Graham

I don't think that Luca and Mikhail are piloting the VF-25F. IIRC, the 'F' designation is given to the Alto/Gilliam twin head laser version, which has a distinctly different head to that shown on Mikhail's blue VF-25 in episode # 2, and Luca's green VF-25 in the latest Newtype magazine. While no letter designation has been given for these or the tan cannon fodder VF-25, I bet it will be 'A'. Graham

Thanks for the scans, saves me having to buy the magazine myself. From the photos it dosen't seem like Bandai are any further along in their product development. However, given the longish lead time in print publishing, these pics were probably taken last month, close to WonderFest. Heh, and Kawamori is still not smiling when he holds the Bandai stuff. Anybody want to translate the article to see if there are any interesting nuggets of information. Graham

Will definitely pass on that then. It's probably super cute, but funds are limited. Graham

While Alto has some flight training and seems to be a naturally skilled pilot, he has not been specifically trained on the VF-25 systems yet, so even assuming that the VF-25 does carry spare magazines for the gunpod, he probably wouldn't know that and wouldn't know which controls to operate to reload the gunpod. Also, even if the VF-25 carries no spare gunpod ammo, if Alto had known how to operate the VF-25 properly he could have used the internal wingroot/hip lasers to attack the red bug, once his gunpod clicked empty. As for internal missiles, we don't know yet. However, in the Deculture edition, when Gilliam flies into the city after ejecting his Super Pack, he is shown firing two missiles at the red bug. These missiles had to come from somewhere and no missiles were shown being carried on the 6 wing hard points. So, either there are internal missile bays, or it was a continuity/animation error. Graham

Heh, perhaps it's Isamu. He'd be 44 years old in 2059. Graham

Well, Private Military Companies (PMCs), such as Blackwater are very topical now. Just checking the Wiki page on PMCs and there are dozens of PMCs. I didn't realize there were so many. Graham

Just want to say again, I'm really loving the instrumental background music in this episode, especially the music that starts when Alto & Ozma enter the SMS base. I really hope we get this on the OST CD. Graham

Can you recommend some good, free easy to ue software for converting the MKV or AVI files so I can play them on my stand alone DVD players? Graham

2 different fansubs within 4 days of episode 2's release isn't too bad. Graham

Have you tried the AiA I-Z sub for ep # 2, which is just out. I'm d/ling now. Graham

Even Macross Zero had the magically reappearing FAST packs in the last episode. Shin Ejects all his weapons including the FPs and then a short time later the leg FPs are back again. Graham

In episode 1 and the first half of episode 2, Ozma is using the Armored Pack (AKA Full Armour). When he launches again near the end of episode 2, his VF-25S is equipped with the Super Pack. Graham

Yeah, which is why I'm not going to bother to buy it. Graham

It seems like the X-gear partially detaches from the pilot once in the Valk, at least the forearms do. Graham

Which names did you submit? Graham

Ditto, CCCP and Media Player classic work great. Graham

Just installed those two, and got the Gattai ep 2 running very smoothly on Windows Media player, but can't get the subtitles to show. Have 'on if available' selected, but they don't show. Oh well, have to stick with VLC player. Playback might be slightly jerky, but at least I can see the subs. Graham

I'm using VLC player and do have post processing disabled already. Graham

Just started watching the Gattai sub. Extremely clear images, but video is very jerky on my laptop. Really getting to love the BGM. Graham

One of the worst bits of animation from episode # 2 must be how Gilliam's pistol is drawn the second time we see it. Compare these two screen captures of the pistol. The first time we see it together with Gilliam's helmet and other possessions, it is nicely drawn, with lots of detail. Sort of looks like a cross between a HK USP and a Walther P99. But in the second screen capture from just after Ozma has slugged Alto, it looks like a 5 year old's attempt at drawing a pistol. Overall, apart from this one gaffe, I'm generally very happy with the standard of the animation in this series so far. Graham

Yep, DX = Deluxe. But the old Bandai 1/65 scale Macross 7 toys had the DX label and they were far from deluxe, so go figure. I guess it's all highly subjective. Graham

Screen caps of Ozma's VF-25S with Super Packs getting ready to launch, Luca's Elint VF-25 in space and Ozmas's VF-25S Super in space. Graham

Thought, I'd try to capture a few shots of 'sharpshooter' Mikhail's blue and white VF-25 in action. Graham

The 1/60 DX VF-25 toys, should be similar in size to Yamato's YF-19 and VF-0. Graham