Toynami Figurama: The Repaint Edition

[Reply #600 on:]

i just heard that Toynami is now doing 1/3 scale Star Wars figures. As both a SW & Futurama collector, this kinda ticks me off. There are already companies doing SW 1/6 scale, 1/4 scale, 1/2 scale, 1:1 scale, etc...
Leave the SW to other companies and take care of the properties you already have, dammit.
Dont make us start a million man Futurama figure march!

[Reply #601 on:]

the second I opened up my figures for display was the second I gave up all hope for toynami.

ima face it and realize it'll be a cold day in hell before I get the mafia..I really don't want to get just destructor, but I might have too seeing as toynamis ona hiatus and no words been spoke of the gender bender in quite sometime now. or anything other than the re-issue of an already re-issued fry and the second wave of farnsworths.

[Reply #602 on:]

How about we send them an official email as PEEL forum?

[Reply #603 on:]

   when i get round to it I'm gonna drop them a line

[Reply #604 on:]

Hey guys,

So I'm sure you noticed the lack of Lrrr, Morbo, Robo Mafia, Flexo, Destructor, and Gender Bender at SDCC.  As far as I know all of these have been cancelled due to poor sales.  Alot of Toynami's current liscences are loosing steam fast (ie. Robotech, Bleach, etc.) So I think that there maybe a big restructuring in the future.  I hate to say it but as it looks to me the 6" scale Futurama line is dead.  And its kind of funny because all the ones I listed above were ones that I wanted to do.  After URL, it was up to me to pick the characters and I feel like I did something wrong but I picked the ones I thought would add some diversity such as size differences.  Plus I always loved the mafia characters.  I dont know about the future of the plush or Tineez, but I'm definitely focusing on some other properties for Toynami right now.  

But anyways, did any of you make it to SDCC? I was at the booth alot and remember talking to some futurama fans and trying to answer their questions as well as I could with my knowledge.  I was just wondering if any of them were any of you guys?

And sorry again, I've pushed as hard as I can but sadly the money just isnt there.  Which sucks because that was my main job and now I'm working on much less desirable projects haha 

[Reply #605 on:]

Damn, really unfortunate to hear. Thanks for the info, SculptBoy.

Did the Toynami Destructor that sold online not do so well? It seemed to be selling out everywhere.

[Reply #606 on:]

Hey guys,
I hate to say it but as it looks to me the 6" scale Futurama line is dead.
And sorry again, I've pushed as hard as I can but sadly the money just isnt there.  Which sucks because that was my main job and now I'm working on much less desirable projects haha 

With at least two encores still coming out.. what are the odds of more encores (like Zoidberg) actually coming out.

Zoidberg would sell very well.

[Reply #607 on:]

So I'm sure you noticed the lack of Lrrr, Morbo, Robo Mafia, Flexo, Destructor, and Gender Bender at SDCC.  As far as I know all of these have been cancelled due to poor sales.  Alot of Toynami's current liscences are loosing steam fast (ie. Robotech, Bleach, etc.) So I think that there maybe a big restructuring in the future.  I hate to say it but as it looks to me the 6" scale Futurama line is dead.  And its kind of funny because all the ones I listed above were ones that I wanted to do.  After URL, it was up to me to pick the characters and I feel like I did something wrong but I picked the ones I thought would add some diversity such as size differences.  Plus I always loved the mafia characters.  I dont know about the future of the plush or Tineez, but I'm definitely focusing on some other properties for Toynami right now.   

Man, that sucks. The worst part is it is some of the best figures of the entire line that are being left in the wind. Don't Toynami realize that Morbo, Lrrr and the Robot Mafia are bound to be some of the most popular figures they've made, with cross-over appeal to general scifi and robot fans?

Same goes for a retail version of Destructor with Gender Bender. How can that not be a money maker? As soon as the convention version prices on the secondary market shot up and it's now selling for around $150. So "poor sales"? If Toynami pumped out more of those Destructors, packaged with the ever popular Bender, they'd sell like hot cakes surely.

The time to hold out hope is over, but if there's anything you can do to make the Toynami bosses see the light, that'd be great. You're our only hope Otto-Wan-Kenobi. 

[Reply #608 on:]

if the 6" scale Futurama line is dead, then my Futurama toy collecting days are at an end. at first i bought into the Tineez, but now I have no interest in them.

is it possible for Toynami to make a new mold off of an already existing Zoidberg figure, and re-release him?

