Graham

New pics from the latest issue of Dengeki Hobby Magazine (October 2008 issue). Note the feet are a different color (use of incorrect color plastics is common on test shots). Also, note the neck seems to be extended more than in the Hobby Japan photos. Graham

Attached is a scan from the new October 2008 issue of Dengeki Hobby magazine of the upcoming 1/100 scale VF-25. Nothing new really, same pics as in this month's Hobby Japan magazine. Graham

I definitely think that Klan is going to go out in a blaze of glory in episode 21 or 22. Then perhaps as she lays dying, she'll find out that Mikhail is still alive, saved at the last moment by Brera. Mikhail once recovered will then go insane with rage and die in a suicide attack on a Vajra carrier (or some such heroic type death). And I also think that Brera will definitely end up killing Grace and probably die in doing so. Graham

Probably just mis-transformed, neck not extended fully. Graham

What's GAR? Kinryu should definitely be on the list. Graham

In the Frontier model thread, somebody posted a scan from the new Hobby Japan magazine which shows a pic of the 1/100 with it actually captioned as 1/100, so that's official confirmation at last. Graham

I hope the feet are not going to be red on the production 1/72 scale kit. Yep, confirmation at last of the 1/100 toy. Graham

I have a theory that the speaker pods had some sort of homing capability, like micro-missiles, as Basara never really seemed to aim, just sprayed them out, but they still hit the target. Technology, not skill. Also, Basara wasn't a truely great VF pilot in my book as he never really took the time to master Gerwalk mode and the one time we see him using it in combat, he's pretty useless and ends up crashing into buildings. Graham

This is probably wishful thinking, but possibly Michael could still be alive depending on how advanced the SMS X-Gear is. The helmet may have some sort of automatic snap-down face plate for use in space with a limited oxygen supply. Like wise, the SMS flight suit could possible have self-sealing capabilities (like the colony domes), so pressure can be maintained. The only flying in the ointment here, being that Michael was wearing his school uniform under the X-Gear, not a flight suit. Ah, and hang on didn't he lose his helmet? Have to rewatch the death scene. The X-Gear may also have some sort of automatic medical nano that it automatically pumps into the pilots body in the event of serious injury, to keep him alive long enough until he can receive propermedical treatment. But, Nah.............he's dead as a Dodo I reckon. Graham

I'd recommend watching Shinsen subs as far as they go, which IIRC is up to episode 11. The AiA-IZ subs were pretty good as well, but they only did eps 1-10 and then stopped as the translator moved to Japan to study IIRC. Lunar subs have been pretty good and getting better despite the occasional traslation error. AFAIK, they are the only fansub group to have actually subbed all 19 episodes to date. gg have done eps 7-19 and are pretty good, but many people have trouble playing the .MKV file format. Kei while they lasted were also pretty good, but only subbed eps 13-16 and then stopped. In conclusion, I'd say Shinsen and Lunar. Graham

Err....David, that was Kinryu, not Physica. IIRC, Physica dies when his VF-17D get's shot in the back by Gigile's Fz-109. Graham

Basara is a great instinctive pilot, but IMO not necessarily a good combat pilot. He’s obviously good at defensive flying (dodging attacks) and quite good at acrobatic flying, but we have little to no idea how he would be in an offensive military role, as attacking is something we seldom sell him do. If this thread title had specified “best combat pilots” rather than just “best pilots”, I would probably even leave Basara off the list. Also, I personally would not rate Millia so high as 2nd place as most people are doing and would definitely rate Gamlin higher than most people are rating him. While Millia was not at her prime in Macross 7 and probably out of practice, Gamlin did have to end up saving her when she flew the red VF-17S. Gamlin also racked up an impressive kill list during the series. My list would go something like: - 1) Max. 2) Isamu. 3) Joint 3rd place: Millia, Basara (grudgingly added). 4) Joint 4th place: Roy, Gamlin, Ozma (all three equal in my eyes). 5) Joint 5th place: Alto, Hikaru, D.D. Ivanov. 6) Joint 6th place: Guld (he’s a test pilot, not a combat pilot), Nora Polyanski, Shin Kudo, Brera Sterne (get’s a low rating because most of his ability comes down to his enhancements), 7) Joint 7th place: Klan Klan, Docker, Michelle Blanc, Quamzin Kravshera, Mylene Jenius. Joint 8th place: Physica Fulcrum, Kakizaki Hayao, Luca Angeloni. Michael Blanc only just made it onto my list, as while he is an excellent sniper in Battroid mode, we don’t really have a feel for his overall piloting and dogfighting abilities. Graham

Ah, so it's the Project Super Nova blue and white scheme from the TIAS Macross Book - Variable Fighter's Aero Report section. I wonder if Hasegawa will follow up and release the orange and white version as well? Graham

Official Bandai fliers for the 1/72 VF-25F Alto version have started appearing in hobby shop windows here in HK. They show the release date as September, no specific day given. No new photos either, just the same as already published on line. Still, it's nice to see a Macross flier amongst the hordes of Gundam Plamodel flyers stuck on the windows. Graham

Yamato seem to be improving with their joints. The joints on my 1/60 YF-21 toys are still nice and stiff and can hold any pose. Likewise, the new 1/60 VF-1S has super tight joints (some may say too tight). Sadly most of my 1/60 YF-19 toys have turned into froppy messes in battroid mode. Graham

Yes, they are nice, thank you. Sorry, can't show em' yet. Graham

It's been shown in line art and IIRC may have been shown in M+ (have to rewatch again). Graham

I'm also betting that Michael buys the farm in ep # 20. Graham

Normal size gunpod, don't worry. Graham

Nope different heatshield transformation to the SHE. More anime accurate. Graham

You guys will be happy with the heatshield this time. Perfect transformation, no more flimsy detachable vac-formed part. No ugly exposed hinges or bars either. Graham

My favorite instrumental tracks from Frontier so far are 'Private Army' and 'Tally Ho'. I listen to these all the time. Graham

These haven't appeared here in Hong Kong yet. I only want either one Alto VF-25F or one Ozma VF-25S. Normal colors, not metallic. Anybody wanna sell one, I'll pay by Paypal. Graham

Anybody know if these two books are going to be art books? Macross Frontier 2059: Memories マクロスf Official File: 1 Graham

I don't think so. No release date has been mentioned for the Ozma version yet. Following Bandai's normal pattern, I would expect the releases to be 1-2 months apart. Graham