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

[seti88]

8 hours ago, Graham said:

Yep, confirmed it's out here in Hong Kong. 

I just picked up one from the toy store near my office, during my lunch break.

Po madness? What po madness?🫡

[treatment]

from https://x.com/simsim5479

(web-translated)

 

Edited November 26 by treatment

[treatment]

fighter-mode:

https://x.com/simsim5479/status/1861410319522050358

(web-translated):

[Chronocidal]

Yeah, that absolutely sounds like modern Bandai sloppiness.

How they can somehow lose the capability to drill holes for pins correctly is frankly astounding.

[rsvictor1976]

38 minutes ago, treatment said:

fighter-mode:

https://x.com/simsim5479/status/1861410319522050358

(web-translated):

Well that sucks to hear. I wonder if the quality is on a case by case basis or just the entire release overall? I kind of wish I had kept my Renewal version. 

I do like the flat sheen though...

Edited November 26 by rsvictor1976

[Graham]

I haven't even touched the armor, or transformed the toy yet, but just quickly comparing the new matt version in fighter mode side by side against my older glossy and slightly yellowed VF-25S, I have to say the newer version looks light years better in my opinion with the matt grey plastic.

I haven't done a detailed comparison of paint applications, but just zooming it around in my hand for a couple of hours last night while watching TV with my wife, I didn't notice anything glaringly wrong with it.

[MKT]

10 hours ago, treatment said:

from https://x.com/simsim5479

(web-translated)

 

Nosecone issue sucks. But doesn't look to be a release-wide issue, based on other pics currently floating around. Fingers crossed.

[PointBlankSniper]

Oh boy... I might have jinxed us... 😭

I found a couple more:

This is terrible! What's wrong, Bandai? The gate is bleached and there are parts that get stuck on the gate! It's an expensive item, so inspect it properly!

------------------------

The shoulder armored parts joints of VF-25S Armored Messiah Valkyrie Ozma are not symmetrical (´・ω・｀)

(same person below)

Both Chogokin VF-25S Armored Messiah models only have connecting parts on the left side, but I managed to force the shoulder missiles in. It still looks cool, although it can't transform because of the shoulder parts!!! ( #`꒳´ )

 

The ugly nub marks are kind of par for course these days, but hopefully it obstructing transformation and the double same sided shoulders (YF-21 flashbacks) are one off issues...

[David Hingtgen]

Is the armor matte?  It looks kinda "satin"---not as matte as renewal valks themselves, but not glossy either.  

[m0n5t3r]

 

https://www.youtube.com/live/GhXjhOpfaks?si=N8TR1zToiZqri4VP

Nobody's posted this yet? Almost 3 hrs. long.

Not sure if this is the same guy with the crooked nose cone in battroid above...

Armored Battroid seemed solid and not floppy when the guy carried it while on the stand for his final shot near the end.

These VF-25 toys (and YF-29) still have the ugliest intakes out of all VF toys. 

Edited November 27 by m0n5t3r

[PointBlankSniper]

1 hour ago, m0n5t3r said:

Armored Battroid seemed solid and not floppy when the guy carried it while on the stand for his final shot near the end.

I did see a tweet that also mentioned something along the lines of this. IIRC it said the battroid was stiff without armor, which sounded like there could be something not said or not TL'd that could have been implied. Since the TL itself felt a little stiff (pun intended), I didn't bother mentioning without full understanding of the context.

[rsvictor1976]

After watching that video, I'm now certain this is one of those toys I'd transform once, pose and display it, and never touch again. 

[m0n5t3r]

4 hours ago, rsvictor1976 said:

After watching that video, I'm now certain this is one of those toys I'd transform once, pose and display it, and never touch again. 

That's what I used to think, but with all that weight/stress bearing down on plastic joints with metal pins, that's a recipe for accelerated plastic cracking. Heck, I've had toys with cracked joints just in a static standing pose and there've been instances here of simply defective plastic parts cracking or disintegrating even while stored in its box. It's a sad fact of this hobby (along with yellowing plastic), which is why after this VF-25S, the Riobot Legioss and Tread and Robo Dou 1S, that'll be it for me buying large scale transforming toys... yeah, cracked plastic on plastic crack. 

