M'Kyuun

No worries. I appreciate your elucidation as my memory is anything but dependable and I would've continued to think I misremembered until my next watching (probably years down the road) at which point I would have forgotten this entire conversation anyway, rendering the point moot. You could have remained silent and I would likely have never known the difference, thus I appreciate your disclosing the source of that particular bit of info. It's both interesting and demonstrative of your character. Cheers!

I see what you're saying. As to using back-to-back copies of the Train Station, it would work fine except for, as you pointed out, the elevator. you could, however, leave one set fully intact and build something else in the elevator's' spaces on the other two copies. I seldom mod sets. I'll buy copies of sets with that intent, but I rarely follow through. I tend more towards building MOCs from scratch, and my interest is nearly laser-focused on designing and building transforming mecha. Buildings are not my forte which I why I enjoy building sets of buildings, be they the simple City sets or the complex beautiful Modulars. That being said, I haven't had the issues with colors or variety of parts interfering with my use of LEGO. If anything, I welcome new parts, especially those that help me make more organic shapes for planes and such, that offer a greater range of articulation or movement, and those that add details that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to brick-build. I have a friend who also laments the addition of new parts as he feels he needs to create a new storage option for every one. I'm at the other end of that situation cheering LEGO on for adding new parts. Different strokes. Understood. The first Arctic themed sets came out when I was already an adult. Even the Ice Planet Space theme came out during my early twenties, but I get what you're saying. So very much of what LEGO has produced would have appealed to my kid self. Fortunately, I'm still that kid so far as my interests (LEGO and Transformers) are concerned and I have never stopped collecting either toy line. As you might imagine, after forty+ years of collecting, I have little space left in my house for more, but they keep making it and I keep buying it, though I've slowed considerably, having to make harder choices and limit myself a bit. LEGO is especially difficult, as I like stuff from across multiple themes which makes making those choices so much more difficult. To that end, I empathize.

😆 just a glitch or it really hates flies. Got a good chuckle, thanks! The Fly Chair. I was imagining this with circus music playing instead of the overly dramatic music they supplied. Try it- it's good for a giggle. From a practical standpoint, I wonder what kind of fuel capacity, service ceiling, and range this thing has. I'm guessing it can't go much higher which would greatly limit its use for any kind of S&R work or recon. Moreover, it's only a single-seater, so rescue's out of the question. Much like Corleo, its cool factor overshadows its practicality.

I'm bested. Your knowledge of all this stuff truly is impressive. Despite having only just watched Frontier a couple months ago, I don't recall Alto's flying the Shin Kudo actor in a VF-1. I'm sure I spotted it while watching, and likely pointed it out to the wife as I do, but obviously the import of it didn't land. That said, I distinctly remember Ranka's planting one on Alto as they rehearsed the Mao-Shin underwater scene. Perhaps I'm a romantic at heart after all.

Rather comprehensive list; there are names of characters there I've never heard of, but then I've never played any of the Japanese games or read any of the manga. I was thinking of Hikaru since, although he's a pilot and proficient flying a standard aircraft, the VF-1 presented two additional configurations for which he was unprepared. And of course, he handled it clumsily thus crashing into Minmay's bedroom. That at least, in contrast to the usual prowess shown by first-time mecha pilots, was a more realistic portrayal of how things would actually likely play out. Concerning Alto, he'd trained via simulations and by flitting about in his flight gear; however, having never actually sat in a Valk until the Vajra attack, he acquitted himself quite admirably with William's VF-25 to protect Ranka, even if he only basically just stood there in GERWALK and pulled the trigger (I shall forever think of Shinji Ikari every time I hear that phrase). He also developed rather quickly into a very skilled pilot, as seems to be the case with most Macross protagonists regardless of background. Hayate initially raised a brow and a groan with his "Immelmann Dance". Pretty cheeky way of justifying his later skill in the VF-31; by virtue of his Workroid experience, I think it would have made for a more believable portrayal had he mastered the battroid, given the similarities, but struggled with the flying aspects. Instead, they gave that weakness to Mirage, both the progeny and student of ace pilots (isn't the whole Jenius family, though?) As for the rest, however, you make a good case for their skill, especially compared to the untrained Amuro Rays, Benagher Links, or Loran Cehacks of the Gundam universe(s).

