About the Macross Chronicles

[sketchley]

Beat you by 2 minutes!

[azrael]

Beat you by 2 minutes!

You missed Millard.

[sketchley]

Damn, you're right. Probably skipped over it because it, the preceeding and the following were all katakana. (Me not like Katakana. Kanji all the way, baby!)

[Gubaba]

I'm sure this doesn't affect many of you, but I stopped in at L.A. Kinokuniya to pick up the Chronicle, and found issue Four waiting for me...but issue Three still hasn't arrived. After a bit of checking to make sure that it was on its way, one of the women working there said, "I've been hearing a lot of problems about this magazine." When I asked what she meant, she replied that there seem to have been some shopping problems, some issues arriving late, others early, and so on.

So, just a heads up for anyone getting it through them: there are still a few bugs in the system.

[mechatek]

Hey I was also there right before noon today. Same thing for me, #4 was waiting for me and no #3. Hopefully it shows up so I don't have to backorder it.

[Gubaba]

Hey I was also there right before noon today. Same thing for me, #4 was waiting for me and no #3. Hopefully it shows up so I don't have to backorder it.

Wish I'd shown up before noon...then a van wouldn't have backed into me.

(No real major damge, luckily.)

Anyway, they SAID that #3 should turn up soon, but they also said that they were probably trying to get it as a back issue, which is strange since I ordered it before issue #1 came out...

[sharky]

Am I the only one that feels the way the sheets are organized is not really intuitive? Maybe I would feel better about it if I could read Japanese. I just feel that they could have simply numbered the sheets 1 through XX within each divided section and not worry about categories and sub-categories. I suppose the numbering scheme is done that way in order to be flexible with adding sheets here and there. I just thought they would have already planned out the content in the very beginning before anything is released.

I would have preferred to have DYRL sheets put right after the Macross series in the Macross time line instead of towards the end. Is the position of DYRL because it's supposed to be a movie released in the M7 timeline?

I found it interesting that they would place all the Macross II items at the very end. It seems as if it's the red-headed step-child of the Macross chronology. No offense to you red-headed step-children Macross fans out there.

The "Special Sheet" divider could have been divided further into Song Sheet, Gallery Sheet, and Goods Sheet dividers IMO.

Just being a little nit picky I guess. Overall, I am happy with the content and am looking forward to the future issues.

Edited September 7, 2008 by sharky

[Gubaba]

Am I the only one that feels the way the sheets are organized is not really intuitive? Maybe I would feel better about it if I could read Japanese. I just feel that they could have simply numbered the sheets 1 through XX within each divided section and not worry about categories and sub-categories. I suppose the numbering scheme is done that way in order to be flexible with adding sheets here and there. I just thought they would have already planned out the content in the very beginning before anything is released.

I would have preferred to have DYRL sheets put right after the Macross series in the Macross time line instead of towards the end. Is the position of DYRL because it's supposed to be a movie released in the M7 timeline?

I found it interesting that they would place all the Macross II items at the very end. It seems as if it's the red-headed step-child of the Macross chronology. No offense to you red-headed step-children Macross fans out there.

The "Special Sheet" divider could have been divided further into Song Sheet, Gallery Sheet, and Goods Sheet dividers IMO.

Just being a little nit picky I guess. Overall, I am happy with the content and am looking forward to the future issues.

It is kind of a confusing way to do it, and I didn't really know what they were going for until I got the second issue. As for series order, although they show DYRL and II at the end of the series list (and yes, as you suggest, it's because neither of them really "happened"), I like to have the Mechanical, Character, and Song sections in production order. The other sections are fine in chronological order (for me, at least).

And yeah, I think the reason the numbering (and lettering) is so confusing is be more flexible over the next couple of years...but think about it. If there's another Macross series, movie, or OVA coming out before Macross Chronicle is finished, they're screwed (unless it's, say, a Frontier compilation movie or something).

[sketchley]

I did a rough translation of how the thing is supposed to be organized earlier in this thread: http://macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?s=&a...st&p=630978

To be honest, I've been organizing it SDF:M -> DYRL -> M+ etc.

Though, thinking about it now, it does make sense to put DYRL in a different part. For starters, to keep the SDF:M and DYRL stuff seperated.

I, too, hoped that there would be more dividers for the song/gallery/goods/etc.. Ah well... make our own?

[Gubaba]

I did a rough translation of how the thing is supposed to be organized earlier in this thread: http://macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?s=&a...st&p=630978

To be honest, I've been organizing it SDF:M -> DYRL -> M+ etc.

Though, thinking about it now, it does make sense to put DYRL in a different part. For starters, to keep the SDF:M and DYRL stuff seperated.

I, too, hoped that there would be more dividers for the song/gallery/goods/etc.. Ah well... make our own?

I think maybe I wasn't quite clear...I understand how to put it all together. But it wasn't until the second issue that I really realized how to put it all together. That's also when I realized what a colossal project this is, and that even if it only runs fifty issues, that's still a hell of a lot of information.

