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NYTF 2010: Toynami

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57 comments posted
Speechless

This is the greatest news in the history of news. New jumbos under the Shogun Warriors brand name? Oh god...

"You can't sell it until you get it from him, but you gotta sell it to pay him to get it to sell it".
---Jerilock, talking about me trying to raise the money I need to pay for the toys I already bought....

NekroDave's picture
Posted by NekroDave on 15 February, 2010 - 00:35
It's in the air, NekroDave.

It's in the air, NekroDave. Super Robots are back! Well to be honest, thanks to my humble collection, they have NEVER been away for me!

grendizer1975's picture
Posted by grendizer1975 on 5 April, 2010 - 16:20
That absolutely blows my

That absolutely blows my mind. When you had said something about sitting on big news,I assumed it would be a "masterpiece" vehicle Voltron,not Shogun Warriors (by name!!).

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A master of mind control who hides inside a Ford Pickup

kidnicky's picture
Posted by kidnicky on 15 February, 2010 - 00:42
ya know what would be

ya know what would be awesome? If they installed Bullmark style shooting spinners in the Dairugger's shoulders.....Or if the Blazing sword was bright shiny chrome.... *drool*

Jerilock's picture
Posted by Jerilock on 15 February, 2010 - 00:45
I am at a loss for words

I am at a loss for words really...no lie, this is some friggin great news. I will buy all the Voltron versions, metallic, black,clear, chocolate scented, I dont care

chachipower's picture
Posted by chachipower on 15 February, 2010 - 01:00
The Bandai products had to

The Bandai products had to be removed for not generating enough preorders.

VF5SS's picture
Posted by VF5SS on 15 February, 2010 - 07:48
Wow...I really hate to do

Wow...I really hate to do this, but I gotta be real here: those gimungous unpainted prototypes...if they are, in fact, the prototype sculpts of the upcoming "Shogun Warriors Jumbos"...well...meh.

M-E-H, meh.

I mean, look at the Voltron III "prototype". It's dead nuts a digital blow-up of his Robot Vinyl Collection counterpart. It's the same damn sculpt...pre-friggin'-cisely. And based on the pictures we've seen of the Voltron I RVC, it would appear that his "Jumbo" prototype is a blow-up of that, too. *Sigh*

As I mentioned in my review of the RVC Voltron III, I'm not particularly impressed with the sculpt. They took way too many needless shortcuts. The fact that they didn't bother to sculpt the lions' legs pulled in against Voltron's limbs is just criminal. And it would appear that they aren't changing that for the "Jumbo".

Oh, they mentioned slush-casting, so that means the same inexpensive vinyl manufactured in the same way as the RVC figures...NOT blow-molded polyethylene, like classic Jumbos. So at the end of the day, what will you have? A two-foot version of sub-par sculpts with hopefully some shooty fist gimmicks worked into their arms. "Realistic" sculpts, cheap vinyl. That's hardly the "Jumbo" way.

Hey, Brian Flynn's doing it with the Super7 Jumbo Stormtrooper. I was really hoping Toynami would throw their hat in with some "true" Jumbo Voltrons. Well, I'm most likely getting whatever they make from the Dairugger license 'cause I'm nuts like that...but keep in mind: "realistic" 2-foot vinyl figures have been done before by many companies...and they haven't exactly blown away fans...

--
Sanjeev

Sanjeev's picture
Posted by Sanjeev on 15 February, 2010 - 11:06
Meh is right, sometimes

Meh is right, sometimes making an old toy over again just isn't worth it. Jumbos are cool because they represent the time they existed in, plastic with a 3000 year half-life, shooting things that could kill/maim you, funky and chunky sculpts that didn't look exactly like the subject but was close enough for a kid that didn't care. Crappy stickers with foil and the name of the robot on his gut, just in case you didn't know what he was called.

It's insulting to the fans of the genre and the brands involved.

duke togo's picture
Posted by duke togo on 16 February, 2010 - 15:32
Oh'for... insulting? Don't

Oh'for... insulting? Don't be so dramatic. There are plenty of people who like modern toys that update the classics because they are exactly that: toys of classic characters that use modern techniques to produce and new, and unique toy with a different set of advantages than the vintage one.

