MWUser

On 3/27/2022 at 8:29 AM, Renmazuo said:

Good to see it was something prompted by you! I wasn't sure I could trust the email (because I've not logged in on the site for ages) so I instead got to the site, used the "Forgot your password?" prompt and did it like that. 

Ditto here.

@Shawn and other Admins/Mods, thank you all for all you do for this website.

I also noticed the sign in feature (at least for me) doesn't work with your username and instead prompts for an email.

I had been meaning to make time to getting back online here, so this was a nice push for me; glad to see everyone.

Regards,

-MWUser 

On 6/4/2021 at 2:05 AM, jenius said:

The original Takatoku VF-1 molds were ruined after their Matsuhiro runs so it's possible the GBP mold just didn't last from normal wear. Bandai recreated the molds for their later reissues. 

I'm aware that Bandai recreated the GBP molds for other scales: 1/100 (Hi Metal R) and 1/48 (DX Chogokin) [to be released]; but to be clear, was there ever confirmation they recreated a new GBP mold for the 1/55 scale?

There was an indication during the time the 1/55 Origin of Valkyrie (OoV) line was being released that there would be a chance for a GBP reissue (either stand alone GBP or GBP+figure set) as part of the OoV release lineup, but it seems that GBP reissue via OoV release did not come to realization.
Would anyone know what cut short this possible GBP reissue via the Origin of Valkyrie release lineup?

39 minutes ago, Special Sauce said:

Because flippers need to be able to make a living.  By paying normal MSRP prices we'd be taking food right out of their mouths 

This. lol.

*Accidental Double Post - Please Delete.*

8 hours ago, jenius said:

I think everyone is talking around the answer. The answer is that there are only two releases, the standalone Takatoku 1/55 GBP armor and the VF-1S GBP-1S Giftset. Matsuhiro never made a gray market version and Bandai never made reissues. Pretty sure "grenade box protection" is the canon Macross name. 

Ah, ok that clears up why I couldn't find any information on 1/55 Matsushiro releases - because there weren't any 1/55 Matsushiro releases, and consequently no 1/55 Matsushiro reissues.
Oh, this also clears up why I couldn't find any information on 1/55 Bandai reissues - because there weren't any Bandai reissues.

4 hours ago, Anasazi37 said:

I came across this post on your site several years ago and it answered a longstanding question for me about why the 1/55 GBP has never been reissued:

http://anymoon.com/blog/?p=358

"The molds for this item have apparently been lost.  I’m not exactly capable of fact-checking how it happened but I’ve heard that they were on board a boat that sank and I’ve also heard they were pitted from being improperly stored (in much the same manner Matchbox or Playmates lost the molds for its Robotech line).  This means that Bandai won’t be reissuing the chunky GBP."

The first explanation is far more dramatic, but I'm guessing that the second is far more likely.

Has this claim since been verified anywhere? Either by Takatoku/Matsushiro past public statement or Bandai past public statement?
I'm sure at Bandai hosted Macross themed events, such as figure announcement events/release events, Bandai has probably been asked about this in the past (likely in Q&A sessions).

9 hours ago, no3Ljm said:

This is more of a 1/55 question so I don't think it needs another thread for it. 

Anyways, as for the list, @jenius has a compilation in his Scorched Earth Toys site. In case you're not following his reviews, here's the link: http://anymoon.com/blog/?p=6244

 

I already took a look at that website, and specifically that same webpage linked; and did not see a specific section focusing on GBP releases (both: releases with figure and stand alone releases).
I also looked through parts of that 1/55 thread linked without finidng a comprehensive complete answer to my question.
Consequently, having this question in it's own topic is useful in order to have the complete answer/information readily available via topic searching as opposed to buried on some nth page in some general 1/55 thread.

That being said, would anyone already have a list of the various 1/55 scale Takatoku/Matsushiro/Bandai GBP releases with pictures of each release or can at least point me in the right direction to such a list preferably with pictures of each of the releases?

