Dimis

I don't know why everyone says transforming YF-29's / 25's is so hard or boring. They obviously haven't been handling their VF-22's / YF-21's lately

LOL. YF-21 gave me a slight fever at the time. Took me 30 minutes to do it safely, and that's after and while watching visual guides.

If you ask me this is how Ozma's 25 should have been colored. It looks way better as a Charcoal Grey here.

I agree with you. This darker grey looks richer.

One of the best features from NY!

My other favorite feature is AE's shipping combination option

I wish NY could start a warehouse option ! But if they did they would no longer be able to make profit from shipping costs as they currently do. Therefore unless all their customers refuse to place orders unless they do that, they never will.

Based on Jenius and Veef's review which Scyla posted above, I'm sure it will be great. From what I've seen so far with the parts when I checked the package, it really looks impressive. But I haven't tried it yet since I'm still waiting for my VF-25F unit which hopefully it will arrive on Monday. My only regret is that I just decided to get this now to complete the Red and Black stripe scheme Valks, so it's really quite expensive. I also wish for the Armored Parts, but looking at some site, it's almost the same price, if not, more than the price of the VF-25F Renewal base unit. I just hope Bandai will reissue the Alto Armored Parts.

Oh, the condition? Well, it looks ok for me. There's some area that needs cleaning like sticky surfaces. But it's not that biggie. So I cleaned it up with damp cloth with a little mild soap and wipe it with clean cloth. Hope that helps.

Edit: The one I ordered, it says Used and has some minor tear and shelf wear on the box. As long as there's no damage inside, I'm happy.

"Complete the Red and Black stripe collection", is starts that way ! Then something grey or tan creeps in and suddenly you got another 10 variants to chase ! Happened to me ! LOL

I missed this as usual but will try my luck in HLJ. If I miss that too, I won't worry about it too much. I once rushed for the YF-29 Isamu and managed to secure on on NY (with inflated price), only to realize that when the actual product become available, there are so many of them readily available on Mandrake at a much cheaper price.

So, those who didn't get it, don't worry.

On a separate thing, I applaud HLJ of not joining the rest for the mad-rush-release. This at least give a chance for those who truly and really want the item for their own collection

I agree. Getting worried about Tamashii Nations exclusives is reasonable - some not popular Tamashii Shop items too perhaps - but this will definitely be available on release for a reasonable price. Every other DX has been the last couple of years ! I paid Y25000 for the Super VF-27 and then it was available for Y17500!

I love bandai! Macross DX Valks, figuarts, soul of chogokin, super robot chogokin, saint cloth myth ex, metal build, metal composite. Its not just macross that disappears in 5 seconds. Out of all those lines about 3 or four disappear instantly when put up for preorder. Its just the demand for this stuff, no reason to hate them.

Agree with the above. For instance the Metal Build Destiny was sold out everywhere instantly. Not to mention what prices the Metal Build Raiser for the 7 Swords was fetching until the combo pack was re-issued. If you were a Gundam collector of similar merchandise you'd be just as annoyed, and perhaps more because the sort of premium those mount up if you don't get them within a month after release is exponential to Macross'.

Also if you were a modeler with a preference for Master Grade Zeon suits, again you'd be forever angry as one person mentioned above. I'm not a modeler but i stalk forums because i love Zeon suits. They are so sparse and their updating is so "not happening" you'd have to develop new skills to make something look as sophisticated as a Gundam suit.

Question; what does NY mean when your order status is "Preparation in progress?" Is shipping imminent? Is shipping possible within the next month? Are the Super parts being molded? Help!

I paid for mine within hours of receiving the payment request, but they are in Preorder- Payment OK still. While another Tamashii exclusive released the same day, the SPEC Gilgasamune, was shipped yesterday. So i'm guessing they may be buying mine as we speak. :-)

And to think that i'd found this on two shops for about $100 two years ago and thought i might wait for a better deal like a 50% !

http://page18.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/w101355028

Am I the only one who really wants the Digital Mission paint scheme? I mean, I love the FB2012 colors, but there's something unique about one based on a game.

