Time to Procure a Valkyrie

I want them to do the Plus YF-19 and 21, because I really want transforming figures of both of those & I don't want to pay $200 for them...

Oh yeah, bring on VF-19s. Please Yamato!!

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They did release a YF-19 and -21, right?

Yeah, Yamato YF-19 and 21 (and 22!) came out ages ago... I never bothered to get a 21, but do need one.

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I'm sorry, but f**k yamato. I'll bet they're valkyries are right awesome, but I can't justify spending that much money on something I can't really play with.

...*dodges brick*

No brick-throwing from me...but you might be asking for something that ain't gonna happen. For the VF-19 design, your best bet is the Bandai 1/65 toys that came out when Macross 7 was airing. Besides the lack of diecast, they're not that far a cry from the original 1/55 VF-1's. Very sturdy, fun, and playable.

You can say "fuck Yamato", but look at Bandai's more recent offerings. I've handled all their Macross Frontier toys, courtesy of Andrew...and while they're great for what they are (gorgeous, but delicate "adult collectibles"), they're no more playable than Yamato's recent offerings (the Yamato 1/60 VF-1 2.0 is pretty damn flawless...except for the early ones apparently with shoulder bugs).

Yeah, I'd be curious which Yamatos you'd handled to come off with that opinion. The later 1/48s were stellar and totally handle-able toys, and the 1/60 line has gotten better and better. There's one or two duds in there, but most of them are fantastic. I am also a strong advocate of the older Yamato 1/72 Macross Plus line. Avoid the non-FP 11 because the hips break, but the 11 with FAST Packs and both 19s are killer pre-CAD-uber-tech-engineering TOYS.

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I make 3D printed mecha action figures.

Sanjeev Wrote:
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> No brick-throwing from me...but you might be
> asking for something that ain't gonna happen. For
> the VF-19 design, your best bet is the Bandai 1/65
> toys that came out when Macross 7 was airing.
> Besides the lack of diecast, they're not that far
> a cry from the original 1/55 VF-1's. Very sturdy,
> fun, and playable.
>
There's also the two reissues from around 2000.

Just ensure that there's a Bandai logo on the box, because there's lots of bootlegs out there (with horrible plastic quality).

That was a bit presumptuous of me, I'm sorry. I've never actually handled one for but a minute, but I've read quite a few reviews & whatnot. Their VF-1's just seem kinda meh to me. At least, "meh" enough to not warrant the $100-$200 price tag; speaking of which, I'd actually LOVE to get ahold of the 1/72 Plus valkyries, but they seem to go upwards to that $200 line, and I can't justify paying that much for a toy that I can, quite frankly, live without. I seldom drop more than $100 for a toy unless it's a "holy grail" of mine.

As for Bandai's recent offerings...well, the newest Macross toys I own are by Toynami (and, of course, the WAVE SDF-1 and a couple Revoltechs.) I've considered getting the Hi-Metal VF-1, but haven't brought myself around to it.

I guess the problem here is that I'm spoiled by Transformers; you can get a pretty nice, decent rendering of any given well-known character for between $10-$50, whereas you're pretty much guaranteed to break the bank for Macross toys. (GOOD Macross toys.)

Because of this, I've taken to the Takatoku stuff recently...it's slightly expensive, but it's playable & sturdy.

As far as Yamato goes..I dunno, I may get a TV Max 1A, the 1/72 Plus Valks, and maybe the Konig Monster...but all that's only if I acquire a LOT of extra cash.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/16/2011 02:24PM by VenomMacbeth.

Don't believe the hype. Or at least, take it with a grain of salt based on who's at the wheel. Some people love the Yamato Valks, some people hate them. Sometimes, they even explain why. ;)

The comparison is TFs is understandable. Afterall, they are transforming robot toys based on existing licensed characters. But after that, the similarities mostly end. It's a totally different market demographic and totally different economy of scale. It makes sense why Bandai and Yamato Valkyrie toys are so much more expensive than Hasbro/Takara TFs. If that drives you from them, and keeps you buying Transformers, that's fine. Hey, Classics Jetfire's pretty fucking sick. But if you really need that super-detailed Valk toy, you'll either have to suck it up and get a Bandai or Yamato...or stick with Toynami.

Your best bet is to check out a Bandai or Yamato that someone else has. Mess around with it. See if you're feeling it. Then make your choice.

Well, no need to dwell on my POV regarding Yamato-made Macross 'goods'. My preparations for house-moving is an excellent opportunity to review my collection and I've already sold off a fair bit of my non-GGG Brave Series and new-ish Microman toys at the local flea mart.

