Toynami Figurama - The Encore Edition

[on:]

New Toynami thread continuing from this discussion.

SculptBoy - Let us know how the meeting went with the execs! Hoping to see some Morbo or Robot Mafia hit the shelves in the future

[Reply #1 on:]

um, apparently ima hardcore, tho I would like a toynami mold of the glorious golden bender, it would kinda make the fans from the begining who shelled for the original toynami futurama action figure possibly mad. he goes for buku bucks now. same with the original fry and zoidberg(s).

my two cents on the whole 'kickstart' things, they already don't take my money. why would I want to give them money for a figure, they dont have until they get enough to make. if there was a way to make it official they'd have to be able to guarantee somethings in the works for me to give them money. im still waiting for morbo. years.

im, still, and always have been a fan of the headjar set. atleast six, maybe 10..if they did a head museum shelf pack. would need to do a Star trek crew, as that would automatically get trekies attention and probably sellout just because its Star trek. would think they could do those jars like accessories. fill the void.

this is just my opinion.

[Reply #2 on:]

Ah, heads in jars. Toynami ought to have included one with every figure. Not quite as sticky as a BAF, but might have enticed more people to buy borderline figures, especially if those came with cool character choices as heads in jars.

To make it even stickier, the rack for the heads in jars could have been a BAF. So you get one head per figure plus a piece of the rack. Oh well, water in the bridge, but yes if this line does have anymore life in it, would be nice to revisit the heads in jars.

I'd buy a set of them, as say a convention exclusive or something.

[Reply #3 on:]

Ah, Star Trek. I never understood why Toynami never did any Star Trek characters. Whether as heads in jars or a set of full-size figures from "Where No Fan Has Gone Before", it seemed like such an obvious moneymaker.

Licencing from the Star Trek side could be an issue. But after the success of Family Guy's Star Wars parody, out came bobbleheads that managed to straddle Family Guy and Star Wars licencing. So why not Futurama/Star Trek.

Where there's money to be made, there's often a will. If Toynami did a seven-figure set of Star Trek figures in the Futurama style as say an SDCC exclusive, it would sell out like nobody's business. C'mon, Futurama, Star Trek, ka-ching!

This is probably pie in the sky now, since Toynami seems disinclined to do one figure, let alone seven. Nevertheless, it would be sweet. Welshie!

[Reply #4 on:]

Well.. this thread is off to a rocky start.

Where the hell is Sculptboy when you need him?!?

[Reply #5 on:]

A different version of Zapp that I'm working on...
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VIy0V9GgRPtiXdiHVmov0dMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
the figure is about 6 inches tall

[Reply #6 on:]

Cool.  How tall is that figure?

[Reply #7 on:]

A different version of Zapp that I'm working on...
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VIy0V9GgRPtiXdiHVmov0dMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
the figure is about 6 inches tall

Very, very nice... I hope Toynami views this and makes one of him and Kif.

Or at least Sculptboy see's this.

[Reply #8 on:]

Very nice work craylauren! I like it a lot!

Ok so I got bad news on the Kickstarter thing.  Pretty much there are legal issues preventing us from doing something like this.  When it comes down to it for something like this we have to answer to a much higher power since we dont own the Futurama property.  But it was good to hear that they definitely want to produce these guys and they are definitely looking for options to get them out there.  Maybe a direct online store? I don't know, but i tried my best. I'm sorry guys...Please dont hate me!!!

[Reply #9 on:]

To quote the show: "Hopes... deleted."


Oh well... c'est la vie.

Thank You SB for all the updates and insights.

[Reply #10 on:]

More Bad news.. Looks like Talking Robort Devil is being pushed back till 2013..

This is the email i got from TFAW today:

Your pre-order for Futurama Talking Robot Devil, which was scheduled to be released on 2012-08-29, has been re-scheduled for release by our supplier.  The new release date will be 2013-04-03.



