HardlyNever
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The Focker scheme looks pretty cool. If I were to get one of these, it would probably be that. But as someone who is (more than likely) passing on this entire mold, this just means it will be even longer before we get destroids or enemy mecha. I know the valks sell a lot better Bandai, but throw us a bone. I'm really starting to worry that we won't get the Tomahawk and Phalanx, not because HMR dies or something, but Bandai simply won't ever make them because they don't make enough money.
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Regardless of what the line started as, or what it should or shouldn't be, I view it as a kind of "nostalgia mech" line now. I do hope we'll get more SDF Macross releases, but I'm also wondering how far forward (time-wise) they are willing to take this line. I think the farthest they've gone is the early 90s with Macross II. I wonder if we'll ever see something from the 2000s or beyond in this line, or they want to keep with the nostalgia theme.
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MW forums: Hey Bandai, the HMR valks are nice and all, but we really like the non-valks in the line. Could we maybe finish the destroid line? Get some more enemy mecha? Bandai: More valks, coming right up.
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I'm kind of thinking the same thing. Anytime I have the vf-4 in battroid, thats how I have the arms (with the cannons on the outside). I haven't modded mine at all. Maybe there is a larger range of movement at the elbows? Once you have them in that position, there isn't really much more you can do with them, at least without modded them.
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If I had to guess, it is entirely related to reducing production costs. They decided on the chocolate color for the feet, because of the animation color, so that is what every part of that type of plastic is going to be. It's not necessarily design-accurate, but it is cheaper for Bandai to do it like that on a larger scale.
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Yeah, the more I think about it, the less I hate it. I don't want to judge too early, because we are still in the realm of pure speculation, but this could end up being mostly ok. The price for a base valk is pretty low (sub $200 including shipping). Do you really need all the accessories for every release? I have an Arcadia GBP release that has tv and dyrl missiles I've never taken out of the box. I haven't used all of the fixed posed hands. I think if you are smart about it, you can dial in the exact amount of accessories you need, and actually save some cash if you end of buying most of the line. The extra shipping is going to hurt those of us that are outside of Japan, though. And anyone who misses an accessory release could be royally screwed, if they don't reissue them. Ofc this may not be Bandai's plan at all. Or the accessories could have ridiculous MSRPs. Then I'll get my pitchfork again. If Bandai does end up going this route, I think they REALLY need to reassure customers that there will be multiple reissues of accessories. Like a released schedule with expected release dates and multiple runs of each release. Otherwise, we'll see pre-order madness taken to completely new levels on some of these accessories, even if they are TWEs.
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Not gonna lie, now that I see it in fully finished form, I don't like it as much as I thought I would. I don't think Bandai really nailed it; it looks way more menacing and beefy in the drawn/animation versions I've seen. But turning a design that is that over the top into plastic isn't an easy task. I'm still definitely going to buy it, but I'm a little disappointed in how it turned out. Maybe it will look a little better with all the missile ports closed up.
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It looks like the missile set includes reaction missiles, DYRL missile pods, and TV style missiles. Will they actually change the color on the tips of the reaction missiles for TV and DYRL? Who knows, but at least we're getting TV arm armors. Based on what I'm seeing Bandai's marketing strategy for this 1/48 line seems to be that you buy a base valk, and all the accessories and add-ons are separate purchases (probably TWE). So the likelihood that we'll see a GBP or super/strike bundle any time soon is very low. I think they want you to buy everything separately. Kind of lame imo, and I'll probably only end up getting a few valks in this line. If that is how they end up doing it, the secondary market prices for those accessories are going to be ridiculous, especially on the first run.
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I really hope the vf-4 isn't the only thing shown from HMR... Enemy mecha? Destroids? I know it's still early, but it looks like almost everything is set up.
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Looks pretty cool. I wonder how necessary the support arms are, even for short term posing. With as big as it is, and all those extra supports, that thing is going to be a space hog.
