To mark the announcement and opening of pre-orders for the new DX Chogokin SDF-1 Macross model, the website Hobby Watch Impress shared a special interview with Mr. Yoshinari Kimura, project manager for the DX Chogokin SDF-1 Macross project, along with a new preview of the model.
The full interview, translated for the occasion by Passion4Fun, can be found below.

A challenge to achieve a sense of scale worthy of Yack Deculture.
The long-awaited SDF-1 Macross arrives in the DX Chogokin line!

– Can you tell us about the development and marketing process of the DX Chogokin SDF-1 Macross? First of all, was it marketed based on the reference model displayed at Tamashii Nation 2022?

– Kimura: Exactly. In fact, we’ve made several updates since then.
And with the 45th anniversary of Macross approaching, we wanted to release it as a commemorative product. Furthermore, when marketing this product, we were very particular about “it had to be big!”
Being a mainstay mecha in the series, along with the transforming Valkyrie fighter in “Super Dimension Fortress Macross,” we wanted to create a solid DX Chogokin (die-cast metal) version, so we enlisted the help of mechanical designer Kazutaka Miyatake and worked together on this project.

– Regarding the sculp, first of all, what are its dimensions?

– Kimura: In terms of size, it is approximately 1/2000 scale.
However, this product is a fortress-type ship with a total length of approximately 65 cm. According to the specifications, the SDF-1 Macross weighs approximately 1.2 kg, so to comply with the scale, it should be approximately 60 cm. However, this time we slightly lengthened the main gun section, resulting in 65 cm.
This is because, after showing the Tamashii Nation 2022 reference model to Mr. Miyatake and Mr. Kawamori, they evaluated the balance of a 3D model of this size and the perspective used in the animation, concluding that the main gun section needed to be longer, hence the change.

– Regarding the change in length of the main gun, is this also relevant to the proportions of the assault model, as well as the fortress one?

– Kimura: Yes, exactly. Also, in terms of perspective, in the assault model we added a small axis to the base of the main gun, allowing it to extend slightly to the left and right.
This adds perspective, making it appear larger and more expressive, and, combined with the length of the gun, allows us to recreate the power of the main gun’s firing sequences in the series.

– Regarding the color scheme, is it also based on the TV anime?

– Kimura: As for the colors, in the toys and anime of the time, the light gray areas were white and the dark blue areas were darker, but with the DX Chogokin SDF-1 Macross we reproduced the colors in the molded plastic so as to respect the proportions.

– Since this is a 3D model from the DX Chogokin series, how much die-cast metal was used?

– Kimura: Die-cast metal is used in parts such as the knee joints and the base of the hip joints in the Assault version. Die-cast is also used in the locking mechanism.
The idea is that it is primarily used in the joints to maintain the angle and strength of each part.
In contrast, the visible armor parts are incredibly detailed, without any imperfections, which I believe is the charm of Studio Nue’s mecha, so we primarily use plastic, which allows for greater expressiveness in the details.
We included as many details as possible, based on the animated series, but as for the main cannon, perhaps due to the animation style, the details were not very dense.
Therefore, while supervising the prototype, Mr. Miyatake added details to the full-scale drawings and the object itself, and we used them as a basis for adding further details.

– Were any other details added or changed while creating the 3D model?

– Kimura: For this reason, we slightly enlarged the bridge when creating the 3D model. This was done to comply with safety standards regarding battery insertion during the installation of the lighting mechanism.

– The sculpt of Daedelus and Prometheus, which is also a feature of the TV version, is really impressive, isn’t it?

– Kimura: We’ve made several changes to the details so they can stand on their own. Despite their simple design, they still have a base, so they can be separated from the main body and displayed individually.

– It looks like you can admire a reproduction of the launch ceremony of the first episode.

– Kimura: It is also possible to apply covers to the removed parts of the Macross, so as to avoid leaving the connection points exposed.

– It’s been said that the scale is approximately 1/2000, but are the included Monsters and Valkyries also in scale?

– Kimura: Absolutely. This product includes a Monster Destroid, a Tomahawk, a Valkyrie, and a Super Valkyrie.
The Tomahawk is represented by five units aligned in a single piece to reproduce the Daedalus Attack. The Monsters are sculpted individually, and with optional parts, three can be aligned, allowing you to recreate the Daedalus Attack alongside the Tomahawk.
Also, although each Valkyrie is extremely small, it can be displayed on the Prometheus’s deck. While it’s fun to display the Macross on its own, having something to compare it to makes the “size of the Macross” much clearer. There were concerns that we wouldn’t be able to fully reproduce the details of the Valkyrie, but we managed to create details that distinguish the Valkyrie from the Super Valkyrie.
I hope you can sense the immense scale of the Macross.

