Few spaceships in anime history command the reverence that the Space Cruiser Yamato does among Japanese collectors. When Bandai released this 1/350 scale plastic model kit, it wasn’t just another product — it was a definitive statement in model-making dedicated to a vessel that reshaped science fiction animation. For collectors who grew up watching the ship rise from the mud of Kyushu to defend Earth, holding a boxed, large-format kit like this feels less like acquiring a toy and more like safeguarding a piece of pop-culture heritage.
Japanese scale figures and model kits occupy a different tier compared to many international releases. Bandai’s domestic Yamato line benefits from direct oversight by the licensing committee that manages the franchise, meaning hull paneling, bridge decals, and even the shade of the ship’s wave-motion gun are approved against original production artwork. International reissues often simplify tooling or reduce decal sheets, so a Japanese-market boxed kit like this carries both production fidelity and resale credibility that collectors overseas routinely seek out.
About This Item
This listing covers the Bandai Space Cruiser Yamato 1/350 scale plastic model kit, catalog number 0146749, part of Bandai’s premium large-scale SF animation hobby line. The 1/350 Yamato was first released in 2010 by Bandai Hobby Division, and at the time of launch it was the largest injection-molded Yamato kit ever produced at retail, measuring roughly 75 centimeters in total length when assembled. The box itself is substantial, featuring the classic illustration of the ship cresting through space against a starfield backdrop, with Japanese text identifying the series and scale across the front panel.
Inside the sealed or carefully preserved box, buyers typically find dozens of runners molded in multiple colors, a comprehensive decal sheet, LED-ready internal cavities (depending on edition), and a thick multilingual-leaning instruction booklet dominated by Japanese technical callouts. We inspected this particular pre-owned item for box crush, runner yellowing, and completeness of the small-parts bags before listing. It is shipped from Japan with tracking so collectors overseas can monitor transit the entire way.
Key Details
- Manufacturer: Bandai (Hobby Division)
- Series/Franchise: Space Battleship Yamato / Space Cruiser Yamato
- Type: Scale Figures — 1/350 Plastic Model Kit
- Catalog Number: 0146749
- Condition: Pre-owned condition, carefully inspected before shipping
- Origin: Japan
The Space Franchise: Why Collectors Care
Space Battleship Yamato — known internationally as Star Blazers — debuted on Japanese television in October 1974, created by producer Yoshinobu Nishizaki with mechanical and story contributions from Leiji Matsumoto. The series is widely credited as the title that transformed anime from children’s programming into a medium capable of serious, cinematic storytelling for teenagers and adults. According to the official Yamato franchise archive maintained at yamato2199.net, the original 1974 broadcast underperformed in ratings but exploded in popularity through reruns and the 1977 theatrical compilation, igniting what historians call the first true anime boom.
The Yamato itself — a WWII battleship resurrected as an interstellar vessel — became an icon rivaling the Enterprise or Millennium Falcon in its home market. Decades of sequels, films, and the acclaimed 2199/2202/2205 remake series have kept the design perpetually relevant, and Bandai has supported the franchise with model kits spanning 1/1000, 1/500, and this flagship 1/350 scale.
Rarity and Value Factors
Large-scale Bandai Yamato kits are produced in waves rather than continuous runs. According to Bandai Hobby’s reissue announcements, the 1/350 Yamato has seen only a handful of production batches since 2010, with each run selling through quickly in Japan. Limited variants — such as the “Final Yamato” paint-scheme edition or bundles including LED units — command significant premiums. Condition rarity matters enormously here: because the kit is physically large, pristine boxes without shelf wear are increasingly uncommon in the secondary market. Sealed examples with intact factory tape and unopened inner bags represent the top tier, while built examples, regardless of quality, drop sharply in collector value.
