It has been a while now since Megahouse announced the preorder schedule and the release info of this POP SA-Maximum LIMITED - Armored Franky (check the Jump Festa 2013 announcement), but up until now I still can't get over the fact that they made it ridiculously expensive and LIMITED. Being classified under Maximum means it's huge and expensive. Being classified under LIMITED means it's rare and expensive as well. And this POP, SA Franky has both.
Looking at the photos taken from the previously held events, I can understand that it has to be super expensive because of it's massive size and tons of option parts, not to mention that it looks so freaking awesome. But what is so frustrating is that it is classified as LIMITED. That's a really an irritating and ridiculous move for MegaHouse! This should've been a bonus for us who follows and buys every one of their POPs. They could have made it cheaper, not cheaper as to make it below POP standards, but with a fairly lower price and available as a regular, non limited edition release as a way of thanking their customers.
Limited Edition POPs means it is only available on certain online shops like Megatreashop and other affiliated stores. These are Japan only exclusives, meaning normally, these cannot be shipped outside Japan and there are no international versions available. Fair enough if you are staying in Japan but how about for us living outside Japan? There are some proxy buying services and third party re-sellers like Otacute, Big in Japan, and other online shops that usually sells limited editions POPs and ships outside Japan, but of course with a higher price tag. This means that on top of Franky's expensive price tag of 15,750 yen, these re-sellers would sell it with an even more expensive price. In fact, Big in Japan already offers it for 17,500 yen, not including the shipping charges yet.
What's the reason of it becoming LIMITED? Was it because Megahouse might not be able to provide enough units of this figure due to it's very high demand? Or they just wanted to use this as an opportunity to make lots of profit since they already knew that this figure is very highly anticipated? After all, this is a completist's dream, right?
There are earlier cases that even if a POP is labeled as LIMITED, an international release version was made available and it can be ordered on most hobby shops like Amiami, HLJ, Hobby Search, etc like a regular release. These POP releases are POP Neo-EX LIMITED Boa Hancock ver Blue and POP Neo-EX LIMITED Marshall D. Teach ver. 1.5. I don't know why these were classified as LIMITED if the essence of being a limited edition is lost. Looking at this case, there might be a possibility that this rule can be applied for SA Franky. I'm crossing my fingers for that but not holding my breath, since the recent LIMITED POP announced, Sadi-chan doesn't appear to have an international version available.
It's also understandable that Franky is so huge and it's POP would be expensive (being classified under Maximum). Lot's of fans would also love to see option parts for it's POP as seen on the manga/anime. But that will make it more expensive and not all collectors would want too many option parts. They should have separated these option parts from the main figure so that one can have a cheaper choice if they don't want those. Like for example releasing SA Franky alone with minimal option parts. Then provide a separate package for those option parts for fans who would love to have those. And then offer another fully complete package option (same as the current offer) with a discounted price for those who wanted it all. By doing this, customers would not hesitate getting it as they have some fairly justified purchase options.
I personally am not a huge fan of this too many option parts. Well it nice that it's there, but if it is the reason for it becoming so expensive, then I don't need those. I'm collecting static display figures, not some toys to play with. I'm very much fine with my Gundam model kits if I wanted lots of weapons and accessories for me to display on my shelf.
Many POP collectors like myself already got the first eight POP Sailing Again Straw Hat characters and find it incomplete without this POP SA Franky. It is so frustrating not to be able to get it and leave our collection incomplete without Franky. Yes, every collector would do anything just to get their hands on SA Franky, they are POP collector anyway and have some money to spare for this kind of collection, but it would be very painful in the pocket as it would take a huge chunk in their salary/savings for it.
Megatreashop will start accepting preorders for POP SA-Maximum LIMITED - Armored Franky on 15th February 2013, for 15,750 yen. About a month from now. Some third party re-sellers that ships outside Japan requires full payment for limited edition POPs (Big in Japan for example). And 15,750 is a very huge amount to give away only to wait until July to receive the merchandise. But whether we like it or not, this is how it is going to be released.
It is still one month from now but I wanted to give collectors an advice to start planning ahead on how they are going to get this now precious collectible item one month from now. Consider the price you are going to pay for, the store where you are going to preorder from, think about the shipping because it is going to be expensive due to it's size, the down payment, full or partial, and etc.
Find the nearest hobbyshop on your location and check if they are going to offer it and how much. If the price is reasonable enough considering the shipping cost if you are going to order from Japan, it may be a good idea to get it locally. Otherwise, if you're only option is to order from Japan via third party reseller or proxy buying services, you may need to prepare partial to full amount cause they might charge you as soon as you place your preorder. Also be ready for a huge shipping charges in this case. I'm not here to make you worry, I'm here to help you prepare and plan ahead or you'll end up paying too much or end up not getting Franky at all.
Whatever our plans are, and chances of getting it. Whatever problem and complaints we have about this release. I'm sure like me, most of you are excited and ready to get this POP, one way or another. We have been waiting for it's release for so long so I believe this is going to be an epic addition to every POP collection. I just hope that future post time-skip releases of POP Franky (like POP Edition-Z Franky if there would be any) will not be as massive and limited like this.
Update (2013-01-16): Good news, Animarket has confirmed that they will be offering preorders for this one, looks like it isn't totally LIMITED after all :)
Update (2013-02-05): Preorders for international versions has already surfaced from a lot on distributors today even though the official preorder date is still on 15th February 2013. So much for the LIMITED edition cause it's apparently not limited at all.
Below are the photos of POP SA-Maximum LIMITED - Armored Franky from the previous events.
No comments:
Post a Comment