Takara Henkei Autobot Warriors Three-Pack Pre-orders: Ratchet, Kup, Perceptor (Asia Exclusive)

That Ratchet's going to be popular.

Not to fond of the fancy metalic.

Fixed Ratchet's neck? Noticed that he's got new paint apps.

Urgh, what have they done to Ratchet? Looks like the bonnet and roof have been replaced following an accident and they couldn't get replacement panels in the right colour. Maybe Ironhide had spares.

It's no longer Henkei: the set is now under the Generations line.

Banjo-Tron wrote:Urgh, what have they done to Ratchet? Looks like the bonnet and roof have been replaced following an accident and they couldn't get replacement panels in the right colour. Maybe Ironhide had spares.

That's probably done to homage his two latest incarnations, not counting the movie: Animated and Prime.

My goodness, just how long have these gone without any imagery? Months? Years?

And why now, of all times? What sense does it make for these to be announced so far back yet never see the light of day until now?

And why these three? The Seekers and Coneheads made sense, but these? What's the connection?

And, "Henkei! Henkei!"? Seriously? Henkei! Henkei! is a dead toyline. Shouldn't Takara be marketing these as Generations, or at least as another late addition to United?

And why these decos? Were some really asking for a Perceptor with blue treads? Or a Ratchet (seriously, Universe Ratchet?) with a red hood/roof? Or a Kup with more symbols and more dark gray?

http://movie-sounds.org/fantasy-films-sound-bites/batman-forever-1995/it-just-raises-too-many-questions

Sabrblade wrote:And, "Henkei! Henkei!"? Seriously? Henkei! Henkei! is a dead toyline. Shouldn't Takara be marketing these as Generations, or at least as another late addition to United?

Check the logo on the box image. It's clearly the Generations logo, not Henkei or United. Some people just won't accept the fact that line names can be supplanted I guess

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:And, "Henkei! Henkei!"? Seriously? Henkei! Henkei! is a dead toyline. Shouldn't Takara be marketing these as Generations, or at least as another late addition to United?

Check the logo on the box image. It's clearly the Generations logo, not Henkei or United. Some people just won't accept the fact that line names can be supplanted I guess

Good eye.

I'm kinda wondering about the 'Specialist' moniker that's being attached to this trio. What makes these 3 characters specialists, and in what fields?

Of the 3 I already have Kup and Perceptor, but Universe 2008 Ratchet I have no interest in, I strictly want Henkei, but this one actually looks less bland in vehicle mode thanks to the red hood and roof. As for specialism:

Ratchet: Medic
Perceptor: Scientist
Kup: Veteran

The fact they all have a specialism is what unifies the set, not a specialism shared by all three.

Shadowstream wrote:I'm kinda wondering about the 'Specialist' moniker that's being attached to this trio. What makes these 3 characters specialists, and in what fields?

Good question. We got a war veteran, a medic, and a scientist, so maybe each of them are specialists at those jobs, but that still leaves us wondering how those three relate to one another.

Sabrblade wrote:

Shadowstream wrote:I'm kinda wondering about the 'Specialist' moniker that's being attached to this trio. What makes these 3 characters specialists, and in what fields?

Good question. We got a war veteran, a medic, and a scientist, so maybe each of them are specialists at those jobs, but that still leaves us wondering how those three relate to one another.

I'd have gone with Unit Commander, Sniper and Combat Medic as specialist titles and this set may actually be the one set that makes me break my "No online purchase rule" rule and break down and get them. I still need Perceptor and Ratchet and I'd gladly give my youngest son my American release of Kup and keep the one from this set for myself. It would be even cooler if I could actually get this set at my local TRU the way I was able to pick up Generations Legends class Thundercracker and the Prime Deluxe class Sgt. Kup.
I know that's never going to happen but it's a nice thought since shipping will be easily 10 times the cost of what my gas would cost me to go to TRU. Still, I'm digging this set a lot and would be will to splurge for it.

