DX Chogokin VF-31A Kairos - Macross Delta 10th Anniversary

[Chronocidal]

1 minute ago, Seto Kaiba said:

Wasn't the problem that it was a web exclusive because they didn't think anyone would want the CF version compared to the character models, only for it to turn out to be a high-demand item that got scalped to hell and back?

See, this is the part that I'm not sure if we've ever gotten any truth about, and probably never will.

The rumor/excuse at the time was that Bandai had production issues with the paint, and it caused them to cut production.  Granted, this was also deep in the midst of the Great Nippon-Yasan Fustercluckening, so any news anyone had was probably at least partially polluted by their customer gaslighting service.

What I suspected was going on was that Bandai truly didn't expect any heavy demand for a CF variant from the domestic customers, and never made that many to begin with.  That smaller production run might have truthfully been reduced further due to production problems, if the stories are to be believed.

What's not really clear though is where the scalping began (you know, beside NY).  I actually half expect that some of it came from Japanese collectors who picked them up just to complete their own collection, only to discover they could make a tidy profit on the international market thanks to those silly international military aircraft enthusiasts.

I would love nothing more than to see all of the prices of the old 31As tank after this, but I doubt they'll really drop that much.  What I think is probably more likely is for this one to wind up discounted at Amazon.  

[Mommar]

I'm not sure where to try to pick this up.  HLJ are no longer honest brokers, in my opinion.

[rsvictor1976]

3 minutes ago, Mommar said:

I'm not sure where to try to pick this up.  HLJ are no longer honest brokers, in my opinion.

It's been a while since I ordered from HLJ, but did they always charge a handling fee on top of their shipping? I don't recall that being the case before. 

[MKT]

Under other circumstances, this would look like a lazy repaint. But Bandai must have recognized the 31A has quite some pent-up demand. Wait, previous release was a TWE and TWE rule of thumb means no reissues? No problem, just add in a small Walkure emblem, change the modex & call it a 10th Anniversary and call it day. But it's the right move this time lol.

Bandai didn't even go with Arad's version. Also, if it's a proper anniversary celebration it would be some gaudy paint scheme.

[Knuckles7173]

So far, 2 sites has listings. Am sure others will soon follow suit.

1) Ami-ami
https://www.amiami.com/eng/detail?gcode=FIGURE-193946

2) Nin-Nin Games
https://www.nin-nin-game.com/en/dx-chogokin/206211-dx-chogokin-macross-delta-vf-31a-kairos-delta-10-ver-bandai-spirits-.html

[Chronocidal]

My go-to has been AE lately, but if this one goes international, it might not be worth scrambling.

[dur]

I used to own two VF-31A's but sold one when I was tight on toy funds.

 

This is a great opportunity for me to fix that mistake!  I LOVE the low-viz schemes.  I just wish they'd release the kairos armor and super parts, in which case I'd pick up even more!

[davidwhangchoi]

Will wait for Tariff's to lift. Can't risk it.  

good reissue though

[gabuyan]

Avaliable for purchase at Nin-nin now.

 

https://www.nin-nin-game.com/en/dx-chogokin/206211-dx-chogokin-macross-delta-vf-31a-kairos-delta-10-ver-bandai-spirits-.html

Edited yesterday at 07:39 AM by gabuyan

[Chronocidal]

Up for sale at AE now, so I grabbed one.  We'll see if they show up on Amazon later, but I'm just happy to see it show up again.

https://anime-export.com/index.php?product=99137

[kajnrig]

HLJ https://www.hlj.com/dx-chogokin-vf-31a-kairos-macross-delta-10th-anniv-banc723086

[mechaninac]

Hobby Search https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/11282596

[treatment]

2 hours ago, davidwhangchoi said:

Will wait for Tariff's to lift. Can't risk it.  

good reissue though

 

yup. hope they bring back deminimis and stuff...

 

 

 

[seti88]

Snagged one at HLJ....got a weird message though when ordering..seems like this pre-order at HLJ can't be cancelled because its past due date..?

anyhow just wanted the one...although its tempting to squadron build cannon fodder valks...

what a difference from the old 31A pre-order!! No F5 keys used!

Edited yesterday at 10:22 AM by seti88

[ArchieNov]

As much as I like the Kairos, I think I'm good with the old one I have. Funny thing is, the main reason I wouod want to get the reissue is because I want the newer box that doesn't use styrofoam. Helps prevent yellowing while stored in the box.

