Midi_Amp

Maybe I'm the minority here, but I'm just happy Bandai is releasing this kit. Proportionate or not, Kawamori approved the design, and if the promo images indicates, the final design was redone by him. Sure the fighter mode looks a bit pudgy, but the battroid is good and the mechanical tid bits are a welcome addition. It boils down to one thing... $45 transforming Macross collectibles. I hope this line continues since it's a model kit, easier to produce, and no assembly/painting cost like the Hi-Metal toys. I'm seriously buying all 1/72 Macross kits when available. I bought all the Frontier kits, dangling floppy bits and all, and although slightly dissapointed at the (lack of) engineering, it's still much more accessible than the DX toys financially.

I still keep all my regular release Hi-Metal's in their respective boxes, kind of sad that Bandai silently kill the line. I know the VF19 Kai is just damn awful in term of accessories ... I really want to buy all the exclusive accessories, but the price is just ridiculous. The VF19S kind of remedy the situation a bit and the VF1s are actually okay. If only Bandai would've carefully implement the VF1 accessories design to the VF19, I'm pretty sure it will be received much better. The key point why I love the Hi-Metals is the size, it's just perfect on hand and on display. For a small home owner myself, smaller scale collectibles are a must, the cheaper price also much appreciated but more of a bonus than feature. I have Yamato YF22 and VF22, but don't have any space to display the gargantuan oddity, tried to fit with all my mecha collection in battroid mode... Well... Let's just say it's futile. So yeah, if Bandai restarts the Hi-Metals, I will buy them in drones to show some support. I got my VF1 Hikaru for a bit over US$50, thanks to close proximity to Japan, so bulk buying is not a problem for me.

So where's the VF-Hi Metal, my Koenig is lonely Damn it looks good... For some reason I prefer the 171 than the 25, renewal and all... I might just buy this, but I'll be patient what Bandai will come up with next. I was so damn sure Bandai is quitting the Macross franchise after the 25s renewal. The v1 25 is just awful and somehow I feel that Bandai is taking a revenge stab at the fans with the renewal and after saying "in your face suckers!", they will just drop the mic and walk out with chin held high. I was wrong. If Bandai came out with a Hi-Metal of this toy, I'll buy 3 of em... Hell, I'll buy multiple release of any Hi-Metal line just to show some support, but for now. The waiting game starts and hope a local retailer will carry it on stock.

Holy sh.... I'm almost confused between the CG and the V2... Holy... I'm keeping out of this one in hope for a VF Hi-Metal release (if it's still going). If not, then I'll definitely get this when HLJ starts the discount in two years time.

With proper heat shield if I may add The only thing stopping me from buying the discounted Yamato VF-22 is the lack of heat shield for the canopy. Nice to see the cockpit rotated, but still prefer non rotating cockpit with a proper heat shield. Part swapping ahoy! But seriously, I don't mind part swapping here and there as long it's not VF-100 puzzle pieces. Hi-Metal VF-1 heat shield and option hand is very nice but I also don't mind with VF-19S/Kai neck piece, head laser and option hand too... Never really bothered with the leg filler piece.

If I'm not mistaken, the Japanese hobby mag that shows the YF-21 Hi-Metal prototype last year said that it will be released after the current (VF-1's, VF-19S, VF-19kai) model is on sale. So going with the skull squadron release this month, Bandai should roll something for the Hi-Metal line, if not on the Shizuoka Hobby Show, maybe in the coming months. But seriously, if Bandai does roll out the Hi-Metal YF-21, I'm going to buy 3... For support of the line One for display, one MISB, and one to swoosh around until something broke. Edit: found this link from HLJ about Shizuoka Hobby Show respective brand previews HLJ Shizuoka Hobby Preview no Hi-Metal, but I think the list is for summer release, so no prototype news until the real show.

Holy shiiiiiii..... Come on HLJ! Don't tease me like that. Just when I was singing que sera sera, missing the sale for the VF-22's now the VF-11C and DX Mac Quarter. Unfortunately, I'm sitting this one out, exchange rate is worsening and I have other priority.

Fresh from Cyber Gundam site Source Shoulders open to reveal missile bay? This toy is awesome!

Gah! I've been bamboozled! not really... I think I just jumped the gun on this one. Seeing the YF-21 after discount is still more expensive than the VF-22, I jumped to conclusion that it still comes with the Fast Pack and display stand If I had been more careful, I might have go for Gamlin's VF-22 instead of the YF-21. Oh well, rice to porridge, better enjoyed it anyway. Drats... Now I felt compelled to buy the Fold Booster and Fast Pack set... Which will force me to buy the YF-19... Clever move Yamato! *grumble* *grumble* *grumble*.