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You can see it here (more in the reflection on the sky scrapers than anywhere else). I agree that it was probably more function of transformation than an actual "feature" the toy makers wanted to implement. But if they could excuse the floppiness of the wings as a "feature" it helps them.
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Yeah, that is complete BS. We have multiple people saying their leg fin attachment point is damaged right out of the box (myself included). There is no way that kind of damage was caused by putting the leg fin back on dozens of times, much less once (which is the first time I noticed it). If they are going to address it, at least be honest about it. Otherwise, just pretend it isn't a real problem. But as you said, they are probably just covering their asses, because they are getting complaints and returns.
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This looks good, and I like the FB 2012 paint scheme, but I'll probably pass. The Arcadia 1/60 is enough vf-4 for me. I'll still be interested to see how it turns out, and how much parts-swapping is needed. Adding a gunpod seems like an odd choice, but it is always nice to have that option.
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If you're going from Battroid to Gerwalk/Fighter mode, don't pull the legs out to get them out of the higher battroid position. The curved shape on either side of the crotch that is holding the legs in place is like a button that needs to be held down, then you can rotate the legs back down to gerwalk/fighter position. You shouldn't need to pull the legs outward much, if at all. I'd just say more anime magic. The shoulder pieces look the right size for gerwalk/battroid mode, but then too small for fighter mode. Theoretically Bandai or Arcadia could give you different sizes for different modes, but that seems pretty superfluous, imo. The could also vary in size depending on the scene, regardless of mode.
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Is there any info about how artificial gravity works in Macross, specifically on the SDF-1? I see mention of "OverTechnology Macross gravity control system" in the Macross Mecha Manual. Is there anything beyond that? Anytime I see "overtechnology" I basically assume it means "super advanced stuff that we basically made up, don't ask." But maybe they give a little more detail on the gravity/anti-gravity systems somewhere. I know Macross wouldn't be the first or last sci-fi franchise to brush over artificial gravity as a "given," but it would be interested to see what their specific take on it is/was.
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Yeah, I'm just sort of confused. The YF-19 has a big leg missile, which the DX (and a lot of other releases) has. The VF-19 has micro missiles there. You made it seem like other people have done it long ago, but that is with the VF-19, not YF-19 FAST packs. But I could have misinterpreted. I think there is a heavy dose of "anime magic" going on with the yf-19 FAST packs in general. I think trying to get actually functioning yf-19 FAST packs with micro missiles would make them way too huge, especially for fighter mode, at least at 1/60 scale. But maybe different fast packs that look like they are firing, or at least swap out parts for the fast packs that look like they are firing would be do-able. Edit: I think this part from the Macross Mecha Manual kind of clarifies it: 2 x internal Little Rock launch systems featuring 12 [previously 24] x high maneuverability micro-missiles OR 6 x medium-range high maneuverability missiles each (mounted ventral side fuselage in Fighter mode, lower legs in GERWALK/Battroid modes); pallet can be alternately equipped with other weapon pack It seems like there are several different load-outs that can go in the leg-missile area. The YF-19 is shown with 1 large missile in each, while the vf-19 is shown with micro-missiles. It is the same (or similar) weapons bay, just dfferent load-outs.
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I'm pretty sure those micro missiles are stored in the leg FAST packs. I think they are too small to be individually packaged, but they could have done something like the v2 vf-1 super parts and had a way to see them inside, I guess. I do feel like the fast packs for the yf-19 are a little underwhelming, overall (except for the arm cannon, which is awesome). Are you sure the Yamato yf-19 and the Hi metal had micro missiles? I don't see them listed and I can't find pictures of them anywhere. What did they look like? Edit: This was the closest I could find: But those missiles are where the big leg missile is stored in the yf-19. Maybe they could have had a separate leg FAST pack that looks like it is shooting missiles?
