And it seems like another move towards acknowledging there is a large collector base for action figures (which has also been a trend for quite a few years now).
I love the windowed square box moreso than the traditional Marvel Legends curvier box because I can reuse the square box (to hold accessories, BAF pieces, etc). Even being a loose collector, I don't enjoy tossing out the packaging and knowing that it's going to eat up space in a landfill. This new package design is great: square shape makes it easier to stack, return of the plastic window (which doesn't use as much plastic as a blister). I hope they keep this design for a long time.
I'm nostalgic about the 80s / 90s TMNT packaging. (Especially with the artwork and speech bubbles that they had.) But I must say, the square boxes look fine and don't give off that "Board game or build-a-model" vibe. This is a good direction for the modern era.
Coming from a marketing education, I find these kind of videos very interesting. As I mention in my first comment of this video, Kotler comes to mind; Price, Product, Placement... And even if I couldnt find it from a simple Google search, I want to include _Packaging_ ... And as you say, it feels much more value when you get a robust packaging. But even if the vintage Star Wars figs, and the vintage He Man (MOTU) shares the same kind of packaging, it feels like MOTU gives you more.
Great video. Thanks for information. One day, I would like to learn how the process of items makes it to stores like Ross and Ollies explained to me like I am five years old. Some youtubers have tried to explain it, but it is most speculation from a collector viewpoint. I would like it from someone that worked in the business viewpoint.
I would love to see you make a video on how difficult it is nowadays to actually get figures OUT of the packaging. I specifically collect DC Superman figures and it takes me up to 10 minutes using an extremely sharp box cutter to get Supes cut out of his shell. It can’t be to prevent theft so why are toy companies making it so hard to get figures out?
From a marketing and product positioning standpoint, yes, that makes sense. However, from a financial viewpoint, I would gather that transitioning to square shaped packages of uniformed size across brands and product lines would have to amount to some sort of cost reduction overall.
SCOTT GOT A QUESTION…Was looking at my display…Jada Street Fighter toys says 13+,Legends says 4+ when they basically the same..Origins says 6+ while retro turtles say 3+(nobody under 3)….WHY is the age all over the place? Especially with the Jada SF example compared to Classified/Legends when they are so similar in build.
Basically, the lower the demographic you're targeting, the more vetting and trials you need to pay for. A bunch of stuff that's "13+" is perfectly fine for your elementary school aged child, it just wasn't worth the money for the company to earn a decal that says it is.
Why ship 8000 misshapen bricks when you can fit more into shippers and transport 10,000 units with a far more aesthetically pleasing and versatile shape like cubes. Only so much room on the damn pallet.
Is the regulation why Cross-Sells aren't om packages anymore? I get annoyed when I see a new toy and wonder what else is in the wave and I can't tell because no cross-sell.
Imagine all that regulation text on the box but in a dozen different languages. That's UK toy packaging. No bio on the character, only tiny pictures of other toys available. The rest is gobbledygook.
Packaging should have always been simple and plain, most buyers throw it away and it never convinced me to buy a single figure. I envy the Soviet Union stores that sold one brand of toothpaste in a plain cardboard box.
The fully enclosed box also uses less plastic with just a plastic window vs. a plastic bubble on a card... which actually seems more of the reason why they are being boxed now...especially after Hasbro tried to use zero plastic in the packaging for a while...just saying.
Why don't boxes contain cardboard dioramas. They are using the boxes, and typicallty have background images, but why can they use boxes are draw dioramas to display with characters. They always include a cardboard insert, why not make it into a fold out diorama to replace the BAFS or a simple cardboard dio? Just seems so underutilized.
The Studio Series Transformers include diorama backgrounds. They mostly get thrown away. For a while, Star Wars vehicles had diorama backgrounds, too. I kept mine, if only because they're part of the box I keep them in.
Nope, The new square boxes are because they stopped the old box style with the plastic free packaging gone, Hasbro went with a cheaper form factor for a cheaper cost, because robots work with square boxes much much faster, for overall cheaper manufacturing costs. I like the look of the old boxes better, but are designed for human hands to work with, thus costs more.
![Running on Fumes - The History of Transformers: 1989 Edition [USA Releases]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/uO5Xe5nE9AY/mqdefault.jpg)
And it seems like another move towards acknowledging there is a large collector base for action figures (which has also been a trend for quite a few years now).
I love the windowed square box moreso than the traditional Marvel Legends curvier box because I can reuse the square box (to hold accessories, BAF pieces, etc). Even being a loose collector, I don't enjoy tossing out the packaging and knowing that it's going to eat up space in a landfill. This new package design is great: square shape makes it easier to stack, return of the plastic window (which doesn't use as much plastic as a blister). I hope they keep this design for a long time.
Easier to stack a square box 📦 😂🎉
THIS IS REASON #1
I'm nostalgic about the 80s / 90s TMNT packaging. (Especially with the artwork and speech bubbles that they had.) But I must say, the square boxes look fine and don't give off that "Board game or build-a-model" vibe. This is a good direction for the modern era.