I don't understand why everyone gripes about vintage or modern toys being better than each other... why can't they just coincide, and be designed for two different markets or buyers? They don't have to be mutually exclusive or at odds, they're just different. That's how 'new' things work. Lots of people seem to be excited for these new big guys, and, I guess understandably, some people are not. Sanjeev explained his complaint as it specifically pertained to the sculpt. That's a real reason to be unhappy. You're only complaint is that they are different. It's fine that they are different, and you're more than welcome to like one over the other, but come on, 'insulting'? Give me a break.

http://prometheusrising.wordpress.com

Prometheum5's picture
Posted by Prometheum5 on 16 February, 2010 - 15:39
Yeah, I wouldn't call it

Yeah, I wouldn't call it "insulting". But, Ben, you hit on what we've been discussing for a while now. If not a "generation gap", per se, there does seem to be two emerging markets as this hobby matures year after year. The modern aesthetic is all about "realistic" (cartoon-accurate) design...and the end result tends to be more "adult collectible" than toy. The old-timey aesthetic is more about imaginative play-value (ostensibly for kids).

In fact, there's an interesting conversation going on at skullbrain about the MOTUC figures. Ironically enough, I'm taking the position of defending the new toys. A lot of the guys there are ALL about the classic dwarfish MOTU figures, alone...but I think the new ones are great for those truly nostalgic for the characters...not just the vintage toys, y'know? And that set includes me. I think the MOTUC line might be a good example of something designed to be fun as a toy, yet be modern, detailed, and "realistic". They're like Soul of He-Man...but free of all the "adult collectible" trappings: granted, you have to order them online and they're made in somewhat limited numbers, but they're totally fun and you don't need an accountant to keep track of all the extra bits!

Anyway, what I'd LOVE to see--just as an experiment--is Toynami offer a vintage-style blow molded polyethylene Dairugger jumbo (stove-pipe limbs, missiles on the shoulders, and all) and the modern vinyl one (with painted detail and non-rigid pose). I just wanna see which one would sell better.

Oh, and for the record, I must reiterate: there's no way I'm NOT getting that Voltron I jumbo!

--
Sanjeev

Sanjeev's picture
Posted by Sanjeev on 16 February, 2010 - 17:35
Insulting might have been a

Insulting might have been a knee-jerk reaction. But I'm just getting sick of every toy line from my childhood being re-sold to me. You mean to tell me that these guys that design toys for billion-dollar companies can't think up anything new?

30 years later and we're back 1970's toy ideas? If I want a jumbo Voltron I know where to get one, I don't need to see a "new and improved" version on a shelf to get excited.

Maybe it's just that toys never got better after the 80's, so they just said screw it and are doing all the old stuff again. But the thing is, those old toys are still out there, so in a sense they're competing with their own products.

I guess it's no different than the Fierce Legend of Super Robots from a while ago in Japan, but those weren't that great either. I just don't like Toynami invoking the Shogun Warriors name, too many great memories are tied to it for something that isn't nearly as good.

duke togo's picture
Posted by duke togo on 16 February, 2010 - 18:26
"Homage" vs "Ripoff"

It sounds like the age-old movie-fan question: "Is it a homage or a ripoff?"

Or, maybe, the question is "do we like the old vinyl Jumbo Machinders because they were fun to play with, or do we like them because we have enough disposable income to indulge our nostalgia?"

RobotBastard's picture
Posted by RobotBastard on 18 February, 2010 - 12:20
There's going to be slightly

Sanjeev-
There's going to be slightly redecoed He-Man and Skeletor Classics figures at brick and mortar TRUs this year.
They come in two packs with DC characters,He-Man with Supes and Skeletor with Lex Luthor. (inspired by that old comic where Superman goes to Eternia.)

