>On 12/21/2006 at 12:00 PM Reynolds, Jason M. wrote:
>I noticed on Gunota they mention a 1/144 scale HCM-PRO RX-78
coming out. Could this be the replacement for MSIA?
A 1/144 scale HCM-Pro? I'm not sure about it. HCM-Pro is kind of an
odd product line. It doesn't seem to have much reason to exist. I
have 5 of them (Gundam ,Guncannon ,Guntank, Zaku II, Dom). I like
them but I don't see myself buying anymore.
For those who aren't familiar with HCM-pros, they aren't as playable
as MSiA, but they are more realistic and since they are made of
styrene and not PVC, they don't suffer from bent v-fins or droopy
guns. The details are finer and crisper. They aren't as poseable as
MSiAs but they move alright and they are smaller than MSiAs, usually
about an inch shorter. Oh and hands are molded to their guns.
So HCM-Pros are different than MSiAs but really not so much that it
would warrant collecting a whole new line of toys. A change to 1/144
scale would just mean HCM-pro would be competing with HGUC as well. I
mean I could see if HCM-Pro tackled MS subjects that you don't see in
MSiA or model lines--but they seem to all release versions of the
same subjects, usually within a few months of each other. Aren't they
cannibalizing sales from each other? Maybe if HCM-pro concentrated on
V, X or Turn A they would have some reason to be.
-James
