Category: Takatoku

Below are the two variants of the VF-1S – the “Strike Valkyrie” and the “Roy Fokker” model from the Macross series.  The Roy Fokker model skull and crossbones insignia is actually modeled from an actual U.S. Navy squadron – VFA-103 “The Jolly Rogers.” The VF-1S “Strike Valkyrie” is from Bandai while the VF-1S “Roy Fokker” is from Takatoku Toys.  I believe I purchased the “Roy Fokker” model in Hong Kong in 1983.  During my last trip to Hong Kong in 2011, I tried to look for toy stores in the malls but there just didn’t seem to be same amount of volume that I remembered.  It’s also possible that these stores are now for adults like me and maybe in less traveled/less touristy areas. Both VF-1S and the Strike Valkyrie, I purchased in Japan 1985 for 20 dollars each.

Variable Fighter VF-1S Valkyrie 1/55 scale – Strike Valkyrie Hi Metal Hikaru Type 1984 With Fast Pack Bandai & Roy Fokker Takatoku Toys 1983 from Super Dimension Fortress Macross

I’ve finally gotten around to my Macross box and I took a group picture.  Pictured is the entire collection from the Macross series (except for the few Destroid Defenders that I wasn’t particularly in to).  These are probably my most favorite of all my entire collection.  I don’t think I could ever part with these as these were such a big part of my child hood.  I grew up with the cartoons and I purchased the toys while on various trips to Japan.  I also received the brown VF-1A from my mom for Christmas in 1983.  I remember it was almost a hundred dollars back then and I was VERY surprised she went all the way to Japantown to get it for me.  I’ll never forget that.

Macross Collection includes the VF-1A, VF-1J, VF-1S, VT-1, VE-1, SDF-1, GBP-1S Fast Pack 1/55 Takatoku Toys and Bandai releases

I got this as a present from my parents in 1983. This is the model that Hikaro Ichinose (Rick Hunter in the U.S. release) started out with.  He then went onto the J model which was white and red and finally the S model with the skull emblem when Rick Fokker died.  I vividly remember seeing this in Japantown and was shocked when they got it for me because it was almost a hundred dollars.  I have a picture from Christmas of me opening the box actually…This is the one that started it for me with Macross.

I now have all the original Takotoku and Bandai versions.  I finally managed to get the blue/red Valkyries in the early 2000’s when Bandai did a re-issue.  They’ve since done numerous re-issues of the various Macross generations but the first Macross is the one I grew up with.  The featured image is the box that this toy came in but I’ve long since gotten rid of the box.  I wish I had kept them because Takatoku was known for their great art work and the unique texture on their boxes.

Macross VF-1A Standard Type Battroid Valkyrie DX 1/55 scale Takatoku Toys 1983 Cannon Fodder Japan from anime Super Dimension Fortress Macross 1983-1984

My cousin has this same toy, however, I can’t seem to recall how I got my Mugen Calibur 1983. I do know I got his on a trip to Japan. Anyway, he’s already made a post for this robot, complete with box. Still, I thought I’d make my own post so that I could catalog my entire collection.

Mugen Calibur 1983 Takatoku from anime Special Powered Armor Troop Dorvack from 1983-1984

My cousin Dave bought Mugen Caliber for me in Japan in the 80’s. So I was a little disappointed back then because I wanted one of those big ass Chogokin robots he had. I appreciate having this now. It’s a nice piece. Much better by far than the Ovelon Gazzette from the same anime.  I am hoping to add the 1/55 Bonaparte Tulcas tank or 1/55 Mugen Caliber which is a little bigger than the one I have from the Dorvack line to my collection. Mugen Caliber was released in Generation 1 Transformers as Roadbuster. Mugen Caliber has a realistic look to the robot that I appreciate compared to most robots that were pulled into the Transformers line. I can actually imagine it as a real robot.

My cousin is going to Japan next month. Maybe he can pick it up for me on the way back. I am glad I still have the box, he threw away most of his so he could pack as many robots into his suitcase as he could.

I never watched the anime as it was never brought to the US. Here is the intro for the anime Special Armored Battalion Dorvack 1983-1984. It’s nice to see Mugen Caliber and Bonaparte Tulcas in action. What I have seen so far is pretty good. I will have to dig around for more episodes.

Mugen Calibur Variable Vehicle VV-54AR 1/72 Scale Takatoku 1983 Japan

Mugen Calibur Variable Vehicle VV-54AR 1/72 Scale Takatoku Toys 1983 Japan

Mugen Calibur Variable Vehicle VV-54AR 1/72 Scale Takatoku Toys 1983 Japan

The Japanese as always pack the robots with a lot of accessories which is always fun. This one comes with armor, guns, some rounds and jetpack. The orange and yellow color scheme is pretty nice. I can imagine it as a realistic desert camouflage. It gives me a break from the standard Super Sentai robot colors of blue, red, yellow and silver.

Mugen Calibur Variable Vehicle VV-54AR 1/72 Scale Takatoku Toys 1983 Japan

Mugen Caliber Variable Vehicle VV-54AR 1/72 Scale Takatoku 1983 Japan

Mugen Calibur Variable Vehicle VV-54AR 1/72 Scale Takatoku Toys 1983 Japan

Mugen Caliber Variable Vehicle VV-54AR 1/72 Scale Takatoku 1983 Japan from anime Special Armored Battalion Dorvack 1983-1984