Well, maybe if they hadn't said "We've designed these with customizers in mind" I wouldn't be arguing this. I don't recall seeing Hasbro ever say their Transformers or their Star Wars figures being designed with customizers in mind, so I can't hold them at fault there.

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I've made one or two customs using 25A figures and they're just fine as-is. I've only had to pop one torso apart and it was pretty easy to put back together. Infinitely easier than SW customs, and you can still play with them afterwards.

As much as I like Microman, they have numerous flaws as well - mainly the brittle plastic and body parts that keep popping up. To me, the 25A figs are vastly superior to Microman or MLS- they don't pop apart when you play with them, yet they retain nearly the same level of articulation. I can deal with no o-ring or back screw - these aren't t-crotches, they're a step forward, not backward.

Like I mentioned in another thread, if you really want all the features of the ARAH line, collect ARAH. This is a new generation of toys and I for one like them better than anything that's come before.

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Honestly if the 25th Anniversary figures were Microman, I'd have absolutely no interest in them. But instead of fragile little stickmen, Hasbro took much of that articulation, detailing, and great accessory compliment, and applied it to a nicely preportioned figure designed for sturdy play. In fact I'll go out on a limb here and say that the 25th line is the best action figure line EVER in any scale. If anything Takara should be taking notes so that future Micromen look and wear better instead of the other way around.

And noone ever said that these were DESIGNED to be customized. However when people were worried that they couldn't be disassembled and part swapped Hasbro had THE DESIGNER of the figures create some examples of how they could be. Then they had him show us how to do it and gave us a diagram of the internal workings. Show me one other company that would show you how to break their product and reconstruct it as something else.

Hasbro (And Richard in particular) deserves a HUGE pat on the back for the hard work they have done to help us to continue to enjoy customizing the figures they put out. Instead of [LASER BLAST] about how they don't have a back screw why not give them a pat on the back for showing you how to make do without it.

Bravo Hasbro, bravo.

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Back on track here:

Where exactly does the block go? Under the arm, in the little indention? I've got an extra Roadblock I can practice on.

Yes.

Twist the chest so the arms are in the front and back instead of the sides, put the pointy bit of the block in the little indent and tap on the other shoulder.

*POP* Instant disassembled fig.

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You know, once i make a figure, i don't take it back apart to reuse it for another custom. I actually do glue many of the torsos together or they get melted together due to me adding extra plastic. I haven't had a problem with the idea of these needing to be broke apart to customize. All I needed was a video to show how. We got that now thanks to beav!

Now if they'd just fix that torso joint so that it's not so prominent ....

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I just did it on my gimpy extra Gung Ho with the backwards arm, and man- I don't think it gets much easier than this. It was super quick and not much force was needed.

I have an extra SE I've been jonesing to try this on. Thanks for the vid Beav and thanks guys for the hands-on tips!

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I'm not happy about not having the screw but I certainly understand it. I can say one of the biggest pros for going without the screw is no more rusted or stripped screws. Have hammer, will whack.

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You know Jay, there's more to customizing than just a screwdriver and a marker.
I haven't tried to take apart a 25A Joe yet... but I'd bet a box of timbits that the "Boil and Pop" method works with it just as easy as a screwdriver.

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Just because they're not as easy to customize as RAH and New-sculpt joes doesn't mean they aren't customizer friendly. Hell, Hasbro even gave us a guide on how to customize these. They are easily the most customizable figures I've found currently available in stores (.....and I'm not counting Microman figures, as I don't consider having to send away to Japan to be 'currently available in stores). Ever tried to take apart one of the newer Star Wars figures? After spending a week doing so, I sure appreciate how much easier a simple hammer-whack is.

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Why would Hasbro want to borrow the design of a toy no US retailers seem to have an interest in selling?

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Jay, I've played with both Microman figs and 25th anniversary figs and I'm getting a little burned out on MM. I'm not saying they don't have their place but keeping up with al those joints and extra hands can be maddening. I greatly appreciate the 25th joes and if they continue to get as good as the pics from the con show they will continue to get my rather limited income.

PLUS, look at Microman availability. Used to be you could go to eBay and buy a male Material Force MM fig easy. Now, you really have to hunt for one. Take that and Chief's ability to find 400 Snake Eyes and 328 Beachheads and I think you've got a much easier (and cheaper) source of fodder there.

It's a new customizing technique and it will take some getting used to but it isn't impossible.

You young uns with all your rassafrassin negativity.

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It's a lot less scary once you've seen it in person. I believe that the key is creating a reusable hardwood shape to crack against, and picking up a small rubber or plastic mallet.

It does take a bit of patience and a softer touch.

You don't really even have to boil and pop them, as they aren't held together with glue - They're welded by sound vibrations, which is the damnedest thing I'd ever heard.

Still the payoff is that with the generic shirts and pants, you've got a better canvas to start with. There's a reason that so many DTC Barrel Rolls are used in customs.

The only reason that I am not customizing 25th is because I can't find enough of them to have any extras.

- C

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