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[D-Maximal_Primal]

The little vehicles are a lot of fun!

I'm going the same path as you will, going for Skytread for that drone

[RodimusConvoy13]

The little vehicles are a lot of fun!

I'm going the same path as you will, going for Skytread for that drone

I got both Skytread and Terri-bull. I love that little vehicle. It reminds me a drop ship that's full of troops.

Skytread's head looks great on almost any bot too.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

The little vehicles are a lot of fun!

I'm going the same path as you will, going for Skytread for that drone

I got both Skytread and Terri-bull. I love that little vehicle. It reminds me a drop ship that's full of troops.

Skytread's head looks great on almost any bot too.

Good sign. I am hoping to use his head on Blitzwing should the colors work out and make that my generations Flywheels

[primalxconvoy]

I do like to fiddle with Hardhead's drone while watching TV..


Kind of reminds me of Blitzwing.

I, too, like this drone. I don't have the one with Legends Hardhead, but the two TR (Crashbash and Terri-bull?) sit on my desk and I fiddle with them all the time. The other one I really like is Apeface. For such a weird drone/ape/plane thing, he's just...fun.

Apeface (and as named by my friends, his drone Harambecon) is definitely my favorite out of the ones I have so far. Hasbro definitely got something right with with the Titan Master class, I kind of feel bad for how awkwardly they're being released in Japan, being split up from a drone and all.

I think Takara believes (as I do) that just selling a Headmaster with a vehicle is weak sauce. People won't buy them, especially at the price points Takara will sell them at. There also isn't any space on shop floors, as Adventure toys are already out. If you have noticed, TT has been popping non-RID figures into the Adventure line probably for this reason, too.

Also, in order to justify the more expensive price and to further distinguish it from the US version, they've given the vehicles names and new paint.

It wouldn't surprise me though that all of the orphaned headmasters will get proper releases with repainted bodies in the future.

[chuckdawg1999]

I find it funny there was a human character named Cancer, I guess it must mean something else in Japanese.

[Sabrblade]

I find it funny there was a human character named Cancer, I guess it must mean something else in Japanese.

Thing is, he's a Chinese human.

Though, the real world reason is likely that the toy was given the name "Cancer" first, and then the cartoon and manga came along and created the character as a human Headmaster Junior bonded to a lifeless Transtector.

As to why Takara named the toy "Cancer", since its altmode is a crab monster, the name most likely came from the Latin word for crab "cancer", which is used for the Zodiac sign, the constellation, and other crab-related things named "Cancer".

[primalxconvoy]

I find it funny there was a human character named Cancer, I guess it must mean something else in Japanese.

Thing is, he's a Chinese human.

Though, the real world reason is likely that the toy was given the name "Cancer" first, and then the cartoon and manga came along and created the character as a human Headmaster Junior bonded to a lifeless Transtector.

As to why Takara named the toy "Cancer", since its altmode is a crab monster, the name most likely came from the Latin word for crab "cancer", which is used for the Zodiac sign, the constellation, and other crab-related things named "Cancer".

That is exactly why the name was chosen. Although now, I think Takara should have either used a Katakana rendering, or the official (US) English name, to avoid misconceptions. Imagine going into a ship shop in Japan and seeing Marlboro Wheeljack's box next to Shockwave and Cancer...

[Sabrblade]

I find it funny there was a human character named Cancer, I guess it must mean something else in Japanese.

Thing is, he's a Chinese human.

Though, the real world reason is likely that the toy was given the name "Cancer" first, and then the cartoon and manga came along and created the character as a human Headmaster Junior bonded to a lifeless Transtector.

As to why Takara named the toy "Cancer", since its altmode is a crab monster, the name most likely came from the Latin word for crab "cancer", which is used for the Zodiac sign, the constellation, and other crab-related things named "Cancer".

That is exactly why the name was chosen. Although now, I think Takara should have either used a Katakana rendering, or the official (US) English name, to avoid misconceptions. Imagine going into a ship shop in Japan and seeing Marlboro Wheeljack's box next to Shockwave and Cancer...