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Just got done watching your very extensive review, nice job. A couple things I noticed: 1) The whole vertical stabilizer issue isn't simply that they fall off easily; it is that the part they are connected to is mis-molded/damaged (at least for some people). One of mine is basically fine, while the other one has the mold defect. So it not only falls off easily, it is at a slightly-off angle, even when it is connected. I've seen other people post pictures of the same problem. However, your copy might be different, and I know you can only review what you have in front of you. 2) Couple things on the arm cannon. The issue with yours not pegging into the top hole on the arm is pretty widespread, perhaps even universal (every copy I've seen, even Bandai's own video seems to have this issue). I think Bandai messed up a bit and the peg and hole aren't exactly matched in size. It isn't a huge deal, as the arm cannon is overall very secure, but it is a little annoying that the top bit is always sort of floating. Also, the far outside cannon (the right one) within the arm cannon actually has a moving barrel that can extend forward. I didn't notice this until I sat down and read the instructions all the way through. It's not that impressive of a gimmick, it is just your reviews are generally very thorough about all the gimmicks, etc. As always, thanks for all the info you provide for the community.
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Could be the vf-4g in Flashback 2012 colors for HMR? The color scheme is right, but the shape is wrong, so I'm not sure. Unless that is gray on the right side of the pic ? It is a possibility. Otherwise, it looks like just another dyrl Hikaru release, but HMR already has his DYRL VF-1S and VF-1A out, so I don't know what else it could be. Maybe a 1/48 VF-1S tease? The "appears with the brand R" definitely seems to imply HM-R. The "19 or 1" is super confusing, though. "1?" What doesn't have a 1 in it?
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Honestly, every section of that poll should be a check box (not radio button). None of those things are mutually exclusive, as we've had multiple dx and HMR releases for several years. Also, by "announced" do you mean we get an actual pre-order and release? Because several of those items have already been teased/announced, we just don't know if/when we will get them. And they often announce things at the same time. The DX YF-19 and 1/48 VF-1 were both shown at last year's Tamashii Nations.
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Honestly, I just want them to give us a bit more in the HMR line. If we get: 1. N-Ger (tv or dyrl) 2. Q-Rau (tv or dyrl) 3. Phalanx 4. Tomahawk I'd consider the line a success, and I could live with it dying after that. Sure, I'd like more (eg more non-SDFM macross stuff), but I really just want them to get those 4 out first. We've seen complete models of 3(?) of those, I think.
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Basically, yes. Push down on the curved piece that is holding them in place (on the inside of the crotch area, the curved part that you rotated the hips above).
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While I'm not a huge fan of the back kibble that both most of the modern valk designs have, I feel like it is just Kawamori trying something different. The vast majority of his valk designs for over two decades had wings that fold up flat against the back in battroid mode(not every single one, but most of them). I would get tired of designing the same gimmick over and over again, too. So while the result may not be amazing, I can understand why he wanted to try a new "archetype" of battroid mode. And to call it a complete failure is a bit harsh; it works both in animation and the real world of toys (works as in it is achievable and the battroid can stand up on its own). It also gives a lot of them a slimmer appearance from the front, which is what I think he was going for.
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My heel on the left side looked sort of bent (like yours), but transforming it and messing with it straightened it out. It can be hard to pull the foot out in fighter mode, because of the cavity-filler gimmick, so I would suggest going to gerwalk to try to straighten it out (the foot is also really tight out of the box).
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I made a similar comment earlier in the thread. I "only" had the leg fin QC issue, and I'm still enjoying the valk a lot. I'm sure there are plenty of people out there that are getting valks that have 0 issues and they are happy with their purchase that aren't saying anything (squeaky wheel, etc.). That said, this release does seem to have a higher-than-average number of QC issues, both in type and frequency. And I think it is fine with us, as a "community" to bring that info to the front so that others can be aware. We just need to be careful about not picking one extreme or the other; there is a huge spectrum between "all copies are fine, if you have a break it's on you or the shipper" and "this release is complete crap and you should expect your valk to be broken out of the box in some way." But without quantifying this kind of thing, opinion tends to lean towards one extreme or another.
