Bandai 1/65 VF-19 Toys

Review(updated): Now includes metallic limited editions and reissues

Packaging & Extras: (2/5)
The toys are packaged in compact/efficient boxes (27.5 x 18.5 x 12.5 cm) with a small window showing the battroid face with a balance of art and product photos. Though the box is made from relatively light card stock, it is thoroughly bolstered by a generous Styrofoam insert. Accessories are limited to:
1) A speakerpod firing gun
2) Stickers
3) Instructions
I was somewhat shocked to find the VF-19S comes with a gray version of the VF-19’s gun instead of the unique gun it had in the series. While later versions of VF-19 toys included things like pilots, fixed posed hands, and display stands, the included accessories feel appropriate for the sophistication of this toy.

This toy was popular enough to warrant knock-offs. Some of these knock-offs are fun, outlandish colors, while others tried hard to simulate the original product. Knock-offs (usually) can easily be spotted by the lack of the Bandai logo on the front of the box which is usually replaced with a picture of the pilot in the show.

The limited edition silver VF-19S comes in a bare brown box (hopefully yours isn’t as badly smudged as mine). This toy does not include stickers but instead includes an authenticity card.

When Bandai reissued the fire valkyrie, they packaged it in fighter mode and decorated the box with fire imagery.  This box is made of relatively light card stock and the Styrofoam tray from the original release was replaced with a plastic tray which does a poor job keeping the box stable; expect lots of shelf wear and creases. Dimensions swelled to 30 x 24.5 x 9.3 cm. This version did not include stickers as those embellishments were painted on this version.

Charm & Collectibility: (2/5) +.5 for the limited edition
While Macross7 was huge in Japan, the appeal outside of Japan was tepid and there’s no Robotech crossover benefit. Released in 1995, they weren’t “cheap” toys at 4,980¥ but they were mass produced, convincingly replicated by numerous knock-offs, and then the most popular ones were reissued in 2001 (for 6,800¥) so there was never sense of scarcity before they superseded by Bandai’s Hi-Metal, Hi-Metal R, and 1/60 scale DX and Yamato’s 1/60 scale toys. The Limited Edition version was released in 1996 but never generated much demand but is likely slightly more collectible since it was never reissued and there were no KOs of that scheme. These toys stand about 24 cm tall in battroid and are 29 cm long in fighter mode which are faithful measurements to the stated scale 1/65 scale. The scale being an evolutionary dead-end in Macross toy fandom may limit demand from current shoppers though the measurements are ironically closer to true 1/60 scale than most the modern, more popular “1/60 scale” toys achieve. While the 300 gram heft is substantial, the lack of metal will exclude this toy from many vintage collectors lists. The sole strength of this toy is its durability and maybe some sentimentality for some collectors but most people will easily pass on these and head toward more recent, far superior offerings.

Sculpt, Detail, & Paint (5.5/10)
The proportions are whacky and I won’t belabor it by pointing out every flaw. When comparing to the line art, you’ll eye will immediately discern that the shapes are off. Fighter mode has too long a nose, an odd step-up at the shield, is too wide in the middle and too short in the wings. The landing gear are Transformers level of bad. Key details are left as stickers (though there are few of those).

The 19S gets the unique head sculpt, removed canards, and reshaped wings specific to the military use versions of the VF-19 model.

I’ve never been a fan of GERWALK mode but it may be the most flattering for this toy because most of what makes fighter looks so wrong (other than the long nose) is obfuscated by the shift into arms and legs.

While I believe battroid mode was the focus, the end result is anything but truly excellent. The head is shrunken, the legs have unnatural curves, and most surfaces like the fists and legs, only try to look good from specific angles. The head seems small, the legs seem large, and the sculpt over all just leaves a lot to be desired.  The toy is cast almost entirely in colored plastic so paint isn’t a problem. 

The all silver limited edition reissue of the VF-19S is fun but had it been rendered in three tones, like the original toy, it would be more visually interesting. This version seems to be striving to look like a trophy and it does that well enough. The LE number that matches the included card is also included on the right foot.

The Reissue of the Kai (there has never been a reissue of the Blazer) features some of the markings originally included as decals painted on. 

Design: (6/10)
This toys strengths are its simple, perfect transformation and its inclusion of integrated landing gear. As mentioned above, the landing gear are basic and incorporated into larger hunks of plastic, they don’t feature spinning wheels. The transformation is simple, likely aimed at a younger demographic. The lack of a torso lock in GERWALK mode makes playing with toy in that mode a little less fun and was something later toys would incorporate. Some elements, like the fists sticking out the back of fighter mode, seem like decisions made by the accounting team rather than toy designers. Later toys would also incorporate opening cockpits, separate pilot figures, the ability to mount the gun in fighter mode while on the landing gear, speakers concealed in the shoulders, swappable 19Kai faces, missile bays in the legs, and a host of other handling and articulation upgrades.

Durability & Build: (8.5/10)
No, this toy does not FEEL like it deserves a 8.5/10 but I’ve handled it pretty extensively, even improperly, and it has taken the abuse with strides. Having no significant paint means that wear is less of a problem. The plastic used for construction is sturdy though it sometimes has pigment swirls that can make it look cheap. The toy is simple so there are few small pieces to be concerned with breaking or losing. That said, a few parts of the toy do seem easily removeable (although it doesn’t break anything to remove them). In battroid mode, the crotch can easily be disconnected and the head guns (especially on the Blazer valk) can be unseated. As noted in the metallic picture collage above, the front landing gear on these toys is a little heavy for the hinge it sits on and it can sometimes sag down which is usually only a problem in GERWALK mode. I’ve seen some well played with versions of these toys with loose joints so they aren’t impervious to the usual wear from frequent handling.

Articulation: (6/10)
The knees bend, the feet open and close, the legs don’t rotate at the hips but they do bend just below them (allowing for better GERWALK posing).  There’s fairly good arm/shoulder mobility followed by the ability to turn the head and angle it ever-so-slightly up or down.  Basically, this toy is only a slight improvement over the mobilitiy seen in Takatoku’s original VF-1 product. More leg, hip, and feet mobility really could have meant a lot to this toy but was likely shunned by Bandai in an effort to make a toy that was more resistant to a child’s play. If you want to have fun making Basara really look like he’s rocking out in his mech then you should definitely seek out a Bandai DX, Hi-Metal R, or Yamato 1/60 toy.

Total Score: (30/50) +.5 for LE
In the mid-90s dark era of Macross collecting, this toy was a fun oasis. If you saw Macross7 when you were young and really enjoyed it, then these toys might have a sentimental value for you. If you had to pick one of them to own, I’d recommend the reissue VF-19Kai with its additional paint applications. If you’re looking for something that will look good on a shelf then you should seek the more recent renditions (or a different Macross fighter entirely).

Original Post Date: September 25, 2006
April 27, 2010: updated pictures, added a video review, and included mentions of the (original) Bandai Hi-Metal VF-19Kai
June 30, 2012: Metallic limited edition pictures and content were added.
May 26,2026: Added additional references to more modern VF-19 toys that have come since 2012.