Tag: Takatoku Toys

VF-1S Strike and VF-1S Roy Fokker – 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(タカトクトイス) 1983  from anime Super Dimension Fortress Macross(超時空要塞マクロス, Chōjikū Yōsai Makurosu) 1983-1984

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

 

Macross Collection

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  from anime The Super Dimension Fortress Macross and the anime movie Do You Remember Love? (超時空要塞マクロス 愛・おぼえていますか Chōjikū Yōsai Makurosu: Ai Oboete Imasu ka) 1984

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


VF-1A Rick Hunter Valkyrie – Macross 1983

 

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(超時空要塞マクロス 1/55 VF-1A標準タイプ バトロイドバルキリー) DX 1/55 scale 12" Battle Fortress- Takatoku Toys(タカトクトイス) 1983 Cannon Fodder Japan from anime Super Dimension Fortress Macross(超時空要塞マクロス, Chōjikū Yōsai Makurosu) 1983-1984

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


 

Mugen Calibur 1983 Takatoku

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(Tokusou Kihei Dorvack, Dolbuk, Dolbuck, 特装機兵ドルバック) from 1983-1984

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

 


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

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.

 

Dorvack Mugen Calibur VV 54AR 1/72 scale Takatoku Toys from anime Tokusou Kihei Dorvack  or Special Armored Battalion Dorvack 1983-1984 side box cover 2 other names Comando Dolbuck, Dolbuck: Defensores de la Tierra, 特装機兵ドルバック

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





Dorvack Mugen Calibur VV 54AR 1-72 scale Takatoku Toys from anime Tokusou Kihei Dorvack or Special Armored Battalion Dorvack 1983-1984 side cover 3 other names Comando Dolbuck, Dolbuck: Defensores de la Tierra, 特装機兵ドルバック

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





Mugen Calibur Variable Vehicle VV-54AR 1/72 Scale Takatoku 1983 Japan from anime Special Armored Battalion Dorvack 1983-1984 styrofoam insert other names Comando Dolbuck, Dolbuck: Defensores de la Tierra, 特装機兵ドルバック

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 1983 Japan from anime Special Armored Battalion Dorvack 1983-1984 front box cover other names Comando Dolbuck, Dolbuck: Defensores de la Tierra, 特装機兵ドルバック

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





Mugen Calibur Variable Vehicle VV-54AR 1/72 Scale Takatoku 1983 Japan from anime Special Armored Battalion Dorvack 1983-1984 back box cover other names Comando Dolbuck, Dolbuck: Defensores de la Tierra, 特装機兵ドルバック

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

Mugen Caliber Variable Vehicle VV-54AR 1/72 Scale Takatoku 1983 Japan from anime Special Armored Battalion Dorvack 1983-1984 side box cover other names Comando Dolbuck, Dolbuck: Defensores de la Tierra, 特装機兵ドルバック

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

Dorvack Mugen Caliber VV 54AR 1-72 scale Takatoku Toys from anime Special Armored Battalion Dorvack 1983-1984 front box cover 2 other names Comando Dolbuck, Dolbuck: Defensores de la Tierra, 特装機兵ドルバック

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



Matchbox Robotech Mac II Monster Destroid Cannon 1985 aka Destroid Monster by Takatoku

This is the Robotech Mac II Monster Destroid Cannon international release as the text on the box is in both English and French. Originally it came out  as the Destroid Monster. It is a really clunky robot, but I was really excited to add this to my collection. I can’t imagine this robot ever being used in combat. It looks like a sitting duck. Low mobility, can’t fly, I guess it is a moving anti-aircraft gun. I hardly even remember seeing it in the cartoon. I am still a huge fan of the Macross series and I was able to add this to my Macross robots at a nice discount to the Takatoku Toys version. I really don’t see much of difference between the robots except for the color.
Matchbox Robotech Mac II Monster Destroid Cannon back cover from Robotech: The Macross Saga 1985
The Matchbox version is a dark green whereas the Takatoku one is an olive green. This one barely moves at all, but it is a die cast monster. You can bend the arms and legs a little, emphasis on little. Kinda reminds me of my Srungle robot in functionality, but the design and color is so much better.

Matchbox Robotech Mac II Monster Destroid Cannon from Robotech: The Macross Saga 1985

Matchbox Robotech Mac II Monster Destroid Cannon from Robotech: The Macross Saga 1985

Matchbox Robotech Mac II Monster Destroid Cannon from Robotech: The Macross Saga 1985 (超時空要塞マクロス)

Matchbox Robotech Mac II Monster Destroid Cannon from Robotech: The Macross Saga 1985

 

Matchbox Robotech Mac II Monster Destroid Cannon from Robotech: The Macross Saga 1985

Matchbox Robotech Mac II Monster Destroid Cannon from Robotech: The Macross Saga 1985 超時空要塞マクロス


 

Matchbox Robotech Mac II Monster Destroid Cannon from Robotech: The Macross Saga 1985 超時空要塞マクロス

Matchbox Robotech Mac II Monster Destroid Cannon from Robotech: The Macross Saga 1985

 

Matchbox Robotech Mac II Monster Destroid Cannon Front box cover  from anime Super Dimension Fortress Macross 1982-1983 超時空要塞マクロス

Matchbox Robotech Mac II Monster Destroid Cannon from Robotech: The Macross Saga 1985

Unfortunately, I could not find a video of this robot in action.  Matchbox/Irwin


%d bloggers like this: