Bandai DX Chogokin 1/48 VF-1

[seti88]

oh no!

bandai-d is becoming a verb...which makes me think if there other macross lexicons...

[Radioguy]

Quote

The Tamashii Store limited item "DX Chogokin VF-1J Valkyrie (Ichijo Hikaru) -STORE LIMITED EDITION-" has sold out. ▼ Product details https://tamashiiweb.com/store/tokyo/items/detail/15096.html Restocking is currently undecided.

[sh9000]

There was one listed on Mandarake last night so I made an impulse buy.

[herkulease]

Back from Japan - picking up this up was easy. Compared to say the Hi Metal R VF-1S back in 2023. That was suppose to be a general release and I had to stumble onto a shop that had it. For this I just walked in, grabbed it and walked out. They had 15-20. But then again it was 10am. They did take a pic of you when buying. I saw another tourist bring either his mother or grandmother along to help buy since it was limit 1.

 

[Radioguy]

11 hours ago, herkulease said:

Back from Japan - picking up this up was easy. Compared to say the Hi Metal R VF-1S back in 2023. That was suppose to be a general release and I had to stumble onto a shop that had it. For this I just walked in, grabbed it and walked out. They had 15-20. But then again it was 10am. They did take a pic of you when buying. I saw another tourist bring either his mother or grandmother along to help buy since it was limit 1.

[PNW_Sweetie]

Got my Tamashii about a week ago and it’s the first vanilla -1J I’ve owned (I do have the -1J GBP). Nice color and love having the missiles. 

For the price, it was an easy sell

 

[Radioguy]

Tamshii store Tokyo now stating the VF-1J reissue is out of stock.

 

[Steady]

Hey all...I feel like I'm a bit late to the party on the Bandai 1/48 line of toys.  The 4K DYRL release has gotten me back into a Macross mood.

When I was a kid, my favorite toy was the Bandai 1/55 Jetfire toy.  I knew it was from Macross.  The design is timeless.  When the 1/55 reissues came out, I finally had a chance to own some real Macross Valkryies so I bought 3.  The VF-1S, Vf-1J, and the tan colored VF-1A.

Then Yamato released the 1/48 series and they were crazy expensive.   But I eventually caved and decided to get only one.  So I got what I thought was the best one--the VF-1S red/black Hikaru model from DYRL.  I also bought the Super and Strike parts.  I figured these Yamato Valkyries were so elaborate and detailed, they would be definitive and I would not felt like they couldn't be topped.  What was I thinking?  Ha ha.

Well, now the Bandai DX-Chogokin Valkryies have been out for a while now, and I am starting to get the urge again.  Will one of these make me forget about my Yamato 1/48?  I always disliked the hands on the Yamato toys.  It looks like Bandai addressed that.  Happy that all the decals are pre-painted.  I feel like if I don't pull the trigger now, I may never be able to get one.    

Forgive me for a few questions--I did some searching, but this is a long thread.  How's the yellowing been on these new Bandai 1/48s?  Do they stay white?  I've had my Yamato in storage (in the original box).  Last time I checked, it was still looking good.

I understand the missiles do not come with the Valkyrie.  Do they come with the Super and Strike parts?

Thanks!

Edited February 7 by Steady

[Graham]

I've  only had my Bandai DX VF-1 toys for about 2  years now, I have the VF-1J with GBP armor, Focker VF-1S, Hikaru VF-1S with Strike Packs, Kakizaki VF-1A, VF-1D and VT-1. All are on display. So far no yellowing on any of them.

Missiles are sold as a separate  box set. Apart from with the recent VF-1J Tamashi Store Limited Edition, which I understand does include 12 x AMM-1 missiles. But none of the other DX VF-1 toys include missiles.

The TV style Super Packs are sold as a separate box set. 

And the DYRL Strike Packs are also sold as a separate box set. The exception is last year's VF-1S Hikaru reissue, which came with Strike Packs that include optional clear covers.

[grogall]

2 hours ago, Steady said:

Hey all...I feel like I'm a bit late to the party on the Bandai 1/48 line of toys.  The 4K DYRL release has gotten me back into a Macross mood.

-snipe-

Thanks!

First welcome to the party!

The yellowing will probably mostly happen when you leave them in direct sunlight!?