[Lolicon]

On 11/26/2024 at 1:00 PM, treatment said:

fighter-mode:

https://x.com/simsim5479/status/1861410319522050358

(web-translated):

Stripes still painted wrong too.

Glad I passed on this. Paying more for a worse reissue of something I already own... bleh.

Now if Bandai gave us some real improvements, like vastly improved and strengthened joints, painted landing gear, a proper painted pilot that doesn't look like a wax figure left out in the sun too long, more tampo so it looks more like a real world aircraft, I'd be all over buying a revival 25S.

Or better yet just rebuild the 25 line from the ground up.

A few bucks on some flat topcoat will fix the glossiness issue on the renewal so why would I drop $300 on this?

[rsvictor1976]

53 minutes ago, m0n5t3r said:

That's what I used to think, but with all that weight/stress bearing down on plastic joints with metal pins, that's a recipe for accelerated plastic cracking. Heck, I've had toys with cracked joints just in a static standing pose and there've been instances here of simply defective plastic parts cracking or disintegrating even while stored in its box. It's a sad fact of this hobby (along with yellowing plastic), which is why after this VF-25S, the Riobot Legioss and Tread and Robo Dou 1S, that'll be it for me buying large scale transforming toys... yeah, cracked plastic on plastic crack. 

Really, the last one? I bet when they release a new DX VF-1 like the DYRL Super VF-1A or ELINT Sseeker, you'll be the first one to crack and buy one. 

[Graham]

Still haven't transformed my new Revival version yet, or added the armour, as no time. 😅

But here's a few quick comparison pics in fighter mode with the new and old versions. My older glossy  Renewal version is suffering from a bit of yellowing.

I really, love the look of the matt finish on the new Revival version and personally think it looks even better in person, compared to the photos which don't really do it justice.

 

[rsvictor1976]

6 minutes ago, Graham said:

Still haven't transformed mine yet, or added the armour, as no time. 😅

But here's a few quick comparison pics in fighter mode with the new and old versions.

I really, love the look of the matt finish.

Is your Renewal version yellow or is that just the lighting? It's weird because it looks like you also switched the shoulder pieces between the two since the Revival has the same shade as the Renewal and vice versa. 

 

Edited November 28 by rsvictor1976

[Graham]

27 minutes ago, rsvictor1976 said:

Is your Renewal version yellow or is that just the lighting? It's weird because it looks like you also switched the shoulder pieces between the two since the Revival has the same shade as the Renewal and vice versa. 

 

Yes, my Renewal version is suffering from some yellowing.

Also, the camera is always gonna show plastic and metal parts looking a bit different colour, compared to how they look in person.

[Graham]

As others have mentioned, there is a bit of overspray on the yellow markings on the new release.

Personally it doesn't bother me though.

Honestly, I'm just happy to have a non-yellowed VF-25S again!

[treatment]

moar from HeppokoSamurai...

 

https://x.com/simsim5479/status/1861779474041499861

 

web-translated:

[m0n5t3r]

35 minutes ago, rsvictor1976 said:

Really, the last one? I bet when they release a new DX VF-1 like the DYRL Super VF-1A or ELINT Sseeker, you'll be the first one to crack and buy one. 

Haha, I see what you did there. 

[Graham]

30 minutes ago, treatment said:

moar from HeppokoSamurai...

 

https://x.com/simsim5479/status/1861779474041499861

 

web-translated:

I just checked the marking on mine, it's ok thankfully.

[davidwhangchoi]

1 hour ago, Graham said:

Still haven't transformed my new Revival version yet, or added the armor, as no time.  😅

But here's a few quick comparison pics in fighter mode with the new and old versions. My older glossy Renewal version is suffering from a bit of yellowing.

I really, love the look of the matt finish on the new Revival version and personally think it looks even better in person, compared to the photos which don't really do it justice.

 

Hi Graham, not sure if it was already covered, is the revival 25S Canopy clear or still purple? 

[David Hingtgen]

1 hour ago, Graham said:

As others have mentioned, there is a bit of overspray on the yellow markings on the new release.

