The Energon Pub

ZeroWolf wrote:Takara did Devy as UW because that was there thing at the time, Predaking iirc was released as part of Power of the Primes in Japan. Thus Predaking would be the first Titan Class Selects release if they went that route.

He was, unchanged at that unlike Devastator with his improved joints. It would be a really big gamble however. God Neptune, Volcanicon 2.0 and the upcoming team may be to test out the waters before going for something that big. Who knows? Should everything sell really well we may see a Titan Class Black Zarak yet

God Neptune, as well as the previously released UW Baldigus I'm sure are/were popular despite being repaints, because they are NEW characters , in that they haven't been released in recent years. Despite Volcanicus new shiny paint and new accessories, it's still the same toy. I don't think it is wise on TT part to release Volcanicus again (nor Abominus if the end of the most recent manga is any indication).

Brand Unification was shoved down our throats in 2018/PotP, with no indication that something like this could ever be possible. I don't know how many times I have to say, the great thing about UW sets was, knowing they were coming, so you didn't have to waste money buying 2 of everything. If these had come out even within 12 months of the PotP releases, as opposed to 3 years, I might not have been as disappointed, but 3 years is just too late, especially asking fans who (if paid retail) almost $100 to get Volcanicus, now you want us to drop another $200? ...Of course some fans are probably scrambling to sell their Hasbro versions on eBay now to recoup some of that, but it's just frustrating.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love a Black Zarak, but if this pattern continues, it seems more likely we will get a "More Headmasters Accurate" ER Scorponok with all the weapons and accessories in 2023 before we get Black Zarak.

Because brought them up, I'd love to see Baldigus reissued. I think that combiner and Scourge are the only bad guys I am missing from RiD2001, and I would have enjoyed that set with the 4 bladed helicopter and Computron combiner hands/feet.

I also regret passing UW Computron, almost entirely for Nosecone and Scattorshot of that release. Rest I was good with.

I wish they'd do some sort of Grand Galvatron reissue too, Ugh

o.supreme wrote:Brand Unification was shoved down our throats in 2018/PotP, with no indication that something like this could ever be possible. I don't know how many times I have to say, the great thing about UW sets was, knowing they were coming, so you didn't have to waste money buying 2 of everything. If these had come out even within 12 months of the PotP releases, as opposed to 3 years, I might not have been as disappointed, but 3 years is just too late, especially asking fans who (if paid retail) almost $100 to get Volcanicus, now you want us to drop another $200? ...Of course some fans are probably scrambling to sell their Hasbro versions on eBay now to recoup some of that, but it's just frustrating.

Thing is, we don't how brand unification has affected Japanese sales, and from the looks of it, they're not that good as half of Earthrise is exclusive to TakaraTomy Mall now. Not to mention the economy there is, as I've read, not as good as it once was. Correct me if I'm wrong, but generally speaking, is there an aversion to products there that seems too "American"?

UW Superion & Dev were released again in limited run last year. I saw more Lynx Masters as well (though that may have been old stock just discovered). I fortunately got them all, some as they were coming out, some paying a bit more as they were getting hard to find.

If TT were to reissue them exactly as they were before, that's fine, give more people a chance that missed out. But to slap a new paint job on them and issue them through the selects line would be a huge waste IMHO.


G2 Defensor
(Unproduced Dinosaur Combiner from Masterforce)
Dinoking
Monstructor
Landcross
Roadcaesar
Battle Gaia
Guard City

All are items I would love to see in the near future. New Combiners that use the same system as well such as Grand Galvatron & Megatronia are welcome as well.

o.supreme wrote:Materforce)

Yeh, tha'sright, GIT R DUN!!!

