Hi-Metal R

[m0n5t3r]

Now if only Bandai did this for valks and other figures that are being scalped on the secondary market. 

[vladykins]

On 2/23/2026 at 4:29 PM, physioguy said:

I'm hopefull the upcoming smaller scale Wave destroid models will scale nicely with HMR... just in case the line doesn't get finished.

I'm so awful with models so I keep hoping for HMR. 

[Big s]

18 minutes ago, vladykins said:

I'm so awful with models so I keep hoping for HMR. 

No better time than now to learn some new skills. The wave ones are supposed to be snap kits for an easy build. Maybe try a couple cheap entry grade kits to get a feel. One for slapping together and maybe one to try something like minor paint and decals

[Black Valkyrie]

 

The only other VF  should get a Hi Metal-R treatment is the VF-11, it never got too much attention, yet its transformation is not that difficult . 

  

[jenius]

With the 19Kai done, a Macross Plus line alternating with Macross7 variants would be amazing. I was surprised to see how many people were against the 19Kai mold though.

[locidm]

I like the VF-19 Kai mold, it's a fun transformation just like the Yamato. It did seem like a few of the people who're NOT fond of it never purchased one.

Edited February 25 by locidm

[505thAirborne]

I've said it before & stand by it, build some SV-51's and the VF-11 and milk that mold for all it's worth! 

[jenius]

1 hour ago, locidm said:

I like the VF-19 Kai mold, it's a fun transformation just like the Yamato. It did seem like a few of the people who're NOT fond of it never purchased one.

I would say it's more fun to transform than the Yamato, the parts all move more smoothly with the ratchets less brutal. A YF-19 would be an insta buy for me.

[Big s]

2 hours ago, jenius said:

With the 19Kai done, a Macross Plus line alternating with Macross7 variants would be amazing. I was surprised to see how many people were against the 19Kai mold though.

Never cared for the Kai, I think it’s the face, but would’ve got the blazers

[M'Kyuun]

1 hour ago, jenius said:

With the 19Kai done, a Macross Plus line alternating with Macross7 variants would be amazing. I was surprised to see how many people were against the 19Kai mold though.

Agree- they've got the VF/YF transformation down, so I could see a YF-19, still one of the most popular Macross valks, selling like hotcakes in the HMR line. I fear they'd probably just downscale their flawed 1/60 YF-21 for the HMR line without fixing any of the fans' criticisms, despite the fact that its smaller size would be a boon. At the very least, integrate the backpack connection. A VF-11 would be welcome, too. I think Yamato was the last company to make a transforming toy of it, and that was circa 2010-11. It's well overdue a new toy, and the HMR scale offers just about everything that the 1/60 scaled toys do, minus integrated landing gear for some inexplicable reason, at a lower cost and at a more space-friendly size.

I'd love to have an Sv-51 in the HMR line, too. I have the old Yammie, but the joints are a bit loose and wobbly so I don't mess with it. At HMR scale, it'd be a little more playable, methinks.

We need some obscure designs in HMR as well: the VF-9, the VF-14, the VF-5000, the Variable Glaug, just to name a few.

[sh9000]

I would love it if somehow 3rd party Transformers companies were able to make HMR Valkyrie variants and Destroids that Bandai won't release.

[Lolicon]

Hi Metal Reissue

[M'Kyuun]

8 hours ago, sh9000 said:

I would love it if somehow 3rd party Transformers companies were able to make HMR Valkyrie variants and Destroids that Bandai won't release.

Yeah, that'd be great. They're probably afraid of Bandai's lawyers. Given the decades of Harmony Gold's questionable shenanigans, Big West don't seem to be as litigious. It'd be great if more legit companies sought a Macross license: Sentinel, Pose+, LEGO (personal wishlist), Moderoid, Toyrise, just off the top of my head.  I'd love to see the day when Macross overtakes Gundam, but, yeah, I'm dreaming. That'd be my ideal reality, though- every retail store stocked to the gills with tons of Macross toys form numerous manufacturers spanning the roster from obscure mecha like the M7 variable Police Vehicle, the Octos, the Variable Glaug to perennial favorites like the VF-1 (eat it HG!), the VF-25, and the YF/VF-19.

Hopefully the next Macross installment whips up some popularity for the brand globally with some decent advertising and press to interest the uninitiated as well as old timers. A strong surge of popularity might induce other companies to take a gamble on the license, and further HG's journey into obscurity in the process. There's still a sizeable roster of Macross mecha that has never received a model or toy and I'd love to see that list get shorter.

