NECA '87 Toon TMNT

[Mint In Boks]

Since Usagi is technically a different license, I wonder if NECA can (or would) release Usagi characters without the TMNT branding. There was an Instagram reel saying “NECA has sculpted more characters in the Stan Sakai style” before the Turts were revealed and I was hoping at the time it meant we might see actual Usagi Yojimbo characters.

an unarmored Usagi and maybe Jei, Gen, or Tomoe would make for an excellent follow up to these figures even if they didn’t have the TMNT and Nickelodeon logos on them.

 

[Felonious Monk]

That would blow my mind.

 

[TheRealSmallville]

It feels like every year we have a “NECA dropped by Target?!” rumor and every year they keep selling NECA stuff with the same shit distribution and nothing else changes.

Kinda hope it’s true this time, if the Toon line's ending with the license change, then Target can get bent. They made their choice in the culture war and very clearly said they’d rather bend a knee early and quickly to fascism then stand up for the people who actually shop there. I went from “well I’m here, might as well grab a few things…” when I take my weekly photo to “fuck this place!”, I’ve watched my monthly RedCard statement go from “$200+” because I’d grab milk, maybe some pantry staples, and bread (and if I was good boy maybe a cheap ass box of Family Sized Krave or seasonal holiday candies) on my weekly photo stop to “$0” or if I’m lucky and there actually was a new NECA item “$40” because why would I give a place that actively wants me dead extra money?!

Target decided to court the people who only go into Target to get angry they have Pride Month merch, wreck a display and not buy anything, and it bit them in the ass, the sooner I can stop going to Target to save $6 on my little plastic treats the better.

This. I don't like to get dramatic, but Mrs. Smallville and I have already stopped purchasing anything from Target that wasn't toy related, and the only reason we make the exception for toys is because there just isn't anywhere else around here to get NECA in-store. The Walmart's here rarely get any NECA product. If NECA leaves Target, we will too.

 

[TheRealSmallville]

Since it was in the conversation earlier, I just ran across this (the question and answer is near the end):

https://www.reddit.com/r/NECA/comments/1ra88v6/walkthrough_with_trevor_of_the_2012_figures

Trevor states that they have "lots of figures planned for the next couple of years" (planned...), and that there's no "concrete announcement" but "we got lots more to do." He seemed pretty positive when he talked about it, wasn't beating around the bush any, so hopefully that's a big positive sign in where things are headed with the license stuff.

Also fuck all the tariff bullshit, I cannot believe the clown world we fucking live in, holy shit, why can't things be normal.

I think Mattel will definitely put a stop to other companies doing TMNT stuff, but I imagine they would have to wait for each individual license to run out. So if NECA has it through 2029, for example, then they could continue making product but there would be no extensions after that.

I see a lot of posts online about "next year" this, "next year" that and I don't think next year is the key like it was for McFarlane and DC. If Trevor says they have the next couple of years planned, then that's probably a clue on how long they have to go on the license. Which is good news, if so.

 

[Misfit]

Since Usagi is technically a different license, I wonder if NECA can (or would) release Usagi characters without the TMNT branding. There was an Instagram reel saying “NECA has sculpted more characters in the Stan Sakai style” before the Turts were revealed and I was hoping at the time it meant we might see actual Usagi Yojimbo characters.

an unarmored Usagi and maybe Jei, Gen, or Tomoe would make for an excellent follow up to these figures even if they didn’t have the TMNT and Nickelodeon logos on them.

They can definitely continue on with Stan regardless of what happens with TMNT. It's just a question of does NECA see much value in Usagi Yojimbo on its own? They did do that four pack already so that might give them some idea. Unless these new figures bomb, I would guess that they would at least try something post TMNT, unless they lose that license too.

I think Mattel will definitely put a stop to other companies doing TMNT stuff, but I imagine they would have to wait for each individual license to run out. So if NECA has it through 2029, for example, then they could continue making product but there would be no extensions after that.

I see a lot of posts online about "next year" this, "next year" that and I don't think next year is the key like it was for McFarlane and DC. If Trevor says they have the next couple of years planned, then that's probably a clue on how long they have to go on the license. Which is good news, if so.

Most assume, and it seems to be confirmed via Super7, that all of the general licenses are pegged to the master license and expire at the same time, hence why the concern. NECA would have stuff planned out for 2027 and 2028 regardless because that's just how toy design works. Whether they get to release it (and we get to see it) is another matter. If they re-up with Paramount we'll find out. It might not be via press release like the Mattel announcement, but they want that news out there because it's good for business.

 

[RicksNerdLife]

I would love nothing more than to believe that they can at the very least round out the 2012 series before the end. But I am not operating under that belief. I am expecting what we've seen to be it. That way, I can be pleasantly surprised IF we get more, but I can't be disappointed if these are the end credits.