Graham

A quick use of the SEARCH function reveals these threads http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?...hl=macross+zero http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?...hl=macross+zero http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?...hl=macross+zero Also, the info can easily be found on the Macross Compendium Graham

There is no sticker guide for the Mac Plus Valks. Yes, they are stickers not decals. Just put them where ever you think looks good. Graham

Yeah, I'll get the red Alpha, but I'm only getting 1 of each color. If the toys had better QC and fewer probelms, I'd probably buy multiples of each, but as it is, 1 is enough. Graham

I disagree that Macross's fanbase is fading. Macross has a small but very loyal and generally quite hardcore fanbase. Unfortunately, what is true is that the fanbase is not growing by much and probably won't unless we get a new TV series that appeals to the masses (which may or may not be a good thing depending on which way you look at it). I'd rather have quality and substance rather than flash, but flash seems to be what the masses like these days. I certainly wouldn't like to see Macross heading down the same road that Gundam has taken with endless sequels each one worse than the last and just designed to sell toys and model kits (SEED...cough, cough). It also seems true unfortunately that the amount of new Macross merchandise is shrinking. This really doesn't have to be the case though. I wish companies like Yamato & Bandai would realize that if they made quality toys from Macross 7, M3, FB2012 etc then people would buy them. It doesn't have to be all about just SDF, DYRL & Plus. IMO, Macross doesn't really need a new anime just to sell toys. There's certainly enough fans that would jump at the chance to buy a Full Armored VF-11C, VF-17 w/FPs and Max & Millia VF-22 and Macross 7 is 10 years old already. And let's not forget the fan-favorite the VF-4. That's what like a 19 year old design, but people still want a toy of it. And if one more company releases a line of VF-1 toys I'm going to scream! Graham

Didn't we have this already in a thread started at the end of July! Graham

There has been very little lineart published from Macross Zero so far. There is some lineart in the booklets that come with the original R2 DVDs. Also, there is quite a lot of lineart of the mecha and characters in the Hobby Japan April 2003 issue. See also the June 2004 issue for Octos lineart Also, check out the October 2003 and November 2003 issues of Dengeki Hobby magazine for lineart of the Cheyenne and VF-0S w/reactive armor. You can also try the gallery sections of the official Big West Macross Zero site and the official Bandai Visual Macross Zero site. Other sources include MAHQ and Nanashi's. Graham

Personally, I don't agree that the Block 6 (DYRL type w/twin side stick controllers and holographic HUD) VF-1s are 2031 era at all. I'm sure the Block 6 was manufactured long before 2031, especially as the last VF-1 was manufactured in 2015 and the VF-4 was introduced as the next main Variable Fighter in 2020. Although it is not specified in any official source material, I'm sure the Block 6 machines were introduced probably shortly after Space War 1, that is if we accept the TV chronology as being accurate and that DYRL is is a movie released in the Macross universe in 2031. Anyway, for those of you who haven't seen it before here's a scan of page 61 of the TIAS Macross Plus book, which lists the DYRL Block 6 controls (although in Japanese). Graham

The Hasegawa VF-0S box and instructions do not feature any new aditional information than what is already in the Macross Compendium. No idea about the Hasegawa VF-0A and VF-0B as I do not own those kits. The Compendium is your best source of info for accurate 'official' information on Macross mecha. Graham

Knight26, gotta say I don't like the original design at all. This is the first time I haven't liked one of your designs. I'm not being nasty, but the style and coloration of the original design really really reminds me of some cheap plastic spaceship toy designed for 3 3/4" action figures. Sorry, that's just the impression it gives me. The new design looks far better so far. You are definitely on the right track. A cool looking cockpit and nose section is very important in a fighter and the first one did not have that. Graham

Nobody knows for sure. All we know is that those extra Macross Plus & macross Zero mecha were originally listed on several Japanese and English sites, including the Compendium as being in the game prior to release, but the listings were removed shortly before the game was released. Also, there was a Bandai movie advertising the game which did show theose extra mecha. I've saved it and you can download it here. Be warned, it is 25.5MB. The YF-19, YF-21, VF-0S and SV-51 appear near the end. Graham

Not really, for recent Macross console games the release dates have been: - VFX for PS1 = 1997 DYRL for SS = 1997 VF-X2 for PS1 = 1999 DYRL for PS1 = 1999 MPGE for PS1 = 2000 M3 for DC = 2001 SDF Macross for PS2 = 2003 And the reason many of us suspect a new PS2 Macross game may be coming soon is because the YF-19, YF-21, SV-51 & VF-0S were pulled at the last minute from the 2003 SDF Macross game. So thinking goes that they were pulled so they could be used in the second game in the series. Graham