And I notice there's ANOTHER VF-1J sheet with issue 5...they've done Hikaru, Max, Millia, and Cannon Fodder varants...what's left?

[sketchley]

Me thinks it's either the DYRL version, or a FAST pack version.

EDIT: jsut to be clear, I was replying to Sharky's post in #324

Edited September 7, 2008 by sketchley

[Gubaba]

Me thinks it's either the DYRL version, or a FAST pack version.

EDIT: jsut to be clear, I was replying to Sharky's post in #324

Y...you mean...it's NOT all about me...?

And about that VF-1J...if it's the DYRL version...well, what can they do? The Armored version showed up for all of two seconds, looking no different than Hikaru's Armored Valk.

So yeah...Super Valk is probably it.

[Macross_Fanboy]

Hehe, I buy them every now and then when I go around to the bookstore to flip through a Dengeki Hobby or Hobby JP, I'm really tempted to shell out 40,000JPY for the YF-19 and YF-21 when I check out Yellow Submarine...anyways, I get them and I have my girlfriend read them over and turn her into one of us...one of us! One of us!

[Tochiro]

Well, the splitting of segments up is to give the collectors something to look forward to every week - fortnight - month, etc. It like piecing together a model.

Also, doing it this way actually allows the publisher some degree of flexibility since new series can be added mid-release. The Gundam Fact Files was originally only supposed to go to 100 issues, but was extended to 150, for instance, thanks to Gundam Seed Destiny, Stargazer and Igloo.

Having done such a long series however, I seriously recommend waiting until the set is finished before breaking them down into the folders. Or maybe do it once every 10 issues or so (this is what I did). It can make the task of sorting pages a little overwhelming, but saves a lot of wear and tear on the binders.

[Britai 7018]

I just picked up my subscription from Kinokuniya San Francisco and they gave me issue #2. Almost a month lag time between release and pickup.

Oh, and they had a copy in their lower level "Anime/Manga" store if anyone is interested. Around $10 i believe.

[Strumvogel]

Hehe, I buy them every now and then when I go around to the bookstore to flip through a Dengeki Hobby or Hobby JP, I'm really tempted to shell out 40,000JPY for the YF-19 and YF-21 when I check out Yellow Submarine...anyways, I get them and I have my girlfriend read them over and turn her into one of us...one of us! One of us!

"Good Job!"

Recently I went and checked at my local Japanese bookstore and found a copy vol.3 on the shelves. This after telling me from a few months before that they're not going to carry the issues. Fustrating. Not that it matters now since I've ordered them from hmv jp.

I am surprised at just how thin the issue is for the price though.

[azrael]

Vol. 6 contents:

Mecha sheet:

-VF-19 Kai Excalibur

-Queadluun-Rau

-Factory Satellite

Character sheet:

-Mylene Flare Jenius

-SNN staff

Gallery Sheet

-Super Dimension Fortress Macross

Timeline sheet

-Macross: First transformation

-Kamjin's attack

History Sheet:

-SDF-1 ceremony

Technology sheet:

-Variable fighter

Song Sheet:

-"Interstellar Flight"

-"Neko Nikki"

Goods Sheet:

-Macross Ace Frontier

Makers sheet:

-Haruhiko Mikimoto

[Morpheus]

So they will cover Q-rau and Mylene for the second time. What's interest me on this issue is the Jamming birds (Finally I know the female member names ) and also some description of the Macross 7 Fleet, including number of escort ships.

[sketchley]

Contents review of Issue 5: http://www.macrossroleplay.org/forums/inde...g26823#msg26823

(Not going to repost here. Same as previous reviews.)

[lynn2009]

I just picked up my subscription from Kinokuniya San Francisco and they gave me issue #2. Almost a month lag time between release and pickup.

Oh, and they had a copy in their lower level "Anime/Manga" store if anyone is interested. Around $10 i believe.

San Jose had an extra copy of issue #2 as well a couple weeks ago when I picked up my issues. I should have checked my subscription copy against the store copy, since mine had a busted corner. I didn't notice it until I had gotten home...

It's normal for Bay Area stores to have a month lag for magazines from the Japanese release dates. Except air mail magazines, the only other things they seem to get on time are manga and CDs. Shipments seem to arrive always on Wednesday (and the webpage and announcements are updated on Thursdays). Sometimes when books are released on Friday in Japan, because of the Wednesday shipment arrivals, they're sold in America first!

Just got a subscription notice for the 9/3 issue (#3), but I can't pick it up for a couple of weeks (along with my Macross F #2 manga on hold). Looks like other Kinokuniyas except San Jose are starting to get Macross F stuff.

[azrael]

So they will cover Q-rau and Mylene for the second time. What's interest me on this issue is the Jamming birds (Finally I know the female member names ) and also some description of the Macross 7 Fleet, including number of escort ships.

