Takara Legends LG50 & LG51 In-Hand Images: Comparison with Titans Return Sixshot, Eye Paint, Haywire

so...... the takara one that is more expensive......has less paint. 10/10 logic

Octobotimus wrote:so...... the takara one that is more expensive......has less paint. 10/10 logic

It's not about more or less paint, it's about accuracy.

Octobotimus wrote:so...... the takara one that is more expensive......has less paint. 10/10 logic

theres also the fact that the headmaster is different and the helmet is molded different too

Ultra Markus wrote:

Octobotimus wrote:so...... the takara one that is more expensive......has less paint. 10/10 logic

theres also the fact that the headmaster is different and the helmet is molded different too

And the fact that there's not even close to less paint in actuality, just more paint serving the purpose of reducing the color variation. Those wrist-claws are either black plastic painted white on one side, or white plastic painted black on one side. The only two points of deco that are majorly "missing" from LG Sixshot are the ab paint (I'll concede on that one) and the chest decals, which are awful foil stickers that everyone hates anyway. Frankly I think the lack of those stickers is worth a premium on its own

Accuracy to a highly-simplified cartoon is another kettle of fish entirely, but with the newly-tooled helmet and head (not just face, entire Titan Master head dealio) on top of the redistributed but not significantly reduced paint, I don't think the logic here is too flawed honestly.

Takara is not as accurate this time around as people may think. In fact the shade of green on Hasbro is closer to Japanese Headmasters than you think. I have been watching Japanese TF since '96. He is defienelty on the lighter green side of that version of the show. I love Takara but this will be the price of Hasbro Sixshots. Now I do have a few Legends version of the Titan Return figures and I plan on getting Legends Overlord, but I just dont know about this Legends Sixshot. I peeled off the chest stickers on my Hasbro version and it looks much better to me.

Got LG49 Triggerhappy about a week ago. Transformation is very creative! So many twists and turns and stuff moving around. HasTak has been bringing it with this line.



I'd be more impressed, however, if they had managed to work a way for his head to stay attached. He was never a Headmaster before and two "master" gimmicks are a bit much. I came up with my own backstory to explain the head, different than Rebirth and Headmasters and the Legends manga. But I'm waiting for the other two jets to arrive.


Save for elbows, Blowpipe has some really good articulation for his size, but he's not very fun..




.. at least not as much as these--!






Lastly, some more silliness, his secret double-headed dragon mode, which surprisingly the manga didn't pick up on --

Comparison shots from @portarmy --

Once again courtesy of fellow Seibertronian Cyberpath and their social media foraging, we have some new images of a Takara Tomy Transformers Legends figure, via Twitter account portarmy - a Japanese toy blogger - with spotlight taker LG-53 Broadside! The images, all mirrored below for your viewing convenience, are comparison shots between the Legends (left) and Hasbro Titans Return (right) versions of the toy, its jet and boat mode, the Headmaster and Titan Master, and the robots modes, plus some shots with mold-mate Tidal Wave.

According to the photographer's own description, both the grey and the red have been darkened in hue, with the latter also showing up more overall, as the Hasbro version adheres to the toy, where the Takara Tomy one is closer to the cartoon; plus, the eyes of the robot head are a different colour altogether: red for Hasbro, blue for Takara Tomy. Check them out below!

And yet, they couldn't be bothered to fix the tail fins? UGGGGGGhhhhhhhhh.

Has anyone tried swapping the red fins for the grey fins, and then flipping them around? I’m wondering if they would fit better that way.

Octobotimus wrote:so...... the takara one that is more expensive......has less paint. 10/10 logic

Oh, not this shit again. Takara is only more expensive to people outside japan due to import fees, period. No other reason. If it was the same exact toy as hasbro, it would still be more expensive because of that (case in point, LG Trypticon)

The reverse works too, Hasbro toys are more expensive in Japan.

Check out this japanese listings from a reputable online retailer (like the japanese version of BBTS) for Hasbro's overlord, it's $100

http://www.redmercury.co.jp/shop/detail ... =RED-14034

And the only reason its more expensive is because Japanese people have to pay extra import fees for Hasbro products just like anyone outside japan has to pay extra import fees for Takara products.

Black Bumblebee wrote:And yet, they couldn't be bothered to fix the tail fins? UGGGGGGhhhhhhhhh.

There is nothing to fix according to them, that is how they toy was designed. And by them, no less.

RustedCross wrote:Has anyone tried swapping the red fins for the grey fins, and then flipping them around? I’m wondering if they would fit better that way.

I don't believe the grey and red fins can be swapped with each other, but swapping the leg each fin is attached to and flipping them around helps immensely. The kibble on the carrier mode's underside gets a tiny bit more noticeable and you have to mess with 'em a bit more in robot mode, but it's a decent trade-off IMO.

