william-james88 wrote:We are not too far off from what each of us are saying, and I think we agree on most points, just saying it differently.
And I also wanted to point out that while a TTMall exclusive may have a numbered limit of units, that number does not include the Asia release. Hence why I find the description on some sites kind of sleazy, confusing fans into thinking their product is more limited than it really is. TFSource writing they are selling a TTMall exclusive is like TRU in Canada writing on their Star Wars BB8 listing that its a Target exclusive.
That was pretty much all I really meant in all this. You are welcome to reply as I love talking about the intricacies of how exclusive something is or not (and the economy behind that) but please know that we are on the same side here.
Rated X wrote:Do you really believe "Takara Tomy Mall" is a brick and mortar store in Japan? Can someone show me a picture of this magical Disney-like store that only sells Takara products? How many of them are there? What are the names of the malls are they located in?
I dont think the term "Takara Tomy Mall" has anything to do with brick and mortar stores or even malls for that matter. I think its just a monkier they use in Japan that means only certain hobby stores will carry it, not toy stores. And of course the hobby stores are going to jack up the cost to collector prices and set the standard all online retailers will follow.
I think earlier one member nailed it when he pointed out "Hasbro Asia" made UW Defensor into a retail product and are doing the same thing with MP Ramjet. I wouldnt be suprised if the only difference between a "Takara Tomy Mall" exclusive and a "Hasbro Asia" release is the packaging in most cases. Remember the factory is in China, not Japan. So technically, the Japanese can choose to segregate whichever molds they please and label them as "exclusives" to jack up the cost when distributing them throughout Japan.
I think we as non-Japanese collectors loose a lot in translation when we try to interpret what they do and why they do it. This is my personal opinion on the difference between the two monkiers:
Takara: Available everywhere throughout Japan in brick and mortar stores.
Takara Tomy Mall: Only sold in Japanese hobby shops for collectors at collectors prices. (kind of like E-Hobby and Millions Publishing exclusives)
william-james88 wrote:steals_your_goats wrote:Stuartmaximus wrote:here....do you think Takara will give us a Shockwave repaint as Air Raid? the same way they did with the FOC figure!
now YES granted we've already got a CW Air Raid Arielbot! so it's a stretch asking them to give us the same character TWICE!
but it was just an idea.
Didn't Hasbro release the air raid version? But no, no I do not think they will do that
Yes, Hasbro released it. It was different for takara, shockwave was even in another totally different line (arms micron).
william-james88 wrote:I think I will take the boat option.
That Bot wrote:
You must have the patience of the gods if you're willing to wait for the international ferry shipment. For big stuff like this I tend to just bite the bullet and go EMS. A few weeks is acceptable, but months? Egads no, I want my stuff sooner than THAT. And the other options are comparable in price so it makes more sense to just pay a little extra for EMS and have it here within a week.
xMXUx wrote:Should I preorder UW Bruticus now or is it safe to wait till color pictures show up?
Shuttershock wrote:Cheeky. Wrong Battlecharger, but cheeky nonetheless.
shajaki wrote:Y'know. The complaints about the arms in shuttle mode.... I don't get. They don't look that out of place to me. They're not at intrusive as say, a certain autobot helicopter.
I mean Blades of course.
(Primus praise Alpha Bravo)
-Kanrabat- wrote:Not only that, but 3 months? In case of any problems, it will be pass the 45 days to make any Paypal claims so you'll get screwed.
Will, just bite the bullet and pay the extra 15$.
shajaki wrote:Y'know. The complaints about the arms in shuttle mode.... I don't get. They don't look that out of place to me. They're not at intrusive as say, a certain autobot helicopter.
I mean Blades of course.
(Primus praise Alpha Bravo)
Noideaforaname wrote:They swapped the positions of the windows and circle vent thingies, making it look really un-shuttle-like.
william-james88 wrote:Also be weary of hope in this hobby. Hope is just undiscovered disappointment.
Agamemnon, barebacked rider of flying robo-dragon, and not often constipated either...My nephew wrote:Bacon is meat candy.
Agamemnon wrote:shajaki wrote:Y'know. The complaints about the arms in shuttle mode.... I don't get. They don't look that out of place to me. They're not at intrusive as say, a certain autobot helicopter.
