DX Chogokin VF-25S Armored Ozma Lee Revival ver.

[shazam]

 

[seti88]

1 hour ago, shazam said:

 

Totally badass!

Yeah i totally missed this on past releases, so not passing this up...

I wish i had the 🤑 to go for a third and fourth copy...just so all three modes could be displayed..+ the obligatory MIB...🤪

...memories of watching the armor first appearing on frontier come flooding back..that was truly awesome...

 

[Xigfrid]

Whoa, I didn’t realize that the revival version could stand with the armor pack equipped! I want one now!

[davidwhangchoi]

anyone get this? i have 5 copies of the original and the anniversary sticker box. 

 i;d be hyped but Disney plus is not releasing any Macross F  on stream as promised. 

I thought 2024 was going to be Macross coming to the west party but it's been silence with alot of the anime still locked up. and crunchyroll trying to rip me off with a $200 plus edition OVA that's not even 4k. 

i hope 2025 is a better belated anniversary year for Macross. 

[MKT]

On 12/9/2024 at 1:51 PM, shazam said:

 

So, in addition to dual screw at the hip, the other improvement is that the ball that goes into the hip is now fully metal instead of half-plastic. Too bad reviewer didn't compare with the previous Revivals with the 3 hip screws.. 

[Graham]

1 hour ago, MKT said:

So, in addition to dual screw at the hip, the other improvement is that the ball that goes into the hip is now fully metal instead of half-plastic. Too bad reviewer didn't compare with the previous Revivals with the 3 hip screws.. 

Interesting.

[shazam]

On 12/9/2024 at 5:39 PM, seti88 said:

Totally badass!

Yeah i totally missed this on past releases, so not passing this up...

I wish i had the 🤑 to go for a third and fourth copy...just so all three modes could be displayed..+ the obligatory MIB...🤪

...memories of watching the armor first appearing on frontier come flooding back..that was truly awesome...

 

It is so good to see this figure released. 🤩

1 hour ago, MKT said:

So, in addition to dual screw at the hip, the other improvement is that the ball that goes into the hip is now fully metal instead of half-plastic. Too bad reviewer didn't compare with the previous Revivals with the 3 hip screws.. 

It's good to see that in does not flop around with loose joints when handled in the video. It seems easy enough to maintain and you can always put a dab of clear nail polish on the metal ball joints if the toy starts to wobble and become loose. I was very happy with my original set and don't have any issues with loose joints. This new figure set is worth getting for a first time collector or by just wanting another one on display. 

Edited December 12 by shazam

[rsvictor1976]

9 hours ago, MKT said:

So, in addition to dual screw at the hip, the other improvement is that the ball that goes into the hip is now fully metal instead of half-plastic. Too bad reviewer didn't compare with the previous Revivals with the 3 hip screws.. 

I don’t get why Bandai doesn’t mention or promote these improvements on their store page? You would think it’d help them sell more.

[Test_Pilot_2]

I don't know what kind of devilry Yoyakunow is practicing... But I literally just paid for my Ozma and it's being delivered tomorrow. I'll have to admit that it took a minute to get an update on the order, but once the update came in Yoyakunow has been world-class on it.

I wish my recent Nin-Nin Game experiences were even remotely this good. They have been absolutely horrific lately.

[PointBlankSniper]

My YYK ready for shipping notice just came in too. Haven't picked my shipping option yet. Gonna watch the exchange rates for a bit first.

I'm still wondering if it really is 2600g.

[MKT]

39 minutes ago, rsvictor1976 said:

I don’t get why Bandai doesn’t mention or promote these improvements on their store page? You would think it’d help them sell more.

I guess even if they did, folks would be skeptical seeing how the 3-screw set up for the past few 25/29 releases were supposed to solve the looseness but half the time it did nothing & in cases went the other way instead (loose hips straight out of the box). At least Bandai is showing some pro-activeness for revising yet again this design quite so soon instead of waiting for the next... Reborn version or something lol. If only they show the same initiative by fixing the arm & leg connection issues for the DX VF-1 in Fighter mode..

