Why are Eastern Collectibles better than Western Collectibles?

[Bardoon]

I wanted to open up a thread here that could lead to some interesting debates.

Why are Eastern collectibles (Japan, Hong Kong, etc.) typically better-made, designed and painted than Western ones (USA mostly)?

I already have some thoughts but I'll leave them till later.

DISCUSS!

 

[GrueSam]

The same reason that Toyotas and Hondas are better than Fords and Chevys???

 

[FQRizzo]

The collectibles from all of these companies are made in the East anyway. I would image that Eastern-based companies are closer to the factories and can better keep them in check.

 

[Captain Britain]

One reason that Hot Toys is better than Sideshow is that the incredible natural talent of Yulli and their other artists is complemented by a simple accident of geography - they are based in Hong Kong very close to the factory that produces their stuff and speak the same language (Cantonese) so they can tell them EXACTLY what they want and supervise the process more closely.

Compare this to western companies who can't speak the language and while they might pay frequent visits to the Orient just can't impress upon the factory the importance of doing exactly what they want - in several Hasbro q & a's Hasbro basically admits that sometimes the factory just goes off and does whatever the hell it wants, no matter what they say. I've heard of sculpts being sent to the orient, and then someone at the factory resculpting them! (this has happened in Character Options Doctor Who line, notably the Cyber-Controller).

The potential for F-ups when you're sending stuff to China is huge. HT just have to drive over and tell them what they want.

 

[EVILFACE]

The same reason that Toyotas and Hondas are better than Fords and Chevys???

No, not really. Well, somewhat. Ford still sucks.

 

[Morbo]

maybe it's the culture? Toys in the west are regarded as for children only, but in Japan, and I'm guessing China, toys are not seen as just for kids.
I don't know if this is true or not, but from what I have seen on tv even Japanese business men are buying 'toys'
I have to say that the figures I buy are 'collectibles' because if I say toys people make stupid jokes about it.
I wonder if HT would ever release a Yulli and JC Hong figures , so we can display 1/6th versions of them next to the fantastic figures they create?

 

[xenoviper]

Well..........ALL toys came from China factory so technically they all made from the east. LOL

It really depends how much $ you want to throw into it. This is how i look at it... you see guys from HT / Enterbay those guys prob live in HK so can visit the factory that produce their figures easily. So better quality control? (Whip those workers who produce crappy paint job until they get it right!) LOL

 

[Khev]

I haven't seen any Eastern collectibles that can match Sideshow's PF's.

 

[Bardoon]

maybe it's the culture? Toys in the west are regarded as for children only, but in Japan, and I'm guessing China, toys are not seen as just for kids.
I don't know if this is true or not, but from what I have seen on tv even Japanese business men are buying 'toys'
I have to say that the figures I buy are 'collectibles' because if I say toys people make stupid jokes about it.
I wonder if HT would ever release a Yulli and JC Hong figures , so we can display 1/6th versions of them next to the fantastic figures they create?

I have heard this as well...that collectibles over there is regarded more as an art form and is "more respected" by the adult community. While here it is a hobby and these businesses here run it with money much more in mind.

 

[creecher]

I have heard this as well...that collectibles over there is regarded more as an art form and is "more respected" by the adult community. While here it is a hobby and these businesses here run it with money much more in mind.

Ahem, I'm sure you've heard of Hot Toys. Masters of the milk. What about Medicom, where one hugely high price forgoes the need to milk any further.

I think that it's because it is thought of, as more of an art form, in the East, that they can command a higher price from the adult collector.

 

[wookster]

One reason that Hot Toys is better than Sideshow is that the incredible natural talent of Yulli and their other artists is complemented by a simple accident of geography - they are based in Hong Kong very close to the factory that produces their stuff and speak the same language (Cantonese) so they can tell them EXACTLY what they want and supervise the process more closely.
.

Its a good point and you're right about geography, but language still plays a big part, Yulli is actually from Korea, where as HT is HK based, so there is still a big language difference.

I think as has already been mentioned, the biggest reason is that scale model making is so much more respected in the East, it is an art form and is seen as such, over here it's still just 'doll collecting'. I don't know if culturally that will ever change... and lets face it, if it was more 'main stream' would we love it as much?

 

[wookielovin]

One thing TALENT. Also the hobby is bigger in the east... Also consider the UK and the talent pool. Kids in grade 10 are taught paint and art techinices that they would teach in collage here.

Also look at the amount of history they have They have musuems/churches etc full of reference.

Westerners have nothing to base art from. it SUCKKKKSSS... its not a fluke why there concentrated talent pool is east.

 

[The Ween]

The same reason that Toyotas and Hondas are better than Fords and Chevys???

We have a Honda plant in Ohio.

I think both are made in the US now.

 

[GrueSam]

We have a Honda plant in Ohio.

I think both are made in the US now.

Not for all models on the West Coast, at least.
I had to wait for my Rav4 to be delivered from Japan.

And even if from Ohio, they're still from Japanese designers in a Japanese company.

Sideshow items are produced and painted in China but I certainly don't consider them to be Eastern Collectibles.

 

[wookielovin]

We have a Honda plant in Ohio.

I think both are made in the US now.

Honda maybe manufacture here but the design is still japanese. Meaning the parts are still better, design is better and cars last longer.
example.

Honda will spend the money on a metal part in your engine.

GM/Chev/ford will make a plastic part (same part) as honda to save 0.24cents.. to find out later from the consumer it melted, in under 3 years.

Thats the issue they have right now handing over 24Billion when the gov knows the manufacture make crap cars...

Anyways i think SS is doing the right thing anyways talking to HT.

 

[The Mike]

I think the answer has already been laid here, it breaks down to the respect of the form. It is viewed as an art in the East where many art students and sculptors are competition with one another for positions with companies like HT. While we have amazing sculptors here, the action figure industry is looked at as a niche here, many art students in the US look at it as beneath them.....I know a few. Of course when they see an HT sculpt, Andy or Trevor sculpt they fully admit how great it is but act like its a "good for them" kind of reaction.

 

[mr.thrifty]

from what I see.. people in Asia have more of a focus. they work hard and play hard. and seem to do each with all they have. but I can only go off what I have seen on t.v. I've never been out of the US. they don't just seem to be someone who goes to work; they are their work. their religious background is mostly a Taost and Buddhist mind set. so that gives a very different outlook than us Westerners.

 

[galactiboy]

The collectibles from all of these companies are made in the East anyway. I would image that Eastern-based companies are closer to the factories and can better keep them in check.

I really think that's a major factor... easier communication and an ability to check in more frequently.

 

[fanboyz]

Talent is one thing. Another, people in the east value patience more. Developing artistic skill takes tremendous amount of time, practice and diligence. Sometime we forget to slow down and focus on quality instead we get distracted and try to finish something fast.

 

[Buttmunch]

Well..........ALL toys came from China factory so technically they all made from the east. LOL

It really depends how much $ you want to throw into it. This is how i look at it... you see guys from HT / Enterbay those guys prob live in HK so can visit the factory that produce their figures easily. So better quality control? (Whip those workers who produce crappy paint job until they get it right!) LOL

Which is why I've never understood why people think its OK for an 'imported' figure to cost more because it was from Hong Kong. EVERY figure is imported!