REVIEW: 1/144 Chara-Works Macross Valkyrie Collection Volumes 1 + 2

Soar the skies with two incredible sets of Macross Valkyries...

To purchase the 1/144 Chara-Works Macross Valkyrie Collections and other cool oversea collectibles, visit HobbyLink Japan.

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Ever since The Super Dimension Fortress Macross (or just “Macross”) first debuted in Japan way back in 1982, there have been a multitude of collectibles and toys. In fact, new stuff comes out in Japan all the time, although not all of it makes it across the ocean in large quantities. While the big transformable Valkyries from Yamato, Bandai, and others get most of the press, every so often a really interesting and special product is released. A few years ago this was the Seika Pencil Sharpener set, and now it’s the 1/144 Chara-Works Valkyries, fourteen amazing little Valkyrie fighters that are superb display pieces. They are produced by F-Toys and distributed by Happinet.

The Macross anime (later appearing as the first generation of the Robotech series) concerns the fate of humanity when an alien armada attempts to take back their lost starship. The intrepid humans fight back with groundbreaking Valkyries (Robotech Veritechs), jets somewhat reminiscent of F-14 Tomcats that transform into giant robots. The Valkyries are all based on the same basic model, with small differences in color, head design, and accessories. Beloved by fans the world over, the different Valkyries are instantly recognizable even by such cosmetic details. A sequel/re-telling of the series, the film The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love (or just “DYRL” - no real American version) offered an action-packed new version of the same story with additional mecha designs.

The Chara-Works 1/144 Macross Valkyries were released in two sets, the first in 2007 and the second earlier this year. Each collection contained six standard pieces plus a “secret” one. As with most small-scale Japanese toys these days the Macross Valkyries are released in individual blind boxes. Hobby Link Japan has both collections in stock in unopened boxes of 10. There’s no guarantee of what you’ll find, but the review samples both had complete sets (plus three duplicates each).

The packaging for these Valkyries is simple and sophisticated. The Collection Boxes border on austere, with very little decoration. The Vol. 1 box is white, dominated by a large detail photo of the VF-1J Hikaru Ichijo Valkyrie. There’s also the Macross logo, and the sides of the box show off the six standard pieces inside. Meant to serve as a display and sales vehicle, the box can be opened in a variety of ways with pull tabs and folding panels. The Vol. 2 box is similar, though with even less decoration. Done in a stylish grayscale, the box has only the Macross logo and a photo of the VT-1 Valkyrie.

Most Macross collectible lines feature the same lineup of Valkyries representing the mecha of the main characters from the series. This is why there’s always a blue one for Maximilian, a red one for Milia, a white one with red highlights for Hikaru Ichijo, and a white one with yellow details for Roy Focker. Beyond these, of course, there are literally dozens of other Valkyrie styles and configurations. One of the really excellent things about the Chara-Works Volumes is its selection – while there are naturally most of the mainstays, there are also representations of some of the rarest mecha in the series, and even one that’s never before been made into a collectible!

Here are the lineups:

Vol. 1:

- VF-1J Hikaru Ichijo

- VF-1J Milia Fallyna

- VF-1S Strike Hikaru Ichijo (DYRL)

- VF-1S Strike Roy Fokker (DYRL)

- VF-1A Fodder

- VF-1A Angel Birds

Secret – VF-1A Maximilian Jenius in Zentradi Jacket

Vol. 2:

- VF-1J Maximilian Jenius

- VF-1A Hikaru Ichijo (DYRL)

- VF-1S Strike Minmay Guard (DYRL)

- VT-1 Super Ostrich (DYRL)

- VF-1A Super Hikaru Ichijo (DYRL)

- VF-1S Super Roy Focker

Secret – VF-1A Kakizaki (DYRL)

There are four Valkyries that stand out from the usual suspects, two per set. In Vol. 2 is a Minmay Guard, one of the most rare Valkyrie paint schemes and rarely seen in collectibles. The “secret” version is a green-accented Kakizaki fighter from DYRL. In Vol. 1 is the Angel Birds mecha, decorated in a red, white, and blue demonstration pattern. The “secret” Valkyrie there is the most unique of both sets. At first glance even hardcore Macross/Robotech fans might not recognize the oddly colored fighter. It is in fact Maximilian’s VF-1A wearing a Zentradi soldier’s jacket, from the episode in which the heroes are captured by the aliens! This scene-specific mecha has never before been made into a collectible (at least to my knowledge), and really brings something special to this set.

The Valkyries are blind packed in thin boxes, ten per Vol. box. While the outer boxes are relatively simple, the individual boxes are brightly colored and jam-packed with images. The front of the Vol. 1 packs have detail photos of the VF-1J Hikaru Ichijo and VF-1S Strike Hikaru Ichijo, with the U.N. Spacy logo in the background. The Macross TV logo adorns almost every side of the box. On one side is a “filmstrip” of images from both the anime and DYRL. The back of the box shows all of the Valkyries in the series. The Vol. 2 box is exactly the same format, with the VT-1 and VF-1A Hikaru Ichijo Valkyries on the front, the same “filmstrip” on the side, and the Vol. 2 lineup on the back. Each box is opened by a pull tab across the top; there’s no resealing here. There is absolutely no indication on the box which Valkyrie is inside.

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