VF-25 Messiah
Encyclopedia
Variable fighter
A Variable Fighter is a series of fictional transforming aerospace fighter mecha primarily designed by Studio Nue's Shoji Kawamori for the animated series The Super Dimension Fortress Macross and later related projects...
, seen in the anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
Macross Frontier
Macross Frontier
is a Japanese animated science fiction space drama that aired in Japan on MBS from April 3, 2008 to September 25, 2008. It is the most recent Japanese anime television series set in the Macross universe. Animated by Satelight, premiered Japan on MBS on April 3, 2008...
(set in the year 2059 A.D.) of the Macross
Macross
is a series of science fiction mecha anime, directed by Shōji Kawamori of Studio Nue in 1982. The franchise features a fictional history of Earth/Humanity after the year 1999. It consists of three TV series, four movies, six OVAs, one light novel and five manga series, all sponsored by Big West...
series. The craft was developed on board the space colonization
Space colonization
Space colonization is the concept of permanent human habitation outside of Earth. Although hypothetical at the present time, there are many proposals and speculations about the first space colony...
fleet Macross Frontier from the YF-24 Evolution prototype whose blueprint was delivered via the Galaxy Network. Within the series, it has not been officially rolled out, rather being distributed to the private military company
Private military company
A private military company or provides military and security services. These combatants are commonly known as mercenaries, though modern-day PMCs refer to their staff as security contractors, private military contractors or private security contractors, and refer to themselves as private military...
S.M.S. (Strategic Military Services) to evaluate its performance under field conditions first.
According to the June 2008 issue of Newtype
Newtype (magazine)
is a monthly magazine publication originating from Japan, covering anime and manga . It was launched by publishing company Kadokawa Shoten on March 8, 1985 with its April issue, and has since seen regular release on the 10th of every month in its home country...
, the name "Messiah" is taken from the lyrics of the Lynn Minmay
Lynn Minmay
Lynn Minmay, also spelled Ling Mingmei is a fictional anime character from Super Dimension Fortress Macross television series and Macross: Do You Remember Love? movie. She is also in Macross: Flash Back 2012 music video collection...
song "Shao Pai Long (Little White Dragon)" from the original Macross
The Super Dimension Fortress Macross
is an anime television series. According to story creator Shoji Kawamori, it depicts "a love triangle against the backdrop of great battles" during the first Human-alien war....
series.
This fictional variable fighter was designed by anime creator and mecha designer Shoji Kawamori
Shoji Kawamori
is a Japanese anime creator, screenwriter and mechanical designer, having created or co-created such notable series as The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, The Vision of Escaflowne, Earth Maiden Arjuna, Genesis of Aquarion, Macross 7, and Macross Frontier. He is currently executive director at the...
.
Description
In fighter mode, the VF-25 resembles a twin-engined single-seater jet aircraftJet aircraft
A jet aircraft is an aircraft propelled by jet engines. Jet aircraft generally fly much faster than propeller-powered aircraft and at higher altitudes – as high as . At these altitudes, jet engines achieve maximum efficiency over long distances. The engines in propeller-powered aircraft...
, with features similar to the real-life Sukhoi Su-27
Sukhoi Su-27
The Sukhoi Su-27 is a twin-engine supermanoeuverable fighter aircraft designed by Sukhoi. It was intended as a direct competitor for the large United States fourth generation fighters, with range, heavy armament, sophisticated avionics and high manoeuvrability...
and Grumman F-14 Tomcat
F-14 Tomcat
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Tomcat was developed for the United States Navy's Naval Fighter Experimental program following the collapse of the F-111B project...
such as a similar nose structure, a bubble canopy with bow and stern frames, a flattened out after-fuselage, variable-geometry wings, and outward-canted twin tail
Twin tail
A twin tail is a specific type of vertical stabilizer arrangement found on the empennage of some aircraft. Two vertical stabilizers — often smaller on their own than a single conventional tail would be — are mounted at the outside of the aircraft's horizontal stabilizer...
s, which are roughly mirrored by twin fins on the fuselage
Fuselage
The fuselage is an aircraft's main body section that holds crew and passengers or cargo. In single-engine aircraft it will usually contain an engine, although in some amphibious aircraft the single engine is mounted on a pylon attached to the fuselage which in turn is used as a floating hull...
