Takara Tomy Hot Rod VS Fanstoys Hoodlum

[@kangta13]

Dude you can't beat a blind test with the wife and kids.., that was awesome, Fans Toys!!!

[@peterduprey7286]

Who other than myself thinks we are in need of a new MP Rodimus Prime?

[@joshuasizemore9143]

Same here dude. Dx9's is ok but I really want a more cartoon/movie looking one that holds up better than takara's. It's kind of surprising we never had another third party take a masterpiece shot at it.

[@denistkachenko8305]

Yes, I agree we need it badly since there are already awesome options for pretty much all the main characters. Takara should up their game in general in the '86 movie characters department.

[@christianc.christian5025]

@manofsteel33 I actually really like the look of the MP Rodimus, but I want one that fully transforms into the Space Winnebago like DX-9's... And doesn't have those dumb hands, panelly legs and chest, etc. And they could REALLY do away with that dumb, old man face.

[@pandamant666]

Yes!!! Someone needs to make a G1 accurate rodimus prime so I can complete my season 3 line

[@MagnusLootCrate]

I just got Hoodlum myself and I already had Takara's Hot Rod. I transformed both keeping a tally of how much swearing was involved. They both came out equal so I'm keeping Hoodlum as my Hot Rod.

[@jamescollinge5043]

I actually prefer the lesser presence of the Takara - in my personal opinion, it's fundamental to Hot Rod's character that he looks like a runt among the 1986 Autobots.

[@christianc.christian5025]

But did he though? I felt like he was slightly taller than Kup and Blurr but shorter than Springer before his emergence. I love the scale of the Seasons 1 & 2 carbots, but think that most of the TFTM cars like Kup and Hot Rod should've been on scale with maybe Ironhide. This is all based on absolutely nothing except my impressions.

[@jetx2599]

He wasn’t a runt though he was above average. Slightly taller than most car bots like jazz

[@texasbeast239]

The G1 Tech Spec called Hot Rod "impulsive" and "hotheaded". And also, "He's a typical adolescent who dreams of being heroic and important." He was the new Autobot youngster for G1 Wave 3, likely being intended to take the torch from Bumblebee. Judd Nelson voiced him as a striving young man, rather than as an established heroic archetype. So I totally see his toy as being more appropriate as a slightly smaller bot. Rodimus Prime is the one who needed to have all the macho proportions and gravitas.

[@leepicciotto]

I hated the takara version when I first got it but every time I would walk by it I picked it up, posed it, transformed it, etc. that went on for a long time and I still like to handle it after all this time so I've come to accept that I actually love it. The best hot rod is the rodimus prime overstock/possible ko that showed up a couple of years ago that looks exactly the same as the new re-release but has even more improvements. If takara just downscaled their rodimus figure there's no competition, it would make the perfect hot rod. Fans toys had an opportunity here that they missed by a mile. That's not saying hoodlum isn't good, it's just not enough of an improvement(if at all) over hot rod to make a statement.

[@vinceyang75]

i like my takara just fine

[@MrUniq]

Surprisingly closer than I expected but your comparison makes total sense.

[@roguewar7153]

Now THAT was a comparison video! Been very anxiously waiting for this sit down Saturday (well, all of them) to hear your take on these guys. Very complete and fair, although i can't unsee that cardboard shirt, lol. Great way to start the weekend, thanks for making this man!

[@dannyvestal299]

True that roguewar!!!

[@echotransformer]

Bobby this was thorough, efficient and clear. Blown away by this comparo, hope too see more hats off to you!

[@Superdimensional]

My wife heard me watching this and asked “let me see, what they are comparing?” So I showed her...She wanted to play too lol.... for the record she said “I like the one on the right” (Fanstoys) and then she said “is that other one, like an old one from 1980’s” 😆😆😆 wow 😮

[@Tony_SZ97]

Man, I love your videos so much! I'm a father of a 5 year old boy, I'm building a transformer collection for when he gets older. I was a child when the original toys came out so these many years later and with so many different options and versions available your videos are a great way to safe time and money and make an inform decision when it comes to buy the best model. Agree with you on the fact that what might be important for someone may be different for another person, though (maybe cause I'm an adult too) I pretty much share the same criteria as yours, Great Job, Thank You!

[@charlesmckey5969]

FT for robot mode confirmed. Maybe someday if i had the room, i'd get the takara for vehicle mode, but that's a big maybe. Thanks for this Bobby.