You can check your account status at any time by going to: http://www.tfaw.com/

Thank you for shopping with Things From Another World!
--TFAW Online

Web: http:\/\/www.tfaw.com/
Email: service@tfaw.com
Toll free: 1-800-862-0052
Toll call: 503-652-9701
Fax: 503-653-2473

[Reply #11 on:]

That's very bad news as well.

I assume all Tineez and other stuff will be pushed back as well.

I wish SB could have given us a heads up, but I doubt he's in the know when it comes to release dates.

[Reply #12 on:]

Ok, so no Kickstart.

But to quote Scultboy:- "But it was good to hear that they definitely want to produce these guys and they are definitely looking for options to get them out there."

Did everyone miss that? So it seems Toynami have not given up on releasing the figures we have been looking at for years!

All we need is a Play.com or Forbidden Planet to be the Kick Starter themselves. If they were to order a few thousand units of each figure from Lrrr who we first saw a long, long time ago to the more recent Flexo everyone wins?!?

We will have the figures we have been waiting for, Toynami will make a profit and the moulds  they made would no longer count as a loss.

The outlet would make a fortune too. No lose situation?

[Reply #13 on:]

True I don't know anything about release dates...

[Reply #14 on:]

That's too bad about the Kickstarter thing, but good to hear that Toynami hasn't entirely given up on the line yet. There's still a glimmer of hope it seems.

Otto, any sense whether Toynami would consider doing more Futurama convention exclusives? Seems like these have done well in the past.

It's one avenue for trickling these out while bringing in more cash per figure for Toynami. At this point, if that's what it takes to get them, I'd shell out more for Morbo and Lrr as convention exclusives.

[Reply #15 on:]

Good idea Jab...

Is it possible to charge a little more for Morbo and Lrrr and keep them exclusive to 1000 pieces each.. they wouldn't even have to be sdcc exclusives.. they could be online exclusives perhaps?

Like, maybe $50.00 bucks each... would that cover the production costs and make Toynami some cash??

[Reply #16 on:]

kinda like MAC did wig the swimsuit leela and chef bender.

still boggles my mind why they haven't a. did a pe ship, and b. a swimsuit leela. cloberella and the sh!ttly painted original series two leelas are kinda lame compaired to half naked leela.

[Reply #17 on:]

Thanks, SculptBoy for the inside info!
The fact that the company wants to release these figures is good news!

 If there was a robot mafia set (maaaybe with Flexo too??)plus Lrrr and Morbo released into stores at the same time, I think they'd help sell each other.  But that might be crazy.

 I for sure would sign up for like an online Futurama figure club from Toynami.  I'd guess not everyone would be excited about the next thing I'm going to write, but I wouldn't mind if they had four new figures a year, two brand new, two variants.  Obviously I'd prefer new figures as would we all, but to save on costs two variants would help.  Like Flexo would be simple and maybe a Fry with a different head sculpt, like a screaming head or something (although this would cost $ too).  Plus, they could release a Robot Devil figure, with a corrected paint scheme- yellow horns, a lighter red- maybe paint some angry eyes.  I, personally, wouldn't mind another Robot Devil figure.  Or update Roberto so his eyes and mouth are painted not stickers.  Some may have issue with a release of the BAFs being released whole, but if it could mean new figures, I'd be happy with it.  
 Maybe re-use parts from Nudar to make his pals, Fleb and Schlump?  
 I know MOTU re-use a lot of parts and that helps them with costs.

 A big problem would be finding enough people that would buy these.  We are all fans and passionate about the figures, but we're not a HUGE group of people.  If there were an exclusive line online I would probably sign up to buy two of each but that is FAR from enough needed!

[Reply #18 on:]

Hey sculptboy...

Try and snag those rare protos from the event and give them to me!

[Reply #19 on:]

Thanks for keeping us informed, SculptBoy. It's always unfortunate when some legal technicality blocks a project going into development.

