Candy toy: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Deathsaurus pd model.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Not pictured: the candy.]] | [[File:Deathsaurus pd model.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Not pictured: the candy.]] | ||
"'''Candy toys'''" are a staple of Japanese convenience and grocery stores (though examples can be found in many other parts of the world, notably the {{w|Kinder Surprise}}/Kinder Joy treat); small, inexpensive toys that come packaged with some form of candy. This is done primarily to sell toys without the standard taxes applied, since they are technically food items and therefore get sold tax-free. | |||
As expected from the price point (typically the equivalent of a couple bucks), these toys trend towards the simple, like PVC figurines, to unassembled and unpainted miniature model kits, though sometimes fully-assembled and factory-painted toys get released in this way as well. The candy also runs the gamut, from nigh-inedible simple planks of gum and plain white sugar-pellets, to more elaborate chocolate-covered malt balls and "ramune" fizzy tablets. | |||
{{TOC}} | |||
==Transformers candy toys== | |||
===Takara's markets=== | |||
[[File:Kabaya-toy GaiaCross.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Kabaya's [[Gaiacross]], a set of six individually-packed transforming robot mini-kits.]] | |||
[[Kabaya]] is the primary maker of candy toys for the ''Transformers'' brand in Japan, having produced a large number of them since the beginning of the line back in 1985. The majority of their ''Transformers'' output falls under varying form of unpainted, unassembled "model kits" of existing characters that use stickers for detailing, and due to many of these kits being [[gang-molding|gang-molded]] to save on development costs, there can often be some ''interesting'' color variations on known characters. But there are also plenty of PVC figurines, miniature action figures (including fully-assembled transforming ones!), co-branded side-merch, and packs of trading cards to boot. | |||
Rather than list them all here, we'll just point out some highlights (see [[Kabaya|Kabaya's page]] for the full list): | |||
* '''[[Transformers Milk Caramel]]''' — Possibly the first ''Transformers'' candy toy, a set of rubbery, non-posable mini-figures (similar to the [[Decoy]]s) that ran for several years. | |||
* '''[[Change Micron]] / [[Micron Galaxy]]''' — Produced for ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Legend of the Microns]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Galaxy Force]]'' respectively, these toys are fully-assembled and painted recreations of some of Takara's [[Mini-Con]]s, with altered paint applications and various molding differences. Most notably, the [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)#Kabaya|Air Defense Team]] members are cast in solid white plastic rather than clear, making them more sturdy than the originals! | |||
* '''[[Gaiacross]]''' — A set of six model-kit-type Autobot figures based on the [[Multiforce]] play pattern, where any two robots can combine into a larger robot, and all six can combiner together into a single super robot. | |||
===Hasbro's markets=== | |||
The candy toy is a lot less prevalent in most of Hasbro's markets, just, like, in general, never mind with ''Transformers'' in specific. | |||
In 2010, UK company [[The Little Factory Ltd]] released a set of twelve [[Mini-Con]]s, re-creations of the [[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|2008 ''Universe'']] "Mini-Con Class 12 Pack" set, [[Blindpacking|blind-packed]] with "[[energon fizzy sweets]]" candies. | |||
{{toystub}} | {{toystub}} | ||
[[Category:Candy toys| ]] | [[Category:Candy toys| ]] | ||
Revision as of 01:34, 9 May 2023
"Candy toys" are a staple of Japanese convenience and grocery stores (though examples can be found in many other parts of the world, notably the Kinder Surprise/Kinder Joy treat); small, inexpensive toys that come packaged with some form of candy. This is done primarily to sell toys without the standard taxes applied, since they are technically food items and therefore get sold tax-free.
As expected from the price point (typically the equivalent of a couple bucks), these toys trend towards the simple, like PVC figurines, to unassembled and unpainted miniature model kits, though sometimes fully-assembled and factory-painted toys get released in this way as well. The candy also runs the gamut, from nigh-inedible simple planks of gum and plain white sugar-pellets, to more elaborate chocolate-covered malt balls and "ramune" fizzy tablets.
Transformers candy toys
Takara's markets
Kabaya is the primary maker of candy toys for the Transformers brand in Japan, having produced a large number of them since the beginning of the line back in 1985. The majority of their Transformers output falls under varying form of unpainted, unassembled "model kits" of existing characters that use stickers for detailing, and due to many of these kits being gang-molded to save on development costs, there can often be some interesting color variations on known characters. But there are also plenty of PVC figurines, miniature action figures (including fully-assembled transforming ones!), co-branded side-merch, and packs of trading cards to boot.
Rather than list them all here, we'll just point out some highlights (see Kabaya's page for the full list):
- Transformers Milk Caramel — Possibly the first Transformers candy toy, a set of rubbery, non-posable mini-figures (similar to the Decoys) that ran for several years.
- Change Micron / Micron Galaxy — Produced for Legend of the Microns and Galaxy Force respectively, these toys are fully-assembled and painted recreations of some of Takara's Mini-Cons, with altered paint applications and various molding differences. Most notably, the Air Defense Team members are cast in solid white plastic rather than clear, making them more sturdy than the originals!
- Gaiacross — A set of six model-kit-type Autobot figures based on the Multiforce play pattern, where any two robots can combine into a larger robot, and all six can combiner together into a single super robot.
Hasbro's markets
The candy toy is a lot less prevalent in most of Hasbro's markets, just, like, in general, never mind with Transformers in specific.
In 2010, UK company The Little Factory Ltd released a set of twelve Mini-Cons, re-creations of the 2008 Universe "Mini-Con Class 12 Pack" set, blind-packed with "energon fizzy sweets" candies.
