Category: Bandai

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 “Max” and “Meria” VF-1J’s from the Macross series.  I vividly remember wanting to have these as a kid to complete the collection but I didn’t see them on my various trips to Japan.  I didn’t realize until later that the original maker (Takatoku) went out of business in the early 80’s and the molds were purchased by Bandai.  I’m going to guess that Bandai hadn’t yet gotten around to re-doing these two until later.  Anyway, these are Bandai re-issues that I purchased in the early 2000’s.  I’m glad I have them as I now have a complete Macross collection.

Variable Fighter VF-1J Valkyries Max & Miria Jenius – 1/55 scale 2002 Bandai from Super Dimension Fortress Macross

Here’s two variants of the VF-1A model – the red/black version from the “Do You Remember Love?” Macross movie and the brown version from the Macross series.  I purchased the red/black version on a trip to Japan in 1985 and the brown version (the first one I received for my Macross collection) I received as a Christmas present in 1984. The brown version was 70 dollars back in Dec 84.  The red/black version was purchased for about 20 dollars back in 1985.

Variable Fighter VF-1A Valkyrie 1/55 scale – Brown Takatoku Toys Mass Production version 1983 & Bandai Hi Metal Hikaru Type 1984 from Super Dimension Fortress Macross

Here’s the Bandai VF-1S Strike Valkyrie as piloted by Hikaru Ichijyo in “Do You Remember Love?” Macross movie in 1984.  I purchased him in Kyoto, Japan 1985. You don’t see this one until the climatic ending of the movie.

VF-1S Strike Valkyrie 1/55 scale Bandai 1985 Hikaru Ichijyo from anime movie Do You Remember Love?

Another robot from the “Do You Remember Love?” Macross movie from 1985.  This time, the VT-1J trainer. Again, this one didn’t have a large role in the movie.  Here he is in toy form and the cartoon still.

Macross VT-1 Super Ostrich Hi-Metal Variable Trainer DX 1-55 scale Bandai 1985 Super Real Model- S-Heavy Version Japan

VT-1 Super Ostrich from the anime The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love?

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?.