Loved the first Highlander movie, quite enjoyed the TV series and like most people I pretend the other Higlander movies never existed. But I did not know that there has already been an animated series? Anyway, as the new anime is being done by Studio Mad House, it could possibly end up being very good. Wonder who the director is going to be? Graham

I must be in the minority, but I actually like the color scheme of Nora's SV-51. It's so different from the normal paint jobs we see in Macross. Graham

Perhaps the D.D. Ivanov SV-51 will come with the large FAE bomb seen at the end of episode # 4? Graham

Well, the 2004 Tokyo Game Show (Japan's biggest annual game show) is only a couple of weeks away. It runs from September 24th to 26th. Will any of Macrossworld's Japan-based members be attending to give us a report? I'm hoping that a new Macross game for the PS2 will be announced at the show. I've been searching various Japanese gaming sites, including SEGA's site, Bandai Games site and the Tokyo Game Show Site, but so far there is no mention anywhere of a new Macross Game . SEGA's website even has a list of what games they will be displaying at the show and no Macross game is mentioned . It's been nearly a year since the first PS2 Macross game as released, so it's about time we got a new game. Graham

Sakuragawa-san of IHP may have made a kick-ass variable (w/parts swapping) conversion of the Hasegawa YF-19, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it would be a suitable design for a mass production toy. When you take what is essentially a hand-made custom model kit and try to translate it into a toy design a lot of things have to be changed. Joints have to be strengthened, the ABS plastic used on toys is much thicker then the styrene/resin of the model kit, which means less internal space. Lots of screws have to be added. Sometimes, the intricate handcrafted resin parts of the custom kit cannot be copied for a toy due to the tooling limitations of Chinese factories. Graham

Yeah, back in the 1990's somebody did make an ultra detailed large scale ATM-09 resin kit that was featured in several issues of Hobby Japan. I forget the scale, I think it was either 1/12 or 1/6. Graham

I don't collect mecha toys besides Macross anymore, so I can't really comment. When I was still collecting those lesser 'other' toys, I'd have to say the Miracle House Shin Getter 1 and Bandai SOC Combattler V were probably my favorite non-Macross toys. Never owned a Takatoku Orguss, but would like to. Graham

Nope, nothing in the Japanese hobby mags yet. Graham

I'm personally not interested in Yamato re-releasing the original YF-19 but with the additon of FPs. While it looks OK in Battroid mode it really, really sucks bad (IMO) in fighter mode. But on the other hand, if Kawaori has rejected IHP's first resculpt attempt and asked for it to be completely redone, I'm wondering will Yamto think that it is economically sensible to continue throwing money at this project. Maybe they will just give up and write it off as a bad loss. Graham

Doesn't matter, my PS2 is modded to play original US games, UK games, Japanese games as well as bootleg games. Basically if it's for a PS2 I can play it There's quite a few shops here in HK that specialize in import US and UK magazines, so I should (cross fingers, touch wood) have no trouble finding that issue. Graham

Differences seem to be: - Completely new nose. Uses the canopy from a YF-19. No thrust vectoring padddles. New hardpoints under the wings. The YF-21/VF-22's 4 x dorsal micro-missile launchers have been deleted. Two additional tail surfaces (from an F/A-22?) added. Graham

Need to see a pic, but it sounds like it could be the legit one. IIRC, there were 3 colors released, black, red and tan, each with a slightly different picture. I have the black and tan ones. Graham

Seems to me that compared to the 1980s or 1990s there are fewer and fewer anime artbooks being published these days, unless your name is 'Gundam SEED', which has like 30 gazillion artbooks out already . The lesser known TV series or OVAs don't seem to be getting no artbook love anymore. Gone are the happy days of the TIAS books, B-Club Entertainment Bibles and 100% New Type Collections Graham

Just wondering is the Battlestar Galactica PS2 game worth buying? I've read a few reviews that say it's quite difficult and the frustration level is high. I saw it selling on amazon for around US$20, so I'm thinking of getting it, as I like flying games like the Ace Combat series and I like Galactica. However, I hate games with a high frustartioon factor as they raise my blood pressure, cause me to fly into a rage and hurl my gamepad at the wall . Comments/opinions please. Graham