ShadowVFX

Thanks for your replies. It was very helpful to read. Not sure why my post had to be merged here. It's not like my question was asked previously (or if it was, it sure wasn't easy to find via Google searches and MW forum searches). I assume it's because I have a low post count (even though I've been on this forum for a decade). Now if someone uses Google to find out wtf happened in Macross Frontier (like I did), they're not going to find anything since this is now buried in this thread. Oh well, not my problem I guess.

I watched Macross Frontier as the episodes were released way back in 2008. Aside from SDF Macross and Macross Plus, it's really the only other Macross content I have enjoyed. That said, after watching the show I remember being very confused as to what actually just happened. The link between Ranka and the Vajra and the subterfuge with Grace and the Galaxy Fleet....it was all a bit much and to this day I don't really remember what the heck actually happened. (The surfing Macross Quarter probably rendered me dumb-struck, wrecking any chance of comprehension I could've managed). Anyways, fast-forward to last week and I finally got around to watching the two Macross Frontier movies. I watched them both and was like "Okay....I'm pretty sure this is NOT how the show did it". Sure enough, I went back and watched the last episode (of the show) and it is completely different. I am pretty dang confused now, so I'm asking for help. I know that the Macross movies are basically "retellings" of the original shows, so I won't get too hung up on the difference in the Macross F movies vs show. However, if someone could point me to a website/blog post/forum thread that gives a basic overview of the story for Macross F, specifically the whole Ranka/Vajra/Grace/Galaxy Fleet thing, I would REALLY appreciate it. I really enjoyed Macross Frontier...but I wish Macross would get back to the simpler storylines of SDF Macross and Macross Plus. At least those I could understand.

It wasn't from that store, but I did go to the Jungle store in Akihabara and bought some cheap Macross plastic model kits that were OOP. I think the store I got the VF-25 at was in Nagoya, but I can't remember exactly. I saw a lot of Macross stuff in multiple stores during my trip, but that was the only time I could find one within my budget. I love my 1/48th Yamato VF-1A. It's such a beautiful model. I really wish I had the money to buy more/other models from their line back in the early 2000's. I read that article right before posting this. However, it's really just a propaganda piece who's focus is on making sure the reader knows just how cool the toy is and doesn't really explain the huge cost spike other than a single sentence where they say material and people costs have increased. I'm sure they have, but the Arcadia figures are smaller than the Yamato line and 3x the cost as they used to be. Even with labor cost increases and inflation, that number is still pretty out of scale. But I suppose that if people are paying it and it's keeping them in business, then that's good for them. I would love for these "toys" to be more affordable so more people can enjoy them. Maybe after 2020 (or is it 2022?), when Harmony Gold finally loses the rights to Macross...maybe then we'll start seeing some things here in the states that won't cost an arm + leg. Yeah, it's probably not going to happen, but I can dream.

Just as the topic says. Whay are the prices of the Arcadia toys so much higher than the old Yamato stuff? I went to Japan two years ago and got super lucky and found a used DX Chogokin Macross F Frontier VF-25G for about $85. Needless to say, I swooped on it. However, outside of this latest purchase, I haven't bought a transforming Macross toy since my visit to Anime Expo 2001, where I bought a 1/60 VF-1S (Roy Fokker) and a 1/48 VF-1J, both made by Yamato. I am going completely off memory here, but I think I spent ~$75 on the 1/60 model and ~$125 for the 1/48 model. I always felt that both of these models were extremely well made and the detail on the 1/48th model blew me away. I still have it sitting in Gerwalk mode in my diplay cabinet and love how it looks. Back in 2013 and I was watching all these great new releases coming out and I started drooling with anticipation. However, once I saw the price point I recoiled in horror. Surely that can't be right? These things are the same size as the smaller Yamato toys, but they're nearly 3x the price I paid for mine!? What the heck? After buying this used VF-25 in Japan, I just don't see where the price is justified. Yes, it's a nice model, but not lightyears better than the old Yamato models I have. Why on earth are the new toys literally 3x the cost of the older stuff that seems to be just about as good? It's not like Yamato didn't have to also pay licensing fees, so why are the new toys so expensive? Is it because they know the "adult" fans have the cash and so they're going for the higher price-per-unit model?

Hey everyone, I've been watching this forum for years, but this is the first time I've needed to ask any questions. It sounds like some of you are trying to create a new set of 1/48 decals that would work on the Yamato VF-1 series. I myself would LOVE to replace these (in my opinion) fugly stickers on this figure with some beautiful waterslide decals or rub-off decals. Is anyone currently selling these or is it still in the pre-production phase? I hope you all can help, you people make some aweosme Macross figures and I'd love to get into it too.