{"id":3724,"date":"2025-12-20T17:08:21","date_gmt":"2025-12-20T17:08:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/anymoon.com\/blog\/?p=3724"},"modified":"2025-12-20T17:08:21","modified_gmt":"2025-12-20T17:08:21","slug":"bandai-hi-metal-vf-19kai-basara-custom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/anymoon.com\/blog\/?p=3724","title":{"rendered":"Bandai Hi-Metal VF-19 Toys"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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 Review(updated): Includes both VF-19Kai and VF-19S Blazer Valkyries<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Packaging & Extras:<\/strong> (2.5\/5) VF-19K
The packaging is top notch with vibrant art and a magnetic flip-top collector’s lid that allows you to see the toy in fighter mode within. The packaging is compact at 25 x 19 x 6 cm. Things are decidedly less premium once you pull the plastic inner tray from the box. With the VF-19Kai you get:
1) 1x speaker pod shooter (gun)
2) Wrist covers (there are no perfect transformation hands, fighter mode only, comes installed)
3) 3 fixed posed hands (1x pair open palm, 1 right hand trigger)
4) Neck cavity filler (for fighter mode, comes installed)
5) 3x head parts (not perfect transformation)
6) 3 pairs of leg cavity fillers (optional: thigh, back of knee, and calf)
7) Alternate face for battroid mode
8) Adapter for the Bandai Action Base (Action Base sold separately)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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9) Instructions (black & white)
The display stand adapter must be paired with a Bandai Action Base. The lack of landing gear or display stand renders the VF-19Kai’s fighter mode nearly useless unless you’re actually holding it. Everyone immediately groused about the lack of fists and landing gear which explains why the VF-19S includes a lot more good stuff. Bandai addressed VF-19K’s lack of accessories by selling a Tamashii exclusive accessory kit and even a Tamashii exclusive Soundbooster which I have reviewed separately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Packaging & Extras:<\/strong> (4.5\/5) VF-19S
The VF-19S retains the quality art (though there are no Docker character art, just the mech), and the impressive flip-top lid box. Along with the Blazer toy, you received:
1) 1x gun
2) Wrist covers (there are no perfect transformation hands, fighter mode only, comes installed)
3) 5 fixed posed hands (1x pair open palm, 1x pair of fists, 1 right hand trigger)
4) Neck cavity filler (for fighter mode, comes installed)
5) 1x head parts (not perfect transformation)
6) 3 pairs of leg cavity fillers (optional: thigh, back of knee, and calf)
7) 3x landing gear (for use with including display stand)
8) 2x Optional open leg missile bay parts
In a baggy behind the tray you’ll also find:
9) 1x Bandai display stand (base and arm)
10) 3x adapter for Bandai display stand
11) Instructions (color)
The big disparity in scores is driven by the VF-19S’ inclusion of a display stand and landing gear. Sadly, while the accessory kit for the 19Kai includes a gun attachment piece for fighter mode, that piece was not included with the 19S toy even though it works perfectly with the 19S’ gun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Charm & Collectability:<\/strong> (2\/5)
While Macross7 enjoys some popularity in Japan, it never developed much of a following internationally. While this is a “Hi-Metal” toy, finding the metal may require the use of a tiny metal detector because it’s anything but obvious and the toy doesn’t have the heft (110 g) of a deluxe toy. The “Hi-Metal” name is Bandai’s attempt to cash in on sentimentality while conjuring images of the old perfect transformation toys… something desperately needed after the VF100 debacle (a line of VF-25 parts-formers that was terrible). These toys are 1\/100 scale at 15.5 cm tall in battroid. The 21 cm length in fighter mode is 1\/88 scale. As every toy has struggled to capture the dimensions of the two modes consistently, either Kawamori goofed on his estimate of battroid height (13.5 meters seems better) OR the very stylized art of Macross7 deliberately makes battroid look stocky. The subsequent releases of the Yamato 1\/60 scale VF-19Kai, the entirely new Hi-Metal R toy, and the DX VF-19Kai reduced the already lukewarm demand for this product. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sculpt, Detail, & Paint:<\/strong> (7.5\/10)
At the time these toys were released they were, with a huge cushion, the best representation of the VF-19 that had been made, easily blowing Bandai’s 1\/65 DX VF-19Kai away. That distinction was shortlived as Yamato released their superb 1\/60 scale VF-19 toys starting in 2011. In fighter mode the Hi-Metal toy is a very good approximation of the fighter mode line art. The biggest shortcoming are the large gaps between the legs and the arms which can be exascerbated by fit issues. There’s a little Basara pilot figure at the guitar-shaped controls in the cockpit (although he’s tiny and a little hard to make out at this scale). Bandai did a fair amount of tampo-printing, there is no sticker sheet, and the Kai is made of a pearlescent plastic which captures the glam-rocker ambiance pretty nicely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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GERWALK mode is an acquired taste that I have not yet acquired. The vernier thrusters in the shoulders are a nice touch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Battroid mode looks tall in comparison to the line art. All Macross7 line art favors battroids with huge thickness, a stylistic choice that’s incongrous with the sleek representations of fighter modes. While the battroid mode doesn’t capture the stocky line art well, it’s an attractive compromise to make both modes look good enough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Blazer Valkyrie was a military vehicle so the pearlescence of the Kai’s plastic is abandoned and replaced with a blue that I felt could have been a little darker. To Bandai’s credit, this wasn’t just a quick head and color swap like the old VF-1 toys. Docker is in the cockpit of the Blazer Valk but there’s nothing special about his minuscule pilot figure. Many will find the 19S head a welcome improvement over the Kai’s human face. The shoulder flaps have been notched to accommodate the Blazer’s head laser in fighter mode. The wings have a different shape and the part the wings attach to has different molded details. Even the shield has some unique 19S details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Design:<\/strong> (6\/10)
Compared to prior VF-19 toys, and Bandai’s atrocious VF100 line, the Hi-Metal VF-19 toys are easy to handle, hold their modes well, and do just enough to be enjoyable as toys.  Unfortunately, they do have a pretty long list of shortcomings:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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