Hi guys, courtesy of HLJ crazy discount I finally braved myself to buy the YF-21. So quick question... Why is my YF-21 doesn't come with the Fast Pack? I read the review everywhere and all comes with the Fast Pack. My box is the one without the flap, I heard that this is a reissue version. But why it doesn't come with the Fast Pack and the display stand? According to Anymoon review, the Fast Pack and display stand is on the second tray... Which is missing on mine. Just curious, because the list price before discount is 18800 Yen, so I don't think Yamato cut a corner on this reissue version. At least on HLJ site, the kit picture is shown with the Fast Pack attached.

Wowza, there seems to be an orgy of orders from MW members I just ordered the YF-21 today, and the sale price is still good. Didn't it says somewhere on HLJ.com that the offer is only valid until 4th of April? I'm skipping the VF-22 and YF-19 as I have a couple of hobby sellers in my country that still carries both for around US$150 per piece. That, and import tax is a butch. I initially wanted to order the YF-21 and the fold booster, but settled for just the YF-21. The fold booster pack will cost me from US$120 (just the YF-21) to US$210, still cheaper than YF-21 without sale, but I'm flying on fumes. So only the essentials (but are hobby items essential? )

The chaps at Cybergundam scanned this from Hobby Japan... Source: Cybergundam Looking damn good, is that micro missiles on the lower legs or just air brakes with internals? I don't think this model needs a super pack, looks like YF-21 to VF-22 evolution, integration of super pack into the mainframe. At least the awful dual cannon from the Tornado pack got smaller and looks way much better here.

Hi guys, I know some of you are expert in this kind of stuff and really need some input. For all the HLJ Yamato discounts I still chose to buy VF-Hi Metal VF19kai for some odd reason (mainly being Yamato's kai will kill my wallet). I'm ready to order via Amiami however, with all the news about radiation leakage, is it safe to order items from Japan right now? I know next to nothing about radiation, but I certainly don't want this hobby of mine to spread radiation to my newborn. What are the necessary precaution I should take for ordering items from Japan? I read at CNN that a soap + water wash easily removes low level radioactivity. Sorry if this is such a stupid question, but I better be safe than sorry.

Wait, spinning dartboard + what good rated mecha show currently airing Bandai merchandising for "what that anime show about pretty boy of the galaxy and its drag queen of a robot that only works in alternate dimension" is off the chart. Bandai limited merchandises always comes with questions and raised eye brow. Instead of a Regult, they make the whole squadron an exclusive.

Understandable as most military themed merchandises are only a paint scheme away from another variant, with the odd additional parts here and there. Going by your logic, it would be super easy for Bandai to redo the VF25 in 1/100 scale. However I expect Bandai to balls up and admit their mistake and move on with hi-metal toyline, not cowering in fear that end users might mistook one product from the other. Macross Frontier to me is the 21st century rendition of the original Macross, a classic. For Bandai not to cash in on the opportunity is silly, vf100 and robot damashii not included.

My 2 cent: I rather understands Bandai's decision to make the VF-1A trio as limited. The logistic would be nightmare, especially on deciding which one should be produced more and which one is less (vote for Kakizaki). Bandai won't be able to accurately measure the production and the inventory cost. But their product planner needs to be punched on the boobs for making the fast pack a limited for limited item... If I'm not mistaken, the Hi-Metal line have more limited item than the standard release? 4 standard (Hikaru VF-1A, TV Fokker VF-1S, VF19 kai, VF19 Blazer) 6 limited (the 3 skull squadron, FAST pack for VF-1, VF19kai stand and sound booster). But how do they make money? The money maker is in the standard edition for sure as it's sold globally. The limited items high price because of the "seekers fee", and that's it. Funny how the bean counter on Bandai works. I really don't understand why Bandai decided to make the VF100 a jigsaw puzzle than a proper transformer. Don't they have focus discussion group before selling their stuff? My previous Revoltech collection has some leftover parts, but I had a small drawer to place it all. With the VF100, it took the space of 5 Revoltech character leftover parts. It really is a huge hindsight on Bandai part, because they come up with the almost perfect rendition of the VF-1 with smaller dimension than the VF25. Considering development time, the VF-1 and the VF-25 should coincide and an input should be given. In the automotive world, one Japanese brand popular model in the US got stopped dead in the last leg of the development cycle because it's getting too large. Come out the new model with carryover from previous generation, smaller even, so it's not impossible to do so in other industry I guess. On the metal naming, to me it's more of a thing with nostalgia with old toys comprised of metals and plastics. The chogokin naming (SOC, SRC and other metal meaning names directly or not) is to invoke that kind of nostalgia... For those whose childhood had that kind of toys its relation is instant, and considering that they are old enough to buy the toys which is usually expensive, it's given. Maybe I'm just reading into it too much, but shorter understanding is that metal beats plastic anytime in term of durability. Funny thing though, Bandai's SHFiguarts figures, those Kamen Rider stuff, some has metal feet but Bandai didn't put any metal anything on its title. I collected one line of SHF, and pleasantly surprised on the metal feet on some of the figures. I think it works, it's sold out everywhere and kind of make ground in my coutnry. The amount of metal is respectable, usually the chest, the lower legs and thigh - hip connectors are metal. I have the Mazinger, Great Mazinger, Alteisen and Reideen. All three except Alteisen has metal on the chest and lower legs, the Alteisen goes a little further by having its stake made out of metal as well. The good thing about SRC line is that it's small, the same point why I collect VF Hi-Metal (or wanted to collect VF100 in the first place). Between my Revoltech, Gundam kits, SRW OG kits, Robot Damashii, SH Figuarts, SRC, Hi-Metal and my display show case, there's just no more room for a bigger toy. My display show case is starting to get overcrowded, I even had to move some of my collection to the warehouse and considering to sell some of my collection. So the merit of a smaller scale Valk for me is not just about price, but also about space.