*shrug* Gundam Wing back in the day got away with a Mobile Suit called a Cancer, even in its English dub.

[primalxconvoy]

I find it funny there was a human character named Cancer, I guess it must mean something else in Japanese.

Thing is, he's a Chinese human.

Though, the real world reason is likely that the toy was given the name "Cancer" first, and then the cartoon and manga came along and created the character as a human Headmaster Junior bonded to a lifeless Transtector.

As to why Takara named the toy "Cancer", since its altmode is a crab monster, the name most likely came from the Latin word for crab "cancer", which is used for the Zodiac sign, the constellation, and other crab-related things named "Cancer".

That is exactly why the name was chosen. Although now, I think Takara should have either used a Katakana rendering, or the official (US) English name, to avoid misconceptions. Imagine going into a ship shop in Japan and seeing Marlboro Wheeljack's box next to Shockwave and Cancer...

*shrug* Gundam Wing back in the day got away with a Mobile Suit called a Cancer, even in its English dub.

Back in the day, Hasbro christened a Dinobot "Slag", and only several years ago, there was a "Spastic/Spazmo" toy, which caused an incident in British-English speaking countries. Even Takara had problems releasing an MP re-release of their original Diaclone Marlborough Wheeljack, while during Binaltexh, Porsche and VW refused to allow Jazz and Bumblebee to have Beetle and Porsche alt modes.

What was once "OK", might not be so now.

[primalxconvoy]

I find it funny there was a human character named Cancer, I guess it must mean something else in Japanese.

Thing is, he's a Chinese human.

Though, the real world reason is likely that the toy was given the name "Cancer" first, and then the cartoon and manga came along and created the character as a human Headmaster Junior bonded to a lifeless Transtector.

As to why Takara named the toy "Cancer", since its altmode is a crab monster, the name most likely came from the Latin word for crab "cancer", which is used for the Zodiac sign, the constellation, and other crab-related things named "Cancer".

That is exactly why the name was chosen. Although now, I think Takara should have either used a Katakana rendering, or the official (US) English name, to avoid misconceptions. Imagine going into a ship shop in Japan and seeing Marlboro Wheeljack's box next to Shockwave and Cancer...

*shrug* Gundam Wing back in the day got away with a Mobile Suit called a Cancer, even in its English dub.

Back in the day, Hasbro christened a Dinobot "Slag", and only several years ago, there was a "Spastic/Spazmo" toy, which caused an incident in British-English speaking countries. Even Takara had problems releasing an MP re-release of their original Diaclone Marlborough Wheeljack, while during Binaltexh, Porsche and VW refused to allow Jazz and Bumblebee to have Beetle and Porsche alt modes.

What was once "OK", might not be so now.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

The thing is, the Japanese language is kind of funny when it comes to loanwords vs. original terms. For starters, 悪性腫瘍 akushoushuyou, or for short 癌 gan, is their word for "malignent tumor" or "cancer". Looking through the Japanese wiki on the matter, I don't see キャンサー kyansaa anywhere, but it is used on the disambugation page for it. This tells me that our word "cancer" isn't that associated with the disease there (and more with crabs) and thus more acceptable.

At any rate, this whole debate is kind of pointless IMO. We all know "Cancer" refers to the crab, yet we touchy people automatically associate it with the disease the moment we see it. Why? In fact, why aren't we associating the Zodiac sign with it?

[primalxconvoy]

The thing is, the Japanese language is kind of funny when it comes to loanwords vs. original terms. For starters, 悪性腫瘍 akushoushuyou, or for short 癌 gan, is their word for "malignent tumor" or "cancer". Looking through the Japanese wiki on the matter, I don't see キャンサー kyansaa anywhere, but it is used on the disambugation page for it. This tells me that our word "cancer" isn't that associated with the disease there (and more with crabs) and thus more acceptable.

At any rate, this whole debate is kind of pointless IMO. We all know "Cancer" refers to the crab, yet we touchy people automatically associate it with the disease the moment we see it. Why? In fact, why aren't we associating the Zodiac sign with it?

