Bandai DX YF-21 with FAST Packs Review

[@ScorchedEarthToys]

If you're shopping for toys from any anime, check out HobbyLink Japan. Do it through my URL to also support this channel! www.hlj.com/?

[@billmcquown4168]

M'Kyuun here from Macrossworld. I appreciate your always taking the time to do these reviews and transformation vids. Your knowledge and experience, as well as your personal insights, are invaluable. I transformed mine back into fighter today, the first time since receiving it. I managed it sans instructions and without using the removable pin; however, going back to battroid, which is how I display mine, I could not get the pointy ends of the engine nacelles to slide up fully into their battroid positions. I consulted your transformation vid and after fiddling with the grey bit in the backpack (it was in the proper position, but I reseated it), I was finally able to get the nacelles fully positioned, and I likely shan't be messing about with it much anymore. After weeks of not touching it, I was surprised by its heft; it's a heavy toy for its size. I also agree with your assessment of its playability; it poses so well and so handily, unlike the Yammie which struggled to simply stand without doing the involuntary splits. I love the thicker lower legs as well; the battroid looks much better than the Yammie, although the DX could have used a little more bulk on the forearms. However, I'm happy with it, at least until Arcadia finally decides to do a 2.0. Cheers, Jenius!

[@zoraius]

In the macross plus movie edition at 4:34 as the yf-21 is landing it does in fact have an air brake there that is up! I was watching Macross plus again just to get a good pose for my Yf-21 and I happened to see that.

[@gojirasaurus]

I love how sincere your opinions are. You tell it how it is. I can't wait for your VT-1 review!

[@urutoraseven]

Good review. This one shines in battroid mode, glad I kept my Yamato which looks better in fighter.

[@ltwich]

Thank you so much Jenius! The instructions have so little detail on how to install the fast packs on the vertical stabilizers, that I have been doing it wrong! You showed me the right way! I appreciate you making this video and all your content!

[@Cab895]

first time viewer, this was a fantastic review, you gained a subscriber !

[@Actar_Raikit]

Wooh! Your review was definitely well worth the wait. Always appreciate the systematic rundown of all the features and details coupled with the knowledge and experience of handling tons of Macross toys. A couple of things I'd like to add regarding my personal experience of handling my copy. Firstly, the gun droop is undeniably annoying. Not sure why they didn't just add another peg at the front like on the Yamato to secure the entire thing in place better. Regardless, it seems that there is some variance when it comes to the size of the pegs on the guns (or the holes on the side skirts), and swapping them significantly helped reduce the drooping on my copy. Not sure if it's the same with yours. Next, the locking pin is absolutely unnecessary. The toy transforms and handles just fine without it. It's only really required in fighter mode, and not only does the backpack already lock rather solidly into place without it, but the stored legs prevent it from collapsing anyway. Finally, do be careful with the balljoint on the face. It seems that you need to press on it rather hard to pop it back on securely into place. Otherwise, it will still hang on and pose but will feel loose and fall off again rather easily. From how easily it seems to move in the review, I think it can still be pushed farther in.

[@Exaris79]

I still have my Yamato's YF-21 in both versions still in the box since it came out decades ago. I opened it a couple of times and transformed it a few times before putting it back in its box.

[@raimee81]

Beautiful! I missed out on the pre-order. Honestly now, I don't mind haha. I will not miss pre-ordering V2 in 5 years!

[@citrusjuicebox]

My guess is Bandai wanted the feet of the Fold Booster brackets to be flush with the surface of the YF-21, but they didn't bother to paint the feet blue, so you still see black squares anyway, just not sticking out as much. I don't know. I still like my copy, which fortunately didn't have as many QC problems, and evidently QC was pretty big issue with this release. Pretty disappointing for the money. I never even messed with the FAST packs, which I guess kind of a good thing?

[@gaveintothedarkness]

The line art comparison was quite a nice touch!

[@dmaynor]

I am glad you are back.

[@conleydunlap327]

I love your legacy knowledge! I can tell you have been collecting for a while!! I also loved all of the line art comparisons. I agree that “playability” seemed to be the focus on this valk. My favorite mode is still fighter, even though the line art is wrong; the paint definitely distracted me and continues to impress me every time I look at it😂. I also agree the Fast packs need some paint apps. It feels like marketing was against some sort of weapon set promotion that could have possibly come with the fold drive and maybe some extra weaponry. Possibly something similar to the Lil Draken set.

[@yankeleherrera4467]

Hey Jenius, mrbomber here, long time no see! Finally a non Arcadia YF 21! I was waiting for your review.