Personally it doesn't bother me though.

 

The revival Alto is the same way--it's like they had to re-create the mask for the intake section's stripes but got it wrong, it no longer quite aligns with the collar/shoulder area.  (the other parts in that are have engraved lines for the stripes, so that's much harder to 'get wrong'

Your hip-panels fit in fighter mode a lot better than most revival Alto's I've seen, including mine. 

[Graham]

If nobody had pointed out the overspray issue on the yellow stripes, I doubt I would have even noticed it.😅

I'm a lot more forgiving of minor issues in my old age, compared to when I was younger. 

Plus, I don't always wear my glasses at home, so it's more difficult to see these small errors. 🤣

[Graham]

23 minutes ago, davidwhangchoi said:

Hi Graham, not sure if it was already covered, is the revival 25S Canopy clear or still purple? 

I'm pretty sure the canopy is clear with no purple tint, but I'll double check when I'm back home tonight.

Sorry, I'm at work now and only have the armor in the office with me. The VF-25S is back at home.

Still trying to figure out a way to smuggle the armor passed the wife!😅😂

[PointBlankSniper]

The canopy is purple, you can see where its thickest at the hinge, or if you find an image that looks through it's entire length from the front. But that's what makes me sad. It's so light that you can't tell it's there without looking hard for it.

[Lolicon]

5 hours ago, rsvictor1976 said:

Is your Renewal version yellow or is that just the lighting? It's weird because it looks like you also switched the shoulder pieces between the two since the Revival has the same shade as the Renewal and vice versa. 

 

The shoulder blocks are painted diecast metal so they won't yellow like the rest of the valk.

[Sokeijon]

On 11/27/2024 at 1:54 PM, m0n5t3r said:

 

https://www.youtube.com/live/GhXjhOpfaks?si=N8TR1zToiZqri4VP

Nobody's posted this yet? Almost 3 hrs. long.

Not sure if this is the same guy with the crooked nose cone in battroid above...

Armored Battroid seemed solid and not floppy when the guy carried it while on the stand for his final shot near the end.

These VF-25 toys (and YF-29) still have the ugliest intakes out of all VF toys. 

IMO, it is eyesore seeing this color difference for me. Is Bandai using back the renewal parts?
 

[rsvictor1976]

5 hours ago, Sokeijon said:

IMO, it is eyesore seeing this color difference for me. Is Bandai using back the renewal parts?
 

Yeah, I pointed those out in Graham's pictures as well. 

[PointBlankSniper]

Apparently the brow and cheeks are shown to have a dark metallic gray trim in the promos and instructions, but they are in a medium gray like the main body on the final product. I checked some wiki pics and it seems like the final product is correct. Dunno what happened to cause a difference, but the incorrect colors do make the sculpt look a bit sharper to me lol.

[m0n5t3r]

understood very little, but pretty obvious that the reviewer was very happy. Looks solid.

 

[PointBlankSniper]

That's the guy I watched and found out the colors are wrong in the instructions. He pointed it out a few times and laughed at it, but I think he's under the impression the instructions have the right colors and then they should have painted the head with the gunpod's shade.

[Test_Pilot_2]

Anyone have experience with Yoyakunow on how they handle releases? Would've thought I'd have heard something by now on the Ozma =/.

[PointBlankSniper]

6 hours ago, Test_Pilot_2 said:

Anyone have experience with Yoyakunow on how they handle releases? Would've thought I'd have heard something by now on the Ozma =/.

I have Ozma ordered from them as well, so I'm in the same boat.

They said they were very understaffed and backlogged when I was dealing with the YF-21. Took them like 3 weeks to respond to my email at some point during the defect inspections. But they also only took couple days to reply shipping inquiries and process it at the end. They footed half the shipping fee as compensation for the delays.

Seems like certain operations are hung up and ridiculously slow, where they are understaffed, to the point of looking suspiciously unresponsive, but they go above and beyond with their customer service when they actually get around to it.

Having gone through this once, I'm not too concerned yet. If anything, it's a great opportunity to observe whether people are getting consistent defects with this release that warrant an inspection before shipping. You never know how bandai quality is these days 🤡