It’s been a couple of weeks since Shizuoka Hobby Show 2025, and one item that I wanted to cover is this: HJ Modeler’s 1/144 VAX-01 Valrein, a full color snap fit assembly kit from Hobby Japan under their HJ Modeler’s brand. This is based on, and an improvement of, the 2021 VAX-00 Valrein Zero resin kit from a collaboration between up-and coming designer Toki Amatoki and professional modeler Seira Masuo. The Valrein Zero kit became a springboard for other HJ Modeler’s products and has now become the VAX-01 Valrein, the flagship of the brand.
VAX-01 Valrein is described as a Prototype EXE Forcer, though there is no fiction or story directly tied to this design as of this post. The kit faithfully reproduces Amatoki’s intricate design and at 1/144 scale, it stands at approximately 170mm, taller than your average 1/144 scale Gunpla. It’s mostly white, but has several areas in dark blue, red-orange, and gray, providing depth and further realism to the design.
The model comes in multiple colored parts and uses polycaps for joints, allowing you to build a good-looking kit out of the box, but I would still recommend at least filling the panel lines or partial painting the missing colors. On that note, I can’t really tell from the images how the articulation range of this kit is, especially given the rather bulky design. Though I don’t expect high flying kicks or punches so it should be just around what I expect.
For weapons and accessories, it comes with the Photon Arc Rifle, Photon Arc Buster Sword, and Photon Arc Saber + α, as well as multiple replacement manipulator/hand parts. Note that the blade of the Photon Arc Buster, and the visor of the head unit, are both made from clear blue parts. The solicitations also mention removable E-Monoliths, though I’m not sure what they’re supposed to be.
This is the time I’ve heard of Hobby Japan’s modeling supplies brand, HJ Modeler’s, and while they’ve been making decals and tools/supplies, I believe this is the first time they’ll release a full retail plastic model kit. I don’t expect Bandai Spirits level of engineering but given that this comes from both Toki Amatoki and Seira Masuo, this should be an interesting kit to build.
For those who wanted to secure a pre-order, note that not all retailers are carrying this item, like site affiliate HobbyLink Japan. So I’m including a couple of sites who has this kit available for pre-order.
HJ Modeler’s 1/144 Valrein
December 2025 / ¥9,000
Order from AmiAmi, Hobby Search
