Here’s another robot from the Orguss series – the “Gerwalk Nikick.” I didn’t really do too much with him as a kid as it really only looks good as a robot. Still, I’m glad to have him as I have the two main robots from the Orguss series.
Gerwalk-Nikick MBG-24C 1983 Takatoku Toys 1/40
Gerwalk-Nikick in action from Super Dimension Century Orguss from 1983-1984
Here’s the original “Heavy Metal L-Gaim” that I purchased in Japan, 1985. I never saw the cartoon but I liked him nonetheless. I actually saw this again in a 2nd hand store and was going to get it for my cousin as it was reasonably priced at 30 dollars. Good thing I didn’t as he already has this. Anyway, I bought a later version under the “HCM – Hi Complete Model” series in 2004 but that one is much smaller than this one. I have customized my toy, however, by painting the leg flaps silver with black trim and the waist armor, black.
L-Gaim DX Hi Metal 1/100 scale 1984 Popy Chogokin from Heavy Metal L Gaim
L-Gaim from the anime Heavy Metal L Gaim(重戦機エルガイム) 1984-1985
Macross SDF-1 DX 1/3000 scale 12″ Battle Fortress- Takatoku Toys 1984 Storm Attacker Construction from Super Dimension Fortress Macross
Here’s probably the holy grail of the Macross collection – the original Takatoku SDF-1. Actually, I do not think they have re-issued this toy under the Bandai or Yamato line (unlike the various VF jets). I bought this in Hong Kong in 1983 and I was very, very happy to have purchased him. When I look back at that trip to HK, I really remember there were more toy stores. When I went again in 2011, I didn’t see anywhere near the volume that I recalled as a child. I do remember though, that HK used to be a big maker of toys but not so much anymore and perhaps, that has something to do it.
SDF-1 in action from Super Dimension Fortress Macross
Variable Fighter VF-1J Valkyrie Miria Jenius 1-55 scale 2002 Bandai from anime Super Dimension Fortress Macross 1983-1984
Here’s another Bandai re-issue that I couldn’t get as a kid – this time the red “Miria” model VF-1J. Basically, the background story behind her was that she was originally sent by the Zentradi’s to kill Maximillian Sterling – the ace pilot of the Earth Forces. She grew to fall in love with him and they eventually got married, had a child and she ended up fighting along side the Earth forces against her motherland – the Zentradi Empire. This red VF-1J depicts her plane.
What’s fascinating about this (especially in the context of a cartoon) was the very adult idea that love could conquer all. You never saw such depth and meaning in U.S. cartoons and that’s why I grew to love Japanese anime – they were so much more sophisticated in story and plot line and overall, animation quality.
VF-1J Valkyrie Miria Jenius from Super Dimension Fortress Macross
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
Here’s the VE-1 Elint (Electronic Intelligence) Seeker model from the “Do You Remember Love?” Macross movie of 1985. This model is designed to find and gather signals intelligence from the enemy. This robot had a limited release in Japan and they are relatively rare and really expensive!
As mentioned in the previous post, I purchased this from a small, mom and pop toy store in Kyoto Japan. I really had a lot of fun on my trips because my parents gave me so much leeway to explore and do things on my own (most likely because Japan is so safe). Anyway, I stumbled upon this little toy store and I saw this one, the VF-1T and the VF-1S Strike Valkyrie. I purchased all three at the same time because I wasn’t sure if I would ever see them again and as well, I wasn’t sure if I might make it back to that toy store.
Macross VE-1 Elintseeker Hi-Metal Variable Electric DX 1/55 scale Bandai 1985 Super Real Model-S – Heavy Version Japan
VE-1J Elintseeker in action from “Do You Remember Love?” Macross movie 1984
Below are the VT-1J Trainer (orange) and the VE-1J Elint Seeker from the “Do You Remember Love?” Macross movie from 1985. I vividly remember purchasing these from a small mom and pop toy store in Kyoto, Japan. I hadn’t seen the movie (yet) but realized it was a new release as these were entirely different robots and color schemes. The VT-1J and VE-1J didn’t play big roles in the movies – you only see them in bit parts. I included the cartoon stills as well.
I purchased these two as well as the VF-1S Strike Valkyrie from the same store. I’m trying to remember what I paid but I think I paid about 40 dollars each. These are fairly rare as they were never released in the U.S. I have seen the Strike Valkyrie in box go for a couple hundred to a thousand dollars in box. Sometimes, I wish I could have kept the box, but it just wasn’t possible since I easily purchased 15-20 robots a time on each trip and back then, suitcases weren’t that big. I ended up having to special freight my toys on JAL.
VT-1 Trainer and VE-1 ElintSeeker Macross 1985 Bandai 1-55 scale
Here are the anime stills of the Elintseeker and Super Ostrich. You better catch them quick or you might miss them. Both have very little screen time on the anime movie The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love?.
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
Dinobot Slag 1985 Transformers Generation 1 Autobot
Here’s another loose Transformer that I just purchased – this one’s “Slag” – one of the 5 Dinobots. As a kid, I had Sludge, Grimlock, and Snarl. I now have the Dinobot Slag and I’m trying to see if I can complete the set and get Swoop, but he seems to be the hardest to get and the most expensive because you rarely find him in good condition. I’ve noticed he usually has a broken beak or wings. When I do find him in good condition, he’s at least $70-80 loose and 100+ in box.
Slag in Generation 1 Transformers cartoon
Generation 1 Dinobots by Hasbro Slag, Sludge, Grimlock, Snarl from 1984 Autobot G1
Generation 1 Dinobots by Hasbro Slag, Sludge, Grimlock, Snarl from 1984 Autobot G1
Starvengers was one of my favorite anime early on. It was a lot better than Super Friends on Saturday mornings which I loved, but Starvengers has fared the test of time much better than Super Friends. These cartoons came out with Force Five, but I unfortunately did not see those cartoons. I will have to check those out. Maybe the OVAs have subtitles. It would be good to see the Getta Robos kick ass on the Pandemonium Empire again. Sure the bad guys were super cheesy, but it was still so much fun to watch.
Among Shogun Warriors robots this was my least favorite, but I am glad to have it to complete my set of Getta Robo robots. Probably just the color scheme on this one. The plastic has this odd yellowing I have never seen before. Odd, just noticed now I do not have the red missiles shown on the box.
Shogun Warriors Raider Mattel
Shogun Warriors Raider Mattel yellow missiles
Shogun Warriors Raider Mattel or Getter Liger in Japan
Since I have the most of the Shogun Warriors, I can pop in a picture of them together for a group photo into this post later. Pop in a comment below and I will get to it a little quicker. ***
You must be logged in to post a comment.