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Valkyrie, a variable fighter that appeared in "The Super Dimension Fortress Macross". In 1982, when the TV series was broadcast, there was a finished product model that perfectly reproduced the deformation mechanism. That is the 1/55 scale Battroid Valkyrie currently on sale as "Origin of Valkyrie". How was Valkyrie's perfect transformation gimmick created that never fades even now?
In this section, I want to follow the pace.

■ launch of planning

--In 1982, Mr. Takeo Mitsui was the manager of the planning section of Takatokutois. First, I would like to ask Mr. Mitsui about the launch of product planning for "The Super Dimension Fortress Macross."

MitsuiWhen the project was brought in by Mr. BigWest, my boss at the time asked me to think about what kind of product I could make with this work. However, the top of Takatoku Toys wanted to compete with the MACROSS ship instead of Valkyrie. It seems that you were attracted to the fun of transforming a super-dreadnought into a robot. However, we wanted to focus on Valkyrie as the Planning Division. I don't know what the show is yet, but I thought Valkyrie would be more fun as a toy than MACROSS. So, when I submitted a plan for the lineup centered on Valkyrie, I was angry from above saying "What are you thinking!". After spending a week or two exchanging opinions with other sections in the company, the manager of the Planning Division understood our feelings. In this way, we were finally able to bring Valkyrie to the center of product planning.

■ beginning of create products

--Without the efforts of Mitsui and his planning team at this time, the possibility that 1/55 Valkyrie would be born would have been as close to zero as possible. If Takatoku Toys had been developing products centered on MACROSS ships instead of Valkyrie, the history of transforming robots might have changed ...
Where the product planning has been established, the next step is let's attention to the site of the specific product making.

MitsuiValkyrie of the design was wonderful, but whether it really can be completely deformed, there was the question. Where it was thrown into Kawamori (Shoji) 's, you brought me a handmade paper model made with paper and a toothpick. Then, we received a proposal called "Let me made here (nue studio) prototype" from Kawamori's. In order to complete the gimmick that is in the head, it seems to have wanted to give me the prototype shop that I can trust. Then in less than two months, wooden model of Valkyrie came up. Have finished in a very complete a high degree of model, we were finally able to get the seal of approval to the Valkyrie from the Managing Director when the show this.

■ commitment to deformation gimmick

- A wooden model of Kawamori's intimacy in the reference, so that the prototype is made. 1/55 Valkyrie prototype that was responsible for the production of was Matsushiro, known for such radio Tron (the so-called radio-controlled) and toy gun manufacturing. Mitsui Mr. If it had not been for the design part of Matsushiro, says 1/55 Valkyrie did not become a so good commodity.

MitsuiThe design part of Mr. Matsushiro was equipped with people full of talent. I really amazing it is the person who wrote the design drawings in particular. Normally parts view of that blueprint, but is intended to use nothing sheets of paper, such as development view, I'm the person who would write all of the blueprint on a single large graph paper of. Moreover, with each other to draw a solid line and the dotted line, Toka or contains three lines in the fine view and 1 mm of the grid, a really precise. Moreover, I'm from are in the office also people who take firm read the type diagrams and parts diagrams, come up is a wonderful thing. Trust there, I asked Valkyrie also san Matsushiro. So we came up a prototype, but I felt like a little angular than the Valkyrie of animation. Since the person of Matsushiro's technical representative says that it has determined that "this is better is settled", believe was Omakase. Certainly in the deform this only of the size of the robot in another form, it takes a big burden on the hinge and joints. If there is a bottom of the calculation, Naa it has this shape came born, was convinced by that. To one one of the deformation gimmick has decided catchy, the ratchet is found in the here and there of the whole body, because we have also transmitted're made with profit ignoring. I think some products that sell from close to the form of animation, but I decided to give priority to perfection as a modified model with respect to Valkyrie.

■ fame to blockbuster

- In this way, VF-1J (Hikaru Ichijyo type) is released in November 1982. The same year of the end of the year shipped 20 million units or more in the season, grew suddenly into a hit product. Then, (February 1983) 1/55 Valkyrie series VF-1S of Takatoku Toys, VF-1J Max type (April 1983), VF-1J Miria type (April 1983), VF-1A (1983 all five will be released in July). Furthermore Armored Valkyrie (May 1983), option parts have also been commercialized, such as Super Valkyrie (February 1984). These 1/55 Valkyrie shipments of the series, has topped a total of 100 million units at the time of the 1983 year-end. It should be noted that, with respect to VF-1D of recovery seat type for production line was filled with other products, that the release has been postponed.

MitsuiValkyrie's products mean that we were doing a project for high targets more than 20 years ago. At that time, Takatoku Toys had "Time Bokan" and combined robot routes, but I wanted to try high-targeted ones as well. I think "MACROSS" came there at just the right time.

■ bankruptcy of Takatoku Toys

-- Unfortunately, Takatokutois went bankrupt on May 25, 1984. It was a time when the release of the The Movie "Do you remember love?" After the bankruptcy of Takatokutois, the 1/55 Valkyrie was produced for overseas by Matsushiro, who managed the molds. However, when Matsushiro fell into a financial crisis, Valkyrie's mold was transferred to Bandai (Matsushiro continued to produce it).

Looking for the origin of the origin-of-Valkyrie continues to (Part II)

Origin Of Valkyrie
Super Valkyrie VF-1A (Hikaru Hikaru)


Price: 9,450 yen(tax included)
Release Date: August 30, 2008
Target: 15-year-old -


Product Details page, click here

 

Takeo Mitsui(Takeo Mitsui)
1950 October 27, / Born in Tokyo.

1974 Takatoku joined. "Time Bokan series," "adventure family here planet address 0" at the company was responsible for product planning of mainly TV characters such as. Established Bee craft in 1984.
Now also in action around the industrial design.

 

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