grogall

06 doesn't look like a spider!? 🤔

Ooh! @no3Ljm is back! Welcome back! Whats with all the Mospeada releases this year? Anniversary?

Just replaced my yellowed VF-1J & S through Mandarake, Was slightly pissed when a dealer sent me the VF-1J in 2005 saying it was in pristine condition! 🤬 But now complete with excellent condition versions, tucked into the back of my storage closed.... 🤗

Finally found my favorite rendition of the ATM-09-ST (Space Assault) unit, wich was a cover from a wave kit! Thought I'd share it! (Very Large)

Hobby Japan Web has another interview with the production team working on the Hi-Metal R V.O.T.O.M line! I ran it through google translate and posted it here! Special Diorama No. 2 Fierce Battle!! Red Shoulders vs. Blood Suckers Following on from our last post, we've photographed the HI-METAL R VOTOMS diorama exhibited at "TAMASHII NATION 2024." We're bringing you exclusive shots only available from Hobby Japan. This diorama is based on "Armored Trooper VOTOMS: The Last Red Shoulder," the first and still-popular OVA in the "Armored Trooper VOTOMS" series, and depicts the underground facility that is Joran Pailsen's base. The diorama base measures a massive 50cm wide, 50cm high, and 60cm deep. Inspired by the battle that unfolds there, we've included two Scopedogs, the Turbo Custom and the Blood Sucker. By adding perspective to the background, this massive diorama exudes both depth and tension. The second HI-METAL R special diorama for "Armored Trooper Votoms"! Bringing you the thrilling battle between the Bloodsuckers and the Turbo Custom with special new footage! Plus, developer comments have arrived! Q. How did the decision to commercialize the HI-METAL R Bloodsucker come about? A. The first release, the HI-METAL R Scope Dog Red Shoulder Custom, was well received by customers, which led to the release of the HI-METAL R Bloodsucker. Normally, once the Red Shoulder Custom was released, a rival mecha would follow, but the Red Shoulder Custom didn't have an AT equivalent to the rival mecha. So, when the second release was decided to be the HI-METAL R Scope Dog Turbo Custom, the Bloodsucker was also decided. It took longer from announcement to commercialization than the Turbo Custom, but we've been able to use that time to refine the design and mechanism. Q. The Bloodsucker is set to be a heavyweight, how did you decide on its size? A. We knew the height ratio would be quite large, so we took advantage of the non-scale design and started with the premise of making it larger than the Turbo Custom, aiming to achieve a size that was close to the image in the film. However, the Bloodsucker has tighter design lines around the cockpit than the TV version of the AT, and due to the constraints of fitting an action figure inside, we needed to maintain a certain size. As a result, we were able to achieve the image size in the film while adhering to the size ratio image. Comparing "HI-METAL-R-Bloodsucker" to Turbo Custom ▲Next to "HI-METAL R Scope Dog Turbo Custom" (left). The difference in height and weight between the mid-class and heavyweight models is immediately clear. Q. Were there any challenges in sculpting it? A. I'm not sure whether the shape of the Bloodsucker's head is round or trapezoidal when viewed from the front. This has long been interpreted differently, and in HI-METAL R, there is a slight fold, but since it's an advanced version of the Scope Dog, we made it round. Additionally, a hole was originally drilled in the dent in the right front skirt, but it was sealed after it was discovered that it didn't look good in action poses. Other measures taken included making the thighs inside the skirt as thick as possible and angling the forearm cuffs, paying particular attention to the overall silhouette to recreate the powerful standing pose from the design drawing. Q. Are there any selling points in terms of gimmicks? A. This time, we've added an interesting gimmick: when you push in the pipe at the top of the mission pack, the chest hatch lifts up slightly. This eliminates the need to pull the hatch up to open and close it in Bloodsucker, making it easier to play with. Also, the design drawing for the inside of the head features a trapezoidal monitor on the front side. If we recreated this, the monitor would get in the way when the camera visor was pulled up, blocking the pilot's view, so we've added a movable gimmick to the monitor as well. A new pilot figure, Epsilon, is included. Its body shape matches that of existing Chirico figures, so you can display them side by side.が、真偽のほどは、やはりもう典です。 English: In addition, the arms have the same shoulder extension mechanism and elbow bendability as the Scopedog, and the ankles have a joint mechanism that surpasses the Scopedog's, allowing the soles of the feet to touch the ground even when the legs are spread wide, so I hope you will check it out for yourself. Q. Were there any difficulties in incorporating the gimmick? A. In the movie, he fires an arm punch, but there are no concept art, so I had to look at the movie to see how it moved. However, the screen is dark and the Bloodsucker is black, so it was difficult to tell even when the screen was brightened, so I interpreted it as a gimmick that further expanded on the structure that could be read from the screen. Q. Two heavy machine guns are included. A. There are two concept art for the heavy machine gun, so I included both. The magazines are swappable. Also, in terms of coloring, the Bloodsucker is set to be an advanced version of the Scopedog, so I thought it would be better to use the same color scheme for the machine gun, so I made some adjustments. Although it wasn't done in the movie, the heavy machine gun can be held in both hands. *ooops it's an older interview from 30 January 2025, but still interesting since people are just now receiving there Hi-Metal R Bloodsucker

Cool! At least you get one and Mandarake checks if the content is ok anyway! I'm sure you'll like the Mech!

By the way did you ever get your Bloodsucker from Mandarake?

How was the availability of the two "Fantasy" GBP's that Yamato released? Where the retail or specials? Sadly I couldn't find the post on them in the forum... These and the corresponding Valk's aren't based on anything in the Tv show while this at least still mimics the regular GBP-1S but with different colours Picture from @jenius @ anymoon.com....

Nice pictures! Did you make the smoke effects yourself? Do you have any of the other Hi-Metal R votom figures or just the ATM-09 (STTC)?

Maybe they will retool the line and bring them up to the Hi-Metal R "Votoms" quality and make the best versions out there..... someday! 🤔

Hobby Japan Web has also added images of the Hi-Metal R Scopedog which will be released in February showing some of the changes in the joints! Example... Old: New: I will leave the images there since the unit only has small changes...

I guess you thought's where positive lately! 😉

Hobby Japan Web has new images of the Hi-Metal R FATTY showing new details of articulation, and closeup of the G-BATM-02 Hardblade Gun and Cutter Claw. Can't wait to get this in my hands! Just as amazing as the Bloodsucker! 🤗

Still think the olive green fits a little better with the Roy GBP but I'll take what I can get! 🤗

Mo picks....

Well at least we now know where Bandai got the idea!

I can second that! Not a company with good customer service! 🤮

On a note, I hope Bandai doesn't skimp out on this version since the regress seat isn't seen anywhere on the official pictures?

Anyone have a link to this video or can provide a link through VPN (No Country block)? Thanks!

I really liked the VF-1J Combo pack that Bandai did, Not everything these day has to have a retro vibe to it! And some good effort was put into the GBP package!

Looks like they did the sides as well 👍🏻

Honestly If they ever release this version I'd go nuts! 🤪

Nope!

Well not really the "Same" Version, since it was an olive green and had the wrong unit number.... But still nice enough to want one....🤗