Kumamon Bajon - what are your thoughts?

[redzone 212]

if anyone wants to offload their Kumamon bear after buying one of these HIT ME UP!!

*evil plans*

[taliesin 260]

if anyone wants to offload their Kumamon bear after buying one of these HIT ME UP!!

*evil plans*

I fear for that poor bear's safety and well being.

[markbt73 5316]

I think it looks better with the bear driving than with Farmer Bob. I don't know the character, but I see where they're going.

Gives me some interesting ideas about a custom body for this chassis.... like... say... Rat Fink?

[shenlonco 1156]

[Threads merged]

Have gone nuts in the Tamiya factory... they need new rc designers these days!

[bromvw 744]

Whats that all about then? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[neobrunox 13]

This is a typically Japanese product

i am not fan but they are

[OCD 514]

Kumamon!!!

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=74670

[kontemax 1725]

Hey mates, they are Japaneses at the end.

Max

[Mokei Kagaku 2706]

.. they need new rc designers these days!

Well, since more than a decade, in non-domestic forums Tamiya are repeatedly accused of not knowing what the customers want. If that had been true, wouldn't Tamiya eventually discover how "badly" the market responds to their strategy and stop making all the "stupid" decisions?

And with regard to "Kumanon" specifically, the 95068 Mini 4WD Kumanon Version (see pic) has just been released in a 4th production run. An item that was supposed to be a limited single production run only and has proven immensely popular (in Japan).

I'm not saying that Tamiya never do mistakes, but not by far as consistently as many foreign fans are claiming. If they did, they wouldn't have been even remotely as successful as they are, but instead probably bankrupt a long time ago. They know very well what they're doing in the Tamiya HQ.

[OCD 514]

Hey mates, they are Japaneses at the end.

Max

[Theibault 1535]

Is this the Black special version of the tractor

I think it bearly qualifies as a black special.

[Mokei Kagaku 2706]

I think it bearly qualifies as a black special.

"Bear-ly"? Pun intended? ;-)

[OCD 514]

I think it bearly qualifies as a black special.

Ursa funny guy right here ^^

I wonder what other ideas the Tamiya designers have bruin?

[ChrisRx718 4470]

For what it's worth, I think it's pretty awesome. I think it would've been cooler driving something a bit more radical than a tractor (a fast buggy or similar). It's quirky and cool all the same.

[SteveU30 1011]

I think Tamiya are trying to 'pander' to the Japanese market with this one (sorry)

[Gruntfuggly 562]

I'll have two pints of whatever they're smoking please!

Actually I prefer it to the Farm King...

[mr crispy 2293]

Boom boom tisk!

[Mokei Kagaku 2706]

And now it only remains to see if Tamiya will give us a WR-02 version of the Mini 4WD Shirokumakko too:

[markbt73 5316]

And now it only remains to see if Tamiya will give us a WR-02 version of the Mini 4WD Shirokumakko too:

I think that version might be even more "polar"izing...

[taliesin 260]

I would actually be curious to get a perspective from a Japanese citizen. My best guess is that the Kumamon might be wildly popular with people - including many that might not be Tamiya or RC fans. If that is the case - mission accomplished. That may be the ultimate validation of a marketing strategy - getting new customers from outside the normal base.

Kumamon has been pretty popular since 2010 and that is actually a short amount of time to break into new markets and get such a following.

I'm still greatly puzzled by the whole tractor thing, but what the heck, I'll buy this one. Looks like fun to drive and ... it is Kumamon!

[B.M.T. 127]

I want a Domo Kun tractor.

[backtomyroots 432]

Definitely something for the kids, it's cute. Ah, what the heck - I'd run one !

[GregM 1109]

My better half thinks Kumamon's face shows an expression of terror. Like if he has accidentally run over someone and left him for dead.

[d1nzfe 8]

DOMO KUN version for me too.

[taliesin 260]

My better half thinks Kumamon's face shows an expression of terror. Like if he has accidentally run over someone and left him for dead.