Next up is to clear off all my old 1/60 VF-1s as well as the Konig Monster. My buddy managed to clear his VF-0 last week. This week it's his 1/48s. Good riddance!

drifand is just a hater

We know you're a hater, Kelvin! :P

Oh, regarding the Koenig Monster, it's pretty damn unanimous: avoid the Yamato like the plague, and stick with the recent Bandai one. That is IF you can deal with the scale discrepancy...

(haha...nice timing, Andrew!)

But while we're at it, Kelvin, what Valkyrie toys would you recommend?

If one is a 'completist' or desires the most number of repainted variants in one scale, no contest – you go with the newest 2.0 Yamato 1/60s. Just lookout for the 1st batch of Hikaru 1Js... or whatever passes for 'unlucky show-stopper of the moment by Y-company'.

Nostalgia lovers NEED a couple of Takatoku 1/55s, if only for the mecha art by Yoshiyuki Takani and superior packaging.

Personally, once I've moved I might go looking for the current Bandai 1/100 Hi-Metals... but seriously, I don't need any more Valkyries. I walked past the local Yamato import specialist last Sunday and snickered at the beautifully crippled YF-19 2.0 in the window. FGSFTS!

haters gonna hate

Crippled YF-19 2.0? You've lost me.

Introducing Prometheus Rising Studio.
[prometheusrising.net]
I make 3D printed mecha action figures.

Sanjeev Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The comparison is TFs is understandable. Afterall,
> they are transforming robot toys based on existing
> licensed characters. But after that, the
> similarities mostly end. It's a totally different
> market demographic and totally different economy
> of scale. It makes sense why Bandai and Yamato
> Valkyrie toys are so much more expensive than
> Hasbro/Takara TFs. If that drives you from them,
> and keeps you buying Transformers, that's fine.
> Hey, Classics Jetfire's pretty fucking sick. But
> if you really need that super-detailed Valk toy,
> you'll either have to suck it up and get a Bandai
> or Yamato...or stick with Toynami.
>
> Your best bet is to check out a Bandai or Yamato
> that someone else has. Mess around with it. See if
> you're feeling it. Then make your choice.


Well said. :) I have a couple of the 1/100 Toynami valks, but they're also kinda iffy...I think I'm going to get the 1/100 '1A CF, then call it quits for Toynami. I have classics Jetfire, and he is pretty damn cool, but also EXTREMELY frustrating! Why? Because he's living proof that a decent valkyrie toy COULD be made & I wouldn't have to give up a kidney for it. Could you imagine? DX-TF-sized valkyries packaged on blister cards for $10-$20 a piece? And I mean, TOY valkyries...not "completed models" like the Toynamis.

Another example of this line being teetered over: the variable Revoltechs. I enjoyed this toy, but it was far too wonky & disproportionate to warrant any high price (thankfully they're cheap, so I may get the 1J and 1S.)

It's entirely possible, and yet nobody has done it. You are correct that it is an entirely different market; people who collect the Valkyries seem to be akin to people that collect actual aircraft models or like media. However, my liking for Macross goes hand-in-hand with my liking of Transformers, Zoids, and Gundam: I watched the show, I liked the mecha, I wanted toys of the mecha to play with, and to be quite honest, I'm surprised this mindset isn't as common with Macross.

VenomMacbeth Wrote:
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> ...Could you
> imagine? DX-TF-sized valkyries packaged on
> blister cards for $10-$20 a piece?

Certainly. Nightly. ;)

But the reality is that this would simply never happen. The initial investment capital required to contract multiple Chinese factories to produce TF-quality steel molds and assemble/package the toys at the same quality level as your average TF would be vast. But feasible, in theory. The problem is that TF fans worldwide utterly dwarf Macross fans. THEN, like you said, you're taking just a small subset of those fans who would go for something less cartoon accurate, though more toyetic. That's fine...but to overcome the initial investment (let alone make profit!), you'd have to charge a hundred bucks easy.

> However, my liking
> for Macross goes hand-in-hand with my liking of
> Transformers, Zoids, and Gundam

Yeah, you, me, and probably a few heads on this board...but I think that might be it! ;)

Prometheum5 Wrote:
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> Crippled YF-19 2.0? You've lost me.


Gorgeous, gorgeous:

And yes, I managed to clear the 1.0 Super VF-1Js today. Happy! :-)

NEXT OBJECTIVE: Yamato Konig Monster!