Slightly-above-potato-quality demonstrative images (utilising the Hasbro version, natch):

Ya, I have seen that configuration, and I agree it helps. But I’m really curious to know if the red ones can actually go where the grey ones are. Have you tried? Do you know for sure that they don’t fit?

RustedCross wrote:Ya, I have seen that configuration, and I agree it helps. But I’m really curious to know if the red ones can actually go where the grey ones are. Have you tried? Do you know for sure that they don’t fit?

Haven't tried it recently, but I seem to recall being unable to do it back when I first grabbed Broady earlier this year. I'll check and see for certain when I get the chance later today.

Thanks...I appreciate it.

Despite the reports - again, we reported on what sources have sent out, back here - it looks like some fans have already acquired a copy of the latest Takara Tomy Transformers Legends exclusive set: LG-EX God Ginrai, the combined and packed together form of Super Ginrai (Powermaster Optimus Prime in the Anglosphere) and Godbomber.

Previously released as separate items in the same line, as LG-35 Super Ginrai and LG-42 Godbomber, the new set includes different decos with some new added chrome, plus new Titan Masters (Headmasters in the Japanese release of the toys) Cab and Minerva, some clear plastic on the varios alt-mode windows, and you can see it all below, in comparison shots for the various modes, including some size comparisons with other figures and in-hand images (including in-packaging) courtesy of the Hong Kong HK-TF Facebook group!

PLEASE NOTE:

Sabrblade wrote:the LG-EX version seen here in these pics is also wearing a Perfect Effect upgrade kit, making it look even more different from the normal version of God Ginrai than it really is.

Note that the LG-EX version seen here in these pics is also wearing a Perfect Effect upgrade kit, making it look even more different from the normal version of God Ginrai than it really is.

Sabrblade wrote:Note that the LG-EX version seen here in these pics is also wearing a Perfect Effect upgrade kit, making it look even more different from the normal version of God Ginrai than it really is.

A very good point that I intended to include, will edit now!

william-james88 wrote:

Octobotimus wrote:so...... the takara one that is more expensive......has less paint. 10/10 logic

Oh, not this **** again. Takara is only more expensive to people outside japan due to import fees, period. No other reason. If it was the same exact toy as hasbro, it would still be more expensive because of that (case in point, LG Trypticon)

The reverse works too, Hasbro toys are more expensive in Japan.

Check out this japanese listings from a reputable online retailer (like the japanese version of BBTS) for Hasbro's overlord, it's $100

http://www.redmercury.co.jp/shop/detail ... =RED-14034

And the only reason its more expensive is because Japanese people have to pay extra import fees for Hasbro products just like anyone outside japan has to pay extra import fees for Takara products.

Black Bumblebee wrote:And yet, they couldn't be bothered to fix the tail fins? UGGGGGGhhhhhhhhh.

There is nothing to fix according to them, that is how they toy was designed. And by them, no less.

That's not really true. Japanese products are usually more expensive for a number of reasons. One of them is a protected market. Basically, things like CDs, for example, are much more expensive in Japan, to the point that an import CD of a non-Japanese artist is actually cheaper than the same CD printed in, or for, the Japanese market. This is also one of the reasons Japanese products feature "extra" features, items or content than equivalent products outside it; to be competitive and/or give a reason to buy the Japanese version.


Takara TFs can be found cheaper, at times, if sold by Hasbro Asia, while buying official Hasbro TFs from BBTS and importing them to Japan is fairly cheap.

However, Japanese shops are rarely connected enough to get their foreign products from wholesalers, so they but them at retail and then charge customers from that point in, hence the massive markup.

Japan has some cheap stuff, like food, etc, but many of their products, such as TFs ARE more expensive than foreign versions.

Qwan wrote:

RustedCross wrote:Ya, I have seen that configuration, and I agree it helps. But I’m really curious to know if the red ones can actually go where the grey ones are. Have you tried? Do you know for sure that they don’t fit?

Haven't tried it recently, but I seem to recall being unable to do it back when I first grabbed Broady earlier this year. I'll check and see for certain when I get the chance later today.

Just checked Broadside, and yeah the clips for the two types of tailfins are totally different dimensions - you won't be able to swap them with each other. No luck, sorry man

primalxconvoy wrote:However, Japanese shops are rarely connected enough to get their foreign products from wholesalers, so they but them at retail and then charge customers from that point in, hence the massive markup.

The site I showed, red mercury, must have its own channel for hasbro products since it gets them before anyone else, so them procuring it at retail to then resell it doesnt make sense time frame wise. they also have a nice tight schedule where a whole line will be available at once, as opposed to product by product, so I think there is a bit more going on there.

I do thank you for the detailed reasons why a toy would be more expensive in Japan ceteris paribus, and I am glad to see it indeed has nothing to do with the paintjob

The only point I was trying to make was that the differences in prices have more to do with other factors than paint.

And in any case, LG Trypticon is all the proof we need that takara prices have nothing to do with the different deco they choose, so I am still surprised this notion keeps coming up.

