think they trying to make the new seeker look different leaving the flap up ...look at the cone heads ... isn't that a mistransformation from the g1 toy !
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The Chinese write everything in Chinese. :p While there isn't a phonetic script, characters with similar sounds are often used. Sometimes even the meanings are similar, as in shampoo = 香波 (xiang bo), literally "fragrant wave". Foods are pretty common: chocolate = 巧克力 (qiao ke li), coca cola = 可口可乐 (ke kou ke le), hamburger = 汉堡包 (han bao bao). And table tennis is 乒乓球 (ping pang qiu), that always got a laugh in school. :)
I think it's unlikely that that box style will be released in Japan - isn't the deal that Takara-Tomy and Hasbro don't compete in each others regions? I'm surprised they didn't rework the box to remove the characters for western release, but perhaps that was the only one they had ready.
I thought it was just messed up too, but even the box photography shows the flaps/ailerons sticking up. Hasbro probably won't beat down your door if you decide to fold them down instead. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Bidoofdude
Sinophone markets are domains of Hasbro Asia-Pacific, not Takara TOMY. :) But yeah, this packaging is clearly aimed at Hasbro's markets. I think the Chinese characters are more intended for their Sinophone markets (as it sociolinguistically feels out of place for the Japanese market). Or it could be Hasbro trying to make the packaging look more "Asian exotic" for their own Western markets. They did this before with Hasbro Magmatron whose box has Japanese text printed throughout what is a standard Hasbro style packaging (but still is primarily English language), as well as the tag "Japanese Dinobot now available in the U.S.!" (although it was available in non-U.S. markets like Australia too :o), so part of the marketing of the toy was to remind consumers that this was originally a Japanese toy. But considering that the Kanji on this box is more sociolinguistically appropriate for Sinophone speakers over Japonophone speakers, I'd say the Hasbro Asia (principally released through Hong Kong IIRC) explanation makes the most sense. :)
Hasbro and TakaraTOMY can release each other's toys in their markets with consent from the other party. e.g. Hasbro Australia would have secured permission from Takara(TOMY) to release toys here like MP Ultra Magnus, MP Convoy Perfect Ed., MP Ghost Starscream, Jetwing Optimus Prime etc., and likewise any Hasbro toys released in Japan would have been done with Hasbro's permission. This doesn't include specialty import stores though (who in Australia at least, have to pay a stackload of import taxes, duties etc. which is why they're so expensive here).
Oh, look, Toys R Us in America will have their Soundwave and Acid Storm available for purhase online on the 18th of June.
Hmmm... Hasbro, why aren't you releasing your stock here... I know you have it
Soooooo, do they post it here?