Good news, everyone! We’ve been able to negotiate a better deal from our vendor on the Starship Troopers Marauder die-cast action figure, and passing along the savings. Now, the SRP is only $48! Would you like to know more?

Good news, everyone! We’ve been able to negotiate a better deal from our vendor on the Starship Troopers Marauder die-cast action figure, and passing along the savings. Now, the SRP is only $48! Would you like to know more?

Federal Network Bulletin: The United Citizen Federation to deploy M11 Marauder Armored Bipedal Vehicle in the war against the Bug. The latest in Mobile Infantry Power Armor features replaceable arm mounts for 15.6 mm 5-barrel "Morita Cross" Heavy Machine Gun, 15.5 mm M64B Vulcan III Rotary Canon, 155 mm M779 Ultra-Lightweight Auto Howitzer, 41 mm Mk .32 mod.5 Grenade Machine Gun, and M2A5-2 Flamethrower. Featuring the RR FX-230 Fusion Drive, the M11 Marauder can achieve rate of 12.87 km/h speed walking and 70.04 km/h running over an operational range of 1,026.76 km. ``Would you like to know more?'' Check out the 6.00" fully-poseable action figure featuring die-cast and PVC parts from Yamato USA!

Yamato to release a blank 1/60 scale VF-1S Valkyrie.

Yamato has just gotten a little more customizer friendly with the announcement of an unpainted VF-1S toy. The price is 7800 yen, that's 2000 yen less than the regular price.

Check it out at Yamato's website.

I knew it was going to be expensive but GOD DAMN.

So yeah that's a lot of money for the SDF 1. Yamato's 1/2000 scale comes in at 210,000yen, which amounts to about $2,300 or so. Factor in shipping, and you are looking at 2.5 k.

I tend to make a point of not swearing on CDX, but in this case I will make an exception.

Holy shit.

26 inches long, made out of a new material called HDR?

HDR seems to stand for Heavy Duty Resin.

There's another material called PU - a mix of Polyurethane and Resin. So I don't know if it's a mix of the two or two names for the same product.

Due 12/09.

Yamato USA continues its ambitious line of high-end collectibles honoring the legends of science fiction films, the Sci-Fi Figure Gallery, with the TAC Fighter from the cult classic Starship Troopers™.

Yamato USA continues its ambitious line of high-end collectibles honoring the legends of science fiction films, the Sci-Fi Figure Gallery, with the TAC Fighter from the cult classic Starship Troopers™. The TAC Fighter is the main starfighter/bomber used by the Federation Fleet in its war against the Bug. Presented here, this 6.00" reproduction faithfully captures every detail of the TAC Fighter in pewter. This impressive figure comes complete with a numbered base, and is limited to just 1,000 pieces worldwide. Would you like to know more? Visit www.YamatoToysUSA.com.

Starship Troopers: TM & © 2009 TriStar Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved

Not the replica flight helmets, but an actual motorcycle helmet.

Want to pretend you are Hikaru Ichijoe flying through the sky in his valkyrie? Well, the closest you will probably get is wearing this helmet while riding your kawasaki sport bike.

This is an actual helmet - not a prop, used for motorcycles, scooters etc. Fits size 58-60 cm and will sell for 36,800 yen, due in February 2010.

from Yamato

Oh no! This is a training aircraft.

In the ever widening world of VF-1 toys, the VT-1 Super Ostrich is a unique variant with its own charms. Taking a cue from the first few episodes of the original Macross series, the "star date" between Hikaru and Minmay during Macross: Do You Remember Love is meant as a callback to when those two young teens were out fighting for their lives in an orange Valkyrie. Unlike the VF-1D, the VT-1 is a dedicated trainer much like a real life example of the T-38 Talon, which is the training version of the F-5 Freedom Fighter. For a little boy with a copy of Clash of the Bionoids, this entire ordeal is summed as follows:

"OH NO! THIS IS A TRAINING AIRCRAFT!"

From then on I was doomed.

Yamato's new VT-1 is a great execution of a unique design. The basic fighter mode looks right and feels good in the hands. The changes to the design are not immediately apparent, but once you scratch the surface you'll find at least 20% of this toy is all new parts. The first being a new nose section with the VT-1's signature raised seating style where the rear seat is higher than the front. As such, the chest plate has also been redesigned to account for the new nose section.

