@Legate - Did you pick up any new DX VF-1 for this year or waiting to see what pops up during the Tamashii Nations show this November?
Up for grabs on Okini… https://okini.land/en/24937-dx-chokokin-vf-1j-armored-valyrie-hikaru-ichijyo-bandai-spirits.html Go go go!!
Yep. $411 shipped EMS to the States. https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/gp/pr...ox_sc_saved_image_1?smid=A2LT7EV5MSY360&psc=1
Might come out the same on my end depending on what Okini will charge for shipping. Amazon JP can be a hit or miss when it comes to packaging as well. Anyway, options for those that want it. I'm good with my POs.
Unfortunately, with AMJ for ppl in CA, like me, they take off the 10% consumption tax but tack on the 9.25% CA and county tax. So it’s pretty much a wash. Sux, so I went with okini for a second copy. Okini came out to $403 shipped via FedEx.
Yeah, it looks like they do. I went through the checkout process and basically no discounts. Used to be 10%.
Sorry if I am asking a stupid question here, but I have not followed Robotech/macross toys for absolute ages and have no idea how they have developed. Is that the transformable Valkerie at the center of this set? Its a bit hard to figure out as all the picturses i find on advertising focuses on the armor parts.
There are two ways to get the GBP armor. You can get it as a stand alone to use with a Valk you alreday have or will be getting (the latter a bad choice because of the cost of used VF-1J's). Or, you can buy the armor in a set with the Valk which is by far the best bang for the buck if you don't have a Valk yet. The armor only is going to run you about $200 shipped to the US The full set with armor and Valk will run you about $420 shipped to the US.
I was sleepy last night. I should have added the caveat that depending on where you live your tax and shipping cost will fluctuate some. I'm in Michigan. AmazonJP was less expensive the Okini to me by a few bucks. Kind of a moot point at the moment. AmazonJP doesn't have them up right now shipped directly to the US. Okini still had them up as of a few minutes ago though.
Alright, still a hefty chunk of change. What other options are there for a "good" transformable Valk.
You could look into 2nd hand or used ones from Arcadia. I would assume those would have gone down in price.
Macross stuff is pricey. Do you want just the Valk or the GBP and Valk? If you want just a good Valk and into it for as little as possible I'd say get a Yamato 1/48 or 1/60. Or an Arcadia 1/60. The Arcadia 1/60 is going to probably be the best quality. I personally do not like the sculpt or the 1/60 size. Too small. I like the Yamato 1/48's as my second choice (first being the 1/48 Bandai DX). You can pick up the Yamato's and Arcadia's second hand for less than the Bandai stuff. Roughly you're looking at $200 for the Yamato/Arcadia's and $300 for the Bandai DX's. IMO if you're spending $200, just spend $300 and get the top dog. Right now this is probably the best deal going on a DX. And also happens to be what most considered the most iconic version. Skull One. Bandai DX Chogokin First Limited Edition VF-1S Valkyrie Roy Focker Special | eBay Not a whole lot. And the Yamato 1/48's have a lot bigger shipping cost than a DX (if you're getting it out of JP).
The least expensive Yamato 1/48 on feeBay is $201 for a VF-1S Hikaru used The least expensive Yamato 1/60 V2 on feeBay is $200 for a VF-1S Roy used The least expensive Arcadia 1/60 on feeBay is $250 for a VF-1S Hikaru wth Strike Packs new (pretty good get really) Mandrake doesn't have any Yamato 1/48 VF-1S's in stock. If they did you would be looking at about $250 shipped for used. Mandrake has some Yamato 1/60 V2's for about $200 shipped. $275ish with Strike Parts. Mandrake has Arcadia 1/60's for about $225 shipped (without Strike Parts). $325 with Strike Parts. If you're looking for Strike Parts (who isn't?) the Arcadia 1/60's seem like the best bet. That is unless you really prefer a 1/48. Or, if you don't mind a knock off you can get a Valk Factory 1/60 with Strike Parts for about $200. They're not bad toys. They're not good either. Definitely not an Arcadia.
I am mainly looking for a Valk. BUt the I cant deny that the armored valk looks pretty damn nice. Does look like it might sell out fast. If the ones on amazon shipped here it would certainly tempt me hard. It does seem like the valks get sold out fast and most ways to get them are second hand or need some digging to find. I did find this VF-1J Macross 35th Anniversary Painting Machine (Reissue) as a ready to go sell. Not an orthodox colours scheme that goes with any specific character, but I kinda like it. Probably going to wait a bit and see if if the amazon one opens up for shipping here and what kind of cash i have and have the Arcadia one as backup.
