Customer Reviews

The Unofficial Guide to Japanese and International Transformers (Schiffer Book for Collectors)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought the two guides and I don't see any improvement from one to the other.
A lot of pictures, some trade prices but that' s it.

I expected some explanations but for an "unofficial guide", there is not even a word about the previous transformers (diaclone, kronoform, etc) and/or all the fakes you can find.
There is also no chronology and more over as a european transfan I didn't see something about the european special releases.

In others words: it's every thing but a reference.

You would find much more info by surfing on personnal web sites.

I gonna keep the two books cause there are very nice pictures in them but it's very disappointing.

What I learn was the Transformers were put together by Takara from combining many different toy manufacturers line in Japan. Later in the early 80s a storyline was conceived through the cartoon series and a seperate comic from the existing toy products. This simply mean the story had very little to do with the early toy design. The problems I had with this book is it is not a very good as a toy catalog nor did it described the history in great detail. The writing is not very deep nor long, it just give you a lot of surface information that make you ask for more questions. Each chapter writing contents averaged only about a page long. There are no in depth analysis on the individual toys at all. For the image qualities: The photographs were horrible. The photographers need to learn about lighting and angle. You get a lot of pics of Transformers' boxes, unsharp close-up, reddish tint, redundancy, and a lot of white empty area. As a history book there is not enough for you to own this book, more of a library checkout. Takara's own "Welcome to the World of Transformers" as a toy catalog is much better. There is writing for each toy products and the photo is very professional, but it is in 95% Japanese's' text. I am somewhat happy with this book, but can not recommend it to a casual fan and it was done very generic.

This is a great book for those interested in Japanese and International Transformers! J. E. Alverez gives an insightful detailed summary of All aspects of international Transformers toys. He divides each section into individual chapters based on their series and release date. He goes into detail all aspects of Transformers from the pre-Transformers era to the Transformers released in Europe and Japan. He makes chapter summaries of all the Japanese Transformers series, From Fight Super Robot Lifeform Transformers, TF:2010, Headmasters, Masterforce, Victory, Zone, Return of Convoy, and Operation Combination. Like his first book he also has photographs of miscellaneous Transfomers items such as coloring books, model kits, toothbrushes, and etc., Buy this book! Its not only for collectors of the toys, It's for everyone and anyone interested in the subject of Transformers! Buy it! Its worth what you spent on it.

Lots of pictures to drool over, and lots of information that I did not know previously. If there are omissions in this one, I am not equipped to point them out. The price lists are still here, and I still consider them unneccessary. Don't use them as a guide if you're looking for a deal ...This is a minor quibble. This is a must have book for the Transformers fan.

I liked the original book (80's through 90's) but this book is SO much better. The writting has improved although some dire humour is still there, the pictures are of a better quality and show more details of the variations. A lot of the Japanese Transformers i have never seen before as well as the white Astrotrain and Red Tracks for example. The price guide should really be dropped as it really isn't that neccesary. The only thing that is realy missing is the Programme and comic guides but there could be a chance he's saving that up for another book. It is a good continuation of the series and I'm looking forward to the 2nd edition of the origianl and the Beast Wars book keep up the good work.

An excellent informational source for the toy-line that has made a huge international impact, this book emphasizes that the United States is only one of the many places in the world that transformers has made history in the everyday lives of people. Whether for the sole purpose of looking for information on how transformers has transgressed and spanned the globe over the years or for the purpose of aiding collectors on how to obtain these precious items into their possession, this is definitely a necessary part of everyone's literary repertoire.

Since 1999, Mr. Alvarez has done a great job of providing both the curious observer and hard-core fans a visual guide to the Transformers toy mythos. This addition is a particular triumph because of the wealth of photography of rare figures, both those whose presentation vary dramatically from their North American release and those never released outside of the Japanese market.

It really is a teaser for the community, to leave fans salivating for these rare items.

While the visuals are first rate and Alvarez does an admirable job of walking the reader through the significance and timing of each release, it's clear he is no writer. A lot of his writing borders on the banal, although he does a better job of conveying the message in this edition than he does in others in this series. But as this is really not intended as a great writen masterpiece, the superb organizational job more than compensates for the prose here.

This is a must-have for anyone with a passing interest in Transformers toys.

All I have to say about this book is that it is an excellent sequal to Alvarez's original. I really like how on the last page there is a picture of Super Fire Convoy. I can't wait until his next book!

This is one of the only 2 books dedicated exclusively to the Transformers action figures. It is a great book for collectors and contains great information on the figures released internationally and the ones that were exclusive to Japan

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....My man Alvarez Strikes back with fury. Dis guy takes his Transformers serious! ....

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With his new book, Jobie Alvarez continues.... ....Good thing I got this new Alvarez Transformers book Yo. ....

....Buy Jose Alvarez's book. The pictures, the history, the texture! It's all good baby! I highly recommend this book and hope that you will tell all ...about it! ....

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