TakaraTomy Website Update - Henkei Skywarp & Thundercracker
Tuesday, May 20th, 2008 5:09AM CDT
Categories: Toy News, Company NewsPosted by: Stormrider Views: 37,991
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Movie Figures
Next check out the Movie page for official images of: Battlemode Optimus Prime & Battlemode Bumblebee. Both figures will be released this month.
Henkei Exclusives
Finally, head over to the Events page for several exclusive delights.
Henkei Skywarp
Henkei Thundercracker
Henkei Clear Optimus Prime
Clear Optimus Prime will be available at the International Tokyo Toy Show on June 21st & 22nd. eHobby will offer a few on their website through a lottery service at a later date.
Thundercracker and Skywarp will be available through Toy Hobby Market & Ganbo-Store.com. Both sites will begin accepting pre-orders May 22nd but neither site has been updated yet. The site also contains an image of the eHobby exclusive Guardian Robot, which has been reported previously.
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Posted by Down_Shift on May 20th, 2008 @ 5:15am CDT
Posted by jazzrules on May 20th, 2008 @ 5:18am CDT
Sledge wrote:I felt a great disturbance in the Fandom, as if hundreds of Botconners suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened.
Hehe
Sledge wrote: Just kidding. Wonder how insanely expensive TC will be?
Unfortunately, I bet he will be incredibly expensive as he'll most likely be the one most people are after.
Both of them look far superior to the ones already produced as well
Posted by Heavy B on May 20th, 2008 @ 5:21am CDT
HA HA HA, forshadowing
Posted by Sledge on May 20th, 2008 @ 5:25am CDT
Posted by Dread_Wing on May 20th, 2008 @ 5:28am CDT
Posted by Autobot Jazz on May 20th, 2008 @ 5:44am CDT
Posted by Geekee1 on May 20th, 2008 @ 5:47am CDT
Pony up and lets see what you got!
Posted by Chaoslock on May 20th, 2008 @ 5:51am CDT
Dread_Wing wrote:Finally a classics Thundercracker that those of us in the middle of nowhere can potentially get their hands on... ...so tempting. I wonder how much they will want for it?
Well, there's a 3000 JPY pricetag under them... Let's see... 1 USD is appr. 108 JPY... 28 $. Better then 300$.
Posted by Burn on May 20th, 2008 @ 5:55am CDT
Posted by Auto Bot on May 20th, 2008 @ 5:56am CDT
Henkei design is too... G1. Not that G1 is bad or anything.
Posted by robotrik on May 20th, 2008 @ 5:58am CDT
Now i would be able to complete my seekers collection.
what's the release date for these bad boys ?
Posted by JaZzTaStIc on May 20th, 2008 @ 6:06am CDT
i was then gonna buy the hasbro skywarp too but something made me check here first and i'm well glad i did, altho i liked the "pink" and grey paint on the bk of classics skywarp's jet mode but i guess the overall colours on the henkei one is just too much to beat. plus all gd for TC anythings gotta be better then £150+ right?
just when are they actaully released? the pre-orders 22nd so we talken a few months later like near ultra magnus?
1 seeker down 2 to go takara
Posted by Tekka on May 20th, 2008 @ 6:07am CDT
Posted by Lapse Of Reason on May 20th, 2008 @ 6:09am CDT
Posted by olokin on May 20th, 2008 @ 6:17am CDT
Posted by Sledge on May 20th, 2008 @ 6:19am CDT
Posted by Diem on May 20th, 2008 @ 6:29am CDT
Posted by Senor Hugo on May 20th, 2008 @ 6:33am CDT
"Gee I'll take arguably the most popular group of TF's and make them convention exclusives, all the while expecting Takara or anyone else not to make them for regular release. I R Botcon!!!111!!"
Posted by GetterDragun on May 20th, 2008 @ 6:36am CDT
Posted by Tekka on May 20th, 2008 @ 6:39am CDT
Posted by GetterDragun on May 20th, 2008 @ 6:41am CDT
Tekka wrote:That's a bit of an extreme reaction. It's not like the people behind Botcon are responsible for the actions of Takara.
Tough. They put the word "Exclusive" on it. It's like not honoring a warrantee.
