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Post by roboto on Jun 5, 2008 10:58:14 GMT -5
Just a little trivia question for RJ folks: What do you think is in the plastic packet?  This toy had been sitting in the display case in the back part of a local toystore for over 20 years. The toy and its accessories were packaged inside a stapled plastic wrapper. Check out the rusted staples. |
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Post by micromanzone on Jun 5, 2008 17:54:38 GMT -5
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Post by roboto on Jun 6, 2008 19:16:50 GMT -5
I say Battl (or Battle) Buffalo from the Diaclone line. Bingo, micromanzone! Indeed, it's Battle Buffalo from Takara's
Diaclone series. Although it isn't extremely rare, I came across this find at a toyshop where I had noticed the box before but wasn't sure if the toy was actually inside because of the missing styrofoam tray. It happened to be while I was buying a knock off 50 centimeter-tall Kaiyodo Getter-1 sofubi and asked the toyshop owner if I could also have a look at one of the items inside the display case at the back. Then, I followed a shop assistant who had to take down several piled boxes of motorcycle model kits in front of the display case before he could open it and hand me the box.   After I was handed the box and opened it, to my surprise, there it was -  a plastic packet containing the Battle Buffalo and its accessories (with three missiles still attached to the sprue). Most of all, it included all three tiny Diaclone figures.    Besides the styrofoam tray, the only things missing are the instructions sheet and the Diaclone-related product brochure. Also, the sticker sheet isn't in good condition, so I will have to make repros. Considering the toy's age and the way it was packaged, it's remarkable that this Battle Buffalo is in such excellent condition. There are some slight scratches on the chrome paint on Battle Leg, but they're barely noticeable. Battle Head Battle Breast  Battle Leg Battle Buffalo Gattai    Why was this mint-condition toy packaged in such a way? Well, over twenty years ago, the government in Taiwan imposed high tariff on imported goods. Some local toy sellers found a way around this by traveling to Japan and bringing the toys back in their suitcases, which they stuffed full by getting rid of the styrofoam trays, and then flattening the cardboard boxes. And just like my Battle Buffalo, the toys were packaged in individual plastic packets, and later brought to and sold in Taiwan with only the cardboard boxes. It was like this with smaller toyshops, which competed with larger department stores that imported directly from Japan. It's rare, but a few of these vintage robot toys are still sold in smaller toyshops in Taipei that have survived to this day. Once in a while, the toyshop owner brings a few of these leftover toys from the basement storage and puts them inside the display case. More Info on Battle Buffalo on Robot Japanrobotjapan.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=Takaramicro&thread=2596&page=1robotjapan.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=Takaramicro&thread=2768&page=1 |
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Post by micromanzone on Jun 6, 2008 21:38:03 GMT -5
Wow! Excellent run-down! And good guess on my part (pat on own back), but a bit curious about the import tariff issue. I wonder if that explains the Taiwan knock-off MicroChange stuff out there that has bad "Engrish" on it, but otherwise is as good as the Japanese originals.
Also, it's great to see an old toy survive for that long in a bag. Sadly toys nowadays are made with cheaper plastic and won't last nearly as long.
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Post by admin1 aka Ed on Jun 8, 2008 19:32:34 GMT -5
Good review! Now there was a Taiwan release of BB. This is the Japanese release right?
Ed
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Post by roboto on Jun 9, 2008 17:56:21 GMT -5
Good review! Now there was a Taiwan release of BB. This is the Japanese release right? Ed I bought the original Diaclone Battle Buffalo. The Taiwan KO version is in funky colors. Courtesy of Diaclone.net.    Although I live in Taiwan, I've never seen the KO version sold here. Anyway, I'd like to own one. |
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Post by JB on Jun 13, 2008 23:46:09 GMT -5
My favorite Diaclone! What a beautiful piece, at such a steal. Man, nice grab.
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Post by admin1 aka Ed on Jun 29, 2008 11:12:46 GMT -5
There was also the Kronoform that was Taiwanese. It looks the same on ze toy outside  |
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Post by roboto on Jun 29, 2008 16:35:17 GMT -5
There was also the Kronoform that was Taiwanese. It looks the same on ze toy outside I thought Takara released Battle Buffalo in the U.S. as Kronoform. The side of the box has Takara printed on it. In any case, I'm not sure if Kronoform was manufactured in Taiwan. Photo from diaclone.net |
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Post by DaveZav on Jul 9, 2008 19:52:24 GMT -5
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Post by machinesoldier on Oct 17, 2008 11:03:23 GMT -5
There was also the Kronoform that was Taiwanese. It looks the same on ze toy outside I thought Takara released Battle Buffalo in the U.S. as Kronoform. The side of the box has Takara printed on it. In any case, I'm not sure if Kronoform was manufactured in Taiwan. Photo from diaclone.netTakara did release Kronoform in the US, but most of the toys were manufactured in either Taiwan or Macau. Probably the same factories that made the European release Diaclone toys, I have an Italian Diabattles that is made in Macau but is an authentic diaclone. The only toy from Kronoform that was made in Japan is the Invicepton, which is the Cosmic Fighter from New Microman repackaged with a different figure and relabeled instructions. One thing that I've noticed about the kronoform toys is that while the quality is about the same, the spring loaded gimmicks are much weaker. Sometimes it isn't even enough tension to hold the missile or fist into the socket. Also any magnetic gimmicks are removed. The drivers do not have magnets in the feet, they look like magnets but must be some sort of ceramic. In addition any magnetic metal plates in toys such as the Cosmo Roller are replaced with stickers. THey are still decent cheap alternative to Diaclone toys though. |
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Post by 00silvergt on Oct 17, 2008 11:32:25 GMT -5
Wow, I remember Kronoforms, circa 1984...
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Post by KingboyD on Oct 18, 2008 21:26:50 GMT -5
Here's some cool artwork from a foreign model:   |
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Post by solscud007 on Nov 22, 2008 18:24:29 GMT -5
i picked up a MIB battle buffalo. but it was missing the little red shovel missile. But with styro. for $150 at botcon.
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Post by dokuroking on Nov 20, 2009 5:00:23 GMT -5
Hi All, This is my first post on this board, although some of you may know me from other boards etc. Here's my gang of Battle Buffalo:     Mini BB:  Mini BB with Takara version for scale:  I've also been after the Taiwan KO version for quite some time. I've never seen one other than from the same pics shown here. |
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Post by KingboyD on Nov 20, 2009 12:37:00 GMT -5
Welcome aboard! As I've said on SB, you've got a great collection. I really dig that mini one. Something about the color scheme that just hits home for me.
Since these are sort of model kits, did you apply the stickers, or were they preapplied?
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Post by dokuroking on Nov 20, 2009 20:55:55 GMT -5
Thanks again I'm glad to share it. It always reminds me of silver age comic printing for some reason. No I didn't apply the stickers they come pre-applied. It's strange, the fullsize KO's are all identical to each other quality wise, however they were sold in two different ways, both as a prebuilt figure and also as a build it yourself model kit. (I'm assuming these were recasts of the Diaclone Nitto model or something) The colors seem to come in a near endless variation of blue, yellow, red, black and white. It seems like at the factory they could get creative color assembly wise haha. I think I've seen a green small one as well, but I don't have it. Welcome aboard! As I've said on SB, you've got a great collection. I really dig that mini one. Something about the color scheme that just hits home for me. Since these are sort of model kits, did you apply the stickers, or were they preapplied? |
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Post by dokuroking on Jan 21, 2010 5:37:53 GMT -5
A new member to my Battle Buffalo family:  |
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Post by roboto on Sept 20, 2012 0:31:27 GMT -5
Nice!
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