Jasonc

So, in a nutshell, this just shows what the franchise has in it's care...A PR guy who's busy doing all he can to keep his job by doing all these conventions and annoying even the diehard fans, a creative director that only will take credit for something if its well received, and the site admin guy who just hangs out. It's no wonder why nothing gets done. I think HG is able to use the VF-4, as it is shown in SDF:M as a table model in one of the later episodes. I don't think they show it transformed, so that might be why it doesn't transform in the comics. But, it may also have to do with laziness, as Tommy was asking Memo, a few other fans and myself how it transformed.

There are 2 things that really detract from this item. 1)While it's cool that it's a model kit, it has no landing gear, or any addition visual points of detail, like the nobs that pop off the back for the jet propulsion. 2) The price is just slightly less than the 1/72 Macross F model kits, which have detail, transform, and are highly detailed. Now, while I do understand that it's a very limited run, you'd think that at least by increasing the run to 5000, they'd lower the price and sell more. This "exclusive" thing kinda annoys me. I'd like to buy one, but with only 1000, how much am I gonna have to pay for it now?

That's along the lines as to what we were told as mods over there. I was told things such as hyping up new product, and not saying anything bad about the product. As I was a mod, I was very vocal about speaking my mind, thus those recommendations. I never spoke any trash about any of them, but would simply voice an issue, so on and so forth. Apparently, they didn't like that. Anyways, being vocal about my issues w/ Robotech, then and now, hasn't really changed. It's just more prevailant now, since I am not obligated, and through all that time after RTSC was released, I got to see the "ugly" side of some of its creators. As for Memo, he doesn't have any fault. He's just a huge fan of Robotech, who is good friends with Tommy. While his intentions are strictly as a fan whom Tommy confides in, I can seperate the two. While I do consider Memo a close acquaintance, Robotech is the one thing that I can now keep seperate. Memo loves Tommy's work, I don't. We agree to disagree on that, and it doesn't interfere with anything else. Although, it does seem that Tommy would prefer that Memo doesn't talk to a few of his older friends regarding Robotech.

Your request, DarrinG, is a valid and simple request. I also believe Tommy is a very good artist, and can do some very good work, as I've seen in the past. Half the problems that they have are self inflicted. Beginner's mistake is even fine. What rubs me and others the wrong way I feel, is the lack of owning up to faults, passing blame, and then making other fans feel isolated when they call them out. You're only a friend until you don't like something they do. That's part of the reason why I severed my ties to them. Even a poor product can be forgiven, but the choices afterward are what determine true character. They, so far, have proven none.

Yeah, as a joke amongst friends and stuff, I can see it just fine. no big deal. But, I know quite a few people who were there that got offended. I think it was just more shocking that it was said in a crowd of several hundred people. I could personally careless about the character design, but take responsibility for your own decisions.

Thanks for the links, they don't have any seeders, so it looks like it'll take literally forever to downloads. Anyone else have a link?

I agree that anime is chaulked full of big boobs, bubbly behinds, yadda yadda. I didn't even have a real problem with it in RTSC, except for two things. 1) they did too much redesign of characters that were already done and there. How hard is it to take an original character design and simply update the face a little to adapt to the new style? 2) The idea that it's not his fault the characters look so crappy, but it was his Korean brothers/sisters just disgust me. Whether it was meant as a joke or not, to be in a "professional" position as he is, and make that comment in an attempt to shift blame really shows the level he would've gone to make a mistake someone else's fault. Maybe it was a joke and he was just trying to think of an answer quickly to a question he didn't expect. Well, whatever happened to a simple honest answer? I mean, what excuse do you give for this? Found this on the net a long time ago, before RTSC even came out. Doesn't this show that it was Tommy's intent to design them from the start? Look at the "Studio" and the artist who drew that?

