The Energon Pub

[Burn]

Anchors are rarely used these days, this "problem" is incredibly minor.

But hey, feel free to bring it up in the appropriate thread and Ryan will determine whether he needs to patch things or not.
(You can find it in any sub-forum. It's really not hard to find)

[primalxconvoy]

Anchors are rarely used these days, this "problem" is incredibly minor.

But hey, feel free to bring it up in the appropriate thread and Ryan will determine whether he needs to patch things or not.
(You can find it in any sub-forum. It's really not hard to find)

Thanks. The link to this request is now here:

- seibertron-com-problem-reporting-thread-p1942240.php#p1942240


Anyway, looking at Legends Windbag, I've noticed that her sword and scabbard are seemingly based upon the TF Adventure version. Some changes include:

- Moving the peg for storage in jet mode from one end to the other (scabbard).
- various details (scabbard).
- wider blade, so that the original pink blade cannot go into the new Legends scabbard.
- clear blade (sword).

However, the rectangular peg seems the same, so either Windbag can mount either scabbard on their thighs and can hold either sword.

IMG_20180225_113951.jpg

IMG_20180225_123707.jpg

IMG_20180225_123739.jpg

IMG_20180225_123816.jpg

IMG_20180225_125142.jpg

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Anyway, looking at Legends Windbag, I've noticed that her sword and scabbard are seemingly based upon the TF Adventure version. Some changes include:

- Moving the peg for storage in jet mode from one end to the other (scabbard).
- various details (scabbard).
- wider blade, so that the original pink blade cannot go into the new Legends scabbard.
- clear blade (sword).

However, the rectangular peg seems the same, so either Windbag can mount either scabbard on their thighs and can hold either sword.

Based on this, what are the differences with T30 Windblade's sword?

[primalxconvoy]

Anyway, looking at Legends Windbag, I've noticed that her sword and scabbard are seemingly based upon the TF Adventure version. Some changes include:

- Moving the peg for storage in jet mode from one end to the other (scabbard).
- various details (scabbard).
- wider blade, so that the original pink blade cannot go into the new Legends scabbard.
- clear blade (sword).

However, the rectangular peg seems the same, so either Windbag can mount either scabbard on their thighs and can hold either sword.

Based on this, what are the differences with T30 Windblade's sword?

Is that the version of Windbag that was remolded later into Slipstream? I never got that version when it came out, and then the secondary market prices for it were OBSCENE in Akiba.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Anyway, looking at Legends Windbag, I've noticed that her sword and scabbard are seemingly based upon the TF Adventure version. Some changes include:

- Moving the peg for storage in jet mode from one end to the other (scabbard).
- various details (scabbard).
- wider blade, so that the original pink blade cannot go into the new Legends scabbard.
- clear blade (sword).

However, the rectangular peg seems the same, so either Windbag can mount either scabbard on their thighs and can hold either sword.

Based on this, what are the differences with T30 Windblade's sword?

Is that the version of Windbag that was remolded later into Slipstream? I never got that version when it came out, and then the secondary market prices for it were OBSCENE in Akiba.

Sure is. The weapons of T30 and RiD Windblade are similar in appearance, but there are minor differences.

[Wolfman Jake]

Btw, who is the red Targetmaster and who is it REALLY meant to be for?

http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Pinpointer_(G1)#Legends

Cheers! For some reason, the link was dead? No idea why. This one works, though:

- http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Pinpointer_(G1)

Now I've got to buy this figure to go with it:

-

Comb25022018090614.jpg

Great idea on using Transformers Cloud Roadbuster as Classics/Generations Crosshairs. Anyone have any good suggestions for stand-ins for Pointblank and Sureshot?

[Emerje]

Have we already seen the manga chapters for these then? I'm imagining megs borrowing blitzwings transector and generating it's G2 colour scheme when he heads on.

It's Beast Megatron, though, so I imagine if the story is anything like that then the purple would just happen to look like G2 Megatron by accident.

