eriku

I'm not even sure how much cheaper that would end up being. I just picked up Bandai's R:D Nirvash from a comic shop - complete with "Toynami" sticker on the box, and it wasn't any cheaper than what i could have gotten it for online. I suppose ordering through Previews could be cheaper, but in terms of walking into a store and grabbing one...that all depends on what price tag the store decides to slap on the box.

No fixed pose hands. The shoulders are solid and seem to be an excellent design. Now go buy one!

Seems surprisingly floppy. Every time he moves something in the transformation video the whole thing fribbles and frobbles like it's going to collapse into a heap. Can't say I'm overly impressed. The transformation looks fun though.

Yeah, I was feeling kind of bummed about TFs in general this year because very little of the new stuff from Hasbro appeals to me (Peg, WFC) and the toys that I'm over-anxious for (animated Rodimus) they seem to have no clear plans for. But Defender reminded me that all the money I might ordinarily hand over to Hasbro will instead help fund the other transforming toys. With Defender, Knight Morpher Commander (the train Optimus), and all of the upcoming stuff from Fansproject, there's actually a decent amount of non-Hasbro stuff to look forward to. I'll even be buying the Bruticus add-on figures even though I don't and wont have Bruticus. And not to be one of those "How can you like that??" guys, but I do have to say I'm surprised at how much of a postive reaction there is to the combiners. After getting such excellent and creative lines from Animated, Univers/Classics and even the films, I kind of thought most people would look at this new line as a huge step backwards and say, "Really, Hasbro?" But a lot of people seem to really dig them. Which is fine, I'm not trying to question anyone's tastes. I just never expected so many people would be so excited for an Armada/Energon revisit. I may pick up Silverbolt because I'm a sucker for jets and I like the character, but I wouldn't say I'm excited about him. I watched a video review and he looked no different than the auto-transforming jets from G2 (later revisited in Robotmasters). Those toys are cool, but another one that is so similar in aesthetics and size is kind of boring. :|

That was my point - they were able to produce and release this at such a low price (low for a high end toy) because they don't have to pay any licensing fees.

I'm simply amazed by Defender. If you are considering buying one, DO IT. This is my first Fansproject toy so I wasn't sure what to expect for quality, but even my highest expectations were blown away. The parts fit and finish on this thing is easily some of the best work I've ever seen from any company. I've seen Soul of Chogokin toys come out of the factory looking worse than this thing. It's on par with the finest that Bandai, Yamato, Takara and CMs has produced. This is truly a "high end" toy. Aside from the gorgeous look and feel of the toy, the articulation and transformation are amazing too. Diecast is used intelligently so that it helps balance and isn't just there for the sake of being diecast. He's got twin handguns that can be holstered, he's got a sword (which doesn't feel fragile AT ALL. It's very flexible). Seriously, the hype isn't just geek wank, it's well warranted. Hasbro couldn't produce something this nice in their wildest dreams. And that's the only problem I can think of with this toy. It's almost too nice to look good with the Classics toys. Like putting a CMs Mugen Calibur in with them as "Roadbuster". There is such an obvious difference in quality. That's not going to stop me of course. My Classics display has been eagerly awaiting Springer's arrival. I'm going to snap up every transforming robot Fansproject puts out. They're a little expensive but I'll gladly give up an entire line of "OK" Transformers for one or two excellent masterpieces like this every year. And speaking of price, it's amazing that this isn't a lot more expensive considering Fansproject is so small. Consider it a lesson in how much licensing costs.

I signed up a couple of weeks ago but I haven't made any posts yet. I'm still new to 3A toys, but I have to say the Bramble is one of the best toys I've ever laid my hands and eyes on.

My toys didn't feel like fighting today.

You can thank Frontier for the shorter cannons, they're drawn that way in the show.

Check this out: http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers...efender-15.html Assuming none of us will come anywhere close to bending the sword that far, I think we'll be fine. Mine just shipped today, so I'll have to endure one more weekend before getting my hands on this thing.

Probably because it's either a lower-grade plastic for prototyping or because it wasn't buffed/polished.

This might not be everyone's thing, but I think any new Eureka toys is a good thing. Personally, I can't wait to get one.

So is something actually broken or does the leg just pull off and slide back on?

Indeed, Warbot has my robo-senses tingling more than any of the official TF product I've seen for this year. Mine should have been here today, but apparently BBTS likes to tease me by making me wait extra long even though I live next door to them. :\

You know what time it is kids? That's right!

I'm being optimistic with this and assuming that the nosecone will hold up just fine. It should be able to peg into that big rectangular piece sticking out. I don't want to worry much about gaps and sagging parts because it's still just a prototype. If all future photos show gaps and a sagging nosecone, then we're more likely to have problems. My biggest concern at the moment is that this thread is still subtitled "Giggitish" and we've yet to be given an explanation.

ARE WE THERE YET? ARE WE THERE YET? ARE WE THERE YET? I hafta go to the BATHROOM!!! As for the Quarter, I'm still loving mine dearly. I wouldn't whoosh it around in cruiser mode anyway (too big and awkward) so the floppyness doesn't bother me.

From your perspective, no, it wouldn't be that bad. The main problems were with Battroid and Shuttle modes. Battroid tended to have severe loose joint problems (mine couldn't do anything with his arms but have them hang limply at the sides). Shuttle mode had, if I recall correctly, an assembly error where the hooks that held the legs were glued in the wrong way and caused the legs to just barely hang on and also created an unsightly gap. ::EDIT:: What eugimon said.

Looks beautiful so far. Easily my most anticipated Macross toy this year. I assume there will be an exclusive Tamashii Web Shop Monster Girl version.

Doesn't this color-scheme make you think of Wal-Mart? This will compliment the Kai nicely. I wonder what the Tamashii web exclusive for the Blazer will be?

There's something about the nosecone that reminds me of the Chunky- in a good way. I look at this in fighter mode and see a blend of Yamato's V2 with a bit of Chunky mixed in. That combined with the compacted head, the articulated feet and the 1/100 'fun-size'...and suddenly I'm finding myself excited for ANOTHER VF-1 TOY.

The feet look fine to me in both modes.

I can see how someone would think the Jolly Roger is cheesy. The skull & crossbones motif has been so overused for so long that it is cheesy. I love it, but I'd never argue that it isn't cheesy.

http://www.collectiondx.com/review/macross...9_fire_valkyrie

New shot of the VF-1J. Shiny plastic. I can dig it. Source