As for starting your collection, I would recommend Mandarake as a good place to go! You can purchase the first release Bandai VF-1J with armour parts for 40,000 yen wich is actually only 7,000 yen above the release price! since the yen is cheap at the moment its still a good start!

https://order.mandarake.co.jp/order/detailPage/item?itemCode=1287253473&ref=list&keyword=DX Chogokin macross&lang=en

as for some of the more thought after releases, sadly they are not going to get cheaper... Like the VF-1D or VF-1S Mech Guts edition! (Clear Armour Parts)

Some missiles only come with the TV fast packs or if you're lucky, the last release VF-1J Hickaru also had missiles included! The stand alone missile set will

sadly cost you more now then a regular released VF-1 🤮

⚠️ WARNING! DX Chogokin Valkeries are addictive! ⚠️

 

Edited February 7 by grogall

[Steady]

2 hours ago, grogall said:

First welcome to the party!

The yellowing will probably mostly happen when you leave them in direct sunlight!?

As for starting your collection, I would recommend Mandarake as a good place to go! You can purchase the first release Bandai VF-1J with armour parts for 40,000 yen wich is actually only 7,000 yen above the release price! since the yen is cheap at the moment its still a good start!

https://order.mandarake.co.jp/order/detailPage/item?itemCode=1287253473&ref=list&keyword=DX Chogokin macross&lang=en

as for some of the more thought after releases, sadly they are not going to get cheaper... Like the VF-1D or VF-1S Mech Guts edition! (Clear Armour Parts)

Some missiles only come with the TV fast packs or if you're lucky, the last release VF-1J Hickaru also had missiles included! The stand alone missile set will

sadly cost you more now then a regular released VF-1 🤮

⚠️ WARNING! DX Chogokin Valkeries are addictive! ⚠️

 

Ha ha. Thanks, Grogall.  😄

Yes, Valkryie toys can be addictive.  But luckily (or unluckily), the space I have to display them is extremely small, so that sad reality forces me to keep my collections to a minimum. With that in mind, I'm likely to go "all in" on one--A Valkyrie and Super/Strike parts. You know, they look naked without the armor.  Ha ha.  That's pretty much what I did with the Yamato line.  The mechanical VF-1S looks like an all in one type package.  I may go with that.  But even that one looks like its still doesn't come with the missiles, so still something extra to buy.  The GBP Armored VF-1J looks amazing too though...

Is all the stuff on Mandarake in package damaged condition?

[davidwhangchoi]

i have the releases so far. just be careful if you buy in particular, the VT-1 as a few had broken wings out of the box. 

all the other releases are solid. Probably the most expensive will be Kaki movie sealed, and tv roy sealed is getting up there. 

[grogall]

34 minutes ago, Steady said:

Ha ha. Thanks, Grogall.  😄

-snipe-

Is all the stuff on Mandarake in package damaged condition?

Mandarake doesn't have much damage on their packages ,they are usually in pristine condition if it does have heavy damage they will usually take separate photos of the damage....  

[Slave IV]

On 2/6/2025 at 8:28 PM, Steady said:

Hey all...I feel like I'm a bit late to the party on the Bandai 1/48 line of toys.  The 4K DYRL release has gotten me back into a Macross mood.

When I was a kid, my favorite toy was the Bandai 1/55 Jetfire toy.  I knew it was from Macross.  The design is timeless.  When the 1/55 reissues came out, I finally had a chance to own some real Macross Valkryies so I bought 3.  The VF-1S, Vf-1J, and the tan colored VF-1A.

Then Yamato released the 1/48 series and they were crazy expensive.   But I eventually caved and decided to get only one.  So I got what I thought was the best one--the VF-1S red/black Hikaru model from DYRL.  I also bought the Super and Strike parts.  I figured these Yamato Valkyries were so elaborate and detailed, they would be definitive and I would not felt like they couldn't be topped.  What was I thinking?  Ha ha.

Well, now the Bandai DX-Chogokin Valkryies have been out for a while now, and I am starting to get the urge again.  Will one of these make me forget about my Yamato 1/48?  I always disliked the hands on the Yamato toys.  It looks like Bandai addressed that.  Happy that all the decals are pre-painted.  I feel like if I don't pull the trigger now, I may never be able to get one.    

Forgive me for a few questions--I did some searching, but this is a long thread.  How's the yellowing been on these new Bandai 1/48s?  Do they stay white?  I've had my Yamato in storage (in the original box).  Last time I checked, it was still looking good.

I understand the missiles do not come with the Valkyrie.  Do they come with the Super and Strike parts?

Thanks!

