So, which is better overall? Arcadia YF-19 or Bandai VF-19 Advance

[takatoys]

Not the same type, but they almost have the same design. Die hard fans of the YF, VF-19 Izamu valkyrie surely have both toys by now. So, which one do you prefer? My vote goes for Bandai, I think they made the ultimate VF-19 toy in 1/60.

Edited August 15, 2015 by takatoys

[Valkyrie Driver]

I prefer the bandai. It's got maddening (in a good way) amounts of articulation, the transformation is different, and I actually like how involved it is. It has huge amounts of die cast, and it does some really cool things to fill in the gaps left by transformation. Add to that the level of detail that is present on this toy and it's a knockout. It looks great in all three modes, but Fighter and Battroid are the two best, since the 19's gerwalk has always been a bit wonky. Though it does lock in nice and tight like the Yamato VF-19's and the Arcadia YF-19, and actually manages some really ridiculous articulation.

Can your arcadia do this:

?

I'm kind of biased though, as I only have the bandai (because the arcadia is stupid expensive). I do however have a Yamato VF-19F to compare to, which is very similar to the arcadia design in many ways. The fact that the bandai manages all of this with a waist swivel in a perfect transformation toy (in the truest sense, needing no gap filling parts, save the one for gerwalk mode, that I'm sure everyone forgets). I can't sing it's praises enough. I'm down for redecos, and remolds, as this toy is just so much damn fun.

Finally I have a fun YF-19 style toy. I love my Yamato YF-19, it's a nice display, but it's just not fun. I must say, I wish bandai had done the gun pod a bit differently, like making the handle jointed instead of the whole thing, so the whole gun pod stayed straight, still that's a minor complaint.

Last, we have the accessories. The display stand is meh, bit forgivable, because the toy came with it's own display stand which very thoughtful (thank you bandai!) meaning I don't have to go out and buy a stand. The Super parts look great, and even though the leg packs cause some gap in the wing glove I can forgive that, because the Super Parts were included in the set, and I can chose to use them or not (whereas if I tracked down a set of Alto Super Parts for my VF-25F, I'd feel obligated to display them to justify the price I paid). Then there are the fixed pose hands which are nice for posing, but the articulated hands are doing a perfectly good job right now. The pin point barrier punch effect parts... oh my what a wonderful bonus. I have had so much fun with this, it's obscene. I'd have bought this toy even if it hadn't come with the stand, the super parts, the PPB punch effect, and the fixed pose hands. The fact that I got all of this just made the whole thing worth it.

I have transformed this toy about a half a dozen times now, and it's still nice and tight. Another benefit the bandai has over the arcadia, it's not as terrifying to transform, it'll tell you when you're doing something wrong, and as long as you don't force anything, I don't see any real issues with durability.

Anyway that's my take.

[chyll2]

I only have bandai and was hyped to get it. I would still say Arcadia can stand equal.

What I hate on bandai are the big gaps when you put the fast pack. (a big difference between the 25, 29, 171 and 30)

What I hate on Arcadia is the lack of detail/tampo

I can easily remedy Arcadia's fault if I have one but I need hack skill to come up with new parts to fill the gaps. As for the ball joint used on Arcadia's ankle, 19 Gerwalk is easily my least favorite so I dont mind the weak ankles for gerwalk.

At the end of the day though, I can only buy Bandai

[ArchieNov]

I think that of all the modern valkyrie toys released so far, the Bandai VF-19Advance has the most advanced engineering (which I love about it).

[spanner]

initially I was convinced that the Arcadia was the better toy.. but the Bandai makes up so much ground detail wise that the Arcadia simply cannot match no matter how many stickers / decals you applied.

The Arcadia toy with its more chunky build especially in battroid certainly makes it appear more anime accurate but the fact the Bandai blows it out of the water with its superior detailing makes it a super close fight!

I have come to appreciate the quite equally now and it would be a difficult to chose either if I had to.

Edited August 15, 2015 by spanner76

[takatoys]

I think that of all the modern valkyrie toys released so far, the Bandai VF-19Advance has the most advanced engineering (which I love about it).

Yeah, it's amazing how Bandai managed to add all the little gimmikcs, spring mechanisms and details that work so well.

Edited August 15, 2015 by takatoys

[spanner]

im still calling it a tie between them but yes I do love all the little gimmicks Bandai threw in! Makes for a fun and interesting toy! And its quite the joy to handle too! Not that the Arcadia isn't, its just the Bandai does feel a little better in hand.

