AcroRay

I've found Muv-Luv's mecha to be a wonderful combination of Mamoru Nagano's mecha style and Shinji Aramaki's 80s style. I've got a technical drawing of the Storm Vanguard Shiranui as my computer desktop here at the studio, and it has been mistaken for Armored Core on a couple of occasions... which is also Kawamori. But with regard to Yamato's reorganization: I'm inclined to wonder if Yamato found itself heading along the same path that lead Takatoku into dissolution. Have they become engorged with extensive SKUs of wonderful product that are becoming too esoteric and too expensive to cover their investments, and need to shed some of the overhead gracefully? Their original business model might not support their endeavors any longer. My only real disappointment in the matter - since their products have become far more expensive than I'm willing or able to invest in - is that their sofubi Breetai Kuridanik figure will probably be abandoned. I'll chip in my [ultimately useless] wish that the new reorganization would give them the opportunity to launch a more affordable line of sofubi or Revoltech-styled support mecha and characters, much like Toynami attempted with their soft-vinyl mecha line and T-Rex with their Zentran soldiers. (Not that the T-Rex products were in any way any more affordable or accessible that Yamato's to me, but the R&D for the possibility was there.)

Muv Luv is everything for me that Macross used to be - and substantially less expensive. Complex world. Beautiful character and mecha designs. Multiple storylines... and toys & plastic kits that cost substantially less than Macross stuff does now.

I've had a Uni5 Gatchaman Godphoenix on display on one of these FlightPose stands for years. The rubber tips touch paint that's on diecast metal. I've had no reactions whatsoever.

I'm not seeing anything yet that endears me to it more than to the old Imai kits. :-) Of course, that may change when they release a 1J Milia that doesn't require much painting!

The holiday was more of an excuse to shop for a couple of my own gifts: two Korean-made Macross kits - editions of Arii's 15th anniversary 1/100 Super Battroid kits. Pretty cool items, with nice box art. Pretty neat! They're in unusual colors (attempts at making them molded-in-color), and have transparent-backed stickers for the markings, rather than waterslide. They've got DYRL-style cannons for their FAST Packs, as well as the normal boosters. Unfortunately the 1D comes with a 1J head. I don't know if that's standard or a mistake. Other than that, though, they're the classic 1980s fugly Arii tooling.

The upper legs don't match the color of the main body. The upper arms are painted. I'm inclined to suspect that this is a mix of a knockoff Super version that happened to be made in green, and a stock TT/Select VF-1S in original colors. When I was young, I used to mix white & brown knockoffs to get somewhat show-accurate VF-1As. Valky, did you notice that the Super's undercarriage is modified so that you can mount the gun-pod underneath in Gerwalk and fighter mode? TT also retooled that element so you can actually put the gun-pod under the body, rather than placing it in one of the hands.

While I can't ever get to go, I think it's amazing that Macross has a gathering like this in North America. Glad to hear it was such a good time, and a round of applause for everyone involved in putting it together. Another really proud moment for Macross fans here!

Late to the thread.... This is really something, Exo! Bravo!

Hobby Search informed me yesterday that my Factory was on the way via EMS. With the preorder discount and 1/2-off shipping, the total bill was $101 USD. Still a far cry cheaper than a vintage Robotech factory, and no restoration work needed as in the case of the two vintage buildups in my 'future work' pile. (Might sell those when the new one arrives.)

It looks a bit stylized. It reminds me of paintings of the Macross as seen on old 1980s Menko cards and Ohsato product packaging.

This kit is worth every penny. I'm glad to see Bandai is issuing it again.

Wow! Just plain... WOW!

Very nice work indeed! It's a real classic. Great work on the paint and excellent work on the seam filling!

Excellent read, and some solid history. Thanks for this!

Very nice! This is probably one of my favorite SDF:Macross era pieces. A wonderful presentation for 2012. Thank you!

Max is getting crowded out!

In around late '83 during the run-up to the holiday season, I found a Macross coloring book at an import store ("Heaven" at the Century III mall near Pittsburgh, PA!) -which I purchased - and saw Macross Takatoku vinyl toys surprisingly at a Spencer's Gifts store - which I was unable to buy. I also remembered seeing Macross kits in a Cosmic Connection import anime kit catalog (from which I had bought Yamato and Gundam kits the year previously), and I requested a Destroid Defender 1/72 kit from a relative that year's holiday season. After that, it was piecing together the show from kits and books bought by snail-mail order or on rare visits to city hobby shops, or occasional bootleg toys found at flea markets or discount stores. Comico's adaptation of Harmony Gold's earliest Macross dub came next, then the first run of Robotech on TV. I remember how surprised and excited I was to see early promos for the series in the weeks before it aired, and that Macross would actually be aired on American television! Good memories. Taught me how to research and work hard to pursue my interests. Kids these days, have it so easy with their E-tailers and their bittorrents and their Bablefishes...

I can't even get on their website. Wonder if the Macross sale crashed their server?

Winning!

Those don't look like they go with the toy. Those look like stick-on rubber feet for electronic appliances or media equipment that somehow migrated into the package. In my experience, toys of that era never had parts provided in zip-lock baggies. And my Strike Valk never had them.

No - they move. The paint can bind them up a bit, as the socket is really tight. Move the around a bit until the paint releases. The parts shouldn't break. That was one of the features I liked most about the Regult right off - the swiveling cannons. Oh, that does suck! Mine arrived safe & sound. BBTS should be able to provide you with a new one. (Heck, they might send you a new one and let you keep the broken one. Custom fodder!)

IIRC - It does feature actual Macross branding rather than Robotech. That's gotta make you happy!

Space Gandam V was a freaky, Korean animated show that stole the Valkyrie design (and toy) for use in their own show. Korean animators did the same thing with Diaclone toys and others. Earlier discussion here: http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?showtopic=20661&st=40

BBTS has their exclusive DYRL colorway Heavy Missile Regult on 'Black Friday' sale for $9! http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TOY10458&mode=retail