[Reply #609 on:]

You know I'm not sure about the SDCC Destructor actually.  I know they sold some, but I saw a few pallets of them left in their warehouse still.  So thats easily a few hundred just sitting taking up space. 

As far as Zoidberg goes I know most of the molds still exist. Except for his outer jacket and hands.  The outer jacket being a more complicated mold with a core to get it hollow.  And more complicated means more expensive   I think they've just had the liscence too long and its just dragging along  with no momentum. So maybe if another company picked up the liscence we could see some of these characters.  It seems like Toynami is done with it to be honest.  But if another company picks it up, give me a shout out!! Haha

Jabalong - Yes I agree, those figures are the ones where I felt I was actually doing them justice.  So it's very sad to me too.  I don't even have a set for myself

Oh and also about the SW third scales, Toynami has a sister company called Cinemaquette. The latest release from them is Darth Vader. So its totally unrelated to and Toynami stuff.  Its pretty cool though, sculpted by Steve Wang and Daisuke Fukuda did all the machine modeling.  His helmet comes off and has a silicone head underneath.  His lightsaber also lights up and he talks with James Earl Jones' actual voice.  Its top notch. 

Thanks again guys and sorry again for all the bad news...

[Reply #610 on:]

Crap...   Do you know what they'll do with the destructors in their warehouse?

[Reply #611 on:]

Crap...   Do you know what they'll do with the destructors in their warehouse?

I'm not sure. The exclusives are always touchy as far as blowing them out one of the following years because we wouldn't want to make anyone of the collectors mad.  But I dont do anything with the sales so I have no idea.  I'm sorry I cant answer your question, but I would bet retailers will eventually get the remainder.  Just my opinion though...

[Reply #612 on:]

Thank you for all the knowledge and info. SculptBoy!

I'm sad... but I'm glad to know the truth.

I guess my final question is.. do you think Toynami will slowly cancel the all the other Futurama merch. in the next year or so and let the rights slowly slip away.

Oh, and will anymore Encores be released after Fry and Prof?

I hope another company picks up where Toynami left off.

The main line.. was the main appeal to me.

Although if they want to release more big talking figures of every character that will sell... put me down, b/c I want 'em.

I can't totally decide if I want to cancel my Tineez set 2 now... I only want Morbo anyway.

[Reply #613 on:]

I think after they release Talking Robot Devil they'll be done. Big Bad Toy Store's got him for pre-order now so hopefully we'll get him. Other than that it's a bummer to think it's basically done. Granted they've got rights to make all sorts of merch right now, so if that stuff keeps selling, then I'm sure they'll keep making it. Personally I wish the knitted hats they were making were knitted in the shape of the main characters' hairdos. It's not impossible and I'd kill for a Fry and Leela hat set like that. But as is, I might get one if I see 'em in person and think they're cute.

[Reply #614 on:]

Thanks, SculptBoy for all the info!!  As collectors and fans that knowledge is exactly what we like, so thank you for sharing.  It's much appreciated.

 Toynami made a bunch of nice Futurama figures but I always felt that they were timed poorly, like the fact that when Futurama hit the air waves again, no figures were on store shelves.  It would be excellent to see another company pick up the license.  To me, the best company would be NECA, but really Futurama seems more like a Mezco toyline.  If the Playmates Family Guy series had not been such a flop, I'd guess Playmates might be interested, but right now I would guess Mezco would be the most likely.  What do you guys think?

[Reply #615 on:]

Considering I'm only slightly more familiar with Neca than I am Mezco I need to do some research to truly say who'd be the best for a new Futurama line. Honestly I'd be happy with whoever got the license so long as the toys didn't feel cheap and had wonderful articulation (think JazzWares's Adventure Time line when I mean cheap crap BTW). Toynami has wonderfully weighted figures that feel great for the price (particularly the older figures) though they simply lack articulation which is a downside to me because I like moving figures around and posing them on occasion.

[Reply #616 on:]

That new Mezco EarthWorm Jim that they recently released (and I got last month) .. is fucking awesome!

NECA or MEZCO.... would be nice, but there could be others that would produce nice figures as well.

I guess... FUCK TOYNAMI!

I mean thanks for the figures and all... now get lost.

Let someone elses company with the proper funds and more factories make EVEN better toys now. But not only that.. they'll probably market and sell them better as well.

LOL.

[Reply #617 on:]

I never really liked Toynami's Futurama figures.