I checked over the mailn Macross Toy Releases thread stickied and was trying to put together a list of the various 1/55 scale Takatoku/Matsushiro/Bandai GBP* releases (both: bundles with figures and stand alone releases) with pictures of each release, and was not able to make much progress.
Would anyone already have a list of the various 1/55 scale Takatoku/Matsushiro/Bandai GBP releases with pictures of each release or can at least point me in the right direction to such a list preferably with pictures of each of the releases?
For reference, I am trying to put together a timeline of the 1/55 scale Takatoku/Matsushiro/Bandai GBP releases with pictures of each release beginning from the original release all the way through the various reissues up to the most recent reissue.

*Side note:  What does GBP officially stand for? For reference, I've seen it listed as standing for Ground Battle Protector and Grenade Box Protection.

On 5/29/2021 at 2:54 PM, 505thAirborne said:

Such a good deal, I couldn't pass it up! I normally don't buy Valks without the boxes but I made the exception for these. 

 

What scale/manufacturer are these M&Ms?

23 hours ago, Solo Wing Pixy said:

Preferably in a lightly-used or brand new condition. 

PMed a lead.

On 5/26/2021 at 5:42 AM, uzernaem said:

One more question: does anyone make old style "derp skull" replacement stickers that could be used to cover the more detailed logos on 2000s releases?

What does "derp skull" mean in this context?

On 5/21/2021 at 12:04 PM, Frenchmeister said:

If anybody here wants 1/72 and 1/48 P.E. upgrade sheets for the VF-1, VF-11, YF-19 or VF-25, newca (Jasmine Studio) currently has them in his store on eBay.  This is the first time in over 10 years that I've seen these available.  I don't know if they're N.O.S. or new production, but if you think that you ever might want them, I'd buy them NOW.

N.O.S. = ???

On 5/23/2021 at 2:22 PM, jenius said:

I was literally just going to list one. Pm I'm bound.

Jenius, thanks for the information on the item (description and images) via PM. I have sent the payment for this item via PayPal. Thank you for the quick follow up.

8 minutes ago, jenius said:

I was literally just going to list one. Pm I'm bound.

Cleared for landing/PMed.

I am looking for a NEW Bandai "1/55 Super Valkyrie VF-1S (Pilot H. Ichijo)" that has no yellowing, VF-1S is still completely white in color, that is the exact same one as in the product description and product image in the links below.

Link: Amazon.co.jp: Super Dimension Fortress Macross 1/55 The VF-1 Valkyrie VF – 1S: Toys

Product Image:

Offer: $475.00 (shipping /w tracking included + PayPal Fees)

Shipping Location Reference: Mid-East Coast, USA

Please PM me with pictures of item.

Previous Purchase Reference:
davidwhangchoi (shout out to him as a great seller): http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/topic/43224-wantedoffer-new-148-roy-focker-renewal-package-version-yamato/

Overall, what has everyone's successful proxies been so far that you've gotten a confirmed order from? For reference, I was surprised to see that Buyee did not list Tamashii on their supported sites list. For reference, their supported sites list is linked below.
Buyee Supported Sites: https://shop.buyee.jp/

41 minutes ago, sqidd said:

I'm pretty sure Takatoku went out of business. Then Matsuhiro (who was contracted by Takatoku to design the VF-1) bought the rights to the mold and teamed up with Hasbro to make Jetfire's (not sure they ever made Macross stuff). Then Bandai bought Takatoku and Matsuhiro . The VF-1S Hikaru was a Bandai release.

 

Ah, ok, that makes sense; thanks for the information.

34 minutes ago, jvmacross said:

Bandai acquired several of Takatoku's toy lines/molds when Takatoku went out of business....this happened very close to when the Macross DYRL film was scheduled to be released.  As a result, the "first batch" of Bandai's Hi-Metal 1/55 VF-1S Hikaru Strike Valkyries and 1/55 VF-1A Hikaru Valkyries were repainted in DYRL schemes so they could be sold as DYRL Macross toys but they simply used existing Takatoku branded "parts" or probably entire 1/55 VF-1S's and Vf-1A's.

The promotional display sign basically shows the "demo" that was used still displaying the "T.T." Takatoku logo....Bandai added the black stickers with their Bandai logo on the first batch of releases.

Bandai eventually stamped the toys with a Bandai logo during a later production run.....as seen here....

