NYCC12 TokuNation interviews BlueFin/Tamashii Nation - A meeting of the Nations!
 

At New York Comic Con 2012, I had the honor and privilege to interview the Bandai of Japan Rep that works closely with their US distributor: BlueFin. Being Tamashii Nation's sole distributor outside of Japan, many wondered if BlueFin has became more than just a distributor for Tamashii Nation? I asked Adam these questions and more, and Adam had some very cool answers for us, please watch the video below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLXAn...ature=youtu.be

Why is the video so squished? Oh, and the audio is out of synch.

I don't agree with the Yellow Ranger from Zyu/MMPR being a web exclusive. Male or female, the Figuarts should look exactly how he/she looked on the show. There is no difference between the two.

Pretty interesting nonetheless, thanks for posting it.

I had recorded the video on my phone but forgot to turn the phone to landscape... FML :lol

Could be just a breast peice you put on :lol

That was one hell of an interview my friend!

answered a ton of my questions I had, though I wished I could of given you a question to ask for me :lol

Wow, sync issues aside that was a great interview! Seriously, it was a lot more in-depth and informative than most other sites would do. And you asked my question about reissues like of Knight! Thanks! (he didn't have the answer unfortunately, sigh).

The gist I got from it though is that they're making the US a big part of their plans with everything BUT Kamen Rider(and Saint Seiya, I guess). The SH MonsterArts US focus was interesting, as was the bit he dangled about possibly getting Sentai monsters in there(that was what he was getting at, right?).

It does seem like they're going to gauge the response to the MMPR product to get a sense of the US audience for Sentai merchandise - in which case I will make it a point to buy those items through Bluefin retailers rather than going through Japan. If we want a Lord Zedd we're going to need to show up at retail.

Interesting point he made about people buying off of import sites like Amiami. It doesn't help Bluefin measure their demographic at all. I guess I'm glad I've held off on SRC Daizyujin so far so I can buy it through Bluefin, though it would have been nice to have earlier.

Honestly, if we want to make a more immediate impact with Bandai about this kind of thing? Send them a follow-up email with links to the Recent Purchases threads. All of them. Nothing says "we're waiting, come and take our money!" like photographic proof of the volume of product we're buying directly from Japan.

I really hope them looking at the European market goes somewhere, I'd love to be able to support Bluefin properly rather than just saying "yay US releases" and then buying straight from amiami because its considerably cheaper :lol

Interesting to hear about the demand differences between the US and Japan (especially since Zeo's popularity in America might be my best chance at getting the Zeo team) and that they might be looking into role play items. They've certainly come along way in the last few years and its great that they can start engaging buyers properly rather than just relaying what's coming out in Japan.

Also, I want that t-shirt.

Adam was totally hinting that sentai villains could end up in the monsterarts line

EDIT: I'll address the audio syncing issue after the con is over

Yeah, this why I get my MonsterArts off Amazon these days. AmiAmi might look cheaper, but there is conversion rate and shipping that balances it out compared to getting it from Amazon with free shipping. Also, I'm starting to think having patience when the new Tamashii pre-orders come up for Figuarts and such. If I had know Bluefin was brining Ryuki Survive and S.I.C. TaJaDor over, I would have waited.

Sentai MOTW in MonsterArts? Pirantis Head and Silo MonsterArts NOW!

Dude!! I forgot to meet up with you at the show!

P.S. I want that guy's job.

Thanks ST! You rock sir! Great interview :) Very informative. Adam is a rockstar.

SHM Kickasseroid or GTFO.

Nice interview!
I'm not usually one for this kind of speculation, but Bluefin seems really intent on talking about Lord Zedd. I'm not saying that means anything, but...

Very informative interview Tom, thanks for asking questions on our behalf! Very excited for MMPR 20th thanks to Bluefin, rock on!

Audio synching issue fixed and quality of the video improved.

Awesome interview, some good information and insight. And Bluefin just shared it themselves over their twitter and facebook page!

Sweet!!

Great meeting you at the show by the way :)

Same here, and thanks again for the Ranger Key. May have to buy one or 2 more off you if you still have any.