[@snmdair]

Thanks for the review. I was thinking about getting this to go with the latest re-issue YF-19, but the way the gun droops is a show stopper for me. I'll be waiting for that red Draken III that is up for pre-order on BBTS.

[@ScorchedEarthToys]

The design is poor and it's bad that the droop happens, but if you did buy it, you could probably put a tiny piece of clear tape on the side of the peg to make it the tiniest bit thicker and fix the problem.

[@snmdair]

@@ScorchedEarthToys It's just such a disappointment when something like that is missed or ignored by QC. Especially when people see the Chogokin or Soul of Chogokin label, you expect a certain level of quality. Obviously transforming toys are feats of engineering, but that just makes it all the more glaring when something so small is missed.

[@dephranque9883]

There is actually another possible defect that is the cracking of the cockpit. I actually want to get the Yamato version now.

[@wewyllenium]

Nice share as always. Will wait on a renewal .

[@ronskfc]

Definitely one of his more passionate reviews. Is the YF-21 his favorite mech?

[@DeanMcFarland]

There it is!

[@Snipple-bl8hb]

Great review man!!! very detailed about all its shortcomings

[@patrickthehedgehog]

Excellent review as always. I'm still really on the fence for this one, but right now I have a US Amazon order so I can get support if anything is bent or broken should I decide to pull the trigger. I couldn't believe the deal with the head laser cropping up again after going through that with the original DX YF-19! Heartbreaking really. Thanks for showing off some of the weirdness with fighter mode that I wasn't previously aware of.

[@tokwataku6527]

Version 2 it is then. Thanks for the awesome vid.

[@mikedormann5002]

Super review, just glad to have the 21. Looking so good ,line art kinda got me, though. Looking for your review/thoughts on the threezero vf-1? Any idea when?

[@ScorchedEarthToys]

Glad to you liked the review. I'm looking forward to getting to the ThreeZero but I have a big backlog right now so not sure on the ETA.

[@ApharmdCX]

I'm happy with mine. I had the 1/72 Yamato version back in the day so I was super excited to finally get the latest. I'm not a fan of the brace for the back pack, and the locking pin. The line art inconsistencies are not I deal breaker for me. The DX 21's gerwalk/battroid looks way better than Yamato's.

[@HobbyFanInJapan]

My thoughts are exactly the same. The only one drawback for me is extremely big package. It is even bigger that Yamato version. Really, Bandai might rearrange below blisters a little, and put bended wing to opened space there. As for lineart... I wonder... many other valkyries were quite different from linearts, but only this one got chewed by overseas fans,

[@abdulrazak-mv2ni]

VT-1 review pls! Your's is the one I'm really looking forward too...🏆

[@demoskunk]

The real issue on these YF-21 toys is the impossible line art, not the toy. If you want a real-world representation of this mecha design, this DX is the best. Just don't expect the animation to come to life, cuz it will NEVER happen with this design. That Battroid in the animation model sheet just has comically large legs and a stupidly condensed torso and backpack that gives Sideswipe a run for his money. I love Kowamori, but it's obvious he was going for the most unrealistically heroic proportions for that front 3/4 drawing. Just imagine how THAT drawing would look if transformed to Fighter mode without using any anime magic to grow the nosecone and shrink the arms and legs. It would be the stubbiest, fattest egg-plane you've ever seen!

[@c3nty2]

I am ok with re-designing a bit of the yf-21 for a perfect transformation, playable toy, because there is just too much anime-magic going on. That said, I don't like some of the ugly edges they put along the backplate, or things that just don't make sense for an aerodynamic fighter and is ALSO not line-art accurate. And if they're going to take creative liberties and redesign it, how come it still needs to be a partsformer with pins and braces? Mind boggling. Anyway, I already bought one, I think it does overall look good, especially in battroid (although that backpack is way too far away from the main body) compared to Yamato. I also have a Yamato one too, but I keep it in fighter.

[@xaviersaez310]

Alot issues you had dont have on mine. Guns are pretty flush, no damage and parts for wing flaps dont pull off.

[@havocwreak9775]

The ultimate macross guru is back..

[@jamesbrink1546]

Awesome review. Glad I got it. But it seems it was rushed. I could of waited a little longer for them to fix the issues and Q/C problems. Still like my old Yamato version. Miss Yamato :( Vf's and destroids.

