The Energon Pub

[william-james88]

It cant be just a few cases though. Technically this is at least the same demand as Menasor and Superion (probably more due to the exclusive groove figure). And yet the preorders are still available. So there is a large quantity of Defensors that is not exclusive to TTMall floating around somewhere.

[RAR]

The product may be "Exclusive" In Japan but isn't so internationally that would allow BBTS to buy it and potentially allow the China and Australian release too.

But we may not know one way or the other for a while - I might suggest write to some of the US or Asian based transformers internet retailers and ask them one of them might tell you.

[chuckdawg1999]

I am actually wondering something about Takara's Defensor, are the ones available at BBTs the same available at Takaratomy mall, or are they of a seperate China run? Because both MP Skywarp and Thundercracker were takaratomy mall exclusives and very limiited in japan, but there were asia releases that were available and THAT is the version you can buy at BBTS and TFSource. Its even written on the listing:

Thundercracker:

This is the Asian market release of this product

So not the limited Takaratomymall release.

But Defensor's listing at TFSource is the following:

This is a takaratomy mall exclusive set

So are we to assume then that the Defensors we see are actually from the same run as the ones exclusive ot Takaratomy mall? If so, the price difference doesnt make much sense, wouldnt Defensor be more expensive than the markups found on Thundercracker who is not limited in distribution?

If anyone has any theories or incite as to where this defensor is coming from, let me know.

BBTS is probably paying someone in Japan to sit at a computer, and order all of the figures they need, then ship it to them.

[william-james88]

BBTS is probably paying someone in Japan to sit at a computer, and order all of the figures they need, then ship it to them.

The price is too low for that to be the case. Look at how much they are selling thundercracker for (200$) and he isnt even as exclusive as Defensor. Defensor at TTmall is 135$ US while he is 149$ at TFSource. That wouldnt even cover shipping and duty.

And remember that TTMall has thundercracker at 124$ while he is selling everywhere else for 200$ (because they had to resort to the Asian release).

These Defensors were not acquired though TTmall, that is for sure. But it cant be through an asian release because the price is also too low. It must have been gotten directly from takra without going through their retail division.

[chuckdawg1999]

BBTS is probably paying someone in Japan to sit at a computer, and order all of the figures they need, then ship it to them.

The price is too low for that to be the case. Look at how much they are selling thundercracker for (200$) and he isnt even as exclusive as Defensor. Defensor at TTmall is 135$ US while he is 149$ at TFSource. That wouldnt even cover shipping and duty.

And remember that TTMall has thundercracker at 124$ while he is selling everywhere else for 200$ (because they had to resort to the Asian release).

These Defensors were not acquired though TTmall, that is for sure. But it cant be through an asian release because the price is also too low. It must have been gotten directly from takra without going through their retail division.

Stupid question but based on all that is it possible that BBTS can buy directly from Takara?

[fenrir72]

BBTS is probably paying someone in Japan to sit at a computer, and order all of the figures they need, then ship it to them.

The price is too low for that to be the case. Look at how much they are selling thundercracker for (200$) and he isnt even as exclusive as Defensor. Defensor at TTmall is 135$ US while he is 149$ at TFSource. That wouldnt even cover shipping and duty.

And remember that TTMall has thundercracker at 124$ while he is selling everywhere else for 200$ (because they had to resort to the Asian release).

These Defensors were not acquired though TTmall, that is for sure. But it cant be through an asian release because the price is also too low. It must have been gotten directly from takra without going through their retail division.

Stupid question but based on all that is it possible that BBTS can buy directly from Takara?

Anyone tried the simple route instead of speculating? Why not ask BBTS?

[chuckdawg1999]

BBTS is probably paying someone in Japan to sit at a computer, and order all of the figures they need, then ship it to them.

The price is too low for that to be the case. Look at how much they are selling thundercracker for (200$) and he isnt even as exclusive as Defensor. Defensor at TTmall is 135$ US while he is 149$ at TFSource. That wouldnt even cover shipping and duty.

And remember that TTMall has thundercracker at 124$ while he is selling everywhere else for 200$ (because they had to resort to the Asian release).

These Defensors were not acquired though TTmall, that is for sure. But it cant be through an asian release because the price is also too low. It must have been gotten directly from takra without going through their retail division.

Stupid question but based on all that is it possible that BBTS can buy directly from Takara?

Anyone tried the simple route instead of speculating? Why not ask BBTS?