Why'd you break your 19?

Introducing Prometheus Rising Studio.
[prometheusrising.net]
I make 3D printed mecha action figures.

No, that's the one on display at the local Yamato import specialist. The arm fell off on its own and the store owner couldn't be bother to fix it.

Mine is still the v1.5 diecast. Surprisingly, those three original Mac+ items are the most hardy of all the Yamato made Macross stuff I've owned.

People rag on the old Yamato 1/72 Mac+ line, but I love them. I remember getting my 19 (I think v1, actually) along with a loose Gakken Rider Armor stuffed into the box years back. Ended up getting the blue 19 as well, which is gorgeous, and then I eventually added balljointed hips and wrists to my tan 19 before the 1/60 came out. If the 21 wasn't so floppy they'd still be one of the perfect pairs of mecha figures. Mine live in the boxes these days, but your pic makes me want to drive home and get my 19 out!

EDIT: I actually found pics! The data on these is 2006... this woulda been the scariest thing I had ever done at the time. I panel lined whatever was missing and faked a couple of markings freehand, and gave the whole thing a satin varnish coat.







The last pic was my avatar on MW for a long time. Modding your 19 was a serious mark of honor at the time.

Introducing Prometheus Rising Studio.
[prometheusrising.net]
I make 3D printed mecha action figures.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 04/10/2011 11:57AM by Prometheum5.

i call sabotage on that yf-19

Hey Prometheum,

Excellent work on the Old 19, and yes I agree there's something about the proportions that work a lot better for battroid compared to the plane-first design of the 2.0. I have never seen a single awe inspiring shot of the 2.0 in battroid mode. It always looks gangly and weak. Best left in fighter mode, and for that I have the Doyusha diecast :-)

drifand Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ...I have never seen a
> single awe inspiring shot of the 2.0 in battroid
> mode. It always looks gangly and weak...

Wha??

i made this one

Sorry, the newer head does nothing for its demeanor. Looks more metro than killer :-)

drifand Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Sorry, the newer head does nothing for its
> demeanor. Looks more metro than killer :-)


The old head sculpt, and really the whole mold in general has this whole thuggish look to it that, while awesome, doesn't entirely fit the design from the anime. The 1/60 fig way more matches the sleekness and maneuverability demonstrated in the show.

Introducing Prometheus Rising Studio.
[prometheusrising.net]
I make 3D printed mecha action figures.

OK, agree to disagree. It was a thug I saw in the movie that thrashed Guld's 21, not a sleek male model in Armani shades and a slicked back head cannon. :-)

Is the 21 supposed to look like a Q-Rau? I think that's why I like it...

Yeah, there's intentional Zentraedi influence in the YF-21/VF-22, since Mac+ takes place way after peace has been established.

Introducing Prometheus Rising Studio.
[prometheusrising.net]
I make 3D printed mecha action figures.

I would LOOOVE to see one done up in green & light grey...shoop, anyone?

as always, 'scuse the double post, but CHECK THIS SH*T!!

[reggiocomics.blogspot.com]

Never before have I had a desire to own a VF-1D, an Elintseeker, or a Super Ostrich, until now! Seems Toynami are finally getting their act together, maybe? And that black 1J is SICK!

I dunno what I'm turned on more by: the Elintseeker or the Glaug...all in scale! I can leave the black -1J...the others are cool, too.

But then again, I've never actually handled any of the Toynami Valks, so I'm not sure if it would make more sense to pony up for a 2.0 Yamato 1/60 Elint...

I really like the vinyl battlepods, so I'm excited for the officer pod. I had one of the first-release Toynami 1/100 Valks, and it was a horrible, fiddly thing.

Best, Ken-A

The Toynami 1/100 Valks are really just display models. Mine look really pretty, but I don't play with 'em.

Actually, now that the initial excitement is wearing off, the only one I'll probably get is the VF-1D (it would be nice to have a cheap one of those, as it's the first VF-1 you're introduced to.) But if it's good, I may move on to the other ones. I really need to get that 1/100 CF...but first I gotta get my taka 1/100 Max from Zormaster ;)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/15/2011 11:29PM by VenomMacbeth.

Actually, now that the initial excitement is wearing off, the only one I'll probably get is the VF-1D (it would be nice to have a cheap one of those, as it's the first VF-1 you're introduced to.) But if it's good, I may move on to the other ones. I really need to get that 1/100 CF...but first I gotta get my taka 1/100 Max from Zormaster ;)