The Energon Pub

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

I agree that Super Ginrai is not perfect (Godbomber even less!) but I'm quite happy with the result. The only things that bugs me it's that knowing in advance they would release a box set with those two figures and the two junior headmasters, I would have waited, not having to buy both so I could finaly get a Minerva figure (even if it's only a headmaster). Even with all the bad press both figures have generated (Ginrai and Godbomber), I still would have been thrilled to add them to my collection. Now I will have two (having preordered the exclusive set with Cab and Minerva) and I will probably keep one in combined mode and the other one in vehicule mode, both on display. If they do however releasea Minerva figure on her own in a few months, then I will be royaly pissed But again, I will also remind myself that nobody forced my hands to buy those sets in the first place.

weird how they never included/repainted Minimus Ambus/Alpha Trion as Minerva(YES! you lose the headmaster ability there! but it could've worked.....maybe )

speaking of repaints.....& since people have been talking of PMOP/Ginrai lately....i'd rather have that repainted(& retooling of the TM of course) as Elita One

So I wasn't the only one contemplating a Powermaster Elita One. Awesome. Ideally she would look more distinct (New mold for preference, but if done as a PMOP redeco and retool I would want differently colored and adorned trailer sides, new forearms or the Ginrai ones, a cab somewhat resembling her show altmode, and a new chestplate to go with it. Also, reversible knees because that mold is in dire need of reversible knees for the sake of base mode. And more 5mm ports for attaching Titan Master vehicle weapons.)

[Kurona]

Courtesy of fellow board member RodimusConvoy13, we now know that TakaraTomy Mall has finally put up a listing for the much-awaited God Ginrai giftset - a set containing their previous releases Super Ginrai and Godbomber, along with two new exclusive Titan Masters in Minerva and Cab from the Masterforce series. Along with the listing, they have of course uploaded a small batch of images; allowing us to see the Minerva and Cab Titan Masters in their 'robot' modes - though unfortunately not their head modes. In addition, it shows that the sword, chestplate and shoulder cannon of Godbomber have been done up in chrome, while the windows on Ginrai's cab are now clear plastic. This giftset is to be released in November of this year for 17,280 Yen; or $155 in American currency. Check out the pre-order here, check out the images below, and check out our forums for discussion!

[william-james88]

SHOW US THE DAMN FACES TAKARA!!!!!

[kurthy]

SHOW US THE DAMN FACES TAKARA!!!!!

Takara is great at trolling fans!

[Rated X]

I just got my god ginrai so im good. If the titans came with vehicles to interact with I would feel cheated. But Im not into swapping heads with bodies that dont belong to them so no big loss. One thing I would assume is that reversing the paint scheme on the cab part leaves a lot more room for paint imperfections. Before you had a few blue paint apps (windows) over a red plastic cab part. Now youre gonna have red paint all over a clear blue plastic cab part just for the sake of clear windows. I see lots of messy paint errors coming out the factory. As a huge buyer of takara figures, I can tell you the paint isnt always as perfect as you would expect for double the price of Hasbro versions. And whats funny is that this reissue means that "Magnus Prime" and the inevitable god bomber US release box set will be worthless for those scalpers who like to break up sets and sell em...lol.

[william-james88]

I can tell you the paint isnt always as perfect as you would expect for double the price of Hasbro versions.

Takara toys cost more for US fans because of extra importing fees, it has nothing to do with the paint apps.
For example, Legends Sixshot costs $54 in Japan, which is faaaar from double the cost of Hasbro.

http://www.amiami.com/top/detail/detail ... 1&rank=ctg

[Sabrblade]

So glad I waited for this and didn't immediately jump on the first two releases. Now I just need to get the Wheelie/Goshooter set to have Shuta to go with Cab and Minerva.

[OptimalOptimus2]

Wow. This entire giftset is AWESOME!
Too bad it might be a while before I can actually get it.

[G1OPT1MU5PR1M3]

Even though that chrome is from the original godbomber, I just want the chrome sword. Im quite sure that metallic paint will scratch off very easy.
Phenomenal price though

[grimdragon2001]

that set looks gourgeous, looks like im going to be double dipping on these guys after all

[-Kanrabat-]

SHOW US THE DAMN FACES TAKARA!!!!!

Like we say in québécois,
TAKARA BANDE D'AGACES-PISSETTES!

[Nemesis Destron]

So in summation Takara you can have my money for this set it. I shall then keep my Super Ginrai in convoy mode thus figuring out what the hell to do with the future arrival of Magnus Prime.

[-Kanrabat-]

I can tell you the paint isnt always as perfect as you would expect for double the price of Hasbro versions.

