|
|
Post by grigoris on Feb 8, 2017 23:30:22 GMT -5
When I was in Japan in 2015, I got into a discussion with a chogokin store owner and some customers. They said in Japan the robot fans were mostly older men and that the younger crowd was dwindling. What are your thoughts on this? Media seems crucial to keep it alive in the youth. Transformers is one (I've avoided the movies) but doesn't always lead to the wider robot universe. Pacific Rim is another and it's awesome. Anime/Manga is a niche audience in most places. Video Games like Titanfall may create fans. Would love to hear thoughts on what the state of the robot collecting world is.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mr. Ginrai on Feb 9, 2017 0:35:21 GMT -5
I would say that I agree. The crowd that is heavy into super robots and real robot/mecha is definitely the same folks who grew up with that stuff. For what it's worth, I'm currently 33 and I am much younger compared to most G1 TF and Japanese robot collectors and I only collect vintage items.
Although I am younger than most people in the hobby, the vintage stuff is what I grew up with (caught it at the tail end of clearance and /or when young kids that had it started to sell it off at yard sales during their high school/college years.
I have met a few younger people in this hobby, but only a handful and most of them are fringe or loose collectors. In contrast, I follow a collecting style similar to typical high end vintage collectors. I have standards that I require and only bend them occasionally for price or convenience.
|
|
|
|
Post by samazinga on Feb 9, 2017 8:41:56 GMT -5
I think I definitely fall into the loose/fringe category, haha. I'm 22 and while I'm not living paycheck to paycheck I'm not in a position to drop huge amounts on robots, like you more settled down guys are. I do have the whole Mattel Jumbo line, but the only Chogokin I have I purchased loose or incomplete. I would love to be able to pay more for better 'bots, but with a young family it's harder for me to justify it. One day I'll have that boxed Gb-36. One day.
|
|
|
|
Post by RoboFestivus on Feb 9, 2017 9:54:34 GMT -5
I think I definitely fall into the loose/fringe category, haha. I'm 22 and while I'm not living paycheck to paycheck I'm not in a position to drop huge amounts on robots, like you more settled down guys are. I do have the whole Mattel Jumbo line, but the only Chogokin I have I purchased loose or incomplete. I would love to be able to pay more for better 'bots, but with a young family it's harder for me to justify it. One day I'll have that boxed Gb-36. One day. This is true. Few young people can afford $300 USD on a SOC Voltron. And if they are living pay check to pay check, I would encourage them not to start a collection until they are more financially established: Have an emergency fund, be properly insured, actively saving for retirement, etc. |
|
|
|
Post by samazinga on Feb 9, 2017 10:08:26 GMT -5
Speaking of which, I need that beast too. I'm pretty positive it's just going to go up in price, but that's just the name of the game. I don't know anyone around my age collecting, minus Seth on here, its just too expensive. I did pull away for about a year, it just wasn't feasible to keep going. Then things changed and I'm back on the saddle again. It helps that the local guys all know to send stuff my way when they see a deal.
|
|
|
|
Post by mecha-mania on Feb 9, 2017 19:29:46 GMT -5
If that is what they are saying in Japan, then i am pretty sure this will end with our generation. I dont see how much interest super robots can garner outside Japan, especially among younger collectors. Times have change, this is the age of pokemon and manga figurines and perhaps transformers (thanks to the movie adaptation and countless cartoons) which the younger generations easily identify with. The younger demographics are no longer exposed to super robots. Its as simple as that. So collectors might want to consider selling their precious popy, godaikin and soc when they still have value  |
|
|
|
Post by grigoris on Feb 9, 2017 19:42:35 GMT -5
That sounds right. It might still exist but just be even a smaller niche market. I think the larger threat is VR. The current tech is pretty amazing. In twenty years it will be out of this world. Why own lots of stuff in real world when you spend most of time in VR. Just collect your stuff there in game or program. Collectors of the future will have lots of cheap stuff around. Having said that, I still enjoy physical art and therefore I will keep collecting.
|
|
|
|
Post by chogo on Feb 9, 2017 21:38:33 GMT -5
I'm new collector to modern Chogokin/Gokin but grew up with Godaikins. I can say that modern cartoons revisions like Voltron Netflix will spur interest from younger Generations. I was selling at Toy show last year and very young kid bought my plastic 90s Voltron from me. I can say SoC voltron is bringing new collectors since my friends have just bought it who don't collect Chogokin. Now they want more robots.
