When we wrote about the Arcadia 1/3000 SDF-1 Macross toy re-issue, I commented that this majestic space fortress deserved to be bigger, and I specifically estimated that it should be at least “700 mm tall.” Well, you know what? I guess Bandai heard me.
It has recently unveiled the DX Chogokin SDF-1 Macross, which will tower at approximately 700 mm tall in Attack mode, and stretch about 650 mm in space battleship mode. The 700 mm height is inclusive of the base, btw.
Celebrating the 45th anniversary in 2027 since the anime first aired, this first commemorative figure is a faithful re-creation of the gigantic space city with details pulled straight from the anime. Even the transformation from fortress ship to humanoid assault mode has been reproduced, plus new details drawn by designer Kazutaka Miyatake have been added to this collectible model.
It goes without saying that being big affords the designers the freedom to include more details. To be fair, anime in the ’80s was not the best when it came to resolution, and thus neither were the details. But I guess any details that we do not see would be classified as “as intended by the original creator.”
Speaking of details, the Macross Cannon, which is the space-going fortress’s main arsenal in both Attack Mode and Fortress Mode, has received additional detailing personally overseen by Miyatake himself. Interestingly, during the prototyping stage, the design team adopted the original setting drawings. However, the result was underwhelming in scale-model form. After several prototypes later, the decision was made to extend the cannon by 20 mm to 40 mm, and then by another 20 mm under the supervision of Miyatake.
What really would make fans jump with joy is that the CVS-101 Prometheus, the ocean-going aircraft carrier, a.k.a. the left arm of SDF-1, and the SLV-111 Daedalus, the submersible assault landing ship, a.k.a. the right arm of the SDF-1, can both be detached.
The Assault Landing Ship Daedalus lets you recreate the Daedalus Attack, open the hatch, and deploy the ramp of the submersible landing craft. In the Daedalus Attack configuration, it is possible to place three Monster units and five Tomahawk Destroids.
Meanwhile, Aircraft Carrier Prometheus includes Valkyries in matching scale. Included are four VF-1 Valkyries and four Super Valkyries. When displayed on the deck of Prometheus, it demonstrates the immense scale of the SDF-1.
And then, there’s the lighting gimmick, which brings the entire space city to life. Light-up features can be found in the bridge, the chest, and the legs. The lighting feature can be turned on and off by bringing the included Queadluun-Rau near the respective regions.
Even cooler is that the cityscape lighting changes over time from morning to daytime to evening and then to night. And like in the show, any moment can be an emergency moment, so the residential block can also randomly switch into Emergency mode.
In addition to the Queadluun-Rau, a Zentraedi reconnaissance pod will also be included—recreated in the same scale as the Macross ship. It can also serve as the magnetic trigger switch for the lighting effects.
The Bandai DX Chogokin SDF-1 Macross Figure is expected to be released in November 2026 for a grand 99,000 yen (tax included) [JP] in Japan, which works out to around 622 USD based on the current going rate.
However, we are not sure if the “release date” is the date for pre-orders or the actual product release. I am skeptical that it is the latter. I mean, usually it takes years for a product of such scale to roll off the production line. But I could be wrong.
Images: Tamashii Nations [JP].
