Yamato’s annual open showroom event was held today and, apart from the usual bargains and cabinets full of valks, the big draw this year was something rather special – the first hands-on session with the final version of the toy.
Category: 30th Anniversary
Yamato posted these test shots of their upcoming 1/60 VF-4G Lightning in gorgeous black on their website. I gotta say, that color makes it look absolutely kick ass. I’m a sucker for these test shot, I think all toys look great in all black or gray. But you know, since these are all test shots and seeing that you’re done with it. How about sending me this one? I bought the white gloves and everything. I know you’re reading this Mr.K. On your iPad… in your boxers. I know cuz I’m looking at you right now!
As previously scooped by forum user BlackAce, Banpresto will be releasing another batch of Ichiban Kuji figures next March as part of Macross’ 30th Anniversary (surely this has to mark the end of the 30th? Just how long does this Anniversary go for anyway???).
This time the figures will be based on the super-deformed versions of the franchises rockers and divas. Some initial sculpts were on display at the Firebomber 2012 concert (Tokyo gig only) and while the lineup was disappointingly lacking in Veffidas figures, some of the new additions stood out more than others….
As part of the ongoing (although dwindling to a close) 30th Anniversary, Haruhiko Mikimoto and Risa Ebata have drawn a set of 5 character portraits for the Macross Official Fan Club.
Titled ‘Oshare Macross – Red Carper Ver., the designs are based on the theme of A ‘Celebrity party to celebrate Macross’ 30th Anniversary’. The 5 new pieces of art (3 by Mikimoto, 2 by Ebata) feature Minmay, Basara, Mylene, Sheryl and Ranka all dressed up for a night out on the town.
“Joysound” will open 3 Macross themed karaoke rooms in Ikebukuro on Thursday, November 22. The rooms will be designated as the “Ranka Lee” room, The “Sheryl Nome” room, and the “Fire Bomber” room. The price of renting the rooms is 150 for 30 minutes. To celebrate the opening they will present the first 2000 customers with a “Macross Original Clear File”. Hmmm… sounds like a good stage for our podcasters to get inebriated in during one of their recordings.
So… A week and a half has passed since the latest theatrical Macross release. Why is there no front page write-up? Well, there are probably a multitude of reasons. Number one being, unfortunately, that this movie is barely a movie at all.
However, that doesn’t mean that we should deny it any presence here, nor that we ignored its release.
Read on for the full lowdown on this… thing, in spoilerific detail! You have been warned!
(Yeah… Spoilers for those who have never watched Macross 7 — otherwise…)
Oct. 21, 2012 – I woke up that day thinking, “Hmmm. MacrossWorld Con is today, I should get started on that 1D custom and take it there.” Two hours later I was done and walked out the door.
Wait… that was the dream I had before I actually woke up.”
Oct. 21, 2012 – I woke up that day thinking, “Oh crap! It’s 10am? WTF? I stayed up until 4am painting the figures and putting all the final detail on the 1D. I still have to clear coat the figures and glue some final pieces.” At 12pm, an hour after the con started I was still gluing some parts. The phone rings…It’s Bigkid, must be some con emergency or else why would he be calling?
“Hello?”
“Hey, we brought your binaltechs to the con instead of waiting for the TF meet, how much do you want to sell the Smokescreen for?”
“What?”
“Smokescreen…”
“I got glue all over my iphone… let me call you back!”
“wait!…”
Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep…
“Awww, crap!”
Heading Over
It’s early Sunday afternoon, why is it gridlocked? Freakin’ L.A. traffic.
This year I decided to not be a part of the MWCon committee, so I wasn’t required to be there at a certain time. Actually I decided two years ago that it was too much work for me and that I would just sit back and enjoy the next one. I’d like to think that that was the reason we didn’t have a con in 2011, but the fact of the matter is that Kirik just had a kid and certain responsibilities were just building up for the rest of the guys. Maybe they were caught up in the moment of the 30th Anniversary of Macross and decided they wanted to do it once more this year. But in my case, I didn’t have a good time at the 2010 Convention even though everyone was saying it was the best con ever. It was certainly the most successful. We had amazing displays, a great location in the heart of UCLA, more than doubled the attendance. In fact, the hall was super crowded like never before.