The 1/48 Yamatos still haven’t been topped in some ways even after these decades! It still has the smoothest transformation of all the modern perfect transformation VF-1 toys and it arguably has the best fighter mode. Plus it has the most extensive roster of variations and is the basis of all modern VF-1 toys designs. The worst thing about the Yamato are the hands that you mentioned and the fiddlyness when you start adding extra parts to it. the DX does have the best hands to ever come on a VF-1 but I’ve seen some complaints about it from some people. I think they are fine. It has its own quirks, most famously, the hip bar design that most people hate. The main gripe I have with it is overall, it’s a sloppier build compared to Yamatos (especially the V2 1/60 versions). Parts just don’t fit and tab together as well. Overall though, it is pretty great though and definitely has a place as one of the best VF-1 toys. 
 

There are several very good choices out now, all with their own merits. The newest one to see how it turns out is from Unix Square, which might be a modern take of the 1/55 chunky we all love from the way it looks so far. 

Edited February 9 by Slave IV

[Steady]

I just checked out the Unix Square version...Nope.  LoL.  And I'll never support anything with a Robotech label on it.

Edited February 9 by Steady

[herkulease]

3 minutes ago, Steady said:

I just checked out the Unix Square version...Nope.  And I'll never support anything with a Robotech label on it.

Macross as a whole is already a niche thing in the grand scheme of toys. If you're going commit yourself to the whole hate Harmony Gold then prepare to shell out the $$$ if you want any toys related to the original SDF series.

This guy I feel does great reviews and often will compare the Bandai DX with say the Yamato 1/48 or other releases where appropriate.

https://anymoon.com/blog/?p=12016

FYI Bandai's releases are completely random with little logic in them. It's like drunk babies throwing darts at the wall. 

[rocketblast]

I'm still a bit baffled as to why Bandai isn't burning a hole in my wallet over these things.  I mean, we were getting a pretty steady batch of preorder merchandise there for a while.  I'm not complaining but it would be nice to see more VFs on the way in this scale.  And kinda almost odd that there isn't a CF in chogokin 1/48th.  To me, anyway.  I check here often to see if any new stuff is coming out.

[Slave IV]

43 minutes ago, Steady said:

I just checked out the Unix Square version...Nope.  LoL.  And I'll never support anything with a Robotech label on it.

I don’t disagree with the HG hate but also see the other side that most people outside of Japan got introduced to Macross at least initially through Robotech. The Unix Square VF looks aesthetically the worst out of all the options in the last several decades but until we know more about it, I’m giving it a chance. Based on its looks, I feel like they may be going more for playability over looks and if it does end up to be the modern take on the chunky in terms of a hefty figure with simplified for fun transformation, I can justify at least one for my collection. But I also don’t have to worry about choosing as someone just getting back into it as I have plenty of 1/55s, Yamato 1/48s, Yamacadia 1/60’s, plus every HMR and DX release. And those also happen to be what I consider the best VF-1s ever made, all for their unique reasons. 

Edited February 9 by Slave IV

[Steady]

7 minutes ago, herkulease said:

Macross as a whole is already a niche thing in the grand scheme of toys. If you're going commit yourself to the whole hate Harmony Gold then prepare to shell out the $$$ if you want any toys related to the original SDF series.

This guy I feel does great reviews and often will compare the Bandai DX with say the Yamato 1/48 or other releases where appropriate.

https://anymoon.com/blog/?p=12016

FYI Bandai's releases are completely random with little logic in them. It's like drunk babies throwing darts at the wall. 

That's a very informative site.  The comparison photos are great.

Regarding the Harmony Gold thing, and I don't want to derail the thread, so I'll be brief.  I just feel that Harmony Gold's Robotech products are inferior in every way to the official Big West Macross products.  Yes, the Macross toys are expensive.  So I don't buy many--but when I do, I buy the real deal.  The classic Takatoku 1/55, and 1/48 Yamato/Bandai toys were designed with Kawamori's input and have his endorsement.  That carries a lot of weight in my opinion.  Anyway, that is my stance. 

That VF-1S Mechanical Edition just looks insanely awesome.  

[Steady]

Can the fuselage of the VF-1D be removed and attached to a VF-1S like in the third episode?  And just for fun, is it possible to have double rocket booster Strike cannons?

[herkulease]

5 minutes ago, Steady said:

That's a very informative site.  The comparison photos are great.

Regarding the Harmony Gold thing, and I don't want to derail the thread, so I'll be brief.  I just feel that Harmony Gold's Robotech products are inferior in every way to the official Big West Macross products.  Yes, the Macross toys are expensive.  So I don't buy many--but when I do, I buy the real deal.  The classic Takatoku 1/55, and 1/48 Yamato/Bandai toys were designed with Kawamori's input and have his endorsement.  That carries a lot of weight in my opinion.  Anyway, that is my stance. 

