KOG Water Dragon

While I'm dreaming.... gerwalks for all the VFs they've done so far. More realistically, when are they going to do real world inspired unit variants for the vf-25, like they've done before with vf-0, vf-1, vf-11, vf-19, and vf-22?

This is just for fun: What would you like to see Hasegawa release in terms of Macross kits in the future? It's a safe bet they'll release more in the VF-31 series, so I'll pass over those for now... My top 4 picks for right now: YF-29 Durandal YF-30 Chronos VF-25A Messiah VF-171 Nightmare (or even a whole series of variants of this) Since it's Hasegawa, I'd expect them all to be fighter-only. And I'm fine with that. If Hasegawa surprised me by doing more battroids... YF-19 YF-21 VF-11 Thunderbolt VF-171 Nightmare No need for Hasegawa VF-25 or VF-31 battroids since Bandai has kits that can be built as battroids. And finally, this is a bit out of left field... would anyone buy a variable VF-0 from Bandai if they made one? It'll never happen, but it's interesting to think about.

It's simply not necessary for model kit companies who expect that most of their customers will paint their kits. For painters, these fancy moulding techniques just drive up the price on models. I appreciate a nice parts breakdown that lets me paint difference colors separately and avoid a lot of complex masking, but when it comes to moulding multiple colors into a single part, I just don't need it. And so I'm glad more companies aren't doing it.

Where is the VF-31E and the remaining supers though?

I might have to get more than one VF-31A. I have a feeling it would take more colorful schemes quite nicely.

Oh, didn't notice the VF-31 in the background until now. Nice boxart. Looking forward to seeing the boxart for the other VF-31 variant releases.

I just picked up a copy at my local Kinokuniya. $67 + tax. I probably could have waited and found it cheaper online but I was there and it was calling to me... I don't have any of the older Model Graphix from which these builds were pulled, so I'm OK with it. There's a few in there I'd never seen before.

Multiple colors on the same sprue aren't really a new thing... I have 20+ year old Gundam kits using the same technique (also Bandai). I have a feeling it's more complex/expensive than it's worth in the eyes of most model making companies. I just picked up a Bandai X-wing (classic), T-70 X-wing (Force Awakens), Tie Advanced X1, and Tie Fighter (vanilla) myself. I saw that the (solar?) panels for the vanilla Tie were moulded in 2 colors (grey and black) on the same parts. I..... actually don't like this. It means I have to go ahead and mask the different areas on the panels when I paint. It would be a lot easier from a painter's perspective to have the dark parts of the panels and the grey framework provided as separate parts. Then I could paint each individually and assemble later - no masking required. And the sad thing is... the 2 parts more or less ARE moulded separately... except that Bandai decided to be 'helpful' by pre-joining these parts in the box, rather than letting me paint and assemble them later. Definitely more 'assembler friendly' than 'painter friendly'. They are still nice looking kits though. Great detail, and I expect them to build well. And I'm glad Bandai included waterslide decals for these kits. Just waiting for them to do a B-wing and Tie Bomber now, to round out the classic original trilogy ship collection. Oh and a Lambda Shuttle would be cool, in 1//144 like the Falcon and Slave 1. Last thought: I'd like to see Bandai branch out and do prequel era ships after the OT lineup is complete. A Jedi Starfighter and N-1 from Naboo at least. ARC-170, Eta-2, and V-wing would also be nice.

Now that you mention it.... it's odd that Hasegawa didn't do a YF-25. Because they really like doing variants. Look at the number of VF-1s and VF-0s they did (a bunch of the VF-0s weren't even in Macross Zero). And further, I wish Bandai would do a VF-31A. Again, for the battroid mode possibilities. Now that Bandai is on to Deculture decal versions, I wonder if they have any plans left for more super variants or anything else, or if they are just 'done' with basic VF-31 kits...

Geez.... that looks great. Now where's my VF-25A, Hasegawa? Also kinda sad Bandai doesn't do a VF-25A so I can have one posed in battroid mode to match... But yes I will get one of these VF-31As for sure.

So Hasegawa has 3 variations of the SV-262 released/announced, but only two VF-31s so far. Kinda odd? I guess? Still, given that it is Hasegawa, I have confidence that they will do a full series of VF-31s in time. Including the VF-31E which Bandai for some reason seems to have decided to skip. And seeing so many versions of the SV-252, and Hasegawa's past releases of the SV-51, it seems all the more strange that they skipped the VF-27 entirely. Model companies can be inscrutable...

Glad I saw the news here about the pre-order for the Kairos. I just went and pre-ordered one for myself. Even though I browse HLJ future releases regularly, I had missed this one because it was listed under military jet kits instead of under sci fi/Macross Delta where all the other Macross Delta kits are listed. And I normally don't browse military jet releases.... Also: I'm kinda bummed that Hasegawa never did a VF-25A release. I mean... they've covered the VF-1A, the VF-0A, and the VF-31A now.... why did they skip the VF-25A?

You know, I DO kinda wish they'd done this one in 1/72, so it could be displayed alongside all the other 1/72 variations they've released in the past.

I don't mind at all. I love these decal variant re-issues. The alternate paint and marking schemes are fun.

http://www.hlj.com/product/HSG65790 Looks nice. I want one. Interesting to see Hasegawa doing decal variations of the big 1/48 kits so soon. I wonder what variations they have in store for the 1/48 VF-1.

I buy a lot of kits... more than I can build. I get them because I think they're cool, and because I'd LIKE to build them... eventually. I know I can't build them all... I'll eventually have to pick and choose which ones I actually finish. But I buy the kits because I like to know I can then build them later, if I wish, and not have to track down the kit for an exhorbitant price. If you were to look at my stacks of unbuilt kits, you'd probably call me a collector... but I don't intend to resell the kits. Not unless forced to by some sort of negative life circumstance.

I rather like it. It's clean and classy, bit of a contrast to the busy minmei guards and deculture VF-25s (which I also like). I also like the orange and white scheme. The signature next to the minmei graphic is a cute touch. Looks like some unique markings on the tail fins. Orange gunpod too. I will buy.

I think I must be one of the few people who actually likes that new VF-25 design...

OK, so I was cruising Ebay and Yahoo!Japan auctions... and I noticed the YF-25 is available now. Anyone besides me getting one? I bought one from ebay. Love the box art. And the seller is sending the movie ticket too.... which is useless to me, but still kind of a fun thing to have I guess.

Well I must say, this is pretty darn awesome news...

So I guess the kit is out now.... HLJ showing 'low stock'.

Having laid out $20 (per sheet) plus shipping to get myself copies of the 2 armored VF-25 decal sheets, I don't really feel in the mood to hand out scans for free... Besides, doesn't that violate copyright or somesuch?

I'm not rushing to judgement based on tiny lowres pics. I'm sure it looks better in person. Also, I think the VF-25G looks better in battroid mode than in fighter mode.

Just pre-ordered both at HLJ.

Yeah, the models need paint to make them look just right. That's what makes them models, not toys... As for new releases, what I'd really like to see is a VF-171 series... I'll be sad if Bandai skips those. There are no Super Michael and Super Luca kits per se, but you can easily buy a Michael or Luca kit, plus a super parts add-on kit, and wind up with the same result, for the same price that a super combo kit WOULD have cost.