I think there's a caveat to observe, however, regarding the higher prices and declining quality of toys: demand. I don't know about any of you guys, but I can't remember the last time I saw a kid in the action figure isle looking at, well, anything. Today's kids are largely fixated on electronics and social media and not so much on little plastic figures. I think the market is absolutely dependent primarily on people in their forties and up, with a contingent of younger folks buying toys, but not to the level we were invested in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Toys were our method of escapism, acting out imaginary scenarios, telling stories, or just having physical manifestations of those things we saw and liked on the big and little screens at the time. Video games were rudimentary when we were kids- there was no realism, no Horizon: Zero Dawns with gorgeous realistic landscapes and fluid movement to realistic looking humans and creatures. Cartoons filled that role to a lesser extent, and to that end, kids for the past three or four decades have no idea about the splendor of spending a Saturday morning glued to the tube for four hours straight watching back to back cartoons, making the hard choices when two shows you like are on simultaneously and there's no DVR to simply record one. Of course, we had VCRs, but if you forgot to set it or the tape was bad quality, or someone inadvertently taped over your show, such was life. I'm digressing. The point I want to make is that while we older fans and collectors bemoan the declining quality of our precious playthings, from Hasbro's POV (I'm not sure how the toy situation is in Japan, but it seems to be booming in China), I think the decline in interest, and thus sales, from what is ostensibly their target market, i.e. kids around 8-14, has fallen off significantly thus their reluctance to pour more resources into their production and seek other avenues, like video games or movies, to keep them relevant and profitable. I think they're fully aware that it's the older adult fanbase keeping the line going, but we are getting older and eventually 20, 30, 40 years down the line most of us will be one with the Matrix, so, while I wish far more resources were being thrown at Transformers, they have a responsibility to themselves and their shareholders to invest in things that will be profitable in the future, and sadly, I don't think that will be plastic figures, even super-cool ones that can turn into other things with a few twists, turns, and flips. With that bit of reality in mind, I try to be thankful for what we do have, and for the commitment we see from the designers who share their passions for these things. I'm glad Hasbro made the smart move to put them on these streaming events, as it creates a personal connection to the toys and it lets us see that there's true creativity and desire to make good toys in spite of constraints. It's easier to forgive some of the flaws knowing that their hands are often tied by budgets and other factors. Finally, I say it often, but it bears repeating: we're most fortunate that Transformers not only still exists as a living property, but one that's to all intents thriving when so many other 80s toylines are as extinct as the dinosaurs. I'm grateful.

I'm not familiar with the manufacturing processes short of the need for molds and folks to assemble the toys from them. I haven't bought a Masterpiece toy since the release of MP Skids a few years ago, so I can't speak to the current quality of said toys. I predominantly focus on the main line stuff while buying the odd Earthspark toy that tickles my fancy. Having bought hundreds of Transformers toys at this point, I've seen quality go down since the early two-thousands, around 2007, when Classics, the first Bayformers, Animated, and Prime were all coming out, a time I characterize as a golden era of Transformers toys- priced well, with generally more complexity and parts count per size class, far fewer gaps and waffles, and more paint apps make those toys stand out still as some of their highest quality output on the whole. The only real advancement we've seen since is the inclusion of ankle rockers on most toys, not a very substantial step up relative to other current toys and models. Today's toys seem far more constrained by budgets thus the toys have become smaller with more effort to reduce plastic content, both parts counts and complexity have waned, as well as the amount of paint and tampo used. I still think the majority of mainline toys are decent, but any further cuts are going to have detrimental effects, methinks. One area we both agree on is Takara's ability to craft fun, engaging, and solid transformations about 99% of the time. There are a few clunkers, especially their jetformers, but overall, especially compared to most third-party offerings at any scale, Takara succeeds well in making fun and satisfying transforming toys. In that they are still the masters of the genre they helped to invent.

Well, it would really be on Takara's shoulders as they're the ones who actually design these toys with essentially a few aesthetic suggestions from the Hasbro designers. I'm convinced Hasbro couldn't design a transforming toy on their own if they had to which is why their partnership with Takara is so imperative to the continuance and success of the line. That said, the Hasbro designers do get to handle early prototypes during development affording them ample opportunities to spot weaknesses and potential breakage points by consumers. To that end, they're not blameless, but Takara, who have 40+ years of experience designing these things, should also be more mindful of such things when designing these toys.

