Kit Review

Straight build + Stickers + Panel lining

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

1. Battroid mode

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - Battroid mode from various angles (1/6)

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - Battroid mode from various angles (2/6)

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - Battroid mode from various angles (3/6)

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - Battroid mode from various angles (4/6)

Battroid mode from various angles

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - Detail shots (1/4)

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - Detail shots (2/4)

Detail shots

Weapons include a shield, gun pod, and knife.

The knife can be stored inside the shield.

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - A total of 6 hands are included, but just like previous kits, there are only 4

A total of 6 hands are included, but just like previous kits, there are only 4 hand back parts, so you have to swap them around.
This isn't exactly a series tradition worth keeping — I really don't get why they keep doing this.

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - Transformation-specific parts and landing gear configuration, similar to the YF

Transformation-specific parts and landing gear configuration, similar to the YF-29.

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - The cockpit can be assembled as either a two-seater or single-seater — your cho

The cockpit can be assembled as either a two-seater or single-seater — your choice.

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - A simple black stand is also included. This stand has pretty limited angle adju

A simple black stand is also included.
This stand has pretty limited angle adjustment, which is probably why you don't see it included much these days..
Honestly, they would've been better off throwing in an Action Base 7 instead.

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - Three character figures are included — Sheryl, Alto, and Alto + EX Gear Blue, f

Three character figures are included.
The three are Sheryl, Alto, and Alto + EX Gear Blue.

Alto equipped with the EX Gear can also be placed on the stand.

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - The landing gear covers on the legs and the front ankle guards tend to pop off

The landing gear covers on the legs and the front ankle guards tend to pop off easily, which is a bit of a nuisance..

Leftover parts

Excellent limb articulation

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - The shoulder's forward/backward range of motion is on the narrow side, but it c

The shoulder's forward/backward range of motion is on the narrow side, but it can raise up quite high.

Both the upper and lower waist sections can rotate independently.

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - Rotate both at the same time and you can pull off some pretty bizarre poses lik

Rotate both at the same time and you can pull off some pretty bizarre poses like the one above.
You can check what's going on behind you without even moving your feet..

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - Gun pod action (1/3)

Gun pod action

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - Knife action (1/3)

Knife action

"I Love You" sign language finger pose

Salute pose

2. Gerwalk mode

Disassemble the Battroid mode as shown above.

Additional transformation-specific parts needed to achieve GERWALK mode

The thigh can be bent an extra time to create a reverse-joint configuration.

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - Removing the duct covers during transformation is the same as with the HG VF-31

Removing the duct covers during transformation is the same as with the HG VF-31 series,
and the basic transformation process is also very similar.

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - GERWALK mode (1/4)

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - GERWALK mode (2/4)

GERWALK mode

GERWALK mode aerial action pose

3. Fighter mode

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - Top and bottom views of the transformation-specific parts needed to achieve Fig

Top and bottom views of the transformation-specific parts needed to achieve Fighter mode.

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - After swapping out the upper body unit (where the arms were attached) with the

After swapping out the upper body unit (where the arms were attached) with the transformation-specific parts, the shield can be added to the rear.

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - The fixing pins on the transformation-specific parts lock firmly into the legs,

The fixing pins on the transformation-specific parts lock firmly into the legs, letting you set the angle securely.

You can also achieve a GERWALK mode with the arms stowed away.

Open the armor panels on the sides of the legs and pull out the small wings.

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - Lift the rear calf armor slightly to release the fixing pin, then you can push

Lift the rear calf armor slightly to release the fixing pin, then you can push the foot in.

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - After that, insert the fixing pins on the transformation-specific parts into th

After that, insert the fixing pins on the transformation-specific parts into the holes on the sides of the legs for a secure hold.

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - Fold the gun pod into its compact form, attach the auxiliary parts in the middl

Fold the gun pod into its compact form, attach the auxiliary parts in the middle, then plug it into the underside of the fuselage — transformation complete.

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - Fighter mode (1/6)

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - Fighter mode (2/6)

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - Fighter mode (3/6)

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - Fighter mode (4/6)

Fighter mode

Underside with landing gear attached

To mount it on the stand, you'll need to add the stand joint parts.

Fighter mode mounted on the stand

Leftover body parts after transformation.

Together with the HG VF-31J Siegfried Hayate Immelman custom.

Together with the 1/72 VF-25F Alto custom released in 2008.

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - Together with the 1/100 VF-25F Alto custom released in 2011. Maybe because the

Together with the 1/100 VF-25F Alto custom released in 2011.
Maybe because the 1/100 is a Fighter mode-fixed kit, but the panel lines and details are noticeably more elaborate.

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - Straight build (1/6)

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - Straight build (2/6)

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - Straight build (3/6)

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom - Straight build (4/6)

Straight build

Following the Macross Delta VF-31 series, the VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom from Macross Frontier has now been released as an HG kit. It's a new kit for a new aircraft, though some runners from the HG YF-29 have been reused — specifically just a few leg parts, with the remaining 90% of parts featuring all-new tooling.

The basic layout and parts-swapping transformation are almost identical to the YF-29, and with fewer weapons it feels a bit more compact overall. That said, it still delivers excellent articulation and joint strength, and the transformation feels a bit smoother than previous kits with a more solid, quality feel throughout. In particular from an articulation standpoint, the two-stage rotating waist gives the upper body an incredibly high degree of freedom. With more flexible shoulder and leg joints as well, posing feels noticeably easier across the board compared to earlier kits. The one thing to watch out for is that the landing gear covers on the calves and the front ankle guards tend to pop off during posing.

So following the YF-29, VF-31, and others, the VF-25 has now joined the lineup as a clean parts-swap transformation HG kit. The basic layout, format, and overall quality feel very much in line with the previous kits — it really feels like just the design has changed — so there aren't many new elements unique to this kit worth highlighting. One special bonus, though, is that three figures are included: Sheryl, Alto, and Alto + EX Gear, and Alto with the EX Gear equipped can even be placed on the included stand.

Anyway, following the YF-29 from the Macross Frontier film "The Wings of Goodbye," it's great to see the VF-25 from the original Macross Frontier TV series finally get the kit treatment as well. It deserves credit for building on the existing format while pushing the overall quality up a notch. If you're a fan of transformation kits or Macross in general, this one comes highly recommended :-)

HG VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.