From the rear we can see the redesigned tail section with features new fixed tailfins and a hinged rear flap. These are used when the backpack is folded against the top of the aircraft.

This version of the VT-1 allows for the head to be tucked away.

Here is a picture of the three Valkyrie nose section types. From left to right are the VF-1D, VT-1 and VF-1S. Like the previous two releases, the VT-1 has a lot of tampoo markings which make the toy very presentable out of the box.

After a few quick snaps, the FAST packs are installed with little effort.

Check out the engines on this ostrich.

Both the dorsal boosters and the leg parts feature removable panels. These panels are easy to remove yet at the same time, do not fall off with the slightest touch.

Here is a close-up of the leg detail.

And here is a close-up of the booster detail.

This toy does include the usual Yamato display stand adapters, but I find a Flexdisplay stand suits this toy much better.

The GERWALK mode of the VT-1 is quite distinct. It is mostly shown with its arms retracted and the hump created by the backpack evokes images of a speedy bird.

Owners of old Macross artbooks are familiar with this pose.

This is the most we ever see of the VT-1's transformation. Super GERWALK is probably its most notable appearance in the film.

In the cockpit we find a matching pair of Hikaru and Minmay (or Misa in a spacesuit) figures.

While the VT-1 is never seen in Battroid mode, it was always meant to have one. I have chosen to use the fixed posed hands for these pictures because I liked how expressive they can be.

There are an additional pair of locking clamps on either side of the tailfins in Battroid mode. I did not use these clamps as I feel they're really redundant and difficult to extend without a small tool or sharp fingernail.

Minmay!

I want you for UN Spacy!

I say chaps, I am armed with a nasty fingergun

Super Battroid mode is just as sturdy as regular Battroid mode.

Here you can see the fuller bust line of the VT-1 in comparison to regular VF-1.

Really, the VT-1 is another winner from Yamato. Its a great design executed almost perfectly in toy form. Yeah it is another VF-1, but the Super Ostrich has a lot of charm.

Operation Stargazer is a go!

With the release of Yamato's VF-22S Gamlin type figure, there was a lot of speculation (fueled by the toys decal sheet) that the famous Macross duo's VF-22S's would also be getting toys. Now we have confirmation that yes, you too will be able to rock on with more Macross 7 toys.

BOMBAH!

I'm on a Gamlin kick.

The progression if variable fighter design received a big change with the introduction of the YF-21 from Macross Plus. While it does have the recongizable form of an airplane folding in half, the melding of Queadluun Rau, VF-1S, and the real life YF-23 has produced a unique specimen in the form of the VF-22S. This version appears in the Macross Dynamite 7 OVA and is piloted by Gamlin Kizaki who is normally associated with the VF-17. I have always liked the VF-22 over the YF-21. To me it feels like a more complete design. Also, Gamlin is probably my favorite character in all of Macross which only added to my enthusiasm over this toy. In the world of Macross merchandise, this toy represents the first fully transformable Macross 7 Valkyrie toy from a company other than Bandai.

Review sample provided by Angolz.

The VF-22S Strumvogel in fighter mode is made to resemble the YF-23 prototype stealth fighter. I think Gamlin's custom colors are well suited for this design. The combination of an all charcoal gray body with yellow highlights emphasizes the unique look of the fighter and translucent red canopy catches the eye. The only problem with fighter mode is that the two main wheels do not lock in place when extended so if you push the toy backwards the landing gear may collapse back into the wheel well.

Like the YF-21, the VF-22S features a hinged canopy. Inside there is a very rubbery Gamlin decked out in his flightsuit. The details on the pilot are crisp with next to no defects. While in Battroid mode, the seat can tilt backwards. I should also note that the decal sheet includes nametags not only for Gamlin, but Max and Millia Jenius as well. Towards the end of Macross 7, they fought it a pair of matching red and blue VF-22S's.

The VF-22S comes with two stand pieces and does not include its own stand. The stand piece for fighter and GERWALK mode can be connected to either a Macross display stand, a Mighty Block stand, or the display stand included in the YF-21 and Sv-51 toys. It clips onto the underside of the toy and uses the socket of the backpack locking piece as its recepticle. The only issue is that you must move the legs out of the way in order to insert the stand piece. Then again, I don't believe there is any Yamato Valkyrie toy that doesn't require you to partially transform the toy in order to attach the stand piece.

