Hurin

Yeah, everyone's just gotta make their best guess regarding whether more will come around. If you don't think so, it's now or never. Personally, I think they probably will release more. And I'm encouraged by the earlier report in this thread and Tam's (a respected, large seller) opinion on the matter. But, when I finally found these 1st Edition Roys in stock, I figured a $20 markup was worth the piece of mind. So I jumped on it. TISINC99.COM's price is just too high for me. Even if Yamato never releases more. More power to him if he's selling those to people who have that much desire for one. But that price seems insane to those of us who used to buy them dime-a-dozen at $125. H Edit: Links Added.

Hehe, or buying up all their stock. H

Okay guys. After over an hour of googling, I finally managed to find a place that has the VF-1S Roy in stock, for a reasonable price. It is $159 plus $8.98 ground shipping. So it's $168.93 out the door. I don't know if they charge tax. But I don't think so. So, those of us in states that charge tax will be making some of the mark-up back right there. Only one caveat though. These are First Edition Roys. I emailed the seller and confirmed this. So, if you can live with a slightly crooked skull symbol on the tail and/or a nose cone that falls off a bit more easily while transforming, go for it. I've got one on the way. I feel like an idiot because I just sold a 1st Edition one a few months back. And failed to get my second 2nd edition before they all disappeared. Yes, $159 is a bit more than the $139 that valks often sell for here in the states. But. . . well, they have them. And it sure beats $250 from TISINC99.COM. Here's the link: VF-1S Roy (1st Edition) for $159 (new)

Directed at nobody in particular. . . The only retailer I can think of that doesn't have them. . . but used to have them. . . is TMPAnime. All the major suppliers that we all use (Neova, Kevin, etc.) still have them in stock and some even have them on sale (which tends to indicate abundance). Draw your own conclusions. H

I didn't realize FP were getting rare. Kevin has had them for a while now. And they're even on sale now ($5 off). Check 'em here. I also found some on sale in Hong Kong for only $38.50 here. But after shipping to the US ($20 for standard air w/out tracking #), the savings really aren't that great. I think I save only about $8 over getting them from Kevin. I'd rather deal locally. H

I'd commission a Roy VF-1S to have this sorta decaling and weathering. But I fear I'd never enjoy my other (plain) 1/48s again! I'll never get tired of looking at pics of customs that are this well done! H

I also strongly recommend that you check out this thread. I'm not sure if anything was proven 100%, but it sure does look like Arafat claimed that he never received some recasts that he bought from Rob, asked for a refund, then tried to sell those very same recasts (again, that he claims he never received) while attempting to pass them off as his own work! Was this what finally got him banned? Looks like he only preys on non-Ebayers, where official feedback can't come back to haunt him. All I'll say is that it takes quite a bit to get banned. The Mods don't seem to throw around bans willy-nilly. If this guy is banned, it's almost definitely because he really is scum. Best Regards, H

Ahhhh. . . memories. Thanks Blaine! In case anyone's curious. . . here's more on Arafat as well as the context for that picture. Best Regards, H

>EXO< Everything you said is dead-on. But I think the original poster is more interested in its popularity in Japan and/or Asia at large.

Here's what I used.

Just out of curiosity, I placed my order at 8:00AM (Pacific) on the 17th. Did you order before that? Again, just curious. Not going to start sh*t with them. Thanks! H

Regarding the AnimeCastle Roys:

This is still my favorite Star Trek Flash game. H

I guess I'll find out $160 shipped..not to shabby. Thanks for the heads up on Anubis I wanted one too (my favorite valk, so having a spare will be nice in case of customizing and/or breakage). I placed an order about an hour after that initial link was posted. It showed "in stock" at the time of my order. I placed the order. It then immediately showed as "out of stock." So I figured I got the last one. Then I went back an hour later and it showed "in stock." The next day, it still showed "in stock". . . but my order was still "waiting to be processed." Yesterday, I checked my order status and it says "back ordered." I went and checked their website and it said the VF-1S Roy is "on order." So, I emailed them and politely asked them what's up. I have not received a response. . . and now the VF-1S Roy has been completely removed from the site. I don't think it looks good at this point. H

Hehe. Well, if it helps any. . . I took down the pictures for Max. I just didn't like them as much. It's just the valk now. But I still like my Hikaru/Minmay display! And you can't stop me! H

I prefer the term "geek." Nerds wouldn't understand just how nerdy this seems to everyone else. . . while geeks are aware of it and at least express some shame.