Qwan wrote:

Qwan wrote:

RustedCross wrote:Ya, I have seen that configuration, and I agree it helps. But I’m really curious to know if the red ones can actually go where the grey ones are. Have you tried? Do you know for sure that they don’t fit?

Haven't tried it recently, but I seem to recall being unable to do it back when I first grabbed Broady earlier this year. I'll check and see for certain when I get the chance later today.

Just checked Broadside, and yeah the clips for the two types of tailfins are totally different dimensions - you won't be able to swap them with each other. No luck, sorry man

Thanks for checking that out!

man, displaying the box set ginrai with all the PE accessories makes it a *really* lopsided photo comparison. The sword and gun *alone* make it look much more premium than it really is

william-james88 wrote:

primalxconvoy wrote:However, Japanese shops are rarely connected enough to get their foreign products from wholesalers, so they but them at retail and then charge customers from that point in, hence the massive markup.

The site I showed, red mercury, must have its own channel for hasbro products since it gets them before anyone else, so them procuring it at retail to then resell it doesnt make sense time frame wise. they also have a nice tight schedule where a whole line will be available at once, as opposed to product by product, so I think there is a bit more going on there.

I do thank you for the detailed reasons why a toy would be more expensive in Japan ceteris paribus, and I am glad to see it indeed has nothing to do with the paintjob

The only point I was trying to make was that the differences in prices have more to do with other factors than paint.

And in any case, LG Trypticon is all the proof we need that takara prices have nothing to do with the different deco they choose, so I am still surprised this notion keeps coming up.

Well you know where I stand on the Takara vs. Hasbro price differences. Weve been through it before and I damn sure dont feel like going through it again. I agree that what you say holds some truth. But I also believe all the so called shipping and import factors vary from dealer to dealer. So basically whoevers got the hookup is going to unload them cheaper. I also believe some dealers are not in a hurry to unload quickly hence the higher markups. In a market where online sales become the norm and brick and mortar sales become obselete, the terms "American market" and "Asian market" have almost zero meaning for Transformers. (Not talking about speciality kabaya or bear brick crap) Its all about the almighty paypal market. Theyll slap a delivery sticker on it and deliver to Afganistan if some guy wants to pay the price and hope the mail truck doesnt get hijacked. I only been to Japan in transit and at the time Takara Transformers Animated deluxes were selling at $40 USD in the airport gift shop and were at least 6 months old at the time. Granted airport gift shops sell things top dollar but thats still a far cry from the $20 a Hasbro deluxe cost in Miami International airport that year on the same trip. One thing I truely believe is that Japan is dealing with the decline in the popularity of action figures (among kids) in a different way that Hasbro does. Both companies seem to be gearing more towards adult G1 themed products. However Takara is more focused on selling toys to adults while Hasbro is trying to convince kids 1986 G1 themed characters are still cool. (Cooler than that PlayStation or IPhone that more kids would rather have than action figures) Takara isnt stupid. They jack up the prices tremendously under the "E-Hobby" banner and thus has nothing to do with import costs or shipping. E-Hobby is basically a way to charge adult collectors more. (Im not disputing that it isnt an actual company loosely affiliated with Takara) But I will say that I dont see any difference in quality or deco from regular takara releases to justify the increased price. (Runamuck vs. Runabout) Some might say limited release, but I crap on that theory. It doesnt cost them any more to make 1,000 figures than it does 5,000 figures. We got an idea how on average how many people worldwide were willing to pre-order Grand Maximus and it was under 3000. (Probably much less if you dont include the dealers who were willing to invest long term and buy more than they got pre-orders for) So that gives you a rough idea of how big the so called "high end" transformers fanbase really is. Somewhere between 2000 and 5000 collectors worldwide give or take. Do you really believe Takaras not going to take these folks wallets to the limit? Cmon now...Theyre gonna get them (including myself and probally you too) for every penny they can milk out of our rectums lol. They know were getting older and the G1 market for CHUG will die down slowly. Its not the same as vintage G1 toys that are of age to be true collectibles. CHUG is just for G1 fanboys in their 30s and 40s (like us) who want to re-live our youth with articulated figures instead of bricks. CHUG has always been for us. Hasbro just trys to sell it to todays kids and in the last 2 years it has worked. But dont think for a second that the sudden burst of G1 love doesnt signal a shift in marketing strategy by Hasbro. They pretty much killed RID and the TLK line failed miserably. But CHUG is flying off the shelves. Is it really 5-8 year olds screaming "bring back the 80s" ??? I doubt it. Its a marketing switch in my opinion. The focus is shifting towards adult collectors and try to grab as many kids in the process as possible. Thats where the brand is heading. Remember Hasbro designs the molds, Takara just uses them after Hasbro is done with them. They add the cool paint. Hasbro probally collabs with Takara on deco choices in attempt to get impatient collectors to double dip. As I said earlier, the real market is online sales. Hell I wouldnt be suprised if there are more Takara products sold outside of Japan than in Japan. And we all know they are not made in Japan. The factory is in either Vietnam or China because no labor laws make it more profitable. Im not an insider, but I highly doubt Takara pays shipping twice to get a gigantic shipping crate of toys to BBTS or TFsource. Im fairly certain the crate ships directly from the factory in Asia. (Not to Japan then to BBTS which would be a waste of money) Its all about the money. Dont fool yourself. Take a trip to Japan and visit various hobby shops and retail toy chains and report back to us with pictures you took with your own camera confirming you bought a takara deluxe figure for $17 USD in multiple locations. Im not saying it couldnt happen. I am saying I doubt it will happen. As far as the whole Takara Trypticon "same deco different box" debate, I speculate there is a good reason for this....GIGASTORM !!! Basically I think they are holding the nice cartoon accurate dark black plastic we all wanted for Gigastorm. Make the purple plastic blue and add a nose horn and BAM...instant $$$$$$$$$. But if Takara had given a darker cartoon accurate black deco to Trypticon, less people would be likely to double dip on the same really big expensive mold. The horn and a blue full tilt couldnt sell Gigastorm alone. (Just like the free pretender couldnt help Grand Maximus hit 3000) So its probably a well thought out marketing scheme to get the most bang for their buck from a repaint. Its all about the money. It has nothing to do with various alleged "markets". Thats my opinion anyways.

