[H3N51N]

Honestly, I can't say I'm surprised by this. Disappointed, but not surprised. I'm still shocked that we got Ninja Storm Red. Now we have to have the stupid, mindless, no-sense-having, blind-worship mentality most MMPR fans have that make them throw money at anything MMPR-related just to have a chance at bringing specific Toku Figuarts back to the states.

[Talisman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guyver Spawn

What about Ultraman? I guess Bluefin can still release Ultraman figures. As much I love Ultraman ever since I was a little kid, I do find Ultraman getting a free pass over Kamen Rider rather unfair. I doubt they will sell better over Rider figuarts given how Kamen Rider is a more popular franchise. Kamen Rider has more imported merchandise sold and better fan sub support. The people who are watching the fan subs are the ones who buy the merchandise. Hell Ultraman topics are pretty dead on most Toku forums including here.

When I was at Otakon this year, Bluefin's booth and Image Anime booth had a lot of Rider and Sentai/Power Rangers stuff, but no Ultraman. I ask Bluefin if they had Ginga in stock and they told me "We are not carrying Ultra Acts at this booth".

Whether or not they're able to is a bit of a moot point seeing as, like you've pointed out, there really isn't much support over here for the franchise.

[Guyver Spawn]

Bluefin also not releasing retail Toku figures also makes harder for casual fans and collector stores. Collector stores will have to sell them for higher prices due to factor import fees, shipping fees and taxes. Not to mention if the show is popular then toy scalpers will sell it for crazy prices knowing that Western buyers will likely pay for a lot of money to buy it since they can't buy it in the states.

[Lbsammills51]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Den-O

Well guys, good news and bad news. Sentai Tamashii got to talk to one of our contacts from Bluefin while at NYCC.

- B-Fighters will NOT be released in the US. They will not be importing any of them as they are all exclusives. They will not be released in this market.

- Bluefin had no idea the Akaranger body was larger than standard SHF's. They literally said "must have used a new body type" in response. So yeah, that's all on the Japanese end of things.

- Since there's no Akibaranger to market further sentai SHF's through the importation of Sentai SHF's in the US is pretty much done. They won't rule out importing the Gokaigers entirely but that's no longer their focus. Something vague about "fan demand" making it happen but that's it. They are strictly focusing, for the forseeable future, on Injustice, Mario/Video Game, and other miscellaneous figuarts. So yeah, imports of other sentais are pretty much over even if they do come out in Japan.

- Same goes for Kyoryuger. Only a big maybe about them being imported, only if there's demand. But since so many of them are exclusives it's probably not going to happen. Again vague "fan demand".

- The vague and frankly confusing answer they gave about Gaim? No. They can't release them. Because they haven't finished releasing them in Japan. It's a licensing issue.

- And a bonus for non-toku SHF fans, SHF Tuxedo Mask is coming! Tentatively for March 2015 in Japan!! Also the Kinikuman Figuarts cant currently be released because of licensing issues, but for some bizarre reason they CAN release the wresting ring tamashii stages meant to go with the Kinikuman figuarts.

1. Well that's too bad, but given two have gone up for preorder and Bluefin already said they weren't bringing them over, it's not surprising. I guess even "fan demand" wouldn't be enough there either?

2. Huh, go figure.

3. On the nebulous "fan demand" thing...sorry if this is a dumb question, but what examples are there of Tamashii Nations products (be it Figuarts or others) that came into existence largely, if not solely, due to fan outcry (be it in North America or Japan)? I only started buying Tamashii products in bulk in the past couple years so there may be examples where I'm just not familiar of the background of how a figure (or figures) came into being.

I ask because Bluefin/Tamashii's asked before for concentrated requests on specific Ranger teams, and there are already pretty consistent requests for a MonsterArts Titanosaurus (as much as that confuses me) and SHF Dragonball rereleases on Bluefin/Tamashii's Facebook page. Are there examples people can point to that even those existing requests might somehow happen, let alone any "fan demand" pay off for certain Ranger teams?

4. See above.

5. See #2.

6. My sister will be very happy about that, since Tuxedo Mask is the one Sailor Moon Figuart she wanted.

[Yellow Ranger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guyver Spawn

Bluefin also not releasing retail Toku figures also makes harder for casual fans and collector stores. Collector stores will have to sell them for higher prices due to factor import fees, shipping fees and taxes. Not to mention if the show is popular then toy scalpers will sell it for crazy prices knowing that Western buyers will likely pay for a lot of money to buy it since they can't buy it in the states.

People weren't paying that much for Riders before Bluefin came along so I doubt they will now and casual fans would most likely just buy the gimmick toys or their favorite Rider.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lbsammills51

1. Well that's too bad, but given two have gone up for preorder and Bluefin already said they weren't bringing them over, it's not surprising. I guess even "fan demand" wouldn't be enough there either?

2. Huh, go figure.

3. On the nebulous "fan demand" thing...sorry if this is a dumb question, but what examples are there of Tamashii Nations products (be it Figuarts or others) that came into existence largely, if not solely, due to fan outcry (be it in North America or Japan)? I only started buying Tamashii products in bulk in the past couple years so there may be examples where I'm just not familiar of the background of how a figure (or figures) came into being.

I ask because Bluefin/Tamashii's asked before for concentrated requests on specific Ranger teams, and there are already pretty consistent requests for a MonsterArts Titanosaurus (as much as that confuses me) and SHF Dragonball rereleases on Bluefin/Tamashii's Facebook page. Are there examples people can point to that even those existing requests might somehow happen, let alone any "fan demand" pay off for certain Ranger teams?

4. See above.

5. See #2.

6. My sister will be very happy about that, since Tuxedo Mask is the one Sailor Moon Figuart she wanted.

Broly

[OptionZero]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiryu

Don't forget that Bandai tried doing that in the past with the Fourze Moudel sets, and a majority of them can be found on slash and burn clerance all over the place.

I don't think that's going to be an approach we'll ever see from Bandai again at a mass market, and it doesn't make much sense to release Tire Sets when they can just charge full price for a full on figure.

Alternative:

Make them add-ons that are a first run exclusive bonus and a tamashii exclusive later

[IXRollOutIX]

That's not a bad idea. Like Max Flare, Funky Spike, and Midnight Shadow wheels as the first run bonus.

[SideswipePrime]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiryu

My guess is either going to be Kiva or Kuuga Renweal.

ToQ1 just to be hopeful, as this is the time where we ought to be getting Sentai Figuarts announcements.

I'm hoping Agito Renewal happens first. He needs it more than Kuuga.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Den-O

To me this says, hey MMPR fans thanks for the piles of money. Everybody else? See ya. We're doin video games now.

I mean, yeah that sucks that we'll get almost no Toku now, but at the same time I REALLY want to see them expand their video game properties, and maybe give us a proper Ryu, or Sonic, or...I don't know...Bayonetta? Cole? Or just make me happy and release more Persona characters.

[Yellow Ranger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SideswipePrime

I'm hoping Agito Renewal happens first. He needs it more than Kuuga.



I mean, yeah that sucks that we'll get almost no Toku now, but at the same time I REALLY want to see them expand their video game properties, and maybe give us a proper Ryu, or Sonic, or...I don't know...Bayonetta? Cole? Or just make me happy and release more Persona characters.

NG or DOA 2/5 Ayane,SC2 Cassandra,SB,SC2 or SC3 Taki,SC1 Siegfried,SFII Chun LI,SF3 Makoto,GGXX Jam and Tekken 5/6/T2 Asuka plz Bluefin?

[Talisman]

I'll settle for a Domon renewal and Allenby finally seeing the light of day.

Rain can come too, I guess.