 

39 minutes ago, Test_Pilot_2 said:

I don't know what kind of devilry Yoyakunow is practicing... But I literally just paid for my Ozma and it's being delivered tomorrow. I'll have to admit that it took a minute to get an update on the order, but once the update came in Yoyakunow has been world-class on it.

I wish my recent Nin-Nin Game experiences were even remotely this good. They have been absolutely horrific lately.

Must have missed your issues with NNG.. what were they again? I'm cautious but mostly optimistic with my experience with them so far.

[Test_Pilot_2]

1 hour ago, MKT said:

Must have missed your issues with NNG.. what were they again? I'm cautious but mostly optimistic with my experience with them so far.

I haven't posted because I've been trying to give them the benefit of the doubt, but their customer service has been terrible. I've had issues with their delivery system even when I contact them weeks in advance and ask them to combine shipments - they either won't or fail to. This is even trying to use their warehouse. I had it happen once and owned the matter and let it slide, but the second time? I tried way in advance, got their own support person to assert the shipments would be combined, and then they denied they said it. I have yet to find the right combination of secret sauce to make it work as intended, there's always a reason that it doesn't or can't.

I've also paid for items they said they had ready to ship to then learn there was a delay... OK, fine, that happens... So I wait, even until well after their next target date to follow-up and they kept kicking the can because of a supplier delay. Meanwhile, the items appear on E-bay, stateside Amazon, HLJ, you name it... I wait two weeks then ask them again, same canned supplier delay message, no actual update, no alternative options, nothing. They've held my money for months and months at this point.

I've stopped using any payment method except credit card with them to ensure if they play games that I have recourse outside of their customer service - and this has proven the most valuable tool to deal with them so far when things go sideways. Take a close look at their refund/return/restock policies - they have everything to gain and nothing to lose when it comes to canceled/refunded orders.

I ramped up my orders with them beginning mid-last year because I was feeling OK about them, too. I've even posted some of their fantastic deals. Here, recently, they've been a train wreck for me. Hoping it improves because they've landed/will land in the merchant of last resort bucket for me.

Edited December 12 by Test_Pilot_2

[aurance]

On 12/9/2024 at 4:09 PM, Xigfrid said:

Whoa, I didn’t realize that the revival version could stand with the armor pack equipped! I want one now!

But for how long...?

[rsvictor1976]

2 hours ago, Test_Pilot_2 said:

I don't know what kind of devilry Yoyakunow is practicing... But I literally just paid for my Ozma and it's being delivered tomorrow. I'll have to admit that it took a minute to get an update on the order, but once the update came in Yoyakunow has been world-class on it.

I wish my recent Nin-Nin Game experiences were even remotely this good. They have been absolutely horrific lately.

When did you preorder your Ozma? I ordered mine on the 2nd, got the “item arriving soon“ status, but still no shipping notice.

[Test_Pilot_2]

1 minute ago, rsvictor1976 said:

When did you preorder your Ozma? I ordered mine on the 2nd, got the “item arriving soon“ status, but still no shipping notice.

June 6th - can't tell you how early in the morning it was, but I was doing the browser refreshing madness bit... Then learned the next day that I didn't have to :P.

[rsvictor1976]

2 minutes ago, Test_Pilot_2 said:

June 6th - can't tell you how early in the morning it was, but I was doing the browser refreshing madness bit... Then learned the next day that I didn't have to :P.

Oh wow, that’s early.. I didn’t even know Yoyakunow was doing preorders that early. I hope your Ozma turns out good.

[aurance]

Do you know if it still requires the little clip in the legs to hold together in armored fighter mode? I couldn’t see in the video.

[Angesdad]

49 minutes ago, aurance said:

Do you know if it still requires the little clip in the legs to hold together in armored fighter mode? I couldn’t see in the video.

Yes it does.

