I wish you the best of luck my friend.

I do and I don't. Grotusque was kind of thrown out there haphazardly causing me frustration because he sold out quickly but he did turn out to be a cool figure. One of my favorites actually. Just hope they give us more of a heads up this time. I'd rather not end up in this feeding frenzy to get the figure that even Blastoff, Punch/Counterpunch, and Repugnus couldn't escape. Though at least that situation is improving.

 

Is there any idea as to what time the exclusives will be available?

 

Never has been a specific time unless HTS announced it.

 

usually morning. i remember 2013 was afternoon.

-

 

Are there any Twitter accounts that usually tweet out when HTS gets stuff in? I dont want to have to reload it every 5 minutes during the day.

 

There are browser add-ons that can be used...

 

TFSource has preorders for $90... for $20 extra it's not horrible, for those too nervous about next week.

 

It's implied.

 

what's everyone after this year?

 

It is, but there isn't any difference. Does it matter if it's the SDCC version vs. Takara release if it's the same exact figure?

 

Well the thing is we're not 100% certain they are the same exact figure, or, to be more precise, that they will have the same exact accessories.

The display in Japan used the SDCC version but had the standard disclaimer "final version may differ" or something along those lines.

Whilst it is entirely possible that they will release the exact same product with the exact same accessories, maybe even improve some a little right now, we don't know this.

Also, release dates, next week vs next year  

 

I’m hoping to snag one of the TCG card packs.

 

Based on this -- Power of the Primes PP-43 Throne of the Primes Japanese Release Official Images - Transformers News - TFW2005 - it would seem too be the exact same thing

I have no doubt people will still pay $200 or more just to say they have the SDCC version .

 

I have the Takara preordered just in case I miss out Monday. First time I'm going after a con exclusive.

 

I stand corrected, and happily so. Although I have to say that is still the SDCC box, maybe they'll just slap a label on it and call it a day. If they do, I hope it peels off easy for the MISB crowd.

 

The Takara version will likely just have a slightly different box with "PP-43" with Japanese katakana for the name on the front, like the rest of the Takara PotP line. The Hasbro SDCC version doesn't actually have any SDCC sticker indicating its a convention exclusive, so in the end the only thing differentiating the two releases should be the small bit of text from Takara on the front, barring something inexplicable like a mass misassembly on all versions of the Takara release or a very slight change in plastic hue somewhere.

(I don't own any of the Takara PotP releases so far, so I don't know if there's Japanese legalese slapped on the bottom like there's, either printed on the box or as a sticker, like there usually is even in similarly-packaged releases, but that wouldn't surprise me and there would be another difference, for those that care about such things.)

 

Regardless, I will laugh at how many people will attempt to scalp the SDCC for hundreds when an IDENTICAL release will be easily obtainable for $20 more the retail.

.. Then I will shake my head in disbelief as to how many people will pay the scalpers just to claim "I own the SDCC version!"

 

Or are impatient to wait for the Takara one to be released.

 

Correct. There's that tragedy too.