History Main / ShowAccuracyToyAccuracy

[[quoteright:350:[[Franchise/TransformersGeneration1 https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/showratchettoyratchet_7695.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Toy on the left, show on the right.]]

'''Toy Accuracy''' is the same, except the merchandise came first, and you're moving it from 3-D to 2-D... not as easy as it sounds. Depending on the art style the media is being made in, getting the characters accurate to their merchandise can get rather difficult. (Of course, being too ''good'' a representation of the toys can be problematic as well, leading to things like [[Anime/TransformersCybertron Evac]] having a giant red lever on his left arm for no real reason.)

'''Show Accuracy''' happens when the media is made first, then the merchandise; since the transition between [[PolygonCeiling 2-D and 3-D is hard enough]], adding stuff like joints and other gimmicks to make it playable for kids - especially if said media involves TransformingMecha - there's bound to be some details lost in the attempt. Thus, an action figure, for instance, is considered "Show Accurate" if the toy has little to no details missing from the media version.

To be fair, though, advancements in toy-designing technology has made this less of a problem than it was in, say...the '70s or '80s, when the most articulation a toy can expect was in the waist, shoulders, and neck, and HumongousMecha looked more like candy-colored hunks of brick than an actual robot. Nowadays, we have the ability to make ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'' that can shift from realistic model car to crazily-articulated behemoth mecha, action figures with full range of movement and insane muscle details... At least, [[ClarkesLawForGirlsToys we can do that for merchandise marketed]] [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ActionNonactionFigures_1096.jpg to boys]].

However, this can still be a problem when it comes to show-accurate toys, particularly action figures, where the show's stylistic character design cannot be translated into a 3D model without weakening the toy's structure. Incredibly thin limbs, when translated into plastic, usually means the plastic would be fragile and easily break, which would mean the toy would not pass any mandatory safety tests, and in turn would incur the wrath of the CPSC. This is not necessarily a problem if the show is targeted at older audiences, but if the show's audiences are preschoolers who tend to engage in rough play and put things in their mouth frequently, then you have a problem. The workaround would be to use more expensive materials or scale the toy to a size that the limbs' structural integrity are strong enough, which of course increases the price of the product exponentially and in return may affect sales.

Still, the debate will rage on as long as both the media and merchandise are popular, invoking FanDumb as fans battle over which is more aesthetically pleasing.

[[caption-width-right:350:[[SarcasmMode Can't tell 'em apart.]]]]

[[caption-width-right:315:[[SarcasmMode Can't tell 'em apart.]]]]

Still, the debate will rage on as long as both the media and merchandise are popular, invoking FanDumb and FandomBerserkButton as fans battle over which is more aesthetically pleasing.

[[caption-width-right:315:[[SarcasmMode It's so accurate.]]]]

However, this can still be a problem when it comes to show-accurate toys where the show's stylistic character design cannot be translated into a 3D model without weakening the toy's structure. Incredibly thin limbs, when translated into plastic, usually means the plastic would be fragile and easily break, which would mean the toy would not pass any mandatory safety tests, and in turn would incur the wrath of the CPSC. This is not necessarily a problem if the show is targeted at older audiences, but if the show's audiences are preschoolers who tend to engage in rough play and put things in their mouth frequently, then you have a problem. The workaround would be to use more expensive materials, which of course increases the price of the product exponentially and in return may affect sales.

However, this can still be a problem when it comes to show-accurate toys where the show's stylistic character design cannot be translated into a 3D model without weakening the toy's structure. Incredibly thin limbs, when translated into plastic, usually means the plastic would be fragile and easily break, which would mean the toy would not pass any mandatory safety tests, and in turn would incur the wrath of the CPSC. The workaround would be to use more expensive materials, which of course increases the price of the product exponentially and in return may affect sales.

'''Toy Accuracy''' is the same, except the merchandise came first, and you're moving it from 3-D to 2-D...not as easy as it sounds. Depending on the art style the media is being made in, getting the characters accurate to their merchandise can get rather difficult. (Of course, being too ''good'' a representation of the toys can be problematic as well, leading to things like [[Anime/TransformersCybertron Evac]] having a giant red lever on his left arm for no real reason.)

[[caption-width-right:350:[[SarcasmMode You can hardly tell 'em apart!]]]]

[[Franchise/TransformersGeneration1 http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/showratchettoyratchet_7695.jpg]]
[[caption-width:350:[[SarcasmMode You can hardly tell 'em apart!]]]]

'''Toy Accuracy''' is the same, except the merchandise came first, and you're moving it from 3-D to 2-D...not as easy as it sounds. Depending on the art style the media is being made in, getting the characters accurate to their merchandise can get rather difficult. (Of course, being too ''good'' a representation of the toys can be problematic as well, leading to things like [[TransformersCybertron Evac]] having a giant red lever on his left arm for no real reason.)

To be fair, though, advancements in toy-designing technology has made this less of a problem than it was in, say...the '70s or '80s, when the most articulation a toy can expect was in the waist, shoulders, and neck, and HumongousMecha looked more like candy-colored hunks of brick than an actual robot. Nowadays, we have the ability to make ''{{Transformers}}'' that can shift from realistic model car to crazily-articulated behemoth mecha, action figures with full range of movement and insane muscle details... At least, [[ClarkesLawForGirlsToys we can do that for merchandise marketed]] [[http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ActionNonactionFigures_1096.jpg to boys]].

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To be fair, though, advancements in toy-designing technology has made this less of a problem than it was in, say...the '70s or '80s, when the most articulation a toy can expect was in the waist, shoulders, and neck, and HumongousMecha looked more like candy-colored hunks of brick than an actual robot. Nowadays, we have the ability to make ''{{Transformers}}'' that can shift from realistic model car to crazily-articulated behemoth mecha, action figures with full range of movement and insane muscle details... At least, [[ClarkesLawForGirlsToys we can do that for merchandise marketed to boys]].