Posted by ashe5k on May 20th, 2008 @ 6:45am CDT
Posted by Tekka on May 20th, 2008 @ 6:52am CDT
Posted by Archanubis on May 20th, 2008 @ 6:54am CDT
Henkei Thundercracker:
Botcon Thundercracker:
Henkei TC has a darker blue paint than Botcon TC (provided the Henkei image hasn't been photoshopped). There are also some subtle detail differences between the two.
Posted by Sledge on May 20th, 2008 @ 6:56am CDT
[Force mind control]
You WILL share the details of this scheme.
[/Force mind control]
And yeah, I've thought all along they could do slightly different colour scheme and it would all be good. Hell, the Botcon set is still exclusive. It'll be pretty easy to tell the difference between the two.
Posted by Dagon on May 20th, 2008 @ 7:07am CDT
GetterDragun wrote:Tekka wrote:That's a bit of an extreme reaction. It's not like the people behind Botcon are responsible for the actions of Takara.
Tough. They put the word "Exclusive" on it. It's like not honoring a warrantee.
Being appreciative of another chance to get a Classics Thundercracker as I am, I have to say that Getter has a real good point. This was always going to be a touchy issue, and while I'd rather have a Botcon 'cracker than a Henkei one, if Dirge and/or Thrust are on the way or even in the pipeline, I think the bottom just fell out of the resale value of the 07 set. I think that sucks. That really is a shame, and like I said I'm glad for another opportunity to get TC. I think this was a bad idea on Taktomys part.
Posted by astig on May 20th, 2008 @ 7:08am CDT
Posted by Prime Evil on May 20th, 2008 @ 7:08am CDT
I also do not think anyone can blame this on FP. It's not their fault that Tomy/Tak went and did this. Brian at FP even said that they can't really control what Tomy/Tak does, but at least they kept these figures as exclusives themselves. I mean, look, we did the same thing to their Excellion.
Posted by Sledge on May 20th, 2008 @ 7:10am CDT
Posted by Tekka on May 20th, 2008 @ 7:10am CDT
This is the company I use for my Yahoo Japan dealings. You'll need to register though, and it requires a credit card for activation.Sledge wrote:Tekka:
[Force mind control]
You WILL share the details of this scheme.
[/Force mind control]
http://www.rinkya.com/storesrus.php
I can vouch for their reliability as they have always done well by me.
Also, I'm not really interested in the Thundercracker, all I want is the Skywarp for my collection. As long as they don't come in the same box I'd be willing to sell on the one I get at cost should anybody else in the UK want one. If they do come in the same box though, that'll be a different matter as he'll probably stay in there and never come out.
Posted by Counterpunch on May 20th, 2008 @ 7:15am CDT
3000 Yen is close to $30.
Unless you are getting this directly from a friend in Japan, you're getting it from an online retailer. The price gets doubled essentially to @ $60. Then add on for shipping costs...
Already the figure costs more than BotCon Thundercracker when the box set was released (TCracker was $55 if you split the box five ways).
Now, what many here don't realize is that this is a store exclusive figure. Does anyone else besides myself understand what this means in Japan?
Look, free, zero cost, unpopular MiniCons sell for about $30 a piece in the US. How much do you think the very popular Thundercracker is going to be marked up?
Not only all of this, but store exclusives either run in production runs of 1200 or 6000...
This thing is going to be harder to get than BotCon Thundercracker...
Mark it down.
Posted by GreenLantern of Cybertron on May 20th, 2008 @ 7:20am CDT
Posted by Hard Hacker on May 20th, 2008 @ 7:26am CDT
And I'm sure BotConers are going to be really annoyed, their money's not comming back. I know I would be. If I had him.
Posted by bvzxa on May 20th, 2008 @ 7:28am CDT
Even if TC is $60, to $70...I can get him, and get another Classics Skywarp.
The point is, Takara could make one. Now if the price is too high, then moot, but we have a shot at a cheaper price. So if you want a more G1 accurate TC, then go for it.
Posted by Stormrider on May 20th, 2008 @ 7:31am CDT
Dagon wrote:
Being appreciative of another chance to get a Classics Thundercracker as I am, I have to say that Getter has a real good point. This was always going to be a touchy issue, and while I'd rather have a Botcon 'cracker than a Henkei one, if Dirge and/or Thrust are on the way or even in the pipeline, I think the bottom just fell out of the resale value of the 07 set. I think that sucks. That really is a shame, and like I said I'm glad for another opportunity to get TC. I think this was a bad idea on Taktomys part.
