HMR VF-2SS + SAP Silvie Gena reissue

[Sildani]

Rare earth magnets in fighter, then have the legs and arms attach via some flip-out pegs and flip-open holes for gerwalk and battroid.

[Chronocidal]

1 hour ago, Sildani said:

Rare earth magnets in fighter, then have the legs and arms attach via some flip-out pegs and flip-open holes for gerwalk and battroid.

I think both Evolution and the HMR used flip out pegs in some cases, but the only surface that's even viable is the side of the arm, which is just another moving part, and doesn't make it stable in the least because everything just shifts on its joints.  Using magnets would be great, but all of the limbs are literally floating in space with no physical contact surfaces to secure them to.  The arms don't touch the underside of the backplate, the legs don't actually touch the arms, and everything is just a pile of floating limbs.

I like the design well enough, but every time I pull the HMR out, I spend the overwhelming majority of the time handling it simply trying to get the parts to line up.  Nothing attaches to anything.. it's not inaccurate, it's just the nature of the design.

Edited January 22 by Chronocidal

[Bolt]

Sold my evolution version years ago . But i was glad someone gave it a shot. I'm eager to have the HMR version as that line has been great for me.

[kazuo]

Thanks all! Sounds like it's generally considered to be good, so I'll probably check out a few video reviews over the weekend, then decide for sure if I want to take the plunge. I should really just do it before I get stuck overpaying to resellers or secondhand toys... 🙃

[treatment]

from https://twitter.com/macrossD/status/1882427818690183364

Always-gorgeous longhair Ishtar makes spiffy new boxart...

web-translated:

[Stampeed Valkyrie]

So unless I am missing something,  this is the same as the original release.. except the Stand and different boxart correct?

Now I just need to determine if I want to double dip..

[jenius]

14 minutes ago, Stampeed Valkyrie said:

So unless I am missing something,  this is the same as the original release.. except the Stand and different boxart correct?

Now I just need to determine if I want to double dip..

Seems that way, same as they did recently for the VF-4 reissue. 

[Graham]

Love the new box art.

Hopefully Bandai use a better yellowing-resistant plastic for this re-release, as 3 of my original HMR VF-2SS have suffered some mild yellowing.

[twich]

2 hours ago, Graham said:

Love the new box art.

Hopefully Bandai use a better yellowing-resistant plastic for this re-release, as 3 of my original HMR VF-2SS have suffered some mild yellowing.

I have not had the yellowing issue with my NEXX release of the Hi-Metal R.  Here is hoping that Bandai is reissuing this to pave the way for a DX toy.

Twich

[Bolt]

On 1/23/2025 at 9:51 AM, Stampeed Valkyrie said:

So unless I am missing something,  this is the same as the original release.. except the Stand and different boxart correct?

Now I just need to determine if I want to double dip..

The new box art and stand are a must have for some Ishtar love.

 

13 hours ago, twich said:

I have not had the yellowing issue with my NEXX release of the Hi-Metal R.  Here is hoping that Bandai is reissuing this to pave the way for a DX toy.

Twich

That would be great if Bandai would release a DX version. 

[Graham]

19 hours ago, twich said:

I have not had the yellowing issue with my NEXX release of the Hi-Metal R.  Here is hoping that Bandai is reissuing this to pave the way for a DX toy.

Twich

Yeah, it's my Silvie VF-2SS that have the mild yellowing.

I think my Nexx is still fine. Need to dig him out from the back of the cabinet to check.

[Bobby]

So excited for this!

On 1/27/2025 at 7:54 PM, Graham said:

Yeah, it's my Silvie VF-2SS that have the mild yellowing.

I think my Nexx is still fine. Need to dig him out from the back of the cabinet to check.

For me it's the opposite, I have several as well and my Nexx is yellowing but my Silvie's are fine.

---

Today, Robert's MII Kickstarter passed along this message to all its backers...

The good folks at Bandai asked us to pass along this message...

Hello to all the North American Macross fans out there!

We've been amazed by the reception and all the love expressed by overseas fans for Macross II during AnimEigo's Kickstarter campaign -- so much so that we've decided to re-issue the HI-METAL R VF-2SS VALKYRIE II + SAP, now with a custom display stand and all-new illustrated box art!

Based on the iconic mecha piloted by Lt. Silvie Gena in the 1992 OVA, this fully articulated action figure is capable of transforming into Fighter, Gerwalk, and Battroid modes!

We'd like to take this opportunity to share the newly-commissioned box art with you all, featuring Silvie's VF-2SS, with Ishtar in the background. We hope you look forward to seeing how it looks on the product come this summer!

Thank you for your continued support of Macross!

More details here: https://tamashiiweb.com/item/15224/?wovn=en

[treatment]

Maybe they should also include an additional Nexx pilot in the Silvie Gena 2SS reissue to finally replace the Hibiki pilot on the Nexx-2SS...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MKT]

Nexx's came later than Silvie's, but like @Bobby, my Nexx is the one that's yellowing first.. 

