Whatever happened to Futurama??
After several new items were shown at last years SDCC, that stuff still hasn't been solicited at the online stores like EE, BBTS, etc. There was even a giant robot & Bender set that was meant for TRU as an exclusive.
So, what happened? I still want everything that was shown at SDCC!
Unfortunately. Toynami hasn't been exactly forthcoming with details. Based on how they've delayed/scaled back solicited plans for the line over the last couple years, I would guess it's struggling or getting ready to wrap up.
The giant robot you mentioned (Destructor) was also presold as an SDCC exclusive last summer. You prepaid for it at the show, and it was supposed to ship in September. It didn't, and there was no word from them until October or so that it had been delayed. They mentioned on Facebook in late November that it was finally ready and would be shipping out in January. Still no sign of it, and no word from Toynami.
I get that, even with the show back on the air, it's a niche line, and they've pretty much done all of the characters casual collectors would want. I personally would have loved the Robot Mafia figures they showed last year, but I can see how there wouldn't be a ton of retailer interest at this point. Still, it would be nice to get some communication from the company in one form or another (I don't really count radio silence as communication), especially for those of us who already ponied up for Destructor. If it's not getting made, or they need to use that run to sell to TRU and try to save the line, fine, just be upfront and refund our money.
Bottom line, I don't think the line has much of a future. 
I read somewhere online(so...grain of salt) that they've been having some MASSIVE problems with this line. Budget stuff,factory stuff,shipping stuff....basically everything that can go wrong with getting a toy to shelves has. The big news is that a major retailer had put in a huge order and then cancelled it after the figures had already gone into production. I think they're still planning to release Lur and maybe Morbo,but the Robot Mafia and some of the other characters are currently up in the air. Hopefully the toyline can rally and return from the ashes like the TV show has.......
As much as the long-time collectors would hate it, I think they need to basically reboot this line for it to survive. The original characters fetch pretty high secondary market prices at this point, so there's not really a good way for someone who just started watching the show to jump in, and they probably aren't interested in guys like Morbo and Lrrr before they can get a hold of Fry, Leela, and Bender.
We are an official retailer of Toynami and saw the new upcoming lines of theirs at Toy Fair. Bascially it comes down to the fact that the main figures have been produced and all the remaining characters are not enough to get interest from enough retailers. I actually wanted Donbot and Clamps myself quite a bit. I'm not going to speak to as if there is a future or not for the line. I just encourage you to beg your favorate stores to make orders. Also if you like the toys, buy them. If there aren't enough sales on the existing figures, I can tell you most stores will not buy further lines (from any company). As for the Giant Bender, it is currently in Prototype form and stands the same height as the Shogun Warriors Go Lion (Voltron) vinyl figure at 24 inches. Some Futurama will be continued, some will not.
As much as the long-time collectors would hate it, I think they need to basically reboot this line for it to survive. The original characters fetch pretty high secondary market prices at this point, so there's not really a good way for someone who just started watching the show to jump in, and they probably aren't interested in guys like Morbo and Lrrr before they can get a hold of Fry, Leela, and Bender.
RE-RELEASE ZOIDBERG!!!!!!!!!!!
HOLY FLARKING SNIT!!!!! 2 FOOT TALL,SHOGUN WARRIOR BENDER????? WITH FIRING FIST????????
http://www.collectiondx.com/article/nytf2012_toynami
Anybody have an idea what the price of this might be? Not that I care,because I WILL BE BUYING IT....I just hope it doesnt require me to steal/sell a hobos organs. Finally....my very own Bender drinking buddy!!!!!
thank you for that link. I was completely unaware of it. I'd buy that as well.
I will totally buy that giant Bender. Their deluxe bender isn't big enough!
The one on display at toy fair is a prototype and will cost about the same as the 24 inch Shogun Warrior Go-Lion (aka Voltron). That was retailing for around $225. It is planned to be a very limited release similar to the Go-Lion that was 500 pieces made. I want one too, it was really cool.
- Matt
The one on display at toy fair is a prototype and will cost about the same as the 24 inch Shogun Warrior Go-Lion (aka Voltron). That was retailing for around $225. It is planned to be a very limited release similar to the Go-Lion that was 500 pieces made. I want one too, it was really cool.- Matt
I never got to see one of the Go Lion Shoguns in person. Is it correct that it did not come with a sword and is not as posable as the upcoming Mattel Voltron?
thanks!
It is more of a huge urban vinyl figure. It's arms moved up and down. It did not come with a sword. It originally was going to have shooting hands similar to the Giant Bender concept but the lion hands were too heavy and so they kept falling off because of their weight. It stands 24 inches tall so it is quite large, and weighed about 12 lbs in the box. Toynami did make die cast figures with removable lions and a sword. I like the Mattel ones, but I think having to buy stuff through Matty Collector is kinda a pain. I mean I always run the risk of not getting a part I need. I wish they would just sell it all together, I also hate having to wait months for the next piece to come out.
- Matt
Man, I hope that Manga Bender gets made. I couldn't really tell from the scale of the photo, but it said "jumbo" in the description; are they planning for that to be an oversized vinyl figure, or is it in scale with the rest of the figure line?
It will be an oversized vinyl most likely. It is bigger than the standard Futurama toy line, standing around 10 inches tall.