Gundam,Transformers Macross are still big here in SoCal.
This is definitely not hobby for the common action figure collector. Once they hear price for some of these pieces they were like in shock. This isn't Marvel Legends or Star Wars Black series prices anymore. 😀
|
|
|
|
Post by Watari on Feb 9, 2017 22:03:55 GMT -5
Speaking of which, I need that beast too. I'm pretty positive it's just going to go up in price, but that's just the name of the game. I don't know anyone around my age collecting, minus Seth on here, its just too expensive. I did pull away for about a year, it just wasn't feasible to keep going. Then things changed and I'm back on the saddle again. It helps that the local guys all know to send stuff my way when they see a deal. The number one thing to remember when getting into Soul of Chogokin collecting is that Bandai occasionally does reissues, as long as there's considerable demand. It might not be this year or the coming year, but eventually they will. So don't bite if you see an SOC you like being offered for triple or quadruple the SRP, might as well spend it on other stuff or save your money. Unless that item is the "GX-01 Kurogane no Shiro Limited Version"  |
|
|
|
Post by grigoris on Feb 9, 2017 22:05:20 GMT -5
That's great to hear about the new fans, Chogo. As a big pacific rim fan, I'm hoping the sequel helps create some interest. Titanfall is another series, video game of course, that is popular that helps create new fans. I don't play video games but I love the mech.
|
|
|
|
Post by faelon on Feb 13, 2017 21:26:21 GMT -5
A lot of it is also there has not been a ton of new stuff to draw in new fans. As everything became more and more risk averse and branded, the bulk of what the newer generations see is just yet another iteration of Gundam and the occasional Macross show. And ever more simplified Transformers shows. There is less original stuff. And what there is is less family friendly, tending to follow more in Evangelions footsteps than Mazingers. I mean just think about Gurren Lagan as an example. Great robot show. But targeted age range is at a minimum 13+. You don't get a lot of kids craving toys from a young age with it. It and its follow up series Kill la Kill lead to "other" cravings, if you will. Not the type you fulfill at ToysRUs (one hopes...)
The Voltron reboot is interesting in a number of ways. It's redoing a classic property, and maintaining a fairly classic feel. While both keeping the material accessible for a broad age range, yet intelligent, compelling and well written. And it's going to the media and marketspace where the kids are actually watching these days. So it's grabbing young eyeballs. And toys are suddenly flying off the shelves. It would be interesting to see somebody take a similar approach with a Go Naggai property, would it not?
|
|
|
|
Post by grigoris on Feb 13, 2017 21:52:01 GMT -5
A lot of it is also there has not been a ton of new stuff to draw in new fans. As everything became more and more risk averse and branded, the bulk of what the newer generations see is just yet another iteration of Gundam and the occasional Macross show. And ever more simplified Transformers shows. There is less original stuff. And what there is is less family friendly, tending to follow more in Evangelions footsteps than Mazingers. I mean just think about Gurren Lagan as an example. Great robot show. But targeted age range is at a minimum 13+. You don't get a lot of kids craving toys from a young age with it. It and its follow up series Kill la Kill lead to "other" cravings, if you will. Not the type you fulfill at ToysRUs (one hopes...) The Voltron reboot is interesting in a number of ways. It's redoing a classic property, and maintaining a fairly classic feel. While both keeping the material accessible for a broad age range, yet intelligent, compelling and well written. And it's going to the media and marketspace where the kids are actually watching these days. So it's grabbing young eyeballs. And toys are suddenly flying off the shelves. It would be interesting to see somebody take a similar approach with a Go Naggai property, would it not? Really solid points made there. I agree. Young fans make for older fans. Can you recommend some good robot shows to watch? I tried to watch a newer Mazinger and it was unwatchable to me - the plot made no sense, new characters appear from nowhere, and plot lines disappear and randomly reappear. I like anime like Full Metal Alchemist, Dragonball Z Kai, Akira, Avatar The Last Airbender/Legend of Korra and movies like Pacific Rim. Any good suggestions for me? Could be any robot/mech related series. Perhaps Gurren Lagan is a place to start. I have Netflix as well. |
|
|
|
Post by faelon on Feb 13, 2017 22:35:44 GMT -5