I would say this pack came out too late.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:It's no longer Henkei: the set is now under the Generations line.

Banjo-Tron wrote:Urgh, what have they done to Ratchet? Looks like the bonnet and roof have been replaced following an accident and they couldn't get replacement panels in the right colour. Maybe Ironhide had spares.

That's probably done to homage his two latest incarnations, not counting the movie: Animated and Prime.

I would never have made that connection on my own.

I own the first japanese release of all three so easy pass. And henkei, gentai, united, who cares ? Just say takara...

paul053 wrote:I would say this pack came out too late.

This is for the ASIAN market, where these figures weren't released previously.

GuyIncognito wrote:

paul053 wrote:I would say this pack came out too late.

This is for the ASIAN market, where these figures weren't released previously.

Oh they were.

I've been kicking myself for 6 years for not picking up henkei ratchet at retail

Ah, the times where Henkei retailed here.

Im sure its just riding on the demand for ratchet. I don't expect many buying the set for Kup or Perceptor, but hey, selling Ratchet + Ironhide in a set was too easy.

Im sure next they'll issue the prowl mold. Oh, but have Prowl, Bluestreak and Smokescreen in different packs.

GuyIncognito wrote:

paul053 wrote:I would say this pack came out too late.

This is for the ASIAN market, where these figures weren't released previously.

Im not getting this whole "Asian Market" thing....

When did the Japanese stop considering themselves "Asian" ??? I know Japan is not on the mainland, but still....

That Ratchet looks slick, unfortunately I have no interest in the other two - already have the e-hobby Kup and I have no need for a Perceptor variant.

Rated X wrote:

GuyIncognito wrote:

paul053 wrote:I would say this pack came out too late.

This is for the ASIAN market, where these figures weren't released previously.

Im not getting this whole "Asian Market" thing....

When did the Japanese stop considering themselves "Asian" ??? I know Japan is not on the mainland, but still....

Do the Russians consider themselves Asian?

Seriously though, I can imagine the Japanese Market being so radically different from the rest of Asia a distinction needs to be made, so why not like this?

Rated X wrote:

GuyIncognito wrote:

paul053 wrote:I would say this pack came out too late.

This is for the ASIAN market, where these figures weren't released previously.

Im not getting this whole "Asian Market" thing....

When did the Japanese stop considering themselves "Asian" ??? I know Japan is not on the mainland, but still....

Dude, Japan is a tiny proportion of Asia. Asia starts as far west as Turkey and incorporates the largest country in the world, and by far the 2 most populous. It's like saying Niger is the same as Africa.

Also something similar I always wondered is why when people say someone is American they are invariably referring to people from the USA, when the USA makes up less than half of North America and less than a quarter of the Americas.

Banjo-Tron wrote:
Also something similar I always wondered is why when people say someone is American they are invariably referring to people from the USA, when the USA makes up less than half of North America and less than a quarter of the Americas.

Yeah, and why do we drive on the parkway and park in the driveway?

GuyIncognito wrote:

Banjo-Tron wrote:
Also something similar I always wondered is why when people say someone is American they are invariably referring to people from the USA, when the USA makes up less than half of North America and less than a quarter of the Americas.

Yeah, and why do we drive on the parkway and park in the driveway?

LOL, I only ask because once I asked a Canadian, guessing from his accent, if he was American and he got rather offended. I told him he was American in the same way I was European. He disagreed.

Rated X wrote:

GuyIncognito wrote:

paul053 wrote:I would say this pack came out too late.

This is for the ASIAN market, where these figures weren't released previously.

Im not getting this whole "Asian Market" thing....

When did the Japanese stop considering themselves "Asian" ??? I know Japan is not on the mainland, but still....

Think of. It like yourservice providers ATT covers one part, Comcast covers anotheer, some areas see an overlap in coverage, and some places are neither. Takara handles JAPAN, but Hasbro is the one responsiboe for the Asian market primarily. If Takara wants to throw something to the mainland that they dont think will sell as well in their own market, and/or is something that asbro isnt selling right then, poff sperate market release.

