I think Japanese made TF's are the best quality

[primatives]

HI everyone just wanting to discuss some quality issues with toys these days and most recently the Bruticus Encore. Well I went through my G1 toys mostly combiners to see what the quality was like back then.

My G1 Stunticons looked pretty crap I must say but they did have diecast so that was good My Motormaster is really crappy quality wise, the plastic is not fantastic at all and very light and seems like its going to break if you handeled it roughly. All the heads are crap and paint all over the palce.

However my Aerialbots and Constructicons are all really well made no flaws in it at all and all the head moulds are absoultely fantstic.

I do think the ones that were made in Japan were the best quality and onced they were made in China is where the quality started t go down. Do you guys agree?? I could be wrong.

[TheDirtyDigger]

I do think the ones that were made in Japan were the best quality and onced they were made in China is where the quality started t go down. Do you guys agree?? I could be wrong.

You're not wrong.

[GoktimusPrime]

I don't think there have been (m)any Transformers made in Japan since 1987.

[AussieJason]

No, you are right.

With some exceptions, the G1 toys were very well made and seem to last.

I have doubts about my more modern TF's in 25 years time...

[GoktimusPrime]

TBH I think most Transformers today are very well made. Transformers engineering has come a long way since 1984, and while the G1 Transformers were generally quite well designed for their time, they really pale in a direct comparison with modern Transformers.

The following comparison between contemporary Transformers (CTFs) and G1 Transformers (G1TFs) is based on generalisations of both CTFs and G1TFs - of course there are always exceptions, but generally speaking...

+ CTFs are fully poseable action figures in robot mode. Late G2 introduced fully articulated robot modes and ball-socket joints which became standardised during Beast Wars. Your typical Basic/Scout Class TF has a minimum of 9 points of articulation. G1TFs on the other hand were often poorly articulated in robot mode and some are "bricks" compared to CTFs. Most articulation existed incidentally because of the way the transformation was designed rather than being intentionally designed for poseability. e.g.: G1 Mirage can move his shoulders, elbows and wrists (6 points of articulation) whereas Classics/Henkei Mirage can move his head, shoulders, elbows, wrists, waist, hips, knees and ankles (14 points of articulation).

+ G1TFs often relied on stickers to add further cosmetic detail and highlights. This was essentially abandoned during Beast Wars where engineering focused on more highly detailed sculpting and paint applications, including airbrushing.

+ G1TFs were comparatively fragile and easily breakable compared to most CTFs which are far hardier and also have some parts which are designed to pop off under stress rather than just irrepairably snapping off.

[TheDirtyDigger]

While stickers definitely were there to add further cosmetic detail and highlights, I feel, as an end user, that they enhanced enjoyment of the toy through greater interactivity. (except when you put them on wonky...grrrrrrr)

And while the points you make there Gok on articulation and poseability are all very true and valid I think the point primatives is making is that CTFs are badly made compared to G1TFs because of mould flaws and crap quality plastic.

While personally I do like nearly all CTFs (ROTF generally excepted) I cringe in nerd disgust whenever I see a new TF with that s#!+ful grey plastic.