Offswitch

Nice! If only they could have an exhibit like that here in the states....

That's an awesome display! Was that from a Macross gallery or something in Japan?

Thanks for confirming that, EXO! Yeah, I never owned the original Hi-Metal, but I can't imagine them changing it to metal unless they really had to for the GBP armor or somehting. Dammit jvm, I thought that was a pic of a new variant for this new Hi-Metal R when I first saw that pic! Got my hopes up

Dunno if they're metal now (hope so!), but the early prototype for the original Hi-Metal also had that section dark.

Well, it was posted that Kawamori personally helped rework the design... Maybe Bandai is doing what Arcadia did with the VF-0's and used the same previous engineering but with an updated sculpt. Edit: Haha, Vifam7 beat me to it.

Sweeeet! Hope I get my notice soon. Never owned the original so really looking forward to this one

It's pretty much impossible to get an accurate comparison from a photoshopped marketing photo, but looking at it next to this pic of the original, it looks like the fighter mode looks sleeker with a longer nose even (photo of original Hi-Metal from marstoybox blog - http://marstoybox.blog118.fc2.com/blog-entry-119.html). Obviously, the angle of the photo isn't quite the same and the lighting is completely different, so we'll probably not find out for sure until someone gets their hands on the new release. What's safe to say is that the old Hi-Metal VF-1's won't be compatible with the new GBP armor. The old one's missing that slot right behind the intake, plus I'm guessing the new release will have the foldable leg fins (like Yamcadia's) to allow for the skinnier leg armors.

Yeah... I figured. One can dream still. Speaking of variants tho (and going back on topic), it would be cool if Bandai did release the urban camo version of the GBP for the Hi-Metal R line. Yeah, might be another decade for that, haha!

Oh, hell yes!!! I've wanted a VF-1J mass prod type ever since I saw Yamato's. But since Yamy's basically impossible to get now, I'm so buying this if they release it! Hmm... looking at the scan again tho, that just might be the color of the prototype plastic and not a mass prod VF-1J. I hope I'm wrong tho.

Ugh... hurry up NY! People are definitely already getting them. (Pics from Toy Mysteries on Facebook - https://zh-tw.facebook.com/mytoyshk/posts/632099290223297)

As a newb to the scene also, I'm unfamiliar with the background of the VF-4.... The battroid mode never even appeared in the anime, right? It only showed up in the VF-X video game? If so, I can understand how the alt modes could've been somewhat of an afterthought. As far as the pricing goes, I have to echo Gakken85's sentiments here... As lovely as the fighter mode is, it's not the current asking price lovely! If you're patient and this isn't a must-have for you, I say just wait for Arcadia to drop the re-release... whenever that'll be

The release date has been bumped up to 4/24 on NY's page. Just 2 weeks away now. https://www.nippon-yasan.com/macross/9753-macross-f-dx-chogokin-koenig-monster-wings-of-valkyrie-limited-edition.html

Yikes - Agreed! I haven't had a need to extend the hip bars and now I never plan to.

It's sure been slow in announcement news lately.... Kinda surprised there hasn't been a tease for the new mold yet considering that the VF-0D was announced last Jan/Feb, no? Time again to speculate/wish what the next new Arcadia release will be? My vote's for protagonist valks like the SV-51 and YF-21, but if Arcadia's playing it safe then that'd be unlikely

Ah ok... Thanks, David! Kinda cryptic. Hope it's a big news announcement

Oh, is that what he said? That'd be nice

New tweet from Mr.K - http://twitter.com/Mrk_arcadia/status/586478181353304064 Tried Google Translating the text, but can't make any sense of it.... Sure lookin' good tho

Nice find of the mention of the improvement to the arm joints, M'kyuun. Aside from that, were there any other issues with the original Konig Monster? Or any improvements that Bandai should've done? I just feel like Bandai really could've taken the opportunity to spruce up a 5 year old mold... other than to just change the color & tampos and fix a few screws. I still wanna get one tho. Thanks for the clarification, Scyla. That's kinda why I was confused about the Isamu 29 being a web exclusive (he's a major character)... while the YF-29b Percival (an obscure protagonist) wasn't. But I hear ya on the overheated market for the regular Bandai releases tho.... Seems quite silly since Bandai could make a pretty penny if they wanted to (the upcoming VF-19 Advance being a perfect example).

Cool, thanks, Scyla I didn't know the Isamu 29 was a web exclusive. (Just got into collecting a few months ago.) That's weird to think that an "exclusive" item can actually be easier to get than a regular release where getting a pre-order is like winning a lottery.

Jenius got it. It says right there on the order page on NY "Estimated Release Date 2015-04-30" https://www.nippon-yasan.com/macross/9753-macross-f-dx-chogokin-koenig-monster-wings-of-valkyrie-limited-edition.html Speaking of this web exclusive... Is it still possible to order one if you missed the pre-order? I could've swore I read that you can still get one once the item releases. Is that usually the case for these Tamashii web exclusives?

Looking at the official marketing images, it certainly looks less glossy there too. I always thought Brera's 27 was a bit too glossy, so this is good! (personal pref of course) Man, I sure hope they don't just repaint old stock, haha!

Nice pics! Thanks, joppewo Looks like for that sample display model they just repainted a Brera VF-27γ - you can see the original color under the scratched paint at the wing hinge. Gotta say I'm loving that green.

Wha!? No way!... Awesome grab, Carceroth! I've been trying to get a 19 myself for months now, so I'm super jealous of your good fortune. Hope it ships and everything's fine with it.

Same. It's not the worst thing I've seen... Just not my bag of tea unfortunately.

Nice! That's gonna be one awesome squadron