[@charless1145]

I really like the yf-21 mostly because it looks very much like the Zentradi female battle armor, which is appropriate considering the pilot is half-zentradi

[@stractosphere]

Got my copy from BBTS the other day, from talking to few others it seems like the head antenna is coming out perfectly straight on the later production batches, hard to say for certain. I didn’t have that one stopper smashed on my arm, however the rear-facing gun was slightly warped out of box. My bigger issue is that the right wing (the one collapsed in packaged) is not as solid as connection as the left wing, it’s always trying to push itself out. After handling for a few hours the connection feels a little better, can survive wooshing and shaking just fine, but I’m curious if that’s a widespread issue since I’ve seen a lot of other reviews where there’s a bigger gap on that wing connection like mine. Truth be told I’m largely ok with the compromises bandai has made, although the back brace is still unfortunate. The YF-21/VF-22 is probably the most cheaty valk design (especially with the backpack), so I really don’t envy trying to turn it into a “perfect transform” figure. The priority for Bandai seemed to be really nailing the articulation and functionality of the figure (particularly Battroid mode) over slavish lineart accuracy, and in that respect they mostly succeeded, though I’m still not a fan of how the legs mount into the fuselage, feels nasty. Overall I’m pretty happy with it, if anything I had more qc issues with the YF-19 reissue. Hoping we get our Jenius/Gamlin VF-22s out of this mold in the future.

[@shazbots7287]

The lack of paint apps on the fastpack is one of two WHAT WERE YOU THINKING choices that got me with this Valk. The other was nothing to do with the wildly differing sculpt that rejected the official lineart in favor of reinventing the wheel; no, it's those god awful hip swivels that have no way of locking into place so that the incredibly tight ball joint of the leg-hip connection doesn't instead have you dragging the swivel. Even the back brace is less of a frustration point, all I really would've asked of that part is for it to be molded in color to blend in with the body but the hip swivel needs some kind of lock mechanism for its distinct 0-45-90 degree settings. Still love my fat penguin boy though.

[@tomrenjie]

I think if you decouple the toy from the line art, the fighter mode looks pretty decent. The YF-23 had a pretty stubby nose too.

[@xstube9621]

Thanks i was waiting for this!, will you review the vf-1 from threezero? i'm interested on hearing your opinion as a very experienced vf-1 toy collector

[@ScorchedEarthToys]

Definitely but I'm still waiting on mine to arrive.

[@alphach1mp]

The only thing I like about this over the Yomato version is that the booster engines and legs are much bigger, making it look bulky and stronger but Yomato still looks better!

[@dephranque9883]

Man I’m wondering if they will come up with a 2.0 version

[@lucasurquiza554]

Probably… in a few years, so I wouldn’t wait standing up if I were you.

[@dephranque9883]

@@lucasurquiza554 I think I’m gonna buy the Yamato version

[@demoskunk]

It needs a V 2.0 to incorporate the Battroid brace.

[@GranTorino-e2k]

great video, very informative!!

[@Keti_Mporta]

I owned the Yamato YF-21 and just got the DX from Amiami (34300 JPY with tax refund). I always found the Yamato version too flimsy, hard to handle and hated its decals. I don't even have Yamato's 21 anymore, as it crumbled to pieces over the years even with very minor handling. To me, the line art discrepancies are more to blame on anime magic than Bandai's design choices. I like the 21's fighter mode cuz of its resemblance of the YF-23, one of my favorite real-life aircraft designs, so it's most likely gonna stay in fighter mode like forever and don't mind its weird gerwalk or battroid modes. To anyone thinking about this 21, I would say to ask yourself what your favorite mode is and then make up your mind for picking this version or not, cuz this baby doesn't look pretty in all 3 modes.

[@gatts13]

Once i get mine, the fast packs stay in the box, and the valkyrie will transition between fighter and gerwalk. My Yf-19 only goes between fighter and Battroid. I guess we cant have it all...

[@donaustin1461]

I like the overall look of this toy, but yeah, everything you pointed out are legitimate criticisms of this mold. I'm just hoping the do a ton of repaints as VF-22 Strumvogel IIs that I can pair up with my VF-19 Advance. Then I can kinda in universe retcon in my mind that these were the mass production compromises that were made to keep costs down LOL But nah, for that pricepoint there is some disappointment factor for sure. I'm hoping if Bandai does try to get their money out of this mold with repaints that the cost comes way down or there's at least more intense F.A.S.T. Packs and boosters akin to the ones featured in the Variable Fighter Master File on the VF-22s

[@mrdriver2988]

The moment I saw the Batroid Holder brace I got YF-30 Flash back. Yea Bandi Did Not Cook with the YF-21. Tho the markings are great👍

[@s7aceman127]

Just got my and I was surprised how much heavier Yf-21 compared to Yf-19. I was lucky as there is no antenna bend and it cost $275 from my local store. They jacked up the price back after so tough luck if anyone else wants it.

