Jizai Toys: Chromedome Rough Test 1997

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.



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.





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: [Links are hidden for guests. Please Register.]

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

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.

Great read! And very interesting, thanks for sharing!



YES.

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.

Fascinating stuff.

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.

All due respect, but I beg to disagree.

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

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.