Speaking about passing blame. When I went to a screening of RTSC at a theater in westwood, all the staff, and some voice actors were there. After the movie was over, they decided to have some Q&A. Someone asked why the characters all looked very comic book like, i.e., the chisled bodies and big boobs especially. Tommy's response was more like "Well, most of the Korean animators are young guys, and you know how those young Korean guys can draw the women..." My wife and I were so damn shocked to hear that crap. I'm not Korean, but I was quite appauled that he would stoop so low as to point the blame on the Korean animators. Tommy and Steve both are Korean, and to make a statement like that... Anyways, what was even more lame about that, was the fact that as the creative DIRECTOR, those were designs he himself approved. So to put blame on something he approved is just retarded, unless they decided not to see the designs before production. In that case they're just as stupid. It's funny how they just never owned up and said something simple like "you know, we thought the designs were fine, and that's our mistake. All we can do from here is strive for a better feature as we progress." Even some sort of crap like that would've shown some cahones, and would've deflated that. From a recent post on rt.com, it seems like they're still using some very similar lame excuse as to the character design. "Young animators"...but who looks at the designs before they go into production???

Yessss!!! This will be Sheryl figure no.2. I may have to have a seperate little display section for Sheryl/women of Macross F only. I'm on board for this fo shoe!

My background. For a decent time, I was in very good standing with Tommy, Steve, and staff. I used to throw these gtherings twice a year that everyone would show up to. During these times, I used to get "privilidged info" from them. I was also one of the mods on their site for a period of time, and in various conversations with Tommy, I did get quite a bit of info. Lots of other info also came from just being around people who knew things about what was going on. Nothing really in depth, or necessarily too secretive came from them, but over time, if you put 1 and 1 together (what current staff would say, what privilidged fans would say, and what other people in the industry would say), the facts would simply just present themselves. I also have/had a contact at Funimation. During the final days before RTSC came out, I used to get info from this person. When RTSC was said to come out in I think February, instead of December the previous year, it was my contact (and the internet to confirm) that said it was due to Wal Mart not having retail space until after the holiday season. I guess that liitle bit of unimportant info got HG in a huff, but nevertheless, it was already on the net. Anyways, my last quote from that email is from this said contact. Lots of good info there. I'd probably say that most of my info came from other contacts related to HG, than HG themselves. Tommy and staff, at times, did give me some privilidged info, but it wasn't anything that could really damage them. Knowing people in the "industry" for whatever that means kinda helps, too. So, there you have it.

I'll be looking to see if this will be out in any of the "artsie" theaters in my area. They tend to bring over some real interesting movies from time to time.

Damnit, 1/60 Koenig Monster. My 3 wishes would be 1)VA-3, 2)VF-17, 3)vf-5000, all in 1/60 scale. Here's to wishful thinking.

I'm getting pricing on these, and trying to find something that is good quality, and won't be too pricey. The problem is that the graphic has about 7 different colors, so I'm seeing what method is best vs. cost effective. Any feedback from those who have any ideas would be awesome.

I have the Blu-Ray edition for these, anybody have a site to download the iso files of the DVD themselves? I'm really at a brick wall here. Thanks for any input

I have the patches that were sold on hlj.com. I am just looking on how to get the actual jacket. If that was made for you, my compliments to whoever constructed that. It's got a nice fit. That's awesome that your girlfriend's mom is supportive of hobbies and the sort. My parents were cool with my toy and model collecting, and anime stuff, after I met my wife through it all. They don't say much now.

Very nice outfits. You guys in Chile have cosplay down quite well when it comes to Macross. BTW, Maximillian_Jenius, where did you get your SMS jacket?

White primer should be fine. I personally use grey only for my own reasons. to me, if color bleeds through on the white primer, I have a tendency to overpaint on my next coats to over compensate. The grey, in my opinion, covers slightly better, and also give me a better look at any fixes I may need to do. Nevertheless, if you have white primer, use what you got. It should be just fine.

Yep, and he accuses you of "attacking", yet it's not considered an attack when it's in defense of Robotech. I was accused of attacking the staff when I asked who designed the RTSC poster due to it's lack of connection with the movie. Apparently, they're ultra defensive about trivial things. Can't blame them too much, they put themselves in that position everytime. You know, if I put out something that was criticized, instead of getting defensive, it'd be more like "oh well, that's your opinion." A prudent way to do that would be to do quality work, something it seems they have yet to do since the mid-late 80s.

