Kit Review

Straight build + Panel lining + Seals

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

1. Battroid mode

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom ~ Ranka Deculture Decal version (1/6)

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom ~ Ranka Deculture Decal version (2/6)

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom ~ Ranka Deculture Decal version (3/6)

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom ~ Ranka Deculture Decal version (4/6)

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom ~ Ranka Deculture Decal version (5/6)

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom ~ Ranka Deculture Decal version (6/6)

Upper body.

The elaborate patterns on the chest.

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom ~ Ranka Deculture Decal version - The hip joint area. The Ranka Deculture Decal

The hip joint area.
The Ranka Deculture Decal version has the main stripe color changed to green overall.

The pattern on the shield.

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom ~ Ranka Deculture Decal version - The wings and back panel are the most strikin

The wings and back panel are the most striking.

The pattern on the back panel.

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom ~ Ranka Deculture Decal version - Leg and foot patterns. (1/4)

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom ~ Ranka Deculture Decal version - Leg and foot patterns. (2/4)

Leg and foot patterns.

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom ~ Ranka Deculture Decal version - Action pose (1/7)

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom ~ Ranka Deculture Decal version - Action pose (2/7)

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom ~ Ranka Deculture Decal version - Action pose (3/7)

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom ~ Ranka Deculture Decal version - Action pose (4/7)

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom ~ Ranka Deculture Decal version - Action pose (5/7)

Action pose

Comparison with the Battroid normal version.

The color scheme changed to green.

Side-by-side comparison.

2. Gerwalk mode

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom ~ Ranka Deculture Decal version - GERWALK mode. Spreading the wings makes it ev

GERWALK mode.
Spreading the wings makes it even more spectacular.

Comparison with the normal version GERWALK.

3. Fighter mode

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom ~ Ranka Deculture Decal version - Fighter mode. The true glory of the decal ver

Fighter mode.
The true glory of the decal version really shines in Fighter mode!

Patterns on the nose section.

The chest area.

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom ~ Ranka Deculture Decal version - As expected, the seals/decals on the wide, fl

As expected, the seals/decals on the wide, flat wings are the most stunning.

Patterns at the wing connection points.

The back panel area.

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom ~ Ranka Deculture Decal version - The shield and tail wing section. (1/3)

The shield and tail wing section.

The landing gear section on the underside.

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom ~ Ranka Deculture Decal version - Full view of the underside. You need to remov

Full view of the underside.
You need to remove the gunpod to get a good look at the Ranka patterns.

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom ~ Ranka Deculture Decal version - Patterns on the underside of the wings. Reall

Patterns on the underside of the wings. Really gorgeous and pretty!

Underside wing connection points.

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom ~ Ranka Deculture Decal version

Mounted on the Macross-exclusive Action Base.

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom ~ Ranka Deculture Decal version - So gorgeous~~^^ (1/6)

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom ~ Ranka Deculture Decal version - So gorgeous~~^^ (2/6)

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom ~ Ranka Deculture Decal version - So gorgeous~~^^ (3/6)

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom ~ Ranka Deculture Decal version - So gorgeous~~^^ (4/6)

So gorgeous~~^^

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom ~ Ranka Deculture Decal version - Comparison with the normal version in Fighter

Comparison with the normal version in Fighter mode.

Detailed part-by-part comparison.

There was a previous limited edition release of the Ranka Deculture Decal version of Alto's VF-25F, but this time it's been released as an official side-story version rather than a limited edition. The big difference is that unlike the limited edition which only came with waterslide decals, this official side-story release includes both waterslide decals AND seals in the same designs. That makes it a really appealing kit even for folks who've struggled with waterslide decal work.

Waterslide decals are not only time-consuming, but they're also pretty tricky since even a small mistake can ruin them. The VF-25 in particular has a lot of curved surfaces which makes it even harder, and on top of that, since it's a transforming kit, there's a very real risk of the decals getting scratched off during transformation. Sure, you can protect them with a top coat, but in my experience, even with a top coat on a transforming kit, it's still nerve-wracking.

That's probably why they added seals to this official side-story decal version — they're much easier to apply, faster to work with, the print quality is great, and the effect is solid. The biggest advantage in my opinion? No matter how many times you transform it, they absolutely will not peel off or come loose!

That said, compared to waterslide decals, the transparent border is a little more noticeable, and since seals tend to have a slightly semi-gloss finish on the printed surface, they can look a bit more obvious up close. On the flip side, since the kit has a white body, you really have to get up close and look carefully before the sticker-seal feel becomes all that apparent.

No matter how pretty the decal version is... for those who gave up in frustration over waterslide decals, this kit is like a gift. :-)

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom ~ Ranka Deculture Decal version | 2009.9 | ¥5,200

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.