I don't want to speak for anyone else but I kinda figured it's none of our business. How they get the figures sorta falls into that area of never discussing how much somebody makes

[william-james88]

BBTS is probably paying someone in Japan to sit at a computer, and order all of the figures they need, then ship it to them.

The price is too low for that to be the case. Look at how much they are selling thundercracker for (200$) and he isnt even as exclusive as Defensor. Defensor at TTmall is 135$ US while he is 149$ at TFSource. That wouldnt even cover shipping and duty.

And remember that TTMall has thundercracker at 124$ while he is selling everywhere else for 200$ (because they had to resort to the Asian release).

These Defensors were not acquired though TTmall, that is for sure. But it cant be through an asian release because the price is also too low. It must have been gotten directly from takra without going through their retail division.

Stupid question but based on all that is it possible that BBTS can buy directly from Takara?

Anyone tried the simple route instead of speculating? Why not ask BBTS?

I don't want to speak for anyone else but I kinda figured it's none of our business. How they get the figures sorta falls into that area of never discussing how much somebody makes

I kinda agree with that. Also I am not a customer of theirs and they do not know me. It would be fishy of me to ask where they procure these hot items. If someone ever asks, it should be someone that ordered the toy. At least then it would look a bit more legitimate.

And Chuckdawg, I dont think your question is dumb at all. With all the evidence put forward, that is the most likely option. However, that would mean that a reissue would thus not be likely since this would make it a closed loop in terms of distribution with it starting and ending with takara.

[-Kanrabat-]

Hey K

Is your Menasor ratchets floppy/loose? Mine's kind of floppy.....arrgh!

This will give you a clue:



Sigh... Forget having any action poses...

[fenrir72]

@K

So it's endemic to the design then? Figures.

Got to play him just now.

Few points on UW Menasor

First: I'm a TT groupie, not fanatical but I lean towards their releases

Second: Aside from Jetfire, RB,PG and TC legions and Groove,all my figs are TT

Menasor: I love the fig BUT for some issues

Minor: Wished Deadend had an extra yellow stripe like his G1 toy (Ocean Designs might remedy this)

: Runabout keeps falling off

: chrome on those melee weapons (the exhaust pipes especially). TT used bright silver pain but hey, sometimes chrome looks better.

Major: Difficulty in keeping him standing.

: Seems to me like the Original Omega Prime, his fulcrum/center of gravity is not offset by a stable base. OP (the JP version anyway) was more stable due to the tight ratchets. Also compard to Silverbolt, the design allows for the center of gravity to be evenly distributed and the design itself makes him a more stable combiner torso.

: Mm, though having the updated thigh ratchets tends to be back heavy as Menasor.

: Clip pegs that lock on to his groin during super mode are too short, keeps on popping off leading to further instability

: If I follow the official position of the limbs, with the car parts facing you, the floppiness is really annoying. When I rotated them 45 degress opposite, kind of stabilized the stance

: If I follow the G1 style with the under belly of the vehicles/limbs facing you, stability issues gone but articulation further limited.

: Maybe an extra locking mechanism on his hip area to prevent him from splitting the legs further?

: Shoulder pegs in Menasor mode is also kind of short. try twisting them up or down and they dislodge.

: Non ratched "elbows"/knees of the limb bots. Same with Superion btw.

The awesomesauce!

Color/plastics : hands down

Package:

Base design: At first, I thought Menasor's head looked weird. Images don't do him justice. Though PE G1 head looks equally great, might buy it too but the original head is a good update

: The rest of the gang equally cartoon derylicious

Buy(?): If you can get passed the issues I mentioned......go for it.

Edit: I also own RB,Jetfire Legends.

[william-james88]

So Menasor cant pose? Can't stand. Maybe you should try a different hip formation.

You should try this:

[Hellscream9999]

So Menasor cant pose? Can't stand. Maybe you should try a different hip formation.

You should try this:

Technically, that's just standing His weight will not allow for any basic poses from my experience

[Autobot032]

I want that Deluxe Class Groove so bad... C'mon Takara Defensor...let's go! (Can't wait to see their Bruticus. Oh man.)

I'm not sure what I'll do with my US Defensor, yet. I may mix and match the figures I feel look better or feel better, then sell off the rest. Me, personally, I kinda like the US version of Streetwise a bit more than the Japan version. The US version, while a bit flashy, mixes it up a bit more.

[Hellscream9999]

I want that Deluxe Class Groove so bad... C'mon Takara Defensor...let's go! (Can't wait to see their Bruticus. Oh man.)

