Choro-Q: Difference between revisions
Added logo, extra info, a few extra fixes |
|||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[Image: | [[Image:Choro-Q_logo_JP.svg.png|right|300px]] | ||
'''''Choro-Q''''' is a popular Japanese brand of toy cars with pull-back motors owned by [[TakaraTomy]], best known in the west for its localization as '''Penny Racers'''. | '''''Choro-Q''''' is a popular Japanese brand of toy cars with pull-back motors owned by [[TakaraTomy]], best known in the west for its localization as '''Penny Racers'''. | ||
The brand has interacted with the Transformers franchise numerous times going back to its very inception, with the designs of the original Generation 1 [[Mini-Vehicle|Mini Vehicles / Minicar]] molds being based on the Choro-Q aesthetic and multiple later ''Choro-Q'' series and spin-offs either featuring or being based entirely around Transformers. | |||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Unlike typical toy cars, ''Choro-Q'' vehicles are not accurately-proportioned miniatures, but rather [[super deformed]] to make them cuter. They were introduced to the Japanese market in [[ | [[Image:Choro_Q_Rodimus.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Built like a brick Winnebago. No, not [[Brick (term)|that kind of brick]], stupid.]] | ||
Unlike typical toy cars, ''Choro-Q'' vehicles are not accurately-proportioned miniatures, but rather [[super deformed]] to make them cuter. They were introduced to the Japanese market in [[1978]], and sold in Western markets under the name ''Penny Racers'' because many of the ''Choro-Q'' cars have slots on the back where a penny can be inserted, the weight of which causes the car to pop a wheelie when pulled back. They were an immediate hit, to the extent that after only a few years, they found their way to Takara's ''[[Micro Change]]'' line as common household objects for ''[[Microman]]''-scale robots to be disguised as. This is the reason why the [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]] [[Autobot]] [[Mini Vehicle]]s look completely different from the standard [[Autobot Cars]]! | |||
For [[BotCon Japan 2000]], three ''Choro-Q'' vehicles were [[redeco]]ed as Transformers characters for the show's exclusive toys. They were the ''only'' exclusive toys for that convention, as it turned out. Ouch. | For [[BotCon Japan 2000]], three ''Choro-Q'' vehicles were [[redeco]]ed as Transformers characters for the show's exclusive toys. They were the ''only'' exclusive toys for that convention, as it turned out. Ouch. | ||
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of ''Choro-Q'' in 1999, Takara re-introduced their line of Choro-Q proportioned robots, called | To celebrate the 20th anniversary of ''Choro-Q'' in 1999, Takara re-introduced their line of Choro-Q proportioned robots, called ''Choro-Q Robo''. It rapidly grew into a [[multi-property brand]], which ''Transformers'' joined in 2001. The ''Choro-Q Robo'' toys transform (simplistically) from full-fledged ''Choro-Q'' vehicles to their robot modes. Megatron's vehicle mode is a chibi Walther P38 that can zoom across smooth surfaces alongside your other ''Choro-Q'' toys. Seriously. In 2003 the ''Choro-Q Robo'' line was spunoff into the short-lived non-transforming ''[[Q-Robo Collection Figure]]'' series. | ||
In 2014, TakaraTomy launched their biggest ''Choro-Q'' crossover yet with ''[[Q-Transformers]]'', a Transformers toyline featuring an extensive amount of small chibified fully-transforming robots with same super deformed, fully licensed cars that defined the ''Choro-Q'' brand. Additionally, as part of the ''Transformers'' 30th anniversary, two | In 2014, TakaraTomy launched their biggest ''Choro-Q'' crossover yet with ''[[Q-Transformers]]'', a Transformers toyline featuring an extensive amount of small chibified fully-transforming robots with same super deformed, fully licensed cars that defined the ''Choro-Q'' brand. Additionally, as part of the ''Transformers'' 30th anniversary, two Transformers characters were also released in the ''Nanoblock Motion Choro-Q'' subline, a collaboration with [[Diablock|Nanoblock]] featuring buildable radio-controlled vehicles. ''Q-Transformers'' toys were produced up until 2016, with the toyline even spawning [[Q-Transformers#Merchandise|merchandise]] like plushies and capsule figures! Unfortunately, there hasn't been another crossover between ''Choro-Q'' and the [[Transformers]] brand since, although the former still remains in production as one of the most popular toylines within [[TakaraTomy]]'s catalogue. | ||
==Toys== | ==Toys== | ||
[[Image:ChoroQOptimus.jpg|right| | [[Image:ChoroQOptimus.jpg|right|thumb|260px|Dr. Metallic Convoy and TV's Convoy like to subject abducted employees to cheesy movies.]] | ||
===BotCon Japan 2000 Choro-Q=== | ===BotCon Japan 2000 Choro-Q=== | ||
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/merchandise#Choro-Q|Convoy]] | *[[Optimus Prime (G1)/merchandise#Choro-Q|Convoy]] | ||
| Line 33: | Line 34: | ||
===Q-Robo Collection Figure=== | ===Q-Robo Collection Figure=== | ||
[[File:QTransformers Bluestreak.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.67]] | [[File:QTransformers Bluestreak.jpg|thumb|260px|right|upright=1.67]] | ||
{{main|Q-Robo Collection Figure}} | {{main|Q-Robo Collection Figure}} | ||
Revision as of 10:11, 2 February 2025
Choro-Q is a popular Japanese brand of toy cars with pull-back motors owned by TakaraTomy, best known in the west for its localization as Penny Racers.
