The Energon Pub

[fenrir72]

Just like the recent trends in the movie business where big budget films are released in Asia first (partly to offset piracy..............like they'll ever succeed), we have recent re-issues like MP-Grimlock, henkei Seekers,Ultra Magnus, 6-shot and the butt ugly Superlink Bruticus etc (that became most wanted because of Fans Project) among others (Asian edition they are called iirc).

It is (sort of) a blessing that we have an opportunity to purchase those figs which we missed (prices are still pricey though not as pricey as the individual figs for the sets). But the ones being released are the extra paint apps versions (henkei etc with some slight changes from the originals)over the domestic USA stuff. This means that Hasbro or Tomy has factored in the "buying" power of those guys across the Pacific over the cheap, kid driven purchasing power of former.

Is there a possibility that given the untapped potential of the land of KOs,TF figures might be released there first? And that the TF franchise is burning hot over there, figure shortages or releases prioritization might put the rest of us in the back burner?

[Dead Metal]

We've been speculating about this for a while now, and my opinion is still the same, Yes China and the rest of Asia are going to be the main focus.

I mean China alone is batshit when it comes to Transformers, so much so that even their typically strict government is powerless. I mean remember the convoy of Bumblebees that followed ROTF to every single one of its Chinese Premieres? The one that was deemed dangerous and broke the law due to assembling such a large convoy of cars?
The same convoy that was then just granted special road privileges along the lines of "Well, it's Transformers, so f**k our regulations".

And there's like a new life sized, or close to life sized, sometimes even larger, TF that someone in China just builds overnight because he couldn't sleep, and he had nothing better to do because his wife had a migraine.

You don't get that sort of stuff anywhere else on the planet. It's just a wonder it's taking so long for them to actually do it.

[fenrir72]

On a side note, those year of the "___" editions like the Grand convoy mold and the upcoming gold stacks MP-10(?) mold GF Starscream, which markets are they geared too?

GF was like 2004 and it gets a second pressing. This means that resurrecting those nearly decade old molds are commercially viable. Too bad there seems to be no news on G1 "bricks" being re-released (everything seems kaput after Fortmax).

[Jelze Bunnycat]

On a side note, those year of the "___" editions like the Grand convoy mold and the upcoming gold stacks MP-10(?) mold GF Starscream, which markets are they geared too?

GF was like 2004 and it gets a second pressing. This means that resurrecting those nearly decade old molds are commercially viable. Too bad there seems to be no news on G1 "bricks" being re-released (everything seems kaput after Fortmax).

You know, I think the mold degradation and age excuse only goes for Ultra and lower. Anything Leader Class and higher haven't been used as much, and the club wouldn't be using them for anything, so...

And the Chinese New Year edition are usually for Asia, but some do make it over to the US (where a lot of Asian immigrants live).

[RhA]

On a side note, those year of the "___" editions like the Grand convoy mold and the upcoming gold stacks MP-10(?) mold GF Starscream, which markets are they geared too?

GF was like 2004 and it gets a second pressing. This means that resurrecting those nearly decade old molds are commercially viable. Too bad there seems to be no news on G1 "bricks" being re-released (everything seems kaput after Fortmax).

You mean Superlink, right?

Also, Fort Max is like the A-bomb of resissues. Everyone needs a rest after that one.

[fenrir72]

Yup. Grand Convoy from Superlink. That big@ss Starscream is from Galaxyforce. As for the A-bomb reference.......if Fortmax is the A-bomb, what then is TG 23 Metroplex?

[Mindmaster]

...if Fortmax is the A-bomb, what then is TG 23 Metroplex?

The hydrogen bomb, you ninny.

[fenrir72]

And both deadly radioactive to our wallets?