Bicycle Transducer Night Sakura [NEW DECK]

[Don Boyer]

OK, it's about time SOMEONE started a proper topic on this deck, since all we have as of now as scattered posts.  I first made mention of it in a post on February 6th in CBJ's old Upcoming Decks topic - here's the relevant portion of it.

Re: the unnamed Transducer deck - I read somewhere in these very forums that it was to be called "Night Sakura", but that it may have been canceled.

Just looked: PoundFFFFFF mentioned it on page 3 of THIS topic, back in November.  He said he hadn't heard any news on it in a while, thought it might be canceled.  Anyone try contacting K3 Studios?

I just checked his deviantArt page, which shows a photo.
http://k3-studio.deviantart.com/art/Dissolving-210803576

He mentioned sometime last year that it was his fourth deck design and that he'd post about it in his journal when it was releasing.  The only journal post saying anything about a deck release going back to Sept. 10, 2010 is one made on March 5, 2011 to announce the release of Tranducer Fire.

But the thing is, he also posted this
http://k3-studio.deviantart.com/art/Royal-straight-flush-146920116?q=gallery%3Ak3-studio%2F3229085&qo=40
and this
http://k3-studio.deviantart.com/art/Transducer-137753366?q=gallery%3Ak3-studio%2F3229085&qo=45
indicating that the back was a Tranducer deck design.  I don't own any Transducers, but I don't think they looked anything like this, did they?

I'm having my doubts about whether this Night Sakura edition is a legit project in the USPC pipeline.  I did create a deviantArt account and messaged him about any card projects he has right now, so we'll see what he says.

This was my follow up, after messaging the mysterious "K3 Studios" over at DeviantArt:

Here's what I sent him:

Hello. My name is Don Boyer, and I'm a magician and card collector living in the NYC Metropolitan area. Some friends and I were curious about any updates regarding the Transducer Night Sakura deck, or for that matter, any deck designs you may have in some stage of production. Could you please tell me about any projects you currently are working on along these lines?

Thanks for your time,
Don Boyer

Here's his reply.  His native language is Japanese; his English is "a little bumpy".

Hi,
Thank you for your message. I'm glad you like the deck I designed.
About the Night Sakura deck, now it is continuing to prepare the release although it is later than the day I had thought. I send about the current status to my client of this project after I sent this message.

Now I confirmed that you got dA account to send this message. I'm sorry for your time. I have an e-mail address k3-studio@hotmail.com
You can send your e-mail using it.

If you have an e-mail address, I'll be able to inform about the current status of the deck.

All theBest,
k3

I wrote him back, gave him my email and invited him to stop by the Discourse.  Let's see if he comes.

I wasn't aware of this, but based on what he wrote, it appears that he's just the designer working for another person who actually gets the deck made.

We now know that this deck is coming, and that it's on pre-order over at Poker Manic.

Any thoughts on this deck, folks?

[Evan]

I lik the back design a lot and not many decks use pink which I think is cool about this one. Although the number cards look to be custom, they don't look like anything special.

[KPopFever605]

I like the back design too! - The pink/purple on black really stands out. To me, the Transducer series are one of the most intricate Bicycle decks in existence. Although the Aqua and Lava editions aren't that great, I've believed the Transducers have made a comeback.

[Don Boyer]

I like the back design too! - The pink/purple on black really stands out. To me, the Transducer series are one of the most intricate Bicycle decks in existence. Although the Aqua and Lava editions aren't that great, I've believed the Transducers have made a comeback.

Also bear in mind that those images are NOT of the finished product.  Even though Poker Manic has been using them, I spotted them on K3's DeviantArt page about a half-year ago, and they've probably been up there even longer than that.  In fact...

...I just checked; he posted it as a wallpaper on the site May 29, 2011.  So it's about five seasons old.  Things could have changed since then; we have no way to know.

[CBJ]

Now available

http://bmpokerworld.gostorego.com/bicycle-transducer-night-sakura-edition-playing-cards.html


CBJ

[NathanCanadas]

Woah! I really like the back, box and pip designs. I also love the colors. I don't own any of the Transducers, but with all these beautiful designs, I guess I'll have to get my hands on some, especially this one!

[Don Boyer]

Just as I'd postulated - the final artwork, while similar, is far from the exact same thing in the promo photos.

[vmagic]

Personally I think the original back design looked much better.

[Don Boyer]

Personally I think the original back design looked much better.

I hope you didn't think that after fifteen months the design would have remained unchanged...

[Utterfool]

I actually really prefer this back.
Top to bottom the cards are symmetrical so it is OK for magicians. but left to right it looses that symmetry and I find that aesthetically pleasing.

As for the blossoms, I find it hard to believe this was designed by a Japanese person. They send the pink cherry blossoms to America, The Japanese prefer the white petaled trees. They have pink undertones, but most assuredly are white
At the end of the season when the petals begin to fall, it is like a slow falling snow.

Ahh natsukashi

[Don Boyer]

I actually really prefer this back.
Top to bottom the cards are symmetrical so it is OK for magicians. but left to right it looses that symmetry and I find that aesthetically pleasing.

As for the blossoms, I find it hard to believe this was designed by a Japanese person. They send the pink cherry blossoms to America, The Japanese prefer the white petaled trees. They have pink undertones, but most assuredly are white
At the end of the season when the petals begin to fall, it is like a slow falling snow.

Ahh natsukashi

The artist, "K3 Studios", is a bit of a mystery.  His true identity is secret, and he does this work for a third party - that party might be Japanese, while he could be from practically anywhere.

[Lilyas]

I wasn't aware of this, but based on what he wrote, it appears that he's just the designer working for another person who actually gets the deck made.

That's right. I know k3 Studio from deviantART because I am a longtime deviant, too. I love his 3D art. He is a very professional designer.

Any thoughts on this deck, folks?

Yes. I own the Transducer Fire deck. I simply love it. But this is been said from the designer's point of view, not a collector's or a magician's. But since it is Bicycle quality I guess it's very good.

[KPopFever605]

Oh! - The back looks beautiful. Truly amazing. What I don't get about this deck (and others in the series as well) is why the back of the box varies so much from the back design. I remember some reviewers on YT ranting on about how the Aqua/Lava Transducers were such an upset as they were not as beautiful as their box design. Let's see how these hold up though.

[NathanCanadas]

I also prefer the new back and other artwork. I find it more true to the theme and more beautiful as well. Oh my... What a deck!