I'd like to know how to get the wings down at the shoulders. I could only manage to get them to look right at the shoulders.

No matter your opinion on if Takara or Hasbro is better, it's always interesting to see the color/paint/sticker/accessory choices (for better or worse) made on the different versions of each figure.

Seibertron.com Members wrote:Said a bunch of stuff about Broadside ...

I love seeing everyone discuss those wings, yet I just keep hoping every time I see a news story about Broadside is that someone fixed his damn legs in jet mode (there's no excuse for that) or that an exclusive headset for the alternate head for Broadside would get made or the goofy goggle eyed version of Octane. I'll take a multi-pack please with all of the weird head variations!

But... the Takara version doesn't have less paint. It's about the same. The Hasbro version has stickers, which make it look more detailed.

Seibertron wrote:

Seibertron.com Members wrote:Said a bunch of stuff about Broadside ...

I love seeing everyone discuss those wings, yet I just keep hoping every time I see a news story about Broadside is that someone fixed his damn legs in jet mode (there's no excuse for that) or that an exclusive headset for the alternate head for Broadside would get made or the goofy goggle eyed version of Octane. I'll take a multi-pack please with all of the weird head variations!

There's this fan-mode..

Cyberpath wrote:

Seibertron wrote:

Seibertron.com Members wrote:Said a bunch of stuff about Broadside ...

I love seeing everyone discuss those wings, yet I just keep hoping every time I see a news story about Broadside is that someone fixed his damn legs in jet mode (there's no excuse for that) or that an exclusive headset for the alternate head for Broadside would get made or the goofy goggle eyed version of Octane. I'll take a multi-pack please with all of the weird head variations!

There's this fan-mode..

Source: sprung-toime-is-hur--p1874774.php#p1874825

I still have no idea how the designers didn't see THIS and just run with it... versus whatever the hell they had for the "official mode"

SpikeyTigertron wrote:

Cyberpath wrote:

Seibertron wrote:

Seibertron.com Members wrote:Said a bunch of stuff about Broadside ...

I love seeing everyone discuss those wings, yet I just keep hoping every time I see a news story about Broadside is that someone fixed his damn legs in jet mode (there's no excuse for that) or that an exclusive headset for the alternate head for Broadside would get made or the goofy goggle eyed version of Octane. I'll take a multi-pack please with all of the weird head variations!

There's this fan-mode..

Source: sprung-toime-is-hur--p1874774.php#p1874825

I still have no idea how the designers didn't see THIS and just run with it... versus whatever the hell they had for the "official mode"

The problem with that mode is that the jet's underside won't be flush thanks to the pieces that become the front of the carrier mode.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

SpikeyTigertron wrote:

Cyberpath wrote:There's this fan-mode..

[snip]
Source: sprung-toime-is-hur--p1874774.php#p1874825

I still have no idea how the designers didn't see THIS and just run with it... versus whatever the hell they had for the "official mode"

The problem with that mode is that the jet's underside won't be flush thanks to the pieces that become the front of the carrier mode.

Yeah, it really only looks good from some angles (like the one in the photo). Plus nothing really locks anywhere, either - not that it did fantastically in the "official" configuration but it was definitely a little bit more locked-together. Honestly once the tail-fins are turned around, I'm pretty okay with the stock jet-mode. It's no masterpiece but it's decent enough - the main attraction of Broadside for me is the robot mode anyway, which looks great from both Hasbro and Takara by the way

SpikeyTigertron wrote:I still have no idea how the designers didn't see THIS and just run with it... versus whatever the hell they had for the "official mode"

Because it wont work in robot mode for flush kibble on the legs and they clearly valued the robot mode above all.

