Armored Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - Macross Frontier UNBOXING and Review

[@lordwisehammer]

Ah Harmony Gold, holding the VF Valkyrie hostage since 1985.

[@reptomicus]

Didn't start happening until the mid-90's.

[@bkebradley]

I feel so blessed to live down the road about 20 minutes from a really huge Gunpla and Japanese plamo distributor (they even sell the stuff they're not supposed to sell like Macross and Kotobukiya Zoids kits), I might have to take a peek and see if they have this in stock.

[@monster-mecha_enthusiast_2002]

I remember that Messiah robot, watching one of the movie's of Frontier called "Wings of Goodbye" and it gotten me into Macross in the first place, plus the US ver. of Macross called Robotech too :D

[@TheKrowSama]

Man, I was trying to beat you in uploading a Macross kit this month lol. Funny how we both got one from Frontier and both are a VF-25. This one looks really good though.

[@ForgedHorizons]

I was just about to @ you about it lmao

[@TheKrowSama]

@@ForgedHorizons lol I have those notifications on

[@MrBadmonkeycw]

The Macross Frontier Valkyries are high on my list of WANT...NOW! Right behind The Bang from Five Star Stories

[@Druss39]

It's a great kit, and complex. It also looks great when finished. But the only advice I really like to give on Macross transformable kits. Pick a mode and leave it in that mode. Been that way since the original kits released in the 80's, they are just to fragile to transform. Also I have 2 of my completed kits on my channel if anyone wants to see. Interesting to see a review on this kit so many years after it came out. You need to do one of the Delta one's next.

[@lancebardock]

I'm so GLAD to see this getting a review

[@XB3Gaming]

"Licensing Issues" is putting it mildly lol. Man screw Harmony Gold. Nice video though man, this kit is a lot more solid than I thought it would be.

[@vectremy]

Ah Harmony Gold.. But I thought they have been proven to not hold the license to Macross anymore, could be mistaken tho. You guys still have Robotech tho.. bleeechh..

[@j-frame]

@@vectremy They get renewal of the Macross license, was hopping they loose the license so that Macross can be shown in US of A.

[@XB3Gaming]

@@vectremy Robotech (at least part 1) IS Macross though lol. Harmony Gold owns the rights to the sale and distribution of anything bearing the Macross name in the US, and does nothing with the license except make some merch every so often so they can renew it and keep license squatting. The last anime project they released was the god awful Robotech Shadow Chronicles in 2006. I think part of the issue is the Japanese companies don't want to work with them as well, and with how they got screwed out of their licenses outside Japan and from what I'm assuming are HG's outrageous terms, I don't blame them.

[@ringokageyama6439]

Fuck Harmony Gold! I had a few relatives who worked for Tatsunoko & got screwed over on their retirement bonuses due to unfair business practices of Harmony Gold

[@edkwon]

@@vectremy oh you missed the shit storm earlier this year when Harmony Gold announced the continuation of holding Macross related rights in the US, the collective Fandom was in a rage

[@raimee81]

I have this builit up. Maybe it's time to paint it before I head back to work in the office, whenever that would be. I like working from home. Great review. This kit is so chunky and visually awesome. I have also built the standard valkyrie and the super messiah version. There is also the tornado version which I don't have. Out of the ones I've built this is definitely the most stable in fighter mode. Oh, I'm based in Asia and quite familiar with the whole Macross/Robotech rights issue but I didn't think how it affected model kits in the US.. That sucks!

[@wilridersarawak]

Bro. Macross is my favourite! I love em! Nice review...thank you so much!

[@rovvy221]

Every Macross related video has to include f/screw harmony gold.

[@ForgedHorizons]

Ive never been a massive battroid fan. Gerwalk and fighter modes are where its at. Love pretty much every macross series myself.

[@TheKrowSama]

I would say the standard VF-25S Battroid looks amazing. However, fighter is where it's at.

[@ForgedHorizons]

@@TheKrowSama 25 has best gerwalk overall, VF-1s has the best head

[@ForgedHorizons]

@Shield Liger other way around but ok lol.