I think all-blue is a bit overkill. If there were enough white or light gray details to balance it out, maybe, but i for one wouldn't buy it - and it is one of my favorite designs.

The VF-4 was always a niche thing, and I'm pretty sure it was only made to order, but I think orders reopened due to demand at one point. I'd happily grab one in the FB2012 scheme, but that's probably it, unless the prices drop significantly.

When i had done some browsing across non macross-focused forums and blogs on the VF-4, the general opinion was that it is one of the more fascinating fighter-mode valks.which is so bizarre when Macross collectors would not necessarily buy it!

So after a few days hands on with my 2nd Yamato VF-4G (1st remains unopened) I have to say hands down this is my favorite VF toy. I say this having never transformed it since I'm not a fan of the 4G's Battroid or Gerwalk modes but Fighter mode is so beautiful I'm so happy to have it in my collection.

With the heft, seemingly excellent build quality and overall aesthetic I'm in love.

I would 200% hands-down buy a re-release or variant if Arcadia decides to release them.

-b.

This fighter is my most favorite of all too - and so is the backshot of the battroid, love those two huge thrusters. A redesigned SV-51 Ivanov - without sagging wings - might be a contender but it's going to be so long, it will still be annoying to handle.

I wouldn't even bet on them being profitable.. wouldn't surprise me if they operate just to break even.

Either way though, I can't see this being successful when there's a relatively large amount of these still on the market. Unless they add some bonus features (stand like the VF-1s, extra figures, etc), I don't see this being a big seller. The effort to redesign the intakes to use the YF-19 style ones wouldn't be worth the cost in tooling.

After the VF-19 was released Yamato had said that they had considered making the intakes removable but that would compromise the poseability in battroid which they thought was an important mode for this valkyrie. I remember it well because i was quite annoyed as i always prefer the fighter mode. So if they made that decision only 3 years ago, would they redesign it so soon? Ok Bandai kind of did with the VF-25 but that was because they put no thought into the V1 in the first place anyway.

Mine from NY. Looks fine but i won't transform it because i have the V1 too. I want to keep it mint because i will certainly not be getting a 2nd. (Or rather third?)

Sorry guys, I've been out. Amiami offered to pay back only the price of the item via Paypal dispute. Should I go for the full amount? I don't mind paying to ship back but I think they owe me it all.

Once i proved that an ebay seller had knowingly sold me a used Soul of Chogokin for new and Paypal still wouldn't make him pay for the return shipping costs. I seriously doubt they'll support you on this.

Does anybody think it's a good idea to request the refund first? I don't trust these guys.

The thing is that you need to use a tracked delivery for Paypal to cover you in case they say whatever afterwards. As long as they agree for you to return it for a refund and send it with a tracked delivery you will eventually get the agreed sum either by them or Paypal. Also you don't want to go into an argument about whether they received it or not !!!

This whole broken wing business has been intriguing though...I wonder how well those plastic shells keep the Valk in place during shipping.

I think I mentioned it awhile back but the original VF-0S had problems with the vert stabs having broken tips...new out of the box. Anyone else remember that?

To date i have had only item by Yamato arriving broken and that was a Megazone 23 Proto-Garland. I also had a VF-19P, and a VF-1S Hikaru weathering with a small paint transfer issue each (thankfully not noticeable on the second). With Bandai instead i see sloppy paint application or paint chips, and parts that may not align perfectly. I have been under the impression for a while that with Yamato the problem was after manufacturing, that the assembly and testing was done too early after painting as though they were rushing them out of the factories, but with Bandai the problems creeped in during the manufacturing of parts or the painting. I'm not sure whether the stages i described are so, but that's the only way it makes sense to me. So this issue with Arcadia seems to fit again.

hmm...I think we're mixing too many things at once.

Mommar and Kicker need to contact AmiAmi first and report their damaged goods, eventought it was an Arcadia QC issue, AmiAMi was the seller and are directly responsible for selling a broken product.

AmiAmi must then see if they can get a replacement part or replace the broken valk with a new one, but I don't know what their terms of service say about this.