Also, this jet still sucks. We only think it looks better compared to what we got but if that was what they came out with I dont think any of us would have said it looked good.

Rated X wrote:Well you know where I stand on the Takara vs. Hasbro price differences. Weve been through it before and I damn sure dont feel like going through it again. I agree that what you say holds some truth.

Thanks, I always enjoy hearing from you too and I do totally agree that in this age of online ordering and companies which are purley operating online, having physical and national restrictions may sound counter intuitive, but I just think its laws not catching up fast enough to how commerce is changing and part of that is why we see such redundance and inneficience. And I do think its all about the money but not the way you think. I will discuss it more below when I get to that part. I will always agree that we should get a better price, but there seems to be some regulation in the way of that. But I am not an expert on it, I just read what other people, like Primal X Convoy, know.

Now for some other points I just wanted to clarify:

I only been to Japan in transit and at the time Takara Transformers Animated deluxes were selling at $40 USD in the airport gift shop and were at least 6 months old at the time. Granted airport gift shops sell things top dollar but thats still a far cry from the $20 a Hasbro deluxe cost in Miami International airport that year on the same trip.

I really dont think this anecdotal evidence on one airport collectable shop is the way to go for looking at a trend. One of my local collectable shops had Leader Megatron for $80 but I wouldnt use that to establish the price. I will give some solid evidence showing some trends, below.

As for the animated line, most online stores in japan sold them for a far more reasonable standard deluxe price than what the airport store had it for.



You can still get sealed Animated toys on the secondary japanese market for not too far from that price.

One thing I truely believe is that Japan is dealing with the decline in the popularity of action figures (among kids) in a different way that Hasbro does.

Yes they are. And we know that. They said it in an interview during the arms micron line where they felt the way to attract kids was to add model kits to Transformers sets. Thats why you had those Japan exclusive arms micron.

And while I will 100% agree that takara has greater efforts on attracting collectors, due to their MP line (which Hasbro is slowly getting to, with new efforts coming from them for the MPM line), every Takara designer keeps repeating that they make toys for kids and Takara is itself a toy company for kids. Like this most recent interview with a Takara designer, he defintely thinks of kids first when doing his job, and of the memories he will create: https://www.seibertron.com/transformers ... shi/39584/

Bandai seems more collector oriented compared to takara, in my opinion.

E-Hobby is basically a way to charge adult collectors more. (Im not disputing that it isnt an actual company loosely affiliated with Takara) But I will say that I dont see any difference in quality or deco from regular takara releases to justify the increased price. (Runamuck vs. Runabout) Some might say limited release, but I crap on that theory. It doesnt cost them any more to make 1,000 figures than it does 5,000 figures.

This is really nebulous for me. But does that mean that you think the whole thing with Fun Pub was a scam and that they were able to make those figures more affordable and simply chose not to?
Because they have similar prices to e-hobby. Its all above what I am willing to pay for those molds, so I never really bothered with e-hobby or fun pub.

We got an idea how on average how many people worldwide were willing to pre-order Grand Maximus and it was under 3000. (Probably much less if you dont include the dealers who were willing to invest long term and buy more than they got pre-orders for) So that gives you a rough idea of how big the so called "high end" transformers fanbase really is.

That grand Maximus thing is also something we arent sure of. But here are some facts.

BBTS and TFSource (and others) always go through Hasbro asia or another route for TTMall exclusives. Thats what they did with Defensor, remember that time when it came up on TTMall and you couldnt place an order right away? So international retailers dont necessarily get ttmall excusives from ttmall (as odd as that may sound).

Plus, BBTS is selling Fort Max at around $250 which is similar to what TTmall is selling it for (similar price point, but the dollar value may change based on exchange rates) so it clearly couldnt have been purchased from TTMall because if thats the case then BBTS could not sell it at that price.

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/Product/V ... ails/63049




So all evidence and common sense points to them getting it from a wholesaler/hasbro asia, as they always do. Which means that international sellers didnt go through TTMall and do not count towards the 3000 (since only TTmall orders go towards the goal), meaning that those 3000 collectors are all mainly in Japan and it is not a good enough indicator to assess how many collectors there are in the world.

Hasbro just trys to sell it to todays kids and in the last 2 years it has worked. But dont think for a second that the sudden burst of G1 love doesnt signal a shift in marketing strategy by Hasbro. They pretty much killed RID and the TLK line failed miserably. But CHUG is flying off the shelves.

CHUG aint flying off the shelves. The amount of Brawns I see could fill my back yard. Same for Broadside, and dont get me started on Doublecross



The only toys flying off the shelves are the new ones, but thats true for any TF toyline. Those wave 3 movie toys didnt last long when they first showed up. Also while I find it hard to believe, Hasbro CEO has repeatedly stated to reporters that the TLK line is selling well.