Started watching GQuuuuuux, a rather nonsensical appellation (yeah, I realize it's a placeholder, but certainly they could've come up with something better) and after four episodes I find it a bit lackluster thus far relative to other Gundam entries. While many entries in the franchise are a bit contrived to ensure the featured pilot finds their way into the cockpit of a Gundam, this one stands out as particularly ham-handed as well as her ability to unlock its other abilities where the intended pilot, a Newtype no less, failed. Thus far, and it's still very early into the series, there hasn't been much character development with more time allotted to setting up the alternate UC timeline and the clan-fighting subplot.

Finished Apothecary Diaries on Netflix. Fun show. My wife and I enjoyed Maomao's detective work. While the show benefits from modern knowledge of science and medicine as seen and understood through Maomao's character, not to mention allowances for the amount of freedom she's given to express her thoughts given the time period, we found it an enjoyable show for the main character's stoicism and intellect paired with Jinshi's charm and cunning. Too, the various mysterious elements, both regarding the main characters and their backgrounds as well as those presented in the story essentially for Maomao to solve (since, other than her adopted father as well as her biological one, she appears to be the smartest person in the room) offer plenty of opportunities for couch conjecture, in which we enjoy indulging as the story unfolds. Anyway, while the first season had a pretty satisfying conclusion, not all questions were answered, and we look forward to the second season.

I appreciate the sentiment, truly, but rest assured, I'm fine for now. I can only hope it remains so for foreseeable future or there are going to be a lot of veterans in dire straits. Regarding the Train Station, most City buildings are essentially thin with nice facades. It's been that way since the beginning of Town back in the late 70s and the trend continues. I think that's one of the major characteristics that really made the Modular Building Series stand out, as it marked a radical change in design architecture giving us full buildings with generally larger interiors instead of thin ones with open backs. But, LEGO being LEGO, it offers the possibility of modification in addition to 'beefing up' the simpler designs if one desires to do so. It's why LEGO is such an excellent and persistently popular creative medium. Few other products offer what it does. Gotfred Kristiansen made one of the most poignant decisions in the company's nigh century-old history when he decided to make LEGO a system of play where everything works with everything else continually which will guarantee its success well into the future when other toys lose their appeal or relevance. The Arctic sets do indeed look great, but why need be a child to enjoy them? I find, if anything, my appreciation for LEGO has only grown with the advancement of years. I'm 53, 54 in a couple months, and I'm more invested in LEGO now than I ever was as a kid. It's a major part of my life, a defining element, and without it a large part of my character and identity would be lost. I, too, hope they get around to revisiting Ice Planet at some point, along with Futuron and other Space themes of yore. Give it time; many of the designers are AFOLs who grew up with these themes or are younger fans who discovered them and wish in some way to resurrect them in modern sets. Patience.

