[Shin Densetsu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sentai Tamashii

I think the problem is that there are no innovation for US toys, I mean, look at the action figures, many toys still follows the same joint system, albeit some slight variations, but now check out what the Figuarts have been doing, the US toys just seem... primitive.

Very very good point man. It's kind of like...comparing Toynami's Robotech toys to Yamato's Macross toys...

The Figuarts are deceptive in a good way, and I think in a way it hurts them at TRU. For e,xample, the average child or parent doesn't realize just how much engineering went into Shinken Red compared to the Power Rangers Samurai Red figure by Bandai America. I mean vertical hinge joints for the hips in ADDITION to ball hips and thigh swivels? Small amounts of diecast for stability on some figures? Pectoral articulation? I dunno seems like with the average fan/buyer, everything is dictated by size, but in reality, toy costs have to take into account how many tools need to be cut, and the more smaller pieces there are, the higher the tools cost. For example the 4" samurai ranger has substantially less parts than a SH Figuarts. The SH Figuarts torso alone probably has more parts than the 4" figure mold!

Then compare Retrofire Dekarobo to SRC Dekarobo and there's simply no comparison. The latter is much more detailed and intricate, but to the naked eye the average buyer probably thinks it should cost the same as the Retrofire(based on size) without realizing just how much more it costs to produce the SRC.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deefuzz

I've pretty much been doing the same thing myself. I find myself less interested in the mass market domestic toys. The Transformers line I feel has nothing to offer me. Even the really good stuff that came out recently: Generations and Reveal The Shield, I just got kind of bored with. I still pick up the occasional Joe figure, and MAYBE a Minimate here or there, but overall I get more enjoyment from getting some really nice (and higher priced) import releases. Pretty much all I really focus on domestically is Lego.

Maybe it's a quality thing, maybe its more of a fact that I rather have this awesome thing that isn't readily available here. Maybe if there were Figuarts in WalMarts and Targets I would be less interested in them...I dunno. But I definitely feel ya here Shin, and it get's a bit confusing because as a collector who likes a lot of different properties, it's very hard to focus, and very difficult to figure out where you would be happiest fitting in.

I think what appeals to us is the engineering and quality involved. For example you mentioned Lego. I very vasually have collected Lego since 06 and something I've noticed is a cponstant push to progress the engineering for better models. For example, Lego is now on its 3rd take on a mini-figure compatible X-Wing and the newest one looks like it could smoke the previous one, and definitely outdoes the original. It's that stride that Lego has, which many manufacturers seem to lack. Megablocks doesn't seem to have the innovation Lego does.

Seems like most US manufacturers stick to what works and innovate slowly. How long did it take to get double jointed elbows and knees into 4H sculpted figures for Mattel? Years. Playmates and Bandai America are behind the times. Jazwares scored hot licenses but put out subpar product. Seems like the name of the game is to do "just enough".

Whereas in Japan, where the market of older collectors is the primary target, it's as if toymaking is an art form. Recently I've been underwhelmed by the Yamato 1/60 VF-17S but saw better pics by the likes of Gamutoys and others, and hot damn....if posed right under good lighting that mold looks chunky and beautiful, and it's HUGE!

I think the overseas market in Asia, is a haven for collectors toys. No way in hell would a company here ever think Project BM figures would have a chance in hell at TRU. Yet in Japan, there's even a store coming for HOT TOYS' products!

At the end of the day I'm just getting "what I pay for" moreso from imported items than domestic. Could be just me but it seems that the innovation here for the most part is stagnant.