The Macross franchise is in a period of heavy merchandise activity for its 45th anniversary, with multiple new and reissued plastic model kits, a large DX Chogokin SDF-1 Macross toy, and a North American theatrical screening of the 1984 film. Big West is also hosting panels at Anime NYC and Anime Expo.
The Macross franchise is marking its 45th anniversary with a wave of merchandise and events. Bandai Spirits opened preorders for the VF-1J Valkyrie 45th Anniv., a figure that keeps the original silhouette while adding head articulation, axis joints in the legs, a spring-loaded landing gear gimmick, and a new leg lock mechanism. It ships in January 2027 for 17,600 yen. The anniversary also brought the DX Chogokin SDF-1 Macross, the largest transforming SDF-1 toy ever produced, measuring 650 mm in fortress mode and over 700 mm in storm attacker mode. It transforms without replacement parts, includes light-up gimmicks, and is priced at 99,000 yen for a November 2026 release.
Plastic model kits from multiple manufacturers dominate the release slate. Max Factory's PLAMAX line offers the VF-1J Super Fighter Valkyrie Max & Millia Galaxy Strongest Set, a 1/72 scale kit with two valkyries, Super Packs, reaction missiles, and seated pilot figures, priced at 11,000 yen and shipping in December 2026. The same line is re-releasing Nekki Basara and Mylene Flare Jenius figures from Macross 7 in December 2026, each with a base that connects to form a '7' shape. PLAMAX also released the VF-19P Excalibur from Macross Dynamite 7, the first PLAMAX kit for that variant, with speaker units and a Nekki Basara figure. Hasegawa released a completed sample of its VF-25F Tornado Messiah kit from Macross F, priced at 5,720 yen for an August 5, 2026 release, and is selling a set pairing a Misa Hayase figure kit with a Tamago Hikoki VF-1S Super Valkyrie. Wave is reissuing its 1/100 scale VF-1J Valkyrie kits in Fighter and Battroid modes as Multiplex editions, with decals for Hikaru, Max, or Milia's units.
Bandai Spirits added Chuck Mustang's VF-31E Siegfried to its HG 1/100 Macross line, with a swap-part transformation system and a deluxe set option. The franchise is also reaching North American audiences: Anime Expo will host the first official North American screening of The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love? on July 5, with a Big West panel on July 2. Anime NYC will feature a Big West panel and a screening of Macross Delta the Movie: Passionate Walkure on August 22. A separate piece on Japan Powered reflects on how analyzing anime can erode the enjoyment of watching it, a theme that resonates with the franchise's long-running fan culture.
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Hasegawa is re-releasing its 1/72 scale plastic model kits of the F-14 and MiG-29 fighter aircraft from the OVA Macross Zero, with new prices. Both kits are scheduled for release on October 21, 2026, and include markings for the U.N. Spacy and Anti-U.N. Alliance aircraft.
Bandai Spirits opens preorders for the VF-1J Valkyrie 45th Anniv., a Macross 45th anniversary item shipping January 2027. The figure retains the original silhouette while adding head articulation, axis joints in the legs, a spring-loaded landing gear gimmick, and a new leg lock mechanism. It costs 17,600 yen.
Hasegawa released completed sample photos of its 1/72 scale VF-25F Tornado Messiah (Atmospheric Specification) kit from Macross F: The False Songstress. The kit includes newly molded Tornado Pack parts, a seated pilot figure, and decals for Alto Saotome's unit 007. It is priced at 5,720 yen and scheduled for release on August 5, 2026.
Anime NYC announced panels and premiere screenings for August 22, including a Big West panel on the Macross franchise with a screening of Macross Delta the Movie: Passionate Walkure, the English dub premiere of Go Forward with a Q&A with director Phebe Fabacher, and the world premiere of the English dub of Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram.
Max Factory is accepting orders for the PLAMAX PX-20 VF-1J Super Fighter Valkyrie Max & Millia Galaxy Strongest Set, a 1/72 scale plastic model kit from Super Dimension Fortress Macross. The set includes two VF-1J Fighter Valkyries with Super Packs, six reaction missiles, and seated figures of Maximilian Jenius and Milia Fallyna Jenius in extra-atmospheric pilot suits. The model is multi-color molded with decals included. The set is priced at 11,000 yen and available for order until July 22, with shipping scheduled for December 2026.
