The Energon Pub

[Smokescreen85]

I already have all the Classics, and I really don't plan on buying the Henkei versions. Most of the differences are minor, with the exception of Astrotrain and Megatron. In fact, Henkei Megs is the only one I would consider getting. His color scheme is much better looking than the Classics IMO. I'm just not sure if he's worth spending $45 plus shipping.

Ultimately, you should buy whichever version is more economical for you.

[Counterpunch]

I'm just not sure if he's worth spending $45 plus shipping.

He is.

[Glitcher]

In fact, Henkei Megs is the only one I would consider getting. His color scheme is much better looking than the Classics IMO. I'm just not sure if he's worth spending $45 plus shipping.

Which is precisely why I abstained from buying Classics Megatron in the first place. Surely you must have anticipated that Takara would recolour Megs to be more G1 accurate. If you know better now, maybe you'll wait and see what Takara can do with Classics 2.0 Galvatron and Powerglide.

[Tigertrack]

And please leave Henkei Mirage in the store, becuase there's no really difference between the classics version at all.

And I say don't. I like the Henkei variation better, and I have both, but I love the Mirage mold, so I'd probably buy it even if they painted it up as Gobot Crasher...are you listening HASBRO?

[First Gen]

In fact, Henkei Megs is the only one I would consider getting. His color scheme is much better looking than the Classics IMO. I'm just not sure if he's worth spending $45 plus shipping.

Which is precisely why I abstained from buying Classics Megatron in the first place. Surely you must have anticipated that Takara would recolour Megs to be more G1 accurate. If you know better now, maybe you'll wait and see what Takara can do with Classics 2.0 Galvatron and Powerglide.

I didnt abstain from buying classics Megs, for some reason I just never did. I have Henkei Megs, and I still really want classics Megs too.

[Glitcher]

I didnt abstain from buying classics Megs, for some reason I just never did.

I'm confused. You didn't abstain from buying Megatron? Does that mean you bought him?

[Geekee1]

I have all of Hasbro's classics and Megatron, Starscream, and Bumblebee from the Henkei line.

You need Henkei Starscream like you need air. There is no arguing this.

Henkei Megatron rocks the house, I will however side with CP and say that you need both.

Bumblebee is a complete toss up. They're both nice, I actually still use my original for display though.

I have Astrotrain on order too and I will probably get Mirage eventually because I'm a sucker for that mold.

[Hard Hacker]

I have all of the classics including the Botcon set, and they are some of my favorite transformers. Aside from some slight differences in paint application the Henkei are identical. I don't know what the classics are going for on the secondary market, but the Henkei are more expensive than the classics were at retail. I would just go with what works out to be the least expensive. I think you will be happy with either set.

I saw a couple of boxed Astrotrains (Classics version) for about £12. However double that for dollars, and it looks rather grim.

However, the Classics line is worth it if you ask me, They revive old characters in new bodies, give kitbashers plenty of work to do with the Seeker and Bumblebee moulds (I want to see Hubcaps and Bumpers people), and have a good athsetic to them. The Henkei versions arn't that good, with disfiguring chrome that'll rust when you leak lubricants on them, and the lack of refferences on Mirage make him look boring in comparison. Infact, the Henkei versions look very knock offish to me.

[Rijie]

I own all of the US Classics, and bought the entire first wave of Henkei. If you're looking for the best-looking of each figure, it's a mix-and-match deal, no doubt about it. But I prefer the Henkei approach overall.

I prefer Henkei Convoy due to the deeper red, awesome silver paint apps on the upper legs, better detailing, Autobot symbols on the shoulders, and yes, the chrome grill and bumper. The Classics version looks like a KO in comparison, paint-wise.

I prefer Henkei Bumble because of the deeper yellow, and better detailing, and chrome in the right places.

I prefer Classics Grimlock, because the Henkei version is just a mess. Blackwash beats excessive chrome any day. He will stay sealed to compliment my display, and Classics Grimlock stays on the shelf.

I prefer Henkei Ligier over Mirage, but they tie. I think that the chrome compliments him, like it does on Prime, and unlike Grimmy. He lacks some details that the US version has, but I like the plain look. I'll proudly keep both versions because I love that mold so much.

Megatron and Starscream are no-brainers. They simply own their US counterparts in terms of G1 accuracy, if that's your thing. Nerfatron will be played with, Henkei Megatron will be displayed.

I will be picking up Astrotrain and Rodimus. Honestly I hope that they do a better-detailed Ramjet and Jetfire. I'd like to see Cliffjumper without the horribly-placed silver paint-apps, and a new head-sculpt.

And just to comment on the quality of these figures, there's nothing to worry about. The plastic is durable and the joints are tight, they are not KO quality at all. The packaging may make them look cheap, but they are nowhere near it, trust me.

[fenrir72]

Have a question, why all this negativity to Henkei BumbleBee? His original VW was full yellow, so its a no brainer that he should have been plain yellow too?

[Counterpunch]

Have a question, why all this negativity to Henkei BumbleBee? His original VW was full yellow, so its a no brainer that he should have been plain yellow too?

No...

Classics was supposed to be an update, both in look and engineering, to G1; not just a simple replication.

[First Gen]

You gotta keep your eyes open, I just scooped this up on ebay and I wasn't even trying to find him.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270221870411&_trksid=p2759.l1259

Paying less than retail and the seller is willing to let me pick it up instead of paying shipping fees.

[First Gen]

I didnt abstain from buying classics Megs, for some reason I just never did.

I'm confused. You didn't abstain from buying Megatron? Does that mean you bought him?

What I meant was I didn't go into stores telling myself, I'm not buying Megatron, I just never picked him up when I should have. I made the mistake of thinking "Its gonna be there". BOOM! Sells out and now I can't find him for a decent price but you gotta keep your eyes open, I just scooped this up on ebay and I wasn't even trying to find him.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270221870411&_trksid=p2759.l1259

Paying less than retail and the seller is willing to let me pick it up instead of paying shipping fees.

[fenrir72]

Counterpunch...........

But this is henkei. IMHO, the white stripes on the US version was kinda cruddy in application.If applying the stripes, they could have at least ensured that it was neat no?

[rpetras]

In general I'd say go with whatever is cheaper, both versions of most of the characters don't make a lot of difference. Unless you have a super strong preference for a particular color scheme, they're close enough for most tastes.

The notable exceptions are Astrotrain and Megatron. Those 2 have a pretty large difference in paint schemes.

Keep your eyes peeled. A little while back I was able to get a Classics Grimlock in store at sale price (I think he was like 4 bucks!) So the deals do pop up once in a while.

[Delicon]

Based on your situation, I have different advice for you than most.

FIrst off, i'd wait.

If your funds are limited don't go overpaying for every Henkei or Classics figure off the bat.

Best bet is to wait until the next line of classics come out and snag whatever you can of those for regular retial prices. In the meantime, check ebay often, you might just fins a large lot of them at some point either loose or MOC.

If you are patient you can slowly build your collection in a much more reasonable fashion.