I think part of it is that they produce less quantities of these, since they're more meant for collectors, and part of it is...well, that they want to.

I dunno, they haven't seemed very milk-y with the SMP releases. Normal minipla, yes. Super minipla, not really. I kind of wish they were though, I want some of the kits that are no longer in production.

Also the creation of brand new steel molds are extremely expensive. As while this is baseless assumptions I feel like due to the size Grand Liner might have a similar amount of plastic in it to Generations 2012-ish Metroplex, a figure that former lead designer Aaron Archer theorized cost close to a million dollars to produce the master molds for.

So it's most likely the cost of producing the brand new steel molds and the drastically smaller production run of the kits compared to standard Bandai High Grade kits, alongside the amount of plastic used and the pre-applied paint.

But every new toy requires new steel moulds, so that’s kind of a pointless thing to say. Like, that’s practically a non-sequitur. By that logic every toy would be inflated in price, but the cost of steel moulds is one of the things recouped in standard retail prices, I’m asking what makes a Grand Liner MORE expensive than any other model of its size and complexity. RG kits require twice to three times the amount of steel moulds and aren’t this expensive.

Also, no way does Grand Liner have as much plastic asMetroplex. Metroplex is over two feet tall, Grand a Liner is under a foot. I don’t see how you came to that conclusion that they somehow have the same plastic content.

Metroplex like the rest of the 2012 series of transformers figures is extremely hollow like from what I remember it weighed about as much as a Cybertron leader class figure despite being around 2 and a half time bigger.

and I'm glad you ignored toe 2nd part of the comment about the molds, production size the less of something is made the more expensive it needs to be to compensate. I'll be shocked if there are more than ten thousand units produced of this, and that's not getting into the whole it's most likely only going to be getting a single small production run to make back the costs and it can't be recolored or remolded into something else.

And that's the main difference between Grand Liner and any Real Grade kit, the later is going to be continuously produced for years and have multiple reuses of their mold (the RG Unicorn Gundam if you include the Banshee and Phenex will have at least 12 different uses and releases by the end of the year; 14 if you include the special versions of the Unicorn and Banshee that only have a different box art )

And Grand Liner isn't hollow? It's literally five empty boxes on wheels.

I didn't ignore it, it's just not true, at least not to that extent. SMP isn't that limited, they're still sold at retail in Japan, they're not online exclusives or anything.

You want to see exclusive? Look at P-Bandai. Entire new-mould kits sold in far fewer numbers and they're not jacked up in price. (Geminass omae...)

Most model kits aren't. What you're not factoring in is just how cheap model kits are to produce due to no assembly needed. The runners come out, get wrapped up and boxed. Assembly and steel moulds are the most expensive costs in toy production (as far as we know) and model kits only have one of those.

Plus, Bandai is often very chinsy when it comes to those steel moulds. Few parts are moulded in separate colours (and thus require separate moulds) replying on a lot of stickers.

That's nice, but those aren't factored into the production cost. Releases done years later aren't considered when allotting budget to new moulds, because that's fiscally irresponsible. The cost of tooling needs to be recouped, typically, in the first production. (not necessarily profits) If you're not making your money back right away, you run the risk of not making it back at all, because planning that far ahead is foolish.

If this kit wasn't being sold into the triple digits, (or quintuple digits I guess) I would totally believe you. I do believe you that the factors you gave increase cost, but not to the extent of this. It's not a complex it, it's not even that large. It seems barely more elaborate than Victory Robo. Bandai are charging this much not because they have to, but because they know they can get away with it.

Damn I spent way less on the dx super train megazord but I want this minipla too.

I just don't understand how super mini play Astro Megazord and Delta Megazord sold for $77 together.shogun went for 69 dollars. Power Rangers titanus sold for $150 and they had Electronics in it. How is lightspeed Megazord going to be $107. How is the train Megazord going to be $220!!! This is my vendor bbts pricing. What am I missing?

I can't speak for the Super Train Megazord, but you can get the Victory Robo (Lightspeed Megazord) on HLJ for $44.81

I am wondering if the prices they are quoting everywhere are for a case of the sets and not just single sets

Ohhh interesting. Man I hope the lines are just Crossed somewhere cause 200 bucks for a Lil plastic model set is aliiiittle much

official images of Liner Boy!

http://bandaicandy.hateblo.jp/entry/20200423_smp