Interview Articles Looking for the origin of the 4th origin-of-Valkyrie (Part II)
2008-11-13 00:00 update
In 1985, Takayuki Morishima was in charge of "MACROSS" products in Bandai's Poppy Division. Mr. Morishima joined the company in 1982 and met Valkyrie of Takatoku Toys during the year-end sales season, which he experienced for the first time as an employee. How did Mr. Morishima see Valkyrie at that time?
■ transition to Bandai
MorishimaValkyrie has always been my favorite toy. After all, the design is also excellent. I also had one of Takatoku Toys' deformed models. That's why I was happy when "MACROSS" came to Bandai. When it was decided that I would be in charge, I thought about various ideas at first, but since the 1/55 Valkyrie is a well-balanced toy from the start, I didn't dare to mess with it. However, the canopy cover is what I thought of here. When I saw Takatokutoisu's Super Valkyrie, I was dissatisfied with the fact that my stomach wasn't what it was supposed to be... So I made a new mold for the canopy cover. The canopy cover was distributed for the campaign at first, and has been included in the product from the The Movie VF-1A.
■ Strike Valkyrie launch of
--At that time, Mr. Morishima, who was in charge of the "Himetal" series, chose the 1/55 Valkyrie as the line-up following "Heavy Metal L-Gaim". Eventually, in October 1984, six months after the bankruptcy of Takatokutois, Strike Valkyrie was released as Bandai's first "MACROSS" product. It was the commercialization of the aircraft that appeared in the climax scene of the theatrical movie "Do You Remember Love?"
MorishimaWith regard to new parts for Strike Valkyrie, there was a prototype with the drawings made in the way of Mr. Takatoku Toys. It to the reference has caused the mold Bandai. Since the Valkyrie body was something that was already produced in the way of Mr. Matsushiro, we used it.
■ Kawamori's thinking was naming
- Here's worrisome is the trade name for "Strike Valkyrie". It is currently being used for various media and products for the name of the official, also true that are not present in the video story and setting document. I wonder if this name is history attached was the look like?
MorishimaDoes not mean there has been named the first from Strike Valkyrie. But it because, if the result in the product name to super Valkyrie, is together with the front of the commodity. Again I wanted to put out the differences. At the same another, so that there is a nickname of Tom Cat in the F-14 fighter, Valkyrie also be good even if there is a name for each model is? That was also considered. So consult with Kawamori's, was our out is what "Strike Valkyrie". Similarly, then in Super Ostrich and Erinto seeker issued, we have a naming to Kawamori's.
■ attractive package illustrations
- As an attractive high-metal series, it includes a package illustrations. Series is the first product Gaim had to use the Koni Yoshiyuki's illustrations. Strike Valkyrie followed is known in the box art of Gundam, Kenichi Ishibashi will be in charge.
MorishimaSince Haimetaru is a product of hobby layer for, I had been aware of the user of the plastic model. So Koni's and Ishibashi-san, did I ask to Kaida (Yuji) 's. I from Valkyrie also I had wanted to draw in Koni's, it had already drawn a lot in the plastic model personally. It was Once, trying to ask Ishibashi's guru Once you've drawn the airplane. Was the editor-in-chief at the time "model information", I had to tell the contact to Kato (Satoshi) 's.
■ Product lineup
--In response to the hit of Strike Valkyrie, which shipped more than 90,000 units by the end of the year, the high metal series was The Movie VF-1A (January 1985), Super Ostrich (April 1985), Elint Seeker (1985) June) followed. What they have in common is that they are The Movie products, and that they were aircraft that had not been released during the Takatokutois era.
MorishimaMr. Takatokutois did Super Valkyrie and Armored Valkyrie, and I thought that they wouldn't want the same thing. In that case, I decided that it would be better to do the The Movie of Valkyrie, which was the latest work at the time. At that time, there was also Gundam's "MSV (Mobile Suit Variation)". The head, fast pack, cockpit, etc. of Super Ostrich and Elint Seeker are newly created. Come to think of it, Mr. Matsushiro modified the molds for overseas use when these two planes were being made, so the noses are rounded.
