Volks' BETA figure kits...

A couple of posts ago I had mentioned the BETA kits that Volks had offered in conjunction with various hobby events in Japan, or as mail-in promotions.  Here is a picture of one of their elaborate displays featuring the models of various classes that populate the dioramas seen in Hobby Japan, and a grab from a YahooJP auction featuring kits of Destroyer, Venator and Lux BETAs. (Spot the little person torn in half in front of the leading Destroyer...)

These are pretty difficult to find.  Really, if you're fortunately enough to have an opportunity to buy them, you don't have extras because you need armies of them.  Luckily, Kotobukiya is including BETAs in their plastic kits.  Unfortunately, the larger ones like Grapplers are made from parts scattered through various different kits.

What we all need are bags of a dozen or so little Tank-class BETAs, and maybe vinyl or Revo figures of the larger guys.

Some coverage for Volks

The first Muv Luv TSF action figure products were Volks' A3 - "Advanced system of Action Arms" series of figures, which are rather like oversized Revoltech figures (although they predate the Revos) that are available only in the Japanese domestic market via Volks' online shop, their collector show booth sales, and secondary market sources that can carry a rather significant markup.  That availability issue is unfortunate because they're beautiful items that come in a huge range of variations, and Volks has even offered various very limited edition figures of BETAs for their A3 products to do battle with.  If you've been following the "TSF In Action" series of fiction, diorama and customizing articles in Hobby Japan and collected TSF Cross Operation mooks, you'll note that the the whole root cause for the Muv Luv Total Eclipse portion of the property is to sell A3 figures.  Volks had invested early in the Muv Luv series, offering licensed prepainted resin figures of the Muv Luv characters and core TSFs, some articulated dolls, and a rather extensive series of painted PVC blind-box figures of the numerous Unlimited/Alternative characters that are as frustratingly exclusive as their A3 figures.  They've recently launched their own limited plastic kit TSF collection as well.

But the relatively limited availability of these figures means there isn't much coverage for them in the English language.  CollectionDX reviewer 'VF5SS' has amended that shortcoming in the west's Muv Luv information pool with a snazzy review of the A3 F-14D "Jolly Roger" Tomcat.  Feast your eyes, and start rooting around in your wallet...

[Photo from Volks' website.]

Afterward, you can look longingly at what A3 offerings Volks is bringing to the upcoming latest Wonder Festival...