I think what jabalong and MuchAdo hinted at would be a good idea (not for me, the consumer, but for the company as a whole). Put a higher price tag on Morbo and Lrrr and we'll still shell out the money to buy it. Just like what Kidrobot recently did with the Wooden Bender and Hypnotoad. Were they each worth $40? Hell no. But now I got a Hypnotoad figure on my shelf and that's all that matters

[Reply #20 on:]

as I'm sitting here watching bbs, a question arises. sculpt, if you could can you pop in the question: why not an encore zoidberg. yeah, the molds were lost. but if you look at it thru an economic standpoint...he's the highest selling figure on eBay and has been for along time. sure yall might have to cough up some but its going to sell.

just somethin on my mind.

I'd buy one, and I've got the original, and two exclusives. and an extra blue one. he's the best looking figure in my opinion. and I think, maybe others do, that if a mold were made, they'd rather buy a encore zoidberg than a re release of fry.

[Reply #21 on:]

Oh yeah!  Nacirema, I'm with you.  I'd buy one, probably two, more Zoidberg figures if re-made.  He's a great figure and others have specifically pointed him out in my collection, I'd like to buy other Futurama fans a Zoidberg figure.  If Zoidberg was remade and then released with another encore Bender?  Stores should eat that up!  I'd imagine those two on the shelf would help sell each other!

 Plus, doesn't Toynami have a few of the molds to make Zoidberg?  Like his head and arms or something?  Maybe I'm wrong, but In any case, creating mold pieces to make Zoidberg would be a GREAT idea!

[Reply #22 on:]

cant they make a new mold from a old Zoidberg figure?

[Reply #23 on:]

cant they make a new mold from a old Zoidberg figure?

They have most of the mold.

They are missing the hands and jacket according to SB.

Again, I would buy quite a few Zoidbergs if the encored him.
Hell, as many as eight or so... b/c there's so many people I know that would love him as a gift.

I agree though, If Toynami wants to keep cranking out core character encores of Zoidberg, Leela, and Zapp and Kif then this would be a good way to cash in on well known characters, that say.. casual fans would still want or those who missed them the first time out.

Just a thought.

But the Gender Bender two-pack and then Morbo and Lrr are probably what the future will bring, but... maybe not.. only time will tell.

[Reply #24 on:]

No more encores please... They're a waste of time. I already have the figures. Put the time and resources into producing the figures we don't have yet.

If they want to do another Zoidberg then at least make it a different looking one. Mexican Zoidberg or something.

[Reply #25 on:]

No more encores please... They're a waste of time. I already have the figures. Put the time and resources into producing the figures we don't have yet.

If they want to do another Zoidberg then at least make it a different looking one. Mexican Zoidberg or something.

If it's a chocie between Nothing At All or Encores.. I'm gonna have to go with Encores.

[Reply #26 on:]

^^ *like*

[Reply #27 on:]

why if you've already got the original?

[Reply #28 on:]

well not every one was fortunate enough to get a Zoidy back in the day. ill live with out over spending several hundreds of dollars to get one thru eBay. so you may have one, "good for you" (Christian Bale voice) but there are alot of us who dont. back the f off and give room to those who arent as "cool" as you.

[Reply #29 on:]

I bit the bullet and paid 125 for it through Amazon, to get that Robot Devil part (before I had a bay account). The blue zoidberg has been going down in price recently I noticed. The last 3 auctions I was following put it at $45-60. Just a few months ago it was selling for $100.

Also I just noticed I never stickied this thread, I shall do that now!

[Reply #30 on:]

I love the idea of the Toynami line not dead!!! Sad that I got the email of the delayed Talking Robot Devil. I just ordered another set of URL and Wooden Bender to support any possible new figures (I might try and paint them since they are a second set) Keep up the great work SculptBoy!!!

"let's boldly go where we've gone before!"

[Reply #31 on:]

Zoidbergs aren't that much. If you want one badly enough then you'd pay for it. Mine only cost about £20 and that was this year.

[Reply #32 on:]

Encores may equal bigger sales b/c of more core characters reaching a wider audience of sales.

More money from sales could mean more NEW figures in the future.

[Reply #33 on:]

They don't offer any new accessories with the encores, so they won't sell that well if most people who want them, have them.

