M.A.S.K. - Show and Toy collections

[no3Ljm]

Ramen Toy's prototype of MaKiNa MKN04 Mobula (previously known as Purple Ray).

Edited November 4, 2024 by no3Ljm

[sh9000]

Great White transformation.

[sh9000]

The stand for Great White will be shipping out without a required redemption code.

[Tober]

My stand for Great White arrived today. It took about 6 weeks from China to Australia. 

[sh9000]

Mobula.

[sh9000]

Mobula painted prototype.

[sh9000]

Violet Widow.

[Big s]

3 hours ago, sh9000 said:

Violet Widow.

I wish I had the space for these. They do seem like they’re very interested in completing the lineup 

[M'Kyuun]

7 hours ago, Big s said:

I wish I had the space for these. They do seem like they’re very interested in completing the lineup 

Likewise, both space and money. M.A.S.K. is another notable toy series from the 80s that had some really standout toys, and honestly, if Hasbro wanted to, they could just dust off the old molds, perhaps add a few new ones to complete the roster, put a little publicity behind it, perhaps hire a studio to give the show a modern makeover, and just let the money roll in, as I think the toys and the concept as a whole still have the power to captivate and intrigue. Since it shares the transformation gimmick with their other huge franchise, I'm surprised that Hasbro hasn't at least tested the waters by reviving M.A.S.K. for a new generation, if only in a limited fashion. Perhaps they could produce some video shorts to create publicity and gauge interest before committing to new toys. But I think it still has strong appeal that kids and adults alike would respond to.

As to Ramen Toys, the passion and effort they put into these toys is obvious and remarkable. I'm constantly amazed by the abilities and commitment of fans to create today the toys we wished we'd had as kids. Chinese fans, notably, are killing it as they form toy companies dedicated to making modern interpretations of 80s and 90s toys; it's shame we don't see that same level of dedication or craftsmanship on our own shores, since these properties all originated here.

Edited Sunday at 02:47 PM by M'Kyuun

[Big s]

25 minutes ago, M'Kyuun said:

As to Ramen Toys, the passion and effort they put into these toys is obvious and remarkable. I'm constantly amazed by the abilities and commitment of fans to create today the toys we wished we'd had as kids. Chinese fans, notably, are killing it as they form toy companies dedicated to making modern interpretations of 80s and 90s toys; it's shame we don't see that same level of dedication or craftsmanship on our own shores, since these properties all originated here.

I think it’s not so much that Americans don’t want to do third party toys, but that it might be a lot tougher. Over here it’s much easier to be prosecuted over copying from another license and a lot of these companies tend to start off  in the bootleg way before getting into the actual licensing if they do get them at all. The labor is the other big issue. Over here the labor and material costs and overall manufacturing are too high compared to those overseas costs, but just being a start up in another country gets a good start communication wise with the manufacturers to get things rolling faster. A random fan from the U.S. has to not only have the skills for the design, but has to have the communication skills and connections to do the overseas manufacturing. Otherwise I think a lot more of these older franchises would have been handled by American fans.

[M'Kyuun]

40 minutes ago, Big s said:

I think it’s not so much that Americans don’t want to do third party toys, but that it might be a lot tougher. Over here it’s much easier to be prosecuted over copying from another license and a lot of these companies tend to start off  in the bootleg way before getting into the actual licensing if they do get them at all. The labor is the other big issue. Over here the labor and material costs and overall manufacturing are too high compared to those overseas costs, but just being a start up in another country gets a good start communication wise with the manufacturers to get things rolling faster. A random fan from the U.S. has to not only have the skills for the design, but has to have the communication skills and connections to do the overseas manufacturing. Otherwise I think a lot more of these older franchises would have been handled by American fans.

Good point about the licensing; I wasn't thinking about that aspect but focusing more on the creativity side of the topic. However, that's definitely an obstacle which the Chinese seem to contend with on a much looser basis without as many legal repercussions. I don't agree with stealing IPs, but at the same time, my hypocritical self has bought numerous third-party Transformers over the last decade or so, and quite honestly, I think they're smartly cornering parts of the market that Hasbro and Takara aren't really operating in, like the legends scale market, and doing it brilliantly. Moreover, I think they approach toy design, much like Takara does or used to, by trying to make the best toy and then assigning a price instead of working within a set budget and making adjustments to the toy until it fits, which often means the toy is far more limited in parts, features, paint etc. It's a shame that everything is so much more expensive here in the States, but that's the reality of our times, and the situation will likely never improve alas. 