That's not entirely my point. In my post, I alluded to terms that, either at the time or in the culture, were fine, but when exposed to outside/present day viewpoints, is called into question. Thus, if the katakana rendering was used, Takara would have more scope to claim that no harm was intended. However, by using the English rendering, especially on a toy that, in its present form isn't an actual crab, Takara have exposed themselves to misunderstanding and/or complaints.

Personally, I think that, as they used English, then they should have used the English names, as that's what they have done with most of their recent releases.

[Sabrblade]

Personally, I think that, as they used English, then they should have used the English names, as that's what they have done with most of their recent releases.

Yes, but they do that only for the characters who are the same characters as their Western counterparts (which, admittedly, is the majority of the figures in the Legends line, but not all of them). Squeezeplay and Cancer, however, are counterparts but not the same character.

And they did use the Katakana rendering for Cancer's name in addition to the Latin one. And it's not like Takara's selling the toy in an English-speaking market with the Western mindset that auto-associates the word with the disease. Like JelZe said, they're selling it in a non-English market whose mindset more likely associates the word more predominately with the crab connotations.

[primalxconvoy]

Personally, I think that, as they used English, then they should have used the English names, as that's what they have done with most of their recent releases.

Yes, but they do that only for the characters who are the same characters as their Western counterparts (which, admittedly, is the majority of the figures in the Legends line, but not all of them). Squeezeplay and Cancer, however, are counterparts but not the same character.

And they did use the Katakana rendering for Cancer's name in addition to the Latin one. And it's not like Takara's selling the toy in an English-speaking market with the Western mindset that auto-associates the word with the disease. Like JelZe said, they're selling it in a non-English market whose mindset more likely associates the word more predominately with the crab connotations.

I don't agree. The Katakana would have been for the Japanese name, with the English name using the "correct" English name. Having the indirect English name is what is being debated here.

Also, the market is also debatable. Takara products are also sold in parts of Asia, which Hasbro Asia sells. These areas may also have a higher level of English ability than Japan. Also, the market can also be irrelevant to the constrain. With the controversy over the "Spastic" TF toy, Hasbro stated that the toy was only going to be sold in American-English speaking markets, rather than British-English speaking ones. That still wasn't enough and Hasbro Acquiesced, putting stickers over the offending term.

Likewise, Takara changed their designs for Marlbro Wheeljack, due to legal pressure from the company behind the brand, even though Japan Tobacco is the big boy in Japan, with the American company having no clear legal way to take action or force them to change the design. Takara even went to the trouble of not selling it outside Japan (in Asia), even though Philip Morris again had no legal power to stop them (they only had power in the USA).

[Kurona]

you guys havin this big conversation about why they did or didn't change the name cancer and i just think its probly bc takara didnt give a shizzlefrickfrack

[primalxconvoy]

you guys havin this big conversation about why they did or didn't change the name cancer and i just think its probly bc takara didnt give a shizzlefrickfrack

If so, then it error be due to ignorance. This is a common problem in Japan, when English is used. It causes all kinds of problems or incidents.

[fenrir72]

you guys havin this big conversation about why they did or didn't change the name cancer and i just think its probly bc takara didnt give a shizzlefrickfrack

This.

[Seibertron]

I tell you what; both Skull cruncher and hardhead are IMPOSSIBLE to buy in Japan right now. Galvatron too. The week they came out, they were all gone from toys r us, Yamada denki, bic camera, Amazon Japan, etc. Even more, fortress maximus, which is meant to be available for pre order at Amazon Japan, is sold out, yet the scumbags that scalped them from Amazon are selling them as pre orders back at Amazon Japan for 300 dollars.

This isn't always the case with tfs, just specific Japanese only characters...

Interesting. But these arent Japanese only characters right?

No, they just were WAY bigger deals in Japan than they were here thanks to the Headmasters cartoon and manga.

