City of Amnesia

People from PCF's golden-era might remember (http://www.paradigm-city.com/forums/thread/11283-1.html) these beautiful treasures...

http://homepage3.nifty.com/studio-x/b_top.html

Well, according to a friend and some internet searching, I've just got a huge update for this!




To quote Big Finale back in 2005... "Fricking fricking fricking FRICKING YES!!" I was given the following link by a college friend tonight which made me jump for joy. "Max Factory" Big O, Big Duo, and Big Fau models might not be dead after all! (http://robotjapan.proboards12.com/index.cgi?board=SOC&action=print&thread=13299) The following picture really really makes me anxious for more information on whether or not these have actually been released in Japan or if they're slated for release soon.

(http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/4862/bigomaxxy1.jpg)

Japanese translation would be appreciated. >_>

I really hope that this actually goes through and becomes a reality, since judging from our PCF archive and a picture copyright these prototypes have been in production since 2005 or maybe even 2002. I'm taking this sudden news with a lot of salt, but I still an really excited that I might be able to get a Duo and Fau for my Big O model (which I won at PCF! XD)

These models would be from the same people that brought us the small 3 inch models of Big O, Dorothy1, The Griffon, etc. Did some more digging for just Big O models in general (hoping to get another lead) and I found this picture (http://www.monmouth.com/~hgreen/transformers/other/big-o.jpg) which has a Big Duo the same size as my 8 inch model. I can't recall Bandai ever releasing a Big Duo in the "Anime Collector" series. More searching is needed methinks... but I'm staying positive.

OH what thaaa!!... :o....I haven't seen that picture since the good ole days at PCF....hahaha....that really is a blast from the past..I went on a scavenger hunt across the internet and crazy Japanese sites to find out more about those models waaay back during Big O's appearance in America. That would be awesome to finally have a detailed models like the ones in those pics for xmas...

Dammit, now I want one so badly.  :(

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v617/BigMoney/dowant.jpg)

I would enjoy owning this/these.

AHHH HELL YES!  What GREAT news to recieve upon first entering this board!! Just a few months ago I  had been doing some deep digging through the Paradigm-City.com Forums and I found the MAX factory site.  Shortly after I saved all of the pictures the site was no longer working.  With this news, the link provided here, the site works again!!! This has to be a good sign.

So yeah with MaxFactory failing once again, there is now a surge of hope coming from-- BANDAI ITSELF!

(http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/1641/1237655467721.jpg)

The Tamashii Nation line apparently is one of Bandai's heavy hitters in the action figure world. Having a japanese student at my college translate it, we have just about confirmed that Big O is going to be in one of the production lines for 2009.
The following is some pictures of the prototype that was on exhibition when Bandai revealed the new model line up.  From the looks of things the hands if not the fingers themselves appear to be articulate, there are bay doors on the feet (woo Gryphon!), and it's very possible the neck's collar lifts up to reveal a cockpit.

(http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/5186/1237985643118.jpg)
(http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/2500/256360269536164.jpg)

Awesome!  8)

Well its about time!

That is just all sorts of fucking win right there!

The only figurine I would ever buy. It's tempting. The one in the opening picture was gorgeous.

We've got updates on the Bandai Soul of Chogokin Big O model!

(http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/images/products/out/large/BAN12198.jpg)

The piston moves, the hands articulate, looks like hip anchors...


The price for this wonderful model. Somewhere in the neighborhood of $150 (not including s&h).\
The downside? Looks like you'd have to paint it. :-\ (See below)

*edit*
According to the following website the release date is slated for 11/30/2009. Pre-Orders are all over the place. And from the same description, it looks like the released model will infact BE PAINTED. (Link: URL (http://www.toyslogic.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=9586))
Not sure how reliable the information is on whether or not it's painted... but this baby will be on the market.

Wait, its actually coming out? Like for real?

You're just joshing me right?

This is all just some elaborate scheme to shatter my hopes and dreams once more, right?

RIGHT!?!

No?

Oh.

Okay then.

*Preorder'd*

(http://i40.tinypic.com/b6pnaa.jpg)

Enough is enough... We officially have a colored production photo of BIG O - SOUL CHOGOKIN SERIES


SHOWTIME
(http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/259/bigou.jpg)

DO FUCKING WANT!!!