Very true. Though in that case, it's his stock level dictating price. . . not anyone (that I've ever seen) saying: "Hey! I need a Roy! I'm willing to pay $225!" H

How does he base his outrageous price for a 1S Roy on what he sees here? I've never seen anyone here admit to paying that much. Indeed, prices that high are nearly unanimously criticized as being outrageous whenever they are mentioned on MW. He might judge availability by what he reads here. . . but I'm not sure how anything posted here could be interpreted to mean that a substantial number of us are willing to pay $225 for a Roy! Please, let's not encourage any more debate about that long-dead ("don't discuss prices") debate. It has gotten ugly every time it has been brought up. And, I wasn't even involved the first few times. H

In case anyone cares. Here's my experience with the 1S Hikaru that just arrived today from TISINC99. As usual, everything is just barely satisfactory to the point where I can't really complain, but I don't feel the same warm, happy feeling that I get when I open a well-packaged, fairly-priced valkyrie from Kevin. Basically, as was my complaint with TISINC99 the only other time I purchased from them (my first 1/48, a Hikaru 1A), the box is creased. . . a nice big warping crease along the front flap. It's not terrible. . . and the box is still display worthy (if I were into displaying my boxes). . . but it's just vaguely disappointing. They put the valkyrie in a box that is just barely big enough. . . throw in some packing peanuts. . . and off it goes. I guess that's fine. But I don't think that's catering to the collector. Which, of course, may not be their thing either. Contrast this with Kevin (or TMP or Neova, I'm told), who package the valk excellently. I've received probably six valkyries from Kevin over the years. They always arrive in a generously sized (therefore more protective) box, wrapped in tissue paper to keep the box shiney, and generously padded to keep warping and shocks from damaging the corners and/or causing creases. That's catering to the collector. Anyways. . . I'm over my "mint in mint box" collecting days. So I'm not too upset at the mediocre packing job by TISINC. But for some of you out there, this might still be an issue. I got what I paid for. . . just not as pristinely as I can get elsewhere. . . were TISINC not the only people who still have what I want! Best Regards, H

Very little difference. If you don't do it, the head bad scientist (already forgot name) announces later that he went ahead and did it for you. Other than that, and what they say to you immediately after you make the choice (save the game and do both for fun). . . no difference at all. H

Don't sweat the announcment man. They've been sold out long before the announcement. The only place you can really get one reliably is TISINC99.COM at an $85 markup. So. . . well, this announcement is in response to that sort of thing. . . not the cause of it. H

Amen brother! From your keyboard to God's ears! I'm not saying it's certain. But I think this could actually be considered encouraging news. Until now, we had no indication that the idea had even occured to Yamato. This little item shows that they are aware of (perhaps growing) demand. We can only hope for those 1S-less people out there. H

Well, I finally just decided to bite the bullet and finally order my VF-1S Hikaru ($139) before tisinc reads this and raises his price another $20. The Roy is going for $220 there now! Not complaining. He's got 'em and nobody else does. But wow. I'll now have one of each except Milia. I sold off all my duplicates a few months ago. I'd still like to have another Roy. But I guess that'll have to wait for a possible re-release. It doesn't sound like Yamato has completely ruled it out. It also sounds like they are aware that there is at least some demand for them. H

Okay. . . I managed to put up a shelf in the corner where I could fit Max. I wish I had my Milia 1J already to pose next to him. But I'm not sure if I could make them fit with their Fast Packs! I couldn't get this one as clear (for some reason) as the others. But, if anyone cares, there's a higher res version here. H

Here's a review of the Takatoys stickers. Scroll down for more recent images. Finally, cutting them out doesn't take much time. Just get a good xacto blade. I didn't know you were supposed to change the blad that often. I've gone through three sets of stickers with the same blade and haven't noticed any degradation in cut quality or smoothness. Anyways, you won't be disappointed with the after-market stickers. You just spent $130-200 on a valkyrie. What's another $10 to make it look its best?!? H