Takara toys cost more for US fans because of extra importing fees, it has nothing to do with the paint apps.
For example, Legends Sixshot costs $54 in Japan, which is faaaar from double the cost of Hasbro.

http://www.amiami.com/top/detail/detail ... 1&rank=ctg

And I can tell the same thing for us Canadian who import all American goods. Exchange + hig shipping, + surprise custom fees can amount to TRIPLE or QUADRUPLE the original cost.

Like, eh, it's all a matter of perspective.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Anyone know if the giftset Ginrai was retooled to have reversible knees?

[Jelze Bunnycat]

I just want the two Headmaster Jrs., I could source the other two via other means... which means waiting until Hasbro actually releases that Magic Mushroom.

Anyone know if the giftset Ginrai was retooled to have reversible knees?

You're gonna have to explain that one.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

I just want the two Headmaster Jrs., I could source the other two via other means... which means waiting until Hasbro actually releases that Magic Mushroom.

Anyone know if the giftset Ginrai was retooled to have reversible knees?

You're gonna have to explain that one.

Knees that bend forward as well as backward. The PMOP/Super Ginrai mold desperately needs them for the sake of the base mode. As-is, the ramps are stuck pointing backward and running under the "towers" made by the arms, which A. reduces the resemblance to the original PMOP's base mode and B. impairs their function. With reversible knees the base mode decks could be rotated 90 degrees outward. This would not only improve the resemblance, it would also provide better clearance for stuff to drive up and down the ramps.

[Overcracker]

PMOP can already do that:



I'm pretty sure Ginrai can do the same.

[Rated X]

I can tell you the paint isnt always as perfect as you would expect for double the price of Hasbro versions.

Takara toys cost more for US fans because of extra importing fees, it has nothing to do with the paint apps.
For example, Legends Sixshot costs $54 in Japan, which is faaaar from double the cost of Hasbro.

http://www.amiami.com/top/detail/detail ... 1&rank=ctg

Weve been through this debate before. Whether the extra cost in incurred through import fees, price gouging, or Japans gift to the sky gods, its still double the amount of money coming out of my pocket for a piece of plastic that does the same thing.

And the reason I dont really buy into the "import fees" theory is because the toys are all made from the same molds. The crates of takara figures BBTS and TFSource recieve never touch Japanese soil. They get shipped from the Chinese factory they were made directly to the US. Thats right, the same exact route on the same cargo ship or plane that the hasbro crates get to the US. So that import fee excuse is TOTAL BULLS**T. Its called PRICE GOUGING...Japanese writing on a box doesnt mean its made in Japan. Its made in China and shipped to the US at the same cost that the hasbro figures get shipped to the US. Open your eyes my brother....its price gouging.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Oh, there probably is price-gouging by BBTS, but import fees are doubtless still a factor. Even if the crates never touched Japanese soil, being the Japanese edition presumably qualifies them as a foreign product and thus subjects them to import fees (which are basically protectionist tariffs) tacked on to the freight cost. Same kind of thing that inflates shipping from Canada to the US and from the US to Canada.

Overcracker, the only part of my description that mode matches is the part about giving the ramps better clearance for things to drive up and down . Admittedly it's an improvement on the base mode in the official instructions for PMOP (which is what I have. The only Japanese import I've ever gotten was Encore Ratchet, because I found him MISB on eBay for $20 shipped), but it's not exactly what I was talking about. It doesn't involve the knees bending 90 degrees forwards (which they cannot do) or really improve the resemblance to the original PMOP base mode

[william-james88]

Weve been through this debate before. Whether the extra cost in incurred through import fees, price gouging, or Japans gift to the sky gods, its still double the amount of money coming out of my pocket for a piece of plastic that does the same thing.

Sure, but your theory is that there are evil mail men who conspire to make toys exclusive to certain nations so that people must pay them more to ship them. Its nonsense.

Just contracts, really. Takara toys can only be bought in japan, so anyone in the US has to pay shipping. For Hasbro toys, they cover the shipping to america, since they distribute the product there, so retailers dont have to fork out added costs. Thats it.

It's the same in reverse. Since Hasbro toys cant be sold directly to japanese people, they must also be imported, so a japanese fans ends up paying $100 for Titans Return Octane and Blitzwing together

http://www.redmercury.co.jp/shop/detail ... -RED-14033


And @ Zelda, I really like your avatar!

[Kurona]

Weren't there also Japanese fans clamouring for Hasbro-exclusive CW stuff like Offroad and G2 Bruticus? How much could they expect to fork out for those?

[Rated X]

Weve been through this debate before. Whether the extra cost in incurred through import fees, price gouging, or Japans gift to the sky gods, its still double the amount of money coming out of my pocket for a piece of plastic that does the same thing.

Sure, but your theory is that there are evil mail men who conspire to make toys exclusive to certain nations so that people must pay them more to ship them. Its nonsense.