[MacrossJunkie]

Proportionally, I like the Arcadia version better. The fighter mode just looks better with its curvatures that aren't as pronounced on the Bandai. I like that it has the back seat as well.

Bandai is a close second with all the panel detailing they added, having a proper crotch piece flip, and better lip for the intakes.

GERWALK mode, I give it to the Arcadia hands down. The swivel at the knee just looks a whole lot better than the swivel at the thigh. It just makes the Bandai version look like it's ready to ride a horse.

Battroid mode, probably a tie. Proportionally, I prefer the Arcadia again due to it being closer to the Macross Plus animation proportions.

However, Bandai gets dibs for the ingenious filler for the gaps in the legs and the proportions are certainly more fitting for a CG model where things stay more consistent.

Customizing wise, even though I haven't done so yet, I give it to Bandai all the way. There's just so much less work for me with all the tampo printing already done, where I have to spend hours and hours applying the stickers first before I can do anything. Also, their panel lines aren't shallow like a creek in the Sahara desert. It's easy to panel line them whereas the Arcadia version not only can't be given a wash, it requires you to squint and put it under various angles of light to see if you're imagining if a panel line is actually there or not...

[technoblue]

It's a tie all around for me.

Where Bandai impressed me with the engineering on the VF-19 Advanced, sometimes that engineering got in the way of my enjoyment of the toy. There were tight spots that reminded me of scary pieces on the VF-171, which is my least favorite Valkyrie to date. The price was better than Arcadia's, though. And I felt like I was getting more for my money with the extra markings and the Advanced Packs. The T-REX add-on packs for Arcadia's YF-19 are separate, hard to find (with the limited license) and increase the cost if you are lucky to find them.

I like Arcadia's cockpit and pilot detail. I like the curvy details that seem to match the original art in fighter mode. I like that Arcadia has fewer gaps in this mode, and I also prefer Arcadia's landing gear. I also think that both Bandai and Arcadia do a good job of capturing the aesthetics of their respective anime properties. To my eyes, the YF-19 in Battroid mode is unmistakably mecha from the Macross Plus/Macross 7 era and the VF-19 Advance in Battroid is unmistakably mecha from the Frontier era.

You can't go wrong with either, if you get a good copy.

My wish for future releases is that Bandai would improve its quality consistency and that Arcadia would continue to improve and justify their premium value.

[seti88]

i thk there is another angle in comparison...the fact that yf-19 is a proper lead mech in a beloved ova, whilst the other is a 5-sec? appearance that came out of nowhere....just felt it was in there just for bandai to sell a 19 version....

should you not have the 19 variant yet....i would go with the yf-19 just because of the spirit of Mplus.

[ChaoticYeti]

I love them both, but if I were going to recommend one to someone as their first valk purchase, I would have to suggest the bandai. All meta aside, it is the better figure overall based on cost/quality/features.

[ArchieNov]

i thk there is another angle in comparison...the fact that yf-19 is a proper lead mech in a beloved ova, whilst the other is a 5-sec? appearance that came out of nowhere....just felt it was in there just for bandai to sell a 19 version....

should you not have the 19 variant yet....i would go with the yf-19 just because of the spirit of Mplus.

I don't think the source material (OVA vs cameo) should have any bearing on a comparison between the toys themselves...

[valhary]

it depends what do you want

lineart=arcadia

anime accuracy=bandai

[takatoys]

Interesting how close the votes are going. Arcadia's color choice is another motive of why I voted for Bandai. The strong cream color makes perfect contrast with the black stripes.

[technoblue]

I really couldn't vote for one extreme or the other. If there was a middle of the road option, I would have voted.

[MacrossJunkie]

If this topic were for recommending which one to get, I would definitely recommend the Bandai one as well unless you really wanted the markings to match what was in M+ or all those missiles and attachments.

Otherwise they are both pretty close, but then when you look at the price, the Bandai version is a whole lot cheaper for what is, engineering and detail-wise, a better toy.

[Ignacio Ocamica]

I voted Arcadia's YF-19 (I have two). Didn't get Bandai's VF-19 (don't like its proportions) but a friend of mine who has one let me handle it and transform it. All thew curves and shapes of the Arcadia YF-19 make it perfect in fighter mode, it's how I ever envisioned the YF-19 in physical 3D.