I remember last year when they held off the Talking Bender until the end of May! Really big disappointment.

The encore Bender/Fry figures I bought were poorly made. The hands broke off the fry after I tried putting that ray-gun in his hand for only the third time in a span of a week, The leg of the Encore Bender broke right off after I bent it to try and make a pose for only the second time. Now I'm not the type to "play" with these, but after that experience, I was super pissed with Toynami!

I was originally planning on making poses with these characters and putting them around my bedroom (next to the T.V, or PC monitor), to show my love for Futurama. But these figures are poorly made garbage.

I only like their Talking Bender figure. Battery has never ran out since I bought it (a year ago!), and I could make him do any stance at any time without the worry of breaking anything . I still have it to this day. I always keep em right beside the couch.

There's only one problem with this one. They used probably the most cheapest of painting for him because whenever your relatives sometimes put their nails on his hands or chest-thingy, it will peel the paint off really easily.

But overall, I am not a fan of Toynami. I wish a different company bought the rights.

[Reply #618 on:]

Playmates made some decent Simpsons figures back in the day (although I didnt care for the electronic part and lack of articulation). maybe they can pick up the Futurama line

[Reply #619 on:]

Playmates made some decent Simpsons figures back in the day (although I didnt care for the electronic part and lack of articulation). maybe they can pick up the Futurama line

No, not them.
Not to be rude... b/c you answered your own question... lack of articulation, and lack of sales due to gimmicks such as electronics and they ran out of popular charters after series 16 (although to give them credit the playsets were cool, they did many, many, figures and accurate location sets, and also the electronics were good.)

But...

Playmates only has four big active brands left according to the official site:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Build-A-Bear , Hearts For Hearts Girls , and Waterbabies.
I assume they make a few other things.

Playmates still has the rights to make many, many different things, (although some expire soon) yet they are doing nothing.

They look broke and out of money... as they realy only got the turtles left.

Mezco or NECA or Biffbangpow! or someone else.. really, any company that is good and has serious cash and talented sculpt artists.

I concur with solidsnake, a bunch of Toynami's toys always felt cheap to me.. and my Amy figure broke almost instantly.. both her hand and her gun/thing broke.

Excuse me.. I'm going to go cancel my Tineez Set 2 pre-order, Morbo ain't worth it.

Kidrobot is better anyway... and I haven't even gotten one yet.. I can just tell.

[Reply #620 on:]

Kidrobot is better anyway... and I haven't even gotten one yet.. I can just tell.

Having four for myself, they are sturdy, heavy little buggers and you can exchange their heads for some hilarity. They hold their accessories pretty well too. You'd do yourself a favor by picking some up blind boxed or off eBay.

As for Toynami toys breaking... I've never had issues with that as I'm overly cautious in moving pieces. However, that being said, my figures have been tumped over more times than I care to admit and they've not broken yet. Granted I have the original Fry and Leela from way, way back in 2007 or so when the line began so it may have something to do with sturdiness.  I just know for sure Fry cannot hold his holophoner like they picture... I HATE useless accessories!!! HAAAAAATTTEEEE THEEEEMMMMM. I have gotten him to hold his blaster in several fun ways though and I can get him balanced on one leg as if he's walking. I think it'd be awesome if some other company released super articulated figures that came with clear stands for some really good posing options.

[Reply #621 on:]

i think all of us should cancel the Tineez sets out of protest. yes, i cancelled mine long before we got the official word of the end of the Futurama line, but if they cant support the main line, then F the rest

[Reply #622 on:]

Well that sucks. But at least we got Destructor I suppose. It's still an awesome collection of Futurama characters. Too bad we never got Scruffy.

I blame Wooden Bender and URL.

[Reply #623 on:]

Kidrobot is better anyway... and I haven't even gotten one yet.. I can just tell.

Having four for myself, they are sturdy, heavy little buggers and you can exchange their heads for some hilarity. They hold their accessories pretty well too. You'd do yourself a favor by picking some up blind boxed or off eBay.

As for Toynami toys breaking... I've never had issues with that as I'm overly cautious in moving pieces. However, that being said, my figures have been tumped over more times than I care to admit and they've not broken yet. Granted I have the original Fry and Leela from way, way back in 2007 or so when the line began so it may have something to do with sturdiness.  I just know for sure Fry cannot hold his holophoner like they picture... I HATE useless accessories!!! HAAAAAATTTEEEE THEEEEMMMMM. I have gotten him to hold his blaster in several fun ways though and I can get him balanced on one leg as if he's walking. I think it'd be awesome if some other company released super articulated figures that came with clear stands for some really good posing options.

