ArchieNov

That giftwrap option has been around for more than a year. Not sure why you haven't seen it till now. And N-Y will ship it using a shipper box like they always do, regardless if they have their own brown shipping boxes (e.g. Limited items).

Did anyone else preorder their Defender from AmiAmi? I haven't received any invoice from them yet even though the item is already in stock. I did combine it with another preorder I have due this month, so could that be the reason? Do they wait for all items in the order to be in stock before they send the invoice?

Looks like I was right with the 60k yen estimate if HLJ was charging 61k for it without shipping.

Hmm, I don't see the clear wing support option parts in the set. I wonder if they decided to not include them. I know some people here didn't want placing those things but I definitely wanted to have the option for extra stability.

From what I can only read from the katakana, it just mentions Millia Farina Jenius and Ace Pilot. It's probably saying that it's sold separately since the Millia HMR came after Max. I could be totally wrong though. Edit: I used Google Translate and it just says Millia will ship in March and when she does, you can recreate the ace pilot scenes.

I personally think the Yamato arm stands are crap. They're not very secure, especially for the heavier valks. And part of the issue is due to the dumb areas where Yamato decided to place the attachment points on the valk. Some of them are so far off from the center of gravity, leading to balancing issues that the stand's ratchet joints cannot handle.

Well they're releasing the Messer VF-1, which I think is even more random. So I guess anything is possible.

I'm guessing at least 60k yen. I wonder how many will still get it at that price.

Looks so much better than the Yamato version. Glad I sold off all my Yamato destroids.

Hey Slave IV, believe me I know exactly how you feel. Sure N-Y isn't perfect, and some detractors even call for them to go out of business. But fact of the matter is that there are more pros to having N-Y around than not, proven by how even these detractors end up buying from N-Y anyway. I used to try and get people to see the big picture about N-Y before, but unfortunately their opinions haven't changed much in the past 5 years or so. What's even weirder is that some vendors (like HLJ) have gotten worse over the years too, but because of bias, loyal people only focus on their CS and ignore numerous other inconveniences that HLJ has, especially for people like me who don't live in the US. Everyone can have an opinion, but it just gets super tiring to hear/read the same complaints over and over again, especially from the same people. And it gets even worse when it triggers another cycle of N-Y bashing.

Hehe as much as I love Max and think he is the best, I'm not sure he ever took down that many enemies in just one sortie. Not saying he can't do it though.

I doubt it'll be perfect transformation just because the hands don't look like they fold in. Landing gear (if any) will also be a snap on part. I don't think HMR will satisfy you if you're after perfect transformation.

Yes, I was referring to those tabs. I don't have the ET version, but the reviews I've seen/read show that they also have only one set of tabs connecting the arms to the legs (same as what the HMR has). But in the case of the HMR, the tabs are proportionately larger and the legs won't be as heavy, so hopefully it won't be as flimsy as the ET version. I dunno. They both seem to have the same number of tabs for the arms and legs. I would like to be wrong though.

One thing kinda worries me though. I'm checking the legs and arms and I only see one set of tabs that connect them to each other in fighter mode. I was hoping there would be additional pegs/tabs that would connect the legs to the body for added rigidity in fighter, but can't seem to find any from the pics. I really do hope that this doesn't suffer from the floppiness of the ET version.

Wow. Bandai actually managed to make the VF-2SS look cool and awesome from all the angles shown in that pic. My excitement level for this release has suddenly grown tremendously.

Lol at all the "subliminal" enablement hehe

You forgot to mention the VF-4 and VB-6 as having smooth undersides as well. In terms of ranking, I would say VF-4, Sv-262, VB-6. But all of these are pretty close when it comes to no visible robot parts in jet/bomber mode. I think people often forget that the VB-6 also gives off the vibe, "Wait, this thing transforms?" too.

Oh wow. I never liked the VF-2 design but this might change my mind.

In contrast, there are those who prefer the diecast parts of their toys stand out in plain view, especially when the line is called "Hi-Metal". No matter what approach Bandai used, it will not appeal to everyone.

Yup. I highly recommend getting one (or more). It's a super hot item right now so if try to secure one before stock runs out. Another thing I forgot to mention is how sturdy it is. You can swoosh it around with one hand wihout any worry of it falling apart

This is possibly the best LEGO set ever. Enough details to act like a scale model, functioning stage separations, comes with Lunar Module and Command Module splashdown diorama, 1 meter tall, 1969 pieces at $120 retail price. The rocket may look simple on the outside, but man the build and engineering on the inside is absolutely MIND-BLOWING.

I suffer from this as well, but mainly because of my impatience. I end up buying high and selling low just to both get or sell what I want fast.

sh9000 can mimic that display easy and more with his HMR collection.

I convinced myself that I only need one of each destroid. I can always view them like a lance from Battletech to rationalize it

Funny, I don't think I've ever heard anyone use that term to describe the VF-1J anniversario valk before