Th 4RL deal

Hi, I'm new to collecting the TAKARA versions of figures, and now that I finally have spare money to afford TAV18 Drift, and TAV21 Optimus Prime, I can't find them for anything less than a 15-30 dollar markup. SO, my question is, given that these figures have been out for two months, are those the only prices I'm going to find from here on out? Or if I wait, will some of the shops who have them listed for a more reasonable markup *probably* get more in eventually? Again, I'm new to collecting the Takara version of the toys, and I'm am gravely concerned by how hard it is proving to find these toys suddenly at the shops I actually frequent, and FURTHER concerned by the *very* vague answers I've gotten from the shops that *have* responded to my emails about what the deal with them is. So yes, um... please help. Any advice or guidance from a TAKARA collecting veteran would be appreciated. EDIT: Erm... I may have posted this thread in the wrong forum... >_>"

On top of all the really great looking molds here, I'm really glad to see them making a female character without a clear homage or tie-in to another series . That's a major step forward if it actually becomes a thing they do semi-regularly. ...Although, when you figure in the fact that they've never done a proper G1 homage to Arcee, or any of several female characters that are (fairly?) well established, it could start to look a little frustrating. I'm just going to not think about it and hope that the Generations Arcee/Chromia announcements are legit and preferably awesome.

Wait... Generations Arcee is a thing? For real this time? Man I've been out of the game for too long!

I like it if the price is right. Like the build and style... gets points for not being a Motorcycle. I don't know when they decided Arcee has to be a Motorcycle all the friggin' time, (Energon, I know) but it's time for a break from that. Oh and uh... apparently after years of absence, I have returned to these hallowed forums. Wheeee.

Wow, at 118 each, that puts the total for owning the whole set at about $360... What a terrible time to have lost my Job!

Man, I just don't get why they think we need 4 Bumblebees to a case. I mean... seriously, every retail outlet already has bumblebees of all shapes and sizes coming out of their ears.

Interesting that you pointed this out, Blitz, as I noted at Walmart today that the DOTM deluxes are like... all on sale for 5 bucks a pop, but the Generations deluxes are still full priced. Not saying it means anything necessarily, but I dunno... just interesting is all.

Can you imagine seeing THAT on the marquis outside the theater? I'd go see it. XD

Is there a term for really wanting to say something, but really NOT wanting to say anything at the same time? Would that be considered ambivalence? I'm not really sure. If you can think of the word for this you'll have a word for why I haven't participated further in this thread. But what I CAN say is that... this? Damnit. I can never keep the ($@!ing classes straight. There's no logical progression. WTF is "Voyager" supposed to mean anyway? It enjoys boating? It's going to go on for 5 more seasons that it warrants? Who comes up with this crap? This is the funniest thing I've read all day, two days in a row. :rofl XD!

The fandom has done far, far, far worse to my childhood than anything Bay or Hasbro has done. I mean, ever see some of the 'art' or read some of the fic out there? The difference is that Fan-fics and Fan-art aren't official and with care and tact they can be avoided or ignored. They will never, and can never influence Hasbro's choices as to what direction the franchise takes as a whole. On the other hand, is now official canon, and I find that disgusting. I used to just dislike Bay, but anyone who would have the character who is supposed to be the Moral Compass of the franchise do something THAT Murderous, and THAT sociopathic in a film that's obviously going to attract tons of underage kids is evil, evil, EVIL. The difference is, Prime's behavior in the movie has done nothing to my childhood. In fact, nothing in the movies has done anything to my childhood. Except bring tons of money into something I've been a part of since I was 6. *Strokes Chin* Okay, NOW I understand what we're talking about here... And ya know what? You're really right! Every time I see a picture of g1 Prime like... making out with Megatron or some such nonsense? a little piece of me dies inside, as well. It is disgusting, I agree whole heartedly; at least the movies aren't ruining the image of G1. I apologize for getting worked up over your comment. But the ending of DOTM is still evil, evil, evil in my opinion, so I guess the movies aren't really destroying my childhood so much as they are my adulthood. :tfgrin

The fandom has done far, far, far worse to my childhood than anything Bay or Hasbro has done. I mean, ever see some of the 'art' or read some of the fic out there? The difference is that Fan-fics and Fan-art aren't official and with care and tact they can be avoided or ignored. They will never, and can never influence Hasbro's choices as to what direction the franchise takes as a whole. On the other hand, is now official canon, and I find that disgusting. I used to just dislike Bay, but anyone who would have the character who is supposed to be the Moral Compass of the franchise do something THAT Murderous, and THAT sociopathic in a film that's obviously going to attract tons of underage kids is evil, evil, EVIL. It's not even necessarily the fact that he chose to Execute him, its the WAY he chose to execute him... it's not like a weighty decision, it's not "For the Greater Good" it's just blood-lust, and I find that down-right disturbing.

I had this whole article I was going to write about my thoughts on Shia Lebouf, but ya know what? Forget that. Blitz-wing's post sez it all, and I couldn't agree more. :win

It appears the earlier Hasbro Promo images for the Arcee figure being shot from a low vantage looking up had a good reason... trying to hide that back kibble, eh? :sneak Even so... Gotta have that figure in spite of the fact I wish Arcee was a car... Seriously. Hand Over the Arcee and no one gets hurt. :P

Oh.. AH HA! HA HA HA HA... ooooh... that's a great April Fools joke... ... What do you mean it's not April? O_o

Is it wrong of me to be a little cheezed off that some people could never find this mold on the shelf but they're spamming it at BOTCON like... well... a bunch of vikings sitting around singing about ? :/