The Energon Pub

[Nemesis Destron]

The image itself is obvious. The point I was making is to the masses this is Ratbat/Senator RB okay fine. But to me (considering I don't follow the books) this could be someone entirely different so to me this ain't Ratbat. The same went for PRID Rumble, to most that was Rumble but not to me.

Gotcha, gotcha. It'd certainly make a good...say vehicle-mode Mindwipe, for example.

And of course he's not Rumble, he's blue.

Indeed he is!

[Bowspearer]

Ok seriously, what are Takara Tomy and Hasbro smoking on this one?

I get the homage and it's a great homage, but here's where I'm left wondering what the marketting depts of each were smoking.

Last I checked there was no Japanese release of the IDW comics, meaning that this is a figure that in terms of Japanese media and therefore the Japanese line, makes absolutely no sense.

Meanwhile, Hasbro is going all out with IDW releases and Senator Ratbat isn't getting a Hasbro release with the other IDW deluxes? What the hell????

[Seibertron]

Ok seriously, what are Takara Tomy and Hasbro smoking on this one?

I get the homage and it's a great homage, but here's where I'm left wondering what the marketting depts of each were smoking.

Last I checked there was no Japanese release of the IDW comics, meaning that this is a figure that in terms of Japanese media and therefore the Japanese line, makes absolutely no sense.

Meanwhile, Hasbro is going all out with IDW releases and Senator Ratbat isn't getting a Hasbro release with the other IDW deluxes? What the hell????

Seems like this is a running trend. We got the Japanese exclusive character "Sky Shadow" (aka Black Shadow) whereas Japan did not, at least not yet.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Ok seriously, what are Takara Tomy and Hasbro smoking on this one?

I get the homage and it's a great homage, but here's where I'm left wondering what the marketting depts of each were smoking.

Last I checked there was no Japanese release of the IDW comics, meaning that this is a figure that in terms of Japanese media and therefore the Japanese line, makes absolutely no sense.

Meanwhile, Hasbro is going all out with IDW releases and Senator Ratbat isn't getting a Hasbro release with the other IDW deluxes? What the hell????

Seems like this is a running trend. We got the Japanese exclusive character "Sky Shadow" (aka Black Shadow) whereas Japan did not, at least not yet.

Black Shadow did appear in the IDW comics (with his Generations bio reflecting that), while Senator Ratbat has yet to appear in any Manga. Better keep an eye on Transformers Allspark.

[craggy]

maybe they thought that fans who were aware enough of the international lines but not rich enough to get the original exclusives might appreciate being able to get some version of these region specific characters.

I'm pretty sure I could get some IDW comics if I was in Japan, one way or another.

[Bowspearer]

maybe they thought that fans who were aware enough of the international lines but not rich enough to get the original exclusives might appreciate being able to get some version of these region specific characters.

I'm pretty sure I could get some IDW comics if I was in Japan, one way or another.

Don't get me wrong, I can undertand Takara trying this. What I simply cannot get my head around is Hasbro doing all these IDW comic related figures this year and not releasing it, considering it's far more profit than their other stuff.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

What I simply cannot get my head around is Hasbro doing all these IDW comic related figures this year and not releasing it, considering it's far more profit than their other stuff.

Got any proof to back up that claim?

[Bowspearer]

What I simply cannot get my head around is Hasbro doing all these IDW comic related figures this year and not releasing it, considering it's far more profit than their other stuff.

Got any proof to back up that claim?

You mean besides the fact that it has yet to be announced as part of the Generations line, even though the entire line is IDW themed this year as evidenced by at the fery least, the Deluxes and Basics.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

What I simply cannot get my head around is Hasbro doing all these IDW comic related figures this year and not releasing it, considering it's far more profit than their other stuff.

Got any proof to back up that claim?

You mean besides the fact that it has yet to be announced as part of the Generations line, even though the entire line is IDW themed this year as evidenced by at the fery least, the Deluxes and Basics.

I was talking about the "profit".

[Bowspearer]

What I simply cannot get my head around is Hasbro doing all these IDW comic related figures this year and not releasing it, considering it's far more profit than their other stuff.

Got any proof to back up that claim?

You mean besides the fact that it has yet to be announced as part of the Generations line, even though the entire line is IDW themed this year as evidenced by at the fery least, the Deluxes and Basics.

I was talking about the "profit".

I thought that would have been obvious. A head sculpt is going to cost much less than an entire new mould so the production costs for Hasbro on this are going to be far less than what they would be on an original mould.

[paul053]

What I simply cannot get my head around is Hasbro doing all these IDW comic related figures this year and not releasing it, considering it's far more profit than their other stuff.

Got any proof to back up that claim?

You mean besides the fact that it has yet to be announced as part of the Generations line, even though the entire line is IDW themed this year as evidenced by at the fery least, the Deluxes and Basics.

I was talking about the "profit".

I thought that would have been obvious. A head sculpt is going to cost much less than an entire new mould so the production costs for Hasbro on this are going to be far less than what they would be on an original mould.

Just a reminder. Takara used a head swap on PRID Knock Out to make a Smokescreen, where Hasbro made a brand new mold for Smokescreen in BH line. Which Smokescreen is more Smokescreen?

[xyl360]

I think this is simply a matter of Takara relying on international collectors/sales somewhat, in addition to whatever the hardcore TF collector community is like in Japan, much like with the MP line and several other releases they've been doing lately. This piece (and the entire TG line in general in my opinion, along with the MPs) are geared just as much towards international collectors/sales as they are towards local sales. They have far less competition outside of their own area (with the exception of Hasbro of course), so doing exclusives like this allows them to recoup some of their lackluster profits when going head to head with the likes of Bandai in Japan methinks, though I could be completely off (this is just theory, which is all we're talking here anyway after all).