I'm not sure what I'll do with my US Defensor, yet. I may mix and match the figures I feel look better or feel better, then sell off the rest. Me, personally, I kinda like the US version of Streetwise a bit more than the Japan version. The US version, while a bit flashy, mixes it up a bit more.

You could do the ultra-d!ck move of swapping the TT painted wheels onto the hasbro figures you keep, like hasbro's hotspot for the much more highly painted torso, keep small groove and rook and get rid of the rest

[SW's SilverHammer]

I want that Deluxe Class Groove so bad... C'mon Takara Defensor...let's go! (Can't wait to see their Bruticus. Oh man.)

I'm not sure what I'll do with my US Defensor, yet. I may mix and match the figures I feel look better or feel better, then sell off the rest. Me, personally, I kinda like the US version of Streetwise a bit more than the Japan version. The US version, while a bit flashy, mixes it up a bit more.

You could do the ultra-d!ck move of swapping the TT painted wheels onto the hasbro figures you keep, like hasbro's hotspot for the much more highly painted torso, keep small groove and rook and get rid of the rest

I'm telling you, double groove formation.

[Hellscream9999]

I want that Deluxe Class Groove so bad... C'mon Takara Defensor...let's go! (Can't wait to see their Bruticus. Oh man.)

I'm not sure what I'll do with my US Defensor, yet. I may mix and match the figures I feel look better or feel better, then sell off the rest. Me, personally, I kinda like the US version of Streetwise a bit more than the Japan version. The US version, while a bit flashy, mixes it up a bit more.

You could do the ultra-d!ck move of swapping the TT painted wheels onto the hasbro figures you keep, like hasbro's hotspot for the much more highly painted torso, keep small groove and rook and get rid of the rest

I'm telling you, double groove formation.

Dude, I know! In all seriousness, I would love five (unique) junkions from 4 limb-grooves, and chest-groove; it would be so cool, but seeing rook use small-groove as a melee weapon is hilarious too

[Autobot032]

I want that Deluxe Class Groove so bad... C'mon Takara Defensor...let's go! (Can't wait to see their Bruticus. Oh man.)

I'm not sure what I'll do with my US Defensor, yet. I may mix and match the figures I feel look better or feel better, then sell off the rest. Me, personally, I kinda like the US version of Streetwise a bit more than the Japan version. The US version, while a bit flashy, mixes it up a bit more.

You could do the ultra-d!ck move of swapping the TT painted wheels onto the hasbro figures you keep, like hasbro's hotspot for the much more highly painted torso, keep small groove and rook and get rid of the rest

I don't think I could do that to someone. I'd sell 'em as is, just swap out the figures I do want. (Personally, I prefer the deco on the US Hot Spot. The Japan one is just...I dunno.)

My list is as follows:

H. Streetwise
T. Groove (of course)
T. First Aid (he stands out to me, for some reason)
H. Blades
H. Hot Spot

I'd probably get rid of Rook and the other Groove. I'm not a big fan of either, I only really bought them so my Defensor would be complete.

[Hellscream9999]

I want that Deluxe Class Groove so bad... C'mon Takara Defensor...let's go! (Can't wait to see their Bruticus. Oh man.)

I'm not sure what I'll do with my US Defensor, yet. I may mix and match the figures I feel look better or feel better, then sell off the rest. Me, personally, I kinda like the US version of Streetwise a bit more than the Japan version. The US version, while a bit flashy, mixes it up a bit more.

You could do the ultra-d!ck move of swapping the TT painted wheels onto the hasbro figures you keep, like hasbro's hotspot for the much more highly painted torso, keep small groove and rook and get rid of the rest

I don't think I could do that to someone. I'd sell 'em as is, just swap out the figures I do want. (Personally, I prefer the deco on the US Hot Spot. The Japan one is just...I dunno.)

My list is as follows:

H. Streetwise
T. Groove (of course)
T. First Aid (he stands out to me, for some reason)
H. Blades
H. Hot Spot

I'd probably get rid of Rook and the other Groove. I'm not a big fan of either, I only really bought them so my Defensor would be complete.

Yeah, TT's Defensor is completely unpainted, shame someone went to all the effort to design it, just to have it ignored by TT for a quick buck

Personally, I like small-groove and rook, I think rooks head is a little, iffy, but he looks absolutely murderous with mirages sword plugged in on hand and ironhides ax plugged into the other

[fenrir72]

So Menasor cant pose? Can't stand. Maybe you should try a different hip formation.

You should try this:

You still managed to clip those panels on his hip to keep them(legs) spread out? Menasor reminds me of a tree ready to fall down go BOOM!