...that is all.

And... ordered (http://www.toyslogic.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=588_90_1628&products_id=9586)! along with the Nirvash Type Zero spec2 (http://www.toyslogic.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=588_589_92&products_id=8104). First time I've pre-ordered a figure with a deposit from that site.

Now for the five month wait.

Hobbylink japan has a slightly better deal (http://www.hlj.com/product/BAN956922) , but isn't allowing preorders yet.

Also: not sure how shipping stacks up between the two.

on a side note.... "It will feature slide action Strike Piles on both arms to recreate its Sudden Impact move". Strike Piles = Pistons?


Personally, I'm looking here (http://www.anime-export.com/u_productpage.php?section=default&Prodotti_id=5268). I think it's one of the better prices out there.

A dramatic BUMP of this thread is needed if only to bring the glorious news to the table once again... again.

(http://img576.imageshack.us/img576/998/bigosocpose1.png)

The Soul of Chougokin Big O model was a smashing success and reportedly sold out *everywhere*. There was a follow up expansion pack for the SoC Big O which featured O-Thunder arms/beams, hip anchor chains, alternate heads (1 re-sized and 1 w/o armor), and a mini Griffon car. That expansion pack is also sold out everywhere except for various Hong Kong "businesses" on eBay.

The SoC Big O sold for around $150 for the main figure which came with stand, working arm pistons (spring loaded/actuated), positionable hands and head, and missile party accessory. The limited edition expansion pack was about the same price. All parts are highly durable, joints have a superior degree of travel/motion compared to previous Big O models and the detail of the cockpit is exquisite.

~~~~~~

On the heels of the Soul of Chougokin release (roughly 2 years after the fact) MAX FACTORY apparently is finally pretty damn sure ALMOST 100% GOING TO HAPPEN release their Big O figure APRIL OF 2011. The model as shown by R.Smith on PCF back in 2005 and the front page of this very thread, is solid die-cast with embossed iron surface (as in it has the pitted cast-iron look Big O's plate armor should have) at an impressive 30cm and nearly 2 1/3 lbs. Reportedly being released with hip anchor chains and a mini Griffon car in the same box, it has shoulder cannons (but no missile party?) and working arm pistons similar to the SoC model. The price tag for the MAX Factory Big O is a whooping $460 not including shipping! OUCH!


There are two major "flaws" with the MAX Factory model that can be noticed before its official release. As noted before they haven't fixed the disproportionate end caps on the tops of the arm pistons making them look off-model. The second flaw is the sheer height of the finished model. The SoC Big O is the tallest Big O model on my shelf at 20.5 cm in height, which would mean the MAX Factory Big O will tower above every previous incarnation of the Big at nearly a foot in height. So posing this model next to already the only Big Duo model so far is impossible.


The only Big Duo... so far... and that's gonna change!


That's right! BIG DUO AND BIG FAU are also on the release schedule from MAX Factory as new images have cropped up of production models of Duo/Fau that weren't circulating in 2005/08. Along side this historical release of a truly accurate Big Duo and first-of-its-kind Big Fau, there will be a Figma model of R. Dorothy released as well. Pictures featuring a 2011 release date beside Duo and Fau bring hope that the fandom may finally have a presence in the mecha figure market. Will the difference in size, the never produced mechas (or limited in Duo's case), and "already in box" accessories make customers buy the MAX Factory figures despite being at triple the price of the Soul of Chougokin model? Or will the fandom have to wait for Bandai's SoC line to produce another Big O series mecha figure at a reasonable price?

Related Links:
http://www.hlj.com/product/MAX07007 (http://www.hlj.com/product/MAX07007)
http://www.figure.fm/post/en/23518/Max+Factory+BIG+FAU+BIG+DUO+figma+Dorothy.html (http://www.figure.fm/post/en/23518/Max+Factory+BIG+FAU+BIG+DUO+figma+Dorothy.html)

Is it just me or does it look like it has a bit of a smirk on its face?

nope. your right. it's smirking.
And hi, long time no see.

And bumps.

Figma, who ever the hell they are, is releasing a Dorothy action figure with a base and a mop. She's movable too.

Doesn't [adult swim] have a huge Big O statue in their lobby? So, "[almost] every previous incarnation."