Yeah, I knew right from when I got them out of the box that I had to be careful. I didn't expect them to not be able to withstand such little force. So I'm personally ain't buying these unless I use them as collectibles. (I still have my Blue Zoidberg in storage, and i'm going to continue saving it until it's worth some big bucks!) . I might buy the Talking Robot Devil when it's released too, seeing how the Talking Bender was really good.

That would be great if another company made super articulated figures! That would be a must-buy! But sadly, we only got Toynami for right now. But I may consider getting the Kidrobot figures for around the house. Still not sure though.

[Reply #624 on:]

If another company took over and made the figures fit in then why not. But I wouldn't spend out on another companys collection.

[Reply #625 on:]

I think my spending money on a new line by a new company would highly depend on articulation and characters we've never gotten before. I may get a new set of the main three, but I'd skip variants. Retro style action figures are the hot item these days I think. Why not make Futurama characters in that style so we can get sweet cloth clothes and boxes that fold out into parts of the PE building? Maybe I'm alone in wanting that though.

@SolidSnake: I too am considering Talking Robot Devil for my collection. As you said, Talking Bender is a great collectible. I've got one sitting next to my TV out of the box so I can rudely play his voice over lousy shows. You also touched base with the main issue of Talking Bender: the paint app. Mine's not too terribly sloppy but it could be improved. If I knew how the heck to paint models in a smooth fashion, I'd give him a makeover.

[Reply #626 on:]

Everyone cancel their Tineez and buy the Talking Robot Devil.

Then e-mail the president (of Toynami) and tell him what the fans really want!

[Reply #627 on:]

If I knew how the heck to paint models in a smooth fashion, I'd give him a makeover.

Same here. I was thinking about getting a tiny little paint-container or something from Home Depot and then have a friend paint over the chest-plate area (it looks pretty bad there  ).

@MuchAdo That's what everybody should be doing!

[Reply #628 on:]

I'm so cool I never pre-ordered the Tineez.   So in that sense I'm already sending my message.

[Reply #629 on:]

Everyone cancel their Tineez and buy the Talking Robot Devil.

Then e-mail the president (of Toynami) and tell him what the fans really want!

Personally, I think people who are upset about the fate of the main line should cancel all their other Toynami Futurama orders (including Talking Robot Devil) and to email Toynami's president explaining why.

Line's all come to an end eventually and this one's had a good run. But what leaves a bad taste in my mouth for me here is that great figures like Morbo, Lrrr and the Robot Mafia got derailed at the end by Toynami veering off into other stuff (plushes, tineez, talking figures).

If it weren't for this other crap, we'd have gotten these remaining regular line figures presumably, but instead they took a backseat only to have the car run out of gas. So to my mind giving Toynami money for these other Futurama products is basically saying that you're okay with their decision to sideline the main line in favour of these.

I'm not suggesting people boycott Toynami and I'm grateful to them for putting out a great line, which itself was rescued from the dying embers of Moore/MAC. I'd buy their products again, but just not the Futurama ones that to my mind are responsible for killing off the main line.

[Reply #630 on:]

Does anyone else have concern that the line being cancelled doesn't bode well for the show being renewed?

If a toy line get's cancelled it's due to lack of interest in merchandise. That reflects interest in the show. It may be bad news.

[Reply #631 on:]

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if that happened, at this point.

[Reply #632 on:]

Everyone cancel their Tineez and buy the Talking Robot Devil.

Then e-mail the president (of Toynami) and tell him what the fans really want!

Personally, I think people who are upset about the fate of the main line should cancel all their other Toynami Futurama orders (including Talking Robot Devil) and to email Toynami's president explaining why.

Line's all come to an end eventually and this one's had a good run. But what leaves a bad taste in my mouth for me here is that great figures like Morbo, Lrrr and the Robot Mafia got derailed at the end by Toynami veering off into other stuff (plushes, tineez, talking figures).

If it weren't for this other crap, we'd have gotten these remaining regular line figures presumably, but instead they took a backseat only to have the car run out of gas. So to my mind giving Toynami money for these other Futurama products is basically saying that you're okay with their decision to sideline the main line in favour of these.

