Renato

Finished the main Academy mode. It's really short. In between all the (seemingly pointless) conversations, you get to do some EX-Gear training, then participate in the battles at the beginning and the end of the MacF movie. When you are done, you can add your character to the roster of selectable pilots in Campaign mode. I think there are more courses unlocked now, plus obviously all the choices that you make affect the path your character takes, so I'm guessing you have a hell of a lot of playtime ahead of you if you want to see every event. If that's your cup of tea. The highlight of my student life was going on a couple of dates with that young pilot Yuu. She was alright on the first date, but she was really pissed off at something on the second, despite my character complimenting her fashion sense. Thank god real life is (was?) easier. Theres 90 minutes of extra features. I posted several screenshots of the extras on the third disc on this very page. Take a look and see for yourself.

I guess they must've changed it for the home releases, then. In the actual cinemas I distinctly remember it being an Aquarion and other valks and stuff. Heh.

Just watching the edition of the movie that came with the game, and I don't think this shot was in the original "Akihabara" scene:20110203184104_0.bmp Instead of the Prophecy, I remember there being an Aquarion and some other robots there. Did they change this scene for the DVD, or is it just for this UMD edition?

Didn't work in any mode, nor the holding-button thing. Tiny. Just a handful of easy-peasy missions. You get extra ones after you complete it though. No Nexx, Dennis, Feff or anyone except Hibiki, Sylvie and Ishtar. No. Haven't done any M7 stuff yet, so I can't say, but who the hell cares about Zomd and Goram.

You know, by this logic, toy companies should not be striving to make lineart-accurate toys at all. Why even bother going any further than the 1/55? This: and this: are "off-model" because that robot obviously cannot transform into that cannon thing, and that makes THIS: is the most accurate, realistic interpretation of the Decepticon Galvatron. That said, I just like the way the 1/48 looks in all modes, but not so much the 1/60.

Here's the film strip I received. It's a pretty good one, considering I've always been annoyed with the DYRL one I got with the Gold Book, which was just Britai and Exedore's backs as they watched TV.

Here are some highlights from the video disc of extras. I haven't watched the whole thing yet, but the Kawamori stuff seems the most interesting. This event was actually held on the same day as MWCon10, by the way. 20110203134334_0.bmp 20110203134223_0.bmp 20110203134226_0.bmp 20110203134328_0.bmp

They also disabled that "ram charge" action (L + triangle), but I haven't found anything they may have replaced it with yet, and I only took a very brief glimpse at the instructions. I have to say, I'm finding this game incredibly easy. I played all of the Macross II missions without breaking a sweat in around 20/30 minutes and have just started the False Songstress campaign. I'm wondering if the main target for this game is the date simulator folk, who want to try their hand at piloting a mecha for the first time.

I think the second option is the "long load process". I imagine the academy mode must be full of speech so the "voice data" is saved onto the memory stick for faster access. Therefore, once you've done it, it's done its job, and you don't have to choose that option anymore. It's not an alternate game mode or anything like that. Also: apparently you can choose Exedore as an operator now!

Well, I don't think that's what they were doing. From my point of view, a closer analogy would be a crackdown on a band performing Beatles covers, then selling their recordings. Even though the arrangements are all theirs, they do not have the right to sell those melodies.

Bartender: I think you've played enough, sir... Graham: I'LL TELL YOU WHEN I'VE PLAYED ENOUGH!! I believe May'n sings theme to that, too, which is funny when you think about it.

I had a looong cross-country Shinkansen ride yesterday on which I listened to both parts 1 and 2 of this podcast back-to-back. I definitely admire the ambition, because it seems you guys talked for hours and hours. Very good stuff, if a little inaccurate at times. Waiting patiently for part 3!

They sponsored the cable reruns of SDF-Mac back in 2001.

I had a go on the 3DS yesterday, and while impressive, I really felt it might make me dizzy after too long. Actually I even feel that way after PSP Macross sometimes, so I can't imagine what havoc 3D missile dodging may wreak on my head!

To be honest, I don't care about these. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I'd much rather see the VF-0D.

I voted yes, but because of the scheme. The head, I can take it or leave it, and as others have said, that Hobby Japan custom has too much of a fat head. How about just selling decals with the colour schemes, including Max, Kakizaki etc. colours? Then they can go on the blank valks, should Yamato reissue those. And I second the vote to release a manga version of the SDF-1, but ideally I want both the ARMDs and the Prometheus and Daedalus together in one package. Or maybe just release the P&D as an add-on set? Ah, the hell with it -- TV-accurate SDF-1, please!

To "like sharing" = having "no respect for ownership"? I think you've missed a few logic steps. Either way, communication through exchanges of ideas and creations has kept human culture varied and rich up until recent decades. Music, technology, art, biological research, all of these things benefit from a healthy pool of giving and taking. Overtly protected copyrights and patents only serve to stifle progress, not just in terms of "aw, those guys can't play with their toys!" but also in more serious terms, including creating hurdles in finding new cures for illnesses. I don't think that situations such as the one we have been discussing should be viewed in black-and-white, right-or-wrong terms. I am for the idea that IP should be accredited, but I believe there is a moral limit to how relentlessly one ought to pursue this, when weighed against the costs to others. EDITED for greater clarity

Behold: BANANA MODE!! OK, I figured it out now: turns out I was being too careful with my overly-expensive hunk of plastic. I had to use a lot more strength when collapsing the elbow joints fully. Now it's OK... but the wheels often do not touch the ground (in fact, NEVER when in truck mode) because of that groin plate.

