10.31.12
Accessories for Yamato 1/60 (version 2) VF-1: Grenade Box Protection
Observations & Critique: Includes regular and exclusive releases
The 1/60 V2 GBP is currently available in three different packages that were released in the following order:
1) GBP with Hikaru VF-1J Gray Goggle Version Gift-set
2) GBP with missile launch effect (Yamato web exclusive)
3) GBP stand alone
The packages for the gift-set and the web exclusive toys are remarkably similar right down to being the same size. The stand-alone GBP comes in a box the size of a regular release VF-1 toy (that box is not pictured here). All GBP toys come with the following:
1) The GBP armor
2) 2 pairs of fixed posed hands
3) 2 Battroid side-gap covers
4) 1 Battroid neck-gap cover
5) 2 pairs of Front and back foot enlargement pieces
6) Display stand connector
7) Instructions (not pictured)
8) Stickers
As one would expect, the gift-set comes with a V2 VF-1J Valkyrie and the Yamato exclusive comes with missile launching pieces.
The Yamato Exclusive GBP probably has the most collectability although it initially received a tepid response. The Yamato Exclusive and the first release of the GBP+Hik Gift-set can be deciphered from later issues by the number “1″ painted on the chest armor. The exclusive GBP has started getting harder to come by but I doubt it will ever be a must-have item for most collectors. That rings even more true for the other releases of the GBP but Yamato has done a good job keeping production runs low and preventing massive mark-downs. The 1/60 V2 GBP+Hikaru VF-1J giftset initially went on sale in December 2009 for 16,800 Yen. The stand alone GBP was released in May 2010 for 6,800 Yen.
The line art comparison doesn’t lie, this is a fantastic representation of the hockey-goalie armor. The paint job is impressive, featuring key details painted to the toy including the yellow emblem on the waist and numbers on the forearm (and chest in early versions). I also liked the gold trim painted to the boosters on the back. This is an accessory where the incorrect placement of the VF-1 toy’s head in battroid works to the benefit of the extra parts. On the 1/48 GBP the chest armor is massive and makes it so that the battroid would not be able to look down past its chest. Yamato’s dedication to capturing the anime look led to the inclusion of the side/neck covers and feet enlargement parts. There was definitely some foresight in the planning of the VF-1 toys as they feature a leg fin which lays flat for the installation of the GBP armor parts which allowed Yamato to make smaller leg armors to better emulate the art.
While not quite as impressive in its level of allowable deconstruction as the 1/48 GBP, the newest 1/60 version can be broken down into a significant number of smaller parts. While the removable missiles of the 1/48 version of the toy are gone, the individually crafted missiles of the new 1/60 toy look nearly as good (although the option for an opened up GBP revealing a spent payload is gone). All the proper compartments open but you no longer have the ability to detach and remove the grenades on the hip holsters or grenades above the hands. Yamato also removed the chest missile sliding mechanism found on the 1/48 toys which was something most people felt was gratuitous and did inject a fragile connecting piece into what was otherwise a very durable accessory. My only real complaint comes in the form of the exclusive missile launch effect parts which I felt worked great for everything except the missiles being launched from the back of the legs… those missiles seemed to pinch the existing missiles together too firmly making me concerned I might do damage to the toy.
Other than the missile effect parts causing a pinch on the toy’s built-in missiles (for those that get the web exclusive version) this accessory is very well built. There have been some people who complained certain parts were a bit loose. I found the top of the leg covers a bit finicky on my version but usually issues of loose fit are only a problem when attempting extreme poses or the initial effort of putting the armor on a VF-1 toy.
The GBP does an excellent job of NOT impairing the articulation of Yamato’s very well articulated VF-1 toys. Since all the compartments that should open do open it’s hard not to be happy with your ability to get the fully outfitted toys into some fun poses. If you’re a fan of the GBP, and you’re a fan of Yamato’s V2 valk, then you really owe it to yourself to go out and buy at least one of these GBP variants. For those of you thinking you could just take a V1 and mod it to fit a V2 you might actually be able to do that with a lot of work and some modeling skills but I doubt it’d ever be anywhere as nice as this Yamato product. Below are some promotional pics Yamato released:
NOTE: this post has been updated, the HD evolution of the GBP accessory has been added. Added the Yamato promotional pics and information about release dates and MSRP.
First Update: August 29, 2011
Original Post Date: February 10, 2010
caslon said,
August 30, 2011 at 6:09 pm
It’s pretty hard to get the GBP with missile launch effect (Yamato web exclusive) set now! Thus, it’s not cheap too!
Archie said,
November 1, 2011 at 3:06 am
So just to clarify, if the GBP doesn’t have the number on the chest, it’s the later version right?
micronian said,
November 1, 2011 at 5:09 am
Correct!
js-chong said,
November 3, 2011 at 5:15 am
Just wondering, does it fit only on 1/60 VF-1J or any VF-1 series? Because the scale seems right and the description also mentioned on VF-1 but didn’t specify which model. Thanks for the great review!
micronian said,
November 3, 2011 at 6:09 am
It works for all v2 vf1 variants. There’s one pic hidden in there of a vf-1s in the gbp.
patrick said,
May 9, 2012 at 5:21 am
I just bought one and have it displayed with a vf-1a. Adds a nice bulk to it.
I’m planning to get a vf-1D. does the armor fit on it?
Carlos said,
September 29, 2012 at 9:29 pm
Yes, it does. Both Super/Strike and GBP-1 armors will fit on any VF-1
MightyGodzilla said,
November 21, 2012 at 12:23 am
The Promo shots for the missile launch parts on the GBP are a little misleading. they are in fact clear plastic. You’d have to paint them if you want them to look like the pics above. That being said, they’re awesome looking none the less.
micronian said,
November 21, 2012 at 4:12 am
That’s actually incorrect. The original Yamato parts are cast in white plastic. It was a Hong Kong recast of the original Yamato parts that was done in clear resin and needed to be painted.