Emerje

There's no mention of him being BW Megatron in his bio. The only reference in the bio is to "Noble". The comic translation might be a different matter.

You scanned the comics yourself before I had a chance to look at them and even I knew it was Beast Megatron, how didn't you?

Emerje

[primalxconvoy]

Have we already seen the manga chapters for these then? I'm imagining megs borrowing blitzwings transector and generating it's G2 colour scheme when he heads on.

It's Beast Megatron, though, so I imagine if the story is anything like that then the purple would just happen to look like G2 Megatron by accident.

Emerje

There's no mention of him being BW Megatron in his bio. The only reference in the bio is to "Noble". The comic translation might be a different matter.

You scanned the comics yourself before I had a chance to look at them and even I knew it was Beast Megatron, how didn't you?

Emerje

I didn't have time to actually read the comic. I was translating the bios as close as I could. The bio didn't state it was Beast Megatron, as far as I could tell.

[Sabrblade]

Have we already seen the manga chapters for these then? I'm imagining megs borrowing blitzwings transector and generating it's G2 colour scheme when he heads on.

It's Beast Megatron, though, so I imagine if the story is anything like that then the purple would just happen to look like G2 Megatron by accident.

Emerje

There's no mention of him being BW Megatron in his bio. The only reference in the bio is to "Noble". The comic translation might be a different matter.

You scanned the comics yourself before I had a chance to look at them and even I knew it was Beast Megatron, how didn't you?

Emerje

I didn't have time to actually read the comic. I was translating the bios as close as I could. The bio didn't state it was Beast Megatron, as far as I could tell.

Likewise, it also doesn't say that it's G1 Megatron either. Seems it was worded vaguely enough to be either Megatron, as it only says just "Megatron" but not which "Megatron".

[Emerje]

Have we already seen the manga chapters for these then? I'm imagining megs borrowing blitzwings transector and generating it's G2 colour scheme when he heads on.

It's Beast Megatron, though, so I imagine if the story is anything like that then the purple would just happen to look like G2 Megatron by accident.

Emerje

There's no mention of him being BW Megatron in his bio. The only reference in the bio is to "Noble". The comic translation might be a different matter.

You scanned the comics yourself before I had a chance to look at them and even I knew it was Beast Megatron, how didn't you?

Emerje

I didn't have time to actually read the comic. I was translating the bios as close as I could. The bio didn't state it was Beast Megatron, as far as I could tell.

OK, but I can't read Japanese, the pictures in the comic show him getting the Headmaster treatment.

But that's all aside the point, we knew from our first look at the Headmaster that it would be Beast Megatron, the comic just explains why.

Emerje

[primalxconvoy]

Have we already seen the manga chapters for these then? I'm imagining megs borrowing blitzwings transector and generating it's G2 colour scheme when he heads on.

It's Beast Megatron, though, so I imagine if the story is anything like that then the purple would just happen to look like G2 Megatron by accident.

Emerje

There's no mention of him being BW Megatron in his bio. The only reference in the bio is to "Noble". The comic translation might be a different matter.

You scanned the comics yourself before I had a chance to look at them and even I knew it was Beast Megatron, how didn't you?

Emerje

I didn't have time to actually read the comic. I was translating the bios as close as I could. The bio didn't state it was Beast Megatron, as far as I could tell.

Likewise, it also doesn't say that it's G1 Megatron either. Seems it was worded vaguely enough to be either Megatron, as it only says just "Megatron" but not which "Megatron".

Yes, that's what stumped me. I checked with my Japanese GF and she said that there were no other references to different types of Megatron, just "Megatron".

Anyway, so far using TF Adventure WB's scabbard/gun on this version seems like a good way to get value out of the (defunct) version.

IMG_20180225_174846~01.jpg

Here they are, compared together in jet mode.

IMG_20180225_181108.jpg

Also, Archforce is ready to fly, now he's sporting some Reprolabels.