A lot of it is also there has not been a ton of new stuff to draw in new fans. As everything became more and more risk averse and branded, the bulk of what the newer generations see is just yet another iteration of Gundam and the occasional Macross show. And ever more simplified Transformers shows. There is less original stuff. And what there is is less family friendly, tending to follow more in Evangelions footsteps than Mazingers. I mean just think about Gurren Lagan as an example. Great robot show. But targeted age range is at a minimum 13+. You don't get a lot of kids craving toys from a young age with it. It and its follow up series Kill la Kill lead to "other" cravings, if you will. Not the type you fulfill at ToysRUs (one hopes...) The Voltron reboot is interesting in a number of ways. It's redoing a classic property, and maintaining a fairly classic feel. While both keeping the material accessible for a broad age range, yet intelligent, compelling and well written. And it's going to the media and marketspace where the kids are actually watching these days. So it's grabbing young eyeballs. And toys are suddenly flying off the shelves. It would be interesting to see somebody take a similar approach with a Go Naggai property, would it not? Really solid points made there. I agree. Young fans make for older fans. Can you recommend some good robot shows to watch? I tried to watch a newer Mazinger and it was unwatchable to me - the plot made no sense, new characters appear from nowhere, and plot lines disappear and randomly reappear. I like anime like Full Metal Alchemist, Dragonball Z Kai, Akira, Avatar The Last Airbender/Legend of Korra and movies like Pacific Rim. Any good suggestions for me? Could be any robot/mech related series. Perhaps Gurren Lagan is a place to start. I have Netflix as well. If you like avatar the last airbender and Korra then the next show to watch, if you haven't already is the new Netflix Voltron. It's made by the same people and has a very similar style and feel. (Lance literally is Sokka in space.) Some others that I like, and you might appreciate given your seeming taste for more epic or broad stories. Gunbuster - an early work by Hideaki Anno, from before he went completely insane. It's a little dated but worth it. Dai Guard - Something completely different from the 90's. It's kind of like The Office meets Pacific Rim. It's oddly enough a Comedy/Drama with giant robots. There are some great Gundam shows, the hard part is finding an entry point. I would almost suggest Gundam Wing as a good starting point for you based on what you like. It isn't the main Gundam continuity It's its own Universe. It is a little more character driven with a touch of Sentai to it. Yeah its a pack of pretty boys in giant robots. But its a good introduction to the basics of the Gundam shows and bots. And the Robots are a little more unique and interesting then the mainline more Real Robot Military type shows. If you have Netflix or Amazon Prime, a great one is the infamous Harmony Gold merging of Macross, Southern Cross and Genesis Climber Mospeada into Robotech. Yeah purists will say Macross is better, but Robotech is a fantastic intro and its on the streaming services. Gurren Laggan is a great show as well. It is available I think on Funimation. If you want something absolutely insane from the Mazinger universe the Mazinkaiser SKL OVA is available on one of the streaming services. It's fairly short, being about 2 hours or so. It's bonkers, but a Heavy Metal kind of bonkers. Escaflowne is fantastic. Robots in a Sword and Sorcery fantasy world. Genesis of Aquarion and Aquarion EVOL are fun watches. Of the two the second series Aquarion EVOL might actually be the better starting point. The characters are much much more pleasant and likable. They rather remind me of The Last Airbender types. Genesis of Aquarion while the first story is a bit more whiny and shrieky with more annoying protagonists. Funimation has both as doa few other streaming services. The Big O is a rather unique must see for Robot stull. It's a sort of Ironpunk post apocalyptic mystery show made by many of the same people that made Batman The Animated series. It was a joint Japanese US production. Eureka Seven is available from a number of streaming services and is a fantastic show. A must see. One of the best in recent years. While less about the robots and more Star Trek'ish ship shows with Giant Robots, Vandread and Martian Succesor Nadesico are good watches. If ever you encounter a reference to a giant robot called Gekiganger, it's actually an anime show from within Martian Succesor Nadesico, that the characters are fans of. Also while not a "Robot" show, one other one on the streaming services that I would put as a "Must See" from a similar genre is The Last Exile. It's Napoleanic SciFi. And it's good. Some of the older more classic Super Robot stuff will be a little harder to watch and get into as the animation has not aged as well. You will have to make an effort to push past it and some of the earlier tropes in order to see the good stuff that is there. Mazinger, Grendizer, Getter Robo and the original Mobile Suit Gundam all fall into this category. |
|
|
|
Post by grigoris on Feb 13, 2017 23:24:10 GMT -5
Thanks so much! This is a great list to start with. I loved Robotech back in the day- saw all the episodes and used to role play it. I had no idea it was on Netflix.
