The Rid Bros (autobot had a clear (literally!) incarnation in Japan. if this is the RID three pack you mean sorry. but i thought i'd mention it

The 3 RiD Autobots are recolored Vehicons.

Scavenger

Spystreak

Mirage GT

 

A 3 pack for 10 bucks, it was a great deal, even if they were recolors. And the Mirage recolors kinda stunk (though the other 2 were better recolors IMO than the BM originals).

Actually, the original price on them was $15 (like the other pre-Armada megas), but I did get mine for $10 at a temp KB Outlet during Armada's first Christmas.

 

As far as recent release that US got that Japan didn't:

Armada Predacon

Armada Beast recolors (at least some)

Energon Ultra Magnus

Energon Treadbolt

Energon Rapid Run

Energon Tow-Line

Energon Sharkticon

Energon Slugslinger

(Both Sharkticon and Slugslinger have USA editions in the old packaging, not the more numerous Powerlinx Battles packaging)

Armada Emergency Team repaint

Soundwave and Megatron reissues. :tdown :( :(

Japan had a continutie of G1 to the power master...completly difrent form the Europe series. They went with the Dasher and Predator VS the Turbos & EU Action, Action Elites and suits.

 

All it comes down to is what work best with the target market region. Eventlualy any toy can cross the border if it becomes popular enought. The best example I can think of would be SKYQUAKE ( Europe Release ). Was brought back for the Machine wars (Starscream ) and now in the Univers Series.

 

There is 3 Markets ( North America, Europ, Asia ). They will move the same toy aroud as long as there is enought people to by the product. For the old timers of the T's World we all remember the 1990-92 Black hole. Nothing was release...but in japan...man they had cool stuff!

 

An other good example, Starscream and BB ( BibBomber - Europe G2). Was first release in the Europe, then Japan (Neo) and Finaly in North America (Universe Extended I beleive ) and finaly in the latest version RoboMasters. Good designe will always cross the boarders....Takara will buy form Hasbro or Hasbro will by from Takara.

Actually, Japan does have Slugslinger and Sixshot, Sixshot made the TV show remember?

Sixshot made the TV show remember?

Sixshot was on the show, but I think that may have been more to Hasbro's involvement as Takara's last Superlink release will be the TRU Japan exclusive Buildtron. Unless he is released as a US Edition, Sixshot (or is he Scattorshot now?) will not be released by Takara, same goes for many other recent repaints like Beachcomber, Landquake, and the upcoming Quickstrike.

So. . . what you're REALLY saying is, Japan doesn't produce nearly as many cheap-ass repaints as America does.

So. . . what you're REALLY saying is, Japan doesn't produce nearly as many cheap-ass repaints as America does.

No, I'm just saying Hasbro is better supporting the show by offering all toys seen on the cartoon :tftongue

 

Takara does do its share of "cheap-ass" repainting. Lucky Draw anyone? Or how about the chase WST 2 Thundercracker (a recolor of Starscream)? Or the fact roughly half of Robotmasters are repaints. eHobby G1 repaints?

While many of these are exclusives, they are still just repaints of existing toys.

But they arn't Crap Repaints.

In G1 Ironhide, Gears, Jetfire, and Omega Supream were exclusive to the US, Takra resently re-issuied Ironhide though.

apart from the fact at least Ironhide, gears and jetfire were released in the UK.....

But they arn't Crap Repaints.

Totally agree. How can these be compared to "cheap-a" repaints?