TMNT Minimates - it's official!

[buttheadsmate]

oh god. it has begun.

[Josh2382]

This may be the most bittersweet line I've seen.

[Santos L Halper]

Noticed that the TMNT blind bag description says "Sold at comic shops, specialty stores, Kmart, Sears and Toys "R" Us." It's great that Minimates are going to be available in more retailers, but to me Kmart and Sears seem like two of the worst places for Minimates to be sold. Maybe 20-25 years ago they would have been good places for Minimates to be sold(when they both actually had customers), but both businesses are on the downward slope of their existence and I'm really surprised both are still open. I honestly can't remember the last time I went to either retailer(easily more than 10 years ago) and didn't even know Sears sold toys other than out of the catalog. Does the Sears catalog exist anymore?

[MisterPL]

I've actually got more Sears and Kmart stores nearby than Toys "R" Us so I'd be glad to be able to pick up Minimates there.

[Shanester]

So this was just announced.

You know, if you're into that kinda thing. (And I know quite a few are!)

G-- Damit! I hate buying from scalpers.

[CBMM1]

These look great! I will definitely be picking these up at the Con. The unfortunate thing is that I thought I was going to be able to get away with not buying the translucent Raph, but now I am going to want them all!

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Minimates Series 1: The cast of the animated series has been transformed into a series of 2 -inch block figures as part of the wide-ranging Minimates brand. Each figure in the line features interchangeable parts as well as their trademark weapons. Characters include the four Turtles, April O'Neil, Shredder, Foot Soldiers, Foot-Bot, Kraang and Exo-Armor Kraang and are available in blind bags and two-packs. Sold at comic shops, specialty stores, Kmart, Sears and Toys "R" Us."

(From the DST press release on the website)

Edited July 15, 2014 by CBMM1

[bzorio]

CBMM1, Mikey is the translucent turtle in the case, but he will be green (don't know where I've read it).

[CBMM1]

Oh ok, but I am still going to want him.

[bzorio]

We're 2, and counting. lol

[CBMM1]

I guess these giveaways are a smart marketing strategy for DST since now they make me want to find that translucent variant. I hope the bags are marked somehow so that you know what you're getting.

[bzorio]

I don't think that way because now we have 2 Michelangelo and 1 Leonardo variant. Where's Donatello and Raphael? Maybe in the next con?

But the strategy is working, I want them all.

[fatcow]

Well if you go by Vorin releases for Battle Beasts its quite possible that there will be TMNT promos at next year's c2e2.

Edited July 15, 2014 by fatcow

[Nessex]

OMFG! Those translucent turtles are so cute. Think i'm gonna be chasing those bad boys down.

[DSTZach]

Noticed that the TMNT blind bag description says "Sold at comic shops, specialty stores, Kmart, Sears and Toys "R" Us." It's great that Minimates are going to be available in more retailers, but to me Kmart and Sears seem like two of the worst places for Minimates to be sold.

Clearly, you have never been to the Gulp-and-Go off of I-80.

[Santos L Halper]

Noticed that the TMNT blind bag description says "Sold at comic shops, specialty stores, Kmart, Sears and Toys "R" Us." It's great that Minimates are going to be available in more retailers, but to me Kmart and Sears seem like two of the worst places for Minimates to be sold.

Clearly, you have never been to the Gulp-and-Go off of I-80.

While I haven't had the pleasure of patronizing that particular establishment, I do think gas stations would be better outlets for blind bag Ninja Turtles than Kmart and Sears would be. Where I live, they're both struggling to stay afloat in a sea of Walmart and Targets. Maybe in other parts of the country Kmart and Sears are thriving retailers, but if they're anything like here then they'll be lucky to be open for another year. Of course any exposure for the Minimates brand is a good thing and I really hope this leads to other retailers carrying Minimates in the future.

[CBMM1]

I agree. All the K-Marts in my area shut down. There is one Sears in a mall near my house, but the store is incredibly run down and messy. As you said though, I am sure these will thrive in other places and expand the brand.

[DSTZach]

I think my point is that there are clearly, by any way you measure it, a billion worse places to sell Minimates than a national chain of stores with 4,000 locations, the tenth largest retailer in the U.S. But I hope we eventually pick up some retailers that pass muster for you all.

And while I was joking about the Gulp and Go, I have to wonder if a chain of gas stations would be a good place to sell Minimates. How many kids go into gas stations? Or adults, now that you can pay at the pump? I've seen toy trucks and cars for sale in some, I think, but not recently, and that's a far more universal toy purchase.

Edited July 16, 2014 by DSTZach

[CBMM1]

I would say no to gas stations, and yes to grocery stores. Think of all the parents who are dragging their kids around all day. The kids are tired and grouchy. The parents are in the checkout line, and want anything to shut the kid up. The kid sees a box of Minimates. "I want one." The parent buys one. The kid is happy. You have a new customer!

[karamazov80]

I haven't seen a K-Mart in ages. Too bad they won't be sold in Winn Dixie. I shop there at least twice a week! . . .yep, the future of Minimates is Winn Dixie, mark my words.

[Ninja Mate]

I haven't seen a K-Mart in ages. Too bad they won't be sold in Winn Dixie. I shop there at least twice a week! . . .yep, the future of Minimates is Winn Dixie, mark my words.

Piggly Wiggly!

[Shanester]

There is a K-Mart near me and I will happily go there for Minimates just as I did for C3 sets back in the day.

[MisterPL]

I would say no to gas stations, and yes to grocery stores.

Same here.

I know a lot of people who eat and many of them frequent grocery stores.

What about Minimates vending machines in restrooms? Most of the people I know who eat also poop and many of them use public restrooms to do so. It's practically a captive audience.

[Valo487]

I don't know if it has ever come up, but the Hot Topic near me seems to do very well with their Funko blind bags, I think 'mates would do well.

[DSTZach]

I don't know how often we talk to grocery chains, but we are definitely not ignoring Hot Topic's phone calls. We show everything to them, every year, as far as I know.

[hellpop]

I would ignore Hot Topic's phone calls, since I imagine there would be really bad Nu Metal music blaring in the background.