[@jettz12001]

Thank you for this! I grew up watching macross and gundam.. would like to see an OZMA armored version review too.. keep up the vidz!

[@boomstick_jones]

Thanks for the review! I've been looking for reviews for Bandai Macross kits. I have one VF-31J, which I got on a release date promo in Japan, and it's so good, though the antenna got broken by Kawamori when he was signing it.

[@walshmobile37]

Have been eyeing these kits, thanks for doing a review

[@UdinDjaelani]

If you want, you might like the VF 31 or the draken 3 kits, it has more locking mechanism, especially on the legs and the wings, so no more flappy wings there. The articulation is much better too. It actually more well designed than the vf25s

[@chacrawarrior]

In the wise words of Spongebob in the episode "Tea at the Treedome": "I NEED IT!!!!"

[@onewingedangel986]

I just got notified by hlj.com that they have it in stock, so if you haven't bought it already on eBay/Amazon for more than double price, you may catch it still for it's regular price :D

[@chacrawarrior]

@@onewingedangel986 Unfortunally I can´t buy it but thanks for the reply.

[@RayShadow278]

I had quite a few fitting problems with the VF-25S normal variant. The shoulder joints holding the wing back piece snapped, the neck C-Clip snapped, and the little tab the connects the waist to the torso in Battroid mode also snapped. One of the landing gear front doors snapped in half. Also you're supposed to be able to extend the leg-hip connection to get a wider range of movement but that's impossible with my kit. It's got stress marks *EVERYWHERE* Maybe I just got unlucky, I'd like to hear a few more opinions from you guys Oh and for the Battroid you're supposed to fold the wings back, not leave them spread out

[@kuyaaids]

Does your VF-25's runners are dated at around 2009-ish? blame it on weak plastic. Had the same problem with mine.

[@geriouano3419]

I have the VF25f and VF31J and I really love these kits! but be careful on transforming them too much. Decals are really good too! I can say that I love them more than my gunpla kits.

[@cnhnx]

If you think this kit version is expensive, wait until you see the price of DX Chogokin version. Or more accurately, the price that scalpers put on them.

[@ocdavid]

I just put this one together and it’s awesome.

[@Jonathan_Chong]

ooh digging into macross kits great to see that maybe try the macross plus yf19 with the add on orbital booster pack-version but like plane models they shine when painted rather than stock form (or at least a dull more matt clearcoat so the body isnt so plasticy) i wonder if you paint the missle pods on messiah and separate colour the base from missiles would you hand pant the base carefully with a micro brush or cover every missile to spary paint inside at the base feel like its a pain to get in there

[@jaysicat1845]

I have always wanted to build one of these but discouraged by the finicky build specially for the transformation. Cannot wait for the full review or are you doing a live build? Maybe you can help me decide either to give it a try or put my fancies to final rest. *oops, this is a review. Just got too pumped* Also, i have always wondered which transformable gunplas can pull out gerwalk mode.

[@GX0n3]

Now I need to find where to get one of these, cause it looks so bad ass

[@ForgedHorizons]

Zach you should join the Plamax Minimum Factory 1/20 VF-1 gang. Theres gerwalk and fighter modes available atm. And they're currently working on a VF-25 aiming for a release next summer

[@ZakuAurelius]

Yeah.... just not gonna happen! Lol, I’d have to paint my two massive Neo Zeong first

[@MistakenMedia087]

Interesting my local gunpla shop was talking about bringing in some Macross stuff. I was always curious why we never had it over here that much.

[@BLAZE084]

There are missing color apps. Most notably on the head cannons, mouth plate, vents on the sides of the head, the clear piece for the eyes, the secondary intakes on the chest, the cockpit hatch, the crotch piece, and all the inner workings exposed when transformed in either gerwalk or battroid.

[@KrisLI1408]

I'm tired of waiting for YF-29 plastic model, so I just go ahead and preorder the DX version.

[@adamhajdu]

Cool, I would love to see the transformation and the articulation too. Can you do more videos like this plz?

[@Exaris79]

Other than any MS that has dragoons or fin funnels, the Armored VF-25 will missile spam any gundams. Especially if it carries a dimensional eater planet buster bomb, since it's powerful enough to eat a moon sized chunk of a planet.