Duke-
Thy CAN design new toys,and they do,for kids.
Most collectors,though,specifically want figures of characters/concepts from their childhood,for the most part. People buy these toys because they are/were fans of the show. Say Voltron was my favorite cartoon as a kid,and I wanted to purchase a Jumbo of Voltron. I wouldn't want some all new robot I've never seen before,I would want the one I'm a fan of.
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A master of mind control who hides inside a Ford Pickup

kidnicky's picture
Posted by kidnicky on 16 February, 2010 - 18:50
@Sanjeev I think this is the

@Sanjeev I think this is the look they tried to emulate (to some extent) by leaving out the folded legs

http://lgo.mit.edu/blog/drewhill/files/voltron.jpg

As soon as I saw the sculpt I loved it but i knew most Shogun Warriors fans would probably not dig it because its a departure from the originals. But Voltron fanactic I am so Ill take any rendition I can

chachipower's picture
Posted by chachipower on 15 February, 2010 - 12:03
Spot on, chacipower! All

Spot on, chacipower! All Toynami has to do is to upgrade the red and green lions' mouths and include the Sword.

grendizer1975's picture
Posted by grendizer1975 on 5 April, 2010 - 16:37
Sweet mother of Moses.

Sweet mother of Moses. First the vinyl Vehicle Voltron, then Dairugger on DVD, and now this! Awe. Some.

Oh, and SO bought...

REX-203's picture
Posted by REX-203 on 15 February, 2010 - 14:40
What, no Albegas?

What, no Albegas?

recognizer's picture
Posted by recognizer on 15 February, 2010 - 20:01
The Golion is debatable. If

The Golion is debatable. If your heart does not quicken at the sight of that Dairugger (standing behind a little card reading "Shogun Warriors," no less), you may be jaded.

The Enthusiast's picture
Posted by The Enthusiast on 15 February, 2010 - 22:32
Hey Josh,or whoever else is

Hey Josh,or whoever else is live at ToyFair,you should check out the Minimates booth. (Diamond Select?) According to some other sites they have the rights for Universal Monsters. They're doing minimates,NECA-ish figures,and I think I read they even have like Mego-type dolls.
Sorry to go off topic,but I don't know if you guys will be checking email while you're there,and I know there's some monster fans here.

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A master of mind control who hides inside a Ford Pickup

kidnicky's picture
Posted by kidnicky on 15 February, 2010 - 23:28
Yeah, I saw that stuff

Yeah, I saw that stuff posted at another board earlier today. The Mego ones look pretty neat.

"You can't sell it until you get it from him, but you gotta sell it to pay him to get it to sell it".
---Jerilock, talking about me trying to raise the money I need to pay for the toys I already bought....

NekroDave's picture
Posted by NekroDave on 15 February, 2010 - 23:39
No more cyclones eh? So yet

No more cyclones eh? So yet again my hopes of a decent Bartley toy are dashed. I might as well track down the CM's stuff then.

duke togo's picture
Posted by duke togo on 16 February, 2010 - 15:34
What a pity! I wanted a

What a pity! I wanted a Bartley too.

grendizer1975's picture
Posted by grendizer1975 on 5 April, 2010 - 16:39
Here's a question (or a few)

Here's a question (or a few) about the "Shogun Warriors" monicker:

Does Mattel no longer own the rights to it? Are they just licensing it out to Toynami? Will any SOCs be remarketed as Shogun Warriors, for nostalgia? (I've also often wondered if we'd ever get a "Soul of Godaikin" line here in the States.)

Also, in keeping with the old school theme, will the Voltrons be labelled as Golion and Dairugger, or just the same as their usual Voltron counterparts?

REX-203's picture
Posted by REX-203 on 16 February, 2010 - 19:24
I think you old guys need to

I think you old guys need to realize that Jumbo Machinders were a product of their times in just about every way possible and there is no going back.

Ever.

VF5SS's picture
Posted by VF5SS on 16 February, 2010 - 21:07
Clearly Brian Flynn never

Clearly Brian Flynn never got that memo.

Ah, but what does HE know about running a business?? :P

--
Sanjeev

Sanjeev's picture
Posted by Sanjeev on 16 February, 2010 - 22:19
You know, at this stage and

You know, at this stage and at the pricepoint, I really wonder how much of the Stormtrooper sales will be Jumbo-collectors first, and Star Wars people second. I could see this one riding the license alot.

http://prometheusrising.wordpress.com

Prometheum5's picture
Posted by Prometheum5 on 16 February, 2010 - 22:35
I have no evidence of any

I have no evidence of any kind to support this,but part of the reason I think these Voltron Shogun Warriors are better off looking the way they do is that,in the U.S. at least,Voltron is a lot more popular than the Shogun Warriors are. The last time I was at the mall they had Voltron T-shirts and DVDs for sale,whereas I have never heard anyone even offhandedly mention Force Five or Mazinger anywhere other than this website.

