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Post by xTIMMYxCOREx on Mar 25, 2013 1:06:09 GMT -5
I noticed that some folks see the SOC line as a renewal of the old Godaikin/Popy toys. The DX Tetsujin 28 post above is a perfect example of what I mean. I never saw the SOC line as a line of modern re-releases of the Popy and Godaikin toys, but that might very well be the case. Nevertheless, I always thought of the SOCs as anime accurate renditions of the 70's, 80's, 90's, etc Super Robot characters - not modern reditions of the 1980's diecast toys. I can't deny the fact that there is at least one SOC that was made as a tribute to the old toy, The GX-31V Voltes V Respect for Volt in Box. But other than that particular one, I can't say that Bandai was paying tribute to any of the vintage toys. All their other SOCs are just too anime accurate both in paint and sculpt. But who knows... maybe Bandai does mean to please everyone. }D Godsigma had some toy parts as well as anime accurate parts. They pay tribute to the toys too.
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Post by ryomakabuto on Mar 25, 2013 15:11:09 GMT -5
Not on all the SOC releases, just in some key ones.
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Post by B- on Mar 25, 2013 15:18:39 GMT -5
I HATE this thread,and whoever started it should be boiled in a cup of noodles. Even hinting at such an atrocity and those who actually support it and also are fine with SRC and no SOC,are either penny pinchers or have no taste! Both lines are fine,why should one take over the other?To save money? UGGH. We need high end Gohkins and always will.SRC is nice,and posable and all,but sorry I prefer larger robots that I can relate too,like most of the SOC line.Bright rainbow colored pink sentais ,and praying for the type of SRCs they made at the lines start just wont keep me on board.I need BIG CLASSIC SUPER ROBOTS.
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Post by ryomakabuto on Mar 25, 2013 15:27:30 GMT -5
But you have to get real Baron, nothing lasts forever and if it not making Bandai a lot of profits it will be placed in the low priority of things to be released, and the other lines that make the profits will become focus. Don't get angry about it, there is always cms and maybe aoshima.
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Post by kaeruze on Mar 25, 2013 16:23:08 GMT -5
I really like the next SOC Danguard, I never watched the show but it looks pretty nice for a vintage anime! Must see more of it before I decide if I get it. Regarding the SOC releases I think a slower release pace, and the shrinking in price and size is welcomed in this economy, and considering that they keep improving on the engineering I'll still be very happy with any Super Robot Bandai will release in the SOC line
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Post by xiombarg on Mar 25, 2013 16:30:44 GMT -5
During the 90s people used to speculate that gokin was gone forever. It's possible that SOC as a series might have run its course as it currently stands... but sooner or later Bandai will put out another line large sized gokin that re-invents the wheel. It's only a matter of time, though it might be a longer time than some of us want it to be.
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Post by Chen on Mar 25, 2013 19:02:08 GMT -5
I think the name will be around because of brand recognition but I don't think we'll see regular releases like we had for a long time if ever and probably it will only be robots that are super recognizable and sellible.
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Post by B- on Mar 25, 2013 20:27:35 GMT -5
Seriously where is all this coming from???Total speculation.Bandai is still making SOCs so how is it over! Last time I checked dangard Ace is coming out.....LOL,you guys are funny. Just because the line slowed down doesnt mean its over.We just have lost patience and months seem like years.... so because an SOC isnt out every 4 mths,its over? Daoija wasnt that long ago,and now Danguard is next,so where is this coming from?? bandai is still releasing SOCs. Bandai never said anything,this is all speculation trust me.Its not about accepting anything,it isnt over! You guys act like you want it to end. And about Bandai only releasing the BIG characters? The last 3 were NOT big characters,I have news for you Daioja,God Sigma and Daltanious are hardly BIG characters.To us yes,but to the robot world as a whole? So where is that coming from?,is the SRC line only doing big characters?? I THINK NOT,last time I looked obscure Super Sentai and Super robots with one OVA arent exactly media sensations,nor are they in the bright lights. So tell me to "get real",call me angry,call me unaccepting,but dont call me wrong until it happens,I do not see the SOC line ending.Slowing down possibly,ending no.BTW if I am wrong, we do not have Aoshima Im afraid ryomakabuto that line actually did die! But I can live with just CMs,I like their choices much better than Bandais anyhow.Most of my favorites in my collection are CMs.But I doubt they wont be accompanied by new SOCs. BTW Im not gonna faint if the line does end,but they need to do at least Tryder G-7 and Daikengo first,oh and a Mazinkaiser.The rest of the slack CMs can pick up.