[@babymoose69]

The point Fantoys won me over was at 13:46 With the group photo. That is what I'm looking for so thanks for that. I may have to go in on the Blurr now just to keep it at that standard. Thanks Bobby you emptied my pocket again.

[@theSonicguy001]

babymoose dude, I may need to sell a liver, cause I have to get ALL of them (plus Perceptor, Blaster and Wreck-Gar)

[@joyoon]

@@theSonicguy001 I'd get wreckgar and blaster soon since they're still in stock. Kfc may do a metallic paint wreckgar though later.

[@shanerobinson3455]

Sonicguy001 I'm waiting on the FT Trailbreaker

[@Matunahelper]

I know this took you a lot of work and hours putting together, but I honestly loved this video! It was very fair and thorough. I also agree 100% about your comment of Fanstoys barely edging them out when they could have stomped Takara in the ground, making more of a name for themselves and showing the community that just because there’s a Takara version, doesn’t mean it’s the final end all, be all version of the character. Thanks for doing this video. I hope more stuff like this is in the pipeline.

[@alphaprime8880]

I totally agree with you that Fanstoys missed a big opportunity to blow Takara out of the park, a few changes in the articulation, transformation and alt mode and they could have really put the pressure on Takara and really competed with Takara in future releases but for me I got both and will display the Takara in car mode and the Fanstoys in Robot mode. Thank you so much for all the time and effort you put in to thoroughly compare these two bots, I really appreciate it

[@therealcybertronwarriors]

Man, I absolutely hated the Takara Tomy Hot Rod. Until that is, I played with Hoodlum. Now I really respect and love the official version. Was SO ready to sell it. 😂 Oh well. But happy to see everyone is happy with an option out there.

[@jifdog]

Definitely going with the Fanstoys. Well done

[@TomsToys]

Thanks for the discussion. I can see and agree with you on a lot, if I didn't already own Takara this would of probably edged fanstoys in for me. Thanks for an enjoyable show.

[@MisaelCastilloBrenes]

Awesome work. I liked the detailed comparison. I hope you do more similar videos in the future. Outstanding job.

[@astartespete]

Great watch and very much echoes my own thoughts. After putting the mp on my desk I've actually appreciated it more since the swap out, it's definitely more fun and the alt mode is still great. But FT has the sculpt and size and in the end the outweighs the mps charms. Plus my mp has the weakest ankles of any bot i have and can barely stand.

[@beeezyfresh]

from 18:30 to about 19:00, Cam'ron's "What Mean the World to You" started playing in my head.

[@artemisjones2121]

😂😂😂

[@kup98ss49]

I have both. I keep Hoodlum in robot mode and HotRod in car mode. HotRod is more fun to transform and play with. Also, I weighed them and HotRod weighs 4.6oz while Hoodlum weighs 10.4oz. If I could choose only one, I would choose Hoodlum. I only wish hoodlum came with more faces and had more shoulder movement.

[@spot138]

Tough choice. FT's looks great but I don't think it looks better enough for me to want to upgrade. GREAT review - I like this vs. format a lot - keep these coming Skullface!!!

[@neves78702]

The questions you are asking are the same i unveiled on a podcast a few yrs back and it got me seriously blacklisted from the 3rd party world. Like not a single word after the podcast and i helped start many of the first 3rd party companies like Dr. Wu. Good luck brotherman :)

[@fordfocusonme]

It's so close as this video shows that to me it doesn't matter which one you pick. Both are fine.

[@brantlisk786]

Nailed it! Perfect review. I’m surprised you didn’t mention the unsightly black screws on the Takara’s forearms. I can’t unsee it.

[@JasonSawyer]

I'm a Hot Rod/Rodimus fan, so it's one character I have no problem having two versions of - Takara will go into alt mode, and FT stays in bot mode on my shelf. I think FT stuck too close to the design they had years ago and didn't take the chance to say "ok, if we're doing this, let's REALLY nail it!" Cost of business I suppose. *shrug*

[@tfronczek]

Very thorough and even handed comparison. I would suggest that in your QC issue score, you missed a couple knocks on MP-28. You were up front about only speaking as to issues on your copy of the figure, but there were two or three well known issues with the Takara that probably should have factored in. First and worst, is the common chrome dissolving in thin air complaint. Between myself and my two kids, we've owned three copies of MP-28 and the pipes turned partially orange on all of them, despite infrequent, light and careful handling on all 3. Second, the flip out visor tends to break. It did on two of our three copies, despite careful handling and the fact that the visor was only deployed 4-5 times tops on each before snappingThe only reason it didn't happen with the third is because I sold it off first. Third, is the fact that it's very difficult to get all four of MP-28's wheels on the ground in alt mode. Much harder than MP-09, on which it was an issue, and TT actually executed this worse the 2nd time around with MP-28. I have no dog in this fight, I have Hoodlum coming today and two MP-28s in the house. Your comparison was very fair and comprehensive, I just think the common QC issues with MP-28 should have been factored in as well.

