Marushin "Tomenosuke PRO" Blaster Japan

[Bwood]

Worth it. Overall, the finest replica BR blaster I have ever witnessed, bar none. My opinions, of course.

[phase pistol]

So to recap, ¥84000 (approx US$1000), 300 units to go on sale (preorder?) December 26th. Japan only, presumably. I think (the machine translation is pretty rough..)

[andy]

Damn exchange rate. Still a deal considering that is how much thay originally sold their kit for. I know they are doing more than 300 total too, so the later runs may even go up in cost, so who knows?

Andy

[phase pistol]

Actually I'm not 100% sure they're talking about a built replica and NOT a kit. Somebody who understands Japanese should review the blog entry....

[Helder22]

Either way I'm waiting, cash in hand.
Helder

[andy]

I saw nothing about a kit version, still I passed the info on to some of our Japanese literate members, hoping they can give some better translation.

Andy

[phase pistol]

I have had it confirmed that this refers to a built blaster, not a kit.

[joberg]

Pretty cheap when you see the quality of the piece

[jakob2121]

So any word if it is indeed Japan only? I sent an email a few weeks back but never got a reply.

[andy]

The first runs are for Japan only at this point. More will be made next year.

Andy

[hauptmann]

I am meeting tomorrow with my friend who goes to live in Japan next month (January 1, actually).

I might be able to broker purchase and import of some of these units, if anyone here is interested. My friend speaks Japanese and I'm hoping he might be able to go directly to the Tomensuke shop. Don't know yet, but hoping.

Before I bring it up with him, I'd like to know how much and how serious interest is here. I wouldn't be interested in making any real money on the deals, but would probably need to add a small markup for transport and my time. Just to be up front about it.

Please let me know if any of you would be serious about a purchase, and I can discuss the possibility tomorrow with my friend.

Jeffrey

[phase pistol]

These are going on sale Dec. 26, and only a few hundred units will be available. I think it's likely they will sell out immediately.

We expect more to be available next year though.

k

[hauptmann]

Thanks for that tip.

What's been the general pattern of sales from previous versions; how many released, price point, speed of sellout, etc.?

Trying to get a feel for if I should even bother to ask my friend on my own behalf.

If there's not a chance in hell I'll get one after the first of the year, I won't put him to a lot of trouble, but if there's a possibility I may try.

[phase pistol]

To be sure this version is meant to be the most widely available... I don't have numbers off the top of my head, but the original Tomenosuke was issued as a kit and builtups in, what, 2008? About this time two years ago?

Those sold out pretty quick. Then in 2009, an "Artist Proof" edition was released, this was a handful of build-ups done to resemble the blaster prop in its "worldcon" condition as seen in 2006. Those sold out instantly for big money.

And they also released a few other things... machined metal replacement grip frames and buttplates at one time, and one or two releases of a 1/6 scale Blaster to use with GI-Joe-scale Deckard figures.

This PRO blaster is being developed and manufactured in cooperation with the Marushin Airsoft company, so it isn't a garage kit or a handful of builtups. However this first release is an exclusive and low numbers.

Karl

EDIT: Oh here we go, courtesy of the Timeline thread on this very prop board.

http://www.propsummit.com/viewtopic.php?t=132&start=0


2008: The 'Tomenosuke Blaster' is developed in Japan. Shop owner and famous Japanese SF writer Shinji Nakako produces an attempt to make the most accurate and machined Blaster replica to date with the team of Nobutaka Toku (sculptor), Hidetsugu Shimada (proof maker), and help of Junichi Nizeki(Blade Runner blogger and superfan). A run of 200 is announced with a combination of kits and built up to be made by the end of 2008.

[andy]

The first Tomenosuke there were only 200, and they sold out in a couple weeks. The ones available at the Tomenosuke store sold out in a day. This first run will have 300 available and also be available through the Hollywood Collector Gallery in Japan, and likely through Tomenosuke's store in Takayama. At least 500-750 will be made after this from what their blog initially said.

Andy

[chew]

I wonder if there will be any quality difference in the next round...
_________________
I just do eyes.

[andy]

Parts breakdown for the Tomenosuke Pro...


Andy

[phase pistol]

I was just on my way over with that.

Oh hey it looks like both the Weaver knob and the original slotted scope screw are included as optional parts!

[phase pistol]

For comparison it's the original 2008 Tomenosuke parts breakdown.

[andy]

They realy do love Karl's shopped version of their mechanicals...


Looks like they are going to use it in their instructions.

More about getting them in Japan and Tomenosuke contact information here...
http://tenshu53.exblog.jp/11739730/

Andy