– I see. So the Daedalus’s bow can also open.

– Kimura: The bow can be opened without having to replace any parts to recreate the Daedalus Attack, and the folding ramp can also be deployed to recreate the scene where it heads towards Mars.

The LED lighting integrated throughout the model enhances its presence and dynamism.

– How are the different forms displayed?

– Kimura: For the fortress ship form, the display method involves assembling three plate-shaped bases and placing the model on top of them.
For the assault form, it can be displayed upright using a support column. The display base for the assault form, in particular, has a metal support column and a long connection to the main body for secure attachment.
It is designed for safe display, so using the base is recommended.

– How much articulated is the model in the assault form?

– Kimura: In terms of articulation, the SDF-1 Macross isn’t a mecha that moves like the Battroid form of a Valkyrie, so it’s more about posing. Of course, it can perform the Daedalus Attack pose seen in the series, and the arms are articulated. The legs also have movable knee and hip joints to allow for different poses.
The shoulder area has flaps at the top and bottom that can be extended. They can be adjusted manually, and the position of the flaps can be adjusted to suit the pose, which helps reduce empty spaces on the outside. Well, we’ve also added some details inside (laughs).

– Kimura: For finer details, such as the ankles, we can adjust the pose so that the soles of the feet are parallel when the legs are spread in a V. This is achieved by using a stop button on the ankle, which allows us to lock the motor in the horizontal position when in fortress ship mode.
Then, when in assault mode, we press the stop button, which lowers the motor one notch, allowing us to adjust the angle.

– Regarding articulation, is it possible to recreate the firing position of the fortress ship’s main cannon seen in the first episode?

– Kimura: Of course, it is possible to recreate the main gun firing position in the fortress ship configuration as well.

– How does the lighting mechanism work?

– Kimura: The lighting mechanism is integrated into several parts of the main body. First, the bridge section lights up with an LED activated by a slide switch. Additionally, there are two types of antennas: a standard one and a transparent one. By inserting the transparent part, you can enjoy the lighting effect thanks to the light from the bridge filtering through it.

– Kimura: The assault-type chest motor also has a light mechanism, which turns on when the Zentradi army’s Quel-Quallie approaches, which also acts as a magnetic switch.

– Kimura: Similarly, the leg motors will also light up via magnetic switches. We programmed them to initially emit a dim light, as if the motors were turning on, and then the light will gradually brighten as the power increases, creating the image of flight at maximum speed. From there, the light will gradually fade as the speed decreases.

– Kimura: And, if you remove the outer armor on the left side (the left leg of the assault model), inside you’ll find a city that lights up via a magnetic switch. The LEDs change color to represent “a day in the city,” from morning to noon, evening, and night.
Regarding the city lighting, we plan to program it to flash red at regular intervals when the switch is activated. This should recall the scene where the transformation alarm sounds.

– Can you tell us about some specific aspects you focused on or struggled with while developing this product?

– Kimura: The biggest challenge was integrating the lighting mechanism. This time, the lighting mechanism uses AAA batteries and button cells in various places to power the lights. We also had to make it possible to replace the batteries, so we had a hard time finding space, especially considering the size of the bridge, as mentioned above.

– For example, was it possible to power the vehicle from the base or something like that?

– Kimura: This product transforms from a fortress ship to an assault ship, so it was difficult to run the cables through the rotation axis.
Furthermore, the legs have programmed lighting to simulate navigation, so the left and right legs had to be synchronized. In reality, an infrared link is built into the legs, so turning on one side lights up both.
Therefore, the legs use AAA batteries, while the chest motor and the bridge use button cells.

– Are there other aspects you have focused on?

– Kimura: If I had to choose one, it would definitely be size.
Opportunities to market a Macross spaceship are rare.
Mr. Miyatake designed it with the idea that, “since the giant aircraft carriers are attached to both arms, the main body naturally needs to be even larger.” The aircraft carriers become the arms, and the city is enclosed between the legs.
Such an extraordinary spaceship is not just a battleship, but a “fortress ship.”
Therefore, with the DX Chogokin, we primarily pursued the sense of immensity typical of Macross.

– For last, do you have a message for users?

– Kimura: We were able to release the DX Chogokin SDF-1 Macross as a Macross 45th anniversary product.
This is thanks to everyone who supports the Macross series and the DX Chogokin series. We are also grateful for the cooperation of Mr. Miyatake, who answered our numerous questions during the development and design phase, as well as all the product designers and factory staff.
We hope to be able to deliver this product to you in November 2026.
We are grateful for the environment that made this product possible and hope our users eagerly await the DX Chogokin SDF-1 Macross.

– Thank you very much.

You can find all the official images and details of the DX Chogokin SDF-1 Macross in our dedicated article.