3 hours ago, Test_Pilot_2 said:

I haven't posted because I've been trying to give them the benefit of the doubt, but their customer service has been terrible. I've had issues with their delivery system even when I contact them weeks in advance and ask them to combine shipments - they either won't or fail to. This is even trying to use their warehouse. I had it happen once and owned the matter and let it slide, but the second time? I tried way in advance, got their own support person to assert the shipments would be combined, and then they denied they said it. I have yet to find the right combination of secret sauce to make it work as intended, there's always a reason that it doesn't or can't.

I've also paid for items they said they had ready to ship to then learn there was a delay... OK, fine, that happens... So I wait, even until well after their next target date to follow-up and they kept kicking the can because of a supplier delay. Meanwhile, the items appear on E-bay, stateside Amazon, HLJ, you name it... I wait two weeks then ask them again, same canned supplier delay message, no actual update, no alternative options, nothing. They've held my money for months and months at this point.

I've stopped using any payment method except credit card with them to ensure if they play games that I have recourse outside of their customer service - and this has proven the most valuable tool to deal with them so far when things go sideways. Take a close look at their refund/return/restock policies - they have everything to gain and nothing to lose when it comes to canceled/refunded orders.

I ramped up my orders with them beginning mid-last year because I was feeling OK about them, too. I've even posted some of their fantastic deals. Here, recently, they've been a train wreck for me. Hoping it improves because they've landed/will land in the merchant of last resort bucket for me.

NNG blacklisted me because I made them refund for an order that never seemed to get fulfilled in timely fashion. This is when DX VF-1 armored released. Go figure.😎

[MKT]

10 hours ago, Test_Pilot_2 said:

I haven't posted because I've been trying to give them the benefit of the doubt, but their customer service has been terrible. I've had issues with their delivery system even when I contact them weeks in advance and ask them to combine shipments - they either won't or fail to. This is even trying to use their warehouse. I had it happen once and owned the matter and let it slide, but the second time? I tried way in advance, got their own support person to assert the shipments would be combined, and then they denied they said it. I have yet to find the right combination of secret sauce to make it work as intended, there's always a reason that it doesn't or can't.

I've also paid for items they said they had ready to ship to then learn there was a delay... OK, fine, that happens... So I wait, even until well after their next target date to follow-up and they kept kicking the can because of a supplier delay. Meanwhile, the items appear on E-bay, stateside Amazon, HLJ, you name it... I wait two weeks then ask them again, same canned supplier delay message, no actual update, no alternative options, nothing. They've held my money for months and months at this point.

I've stopped using any payment method except credit card with them to ensure if they play games that I have recourse outside of their customer service - and this has proven the most valuable tool to deal with them so far when things go sideways. Take a close look at their refund/return/restock policies - they have everything to gain and nothing to lose when it comes to canceled/refunded orders.

I ramped up my orders with them beginning mid-last year because I was feeling OK about them, too. I've even posted some of their fantastic deals. Here, recently, they've been a train wreck for me. Hoping it improves because they've landed/will land in the merchant of last resort bucket for me.

 

6 hours ago, Angesdad said:

Yes it does.

NNG blacklisted me because I made them refund for an order that never seemed to get fulfilled in timely fashion. This is when DX VF-1 armored released. Go figure.😎

Thanks for sharing. I guess the same shenanigans are still happening at NNG then, even if it feels like these incidences have reduced quite a bit during the past 1 or 2 years. 

[rsvictor1976]

I got my shipping notice from Yoyakunow. That’s probably the most expensive shipping fee I’ve had to pay for a single Valkyrie. I’m expecting a box filled with dumbbells.

[Test_Pilot_2]

9 hours ago, MKT said:

 

Thanks for sharing. I guess the same shenanigans are still happening at NNG then, even if it feels like these incidences have reduced quite a bit during the past 1 or 2 years. 

I think as long as you stick to one-offs, you're fine. Multiple purchases - you're playing Russian Roulette. See a sweet deal where it would make sense for it to ship alongside other items in-flight (even weeks in advance before manufacturer release date) - not happening. Don't count any shipping savings as part of the deal - you won't be able to leverage them regardless of how much sense it makes. Nin-Nin Game customer service won't (or can't) bother to help.