Max Factory will re-release plastic models of Nekki Basara and Mylene Flare Jenius from Macross 7 in its minimum factory series in December 2026. Each 1/20 scale kit comes with a dedicated base that connects to form a '7' shape. The re-release follows fan demand.
Wave is reissuing the 1/100 scale VF-1J Valkyrie plastic model kits from "Super Dimension Fortress Macross" in Fighter and Battroid modes. The new Multiplex specification includes marking decals for Hikaru, Max, or Milia's units. Preorders are open at Rakuten Books at 4,435 yen each.
Max Factory has begun accepting orders for the PLAMAX PX-20 VF-1J Super Fighter Valkyrie Max & Milia Galaxy Strongest Set, a 1/72 scale plastic model kit of the VF-1J Fighter Valkyrie piloted by Maximilian Jenius and Milia Fallyna Jenius from Super Dimension Fortress Macross. The set includes the Super Pack, reaction missiles, seated pilot figures in extra-atmospheric suits, and a bonus decal folder for Good Smile Company orders. The kit is priced at 11,000 yen, with orders open until July 22 and shipping scheduled for December 2026.
Dengeki Hobby Web reports that Wave is re-releasing the 1/100 scale VF-1J Valkyrie plastic model kits from Super Dimension Fortress Macross in Fighter and Battroid modes, now as Multiplex specifications that let builders choose Hikaru, Max, or Milia's unit via included marking decals. The Fighter kit ships in late October 2026, the Battroid in late September 2026, each priced at 4,950 yen.
Bandai Spirits announced the HG 1/100 VF-31E Siegfried (Chuck Mustang's Machine) from Macross Delta, featuring a large radome and a swap-part transformation system. Three items launch June 6, 2026: the standard kit at 5,500 yen, a dedicated water-slide decal sheet at 770 yen, and a deluxe set with an acrylic stand and decals.
Max Factory's PLAMAX line is releasing a 1/72 scale plastic model of the VF-19P Excalibur in Battroid mode from Macross Dynamite 7. The kit includes new parts for the time-space resonance speaker units, a same-scale Nekki Basara figure, and a gunpod. Reservations are open at Rakuten Books for 7,806 yen.
Hasegawa is selling a set combining a 3D printed figure kit of Misa Hayase from Super Dimension Fortress Macross at 1/24 scale with the deformed plastic model Tamago Hikoki VF-1S Super Valkyrie. The figure prototype is by Tsurugi Dan. The set includes eye decals for the figure and aircraft markings for Hikaru Ichijyo's VF-1S. It is priced at 3,960 yen and releases July 1, 2026.
Bandai Spirits announced the DX Chogokin SDF-1 Macross, the first 45th anniversary product for Super Dimension Fortress Macross. The 1/2000 scale figure measures about 650 mm, transforms without replacement parts, and includes light-up gimmicks. Pre-orders open June 1 for a November 2026 release at 99,000 yen.
Crunchyroll released an illustration of Olympic gold medal figure skater Alysa Liu by Macross Frontier character designer Risa Ebata. Liu, a known anime fan who carried a Pochita plush from Chainsaw Man during the 2026 Winter Olympics, won individual and team gold at those Games.
Bandai Spirits confirmed a new DX Chogokin SDF-1 Macross toy to mark the franchise's 45th anniversary. The fully transformable figure measures 650 mm in fortress mode and over 700 mm in storm attacker mode, making it the largest such toy ever released. Pre-orders begin June 1 for a November 2026 release at 99,000 yen.
Anime Expo announced it will host the first official North American screening of The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love? on July 5. The convention also revealed guests including voice actors Masakazu Morita and Machico, and a Macross panel by BIGWEST on July 2.
A writer for Japan Powered reflects on how turning anime into a subject for analysis has eroded the ability to watch it purely for enjoyment. The habit of comparing every narrative to touchstone series and hunting for article ideas means even bad shows get watched, and relaxation only comes from re-watching stories already mined for content.