 

If you have some time....these articles are very informative regarding the history of the original 1/55 VF-1 toys.....

https://tamashii.jp/t_kokkaku/65/

https://tamashii.jp/t_kokkaku/64/

Oh, that is interesting, because it seems to mean that Takatoku was split acquired between Matsuhiro and Bandai. I'll need to give those articles a read, so I can better catch up on the history (lol, almost lore at this point considering the popularity of the VF-1* figures).

1 hour ago, Chronocidal said:

Frankly, I'm not sure anything "normal" exists at this point.  Prices are crazy across the board, and I can't find any two vendors with similar shipping costs.

This, especially this.

Specifically, in regards to the Bandair DX Chogokin 1/48 Macross Super Dimensional Fortress (SDF) Releases (aka VF-1* releases) - why have the prices climbed as high as to rival some of the highest listed Macross SDF items on eBay from Takatoku/Yamato/Arcadia/Bandai...etc.? For reference, the first release of the Bandai DX VF-1J (new) is climbing to $400+ at the moment and even the Bandai DX Super Parts Sets (Movie and TV) (new) are approaching $250+.

1 hour ago, jvmacross said:

Takatoku?  Well....I guess from a "certain point of view" so did Bandai......

 

 

It was my understanding that Takatoku was the manufacturer of this figure. How did the Bandai logo get branded on the box and figure?
For reference, I am aware that Takatoku was later acquired by Matsuhiro, but that still doesn't explain how the Bandai logo got branded on the box/figure.

42 minutes ago, dragontype said:

Has anyone else received a message from Kurama Toys Online on arrival of the TV SSPs?  The cost to ship via FEDEX to California is 75.00 USD.  Is that .... normal?

It is not normal, but it is current; I was charged ~$75 from Mandarake for shipping to mid-east coast USA at the beginning of December for a VF item.

2 hours ago, Anasazi37 said:

The Movie Super Strike Parts set does not come with armaments. You have to purchase the separate Missile Set. That set is just about as rare as the armor and, like the armor, generally goes for about twice the original retail price. The TV Super Parts set comes with six red-tipped RMS-1 missiles. The ones that come in the Missile Set have yellow tips.

Is there a particular reason for why the Movie Super Parts don't come with the color tipped missiles, but the TV Super Parts do?

For reference, TV Super Parts product page linked below.
Bandai DX Chogokin TV Super Parts Set First Release (December 2020): https://tamashii.jp/item/13358/
Bandai DX Chogokin TV Super Parts Set Second Release (April 2021): https://tamashii.jp/item/13497/

On 12/18/2020 at 4:52 PM, Pontus said:

If you're simply in it for the cool toys, then get the DYRL set for the awesome shoulder cannon. And since the DYRL set comes with a backpack missile pod to replace the cannon, and the only difference seems to be the shape of the forearm missile pod and the slight color and sticker difference, you could use the DYRL set for both if those differences don't bother you.

Does the Bandai DX Chogokin Movie Super Parts Set come with a backpack missile pod? For reference, I checked their official product page, and they didn't have a picture of it.
Specifically, the "backpack missile pod" being referred to: is that the portion of the front of the super pack thruster where when removed reveals missiles ready to be launched? I've seen a picture of something like that a long while back, but couldn't remember the exact manufacturer/scale release.

Also, does the Bandai DX Chogokin Movie Super Parts Set come with the six thick white missiles with colored tips that attach to the wings? Again, there is not a picture of this on the official product page. For reference, I have linked the official product pages below (both first release and second release).

Bandai DX Chogokin Movie Super Parts Set First Release (December 2019): https://tamashii.jp/item/12988/
Bandai DX Chogokin Movie Super Parts Set Second Release (April 2020): https://tamashii.jp/item/12990/

6 hours ago, vladykins said:

And the angles of the armor are slightly different as well, especially the arm armor. The arm pieces are more hex-ended and straight across in DYRL instead of angled on the SDFM.

Using @jenius's images, here's the DYRL and SDFM arm pieces:



 

 

 

Overall, if you had to get only set of Super Parts for your VF-1*. which would be recommended: DYRL or TV?

*Note: Asterisk (*) represents all the various VF-1 releases.