No, no one has ever told me that, and my wife will think that's quite funny. Maybe I'll show her the pic. So, Jango-Fett Van Damme. A few of us in our group of buddies decided that the "I'll kick your ass" pose is quite funny. Especially when we all get together. It all started with my buddy Tom, and it's been infectious with the group since. Yeah, I'm gonna kick someone's ass, especially with that hardcore cosplay (LMAO) Che, thanks for the compliments. I am going to bring it to MacrossWorld con 09. As far as wearing it, no go. I lose lbs. by the second wearing the jacket.

I think we all know you meant Shadow Chronicles. I find it funny that mr dumbass over there tried to play on the simple mix-up of SC and SR and tried to be ever so cute with it. Some points of my own: Kevin wrote: "No such luck to forestalling me… What I like about Robotech is that it can take 20 years off and do the following inside and outside the anime world in a short period of time. Robotech can be shown theatrically - and , TV , and on DVD and and in real High Definition (unlike our competitors who fake it) , while opening up new platforms open up new platforms(film festvials) for other anime in the process - . Although Robotech was shown theatrically, tv, DVD, and Blu-Ray, it sold well to fans, and basically fans only. In an old email I have from a contact at funimation, I asked my contact about the sales of RTSC. Here was his answer: "Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles did OK. In fact, it did better than we had anticipated. However, compared to most of our other titles, that's really not saying too much. Most "anime" features don't do as well as a series, so that has some to do with it, but our research has shown that the turnout for Shadow Chronicles was basically fans of the original series. It's a good thing, because it shows the dedication of the franchises fanbase, and their dedication to a great series. Our hope is that we will be able to work in depth with Harmony Gold in its next installment of Robotech...Something that seems very plausible, since the sales of Shadow Chronicles were better than expected." Secondly, the comment "(unlike our competitors who fake it), is this really even a point trying to be made? If he's been referring to anything Macross, Macross Frontier on Blu ray has been simply astonishing. I think Kevin is just trying to attack you Seto, and TOU on rt.com prohibit that. He should be banned. Then, Kevin wrote this: "Lets not forget the convention tour that has been going on for 4 straight years now (something no other anime property can sustain) - Oh yes were already planning for 2010 too keep watching the website." HG isn't doing these so much as Kevin is doing them. The reason is simple. Kevin has nothing else to do over at HG, (other than be a pee-on). I think this eludes more to their lack of brains other than anything else. They spend money showing these worthless panels and basically say the same thing that we hear. "We're working hard cause we have nothing to show" Thanks Kevin for showing the absurdity of your marketing to only your core fanbase. Ahh, then this...Kevin wrote: "Despite a nasty economic downturn our high end toys , , , are selling very well (in some cases they sell out). Our mid range toys are strong sellers and in some cases have sold out as well. Lets not forget that Prelude To The Shadow Chronicles has completely sold out and it’s the reason why so many fans cant find copies for their collections. Normally an economic downturn like the one we are experiencing would slow sales except for us the opposite is happening." High end toys, let's discuss that. If they are talking about the Beta, yeah, I can see that selling well. As for the other ones, like the Beagle MPC, that isn't "theirs", it's Beagle's, selling "their" superior product to a sub-par toy company. Mid range toys, I am guessing, are the 1/100 scale toys. The only ones that have sold out have been out after how long? And as for Prelude to the Shadow Chronicles, here's the facts on that. The print run of that was so incredibly small and short, that it's no wonder that it sold out. There wasn't enough of it printed even for the diehards on rt.com. If they weren't so scared of me posting over there, I'd bring these points up to him, so he can try and be cute again. As for the economic downturn, here's the tricky thing about HG and the economy. They have such little product out there right now compared to fans, of course numbers can look good. If I had 100,000 units on the market, and HG had only 10,000 comparative units on the market, if I sold 10,000 units, that would be very bad for me. But if HG sold 10,000 units, even 8,000 units, that could be considered success. As far as "the opposite" happening, I don't think he understands economics too well. Ugh, Kevin Wrote: "Not only is there a Shadow Rising in active development here at Harmony Gold along with numerous other Robotech projects (note the plural) also have a live action feature film in development over at Warner Brothers with A-list talent attached. Plus of this activity helped make Robotech one the top 10 anime properties of 2007 according to ICV2 - While other properties are reporting sales and revenue declines we are getting stronger Now all of this has happened in the past 36 months after a 20 year break. If this is what our critics consider a franchise not being successful then I’ll take the failure of Robotech over the “success” of competitors any day. " Shadow Rising in "active development" is just rumor. Not even worth mentioning in this argument he makes while there is no word on this, except from a "PR" guy, who's gonna fluff anything said anyways. The part of HG having a LAM in development. Um, last time I checked, it was WB doing this. This is typical HG, take someone else's work, claim it as your own. Where have we seen this before? As far as top 10 anime props of 2007 by ICV2, how many people actually get the ICV2 Magazine? Heck, if it was Entertainment, or one of those magazines that said it, I'd be inclined to believe it, but some article from a guy who is writing his own opinion, that means absolutely nothing. In regards to simply getting small bits of info regarding showing life out of RT, Kevin wrote: "Now I know why our competitors keep losing money. Several franchises have done these long, never ending, not to mention expensive marketing campaigns and lost money. That caused long term damage to the properties that require even more money to spent to fix the problem. Or it results in layoffs and cutbacks which causes even more damage. Seito please tell me why we should follow failure? I never get an answer to this question. " Do you really know why they keep losing money? I think their only competitor here is Transformers, in which case, they aren't losing money. Trying to do this one size fits all thing in this comparison is just classic of HG's PR guy, it's stupid. Also, nobody said they should follow failure. Kevin's inability to distinguish easy, free, no plot giving info on SR with massive, multi-million dollar advertising. I'd almost ask Kevin to stop sounding so ignorant, but it's funny. Then Kevin wrote: "To be perfectly honest your reasoning flawed the people who think there is nothing going on is a miniscule minority on the internet. The general audience (inside and outside of the anime world) knows there is a lot going on do I tell specifics? No. Should I “leak” something just to appease 5 people on a internet forum only to derail our projects (please not plural)? I noticed the people who “leak” often end up unemployed…" I guess out of that miniscule minority, it must be a big enough issue if all of Kevin's post are putting out fires of their B.S. The general audience really doesn't give too much thought about Robotech, and to add them into this backassward equation is making me laugh. I like how he assumes that people are asking him to "leak" info to the public. I don't think they need to worry about that. Besides, Tommy does his share of that already from what I know, and he's still employed. Only 5 people, don't you really wish. If that was the case, why don't we all eat cake and not worry about it? Ahhh, the drama is funny. then you're "attacking" people. Lock the thread I say, lest ye be struck down by the almighty's right hand for your sins! Purge thyself in the fires, and be reborn as Rick Hunter!