's underside. Assisting the onboard flight control surfaces is an array of vernier thruster
Vernier thruster
A vernier thruster is a thruster used on a spacecraft for attitude control. It is a smaller thrust motor than main attitude control motors and is used for fine adjustments to the attitude or velocity of a spacecraft...
s that allow precision maneuvering. A detachable GU-17 gatling
Gatling gun
The Gatling gun is one of the best known early rapid-fire weapons and a forerunner of the modern machine gun. It is well known for its use by the Union forces during the American Civil War in the 1860s, which was the first time it was employed in combat...
gun pod
Gun pod
A gun pod is a detachable pod or pack containing machine guns or automatic cannon and ancillaries, mounted externally on a vehicle such as a military aircraft which may or may not also have its own guns....
is stowed ventrally between the craft's two engines. In addition to the gun pod, built-in weapons include beam weaponry, head-mounted lasers and a large combat knife
Combat knife
A combat knife is a fighting knife designed solely for military use and primarily intended for hand-to-hand or close combat fighting.Since the end of trench warfare, most military combat knives have been secondarily designed for utility use in addition to their original role as close-quarter combat...
(for use in GERWALK or Battroid modes) that can be reinforced by the fighter's own pin-point barrier system.
External equipment (FAST Packs - divided into "Super Packs" and "Armor Packs" in the TV series, as well as "Tornado Packs" in the movie) can be added to improve craft capabilities in some manner. Of note is that the real-life mechanical designer, Shōji Kawamori
Shoji Kawamori
is a Japanese anime creator, screenwriter and mechanical designer, having created or co-created such notable series as The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, The Vision of Escaflowne, Earth Maiden Arjuna, Genesis of Aquarion, Macross 7, and Macross Frontier. He is currently executive director at the...
, deliberately gave the VF-25 a slim profile to allow transformations to GERWALK or Battroid modes occur with full armor packs still attached ; this is in contrast to most of the earlier variable fighter designs, in which the attachments had to be ejected first due to their physically obstructive nature. Functioning as the "ejection seat" is the pilot's worn flight-capable EX-Gear powered exoskeleton
Powered exoskeleton
A powered exoskeleton, also known as powered armor, or exoframe, is a powered mobile machine consisting primarily of an exoskeleton-like framework worn by a person and a power supply that supplies at least part of the activation-energy for limb movement.Powered exoskeletons are designed to assist...
, which usually stays linked to the cockpit systems.
Copying real-world nomenclature, the deployed variants of the VF-25 have differing designations, outlined below.
Variations
- VF-25A: Baseline model with one head laser, often referred to as a "cannon fodder" unit due to its tan color (resembling the VF-1A Valkyrie from the original series).
- VF-25F: Junior officer variant with a different head design featuring two head lasers. Originally piloted by Henry Gilliam until his death in episode 1, the VF-25F is commandeered by rookie Alto Saotome throughout the series.
- VF-25G: SniperSniperA sniper is a marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles....
variant with a different head design featuring one head laser and with Gatling gun pod replaced with a sniper rifleSniper rifleIn military and law enforcement terminology, a sniper rifle is a precision-rifle used to ensure more accurate placement of bullets at longer ranges than other small arms. A typical sniper rifle is built for optimal levels of accuracy, fitted with a telescopic sight and chambered for a military...
-like weapon. Equipped with a harpoonHarpoonA harpoon is a long spear-like instrument used in fishing to catch fish or large marine mammals such as whales. It accomplishes this task by impaling the target animal, allowing the fishermen to use a rope or chain attached to the butt of the projectile to catch the animal...
system for latching onto suitable surfaces. Piloted by Mikhail "Michael" Blanc until episode 20. During the final battle between the Macross Frontier fleet/SMS Macross Quarter and the Battle Galaxy/Vajra forces in episode 25, a micronized Klan Klang pilots the VF-25G after her Queadluun-Rea is severely damaged.