[Valkyrie Driver]

The thing is, both toys have their own markets. I think what bandai did really captured the spirit of the 19, while the paint is based on the cameo, the spirit is unmistakably YF-19. The other thing is Bandai's market for the DX Chogokin toys, is probably much bigger, and thus they could make more than arcadia. I'm also not too familiar with arcadia's recent practices, but they don't seem to be thinking about repaints or anything that might deviate from the Animated productions.

The Yamato YF-19 and the Arcadia YF-19 are very similar in regards to their closeness to the Lineart (though the Yammie has that gullet). So I can be content with my Yammie YF-19 for dispay and line art, while I can just pick up and play with my Bandai. Best of both worlds...

[Chronocidal]

...

..

Yes.

[jenius]

I'm surprised the voting is so close.

[Loop]

Personally I like both of them, but for me the edge goes to the Arcadia. I like the YF-19 over the VF-19 Advance for display purposes. The markings on the VF-19 Advance are just too much for me and look a bit gaudy, but at the same time the YF-19's marking are a bit too little. I display my valks more than I play with them, I get that the VF-19 is a more poseable toy in Battroid mode though so It does look good in that mode with dynamic poses, but I think the other two modes are not as good as the YF-19. The gaps are what get me upset in fighter mode and the packs are why I bought it as I missed the T-rex parts but when you equip them they cause another gap with a tab showing, so the value of the packs for me are not really that great overall. I also think the boosters look really stupid in Battroid mode, but that is just opinion.

So for Battroid mode poseability I give it to Bandai, but for line art accuracy and display purposes I choose Arcadia. For someone that does not have the cash to fork out on an Arcadia I would Bandai if price is a concern. If you can afford it Arcadia gets my vote.

[Frogze]

I have both and I love both, but overall the Arcadia has a more solid feel to me and even though I like what Bandai tried to achieve transformation-wise I think Arcadia's has the perfect balance in that department by keeping it simple and fun while I struggle a bit too much on the Bandai.

[Valkyrie Driver]

To me, a toy is a toy, it should be fun. But then I'm still 4 years old at heart, and like to zoom my toys around and make believe I'm in the cockpit dogfighting with some imaginary bad guy...

The fun factor, price, and the extras, make the Bandai better in my eyes. If I could get an arcadia without having to sell my soul, I would. But there's the fact that I can't, so I make do with my Yamato YF-19 for a display, whilst I indulge my inner 4 year old with the Bandai.

[Loop]

I still have my old Yamato YF-19 Isamu and Double nuts on display to this day. I decided I would just keep them even though I have 2 of the Arcadia and 2 of the Bandai.

[treatment]

Hmm.

Neither one is better.

Considering their respective issues and their respective exorbitant pricings, you should've retitled this thread as

"Which is more tolerable/acceptable overall",

instead...

[seti88]

I don't think the source material (OVA vs cameo) should have any bearing on a comparison between the toys themselves...

From a display/collection perspective it would make some sense. There is always the pull factor or charm of the toy itself.

Sure, visually some may like the extra tampo/boosters but over time that excitement may fade, whilst you may pick out the YF out of your display again just to try drawing that dragon in the sky.

Plus if arcadia releases an updated YF-21, i think the YF-19 would definately hold the edge over the advanced.

Displaying the advanced against a YF-21 doesnt quite have the same kick.

Am not saying design and engineering arent important, however there is that certain appeal of a toy that may play a role as well.

Deep thinking aside, i didnt like how the boosters looked attached to the legs in battaroid mode/or how fidgety it was to transform, so i would choose the arcadia for its hassle free play.

[Saburo]

I have both of them and like them both. Both have pros and cons, but neither one clearly better than the other in my opinion.

Both of the YF-19 and VF-19 displayed together, the Arcadia YF-19 has a heavier more a brawler look to it where the Bandai has the fast attacker look.

Edited August 16, 2015 by Saburo

[ArchieNov]

From a display/collection perspective it would make some sense. There is always the pull factor or charm of the toy itself.

Sure, visually some may like the extra tampo/boosters but over time that excitement may fade, whilst you may pick out the YF out of your display again just to try drawing that dragon in the sky.

Plus if arcadia releases an updated YF-21, i think the YF-19 would definately hold the edge over the advanced.

Displaying the advanced against a YF-21 doesnt quite have the same kick.

