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Post by mazfan on May 16, 2008 23:14:12 GMT -5
Is die-cast really too expensive for Bandai to use for their SOC's (imagine an all die-cast God Mars, sans plastic). Or does Bandai limit the amount of metal because of desing (for balance or transformation purposes).
I am asking because I've been seeing $15 mostly die-cast toys lately.
Okay, I also know that SOC's are not really made in mass amount... Driving their prices higher.
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Post by Chen on May 17, 2008 7:23:07 GMT -5
It's not a matter or price although a all diecast figure of say Godmarz would be expencive, it's a matter of the limits of what you can do with metal. Small hinges and flaps and so on would rub and cause paint chips if it were all diecast, little detail pieces such as faces are much harder to do in metal then in plastic. Plus just a safety standpoint, say all the sharp edges and swords and stuff were metal someone could seriously hurt themselves and Bandai would be liable. Plus Bandai would have to re-engineer all the joints and connection pieces just to withstand the added weight not to mention the drop test and the added cost of shipping heavier figures with more robust packaging to handle the weight and so on.
I think Bandai does a commendable job of balancing plastic with diecast, functionality with stability, and price with value.
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Post by megatroptimus on May 17, 2008 8:56:59 GMT -5
Your die-cast $15 toys might not have as many moving parts and points of articulation...
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Post by Chen on May 17, 2008 9:20:57 GMT -5
Exactly, plus Bandai sells as many SOC's as they can only a select few are limited.
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Post by mazfan on May 17, 2008 23:20:32 GMT -5
Would you guys sacrifice points of articulation, lack of sharp accessories and other gimicks for a complete die-cast SOC--complety devoid of plastic?
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Post by TheMazingerZ on May 18, 2008 1:44:10 GMT -5
Not many will, but I sure did when I purchased the Marmit Daigokin Mazinger Z, Great Mazinger, and Grendizer. 99% diecast figures with very limited articulation - but more than a Jumbo Machinder...
}D
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Post by Steve Armstrong on May 18, 2008 4:16:13 GMT -5
I would rather have the balance than buy a metal statue...
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Post by mazfan on May 18, 2008 8:18:44 GMT -5
Thanks for all of the clarification. Your feedback is making me appreciate my SOC's in all of their metal and mostly plastic glory more (and I already love them to death)!!!
And there I am thinking that Bandai is just being cheap with their plastic...
Another question to ask... What technological advance to do you think Bandai will do in the future to make their products less plasticky? I am sure that things will not remain the same a few decades from now? I know, I know better engineering and stull... But anything else? A new type of metal perhaps? Nano technology? Hmmm...
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Post by TheMazingerZ on May 18, 2008 12:45:47 GMT -5
Actually, plastic is not bad at all. It can be made of different densities (or plastic materials) to make the figure even heavier than if it was metal. It could be made out of solid colors, to eliminate paint chips and scratches. It is cheaper, and usually a lot easier to fix (or modify) than metal.
I only care for the figure looks, articulation, and resistance to breaking. Metal is a plus... sometimes.
}D
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Post by 00silvergt on May 18, 2008 23:53:35 GMT -5
I would rather have the balance than buy a metal statue... Exactly, as I have said this about the Daigokins. Diecast was great when we were kids and tend to beat the heck out of our toys, now that we are older, durability is somewhat less important than articulation and the cool poses we can make our toys do. Diecast, has limitations as many here have already talked about, another thing to consider is that it is also very brittle. If twisted and subjected to what we demand plastics, which are more malleable, diecast or zinc would snap without too much choice on repairs. One thing diecast brings is the value, as collectors we seem to have some misguided faith in the value of zinc and the shear weight of a toy. While dismissing that the greatest driver of value for a toy certainly is not the composition of a toy, but diverts back to the basics of economics: Supply and Demand. These will be the true driving force which will determine a toy's value. If you figure, the most valuable of SOC's really aren't any of the easily available normal colors, but the limited entries of the series. However, as many of us have figured out, save for the legendary GX-01RB, most of the toys in the series are comparably easy to acquire. Many rise in values can be attributed to many internet rumor that one is no longer available and is hard to find. When people believe such a thing is true they tend to drive the demand, thereby temporarily raising prices. Then a reissue or the discovery of a "hidden" stockpile emerges to cash in on the late comers willing to pay 2x or 3X the original value. I believe true value to the SOC line will not manifest until Bandai has since abandoned the project and the growing sentiment for the nostalgia of these toys start to drive the demand again. Who knows when that will happen? So for now, buy them because you love them and please play with them or display them, take them out the box and enjoy your/our expensive purchase. To call these investments would be the silliest notion ever, you want to buy toys as investment? I'm afraid, you have been lead astray, there are no large pots of gold waiting at the end of this rainbow, unfortunately. You want to make some money, then consult a financial adviser.
