Friday, June 27, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Gekiranger: A Failure?
Just came across this when I was browsing Wikipedia (Japanese):
As depicted, Geki-Merchandise failed to reach a 100 Billion Yen Target set, with only sales of 75 Billion Yen. Sales Target is actually based on the respective TV ratings, so it's not a comparison with previous years.
No wonder people on the forums were discussing along similar lines some time ago. Then, the "Evil Bandai Japan Marketing Executive" came about. So the entire story ended up in "Let's put an Engine Soul with every item, so that the kids have to buy everything to complete the Souls!"
Honestly, I didn't know that Gekiranger Merchandise fared so badly in terms of sales. Granted that TV ratings are dropping every year, toy sales somewhat are consistent.
Now come to think of it, the only popular items for Gekiranger are the Deluxe Mecha (except the 3 Auxiliary Elephant, Bat and Shark), the Sentai Hero Figures, and the GekiChangers. Weapons suffered the greatest losses, like GekiBazooka, Super GekiClaw and SaiBlade; play-ability is kinda limited due to the "Ki" and Martial Arts motif.
I am very excited about how well will Go-Onger do this time round, seeing how it has caused a hype in Japan and overseas. *Anticipating*
As depicted, Geki-Merchandise failed to reach a 100 Billion Yen Target set, with only sales of 75 Billion Yen. Sales Target is actually based on the respective TV ratings, so it's not a comparison with previous years.
No wonder people on the forums were discussing along similar lines some time ago. Then, the "Evil Bandai Japan Marketing Executive" came about. So the entire story ended up in "Let's put an Engine Soul with every item, so that the kids have to buy everything to complete the Souls!"
Honestly, I didn't know that Gekiranger Merchandise fared so badly in terms of sales. Granted that TV ratings are dropping every year, toy sales somewhat are consistent.
Now come to think of it, the only popular items for Gekiranger are the Deluxe Mecha (except the 3 Auxiliary Elephant, Bat and Shark), the Sentai Hero Figures, and the GekiChangers. Weapons suffered the greatest losses, like GekiBazooka, Super GekiClaw and SaiBlade; play-ability is kinda limited due to the "Ki" and Martial Arts motif.
I am very excited about how well will Go-Onger do this time round, seeing how it has caused a hype in Japan and overseas. *Anticipating*
Monday, May 12, 2008
The Overwhelming Success of Engine Sentai Go-Onger
Engine Sentai Go-Onger is fast becoming the most popular Super Sentai Series in recent years! Thanks to the awesome marketing strategy employed by Bandai Japan, toys are selling like hot cakes, with both kids and fans alike...
Opening/Ending Theme Single
It is the first Super Sentai Soundtrack to reach the Top 10 spot in the Japanese Oricon Chart (Singles) and stayed in Top 50 for several weeks. Quite a feat already!
Engine Soul Marketing Campaign
This is the most ridiculous collection to follow as consumers, but an excellent one for Bandai Japan. *More Money* There are like a million different types of Limited Edition Bonus Engine Souls, in addition to the regular ones which comes in many versions (Deluxe, Candy Toy and Gashapons) as well... In other words, you need to collect 3 different Engine Souls for Speedor alone!
Fans already spent big bucks buying useless (when I say useless, it's because these deluxe weapons are of the size fit for a 5-year old only) weapons just for the Engine Souls that comes with them.
China Square Central
CSC is severely low in stock for Go-Onger Toys; even Japanese Suppliers are out of stock themselves. For Ng's Collections, you can only expect to see some Go-Phones and Holders, and maybe one or two DX Birca; nothing else. All DX Engine-O, DX Gunpherd and Mantan Gun are sold out.
The Uncle told me that he had a hard time trying to get any stock from Japan, and hopes to source from Bandai Asia via Sheng Tai Toys this time. This is the reason why DX Carrigator is not even in Singapore yet, especially because of the Bonus G6 Engine Soul that comes with the limited first press.
Auxiliary Mecha
Last year with Gekiranger, Auxiliary Mecha piled up on shelves as they were less appealing. You can still get your DX GekiElephant, GekiBat, GekiShark, and GekiWolf which are plenty at CSC. Only DX GekiFire, and DX Saidaioh were popular and sold out quickly.
For Boukenger, DX GoGo Drill and Shovel were more popular than Mixer and Crane. DX DaiBouken, and DX DaiVoyager were the popular ones that sold out quickly.
For Go-Onger, it seems that everything is popular and sold out almost immediately... so I can't wait for the Go-Onger Auxiliary Mecha to reach clearance prices like Geki Auxiliary Mecha did, or else I will miss the chances to get them... *Engine Souls again*
As you can see, Go-Onger is really very successful in Japan despite the funny (non-conventional) designs that non-Japanese fans were skeptical of when first-hand images were leaked onto the Internet.
Opening/Ending Theme Single
It is the first Super Sentai Soundtrack to reach the Top 10 spot in the Japanese Oricon Chart (Singles) and stayed in Top 50 for several weeks. Quite a feat already!
