Heck, the "action figure" term was coined, at least in part, for GIJoe because boys didn't play with "dolls". Except that that's exactly what the original GIJoe was.

 

Should be this weekend, it's usually somewhere around the 25th of each month.

Regarding the shield, I think people want it simply because it looks cool. A shield is a good accesory for almost any robot toy, especially one with a sword.
The sword and shield is a familiar combo that works time & time again and always looks great on a shelf.

 

While that's technically true, it's pretty rare that we see anime-esque heroes hold onto their shield for very long. Link from Legend of Zelda may be one of the few exceptions there. Most of the time, the shield gets tossed aside pretty quick in favour of fancy swashbuckling and magic sword arts. As far as I understand it, Star Saber's shield is pretty short-lived in the anime when it shows up.

 

Unfortunately I'm still not convinced with this. Its great for the fans if the character but I don't really know him bar his role in idw1. Its looks very gundam like.

I'm not sure. I'm still waiting to see how much the star wars haslab project will be.

 

As has and will be continually pointed out in this thread, the superficial similarities go in-hand with being designed in part by Kunio Okawara, designer of the original RX-78-2 Gundam himself (and many more, aside).

As far as I gather, he's a pretty typical (and bland) Japanese hero archetype outside his controversial first IDW appearance. Idealistic paragon of justice with a soft spot for kids and all that generic goody-two-shoes junk.

 

Yep and it still doesn't change the fact it does either.

Look a lot of fans love gundam. It isn't for me. This looks good but at the moment I can't commit to him. More power to those counting the days until he's released. I still may get involved. It just depends...

 

That is very true, shields are often disgraded or destroyed for dramatic effect but I was talking about a static display of a figure on a shelf and I personally will nearly always use a shield if a figure/gunpla comes with one.

 

Don't go by IDW. They f'd Star Saber over more than the Kingdom cartoon f'd over beast Megatron.

 

Yes these are toys... I don't think anyone is disputing that. But some adult collectors don't like using the term or description toys. They prefer collectables because people outside this crazy world of collecting we live in often say oh you're buying children's toys. It degrades the whole thing and makes it fel wrong to some folk.

I hate it when someone says that to me. Yes they are toys but I prefer collectable.

 

Since I've never bothered to acquaint myself with the Victory anime, I personally liked the idea of IDW Victory Saber. It was a clever, if cynical, spin on the "burning justice!" schtick that anime tends to be known for.

It's just that he was treated as a one-and-done threat, so that idea was never fully explored, and it ultimately felt like a mean-spirited parody of what the character was supposed to represent. Even a more meaningful and tragic parable about "blind justice" or such would've elevated the character usage in my eyes, but he wasn't around long enough to make such a lasting impression.

 

I think they just did in a sneaky fashion lol. Look at the last rendered 360 of the Victory Jet combined form on the display stand, he has his shield along the top of the ship. Pretty sure that is the first we've seen of the shield

 

You mean to tell me the Japanese G1 continuity isn’t obscure in places like Japan? I never would have guessed.  

 

I understand the point your making but I very much beg to differ there. Kingdom Beast Megatron should’ve been designed with kneepads and a bib …

 

800 new backers since the stream. Will be interesting to see when this current wave finally ebbs.

 

I have to say, I am looking forward to this guy.

 

Obviously it's better known in Japan, but even then Takara hasn't done a lot with the JG1 stuff over there lately. There's going to be a lot of younger or newer fans meeting Victory Saber for the first time worldwide.

 

Super Megatron, Star Convoy, Poseidon... they've touched on it.

 

I think it will most likely have a waist swivel, a ab crunch I'm not so sure. I like articulations in my figures, so the more they add, the better.

Unless you are Naofumi Iwatani....but yeah, usually in anime giant swords or magic are the way to go. In Victory, the shield lasted for maybe 10 seconds.

Anyway, the colored pictures look cool, and although I don't expect them to be 100% accurate to the final product, I hope the eventual discrepancies will be relegated to minor details this time. Hasbro spoilered that we are getting the shield too, I wonder if it will be bundled with other accessories yet to be seen.

 

It's hard to say where they could do much more. Since Titans Return, we've gotten

God Ginrai
Overlord
Lio Kaiser (Hasbro)
Grand Maximus
Japanese Anime Headmasters
Star Convoy
Greatshot
Super Megatron
Black Ritochi
Black Zarak (Hasbro)
BW2 Seacons
Car Robots Ruination
Car Robots Black Convoy
Masterpiece Lio Convoy
Encore Big Convoy in anime colors
Big Powered
Soundblaster
Metalhawk (Hasbro)
Black Shadow

And there were plans for Dinoforce.

That's quite a bit, albeit some is low hanging fruit for repaints and retool. We probably would have gotten Metrotitan had Grand Max sold better.