There's obviously passion at both Hasbro and Takara, and I'm exceedingly glad that they've put the designers out in the public space to talk about what goes into the toys. They're obviously working under constraints, and by talking about that, if only tangentially at times, I appreciate the candid perspective and I hope it quells some of the bitching and moaning among the fandom. We're still going to complain, because humanity, but for those of us with a modicum of empathy, seeing the bigger picture regarding the circumstances in which they labor to try and make good toys allows for a bit of forgiveness if a toy comes up a little short in our minds. Even third-party toys come up short from time to time, but man, what a wonderful time to be a fan of 80s stuff with folks like Ramen Toys , 3P Transformers makers, etc, realizing our childhood dreams through passion, skill, talent, and drive to create the toys we wished we'd had when we were kids. We're spoiled, and I'm loving it.

[Big s]

8 hours ago, M'Kyuun said:

I don't agree with stealing IPs, but at the same time, my hypocritical self has bought numerous third-party Transformers over the last decade or so

As far as the whole morality thing, I’m definitely more interested in something from a franchise where the holders of the license are just sitting on it rather than doing something about it . M.A.S.K. Hasn’t had a toy in decades that was legit. And may never get one from the big companies. Or there’s Marshall Bravestar and a few others that Ramen sometimes gets a license for and other times not so much. But that goes for other companies as well. I ain’t gonna live forever, and if I see someone put out a great toy that I have the space for that the ligit license holders aren’t putting out and have no plans to produce, then a third party figure or bootleg or whatever you want to call it is sometimes the only option and I wouldn’t feel at all bad about it.

[M'Kyuun]

14 hours ago, Big s said:

As far as the whole morality thing, I’m definitely more interested in something from a franchise where the holders of the license are just sitting on it rather than doing something about it . M.A.S.K. Hasn’t had a toy in decades that was legit. And may never get one from the big companies. Or there’s Marshall Bravestar and a few others that Ramen sometimes gets a license for and other times not so much. But that goes for other companies as well. I ain’t gonna live forever, and if I see someone put out a great toy that I have the space for that the ligit license holders aren’t putting out and have no plans to produce, then a third party figure or bootleg or whatever you want to call it is sometimes the only option and I wouldn’t feel at all bad about it.

You've pretty much summed up my feelings about third party. My days on this Earth are ever receding, and with the license holders of these properties sitting on those licenses when there's an audience for stuff to be made, unofficial options become the only options, or in the case of many Transformers, interesting, unique, or superior options compared to, or in the absence of, official releases. I look no further than XTransbots' Omnibots, which haven't had toys since their original American releases in 1985, and of course their earlier Diaclone toys. As the only option for toys I've long wanted and waited for, I'm all in for the three G1 variants that XTransbots are releasing. They're not the best toys, as some of the design decisions are questionable, but in the absence of any other Omnibot toys official or non, I happily parted with my money for them. Likewise, my newest acquisition, Newage's Romulus, a well-done CHUG scaled G1 Megatron that turns into a Walther P38ish pistol, a toy we shall never again get officially, unless Takara makes it for the Asian market. That was a huge want, and I'm pleased to finally have a figure to fill that hole in my collection. No guilt, no regret. Much joy.

[sh9000]

@M'Kyuun The Loyal Subjects got a license from Hasbro to release new MASK toys.

On 9/10/2024 at 8:51 PM, sh9000 said:

https://www.toyark.com/2024/09/10/m-a-s-k-jem-my-pet-monster-r-o-m-and-more-coming-from-the-loyal-subjects-544123

The Loyal Subjects will be producing official MASK vehicles and figures in its original scale and style.

 

[M'Kyuun]

8 hours ago, sh9000 said:

@M'Kyuun The Loyal Subjects got a license from Hasbro to release new MASK toys.

 

Very interesting news. I've never heard of this company, but I'm guessing I've seen their stuff while perusing the toy isles. Very curious to see how they approach M.A.S.K. As little room as I have for much of anything anymore, I have a feeling I'm going to be sorely tempted to pick a couple of these up. The Ramen Toys stuff looks amazing thus far, but I've not invested. But if the TLS' stuff is right there on the shelf in front of me, all bets are off. I never owned a single M.A.S.K. toy as a kid, despite seeing them in stores and watching the show. I thought they were amazing, but my budget was severely limited so I stuck to the occasional Transformer or LEGO set. Lack of space is my main detractor now, but if I find one or two that really pique my interest, I may just have to snag 'em.