Is it really 5-8 year olds screaming "bring back the 80s" ??? I doubt it. Its a marketing switch in my opinion.

All evidence points towards marketting not giving a fuck and just wanting product on the shelves. The direction of the toyline seems to be based on the head designer which right now has a mission of bringing back G1 as much as possible. All he is asked is to keep costs down and product coming.

The focus is shifting towards adult collectors and try to grab as many kids in the process as possible. Thats where the brand is heading. Remember Hasbro designs the molds, Takara just uses them after Hasbro is done with them.

The more and more I read about it, the less Hasbro seems involved directly in the design aside from planning. The designs come from contracted artists who are not part of hasbro. Those designs are then sent to takara for them to figure out how to get from one mode to the next.

This shot here shows both the contracted artist and the result from Takara. Hasbro is not involved in this aside from telling both parties they want an Optimus Primal that will sell at $45 MSRP.



As you can see in that image above, it is takara who is designing the mold and they are doing so more and more frequently (or at least as a codevelopper, the point is, the roles each company plays seems more interconnected than ever).

the real market is online sales. Hell I wouldnt be suprised if there are more Takara products sold outside of Japan than in Japan.

That is super interesting, and it has me curious, but for some reason I feel takara doesnt give a crap about International collectors. I mean, if they would they would at least have their main site available in english no? And if the real market is online sales, I dont really get the point of what you are asking of me below:

Take a trip to Japan and visit various hobby shops and retail toy chains and report back to us with pictures you took with your own camera confirming you bought a takara deluxe figure for $17 USD in multiple locations. Im not saying it couldnt happen. I am saying I doubt it will happen.

We are talking about online, so why not stick to that? Plus the retail toy market in japan is getting ridiculously small with many reports of the only toys remainging stocked are shelfwarmers. And with us as colelctors in north america buying stuf on amazon and bbts, why not compare apples with apples. Say I am a collector in japan buying transformers online, here are my options for TLK Drift right this second.








All of which are $18 and under. So maybe not $17, but thats at least 3 places where you could get a deluxe for $18 USD and under in Japan. The price points in Japan are similar to the ones in the US so I am not really surprised by this result.

Im not an insider, but I highly doubt Takara pays shipping twice to get a gigantic shipping crate of toys to BBTS or TFsource.
[/quote]

I dont think so either, that sounds super inneficient and plus it would put a strain for getting items on time. Also, BBTS and TFSource cant order directly from takara (BBTS has said they have a direct account with hasbro, but not with takara). So what happens instead is they order from a middleman wholesaler. Basically, he will buy a TF on wholesale from Takara for $10, then sell it to BBTS for $15 and then BBTS will sell it for $20. Arbitrary numbers of course, but everyone gets a cut, basically. Thats why the prices are higher for imports, anyone can correct me if this is dead wrong. And the japanese middle man could simply tell the factories to ship directly to BBTS instead of him, that would make sense to me. It could be that the vietnamese factory ships to the middleman who then ships to BBTS but that sounds super inneficient, but who knows what has to be done contractually.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

SpikeyTigertron wrote:

Cyberpath wrote:

Seibertron wrote:

Seibertron.com Members wrote:Said a bunch of stuff about Broadside ...

I love seeing everyone discuss those wings, yet I just keep hoping every time I see a news story about Broadside is that someone fixed his damn legs in jet mode (there's no excuse for that) or that an exclusive headset for the alternate head for Broadside would get made or the goofy goggle eyed version of Octane. I'll take a multi-pack please with all of the weird head variations!

There's this fan-mode..

Source: sprung-toime-is-hur--p1874774.php#p1874825

I still have no idea how the designers didn't see THIS and just run with it... versus whatever the hell they had for the "official mode"

The problem with that mode is that the jet's underside won't be flush thanks to the pieces that become the front of the carrier mode.

There's a fan-made upgrade kit for that --

https://www.nonnef.com/collections/titans-return/products/broadside-tr

Upgrades mounted in the plane fan-mode. Holds everything together tightly and fills in all the gaps.


For those of you starting to get your Broadside kits in, here's how you need to set everything up for fan-mode:

I just skipped Broadside altogether.

Takara Tomy has another problem that they can neither do anything about nor will be going away any time soon (if at all): Japan's declining birth rate. They currently have the third lowest birth rate in the world and their population is aging rapidly. The population 14 and under is at a historic low, once at a high of around 30 million during the '50s and '60s it's currently around 18 million. Granted, those are still large numbers, but that kind of reduction in population isn't doing them any favors. Meanwhile the workforce age range, while also quickly declining as the elderly population stays the same, still makes up the largest portion of the population. So it really isn't any wonder why Takara Tomy would start to favor broader appealing retail lines like Legends and the Movies, or high priced collectible lines like Masterpiece (or even UW) over the younger skewing lines like Adventure (RID). It's also little surprise why try to make the figures look as good as possible while still managing to keep the prices relatively low.