[vladykins]

14 hours ago, sh9000 said:

I would love it if somehow 3rd party Transformers companies were able to make HMR Valkyrie variants and Destroids that Bandai won't release.

Other than KC (once they finally release them)? Granted, the scale is 1/72 instead.

[Radioguy]

16 hours ago, sh9000 said:

I would love it if somehow 3rd party Transformers companies were able to make HMR Valkyrie variants and Destroids that Bandai won't release.

Good God, yes. Even non-canon weird Joon-like colors like sofubi would be great too.

Seeing 3P go hard on TF seekers to that point always hurts to see through Macross fan lenses.

7 hours ago, M'Kyuun said:

Yeah, that'd be great. They're probably afraid of Bandai's lawyers. Given the decades of Harmony Gold's questionable shenanigans, Big West don't seem to be as litigious. It'd be great if more legit companies sought a Macross license: Sentinel, Pose+, LEGO (personal wishlist), Moderoid, Toyrise, just off the top of my head.  I'd love to see the day when Macross overtakes Gundam, but, yeah, I'm dreaming. That'd be my ideal reality, though- every retail store stocked to the gills with tons of Macross toys form numerous manufacturers spanning the roster from obscure mecha like the M7 variable Police Vehicle, the Octos, the Variable Glaug to perennial favorites like the VF-1 (eat it HG!), the VF-25, and the YF/VF-19.

Hopefully the next Macross installment whips up some popularity for the brand globally with some decent advertising and press to interest the uninitiated as well as old timers. A strong surge of popularity might induce other companies to take a gamble on the license, and further HG's journey into obscurity in the process. There's still a sizeable roster of Macross mecha that has never received a model or toy and I'd love to see that list get shorter.

I feel like Valkyrie Factory/Fugu could take advantage of the situation easily. They recently did KOs of a post-SDFM model fast pack set (forgetting which atm, but was stunned by it), and I think they are responsible for the recent KO Yamato glow sticker sheets, and the SDF-1 scaled valks and destroids too released in time for the Arcadia SDF-1 reissue. If they are, they would likely release the CF and Angel Bird they proto'd if there's some serious uptick in the SDFM fandom (live action film?) at least.

For DX, though...well, SH MonsterArts, Figuarts, and their Godzilla/Ultraman vinyl releases have long been KO'd. It's not as if Bandai is that powerful.

2 hours ago, vladykins said:

Other than KC (once they finally release them)? Granted, the scale is 1/72 instead.

Never a deal-killer to me. To have one fully articulated version of a character at any scale trumps scaling it to a preexisting contemporary character release. It's great when it is made with pairing in mind, but I'd sooner take a great IRL realization of a character versus none at all.

[M'Kyuun]

On 2/25/2026 at 2:45 PM, Big s said:

Never cared for the Kai, I think it’s the face, but would’ve got the blazers

I'm not as crazy about the Kai as other VF-19 variants either, mostly due to the red and yellow color scheme. The face is an odd design choice, but I can live with it. Back when Yamato released all their VF-19 toy, I went in on the blue and yellow Blazer. I would've preferred the blue and white one, but I don't remember why I didn't get it instead. Anyway, I passed on their Kai, although I thought, and still think, the mold was gorgeous. Fast forward to present, I went in on the HMR Kai as it just seemed like a good take, the smaller scale and lower price appealing, and my desire to own a decent modern toy of it greater than my old bias. No regrets; it's well done, looks beautiful  across modes, is easy to handle, and it scratches the itch to own the hero valk from M7. I hope they eventually give us a proper VF-17 and not a downscaled version of their craptastic 1/60 VF-171 retool. 

Honestly, in my limited experience, the HMR line is so well executed, I have to wonder why the offerings in the line are so few and the variety of valk designs so sparse. They should be milking it for all it's worth, cranking out as many designs as possible with all the recolors and variants thereof for max profitability while giving the fans maximum Macross mecha love for their collections.

[Big s]

1 hour ago, M'Kyuun said:

Honestly, in my limited experience, the HMR line is so well executed, I have to wonder why the offerings in the line are so few and the variety of valk designs so sparse. They should be milking it for all it's worth, cranking out as many designs as possible with all the recolors and variants thereof for max profitability while giving the fans maximum Macross mecha love for their collections.

Yeah, Macross is hot right now and especially the non og stuff after they got added to Hulu. But for some reason they’re pumping out Votoms like crazy. Don’t get me wrong, I love Votoms, but it doesn’t have the worldwide popularity that Macross has.