[@schlitzy-1031]

My patience has finally paid off. I didn't buy the Takara because I like the FT sculpt better. That was a long wait. Great review/comparison.

[@LifewithBrock]

Best comparison video. Thank you.

[@flameconvoy7424]

You sound almost nervous to ask your wife compared to your kids I love it

[@StryderWolfe]

The Skullface family has unanimously spoken! Love hearing from the wife and kids...adorable! :) As for the figures...I don't really care cause I'm a pre-movie guy, but agree it would have been nice for FT to REALLY decisively beat Takara rather than just barely edge them out. Especially since Takara's Hot Rod is one of their weaker figures (at least IMO). Bit of a missed opportunity, the limited head articulation in particular is troubling since there is simply no reason for it to be that way. Hopefully FansToys can get back to their A-game if they are tackling combiners next!

[@MagnusLootCrate]

At least this gives me an idea of what to expect if I decide to swap out my Hot Rod.

[@gunslin33able]

Great review Bobby both look good but fantoys look better in the mp collection thanks again Bobby...

[@Giancarlo81]

Thank again Bobby! I agree with you on all points and ironically care for the same things you do, oddly enough on many things. I personalky will use Hoodlum in bot mode as Hot Rod (of course), Carry in bot mode as Rodimus, and the Takara will most likely be in Vehicle mode which I think is its best look in a section as an homage to Hot Rod/Rodimus or just as a alternate mode look next to Hoodlum as an alternative.

[@NerdyTransformed]

Transformation is a major element for me, so I'd have to go with the Takara

[@AlexReynard]

I'm going for Hoodlum. The robot is exactly what I've wanted for a while now, and to me, the alt mode looks like a _car._ The accuracy of the sleeker TT car is fine, but something about FT's car just appeals to me. It looks more like a hot rod, I guess.

[@jamesburr25]

Well articulated Bobby, I have Hoodlum, I have QC issues mainly the pain5 chip on the front hood in car mode and my left lower leg/chin came broken out of the box which hopefully they’ll deal with adrift Chinese New Year

[@WarBuilder5426]

The big thing for me is that the Fans Toys one comes off as the more serious one of the two, mostly due to the accessories. I'll admit that I do get a kick out of the more comedic stuff like the fishing pole, the banana crate for one of the Primals, the Kremzeek and the horror masks. It helps the figures keep a foot in their roots, these are still toys based on a cartoon meant to sell toys after all.

[@aionagustin2550]

Great comparison review Bobby! I really like the size of the FT. But surprisingly, i think im sticking with Takara on this one.

[@7tgm23]

Great vid! Very thorough and lots of effort. Only thing I would add is the wrist cuffs on FTs interfere with holding weapons to a greater degree and MP

[@ssjMaximum22Goku]

Great comparison, these videos are super helpful. Just opened FT Hoodlum, and, transformation aside, it blows the Takara out of the water in sculpt alone. The mold of Hoodlum (other than a couple of minor nitpicks) is the closest thing that we have to a true representation of an accurate Hot Rod. The proportions of his body (especially the chest and legs) are spot on to the animation model. Most of us are just going to display him in a cool pose in robot mode anyways, so I think FT is the way to go on this one. The only thing he needs is an Autobot logo on his chest (those water slide decals should do the trick). *Another interesting thing I noticed about Hoodlum is that his paint and plastic appear to look a lot different depending on the lighting. When under normal bulbs (yellowish halogens) the colors appear warmer (reds are more maroon, yellows are more golden, and oranges are deeper). When under LED lights, the colors appear more striking (the reds, yellows, and oranges become a lot brighter). Just something to keep in mind when looking at promo images and videos (i.e. lighting does matter).

[@Trikeboy2]

Its fairly simple. FT for bot mode, Takara for alt mode. Both have their issues but FT just looks better on the shelf in bot mode.

[@travissall]

This was awesome to see, really helped me make my decision. I’ve been so back and forth on this, but not having the Fans Toys in hand made it even tougher, this is the next best thing! Thanks for the effort and work you put in man, super informative!!

