The Macross Thread

[LigerPrime]

Originally Posted by Night Flame

I don't know if I'd say that. My 1/48 and 1/60 Valks have plenty of tiny moving pieces that don't have problems. My biggest worry would be in buying first-run versions of Yamato toys. I love them dearly, but they tend to make a BIG amount of improvements in subsequent releases and re-releases. Heck, sometimes even later toys released in the initial run will have vast improvements over the first shipment.

That said, it never hurts to be cautious. Took me four years to work up the nerve to buy a 1/48 after I heard the initial problems with the first run. Seems to have worked out well for me, as I've had literally ZERO problems with any of my 1/48s.

yeah, I was paranoid too when I heard about the various problems in the first run. Thankfully, Yamato fixed up all of them in the subsequent runs...now that's something I hope Takaratomy does with Master Piece Starscream...

[Mega Convoy]

Are we talking about completely separate runs here or just further along in the production? The reason I ask is that I don't want the toy to sell out completely. Generally, do most Japanese toys get at least two separate runs before being retired? This would make the difference to me whether to buy it on preorder or wait until reviews start coming in and problems are (hopefully) addressed for the next run.

On a related note, has anyone ever heard of Wave before? I'm sorely tempted by that new SDF-1 coming but don't want to invest in a starter company's first effort, or worse, one that doesn't have that great a reputation already.

[Fort Max]

Wave have been making nice resin & plastic models for years, this is just a little expansion for them.
They have a good reputation but no previous actual toys to go on.

[Night Flame]

Originally Posted by Mega Convoy

Are we talking about completely separate runs here or just further along in the production?

A little bit of both actually. Yamato has a nice network of fan-feedback that they use to address issues almost immediately at the factory level as soon as the first round of toys make their way out to people. The guy who runs Macrossworld.com is one of them. It was his suggestion that made them change the way they packaged the 1/60 VF-0S to put the tail flaps down to prevent snapping off the little points on them. So, even within one production run you'll see subtle/easy changes. Within subsequent production runs, you'll see all kinds of changes. It's my understanding that the first 1/48s had solid leg attachement. The newer runs can have the legs removed if you so desire, giving a wide slide which allows for better posability. Mostly because that's what was suggested to them through their fan feedback network. It would be nice if Takara had something similar in place.

[Mega Convoy]

I agree that would be nice. Is it a pretty regular thing for things to be given a second production run or reissued in Japan exactly the same, no difference in packaging? It's not something I'm used to for the U.S. Seems odd too since Japan has so many "collectibles"

[Night Flame]

Originally Posted by Mega Convoy

I agree that would be nice. Is it a pretty regular thing for things to be given a second production run or reissued in Japan exactly the same, no difference in packaging? It's not something I'm used to for the U.S. Seems odd too since Japan has so many "collectibles"

I don't know. I only really pay attention to Yamato and Takara. Yamato does it quite a bit because they usually put out a run, give the same mold new colors, put out that version, then put out yet another version, then somewhere down the line come back to the original without packaging changes, but incorporating all the other changes they've made in the mold since the original. Takara, as far as I know, doesn't do it much. Only one I'm currently aware of that's exactly the same is the re-release of MP01, which I think was Korean, but otherwise exactly the same as the original (save the chest actually being lined up this time).

[CdnShockwave]

Originally Posted by Night Flame

I don't know. I only really pay attention to Yamato and Takara. Yamato does it quite a bit because they usually put out a run, give the same mold new colors, put out that version, then put out yet another version, then somewhere down the line come back to the original without packaging changes, but incorporating all the other changes they've made in the mold since the original. Takara, as far as I know, doesn't do it much. Only one I'm currently aware of that's exactly the same is the re-release of MP01, which I think was Korean, but otherwise exactly the same as the original (save the chest actually being lined up this time).

Oh yeah, Yamato really likes to milk the repaints and countless re-releases, can't say I blame them either (since I've bought most of them).

As far as changes to molds, you guys are absolutely right, Yamato does make various changes and improvements to their molds for repaints and re-releases. The second run of the 1/60 VF-0S was vastly improved from the first, and the VF-0A has all those improvements. You can probably expect the first run of the YF-19 to have a few minor hicups (I don't know of any at the moment, as Graham says the thing is f***ing beautiful) which will get fixed through subsequent runs and repaints. I'll keep an eye out on the MW boards for any problems that arise and keep you guys posted. I, for one, and really looking forward to the YF-19... so much so I pre-ordered two.

[Subotnik]

Originally Posted by Night Flame

Yamato has a nice network of fan-feedback that they use to address issues almost immediately

Also known as a public beta.

There's nothing quite so satisfying as paying $150 to help other people get a product that doesn't suffer from terrible design flaws.

[Night Flame]

Originally Posted by Subotnik

Also known as a public beta.

There's nothing quite so satisfying as paying $150 to help other people get a product that doesn't suffer from terrible design flaws.

Eh. In this case it's pretty much a known thing though. It's like buying a software package on release day. You know there's going to be problems, and that you'd probably be better off waiting a bit. But, if you have to be the first to own it.

And, aside from that, it's not like any of the Yamatos have suffered from being MP03 like disasters. Only things I've heard have been minor quibbles with stability of joints and packaging problems causing some breakage, which most stores are willing to swap for you anyway.

[pinoy78]

All seven of my 1/48's are free of broken parts and I still don't see any type of stress marks. Whew.

Aside from a few loose knee armors I've had nearly zero problems with their merchandise.

Consider me lucky.