So it was decided that we were going to do a smaller event this year. A call back to the days where we just sat around, ate crappy pizza and talked toys, models and customs. Sounds good to me.
But…
It was a lot more fun when our convention number matched the year it was… 2008 – 8th Annual, 2009 – 9th Annual, 2010… well you get it. But for some reason we decided to take last year off. But the excitement of the 30th Anniversary of the franchise we all know and love has got our blood and juices pumping once more. Can we still call it Annual? Well, let’s wait a year to see.
But for the first time ever, we’ll be bringing you real time photo updates of the convention at our Facebook page. Come celebrate by posting and liking threads and photos taken at the event.
Also if you have any images you want to send us to post here on our main page for our post con report, feel free to send it to macrossworldconvention@gmail.com.
This years Macrossworld Convention is setting up to be a great event. With displays, customs contest, and games, and special guest Mari Iijima, attendees should have a great time with many things to get involved with. Well, now there’s something else. Our good friends at Satelight Inc. http://www.satelight.co.jp/eng/ have taken the time to show their appreciation for fans across the Pacific, and have donated large movie sized posters signed by Shoji Kawamori. Each poster is roughly 42″ x 30″, and are from Macross Frontier “Sayonara no Tsubasa”, the second of two movies from the Frontier series. For this year’s Macrossworld convention, you (yes you) will have the opportunity to win one of these beautiful posters in a raffle. Here’s how:
As of now, the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets is active. You do not need to be present at the Macrossworld con to win if you are buying tickets online, but you do need to be an actve member of Macrossworld forums to buy them. If you are not a member, but are planning on going to Macrossworldcon 2012, you may buy raffle tickets the day of the con. Tickets bought the day of the con must have the purchaser present to win, and tickets will be color coded to differentiate. Now, the cost of each ticket is $4 for tickets purchased online, and the day of the convention.
To purchase raffle tickets via Macrossworld website, send me a private message (Jasonc). In the subject write Raffle Tickets, and in the message, indicate how many tickets you want. I’ll provide the payment info, along with your raffle ticket numbers, that will have your screenname, and your real name on them and will be inserted into the drawing. Each poster will have a separate drawing, so if you don’t get one, there’s a chance for another.
Winners that bought raffle tickets online will be notified via pm message, and it will be announce the evening after the convention here. You will have three (3) days to respond and claim your prize, after which, another winner will be drawn. There will be no postage to pay for the winner. Winners who bought the at the convention, will be mentioned on Macrossworld as well.
Again, these prizes are brought to you by Satelight Inc. I would like to take the opportunity to thank Mr. Kawamori and his staff for providing these donations. Kawamori, I’m sure, is a very busy man, and for him to provide these for the fans of Macrossworld, it is an honor and a priviledge. From all of us here at Macrossworld, we honor and thank you for the donation, and for 30 wonderful years of Macross.
One of two posters to be won in the upcoming raffle
The second poster to be won in the upcoming raffle
Closeup of the signature in the second poster.
Closeup of the signature in the second poster.
This poster will not be in the drawing.
Macross The MUSICALTURE was performed a total of eight times from October 3 to October 8 at Tokyo Dome City Hall. I was fortunate enough to attend the midday performance on Saturday, Oct. 6.
For the first couple of months following the musical’s announcement it had one major thing in common with many other events held to commemorate Macross’ 30th Anniversary – no-one really knew quite what it was, or how the basic concepts and key three pillars of Macross could be translated into a stage performance. Just over a month prior to opening night details began to be posted on the official website – a page of text setting up the basic story premise aboard the pacifist Macross 29, ‘character’ artwork and profiles, some short clips of cast members covering various Macross songs. But not long after, less promising information started to come to light. Actor Takuya Kikuchi, who was due to play Neo-Zentran leader Vigo Walgria , dropped out citing personal reasons. He was replaced by understudy Yuusuke Hirose with only weeks before the production was due to start. Refunds were offered to anyone wanting one – apparently Takuya was the main draw for quite a few female fans.But then real disaster struck.