Just contracts, really. Takara toys can only be bought in japan, so anyone in the US has to pay shipping. For Hasbro toys, they cover the shipping to america, since they distribute the product there, so retailers dont have to fork out added costs. Thats it.

It's the same in reverse. Since Hasbro toys cant be sold directly to japanese people, they must also be imported, so a japanese fans ends up paying $100 for Titans Return Octane and Blitzwing together

http://www.redmercury.co.jp/shop/detail ... -RED-14033


And @ Zelda, I really like your avatar!

I never said anything about evil mail men or conspiracy theories so dont try to put words in my mouth.

Youre theory completely defies all logic from a corporate standpoint. Youre talking as if you have copies of takara contracts translated in the palm of your hand and know exactly what they do just because. You have offered no proof that the Chinese based factory jointly owned by Hasbro/Takara spends double the money to ship pallets of toys to Japan only to be put on another boat and be shipped to the US. That defies all logic. It would be millions in wasted revenue on shipping large trailer sized crates twice instead of once. Remember Hasbro Asia owns the molds, takara just uses them and packs their figures in carboard with Japanese writing.

Still think all pallets of Takara products touch Japanese soil before beginning their journey to the US and other countries?

Then please explain how a bunch of Takara Chromedome heads got packaged with Hasbro bodies and sent to the US?

This is proof that both Takara and Hasbro figures are made in the same factory by the same people in China. While that alone doesnt directly proce your double shipping costs theory wrong, it doesnt prove it right either. Thats where using good old fashioned logic comes in handy. Its not about "evil mail men" or Japanese conspiracy theories. Its about smart business practices and cost reduction. It just MAKES SENSE from a business standpoint. Takara owns their products made in China even if they never touch Japanese soil. They can ship them from wherever they choose to cut costs. Its their property.

The only thing you proved in the past to me with your news connections is that takara products sell in Japanese retail outlets for the same price as hasbro versions when you translate the currency to US dollars. And I gave you credit for that. (Even though they were selling takara animated figures for $35 US dollars a pop the one time I was physically in a Japanese airport briefly to catch a connecting flight to the Philippines ) Ill give you the benefit of the doubt on that one and assume the airport gift shop was gouging the prices for tourists, not Takara themselves.

But just do yourself a favor and kill the talk about conspiracy theories, my friend. Uless you can provide a copy of Takara shipping contracts that offer definitive proof where they can and cant ship the property they paid for, dont say you know. The only thing we can do is refer to smart business practices. Hasbro/Takara is known for finding ways to cut costs and increase profits, so one can only assume that they are smart enough not to waste millions by paying for shipping twice.

[william-james88]

Weren't there also Japanese fans clamouring for Hasbro-exclusive CW stuff like Offroad and G2 Bruticus? How much could they expect to fork out for those?

yes there were, the G2 combiner sets sold for around the $200 price point in japan, so double the US price point. And they were completely sold out while those same sets for half the price stagnated on US websites. Its like few fans in the US cared that they had gorgeously painted Hasbro exclusives, but Japan was like " holy ****, a gorgeously painted Hasbro exclusive, I must have NOW!"



Japan fans are also buying hasbro Skyshadow for $100

http://www.redmercury.co.jp/shop/detail ... =RED-13807

Its pretty much the flip side of Us fans buying Super Jinrai for the same amount in the US.

[Ultra Mad]

Weren't there also Japanese fans clamouring for Hasbro-exclusive CW stuff like Offroad and G2 Bruticus? How much could they expect to fork out for those?

yes there were, the G2 combiner sets sold for around the $200 price point in japan, so double the US price point. And they were completely sold out while those same sets for half the price stagnated on US websites. Its like few fans in the US cared that they had gorgeously painted Hasbro exclusives, but Japan was like " holy ****, a gorgeously painted Hasbro exclusive, I must have NOW!"



Japan fans are also buying hasbro Skyshadow for $100

http://www.redmercury.co.jp/shop/detail ... =RED-13807

Its pretty much the flip side of Us fans buying Super Jinrai for the same amount in the US.

That is fun to know. To better demonstrate on how some of those sets are still on the shelves, I saw one yesterday (the G2 Aerialbots) on discount at my local Walmart.

[william-james88]

That is fun to know. To better demonstrate on how some of those sets are still on the shelves, I saw one yesterday (the G2 Aerialbots) on discount at my local Walmart.

We tend to not see how lucky we are with hasbro exclusives and always feel the grass is greener. But even now in the Legends line, we dont know if there will be a Sky Shadow, Krok, Raodburn or Quake, just to name a few. So all these fans in japan who are into obscure hasbro only stuff (just as there are fans here who are into more obscure JG1 stuff we didnt get here) will not be getting them and will be stuck having to import them.

I can also easily imagine how different boards would have been if Hasbro had not done those G2 combiners and instead Takara released them all as UW EX Takara tomy mall exclusives.