Oh, and as far as Japanese retail prices go, here's a physical location:

Bic Camera


Emerje

Cyberpath wrote:I just skipped Broadside altogether.

What a great response. But seriously, I think he is quite fun and 2 of his 3 modes look really good.

The last article of my recent Legends batch -- LG44 Sharkticon. (The next batch is taking its time leaving Japan, maybe BF/CM overload.)

Aside for some kibble (and missing antennas) (due to its small size class I'm sure) Sharkticon looks spot-on to his cartoon-model.

Bipedal piranha mode looks great.





Transformation is easy and fun.




Articulation in robot-mode is maybe more limited than some other figures but he can pull off some good poses, and he's fun to shoot.



One of his elbows is kind of stiff so the shoulder sometimes pops off.





The Sweep head is a nice bonus, I'm using it has Scourge.

william-james88 wrote:

Cyberpath wrote:I just skipped Broadside altogether.

What a great response. But seriously, I think he is quite fun and 2 of his 3 modes look really good.

HasTak has gotten so good at making both modes of a Transformer look nice, I guess triple-changers are still a challenge.

Nice pics, Cyberpath! I've just ordered a couple LG Sharkticons myself and they're on the way now, so it's perfect timing for your awesome shots to get me hyped up for my new plastic toys

Thanks! :)

Our ol' pal Chuck has reviewed Takara's Transformers Legends LG52 Targetmaster Misfire with comparisons to the Hasbro version. The biggest difference of ourse is the inclusion of a targetmaster component but there are a lot of differences in the deco as well, as you can see in the video below. For instance, the pink/fuchsia plastic he is molded in is a far more vibrant shade. Let us know which shade you find more suiting to the toy and if you find the higher cost (due to both importing and the extra Targetmaster) is worthwhile for this particular release.

chuckdawg1999 wrote:Legends Misfire continues the trend of Takara adding the classic Targetmaster partner to the classic Targetmasters. Misfire, features a lighter lavender deco than the Titans Return version as well as a fully painted headmaster. Aimless is a fun little figure that transforms into a cool looking blaster.

Hey guys! I was wondering if you guys could help me out with something. Every holiday season, I try to treat myself to a pricier Transformer toy. I don't normally go for Takara stuff because of the price (which I see was the subject of an interesting conversation on this thread).

Anyways, I'm considering getting myself one of the Legends class/Headmaster sets in Takara's version of Titans Return. I've got my eye on three in particular, those being:

- Kickback and Clouder

- Condor/Laserbeak and Apeface

- Sharkticon and Sweep

I've got Hasbro versions of these molds already, but I really dig these sets and the prices on BBTS are within my range. So my question is which one did you guys prefer the most? I'm curious to hear what you guys think, and thank you for helping me out here!

BombshellDaBug wrote:Hey guys! I was wondering if you guys could help me out with something. Every holiday season, I try to treat myself to a pricier Transformer toy. I don't normally go for Takara stuff because of the price (which I see was the subject of an interesting conversation on this thread).

Anyways, I'm considering getting myself one of the Legends class/Headmaster sets in Takara's version of Titans Return. I've got my eye on three in particular, those being:

- Kickback and Clouder

- Condor/Laserbeak and Apeface

- Sharkticon and Sweep

I've got Hasbro versions of these molds already, but I really dig these sets and the prices on BBTS are within my range. So my question is which one did you guys prefer the most? I'm curious to hear what you guys think, and thank you for helping me out here!

I just picked up a couple LG Sharkticons myself, and I gotta say they are sweet. The Sharkticons themselves are fantastically-painted, and while I still appreciate the Hasbro versions I really feel that the Takara deco makes them look so much nicer. The Sweep heads aren't much use for their primary purpose if you don't also have extra Hasbro or Takara Scourges, but they're good as cannon fodder or for manning guns - I have my three acting as maintenance/grunt troops on Trypticon . Honestly though, the Sharkticons are strongest as a group, and a single one might not be as much fun for you. Absolutely worth considering though, regardless.

I don't own either of the other sets, but the Takara take on Kickback looks similarly lush. Like the Sharkticon and unlike Laserbeak, it'd make more fictional sense to have both Hasbro and Takara versions, but that's only if in-fiction justification really matters to you. He also has the bonus of coming with Clouder, which is significantly different in deco from the Western Ramhorn TM and is a character that you wouldn't get from any of Hasbro's releases, meaning you're not doubling up at all by getting him. Personally I'd recommend either Kickback/Clouder or Sharkticon/Sweep sets, with a slight bias toward Sharkticon since I just got some of my own, and the caveat that Sharkticons are more fun the more you have.

I hope that my advice, buried in there among all the rambling, is at least a little helpful! Happy holidays, and whatever you end up choosing, I hope you enjoy it a lot!