Jelze Bunnycat wrote:

o.supreme wrote:Brand Unification was shoved down our throats in 2018/PotP, with no indication that something like this could ever be possible. I don't know how many times I have to say, the great thing about UW sets was, knowing they were coming, so you didn't have to waste money buying 2 of everything. If these had come out even within 12 months of the PotP releases, as opposed to 3 years, I might not have been as disappointed, but 3 years is just too late, especially asking fans who (if paid retail) almost $100 to get Volcanicus, now you want us to drop another $200? ...Of course some fans are probably scrambling to sell their Hasbro versions on eBay now to recoup some of that, but it's just frustrating.

Thing is, we don't how brand unification has affected Japanese sales, and from the looks of it, they're not that good as half of Earthrise is exclusive to TakaraTomy Mall now. Not to mention the economy there is, as I've read, not as good as it once was. Correct me if I'm wrong, but generally speaking, is there an aversion to products there that seems too "American"?

I really wish that there was an effective way to keep in touch on what's going on Japan.The closest idea I have is using google translate on the japanese twitter tag.

I welcomed brand unification (and still do) because it put an end to the tedious debates of company vs company, as if the approach was factually wrong.

Sabrblade wrote:

o.supreme wrote:Materforce)

Yeh, tha'sright, GIT R DUN!!!

Combiner made of Characters from Pixar's CARS confirmed

o.supreme wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

o.supreme wrote:Materforce)

Yeh, tha'sright, GIT R DUN!!!

Combiner made of Characters from Pixar's CARS confirmed

And pre-ordered already

TF-fan kev777 wrote:

o.supreme wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

o.supreme wrote:Materforce)

Yeh, tha'sright, GIT R DUN!!!

Combiner made of Characters from Pixar's CARS confirmed

And pre-ordered already

Hey, if it works for Toy Story...

Sabrblade wrote:

TF-fan kev777 wrote:

o.supreme wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

o.supreme wrote:Materforce)

Yeh, tha'sright, GIT R DUN!!!

Combiner made of Characters from Pixar's CARS confirmed

And pre-ordered already

Hey, if it works for Toy Story...

I didn't think it would be possible to make a Woody figure with a face more horrifying than Revoltech Woody and yet here we are.

o.supreme wrote:UW Superion & Dev were released again in limited run last year. I saw more Lynx Masters as well (though that may have been old stock just discovered). I fortunately got them all, some as they were coming out, some paying a bit more as they were getting hard to find.

If TT were to reissue them exactly as they were before, that's fine, give more people a chance that missed out. But to slap a new paint job on them and issue them through the selects line would be a huge waste IMHO.


G2 Defensor
(Unproduced Dinosaur Combiner from Masterforce)
Dinoking
Monstructor
Landcross
Roadcaesar
Battle Gaia
Guard City

All are items I would love to see in the near future. New Combiners that use the same system as well such as Grand Galvatron & Megatronia are welcome as well.

Honestly? I'd like to see solid reissues of the original toys, that would be cool.

Jelze Bunnycat wrote:Correct me if I'm wrong, but generally speaking, is there an aversion to products there that seems too "American"?

There's at least enough of a market that AmiAmi regularly imports collectibles from the likes of NECA, Diamond, and the like with a hefty markup. A lot of stuff seems to sell out in pre-orders. Of course I'm sure it isn't just Japanese buyers, I'm guessing some other countries find it more convenient and maybe even cheaper to buy from them than locally. But they are first and foremost a Japanese shop.

I think they're fine with American collectibles and indifferent to "toys" since the stuff made for kids really aren't made any differently than they are in Japan. Things that straddle the fence like Transformers I think there's a preference for better paint apps, though I think once Hasbro dumped the stickers we've really gotten some better apps. Sure, ER Optimus' trailer is just a big gray box, but compared to what the figure could have been they did a great job. People complain about Wheeljack being too white in bot mode, but overall that figure has a ton of app work on it. I don't think Takara Tomy would be able to improve much more if they were still doing their own unique releases, if anything I'd say making changes on the fly like they did with Optimus is a benefit we're getting from brand unification that we wouldn't have gotten before.