Banjo-Tron wrote:

Rated X wrote:

GuyIncognito wrote:

paul053 wrote:I would say this pack came out too late.

This is for the ASIAN market, where these figures weren't released previously.

Im not getting this whole "Asian Market" thing....

When did the Japanese stop considering themselves "Asian" ??? I know Japan is not on the mainland, but still....

Dude, Japan is a tiny proportion of Asia. Asia starts as far west as Turkey and incorporates the largest country in the world, and by far the 2 most populous. It's like saying Niger is the same as Africa.

Also something similar I always wondered is why when people say someone is American they are invariably referring to people from the USA, when the USA makes up less than half of North America and less than a quarter of the Americas.

You didnt answer my question. Im looking at both Japan and the mainland as one "Asia" that only needs one market. Does China, Philippines, etc really need a different deco from the Japanese deco 2 years later ? Just give them the deco Japan got and call it a day. They are neighbors. The mainland doesnt need to classified as a different market. Thats stupid. Theyre all Asian. Who came up with the term "Asian Market" anyways ? Probally Hasbro right here in American.

Blurrz wrote:Why does Europe have so many different countries? Thats stupid. They're all white.

Its called different cultures, countries, customs and languages. In your eyes we might all look the fucking same, but sorry, there's a great distinction between countries in Asia and their populations.

Why doesn't China and Japan share and hold hands together? Oh because maybe if you didn't know, the Japanese killed over 2 million Chinese civilians in WWII. That happened awhile ago but there's this deep seated distrust that still lingers on.

So with that in mind, not exactly hard to see why Hasbro Asia doesn't want to have their claws in everything, along with all of the other barriers. And as much as there cooperation between Takara and Hasbro, they are still seperate companies. Same thing goes for distribution in South Korea, which is not Hasbro Asia, rather a company called Mocom Toy.

Well first we have to define what excatly does Hasbro mean when they refer to this "Asian Market" ??? Are they referring to the continent (reigon) or the race in general ??? You seem to act like you know the answer so enlighten me...

What exactly is the "market" anyways ? Do Asian kids like bright white plastic while American kids prefer off white ? Who defines this "market" on which colors of paint to use ? I can understand the shiny paint and extra paint apps being a cost issue. But who's the a**hole who picks plastic colors based on reigons or races and tries to pass it off as a "market" ? Why not one color universal ? Then the so called "collectors" versions can have more paint apps added....Just my opinion. After all, they all come from the same mold in the same factory...

Rated X wrote:Well first we have to define what excatly does Hasbro mean when they refer to this "Asian Market" ???

All of Asia except Japan.

Honestly, it's really as simple as Hasbro didn't want to do the same thing twice. Would you rather Hasbro not make any effort with creating new paint apps for reissues?

It Is Him wrote:

Rated X wrote:Well first we have to define what excatly does Hasbro mean when they refer to this "Asian Market" ???

All of Asia except Japan.

Honestly, it's really as simple as Hasbro didn't want to do the same thing twice. Would you rather Hasbro not make any effort with creating new paint apps for reissues?

In other words, Hasbro (Asia division) thinks kids give a crap. I can just see all the Chinese kids protesting because their Ratchet looks the same as Takara. GIVE US A RED ROOF !!!! WE ARE NOT JAPANESE !!!

The Asian market excuse is a load of crap. Back in the Henkei days, Hasbro told us that Thundercracker was not going to see a US release because that paint scheme was for the “Asian market”. Who deemed the character Thundercracker only worthy of the so called “Asian market” and why? If they can give the US the same mold in white (Starscream) why not in blue? Was blue an Asian color? Do American kids hate blue based on a Hasbro survey? Wasn’t it American artists who created the G1 characters in the first place to bring life to the rather bland Diaclone/Microman lines? And why does all this off white and grey plastic Hasbro uses even exist? It’s like they’re dying the plastic ugly colors on purpose just to make it different from Takara. My toothbrush is brighter white than my Hasbro Metroplex. That’s BS in my opinion…

fenrir72 wrote:Fixed Ratchet's neck?