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Post by TheMazingerZ on May 19, 2008 0:13:00 GMT -5
I love my Daigokins, but do wish they had articulation on the hips and knees... then they would be almost perfect (for me). I agree that everyone should at least take their toys out of their boxes and fiddle with them a little (I am guilty of not doing much of it with my SOC Dancouga, Voltes, Combattler, Zambot, Gunbuster, and my CM's Genesic GaoGaiGar). I do believe that there are some toys that will make you money in the future... future being some years from the time you buy them. Of course, there are some exceptions of which you can double or triple the investment right away, like the Fewture Ryoma Black Getter and the Tamashii GX-01R+. But that is not what it should be about...
Enjoy your toys! Play with your toys! It does not matter if they are diecast of plastic. Make them give you back every cent you spent on them in "stress free time"...
}D
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Post by Steve Armstrong on May 19, 2008 4:16:41 GMT -5
another thing...besides SOCs were made for adults/collectors...not necessarily to be played roughly by children... hence sometimes having some plastic in them is okay...again as was said...just the balance of both materials is needed...
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Post by mazingazeto on May 19, 2008 13:44:19 GMT -5
But I am positive that I've seen pictures of the SOC in Japan's Toys'R Us stores...
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Post by 00silvergt on May 19, 2008 15:06:31 GMT -5
Yes, I think there are SOC's in TRU, Japan, but like here in the US, TRU is not only for kids, but they have or at least had collectors toys aimed for adults. But nonetheless, from its inception, GX-01, it really was aimed for the adult collector.
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Post by magengar on May 19, 2008 17:29:32 GMT -5
I tend to fetish more towards Plastic. I like the metal in my SOC... but with plastic, if something breaks I can repair it. Plastic also lets me cast molds from it because I can spray it with a release agent, metal might stain a bit.
zozo-Magengar
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Post by mazingagoo on May 20, 2008 2:59:10 GMT -5
durability...it is all about how you treat and maintain your stuff.
I still prefer die-cast over plastic and limited articulation over more articulation with plastic, but it really depends from toy to toy. Fewture has proven that any amount of articulation can be achieved with die-cast, but the margin for error is small. Plastic is a lot cheaper...
If metal breaks I can repair it...
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Post by mazfan on May 20, 2008 21:41:41 GMT -5
I just got this new Iron Man toy (one of the few non-SOC purchases I made recently): www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-1/qid=1211337654/ref=sr_1_1/602-1320152-6293469?ie=UTF8&index=target&asin=B000Z4YG3S&rh=k%3Airon%20man&page=1No metal and all plastic and it is wonderful. The paint job is awesome, it has lights and sounds and it is even motion activated. All of this for under $20. I am sure that an SOC figure like this would be way over $100. Okay, so it may have a metal torso or something and its articulation may be better but still... How can you beat that price. I know, I know... The answers are obvious. But still, this toy right now is around $16 at Target! I am a die-cast freak but how can you resist this offer?
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Post by quinjester on May 20, 2008 23:07:05 GMT -5
Personally, I can avoid it because it's an incredibly undynamic and stiff representation of a character I love which will be getting an infinitely better $150ish rendition from Hot Toys later in the year. ... but I know what you're trying to say. Design and fun > build materials. But I'd still say that materials and feel are an important factor in the enjoyment of a figure.
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Post by megatroptimus on May 21, 2008 8:28:59 GMT -5
As far as Iron Man figures are concerned, I will only get the Transformers Marvel Crossovers version.
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Post by 00silvergt on May 21, 2008 11:53:29 GMT -5
My son has the smaller ones...it is pretty poseable here's a pic:
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