Are simple DX Sentai mecha becoming the norm?
 

Hello,

After several years of collecting Super Sentai mecha, Megazords and other combining robots of unrelated brands, I am kind of getting the feeling Deluxe Sentai Mecha are getting simpler in both design and combination sequence.

I notice that the older Deluxe mecha lines, such Zyuranger/MMPR, Megaranger/In Space and Timeranger/Time Force feature robots with much more complex transformations and are more solid looking in both separate and combined forms than newer toylines, such as Goseiger, Gokaiger, ToQger and Ninninger. Ninninger's final release, Gekiatsudaioh looked so simple to me, that I could immediately figure out how it would combine just by looking at pictures of it.

Another thing that seems more noticeable in newer toys is kibble. In case you do not know what kibble is: Kibble is used in the transformers fandom when one mode shows leftover parts of another mode, despite said parts having no function in the first mode. A recent example of this is Genbumaru, from the GekiatsuDaiOh set, which clearly shows the face and upper legs of the combined robot.
I don't know if it is only me, but this problem seems to be bigger on the newer toys, as compared to some of the older ones.

While we do get complex Deluxe toylines once or twice in a while, with the most recent being Go-Buster and Kyoryuger, it seems simpler designs are dominating the franchise more and more. Especially after seeing the scans for the new Juuohger mecha, which look to me as if a little kid tried to design his own mecha using Duplo. This is a pity, as fun and well thought out combination sequences are a major factor whether I want to own a toy or not.

Is it only me? Or are there other people noticing this as well? And does anyone know of a reason behind this? Like, for example, that the simpler toylines sold better in Japan.

Yeah, because MMPR had such a complex transformation.
I don't think they're getting simpler, because they've never been extremely complex. And considering Go-Busters, which does look pretty complex, had abysmal sales, it wouldn't surprise me if they were focusing on keeping it complex, rather than changing it from complex to simple.

I think it would be interesting if they were to make two lines of mecha toys. Like they do with Transformers. Ones with simple 1-3 step transformation/combinations. And one with a slightly more complex transformation/combinations.

Daizyujin is a rubik's cube compared to Gekiatsu DaiOh.

Also, Kyoryuger and complex? Really?

But Sentai toys have been simplifying over the years to accommodate for the new gimmicks implemented in the line, I'm assuming.
It could be for lower production costs, it could be because kids prefer a fast mecha they can combine, take apart, and combine again in less than a minute.

Make the mainline kiddy like it always is


premium bandai/soul of chogokin goes ham with metal and full transformation
Problem solved

The target demographic for Sentai has fallen thanks to the rise of video games and smartphones, so they have to make toys that can combine and transform simply enough for children to not have to carry the instructions everywhere/risk breakage.

I feel the same way as you Lord Benendearu. I miss the days when Sentai Mecha was epic and outstanding sadly it not like that any more. The last Mecha that I bought was Kyoryuger Bragigas and I love it. After that none of the Mecha interest me at all they all look to simple and plain. There just so much that change with the Mecha after Gokaiger that most of it looks cheap and boring also I have not bought anything since.

It's been the norm since Gekiranger/Jungle Fury.

Simple as they were, I don't mind since they were still dynamic designs.
EngineOh and friends were still dynamic as well and for the most part all the combined forms have the same block legs but there's still a lot of detail and contours.
Shinkenger... Yeah that was a clusterfuck of dynamic detail.
Goseiger was simple and mechanical, but is had a level of regality to it. Even Ultimate had quite a bit going for it.
Gokaiger had the pirate thing and all the prior years' designs tossed on in some way.
GoBusters was a break from the norm, but even as odd as they were, there was still a lot of detail.
Kyoryuger had all those pipes and beams and curves and divets.
ToQger's trains were quite detailed and BuildDaiOh(?) looked amazing. ToQOh was hit or miss, I blame the lack of defined hips.
NinNinja is another clusterfuck of detail.

CubeOh (qubo?) is NOT dynamic, it's just 3 stacked blocks. Some of the individual modes that we've seen are okay, but not dynamic enough. GokaiOh was 5 pirates boxvehicles strapped together but it had definition, it had inner thighs, it just looked better.

Its STICKERS!!!!! YOU ALL MISS STICKERS!!! And diecast metel. Remember Daizyujin, Dairenoh, Muteki Shogan? You all miss that aspect of sentai mech.