It's the same reason I think Takara goes the extra mile with the paint apps and such. I think they're counting on collectors like me who aren't willing to settle for the cheaper, less accurate/less awesome Hasbro versions. The constant sellouts of so many of their figures in the online shops seems to back this theory up too.

[Seibertron]

I think this is simply a matter of Takara relying on international collectors/sales somewhat, in addition to whatever the hardcore TF collector community is like in Japan, much like with the MP line and several other releases they've been doing lately. This piece (and the entire TG line in general in my opinion, along with the MPs) are geared just as much towards international collectors/sales as they are towards local sales. They have far less competition outside of their own area (with the exception of Hasbro of course), so doing exclusives like this allows them to recoup some of their lackluster profits when going head to head with the likes of Bandai in Japan methinks, though I could be completely off (this is just theory, which is all we're talking here anyway after all).

It's the same reason I think Takara goes the extra mile with the paint apps and such. I think they're counting on collectors like me who aren't willing to settle for the cheaper, less accurate/less awesome Hasbro versions. The constant sellouts of so many of their figures in the online shops seems to back this theory up too.

I think this is a good theory. International sales have to be a big factor ... especially with different paint jobs or colors on the same toy in different markets (i.e. Masterpiece Starscream).

[Stormrider]

I think this is simply a matter of Takara relying on international collectors/sales somewhat, in addition to whatever the hardcore TF collector community is like in Japan, much like with the MP line and several other releases they've been doing lately. This piece (and the entire TG line in general in my opinion, along with the MPs) are geared just as much towards international collectors/sales as they are towards local sales. They have far less competition outside of their own area (with the exception of Hasbro of course), so doing exclusives like this allows them to recoup some of their lackluster profits when going head to head with the likes of Bandai in Japan methinks, though I could be completely off (this is just theory, which is all we're talking here anyway after all).

It's the same reason I think Takara goes the extra mile with the paint apps and such. I think they're counting on collectors like me who aren't willing to settle for the cheaper, less accurate/less awesome Hasbro versions. The constant sellouts of so many of their figures in the online shops seems to back this theory up too.

I think this is a good theory. International sales have to be a big factor ... especially with different paint jobs or colors on the same toy in different markets (i.e. Masterpiece Starscream).

It's a good point. Wasn't there an article a week ago explaining Takara's international market makes up 60 - 70% of their sales (across their toyline)? Inversely, would senator Ratbat be a shelf warmer if Hasbro produced it? I don't see it being a big character draw for children.

[xyl360]

I think this is simply a matter of Takara relying on international collectors/sales somewhat, in addition to whatever the hardcore TF collector community is like in Japan, much like with the MP line and several other releases they've been doing lately. This piece (and the entire TG line in general in my opinion, along with the MPs) are geared just as much towards international collectors/sales as they are towards local sales. They have far less competition outside of their own area (with the exception of Hasbro of course), so doing exclusives like this allows them to recoup some of their lackluster profits when going head to head with the likes of Bandai in Japan methinks, though I could be completely off (this is just theory, which is all we're talking here anyway after all).

It's the same reason I think Takara goes the extra mile with the paint apps and such. I think they're counting on collectors like me who aren't willing to settle for the cheaper, less accurate/less awesome Hasbro versions. The constant sellouts of so many of their figures in the online shops seems to back this theory up too.

I think this is a good theory. International sales have to be a big factor ... especially with different paint jobs or colors on the same toy in different markets (i.e. Masterpiece Starscream).

It's a good point. Wasn't there an article a week ago explaining Takara's international market makes up 60 - 70% of their sales (across their toyline)? Inversely, would senator Ratbat be a shelf warmer if Hasbro produced it? I don't see it being a big character draw for children.

I don't know about the article, but I agree that if Hasbro made it, it would be likely to shelf warm (except with collectors of course). I don't think most children would have any idea who it is supposed to be/what it's supposed to homage.

[El Duque]

Once again Takara Tomy designer Hisashi Yuki has taken to his twitter account to tease the upcoming release of their Transformers Generatiions TG-20 Ratbat. These three images give us a closer look at the figure in both modes, his packaging, and an attempt at pulling off a bat mode! The figure uses the alternate head design first revealed on Generations Scourge's instruction sheet, and is meant to represent Senator Ratbat as seen in IDW Publishing's Transformers Comics prior be becoming one of Soundwave's minions. Images mirrored below.

[Mindmaster]

That package art... Wow!

Seriously, I will be severely disappointed if Hasbro doesn't release this in the United States, what with the central theme of the Thrilling 30 subline is "IDW designs".

[Jelze Bunnycat]

I have United Scourge, and won't hesitate on getting this Ratbat.

[kirbenvost]

Dang, that's a sexy figure. C'mon, Hasbro! If you put this out I'll seriously start collecting Ratbats.

[Sabrblade]

A deco fit for a king senator.

[triKlops]

This guy just looks better and better.
This is the kind of out of the box thinking i enjoy for a repaint/ retool!

[RAcast]

So great! You can even pull of a pseudo beast-mode

[MGrotusque]

Nice colours.

[megatronus]

I always loved my (Generations) Sweeps & (United) Scourge. This mold as Ratbat is a real winner.

[Heckfire]

Hell, given the Hasbro hard-on for repaints/redecos, they could even release it over here as Mindwipe and/or Hellbat too.