I think they're better off trying to court Voltron fans in general (most of whom probably prefer a more anime accurate look) instead of trying for a vintage look.

---------------------------------------------
A master of mind control who hides inside a Ford Pickup

kidnicky's picture
Posted by kidnicky on 16 February, 2010 - 23:40
I'm not 100% in on that...

I'm not 100% in on that...

You are right of course, Voltron being much, much more popular, but I think if you talk to many people aged 35-45, and mention "Shogun Warriors", "Tranzor Z", or "Starblazers" to them, they know *exactly* what those things are. Voltron, one could say, is a "generation" after that. Marvel's Shogun comics were some of the biggest selling comic books of the mid 1970's.

I had a guy once who looked at my toy collection, and instantly called out the Starblazers and Shoguns as some of his favorite cartoons as a kid, but he couldn't tell a Voltron I from a Voltron III.

Just as there are many collectors who won't buy something with the Macross logo on it versus the Robotech one, I think there will be many who get these just because they say "Shogun Warriors" on the box, and a I know a lot of classic monster fans will go in for these as well.

The Big R's picture
Posted by The Big R on 17 February, 2010 - 10:41
A Jumbo of an

A Jumbo of an internationally recognizable character that has yet to even come out is not a sign of them being viable.

VF5SS's picture
Posted by VF5SS on 16 February, 2010 - 22:36
I don't necessarily

I don't necessarily disagree, except that you said "no going back. Ever." and the Jumbo Stormtrooper clearly refutes that.

Furthermore, although I would likely be lumped in with "old guys", I don't expect them to go back to the way they were, which is why I was open to the Bandai Creation jumbos and I'm open to this one, so long as it's not just a big vinyl.

"You can't sell it until you get it from him, but you gotta sell it to pay him to get it to sell it".
---Jerilock, talking about me trying to raise the money I need to pay for the toys I already bought....

NekroDave's picture
Posted by NekroDave on 16 February, 2010 - 22:48
I stand by it. The

I stand by it. The Stormtrooper is a Star Wars figure first, jumbo second. No matter how much Bryan Flynn talks Jumbo, people see a Stormtrooper. Also it still hasn't come out yet and is going to be another niche high end item. So really, there is still no going back.

VF5SS's picture
Posted by VF5SS on 17 February, 2010 - 07:57
It doesn't matter what

It doesn't matter what character it is or how much it costs, it's still a jumbo in the classic sense. You're trying to change the point of the discussion, which was the difference in style between the jumbos in this post and traditional jumbos. You said that traditional wouldn't happen again, but it is happening again. How much of a success it will be remains to be seen, but it IS happening. Furthermore, regardless of what people see when they look at it, Brian wanted to make a JUMBO. He just happens to be smart enough to try to cover himself by doing it with a property that is almost guaranteed to be a success. If he just wanted to make a Stormtrooper, don't you think he would have made something like a removable helmet vinyl? It would have been cheaper, just as successful and Brian is a vinyl guy first and foremost. But no, he wanted to make a jumbo. So, it's a jumbo first, Stormtrooper second. The only thing that separates this from a classic jumbo at all is that it's not a Japanese character, but if anyone cares about that then.... to hell with them.

"You can't sell it until you get it from him, but you gotta sell it to pay him to get it to sell it".
---Jerilock, talking about me trying to raise the money I need to pay for the toys I already bought....

NekroDave's picture
Posted by NekroDave on 17 February, 2010 - 09:47
Why are all the characters

Why are all the characters on the sides of the Beta boxes making a >:0 face? What are they so upset about?

recognizer's picture
Posted by recognizer on 16 February, 2010 - 22:39
You kids better git off my

You kids better git off my lawn, because I need the room for the pink flamingos, AND putting new Jumbos in on either side of the porch. Oh, I'm going to win the neighborhood award for sure!

Seriously, this is a nice effort to see. Agreed, that Vehicle Voltron is certainly getting my attention. Love some of the details. Will enjoy seeing something more developed after the proto sculpt.
They certainly need some sort of opening in the hands if they're going to hold Blazing Swords.

