Alto Saotome (Super Deformed)

Alto Saotome is from the Banpresto produced prize items for Macross Frontier. Ichiban KUJI Premium Macross Frontier is sold in convenience stores across Japan as a lottery. Customers buy a 800 YEN ticket you pull from a blind box with a letter on it telling you which item you have won. It's completely random on what your end up with for your hard earned YEN. Available in the set of Premium goods are...

• A. Klan Klang (Melatrandi Pilot) 25cm tall
• B. Sheryl Nome (Finale Concert Dress) 22cm tall
• C. Ranka Lee (Kira Pose) 20cm tall
• D. Nyan Nyan Bowl
• E. Sport Towel Set (Monster Girl, VF-25, Kabuki Alto)
• F. Super Deformed Character Figure Set (Ranka, Sheryl, Klan, Alto)
• G. Super Deformed Mecha Set (VF-25F Alto Battroid, VF-25S Ozma Armored Gerwalk, VF-27 Brera Battroid, Klan Queadluun-Ray, Raramia Queadluun Ray)

I got a complete set thanks to Angolz. They do also offer smaller sets and individual pieces as well for those on a more discerning budget.

This review we take a look at the Super Deformed/Chibi style Alto Saotome. Alto is done up in the large head/small body style of fixed pose figure and stands about 3 ½ inches tall on the included base.

Alto is Macross Frontier's central character. Born in space on a galactic convoy he dreams of flying in a real sky. He comes dressed in his school uniform holding his paper airplane and sporting a truly goofy smile.

Paint detail is neat and clean and I must say for a “prize item” I am impressed.

The figure comes attached to a small base (decorated with the silhouette of him in his Kabuki outfit) and includes a thin brace to attach to the base to provide additional support. I did not find that the braces where really needed but the figures are so top heavy I suspect they would warp and possibly fall over, over time. I suggest using them.

Alto is suitably cute and adorable (though his grin is a bit goofy) and while I normally don't collect the chibi/super deformed/nederoid style of figures I got the entire Banpresto Prize set as a package (I was after the bigger, fixed pose ladies – to be reviewed soon) so I am happy to add him to the growing display of Macross in my collection. Fans of the cute/super deformed style who like Macross F are sure to enjoy it as it is a top quality collectible.

Macross Frontier Ichiban KUJI Premium goods can be gotten at Angolz.