Repaints by all means. Gold Bender, and the Universe 1 Amy, Professor and Hermes would all go much further than more encores. AND they'd be just as cheap to make. All the molds are made, it's literally just putting a different colour plastic into the molds.

[Reply #34 on:]

I am going to agree with Anvil here, if it was a choice between encores and repaints, repaints all the way. I only bought one encore and that was because I got an extra Nixon's head in a jar online and put it on Bender's body. Now all I need is the little blue car for his head and I'm set...idea courtesy of EvilPDA. Where is that guy?!?!

[Reply #35 on:]

I will admit I bought Bender 2.0. Although it isn't really considered an encore version is it?

It had different eyes and mouth, and just like futurefreak I mostly bought it for Nixon. Mostly.

[Reply #36 on:]

I think some of us are thinking in terms of COLLECTORS and some of us are thinking in terms of GENERAL PUBLIC.  
 As an example, if a Mexican Zoidberg was produced that would get collectors to buy, but would a non-collector pick him up?  Some, sure, but not as many that would pick up a standard more familiar looking Zoidberg.
 The purpose of the Encores, I think, are to make money off of familiar, popular characters while not spending money on new molds.  Encore Bender AND Bender 2.0 sold out pretty fast at my local TRU.  The third shipment of Bender 2.0 took a bit longer to sell out, but did within a couple months.
 
 I want to see new characters like everyone on these boards, but the market isn't screaming for a Clamps or Lrrr.  In the past when my friends saw my Futurama figures they don't point out or quote Calculon or think my variant of Bender as a Chef is awesome.  They mentioned Zoidberg and Bender.  Because those two are very popular characters.
 If you had 10 Blue Zoidbergs, would they sell in TRU better than 10 regular ones?  I don't think so, but I may be wrong.
 I totally understand why people WITH all the figures wouldn't want more of the same, but there is a slightly bigger picture than just ones personal collection.  I have all the main figures and a few exclusives and heck yeah I want to see new characters out but I understand why Toynami is releasing encore figures in hopes to raise profits.

[Reply #37 on:]

BBTS.com just got in the encores of Fry and Prof. Farnsworth.

And I just got my "order is being processed" e-mail.

Buy them and give them as gifts to new collectors, let's see if we can save this line from doom.

More revenue is more money to make new products in the future, and it shows that there is still interest in the line.

Won't you please help??

[Reply #38 on:]

I think some of us are thinking in terms of COLLECTORS and some of us are thinking in terms of GENERAL PUBLIC. 
 As an example, if a Mexican Zoidberg was produced that would get collectors to buy, but would a non-collector pick him up?  Some, sure, but not as many that would pick up a standard more familiar looking Zoidberg.
 The purpose of the Encores, I think, are to make money off of familiar, popular characters while not spending money on new molds.  Encore Bender AND Bender 2.0 sold out pretty fast at my local TRU.  The third shipment of Bender 2.0 took a bit longer to sell out, but did within a couple months.
 
 I want to see new characters like everyone on these boards, but the market isn't screaming for a Clamps or Lrrr.  In the past when my friends saw my Futurama figures they don't point out or quote Calculon or think my variant of Bender as a Chef is awesome.  They mentioned Zoidberg and Bender.  Because those two are very popular characters.
 If you had 10 Blue Zoidbergs, would they sell in TRU better than 10 regular ones?  I don't think so, but I may be wrong.
 I totally understand why people WITH all the figures wouldn't want more of the same, but there is a slightly bigger picture than just ones personal collection.  I have all the main figures and a few exclusives and heck yeah I want to see new characters out but I understand why Toynami is releasing encore figures in hopes to raise profits.

You're absolutely right. The collectors are the people who have stayed true to the line this whole time, but I forget that as a company they are thinking in terms of what is going to sell better as opposed to pleasing the longtime loyal fans. I just wish they could do both.

[Reply #39 on:]

I'm sure a member of the general public would be just as likely to buy a gold bender as they are a normal one.