|
|
|
|
Post by supergetterv on Feb 14, 2017 0:07:24 GMT -5
What, no Gravion Zwei? No Godannar, Super Robot Wars OG The Inspector faelon? You want good Modern SR, aside from Gurren Lagaan, Godannar, Gravion and the SRWOG offer some of the best modern day SRs and they have lots of fan service to keep thing entertaining. It's always entertaining to watch female pilots and the perverted ways their suits plugs in. Read chapter 18 of Shin Mazinger Zero and see how Sakaya plugs in, especially the final plug.
|
|
|
|
Post by faelon on Feb 14, 2017 21:20:51 GMT -5
What, no Gravion Zwei? No Godannar, Super Robot Wars OG The Inspector faelon? You want good Modern SR, aside from Gurren Lagaan, Godannar, Gravion and the SRWOG offer some of the best modern day SRs and they have lots of fan service to keep thing entertaining. It's always entertaining to watch female pilots and the perverted ways their suits plugs in. Read chapter 18 of Shin Mazinger Zero and see how Sakaya plugs in, especially the final plug. While Godannar is or at least was on Hulu, and is a super fun show, I specifically skipped that one as a recommendation for an entry level robot show due to some of its more over the top elements. I was going by the list of stuff Grigoria likes as a reference. His list mostly was stuff with fairly minimal fan service and a noticeable lack of grotesquely oversized boobs each displaying their own unique physics. And you all know I'm not just talking about the female characters. I'm also talking about the robots with Godannar. (Yes it has giant robots with independent boob physics!) Let's ease him into that one gently. Gurren Lagan and the Aquarion shows have just enough Fan Service to break him into the trope, without being enough to send him screaming or speed dialing the FBI. Going from Legend of Korea and Full Metal Alchemist to Godannar in one jump might actually cause some mental damage. Similarly I left Neon Genesis Evangelion off the list, as as in intro to giant robots it's rather like feeding babies to Cthulhu. Break them in gently or break them mentally. I've actually never seen Gravion or SRWOG. |
|
|
|
Post by supergetterv on Feb 15, 2017 2:07:00 GMT -5
Gravion Zwei, has more fan service because it features more female pilots in tight outfits. But that's not all, the Animation quality is top notch. It's not just the physics on the boobs but them butts are also bouncy too. So I recommend it if you like combiner type SRs. SRWOG The Inspector, I can't recommend enough. If you like over the top SR like MazinKaiserSKL, then you will definitely like this. Cool pilots and even cooler SRs.
|
|
|
|
Post by faelon on Feb 23, 2017 0:29:30 GMT -5
Oh I forgot to mention one of other much watch of the classics from the late 80's and early 90's Patlabor. It's a Robot Police Show. It actually has a lot in common with DaiGuard in terms of style, adult well defined character design and presentation. And both have a very real world feel without being grim dark war stories
Dai Guard is a pack of low level office workers at a security contractor. 15 years before a monster attacked. So in response they built a giant robot. But no more monsters. So it became a marketing mascot. Until the monsters start returning and the robot is owned and controlled by the marketing department. No wacky characters. No super powered robots. It's a huge complicated and often disfunctional machine. And the robot is the least interesting thing in the show. Just amazing slice of life characters
Patlabor deals with the Special Vehicles Division of the Tokyo PD. They have 3 teams of "Labors" service robots that have been tasked to help prevent damage when other robots go amuck. All the robots are piloted vehicles. Just really really complex heavy construction type equipment. The quirky characters are all police officers banished out to the most remote posting possible. It's good stuff. I lobe the TV series. The OVA is also good, although the two Patlabor movies are amazing.
