Hey

why is everyone so concerened with how many of a toy were made?

I can understand if you want something not everyone else has, but this is obviously not mass market stuff, so everyone in the world will never have these items. So if it is already made in a small number, why is the exact number important?

This is something i don't understand why people care. This happens in record collecting to and I just don't get it. It doesn't change how good the music is or how good the toy design is.

let me know why you all care so much.

Well, for someone like me who's new to the world of Japanese vinyl, I have no idea how available some pieces are. I sometimes ask just so I have a better idea of how often a piece might be made available, and how much to offer for something.

Right now, my main target is a GID Ghostfighter... I see one up for sale on YJA, and it sounds like it's hard to find, so with the information I've gathered, it sounds like chances like this are few and far inbetween.

I don't particularly care for release numbers. It has never been a deciding thing in which colour or even if I should get a toy or not. I buy the colour/style I like and leave it at that. Sometimes it's the rare one, other times it's the most common.

You have a point though Ramos. Lately many a thread is popping up asking about how limited this and that is. All with the disclaimer - I don't care, but...

the exact number isnt really important, just fun.

when i called about the pink skull toys henshin suit i was asked if i wanted #1/69 or #6/69, so i just said #1. it wasnt really a big deal but when presented with the opportunity, why not go for it?

Yeah, I think there is a distinct difference between wanting to know exact numbers and whether a figure is limited/very limited/somewhat limited etc.

It is helpful to know the latter information when offering to purchase a piece (when someone is taking offers) or whether to pull the trigger on something that you see come up for sale. If you know it probably won't be up again w/in 6 months to a year, you may be willing to spend more...

Of course, after collecting a little while, you do learn aproximates, the story behind certain figures, and the desirability of some versus others...

I do love though how SB, RxH etc. don't care/don't release the exact numbers on anything.

oops, i misinterpreted the question.

my only interest in the number is for figuring out the odds of getting one and the potential price I'll have to pay to get one in the after-market.

I'd love it if all the runs were higher. Then I might actually have a chance of getting a GID ghostfighter or all black mad mantis.

Which kind of begs the question, why even make super small limited runs like the GID Ghostfighter? What is the purpose of making the ultra rare figures?

I agree COMPLETELY>

Ditto!

Damn, I hit submit, before I wrote anything...

Anyway,
I think as far as this current crop of Japanese producers are concerned, they just do as they feel. Produce this many of this and that many of that. No real rhime or reason. I really do think that these guys are working at it in an art kinda way. This maybe changing with all the popularity about their pieces now, but I get the feeling that the limited number isn't based on generating hype and high prices.
Don't forget that many of the pieces that we all want came out before these companies were the super popular gods they are now and maybe 25 (made up number!!) GID GF's wouldn't have looked like selling at one point?

Comparative value. Most of us buy these products in the after market and any information, like run size, helps to determine the value. For example, the red skull wing fetches the highest price but if we all new the numbers for every skull wing that might change. If I see a figure I want and I know it is 1 of 10, I just pay whatever it cost, if it is 1 of 200 I might wait for a better deal.

I think to some degree we want to hear a figure is limited so we can justify the crazy prices we pay for stuff.

I wonder why they don’t tell us the run numbers. If they are limited why not use that to help market the figures?

I agree with what your saying Knewnan, but I wonder if the production size really frenzies (word?) the "flipper" action at KR and so much of that drama?

Excuse me for using the word

What Knewnan said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i usually judge on availability, but as many of us know, the rug got pulled out from under us this (and the last) year.

i still am willing to pay more for something that is hard to get (regardless of run size)

I am just used to most toy companys doing it. It does give you a good idea of how many are out there and how hard they will be to find. Its just kinda fun. They do the same thing in poster runs, even my cards from Mark have a numbered edition on them.

I like to know them because I am an anal bastard and like to know as much info abou this badass toy that I bought wether it be limited to 1 or 2000 I just like to know!!!!!!!!!! I am also a big fan of liking to know who sculpted it, what factory made it (not that I really know anything about these factories), and all that kind of shit!!!!!!!

Exactly and this is the only reason I personally like #s but other than that i couldn't give a hoot..

Ditto on what Knewman said. It's in a collector's best interest to be informed.

I just like the little details and it makes for good conversation to be able to say there are only 12 of these in the world and I have 1.

hmm...I think it depends on how I got it, especially if it was a low number and I had to hunt around for a long time to get it. However, if it's something like the new Balzac figure on the Misfits Records site that I got in on the ground floor on...then the number doesn't mean much.

The number, naturally, is used more as a gauge on value -- if there's 12 in existence then the value would be higher than one that has 1200 in a run.

KW

Examples of companies that give production run info:

http://www.m1go.com/news/
http://www.charactics.com/new.html

Just look for numbers surrounded by "限定各" and "個", for example: 限定各100個

I think Secretbase don't tell us the number for that very reason. They want people to buy figures based on "love" for that figure alone, not for some reason like the fact it is a limited run or not. I totally see that point, however, we all know that the limited nature of the figures make them enticing as well, so of course it can't help but contribute to the marketing of that figure. I just think they are trying to minimize that contribution by not making numbers available.

Secretbase is very much about designing toys for the love of it, seeking opinions from peers, and only collaborating with friends or respected peers. Its one of the things (in my opinion) which makes SB so special.

I agree Mr. Muton.

Dude, even my RFSO shirts were numbered. I personally just like to know the numbers on things I collect. I only buy designs I like, but being limited is also important to me. Other wize I would just collect those little vinyl rabbits.

Some of us still collect some of them little vinyl rabbits...