Now that I think about it, maybe I should get the reissue just for that. But not sure if I'll preorder or just wait until release date and get it at a discount like how the VF-19 is already discounted now.

[recon]

2 hours ago, kajnrig said:

HLJ https://www.hlj.com/dx-chogokin-vf-31a-kairos-macross-delta-10th-anniv-banc723086

Tks. Secured one via HLJ cos amiami too slow

[seti88]

3 hours ago, davidwhangchoi said:

Will wait for Tariff's to lift. Can't risk it.  

good reissue though

if only some of the administration/courts were macross fan's...ahem..section xx exclusions...macross!

what a timing though for US folks...just when the 31A is being released again...

someone tell bandai to hold on iconic releases..

Edited yesterday at 10:36 AM by seti88

[Special Sauce]

If they had made supers for the 31A I would be more inclined to keep mine instead of trying to sell it 

[Paco Grande]

I still haven't seen Delta and don't really care about it, but I don't own a 31 yet and I love the paint scheme on this one. I'm not a fan of the graphics on the other Delta valks. Anyway it was really nice to be able to just casually buy this at retail from AE instead of the usual striking out on pre-order madness night and then paying way more later for the WWM release in North America. Very refreshing! It was like buying a Takara product! So easy. 

[Test_Pilot_2]

Snagged one at Nin-Nin... I had a mountain of Vouchers to throw at it so it canceled all the extra tariffs and shipping.

Pretty excited as I really like this Kairos.

[Sildani]

Nin-nin and HLJ are order stop, PO'd one from AE. Yen to USD is pretty good, so I don't mind ponying up one last time. 

I AM worried about the QC though. The 31 Siegfried/Kairos mold was great, but it was the assembly that made them the best Valkyries Bandai produced. Ever since COVID, it's been a crapshoot, and more bad than good.

Still, this is the one I always wanted, with the LO paint and missiles in the legs.

And holy cow, as I was writing this AE has sold out! PO madness, one.. last... time...

[treatment]

7 minutes ago, Sildani said:

And holy cow, as I was writing this AE has sold out! PO madness, one.. last... time...

 

Unless otherwise noted, AE usually has limit-one policy.   So you will usually see "sold out" once you placed your own order, but it'll still be open to others that haven't.

 

 

 

[Bolt]

Hlj was also 1 per. Got mine last night.  

[Mommar]

Looks like I'll be at 6 31A's.

[Bolt]

2 hours ago, Mommar said:

Looks like I'll be at 6 31A's.

Lol bragger  

You gotta put together a hanger diorama mate 

[dur]

3 hours ago, Mommar said:

Looks like I'll be at 6 31A's.

If it were easy for me to change the modex number, I'd do the same!  But I have too much OCD, LOL.

[Mommar]

4 hours ago, Bolt said:

Lol bragger  

You gotta put together a hanger diorama mate 

Unfortunately I don't have that kind of time.

4 hours ago, dur said:

If it were easy for me to change the modex number, I'd do the same!  But I have too much OCD, LOL.

Why do you have to change it?  Why can't your shelf be a reflection of one of those Movie posters or Artwork where it's the same Valk/Pilot in different modes at different angles?

[borgified]

I would be definitely interested in getting one, but the Postal Strike up in Canuckle Land is still screwing everything up. If an opportunity does arrive to pick one up, it’s possibly going up cost up to $500 Beaver Pelt funds (otherwise I’m going to stick with Mirage’s 31ax and the Chronos).

[sh9000]

Ordered 2 at Nin-Nin-Game.  Definitely skipped HLJ.

[MKT]

9 hours ago, Mommar said:

Looks like I'll be at 6 31A's.

That'll be quite a fleet! 31A is really the best 31 design.

[seti88]

Hmm I wonder if it’s possible in the future for Bandai to provide a decal sheet of Modex numbers with each CF release. So that folks can ‘apply’ the decals themselves…would imagine this would encourage more sales of the CF valks for Bandai…

Of course not sure if collectors would view it as imperfect since there is an extra step of adding decals..

 

elsE maybe an extra tailfin for numbering but that would mean not have modex numbers on anywhere except the tailfins…..

Would be a kick to have valks numbered in sequence on a display..

Edited 11 hours ago by seti88

[PointBlankSniper]

27 minutes ago, seti88 said:

would imagine this would encourage more sales

Bandai has no intention of making bank off of these, or it wouldn't be so ultra low stock comepared to the rest of the WWM stuff that we're basically back at PO madness lol