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11-30-2008, 06:48 PM | #1 |
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Seems like there are a massive amount of collector grade robot toys out there, mostly in the Japanese market. I see threads for them here and at Toyark on TFW2005.
Can someone school me on the different lines, their history, and maybe link to some pics of each? Ive been doing some minor research myself, and stuff I see looks super cool, but I have no idea what is what, if I am missing anything, etc. Thanks, later! |
12-01-2008, 12:00 AM | #2 |
I <3 Robots
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Location: Central Florida
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I could give some input, but QuinJester is more the expert than I. I have commanded him to reply, and he should do so momentarily.
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12-01-2008, 12:38 AM | #3 |
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Damn you, I'm not your monkey.
That said, there are a number of collectors lines and brands currently on the market. The main ones, I shall outline below, broken down by manufacturer, and I shall link shamelessly to collectiondx (an excellent resource) for references to product reviews, and such. CM's Corp: The latest upstart in the super-high-priced (and boy, are they taking it to heart) toy market, they have several primary lines, from pvc robots to cars; but what it breaks down essentially to is the Brave Gokins, and everything else. Their Brave Gokin line is (mostly, they've skirted this requirement on their Mospeada line) a largely die-cast line of incredibly expensive robots, transforming and otherwise, usually between 7 and 8 inches tall, from a variety of shows, such as Patlabor, Ippatsuman, GaoGaiGar, and more. The toys are usually of very high quality, but comparatively of higher price than equivalent toys from companies such as Bandai. Next up: Yamato. While most people think of them mostly in terms of Macross toys, they've recently been branching out more into general realms of anime robots; including their new GNU lines, which include large diecast robots with parts-forming (Danguard Ace and Groizer X), less-large plastic robots with even MORE parts-forming (Braiger), and non-transforming revoltech-a-like poseable figures. Of course, there's still their Macross line, which includes toys from series such as Macross Plus, Macross, and Macross Zero. All of yamato's products have a like factor in that they are extremely expensive, although it is debatable if they are reaching CM's Corp levels of price. Kaiyodo: Kaiyodo, in recent history, has become the de-facto source for affordable, stylish, renditions of our favorite anime robots in action figure form. Their revoltech line has grown immensely in the last year or so, featuring robot and character figures from a number of different series', all for relatively afforadable prices. can't afford a $200 yamato YF-19? No problem, Kaiyodo's Revoltech YF-19 may not transform, but it also wont disintegrate on your shelf, and it'll only cost you around $20-25 dollars. Win-Win, all around. Bandai: the Big Bad of toy companies. Bandai is responsible for a LARGE number of different and popular toylines, including the Soul of Chogokin series, Super Imaginative Chogokin Series, Souchaku Henshin series, MUGEN series, Saint Cloth series, and more. Their share of the Asian toy market is absolutely massive, so I'm sure I'll miss quite a bit in here. In high-end toy circles, what they're probably most known for is the Soul of Chogokin and Soul of Chogokin SPEC series', respectively. Both are high-end lines of diecast/plastic collectors toys with an emphasis on anime accuracy, playability, and accessories. They run the gamut from TF Deluxe sized (at around $50) all the way to being a foot tall (and costing around $200), but still manage to be more affordable than most offerings from either CM's or Yamato, due to Bandai's stranglehold on the toy market. Needless to say, anything from these toylines are almost guaranteed to be high quality items that will satisfy even the most demanding of toy connoisseurs. EDIT: Of course, for the fans of the V-fin, Bandai is also the manufacturer and licensee of everything Gundam related, which includes model kits ranging from basic (high grade/no grade) to complex (their highly popular Master Grade series) to ridiculous (Perfect Grade). They also make a number of figure lines and are constantly revising their product lines. The high-end of these are the Gundam Fix Figuration and Gundam Fix Figuration Metal Composite lines, and have some impressive designs such as the massive Psycho Gundam and the upcoming Zeta+ with full armor. Megahouse: Perhaps a name more associated with girly statues flaunting their underwear than otherwise, Megahouse nonetheless has managed to put out enough figures under their own line to warrant notice. Most noticeable at the current time is the Figma line, with a number of anime inspired characters from the Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumi, as well as others, making