That VF-1S Mechanical Edition just looks insanely awesome.  

Yeah he does very good informative reviews.

Forgot to add he also same comparison for the strike and super parts too. He has a video on the missile pack but its basic item The only one he doesn't a review is the Armored Parts, which come separately or as a bundle(with VF1J) the nice thing is it fit all the others too DX VF-1. Not cartoon accurate but I like to mix and match to keep things fresh.

https://anymoon.com/blog/?p=14510

[herkulease]

6 minutes ago, Steady said:

Can the fuselage of the VF-1D be removed and attached to a VF-1S like in the third episode?  And just for fun, is it possible to have double rocket booster Strike cannons?

1. No. as far as I know. I'm not sure if I've seen any toy let you do that. But I might be wrong. They include nearly everything so you can recreate several scenes from that episode but that function

2. Yes you can have double strike cannons...assuming you have 2 sets. it just pops off.

[rocketblast]

1 hour ago, Slave IV said:

I don’t disagree with the HG hate but also see the other side that most people outside of Japan got introduced to Macross at least initially through Robotech. The Unix Square VF looks aesthetically the worst out of all the options in the last several decades but until we know more about it, I’m giving it a chance. Based on its looks, I feel like they may be going more for playability over looks and if it does end up to be the modern take on the chunky in terms of a hefty figure with simplified for fun transformation, I can justify at least one for my collection. But I also don’t have to worry about choosing as someone just getting back into it as I have plenty of 1/55s, Yamato 1/48s, Yamacadia 1/60’s, plus every HMR and DX release. And those also happen to be what I consider the best VF-1s ever made, all for their unique reasons. 

that's how I feel about it.  we wouldn't have seen macross or mospeada without robotech.  also as long as the toys are good, doesn't matter a whole lot to me if it says macross or robotech on the box.  the toy itself is what it is.

[treatment]

1 hour ago, Steady said:

Can the fuselage of the VF-1D be removed and attached to a VF-1S like in the third episode?  And just for fun, is it possible to have double rocket booster Strike cannons?

 

1 hour ago, herkulease said:

1. No. as far as I know. I'm not sure if I've seen any toy let you do that. But I might be wrong. They include nearly everything so you can recreate several scenes from that episode but that function

 

Only the old Yamato 1/60v2 (and by extension, the Arcadia 1/60) can the fuselage be removed and attached to another 1/60v2 valk with the included adapter.

I'm too lazy to post a pic of it, but here's @jenius showing this old Yamarcadia feature that is somehow bizarrely lacking from the Bandai DX...

 

[Slave IV]

2 hours ago, Steady said:

That's a very informative site.  The comparison photos are great.

Regarding the Harmony Gold thing, and I don't want to derail the thread, so I'll be brief.  I just feel that Harmony Gold's Robotech products are inferior in every way to the official Big West Macross products.  Yes, the Macross toys are expensive.  So I don't buy many--but when I do, I buy the real deal.  The classic Takatoku 1/55, and 1/48 Yamato/Bandai toys were designed with Kawamori's input and have his endorsement.  That carries a lot of weight in my opinion.  Anyway, that is my stance. 

That VF-1S Mechanical Edition just looks insanely awesome.  

For the most part, yep totally agree again. Especially those Toynami Valks, lol. But…

38 minutes ago, rocketblast said:

that's how I feel about it.  we wouldn't have seen macross or mospeada without robotech.  also as long as the toys are good, doesn't matter a whole lot to me if it says macross or robotech on the box.  the toy itself is what it is.

Yep again. A good toy is a good toy. I don’t have one yet but @Steady you should check out the reviews on anymoon comparing the ThreeZero VF-1. It combines some of the best things about the Valks that came before it while having its own drawbacks but another one of its strengths is that it might be the best value in all the available VF-1 toys today. 

[Chronocidal]

I kind of don't blame Bandai for not including that particular feature.  Holding the nosecone from another valk is a supremely niche one-off display option, and including it introduces several structural compromises.

It was an easy step for the Yamato to make since the nose already needed to slide, but the Bandai nose section doesn't move.  On top of that, I don't think it would even be possible to display a VF-1 in that configuration in fighter mode due to the design of Bandai's display stands, so you'd just be stuck keeping it in battroid.

Though, on that note, I'm not even sure the Yamato stands would work either, but I think the bracket being so far forward might allow it.

