I know most of the Transformers collectors also collect Japanese Transformers made by Takara. But I have always wondered what is the difference between the Japanese exclusive and the US exclusive toys? I mean why do most collectors prefer the Japanese exclusive toys better?

Thanks

 

Mostly better paint apps.

 

Sometimes simply because it's Japanese.

 

Japanese figures almost universally have more paint apps and usually look more "collector" friendly as well as usually being more screen-accurate.

There are some obvious exceptions, however, for example the entire Animated line looked far better and more screen-accurate in US then JP due to JP using not-very-Animated metallic paint on all their figures and the Prime line that nixed most paint apps in favor of stickers, plus a lot of figures here and there look better in the US in most lines.

 

Takara has more budget for better paint apps than Hasbro does and still keep it at a certain price. Sometimes as well, the paint scheme is different from the US and can be more preferable or show accurate (some exp. Include Armada Tidal Wave vs Micron Legend Shockwave; or Classics 1.0 Megatron vs United/Henkei Megatron).

Or sometimes a figure is repainted into another character not available in the US (examples are Arms Micron "Prime" Skywarp or DOTM deluxe Skywarp).

Then there are figures that were released in Japan and have never been released in the US in any way, shape, or form like DOTM deluxe figures Que, Soundwave, or Leadfoot

 

Besides the aformentioned better/metallic paint apps, tighter joints, based on my experience. Also, some gimmicks like Arms Microns.

 

Japanese toys have a funny accent and slitty eyes.

What?

Seriously though once upon a time the Takara stuff used to have much better paint apps/show accurate colour schemes (witness Armada/Micron Legend faction symbols, Tidal Wave/Shockwave) and collector friendly packaging (boxes/window boxes with nice art, proper collector cards) whereas Hasbro have pretty much always gone for carded deluxe toys.

I think the closest Hasbro line to Takara was RID/CR, and even then the differences in person between guys like Super Fire Convoy/Optimus Prime show the Takara figures are marginally better.

They also used to have better features (Micron Legend Hot Shot has a light up LED hand for when he holds the Star Saber) but not necessarily always (Superlink Skyfire Sonic has all his electronics stripped out for instance).

Takara stuff used to command a higher (and deserved) price point but these days I feel the difference between TakTom and Hasbro isn't what it used to be to justify the price difference.

Arms Microns having stickers though... absolutely not sold on that.

 

The differences have lessened over the years, these days I find it harder to decide between the two. As mentioned above there was a time when Takara (and later TakaraTomy) could be relied upon to do better and/or more show accurate pant apps, nicer packaging, more diecast and cater for the adult collector better than Hasbro, it is not so much the case these days.

 

Yeah some of them are really more accurate and interesting then US (I say as a movie collector) but sometimes this details are not necessary (for example hasbro's Battle OPS Bumblebee and Takara's Movie Masterpiece Bumblebee which was twice expensive and have metallic paint but I've prefered Hasbro's)

 

Japan doesn't have to worry about US Safety laws as well. Look at Takara MP Grimlock and Hasbro MP grimlock - the teeth and claws are so much sharper on the takar edition.

 

95% of the time it's paint and packaging. The rest are cases of first or second run issues and rarely actual product differences like with PRiD.