[Kurona]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeonZ

If they were actually core of the toyline and Bandai believed there was a market for them they'd get unique designs though. The fact that they were just modifications of existing items heavily points to them being there due to show staff influence rather than an actual Bandai push. It's very telling that both happened under the same producer too.

I... really feel you've got that the wrong way round. Modifications of existing items points to Bandai putting in less money to make money. Just look at any retool in a Transformers line; it's a pretty standard practise in toylines to do retools and repaints like this to make a much easier buck than putting much more money into design and molding. Hell, Bandai have done it for movie-exclusive toys since like Faiz.

I really highly doubt that a third belt was so integral to four shows in a row, where they're clearly establishing a marketing pattern as Rider continues to heighten just how many products they're selling. It's especially hard to see Gold Drive and Cronus for instance desperately needing new belts.

The much more likely situation is that Bandai sets out a general marketing pattern, and the story crew works with them to decide what those will be in the story. Bandai says "Q1 belt, Q2 belt, Q3 retool belt", story crew gives input on what those will be and makes story preparations for them. Same with any other toy.