[@carlosdeenavi]

Forgot to ask, can you separate the armored parts to get the base VF-25?

[@YeshuaAlchemist]

Now I know why I can't find any Macross from hobby shops.

[@knuckles7790]

I preordered a RG Zeong. It better be worth that big ass design.

[@supergeno128ds]

I bought the VF-25G Super Messiah and repainted it in VF-25A colors (to look like the classic VF-1A "grunt" Valkyrie which I love so very very much) and unfortunately in doing so it caused it to break some of the parts for the transformation. So be warned, these things aren't as sturdy as you think. :(

[@mahatmagandhiful]

Aaaaah shit it's time to bring in all the Dakkas LET'S DO IT BOYS I love these kits so much. They're lacking some of the key simplications and improvements that the Macross Delta VF-31 kits brought, and I have tons of issues with them besides, but even so, I have a real soft spot in my heart for these kits and Macross Frontier in general. It's such a shame that the legal fiasco surrounding Macross has kept it from striking out into the West for so long, because Frontier really was a remarkable revival of the franchise. EDIT: 18:15 - Yep, that's one of the aforementioned improvements that the later series kit introduced, a rotation at the thighs to allow the legs to splay out more and get that aggressive A stance that the Gerwalk is known for.

[@brianlyers7484]

all the licencing issues with macross are really depressing. these kits would be so much more popular if they were available worldwide, I really hope they keep doing the 1/72 macross kits, although they're probably going to keep doing the 1/100

[@j-frame]

Still waiting for a 1/1000 Super Dimension Fortress Macross

[@hubertdy7158]

Hi. Pls build the Regult there on your shelf... ;) Check out also the VF25G Tornado and there's also a clear version of VF25F

[@rviejohn]

pls review alto, ozuma, luka and michael custom :)

[@shiroranmori5009]

The main reason why Macross latest games isn't being localized is because of Harmony Gold. And I have VF-31J Siegfried that I was going to make my own custom design soon.

[@noblord8643]

Can it still be able to change to normal messiah? I wanna get the kit, but the price of super messiah is cheaper than the normal messiah..

[@NeoSlashott]

I'm more of an OG VF-1 fan.. this is the first I've seen in a model kit and it's in the Frontier series... love the armors, missile hatches and it's surprisingly transformable too. Alto is a main character, much like Hikaru Ichijou from OG Macross.

[@RayShadow278]

There is a 1/72 VF-1S from Bandai, fully transformable as well, but I've heard it's a bit finicky Also you'd be lucky to find it on eBay since it's out of production

[@NeoSlashott]

@@RayShadow278 I have a 1/48 Scale Yamato Version of a VF-1S DYRL Roy Focker edition... with separate Super Packs set. It's big, very detailed, detachable missiles etc. xD My dream come true VF-1 Toy long ago. If Model kit-wise: I just have to wait abit more if they have reissue to improved versions.

[@freddydeleon3939]

Do you think is good to paint this macross kit ? To make it stand out more

[@FreakGeSt]

Now we need the VF Girl.

[@keenie81]

Agreed. would love to see what he thinks of the V.F.G kits

[@AlvinREDDELTA]

yes im really looking for this kit for so long but so hard to find

[@user-lynKx]

Ugh. I really want to buy this but no one selling to the US has good prices. I mean, they're fair but it's the "+Shipping" part that gets you

[@stryderprime]

If it wasn't for the high price and massive amount of parts I have to paint I would have got this on day one.

[@zakhaevshub4735]

I don't have the kit...but I do have the Chogokin and it's awesome

[@patponggongbun3213]

COOL 😎I use it in SRW Z.

[@JangoTheBlueFox]

blame Harmony Gold.

[@axf-22]

When it comes to anything Macross in the states, it's those bastard's fault.

[@JangoTheBlueFox]

@@axf-22 fun fact! they made all of their money in real estate.

[@NeoSlashott]

I've watched the og macross english dubs as a kid without those butchered Harmony Gold elements. hehehe

[@JangoTheBlueFox]

@@NeoSlashott there are only two releases of that version. the ADV version from 2005 and then Lionsgate Robotech Classic Collection in 2014 which included the ADV dub but this version only contained 18 episodes.

