The Energon Pub

[Bombus distinguendus]

ok so this might be a dumb question and if so im sorry but whats with this line? who are the chibi girls? whats the point of the line? the first time i heard about it was was back when i found this site and of course theres no description of what the line is.

.....and that makes a good sugestion all the toy lines should have a little desciption saying what they are like TF2010 is the original movie line so it could state that and TFRID is the toy line from robots in disguise tv series..but thats getting off subject

[Jelze Bunnycat]

For those who claim the line is for perverted old men: get out more

Kiss Players is geared towards the older collector like the Binaltech and Asterisk lines before it. The girls are the Kiss Players, they merge with (or at least give their power to) a Transformer when they kiss one. That's the basic premise.

The manga based on the line is notorious for introducing somewhat adult themes into the TF mythos, especially nudity (come on, you can't even *see* parts!). The "grossest" example would have to be Legion, who looks BT Overdrive / Alt Windcharger with Megatron's head. He has a long phallus-shaped tongue with which he *eats* naked girls in order to increase his strength. That combined with the nudity makes people think of it as lolicon (sexual attraction to very young girls).

[Bavolis]

I am an older collector who grew up with the line - how is this aimed at me? I never collected toys of chibi girls with panties. It seems more like a way to transfer new people who are into that uhhh...culture, to sell transformers.

Back in my day, female toys in the boy toy lines were shelf warmers

[wmpyr]

I think they should make more of it, and
make it accessible even in stores like walmart
as an anime thing.

[Basketball Jones]

That combined with the nudity makes people think of it as lolicon (sexual attraction to very young girls)

Gee, I wonder why?

Hot Rodimus is allegedly a figure of excellent quality, but I can't see how the line is superior to Binaltech.

It's interesting that an attempt at an adult line was made, but I feel political intrigue would have been a much better outlet for it. Themes central to any war- political strife, divided government, terrorism, and diplomacy would be much more interesting than robots with penises for tongues.

[Counterpunch]

I am an older collector who grew up with the line - how is this aimed at me? I never collected toys of chibi girls with panties.

Exactly.

Takara is down-right ignorant for putting little sexy girl figures with panties on.

The panties aren't even supposed to be there!

Where's the articulation? I swear...

[Stormrider]

I am an older collector who grew up with the line - how is this aimed at me?

The line was actually aimed at Japanese collectors. Female figurines are popular in Japan. In the U.S. it's usually viewed as vulgar.

Hot Rodimus is allegedly a figure of excellent quality, but I can't see how the line is superior to Binaltech.

I wouldn't necessarily say KISS is superior to Binatechs. They feature different things.

The Binaltechs, of course, are die-cast and feature a secret weapon that usually transforms into an engine. Sixteen Binaltechs were originally released, plus one BT Nemesis Prime.

As the interest in Binaltechs dipped, Takara introduced three new characters as Binaltech Astericks. All three were repaints (one of which was retooled). The Binaltech Astericks featured small stories, new packaging, female figures, and a higher retail value.

But then the interest dipped again, so Takara introduced three new characters; but this time as KISS Players. The price point stayed the same, but this time they changed the die-cast to plastic. Despite the draw back, fans were happy to see that the KISS Transformers were given superb paint jobs. In addition, they changed the packaging and included better artwork. They also included two secret weapons (instead of one), female figurines, and accessories (such as Kremzeek).

Probably the real reason why KISS Players is successful in Japan is because there is a manga storyline and radio show, which is something that the other two lines never had.

I love the die-cast on the Binaltechs, but the craftmanship and quality of the KISS line is great.