Back to Japanese Reissues

(see also: Jazz and Stepper)

>From ParticleMan

***
ReIssue Jazz vs. Original AND G2 Jazz
Reissue Jazz is _basically_ G2 Jazz in G1 colors and stickers.  The
reissue still has the bright bright whites of the G2 version, as well as
an extra leg sticker or two (I think).  The stickers are also of better
quality in terms of stock used and image sharpness, but still aren't
quite centered or cut right (much to my annoyance).  I used a Martini,
rubsign Jazz for the comparison, as well as a G2.

jazz-reprovsorig-v.jpg
jazz-reprovsorig-r.jpg
jazz-reprovsorig-doors.jpg
Jazz is called Meister in Japan, at least here.  Can anyone tell me if
that's his original Japanese name and sticker configuration as well?
All his stickers say Agent Meister instead of Martini (or just blank
black).  The Porsche logo on the G1 is also replaced by Meister.

jazz-reprovsorig-under.jpg
Reissue and G2 have the shorter chrome feet bottoms, the G1 has the
extra spurs on either side.

jazz-reprovsorig-copyrights.jpg
The G2 and reissue have exactly the same copyright, Hasbro 1992 Made In
China.  My G1 has a shared copyright, and I know there are probably
others.

jazz-reprovsorig-arms.jpg
In one of two deviations I could find from the G2 (in molding anyway),
reissue Jazz has rivets for the shoulder where G1 and G2 both have

screws.

jazz-reprovsorig-faces-g1.jpg
jazz-reprovsorig-faces-g2.jpg
jazz-reprovsorig-faces-repro.jpg
The most unusal remold across generations, without a doubt.  G1 has a
closed mouth smile (with lips no less), G2 has a big happy grin, and
reissue has a bizarre, angry grimace.

jazz-reprovsorig-guns.jpg
The reissue gun is identical in molding to the G2 gun [would have
compared to the G1 gun, but just found out as I was doing this that my
other Jazz gun is also a G2...arrrgh!]

jazz-reprovsorig-launchers-left.jpg  (Jazz's launcher now shoots!
Woohoo!)
Presumably due to mold wear, reisue Jazz's launcher lacks the indent
circles behind the trigger.  Also, the slide guide near the base has
been almost completely remolded, which may explain why the G1 launcher
fits just fine, but the reissue version simply won't stay in right.

jazz-reprovsorig-launchers-back.jpg
The chrome backing was also remolded, especially in top center where a
bulb and new square shape were added, and at the center bottom where the
rectangle button was replaced by the circle.


***
ReIssue Rodimus Prime vs. Original-Metal AND Plastic
Rodimus Prime so far has gone through the least remolding of any of the
reissues-his colors darkened slightly, his copyright changed a little
and that was pretty much it.  Most of his parts are even compatible with
the original.  So without further adieu...

rp-reprovsorig-v.jpg
Reissue on the left, plastic wheeled in the center, and metal wheeled
(original) on the right.  The maroon and orange get darker on the
reissue, but that's about it.

rp-reprovsorig-faces.jpg
The face changes a little, probably with mold wear.

rp-reprovsorig-copyrights-r.jpg
rp-reprovsorig-copyrights-t.jpg
All 3 have Hasbro and Takara 1986, but original metal is from Japan,
original plastic from Taiwan, and today's model from China.

rp-reprovsorig-spoilers.jpg
I don't have a metal spoiler, so I can't do a full comparison, but the
reissue is considerably brighter and has lots of pin indents that the
smooth original plastic spoiler lacks.

rp-reprovsorig-guns.jpg

rp-reprovsorig-blastshields.jpg

The reissue weapons are actually a bit duller than the originals,
although it shows up just the opposite.  The handle of the gun is a
little more rounded on the reissue, although that could be due to minor
production fluctuations.  The blast shields...are another matter
entirely.  The originals are stamped with either one slash mark or two,
wheras the repro have lots of 2s on them.  More could be possible, check
your blast shields.

And finally-



A fun little pic to go with all the Rodimus crap from this email.

So there ya go Fred, use it all in good health.

- ParticleMan

(editor's note: see the Autobot section for a complete review of Rodimus mold changes.)

(see also: Autobots)

Back to Japanese Reissues

1