Always purchase with a credit card (if you're in the United States) so you can protect yourself in case they leverage predatory tactics. I say "predatory tactics" because Nin-Nin Game can (and will) leverage it's 10-15 % restocking fee by essentially "floating" "supplier issues" to avoid having to address the root cause of a problem without giving up their "cut" of your money that they've been holding without actually providing the goods. By "floating" I mean they will continue to provide canned responses where they use sympathetic language about the issue but do not offer substantive options of any kind to either get your money back or some form of incentive. In fact, you could pay for an item that they can't (or won't) deliver and they won't issue the bonus points for it until the item ships. At first I thought this made sense because if an order gets refunded and a purchaser uses points from that refund, they're hosed. However, even when I tried to hold on with them and their delays and issues - they offered no realized help, no actual relevant benefit. All they offered were empty words and I was either stuck with losing access to my funds (these aren't/weren't small purchases) for an extended period of time or without getting (or even hope of getting) the goods purchased. This screams a one-sided business tactic to maximize revenue and reduce spoilage/loss with little concern about fostering a good relationship with a customer.

I imagine the only reason my account didn't get suddenly deleted and all my orders canceled is because I've spent thousands and thousands with them recently and they like money like Frito from Idiocracy likes money.

Just protect yourself and do not rely on Nin-Nin Game's goodwill. I hope everyone else has had a much better experience and I'm an outlier. Again, until recently, Nin-Nin Game was one of my favorite merchants. 

Edited December 13 by Test_Pilot_2

[rsvictor1976]

22 hours ago, Test_Pilot_2 said:

I don't know what kind of devilry Yoyakunow is practicing... But I literally just paid for my Ozma and it's being delivered tomorrow. I'll have to admit that it took a minute to get an update on the order, but once the update came in Yoyakunow has been world-class on it.

I wish my recent Nin-Nin Game experiences were even remotely this good. They have been absolutely horrific lately.

Any chance you can take a picture of the packaging and weigh it? I'm curious if the 2600g shipping weight was accurate.

[Test_Pilot_2]

24 minutes ago, rsvictor1976 said:

Any chance you can take a picture of the packaging and weigh it? I'm curious if the 2600g shipping weight was accurate.

I don't think it's tied to physical weight as others have pointed out. Some shipping methods equate the size of the box to a certain weight due to volume. After seeing the size of the box in videos, if Yoya wanted to protect the product, they'd have to use a big box, hopefully packed with stuff to keep it from moving or getting smushed if the unthinkable happens. Once it gets here though, I'll share. It's out for delivery right now so crossing my fingers the delivery person is good. At the same time, I purchased extra insurance just in case they're not.

[MKT]

35 minutes ago, Test_Pilot_2 said:

I think as long as you stick to one-offs, you're fine. Multiple purchases - you're playing Russian Roulette. See a sweet deal where it would make sense for it to ship alongside other items in-flight (even weeks in advance before manufacturer release date) - not happening. Don't count any shipping savings as part of the deal - you won't be able to leverage them regardless of how much sense it makes. Nin-Nin Game customer service won't (or can't) bother to help.

Always purchase with a credit card (if you're in the United States) so you can protect yourself in case they leverage predatory tactics. I say "predatory tactics" because Nin-Nin Game can (and will) leverage it's 10-15 % restocking fee by essentially "floating" "supplier issues" to avoid having to address the root cause of a problem without giving up their "cut" of your money that they've been holding without actually providing the goods. By "floating" I mean they will continue to provide canned responses where they use sympathetic language about the issue but do not offer substantive options of any kind to either get your money back or some form of incentive. In fact, you could pay for an item that they can't (or won't) deliver and they won't issue the bonus points for it until the item ships. At first I thought this made sense because if an order gets refunded and a purchaser uses points from that refund, they're hosed. However, even when I tried to hold on with them and their delays and issues - they offered no realized help, no actual relevant benefit. All they offered were empty words and I was either stuck with losing access to my funds (these aren't/weren't small purchases) for an extended period of time or without getting (or even hope of getting) the goods purchased. This screams a one-sided business tactic to maximize revenue and reduce spoilage/loss with little concern about fostering a good relationship with a customer.

