Graham

I can think of a few things I'd like to do to Minmay on a table. Graham

Same here. My daughter was born Thursday. My Macross hobby funds will be low for a long time. Congratulations. Have you chosen a name yet? Millia, Minmay, Mylene, Ishtar, Myung, Sharon, Mao, Sara etc Graham

Thank you. The baby's due in early June. The VF-0S is scheduled for a May release, so guess I'll have a little bit of time to play with the toy before the baby comes Graham

Actually, they are not really that toy-friendly. If you look at the transformation sequence in episode # 1 of Macross Zero, those swing bars are really thin. If you made them that thin on a toy, then they would not be strong enough. Of course, you could make big thick chunkuy swing bars ala the 1/55, but that doesn't really look good. Graham

Actually, yes I do know. There are two main reasons. However, I can't say without getting permission first. I'll ask if it's ok to explain, but I doubt it. Graham

Yes the 1/100 version will have a clear canopy. I'm not sure, but as far as I know it will also have a pilot figure. I've been told it will also come with removeable missiles, leg FAST packs and gunpod. You have to consider that with publishing lead times, the pictures in this months Dengeki Hobby magazine are of a pretty old sculpt already. The present sculpt which I've seen a few days ago has much more detail. Months ago, when I first heard that Yamato would be making a small scale non-perfect transformation VF-0, I was initially pretty dissapointed, but now that I've atually seen it, I'm warming to the idea. The smaller size (actually, it's still pretty big) will help with my shelf space which is fast running out. The lower cost will make it easier to buy multiples (important for me as I have a kid on the way and so need to save money). And I'm actually coming to like the idea of removable/swapable nose parts as it will allow for a toy which is better in proportion in all modes. And yes, I know the answer to whether there will be a larger perfect transformation version later, but sorry I'm not allowed to say. Graham

Here's some pics of the CM's Macross figures set # 2 fully painted. Graham

4th pic. Graham

3rd pic. Graham

2nd pic. Graham

Here's some clearer pics of the stand.

4th pic. Graham

3rd pic Graham

2nd pic. Graham

Heh.......my modem died, so I've been offline for the past three days. Anyway, thought I'd start a fresh topic to clarify some points about the Yamato 1/100 scale VF-0S, as the other topic is already 7 pages long and my post would probably just get lost. So, yes the pictures of the Yamato 1/100 VF-0S in the March issues of Dengeki Hobby and Hobby Japan magazine are what the previous countdown was about. Anyway, based on recent converstations with Yamato, here's what I'm allowed to tell you about this toy: - Yamato is aiming to make a toy which will retail at a low price point. While the exact price point has not been decided yet, it should be significantly cheaper than Yamato's other Macross toys. However, despite the lower cost, the toy should still be highly detailed and well articulated. The lower cost should please fans who like to buy multiples. The toy will be constructed mostly of hard PVC with some ABS parts. There will be no diecast parts. I've been assured by Yamato that even though a large part of the toy will be PVC, it will be higher quality than other PVC toys, like for example the Banpresto Valks or the Bandai Gundam MSiA figures. The toy does not feature perfect transformation. The toy comes with two different swapable noses, one for battroid mode and one for fighter mode. This allows the toy to have a nose which is in-proportion for both modes, i.e. a long nose for fighter mode, and a shorter nose for battroid mode. Obviously, the legs have to be removeable to swap between noses. Also, the battroid mode neck piece has to be removed for transformation to Fighter of Gerwalk. The landing gear is also removeable. In regards to size, I've been told that the battroid mode is nearly as tall as Yamato's VF-11B toy. I've seen battroid mode pictures of a more advanced prototype than shown in the hobby magazines and the toy is plenty detailed enough and well articulated. Graham

Euch!! Mylene Beat was absolute pants. You seriously enjoyed it more than Trash?? Well, fine, if that's your opinion, but in my view Beat actually was pure TRASH. Stupid story, crap art, and to top it all off, NONE OF IT MAKES ANY SENSE!! Funny how none of these earth-shattering events with the Evil Series creature and whatnot not only go totally unnoticed in D7 the anime, it just DOESN'T HAPPEN! So? So, there's a serious continuity mess-up, 'cos D7 and Beat CANNOT both be canon, even though they are supposed to be. I actually loved the art in Mylene Beat. I thought the Valks and spaceships where very nicely drawn, especially the VF-22. Mylene looked great as well. Plus there was lots of Mylene fan service sorry, I'm a sucker for anything Mylene. I agree that Beat screwed with continuity and didn't make much sense, but I still liked it much more than Trash. Trash should have featured a warning on the cover "warning - little to no Valkyries" , so I would have known not to waste money buying it. Even if Trash does eventually get an English language release, I doubt I'll bother buying it. Anyway, getting back on topic, I believe if well written and illustrated, a Macross manga could work. Of course, the music element would not be covered, but a good artist could handle mecha transformation sequences and mecha combat. Graham

I agree with most people that the most popular VF is probably the VF-1S. However that is not my personal favorite VF (see my avatar for a clue). As for which is the best VF? Well, that is where IMO this poll needs to be worded more clearly. The best at what? the best looking? Has the best combat ability? Has the best nosecone ? Graham

A Glaug would be my first choice, followed closely by a Nousjadeul-Ger (DYRL ver), not the fugly TV version. Graham

I'd be interested in a Macross manga, but only if it featured a military themed story and primarily military characters and had lots of nicely drawn Valks and Valk action scenes. Oh and fan service as well Can't have manga without panty shots and shower scenes Personally, I had little interest in the hover boot(?) wearing main character of Macross 7 Trash and the lack of Valks and Valk combat was the final nail in the coffin as far as Trash was concened. I mean I like Mikimoto's art just as much as the next Macross fan, but sorry in my book Macross without Valks is just not Macross and I found Trash to be sooooooo booring. Graham

The SDF manga (cell comics actually) are 7 volumes in total. All you need to do is visit the Macross world book section to get the info. See here. Remember, there is more to Macrossworld than just the forums. Graham

Gotta say I love the CG in Macross Zero. I've long been an advocate of CG Valk dogfights after being sold on the concept by the opening movies of VF-X2 (Playstation), Macross Since 1983 (PC) and Macross Another Story (PC), as well as a few other CG Valk movies (both official and fan made) who's source I forget. I actually don't like it when they mix in the odd bit of cell animation for the Valks in Zero, it looks really out of place IMO. I'm not saying every Macross series should have CG Valks, but I think the animators have done an outstanding job with Macross Zero so far and and shown us just how well Valks can perform in combat and also have made the combat look more real than in any previous Macross anime. And personally, I think Macross Zero far outshines Yukikaze in every aspect, animation, dogfights, mecha designs, story, characters, pacing and music. Just my 2 cents. Graham

And not forgetting Mylene Beat as well, which I personally enjoyed much more than Macross 7 Trash, which I found very slow paced and lacking in Valk action. Graham

AFAIK, the 1/48 M&M are only being released with FPs. Of course I could be wrong. Graham

ROFLMAO! Funniest thing I've read all day. But seriously, a house!? What do you need a house for? Why do you think Yamato makes their toy boxes so big? It's so you can live in them! Yeah, that's right, why buy a house when you have Yamato 'house boxes' Graham

Heh, this is another of those topics which seems to get repeated at least 3-4 times each year Anyway, mine used to be the Bandai 1/55 VF-1S Hikaru Strike Valk. But now it is the Yamato 1/48 VF-1S Hikaru with FAST packs. Graham