New Generations book translation of staff interview.

[griffin]

Posted to tfw2005, is a translation from the new Generations book, of the interview with a trio of TakaraTomy staff who have been involved in the design and develoment of Transformers since the mid 80s.

http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-...erview-167073/

Some very good info in there, about the origin of Henkei/Classics, comments on some of the released items, and its future.

[griffin]

This made me laugh:

Yuki: Hasbro does not like an absence of a gimmick. That is why higher priced products include gimmicks such as missiles and sound.
Ejima: This time we presented the beauty of the figures rather than gimmicks. Hasbro said to us that those were fantastic. We answered, "It's because they are without gimmicks".

Not that Hasbro would consider cutting out the gimmicks, because they have their hands tied by Walmart and the general retailers who don't care about the individual product, but what it can do as a 'product line'. Sure, as a line, TFs can transform, but they need to 'keep the line/concept fresh' and the conversion gimmick only works once to retailers/walmart who are looking to buy something 'new'.

[Kyle]

What a good read!

[bruticus]

WOW, this has got to be one of the best TF articles i have read in ages....

Walker-tank galvatron hey? i need to go home and try that out later...
Astrotrain was painted white to reflect real space shuttles and appeal to people better...
The Dreaded Crotch tear test....
gimmicks..
ah, it all makes sense now....

Fark, theres so much revelations....Each one deserves an individual thread alone if they havent got one already....

If only it was feasible for Henkeis to have diecast parts like G1, then that would be the absolute icing on the cake for me and im sure for others out there too.......

[Zippo]

That is a very informative translation,
Thanks to the translater

[liegeprime]

A wonderfully insightful interview.
I might just have to print this so when I get the book I'll keep the translated article within the pages.

Something that caught my eye though, might send some eyebrows raising among the collectordom hehehe

Yuki: "Please take them out of the box, and play."