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Post by cupnoodles on Mar 25, 2013 20:41:21 GMT -5
Seriously where is all this coming from???Total speculation.Bandai is still making SOCs so how is it over! Last time I checked dangard Ace is coming out.....LOL,you guys are funny. Just because the line slowed down doesnt mean its over.We just have lost patience and months seem like years.... so because an SOC isnt out every 4 mths,its over? It fits into the product life cycle diagram. If you put the SOC on this marketing framework, it looks like we are heading to withdrawal, unless there is innovation. encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSlT_H9lN_OOb2Nf9Wn_iuNRmZDJAjeef1zhmWXoY-r03b5-5bDRw
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Post by Mr. Ginrai on Mar 25, 2013 21:26:07 GMT -5
I don't collect SOC but I can tell you from my perspective the writing is on the wall. We're not saying it is going to die tomorrow, but its definitely on the way out, maybe with some big final surprises to send the series off with a bang.
Bottom line is it's all about $ plain and simple. They care about the fans just as much as any other company but when you have r&d, factories, mold costs, employees salary and healthcare, executive bonuses, shareholders etc. it's about the $ no matter how you look at it. If we all had endless supplies of money like a Star Wars licensee does, they'd make us anything and everything but that's just not where super robots are even with all the fan base around the world.
And let's face it, none of you want to continue to see endless repaints and reissues because the first option is not liked by everyone and the second option kills the secondary market value (if any) of your figures. If they are going to keep doing that they might as well be making transformers (and I'm a transformers collector saying that)! You get my drift?
The demographic is changing and the next gen is coming up with what they remember, not what their older brother had.
Takara tomy shrunk masterpiece due to cost concerns and poor QC, the line had a big enough fan base to sustain itself, but it is still plagued with QC issues and high $ small figures.
Bandai cut back the thundercats classics from 8 to 6 inch which was a poor decision and poor marketing and release points made them suffer. Thundercats has one of the biggest most ravenous fanbases (that's been starved with little to no new product for years) across the globe (especially between the US, UK and France, among others) and even they couldn't save the new line and the classics line.
Many of us here and on other forums are putting priorities in front of our toys due to the state of things and the companies like Bandai will do the same. As much as I don't want to admit it either, it'll happen. Godaikin took a hard fall quickly, SOC, hopefully will go out more gracefully once their final figure comes out sometime in the future.
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Post by B- on Mar 25, 2013 21:44:47 GMT -5
[/quote] It fits into the product life cycle diagram. [/quote] The who? Anyhow,I see all your points,but the only way SOC will end is when they run out of Super Robots.Some of you guys must not of heard of remakes.Do you not notice the trend in film right now?Although most young people have no idea the movies are remakes and have originals years back.The Wizard of oz for instance,that movie was made in the 30s,none of us grew up then,now we see the new adventure 70 years later The Great and Powerful Oz,what makes you think because these robots were made in the 70s they will be forgotten because of new generations? There is always remakes of classic things,which then brings interest to the originals.As long as there is a Mazinger and a Grendizer,future generations will see them remade.Even if bandai stops SOC,these robots will be remade by them in the future anyhow,it already has been done and recycled,look at the old popy stuff,Godaikens etc.The point someone made about new stuff killing off the old classics is dead wrong. As a matter of fact Danguard could be the beginning of doing all the robots over again! I just find it funny how just last year or earlier we were discussing which SOCs will be next,now we doomed SOC.I hope Bandai doesnt get wind of this BS and it snowballs,they may get the idea we dont want any new SOCs,More people pay attention than you think.Im done with this thread,the future will hold promise I hope. BTW have you guys forgotten the Mazinger DX is an SOC?that JUST came out!! Danguard next SOC,as long as people have $ there will always be this stuff.If less peopel can afford it they will make less,didnt we just discuss Japanese marketing?
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Post by TheMazingerZ on Mar 25, 2013 22:27:48 GMT -5
LOL. I see it going down to a halt eventually. But looking at what the 10 to 16 year old kids like these days, I don't put much stock in the 70's and 80's Super Robots surviving, and if some of them do survive they will most likely not look as we remember them anymore. The 70's and 80's original Super Robot fans are getting older. Some have already quit this hobby. Some are slowing down. And some are still going strong. But those are the lesser now. The poor economy is not helping much either. But that is all pretty much irrelevant anyway. Our kids are slowly but steady starting to dictate the future. And yes, like it or not, our hobby's mechandise being produced. "All Good Things..." }D
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Post by actionawesome on Mar 25, 2013 22:50:14 GMT -5
I HATE this thread,and whoever started it should be boiled in a cup of noodles. Even hinting at such an atrocity and those who actually support it and also are fine with SRC and no SOC,are either penny pinchers or have no taste! Both lines are fine,why should one take over the other?To save money? UGGH. We need high end Gohkins and always will.SRC is nice,and posable and all,but sorry I prefer larger robots that I can relate too,like most of the SOC line.Bright rainbow colored pink sentais ,and praying for the type of SRCs they made at the lines start just wont keep me on board.I need BIG CLASSIC SUPER ROBOTS. I agree Baron. The SRC are awesome but I still get the most satisfaction from my SOC!!!