I mean Blades of course.
(Primus praise Alpha Bravo)
I think it might have been disappointment at not having the arms as part of the shuttle nose, like early art showed. At least, that was part of my disappointment...Noideaforaname wrote:They swapped the positions of the windows and circle vent thingies, making it look really un-shuttle-like.
Yeah, I noticed that too. The reaction control thrusters on the nose are now above the cabin windows. That wouldn't work well for the shuttle as that space us actually used for windows to look out the top of the shuttle. It's especially helpful when using the remote arm to deal with payloads and such. I'm actually surprised at this lack of attention to detail. I've come to expect more from Takara, I guess...
hinomars19 wrote:Agamemnon wrote:shajaki wrote:Y'know. The complaints about the arms in shuttle mode.... I don't get. They don't look that out of place to me. They're not at intrusive as say, a certain autobot helicopter.
I mean Blades of course.
(Primus praise Alpha Bravo)
I think it might have been disappointment at not having the arms as part of the shuttle nose, like early art showed. At least, that was part of my disappointment...Noideaforaname wrote:They swapped the positions of the windows and circle vent thingies, making it look really un-shuttle-like.
Yeah, I noticed that too. The reaction control thrusters on the nose are now above the cabin windows. That wouldn't work well for the shuttle as that space us actually used for windows to look out the top of the shuttle. It's especially helpful when using the remote arm to deal with payloads and such. I'm actually surprised at this lack of attention to detail. I've come to expect more from Takara, I guess...
I think it's a compromise to achieve the accurate look of the robot chest. It is a bit silly, but that's the sad thing about many of the G1 toy to animation model conversions-the 'engineering' of the transformation was ignored. I'd personaly also prefer a more toy accurate Blast-Off, but I admire TT for giving us the very first 'toon accurate combaticon They've done quite a lot of work for something that isn't in the MP line, imo
Cobotron wrote:Hey! You seemed to have attracted a wild Megatronus. They're hard to find, but boy are they fun when you catch one!
megatronus wrote:Agreed!
It also looks (just looks - I don't know for certain) that Blast Off's engineering is at least partially based on other CW deluxe figures, which saves on costs but pigeonholes them a bit.
Someone please correct me if I'm completely off about that.
Agamemnon wrote:Yeah, I noticed that too. The reaction control thrusters on the nose are now above the cabin windows. That wouldn't work well for the shuttle as that space us actually used for windows to look out the top of the shuttle. It's especially helpful when using the remote arm to deal with payloads and such. I'm actually surprised at this lack of attention to detail. I've come to expect more from Takara, I guess...
hinomars19 wrote: They've done quite a lot of work for something that isn't in the MP line, imo
bvzxa wrote:I'm sick of Hasbro because they force you into their web of deceit. Price points have gone up; quality went down. Hasbro is ok for a kid who's parent(s) doesn't know better and sees "collect all 5" to make big robot.
Now here I come, a collector. What do I see, I nanny brown jet...NO WAY?!?! Another repaint without even a remolded head sculpt? Seriously damn man how many times you gonna use the jet mold now.
In the past I have given Hasbro credit for most of CHUG, with exceptions for Megatron and Astrotrain, I like what they had to offer. Only think Takara id was improve on paint and details so most changes were minor at best, exceptions again for Megatron and Astrotrain.
We get here and the Aerialbots and Stunticons were bascially the blueprint for the entire line...you see what they did now.
Also after owning Hasbro Aerialbots and owning Takars's version at the same time, the quality is just plain better.
Since we're on cost if you bought the Hasbro Aerialbot 5 minus Quickslinger, you spent $91. If you blinked and missed the release of Quickslinger, you are spending an additional $35 for him. So if you're not a fan of Alpha Bravo the better choice is Takara. The paints are a matte finish over the gloss so the details stand out more. I admit when I first got the Hasbro set I thought it was a pretty good job, but the paint apps on Takara are just right.
Again molding aside, Takara wins for value and price. As they say you get what you pay for this time around.
So if they do release right now Deluxe Groove, you know he's gonna sell out and then he's gonna go up in price if you missed the release you're going to be paying more in a sense to have accuracy for you Hasbro set.
