Lonely Soldier Boy

Tried Mandarake for the GBP but they aren't taking credit cards at the moment. Any other suggestions on where to get one before resorting to the scalpers? Thanks!

Maybe the guy that posed it never saw the show and figured it must be able to walk, kick and jump like any giant robot.

I missed on the Yamato 1/3000, so I'll take the chance to get a bigger one (if I can afford it). People in the know here mentioned that the display piece looked like a rapid prototype (possibly rushed up for the show), so I'm guessing the final version will be as detailed as the Yamato one. What excites me the most about this is the customizing possibilities: if the toy doesn't include lights out of the box, I'm definitely adding some myself!

As much as I want a TV SDF-1 I think I'll do better putting those 60 bucks on Bandai's giant DYRL version. Maybe they'll release a bigger TV version sometime down the road. Bigger than 20 cm I mean.

I like Arcadia's style better on the YF/VF line. More anime-accurate. I already have a YF-19, but if you guys are willing to part with yours in favor of Bandai's version let me know, I wouldn't mind a second one

About to pickup the VF-1J armored Hi Metal R. Had a question: will the Tamashii nations Act stands work with these in displaying in full armor mode?

Where are you getting it from? I might get one too.

Not digging the proportions either (I like my Valks more on the cartoony side), but that's a matter of taste really. The lights and size are cool, but for me, getting a new VF-1 would only make sense if it's an improvement upon what we already have (besides, I'm way behind on my Arcadia's), so I guess I'll seat and wait for the features and accessories breakdown before making up my mind.

Edit: So far I'm happy with my two 1/48's as far as big Valks go.

I just re-read the six volume manga and thought this could definitely work as a trilogy however it would still need appropriate casting for the characters. Filming english only language Akira less than a R-rating and replacing Japanese actors with any other ethnicity would be a disaster.

My feelings exactly. It has the ideal structure for a trilogy jam packed with action and visual effects, but for it to work, you'd need to understand it first. All the coolness about Akira is subordinated to the whole Shinto/Buddhist spiritual evolution storyline (which is beautifully explained at the end of the book). To make an Akira film just because it has cool visuals is very tempting, but if you miss the point, you'll be left with a very expensive flop.

I'll see if I can get one. Then I'll just wait for a repaint to get a second. They might not be able to do a FB 2012 version, but maybe a Max, Low Vis, Urban Camo or whatever. BTW, did Arcadia ever released alternate color schemes like Yamato used to do, or they've been too busy with cannon schemes so far?

My immediate thought after hearing how they are still working on it, and aware of some of the issues was, "oh no, and all sorts of folks are already cancelling preorders." Maybe this company has the ability to address some of these issues before release, unlike some of the bigger players?

Doubt it. Retooling and tweaking molds is really expensive and they're already charging the maximum for a toy in this category.

The VF-2SS has always been a strange valk.

I am not sure the design really works to allow a great toy.

Reviews of the original Bandai model kit also show it had a lot of challenges dealing with the transformation between three modes through parts swapping.

Never designed to be a toy I guess.

The same was said of the Yamato 1/72 YF-19 back in the day and look at the toys we have now. Arcadia's even matched the anime magic proportions of the lineart. Granted the VF-2ss is tricky, but I'm sure you can have a decent if not great toy if only you take advantage of all it's been learned over the years.

Edit: spelling.

The Cosmo Fleet ships length ranges from 16cm to 19cm. So we would be lucky if the SDF-1 is around 20cm.

Yeah, but this one transforms, transforms I tell you!!!

The front forks are tight fitted together but looking closer they look to be two separate pieces, also if you look at the side view pic, the main cannon hinges to the chest piece and the legs are misaligned because the toy sags (which means they're separate pieces also). I understand that some pieces must be cast separately even for a static toy, but those are still very odd things for a non transforming chunk of plastic. Also, judging by the acrylic sign next to it, (that should be at least 10 centimeters long, because 6 centimeters would be tiny and useless), I'd say the SDF-1 is more in the 25/27 centimeters ballpark, which could also explains the good finish and fine detail.

Or maybe I'm just crazy wishful thinking.

As much I wanted to like this (and I'm a real VF2ss fan), I just can't justify it. Not because of the money, but because I strongly believe that this is a lazy and sub par toy in almost every aspect and I just can't support that.

I get the justifications about the design being complex in the first place, but the combination of all the poor choices made in all the other areas makes me realize that there were no love for this toy in any stage of the production (or the people behind it are amateurs, or they decided to cut costs here and there or both).

First, you can argue the design is too complex to have a really good VF-2ss in all three modes, yet Yamato and Bandai and others managed to come up with clever and surprising solutions to the inherent complexity of each Valk (or any other transforming toy) every time. But lets say there was no way around the swing bars thing or the backpack blocky tabs, or the hump behind the cockpit or the shoulder blocks breaking the lines in Fighter mode. This toy is still at least ten years behind every toy maker's (and many third party guys out there) product at this price point, which means the people that did this didn't even bother to check out what was already out there. This toy looks like would be more at home within the 1/100 league.

And second, what's the excuse for the sculpt being so off? I don't see any reason why Battroid needs to be lanky or why it has to have thin thighs or a fat LERX. Did they at least took a look at the lineart? Did the understand it? Do they know what makes the VF-2ss so cool looking and bad ass? because somehow they managed to strip all that from it.

I totally respect the decision of the people that decided on keeping their preorders, I understand where they're coming from. But seeing the way this toy has been treated I seriously doubt from the ethics of the people behind it and I believe that nothing good will come out of this regardless of how good it sells. The Yamato VF-1 V.1 for instance, was bad, but they were trying their best and you could see that back then. I just don't see that here.

Looks like these wont be hard to find at all.

Also the limit is 3x, if it was hard to get cd jyp would limit it to 1 piece per customer.

Is that a good price? I thought they were going for 60 ish.

It's weird we haven't seen any hints of a Q-Rau.

I wonder if Arcadia will consider re-releasing the old 1/60 Yamato Regult after this.

Damn, I missed on HLJ too. Life keeps getting on the way

I missed on amiami and the others. waiting for HLJ, I guess.

Thanks, no3ljm. A new variant would make more sense, but it all depends on how well the Regult does I guess. I'd get the variants, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the Scout really.

That's 2 AM for me

Edit: Nevermind.

The Regults alone demand for a GBP Hikaru, and after seen the video reviews, I believe it's worth getting on its own. Does anybody know if the GBP will be more easily available in the future? I can't get one right now, but possibly next month.

A variable Draken! Now I'm interested. Not only the enemy Valk seems inspired by it, but also her paint scheme: http://www.bundesheer.at/english/dynmod/vollbild/3647a_zinner.jpg

I'll check it out, but to be honest I never quite got into the new Frontier Valk aesthetics, which put me off to the point I couldn't finish watching the series. Maybe it's because the whole visual style of Frontier is in tune with current anime which is marketed for the new generation anyway. So if they keep pushing the current designs in Delta (which makes sense from a commercial standpoint), chances are I won't be collecting that line either unless the story is really good. The good side is I can save that money to keep up with the older stuff

Loving it so far. They took some liberties with the design (as you can expect from Fewture), but the essence is there, plus it has a proper poseable Shogo figure and by the looks of it, a new hip design that allows for a waist joint. The bike looks kinda massive next to the figure, but that's acceptable for me as long as the figure is good and fits inside the bike.