04.06.09
Yamato 1/200 Variable Fighter Collection Series 2
Observations & Critique: Mini Macross Part II
Nothing much has changed in regard to the packaging since the original VFC except that Yamato is no longer including a flyer on the next release. For a full review, click here to see my review of VFC 1. Beyond the flyer you still get a big black box full of smaller colored boxes that contain a well-packaged toy and display stand.
Lots of people love chase figures but many more are annoyed by them and those annoyed people seem to have Yamato’s ear. There is no real chase figure with the newest collection. Whereas VFC 1 came with 10 pieces, 9 standard and 1 bonus, the VFC 2 comes with all 12 possible pieces. What would be a chase, if it were at all limited, is a “Show event” VF-1A that I really liked the look of. Chalk that up to yet another paint scheme that would have been better than those 25th anniversary schemes Yamato produced. Macross Gashapon collectors will continue to eat these up but VFC#1 is now universally on sale in many toy stores.
At this scale the detail and care on these is pretty amazing. There are some prepainted emblems and plenty of little extra touches. The wash doesn’t look too heavy this time around although it’s clear that the VF-1S is meant to have been through a few battles.
It looks to me like the YF-21 isn’t scaled properly in comparision to the YF-19. Beyond that these VFC figures are easy to put together and the display stands work well (although the battroid stands could offer a bit more stability).
These are pricey for gashapon toys but they’re not made entirely of PVC so there shouldn’t be many warped parts. The only issue I had with my toys was my VF-5000 battroid which has a peg for the arm that is too large for its corresponding hole (with a lot of effort I can kind of make it work but it’s definitely not perfect).
Don’t anticipate having a lot of fun posing these toys. They are very nice looking as is and that’s pretty much all there is too it. Sure, you can reposition the arms slightly (and the neck of the VF-5000’s GERWALK) but don’t plan on creating exciting duels.
Yamato has already announced wave 3 so things look good for a 1/200 Macrossiverse. The next wave will feature the VF-X, VF-4, VF-1D, fan jet, and fan racer. This is a pretty easy set to recommend for gashapon fans with some money to spare.
Kyp Durron said,
April 10, 2009 at 6:08 pm
They look as good as I had hoped, but they’re still too damned expensive, in my opinion. I’ll have to look for the fighter modes on Ebay I guess as they’re the only ones I’m really interested in anyways.
MechTech said,
April 19, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Thanks AGAIN for a great review! I loved the first set (bought three). I also had to buy three to get all three of the “chase” model (that was cool). Now I’m glad they put FOUR versions that are complete in this version.
By the way, I loved your COMPREHENSIVE reviews of the MPC and Aoshima Legios and MPC TREAD models. I bought an Aoshima (they fixed some of the plastic issues) and an MPC TREAD. A few modifications here and there and I’ll have the best of both worlds! – MT
Sketch said,
April 23, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Awesome review. I’m seriously considering picking these up for the VF-9, and the upcoming VF-3000.
I was wondering, would you mind measuring the length and wingspan of the VF-9 in fighter mode, as well as the height in Battroid mode? The reason I ask is because there are no published specs for this right now, and you’d be helping fill in one of the gaps in current canon.
Thanks again for a great review.
micronian said,
April 25, 2009 at 5:32 pm
I just cleaned my place from top to bottom searching for my tape measure but it has vanished. Sorry, if it pops back up I’ll be sure to let you know but it looks like it won’t be any time soon.
Sketch said,
May 1, 2009 at 6:23 am
how about a scale pic of it next to a VF-1?