IMG_20180225_225120.jpg

[william-james88]

but, of course if that's what you meant, and TT doesn't sell their toys at b&m in japan at all, then it would make sense that they're hemorrhaging money and need to borrow the potp figures from hasbro

Yes, thats what i meant. Takra doesnt distribute these legends toys at big box retailers in Japan, as far as I have looked into it. Hence the 15 year old age on the box.

Takara has limited the age range for these toys and I have no clue why when its the same toys Hasbro markets to kids.

Anyways... I thought this pic was awesome and well thought out

[WreckerJack]

Thanks to fellow Seibertronian, primalxconvoy we have some interesting news about the Takara Tomy Transformers Legends LG61 Decepticon Clones set. Evidently there was an error in the original instructions. Included in the package was a slip that corrects Wingspan and Pounce's robot modes that were swapped by mistake in the original instructions.

The slip shows the corrected robot modes and explains the error. In case your Japanese is a little rusty the pages have been translated for you. Please note that some grammar does not always translate cleanly but the idea should be understood fairly easily. Do you have this set and did the error affect you? Let us know on the boards.

[primalxconvoy]

but, of course if that's what you meant, and TT doesn't sell their toys at b&m in japan at all, then it would make sense that they're hemorrhaging money and need to borrow the potp figures from hasbro

Yes, thats what i meant. Takra doesnt distribute these legends toys at big box retailers in Japan, as far as I have looked into it. Hence the 15 year old age on the box.

Takara has limited the age range for these toys and I have no clue why when its the same toys Hasbro markets to kids.

Anyways... I thought this pic was awesome and well thought out

1/ Takara haven't limited sales of the toys to only online. I showed photographic evidence of this already of the Legends toys being sold in a major chain retailer in Japan. Here is the picture again. However, although most BM retailers are not carrying these figures, that's not so unusual as Transformers have never enjoyed a strong presence in such shops in the time I've been in Japan.

IMG_20180211_171424.jpg

I interviewed a shop assistant at that shop and they were unaware of the 15+ age on the box. Once told why, he stated that their shop (Yodabashi Camera, I think) allowed unaccompanied children of any age to buy toys, but didn't allow such children to buy videogames that the shop consisted graphically violent, or sexual in nature. When asked why the Legends toys were rated 15+, the staff postulated that this was due to the "original version of the toy being aimed at the same age" (we didn't understand this idea) and/or that the transformation was more complicated/the toy had sharper, more dangerous parts than regular released TFs).

2/ The increased age range is probably due to the use of "nsfw" imagery and themes in the attached comics that came with some of the figures (such as Octane, for example).

3/ These could be related to dwindling sales or a lack of money at Takara. TFwiki postulated that when Binaltech sales were low (possibly due to complicated transformations, etc), Takara aimed the toys at an older market, which meant that they could employ a more nsfw themes to entice a specific demographic (certain, older male "otaku" that liked nostalgic and/or "adult" references in their Transformers media). Thus, this seems to be a similar situation, with low sales/limited availability of Legends toys and similar adult content.

[primalxconvoy]

Thanks to fellow Seibertronian, primalxconvoy we have some interesting news about the Takara Tomy Transformers Legends LG61 Decepticon Clones set. Evidently there was an error in the original instructions. Included in the package was a slip that corrects Wingspan and Pounce's robot modes that were swapped by mistake in the original instructions.

The slip shows the corrected robot modes and explains the error. In case your Japanese is a little rusty the pages have been translated for you. Please note that some grammar does not always translate cleanly but the idea should be understood fairly easily. Do you have this set and did the error affect you? Let us know on the boards.

Here's a cleaner scan of the paper:

-

New Doc 148_1.jpg

[Jelze Bunnycat]

It does show how well the Clones are made if the ones who made the instructions can't tell them apart.