I'm noticing as I'm going through the Chronicle issues is that the articles cover details up to a certain point, which is why we see repeated entries. The first VF-1 article only covered the basics. The other articles on the VF-1 seem to cover some of the other points. Issue 2's (or was it #3? ) VF-1 article did a little detail about the VF-1J in cannon fodder colors and the full-armor. So it's giving us little bits of data at a time as opposed to full issues devoted to 1 or 2 items.

[sketchley]

Expect 1 more sheet on the VF-1J as well. The latest only shows the transformation from fighter to gerwalk. Though, it's got me a little worried - are they going to stretch things out this much for EVERY VF?

[Gubaba]

Expect 1 more sheet on the VF-1J as well. The latest only shows the transformation from fighter to gerwalk. Though, it's got me a little worried - are they going to stretch things out this much for EVERY VF?

I'm wondering that myself.

And will they do the same treatment for both SDFM valks and DYRL Valk? Three or four sheets for Focker's TV VF-1S and three or four sheets for his DYRL one as well...?

[sketchley]

Partial translation of the last bottom third of Worldguide 17a: http://www.macrossroleplay.org/forums/index.php?topic=1938.0

I've finished another page (Soldiers of the Anti-UN) and am in the midst of a third page (Super Long Range Emmigration). HOpefully I'll be able to find them time to type them up...

[Morpheus]

Partial translation of the last bottom third of Worldguide 17a: http://www.macrossroleplay.org/forums/index.php?topic=1938.0

I've finished another page (Soldiers of the Anti-UN) and am in the midst of a third page (Super Long Range Emmigration). HOpefully I'll be able to find them time to type them up...

Weird they didn't included the tiny Mark Twain Casino ship on the fleet list

[sketchley]

Nor the cemetary ship. Nor the concert hall ship.

Unless if we're due to get a 2nd page on the fleet, and/or the casino ship (and others) was left off because it's considered minor.

[Nexx Stalker]

Partial translation of the last bottom third of Worldguide 17a: http://www.macrossroleplay.org/forums/index.php?topic=1938.0

I've finished another page (Soldiers of the Anti-UN) and am in the midst of a third page (Super Long Range Emmigration). HOpefully I'll be able to find them time to type them up...

Your efforts are greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot!

[Mr March]

Good to finally see some numbers attached to the Macross 7 fleet. It finally gives us a sense of what constitutes a typical colonization fleet and also gives us insight into the strength and disposition of the UNS/NUNS military. It's also nice to have our fan assumptions proven very close to correct as many of us have long estimated the Macross 7 fleet to be around 100-200 ships.

Coincidentally, this places Chlore's Fleet from "Fleet of the Strongest Women" at a total of roughly 100,000 Meltran ships, since her fleet was said to outnumber the Macross 7 fleet 500 to 1.

[sketchley]

Ah, but one must keep in mind that that Zentraedi fleet showed up after a bunch of battles that saw a bunch of M7 capital ships blown up real good. The statement may also have been taking the number of VFs and battlesuits in account as well.

And then it may have just been good old artistic licence to make things seem more dramatic.

[Mr March]

I had considered those factors. The Macross 7 fleet is capable of building new warships and most of the fleet consists of vessels described as cheap and easy to produce, so an elastic fleet count is really not that relevant. Also, Fleet counts in Macross have never include mecha; they have always referred to warship counts only (Bodol Zer Main Fleet, Varauta fleet, et cetera). The mention of a specific figure would not be artistic license; might as well call the 280,000 kilometer range of the SDF-1 gun or the 4,795,122 warships of the Bodol Zer Fleet artistic license. Moral of the story; I think we're safe with 100k Meltran ships

[azrael]

Perhaps those numbers are the numbers they left Earth with. Ships may have been reassigned after they left and the may have constructed more.

[Mr March]

Or equipment failures and manufacturing defects! Plus Anti-UN terrorist bombings and bad weather...in space!

"Let's she what's she's got said the Captain, and then we found out didn't we?"

[Gubaba]

I picked up issue 5 and (finally!) issue 3 yesterday at Kinokuniya, and...is it just me, or does it seem like the magazine is scaling back the character sheets? The first two sheets for Minmay have "character episodes" up to episode 9 and Mylene's have them up to episode 7, indicating that we're looking at maybe eight or nine sheets for each of those characters. But Basara and Misa's sheets cover the whole series, and there seems to be something amiss if there are eight sheets for Minmay but only two for Misa.

Makes me wonder if they aren't reconsidering the scale of the project...

[sketchley]

Or... how much do the characters change and grow during the various series? How many costume changes do they have? How many story events do they have?

For the most part, Basara is in a cockpit, singing; and Misa is at a control chair on the bridge. Minmei, on the other hand, had a lot more stuff to do.

But... who says that the Basara and Misa sections are finished? Look at the SDF:M VF-1J. We thought that was finished at 3 pages. Looks like it'll grow to at least 5!

[sketchley]

First half of the Character: M0 03a Anti-Unification Alliance Soldier sheet

http://www.macrossroleplay.org/forums/index.php?topic=1941

Will try and post more later. Starting to get eye strain >.<