It’s amazing how many of the collectors here don’t see the artistry and craftsmanship going into these vinyl figures to make them nearly identical to the style and quirkiness of the original Takara softvi from the mid80s.

Is it incredibly niche? Yes. That’s why this hobby is so great. To me, these are infinitely better looking than 80% of the Generations offerings from Hasbro/ Takara Tomy.

 

It’s astounding how many people don’t understand sofubi and the culture surrounding it. These aren’t supposed to be mass marketable figures, they’re pieces of art created by independent toy makers. Given the opportunity I’d gladly pick these up!

 

Some of these comments on p.1...sheesh. The sheer frigging ignorance on display. And the novels some of you have written just to sh*t on things you don't like or understand. It's like watching an eight year old try to process cauliflower.

E.g., "What I do have a problem with is an onslaught of toys that don't genuinely represent the character in the fiction and don't transform." Never mind that these retro vinyls are done precisely as tributes to Takara's vinyl figures from the 80s. Never mind that they're meant for Japanese collectors who grew up with that stuff and not for you.

Oh, and look at Yutani's Soundwave and tell me it doesn't "genuinely" evoke the style and proportions of the G1 Soundwave toy.

Calling these figs "lazy" or comparing them to Funkos is like saying of a Reaction figure, "Why doesn't it have 20 points of articulation? Are they stupid or lazy or something?"

If you're going to simply sh*t on something, at least know the history of what you're sh*tting on, the history of the toy fandom that you're supposedly a part of.

Full disclosure: I collect mostly retro-styled sofubis these days (mainly Japanese robots and kaiju and Tokusatsu charaacters), so I have most of Yutani Shoten's releases, and am hoping to pick up a painted Omega. I also have a smattering of modern stuff, and it's all neat to me. I'd rather spend time posting about things I love than crapping on some toymaker's efforts without even understanding what he's going for.

I sold my MP collection years ago, and these "lazy" and "cheap" vinyl figs actually cost as much as, if not more than, most standard-sized MPs. Handmade in Japan, extremely limited batches. In fact, these are the only TFs right now that are still made in Japan.

When I got rid of my MP collection and started collecting sofubis hardcore, I found that I was spending many times more money than I was before. It's surprising even to me how expensive the hobby can get.

Thank you for getting it.

I've got a bunch of Medicom's retro-styled Riders. They're wonderful.

Exactly.

 

Come on. At least try to know what you’re talking about before going into all that.

Sofubi is very popular, and in many cases are actually high end collectibles in Japan. Wonderfest stuff is very low production, these will never be at any kind of retail. They will sell out extremely fast. These are actually really cool, as described above by an actual Sofubi fan that knows what they’re talking about. Don’t insult them and yourself by comparing them to Funko Pops.

Something isn’t bad just because you don’t understand it.

 

Mummy!!! The Japanese toy show is selling niche recreations of a specific style of toy!!!!!! Mummy I'm crying!!!! I'm so upset about this!!!!

 

There's this weird undercurrent to toy collecting communities (but also see it with art and film), and moreso in the west, where if it's not as photo-realistic or detailed as possible, that it doesn't deserve to exist.
While I don't go in for Transformers vinyls, it warms my heart to see people standing up for the charm of this style of toys.

 

"Paralyzing" ?
Perhaps not the most auspicious branding ever? lol

Anyway, reminds me of a little adventure at a 7eleven near Miami in 1989,
going in for some cola's and finding the "BendaBots" which were supercheap robot toys
that didn't have actual limb joints, but you'd be able to bend the plastic at the elbows
and hips and knees. Yeah, super low effort stuff.

 

I WISH I could buy these, but they're exclusive to Japan for now so I can't.

 

Thanks for the information.
It does put things in context.
I still question the merits of this pursuit though.

 

These are awesome I especially like the Grimlock and Bumblebee! I bought the Soap Studios Optimus Prime cartoon and metallic versions. I never found a Bumblebee unfortunately although I looked and I had Starscream and Megatron preordered but they were cancelled which really sucked. However IMO those were more fine tuned then the original look of a sofubi and instead of paint on just the front they molded the colors I believe. However Ilike both & totally understand the market for such toys. Great thread guys (and if anyone h'as a SS Bee, just saying)

I'm guessing he's a younger dude that hasn't seen these yet. Probably associated them with KO toys or something. I see the value bro.

Me too especially that Bumblebee!

Ooooh, I want one!   

 

I know the coloring is accurate, but the asymmetry of the Devastator colors really bothers me for some reason...

if Bonecrusher's treads were purple and there was a bit on Scrapper painted purple too...

 

I’m bringing this thread back from the dead momentarily because I just got something in the mail I never thought I’d track down- a soft vinyl Megatron from 1986 which is part of the line that Yutani Shouten has be recreating. The original line consisted of Optimus Prime, Megatron, Ultra Magnus, Galvatron, Rodimus Prime, and Meteoplex. I now have an Optimus and Megatron, so I figured I’d show them off here compared to Youtani Shouten’s Soundwave and Omega Supreme. I’ve also put in a couple BW2 finger puppets since they’re also some of the soft vinyl transformers that have been made.