[fenrir72]

but, of course if that's what you meant, and TT doesn't sell their toys at b&m in japan at all, then it would make sense that they're hemorrhaging money and need to borrow the potp figures from hasbro

Yes, thats what i meant. Takra doesnt distribute these legends toys at big box retailers in Japan, as far as I have looked into it. Hence the 15 year old age on the box.

Takara has limited the age range for these toys and I have no clue why when its the same toys Hasbro markets to kids.

Anyways... I thought this pic was awesome and well thought out

1/ Takara haven't limited sales of the toys to only online. I showed photographic evidence of this already of the Legends toys being sold in a major chain retailer in Japan. Here is the picture again. However, although most BM retailers are not carrying these figures, that's not so unusual as Transformers have never enjoyed a strong presence in such shops in the time I've been in Japan.

IMG_20180211_171424.jpg

I interviewed a shop assistant at that shop and they were unaware of the 15+ age on the box. Once told why, he stated that their shop (Yodabashi Camera, I think) allowed unaccompanied children of any age to buy toys, but didn't allow such children to buy videogames that the shop consisted graphically violent, or sexual in nature. When asked why the Legends toys were rated 15+, the staff postulated that this was due to the "original version of the toy being aimed at the same age" (we didn't understand this idea) and/or that the transformation was more complicated/the toy had sharper, more dangerous parts than regular released TFs).

2/ The increased age range is probably due to the use of "nsfw" imagery and themes in the attached comics that came with some of the figures (such as Octane, for example).

3/ These could be related to dwindling sales or a lack of money at Takara. TFwiki postulated that when Binaltech sales were low (possibly due to complicated transformations, etc), Takara aimed the toys at an older market, which meant that they could employ a more nsfw themes to entice a specific demographic (certain, older male "otaku" that liked nostalgic and/or "adult" references in their Transformers media). Thus, this seems to be a similar situation, with low sales/limited availability of Legends toys and similar adult content.

Takara hemorrhaging financially? Really? You better back up that statement or else some "expert" out there might call you out as a bearer of FAKE NEWS!

TF isn't really as strong in Nippon as Gundam etc. The bread and butter is always and always be China!

[Emerje]

3/ These could be related to dwindling sales or a lack of money at Takara.

Why do people still feel the need to perpetuate this myth? Takara themselves have posted their financial reports in English for all to see and they are very strong. They even specifically point at strong Transformers sales. They had an abysmal 2016, but 2017 was their best year since 2013 and that includes setting aside over US$3 million to prepare for losses from Toys R Us restructuring in the USA. Both their income from within Japan and globally as a parent company have been strong.

Here are some highlights:

From Takara Tomy as a parent company

TT Net Income.PNG

TT Net Assets.PNG

Global sales (remember, Tomy operates worldwide and Hasbro does use Transformers under license so TT does make money off Hasbro's sales)

Global sales.PNG

Maybe a good argument could have been made in 2016 when Takara Tomy had a bad year, but not now. The final results for 2017 come out in March and I expect some big numbers to end the fiscal year. That doesn't mean Hasbro wont try to buy the, but it wont be because Takara Tomy is in the red.

Emerje

[kurthy]

3/ These could be related to dwindling sales or a lack of money at Takara.

Why do people still feel the need to perpetuate this myth? Takara themselves have posted their financial reports in English for all to see and they are very strong. They even specifically point at strong Transformers sales. They had an abysmal 2016, but 2017 was their best year since 2013 and that includes setting aside over US$3 million to prepare for losses from Toys R Us restructuring in the USA. Both their income from within Japan and globally as a parent company have been strong.

Here are some highlights:

From Takara Tomy as a parent company

TT Net Income.PNG

TT Net Assets.PNG

Global sales (remember, Tomy operates worldwide and Hasbro does use Transformers under license so TT does make money off Hasbro's sales)

Global sales.PNG

Maybe a good argument could have been made in 2016 when Takara Tomy had a bad year, but not now. The final results for 2017 come out in March and I expect some big numbers to end the fiscal year. That doesn't mean Hasbro wont try to buy the, but it wont be because Takara Tomy is in the red.