18 minutes ago, Lolicon said:

Small, medium, or large? 

I imagine the first two from the left are: 1/48 Bandai DX Chogokin TV VF-1S Roy Rocker and 1/60 Arcadia VF-1S; what is the third one?

2 hours ago, Sanity is Optional said:

You can't even have an account to order directly from Bandai/Tamashii unless you have a (unique) Japanese address and phone number.

If you're buying somewhere else, they're buying it from Bandai/Tamashii and then shipping it out to you after they receive it.

So, then on preorder (PO) night in order to join the other users here on seeing if they (us) can secure a preorder of a Valkyrie (or multiple) - does that mean I would need a Japanese (unqiue) address and a Japanese phone in order to join the other users here on securing preorders?

3 hours ago, borgified said:

Yes... PS5 is worldwide release as Macross is very limited as its only for Japanese markets only. Some Japanese stores will not send it overseas due to the Harmony Gold embargo, however some will get sent into select stores in States as they have to pay a export/middle man fee to get the stuff in. 

If you see comments on why there is not enough Macross stuff being sent overseas, license approval and the ban that HG has imposed.

Given the above, does that mean, say for the VF-1D preorder, that even if you make it successfully to the checkout screen and enter your pay credentials will that vendor (Tamashii in this example) not ship to an address outside Japan?

4 hours ago, jvmacross said:

Maybe you can use the Tamashii Nations Macross page?

You can play around with the filter to make your search more specific....

https://tamashii.jp/item_character/macross_series/1/?number=40&order=new&brand=dx_chogokin&ck1=1&ck2=1&ck3=1&ok=Filter+by+this+condition#gi_subcatearea

 

 

Thanks for the link; yours seems to capture all the 1/48 Macross DX Chogokin releases.
I filtered a bit, and I think the below link has all the 1/48 Macroos DX Chogokin - Super Dimensional Fortess Releases strangely with the exception of the VF-1D (orange valkyrie) being released soon (12/24). Is the reason the VF-1D is not  listed because another online store has the exclusive sale for it? 
Link: https://tamashii.jp/item_brand/dx_chogokin/1/?number=40&order=new&character=macross&ck1=1&ck2=1&ck3=1&ok=Narrow+down+by+this+condition

4 hours ago, sqidd said:

You can look on Jenius' site for past release dates.

There is only one future release date right now. 12/24 for the VF-1D.

Thanks.

3 hours ago, DYRL VF-1S said:

Hasn't been published yet but likely 18,000 Yen (19,800 with in-country tax). However, outside of Japan, there's usually a markup for TWE so prices will vary by shop (the few that sell TWE) or vary fees any proxies will charge.

Ok, good to know. For reference, what does TWE stand for? [Edit: @DYRL VF-1S, Thanks for the information and acronym answer.  ]

2 hours ago, DYRL VF-1S said:

Been the bane of this thread for two years. I think for proxies part of the challenge with TWEs is that P-Bandai only allows a quantity of 6 from one address. So for example, the last couple of TWE rounds people have graciously said FromJapan. Well, now people are getting orders canceled, etc. because everyone is attempting to use this them. I'm going to be a d&*k for a moment - It's called Google. Use it. I don't think anyone needs to share the proxies they use if it's to the detriment of actually obtaining a TWE for oneself. But hey, that's just my opinion.

In regard to a list of stores, there already is one here:

Edit: And to clarify my opinion a bit, there are people here who take, take, take and never contribute to the community or helping others actually get the Valks we all love. Further, there are soooo many lurkers who scrape for info and are worse in that sense because they don't even chat. But more power to them if the info is easily available here. Can't blame 'em for taking advantage of that fact.

I wonder about this in the sense that: let's say a particular user wanted to contribute back to these forums - what would be the best way for them to do so?

A tangential question to the above might be: what types of contributions do these forums need most from their users?

Edit: Grammar correction/Thanks to jvmacross/sqidd/DYRL VF-1S/TWE acronym question.

Is there a calendar graphic/image of the 1/48 Bandai DX Chogokin VF-1* releases (both past and future)? Specifically, I would like to know how many of the future releases they've already announced.