai, united, who cares ? Just say takara...

paul053 wrote:I would say this pack came out too late.

This is for the ASIAN market, where these figures weren't released previously.

GuyIncognito wrote:

paul053 wrote:I would say this pack came out too late.

This is for the ASIAN market, where these figures weren't released previously.

Oh they were.

I've been kicking myself for 6 years for not picking up henkei ratchet at retail

Ah, the times where Henkei retailed here.

Im sure its just riding on the demand for ratchet. I don't expect many buying the set for Kup or Perceptor, but hey, selling Ratchet + Ironhide in a set was too easy.

Im sure next they'll issue the prowl mold. Oh, but have Prowl, Bluestreak and Smokescreen in different packs.

GuyIncognito wrote:

paul053 wrote:I would say this pack came out too late.

This is for the ASIAN market, where these figures weren't released previously.

Im not getting this whole "Asian Market" thing....

When did the Japanese stop considering themselves "Asian" ??? I know Japan is not on the mainland, but still....

That Ratchet looks slick, unfortunately I have no interest in the other two - already have the e-hobby Kup and I have no need for a Perceptor variant.

Rated X wrote:

GuyIncognito wrote:

paul053 wrote:I would say this pack came out too late.

This is for the ASIAN market, where these figures weren't released previously.

Im not getting this whole "Asian Market" thing....

When did the Japanese stop considering themselves "Asian" ??? I know Japan is not on the mainland, but still....

Do the Russians consider themselves Asian?

Seriously though, I can imagine the Japanese Market being so radically different from the rest of Asia a distinction needs to be made, so why not like this?

Rated X wrote:

GuyIncognito wrote:

paul053 wrote:I would say this pack came out too late.

This is for the ASIAN market, where these figures weren't released previously.

Im not getting this whole "Asian Market" thing....

When did the Japanese stop considering themselves "Asian" ??? I know Japan is not on the mainland, but still....

Dude, Japan is a tiny proportion of Asia. Asia starts as far west as Turkey and incorporates the largest country in the world, and by far the 2 most populous. It's like saying Niger is the same as Africa.

Also something similar I always wondered is why when people say someone is American they are invariably referring to people from the USA, when the USA makes up less than half of North America and less than a quarter of the Americas.

Banjo-Tron wrote:
Also something similar I always wondered is why when people say someone is American they are invariably referring to people from the USA, when the USA makes up less than half of North America and less than a quarter of the Americas.

Yeah, and why do we drive on the parkway and park in the driveway?

GuyIncognito wrote:

Banjo-Tron wrote:
Also something similar I always wondered is why when people say someone is American they are invariably referring to people from the USA, when the USA makes up less than half of North America and less than a quarter of the Americas.

Yeah, and why do we drive on the parkway and park in the driveway?

LOL, I only ask because once I asked a Canadian, guessing from his accent, if he was American and he got rather offended. I told him he was American in the same way I was European. He disagreed.

Rated X wrote:

GuyIncognito wrote:

paul053 wrote:I would say this pack came out too late.

This is for the ASIAN market, where these figures weren't released previously.

Im not getting this whole "Asian Market" thing....

When did the Japanese stop considering themselves "Asian" ??? I know Japan is not on the mainland, but still....

Think of. It like yourservice providers ATT covers one part, Comcast covers anotheer, some areas see an overlap in coverage, and some places are neither. Takara handles JAPAN, but Hasbro is the one responsiboe for the Asian market primarily. If Takara wants to throw something to the mainland that they dont think will sell as well in their own market, and/or is something that asbro isnt selling right then, poff sperate market release.

Banjo-Tron wrote:

Rated X wrote:

GuyIncognito wrote:

paul053 wrote:I would say this pack came out too late.

This is for the ASIAN market, where these figures weren't released previously.

Im not getting this whole "Asian Market" thing....

When did the Japanese stop considering themselves "Asian" ??? I know Japan is not on the mainland, but still....

Dude, Japan is a tiny proportion of Asia. Asia starts as far west as Turkey and incorporates the largest country in the world, and by far the 2 most populous. It's like saying Niger is the same as Africa.

Also something similar I always wondered is why when people say someone is American they are invariably referring to people from the USA, when the USA makes up less than half of North America and less than a quarter of the Americas.

You didnt answer my question. Im looking at both Japan and the mainland as one "Asia" that only needs one market. Does China, Philippines, etc really need a different deco from the Japanese deco 2 years later ? Just give them the deco Japan got and call it a day. They are neighbors. The mainland doesnt need to classified as a different market. Thats stupid. Theyre all Asian. Who came up with the term "Asian Market" anyways ? Probally Hasbro right here in American.