I'm not suggesting people boycott Toynami and I'm grateful to them for putting out a great line, which itself was rescued from the dying embers of Moore/MAC. I'd buy their products again, but just not the Futurama ones that to my mind are responsible for killing off the main line.

I agree.. but I want Robot Devil enough.. I can't force myself to cancel it.

Plus it's not like the Tineez or Plush or Hats... there's only one Bender and now one Robot Devil in that whole line.

To me they are part of the mainline (a bigger sized continuation) b/c the figures are big, accurate, talk, and look great standing next to the main line.

Everything else is so stylized... It merely represents the characters... but are not very accurate.

When did Fry ever have hearts for eyes, when did Nibbler look so anime, and has Morbo ever looked so damn cutesy? Give me a break.

Those Tineez and plush looked pretty f'd up to me.

In my mind it's the Tineez (best selling Futurama product at BBTS right now) and plush (also selling pretty darn good) that killed the REAL line as well.

Keep in mind, Tineez are truly in fact selling the best from what I've seen... which I can't believe.. oh, wait.
Yes I can... b/c people are dumb.. so they like dumb shit.

Fuck Tineez... unless;

I think had the Tineez only been made to represent an specific episode per Tineez figure (and they release one figure for each episode) they would have been much more fun.

Something like bee Bender and blue Zoidberg.

I'd like the Tineez if they had say; raving rabid mating season Zoidberg, coffee jacked Fry, Slurms MacKenzie, green jacket Leela, the entire crew "Teenage Mutant Leela's Hurdles" style, Seymour,  Fnog, Super King, noseless Fry, Clamps, Scruffy w/washbucket, tuxedo holophoner Fry, yeti Professor, Ben, Sewer Mutants, Slurm Queen, Hedonismbot, "Six Million Dollar Mon" Hermes, Sneator Travers, Langdon "Baghead" Cobb w/Mushroom ego,  Nudar and his cronies, Cloned Headless body of Agnew, URL, Smitty, Lrrr, Mom, Donbot, Joey, Morris, Munda, Nixon, The Waterfall family, The Wongs, and of course the nine million different costumes and various forms of Bender!

I could go on and on and on and on.

[Reply #633 on:]

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if that happened, at this point.

Nor would I. Honestly, while I love Futurama, I feel like FOX's retraints on the show made it great and made it really shine back in its older days. Without so much restraint the show has gotten into a groove where they can blatantly spell out jokes, which makes it as average as any other animated comedy on TV today. I daresay the show's taken a turn for the Family Guy-styled route in some regards. But I digress.

MuchAdo has touched base once again as well as jabalong. Tineez are atrociously designed, as are the rest of the Toynami expanded lines.

[Reply #634 on:]

Ya know, there's still no real reason they can't release Morbo and Lrrr (and others) under the banner of being a new "Vinyl" line.. and charge accordingly.

Toynami = morons if they don't at least try.


Toynami.. a Morbo toy would sell very well; he's quite popular with casual fans as well... I could see buying several and giving them as gifts.

[Reply #635 on:]

I can't find a reasonably priced Leela ANYWHERE. Except for ebay. But Canadian shipping there is HORRIBLE.

[Reply #636 on:]

i love how y'all still keep up hope.

i'd love to know how y'all do it, because i gave up on toynami.

i've faced it, i'll never get a morbo or lurr...even tho they've been flaunting them around for years now. the robot mafia would have been the crown jewel in the collection, alas, toynami has better things to waste it's time and money on. makes me kinda sad that toynami has no customer support what so ever, i mean do we have to mail flour to them to get their attention?

[Reply #637 on:]

You know what? I think they should make a line with Mezco. I mean, Family Guy did it and they made tons of figures, which are even available where I live!

[Reply #638 on:]

I think we all need to say a massive THANK YOU to SculptBoy.

Toynami are so pathetic that if it was not for him we would not know anything about the future of the line.

Not only has he made the majority of the figures but he has been the only person to shed any light on the goings on.

So thanks Toynami. For a company which has been going for over 12 years you obviously have not learned a thing about customer service. Probably why this line has failed.

Thanks again Otto, not for making the figures this time but for being the only person connected to the company to keep us informed even though someone else is probably paid to do so.

[Reply #639 on:]

I think you summed up our feelings nicely, beer.

@pumpkinpie: I wouldn't be against it. Their Thundercats line looks pretty spliffy. Earthworm Jim ain't bad either.