[Bobby]

Being that we aren't privy as to what goes on behind the scenes/what it takes number-wise for Bandai to green light a re-issue, at least with the VF-2SS (a welcomed surprise) we get to see that $400,000's enough to help move their needle.

Edited February 28 by Bobby

[Jasonc]

I wasn't sure if I wanted one of these when they first came out the first time, but at some point, well after it was released, wanted one. With this release, and the price being low enough, decided to get one of these. If anything, the stand looks quite cool, so I'm happy about that. 

[m0n5t3r]

5 hours ago, Jasonc said:

I wasn't sure if I wanted one of these when they first came out the first time, but at some point, well after it was released, wanted one. With this release, and the price being low enough, decided to get one of these. If anything, the stand looks quite cool, so I'm happy about that. 

Same. Exactly. Plus, I was hoping a 1/60 version would be a viable option for me.

...excited and can't wait too that I rummaged through my old stuff that's stored away to find my CMs Ishtar 

Edited February 28 by m0n5t3r

[m0n5t3r]

On 2/26/2025 at 4:28 AM, Bobby said:

Another cool thing about these newer and reissued HMRs are the really nice box artwork, so much so that I've started wrapping these in clear plastic and "displaying" them on top of my toy display cabinets.

Edited February 28 by m0n5t3r

[sh9000]

If this comes with a schematic card or I find a good deal on one then I'll put it further up on the maybe list.  I already have multiples of the VF-2SS and VF-2SS Nexx.  Some are for customs.  None are yellowed.  The different packaging and stand hasn't made me jump on this release.  Tenjin still has the best HMR box art.

[MKT]

On 3/1/2025 at 6:37 AM, m0n5t3r said:

Another cool thing about these newer and reissued HMRs are the really nice box artwork, so much so that I've started wrapping these in clear plastic and "displaying" them on top of my toy display cabinets.

It's what I do as well haha.. The DX and Arcadia boxes are kept away in storage whilst the HMR boxes are just too nice that they have to be displayed. Also keeping all the boxes wrapped up in PP sealing plastic. 

Takeshi Nakamura's art is a nice alternative to Tenjin's, & am happy to have both working on the HMR stuff. I just find it weird higher priced DXs come in comparatively boring graphics. 

[m0n5t3r]

1 hour ago, MKT said:

It's what I do as well haha.. The DX and Arcadia boxes are kept away in storage whilst the HMR boxes are just too nice that they have to be displayed. Also keeping all the boxes wrapped up in PP sealing plastic. 

Takeshi Nakamura's art is a nice alternative to Tenjin's, & am happy to have both working on the HMR stuff. I just find it weird higher priced DXs come in comparatively boring graphics. 

Yeah, the artwork of both are very nice indeed. I appreciate them equally but I have a soft spot for the latest HMR releases coz they also feature characters from the respective shows, not just the VFs... I can just imagine Isamu on the box art of a HMR YF-19. C'mon Bandai, do it! 

Edited March 2 by m0n5t3r

[Phren]

I poke my head in here after forever and immediately see something I want. I guess this is just my fate. I have the ancient VF 2 model but I never trusted myself to build it

[Big s]

7 hours ago, Phren said:

I poke my head in here after forever and immediately see something I want. I guess this is just my fate. I have the ancient VF 2 model but I never trusted myself to build it

It was god for its time, but age really shows. Lots of awkward shapes and such. The hmr blows it away easily. Although, I would love to see a new hg kit of it along with other Macross 2 designs 

[treatment]

from TNO's twitter page for the HMR VF2SS Silvie reissue:

https://x.com/t_features/status/1935992534347792644

web-translated:

 

direct link to the video...

 

 

 

Edited June 20 by treatment

[treatment]

from

https://x.com/simsim5479/status/1936296824010387777

 

web-translated:

 

[treatment]

more from Heppoko Samurai...

https://x.com/simsim5479/status/1936440339533021307

web-translated:

 

[sh9000]

The thicker cardboard packaging is an improvement to the first release but I'll still hold and maybe get it later.

[MKT]

12 hours ago, treatment said:

more from Heppoko Samurai...

https://x.com/simsim5479/status/1936440339533021307

web-translated:

 

Hmm I can't really tell what does this change do again?

[hyp36rmax]

Mine shipped, looking forward to it soon.

[M'Kyuun]

Mine just arrived, a day early no less! I've been wanting a good toy of the VF-2SS for a very long time, and I've skipped every release until this one. In hand, it's a beautiful piece with a great deal of articulation, even the doors on the leg packs, which makes the point of making the landing gear partsform seem ludicrous by comparison, but IIWII. Anyway, compared to the HMR VF-4 and VF-0D that I own, this is a bit fiddlier and fragile. The legs tab into the arms in fighter, but the arms themselves don't tab into anything, at least that I could see or saw in the instructions, so they basically hang there by din of friction and your calibrated eyeballs to set them in the approximately appropriate positions. The left arm pauldron falls apart extremely easily on my copy and I may have to figure out the best place to add a touch of glue to keep it together without affecting its functionality. Those things are very small and easy to lose, especially when they're just hanging off the bottom of the plane and could fall off with the merest provocation. Thus far, I've only played a bit with the battroid, checking out the articulation (the knees are particularly involved) and then transforming it to fighter. In doing so, I was more acutely aware than ever before how much inspiration this took from the VF-1 and the intention by the Macross II creators for this to be its successor. While I believe in canon that role fell to the VF-4, a righteously awesome design in its own right, the VF-2SS indeed feels like an advancement of the original Valkyrie (VF-0 notwithstanding 😉) while being its own unique design. I think it's beautiful and I'm so glad to finally have a pretty accurately designed and well-articulated figure of it in my collection. After addressing that pauldron, I'll probably attempt to attach the SAP bits and get her all armored up.

