HASBRO vs. TAKARA opinions?

[S.O.N.]

I used to collect a TON of classics and I still have many left BUT that's only because I can't get my hands on the rest of the Henkei or United figures I want.

I prolly have about 12 Henkei figures and I want all of them. I have a lot of the generations/classics figures too. For example, I just bought a United Wheeljack and hands down it is way better then my now 'for sale' generations wheeljack.

[Joalro]

Originally Posted by obakemono

the pessimest in me truly believes that takara/hasbro knows people are going to hate the new deluxe "mech tech" weapons and are transitioning people to expect the smaller deluxe sized figures when the mech tech weapons are eventually discontinued (hasbo has started the vehicals are smaller in the DOTM line BECAUSE of the weapons) and this is a different issue.

I know this isn't the major point you were trying to make, but I would like to point out that we have seen some post-DOTM figures without Mech tech, and their size would imply that they ARE returning to regular sized deluxes. I'm referring to the Transformers: Prime figures.

[obakemono]

Originally Posted by Echotransformer

I embrace the difference...try to get Hasbro stuff on sale, and get the Takara for the 'premium' part of my collection...I don't handle the Takara toys as much, but the Hasbro stuff is pretty common and I even let my 4 year old son drive them around and try to transform them.

United Jazz, Tracks and to a lesser extent Kup, etc. are significantly better than the RTS versions...and I would argue that many of the Henkei were better representations as well...holding a Universe 2.0 Hasbro Ironhide next to the Henkei is like holding an orange up to an apple, if you get my drift.

Speaking of Drift, Takara must use denture cream on their plastic, because WHITE is WHITE, whereas for Hasbro toys white is white-ish with some brown and yellow thrown in.

--Echo

I think this is the perspective I'm gonna have to adopt, I never consider customizing my uniteds and I do generaly leave them posed.

I appreciate everyones input, it's just something I was thinking about and the differing opinions are interesting.

[obakemono]

Originally Posted by Joalro

I know this isn't the major point you were trying to make, but I would like to point out that we have seen some post-DOTM figures without Mech tech, and their size would imply that they ARE returning to regular sized deluxes. I'm referring to the Transformers: Prime figures.

I kind of saw the "prime" line as it's own thing like animated was, I do hope your right though, because even though I would understand a size change from a cost to make point if view, I can't say I'd keep collecting if the next round of classics/updates were by and large a head shorter than what we have now (fir scale reasons).

[Pascal]

As much as I liked Henkei, save for a few figures (Jazz & Prime), United does nothing for me. Same with the Takara Animated figures.

[brr-icy]

Originally Posted by Pascal

As much as I liked Henkei, save for a few figures (Jazz & Prime), United does nothing for me. Same with the Takara Animated figures.

fully agreed, the shiny ruined the animated hydro/jetpack bumblebee, i refuse to buy it. it looks worse because of the half shine, and figures like united perceptor, sure it's a nice alt mode, but they skimped on the chrome, and bot mode suffers. united just doesn't seem to be the huge step up that henkei was from hasbro imo

[Gaetznes]

In refernce to CHUG I do have to agree with everyone that alot of Takara versions do look awsome; with there cleaner paint decals and G1 vibes.

However my ownly reason i'm pushed towards buying Hasbro over Takara is this and i'm probly alone on this one. I think they (Takara) overal abuse/over use Chroming. I prefer a little acent here and there, not 20% or more. It just seem Takara Loves to shine things up alot. Theirs even the occassional figure that is as Chromed as a BW/BM Figure. It just seem like they pass the Neat Factor to the Tacky Factor. Any one with me on that one?

The only Exception I can think of that valutdates the use of so much Vacuum Metalization (Plastic Chroming) would be the limited Release items seen say at E-Hobby or a Lucky Draw Figures. It limits the Tacky Factor by its Exclusive Factor. Well not always depending on what figure it is. But to get back to what I was saying. Call it what they will, the Golden Lagoun Ed or some other gimick for covering the figure.

Thats the reason I'm willing to shift through dozens of figures at Zellers/Walmart/ToyRus to find a Hasbro Figure that has a good Paint app. Its just personal taste I guess.

[Team Jetfire]

I'll put it this way.
I have kids, a mortgage, a car payment, a wife and want to retire some day.
Hasbro Drift: $10 on sale at TRU
United Drift: $33.99 plus shipping.

Yes the United one is nice, but at the end of the day, having a whiter Drift will not make me like the toy anymore than I already do. I would almost rather buy 3 Drifts than have the United one.

[Pascal]

Originally Posted by gaetz

However my ownly reason i'm pushed towards buying Hasbro over Takara is this and i'm probly alone on this one. I think they (Takara) overal abuse/over use Chroming. I prefer a little acent here and there, not 20% or more. It just seem Takara Loves to shine things up alot. Theirs even the occassional figure that is as Chromed as a BW/BM Figure. It just seem like they pass the Neat Factor to the Tacky Factor. Any one with me on that one?

Not me. That overuse of chrome is a myth, much like the myth that all G1 toys had sooooo much die-cast when it wasn't the case, just a piece or two. Look at Henkei again, there wasn't much chrome on the figures except for Grimlock. It's just that it was visible. On the other hand, Hasbro BW TM toys were covered in chrome.

[Darth Cylon]

My option is this: Takara Tomy is the chief designer and engineer of all TF figures, and so is naturallly more concerned with designs, aesthetics, authenticity of the characters, and packaging art. Hence the awesome stock photos, paint apps and accessories. Hasbro, on the other hand, is the sale and marketing guy and so is naturally more concerned about cutting cost, increase sales and profit, and "marketing gimmicks". Hence the awful stock photos, dull plastic, and RTS rub sign and the upcoming "Mechtech".

It's easy to tell what figures/series are Takara's initiatives (Masterpiece, Music/Device Label) and which ones are mainly Hasbro's (Movie, Animated).

At its heart it's the same figure. If the figure is available on all markets, I always buy the Hasbro version when they are on sales because I custom paint my figures, and I'd rather spending my budget on paints that would otherwise be spent on a Takara imports.

Except for certain Masterpieces.