[@zenartvonduke380]

Macross Frontier is great ^_^ This kit is what i wanted to buy for a very long time. I just realized now. that it's called Armored Messiah yet it's full of Warheads. won't a single hit start a chain reaction? hahahhaha!

[@gravemane]

Zack you should check out the Ozma Lee Custom Armored Messiah! I'm still in the process of building mine but it's pretty awesome like this one!

[@PANAGIOTISAMPATZIS]

except for the colors is there any difference between them?

[@gravemane]

@@PANAGIOTISAMPATZIS head design and rifle gimmick is different and I believe the missile pods are in a different position if I'm not mistaken

[@PANAGIOTISAMPATZIS]

@@gravemane damn it man. I wanted a reason to not buy both but as you say it I think I ll bite the bullet haha. Then I have to get the 2 super messiahs also xD. Cheers!

[@gravemane]

@@PANAGIOTISAMPATZIS lol yeahhhh I had to choose between the 4 and I really like Ozmas especially with the skull logo too and there's some other ones that are cool looking too

[@PANAGIOTISAMPATZIS]

@@gravemane I ll try getting the vf27 lucifer if not mistaken

[@hmmdoh7835]

I got the regular one can’t find anyone selling the super packs alone....

[@fantastiCkiLler92]

I have the normal VF 25F and I happy with it. Not a fan of that huge chunk of stuff all over the Valkyrie.....and the marking on a Valkyries are always a pain in the ass to work with. You transform it, the decal that you put on probably scratch by the other parts....

[@workingZen]

Beautiful! I been wanting to get myself this one but never know if it will be good so this review is great. Just not sure if I would make the effort to try paint it or not but glad it looks great out of the box.

[@Noisy-Pink-Bubble]

Is the armor not removable? I was under the impression that this kit included all the parts needed to make the regular VF-25F.

[@ZakuAurelius]

I believe you probably can yes

[@Noisy-Pink-Bubble]

Does the armor require unique parts to stay on? I thought it worked like on the Chogokins where you put the armor on top of the finished Valk.

[@futurescholar25]

Hey hey, i know the pipeline for reviews is long but have you considered reviewing the XZM-011 Solideia from Starwing Paradox by Kotobukiya

[@ZakuAurelius]

Nah I passed on that one. Kit looks interesting but not too into the design personally

[@futurescholar25]

@@ZakuAurelius dang😆 thanks for letting me know. Keep up the good work, your videos are great as usual

[@zackdiamond1037]

Heard horror stories about this kit and how it just falls apart due to bad plastic. is it true tho?

[@noblord8643]

Does this still can make into normal messiah???

[@rightsideup6304]

My god, someone finally reviewing this kit... VF-27 next pls...

[@Coolio_Ash]

Interesting they cant sell them in the us. Kind of a shame tbh id love to have one

[@sharingansasuke5]

YO MACROSS FRONTIER IS MY FAVORITE AND I LOVE THESE KITS

[@TheWarDogSquad]

If anyone eyeing or buying this. just watch out for the head and the articulation,you could accidentally break any of the part.

[@Sm00k]

Do the Armored Klan Klan next>]

[@bluspeed7]

Harmony Gold needs to go to hell and release their hold on the Macross license. They’re ruining and making us miss out on all kinds of Macross goodness

[@alexbueno6615]

Nice

[@Snishi52]

anyone gonna talk about the background music? sounds like a familiar tune from a certain hub

[@salmananjum3367]

👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾

[@CAKMOBTigaraksa]

can it still become normal messiah?

[@ZakuAurelius]

I believe so, yes

[@TheKing-qz9wd]

This must be a space unit. The robot with the back pack sinply couldn't fly.

[@Courier-gq6ym]

It’s all terrain, VF are designed to go anywhere and everywhere.

[@TheKing-qz9wd]

@@Courier-gq6ym Magic I guess.

[@TsorovanZero]

Anything can fly if you put enough thrust behind it.

[@TheKing-qz9wd]

@@TsorovanZero Thst is terrible logic.