|
|
|
|
Post by Coldbreakar on Feb 23, 2017 5:18:23 GMT -5
A lot of it is also there has not been a ton of new stuff to draw in new fans. As everything became more and more risk averse and branded, the bulk of what the newer generations see is just yet another iteration of Gundam and the occasional Macross show. And ever more simplified Transformers shows. There is less original stuff. And what there is is less family friendly, tending to follow more in Evangelions footsteps than Mazingers. I mean just think about Gurren Lagan as an example. Great robot show. But targeted age range is at a minimum 13+. You don't get a lot of kids craving toys from a young age with it. It and its follow up series Kill la Kill lead to "other" cravings, if you will. Not the type you fulfill at ToysRUs (one hopes...) The Voltron reboot is interesting in a number of ways. It's redoing a classic property, and maintaining a fairly classic feel. While both keeping the material accessible for a broad age range, yet intelligent, compelling and well written. And it's going to the media and marketspace where the kids are actually watching these days. So it's grabbing young eyeballs. And toys are suddenly flying off the shelves. It would be interesting to see somebody take a similar approach with a Go Naggai property, would it not? Really solid points made there. I agree. Young fans make for older fans. Can you recommend some good robot shows to watch? I tried to watch a newer Mazinger and it was unwatchable to me - the plot made no sense, new characters appear from nowhere, and plot lines disappear and randomly reappear. I like anime like Full Metal Alchemist, Dragonball Z Kai, Akira, Avatar The Last Airbender/Legend of Korra and movies like Pacific Rim. Any good suggestions for me? Could be any robot/mech related series. Perhaps Gurren Lagan is a place to start. I have Netflix as well. Hmmm... I understand that Shin Mazinger was unwatchable but I'm sure you'll be able to watch it after finishing the following series: - Giant Robo: The Day the Earth Stood Still. - G Gundam. - Tetsujin 28 2004.ver TV series (Gigantor). - Tetsujin 28 (Movie): The Lingering Moon of Midday. (a different setting from the 2004.ver TV series, I highley recommend it after finishing the TV series first). All of them are directed by Yasuhiro Imagawa the same director of Shin Mazinger. I guarantee that after watching them you will be able to watch Shin Mazinger. As for new characters I'm sure some of us know that Go Nagai has series other then Mazinger Z, Great Mazinger, Grendizer, Getter Robo...etc there is Violence Jack, Maou Dante and more characters/elements in Shin Mazinger.
Some recommend super robots: - Mirai Robo Daltanious. - Taiyō no Shisha Tetsujin 28. - Kōsoku Denjin Albegas. - Chōjū Kishin Dancouga TV+OVA. - Super Robot Wars OG Divine Wars. - Super Robot Wars OG The Inspector. - Super Robot Wars Original Generation: The Animation (which is set after the events of The Inspector).
|
|
|
|
Post by mpchi on Feb 24, 2017 21:36:45 GMT -5
Gurren Lagann & GGG (& GGG Final especially) are must watch newer shows that is the most hotblood and lots of feel. Manly tears man.
Shin Getter Robo Armaggedon is close. Less feel, but focus more on cool factor. Interesting remake with a mysterious twist, though animation quality drops a bit in some of the middle episodes.
Ideon is awesome old school show. Odd looking alien mechs, orange afro, 80's space fashion doesn't stop the it from making you watching an epic war movie. Try to find the 2 movies instead of the TV show. The movie has the real ending of the series.
Gunbuster, a ground break super robot show of its time. Its sequel Diebuster feels very different, but not a bad follow up that ties up nicely at the end.
Votoms the original TV series, and all the OVAs from 80s & 90s. Awesome premise of Perfect Soldier and a very interesting gritty world. The cool mechs are just icing on the cake.
Gundam, Gundam 0080, Gundam Unicorn. Best picks of old and new UC Gundam series.
These would be my top picks I can think of at the moment, aside the popular others or stuff already mentioned. Many older shows are iconic, but not as great watching them now. Not because the animation is old, but the pacing and storytelling of some of these shows didn't age gracefully.
Guilty pleasure: Godannar. This show has fan service and bouncing jokes enough to make you feel embarrassed watching it in front of your lady or parents. But that aside, it actually has a pretty good old-school super robot story hidden behind all the façade. Godannar itself is pretty kickass, that flaming hair, man!
I too have a hard time following Shin Mazinger Z. Very disjointed. Couldn't continue after 2 episodes, regardless I like the original, own some of the movies, and enjoyed some of the Mazinkaiser OVAs.
|
|