Far as the HG situation goes though, I'd agree.  While I've always had a certain amount of sour grape feeling associated with Robotech*, the primary reason to avoid their products was just their obvious inferiority to Japanese Macross merchandise.  To me, the ThreeZero VF-1 really feels like the first Robotech-branded VF-1 toy produced at the same level of quality as the native Macross releases.

*Note - one caveat here, my first transforming VF-1 was a actually a Robotech Milia Joke Machine.  Those toys fall into a unique category though, since they might be the only case where an official Japanese Macross VF-1 toy got a direct Robotech import version in the US. 

It would have been really interesting to see if anything would have played out differently if Jetfire had never happened.

[treatment]

Well, 

Yamato's canon removable nosecone/fuselage feature 

vs 

Bandai-DX's non-canon and ridiculously stupid auto-disengaging legs "gimmick"

some toy engineering...

 

 

[Steady]

19 minutes ago, Slave IV said:

For the most part, yep totally agree again. Especially those Toynami Valks, lol. But…

Yep again. A good toy is a good toy. I don’t have one yet but @Steady you should check out the reviews on anymoon comparing the ThreeZero VF-1. It combines some of the best things about the Valks that came before it while having its own drawbacks but another one of its strengths is that it might be the best value in all the available VF-1 toys today. 

Yeah, I have to admit that ThreeZero VF-1 toy looks pretty good.  I'm still aiming for a 1/48 Bandai DX.  YOLO.  😄

[grogall]

Wow you wake up, to get a message that there are 8 new posts in the, Bandai DX Chogokin 1/48 VF-1 forum and think great a new reveal 🤗

But then find its just this against that is better....

But still a good discussion! 

As far as Yamato vs Bandai, I think it's clear that the 1/48 scale Yamato's have their merits but don't hold up to the DX series. they just don't look all that impressive....

As to the argument that there a vast number too the Yamato line up, I say "meh" Bandai still has the up for me since they did produce my all time favorite Valk. the VF-1D, and then also did a great job on the VT-1 Superostrich, but very sadly didn't finish the mechanical detail 😢. That we haven't gotten a new announcement yet, on a new version is sad! But still 3 different versions of the VF-1 where released last year, so as far as I'm concerned they haven't stopped production yet!

What and wen, something is released I just hope it's not something that is regurgitated again!

But I'm still hopefully we will get a new reveal this year! 🙈🙉 

 

Edited February 9 by grogall

[rocketblast]

it's just my opinion and from not owning any Yamato 1/48 that the Yamato stuff may have better detail but the build quality and mechanics aren't as good as Bandai 1/48 scale stuff.  I could be wrong but I mean if I'm looking for a more rigid transformable product that possibly is resistant to yellowing I would go with a 1/48 from Bandai.  I only own the smaller scale Yamato stuff, the whole set in V1 only none of the perfect transformation ones.  One of my valkyries, the only one I ever unboxed, has bad yellowing.  One day I'm going to shoot primer over the whole thing and re-paint it.  I'm fairly disappointed with Yamato quality.  But again that is just my opinion.

[azndavepgh]

First post here.

I have fond memories of Robotech when I was growing up, and I give HG credit for introducing anime to the US when it was relatively unknown.  However, the original Macross is the version that I recommend to others now as a starting point.

I had been wanting to get back into Macross so the timing of the Hikaru store edition release was good.  I picked one up along with the Super parts.

[MikeRoz]

The thing that killed the Yamato 1/48 for me was the way they shoulders hung down way too far in fighter mode. Ruined the lines for me. I probably wouldn't have bothered with the 1/60 v2 line if not for that. Though, now that I think about it again, the PF releases probably would have been enough to get me to break.

[cksh]

Have almost the entire dx line. Was too broke when the 1/48 Yamatos were released so only have 1. It was in my display case from the day it came out. The display is in my basement with no sun exposure. While it never yellowed I decided to transform back to fighter and found the plastic to be brittle. Very disappointing. 

[Shawn]

I found an old pic of one of the prototype Yamato 1/48s (from 2002), and I think to this day it looks incredible.
This one is hand painted and detailed, but I'd put this against the new Bandai 1/48 any day for sheer awesomeness. I like the flat white a lot!

 

[Robin-11]

19 hours ago, Shawn said:

I found an old pic of one of the prototype Yamato 1/48s (from 2002), and I think to this day it looks incredible.
This one is hand painted and detailed, but I'd put this against the new Bandai 1/48 any day for sheer awesomeness. I like the flat white a lot!

 

It is amazing. I believe the silhouette on fighter mode in the Yamatos 1/48 is still unmatched.