Cyberpath wrote:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

SpikeyTigertron wrote:

Cyberpath wrote:

Seibertron wrote:

Seibertron.com Members wrote:Said a bunch of stuff about Broadside ...

I love seeing everyone discuss those wings, yet I just keep hoping every time I see a news story about Broadside is that someone fixed his damn legs in jet mode (there's no excuse for that) or that an exclusive headset for the alternate head for Broadside would get made or the goofy goggle eyed version of Octane. I'll take a multi-pack please with all of the weird head variations!

There's this fan-mode..

Source: sprung-toime-is-hur--p1874774.php#p1874825

I still have no idea how the designers didn't see THIS and just run with it... versus whatever the hell they had for the "official mode"

The problem with that mode is that the jet's underside won't be flush thanks to the pieces that become the front of the carrier mode.

There's a fan-made upgrade kit for that --

https://www.nonnef.com/collections/titans-return/products/broadside-tr

Upgrades mounted in the plane fan-mode. Holds everything together tightly and fills in all the gaps.


For those of you starting to get your Broadside kits in, here's how you need to set everything up for fan-mode:

I just skipped Broadside altogether.

Honestly, the Nonnef kit made me regret selling Tidal Wave because it made the jet mode workable. Yes, it's still a big blocky thing, but the axe holding the legs together and haveing the gun mounted under the cockpit to act as a kickstand for the feet folded under it really took away the issues I had. I honestly found a whole new love for Broadside. But I don't think I am going to go track down another Tidal Wave now.

Double Post to avoid a long post

In regards to tehe whole Kids/ 80s thing. At some point, I think Hasbro has realized they don't need to make up new characters to sell to kids, because they have so many in the archive. The Kids aren't "Demanding" anything besides maybe what Alt modes we get and maybe new characters instead of the same core cast over and over. Do they care that Triggerhappy is an 86 character? No. They care that he is a futuristic space plane with two awesome modes. Maybe when they get older and learn more about him they'll find it cool, but he is "New" to them.

What's the expression? Doesn't matter how old the News is to someone who hasn't heard it?

By releasing these otherwise untouched G1 Characters, Hasbro gets to kill 2 birds with one stone. 1) It's new and different characters that ids can play with alongside their favorite flavor of Bumblebee, more of "Bumblebee's Friends" if you will. But they ALSO get to feed the collector side as well with an old character that hasn't been overdone.

It is a sign of a change in business plan, but I don't think its a sign of a change in target market. Rather, its a realization that they can get more mileage out of previously established resources.

Qwan wrote:

I've got Hasbro versions of these molds already, but I really dig these sets and the prices on BBTS are within my range. So my question is which one did you guys prefer the most? I'm curious to hear what you guys think, and thank you for helping me out here!

I just picked up a couple LG Sharkticons myself, and I gotta say they are sweet. The Sharkticons themselves are fantastically-painted, and while I still appreciate the Hasbro versions I really feel that the Takara deco makes them look so much nicer. The Sweep heads aren't much use for their primary purpose if you don't also have extra Hasbro or Takara Scourges, but they're good as cannon fodder or for manning guns - I have my three acting as maintenance/grunt troops on Trypticon . Honestly though, the Sharkticons are strongest as a group, and a single one might not be as much fun for you. Absolutely worth considering though, regardless.D

I agree with the sharkticon recomendation. I dont have him and stuck to getting 3 Hasro ones instead but if there is a set with molds worth double dipping on its easily the sharkticon with the new sweep head. Its because both of those work as troop builders. Even if you dont have an extra Scourge, you can always switch out that head with the one that came with the hasbro version to pretend he visited the barber and shaved his beard

Good news, everyone in Hong Kong! Via the official regional Toys'R'Us website, we have confirmation that the reportedly delayed, but never actually so - not from the images we've received, anyway - Takara Tomy Transformers Legends LG-EX God Ginrai set is being sold at retail!

Under the name GodJinrai, with a price of HK$1,129.90 (144 USD), the figure is only being sold and shipped in the Hong Kong area, just so people are aware and don't try getting it shipped out to their own country. You can check out the listing here!

Product Description

With Super Jinrai the windows are translucent and God bomber features chrome plating on parts of the figure. Exclusive Minerva and Cab Headmasters included only available with this set! Together Lg-35 Super Jinrai and LG-42 God Bomber combine to form Godjinrai, the powerful leader of the Autobots!

Set Includes:
- LG35 Super Jinrai
- LG42 God Bomber
- Exclusive Minerva Headmaster
- Exclusive Cab Headmaster
- Two Blasters
- Two Shoulder Cannons for Super Jinrai
- God Bomber Shoulder Cannon
- Shoulder Cannon for Ginrai
- Shoulder Cannon Tip
- Sword

Cool, my God Ginrai is arriving today meanwhile toysrus uk is set to close a quarter of its stores according to the news over here.

i just got Misfire and Aimless!!!...and Aimless has two right legs...