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Post by Great Kaiser 2 on Sept 19, 2011 20:01:06 GMT -5
As you may have noticed, the status of Transformers in Japan is lowering. One sign is that the usually japanese terminology such as Cybertrons/Destrons/Seibertron isn't being used lately. And more importantly, Takara isn't making any new Transformers series. Series such as Headmasters, Masterforce, and Victory were awesome back then. Now, theres like barely nothing these days. What do you think of this turn Transformers is taking? Opinions of this matter is greatly appreciated.
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Post by coldiron on Sept 20, 2011 0:48:07 GMT -5
I think it is all turning american based. The movie, the cartoon series, the video game and comics. They are all doing well enough on their own that its cheaper for Takara to just make these releases. I don't think the status is lowering there is just no gaps to fill since there is already so much media for the brand.
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Post by emerje on Sept 20, 2011 3:17:49 GMT -5
It's been this way for a while now. The last animated series they did entirely on their own was Car Robots in 2000, everything after that was either a co-production (AEC) or American (Animated, Prime, and three movies). They've done a few more toy lines than we have in that time, but mostly small collectors series.
As for Takara adopting Hasbro names, it's not a matter of why, but why it took so long? Japan is the only country that uses the Takara names, it's rather amazing that they've gone unchanged for so long. They were sort of forced into changing, with the international popularity of the live action movies they couldn't keep pretending the other names didn't exist and this gave them a good opportunity to make the transition. They're still using their Takara names for things like Masterpiece and Encore, but for the rest of the toy lines they're sticking with Hasbro.
Emerje
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Post by supergetterv on Sept 20, 2011 12:03:50 GMT -5
I still have a problem with them calling animated bulkhead (Ironhide).
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Post by Great Kaiser 2 on Sept 20, 2011 19:50:46 GMT -5
It's been this way for a while now. The last animated series they did entirely on their own was Car Robots in 2000, everything after that was either a co-production (AEC) or American (Animated, Prime, and three movies). They've done a few more toy lines than we have in that time, but mostly small collectors series. As for Takara adopting Hasbro names, it's not a matter of why, but why it took so long? Japan is the only country that uses the Takara names, it's rather amazing that they've gone unchanged for so long. They were sort of forced into changing, with the international popularity of the live action movies they couldn't keep pretending the other names didn't exist and this gave them a good opportunity to make the transition. They're still using their Takara names for things like Masterpiece and Encore, but for the rest of the toy lines they're sticking with Hasbro. Emerje I like the movies for it has the content of a japanese anime(violence and blood). But I feel that Takara needs to work on a new series. Completing the unfinished Zone storyline would be nice. As emerje stated, CarRobots was the last "pure" Takara series. It should be noted that it was supposed to last longer than 39 episodes, but there was financial trouble. I really hope a new Takara series comes very soon. My thoughts are that the popular japanese animation studio Madhouse(known for the Marvel Anime) will animate the next series.
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Post by emerje on Sept 20, 2011 20:38:48 GMT -5
If any major studio were to do another animated series for Takara it would probably be Gonzo since they've already got experience working with them on Transformers (Galaxy Force/Cybertron).
Emerje
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Post by Great Kaiser 2 on Sept 20, 2011 20:56:31 GMT -5
If any major studio were to do another animated series for Takara it would probably be Gonzo since they've already got experience working with them on Transformers (Galaxy Force/Cybertron). Emerje Sadly, Gonzo is gone.
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Post by emerje on Sept 21, 2011 0:51:16 GMT -5
What gave you that idea? They're releasing Last Exile: Fam the Silver Wing next month on Japanese TV (and streamed by FUNimation). They've downsized drastically, but they aren't gone and would certainly take on a big merchandise cash cow like Transformers. Emerje
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Post by Great Kaiser 2 on Sept 21, 2011 11:59:22 GMT -5
What gave you that idea? They're releasing Last Exile: Fam the Silver Wing next month on Japanese TV (and streamed by FUNimation). They've downsized drastically, but they aren't gone and would certainly take on a big merchandise cash cow like Transformers. Emerje Oh I see. Anyway, I'm hoping Takara will do something soon. I find it a serious matter in which I hope other Japanese enthusiasts will be aware of.
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Post by Great Kaiser 2 on Oct 5, 2011 13:42:59 GMT -5
One thing does baffle me. Why is Jetwings Prime from DOTM a Takara exclusive?
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Post by lurkerx on Oct 5, 2011 14:04:53 GMT -5
I guess Hasbro didn't think the rest of the world would be interested in buying their Leader OP mold for a 3rd time....so just opted for the "ultimate" prime which didn't even appear in the movie. They should've at least made it a TRU exclusive or something. What I'd like to know is why the Striker Leader OP is almost $100 less than Jetwing OP?.......less plastic used? Sometimes I just don't get the logic behind these decisions, looking from the outside in it really seems unreasonable. But I'm sure it isn't and that it is profit-driven.
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Post by Great Kaiser 2 on Oct 14, 2011 19:24:47 GMT -5
I guess Hasbro didn't think the rest of the world would be interested in buying their Leader OP mold for a 3rd time....so just opted for the "ultimate" prime which didn't even appear in the movie. They should've at least made it a TRU exclusive or something. What I'd like to know is why the Striker Leader OP is almost $100 less than Jetwing OP?.......less plastic used? Sometimes I just don't get the logic behind these decisions, looking from the outside in it really seems unreasonable. But I'm sure it isn't and that it is profit-driven. Well, the "ultimate" trailer was in the movie. And speaking of Jetwing Prime, why doesn't Hasbro have it?
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Post by emerje on Oct 14, 2011 22:55:26 GMT -5
I guess Hasbro didn't think the rest of the world would be interested in buying their Leader OP mold for a 3rd time....so just opted for the "ultimate" prime which didn't even appear in the movie. They should've at least made it a TRU exclusive or something. What I'd like to know is why the Striker Leader OP is almost $100 less than Jetwing OP?.......less plastic used? Sometimes I just don't get the logic behind these decisions, looking from the outside in it really seems unreasonable. But I'm sure it isn't and that it is profit-driven. Well, the "ultimate" trailer was in the movie. And speaking of Jetwing Prime, why doesn't Hasbro have it? A trailer was in the movie, but not the Ultimate trailer. The trailer in the movie turned into a weapons arsenal which would have made for a cool toy, but nobody has touched it. Would have made a great Cyberverse set. Emerje
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Post by shinobi03 on Oct 15, 2011 1:54:42 GMT -5
A trailer was in the movie, but not the Ultimate trailer. The trailer in the movie turned into a weapons arsenal which would have made for a cool toy, but nobody has touched it. Would have made a great Cyberverse set. Emerje The Cyberverse set transforms to a battle station and a combat armor, and the Voyager version works as a Mech-Tech storage. But yeah, no trailer that transformers to what we see in the movie.
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Post by Great Kaiser 2 on Oct 16, 2011 21:40:59 GMT -5
So, whats the purpose of Ultimate Prime then? We should have Jetwing Prime.
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