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Post by plasmawing on Apr 2, 2013 18:05:18 GMT -5
True molds costs thousands of dollars and a mold for a metal part and the same part in plastic will be different with extra steps or details needed for a metal part mold. Also making parts outta diecast means you need to take that extra step of painting it whereas most plastic parts are molded in color. I will add another factor many don't know but I deal with a ton of certification that many products have to pass to be sold or used in different parts of the world. The list of banned substances from say the EU is staggering and increases every year and covers pretty much everything except Military products. So say Bandai wants to sell a toy in Sweden they have to make sure that every single item that's in that toy including the packaging has to meet EU standards. So the ink that's on the instructions to the tape used to seal that box is under scrutiny and the standards are different all over the world. So standard in the States are different from the ones used in China to the ones used in Germany. And they all have to deal with what happens to the items and package once its thrown in the dump and its health and safety effects. Its quite a process. I'm definitely not an expert in this area, but I was under the impression that these kind of regulations only apply if Bandai tries to sell their products in foreign stores. If people import them from Japanese retailers, then I don't think Bandai can be held liable for not meeting safety standards. Toy manufacturers should be investing in 3D printing technology. Molds are not needed in 3D printing, but right now it is slow and expensive. The technology needs to be improved, but once it is it should be cheaper to produce parts. At least some of them are. Good Smile Company's promotional blog has a post about their use of the technology: mikatan.goodsmile.info/en/2013/02/21/a-look-at-where-3d-sculpting-is-used-on-figures/
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Post by Chen on Apr 2, 2013 18:23:29 GMT -5
True if a toy they make is sold to another market other then designed for by a secondary seller and does not meet that countries certification Bandai is technically not liable but it would be bad publicity. Also Japan as a whole is starting to get inline with EU regulations for the simple matter that its good business. Now the change for stricture controls of goods though is a huge cost for manufacturers with many assemblies just being discontinued or heavily modified. Its funny though that the country which should have the strictest controls in many cases has the least, the States. But even they are slowly moving forward. An example is say CSA, everybody knows or at least has heard of CSA. For a electrical product to be CSA every single component must be CSA approved or it can't be used for above 30volts or sustained current. Now imagine if a company made a product that wasn't CSA approved they could not market it as such, it would not be used at many companies, and it would basically not be as safe. Even saftey boots have to be CSA, if you were a construction worker would you wear non-CSA approved work boots? So in Bandai's case to market a toy in many countries is a nightmare with tons of different rules and regulations. It costs money and failing to do so will get you the same bad publicity and loss of sales as the whole lead paint deal that was found on certain toys.
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Post by xiombarg on Apr 2, 2013 21:30:59 GMT -5
Toy manufacturers should be investing in 3D printing technology. Molds are not needed in 3D printing, but right now it is slow and expensive. The technology needs to be improved, but once it is it should be cheaper to produce parts. True, but 3D printing won't likely ever be used for actual production because it won't ever be fast enough for mass production. But it might someday be used for making the molds for plastic injection. If they could ever find a way to 3D print using metals or plastics that could survive the high pressures of injection molding, this would be the way to go.
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Post by Gakken on Jul 16, 2014 13:58:26 GMT -5
I think eventually they will just reboot the line and start from scratch with new molds. But yeah you run out of 80's and 70's bots. Not a lot in the 90's/2000.
Everything has kind of turned to smaller power suits over giant robots.
That's why they should get in on Pacific rim.
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Post by B- on Jul 16, 2014 16:44:12 GMT -5
I think eventually they will just reboot the line and start from scratch with new molds. But yeah you run out of 80's and 70's bots. Not a lot in the 90's/2000. Everything has kind of turned to smaller power suits over giant robots. That's why they should get in on Pacific rim. There are alot of SR between 90 and 2000s its just they are not interesting AT ALL.