the line quite popular, if just a little bit more expensive than its Revoltech equivalent. Recently, they've also been getting into the robot game, with Ride Armors from Genesis Climber: Mospeada (a direct competition with CM's Corp), which have recieved mixed reviews for their quality. If your interests lie exclusively in robots, this is probably a company that can afford a miss. Max Factory: Max Factory, though they have a relatively small number of projects under their belt, are well recognized for creating very high quality pieces of hard-to-get designs. Of note are their Die Cast Genesic Gao Gai Gar figures (an exceptionally goregous piece, hampered only by weak hips), and Godannar Twin Drive model (a highly poseable figure, again hampered by fragile joints in places, as well as chipping paint). They are perhaps most (in)famous for including a pair of white surgical gloves with their first high-end figure, the Genesic Gao Gai Gar, so as not to put fingerprints on it. Fewture: A bette noire of the high-end line, Fewture is practically synonymous with "aftermarket rape". If you haven't bought a Fewture EX Gokin product when it came out, chances are you wont find it for any less than 1.5 - 2 x its original market value. Its EX Gokin line started with Professor "Robo-Shi" Sato's interpretations of Go Nagai's Getters, which are currently its most hotly sought after pieces. Since his death, none of the original designs have been reissued, making finding them on the aftermarket an issue of burning wallet, more than perseverance. Other than the Getters, Fewture also has made Mazinger and Great Mazinger designs based off of his drawings, as well as Tachikomas from Ghost in the Shell. While not sharing the same aftermarket mania as original Sato designs, these share the same limited availability and difficulty to acquire on the secondary market. Fewture also manufactures plastic-only designs, again mostly designed by the late Professor Sato, but these tend to be a bit more affordable and easily located as a result. Only marginably, however, and you can still expect to spend quite a large sum for what will essentially amount to a leader-class sized non-transforming figure. Takara: How can we forget Takara, now absorbed by Tomy, in the list of collectable grade toys? While we mostly acknowledge TakaraTomy for their TF lines, they also branch out into lines such as Braves (not to be confused with CM's Brave Gokin line), with the releases of Masterpiece Brave 1 and 2, King Exkaizer and Dragon Kaizer. Both are large, exceptional pieces which feature multiple transformations, accessories, and the ability to combine into a single, gargantuan figure. Both are also, sadly, ignored by most TF fans as they are not directly part of the Transformer fandom. Wave: One of the lesser known competitors in the high-end robot market, their primary addition is the "W.H.A.M." line, or "Wave High Advance Model". These are mostly plastic, and can cover a variety of series', from Macross, to Ghost in the Shell, to Patlabor. Aoshima: Aoshima's realm of expertise lies in die-cast figures; they have a number of Getter variations all of which are useful as projectile weapons if ever you need something heavy to brain someone with. Neo Getter, Shin Getter, Old School Getter, their emphasis is definitely on the Getter 1 variations and the repaints thereof, though they've also made an excellent Shin Getter 2. If you're a fan of ships as opposed to robots, they also produce largely diecast display models of various Leiji Matsumoto ships, such as the Arcadia from Captain Harlock. Studio Halfeye (aka S.H.E.). Quote:
Originally Posted by Quantum Shock
If you think Yamato and CM Corp are expensive, you never seen this one coming. Claim to be using hand-made instead of normal factory product, SHE is for the "von true" toy collectors who just have nothing to spend on. Their mechas are perfect change, more accurate than Bandai's SOC, and doesn't require part swapping AT ALL.
The Studio Halfeye homepage ................ There are many, many, more, but I'd like to pretend I covered several of the major bases in japanese toy collectibles here. There's everything from Die-cast robots to girly figures with leek accessories to be found via this list; it all depends on what you're looking for. Chances are, someone has made it. Last edited by QuinJester; 12-01-2008 at 06:04 AM.. |
12-01-2008, 12:59 AM | #4 |
Gundam Rules
Join Date: Oct 2008
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Me thinks Tony wanted info about the series behind these robots...
Not saying your description is at all wrong, but it sure as heck covers a lot... And you forgot Gundam in the Bandai part. The one biggest asset of Bandai, and you keep it out...!? Anyways... It's 3 AM where I am. I'm not mentally functional to write about some of the stuff I know... Though it is rather shallow... |
12-01-2008, 01:39 AM | #5 |
I <3 Robots
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Central Florida
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Quote:
Me thinks Tony wanted info about the series behind these robots...
