The VF-4 Lightning III is now available again as a Hi-Metal R toy.
One of the more inconspicuous mechas Macross After being treated with Hi-Metal R, the effect is surprisingly good.
To clarify, this is an updated re-release of the 2019 Hi-Metal R toy, but it does include some extra elements this time around.
Anyway, we are talking about the VF-4 Lightning III variable fighter from the anime Macross Flashback 2012. This design is interesting in many ways, not least because of its gaming pedigree, but we'll get to that later.
The first time we saw the VF-4 was as a model of the VF-X-4 prototype Macross TV drama. Then it emerged in a functional sense Flashback 2012but in both cases we only see the fighter form.
In the story, the VF-4 is the next generation of variable fighter aircraft following the VF-1 Valkyrie, so it would only make sense if we saw a prototype of it in the anime and then actually used it.
However, it wasn't until PlayStation games in 1997 that we saw how it transformed Macross Digital Mission VF-X. While the game itself is terrible and nearly unplayable, in the case of VF-4 it's clearly part of a larger mission.
This is because a few years ago, the enemy mecha was Macross 7 The configuration method is the same as VF-4. It wasn't until later that we discovered that these enemy mechs were based on the VF-14 Vampire, which was a continuation of the VF-4 series.
Obviously, the heavy lifting of the transformation was done before the VF-4 even appeared in the game, but it's still fascinating to see how the design of such a humble variable fighter could have such a profound impact.
The toy looks great as a display piece in fighter mode.
As for this toy, it's part of the Hi-Metal R series, and while that usually means you tend to buy big, thick toys with lots of diecast parts, in this case MacrossThey tend to be smaller in size compared to their related mechs.
That said, the reduction in size does not affect the toy or its deformation. Joints and hinges are die-cast, allowing for robust deformation without the need to replace parts.
The styling and details are also very well done. Even though this is a smaller transformable fighter toy, it still fits the anime and game design very well.
This time, the 2019 launch includes new themed booths, new box art, and Minmay’s diorama backdrop Flashback 2012. You still get extra GU-11 gun pods, which is nice, but the base toys are pretty much unchanged.
Still, it's a very nice toy and the articulation is very well done. From a display perspective, it also looks great in fighter mode on the stand, which is what I did with previous 2019 releases.
This Hi-Metal R version is obviously much smaller than the larger 1/60 scale version that came from Arcadia a few years ago. The upside is that this Hi-Metal R toy is much cheaper, selling for about $130, compared to Arcadia's price of about $359 at the time. Good luck finding a similar Acadia version online, though.
Considering the provenance of the original design and the fact that it was initially rare, not only Macross Canon aside, in terms of model kits and toys, I'm happy to see this Hi-Metal R toy getting a new life, and at a very affordable price.
Overall, this is a great depiction of the VF-4 Lightning III and has all the transforming capabilities of its larger sibling at a fraction of the cost. Now, it would be nice if there were more older, rarer designs Macross I would be happy if Pantheon got similar treatment.
The Hi-Metal R VF-4 Lightning III toy is available from retailers like Amazon for about $130.
High Metal R VF-4
High Metal R VF-4 Gallery
Manufacturer: Spirit of all generations
release date: October 2024
price: $130
Disclosure: Awaken Studio sent me this toy for the purposes of this review.
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