Good question Rex, about the diecast Shogun Warriors idea.

repairtechjon's picture
Posted by repairtechjon on 16 February, 2010 - 22:47
While the snow is here, I'm

While the snow is here, I'm cooped up in the garage, figuring out how to reinforce a couple vintage polyethylene framed BigWheels I got, to support 210lbs., cuz I AM going back dadgummit!

repairtechjon's picture
Posted by repairtechjon on 16 February, 2010 - 22:53
I wish . . .

That they would have just made a masterpiece vehicle Voltron.
I mean after owning an original Golion and later getting the MP version, I would really like to see what could've been.
I'm sure it too would be worth the price of admission hands down.
The vehicle version is one of my favorite toys but gets harder to track down for a good affordable price.
And 'ya gotta admit it would've been nice to see the gimmicks Toynami could pack into it.
But now we may never know.

The quest for supremacy shall never end. . . .

Blakwulf's picture
Posted by Blakwulf on 17 February, 2010 - 00:26
Toynami would probably avoid

Toynami would probably avoid doing a Masterpiece Vehicle Voltron.

The original in the 80's was a complete bomb for Matchbox, with some sets were given away as prizes at Chuck E Cheese and dollar stores for years. My first Vehicle Voltron was bought for $0.50 each piece at a dollar store in 1994, and I couldn't sell the boxed versions I got at garage sales for more than $10-20 until 1998-1999.

The Masterpiece line as a whole wasn't exactly a "big retail hit" either.

The Big R's picture
Posted by The Big R on 17 February, 2010 - 10:47
Well,do we know for sure

Well,do we know for sure that they won't be able to continue doing voltron stuff next year? I mean,they could renew the liscense,right?

cool avatar BTW blakwulf

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A master of mind control who hides inside a Ford Pickup

kidnicky's picture
Posted by kidnicky on 17 February, 2010 - 00:41
These look great. While I

These look great. While I would have prefered to see them "vintage" styled, I will take what giant robot love I can get, and will buy it at retail to show that there is a demand for this type of product.

The Big R's picture
Posted by The Big R on 17 February, 2010 - 10:50
The vintage japanese toy

The vintage japanese toy robot collector is a fickle one indeed! Say that five times fast. ;)

Personally I'm glad any Voltron stuff is still being made...

Also, I'm a bit confused... what's with all the Bandai stuff show? Does Bandai own toynami or something? And is that SOC Mazinger Z in a new package? Kinda thrown for a loop here :P

Dre2Dee2's picture
Posted by Dre2Dee2 on 17 February, 2010 - 11:10
Classic Jumbos

I'm fairly certain classic Jumbos are Roto Molded NOT Blow molded.

Tekn0hazrd's picture
Posted by Tekn0hazrd on 17 February, 2010 - 11:45
As one of the older types, I

As one of the older types, I gotta say the original jumbos hold no nostalgia for me aside from my memories of wanting them just because they were big robots, we just couldnt afford it at the time. I do remember that I never bothered my parents to buy me the Jumbo Voltron because it looked weird and cheap to me (same with the horrid Panosh Place crap). Being the big voltron fan that I was I still wanted something a bit better than a shampoo bottle looking robot. Having held a heavy metal version, a tall plasticky stickered version held no interest for me back then. Maybe the lack of nostalgia over jumbos is why Im not bothered by the Shogun Warriors monicker, although I can understand why it would bother others.

Had this newly updated jumbo been released back then I probably would have needed medical care from the sensory overload since it is a detailed sculpt. Now as a grown up collector, I try and pick up Voltron stuff purely for nostalgic reasons and I LOVE the fact that they are anime accurate, I wanted accuracy as a child and love that it is coming true now. However now that I make my own money I try and track down anything Voltron/Golion related, even the jumbo I was not interested in. I admit, had the new Toynami jumbos come out in the same vein as the originals with same detail, basically reissues, I may not have been all googly eyed at all. I guess nostalgia has a lot to with what people like and dislike, no matter if its their favorite robot.