I imagine the only reason my account didn't get suddenly deleted and all my orders canceled is because I've spent thousands and thousands with them recently and they like money like Frito from Idiocracy likes money.

Just protect yourself and do not rely on Nin-Nin Game's goodwill. I hope everyone else has had a much better experience and I'm an outlier. Again, until recently, Nin-Nin Game was one of my favorite merchants. 

I do know that NNG's private warehouse is a very rigid system, and doesn't really work as most other vendors do. They really shouldn't name it Private Warehouse anyway due to how inflexible it is. The closest to NNG's system appears to be Amiami's, but I've never tested combining orders from the latter as it was always single-shipment orders over the years.

But yeah, the restocking fee that they try to force upon customers due to screw ups on their part is pretty scummy.

 

26 minutes ago, rsvictor1976 said:

Any chance you can take a picture of the packaging and weigh it? I'm curious if the 2600g shipping weight was accurate.

This might be useful - at Mandarake the 25S Armored is listed with the box dimensions and weight (1670g):
https://order.mandarake.co.jp/order/detailPage/item?itemCode=1281161426&lang=en

Mandarake's shipping carton weight for item this size is usually around 800-1000g, so the 2600g shipping weight sounds about right. You can also log into Mandarake to see the various shipping costs of this item to your location, and see if they line up with what YYK has quoted you. 

[rsvictor1976]

4 hours ago, Test_Pilot_2 said:

I don't think it's tied to physical weight as others have pointed out. Some shipping methods equate the size of the box to a certain weight due to volume. After seeing the size of the box in videos, if Yoya wanted to protect the product, they'd have to use a big box, hopefully packed with stuff to keep it from moving or getting smushed if the unthinkable happens. Once it gets here though, I'll share. It's out for delivery right now so crossing my fingers the delivery person is good. At the same time, I purchased extra insurance just in case they're not.

Yeah, I figured the extra weight was packaging material. But thanks for confirming.

[Test_Pilot_2]

24 minutes ago, rsvictor1976 said:

Yeah, I figured the extra weight was packaging material. But thanks for confirming.

So not buying this shipping cost right now. Box is same/similar size to the 1/60 YF-21... Maybe even a hair smaller. Packaging was not extraordinary... Shipping cost was substantially higher.

On the flipside, still got my $$$ worth. It got here insanely fast.

Edited December 13 by Test_Pilot_2

[rsvictor1976]

34 minutes ago, Test_Pilot_2 said:

So not buying this shipping cost right now. Box is same/similar size to the 1/60 YF-21... Maybe even a hair smaller. Packaging was not extraordinary... Shipping cost was substantially higher.

On the flipside, still got my $$$ worth. It got here insanely fast.

Thanks for taking the time to do this. That sucks that it wasn't packed any different than the YF-21. I'm not too disappointed with the shipping cost anymore after comparing the recent YF-21 and Super O release with Mandarake. Was this through DHL Express or UPS Worldwide Express? I've always liked DHL whenever I order stuff from Mandarake, they always come either next day or two. I'm hoping UPS has a similar experience. 

[Angesdad]

9 hours ago, rsvictor1976 said:

I got my shipping notice from Yoyakunow. That’s probably the most expensive shipping fee I’ve had to pay for a single Valkyrie. I’m expecting a box filled with dumbbells.

I second your sentiment. Just had my extra Ozma shipped from YYK and the shipping was indeed higher than usual at 9600 yen via Fedex. From the shipping dimensions noted on FedEx, I am certain It comes in a shipping box just big enough to accommodate the figure and then some packing material. No over packaging lives here that affects such an extravagant shipping. Holiday rate in effect or am I being ripped off by Ryota-san?

On the other hand, Hobby Genki shipped me at a very reasonable rate, however the outer shipping box was cardboard pieces slapped together with ZERO room for protection. A couple corners dented, it’s pissing me off to see such business practice and negligence, is 40,000 yen some pocket change to these people?