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Post by Chen on Mar 25, 2013 23:11:33 GMT -5
Its not like it will end tomorrow or next year or even with-in five years but Bandai themselves have said it will most likely be a 1-2 figure a year release schedule. That could change but it would have to be like the Macross F stuff where pre-orders sell out in 15 min to show Bandai that there is a fan base still. The problem with the SOC line is that its dependent on various franchises to make it successful unless all you want are constant Mazinger re-paints and you can't sustain a line on a single character or one-offs like the DX Mazinger. The market has just shifted or changed focus, there will always be SR fans but the market is catering to other types of fans with easier to designed toys such as action figures. No new SR stuff is coming out, no new Animes, maybe one SRW game for the Wi or something, and that's it. Franchises like Gundam, Transformers, Star Wars, and Macross survive because they not only do they rely on the nastolgia factor they are constantly re-inventing themselves or expanding their story. Franchises like Grendizer or Voltes or Godsigma are not. Could they? Probably in cases like Grendizer I'm sure a new series based in the original would sell like the Getters but no studio wants to either invest the money or don't have the time to do it. I've always said that all this section of the hobby needs are a couple massive SR hits to shift focus back to this section of the hobby and give it a kickstart.
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Post by Chen on Mar 25, 2013 23:34:02 GMT -5
I should add that I mean hits on a Bleach or Naruto level where episodes are up to what? 500 with multiple movies and ova's made. Not like the last Mazinger which lasted 26 episodes or even worse like the new Jeeg or Dancouga series that lasted 12-13 episodes. That would be like a tv show not even making it through one season. Animes are the life blood of this hobby followed by video games then manga and stuff, if you can't sustain any of those then all you have is the nastolgia factor and sooner or later that will dry up as the fans get older.
The last decent hit based on a classic SR was Gaiking but that show was such a compromise. But perhaps that's the way to go, you have your classic SR represented but the cast is totally changed to suit younger fans. I know I wouldn't want the pilot of Grendizer to be a 14 year old or the Voltes team be a bunch of pre-puberty high school kids but who knows?
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Post by TheMazingerZ on Mar 26, 2013 0:21:34 GMT -5
And then, even a change like that would not guarantee it will be a hit with the new generation. Look at what happened with the new Voltron series and even the Thundercats (which had awesome animation). They did not stick at all with the would be fans. Gundam and Macross have done it right from the get go, and that's why they are still going strong even after all these years. They do not rely on nostalgia al all to sell. }D
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Post by xiombarg on Mar 26, 2013 0:23:52 GMT -5
Well... with what's been said it's obvious that the game has changed over the last two or three years, and with plenty of reason, but it's all just part of an evolution. Kids aren't going to stop liking robots, that's all there is to it, but I think it's becoming clearer that $300 retail figures aren't going to be as prevalent as they have been.
And sometimes the filtering out of past gokin producing companies like Aoshima, Max Factory, Megahouse, Toynami... leaves room for new innovations to come along and see what they can do, such as what we are seeing from Ryobot.
BUT, this thread is really only talking about an evolution, not an end to anything in a general sense. SOC is just a figure line, not the beginning nor the end of super robots or gokin. If super robots didn't die after 1986, they aren't going to now.
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Post by xiombarg on Mar 26, 2013 0:27:47 GMT -5
And I do agree with Chen though...
He brings up a good point; kids ultimately keep toys going, whether it's robots or otherwise. At the base most fundamental level, that's where it all comes from.
Generally speaking, anime made for specifically "adult" market is a poor idea. Now if we could get a robot anime that has the appeal of Avatar the Last Air Bender, you would have everybody on board.
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Post by TheMazingerZ on Mar 26, 2013 0:36:11 GMT -5
But the thing is that, kids do jot seem to "like" Super Robots as much as we did, or with the same passion as we did. The Popy and Godaikin figures were made for us when we were kids. The SOC and the likes of it were also made for us, as adults (relying on nostalgia factor). Besides the Gundams and maybe the SRWOG and newer Sentai mechas, what other robot figures that were made for the generation after ours have really caught on like the 70's and 80's Super Robots have? I honestly can't think of any, but maybe it's just because I don't follow anything else but Super Robots.
}D
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Post by Chen on Mar 26, 2013 5:39:36 GMT -5
Right now I don't think any franchise is a solid hit besides Transformers, Gundam, and Star Wars and what those three have in common is constant re-invention and expansion of the history of it's franchise while also catering to fans who were there from the beginning. Everything else is dependent on nostalgia or being hot at the moment.
I also see us entering a phase like just after the 80's robot boom where fans shifted to something new. It will eventually come back and all it needs is a show like Gurren Lagann or Evangelion to show how cool SR can be and how actual characterization can be incorporated into the show, SR can be so much more then a couple giant robots smashing the sh*t outta each other.
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