I hear a lot of pointless "raging against capitlism." Guys, they're in this to make money. Yes, there are people on the staff who design product because they love Transformers or they just love making toys but if they don't make money, they're out of the job. Takara and Hasbro are responding to different pressures. They're not screwing anyone over...they're maximizing financial performance for their stakeholders. Those of you who take this personally (and actually experiencing "hate") are wasting your breath. The ONLY thing you can do is vote with your wallet....and that behavior is proving to be useful.
I also do feel that in some cases, neither Takara nor Hasbro have exceeded my expectations, just look at these: Trailbreaker Hoist Metroplex Ultra Magnus Hot Rod or Rodimus Cyclonus All of them suffer in some form or another of size shortness or being too skinny (Metroplex and Cyclonus specially) Some others, they have succeed greatly: Springer Superion (specially Silverbolt) Menasor Jetfire (either one, classics or Generation both are gold to me) Now, its just a matter of taste, I think.
When it comes to TOMY vs Hasbro, I usually ask myself three questions: 1. Is the TOMY version better than Hasbro's? 2. If so, can I get it for nearly the same price from a reputable dealer? 3. If not, are the differences worth the extra price I'm going to pay to import? Recent examples are TOMY's CW Ultra Magnus. I can't stand Minimus, so Alpha Trion (while being equally non-sensical) is the better option for me. The cost to import isn't too high, so he's a no-brainer. The Adventure Insecticons, however, despite having better colors, have those atrocious stickers on their chests. Automatic pass. CW Devastator wins the first question. But whether it passes the other two remains to be seen. I know Metroplex failed the latter two questions for me as I'm perfectly happy with the retail version I purchased for just over $100.
In my viewpoint, I'm open to any options. I appreciate that Hasbro and Tomy are working to produce these particular figures, like devastator. It gives me a chance to own a devastator mold, that I could never afford as a child. Third party also makes awesome figures. Of course, they are often pricy but given their production it's understandable. So all in all, it depends on how much I like the figure, and how flexible my wallet is
Dear Hasbro, I love you. We might not always see eye to eye and you may not always make the things I want or the way I want them but sometimes you do what I like. Just like my wife. And you make toys. I love toys. The end. P.S. stop raising prices and force greater availability... P.S.S. Combiner wars rocks... and make more Generations of obscure characters and...
Neither all this anger at Hasbro for not being as good as Takaratomy comes from alack of understanding of the factors in play that each has to deal with and more so laws ad regulations Takara does not have to abide by that Hasbro does for its US and European releases.
Very well said, and agreed. I like constructive criticism and debate, but there are indeed a couple folks who post incessant rants against Hasbro and it's products and it never stops. One poster shows up like clockwork in every single Hasbro news threads to announce it is shit garbage for babies. Another poster has actually made me abandon the CW Devastator news thread because he will. Not. Let. It. Go. We just need less hyperbole and extremism around here, from any side of any of these endless debates.
Hasbro, Takara, 3rd Party...I really don't care. At the end of the day it's all just toys to me. I like it, I buy it. I don't like it, I don't buy it, and go on about my day.
Same here man. And I apologize to anyone's feathers I ruffled for even responding back to them, in an attempt to have some sort of discussion with them. It's getting to the point it's becoming trollish.
Hasbro makes the figures I want in a price I'm fine with paying. Takara I usually save for MP and figures that generally don't get released in the US. 3rd party - I generally disagree with their business practices and how over priced they are. I think Hasbro has found a great balance between simple action based figures for that particular play pattern, more complex for those who like to change things relatively fast but still have a bunch of steps and those really complex for those who like puzzles, MP fits this quite well as do most of the generations. I don't want everything made for my tastes, because then there are fans out there who don't get what they want. It's all about accepting and respecting other peoples tastes.
If you don't like something, vote with you wallet. Think Takara's offering is better then Hasbro? Buy Takara. Think 3P's offering is better then either Hasbro or Takara? Buy 3P. Constructive discussion I'm fine with. I'm still waiting to see a frank answer to why the hate, venom, and agressive stance. We've had a movement in this forum lately that sarcastic/joking/facetious comments be highlighted in blue font. Maybe we need to start asking for venting-don't-bother-trying-to-reason-with comments to be done in red.
Well, what do you expect? The moment people start "nitpicking" (code for complaining about gorilla arms, lack of paint or no elbows) people come in to defend the product and producer by proclaiming these toys are meant for kids. In general (not directed at you) you can't defend something by saying its for youngsters and then get upset when someone calls them toys for small ones. No, we need intellectual honesty with others and ourselves. Here's an example: Before the weekend- "HASBRO Devastator is as good as it will ever be because TAKARA MP engineers worked on it, and he wouldn't screw over articulation unless it was necessary. I trust Hansui "(I can't spell his name) During the weekend- United Devastator is unveiled with heavily improved articulation Post Weekend- "United Devastator might be unstable. After all, Safety Standards in Japan are more relaxed. We can't trust it. HASBRO made theirs with safety in mind. They said so this weekend. I trust HASBRO" And it's bullcrap like that that makes me, and I'm sure the 1st few posters of this thread think feel as if are blind loyalist out there white knighting and ready to argue. And then frustrated board members are accused of being divisive. I actually saw 1 person state that he was gonna eat some crow after TAKARA's reveal. That was so refreshing. But no- everyone still has to be right, dammit! Reminds me of when people kept saying how Combiners were impossible because of logistics, waves, etc. because someone at some Con said so, and that fans should quit whining about it. http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/trans...ml?highlight=combiners+are+impossible+oh+wait
I have no loyalty to Hasbro. I buy their toys because, they sell stuff at a price I am willing to pay for a product that I find acceptable for me. I have a few Takara peices of things Hasbro never made. With that said, I have no problem with people not liking toys, or liking certain things on a toy. I have an issue with people who act like a two year olds and get pissed that not everyone thinks a toy is garbage because they do. They resort to name calling and other b.s. over toys. You'd think the sky was falling with the picture release of certain toys on here. I just feel people need to chill out over this stuff. Cancer and war is stuff to get fired up about, not plastic toys made by a company that's in business to make money.
I don't know if it was due to personnel change or whether it was an initiative from the higher-ups, but ever since FOC figs, Hasbro has become a halfass shell of its former self. Meanwhile TT has upped their game with the MP line. Winner by the way of knockout...TT.
I just tune out. It's like some one who screams all the time, you eventually tune out. For me, nothing will make everyone happy.
I have zero issue with Hasbro. In fact, there are plenty of their pieces that I really like. I'm just more of a Takara girl, basically for the Masterpieces and a few other lines. That being said, my display has a fairly healthy amount of Hasbro pieces mixed with TT.
Ah hah! I know who those two posters are & both are equally annoying (plus entertaining for the ridiculousness of their postings at times lol). Back on topic. I'm neutral towards Hasbro as buy both their products & TT products. Whichever looks better I'll just buy.
You guys are 100% right, I've got to stop engaging those people who have no intention of holding a constructive conversation, but rather are simply ranting and lashing at people and parts of the fandom. Curse that "show post" button and it's siren lure! Thing is, for the amount I get called a "white knight", there's a crap ton of HasTak figures I go "meh, pass" at or have complaints about. And I certainly have beefs with some of HasTak's decisions. Heck, most of my budget goes to 3p and Takara (though quantity goes to Hasbro). Bah, I need a drink or three. Serenity now!
