Jizai Toys: Chromedome Rough Test 1997

Discussion in 'Transformers 3rd Party Discussion' started by Zambot, Jan 20, 2013.

  1. Zambot

    Zambot Pixarian Artobot

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    I don't know if this has been posted, but in light of the speculation about the designer/s of the Function X-1: Code figure, I thought it would be nice to compare. I have included some crudely translated notes from his blog post as well.

    I realize there is a thread for function, but I thought this merited it's own discussion so it doesn't get lost in the larger thread. It's more a Jizai Toys engineering thread.IMO

    I believe that at least SOME engineering is very obviously borrowed from the Rough Proto-type created by Jizai Toys. (Circa 1997 according to Jizai's blog).

    Quote: "This post introduced the work which I made more than ten years ago" -response in blog post from 2007

    It's REALLY fascinating to see the changes in the two transformation schemes.

    It appears that in Jizai's Rough Block Proto, the arms form the front and the legs rest at the back while the Fansproject version is reversed!! So interesting!!
    It's so fascinating to see TWO very different approaches to problem solving.


    [​IMG]

    Below are some other side by sides. It's clear that the design was taken much further of course, but I love seeing the Early problem solving in these very rough engineering block-ins. Once you solve all the technical/mechanical issues you can slap on any detail/style you want on top of it.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Some notes from Jizai:"Coloring and detail as you can see, are based on the motif of TF chrome dome head masters, I was aiming for as slender proportions as possible.
    I did not intend to use the Head-On gimmick, But I have engineered it so that the head fits in the drivers seat.

    The car styling is messed up. I wish I could adjust the position of the tire at least a little.


    I have to say, I'm a bit disappointed in the fan community being so tunnel vision on issues like "ankle tilts". The FP function X-1 is a such a treat in terms of engineering and G-1 aesthetics. The articulation is decent, it's no revoltech, but it's still very poseable.

    There is more dimension to what and why these transforming toys are so engaging.

    For me, this Chromedome update is incredibly refreshing and exciting. They have managed to capture that old school "FUNK" of the 80's Transformer in a way I don't think we've seen. Hasbro classics were hit or miss for me and many times just felt all over the place aesthetically and while I do like some of Fansprojects past work, I must say, IMO the Transformers aesthetic, that 80's "FUNK", is NOT Super-Robot, despite later incarnations of TF being very much in line with the Brave series aesthetics, I grew up with Season One and Two plus the Movie. (BTW I love Super Robots!)

    I'm incredibly inspired by this Function X line of figures and I hope the rest of the designs are as full of engineering surprises as CODE is. Reminds the cynical adult in me just how magical these toys can be.


    Jizai's original post can be found here: ‚Í‚¶‚ß‚Ä‚Ì‚Ö‚ñ‚¯‚¢: •ÏŒ`ƒoƒJˆê‘ã￾IƒWƒUƒCƒgƒCƒY
     

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    Last edited: Jan 20, 2013
  2. blaynescott

    blaynescott Well-Known Member

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    Very cool. Thanks for putting together this post - it's neat to see the comparison. :) 
     
  3. wasp819

    wasp819 L-I-V-I-N

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    Yep love it,
    Love x1 and hope the rest follow the same aesthetics,
    Would love a repaint/slight re-mold of steelcore into fort max as well.
     
  4. archieboy

    archieboy Well-Known Member

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    Great read! And very interesting, thanks for sharing!

    [​IMG]

    YES.
     
  5. Zambot

    Zambot Pixarian Artobot

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    Thanks Fellas!! Jizai also mentioned in his replies, that he intended to make the legs thin like that. Definitely an interesting choice. Seeing as how popular the Super Robot aesthetic is and which Fansproject is very keen on, having the large forearms, shoulders and lower legs. Part of me would love to see how this designer would RE-interpret the FP insecticons. I like them alot, but they are a bit overly Super-Robot.

    I remember reading in the Notenki Memoirs book by Yasuhiro Takeda, one of the founders of Gainax, about the experience they had trying to convince Bandai and other big companies that the Evangelion design was marketable.

    They were sooo turned off by how skinny the Eva's legs were! Haha. Jokes on them, turned out to be a phenomenon.

     
  6. Napalm

    Napalm Drinking About Robots TFW2005 Supporter

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    Fascinating stuff.
     
  7. daimchoc

    daimchoc Well-Known Member

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    Great read. As per the fan community, I don't think it's all about the "ankle tilts" per se that they are sounding off to. I believe, and it has been mentioned before in other threads, that the reason was what was expected out of a FansProject design. The prior offerings of FP had ankles. The other thing that was talked about was the actual head master. FP could have done more. To quote TJDuckett - "It is what it is." - that doesn't mean it's a bad figure, just not great. ;) 
     
  8. archieboy

    archieboy Well-Known Member

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    All due respect, but I beg to disagree.
     
