doodler7

My favorite Macross Toy...I'd give away if necessary...and I probably would not want to die for it either...but I treasure the sparks it provides my imagination, childhood memories, and inspiration these days.

I'd say the Yamato 1/48 VF-1J Hikaru...with fast pack as valkyrie/gerwalk...and gbp armor as a battroid.

I discovered Robotech first before Macross...sadly enough, but that's what you get to limited television...the VF-1J was the icon that does the struts and reaches out on every end of each episode's introduction.

It was also the very first valkyrie that I encountered at a toy store, 1/55 scale (I think it was a Korean Knock-off...because it looked all gray at the time...1984/85?)

Fresh yoh!

LurkerX, nice collection man. What do you do for a living? I ask because I may be in the wrong industry. Nice setup too.

Nice.

Hi Everyone,

How about tighter joints on the ankle/booster leg connection so that the valkyrie doesn't wobble when the table or bookshelf shakes...but I'm sure this note has been brought up already.

More importantly, the boxe size and quality are what I'm more concerned about. For the amount that's being charged for these figures, I'm not asking for Yamato to lower the price, but upgrade the box a little bit for future products. I take pride in owning these 1/48 and 1/60 scales, and I would definitely feel a lot more satisfied if the boxes are more compact, solid and sleek!

I'd like to see the box size minimized by at least an inch or more in all sides. I'm too lazy to take measurements. How about box measurements similar to a Takara MP-01 Convoy?

Secondly, with minimizing the size, hopefully the cost will go towards better quality box materials? Personally, corrugated boxes with matt printing in the outside...stamp foiling on specific lines and logos and spot lamination. Keep the box background to solid colors; from dark gray, dark blue, dark reds to matte black.

Again, sorry to bring it up, but the Takara MP-04 is the best looking box in the outside that I've gotten a hold of from all the toys that I've purchased. I don't know the look of the inside of the box because I've yet to crack it open. But the box feels solid.

There also something about the better feel of a matte surface versus the glossy/flooded varnish on the current yamato boxes. On a matte finish, there's a roughness and "edginess" that somehow say "elite" or "upscale." Glossy print with flood varnish represents club flyers, mass mailers and flimsy magazines.

Lastly, Yamato can try to better the graphic design on the boxes. The VF-0 series and YF-19 boxes are actually pretty good in terms of layout and color usage. They're a lot better than any of the 1/48 valkyries. The first 1/48 GBP armor box with the slightly textured background look the best in my opinion.

My request or recommendation; please don't try to print images on every side/flap of the box with unappealing graphics of the figure. And if Yamato's designers are to do so, don't ruin the photo of the figure by masking or placing it under photoshop textures.

I know that sometimes there's last minute requests on box artwork gets the best of the designer and marketing...but get a head start. I don't know, maybe it's just me, getting old...but the only other packaging goodness that I can think of that may be suitable for the 1/48 & 1/60 scales are the Apple boxes...from the flat screens, the tower boxes to iPods.

What do you guys think?

Hey Kensei and Graham, didn't we not have a box art contest before? I know some of us don't work for free, but I'm sure there's plenty of Illustrator and Designer MW members who can show their skillz; show some box samples and artwork. I'd most likely to do it, and I'd think about the service as a returned investment...great box, wonderful figure, and definitely a collectible.

What's the chance of having a Gundam story battle it out with an alien life form...make it to the big screen or at least tv series?

I first Macross toy I saw was a 1/55 VF-1J when I was seven years old. I voted for VF-1. It's da plane stands out the most as Macross...and has most accessories. It's solid. I don't like the scrawny biceps on the VF-0 and YF-19...maybe if they're 1/48 scale, I'd have a different opinion.

Alright, sounds good. Thanks Retracting Head Ter Ter.

I have only been looking on eBay. I am writing from Southern California, U.S. Ebay shows the 1/18 for an average of $160 USD (19,000 yen). 1/12s are available for $90 USD (10,700 yen)

I'll wait for a little bit...and maybe invest first on the whole series for $60 before making a purchase.

Thanks again!

Hey gang!

I've seen the Votoms 1/12 action figures at the Comic Con and was impressed of the size and details; each figure is a lot of plastic for the buck.

For a month now I've been checking out this topic and ebay...there's a seller on ebay "eToyer" who sells them at a reasonable price.

And just this passed week I've just discovered the 1/18 scale with the microman figure.

The 1/18 is really expensive, but very detailed with the figure. The 1/12 has great possibilities for customizing and addition of other accessories...and a little cheaper.

Which do you guys recommend as a better buy?

Oh my gosh, this is sooo fun!

Come on, show them pics LordKungFu!

As for those of you who have invested over $2-$3K in your yammies and total collections, do you regret ever buying so many of the toys?

Hmmm...I don't feel guilty about the collection...but I do feel like I'm cheating with my fiancee because she doesn't buy much except for paint/brushes/canvas for her hobby.

But you know what? I never got a chance on those 1/55 back in the 80s...so here my chance.

I agree with Jenius and I am practicing what's preached with the exception of one extra VF-1S v1 for spare parts.

Oh yeah, by the way, newer houses in So Cal now average around $480K +...so LordKungFu...you got a long way to go.