- VF-25S: Commander variant, with upgraded systems and a different head design with four head lasers. Piloted by Ozma Lee throughout the series.
- RVF-25: Electronic warfareElectronic warfareElectronic warfare refers to any action involving the use of the electromagnetic spectrum or directed energy to control the spectrum, attack an enemy, or impede enemy assaults via the spectrum. The purpose of electronic warfare is to deny the opponent the advantage of, and ensure friendly...
variant, with a dorsally-mounted rotodomeRadomeA radome is a structural, weatherproof enclosure that protects a microwave or radar antenna. The radome is constructed of material that minimally attenuates the electromagnetic signal transmitted or received by the antenna. In other words, the radome is transparent to radar or radio waves...
and featuring a different head design. This fighter can be used to control AIF-7S Ghost drone fighters. Piloted by Luca Angelloni throughout the series.
FAST Packs
The VF-25 can be fitted with one of two add-on packs to improve its performance. The VF-25 can transform between Fighter, GERWALK, and Battroid modes without having to jettison the pack.- Super Pack: The Super Pack is a set add-on parts to improve the performance of the VF-25. It consists of additional armour panels (chest, hips, lower legs, and shield), additional engines (a small thruster between the tailplanes, and two large, twin-exhaust thruster pods mounted on the wings), and a pair of missile pods behind the shoulders. The additional engines of the Super Pack increases the top speed. The Super Pack can also be used by macronized Zentradi and Meltlandi soldiers, as seen on episode 21 of the series, when a macronized Klan-Klang dons a pack to help fight off a Vajra invasion aboard Island-1 of the Frontier fleet.
- APS-25/MF-25 Armor Pack: The Armor Pack is a set add-on parts to improve the offensive and defensive capabilities of the VF-25, and is typically restricted to squadron leaders. It consists of additional armor panels (chest, hips, legs, back and shield) that cover a much greater proportion of the body than the Super Pack and ten missile pods. The back armor includes a sensor antenna. The leg armor includes two missile pods per leg, and the chest armor includes two missile pods. Like the Super Pack, the Armor Pack also includes two wing-mounted twin-exhaust thruster pods, but the Armor Pack's pods are much larger and include an anti-ship beam gun and a missile pod for each pack. Finally, it has a pair of missile pods behind the shoulders, much like the Super Pack. The pilot can use eye movements to select multiple targets, then simultaneously fire all its missiles at once to swarm the same enemies. While the Armor Pack follows the lineage of Armored Valkyrie variants such as the VF-0 Phoenix, VF-1 ValkyrieVF-1 ValkyrieThis article is about a fictional vehicle; for the fighter squadron see VF-1.In the fictional Macross Japanese anime series and its English adaptation Robotech, the first mass-produced variable fighter or veritech fighter is called the VF-1 Valkyrie.-Background:The VF-1 was created by the...
and VF-11 ThunderboltVF-11 ThunderboltThe VF-11 Thunderbolt is a fictional variable fighter in the Macross storyline. It was created by mechanical designer Shoji Kawamori.-Fictional Background:...
, it closely resembles the SDP-1 Stampede Valkyrie from the PC Engine game Macross: Remember Me.
- Tornado Pack: Introduced exclusively in the film Macross Frontier: The False Songstress, the Tornado Pack consists of a swiveling beam cannon turret mounted on the back of the unit and larger wings fitted with micro missile launchers. This armor pack slightly resembles the Super Armed Pack of the VF-2SS Valkyrie II from Macross IIThe Super Dimension Fortress Macross II: Lovers, Again, also known as The Super Dimension Fortress Macross II: Lovers, Again or Super Dimensional Fortress Macross II, is the first animated sequel to The Super Dimension Fortress Macross to feature a new cast of characters...
.