Another thing, I absolutely love those cheap plastic Irongears because they hold memories of childhood for me and yet I only JUST bought a modern anime accurate SOC version yesterday!... There is basically no consistent reasoning for what I like and dislike. I'm just glad someone is still making toys of my favorite robot.

chachipower's picture
Posted by chachipower on 17 February, 2010 - 15:27
Wow. Even in my wildest

Wow. Even in my wildest dreams I never thought I'd see jumbos released under the Shogun Warriors moniker ever again. This is completely awesome! I'd have to say, I wish they would have chosen some other subject than Voltron, given he has had a fairly recent jumbo of him done, but either way, I will buy both of these. The sculpts may not be classic machinder style, but come on...FIRING FISTS! And promises of Combattler, Danguard, etc!? Pinch me, I must be dreaming...

Also, I know Sanjeev mentioned that these would be inferior in production value to the Super7 jumbo, but in all honesty, is anyone even totally convinced that will ever even come out? It's well over a year late, and still no signs of even a preorder on that site. I had kind of assumed it was a dead project, but held out some hope given how expensive the Star Wars license must have been. Either way, if these Toynami jumbos actually make a June release, I'll take it over higher quality models that won't be out for years.

EDIT: Ok, I was a bit premature on the Super7 jumbo, having not checked the site in a couple weeks. I just checked the Super7 site, and after being given a scare as the jumbo Stormtrooper was listed as "out of stock" on the home page, clicked on the item and it says "preorder information will be available soon". So, it looks like it will see release. More good news, even if the $300 price is a bit higher than their initial predictions, but hardly unexpected. I'll be preordering when it's offered. Looks like 2010 will be a great year for jumbo collectors!

turk
--
The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.--Bertrand Russell

turk96's picture
Posted by turk96 on 17 February, 2010 - 18:45
I just posted the press

I just posted the press release for the Stormtrooper. It is most definitely happening. :)

"You can't sell it until you get it from him, but you gotta sell it to pay him to get it to sell it".
---Jerilock, talking about me trying to raise the money I need to pay for the toys I already bought....

NekroDave's picture
Posted by NekroDave on 17 February, 2010 - 19:37
Indeed. And it's been a

Indeed. And it's been a while since I've talked to Brian, but it was my understanding that the delays haven't been your usual toy delays. Most of the time, delays are caused by shoddy workmanship caught midstream in the manufacturing process, or some such issue. In the case of the Jumbo Stormtrooper, Brian is quite literally resurrecting a dead toy manufacturing process. The concerns are quite a bit different...

--
Sanjeev

Sanjeev's picture
Posted by Sanjeev on 17 February, 2010 - 21:59
Designer Con Jumbo Stormtrooper

When I was at designer con he showed me then recent unpublished pictures of the Jumbo Stormtrooper.

It looks great!!! It is s done deal I believe they were just waiting for the package art to be approved by Lucas & Co.

Said the next time they will not announce a toy until they have a definite release date.

Leonardo Flores
CollectionDX Staff Writer-West Coast Bureau

Showapop's picture
Posted by Showapop on 18 February, 2010 - 16:13
great choice of song for the

great choice of song for the jumbo video, thats what I heard in my head upon announcment, captures the moment perfect

chachipower's picture
Posted by chachipower on 17 February, 2010 - 21:04
A waist joint! I saw it in

A waist joint!
I saw it in the video, oh yes.

repairtechjon's picture
Posted by repairtechjon on 17 February, 2010 - 23:02
:(

Lion Voltron sculpt is darn LAZY. For this price point and economy, just one word wow! What are they thinking. Help Bandai come save the day with a Soul of Chogokin Vehicle Voltron.

happosai8's picture
Posted by happosai8 on 17 February, 2010 - 23:59
A lot of gripes and a

A lot of gripes and a lot of needle picking.....It all boils down to one thing though....
If you want it buy it , if not then let it be..There are other people who would be interested and others who would eventually get it at all cost...Let's all face it no matter how many times you complain..you wont be able to get anything as perfect as you want it to be except if your that rich and can afford to have one jumbo assembled for you with your own specificfations...but then again another person would still find a flaw in it...Right?....riiight...so I'm just saying ..if you want then get it..That's just it..

badman1014's picture
Posted by badman1014 on 18 February, 2010 - 14:17