Not a lot was changed from the YF-21 toy. Most notably the hip panels feature the VF-22S's redesigned gun bays and a new face. The toy still has articulated thrust-vectoring paddles and parts for mounting the Fold Booster (which I do not own at this time). Unfortunately the new hip panels have no place for the twin gunpods to attach. Design wise, I believe what we see on the toy is meant to represent the guns being stored inside the protrusions on the panels. I actually think the VF-22S was meant to use a different gunpod design but due to time constraints the animators ended up using the guns from the YF-21.

The fact that this toy can stand in GERWALK mode is a miracle of modern science. It features extending knees joints that reveal swivel points for the lower legs. The toy achieves this mode without any problems.

Its difficult to tell here but the hip panels can be clipped into the hand covers at the rear of the Valkyrie. This does limit articulation in the leg a little bit so you may want to leave them unclipped as I have done.

In Battroid mode the VF-22S stands over a foot tall and features numerous joints including ratcheted shoulders, a waist joint, ratcheted knees, ratcheted ankles, and ball jointed hips. The hands feature fully articulated wrists and the fingers can open and close around the gunpod's handle. The gunpods are really held on by a peg in the palm of the toy's hand. While I generally prefer a set of fixed posed hands for different tasks, the hands on the VF-22S look alright when balled up as fists and splayed open.

In my opinion the VF-22S face design is a lot nicer than the YF-21. It has the same look as all of the "S" type Valkyries. The visor is translucent red and there is some mechanical detail behind it. The neck joint is somewhat limited to only a few degrees left or right. However, if you flip up the face just a little bit the head can look ninety degrees in either direction although it will look like the toy is looking upwards.

Despite the size of the backpack and the hip panels, the VF-22S is still fun to pose. All of its joints are nice and tight so it won't fall over with the slightest touch.

The Battroid mode stand piece can only be used on the large stand from the YF-21 and Sv-51 toys. The piece connects to the bottom of the toy and is very secure.

I feel that the VF-22S is a great addition to the Yamato Macross line. It looks really sharp in all of its modes and is a fun toy to mess around with. Admittedly, it is a lot easier to transform out of fighter mode and it is to transform it back. I recommend following the pictures in the instructions and checking out a few videos if you get stuck. It's a sturdy toy that just needs to be treated with respect.

A fun extra, behold "Pengroid" mode.

This review is made from blood, sweat, and tears. Well, mostly just sweat.

1/24 Mobile Police Patlabor (The Movie) AV-98 1st is the best Japanese toy I have had the pleasure of handling to date. HD VIDEO included.

Review sample provided by Angolz.

This is the 1/24 Mobile Police Patlabor (The Movie) AV-98 1st by Yamato. Read that carefully and memorize it because years from now it will be the toy you will wish you had bought when they where still on the shelf. Your not a Patlabor fan you say? No matter, if you are any sort of robot fan you will want one. I'm just going to cut to the chase and I'll even bold it for you.

As of July, 2009 I declare this to be...

Please note: This statement will of course be completely rescinded the moment someone one comes along and ups the “toy tech” ante, but it may be awhile before that happens...Thank you.

Honestly no amount of talking, writing and nerding out will convey how truly amazing this piece is. So just watch the video...

Still here? OK.

Mobile Police Patlabor was originally a 6 episode OVA released in Japan starting in 1988. The success of that series spun off a number of films, a full run TV show, and a secondary OVA series. The Patlabor mythology is long. If you would like a complete breakdown you can always hit up Wikipedia.

This is the AV-98 01 from the first movie as piloted by Noa Izumi and is designed and manufactured by Yamato to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first film.

The box is enormous! Which makes sense considering the toy inside is close to 14 inches tall. There is no window-box on this release. It's as if they decided to go back to a more old-school style with original artwork on the front and photos all over the rest of the box.

Open it up and the manual sits on top of a Styrofoam coffin taped down in a plastic bag. Crack the box open and the figure's wrapped in silk.

Yep, you read that correctly, it is wrapped in silk. As if to say, “We know this is so magnificent it must be protected from mundane packing materials.” Well what was wrapped in the silk was stunning...

The first thing you notice is the sheer size of the thing. The AV-98 stands 14 inches tall from bottom of it's feet to the top of the antenna array. The body is a metal endo-skeleton wrapped in cloth (more like a leather like feel than cloth actually)and the white armor panels attached over that. The plastic used for the outer pieces feels like quality plastic. The fit and finish on this is flawless really.

