4 years after the screening of the first episode of Macross Zero, Big West’s 20th Anniversary project for Macross, VF-0s was finally released by Yamato.

First announced at the August Wonderfest 2005, this is perhaps one of the most anticipated and sought after macros valkyrie since the YF-19, also by Yamato, from Macross Plus.


Retailing at around 17,000 YEN, this fully transformable valkyrie comes in a box the same size as that of the 1/48 VF-1x series. Flap on the front opens to reveal the VF-0s and all the accessories and parts.


There are 4 sets of missiles and they come in a set of 3. Each missile is painted and detailed much more nicely than the VF-1s missiles.


The gunpod features the same transformation as the VF-1s’ and is supposed to attache to the VF-0s in very much the same fashion.


However the hole on the gunpod handle is too small and would not fit and stay in place. The only way to keep it in place without enlarging the hole is to use the adapter provided for use with the universal Macross stand.

The first thing you’ll notice about the VF-0s is probably the size and scale. Although it is scaled at 1/60 , it almost the same length as the 1/48 VF-1x. Because the VF-0s is essentially the predecessor of the VF-1s, I’ll be comparing the 2 quite a fair bit in this review.


Unlike the VF-1s which is mainly pure white , the VF-0s’ body is coloured a little off white, with a slight yellow tinge, giving it a resin look.


If you own any 1/48 VF-1x, you will be able to transform the VF-0s without much trouble, it uses the same transformation mechanism for a bulk of the transformation. Even though they are the same size, the VF-1s feels slightly heavier probably because of the difference in the plastic used, because of that, the VF-0s also feels more flimsy and fragile.


The fast pack attaches to the body of the VF-0s with a magnet which is really, for the lack of a better word, cool.


Plane mode:
The VF-0s contains the features of the VF-1s so they basically take after the same plane, the F-14.


The retractable landing gear on the VF-0s is an improved version of that on the VF-1s, it locks in place preventing them from collapsing when the plane is taxied, a problem suffered by all in the VF-1x line.


Like the VF-1s, the engine intake is finely detailed with an optional cover over it much like the VF-1s, other similar features include the air-brake and a cockpit canopy that can be opened and closed.


The canopy however does not include a locking mechanism like that on the VF-1s hence it will not click into place, although it is not loose and does not open when turned upside down, it would still be helpful to have it click into place. The VF-0s also come with a removable nose spike unique to it.




Gerwalk mode:
A form made famous by the Macross series, this hybrid of a plane and a robot did not disappoint. The legs It looks very much like the VF-1s gerwalk mode but the attention paid to the details put this a cut above the VF-1s as far as design is concerned.


The rocket boosters on the back pack are retractable and the backpack locks into place without the need of a visible catch which can be clearly seen on the VF-1s. The hands, only partially hidden in plane mode, extends out unlike the VF-1s which flips out. It uses the same hand design as the VF-1s but unlike the VF-1s which can grip the gunpod relatively well, the VF-0s hands do not fit the gunpod handle as snugly.


Using the adapter provided, the VF-0s can be mounted on the universal Macross stand with its signature pose.


Battroid mode:
The first thing you will notice about the VF-0s is no doubt the head. Featuring the best looking head on any valkyrie yet, the amount of detail is on an entire whole new level, nothing even comes close.


The difference in scale is the most noticeable in this mode. Even though the VF-0s stands at almost the same height as the VF-1s, the VF-1s contains significantly more bulk in the arms. The body of the VF-0s is also significantly shorter than that of the VF-1s.


Without any joints on the body, the VF-0s compensates with 4 points of articulation on the each arm and 7 points of articulation on each leg. Combined with the 2 points of articulation in the neck, the VF-0s can be posed in a wide array of poses in both the battroid and gerwalk mode.

However the VF-0s is not without flaws, it suffers from generally loose joints which is a huge factor in an poseable toy. Loose joints make the VF-0s unstable in quite a number of poses and the hand is unable to support the weight of the gunpod. Quality control is another huge problem faced by the VF-0s. Various QC problems reported are the piece having 2 right shoulders making the screw visible on the left shoulder, absence of the metal plate within the leg which keeps the fast pack attached and the small spike on the tail fin broken in box. I attribute the broken spike on the tail fin to poor box design, the spike on the tail fin is in contact with the plastic mold that houses the VF-0s, any rough movement would subject the spike to enough stress to dislodge the tail fin from its housing, in the case of some pieces, which would definitely be able to break it.

Final Verdict: 7/10

This is definitely one of the best looking Macross Valkyrie in the market and a must buy for any Macross fan. Its looks alone makes me want to give it a 10. However bad QC by Yamato caused this piece to lose quite a number of points from many buyers. I am fortunate to have a near to perfect piece, free from QC problems, with everything that is supposed to be there intact, but the fact that such problem exist in many of the other pieces cannot be overlooked.

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