I had the Chougokin pre-ordered. Really wish I hadn't had a cash flow issue right around then.

Yuko: Figmas are all about the doll joints.

With regards to the big o statue in williams street's offices I know they've shown pictures of it, it makes sense they'd have one considering oh right they're why season 2 existed

...Damn I'm having flashbacks to the old forum again. All explaining/defending williams street. I feel like I should get a custom rank referring to this..or alternatively, adult swim should hire me as a consultant (hey remember when the internet was screaming at you for that gag about mis-airing stripes? I went to bat for you. You responded by canning 12 oz mouse and giving tim and eric money. YOU OWE ME..also for getting family guy back on the air, but you owe the country reparations there)

Small progress report. I believe Big O is already out, and the Dorothy Figma has gone on sale.

http://tomopop.com/max-factory-s-big-fau-now-open-for-pre-order-18283.phtml

Big Fau is slated for July. Big Duo I think is June? I can't recall ATM, I will update this post later with more reliable information. Either way both Duo and Fau seem to be solid cast figures. No joints or posing with these two... and for the outlandish price that Max Factory wants to sell them for, I don't know if anyone can afford them.


Fun Fact: At Tekkoshocon a few weeks ago I discovered why Max Factory has been able to have a Big O line of action figures on hiatus for so long without giving up the license. It seems according to Episode 1 + 2's credits that Max Factory is the company that made the concept models for the animators back in 1999. Did not realize the connection until then.

would buy them all if not for the fact that it would take every penny in my bank account plus selling blood plasma, organs to get them.

wheres the Dorothy figure at?

Dorothy won't be out until June/July.

Here's a couple (http://www.hlj.com/product/MAX06185) links (http://www.toyslogic.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=18707&products_type=1).

Ill buy that. But not till the end of the month. Don't get paid till then.

I'm happy with my "vintage" "Big O Mini Figure Set A" w/the Griffon, Dorothy-1, Norman and Dorothy (on the same base), and Big O. It was something like 6 bucks at a comic shop, and I thought "What? No love for Big O?!?", and opened my wallet. "Big O Mini Figure Set B" is out there, and was around 10 at one time, but got rare & pricey quick. It has "Attack Mode" Big O (looks like 1/3 into "Final Stage" tranformation), Big Duo (Non-Inferno), Schwarzwald, and Roger Smith.

They're 3", articulation is nill, but they're still so cool. I've kept "Set A" in box since looking for "Set B" (Not to worry, I eventually let my characters out to play... ;D)

I just can't justify buying SoC stuff, and I justify lots of purchases. I once bought the original Transformer Jetfire (a mostly-metal SDF Macross Valkyrie), but that was $20 (store closing), and I haven't bought anything that big since (even my Transformer Devastator knock-off is shorter, and all-plastic). I have some plastic glue/paint models of a Valkyrie (better-than-Jetfire articulation!), Mospeada Cyclone & Alpha (released as new versions of Gobots Cy-Kill and Leader-1), and the small lion combiner Voltron - all shorter than Jetfire. Even if you totalled all the money spent on everything here, it's still probably not even close to SoC money. However, as it stands, I could probably (and really should) create awesome robot fight scenes.

I agree with you that the mini sets are awesome for such a (by comparison) simple plastic figure set. The Soul of Chougokin model... I'm not sure if it's still in production. But that price is NOTHING compared to the MaxFactory Big O price. Both my purchase of the SoC Big O and (if I had actually bought it) the expansion pack would have fit inside the Max Factory price with about another $100 to spare.

The only thing I'm considering right now is the Big Fau model. If I'm substantially pleased with it I may bleed myself and spend the money on Duo and (maaayyybbeee) Big O. For me, it's about having a complete set and supporting the franchise.... having Big Fau just makes it more awesome.

Has anyone seen these yet?

(http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/images/products/out/large/MF10229.jpg)

(http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/images/products/out/large/MF10233.jpg)

They are here: http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=2030&category=5677

And yes, it's Megadeus from the Paradigm City forums if anyone remembers me. :o

Megadeus... as in "Megadeus's Spoiler Clips" Megadeus???