Am not saying design and engineering arent important, however there is that certain appeal of a toy that may play a role as well.

I understand what you're trying to say, but if we are going to let that be a factor, then we are not judging the toy on its own merits. For example, some people may have a strong nostalgic connection to an old cartoon like G1 transformers and say that the original G1 transformer toys are better than more modern transformer toys (like those based on TF:Animated) just because of that connection, but that is obviously untrue from an objective point of view.

[Desty_Nova]

IMO the arcadia is the better toy overall. The Iconic YF-19 is what everyone knows and wants and the arcadia is a better representation of that. I'm really not a fan of the frontierized advance battroid proportions, the bandai is clever, and better in some ways but transforming it is a real chore and not fun at all which is a shame because I'm a sucker for tampo.

The advance pack would have persuaded me more if the implementation wasn't so half assed.

[Mizicke5273]

Arcadia all the way for me. I like the Bandai version but would have passed on it, if it were the bare valk only. Arcadia did everything right in my book, especially the design.

[seti88]

I understand what you're trying to say, but if we are going to let that be a factor, then we are not judging the toy on its own merits. For example, some people may have a strong nostalgic connection to an old cartoon like G1 transformers and say that the original G1 transformer toys are better than more modern transformer toys (like those based on TF:Animated) just because of that connection, but that is obviously untrue from an objective point of view.

My tot on it the word 'better' in the poll is open-ended. There are many aspects such as articulation, design, robustness, color, desirability, symbolism, price, rarity that make a toy better or more appealing to a collector. Some may place importance on one over the other.

I would take charm as a merit on its own (although it may not be so important to anyone else),

i do get your point a toy should be judged on its own merits and try not to involve non-factors. My point as sometimes those non factors influence one's preference over the other and as such are a factor, although not apparently paid most attention to.

Nothing is exactly similar and sometimes little things such as preferring a kite over an SMS sticker can tilt it.

Perhaps am thinking too much over my purchases

[cyde01]

Sculpt: arcadia (beefier legs, no gaps in fighter, but the holes in the back of the legs in battroid are a downside)

Ease of transformation: arcadia

articulation: bandai

Colors, finish, tampo and detail: bandai

Accesories: bandai (my personal preference is for the pin point barrier punch and advance packs over the under wing weapons)

Price: bandai

Overall winner: bandai

As frustrated as i get transforming this thing to fighter with the fps, and all the other downsides, i have to give this one to the bandai. I don't even know what it is but i always wanna pick it up over the arcadia. Something about the combination of better posability, nicer finish and details, not having bum ankles, choosing between gunpod and pin point barrier punch is what i think makes me want to pick this one up time and time again over the arcadia even though the transformation back to fighter can be maddening. And the extra $$ i paid for the arcadia over the bandai make this a bitter pill to swallow.

Edited August 16, 2015 by cyde01

[lechuck]

Clearly Bandai can only be the winner:

- better tan colour and tampo printing

- better nose cone/fuselage shape, no weired arching

- compact fighter fit, shield integrates nicely with rest of fighter, no thick leading edge on the intakes

- telesoping and tilting head

- ball-jointed shoulders

- seperate swivel joints for shoulder pauldron and arm

- fully featured double-jointed arms, no faking like with Arcadia

- shield that stays on arm, w/o constantly falling off

- waist joint and ball jointed hips that allow better movement

- slick and flush inner leg profile, no dents and carve-outs or extra parts needed

- tabbed cod piece locks in

- thigh swivel joints that allows for more natural articulation

- fully featured knee caps

- leg packs that stay on and don't fall off at the slightest touch in Battroid

- foot and ankle joints that are a million times better than anything that Arcadia could come up with

- layerd and internal details almost everywhere

- well propportioned modern take on Battroid

- better accessories: additional hands, pin-point-barrier effect and stands are all more useful than a tray of missiles

And for all of this Bandai charged me less than Arcadia.

[no3Ljm]

Arcadia for me. For some reasons, I treat my Yamato/Arcadia Valks as the 'Masterpiece series' while the Bandai DX as the 'Voyager series'. Yamato/Arcadia is more collectible looking to me than Bandai DX which is more a toy for me.

In other words, I transform my Yamato/Arcadia ones with care than the Bandai DX ones.

[valhary]

the poll results are misleading because the sales reflect the opposite while the advance is sold out in the most of the stores is relatively easy get the arcadia