Word of caution- those head antennae are really, really thin and fragile. despite having a plastic spacer in the box around the head to protect them, one of mine was ever so slightly bent so I moved to bend it straight and though I didn't break it, it felt like it gave a little too much and I'm rue to touch it again if I can help it. Fortunately, it comes with spare antennas, but I'd rather not break the ones I have so I'm trying to manipulate them solely at the base as much as possible. Probably goes without saying for most of you, but I'll put the caution out there anyway. 

To quote Stevie Wonder, "Isn't she lovely? Isn't she wonderful?"

[Tking22]

The slightly longer head tab seems to be the only real difference between this and the original release, so I think I'm good and can pass on this, cool box I guess?

[M'Kyuun]

1 hour ago, Tking22 said:

The slightly longer head tab seems to be the only real difference between this and the original release, so I think I'm good and can pass on this, cool box I guess?

I didn't own the previous version, and I suspect the new tab is an improvement. It was nice and secure when I transformed it, so it does its job. The box art was specially done, likewise the stand, but I prefer to let the toy speak for itself. I think this is the perfect scale to execute this design; any larger and challenges are going to arise with striking a good balance between getting strong multiple joints to support the legs and their becoming too large and ungainly. I'd still love to see Arcadia take a stab at it, what with their history of innovative solutions, but as it stands, I think everything balances out about as well as it can with the HMR. The VF-2SS is just a neat looking design and I'm really happy to finally have a nice toy.

[Tking22]

24 minutes ago, M'Kyuun said:

I didn't own the previous version, and I suspect the new tab is an improvement. It was nice and secure when I transformed it, so it does its job. The box art was specially done, likewise the stand, but I prefer to let the toy speak for itself. I think this is the perfect scale to execute this design; any larger and challenges are going to arise with striking a good balance between getting strong multiple joints to support the legs and their becoming too large and ungainly. I'd still love to see Arcadia take a stab at it, what with their history of innovative solutions, but as it stands, I think everything balances out about as well as it can with the HMR. The VF-2SS is just a neat looking design and I'm really happy to finally have a nice toy.

Yeah the VF-2 is a crazy design with a lot of anime magic going on, this scale serves the design well. That said, I'm sure a company more competent then Evo Toy can make a better, bigger scaled VF-2, the Evo Toy figure wasn't bad because the VF-2 design, it was bad because the Evo Toy figure was just bad. 

[M'Kyuun]

8 hours ago, Tking22 said:

Yeah the VF-2 is a crazy design with a lot of anime magic going on, this scale serves the design well. That said, I'm sure a company more competent then Evo Toy can make a better, bigger scaled VF-2, the Evo Toy figure wasn't bad because the VF-2 design, it was bad because the Evo Toy figure was just bad. 

😄 Yeah, there was a lot to be desired with that figure. The cringe was strong with that toy, and it only grew cringier with every new review. I suspect a lot of fans bought it out of desperation, just that desire to finally own a fully transforming toy of it. I won't lie; I had my eye on it initially, but right outta the gate, there were issues, inaccuracies, niggles that weren't resolved (kinda like Bandai's YF-21, but I bought it anyway- so much for will power 😜). I did pass on the Evolution Toy VF-2 though. It just didn't come close to matching the level of quality or design that we were used to from Yamato/Arcadia or even Bandai. Admittedly, as you said, it's a challenging design to accomplish in a functional toy. The team that designed the HMR earned their kudos for making everything work as it should mechanically (other than landing gear- SMH) which means there are a lot of moving parts on this little toy. Not only did they nail the functionality, though, but the aesthetics are largely uncompromised, AND they included the SAP, with its own functional bits, as an independent piece that can snap on to the plane unlike a lot of earlier toys and models. If I have one complaint, and it's minor, it's that the HMR fixed pose hands are always a bit too large for the figures generally dwarfing the retractable hands that also come with them. They're an unfortunate bit of necessary partsforming, like the gear, if you want to take full advantage of the figure. I wish there was a happy medium where the retractable hands were just a tiny bit bigger and capable of holding the weapons. It's but a small grievance, as I'm quite impressed with all three of my HMR valks and the levels of mechanical functionality they enjoy as compared to their larger more expensive counterparts. With my available display space all but gone, I welcome these smaller alternatives to the 1/60 scaled toys and hope Bandai will continue to develop other valkyrie designs in the line.