Quoting that famous line... Yes! And a thousand times YES! If Bandai would sell it as non web limited, I'd buy each and every rendition of the VF25 including the Armor and fast pack. I just ordered the DX Koenig Monster and would love to display it next to a proper transforming VF25s, currently it is planned to be accompanied by Alto's VF100 VF25F. I would even suffice for Bandai to just rescale the 1/60 VF25 smaller and slap a Hi-Metal logo on the packaging, stiff Gerwalk mode legs and everything. Even though I hate my VF100 Alto custom for being a jigsaw puzzle than a transforming toy, the proportion and details are top notch. So at least Bandai engineers doesn't need to start from scratch. I hope the YF-21 mold that we saw exactly a year ago didn't got thrown to the bin. Bandai has the VF-19 kai and S, a slight retool would resulted in the YF-19. Combined with the fact that VF-22 took 95% of YF-21 mold... Why not? Let's see if Bandai announce anything before the second movie premieres, it's at the end of this month right?

Got mine today, loving the attention to detail and the removable engine hatch is simply brilliant. I'm hoping for future release of YF-22 & YF-19 in this line, but I think hoping something more down to earth like GBP-1S is more doable. Come on Bandai, milk that VF-1 mold like that other toy company.

+1 This is definitely a prototype and the panic juice seems nearing its expiry date (that explains the bowel movement ). First, the backpack on the second picture, the gerwalk mode shows that it's pointing straight ahead and not on an angle. Funnily enough, that's a VF-1J unit with VF-1S color scheme and 001 insignia, the triangle visor and single dual mauler cannons is a dead giveaway. Second, that neck seems to be tacked on rather than engineered to look that way. Bandai already did a terrific job one the VF-1J head on fighter mode where it's flushed. To have the VF-1S head sticking out would destroy the design balance. Anyway, the first magazine scan on page 1 shows the S having shorter neck and noticed the missing red dot above the visor from the show picture? And finally, like everybody else who doesn't drink the panic juice, no arm armors. At first I thought Bandai is cutting corner again that we can't display the complete "packed" up VF-1S with the arm armors attached. But I'll be wrong x3. The magazine scan clearly shows that the arm armors have slits parallel to the lower arm where it connects to the gunpod in fighter mode... And that sorta answer my initial question why the gunpod is situated lower in fighter mode on the magazine scan.

Just because you said the magic word. This is a VF-1 thread anyway so for Hikaru's bird to show up there is given.

Where do you live? I got mine shipped from amiami, taxed and paid the administration guy (I bought it via private importer) for US$55. Off course I preordered it, but I think the price is still the same. I got my Hi-Metal VF 19S for US$ 75, all in. Perhaps living in south east Asia helps, being closer to Japan. But for US$80... The shipping cost alone would have been almost half the toy price.

Somebody got my joke! Well, with all due respect to the missus, collecting Valks are expensive hobby, even though the Hi-Metal line (main collection line) is a little bit affordable, it's still a toy. She let me bought it, so she should know what I'll do to it (hopefully sticking nose cones in dark places will never cross my mind).

I think it's paint, I try to run over my finger nail over the red area and it certainly is just part of the nose cone mold. But the hip bar connector itself is plastic, and you can bend it slightly when snapping it to the nose cone area, reducing friction between the connector and the red area. About the decals, go to samueldecal.com for a good selection of Gundam decals in 1/144 scale. The 1/100 scale decals for master grade Gundams are too big for my taste, the 1/144 albeit very small fits nicely on my Hi-Metal VF-1 (I use generic Nu-Gundam era 1/144 decals). They shipped internationally and the price is very reasonable (actually quite cheap). There's a lot of signs, cautions, numbers and everything in between, but it's up to you to mix and match.

I swoosh mine all the time... If my wife caught me swooshing, I deploy flares, hit the afterburner and leaving her coughing in my jet condensation trail.

Wowza! Going from 1/48 to 1/100, that's half the size of what you used to hold. But the toy is solid in every mode anyway, and it fits on your palm to swoosh around with ease In my neighborhood nobody likes the 1/100 scale Valks for being "super small". Apparently, they never own one and a die hard Yamato fan boy. December couldn't come sooner... Hikaru needs his senpai right away!