Wow, $200K for Yamato Toys! Holy Crap! You are one crazy person. Do you own part of Yamato?

We just bought a house. It's cool, a nice start...now I can't buy that much Yamato 1/48 scales...heh...our wedding is next.

So what's a "troll?" And who's Agent One? Is he the one with that avator of a British Model Chick?

Some of us members are probably in the early and mid 20s...so while you're thinking about completing the 1/48 collection...don't forget to throw some money on an IRA...that $2,000 can grow up to $45,000 by the time you're sixty five...and that's just one year's worth of investment!...guaranteed and untouched by IRS till you start using it later on.

But uh yeah...since I've bought my stuff from various online stores, Kevin's, TMPs and HLJ etc...including shipping

1/48 = $3029 close estimate

Sheeesh!

Hey Lonewolf,

If I were you, I'd just get both to avoid the headaches or any remorse. Then you'll feel like a king!

Unfortunately like you said, some of us like yourself and myself, are limited in resources. If you'll be collecting pennies for the purchase, then buy the 0A with the Ghost...you get both with one purchase, a neat box to save space, and future purchase.

Don't be pushed around my a mere stripe of paint or naming convention of what's proper or not. You can always repaint the figure.

I'm actually waiting for the pre-order for the Ghost/0A combo....and maybe get the 1st issue of the 0A later, hee hee hee.

Mortgage sucks!

Good luck, mang!

Cyde01,

Wow man. Sorry to hear that. And I do hope Karma gets the theif(s).

To make you feel better, my fiancee is leaving (not in a bad note). The wedding is off. We just got a condo in SoCal. Now I'm stuck with a mortgage. It's gonna be hard to get Yamatos now. I had in mind collecting all the valkyries released, but it ain't gonna happen no more.

I'll probably end up selling stuff on Ebay soon.

Check your backs...watch out for those fools casing yer home, car, time you leave, when you turn lights off at night etc.

Don't fret! Yamato will provide us more great stuff soon, and more opportunities for you to purchase.

The YF-19 looks good. I'm guessing Yamato will come out with a gray-colored version. Damn, why do these things have to be so expensive!

Thank you for the pics.

And how the heck are you guys able to get two or more of these toys?

I didn't want to start a new topic...so hopefully you guys can answer my question:

I pre-ordered ED-209 and Robocop 3 from SideShow Collectibles, and today just found out about a Robocop 3 with flight pack.

Does the Robocop 3 that's coming out this month come with a flight pack? Or is there a third release?

Man, I'll be so bummed if there's another version to follow this Robocop 3 release.

I visited the Anime Store in San Diego before dinner last night and saw the MP-04 Optimus Prime. I really love the box and the photos they've printed on it. I love the varnish coat too and foiling they did on some of the fonts. It's a big-ass box!...selling for $199.99 USD

I've preordered mine through tmpanime.com...but have any of you peeps, who ordered, receive your optimus prime yet?

Sorry I did not have a digital camera at the time to take photos.

Can someone post up an open box photos?

damn...i'm sure hoping the detials on this will be as good as the one i saw at the san diego comic con...and hopefully with stiffer, locking joints like the "revoltechs" joints. i'd always liked robocop...fascinated by the whole movie...here are some shots from past july '06...a little late, but ED's cool. i left the pics a little large to show off more details.

2.1 megapixel is good enough for web...but 4.0 + megapixel will be even better. If one cannot access a digital SLR and lights, I recommend getting a camera will aperture/semi-manual settings.

I'd like to get an SLR and some lights.

Packaging 340 at SDSU which required us to make "point of purchase" displays for toys. So I visited Toys R Us for reference and saw Spawn series, and turned to eBay in 1999. Not a long time, but the money spent on toys since then can definitely cover our first year of mortgage on a townhome we just bought.

I'm about to sell several 1/48s on ebizzy to pay for the wedding reception...hee hee.

I still think Hiro is strongest.

Hiro mad, Hiro crush you!

Hey nice collection Kanedaestes!

I know all about the dust factor...I'm thinking about shrinkwrapping the valkyries but yet to find out how.

Here's my collection, it's not much...but moving it to our new house was a challenge. That was the heaviest box during the entire move...sheeesh!

We could not pass it through the doorway, so we had to unload outside and carry each item.

Three words: Gran Turismo Five

When that comes out, a PS3 will be mine. 'Til then... meh.

Foh shoo!

I held out on PS2 until GT4 came out. That's the only reason why I bought a PS2.

Mister E...heh heh...man, I get all excited looking at these things!

(sigh)

But I'm gonna miss out on the VF-0A, until after the wedding, maybe they'll have some reprints with the booster packs after the second quarter of 2007...not to mention we just bought a town home.

I need a job on the weekends...heh heh...maybe designing "stuff" for Yamato?

I'm trying to convince my fiancée that it's an addiction, but she says no. I'm in denial to to fully explain my weakness...cuz you just can't get one, you gotta git 'em all! ... especially growing up and not being able to afford this stuff.

Hi Graham,

Would you know if Yamato has plans for the reactive armor for the 1/60 VF-0s? I'm sure Yamato can outshine Hasegawa in terms of details.