Now that the majority of Macross is available in the West, the Fire Valkyrie from Macross 7 is getting the DX Chogokin toy treatment.
Over the years, the Fire Valkyrie has been given numerous toys, even back when its host anime was released in the 90s. From Yamato’s and Arcadia’s 1/60 scale efforts, both of which were lovely, and the more recent and smaller Hi-Metal R releases from Bandai Spirits.
However, the mainline DX Chogokin releases have dealt with other Macross series and skipped over Macross 7 until now.
What’s a bit different about this release, apart from its bigger scale and extensive use of die-cast, is that it affords a version of the face with its mouth open. You even get the missiles stored in the calves. The styling is also great, with the speakers in the shoulders being done very nicely.
If all of this feels a bit strange for Macross, it’s worth remembering that Macross 7 is a bit of a different beast compared to the rest of the franchise.
In that, the emphasis in Macross 7 is squarely on music and its direct effects on aliens, in this case known as the Protodeviln. To be fair, this is very much in line with the original Macross, but most modern fans entered the fandom around the time of Macross Plus, which is more straightforward as to its narrative underpinnings.
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As such, Macross 7 can be somewhat divisive amongst the fans, but I personally love the series and its numerous OVA and movie spin-offs.
The music is also great, with the band of Fire Bomber and its members having their own musically equipped variable fighters, being very much the stars of the show.
The Fire Valkyrie, then, is an iconic design for Macross 7, and with any luck, we’ll also get a Sound Booster set at some point (especially as the recent Hi-Metal R release did).
Priced at 36,300 yen (or around $253 at the current exchange rate), it’s definitely expensive but also similar in cost to other DX Chogokin releases from Bandai Spirits.
Released in Japan this October, this DX Chogokin Fire Valkyrie is definitely something I will be picking up, and with any luck, it should come Westward too.
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