Ultimetal Optimus Prime
Artstorm is creating the ultimate Transformers collectible with Ultimetal Optimus Prime! This non-transformable diecast figure stands 43 centimeters (about one and a half feet) and features numerous removable panels and and a light up Matrix chamber with removable Matrix of Leadership! This beast of a toy is coming sometime in 2014 for a heart stopping 78,000 yen! That's about $800!
More: Art Storm Co., Ltd. / Gokin / News /
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20 comments postedLooks nice, but I would rather it was 1 foot tall and 400.00. Then I would consider buying it just to put next to my Mazinger DX. 1 1/2 feet tall is impressive but and awkward scale to me. Also not enough of a difference to replace my masterpiece for the price either.
Who the hell do they think will buy it for that price? That's twice the cost of the DX Chogokin Mazinger, and not as detailed. Plus, the fact that it doesn't transform will put off most Transformers collectors, and there's nowhere near as many Transformers collectors willing to fork down large amounts of cash for premium items as there are compared to Mazinger fans. I just don't get it.
"there's nowhere near as many Transformers collectors willing to fork down large amounts of cash for premium items"
(citation needed)
I really think ArtStorm/Fewture knows their market for premium diecast figures at this point. They've been selling those EX Gokin Getter Robo figures for years now, and those are $300-400 a pop. If they felt comfortable asking Getter Robo fans to pay a thousand dollars for a complete Getter team, and it's paid off for them, I'm sure they have some market research basis for the price and features of this figure.
I guess time will tell, but for me personally I bought DX Mazinger and am a big transformers collector who likes g1 Prime a lot, I have masterpiece prime and a vintage one, and I am not even considering this.
For $800 this thing SHOULD transform.
I can't even imagine anyone playing with this thing.
"Oh, whats that you got there?"
-"my $800 Optimus prime."
"You gonna play with it?"
-"nah, I'm just gonna display it in my Ikea deltof, maybe take it out every now and then to change its pose, look at it in the display case...maybe sell one day sell it."
"You gonna at least turn it into the truck?"
-"it can't do that. Only pose and pop these panels off. Has a little light-up matrix in the chest. Holds his gun. Has his ax."
"Well, that sounds boring. So you basically paid $800 for an oversized MP Prime transformer that doesn't transform."
-"Well, you...you can move his fingers and make him flip the bird."
"My $8 Marvel Legends Iron Man can flip the bird."
-"Mmh'Yeah..." :/
$800 Dollars is a lot of money and this is coming from a guy who is a hardcore G1 TF collector and has dropped that type of money on G1 misb Vintage items.
This will be hard to swallow even for some of the hardcores
But will still sell in small circles because it is OPTIMUS PRIME!! and a HUGE ROBOT!!
On the other hand if you gave me G1 MEGATRON!! I might be tempted.
It will sell.
Sell out in fact.
Its one world now and remember, there are a lot of people of wealth snd means who will buy it no problem, no question.
Go check ebay... just this month...
Neca 18" Gipsy Danger PRE orders.....North of $300 !!!!
Threea WWR stuff.... $2000 -$3000 !!!!
1999 Ultimate iron giant ( a 30$ toy back then) $488 !!!!!
Marvel select Iron man mk IV $200 !!!!
Hot toys anything.... $$$$$$$$ and rising.
You dont think 2ft of ultimate optimus greatness wont sell , it will in fact double in value in 2 years.
Again...theres a lot of money out there...
Weren't we in a recession?
The rest of the world is, but Japan is going through it's largest period of economic growth in a while after 20 years of stagnation. That said, it still doesn't justify THIS.
I am one of those weirdos that would buy a huge non transforming OPtimus Prime cause I dont always transform my stuff, I just like the way they look. I dont need to play with it. Maybe just pose it and leave it on display. However the price is very intimidating. If I had an extra $800 laying around I would jump on this. So if I would I am assuming there are hundreds if not thousands of people like me and who actually have the money to slap down
Sadly, I'm also very tempted. the price is a killer but this is by far the most popular Transformer around. Also, there's just something very right about the proportions of his body that seems right and done better than the Masterpiece version. I'll also add that i've been reading that it has lights sounds and can move the mouth plate when reciting lines from the show. the only question now is if they'll use Peter Cullen's voice for an English version.
I don't know whether or not this is good news for you, but it says that Peter Cullen is doing the voice. Also 20 lines of dialogue, 4 sound effects, and light up eyes. I don't see anything about a moving mouth, but it's really hard to read text that tiny, so it might be that I'm just missing it.
OMG this just went on sale at BBTS for 1200 $. talk about your exchange rate. Also yes, know Cullen is doing the voice is awesome news. But i wonder if he'll record those lines or if they'll just reuse his lines from the show, cuz u gotta admit he sounded way younger in his G1 days than he does now in the movies and new cartoons.
BBTS is ridiculous these days. They seem to think the exchange rate is the same as it was two years ago. You can't get away with charging that much of a mark-up these days.
My guess is that BBTS can only get it at retail, hence the markup. That, or I guess they are assuming that they will only get a few orders, so in order to make it worthwhile, they have to increase their standard markup. If you can sell a few hundred figmas, you can mark up the standard 30% but how many of these are going to sell? Ten? Twenty? To make sure those few fans are appeased, they might have to mark it up a bit more. Just my opinion though, I could be totally wrong.
BBTS must've got some sense knocked into them because i just received an email from them saying they lowered the price by 320$, from 1300 to 980.
I actually like the way his voices is deeper now, more commanding!
MY FACE!! ........O_O!!!! $1300 Sticker SHOCK!! BBTS
Ha ha ha ho! Oh, oh, that's priceless.
For that price it should be able to fetch me a beer and walk my dog.
Wish I could get this along with the awesome Megatron they revealed a few days ago.