Paint detail is exacting and applied with precision. No detail is spared no matter how small.

The ratchet joints in the knees, elbows and feet all make a nice solid click when moved. The tension joints are nice and tight as well, holding any pose you can really throw at it.

The feet also feature a full range of pose-ability.

Range of motion is fantastic on this piece, allowing you to fully recreate any scene from the movie. Yamato even added back calf panels that sink in to allow you to pose it kneeling.

As for accessories. Well lets see, you get...

• A Noa figure with alternate head (angry face and smiling face.)


• A nightstick/baton (one extended made of diecast metal and one telescoping made of plastic.)


• A revolver for the AV-98 is also included. Yamato even went so far as to include tiny bullets.


• Removable riot shield.

This fine piece of Japanese engineering comes loaded to the gills with features and gimmicks.

The blast shield raises to cover the delicate head cameras.

The shoulder patrol lights actually light up and strobe.

Caution lights can actually be raised and lightup as well.

Both sets of hands extend at the wrists.

Hands feature articulated fingers. Joints on these are all nice and tight.

The cockpit opens to accommodate the fixed-posed Noa figure.

The seat also rises, the control sticks can rotate forward. You can raise the mecha's head, open the top hatch with blast shield, and have Noa look out of the mecha that way as well.

The right thigh plate opens to reveal a spring loaded holster for the revolver.

Left thigh plate opens to store spare bullets. Bullets can also be placed into the revolver.

And finally Yamato has included a working, spring-loaded tow cable as well. A button on the bottom of the unit activates it.

It's all quality stuff here. The fit, finish and attention to detail is just extraordinary. Yeah it comes with a steep price but quality of this caliber is few and far between. I meant what I said at the begining of this article. It is, as of this review, the very best that Japan has to offer in the way of toy/collectible technology. It gives me hope for future larger scale items like the SDF-1 Macross (announced) or maybe a 1/60 Zentradi Battle Pod (pure speculation on my part.) Get one while they're available at retail; I am positive the price on this piece will only rise to ridiculous heights once it goes out of production.

Review sample provided by Angolz.

Michael Jackson Thriller toy from San Diego Comic Con 2009.

A THRILLER OF AN EXCLUSIVE

Yamato USA to Offer Limited Edition, Glow-in-the-Dark Version of Canyon
Crest’s King of Pop Michael Jackson - “Thriller” Figure at San Diego Comic
Con International

TORRANCE, CA, July 21, 2009. Yamato USA is privileged to make available a
very unique, glow-in-the-dark version of Canyon Crest’s King of Pop Michael
Jackson “Thriller”, Zombie Figure at the San Diego Comic Con. This one of a
kind piece is imported from Japan and limited to just 120 pieces! Come see
it at the Yamato USA booth, number 4429 between Warner Bros. & Toy Growers
Courtyard.

Yamato USA will also have on display other current and upcoming pieces from
Yamato, Canyon Crest, Beat, Kaitendoh, Taki Corporation, and its very own
Fantasy Figure and Sci-Fi Figure Galleries. For more information, visit us
at YamatoToysUSA.com. See you at the show!

ABOUT YAMATO USA

Yamato USA is the wholly owned subsidiary of Yamato Co., Ltd with
headquarters in the otaku capital of the world, the Akihabara district of
Tokyo, Japan. For over ten years, Yamato USA has proudly served otaku on
this side of the world with a wide offering of miniature collectible
figures, PVC and die-cast action figures, as well as poly-resin and PVC
statues inspired by the hottest titles in Japanese anime, manga, and video
game properties. Yamato’s original collections include Story! Image!
Figure! collectible miniatures and trading figures and Story! Image! Figure!
EX PVC statues, as well as its newest lines, Creators’ Labo and Sculptors’
Originals, highlighting the talents of the leading artists and sculptors
working in Japan; The GN-U, a tribute to transforming super robots; and the
explosive Project Dynamite. Nor to be overlooked are Yamato’s Scopedog,
Garland, and Motoslave engineering marvels from Armored Trooper Votoms,
Megazone 23, and Bubblegum Crisis, some of the most impressive collectibles
you will ever own! And now Yamato USA adds its own line of collectible
figures with its Fantasy Figure Gallery, a groundbreaking union of East and
West as the leading sculptors of Asia bring to life the vision of legendary
fantasy artists from Europe and the America to create resin quality pieces
at PVC prices.