Doubtful. I think that would have been prominently displayed if it were the case.

Jesus christ X, asian is not a race. It is a huge continent containing all kinds of races, languages, religions and ethnic groups. You need to do your homework buddy because it already has far more people than any other continent and will be the dominant world 'superpower' in your lifetime due to its abundant natural resource, manufacturing industries, population etc

In this context, "Asia" is neither a continent nor a race nor a culture; it's a defined market. They call it the "Asia" market because it's a convenient term, that's all. There's no reason for anyone to be offended by it, and bringing race into the conversation serves no purpose other than to troll people.

GuyIncognito wrote:In this context, "Asia" is neither a continent nor a race nor a culture; it's a defined market. They call it the "Asia" market because it's a convenient term, that's all. There's no reason for anyone to be offended by it, and bringing race into the conversation serves no purpose other than to troll people.

Basically, it's like how there's a market for the United Kingdom, and a market for mainland Europe, right?

Sabrblade wrote:

GuyIncognito wrote:In this context, "Asia" is neither a continent nor a race nor a culture; it's a defined market. They call it the "Asia" market because it's a convenient term, that's all. There's no reason for anyone to be offended by it, and bringing race into the conversation serves no purpose other than to troll people.

Basically, it's like how there's a market for the United Kingdom, and a market for mainland Europe, right?

Exactly, and if memory serves me right Hasbro has a division in each of them. Not the case with South-East Asia vs. Japan (and Korea for that matter), as TakaraTomy is Hasbro's channel there.

I'm working on the galleries of the last 3 Specialist sets right now. Frustration is running high with Ratchet. For some reason, his head looks down even more so than Henkei and Universe Ratchet. I can't figure out what the problem is with this particular version of Ratchet. Even Specialist Ironhide isn't this bad. Any of you have Specialist Ratchet? Is the head on yours worse than the other two versions?

Seibertron wrote:I'm working on the galleries of the last 3 Specialist sets right now. Frustration is running high with Ratchet. For some reason, his head looks down even more so than Henkei and Universe Ratchet. I can't figure out what the problem is with this particular version of Ratchet. Even Specialist Ironhide isn't this bad. Any of you have Specialist Ratchet? Is the head on yours worse than the other two versions?

I have specialist ratchet, he was way cheaper than picking up a universe or henkei one.

His head isn't any worse for me than specialist Ironhide. I'm not sure what would cause a problem, it might just be your individual item. I've gotten around it by having him look slightly off to the side anyways.

Sabrblade wrote:My goodness, just how long have these gone without any imagery? Months? Years?

And why now, of all times? What sense does it make for these to be announced so far back yet never see the light of day until now?

And why these three? The Seekers and Coneheads made sense, but these? What's the connection?

And, "Henkei! Henkei!"? Seriously? Henkei! Henkei! is a dead toyline. Shouldn't Takara be marketing these as Generations, or at least as another late addition to United?

And why these decos? Were some really asking for a Perceptor with blue treads? Or a Ratchet (seriously, Universe Ratchet?) with a red hood/roof? Or a Kup with more symbols and more dark gray?

http://movie-sounds.org/fantasy-films-sound-bites/batman-forever-1995/it-just-raises-too-many-questions

I've had mine for about a month or two now. I think the pack came out in March of last year.

They're definitely the best version of each (eHOBBY Kup might be better than this one though), but yeah probably not much interest in this set.

Perceptor takes the best elements of the Henkei (almost all the details) and the RtS version (chrome and yellow lights).

Ratchet is like Henkei but with red on the roof, a painted rear bumper, and some of his robot parts in silver.

Kup is like the United one with some more cartoon and toy accurate detailing.

Randy