[@BraveToyReviews]

Finally got a chance to watch. Bruh, super Uber detailed comparison vid on the Rodster (AKA The coolest transformer ever) hurt soooo good to watch some shit I can't get lol. Take care fam!

[@geewunder1171]

The Fanstoys unit CRUSHES the Takara in robot mode. No contest. When even a 5-year old can see it, I think we've moved beyond the realm of subjective opinion - I'm comfortable calling this blatant superiority a fact. There are other subjective categories, but that ain't one of them. And since robot mode presence is the most important aspect to me, this choice is one of the easiest I've ever made in this hobby. Cardboard t-shirt. Lol

[@michaelganter8952]

I do really like this style of review. Thank you!

[@Transfixed]

Now that's a thorough comparison! I was expecting to replace my Takara Hot Rod because they made one huge mistake with that square chest (to accommodate the matrix i guess), but it really does so much else right. Now I'd like to see X-Transbots take a crack at the character.

[@PyramidSkeem]

Great review as always. There’s not a big enough leap here from fanstoys for me to switch (and shell out another Benjamin) but videos like this certainly help in that decision. Thanks!

[@CrimsonRaptors]

At 5:50 The screw on the forearms is was what originally stopped me on the pre-order for the Takara MP Hot Rod. At the time, there was something off that I couldn't peg, yet. At 9:29 This is what sold Fans Toys Hoodlum to me. Proportions are so key to being a representation of the character themselves. After seeing the chest of the MP Hot Rod in hand is what told me I made the right choice on holding off on him, and is what through me off earlier. The sides, back, really don't matter in my decisions because I am not going to display Hot Rod that way, as I like the "Hot Rod there's a hole in the shuttle" attack mode. At 1:42 Yep, absolutely, except that Fans Toys Koot/MP Kup still looks like crap with that two piece chest windshield. All FT needs to do, or someone else, needs to make a once piece (maybe with that chip in it, like in the Movie). At 14:53 In some respects, yes, but the Takra one is based more on his Season 3 AKOM Studio version of the car (which is movie concept art) and I've felt that was a mistake they did not admit. Fans Toys Hoodlum, appears to have used the Dare "ride in style"look of Hot Rod that the majority all know and love. Seen here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHeQnGCmmbZ0rKM I can concede that the rear part of the Takara looks better, with shorter "forearm thrusters," but honestly, that is a small amount of mis-engineering I will accept on the Fans Toys. That's because so many other things that Hoodlum gets right, is head and shoulders better than the official. Plus, the alt mode can do this with it's hood! kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHeQnGCmmbZ0rKM At 20:3 3 100% Agree, but now this makes me wonder if Hoodlum had been sitting in a warehouse somewhere, and all they did was print some boxes. I don't think that is entirely true, but it's an interesting theory, that they had a small production run made, Takara one comes out, they sit on it, then a few years later, print more and package them.

[@diecastfly9002]

I think shelf life should be considered, cause it looks like fanstoys one will start to fall apart in a few transformations. And it looks like the type of figure that ages badly. Its more of a statue to me compared to takara. Besides takara is unpredictable the could decide to launch a kup, Springer, and Arcee which will be slightly smaller than those fanstoys versions which all seem like statutes of transformers because of their lack luster transformations. Good video

[@CouchCit]

Good point, longevity should be a factor, and wear n tear along with joint looseness should be in that catagory. I agree.

[@JimmyHauser]

I think they are both good. Idontthink either is great. MP9 with all its problems, is still the best looking hot rod and rodimus.

[@nicadimusvariant8340]

I dig the way you did this. I think you should do more of these comparisons

[@spurfan76]

My opinion, Takara looks better in both modes so I kept Hotrod. Great video!

[@Megatron118x]

I loved this video. Especially when you brought in your family for their opinions haha. Do this again with more figures if you get time Bobby!! Have a good weekend!

[@frogman7874]

Wonderful job Bobby ! 🐸

[@michaelw3634]

Thanks for more awesome videos! I think I’m happy with my Takara in this instance. Just can’t get over hollow waist but most times I love Fanstoys. Have. It posted in a while but I’m always love your vids. I also like when your wife is on. She is a nice addition to your videos.

[@polarisrustinpeace1797]

Excellent job, my man. I agree with the slight edge for FANNNS TOYYYYS! It seems Fans Toys is losing their competitive edge though. I feel like they have grown happy to make toys that look awesome on a shelf in robot mode, everything else be damned. I'll admit that is the most important thing to me, it just seems to me that they used to nail much more than that. Thanks for the hard work.