[@impossiblepie]

question, have you or will you review any of the Three Zero marcoss toys?

[@ScorchedEarthToys]

Have not yet and definitely will but I ordered my VF-1J from a stateside retailer that still has not received their stock yet.

[@impossiblepie]

@@ScorchedEarthToys 👍

[@demoskunk]

@@ScorchedEarthToys They're really slow on their orders, for some reason.

[@macross25]

@12:19 LMAO!! YAMATO is still the King of VF Toys!!!

[@WooMaster777]

I love that plot twist. 🤣😆

[@demoskunk]

Except the Yamato YF-21 looks like it skipped leg day and has a sagging crotch in Battroid. This design is impossible to replicate in a transforming toy.

[@henry3397]

Solid review bro! But I think I’ll get the Yamato for half the price 😂

[@81lego81]

Thank you for the review! :)

[@TJBowman-vr1co]

Naturally I like Bowman's machine.

[@i.still.function3463]

I 100% agree with the whole Backpack and brace issue. Just reeks of laziness when thr Yammie was able to incorporate it to their 21. However for fighter,surprisingly it really doesnt bother me as much when you showed the line art to the actual toy. The Battloid looks great BUT from certain angles. Really hate the "Open Space" between battloid and backpack. I still love my Dx21 but feels very lazy.

[@iiymij]

rock on!

[@johnpaulgonzaga5997]

I think Bandai was already pressured to release this even if they havent fixed the design issues and just opted for some parts forming to resolve it. What boggles me is why they didnt follow the compressing nose cone like Yamato and the backpack they could have done much better to fold so it doesnt stick out. I still think it looks good in following the QRau design in battroid mode. Never bought Yamato before cause looks kinda spindly for me.

[@ConvoyGTR]

You figure with the more complex yf-19, that one would have the engineering problems, but no it's the reverse. Makes you wonder if this is a junior engineer's first big project.

[@Actar_Raikit]

Nah, the YF-21 is definitely the harder of the two when it comes to the differences in proportions between the various modes. It takes far more anime magic to transform than the YF-19.

[@thkthk12]

? Yf-19 is more complex? It's pretty reskin of other Valk and design hasn't change much since the v1s. With its flaws still happy we got a yf-21 and it's still looks great

[@FrankHerfjord]

I'm all in for soc Tryon-3 but and some metal build dragon scale but bandai really seem to be mailing stuff in lately.

[@RocketBoyStudio]

I feel like a lot (not all) of the engineering on this version is garbage, like blatantly lazy. It does hit a lot of marks despite that. Obviously the legs, are killers, but the integration is a mess. Lots of little misses. Lots of great features. I really hope they make a significant improvement on version 2. I'd buy it as long as its significant.

[@stephenpinkettjr6138]

anyone know how / where we can buy the fold booster? Also, yup! my laser was bend too! Come on Bandai!

[@HobbyFanInJapan]

It seems one and only option to buy factory-made fold booster is obtaining YF-19 Full set pack.

[@Elios0000]

sadly the gunpods always been weak point in all the VF toys and models when trying to show the aircraft on the landing gear. and yes the airbrake is in the anime

[@WooMaster777]

Yeah, I gotta say... This one kinda hurt. There are so few YF-21 options out there. Honestly, I would prefer better proportions and perfect transformation over the elaborate paint decals. Additional nit pick: The fingers don't have an extra joint to better wrap around the guns, so you gotta swap out the hands (i.e. more part swapping). It is a lot of negatives for this price point. 😓

[@kamvilarn]

now Im wishing I didnt sell my Yamato YF21. Here's hoping Arcadia make an improved version, or maybe Bandai does a Renewal version in 2 or 3 years (which is more likely than Arcadia--each DX YF19 has had minor improvements over the prev release ).

[@ethanspaziani1070]

I want to like it but it has some major problems especially for the cost

[@kmikc909]

I was feeling bad for not purchasing this toy recently from a local retailer, it was marked 1000 USD, it was so frikin expensive! I feel a little bit better now knowing that I might want to wait for a little bit more for a new version of this Iconic plane that is more true to the awesomeness of the movies... Thanks man, really!

[@autismicreviews]

wait a sec, one thousand fricking dollars!

[@Keti_Mporta]

​@@autismicreviewssame question... ONE THOUSAND USD???????? 😱

[@kmikc909]

Yup, no direct way of getting these in here and import fees are insane, the yf 19 was 700 usd!!!!

[@autismicreviews]

@@kmikc909 have you tried some other services at all like buyee and other proxy buying sites?