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Post by TheMazingerZ on Jul 16, 2014 18:49:04 GMT -5
It is all a matter of tastes. The recent SOCs have been awesome releases for those folks eagerly awaiting those particular characters to be given a decent action figure treatment. Unfortunately, to me they meant nothing - just like if there were no releases at all. To be honest, right now the only figures I am truly happy to see released are the SRC GaoFighGar, and the 40th Anniversary GX-01R+ repaint. The upcoming SOC GaoGaiGar looks all sorts of awesome, but it is not a favorite character of mine (if it was an SOC GaoFighGar the story would be WAY different). Haven't seen the new 40th Anniversary Voltes V SOC yet, but even if it is a redesign ala GX-50 Combattler, for me it would just be a very nice to have figure, not a MUST HAVE IT NOW figure. Pacific Rim Jaegers as SOC or even SRC would also be very nice to have. Again, it is all a matter of tastes. }D
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Post by TheMazingerZ on Jul 16, 2014 18:51:58 GMT -5
In 2017 the Soul of Chogokin line will turn 20 years old. I am willing to bet there will be a new Mazinger Z figure, not a repaint, released on that year. }D
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Post by droutmaster on Jul 16, 2014 19:47:46 GMT -5
I think the problem is pretty obvious that the SoC line is becoming a more expensive line for every release or a re-release because of the increase of the material(plastic, paintand, metal, ect). SR are a lot to see and get from the 70's all the way to the 2000 each consisting with its uniqueness so is not a problem or shorter of SR, there is a big fan base to each one(specially Gundams). People from casual to the collector are holding back and looking for methods to get a cheaper price of say figure either from the SoC or SRC or another line, not many is taking consideration about accuracy at this stage, as long as they get a good representation of the character then is good for them.
So Bandai to counter the SoC line becoming expensive overtime they make a selective choices and longer periods in development. Remember, they have to pay the people that are developing the figures for the hour(depending the country) as well the work-labor from the assembling(depending as well in the country)not to mention people expecting best quality at this point for how everything is going so expensive.
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Post by tragichero on Jul 17, 2014 4:33:15 GMT -5
SOC is not really expensive compare to Fewture. In terms of engineering SOC is the best or one of the best. However nowadays SOC likes to include spaceships & other irrelevant ( GX-63 ) in their production which beats me. Although not all their products are good but I still like them overall. They are also the reason why I started this hobby years ago. I hope Bandai will continue the SOC line & make more classic & modern high quality super robots.
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Post by Chen on Jul 17, 2014 5:16:38 GMT -5
Its the market which dictates how the SOC line does and for how long. Price wise SOC's are mid to slightly above in price for the high-end market but still way cheaper then a lot of stuff out there. As for designs there's still tons of robots available to do so that's not a problem its timing, engineering, and production costs which is.
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Post by tetsuryu on Jul 17, 2014 5:19:58 GMT -5
Well Chen, since CM went under, there's now a whole bunch of oldschool super robots to include in the SoC line since there's no competition, like Baldios. Which I'd probably buy just to put a doll wig on it for a stupdid pun. However nowadays SOC likes to include spaceships & other irrelevant ( GX-63 ) in their production which beats me. I don't really understand why this is such a big problem - I mean sure, they should be using the Soul of Popynica line for those since vehicles were kinda the line's entire schtick, but if you don't like them, just don't buy them. Well, except maybe for the possibility that it limits the amount of actual robots you get each year, but if they didn't do that, they'd probably just reissue some older SoC in it's place...which actually would be a great thing, why CAN'T they just use the SoP line for the vehicles!? I want them to reissue the GX-44S, dammit!
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Post by reVolVer on Jul 17, 2014 5:36:30 GMT -5
Im giving props to Bandai in regards to thier creation of SRC, Soul Spec and Robot Damashii lines.. those other mechs that does not combined or transform have been released from those lines i mentioned. SOC should be for those that needed high end enginneering only,, likes of Voltes,Gaogaigar, God Mars, etc.
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Post by B- on Jul 17, 2014 21:53:32 GMT -5
Just want to make a statement,SOC in the SR dept. is made for CLASSIC Super Robots besides the upcoming GGG there has only been one SR made as of this date whos animes did NOT air from the 70s/80s and that is the Big O. Im not including the New Jeeg/Getters becuase they are classic spinoffs. I dont quite understand why people have the impression that SOC SRs will ever be anything BUT classic with a VERY few select differences.2{as of now 1} out of 66 SOCs are modern SRs.Im talking of SRs WITH animes,not SRW.