Any pose really needs assistance/support. Still, for that price, I can live with it.Though how this glaringly overt issue managed to escape the designers during R & D is quite disappointing. Shades of head droop IH.

[Hellscream9999]

So Menasor cant pose? Can't stand. Maybe you should try a different hip formation.

You still managed to clip those panels on his hip to keep them(legs) spread out? Menasor reminds me of a tree ready to fall down go BOOM!

Any pose really needs assistance/support. Still, for that price, I can live with it.Though how this glaringly overt issue managed to escape the designers during R & D is quite disappointing. Shades of head droop IH.

If I had to guess, he was the first one that was designed, the ball jointed neck, weight, and lack of cleverness point me towards this conclusion. Had they the money and time, I feel that they would've circled back around and re-redesigned him from the ground up.

I would love a new version, I don't even care if mm has to be a long nose truck to accomplish this, I would buy a renovated mm, o/p, and not nova prime in a better mold in a heartbeat



...but while we're on the topic of sturdy poses, can we discuss how a breeze actually knocks over generations arcee...

[fenrir72]

BBTS is probably paying someone in Japan to sit at a computer, and order all of the figures they need, then ship it to them.

The price is too low for that to be the case. Look at how much they are selling thundercracker for (200$) and he isnt even as exclusive as Defensor. Defensor at TTmall is 135$ US while he is 149$ at TFSource. That wouldnt even cover shipping and duty.

And remember that TTMall has thundercracker at 124$ while he is selling everywhere else for 200$ (because they had to resort to the Asian release).

These Defensors were not acquired though TTmall, that is for sure. But it cant be through an asian release because the price is also too low. It must have been gotten directly from takra without going through their retail division.

Stupid question but based on all that is it possible that BBTS can buy directly from Takara?

Anyone tried the simple route instead of speculating? Why not ask BBTS?

I don't want to speak for anyone else but I kinda figured it's none of our business. How they get the figures sorta falls into that area of never discussing how much somebody makes

I kinda agree with that. Also I am not a customer of theirs and they do not know me. It would be fishy of me to ask where they procure these hot items. If someone ever asks, it should be someone that ordered the toy. At least then it would look a bit more legitimate.

And Chuckdawg, I dont think your question is dumb at all. With all the evidence put forward, that is the most likely option. However, that would mean that a reissue would thus not be likely since this would make it a closed loop in terms of distribution with it starting and ending with takara.

But you are a seibertron staff. This is kind of news worthy.

[fenrir72]

Not a rumor!

I have an email from a very trusted source that UW Guardian will come with a collectors coin. (@ mods, I'll only show the email to you guys if requests it so as not to compromise the source)

So, if it comes with a coin, then there's a batch for the Asian market and another for the Japan centric market only. Unless TT Japan is starting to release those coins for Japan as well.

[william-james88]

Not a rumor!

I have an email from a very trusted source that UW Guardian will come with a collectors coin. (@ mods, I'll only show the email to you guys if requests it so as not to compromise the source)

So, if it comes with a coin, then there's a batch for the Asian market and another for the Japan centric market only. Unless TT Japan is starting to release those coins for Japan as well.

Wait, the answer was staring us in the face this whole time. This is the title of the listing on robot kingdom:

Transformers Takaratomy Mall Exclusive United Warriors UW-03 Guardian with Exclusive Coin!.Preorder. Available in November 2015.

So yeah, people who ordered from online retail will be getting this version and not the japan exclusive version. And the price fits as bbts has always been just about 10-20$ more than robot kingdom on these.

[fenrir72]

Not a rumor!

I have an email from a very trusted source that UW Guardian will come with a collectors coin. (@ mods, I'll only show the email to you guys if requests it so as not to compromise the source)

So, if it comes with a coin, then there's a batch for the Asian market and another for the Japan centric market only. Unless TT Japan is starting to release those coins for Japan as well.

Wait, the answer was staring us in the face this whole time. This is the title of the listing on robot kingdom:

Transformers Takaratomy Mall Exclusive United Warriors UW-03 Guardian with Exclusive Coin!.Preorder. Available in November 2015.

So yeah, people who ordered from online retail will be getting this version and not the japan exclusive version. And the price fits as bbts has always been just about 10-20$ more than robot kingdom on these.

TT just can't neglect the Asian market. Especially China.

[Zeedust]

I apologize if this is a bad thing to ask or a bad time to ask it, but has anyone, in or out of Japan, received their Grand Scourge yet? If so, is there any word on whether it has the fixed hips Battle Core Prime has?