Emerje

Given that lines are planned out much more than a year in advance, is it possible that Power of the Primes is the result of bad sales in 2016?

[Emerje]

Given that lines are planned out much more than a year in advance, is it possible that Power of the Primes is the result of bad sales in 2016?

That's entirely possible, but that would depend entirely on what happened in 2016. I feel like whatever it was wasn't because of Transformers.

Emerje

[chuckdawg1999]

Given that lines are planned out much more than a year in advance, is it possible that Power of the Primes is the result of bad sales in 2016?

That's entirely possible, but that would depend entirely on what happened in 2016. I feel like whatever it was wasn't because of Transformers.

Emerje

I'm trying to think what lines were out in 2016 and I might be wrong but Adventure might have been the problem.

[Emerje]

Given that lines are planned out much more than a year in advance, is it possible that Power of the Primes is the result of bad sales in 2016?

That's entirely possible, but that would depend entirely on what happened in 2016. I feel like whatever it was wasn't because of Transformers.

Emerje

I'm trying to think what lines were out in 2016 and I might be wrong but Adventure might have been the problem.

That could be, both Prime and Adventure ended rather abruptly without finishing their shows and toy lines. I'm not so sure that alone would have been enough to suffer such a huge loss, but it couldn't have helped. Probably some combination of failed investments in new toy lines, video games, and anime, or maybe something in their electronics division crashed especially hard. For 2017/2018 they seem to have found some success in their new Tomica Hyper Rescue and Shinkalion franchises. Maybe Japan just prefers their robot cartoons homegrown. Maybe it's time for another Unicron Trilogy?

Emerje

[primalxconvoy]

The "myth" of Takara Tomy's poor sales is actually based upon facts, plus some speculation:

- https://seekingalpha.com/article/409679 ... ard-spiral

- https://seekingalpha.com/article/408662 ... -gunsights

One of the major factors was that Takara Tomy lost the (master?) licence for Pokemon, apparently.

Also, regardless of Takara doing well, it's the LEGENDS Transformers that apparently were not selling that well, or the limited market that they were aimed at, creating a "chicken or egg" situation.

As far as I have seen, Transformers have never enjoyed a really strong, consistent presence in most toy departments (with the exception of Toys R Us, and at Yodabashi/Bic Camera). This may mean that TFs have not really enjoyed the success of, say, Power Rangers, or Masked Rider in Japan.

[ZeroWolf]

Well in Japan transformers does face stiff competition, especially in the more adult oriented market. Bandai are takara's biggest threat. I see takara's shinkalion as a hope of the second coming of the brave franchise (of which gaogaigar was the best)

[kurthy]

Given that lines are planned out much more than a year in advance, is it possible that Power of the Primes is the result of bad sales in 2016?

That's entirely possible, but that would depend entirely on what happened in 2016. I feel like whatever it was wasn't because of Transformers.

Emerje

I'm trying to think what lines were out in 2016 and I might be wrong but Adventure might have been the problem.

That could be, both Prime and Adventure ended rather abruptly without finishing their shows and toy lines. I'm not so sure that alone would have been enough to suffer such a huge loss, but it couldn't have helped. Probably some combination of failed investments in new toy lines, video games, and anime, or maybe something in their electronics division crashed especially hard. For 2017/2018 they seem to have found some success in their new Tomica Hyper Rescue and Shinkalion franchises. Maybe Japan just prefers their robot cartoons homegrown. Maybe it's time for another Unicron Trilogy?

Emerje

In 2016, they would have also been heavily in the design processes of Diaclone II (a line seriously threatening my bank account) and revamping the MP line, in addition to designing all the heavy retools for UW and Legends. Those might have been heavy capital expenses hitting their books without immediate gains to offset. Just speculating though.