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Post by haro on Jul 17, 2014 22:43:50 GMT -5
Bandai owns the soc line, and as such it can include anything they deem to have or does have that "soul" of chogokin or spirit of iron..
Shin maz is not classic sr, it is based on mazinger but it is a modern take..
Evangelions which comprise about 5-8% of the soc line is not classic sr
Black joe and battle fever is not classic sr, but rather tokusatsu or sci fi
I am sure i am missing something else from the line but My point is..
Bandai never made a statement saying the soc line is purely meant for classic super robots, it is a high end line to provide superb sculpts, engineering, toy technology at a competitive market price.
If bandai is compelled to do a line meant for classic sr at non competitive prices, then they'd be going the same place where cms went..
I say as long as bandai is making the right decisions to take care of its business then rest assured we'll be able to get the classic robots we want.. Too bad we have to endure that long wait though..
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Post by B- on Jul 17, 2014 23:08:31 GMT -5
Bandai owns the soc line, and as such it can include anything they deem to have or does have that "soul" of chogokin or spirit of iron.. Shin maz is not classic sr, it is based on mazinger but it is a modern take.. Evangelions which comprise about 5-8% of the soc line is not classic sr Black joe and battle fever is not classic sr, but rather tokusatsu or sci fi I am sure i am missing something else from the line but My point is.. Bandai never made a statement saying the soc line is purely meant for classic super robots, it is a high end line to provide superb sculpts, engineering, toy technology at a competitive market price. If bandai is compelled to do a line meant for classic sr at non competitive prices, then they'd be going the same place where cms went.. I say as long as bandai is making the right decisions to take care of its business then rest assured we'll be able to get the classic robots we want.. Too bad we have to endure that long wait though.. All above is very obvious,BUT I was speaking in terms of SUPER ROBOTS ONLY did I say anything about those other things?.Ofcourse those other things are in the line,BUT as far as Super Robots go,the only SR represented in the line that ARE NOT classic {post 80s or AS I SAID spinoffs like yes Shin maz/Jeeg/Getters} happen to be BIG O and the upcoming GGG THAT IS IT.Im stating fact,whethet it changes or not is to be seen,but so far the SOC line where Srs are concerened has souly comprised of SRs from 70s/80s ONLY except AGAIN spinoffs and Big O..again not thingying SRW which are video games,not true SR anime,my apologies to Mazinkaiser. Im not saying it wont change or I want it to change or dont,just saying the facts,and NO we wont see all teh classics we want,Bandai will NEVER make rare classics like Govarian,God Mazinger{EVEN THOUGH BOTH ARE GO NAGAI},Diapolon Godam,they are too scared of such things.Bravo to the dead CMS they had balls,and I dont think $$$ was there decision maker in picking obscure SRs,they just made stuff they wanted to see,stuff Bandai could afford to lose money on but would never make.That is why we have Godsends like HLPro and Et doing that,and the now defunct CMs.I love Bandai and kudos for Tryder but will wont see certain SRs from them classic or not.They will make 50 getters before one Lazerion. This is a redundant thread now anyhow,SOC is in full scale and doing well,this thread is old hat and out of business.
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Post by junktea1 on Jul 23, 2014 9:49:04 GMT -5
Does anyone have info on making KO chogokins? Just like the Transformers line
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Post by tetsuryu on Jul 23, 2014 10:25:03 GMT -5
Im not saying it wont change or I want it to change or dont,just saying the facts,and NO we wont see all teh classics we want,Bandai will NEVER make rare classics like Govarian,God Mazinger{EVEN THOUGH BOTH ARE GO NAGAI},Diapolon Godam,they are too scared of such things. It really is a shame. I mean, God Mazinger could be the same size as all the other Mazingers in the line, he wouldn't require absurd amounts of engineering since he doesn't transform, just a nice sculpt and articulation - all of which would mean his price point would be much lower than all the "big" SoCs we've been getting, and even Danguard Ace.
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