[coturos]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Den-O

I'll gladly take a complete Japanese release over a neutered US one any day



I just have no interest in buying a figure that doesn't come with everything it's intended to for the same price. Regardless of how often or not I use said accessory it's still supposed to be there. I love Bluefin and what they do, I understand why they can't import items specific to Akibaranger, I get why they'd need to remove something like that from this release, but that doesn't change my feelings about this. If there's ever something that's supposed to come with the figure that the US release excludes then the JP release will trump it every time for me.

Incidentally I'd also planned on buying 2 Kibarangers anyway. One with the Akiba chest piece, one with the normal. Just like I ordered 2 Ryu Rangers to display in both configurations.

But they're not even the same price......

[Den-O]

Quote:

Originally Posted by coturos

But they're not even the same price......

You're right. The Japanese release is cheaper, 3675 yen Vs $44.99. At current exchange that's $38 vs $44.99, not taking shipping into account. But if I buy it it'll be lumped in with other stuff on a monthly order so it's kind of a wash anyway. Hence why I go with the more true of the 2 releases, the original.

[Kiryu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Den-O

I love Bluefin and what they do, I understand why they can't import items specific to Akibaranger

Apparently, an anime story I frequent did get an AkibaRed in, though I Have no idea if Bluefin is behind this at all…it's something I'll have to ask them next time I drop in.

[SPLIT LIP]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Den-O

Hence why I go with the more true of the 2 releases, the original.

But they're coming out at the same time. They're both original.

Unless you're buying a prototype you don't get more original either way you go.

And the US one isn't "neutered." It has a completely superfluous piece of plastic omitted because it's small and pointless. If it was, like, one of the big weapons I'd agree, but missing a shitty little chestpiece that ahs nothing to do with the character isn't neutering. That's a word that should be reserved for actual changes to the toy, like if he had reduced paint apps or altered articulation.

The only thing I do agree with is the price difference. Should be switched. But you could argue the extra dollars are for ease of purchase vs. being an online exclusive.

[Baltan II]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiryu

Apparently, an anime story I frequent did get an AkibaRed in, though I Have no idea if Bluefin is behind this at all…it's something I'll have to ask them next time I drop in.

Anyone can order from the internet. That doesn't change licensing agreements. Bluefin couldn't ship Akibaranger toys to America last year and they still can't this year (or Ryuranger).

[Dr Kain]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Den-O

You're right. The Japanese release is cheaper, 3675 yen Vs $44.99. At current exchange that's $38 vs $44.99, not taking shipping into account. But if I buy it it'll be lumped in with other stuff on a monthly order so it's kind of a wash anyway. Hence why I go with the more true of the 2 releases, the original.

Sure, but after shipping, middle man fees (if there is still a middle man here since ST can't do it anymore), and shipping to you, it ends up being about $20 more, maybe $25.

I'd rather buy from Amazon for $44 shipped than spend $65ish all just for a chest piece I will never use.

I definitely agree with you on the idea of a missing accessory, but since I bought Battle Hopper who turned out to be missing the hands for Black to ride him, a chest piece is not that big of a deal.

Baltan, Bluefin has not ruled RyuuRanger out yet. They said they are waiting for Saban to get back to them on him.

Of course, if I see Kiba on Mandarake before the Bluefin version comes out, I am buying him immediately.

[ShockerCon]

It'd be really ironic if they released Kibaranger, who was in Power Rangers, but not Ryuranger, who wasn't. Wasn't the "not appearing in Power Rangers" angle what allowed them to bring over Red Hawk and Black Condor?

[XW1n5t0nX]

I'll probably just wait to see the US price before I decide where to get it.

[Kiryu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by XW1n5t0nX

I'll probably just wait to see the US price before I decide where to get it.

It's already been announced y'know…44.99

[Shin Densetsu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPLIT LIP

But they're coming out at the same time. They're both original.

Unless you're buying a prototype you don't get more original either way you go.

And the US one isn't "neutered." It has a completely superfluous piece of plastic omitted because it's small and pointless. If it was, like, one of the big weapons I'd agree, but missing a shitty little chestpiece that ahs nothing to do with the character isn't neutering. That's a word that should be reserved for actual changes to the toy, like if he had reduced paint apps or altered articulation.

The only thing I do agree with is the price difference. Should be switched. But you could argue the extra dollars are for ease of purchase vs. being an online exclusive.

The thing is, you are either getting one as is, or one with a cool piece related to Akibaranger. I have no idea what the chest piece and Ryuranger's alternate mask do on Akibaranger but the simple fact that Bandai even sculpted those pieces and included them; I would probably want them if I watched Akibaranger and ended up liking it. I have yet to watch.

What Den-O is getting at by neutering is simply that the US version will not come with everything the Japanese version has. Sure, everything but the alternate chestplate but still, it's leaving out something cool that isn't necessary but is still nice to have nonetheless, and I can understand that being a collector. So in that respect, yes it is neutered. This may bother some people, and to some, it might not.