YF-19 Valkyrie

The YF-19 Valkyrie is the first release in Yamato’s GNU-DOU line of poseable super robots. The GNU-DOU line is characterized by hard plastic and an internal frame. these can be thought of as Yamato’s answer to Kaiyodo’s Revoltech line, but these are larger with better quality material.

This is one of my favorite Valkyrie designs, and it comes from one of my favorite anime – 1994’s Macross Plus. In the series, the YF-19 is a prototype Valkyrie in the running to be selected as the new fighter for UN Spacy. Piloted by hotshot Isamu Dyson, The YF-19 represents the next generation of fighter (at the time).

The GNU-DOU comes in at 13cm tall, just a bit taller than a Revoltech. The YF-19 is constructed out of high-quality ABS and POM, so the figure is durable and the detail is machine sharp. The joints are solid and provide a wide range of motion. There is motion in unexpected places – the head antenna, the flaps on the shoulders, and the large wings on the hips. There’s a lot to this figure.

One thing I found interesting about these figures are their modular design. there are no visible screw holes on these figures, as Yamato has found a way to assemble each figure carefully, almost as if they were some kind of puzzle. for example, you can pull the sides of the chest off and see how they use tabs in that part to anchor the shoulder parts in. The arms and legs are snapped together with tight tolerances and hold the jointwork in place. Contrary to popular belief – there is no internal skeleton with the GNU-DOU series, but the jointwork does extend a good amount into the sections.

Accessories include a few variant hands, a gun, and a shield. That’s it. I suppose you don’t need a lot of accessories for a non-transforming toy, but even the Revoltech toys manage to include a stand.

yep – the GNU-DOU does not come with a stand.

The GNU boxes are decidedly simple – A window box with the toy packed in a clear plastic tray.

The big question is – are they worth it? The GNU-DOU average about 1,000 yen (about $10) more than a Revoltech. Honestly – I think they are. They are made out of a better material, are sturdier, and are a little larger. For a non-transforming toy, the engineering is pretty complex, and the toy for the most part feels very sturdy.

For the most part.

The only issue I had with the toy was with one of the small fins on the legs. I hit one of the fins the wrong way and it came right off. Fortunately, it looked as if there wasn’t enough glue holding it on, so a bit of super glue made it all better.