Engine Soul Marketing Campaign
This is the most ridiculous collection to follow as consumers, but an excellent one for Bandai Japan. *More Money* There are like a million different types of Limited Edition Bonus Engine Souls, in addition to the regular ones which comes in many versions (Deluxe, Candy Toy and Gashapons) as well... In other words, you need to collect 3 different Engine Souls for Speedor alone!
Fans already spent big bucks buying useless (when I say useless, it's because these deluxe weapons are of the size fit for a 5-year old only) weapons just for the Engine Souls that comes with them.
China Square Central
CSC is severely low in stock for Go-Onger Toys; even Japanese Suppliers are out of stock themselves. For Ng's Collections, you can only expect to see some Go-Phones and Holders, and maybe one or two DX Birca; nothing else. All DX Engine-O, DX Gunpherd and Mantan Gun are sold out.
The Uncle told me that he had a hard time trying to get any stock from Japan, and hopes to source from Bandai Asia via Sheng Tai Toys this time. This is the reason why DX Carrigator is not even in Singapore yet, especially because of the Bonus G6 Engine Soul that comes with the limited first press.
Auxiliary Mecha
Last year with Gekiranger, Auxiliary Mecha piled up on shelves as they were less appealing. You can still get your DX GekiElephant, GekiBat, GekiShark, and GekiWolf which are plenty at CSC. Only DX GekiFire, and DX Saidaioh were popular and sold out quickly.
For Boukenger, DX GoGo Drill and Shovel were more popular than Mixer and Crane. DX DaiBouken, and DX DaiVoyager were the popular ones that sold out quickly.
For Go-Onger, it seems that everything is popular and sold out almost immediately... so I can't wait for the Go-Onger Auxiliary Mecha to reach clearance prices like Geki Auxiliary Mecha did, or else I will miss the chances to get them... *Engine Souls again*
As you can see, Go-Onger is really very successful in Japan despite the funny (non-conventional) designs that non-Japanese fans were skeptical of when first-hand images were leaked onto the Internet.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Obsessed?
LoL! I had a weird dream last night; that the subbed version of Gekiranger vs. Boukenger was out!
Granted I have watched the raw version and though I only understood about 30% or so... I wonder why I had this dream? Am I so looking forward to the day TV-Nihon releases it?
Granted I have watched the raw version and though I only understood about 30% or so... I wonder why I had this dream? Am I so looking forward to the day TV-Nihon releases it?
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Let's Go-On!
The first wave of candy toy for Engine Sentai Go-Onger has arrived! I spent S$15.00 on them without thinking; I must be crazy!
At first, I thought they are the key-chain versions similar to the previous series, but upon opening, I realised that they are just figures with transparent stands.
Well, Bandai Japan must be saving on costs, and replaced metal key-chains with plastic stands. In a way, it's good for display unless you really wanted a key-chain. Haha...
1 -> Go-On Red
2 -> Go-On Blue
3 -> Go-On Yellow
4 -> Go-On Green
5 -> Go-On Black
6 -> Engine-O
Hmm... Engine-O isn't as rare as last year's GekiTouja, but it is not that common either. I only saw like one each at different stores but I didn't buy it. LoL~
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Power Rangers for 2009?
It seems that Power Rangers will not be heading in the animated direction yet in 2009. Apparently, it was reported that the pilot failed Disney's expectations... and thus delayed for now.
At the same time, it was stated that Power Rangers will continue as a Live-Action Show for the year 2009. Adapting from Engine Sentai Go-Onger, the production isn't pleased about Talking Zords and will try ways to work around it. Currently, the working title of the series is Power Rangers R.P.M?! (Revolutions Per Minute?!)
(In case you do not know about the Animated Power Rangers news)
Here's some background information: Ron Wasserman (Singer for MMPR and PR S.P.D Themes) spoke to the fans about being contacted by Disney to do music for Animated Power Rangers some time back. Also, Disney has registered the domain www.animatedpowerrangers.com which redirects back to the Jetix Website.
At the same time, it was stated that Power Rangers will continue as a Live-Action Show for the year 2009. Adapting from Engine Sentai Go-Onger, the production isn't pleased about Talking Zords and will try ways to work around it. Currently, the working title of the series is Power Rangers R.P.M?! (Revolutions Per Minute?!)
(In case you do not know about the Animated Power Rangers news)
Here's some background information: Ron Wasserman (Singer for MMPR and PR S.P.D Themes) spoke to the fans about being contacted by Disney to do music for Animated Power Rangers some time back. Also, Disney has registered the domain www.animatedpowerrangers.com which redirects back to the Jetix Website.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Funny TV-Nihon...
Since they were spoiling us with the fast releases of the first 5 subbed episodes of Engine Sentai Go-Onger, I am surprised that they didn't continue at the expected rate.
Grand Prix 6 is like long due but I am not complaining. Hmm... It's just like Newton's 3rd Law. People expect things to be delivered the way they thought it has always been; kinda like the reaction force.
By the way, also looking forward to Jyuken Sentai Gekiranger vs. Boukenger (Subbed).
Grand Prix 6 is like long due but I am not complaining. Hmm... It's just like Newton's 3rd Law. People expect things to be delivered the way they thought it has always been; kinda like the reaction force.
By the way, also looking forward to Jyuken Sentai Gekiranger vs. Boukenger (Subbed).
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