Transformers Asia has updated with details of the second of the two giftsets of Decepticon seekers which are going to be exclusive to the Asian / Chinese market. The first set was the Seeker Set Ace, containing the original trio of Starscream, Skywarp and Thundercracker – this second set confirmed today will be the Seeker Set Elite and it will contain redecos of Classics versions of the other three Seekers – Thrust, Dirge and Ramjet. With this set for the first time since 1985 all six members of the Decepticon airforce are collected in a single line with a single consistent aesthetic and deco style! However the rub is these like the Seeker Set Ace are China exclusive so they will command a higher price on the secondary market. They are due for a release in December.
Of interest also is that on the announcement the set name is given as “Deluxe Seeker Set Elite” in English, but “Dogfight Set” in Japanese.
AmonDemon112
would anyone that own these mind sharing pics please!
Stepper
I think their purpose is to fully utilised the mold instead of more concern of the profit,after all,the mold is already there.
videriant
It's odd if this is getting released in Asia by TakaraTomy. Usually TakaraTomy are Japan only and Hasbro Asia does the Asian released.
The US probably has a collector's market larger then Asia and Japan. The difference is that the Japanese and Asian collectors are willing to pay collector prices as that is their only choice. US collectors keep comparing collector items to retail children's toys and bitching about prices.
They are not the same company.
BigMetalUnit
i realize that but it would make more sense to release thes everywhere if they are so concerned with the money they are losing
blue death
Really glad I sold off all my individual releases a while back. Now I can get them all cheaper like this
Stepper
Internally,they may have agree to let TakTomy do the release,no matter what,both are of the same company
G1Prowl
Add to the fact that if Thundercracker is different enough blue, then you have the choice of molds to become "Background Seeker", which was in several episodes right next to Lavender Larry.
And I'd LOVE a Rainmaker set, but only if Sunstorm is the yellow one.
It's been said NUMEROUS times, Japan has a collectors market that could carry things like that. Asia probably does as well. U.S.? Not so much, which is why you see so many collector's sets in the clearance aisle.
BigMetalUnit
hmmmmm……if hasbro would put stuff like this out in the states maybe they wouldnt be losing money. thay let takara release all the good shit
Composite Ghost
I'm used to seeing threads full of "I don't like it" comments but with these new seekers it kind of seems like people are actually offended by these. Nobody is saying you have to throw out your old seekers and buy them. It's a limited market exclusive release. It's not like DOTM Bumblebee and Hasbro thinks EVERYONE should own one. And it's an Asian exclusive too, so it's not really meant for you guys anyway.
I'm personally going to enjoy having a full team with one unified style. It's something I always wanted but never thought would happen. And considering the prices we pay for Club and Botcon exclusive deluxe figures, $130 for three isn't bad at all.
If they make a third box set with the Rainmakers I'll buy that too. Maybe Ehobby should get on that.
Stepper
Yah man,just paint them here a bit,there a bit to make Anime,then called them exclusive,what the….
PoweredConvoy
They're actually probably LOADED with paint to make them cartoon accurate. As the feet have to be painted on Thrust & Dirge if their hands are those colors and Ramjet's fists. Plus Ramjet's entire head and missiles are entirely painted (those parts are tied to the wings).
Mimicking the cartoon here, so those things are gone.
Randy
Loosecannon
I really need comparison photos with the originals…
jametron
They should have some damn detail! Solid gray/black weapons and missiles+no stripes/details on the wings? Save your money!
barrelks
All depends how shiny they make these (ie need more pics). I agree with you thus far, but still have some affinity for the Botcon version of Thrust.
If BBTS drops these sets to the $129 range, I see no issues picking them both up, but I may have to shop around if we don't see a price drop.
alfred p. sloan
They look nice but I still think Generations Thrust is the nicest so far.
bithomas
For those who missed out and want this set, I'm glad these are being produced. For me, this is an extremely easy pass. The other Seeker set has some merit since the characters are done in animation-inspired decos, which are significantly different than the existing releases. I don't see much difference between these to justify even a a small price increase, much less the exclusive pricing.
AnegefalosGR
LoL Good News Chinese Market. You get 20% less paint compared to Takara or Hasbro Edition Coneheads for multiple times the price!!! You can get Hasbro Coneheads for Under 50$ all three but no matter! We will still release them….
Pass Pass Pass………
BScorpinok75
Glad I'm not a "seeker" completionist!
Darkbox
I wish they would have added some ankle tilt or articulated fingers to make it worth the price they're asking for.
Autovolt 127
I'll stick to my Hasbro coneheads that I've been collecting since 2006.