Transformers 30th Anniversary Masterpiece Fan's Choice

[reillyd]

I never had the original (please reissue!) but I'd definitely pick this one up. Surprised to see Armada prime is so popular

[Deonasis]

BTW those sketches are from the design of the original toy. They were just showing some reference material like the sketches and some animation cells. Aparently they did ever so briefly show some of the MP design but it was more of a "we'll show you so quickly that you won't actually see much."

[Sinnertwin]

Victory Leo & Deszaras wouldnt go astray either along with Liokaiser, Dinoking, Road Caesar...

[DELTAprime]

Victory Leo & Deszaras wouldnt go astray either along with Liokaiser, Dinoking, Road Caesar...

I doubt we will see more obscure Japanese only characters at this point. A character thats well known in the west like Ultra Magnus for example will make much more money for Takara than Japanese only characters.

[fatbot]

I doubt we will see more obscure Japanese only characters at this point. A character thats well known in the west like Ultra Magnus for example will make much more money for Takara than Japanese only characters.

I'm not sure if TakTom gives two shits about the western market. The agreement they have with Hasbro doesn't allow them to sell outside Japan.

TakTom will make MP toys according to what they believe Japanese consumers want, not us.

[Trent]

I'm not sure if TakTom gives two shits about the western market. The agreement they have with Hasbro doesn't allow them to sell outside Japan.

TakTom will make MP toys according to what they believe Japanese consumers want, not us.

They would be silly to ignore the international market though. BBTS, TFSource, Chimungmung, RK to name but a few all sell Takara Products and are all located outside Japan. The numbers that they sell are not insignificant so I'm sure Takara would consider it when they want to maximize sales.

I agree that their primary market is Japan, but if the percentage of international sales is 50% or even only 30%, it's still a big enough number to influence decisions.

[Shirokaze]

I'm sure Star Saber will be an amazing toy

I'm don't really understand Japan's love for Armada Prime though. For me he'd be right down the bottom next to Energon Prime....

[Zommael]

If they're making Star Saber then I'd say odds are they'll make Victory Leo as well. They'd damn well better. Victory Saber FTV.

[Hursticon]

BTW those sketches are from the design of the original toy. They were just showing some reference material like the sketches and some animation cells. Aparently they did ever so briefly show some of the MP design but it was more of a "we'll show you so quickly that you won't actually see much."

Well, shows that I clearly don't understand a lick of Japanese!
Still, they're wicked design sketches and the animation Cels were rather cool too.

If they're making Star Saber then I'd say odds are they'll make Victory Leo as well. They'd damn well better. Victory Saber FTV.

Hmm... I don't know about that as this particular Masterpiece figure is apparently meant to be a 30th Anniversary once-off - That said, there's little to stop them from following up with an MP Victory Leo at some point though.

[GoktimusPrime]

I never had the original (please reissue!) but I'd definitely pick this one up.

The G1 toy is rubbish IMHO (although I would still buy a reissue if they made it). An MP Star Sabre would be most welcome.

They would be silly to ignore the international market though. BBTS, TFSource, Chimungmung, RK to name but a few all sell Takara Products and are all located outside Japan. The numbers that they sell are not insignificant so I'm sure Takara would consider it when they want to maximize sales.

I agree that their primary market is Japan, but if the percentage of international sales is 50% or even only 30%, it's still a big enough number to influence decisions.

It's not a matter of whether or not TakaraTOMY wants to consider the international market - as fatbot pointed out, they are contractually forbidden from doing so. Both Hasbro and Takara have a long standing agreement between each other that disallows them from cross-competing with each other's markets. So when Takara develops products they have to disregard any considerations for anything outside of their market, and likewise for Hasbro.

There have been times when both companies have agreed to collaborate on developing products to suit both markets - Transformers Armada is an example of this. But Takara won't develop a product for their market while explicitly catering for Hasbro's nor vice versa. This is why TakaraTOMY goes ahead and produces toys that Hasbro can never release such as G1 Megatron reissues and MP Megatron. And they have reissued Japanese exclusive G1 figures before that Hasbro are unlikely to release such as Landcross and Star Convoy. Hasbro were able to release their own version of God Ginrai, but marketed as Apex Armour Powermaster Optimus Prime (even though the Ginrai mould has some notable differences from PMOP).