The brand has interacted with the Transformers franchise numerous times going back to its very inception, with the designs of the original Generation 1 Mini Vehicles / Minicar molds being based on the Choro-Q aesthetic and multiple later Choro-Q series and spin-offs either featuring or being based entirely around Transformers.
Overview
Unlike typical toy cars, Choro-Q vehicles are not accurately-proportioned miniatures, but rather super deformed to make them cuter. They were introduced to the Japanese market in 1978, and sold in Western markets under the name Penny Racers because many of the Choro-Q cars have slots on the back where a penny can be inserted, the weight of which causes the car to pop a wheelie when pulled back. They were an immediate hit, to the extent that after only a few years, they found their way to Takara's Micro Change line as common household objects for Microman-scale robots to be disguised as. This is the reason why the Generation 1 Autobot Mini Vehicles look completely different from the standard Autobot Cars!
For BotCon Japan 2000, three Choro-Q vehicles were redecoed as Transformers characters for the show's exclusive toys. They were the only exclusive toys for that convention, as it turned out. Ouch.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Choro-Q in 1999, Takara re-introduced their line of Choro-Q proportioned robots, called Choro-Q Robo. It rapidly grew into a multi-property brand, which Transformers joined in 2001. The Choro-Q Robo toys transform (simplistically) from full-fledged Choro-Q vehicles to their robot modes. Megatron's vehicle mode is a chibi Walther P38 that can zoom across smooth surfaces alongside your other Choro-Q toys. Seriously. In 2003 the Choro-Q Robo line was spunoff into the short-lived non-transforming Q-Robo Collection Figure series.
In 2014, TakaraTomy launched their biggest Choro-Q crossover yet with Q-Transformers, a Transformers toyline featuring an extensive amount of small chibified fully-transforming robots with same super deformed, fully licensed cars that defined the Choro-Q brand. Additionally, as part of the Transformers 30th anniversary, two Transformers characters were also released in the Nanoblock Motion Choro-Q subline, a collaboration with Nanoblock featuring buildable radio-controlled vehicles. Q-Transformers toys were produced up until 2016, with the toyline even spawning merchandise like plushies and capsule figures! Unfortunately, there hasn't been another crossover between Choro-Q and the Transformers brand since, although the former still remains in production as one of the most popular toylines within TakaraTomy's catalogue.
Toys
BotCon Japan 2000 Choro-Q
Choro-Q Robo
- Q/01 Convoy TV Version
- Q/02 Convoy Metallic Version
- Q/03 Megatron TV Version
- Q/04 Megatron Black Version
- Q/05 Rodimus Convoy TV Version
- Q/06 Rodimus Convoy Metallic Version
Nanoblock Motion Choro-Q
Q-Robo Collection Figure
The Q-Robo Collection was the first Choro-Q spin-off toyline entirely dedicated to Transformers. It is, thus, discussed in its own dedicated article.
Q-Transformers
Q-Transformers was the second Choro-Q spin-off toyline entirely dedicated to Transformers, and as such, it also gets its own article.
Notes
- In 2002, a Transformers-themed Honda S2000 Choro-Q—the S2000 Special Marking Specification (スペシャルマーキング仕様)—was the "grand prize" of the Choro-Q Kuji (チョロＱクジ), a unique blind-packed series of cars.
