Regardless as to whether BT is done, we do know one collector line that is going strong and that the MP line.  They've got 2 coming out for christmass.  I'm guessing margins are much higher on the MP's since while bigger, many of the costs are somewhat fixed (packaging and shipping are probably that same as 00 priime for exmple).  Assuming they are higher margin, if collectors collect them at the same rate or higher than BT or TFC, we can expect to see lots more MP's.

For more info on BT's demise check out this post.

They may have cancelled the current BT storyline, but it's most likely because they decided to move Convoy to that idiotic KISS one. It doesn't mean Binaltech is dead, probably just in its current presentation.

They may have cancelled the current BT storyline, but it's most likely because they decided to move Convoy to that idiotic KISS one. It doesn't mean Binaltech is dead, probably just in its current presentation.

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Kiss is a strange thing.  Do I think its stupid?  Yes, but at the same time I've been to Japan a few times, and I know several people, men and women, who are huge anime/manga fans.  And really its a fairly normal story setup as far as stories over there go.  You also have to remeber that the Japanese prefer mecha with Human pilots or operators.  Or in this case Human's that give them there extra powers.  Transformers in general aren't quite as huge over there as the other mecha shows like Macross was or Gundam.  Simply because living robots isn't as popular a concept as it is in west.

 

Why that is I have no idea, but its the way things are.  But I highly doubt Takara will ever let Transformers die completely, its still probably there biggest money maker.  BUt if you look back TFs have always had periods of lag then huge booms.

My main problem with the newer items is thier lack of effert. it used to go 1 new mold then a remold later on. Now we are getting huge gaps with just repaints with mirage and prime being the only light at the end of the tunnel

 

as for BT's im happy they havnt released things like roll bar idd rather it end on a high note and if they do they should be in the BTA series

 

now IMO they should go into race cars (like smoke screen) pritty much every BT mold bar the jeep, Bb and Ram has some racing verient so why not remold them add a bunch of logos and sell them as some sort of 2nd gen BT body

 

 

PS idd think they would do a hell of alot better if they advertised them on TV

You also have to remeber that the Japanese prefer mecha with Human pilots or operators.  Or in this case Human's that give them there extra powers.  Transformers in general aren't quite as huge over there as the other mecha shows like Macross was or Gundam.  Simply because living robots isn't as popular a concept as it is in west.

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This is why I believe the movie is so important.

 

I have no doubt in my mind that the fiction, which was western in it's essence and creation is responsible for Transformers being as big as it is.

 

It's not the sole reason obviously; there are plenty of mech fans that like Transformers because they're huge transforming robots, but the show and to a lesser degree, the comic, are the things that sold personalities and million of dollars of non figure merchandise in th '80's and beyond or why prime has a cult like following.

 

 

And I think a lack of a strong western dominance in the fiction is why Transformers are losing their identity.

As you say, there's the Kiss power up human thing, and the MP Strascream, whether you like him or not, having something that looks like it moves an otherwise still robot in different directions, like a human piloted mech as opposed to a living being that would and has manouvered more like Superman so far as using his body and limbs to change speed and direction.

 

The movie may be the best chance to really sell the idea to the Japanese, and maybe convince them that the differences between them and traditional mech are something to be focused on, not played down or slowly phased out.

good points Josh.

As for advertising, I think this would be a tough one.  How exactly do you advertise it in a way that doestn' alienate the adult fanbase.  Maybe late night ads between girls gone wild on comedy central.  (I don't even begin to understand how that would work in Japan since I have such a poor understanding of there advertising :-)

I would imagine that Zoids are a bigger money maker for taktom than transformers. Zoids have been selling well for many years over in Japan. Zoids are robots driven by humans, though the machines seem to show some intelligence.

going by the cartoons left alone a zoid falls back on an animal like inteligence

 

as for advertising i think adds in car magazines could help. I've seen a few for diecast cars and it would be the same sorta deal for the TF's only thier would be some pics of the bot mode

Somebody help me out here.  You mean to tell me that the BTA Optimus is going to be PLASTIC?  I gave up on searching for it in the states, figuring the BT Diecast version would be worth the wait and all, and now its just the same as the ALT version? 

 

Is Red Allert and the gray Scion plastic also? 

 

They cancelled every other 1/2 decent line they have come out with so far, so why not stop now.  Hope they come to their sences and get WSTF molds they went to the trouble to make and produce em, as well as what ever else they got, like finishing the G1 car PVC series.

 

ALSO, the Nemesis Prime ALt is a toy convention exclusive ONLY? 

 

arg!