If AmiAmi cannot get a replacement, they should issue a refund and any CC Bank involvement should be towards AmiAmi.

Arcadia is not required to issue a replacement directly to Mommar or Kicker, they must deal with the intermiate seller (AmiAmi), specially since it was sold outside of Japan. If Arcadia manages to get them replacements, I'll be very very impress with their customer service and I hope they do so.

I cannot understand what's up with these shops. Don't they have some insurance set-up about such things? We discuss them as if they are ebay sellers running their business from their living rooms with Paypal being their only resource as to what they ought to do as a seller. If they cannot offer the same terms to international customers then they ought to shut down their international sites, and make them order through Proxy service agents, and see their sales drop like flies. (perhaps not for macross products, but certainly for much else)

I'm pretty sure the answer is somewhere between a lot and too much.

If a Mass Effect rifle replica can be sold for $1000 - a piece that does nothing other than look authentic to the design - and if this still being made by ESP my guess would be $1500 ? The customer is the well-off hardcore fan so even higher would not surprise me- because tribute bands, the best use of these guitars i think, will probably not be able to afford this and Basara's guitar together anyhow :-)

We will see more variations of the YF-19, that is why I did not buy two. I expect Arcadia to lower the price by 80 dollars, not including missiles and fast packs.

totally agree. i really want the bird of prey variant.

I'm waiting for my copy from NY too. What was the problem with yours exactly?

Nothing, i was joking ! (although this time with the display box, any stores ought to check them if they are shipping them across the globe) It's just that it's been on preparation for 2 days !

Since NY are taking their sweet time handpicking a crappy QC copy to send me - lol - to those who've got it and who've also got a VF-4G: is the plastic as crisp? Or is it closer to the VF-11's, which i think is crisper than the VF-1? I may not be putting this across correctly but if someone understands do let me know !

Yes...if it includes a stand and fast packs it devalues it by up to $4,800!

also i love the "child's bid" warning! it's like he knows that someone can buy this only by mistake ! even if he offered it at a good price i would still avoid a seller who sounds like they are out to pick a fight.

O-Oh, just a sticker sheet (I don't see any waterslide decals) and what's with the silver paint for a light, for $400 I'd thought we'd get a clear lens.

actually those are its eyes. the yf-19 is supposed to have eyes beneath the lens. god knows why

For sure, was tempted on that VF-11B but something whispered in my head "v2". Even though there really is no need for Arcadia to revisit the design, at least no time soon.

I had (2) VF-4G's but sold one on the boards awhile ago. The other I kept unopened as a Yamato memento so I'd been waiting on a good deal to pop up so I could actually have one for display.

It's been an expensive Friday/early Saturday. Might have to find something in the collection to sell so I don't feel so...guilty. Sigh.

AND

Didn't take long someone to snap this up either;

http://ekizo.mandarake.co.jp/shop/en/item_s-1140032.html

Good timing considering it's compatible with the v2 1/60 YF-19.

-b.

I also thought about the possibility of v2 for the VF-11 before i bought them but unless they do a complete overhaul how much can they improve other than the hip joints perhaps? As a fighter it's perfect. Compact, streamlined and solid. More so that the VF-1 and nothing like the YF-19 where everything was loose. And it's not the most popular of designs that everyone will just throw 30,000 YEN on it ! However i would buy a v2 of the C and still keep v1 ! :-)

I actually really hate all of the no step tampo Bandai does. It stands out way too much. The no step markings are generally very subtle on aircraft and I feel like the decals we get on the Yamcadia's are more subtle and look better.

At least this one doesn't have YF-30 markings all over ! (VF-171EX)

I purchased the one off of Jungle for $279 shipped. Better than $330.

Considering that last year i spent $400 on the VF-11C, it's okayish. I think most of us had been spoiled with how long the VF-11b had been on sale. It was available for less than $175 shipped, but about $250 is now what people spend at Yahoo auctions so you couldn't help it really.

Yesterday i got an itch for the SDF-1 that i never got around to buying, but upon seeing the current prices, it went away... :-)