bullet101 Posted January 18, 2012 Share Posted January 18, 2012 So Macross Frontier comes out, Bandai gets as many VF-25 variants out as fast as it can, then comes the Movie, Tornado pack comes out quickly too. And then....? Where are the rest of the 1/72 line? VF-171, YF-29 etc? I may have missed something but i haven't seen any news on these at all, does anyone know whats going on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PetarB Posted January 18, 2012 Share Posted January 18, 2012 I wonder how the sales went - this is usually the best indicator. Personally, I started a couple of VF-25s and never finished them. I'm not sure why. I usually finish every kit I start. But these were a bit different from what I usually tackle. I wish Hasegawa did these as non-transforming, I know as a scale modeler, I would have been much happier... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noyhauser Posted January 18, 2012 Share Posted January 18, 2012 I wonder how the sales went - this is usually the best indicator. Personally, I started a couple of VF-25s and never finished them. I'm not sure why. I usually finish every kit I start. But these were a bit different from what I usually tackle. I wish Hasegawa did these as non-transforming, I know as a scale modeler, I would have been much happier... I wonder too. The scale issue might have been a real killer (as well as the transformable aspects of the model): given how alot of Japanese modelers are obsessed with accuracy, it might have not had the sales among "serious modelers" to make it stupidly popular. The price point (over 5000 yen) also likely discouraged casual modelers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost Train Posted January 18, 2012 Share Posted January 18, 2012 I wouldn't mind if Bandai breathed new life into the frontier models by continuing the 1:100 scale kits (perhaps with decals this time lol), and deliver a non-transformable VF-171 fighter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickyg Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Amen to that! I just started on my VF-25F I got on sale from HLJ a month ago. While I'm not blown away by it, the price was right and it's great for the size. Why they didn't opt for a 1/72, non transformable will always annoy me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sketchley Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 The price point (over 5000 yen) also likely discouraged casual modelers. This, I think, is the killing blow. I waffled for months before deciding to get a VF-27 kit. It's excellent! But, the price point is extremely high, compared to decent Gundam kits available at 1/5 the price. Nevertheless, going back to the question in the OP: the main reason, IMHO, that we don't see the VF-171 is that it requires a lot of development/engineering/whatever you want to call it, and the market for it is smaller than that for the "hero" Valkyries. At present, they've effectively designed and made only 1 and a half molds to get all the VF-25 and VF-27 kits. There are a LOT of unused parts in the VF-27 kit that are presumably used in the VF-25. In addition, the additional things (QF-4000, radome, Grace's pilot bust), don't require a redesign of the base kit. It's odd that a YF-29 kit didn't come out. But that may be due to the lack of sales of the 1/100 YF-29 kit and the lack of an ongoing series to assist in marketing by the time such a kit came out (as memory serves, the 1/100 kit was rushed out to coincide with the release. The 1/100 VF-25F quickly followed. Aside from a few re-releases of the two with different colours and decals, that line's dried up, too.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jefuemon Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 If you want a VF-171, you'll have to go with either this, this, or this. These have been up for auction for close to two years, with no takers. Mainly, because the guy is selling them for about double the price they were offered for at Wonderfest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grayson72 Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 I wish Hasegawa did these as non-transforming, I know as a scale modeler, I would have been much happier... Totally agree, I like to build display models not transforming toys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VF5SS Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 This, I think, is the killing blow. I waffled for months before deciding to get a VF-27 kit. It's excellent! But, the price point is extremely high, compared to decent Gundam kits available at 1/5 the price. To be fair, they have the complexity and parts count similar to an equally priced Master Grade Gundam kit. The transforming Zeta Gundam ver 2.0 is also 5000 yen MSRP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azrael Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Nevertheless, going back to the question in the OP: the main reason, IMHO, that we don't see the VF-171 is that it requires a lot of development/engineering/whatever you want to call it, and the market for it is smaller than that for the "hero" Valkyries. Mostly this, though. If you go around the Gunplas, you'll notice a trend. Unique models get models fairly quickly. Mass-produced heroes are usually an after-thought. Heroes and Villians get all the attention and are usually made first. If there is demand, then the mass-produced heroes get a model. Only within the past few years was there an HGUC GM II and GM III, yet the designs are fairly old. Among the MGs, only the original GM, its letter variants, and the Nemo have received some treatment. The GM II, GM III, and Jegan are nowhere to be seen. There's no market for the grunt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vifam7 Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 (edited) The price point (over 5000 