I'm passing, probably for the first time, on May the Fourth deals this year. Lack of space, the uncertain economy, and the uncertainty of my paycheck under the current administration (retired vet who depends on his retirement and disability to pay his bills) all conspire to make me hesitant to spend as freely as I once did. That said, I'm in complete agreement regarding the UCS Imperial Shuttle; I didn't like the nose design of the original, nor the partsforming landing gear, nor the assymetrical wing deployment system of the UCS model. It's a ship that's in definite need of a redo utilizing all the advancements made since then. I've found a bit of solace in System set 75094, a really well-done take, but it's not without its inaccuracies either. I'm perfectly happy with my UCS B-Wing. I want a UCS or a new System take, preferably the latter for the sake of shelf space, of the Republic Shuttle, which featured heavily in The Bad Batch. It's way overdue an update. Some of the summer sets that I'm eyeballing right now are: (All images copied from Brickset.com.) This City bulldozer is gorgeous. City has been benefitting from some amazing construction sets over the last couple of years. Last year's large excavator is a brilliant set and this continues the trend with realistic looks and functions. Excited! This heavy-duty tow truck set is a nice two-fer, as you not only get the eponymous tow truck, but also a nice dump truck as well. If I have one complaint, it's the orange coloration of the truck, but that's purely a subjective bias; I'm not particularly fond of orange. However, it's an apropos color for a vehicle such as this as it makes it more visible. Train Station. for so many years, most City buildings have been relatively boilerplate and, well, kinda boring aesthetically. The Friends sets, OTOH, have become more visually impactful and I'm glad to see some of those cues creeping over to City buildings over the past two or three years. This train station really catches the eye for its pleasantly unorthodox aesthetics. That working elevator is a nice feature to boot. City once again revisits the Arctic theme this year and its most exciting entry is this train set, a first. Beyond the Hogwarts Express, it's nice to see the Train theme expand beyond its usual cargo and passenger subthemes. this looks to have a base camp, a depot, a tracked vehicle that can be carried as cargo, a sharp looking locomotive with a snowplow, Johnny Thunder of the old Adventures Theme's fame (LEGO's answer to Indiana Jones before finally getting the IJ license), and other cool details and features. Sorely tempted to pick this one up- I just love the uniqueness of it and it just looks so well-done! Continuing the Arctic Theme, this articulated truck is a really nice inclusion. my only issue with it is that so much of the interior is dedicated to living space, including a bathroom, the likes of which seems to find itself in more and more sets. I'd rather more of that space, especially the bathroom, went to laboratory features. LEGO employed a great technique in the Friends' Space Rover by having the beds flip over to reveal work benches with scientific equipment and such. That would have worked great here, too, with such limited space. Missed opportunity. The only portion of that whole truck dedicated to science appears to be a small observatory attached to the cab. Better a little than nothing at all, I guess. Still, it's a pretty nice-looking truck with steering and working suspension in the rear. AFAIK, the adult wolves and cubs are new molds as well. Ninjago can generally be counted on for giving a few neat vehicles and mecha sets. Some notables for this summer are: A transforming mech that turns into a very Hasbroishly terrible plane! But, it's a step in the right direction and for that, huge credit. I'll probably get this just because. This vehicle has a very M.A.S.K. ish vibe that I dig. And their mecha piece de la resistance for this year, The Fire Knight Mech. This seems to be part of a new Ninjago subtheme entitled Legends for larger, more complex models. There's also a dragon in the new theme. I might be down for that Fire knight Mech. I'm also a fan of the Speed Champions sets and the ones piquing my interest are the Lamborghini Revuelto and Huracan STO The Porche 911 GT3 RS. I spy some new nicely tapered elements forming those front fenders with the printed headlights. As well as employing some pleasantly unexpected and surprising parts usages in addition to generally being very clever and complex builds for their sizes, the SC line is responsible for introducing many new complex curved and angled parts for which I'm eternally grateful. and the Bugatti Centodieci. After all the F1 fervor for the first quarter of the year, for which I have no interest, I'm glad to see the Speed Champions line returning to form capturing sports cars and supercars. My hope is that they'll eventually branch into other genres, like anime. I'd love to see their take on the Mach 5 or the Asurada from Future GPX Cyber Formula. As usual, LEGO doesn't disappoint with an eclectic and, on the whole, great-looking selection of sets across numerous themes as we move into the summer months. I lament my ever-decreasing lack of space with such a buffet of goodness laid before me. Alas, choices.

Not really a fan of the Schumacher Bat machines aesthetics but from a strictly building POV, this thing looks absolutely amazing. It's not an easy design to pull off at this scale and I tip my hat to the designer(s). As a general Batman fan, and a long time LEGO fan who enjoys a good build, I look forward to picking up a copy. I wonder if there's a light brick in there to give the innards their bluish glow?

Or...how about leaving the 80s in the past, employ some creativity, and make something new that will continue to be iconic in its own way thirty, forty years from now. I grew up in the 80s and I love that time period for all of its quirkiness and mad creativity, but I can't understand why we don't have that same level of creativity today, especially with all the tools available now that weren't back then. Moreover, where are the Stephen Spielbergs, the James Camerons, of this generation creating the iconic films for the next few generations to milk ad nauseum? At this point, it's a sad state of affairs that these 40+year-old properties continue to be rehashed, generally in a lackluster and forgettable manner, instead of new IPs and franchises being created to bring new life and interest to American media. For the most part, I don't want to see the old shows rehashed; I enjoyed the originals and they made their marks for a reason. Too, as @Big s mentioned, they were products of the era in which they were made, and that's largely key to their charm and longevity. Much of what made them cool just won't translate, at least not well or authentically. I look no further than the recent spate of Ghostbusters films, all of which missed the mark a bit compared to the original films, and that comes down to the original idea, the camaraderie and talents of the original cast and director, and a lot of quotable dialog and memorable scenes throughout both films. They just didn't capture any of that in the new films and they will never be considered as popular or as groundbreaking as the og films. That argument can be made for just about every 80s property that Hollywood continues to mine in lieu of new ideas. So glad I grew up in the 80s- between Saturday morning cartoons and all the evening shows like Knight Rider, to the Indiana Jones films and Star Wars, we were part of a creative landscape in tv and film that I doubt will ever again be equaled, alas.