|
Post by junkyard on Mar 25, 2005 1:10:27 GMT -5
Hey, I just read the forum and decided to join in here. I have some questions that I think are not quite directly answered anywhere that I could find.
00. What is the best source (DVD) for the original cartoons? I prefer Japanese language video with English subtitles as an option. 01. What is an "air" version of a SOC toy? 02. What are the "AD-1901" figures from? Are there anime, manga, books - or is it just a variant idea of the toy company Fewture? 03. How do the Max Factory figures compare to others? Is it to approx. scale with Bandai SOC? 04. What is the "Black Wing" version of Mazinger? Is it to approx. scale with Bandai SOC? 05. Is the Gaiking that comes in GX-05 really small? What is the height of it in inches or cm?
TIA
|
|
|
Post by Jryu on Mar 25, 2005 1:19:15 GMT -5
Hi, Welcome to the board! The group is here is a great bunch of folks so enjoy your stay. To answer your questions to the best of my knowledge: 00. What is the best source (DVD) for the original cartoons? I prefer Japanese language video with English subtitles as an option. To purchase? You may try Yesasia but in many cases, the original source DVD's from other countries have region codes so your dvd player needs to be able to play all region. I buy mine from local stores so someone else may be able to help you find a source for these? 01. What is an "air" version of a SOC toy? "Air" version? Are you referring to the difference between animation version vs "real world" color thing? If so, one just tries to capture the look of the animation while the other is a little bit more realistic in color. 02. What are the "AD-1901" figures from? Are there anime, manga, books - or is it just a variant idea of the toy company Fewture? These were just some toys that were designed and set in an alternate universe where everything was steampunk'd out. I don't think there was an anime or manga. You should check out the Fewture Getters that we're all drooling over. 03. How do the Max Factory figures compare to others? Is it to approx. scale with Bandai SOC? The MF GGGG is about the same size as the standard SOC's. It's just a little taller and a lot heavier. 04. What is the "Black Wing" version of Mazinger? Is it to approx. scale with Bandai SOC? It's one of the many variants that they released. Some had red wings, some had chrome parts, some had brushed metal, some were blue/black, some were all black, it's just nutty. It's about the same size as the SOC's, maybe a little taller than most. 05. Is the Gaiking that comes in GX-05 really small? What is the height of it in inches or cm? The mini Gaiking is about 3" from feet to head, about 3 3/4" to the tip of his horns. Glad you decided to stop by! j*ryu
|
|
|
Post by junkyard on Mar 25, 2005 3:16:39 GMT -5
About the "air" question, here's what I mean: www.leoshop.com.tw/shop/cataloge.asp?CategoryID=331&Style=1&wnum=3Presuming the link works, you will see two listings that look like this: Name:SOUL OF CHOGOKIN DIANAN Item:0GX-11MA-125450 original US$59.92, Our prices US$41.95 Name:SOUL OF CHOGOKIN DIANAN Item:0GX-11MA-125450Air original US$66.26, Our prices US$46.38 I was just trying to figure out what that means. It's probably painfully obvious, but it eludes me still. Well, unless it's a repaint as mentioned. "Air"...?
|
|
|
Post by Jryu on Mar 25, 2005 3:32:24 GMT -5
About the "air" question, here's what I mean: www.leoshop.com.tw/shop/cataloge.asp?CategoryID=331&Style=1&wnum=3Presuming the link works, you will see two listings that look like this: Name:SOUL OF CHOGOKIN DIANAN Item:0GX-11MA-125450 original US$59.92, Our prices US$41.95 Name:SOUL OF CHOGOKIN DIANAN Item:0GX-11MA-125450Air original US$66.26, Our prices US$46.38 I was just trying to figure out what that means. It's probably painfully obvious, but it eludes me still. Well, unless it's a repaint as mentioned. "Air"...? There isn't a repaint of GX11MA that I know of. Leoshop has pretty decent prices but oftentimes their descriptions are kind of weird (as evidenced here). Perhaps the "Air" version is the one with the compact premium? j*ryu
|
|
|
Post by Chen on Mar 25, 2005 13:05:24 GMT -5
Yah, could be that "air" means it comes with the makeup compact. Also the trouble with getting anime with GOOD english subtitles is that you usually have to wait for them to be licenced here. On the other hand if you could live with just Japanese language and no subtitles Ebay has a tonne of new and old shows. Plus do you mean "Black wing Mazinkaiser" or Black Mazinger Version. The Mazinkaiser figure is about in scale with the SOC Mazinger Z and Great Mazinger so it is maybe an inche taller. Plus my Gaiking is so small it just disappeared from reality .
|
|
|
Post by roboto on Apr 1, 2005 12:34:37 GMT -5
The "Air" version on Leoshop's website is for "Airmail". ;D Leoshop is based in Taiwan where they basically categorize the source of SOCs into 3 different groups: - SOCs that are sold locally through Bandai's official Taiwan distributor.
- SOCs imported from Hong Kong.