I wouldn't say that it is bad on Takara's part. They are offering figures that were not available to the Japanese market and to other fans as well. This is not the first time that similiar exclusives have been done by Hasbro & Takara. Take a look at SDCC Alternator Hotrod/KISS Hotrodimus. SDCC Nemesis Prime (Classics & Alternator)/Binaltech & Henkei Nemesis Prime.
I have no problem when the figures offer some differences so that collector's can distinguish them.
A lot of you who own a Botcon boxset may feel like you are getting cheated, but I don't think that is going to happen. These Takara figures will still be hard to get and probably not affect the value of the Botcon seekers that much.
Posted by Liege Evilmus on May 20th, 2008 @ 7:38am CDT
now bring on the preordering so I may secure 2
Posted by JTKranix on May 20th, 2008 @ 7:39am CDT
Counterpunch wrote:Guys...er, I don't know how to break this in a way that won't seem bitter, but I'm going to do my best to be honest here...
3000 Yen is close to $30.
Unless you are getting this directly from a friend in Japan, you're getting it from an online retailer. The price gets doubled essentially to @ $60. Then add on for shipping costs...
Already the figure costs more than BotCon Thundercracker when the box set was released (TCracker was $55 if you split the box five ways).
Now, what many here don't realize is that this is a store exclusive figure. Does anyone else besides myself understand what this means in Japan?
Look, free, zero cost, unpopular MiniCons sell for about $30 a piece in the US. How much do you think the very popular Thundercracker is going to be marked up?
Not only all of this, but store exclusives either run in production runs of 1200 or 6000...
This thing is going to be harder to get than BotCon Thundercracker...
Mark it down.
I wouldn't be suprised to see Henkei Thundercracker end up costing more in the US than the entire 2007 set did back when you could buy it from TFCC.
Posted by Counterpunch on May 20th, 2008 @ 7:44am CDT
JTKranix wrote:I wouldn't be suprised to see Henkei Thundercracker end up costing more in the US than the entire 2007 set did back when you could buy it from TFCC.
Exactly.
But seriously, what the hell do I know?
Posted by Emperor Galvatron on May 20th, 2008 @ 7:47am CDT
Counterpunch wrote:Guys...er, I don't know how to break this in a way that won't seem bitter, but I'm going to do my best to be honest here...
3000 Yen is close to $30.
Unless you are getting this directly from a friend in Japan, you're getting it from an online retailer. The price gets doubled essentially to @ $60. Then add on for shipping costs...
Already the figure costs more than BotCon Thundercracker when the box set was released (TCracker was $55 if you split the box five ways).
Now, what many here don't realize is that this is a store exclusive figure. Does anyone else besides myself understand what this means in Japan?
Look, free, zero cost, unpopular MiniCons sell for about $30 a piece in the US. How much do you think the very popular Thundercracker is going to be marked up?
Not only all of this, but store exclusives either run in production runs of 1200 or 6000...
This thing is going to be harder to get than BotCon Thundercracker...
Mark it down.
I agree completely. Marked. Also, you forgot to mention the 'scalpers' will be all over this as well, tying up preorders, driving demand up. I can easily see BBTS charging in upwards of $100+, if they could even get some. eBay will likely get into the $300 range.
It's funny how people will bitch and moan about how much TC cost when he was going to be a BC exclusive. Now we see this, and everyone is willing, nay, desiring to pay potentially twice what the original Botcon price was.
Incredible.
Posted by JTKranix on May 20th, 2008 @ 7:49am CDT
Counterpunch wrote:JTKranix wrote:I wouldn't be suprised to see Henkei Thundercracker end up costing more in the US than the entire 2007 set did back when you could buy it from TFCC.
Exactly.
But seriously, what the hell do I know?
