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Macross Zero is already an anime from twenty years ago, but even watching it today, it doesn't feel outdated. As a prequel to Macross, its mecha are appealing and the story is excellent, which is key to its enduring popularity. Personally, I believe MACROSS PLUS, MACROSS ZERO, and "Do You Remember Love?" are among the best Macross anime. As for the music, it's all fantastic.
Getting back to the main topic, let's first discuss the mecha itself.
The mecha is primarily light gray. The aircraft's main body is similar to other HI-METALR VF units, so I won't elaborate further. Transformation poses no major issues; transforming from B MODE is also smooth.
Of course, the biggest highlight of this toy is undoubtedly the GHOST unit on its back and its other accessories. I will analyze the play experience of the GHOST from a hands-on perspective.
First, let's talk about the GHOST. In the MACROSS ZERO story, it's an "external attachment," essentially a booster that enhances the mecha's maneuverability. However, as it belongs to an early generation of aircraft, the method of attaching external units is relatively rudimentary, simply hanging it onto the main body. For comparison, in MACROSS PLUS, Isamu Dyson's VF-11 also used a rocket-equipped unit to pursue the YF-21.
An interesting point is that the entire GHOST unit is a "complete" toy in itself; the body and wings are a single piece, with virtually no articulation except for the tail nozzles. The overall paint application is good, and the lines are sharp. However, one aspect significantly impacts the play experience: the GHOST connects to the aircraft's back. Its tail section primarily "slots into" the tail fin area, which is fine. The other connection point is at the GHOST's nose, where two support arms attach to "protruding plug-ins" on the main body. The original "protruding plug-ins" without missile slots are solid pieces. However, the plug-ins used to connect the GHOST primarily feature missile slots and the GHOST's connection slots. Unfortunately, the "pegs" on these plug-ins are a bit short, making them prone to detachment. If they detach, the GHOST will fall off the back, so caution is advised during play.
As for the missile accessories, there are four in total: two can be placed on the main body and two on the wings. The front sections of the missile accessories are missile heads, well-produced and quite exquisite. The wing sections can also carry two external fuel tanks.
Below, I will share my play experience:
GHOST + B MODE
When placed on the robot's back, the feel is decent, and the GHOST doesn't fall off easily.
However, if the pose is adjusted too much, there's still a chance for parts to detach. The most common issue is the "protruding plug-ins" connecting to the main body falling off, which is the biggest headache during play. Nevertheless, with the wings open and viewed from the back, the full-armor VF-0A connected to the GHOST looks quite good, and the GHOST adds to the mecha's imposing bulk.
In G MODE, the GHOST makes the upper body of the mecha appear larger, while the leg sections seem a bit small. However, the overall impression is still good, with no issues of imbalance whatsoever.
If the GHOST is already attached in B MODE, it is recommended to detach it before transforming to avoid any accidents.
This is, in my personal opinion, the most aesthetically pleasing mode. The GHOST combined with the VF-0 fighter jet creates the most beautiful form. The overall lines are incredibly rich. If you wish to display it at various angles, exercise caution when mounting it.
The display stand provided with the toy is inherently a bit unreliable. If you have tools, you might try tightening the screws a bit to give the joint more support. Because in fighter mode, it's inevitable to display the mecha at different angles. However, since the unit is quite heavy, it can easily lose support.
As for the GHOST, it can be used with other VF-0 toys, but due to the color limitations of the "protruding plug-ins," there will inevitably be a slight sense of incongruity when attaching it to other units.
Summary:
Overall, for MACROSS ZERO fans, this protagonist's final machine is undoubtedly a must-have. As for whether the Focker machine will be released with appropriate plug-ins, I believe it's only a matter of time!