[EmirateXaaron]

Yeah, I've been trying to find a decently-priced Skull lately, but I've been having no such luck. Hopefully the demand for them will die down soon enough.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

I tell you what; both Skull cruncher and hardhead are IMPOSSIBLE to buy in Japan right now. Galvatron too. The week they came out, they were all gone from toys r us, Yamada denki, bic camera, Amazon Japan, etc. Even more, fortress maximus, which is meant to be available for pre order at Amazon Japan, is sold out, yet the scumbags that scalped them from Amazon are selling them as pre orders back at Amazon Japan for 300 dollars.

This isn't always the case with tfs, just specific Japanese only characters...

Interesting. But these arent Japanese only characters right?

No, they just were WAY bigger deals in Japan than they were here thanks to the Headmasters cartoon and manga.

Even if they were made into new characters? Except for two, the toys were the same back in G1. I wonder how that will work out for Cancer aka "the rich-man's Squeezeplay".

[Agamemnon]

So, I was hoping Convobat was going to be one of those E-hobby exclusives that was going to be hard to come by so I wouldn't be tempted to order. ARRRGGGGHHH!!

BBTS Preorder listing for Legends LG-EX Convobat E-Hobby Limited, $89.99

Why? Why? Why did it have to be so expensive and yet so easy to order.?

It looks just too awesome to pass up, especially that Optimal Optimus paint job....Now I need a second Skullcruncher....

#AdultDisposableIncomeInAnEightYearOld

[King Kuuga]

So, I was hoping Convobat was going to be one of those E-hobby exclusives that was going to be hard to come by so I wouldn't be tempted to order. ARRRGGGGHHH!!

BBTS Preorder listing for Legends LG-EX Convobat E-Hobby Limited, $89.99

Why? Why? Why did it have to be so expensive and yet so easy to order.?

It looks just too awesome to pass up, especially that Optimal Optimus paint job....Now I need a second Skullcruncher....

#AdultDisposableIncomeInAnEightYearOld

Good god that's beautiful. I want one, and I want a Skullcruncher redecoed as Megaligator now to go with him. They can use Crashbash as his vehicle partner.


As far as the debate over Cancer goes, I don't think renaming him Squeezeplay on the packaging would be fitting. Squeezeplay and Cancer are different characters, much like Ginrai and Optimus Prime, and Minerva and Nightbeat. And as discussed, the association with the disease is much weaker over there, and even in the west you can make the connection with the zodiac sign. As the Legends toys aren't meant for release to an audience that would be particularly bothered by such usage, Takara, if they considered it at all, thought it a non-issue.

[Sabrblade]

So, I was hoping Convobat was going to be one of those E-hobby exclusives that was going to be hard to come by so I wouldn't be tempted to order. ARRRGGGGHHH!!

BBTS Preorder listing for Legends LG-EX Convobat E-Hobby Limited, $89.99

Why? Why? Why did it have to be so expensive and yet so easy to order.?

It looks just too awesome to pass up, especially that Optimal Optimus paint job....Now I need a second Skullcruncher....

#AdultDisposableIncomeInAnEightYearOld

Good god that's beautiful. I want one, and I want a Skullcruncher redecoed as Megaligator now to go with him. They can use Crashbash as his vehicle partner.\

Takara intends for people to just use Legends Skullcruncher for the body of the Megalligator head, as they've color-matched the Megalligator head's green to Skullcruncher's green.

The inclusion of Batora with Legends Skullcruncher also works in Megalligator's favor as Batora's purple/red deco and tyrannosaur/bird altmodes help to evoke Megatron's season 1 purple T-Rex mode and his Season 3 red dragon mode.

[fenrir72]

you guys havin this big conversation about why they did or didn't change the name cancer and i just think its probly bc takara didnt give a shizzlefrickfrack

If so, then it error be due to ignorance. This is a common problem in Japan, when English is used. It causes all kinds of problems or incidents.

Okay. Maybe to not ruffle the feathers, instead of calling him Crab/Cancer, why not call him Kani? That's what they call the crab in sushi/sashimi. Less intimidating more appetizing and will get Cancer laughed out of the Destron army......just like "Erector" or maybe Skull would get the eats for him?

[Cyberpath]

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