Bandai
- Macross Frontier DX Chogokin GE-42 1/60 VF-25F Messiah Alto Custom (2008)
- This plastic/diecast metalDie-cast toyThe term die-cast toy here refers to any toy or collectible model produced by using the die casting method. The toys are made of metal, with plastic, rubber or glass details. Wholly plastic toys are made by a similar process of injection moulding, but the two are rarely confused...
replica of the VF-25F marks Bandai's first new Macross toy since the Macross 7 series in 1995. Transforms into Fighter, Gerwalk and Battroid modes. Comes with collapsible Gun Pod (with support bracket for fighter mode), combat knife, shield and three sets of hands (alongside the pair of hands used to support the shield in fighter mode).
- Macross Frontier DX Chogokin GE-43 1/60 VF-25S Messiah Ozma Custom (2008)
- Same as the VF-25F, but molded in gray and with a different head sculpt.
- A second edition release features redesigned head lasers.
- Macross Frontier DX Chogokin GE-44 1/60 VF-25G Messiah Michael Custom (2009)
- Molded in blue with a different head sculpt. Comes equipped with Super Pack, sniper rifle and display stand.
- Macross Frontier DX Chogokin GE-45 1/60 RVF-25 Messiah Luca Custom (2009)
- Molded in turquoiseTurquoise (color)Turquoise or is a slightly blueish tone of light green. The color is based on the gem turquoise. The term comes from the French for Turkish.At right is displayed the X11 color named turquoise....
and dark gray with a different head sculpt. Comes equipped with Super Pack, spinning radar dish and display stand.
- Macross Frontier DX Chogokin 1/60 Super Pack for VF-25 Messiah (2009)
- An add-on set that consists of the FAST Packs. Available for the VF-25F Alto Custom or VF-25S Ozma Custom.
- Macross Frontier DX Chogokin GE-42 VF-25F Messiah Alto Custom (Fold Clear Version) (2009)
- A Bandai Tamashii Web exclusive, completely molded in clear plastic.
- Macross Frontier VF100's 1/100 VF-25F Messiah Alto Custom (2009)
- A smaller-scale version of the VF-25 Messiah toy. Transforms into all three modes, but requires parts removal or swapping. Comes with two Gun Pods (opened and closed), combat knife, shield, three sets of hands, landing gear and two adapters for the optional Tamashii display stand.
- A second release features the Armor Pack and improvements to the structural design. In addition, a limited release of the regular Messiah figure featured a metallic finish and a special display stand featuring an illustration of Sheryl Nome.
- Macross Frontier VF100's 1/100 VF-25S Messiah Ozma Custom (2009)
- Smaller version of Ozma's VF-25S. This toy addresses the problems collectors faced with the 1/100 VF-25F Alto Custom - namely, the joints on the connectors used for Gerwalk mode. The plug-type connector, which rendered the toy very unstable on many poses, is replaced with a ball-joint connector.
- A limited release of the figure featured a metallic finish and a special display stand featuring an illustration of Ranka Lee.
- Macross Frontier VF100's 1/100 VF-25G Messiah Michael Custom (2009)
- Smaller version of Michael's VF-25G. Featuring swappable wings with speaker pods attached to recreate a scene in episode 12 of the series. Instead of a properly scaled sniper rifle, the toy includes a replica of the 1/72 rifle from the plastic kit set.
- Macross Frontier Robot Spirits: Side VF VF-25F Super Messiah Alto Custom (2009)
- A poseable, non-transformable Battroid figure that stands at 12.5 cm in height and come with detachable Super Pack.
- Macross Frontier Robot Spirits: Side VF VF-25G Super Messiah Michael Custom (2009)
- Similar to the VF-25F figure, but with the 25G head and sniper rifle.
- Macross Frontier Robot Spirits: Side VF VF-25S Armored Messiah Ozma Custom (2010)
- Similar to the VF-25F figure, but with the 25S head and detachable Armor Pack.
- Macross Frontier DX Chogokin 1/60 Ghost & Weapons Set for VF-25 Messiah (2009)
- A Bandai Tamashii Web exclusive add-on set that includes one AIF-7S Ghost fighter drone and an array of missiles. Three Ghost sets are required to complete the RVF-25 Messiah Luca Custom's armament.