I'll post pics of the banana car later, I can't be bothered to fuss around with USB cables now, sorry. I figured out what I was doing wrong, so I managed to get it to look rather decent now, though. Very quick summary of my impressions so far (two or three transformations): -Transformation is annoyingly complex. If you like compelxity, this is for you. I like complexity, too, but not at the expense of fun. Getting everything to fit together JUST RIGHT takes forever, especially in Space Winnebago mode. -Pegs that won't hold. I don't know if it's the tensions or what, but the guns are forever popping out of the hands, and MANY panels that are supposed to clip in place (black leg cover panels at the bottom of the car, the white rectangle supposed to clip the backpack in place in robot mode, etc.) just do not hold at all. -Ratchets EVERYWHERE. Every single joint for articulation in robot mode is ratcheted (even the thigh-swivels!), except the neck. Excellent. Except that the tensions are so extreme in one foot's ratchet joint that the inner coil is becoming unwound, forcing the foot to move strangely, as if on a spring. -"Roll Out!" -- Sorry, no can do. Car/Winnebago does not roll, because of the groin panel that sticks out way too far under the car.. Surely that could have been fixed with an extra hinge somewhere. OVERALL: You better like either the character or extremely complicated flap-mechanisms and ultra-stiff ratchet joints. Oh, and have a lot of time. If not, this toy may not be for you. Personally, I'm glad I bought it, I've always wanted an accurate Hot-Rod in all modes. Shame about everything else, though!

Vifam7, you're right: this is pretty much on the nose as far as Toei's thoughts on that matter go. It is in their best interests to protect their IP, and they see the representations of these characters in the same light that Bandai sees this: And Disney (and Sanrio et al) sees this:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V68HiXdwwvs However, I think immediate legal action is going too far, and can even stifle interest in the hobby. So Hobby Japan is allowed to feature the new redesign of the VF-1J from MACROSS THE FIRST, custom made from a standard Wave TV-series 1J, but heaven forbid you should follow that and build it yourself in any way other than the box and instructions illustrate, lest BigWest and/or Kadokawa come after you in the night? Let's get real here, that sounds ridiculous no matter how you look at it. I think Toei just wanted to make it clear that they are the owners of the character IP, to act as a warning to "bootleggers", but they are failing to see the big picture: that without strong love for these characters, these things are all worthless. They wouldn't have bothered making the customs, and they wouldn't have sold for as much as they did. Toei should be grateful that their creations are loved as much as they are, before their fanbase turns on them (see entry under "Harmony Gold"). EDIT-- I tried to embed video from Youtube and failed. Goddamn everything ever.

Masterpiece Hot-Rod is out. MOST ANNOYING TRANSFORMER EVER. I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but the car always ends up looking like a banana.

Sometimes, I think Japan is just trying to destroy itself. Two hobbyists were ARRESTED on charges of copyright violation for making and selling customized Kamen Rider action figures: http://ridersrangersandrambles.com/?p=3461 The "Evidence": http://yahooauctionwatch.livedoor.biz/archives/51700987.html (Note the "before" and "after" photos. These are REALLY well done, and I have no interest in Kamen Rider, just so you know!) Japan, what the hell? Have you become so anal that you throw customs into the same boat as bootlegs? Are you trying to kill your entire hobby-oriented subculture -- which, by the way, is your last and final, be-all-and-end-all chance at any attempt of export, cultural or otherwise, now that Toyota royally screwed up and electronics are being taken over by LG, Samsung and Apple -- or do you just not realize the already-chronic suffocation of your society? I swear, there's lots of people here with creativity oozing from their every pore, but no outlet to perform in and be appreciated, even without RIDICULOUS stunts like these. Dear, oh dear. Honestly, I don't know WHAT else to say, the whole situation is ludicrous. EDIT - Obviously it's not "JAPAN" that is to blame, but rather Toei, and not ALL copyright holders are evil, yes, I know. Still, it was shocking news which provoked a harsh response from me. I seriously would NOT like to be the guys arrested. Can you imagine how they felt? Their crime was they loved a character too much!

LOL. It sounds like a "please, somebody, anybody, talk about this!" kind of plea. I will consider an NGP as soon as it gets a Macross game. I'm fine with the regular PSP because there is nothing you cannot do with it once you have CFW. YouTube? Check. PDF viewers? Check. Emulators? Check. File Managers? Check. MP3/OGM/WMA/etc players with graphic equalizers, playlist organizers and the works? Check. Then again I'm not a gamer, so I'm biased.

This is a very good point that I think many of us are not always conscious of. I know I'm generally far more pleased with an item if I know it has much more value than the sum I paid for it. With recent Macross stuff, however, that really is not the case. Which reminds me: I am still kicking myself for missing out on those 2000yen Weathered Destroid Defenders last weekend...

Redundancy: when it hits, it hits hard.