  9. daimchoc

    daimchoc Well-Known Member

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    Yes, you may disagree. That's the nice thing about opinions, it all depends on the person. :thumbs2: 
     
  10. megatroptimus

    megatroptimus Untitled

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    Great read, thanks for posting! I wish there was a story for the all the toys they've made over the years, some of their non-TF creations were incredible.
     
  11. sephron13

    sephron13 Well-Known Member

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    So, my first post is going to be a great big HURRUMPH to Zambot for putting this together. I absolutely agree, wholeheartedly. The points made about the lack of ankle tilt, limited shoulder articulation and uninspired Head are all fair and I concur to a degree, but when I play (yup, play) with Code, I can't help but just be totally in love with this Transformer. The transformation is original and FUN. The aesthetic, while differing greatly from the rest of Fansproject's offerings, really captures the sense of nostalgia that I think Classics, et al, has been sorely lacking. I am really looking forward to the next 'bot in the Function-X series. Bring on Weirdwolf!!
     
  12. Transbot90210

    Transbot90210 Banned

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    Great thread Zambot. It is interesting to see where the project started and where it ended. I still think we could have gotten some shoulder articulation in the final release btu I never had an issue with the ankle tilts. To be honest, until this came out I didn;t realise that they were the be all and end of of articulation. lol
     
  13. Squall42080

    Squall42080 Autobot RSX Type-S

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    Would it be wrong to say that the prototype actually looks a hell of a lot better than what we ultimately got?

    The proportions are nicer and more inline with the traditional FansProject releases, and it actually appears to have decent shoulder articulation.

    Nice to see the progress, but depressing when compared to what we ended up with.
     
  14. Raiju

    Raiju Navel Shocker Veteran

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    Interesting.
     
  15. Rewind

    Rewind Swoosh!

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    Hell yes they are. I would buy every single one of these, some of them twice:

    [​IMG]

    Notice the last figure could easily be turned into a Hard Head...

    I'm glad he finally got a gig with one of the 3rd Party companies. As much as people moan about his style "not fitting" with FansProject, I can't think of a better company Jizai could partner with. I hope he gets to do more beyond the Headmasters.
     

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  16. SCPrime

    SCPrime Well-Known Member

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    frog lady is cool. no ankle tilts but she does have eye tits.

    to frog lady, those are a nice pair of...eyes you got there.
     
  17. Astronut

    Astronut Well-Known Member

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    I would definitely buy a few of those if they were updated to the same quality as Code.
    And yes, Frog Lady has some nice big eyes.
     
  18. Zambot

    Zambot Pixarian Artobot

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    As I said this isn't as much a Function thread as a Jizai thread, and I don't want to start another pros/cons about Code, that being said, IMO there are thoughtful reasons for NOT having many of the things the fans are so cross about.

    My appeal to fans: Look at the thought and love that went into this transforming toy. Look at the surprising, refreshing way things fold up, slide and flip inside out!!

    I'd forgotten how truly fun/imaginative these toys can be and I think Jizai's site is full of these fun, bizarre and sometimes genius engineering solutions. Just look at Eriku's posted image.

    Would better articulation have been nice, sure, if there was a way to incorporate it WITHOUT making it fiddly or structurally weak.

    To site one example:
    I think the choice to make the Headmaster limited, was great. Headrobots headmasters figures are flimsy with ball joints, causing the head to deform every time you pose the head. For me, a turn off.

    Of course, I respect that everyone values and puts priority on different aspects of their toys. Also, I don't think it's all about the "ankle tilts" either, it merely illustrates the short sightedness, very clearly for me.
     
  19. Zambot

    Zambot Pixarian Artobot

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    Haha, Right?! I love that Jizai is really just trying things. Sometimes CRAZY things. Haha. I look at him as more of a creative engineer rather than a "stylist" although he does have a style.

    As I said before, he's exploring all these fun and hard to tackle engineering problems and any group including Fansproject could buy the engineering and then create a figure that conforms to those specs, but has whatever stylistic flair they chose!

    Imagine him tackling Beast transformers! Just looking at some of his transforming solutions, makes me excited. That Hippo is rad!!!


     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2013
  20. Rewind

    Rewind Swoosh!

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    I like the hippo more than any beast figure in all of Beast Wars, and I like Beast Wars!

    A lot of people want 3rd Party beasties and Jizai is my top pick for the job.