[@i.still.function3463]

I'm so confused lol. I paid $290 for mine shipped to California lol. $1000 is ridiculous

[@edstarmd]

I did not know there was a Chogokin DX fold drive available? Where is that available?

[@ScorchedEarthToys]

For now, it can only be acquired with the DX YF-19 Full Set Pack

[@i.still.function3463]

​@ScorchedEarthToys I'm puzzled on what Bandai is gonna do,like are they planning to sell the Fast packs and Fold booster since the the reissued YF-19 didn't come with it? If so does that mean YF-21 will have to buy that set along with the Dx YF-19 Fast packs?? I really think it was a dumb move for the 21 to not come with the Fold booster

[@ScorchedEarthToys]

@@i.still.function3463 I don't disagree... but I think the 21 is expensive. Maybe they are already planning on a basic 21 re-release and then they'll follow it up with a Fast Packs + Fold Booster accessory set.

[@i.still.function3463]

​@ScorchedEarthToys It just hit me that the Reissue 19 doesn't even come with Missiles so Bandai is gonna pull that Dx VF-1 SSP and Missile accessories bs all over again and add the Fold Booster to that now!? I love Bandai but man it's hard to defend their choices. Real shitty they gave mounts for the Fold on the 21 but no Fold booster lol,SMH.

[@HobbyFanInJapan]

My personal opinion. If we leave QC problems aside, then this figure is great. Many other mecha figures цуку not even close to their linearts... and believe me you will be surprised with many differences if you check on for example Evangelions and their Metal Build interpretations or Gundam modifications for Gundam x Chofokin series... So bandai way of making 21 seem fair enough compared to other anime universes. The real problem of YF2, at least for me is extremely enlarged box... it might be about 30% smaller if Bandai rearranged parts in below blisters and opened hole for bended wing there. Really if you are collecting anime stuff, then with boxes like that your might be running out of free storage space extremely fast.

[@mxggo9046]

'Its ok'

[@jocax188723]

Yeah, I'm disappointed. I guess the only good thing about the DX releasing is that the demand on the Yamatos might finally take a dip and I can get one that doesn't look like it shrunk in the pool.

[@jaselee2975]

I'm so disappointed with mine. Bended antenna and also there's a stress mark on the tip of the wing.

[@jasonetter9171]

I'm so glad I have three of these

[@matthiasbonnici5266]

For the price they are asking for, it should be perfect. I'm glad, I didn't get this release.

[@Leopardo_Bianco]

I feel for the die-hard fans of the YF-21... for the many years this toy has been in development, it's a massive let down by how the aesthetics were missed in plane mode.

[@koimananana]

Ight, imma sleep on the YF21 for now i guess, until bamco fiz it

[@brian_belmont87]

It would have been much cooler looking in a purple instead of the blue color.

[@sidearmsalpha]

This should have turned out better considering how long they took to release it. The lack of accessories for the price is also disappointing. Should have been as robust as the YF-19 release. I can see the compromises that had to be made with the design when the animation relied on quite a bit of anime magic to look great in all modes. I'm glad I held onto the Yamato and I'll leave that in fighter mode with a fold booster and leave the Bandai in Battroid. Oh well. Maybe in another decade, Bandai will give it another try or someone else.

[@saberwing7930]

Wow, this is a real mixed bag. Some things are great. Some things are inexcusable. Especially since Bandai has already done things better. This is almost as bad as the V1 VF-25 figures, where there was a lot of compromises that didn't need to exist. One thing that would be an interesting include would be a shrunken nose section for Battroid mode, to more accurately replicate the lineart if that was what you wanted. But overall, this is a real mess of a figure, and I don't understand what Bandai was thinking.

[@themegaroadproject3014]

I miss yamato

[@ronking8442]

350 plus tax and shipping is just too much. The arms doesn’t even lock on battriod mode. I just gonna have to pass.

[@aguynamedlynx6397]

This guy felt like it should had released much earlier instead of next to current releases. I mean, it kind of was. it was revealed god knows how long ago at this point Certainly handles great but not aesthetically good. A shame, really

[@ufirex]

That stubby VF-1 made milk come out my nose. just sayin'...

[@PhillipLeung-c3x]

yikes at this price point, there's a lot of damage right out the box.

[@aurance]

Yikes, this thing...

[@dangeorge809]

Way too many issues to be paying 35,000 yen for.

[@dominicconolly1219]

US$350 shitshow. So glad i watched your review. Wont be getting this trainwreck

[@dominicconolly1219]

That huge flat piece of crap behind its head in battloid is a deal breaker.