Dude! Welcome back!  ;D It's evanASF27, now in moderator form.

Well now I have a third (or fourth) location to scout prices for the Max Factory figures.

Yeeeeeeeeap! It's me! Mr. "Spoiler" in the flesh. I bit more wise and a LOT older and more frail, BUT, my fingers can type!!!

Anyone else on here from the ol' PC?

Indeed! snakemarcato13 here, now Casval Daikun.

To my knowledge, at least 50% of those of us active are from the old PC...and moderators lol.

Welcome back!

They said I died but that was just to console the public, in reality I've become something greater...darker..more spiteful and powerful..a being who

I forget where I was going with that, nah I used to post on pcf too yeah

Well it seems HLJ has put a hold on their orders for Big Duo and Big Fau. They must have reached their pre-order limit. I'm gonna have to order it from another site then... I was hoping to at least wait until August to place an order. That might not be an option now. :-\

After having the release being pushed back by 3 months, it seems the entirety of the Max Factory Big O line is on the shelves. Including my own.

(http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/9760/scalemodels.jpg)

I only purchased Big Fau, and I'm rather glad it was just the one. The thing is MASSIVE, and its box is huge. I can only imagine how wide the Max Factory Big Duo stands with its enormous engines. In height order from smallest to largest: Kotobukiya Mini-Figure "Big O" (3 1/16"), Bandai Anime Collector series "Big O" (7 1/2"), Soul of Chogokin GX-48 "Big O" (8 3/8"), and Max Factory "Big Fau" (12 1/4").

The only joints on the model (which is quite light) are at the neck, shoulder, and femur/hips. They're a basic swivel on one plane... for the cost of one Soul of Chogokin Big O, it's only "alright". From a distance (on display) it's a great thing for the Big O fan to show off. Close up (modeling) the details could be better and more of them. It's definitely a "for show" model rather than something the traditional model collector would want in this day-and-age.

Let's put it this way: while I'm not completely disappointed in the purchase, I will sell it in a heartbeat if Soul of Chogokin announces Duo/Fau for 2012/13. With that said, the Max Factory 2011 Big O model (which is fully posable, includes all his accessories, and is triple the cost at US$400+) must be absolutely brilliant. It's probably the closest thing to the toy the show was originally meant to sell (it's big enough) but that price tag is so prohibitive it's not even funny.

Glad I decided to sign on today.

That Fau is quite impressive. Oh Gordon, must you always compensate?

It's interesting to see the details and decisions that went into each rendition of Big O. Sadly ironic how the tiny model has just about the same level of detail as the larger ones.

The GX-48 is quite a beauty. I enjoy the car-doors in the feet, and that sparkly luster is sexy. :3

Please provide a link if there are any pictures of this mythical Max Factory shiz you describe.

Many of the blogs that reviewed the Max "Gohkin" Big O have the same pictures, but here's HLJ's page for the item. http://www.hlj.com/product/MAX07007 (http://www.hlj.com/product/MAX07007) (Not-)Surprisingly, it says it's already discontinued!! The thing was released only the past August.

The sad thing is that Soul of Chogokin released a very limited special accessory pack for the GX-48 a month or so after it debuted. For the price of the figure (at the time $140~) you got O-Thunder (arms & plasma attack rings), hip anchor + chains, and extra heads (including "maskless" archetype head). That quickly sold out (I kick myself every day that I didn't invest in it) and they are now retailing on Ebay from questionable sellers at $400+.

Without a doubt the Soul of Chogokin model is the superior model in my opinion. In size, features, and cost it just is THE one model the Big O collector should have. I would love a side-by-side review/comparison of the Max Factory and SoC models... but not for an extra 400 bucks.

Big fau is huge.  :o im so getting the Big O model when I get a decent sized paycheck, which wont be long now I hope. Anyone else get both the figma Roger and Dorothy dolls btw? I did, well rogers in the mail but Dorothy got here.for Christmas. And I found out you have to exercise doll joints for figma dolls to be fully poseable. And found out the Dorothy doll has bloomers. All I can say to that is ... Why?

So if anyone wants me to do figma doll poses with Rigor and Dorothy say so and I'll post in the the fan works section.

Sure, why not?