Shocked & Disappointed (Harry Potter Hogwarts Express)

Super,

Half of the issue with this will be simply its a bit late, if it had been released during the movie runs then it would no doubt have been a very hot item. This long after the movie series finished, I would say it has missed the boat so to say, I mean how long ago was the last movie? 5 years? Longer? I know there have been the spin-offs in the shape of the chronologically earlier stories about mysterious beasts (or whatever they called) and to be honest at least to me are much better movies, but they don't feature the train and due to the more adult story lines are likely to appeal to older people. Even Hornby has stopped selling the Harry Potter range I believe and they had been on point selling Hogwarts Express trains in various guise sets as the movies were released from day one...


Cheers, Nigel

[Super]

Good points Nigel. I totally missed on what I assumed would be a massively popular release. I don't see much talk about this on the Internet even when I search for it in Japanese. Will be interested to see if this is introduced at the Tokyo Plarail Expo in a couple of weeks and if it generates more interest and discussions. However even though I am not into the Potter world I will be picking up several of these sets just to get some of the exclusive items in the photo.

Good points Nigel...

Indeed, it does seem a bit late, but the only question relevant to the timing of this release is how big Harry Potter is in Japan right now. That's the only market that TakaraTomy has any interest in. No doubt a considerable license fee will have been paid to Warner Bros (a bunch of money-grabbing crooks who just killed off Eurosport TV in the UK by increasing the monthly subscription by about 400%). 

I don't know the answer but I notice that Warner Bros. opened a large indoor Harry Potter attraction, "Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter" in Tokyo in 2023.

[Super]

More good points Dr Chris 

Good points Nigel. I totally missed on what I assumed would be a massively popular release. I don't see much talk about this on the Internet even when I search for it in Japanese. Will be interested to see if this is introduced at the Tokyo Plarail Expo in a couple of weeks and if it generates more interest and discussions. However even though I am not into the Potter world I will be picking up several of these sets just to get some of the exclusive items in the photo.

maybe the loyalty fee too expensive 5 years ago.

The Harry potter series is available on various streaming services and effectively free if you already have a subscription. Young children love to watch the early releases of HP over and over on their iPads. So HP merchandise still has a long way to run. Magic wands, Lego, trains,  anything. Says me, having failed to pick up a $40 Harry Potter 0-gauge set at Aldi last October, only to be told by the granddaughter the next week how much she lover Harry Potter!

[Super]

So are you going to purchase this Plarail set when its released Densha?

I am not keen on Real Class prices so I would only get it if nagged, which would only happen if she were aware of it. The other grandchildren, nieces and nephews etc. are happy to play with whatever they find when they visit.

But then again, who knows what will turn up on the second-hand market here next year? (Strange as it may seem, there are one or two Japanese men in Australia who seem to buy everything soon after release, play with it for a while and then sell some or all at reasonable prices.)