[@ironwolfsaber2739]

Tell that to the isreali F16 that lost a wing mid flight and landed safely. Or any space rocket ever.

[@xxgrimriverxx9845]

Macross > Robotech. Also screw Harmony Gold.

[@j-frame]

Agreed, Screw Robotech.

[@iqbalprasadana5208]

"How many missiles would you like to use?" "Sure"

[@MadMagicianKaros]

But does it need glue?

[@ZakuAurelius]

Nope

[@MadMagicianKaros]

@@ZakuAurelius awesome! Thank you.

[@shanenice5380]

Is it 5 inch tall?

[@ZakuAurelius]

No it’s larger probably closer to 8” maybe?

[@shanenice5380]

@ZakuAurelius good so I needed 1/100 scale

[@MachineMindDesigns]

For those wondering: much of the licensing issues came due to a god awful company named Harmony Gold. My history on the subject is fairly rusty as I mostly know them for the Mechwarrior/Battletech shenanigans, but they refused to accept any of the newer Macross licenses for some goddamn reason, borked the original concept and gave us Robotech. They held on to the machine designs for a long time until PGI and their game Mechwarrior Online came in and gave them the ultimate FU to a degree as their mech designs were considered different enough from the ones in Robotech. Apparently, though, HG still produces merch enough to maintain some aspects of the license (as noted by a comment below). The people responsible for Macross still refuse to bring said series to the U.S. because of Harmony Gold's actions. Keep in mind this is an abridged version of the history. [Edited for new info and revisions]

[@jamescaulfield6632]

The short version of this is that Harmony gold owns all of the rights to anything related to Robotech or Macross including the valkyr design well in Japan taquiera owns the rights the same people responsible for creating the Transformers taquiera bring the Robotech design over in a Transformer known as Jetfire and Harmony gold sued Hasbro which Hasbro was getting their Transformer line from taquiera so to make a long story short Harmony gold threw a fit because they weren't getting paid so anything Robotech related in the u.s. is controlled by Harmony gold what I find funny about the whole thing is that no matter how you slice Chop ore cut it it's still the most expensive Transformer in history unless it's a model kit the actual Transformers themselves sell for around $250 and that's not even including importing which will run around another $50 and then if you want to add the armor to it you're looking at another $200 so this kid at 80 bucks not so bad bottom line we all hate Harmony gold lol

[@j-frame]

Battletech didn't renamed to Mechwarrior, Mechwarrior is the RPG branch of Battletech. The computer game "Mechwarrior" is different with the Mechwarrior that belong to the Tabletop and its a RPG. Battletech have more stories lore than Robotech lore.

[@XB3Gaming]

HG also did manage to renew their license because despite obviously squatting on the Macross name, they do manage to make Robotech merch frequently enough to maintain their death grip on the franchise. If i remember right aren't they primarily a real estate company now or something?

[@MachineMindDesigns]

@@j-frame Like I said, my memory is very rusty on the subjects (it's been awhile) and wasn't fully aware of the two names being separate branches so thanks for the extra info

[@oneklump]

Very cool design, but I'm not sure its $100 worth

[@Coolio_Ash]

Wait wait.... .....by... bandai...?

[@Coolio_Ash]

Isnt macross normally kotobukya?

[@blueonblack83]

Hasegawa does Macross.

[@aldrenphilipuy4016]

too bulky for my taste, kewl kit though...

[@stevenhida]

harmony gold can go to hell.

[@Reesakee]

This kit is old and quite cancer to build. Moving parts dont quite fit together perfectly without alot of fiddling.

[@MSGSlayer1]

Don't worry about the whole Macross thing. I watched Robotech. Robotech!

[@ForgedHorizons]

Ew robotech

[@NeoSlashott]

aw fugg no!! xDDD

[@j-frame]

Screw Robotech

[@rovinjeoctponce1893]

Hello Mr zaku can you give a HG Gundam or RG as a newbie I have HG but I want to build RGs too can I have some gundams from you plssssssssss🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️😓😓😓

[@MSGSlayer1]

Better wait for a giveaway.

[@lowegule135]

To be honest the armored version looks worse than the regular version.