[@tferno1productions216]

I hope the Trailbreaker and blitzwing dont suffer from what seems to be outdated hardware, articulation, build etc that this hotrod has when they finally come out in the next 5 years

[@williamhays7356]

I'll be getting Hoodlum soon but I'll also be keeping Hot Rod

[@mooncake623]

spark new joy!!! love that!!! great vid bro, still watching after all this time. keep doing what you do!

[@DragoonMS]

Very interesting. But as far as presence, it's Hot Rod, he's not supposed to be intimidating. FansToys definitely looks considerably better in robot mode, but that's about it. So as it is, the only figure by them that really catches my interest is Phoenix (their Jetfire).

[@texasbeast239]

Yeah Hot Rod is supposed to look youthful and approachable. Rodimus Prime is supposed to be the intimidating iteration of the design so he can take on Galvatron. Still, he looks funny being shorter than FT Arcee.

[@steelman296]

Love what you did with this comparison video, speaking of presence and style, I would love if a company did G1 animated style version of the Dinobots that looked as if they jumped right out of the cartoon

[@AlderaanBoy]

I've just got back into collecting MP scale figures, and I've found your channel to be extremely insightful and well made. Thanks for the info., and keep up the great work!

[@Mandalore2280]

Great comparison! I have the MP-40 and will be replacing him on the shelf with Hoodlum, but here's the kicker, I'm not going to sell him. I still like the Takara for just about the same reasons you mentioned, only real reason I'm shelf swapping is to keep a consistent look with the other FT movie bots. They're close, so close in fact I don't see selling off my Takara because it's still a good figure. If FT destroyed Takara then yeah, MP-40 is in the sell groups...but they didn't.

[@chojinacd]

Add some rant and you got yourself a garringer comparison review 😂👍🏼. Good job, i can see how this took a lot of work. I kind of decided on how tight the month was moneywise, and the iconic parts / prescense of each piece. The yellow crest, chest and upper legs did it for me. It also matches mp 9 better. In the takara one i did like the shins a lot better, fanstoys breaks them in half, but those shinguards were always so iconic to me. Maybe i ll keep both.... 🤔

[@greentokyo]

Great in-depth comparison! Thanks!

[@MantisNineNines]

damn that was a lot of work. pretty fair, 8-7 with admitted subjectivity on 3 cats. good stuff man.

[@vlenhoff]

It would have been nice if you asked their opinion about their alt modes too. It has two modes, why not have them judge both of them. Takara's car mode is a smooth retro-futuristic hotrod, while Fanstoys' looks like something left unflushed in the toilet. Ok, maybe that is subjective, and that's why i wanted to hear their opinion. I wish all windows were darker on these vehicles. The transparent windows break off the smooth lines of the styling, and it makes the Takara look too busy. Great video as always, I loved it. thanks!

[@DrCalligari]

Fantastic video! I would definitely love to see more of this!

[@rodneylove8027]

Awesome vid bro. I own the Takara version as well as the old Hasbro masterpiece version from about 10 years ago (which is still my favorite). Based on this vid I will purchase Hoodlum as well.

[@dare2727]

Excellent job!!! I think 1 thing we devalue as a community is first to market. In this case it doesn’t matter as much but there is something to be said about Takara bringing a product 2/3 years before fanstoys. Personally I would give Takara a point for that because the 2nd company doesn’t have to figure out engineering. Again really good and thorough job

[@2007suprasport]

You're a Great Speaker!!!

[@joshuaworley4761]

Very insightful and well thought out. Nice job.

[@PSYCHOWORLD]

I have both so from a non bias opinion I feel like FT just presents so much better and the proportions of the TT specifically the abdomen looks very unsightly. Trust me I hate the fidly Nature of the FT wnd it’s a pain sometimes to pose but just the feel, weight and paint alone checks all my boxes to be the defacto hot rod for my movie shelf. The TT alt mode is superior in every way and hot rod is one of the few bots I actually care about the alt mode like the dinobots or seekers so it’s kind of a win win

[@Zucchinna]

he's almost worth it. but I'm gonna have to wait for the next attempt. I know someone can perfect this guy

[@PaulSpurgeon]

I'm switching them out as well and going with Fans Toys due to aesthetic reasons. I also prefer Fans Toys' alt mode, though. I've always felt that the Takara alt mode was way too lean and long.

[@Pinion327]

Great comparison video! Scale and presence are big deals to me, so I think might prefer the FansToys version. But, since I already have the Takara, I don't think the improvement is big enough for me to prioritize swapping it out unless I find one for a very good price.