Just like CW Devastator if you want accuracy you have to spend at least $70 for two upgrade sets to complete the look. This is just bad comedy. Takara FTW!!
This is what separates the men from the crying boys.
bvzxa wrote:I'm sick of Hasbro because they force you into their web of deceit. Price points have gone up; quality went down. Hasbro is ok for a kid who's parent(s) doesn't know better and sees "collect all 5" to make big robot.
Now here I come, a collector. What do I see, I nanny brown jet...NO WAY?!?! Another repaint without even a remolded head sculpt? Seriously damn man how many times you gonna use the jet mold now.
In the past I have given Hasbro credit for most of CHUG, with exceptions for Megatron and Astrotrain, I like what they had to offer. Only think Takara id was improve on paint and details so most changes were minor at best, exceptions again for Megatron and Astrotrain.
We get here and the Aerialbots and Stunticons were bascially the blueprint for the entire line...you see what they did now.
Also after owning Hasbro Aerialbots and owning Takars's version at the same time, the quality is just plain better.
Since we're on cost if you bought the Hasbro Aerialbot 5 minus Quickslinger, you spent $91. If you blinked and missed the release of Quickslinger, you are spending an additional $35 for him. So if you're not a fan of Alpha Bravo the better choice is Takara. The paints are a matte finish over the gloss so the details stand out more. I admit when I first got the Hasbro set I thought it was a pretty good job, but the paint apps on Takara are just right.
Again molding aside, Takara wins for value and price. As they say you get what you pay for this time around.
So if they do release right now Deluxe Groove, you know he's gonna sell out and then he's gonna go up in price if you missed the release you're going to be paying more in a sense to have accuracy for you Hasbro set.
Just like CW Devastator if you want accuracy you have to spend at least $70 for two upgrade sets to complete the look. This is just bad comedy. Takara FTW!!
This is what separates the men from the crying boys.
Genericon #378 wrote:Exactly what the hell is a nanny brown jet?
bvzxa wrote:william-james88 wrote:While I am completely happy to see everyone liking Combiner Wars, objectively speaking this is not Hasbro's best line in terms of quality and value for your buck. For the same prices (counting inflation), the RID 2001 line gave us some insane engineering, heavy use of clear plastic, lots of paint, rubber wheels and projectiles. There was also the animated line which gave us amazing designs and very unique transformations. Then there was the Cybertron/Galaxy Force line which is probably the peak for style and simplicity for toys, making the toys perfect for both collectors and kids. Simple without it sacrificing anything, and loads of details (plus projectiles, clear plastic, nice paint jobs, big heavy toys, sounds and electronics ect).
There are lots more lines like this and the year 2010 was just insane. I cant believe that 6 years ago you could get HFTD Leader Starscream for the same price people are getting Leader Megatron or Ultra Magnus today, it feels like another era. Hell, forget Magnus, he cost the same as CW Leader Starscream. I think I am going to start a fit, call the men in the white coats!
While CW is a super fun line with an excellent combiner port system, there is less value when looking at the diversity in designs and materials, plus the lack of added value for the leader class toys. Doesnt mean its a bad line at all, it is leagues better than FOC. But I would not call this the golden age either. It was discussed more in depth here: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=105951&p=1747589&hilit=golden+age#p1747479
In short, think about it guys, Classics Prime is a better voyager Prime figure than CW Prime and that toy came out 10 years ago.
You are speaking of RID, that was all Takara designs from one year before with Car Robots or "Transformers 2000" as it was unofficially dubbed on the internet because Car Robots would show up with Carrots in searches.
The RID versions of X-Brawn, Prowl , and Sideburn differ from their Takara counterparts. With X-Brawn he lacked tailights and headlights in car mode. The paints were ok but not quite as clean as the Takara versions. I was pissed. Fire Convoy and RID Prime are the same except the reds are darker on Fire Convoy, but they filled in the hole on the matirx for RID Prime.
CW is a repaint fest of the same 10 molds for the deluxes, and the same 4 voyager molds also share the same. Takara has made the line a bit more enjoyable with all the proper characters and added paint apps.
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