■ 1990 years edition high metal series
- Morishima's are also involved in high metal series was restarted in 1990.
MorishimaAfter that, because Mr. Matsushiro went bankrupt, mold of Valkyrie was pulled to Bandai Tochigi factory. Since But mold was not in perfect condition, we remake the parts such as the head. Rather than after spring the wheel in the safety standards of the problem, we decided to pull-out. It also has in place of the black parts tire. By that Haimetaru, I went to put your hand in the direction to reduce as much as possible toy whiff.
■ 20 anniversary reprint
- But this time was the launch of the only Super Valkyrie VF-1S, VF-1J, the head of the VF-1A was also caused to make a new one. In addition, it has been planned commercialization of genocide Valkyrie as a subsequent planning, has regrettably become pending at the time the prototype was made. At this point 1/55 Valkyrie was supposed to be attached to the long sleep.
And 21 century. The demands of the times was revived again 1/55 Valkyrie. 20th anniversary reprint of 2001, and is the origin-of-Valkyrie of the current sale. Valkyrie as the representative of the deformation robot, as long as they live in the many fans of the mind, but 1/55 of Valkyrie also stay alive is a masterpiece toy.
■ Changes in Valkyrie series
● Valkyrie wooden model of
Wooden model made by Kawamori Shoji's Produce is subjected to paint, it was also used for the product launch announcement.
Trade name at this point is also referred to as "Z Valkyrie DX".
The "Z", but something derived from a nickname of the alloy series of Takatoku Toys "Z character", and finally dare decided that removing the crown of the Z character.
● Takatoku Toys Edition (1982-1984)
Window package specification.
It was rare at that time that products of 3,000 yen or more became window packages. The surface of the package is embossed to give a sense of luxury.
In addition, the window of shape are present four by the release date, it is possible to know ask the Susamajisa at the time of the production pace.
● Haimetaru version (from 1984 to 1985,1990)
Bandai version 1/55 Valkyrie is, while following the window package, package illustrations became more prominent design.
The Strike Valkyrie and The Movie VF-1A come with a "mechanical file" in addition to the instructions. This is a leaflet with a detailed explanation of the mechanics, and was also included in the first High Metal "Heavy Metal L-Gaim".
● 20 anniversary reprint (2001-2002)
Since the mold is lost, it has caused to make a full part in the new. Marking its majority has been applied directly to the parts, time and effort that put a seal has been greatly reduced. In addition, the wing of the click, such as before and after the body joint, also improved in the parts that was easy to loose in the past of the product has been subjected to. 2nd of VF-1S subsequent product canopy cover is replaceable.
● Origin Of Valkyrie (2008 ~)
20th anniversary reprint has become a base, seal to be affixed to the wheel cover of metal parts as a plus alpha is included with the new. In addition, etc. for the first time canopy cover is included with the VF-1J, more specification has been upgraded.
Article machine Super Valkyrie VF-1A, has also been the commercialization of variation machine that has not been released in the past, such as Max machine.
Takayuki Morishima(Takayuki Morishima)
August 4 / Hiroshima Prefecture was born in 1958.
Joined Popy in 1982. Responsible for the development of many products, including "Heavy Metal L-Gaim," "Star Gundam Bismarck," "Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam," "Choujinki Metalder," "MASKED RIDER BLACK," and "Choujin Sentai Jetman."
Currently serve the plexes Executive Vice President.
Koji Igarashi(Koji Igarashi)
Born in 1968. / Aomori Prefecture born
- The first time 1/55 Valkyrie in hand VF-1S Roy Focker Special
- As an editor, other hobby magazine various, involved various books, to the manual of the DVD and CD
Super Valkyrie VF-1A (Maximilian Genus machine)
Price: 9,450 yen(tax included)
Release Date: August 30, 2008 (may vary by region)
Target: 15-year-old -
Product Details page, click here
(C) 1982 ビックウエスト
(C) 1984 ビックウエスト
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