The Toynami LED is a larger bulb lookin LED I believe. If you're looking for less protruding and conspicuous lighting, there are those available all over the net. For that spotlight on the Tomahawk, I can definitely see that being one hell of a custom. When I got mine, that's the first thing I thought of.

Graham, thanks for the update. I really do hope Yamato takes the VFX-2 Ravens paint scheme into consideration. I've been waiting on a 1/60 version of that since the first couple months of the release of the original 1/60 YF-19. As for the "Gamlin" vf-22, since it appears they have D7 license, does this mean we can see a VF-19 Kai coming as well? Damn, they might as well make the MAX-L and Ray's VF-17 too. Overall, I think I'm confident that Yamato will address the issues of the original 19. They were pretty prevailant issues. Oh yes, and a VF-5000 and VA-6 would just complet me

I'll be on all of these when they come closer to release. It's too damn bad there's no Super Nova 19, or Emerald Force from M7, or the famouse VFX-2 Ravens version. Damn you Yamato. I love it, but I am so upset that there's no VFX-2 version.

Ha, I was just gonna say that. Back a number of years ago, I bought some conductive paint, and tested it out on a bunch of LEDs I have in a work box. I also have a crapload of resistors, so I was able to figure out how much battery to use vs. LED specifications. The paint works great. The only thing I didn't try was using the conductive paint, then making your connections, then painting over the conductive paint with a regular Tamiya, Testors, etc.

I think Tommy and Steve are smart enough to use Kevin as the fall guy. That way, if the PR between HG and the fans gets any worse, they have someone to blame, instead of blaming all of them. Look at that "hiatus" thing. Kevin originally spoke the truth for once when he said that SR was on hold, and when the fans reacted, it was him who had to make the recant, and point the finger at the sinful fans for hearing it all wrong. I still think it's funny that so many of them are that gullible to believe it all still.