- Macross Frontier DX Chogokin 1/60 Gallia 4 Fold Set for VF-25 Messiah (2009)
- A Bandai Tamashii Web exclusive add-on set that includes a Fold Booster, four speaker pods and a 1/60 Ranka Lee figurine, as seen in episode 12 of the series. The Fold Booster is also compatible with the 1/60 VF-27γ (Gamma) Lucifer Brera Custom (which comes supplied with the proper support bracket).
- Macross Frontier DX Chogokin GE-47 1/60 VF-25S Armored Messiah Ozma Custom (2009)
- A retooled version of the VF-25S with the armor upgrades as first seen on episode 1 of the series. Also comes with display stand. A second ball joint is included to address the head's cramped position in Battroid mode.
- Macross Frontier DX Chogokin 1/60 Armor Pack for VF-25F Messiah Alto Custom (2009)
- A Bandai Tamashii Web exclusive add-on set that consists of the Armor Packs for the VF-25F Messiah Alto Custom.
- Macross Frontier DX Chogokin 1/60 VF-25F Super Messiah Alto Custom (2009)
- A re-release of the 1/60 VF-25F figure with the Super Pack repainted to a bluish gray finish.
- Macross Frontier: The False Songstress VF100's 1/100 VF-25Fm Messiah FamilyMart Version (2009)
- A FamilyMartFamilyMartis a convenience store franchise chain first opened in Japan on September 1, 1981. FamilyMart is Japan's third largest convenience store chain, behind 7-Eleven and Lawson, and the largest chain store in South Korea. FamilyMart is owned and overseen by FamilyMart Company, Limited...
exclusive redeco of the VF-255F Messiah, in white with green and blue stripes (the convenience store chain's colors) and the SMS markings replaced with FamilyMart logos. Box packaging features an illustration of Ranka Lee.
- Macross Frontier: The False Songstress DX Chogokin 1/60 VF-25F Tornado Messiah Alto Custom (2010)
- Similar to the VF-25F Super Messiah Alto Custom figure, but with new Tornado armor parts as seen in the movie version of the series. Initial releases came with promotional poster of Ranka Lee that can attach with the Sheryl Nome poster supplied in the DX Chogokin 1/60 VF-27γ (Gamma) Lucifer Brera Custom.
- Macross Frontier: The False Songstress DX Chogokin 1/60 Tornado Pack and Weapons Set for VF-25 Messiah (2010)
- An add-on set that consists of the Tornado Pack and additional missiles. Available for the VF-25F Alto Custom.
- Macross Frontier DX Chogokin Display Stand (2010)
- A Tamashii Web exclusive adjustable display stand for the 1/60 VF-25 Messiah or VF-27 Lucifer. Unlike the one supplied with the VF-25S Armored Messiah Ozma Custom, this stand is adjustable for users to have their Valkyries displayed in different angles in Fighter and Gerwalk modes. However, there is no available adapter for Battroid mode.
- Macross Frontier SD Infinity VF-25F Messiah Alto Custom (2010)
- A super-deformed version of the VF-25 Messiah that transforms into Fighter, Gerwalk and Battroid modes. Comes with two heads: a large head for displaying in Battroid mode only and a smaller head that can be used between all three modes.
- Macross Frontier DX Chogokin GE-54 1/60 VF-25F Messiah Alto Custom Renewal Version (2011)
- An all-new version of the 1/60 VF-25 Messiah, which addresses all of the design flaws of the 2008 figure and borrows many design elements from the 1/60 YF-29 Durandal. Most important among these improvements are the legs, which have redesigned joints for a proper Gerwalk mode stance, as well as a new hip swing bar for a more accurate Battroid mode. The back of lower legs are now flush with the fuselage in fighter mode. The landing gear and tail fins are longer and more accurate to the line art. The arms now have pegs to hold the Gun Pod in fighter mode, eliminating the need for a separate attachment. Underneath the fuselage is a retractable bar that attaches to the Gerwalk mode's pelvis to support the weight of FAST Packs or armor attachments. Comes with a figurine of Alto in an EX-Gear suit. Also included is the same SMS display stand as the 2009 VF-25S Armored Messiah Ozma Custom, using the same attachments of the YF-29 Durandal.