Not saying your description is at all wrong, but it sure as heck covers a lot... And you forgot Gundam in the Bandai part. The one biggest asset of Bandai, and you keep it out...!? Anyways... It's 3 AM where I am. I'm not mentally functional to write about some of the stuff I know... Though it is rather shallow... |
12-01-2008, 02:50 AM | #6 |
very yellow, very violent
Join Date: Oct 2008
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QJ left out Studio Half Eye
If anyone, especially QJ, can help me provide more accurate info, please do so, and thank you. S.H.E - Studio Half Eye. If you think Yamato and CM Corp are expensive, you never seen this one coming. Claim to be using hand-made instead of normal factory product, SHE is for the "von true" toy collectors who just have nothing to spend on. Their mechas are perfect change, more accurate than Bandai's SOC, and doesn't require part swapping AT ALL. Some of its famous mechas are Dancouga Nova, Godannar and the recent SRW Cybuster. Now their lastest project is a Perfect Change Dangaioh, which will no doubt cost you an arm and a leg, literally. Perfect Drive Change Godannar PC Godannar Studio Half-Eye Dangaioh | CollectionDX PC Dangaioh |
12-01-2008, 04:05 AM | #7 |
Join Date: Oct 2008
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For the Brave line we got plenty of pics here already Masterpiece Great Exkaiser on the way:
http://www.toyark.com/brave-eldoran-thread-932/ The gist of it is that after Transformer's sales started to wane in japan Takara sought another line. This line is similar to Transformers in that they have transforming vehicles and/or beasts. The storylines for each series is independent of each other and are mostly different concepts alltogether. But apart from Gaogaigar (the last series) all leader braves follow the concept set out by Ginrai and Victory Saber of smaller brave that combines with some/a vehicle(s) and later adding another big brave to the mix who may or may not already combiner with the smaller lead brave ut then also combines with the earlier vehicles to form a gargantuan brave. Starting with Fighbird Support Braves also get an upgrade part way through the series. I'll outline the basic concepts of each series. Brave Exkaiser: Energy life forms comes to earth and possesses earth vehicles to combat spae pirates (4 of which are Dinobot remolds who never got toys and their leader is a whole new design that actually got produced). Brave of The Sun Fighbird: Energy Life forms comes to earth again but their lead possesses a android so he can interact with the humans more so than the previous series. Their enemy is also a energy life form called Draias. Brave of Legend Dagarn: Earthen spirits are awakened and possess earth vehicles to protect earth from invaders from space. Brave Express Might Gaine: AI robots are made to combat crime syndicates. Brave police J-Decker: Same as above. Brave of Gold Doldran: Spirits from Power Stones are awakened. Brave Command Dagwon: 6 humans are chosen to wield the power of Dagwon to combat escaped prisoners from the space prison Sargisso. King of Braves Gaogaigar: A bit complicated. Zonder El-01 crashes into Gai's shuttle and nearly kills him. He is rebuilt as a cyborg and along with alien machine Galeon and earth Gao Machines combine together to form Gaogaigar. His supports are all AIs. All enemies in the first half are sent by El-01 but the second half of the series is a bit different. As I said earlier, Gaogaigar does not combine any further than Gaogaigar. But he has several weapons granted to him for added fire power. Most popular is the Goldion Hammer which is literally a giant hammer. Gaogaigar Final: The 'end' to Gaogaigar. Features Gaofighgar (Different inner unit than Galeon) and Genesic Gaogaigar which is the 'original' Gaogaigar and the first and last Brave to be completely made out of animals and no vehicular influences (I discount Gaohn because he was made to go with Dagarn).
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Last edited by Roanstalker; 12-01-2008 at 04:10 AM.. |
12-01-2008, 05:55 AM | #8 |
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Hey, when I'm typing stuff up at 1am and I'm horribly drunk, I reserve the right to leave out some stuff (Like Gundam. Whoops. they DO make rather a lot of that, don't they?). I'm just happy it was mostly coherent, eheh.
Some other additions: Wave: One of the lesser known competitors in the high-end robot market, their primary addition is the "W.H.A.M." line, or "Wave High Advance Model". These are mostly plastic, and can cover a variety of series', from Macross, to Ghost in the Shell, to Patlabor. Aoshima: Aoshima's realm of expertise lies in die-cast figures; they have a number of Getter variations all of which are useful as projectile weapons if ever you need something heavy to brain someone with. Neo Getter, Shin Getter, Old School Getter, their emphasis is definitely on the Getter 1 variations and the repaints thereof, though they've also made an excellent Shin Getter 2. If you're a fan of ships as opposed to robots, they also produce largely diecast display models of various Leiji Matsumoto ships, such as the Arcadia from Captain Harlock. Added to my first post, as well. More as I think of them. |
12-01-2008, 06:50 AM | #9 |
Gundam Rules
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Maniwaki, Quebec CANADA
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I would go into the details of the Gundam Series, but then I'd probably write an essay...
All I'll say is if you want THE BEST representation of plastic model Gundam-y goodness, go with the Master Grade (MG) line. For Action figures, there's the HCM-Pro line, which consists of 1/200 scale mobile suits. They're very detailed for the size they are. Then there is the MSiA (Mobile Suits in Action) line, that give 1/144 size scales. They're okay, but don't have the quality HCM-Pro does. However, they're very diverse in the variety of suits you can find. However, as QuinJester said, the best line, and his quite a bit of variety of choices, is the Gundam Fix Figuration. Looks to be a really good line. EDIT: I'm sorry if I came off sounding jerkish with my first response. I'm just a die hard Gundam fan, and was a bit put off with QJ's collection of info... I know I could never come up with that type of summary, ever. Kudos to him for writing something like that when he was tired... and... well... erm... Anyways... Sorry about all that. Just rather overzealous. Last edited by cheetorBWORG; 12-01-2008 at 12:11 PM.. |
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