yen) also likely discouraged casual modelers. This, I think, is the killing blow. I waffled for months before deciding to get a VF-27 kit. It's excellent! But, the price point is extremely high, compared to decent Gundam kits available at 1/5 the price. To be fair, they have the complexity and parts count similar to an equally priced Master Grade Gundam kit. The transforming Zeta Gundam ver 2.0 is also 5000 yen MSRP. Back around last year's Shizuoka Hobby Show, Bandai sorta said they wanted to pace the release of high priced kits because of the economy and the fact that buyers these days aren't able to buy such kits in rapid succesion. Also, when was the DX YF-29 released? I remember reading a magazine article stating that the kit version will come out after the DX toy. Edited January 19, 2012 by Vifam7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penguin Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 There's no market for the grunt. My eternal lament. I love me them rank-and-file fellas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TehPW Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 i can imagine thats why most mecha genre, other than Gundam, would have a actually limited selection in profitably manufacturable models/toys... can you imagine the mess that Battletech would be, merchantise-wise, if a show was aired. actually i would have a anurism if they did that... but still... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penguin Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 (edited) ... can you imagine the mess that Battletech would be, merchantise-wise, if a show was aired. actually i would have a anurism if they did that... but still... Then I hope posting this isn't considered assault with a deadly link... http://en.wikipedia....Animated_Series http://www.virtualtoychest.com/b/battletech/battletech.html Edited January 20, 2012 by Penguin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TehPW Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 (edited) *mumbles* that TV show is comparable to Macross 7, cringe worth that is... then again, that Bushwacker... really? i didnt know they made that as a toy... geez, the folks at FASA's maunfacturing choices make some of HG's own look... angelic in comparison... Edited January 21, 2012 by TehPW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rock Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 I'm still wondering where the 1/72 Vajara are at that were shown in the initial release photos... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valhary Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 remember that the team made them is now doing the toys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skypoet Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 I totally like the transformable 1:72 models! I even liked them so much that, since only the Messiah's and Lucifer's were coming out, after I had built a couple, this got me into Gundam Master Grades. I totally love the articulated color-molded snap-fit model concept with or without polycap joints! And wish Bandai made the VF-171's, Quedluun Rea, Vajra. Transformability is not an issue in itself, but some issues, leading to parts failure at some points, need to be re-thought by Bandai. Transformability means that some really small joints and weak parts get over-stressed, plus poseability issues. These issues are new for Bandai. I just really hope that Bandai still goes forward with the Macross variable-MG Macross line. I know that most of the guys in this forum are traditional model kit builders. But personally, as a former traditional kit builder, I want to stay away from the logistical problems or traditional plastic kits (glue, paint, solvents, aerographer, etc... and having to maintain a "mini-warehouse" of all sorts of absolutely required sorts of supplies and tools). I don't want to sound lazy but I want to keep my hobbies simple, and I just like MG's so much because they don't require sophisticated and extensive tools and supplies! Just the 2 cents of a guy who loves MG's AND Kawamori variable designs ;-) By the way any news of the next Kawamori Mecha Porn show in the Macross franchise? Because in Macross Frontier we only have four quite similar designs until now (25, 27, 29, 171). Too bad the Macross franchise isn't as productive as the Gundam franchise! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet101 Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share Posted January 21, 2012 If you want a VF-171, you'll have to go with either this, this, or this. These have been up for auction for close to two years, with no takers. Mainly, because the guy is selling them for about double the price they were offered for at Wonderfest. Well i would buy one of those, but sadly I don't read a word of Japanese Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PetarB Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Transformability is not an issue in itself.... I disagree. Transformability means that compromises are made in the final scale representation - unsightly gaps, seams, proportions etc all combine to make the product less amenable to a proper scale representation. Basically more like a toy and less like a scale model. I do understand your frustration with having all the paraphernalia for scale modelling. Scale modellers love this sort of thing though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jefuemon Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 Well i would buy one of those, but sadly I don't read a word of Japanese If you're interested in bidding, drop Celga a line. I used them before I moved to Japan several times, with a pretty good success rate (got outbid once in the final minute on a Club M YF-19 kit). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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