Bandai Fully Reveals Macross’ Huge New Transforming SDF-1 Premium Figure Ahead of Release
Bandai has revealed a detailed new look at one of its largest-ever DX Chogokin figures, showing off the enormous SDF-1 Macross ahead of its upcoming release.
The new “DX Chogokin SDF-1 Macross” recreates the legendary battleship from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, combining a fully transforming design with die-cast metal components, extensive articulation and working lighting effects.
Originally broadcast in 1982, The Super Dimension Fortress Macross followed humanity’s struggle against the alien Zentradi after a mysterious spacecraft crashed on Earth and was rebuilt into the massive SDF-1 Macross.
The ship became central to the story, carrying thousands of civilians and military personnel through space while defending itself using its enormous weapons and squadrons of transforming VF-1 Valkyrie fighters.
One of the SDF-1’s most memorable abilities was its transformation from a conventional battleship into a towering humanoid configuration known as Storm Attacker mode, allowing its enormous weapons to be deployed in combat.
The original anime helped establish Macross as one of Japan’s most successful mecha franchises, eventually spawning numerous sequels, including Macross Delta, which began its own 10th anniversary celebrations earlier this year.
With the original series approaching its 45th anniversary, Bandai is recreating the SDF-1 as one of the largest products in its premium DX Chogokin line, with the new figure developed under the supervision of original mechanical designer Kazutaka Miyatake.
The enormous spacecraft measures approximately 65 cm long in Fortress Ship mode, recreating the SDF-1 at roughly 1/2000 scale with detailed armor panels, mechanical structures, and weapon systems inspired by its appearance in the anime.
Bandai’s new official images provide a closer look at the transformation mechanism, which allows the battleship to convert into its humanoid Storm Attacker configuration without replacing the main body sections.
During the transformation, the two bridge sections fold together to form the head, while the central hull rotates 180 degrees and the legs extend using built-in locking mechanisms.
Once transformed, the completed figure stands approximately 70 cm tall with its display base, making it one of the largest robotic figures ever produced for the DX Chogokin series.
The arms incorporate double-jointed elbows and rotating sections, while the shoulders use sliding panels to allow a wide range of movement.
Its enormous Macross Cannons can also be adjusted into different firing positions, allowing collectors to recreate the ship’s signature attacks and combat poses from the original anime.
The figure’s two attached vessels, the Daedalus assault landing ship and Prometheus aircraft carrier, can also be detached and displayed separately using their own dedicated stands.
Daedalus includes opening hangar doors and a deployable ramp, allowing miniature Destroid units to be positioned inside and around the ship to recreate the famous Daedalus Attack.
Bandai has included three Destroid Monsters and additional Tomahawk units, alongside four VF-1 Valkyries and four Super Valkyries recreated at the same approximate scale as the SDF-1.
These smaller machines can be displayed on Prometheus’ flight deck or around the main ship, giving collectors several options for recreating scenes from the original series.
Another major feature is the extensive LED lighting system, which illuminates the bridge, chest engines, leg-mounted engines and residential sections housed inside the spacecraft.
The lighting is activated using an included Zentradi reconnaissance craft known as the Kelcaria, which contains a magnetic switch that triggers different effects when brought near designated points on the SDF-1.
Inside the residential sections, the lighting changes to recreate morning, daytime, evening and nighttime, occasionally switching to a red emergency mode inspired by the ship’s combat situations.
The system requires eight LR41 button batteries and six AAA batteries, which are sold separately.
Bandai’s latest production sample images also reveal the figure’s packaging, which measures approximately 46 cm wide and contains three layers of components, accessories, and display equipment.
The included instruction manual features a special interview with Kazutaka Miyatake, discussing the mechanical design of the original SDF-1 and its recreation for the new figure.
The “DX Chogokin SDF-1 Macross” will officially launch in Japan on November 13, 2026, priced at ¥99,000 (approximately $624 / £467), with availability through general hobby goods retailers and official TAMASHII NATIONS stores.
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