Looking for this item? Every item at HD Toys Store Japan is:
- Shipped directly from Japan with tracking
- Carefully inspected for condition and authenticity
- Pre-owned condition documented with detailed photos
Collector’s Guide: What to Look For
In my experience handling large-format Bandai kits, the single most important factor for a 1/350 Yamato is box integrity. Because the carton exceeds standard shelf dimensions, it is frequently stored on top of wardrobes or in closets where humidity and dust accumulate. We have handled examples where the outer box looked rough but the inner contents were flawless, and the reverse — pristine boxes concealing opened runner bags with missing small parts. Always ask the seller to confirm whether the shrink wrap, if any, is factory original or a reseller re-wrap.
Second, inspect the decal sheet. Yamato kits rely heavily on waterslide and dry-transfer decals for hull numbering, panel lines, and the iconic chrysanthemum emblem on the bow. Decals yellow and become brittle after roughly ten years, so even an unbuilt kit from 2010 may have decals that need replacement with aftermarket sets. Third, check runner color consistency; the red hull parts are especially prone to UV fading if the box was stored near a window.
Condition Checklist
- Box exterior: Inspect corners, edges, and top panel for crushing, moisture rings, or price-sticker residue
- Runner completeness: Confirm all lettered sprues (A through typically H or beyond) are present and sealed
- Decal condition: Check for yellowing of the backing paper and brittleness of the film
- Instruction manual: Should be the original Bandai booklet, not a photocopy; verify no missing pages
- Packaging: Original outer box, inner tray, and any promotional inserts significantly affect value
Price Guide
Pricing for the Bandai 1/350 Space Cruiser Yamato varies widely based on edition and condition. Opened but complete kits in good pre-owned condition typically trade between $180 and $280. Sealed first-run examples in clean boxes generally command $320 to $500, with exceptional sealed copies of limited editions pushing past $700 at Japanese auction houses. Built examples, even skillfully assembled, rarely exceed $150 unless professionally finished with lighting. The largest price drivers are box condition, decal viability, and whether the kit is a standard or special-edition release. Shipping cost is also a real factor — this is a heavy, oversized parcel.
Similar Items Worth Exploring
Collectors drawn to this 1/350 flagship often expand into Bandai’s 1/500 Yamato (released 2008), which offers a more display-friendly size while retaining excellent detail. The Mecha Collection Yamato line — small snap-fit kits priced under $10 at retail — makes an affordable way to build fleet dioramas including the Andromeda, Yunagi, and Kirishima escort ships. For the 2199 remake fans, Bandai’s 1/1000 Yamato 2199 series offers modernized sculpts with full interior detailing. Resin garage kits from makers like Studio Half Eye also appear on Japanese secondary markets and provide alternative poses and scale variants. If you are building a franchise collection, pairing the ship kits with Megahouse’s Cosmo Fleet Special display pieces creates a layered showcase. Browse more collector guides on our blog for additional franchise deep-dives.
Why Buy Japanese Collectibles from Japan?
Japanese collector culture places exceptional value on preservation. Boxes are routinely stored flat, kept away from sunlight, and often retained even after a kit is built. This cultural habit means pre-owned items sourced from Japan arrive in demonstrably better average condition than equivalent items from other markets. Additionally, Bandai frequently releases Japan-exclusive editions, event-only variants, and Premium Bandai online-shop kits that never ship internationally through official retail. Buying directly from Japan grants access to this exclusive inventory and ensures the item is an authentic domestic release rather than a repackaged export variant. Specialist sellers also verify catalog numbers against Bandai’s official product database before listing.
Summary
The Bandai 1/350 Space Cruiser Yamato remains one of the most ambitious injection-molded anime kits ever produced, and sourcing a well-preserved pre-owned example from Japan is the surest way to add it to a serious collection. Between the franchise’s historical weight, the kit’s imposing presence, and the ever-shrinking supply of clean boxes, this is an item that rewards patient, informed buyers. Contact our team if you have questions about authenticity, and refer to our returns policy for inspection guarantees.
Published: January 2025. Last reviewed: January 2025. Author: Haruki Tanaka, hd-bodyscience.com collector desk.
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