The Energon Pub

So I'm planning to grab some of the BW figures that I missed out on first time round and I noticed that in many cases the Korean box versions are way cheaper. I know that in some toylines (Super Sentai for example) the Korean versions use a cheaper-feeling plastic and have fewer paint apps. Is that the case with Beast Wars?

Thanks in advance.

No, not at all... The Sonokong produced Beast Wars toys are of the same quality as the Takara produced ones. Paint apps are almost always exactly the same, as is the plastic quality (I have heard rumors that the Sonokong BW figures are slightly lighter; I can't say that I've noticed that myself).
The TFwiki entry for Sonokong states: "Sonokong quality control is arguably sometimes a little lower." but I wonder if that has ever been proven, or if it is more based on unfounded 'gut feelings', perhaps based on the different packaging.

I have several BW Neo figures from both Takara and Sonokong, and they are extremely difficulty to tell apart, based on paint or quality. As far as I'm concerned, there's a much bigger quality gap between Takara and Hasbro than between Takara and Sonokong. Seriously, you can't go wrong with the Sonokong BW figures: they really are great quality and value for money considering how cheap they still are compared to Takara's versions.

I have a Korean Big Convoy and while I can't compare it to a Takara version, I don't consider it to be low in quality at all.

Where did you source them B?

I Have Korean Galaxy Force Red Alert, Crosswise and Starscream. They don't seem cheaper in quality, just much cheaper. Red Alert and Crosswise were bought for around $9 each at random convenience stores in Korea. Starscream was bought locally from a collector store.

Thanks guys, I appreciate the advice!

It has already been said a lot, but I'll agree. I have several Korean releases from RiD, BWII, BW Neo, etc. and they're all equal in quality to the Takara stuff.

BW Bigconvoy Korean blue is a bit darker than the Japanese version.

I have the Korean Break vs. Dead End and Longrack vs. Guiledart sets, and both are fine, aside from some ball joints being a bit weak. However, the differences between TakaraTomy and Sonokong are negligible for the most part.

However, one thing you should keep in mind is that Sonokong always uses the Hasbro-updated versions of the molds, which means:

- Sonokong CR Black Convoy has the blunted sword and blank discs
- Sonokong CR Baldigus is basically Ruination in Baldigus deco
- Sonokong GF Sonic Bomber actually benefits from C-Wing Saber's noseguard fix that plagued initial Takara releases

It's the third I'm truly after, with the lovely lovely chrome

Ms Rabbit

You mean that Sonic bomber's face guard has been corrected and chromed right? As opposed to the Hasbro corrected face guard bt non chrome chest plate?

Gawd, sometimes the choices we have to make I have the GF version and am currently staring at the Sonokong version right now in a specialty shop gathering dust.

I have several and they seem to be just fine.

Are these Korean?

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/prod ... ode=retail

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/prod ... ode=retail

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/prod ... ode=retail

Nope. Those are the made in Taiwan "Takara" versions.

fenrir72 wrote:Nope. Those are the made in Taiwan "Takara" versions.

Ah, thanks. Well, for what it's worth, I bought them recently and the quality seems very good.

fenrir72 wrote:Ms Rabbit

You mean that Sonic bomber's face guard has been corrected and chromed right? As opposed to the Hasbro corrected face guard bt non chrome chest plate?

Gawd, sometimes the choices we have to make I have the GF version and am currently staring at the Sonokong version right now in a specialty shop gathering dust.

Sonokong's Sonic Bomber should have Hasbro's corrected noseguard, with Takara's chrome. Best of both worlds Also, the repaint in the Sonic Convoy gift set has the same fix.

And where did you see Taiwan? They all say "Made in China" on mine. Imported Japanese Beast Wars overstock is still quite common, so they're definitely not fakes.

Sonokong is the way to go for missed Transformers.

They are affordable and they are THE EXACT SAME TOY ARE THE TAKARA.

So far, I have:

Armada Jetfire
Armada Overload
Galaxy Force Voyager Supreme Starscream
BW Neo Magnaboss
BW Neo (dont remember the name but he's Magnaboss's nemesis. Combined from a T-Rex, a Pterodactyl, and another dino.)

I'm very satisfied of them all.
The only disaventage is that you don't have the shiny Takare box and paperwork.
Still, if you open and play with your toys, that's not a problem.

-Kanrabat- wrote:(...)
BW Neo (dont remember the name but he's Magnaboss's nemesis. Combined from a T-Rex, a Pterodactyl, and another dino.)
(...)

You mean Beast Wars Neo Magmatron, and he's actually comprised of a Quetzalcoatlus ("Skysaur"), a Giganotosaurus ("Landsaur"), and an Elasmosaurus ("Seasaur")
In fact he could more accurately be described as Big Convoy's 'nemesis' (although he's rather more honorable and professional than most TF Predacon/Decepticon enemy leader characters).

alldarker wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:(...)
BW Neo (dont remember the name but he's Magnaboss's nemesis. Combined from a T-Rex, a Pterodactyl, and another dino.)
(...)

You mean Beast Wars Neo Magmatron, and he's actually comprised of a Quetzalcoatlus ("Skysaur"), a Giganotosaurus ("Landsaur"), and an Elasmosaurus ("Seasaur")
In fact he could more accurately be described as Big Convoy's 'nemesis' (although he's rather more honorable and professional than most TF Predacon/Decepticon enemy leader characters).

I had to buy him just for that Devilman look of his.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

alldarker wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:(...)
BW Neo (dont remember the name but he's Magnaboss's nemesis. Combined from a T-Rex, a Pterodactyl, and another dino.)
(...)

You mean Beast Wars Neo Magmatron, and he's actually comprised of a Quetzalcoatlus ("Skysaur"), a Giganotosaurus ("Landsaur"), and an Elasmosaurus ("Seasaur")
In fact he could more accurately be described as Big Convoy's 'nemesis' (although he's rather more honorable and professional than most TF Predacon/Decepticon enemy leader characters).

I had to buy him just for that Devilman look of his.

Magnaboss' real nemesis in the US was Tripredacus:



Cicada, Rhinoceros Beetle and Lobster. In BWII his counterpart was Tripledacus, and a gigantic Mexican stereotype to boot.

Zemi, Kabuto, Ebi!

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:Ms Rabbit

And where did you see Taiwan? They all say "Made in China" on mine. Imported Japanese Beast Wars overstock is still quite common, so they're definitely not fakes.

The ones I own, Beastwars II and Beastwars Neo, are Taiwan made. Some don't have the holograms though (Beastwars II Lio for instance), and no, I am 100% sure they ain't knock offs.........they weren't that wide spread then back in the late 90s. (Most probably error overruns that managed to stray into my neck of the woods)

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:- Sonokong CR Black Convoy has the blunted sword and blank discs

Thanks for pointing this out. I'm in the market for a Black Convoy at the right price and when I've got some spare cash flow and always figured Sonokong would be the easiest way to go. I decided a long time ago that TRU Scourge just wasn't the figure for me and the mould alterations you've just mentioned are enough to rule out Sonokong BC as well (the 'safety' sword more than the discs). Looks like it's going to be Takara all the way on this guy.

Hi i am visiting korea in coming march. ANyone kind enough to tell me where to purchase beast war in seoul?

Hi i am visiting korea in coming march. ANyone kind enough to tell me where to purchase beast war in seoul?