Emerje

o.supreme wrote:If TT were to reissue them exactly as they were before, that's fine, give more people a chance that missed out. But to slap a new paint job on them and issue them through the selects line would be a huge waste IMHO.


G2 Defensor
(Unproduced Dinosaur Combiner from Masterforce)
Dinoking
Monstructor
Landcross
Roadcaesar
Battle Gaia
Guard City

All are items I would love to see in the near future. New Combiners that use the same system as well such as Grand Galvatron & Megatronia are welcome as well.

I'm surprised that Hastak hasn't done something like this by now...
Using existing molds (obviously some re-tooling where necessary), & the previous combining system; I think a lot of people would bite. If not for a whole combiner set, at least they could pick a few individuals to add a little variety to their existing CW/UW collection.
I get a whole new line of semi-obscure combiners isn't very realistic, but it's probably time that a few of those get an updated release.

Wreck n rule, complete with some new selects figures

Why two of Bulkhead?

Sabrblade wrote:Why two of Bulkhead?

Probably repurposing him as someone else, they also have two Siege Impactor's there as well.

(I've personally taken to using the retail Impactor as a fellow miner named Compactor)

I...

Want...

That...

Arcee!!!

Sabrblade wrote:Why two of Bulkhead?

Couple of reasons: I had the BH Bulkhead there and my RiD version on the Prime shelf, splitting them up, and then I got the FE at a steal, and I don't have room on the prime shelf, so I felt OK with 2 very different styled bulkheads on the Wreckers shelf (might change when Netflix Magnus arrives though, he's going to the Wreckers shelf), same way I have both Impactors on that shelf and don't mind since to me, Impactor is never not a Wrecker

Sowndwave76 wrote:

o.supreme wrote:If TT were to reissue them exactly as they were before, that's fine, give more people a chance that missed out. But to slap a new paint job on them and issue them through the selects line would be a huge waste IMHO.


G2 Defensor
(Unproduced Dinosaur Combiner from Masterforce)
Dinoking
Monstructor
Landcross
Roadcaesar
Battle Gaia
Guard City

All are items I would love to see in the near future. New Combiners that use the same system as well such as Grand Galvatron & Megatronia are welcome as well.

I'm surprised that Hastak hasn't done something like this by now...
Using existing molds (obviously some re-tooling where necessary), & the previous combining system; I think a lot of people would bite. If not for a whole combiner set, at least they could pick a few individuals to add a little variety to their existing CW/UW collection.
I get a whole new line of semi-obscure combiners isn't very realistic, but it's probably time that a few of those get an updated release.

I just realized one of the most glaring omissions to my previous list was Raiden. I've really wanted a modern update to him for a long time. I know TT has teased with some announcements via text about a supposed MP, but no pics or concepts have been released yet. I've never purchased a single MP (except for MP-1 which I later sold), but if it scales with UW Dev and PotP Predaking I may get it. If it is larger like many of the 3P combiners, I'll probably pass no matter how amazing it looks.

o.supreme wrote:but if it scales with UW Dev and PotP Predaking I may get it.

Hopefully this'll be the case since both are his main rivals.

Sabrblade wrote:

o.supreme wrote:but if it scales with UW Dev and PotP Predaking I may get it.

Hopefully this'll be the case since both are his main rivals.

Hard to see why it wouldn't be. If Devi was intended to be an MP and he's this size then an actual MP should also be that size. How tall are the individual trains in bot mode, about car bot size? Bigger?

Emerje

Well crap, I don't know if anyone else noticed or brought this up yet but the Hasbro Pulse approximate ship date looks like it changed on Super Megatron to November 30. So looks like we are back to the normal 2 month delay on TTGS through Pulse?

TF-fan kev777 wrote:Well crap, I don't know if anyone else noticed or brought this up yet but the Hasbro Pulse approximate ship date looks like it changed on Super Megatron to November 30. So looks like we are back to the normal 2 month delay on TTGS through Pulse?

Weird, I know a bunch of people who already have him in hand. that's sad