Coming from a marketing education, I find these kind of videos very interesting.
As I mention in my first comment of this video, Kotler comes to mind; Price, Product, Placement... And even if I couldnt find it from a simple Google search, I want to include _Packaging_ ...
And as you say, it feels much more value when you get a robust packaging.
But even if the vintage Star Wars figs, and the vintage He Man (MOTU) shares the same kind of packaging, it feels like MOTU gives you more.
Great video. Thanks for information.
One day, I would like to learn how the process of items makes it to stores like Ross and Ollies explained to me like I am five years old.
Some youtubers have tried to explain it, but it is most speculation from a collector viewpoint. I would like it from someone that worked in the business viewpoint.
I would love to see you make a video on how difficult it is nowadays to actually get figures OUT of the packaging. I specifically collect DC Superman figures and it takes me up to 10 minutes using an extremely sharp box cutter to get Supes cut out of his shell. It can’t be to prevent theft so why are toy companies making it so hard to get figures out?
Happy new year 🎆
From a marketing and product positioning standpoint, yes, that makes sense. However, from a financial viewpoint, I would gather that transitioning to square shaped packages of uniformed size across brands and product lines would have to amount to some sort of cost reduction overall.
I never thought of that Scott.
just like old times 6:14 😆 .Happy New Year Scott. 👍
SCOTT GOT A QUESTION…Was looking at my display…Jada Street Fighter toys says 13+,Legends says 4+ when they basically the same..Origins says 6+ while retro turtles say 3+(nobody under 3)….WHY is the age all over the place? Especially with the Jada SF example compared to Classified/Legends when they are so similar in build.
Basically, the lower the demographic you're targeting, the more vetting and trials you need to pay for. A bunch of stuff that's "13+" is perfectly fine for your elementary school aged child, it just wasn't worth the money for the company to earn a decal that says it is.
Why ship 8000 misshapen bricks when you can fit more into shippers and transport 10,000 units with a far more aesthetically pleasing and versatile shape like cubes. Only so much room on the damn pallet.
Reasonable. Thank you for making this.
Is the regulation why Cross-Sells aren't om packages anymore?
I get annoyed when I see a new toy and wonder what else is in the wave and I can't tell because no cross-sell.
Love your analysis. Keep it up ❤
Another great video. 2025 is off to a great start. ♥
I have to watch this when I come back home, but as a reminder to my self, and as a place holder for now, I have to mention Kotler and his P's 😄
Imagine all that regulation text on the box but in a dozen different languages. That's UK toy packaging. No bio on the character, only tiny pictures of other toys available. The rest is gobbledygook.
I have that Darth Vader Bandai SHFiguarts , got it from Japan as a souvenir, it's still in box never to be opened.
NRFB! NRFB!
Will you consolidate your star wars figure series into its own dedicated playlist please ?
blister card value in a fancy box. perceived value vs actual value. sometimes one forgets that the adults are in charge of making the toys. lol
It scares me to think how many smooth brains are out there thinking a square box somehow equates to high quality product.
Excellent job Scott. Happy new year 😂❤
Packaging should have always been simple and plain, most buyers throw it away and it never convinced me to buy a single figure.
I envy the Soviet Union stores that sold one brand of toothpaste in a plain cardboard box.
The fully enclosed box also uses less plastic with just a plastic window vs. a plastic bubble on a card... which actually seems more of the reason why they are being boxed now...especially after Hasbro tried to use zero plastic in the packaging for a while...just saying.
Happy new year 🎊🎆
Damn time has passed
So now I need to hunt down that hots wheels car.
Why?
@polarboy5862 There is a he-man character that Scott designed with the same name. I'm going to put them together.
Why don't boxes contain cardboard dioramas. They are using the boxes, and typicallty have background images, but why can they use boxes are draw dioramas to display with characters.
They always include a cardboard insert, why not make it into a fold out diorama to replace the BAFS or a simple cardboard dio? Just seems so underutilized.
The Studio Series Transformers include diorama backgrounds. They mostly get thrown away. For a while, Star Wars vehicles had diorama backgrounds, too. I kept mine, if only because they're part of the box I keep them in.
Was Hanukkah Harry good to you this year?
Nope, The new square boxes are because they stopped the old box style with the plastic free packaging gone, Hasbro went with a cheaper form factor for a cheaper cost, because robots work with square boxes much much faster, for overall cheaper manufacturing costs. I like the look of the old boxes better, but are designed for human hands to work with, thus costs more.
Happy New Year Scott and everyone! 🎉🎉 Hoping everyone has a happy, successful, peaceful and healthy 2025! ❤
Oh god Youre back………..talking about something again that you know nothing of. It’s a packaging that always changes. Always.
Mason I actually Agree with you on this one. Seems like a reach here.