Edited December 13 by Angesdad

[PointBlankSniper]

NGL I think YYK messed up the weight. They probably meant 1600g and somehow typo'd the "1" into a "2" on their records. Nobody just quietly jacks up your weight for all shipping methods based on box size without explaining it. If a courier upcharges based on oversize, I'd expect it to be handled at different rates and weight classes per courier's policies. Directly altering the reported weight just doesn't make any sense, unless something shady was intended. I've bought enough model kits to know if a box size just costs more, it will cost more and they don't need to lie about the weight. I think Imma wait for someone here to verify the actual weight before I do anything.

Speaking of NNG, is the way they raise price expnentially as stock goes down not the biggest red flag there is already? I only used them when they were last resort for some obscure items, and only because folks here kept going on about using them like their practice wasn't shady AF.

As for Hobby Genki, I think it's a case of you get what you pay for. Their style is basically to undersell competitors and make do by cheaping out on packaging, which works fine if you aren't a mint condition box collector.

[Test_Pilot_2]

1 hour ago, rsvictor1976 said:

Thanks for taking the time to do this. That sucks that it wasn't packed any different than the YF-21. I'm not too disappointed with the shipping cost anymore after comparing the recent YF-21 and Super O release with Mandarake. Was this through DHL Express or UPS Worldwide Express? I've always liked DHL whenever I order stuff from Mandarake, they always come either next day or two. I'm hoping UPS has a similar experience. 

It was originally marked as the UPS WW Saver, but the shipping time was practically overnight... so I think as someone mentioned - something got goofed and instead of saver, they upgraded to warp shipping.

[rsvictor1976]

@Test_Pilot_2 and @Angesdad So shipping issues aside, how was your new Ozma? Any issues with loose joints?

[Angesdad]

Not sure if the 2 screws instead of 3 is actually the culprit but I did notice the legs on my Ozma is satisfyingly firm. You hold it horizontally and the legs don’t droop down against gravity. At least not as much. The same for the shoulders, no sagging out of the box and I wonder if they went full metal ball on the shoulder too. Overall the whole figure feels more solid. Wasn’t the case with Alto rerelease which should have come with a Philips screwdriver in the blister.😁 If I was to nitpick, one of the diecast ankles on mine that you pull out to extend is on the loose side that I am not getting a satisfying click into position.

Edited December 14 by Angesdad

[Sokeijon]

Please tell me I won't regret for what I am buying. Just put my very first order with Lunapark. And hope they are providing good services including fast and nice shipping box. Been seeing positive and negative feedback from Trustpilot. Finger-crossed!


I have a VF-25S Ozma very the first version. It's already yellowed on the nosecone and legs. Now looking forward receiving it. According to Lunpark, they have ready to stock to ship and hopefully it arrives before Christmas. I am located in EU.

[rsvictor1976]

37 minutes ago, Sokeijon said:

Please tell me I won't regret for what I am buying. Just put my very first order with Lunapark. And hope they are providing good services including fast and nice shipping box. Been seeing positive and negative feedback from Trustpilot. Finger-crossed!


I have a VF-25S Ozma very the first version. It's already yellowed on the nosecone and legs. Now looking forward receiving it. According to Lunpark, they have ready to stock to ship and hopefully it arrives before Christmas. I am located in EU.

I haven’t bought anything from LunaPark before but I see the mix reviews on here. I’m jealous you only had to pay 5000 yen shipping. 

[PointBlankSniper]

39 minutes ago, rsvictor1976 said:

I haven’t bought anything from LunaPark before but I see the mix reviews on here. I’m jealous you only had to pay 5000 yen shipping. 

I'm fairly certain the shipping fee can go lower than that for me, with slow boat surface shipping, even at its current quoted 2600g weight. I'm hoping someone here can check the weight so there is more evidence than just Mandarake's weight listing to raise a case with YYK though. But it seems Mandarake's weight can roughly be corroborated by adding the weight of the old renewal's listing with the its standalone armored parts, and the same with Alto's version too. The small difference from the revival can be attributed to the SMS style stand vs the generic hexagon one it now has.