[@leyenda6149]

If i want a Hot Rod AND a Rodimus Prime, what are the best versions to get that scale well with each other and scale well with other MPs/3P in bot mode? (I forgot to ask this at TFCon)

[@kuosamuel]

Great comparison, thank you.

[@walkers198]

One of the best reviews I’ve heard - for anything🙂

[@bruhdiconwassi5074]

The part that got me was engineering, fanstoys seems it’s supposed to be a “action-statue” while takara is a action figure, I like to touch my figures so takara is my pick.

[@mcart4762]

Very fair video, there is one small point too which is that one is official so to me we're at 8:8 I already have hot rod so no major incentive to change for me. Main reason would be for scale, I have to agree that Takara Hot Rod is too damn small! Ah well. I'll live with it. Maybe put him on a hoverboard!

[@brian8677]

I remember the Sunstreaker review where you said there wasn’t enough there to make you switch out your current 3rd party one. That’s kinda the way I feel here, the Takara one looks and feels fine to me. That’s not to say that the Fans Toys one isn’t nice, only that there isn’t enough there to make me switch mine out. Great Video!

[@ArbitraryHero]

Yeah, I'm kind of with you at the end. The Fans Toys one looks great, but it kind of seems to lack... Ambition? to me, if that makes sense I wish I could feel more passion for the work when I looked at their products, the way I get that sense from someone like MMC.

[@pandamant666]

FT for display and look, Takara for playing around.

[@RTsunami23]

Such a great feeling to complete my TF movie bots and display them all together. Fans Toys just gives it that presence of definitive. Hopefully their version Blurr will will be out this year. Most likely swap out with my Unique Toys version 2. Scourge needs an update as well. Thanks, hope to see more comparisons in the future.

[@aidanfriedfeld8889]

Dang under 100 for a full size takara masterpiece. Those were the days.

[@kek23k]

I think you're right but it's very, very close. I still have both out as I've been making up my mind. I think I'll be waiting for reviews before I pick up their Blurr to replace the UT one this time though. I'm also having a similar dilemma with MagicSquare and TE Convoys. The TE one has heft, great sculpt and presence but really lacks the articulation of the MagicSquare offering. I hope someone sends you the TE one so you can help me make my mind up again :D

[@artemisjones2121]

I have both and feel that with the exception of the alt mode and articulation Fanstoys is better considering I don't play with them. Hot Rod is the only Transformer who's alt and bot mode matter to me. Its gonna be forever before anyone attempts to perfect this guy but with the Flame Toys Rodimus coming soon I'm not sure it'll even matter anymore, even if it is the MTMTE version.

[@DBagRobotGang]

Excellent. Thank you for this.

[@jasonreyes1342]

Wait a second! You didn't ask Laura her age, lol. I like both. FT is my display figure and Takara is my mess around with figure. I don't mind FT's transformation, since the legs and arms are fun enough to counter the floppy disaster of the upper body unhinged. Great video. Thanks for doing it.

[@DolkkarToyznstuff]

Excellent comparison! FT edges out Takara for me as well. As someone else mentioned, that group photo really seals the deal for me with Hoodlum!

[@TheGame2K5]

I think really the issue for many people is simply, does it look that much better that you want to spend the money to upgrade? Like you pointed out at the end, they could have really crushed it but instead its marginally better. For me, its not enough of an improvement to replace a figure I already own.

[@ToyHunter-wc9dz]

I, like many others, display in bot mode. Fans Toys wins on sculpt, proportions, and presence for me. If I were to display a second figure in alt mode, Takara would be my choice there. If I come across a good deal on the TT, I’d pick one up. Seems like nobody can hit the nail on the head for both, which seems weird to me in this day and age of technology.

[@andypurro2215]

My only problem on my takara Hot rod was the chrome on the side guns wore off and I think I kinda damaged the screws fixing them so I might get another one and put some floor polish on them

[@TimothyLau55]

Wow! BRAVO!

[@Tangyc9]

Fanstoys for me but there are some things that Takara has done better for example better articulation and vehicle mode and solid chest and backpack but overall fanstoys is better in my opinion

[@Jetblast01]

So what it comes down to it, it's whether or not you want a good looking figure or a more posable figure and nicer car mode.

[@toyshanger8945]

I have Fanstoys kup and arcee but I didn’t bothered with hot rod and left it as Takara. I do agree Fanstoys one has better presence but the overall the score does not push me to buy over it. Yes it feels fantoys didn’t crush the Takara one. I love Fanstoys but this piece is one I am not overly fussed.