[TheRaizin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gashatfreak

Can someone please explain to me why plastic prices are rising? Is there another factor besides the obvious, ie. monetary inflation?

Common answers are usually oil inflation, material, and gasoline costs. There is material that needs to be bought, and to buy these, you need services to get those materials to you, and these materials need to be manufactured in to the product. A price increase in any of these aspects can add onto the overall cost of the final product.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurona

Nah, honestly... I'm sorry, but I really can't buy "we have to make cost-cutting measures" on figures that are supposed to be the high-end collector's range (mostly because you don't have another option) and aim to be as accurate as possible. Even if it's a minor thing like this, it's just another thing that makes me resent SHF especially when it's pulling so many other shenanigans elsewhere. I don't think there's any excuse when they have a complete monopoly on Kamen Rider collectors and get away with high prices, premium exclusivity and minimising accessories.

It's also not just the grey instead of silver -- it's the way they done the inner red detailing. It's far too opaque and SHFUpgrade's version really calls out how bad and inaccurate it is.

I don't think Saber Brave Dragon should fit the SHF standard since he sits at the entry level price point like his other main rider counterparts, the only difference is that he has, arguably, a more complex design and a required sword to boot. That's a lot more painting to be done compared to Build or 01. He's more comparable to something like the SROE Goku SHF whom is very sparce on the paint as well. He doesn't have much problem in that department considering his design, but it's a comparison.

To really gauge the quality of the Saber SHFs, we have to look at the actual standard SHF release. Blades. I have this pic of the Swordriver trio and notice anything? Saber's rekka is also in the unpainted grey. The Tamashii Nations showroom last year may be the point where they decided to switch some things with Saber. Noticed it a few months ago round here.
http://www.tokunation.com/showthread.php?p=777109

Looking at Blades here, he looks pretty fine. Though, that may be just studio lighting playing a trick on me. We'll have to see the final product to actually deduce for ourselves.