That hairline fracture IS a major issue. I thought I could work around it but it isn't possible. Consider that panel a loss.

The same thing happened with Lego a year or so ago.

LEGO quality team responds to brittle LEGO

Wish Takara would be as globally friendly about the matter.

 

This further confirmed what some of us here deducted. This also means Hound's plastic is very sensitive to temperature and prone to Thermal Shock where the plastic will eventually crack due temperature and handling. So this figure is pretty much a ticking time bomb. If you have a "good" copy now, it may not stay that way for long.

 

I'm thinking that Takara should take note of peoples' love for Spike in this thread and make a full set of (slightly more detailed) Humans.

 

Hell yeah TT should should go on record like Lego! That is legit ownership of issues, and if TT want 'loyal' fans to continue to buy 'premium' (and 'frickin expensive'!) figures, then this sort of approach is definitely needed.

 

I don't think this kind of thing will ever happen. Did we ever get a single response during all those years as to why nearly every MP figure was delayed for months?

 

Oh yeah, I'm dreaming, but I still think it's needed.

Odd flaws here and there, even a specific widespread one in a particular figure, is something I can imagine not hearing from them about.

But when three consecutive G1 figures are beset with significant problems, either functional (MP44 knee), appearance on a high end piece (paint on 44 and 45), or widespread sporadic disintegration (MP47), I think it starts to erode reputation to a significant extent (i.e. it starts to affect ¥¥¥¥¥). To halt that they need to do something. Whatever it is. Just something.

 

Definitely light years better than the mini-figures, which are hot garbage.

 

As much as I'd like to agree, people eat this stuff up regardless. There aren't going to be a significant enough amount of returns or cancellations to make Takara think twice about this for the next figure.

 

I've thought they switched to a new formula before, thing is 47 is the only one with breakage issues. Pretty sure 45 and 46 use the same plastic since they are all light. I'm guess Lio will be no different, The question is will Lio have the same problems, as his production probably would have started in Oct/Nov or is this the factory screwing up the plastic recipe.

 

Getting caught up on all of the great responses to this thread and the ongoing breakage issue. I can't help but wonder if the factory had a reliable batch of plastic, ran out, then mixed another formulation that was not as reliable. Maybe the plastic was "cooked" too long? When the plastic cools and is then exposed to adverse temperatures (freezing cold weather) it begins to break down and separate on a molecular level. If true this could explain the breakages on areas not effected by joints or pins (i.e. the shins).

When forging steel the temperature has to be just right. Steel can overheat and "burn" which will cause a blade to become brittle and fail during stress tests. Plastic may behave similarly. This is all speculation and conjecture on my part.

 

I'm really sorry so many people are having QC issues with cracks, paint and general assembly of this figure. I hope you all get speedy replacements.

 

Done, four stars was my rating.

 

I'm reading the Google translated reviews on Amazon Japan and...  

 

THAT is pretty freaking cool! I even heard the dialogue in my head! Too bad Hound and Sunny didn't get any screen time after that... and too bad that MP Hound has so many issues.

 

Good idea. I have to think about what I'd rate him. I like the little detail of his helmet light being exposed when you flip down his scuba mask. It's hard for me not to like Hound...














But then...

I'm torn... 

Edit: Forgot to rotate his forearm. Crap.

 

And unsurprisingly Kapow has replied to say that these are not the sorts of issues they will provide a replacement or refund for, so I guess I just have to hope that crack doesn’t get worse.

EDIT: Kapow has sent another email to say that they will replace it if the crack gets worse, which is more than fair.

 

What!? It's a broken figure! What would they cover then?

 

I have to say that I'm surprised that "It's broken" isn't a good enough reason. The fact it's only a bit broken shouldn't matter. That would imply it'd need to be pretty much smashed to pieces for you to be able to say that and get a replacement!

 

Man, I didn't even notice the light - that's cool.

Oh shit - just picked mine up againt to admire him and I'm starting to see the absolute faintest crack starting to show, straight threw the right shin. Right where it's been shown to break on other people's figures!

He's only been transformed once then put on a shelf - any 'playing' has been me just trying to figure out a few cool poses. At this point I really don't want to transform his back into Jeep mode at all. You can just make it out here.



Despite the blurred photo that's not a scuff, it's a definite crack that's coming in from the edge.

Shit, shit, shit. I'm not 100% confident that's going to last. Anyone know AE's exchange policy?

 

Dude, the chat in that video could be correct. Bit no way has it "confirmed" anything. It hasn't confirmed that the "plastic is very sensitive to temperature and prone to Thermal Shock where the plastic will eventually crack due temperature and handling", or confirmed that it's "a ticking time bomb", or confirmed that "if you have a 'good' copy now, it may not stay that way for long".

I'm not an apologist for anyone and were such things proved to be true then I'd of course be critical of Takara. But this internet mentality of presumption and escalation is just as infuriating as any sub-optimal toy.