- SOCs imported directly via "air" from Japan.
Hence, "Air" or "ªÅª©" (Kong Ban) is the category for any SOCs that are shipped from Japan. What's the difference? None really. (Only the price is the difference. ) I've asked several Taiwanese toy dealers about this situation and they all say that the product is the same thing. What you're really paying for is extra shipping cost. I guess some Taiwanese toy collectors are finicky about where they get their SOCs. They probably think they'll get a quality product if they buy directly from Japan even though the stuff is originally manufactured in Mainland China. One local toy dealer recounted an experience he had with some buyers. These guys would come in his shop and use an LED penlight to check inside the unopened SOC box before making a purchase. I used to buy "air versions", but I've had mixed results quality-wise with purchasing SOCs that are either imported via Hong Kong or Japan. So, I think they really are the same thing. Anyway, this reminds me of the movie "Armageddon" where a Russian cosmonaut, Lev Andropov, is hammering an engine part to start one of the space shuttles. An American astronaut warns him to be careful with the sensitive American equipment. Andropov retorts: "American component, Russian component, all same thing: Made in Taiwan!" After he says this, the shuttle engine starts and they escape from the soon-to-explode asteroid. Anyway, as for SOCs - "All same thing: Made in China!" As for the SOCs that are sold locally through Bandai's official Taiwan distributor, they must conform to local import laws that require safety labels translated into Mandarin stating the materials used on the product and what age group the product is suitable for. The only issue I have with this is that the frickin' sticker is so dang big. It can tear a big chunk off your SOC box when trying to remove the dang thing. Okay, now I understand why some Taiwanese dudes prefer an "air" version. Anyway, I'll buy an "air" version only if there's very little price difference with the Hong Kong version. This usually happens after the product has been out in the market for a while (such as the case with the Mazinger Angels). There's also the issue of the official Dynamic Sticker on only the air versions. I hope this helps the newbie. (I think his questions are too specific to be considered a newbie, don't you think? ) The guys at Leoshop could sure use some help with their English. How about exchanging English lessons for free SOCs? ;D
|
|
|
Post by 00silvergt on Apr 1, 2005 13:04:53 GMT -5
Mr. Roboto has it nailed. "Air" refers to the Japan Authorized Sticker. It is probably due to some tax or tariff for imported items to Japan. Much like the sticker on the bottoms of cigarette packs here in the US. Japan has very strict import tax laws and the sticker designates it as authorized.
There was this retailer in Burlingame who insisted that Japanese market SOC's are better than Taiwanese or HK items. "A 'true' collector can tell" yeah? And If anyone's is interested I have seven or so bridges for sale here in the Bay Area, cheap. With my best model being a reddish one with a golden name. If you are interested in the $5 toll you can collect, please PM.
|
|
|
Post by roboto on Apr 1, 2005 13:07:23 GMT -5
"Domo arigato Mr. Roboto...Domo arigato Mr. Roboto...domo...domo..." ;D
|
|
|
Post by junkyard on Apr 1, 2005 13:56:19 GMT -5
Thank you very much, Mr. Roboto!
|
|
|
Post by junkyard on Apr 17, 2005 4:58:26 GMT -5
Not that y'all even care, but this is what I have in the works as of the moment. These are my first and most recent purchases in this genre of toy. Not all are actually alloy. Fewture Mazinger AD 1901 (non alloy): Mazinger (original black, gold, silver) Mazinger HK Repaint (black, red, silver) Aflodai Repaint (gold, silver) Garada (red, purple, silver) Fewture Ex-Gokin (supposedly 80% alloy): Black Getter (Hobby Japan magazine exclusive) [pre-ordered] Max Factory: Mazinkaiser F [pre-ordered] Bandai SOC: GX-08W Aphrodai Angel (limited white) [pre-ordered] GX-09MA Minerva X GX-11MA Diana A GX-12MA Venus A So far I only have the original paint of Mazinger AD 1901. Except for the pre-orders, the rest are due to arrive in the next week or so. This is my want list, the stuff I intend to buy in the next few-several months: Shin Getter 1 Devil Wing (limited black) GX-04B UFO Robo Grendizer black GX-05R Daiku Maryu/ Gaiking Re-colour HK GX-08MA Aphrodai A GX-10 Boss Borot GX-18 Getter Dragon GX-20 Getter Poseidon GX-27 Gaiking Takara Jeeg (or something like that) Of the above list, the one I would most like to see as a black variant is the Getter Dragon. I really like the looks of his head, but I think in black might just be better. Sorta like this: img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/REX-203/gx18shinestar.jpg but even more black. I have zero interest in the Evangelion and Akira themed toys.
|
|
|
Post by demize on Apr 23, 2005 18:07:08 GMT -5
Thank you for clearing up some confusion about origins.Im new to the board & really appreciate the data.Been out of this for a while & just got a computer and what do you think was the 1st thing I looked up?ok maybe the 2nd. ;D38 & just got my 1st.computer.not a luddite just poor.
|
|