- Macross Frontier DX Chogokin GE-55 1/60 VF-25S Messiah Ozma Custom Renewal Version (not yet released)
- The Ozma version of the renewal figure is set for release on January 31, 2012.
- Macross Frontier DX Chogokin 1/60 Super Pack for VF-25 Messiah Renewal Version (not yet released)
- An all new FAST Pack add-on set for the VF-25F Alto Custom or VF-25S Ozma Custom Renewal Versions set for release on April 2012.
Bandai
- Macross Frontier 1/72 VF-25F Messiah Alto Custom (2008)
- A snap-fit model kit that transforms into Fighter, Gerwalk and Battroid modes. Like the current GundamGundamThe is a metaseries of anime created by Sunrise studios that features giant robots called "Mobile Suits" ; usually the protagonist's MS will carry the name Gundam....
model kits, the parts are color-molded to minimize the need to paint the assembled model. Unlike previous Macross model kits, the VF-25 Messiah line features perfect transformation, with only the hands, landing gear and armor parts being swapped/removed during transformation. Comes with Gun Pod, shield, combat knife, three sets of hands and three mounting brackets (one for each mode) for use on the optional Action Base stand. - Also available in Super Messiah and Armored Messiah packages. The Armored Messiah package includes the Action Base 01 SMS Version and Michael's sniper rifle, as used in episode 25 of the series.
- Macross Frontier 1/72 VF-25S Messiah Ozma Custom (2008)
- Similar to the VF-25F, but with predominantly gray and white parts and a different head sculpt.
- Also available in Super Messiah and Armored Messiah packages; the latter supplied with the Action Base 01 SMS Version.
- Macross Frontier Action Base 01 SMS Version (2009)
- A black plastic display stand similar to the ones used for Gundam models, but with the base molded in the SMS insignia. The stand is adjustable in height for desired display purposes. Comes with three mounting brackets for each of the VF-25 Messiah's modes, as well as the standard Gundam-type brackets. Also comes with a sticker sheet with the yellow SMS markings and specific VF-25 labels for the mountable sign.
- Macross Frontier Super Parts for 1/72 VF-25 Messiah (2009)
- An add-on set for use on any VF-25 kit. Consists of the FAST Pack parts.
- Macross Frontier 1/72 VF-25F Messiah Alto Custom (Shoji Kawamori Produce Clear Version) (2009)
- A Bandai Hobby Pro-Shop exclusive release of the VF-25F kit with the exterior parts molded in clear plastic and the interior parts painted in a metallic finish.
- Macross Frontier 1/72 RVF-25 Messiah Luca Custom (2009)
- Molded in turquoise and dark gray with a different head sculpt and equipped with a radome. Comes with three Ghost units and adapters to display them on the optional Action Base 01 SMS Version.
- Macross Frontier 1/72 VF-25G Messiah Michael Custom (2009)
- Molded in blue with a different head sculpt. Comes with sniper rifle.
- Macross Frontier 1/72 VF-25F Messiah Alto Custom Deculture Version (2009)
- Includes special decal sheets (waterslide decals and stickers) featuring graffiti-style art and images of Ranka Lee.
- Macross Frontier 1/72 VF-25G Messiah Michael Custom Deculture Version (2009)
- Includes special decal sheets (waterslide decals and stickers) featuring graffiti-style art and images of Klan-Klang.
- Macross Frontier: The False Songstress 1/72 VF-25F Tornado Messiah Alto Custom (2010)
- A reissue of the VF-25F kit with the Tornado armor parts used in the Macross Frontier movie.
- Macross Frontier 1/100 VF-25F Messiah Alto Custom (2011)
- A non-transformable snap-fit model kit in fighter mode.
- Macross Frontier 1/100 VF-25F Messiah Alto Custom Ranka Marking Version (2011)
- Includes a special waterslide decal sheet featuring an image of Ranka Lee to decorate the fuselage.
- Macross Frontier 1/100 VF-25F Messiah Alto Custom Sheryl Marking Version (2011)
- Includes a special waterslide decal sheet featuring an image of Sheryl Nome to decorate the fuselage.