I can't wait to see all the people who ignored your post to start crying when BBTS or tfsource puts up pre-orders starting at $285
Posted by robotrik on May 20th, 2008 @ 7:53am CDT
the fact that some of you can't stop complaining.. "i went to botcon and payed this amount of money and now i'm feeling cheated, bla bla bla..."
well you know what ?
not all of us live in the states or japana so we can't go to conventions and get these figures or even buy them at the stores.
my point is stop being so self centered and stop complaining.
you are lucky that you are able to get these figures so let others enjoy them too.
Posted by RodimusConvoy13 on May 20th, 2008 @ 7:55am CDT
robotrik wrote:You know what really gets my blood to boil ?
the fact that some of you can't stop complaining.. "i went to botcon and payed this amount of money and now i'm feeling cheated, bla bla bla..."
well you know what ?
not all of us live in the states or japana so we can't go to conventions and get these figures or even buy them at the stores.
my point is stop being so self centered and stop complaining.
you are lucky that you are able to get these figures so let others enjoy them too.
How about we say the same thing to the gloaters out there too. Let's try to keep this civil...
Posted by Emperor Galvatron on May 20th, 2008 @ 7:58am CDT
robotrik wrote:You know what really gets my blood to boil ?
the fact that some of you can't stop complaining.. "i went to botcon and payed this amount of money and now i'm feeling cheated, bla bla bla..."
well you know what ?
not all of us live in the states or japana so we can't go to conventions and get these figures or even buy them at the stores.
my point is stop being so self centered and stop complaining.
you are lucky that you are able to get these figures so let others enjoy them too.
I'm just curious as to how many 'lucky' people are going to be able to enjoy it this time around.
Posted by Rijie on May 20th, 2008 @ 7:59am CDT
And, I honestly doubt that it is going to "highly affect" the value of the BC '07 set. They are still exclusives, not mass release.
That clear Prime is sweet. I'll be looking to pick him up as well as the TC and SW.
Posted by Counterpunch on May 20th, 2008 @ 8:01am CDT
robotrik wrote:You know what really gets my blood to boil ?
the fact that some of you can't stop complaining.. "i went to botcon and payed this amount of money and now i'm feeling cheated, bla bla bla..."
well you know what ?
not all of us live in the states or japana so we can't go to conventions and get these figures or even buy them at the stores.
my point is stop being so self centered and stop complaining.
you are lucky that you are able to get these figures so let others enjoy them too.
You really haven't bothered to read the things I put down in this thread, have you?
Posted by RodimusConvoy13 on May 20th, 2008 @ 8:03am CDT
Counterpunch wrote:robotrik wrote:You know what really gets my blood to boil ?
the fact that some of you can't stop complaining.. "i went to botcon and payed this amount of money and now i'm feeling cheated, bla bla bla..."
well you know what ?
not all of us live in the states or japana so we can't go to conventions and get these figures or even buy them at the stores.
my point is stop being so self centered and stop complaining.
you are lucky that you are able to get these figures so let others enjoy them too.
You really haven't bothered to read the things I put down in this thread, have you?
Not many have. No one likes a buzzkill
Posted by Tekka on May 20th, 2008 @ 8:15am CDT
And it would seem the figures do indeed come separately, so I won't even have to bother with Thundercracker at all.
Posted by bcm77 on May 20th, 2008 @ 8:29am CDT
Tekka wrote:Was just going through the website and neither figures will not be ready to ship until late September. =(
And it would seem the figures do indeed come separately, so I won't even have to bother with Thundercracker at all.
Thanks for posting the link to Rinkya.com,I'm also in the UK and I've just signed up so I'll be able to order Skywarp and TC (x2)
Bring on Thrust and Dirge!
Posted by Powersa on May 20th, 2008 @ 8:43am CDT
Posted by Tekka on May 20th, 2008 @ 8:47am CDT
You're welcome. I'm hoping there won't be any hiccups along the way for any of us.bcm77 wrote:Tekka wrote:Was just going through the website and neither figures will not be ready to ship until late September. =(
And it would seem the figures do indeed come separately, so I won't even have to bother with Thundercracker at all.
Thanks for posting the link to Rinkya.com,I'm also in the UK and I've just signed up so I'll be able to order Skywarp and TC (x2)
Bring on Thrust and Dirge!
Don't get your hopes up for the coneheads though. I've said before, the likelyhood of there being a release of Thrust and Dirge is way way lower than TC and Skywarp.
And I totally raped that sentence... The shame...