1:1 VF-25 in Osaka (Macross Super Dimensional Exhibition)

[sketchley]

Macross SDE Homepage: http://www.chojikuutenrankai.com/

Translations:

- Event Outline

- Ticket Information

- Cafe

- Event Content

Hirakata Park Homepage: http://www.hirakatapark.co.jp/

Hirapa Access: http://www.hirakatapark.co.jp/access/

** If you're coming from outside of the Kansai area, it's recommended that you pick up a Surutto Kansai 2-day pass, 3 -day if you're planning to stay that long. (Though, I've been told by station staff that the 2-day passes are only available outside of the Kansai region. So you'll have to inquire where you'll be able to purchase one.)

The cons of the ticket is that you won't be able to use JR. The pros are unlimited travel in the Kansai Thru Pass area, on pretty much every other form of mass transit, including the ones needed to get to the M:SDE venue and the locations of the stamp rally. Plus there are discounts to major attractions.

http://www.surutto.com/

Stamp Rally Locations:

1) Sheryl: Event Venue (in Hirapa)*

2) Ranka: Nyan-nyan Cafe (in Hirapa)*

(each one of the following links to a handy access map)

3) Minmei: Animate Nipponbashi: http://www.animate.c...st/nipponbashi/

4) VF-1J: Animate Hirakata: http://www.animate.c..._west/hirakata/

5) VF-25: Animate Kyoto: http://www.animate.c...hop_west/kyoto/

*: #1&2 each require entrance fees.

Edited December 31, 2012 by sketchley

[antibiotictab]

There is Macross Shrine. And also a Christmas tree and the other Christmas events.

Religiously no problem only in Japan...

[Tochiro]

Todays event in Hirakata Park is looking pretty darn....Superdimensional!

[sketchley]

Keitai pic of the poster showing up in Keihan stations and trains (damn... should've taken another shot "just in case". It's regrettably blurry):

Edited December 26, 2012 by sketchley

[MichaelS]

WOW

[sketchley]

Event Outline

http://www.chojikuut...bout_osaka.html

Venue

Hirakata Park Event Hall I and II

The venue entrance is outside the park entrance gate. It is possible to enter the event hall without entering Hirakata Park.

Date and Time

2012.12.22 (Sat.) ~ 2013.01.14 (Mon., holiday); total 21 days

*2013.01.01 (Tue., holiday) and 01.08 (Tues) ~ 01.09 (Wed.) are days off

10:00-17:00 (last entrance at 16:30)

[Address]

〒573-0054

Osaka Prefecture Hirakata City Hirakata Park Town 1-1

[Transportation]

- by train: 3 minutes walk from the Keihan Line's Hirakata Koen station

- by car: about 9 km from the Hanshin Expressway Morugichi line terminus

about 10 km from the Kinki Expressway Setsu-minami Interchange

about 10 km from the 2nd Keihan Highway Neyagawa-minami Interchange

about 7 km from the 2nd Keihan Highway Katano-kita Interchange

[sponsorship]

Super Dimensional Exhibition Executive Commitee

[Collaboration]

Mainichi Broadcasting

[Enquiries]

Super Dimensional Exhibition Executive Office: TEL　03-5917-2860

Reception Times: weekdays 10:00~17:00 (except for weekends and national holidays)

[sketchley]

Ticket Information

http://www.chojikuut...cket_osaka.html

Osaka Venue

2012.12.22 (Sat.) ~ 2013.01.14 (Mon., holiday); total 21 days

2013.01.01 (Tues., Holiday), 01.08 (Tues)~01.09 (Wed) are holidays.

General Advance Sales Ticket ￥1,000 (tax included) / Same Day Ticket ￥1,300 (tax included)

* admission includes a commemorative "neck strap"

Advance Sales Ticket including Goods ￥2,000 (tax included) / Same Day Ticket Including Goods ￥2,300 (tax included)

*includes "Hosting commemorative Super Dimensional Towel" + entrance souvenir "neck strap"

Same Day Ticket including Park Entrance Ticket

Adults ￥2,300, children (elementary school students) ￥1,800

*includes "Hirakata Park entrance ticket" + entrance souvenir "neck strap"

Same Day Ticket including Park Entrance Ticket and Goods

Adults ￥3,300, children (elementary school) ￥2,800

*includes "Hirakata Park entrance ticket" + "Hosting commemorative Super Dimensional Towel" + entrance souvenir "neck strap"

Caption: entrance souvenir "neck strap" *pictured is an image

Caption: "Hosting commemorative Super Dimensional Towel" *pictured is an image

*There is a limited quantity of Advance Tickets including Goods. When sold out, Same Day Tickets including Goods won't be sold.

* The entrance souvenir and goods for the Advance Tickets including Goods will be handed over at the time of admission.

* Advance sales will be held until the day before the opening of the exhibition. However, regarding the Animate Online Shop and Games Online Shop, tickets will be sold until 11.30 (Fri).

* Same Day Tickets are sold at the venue entrance.

* Those who have the stub of the event admission tickets can get a Hirakata Park entrance fee discount (Adults ￥1,300 -> ￥1,000; children (elementary school students) ￥700 -> ￥500)

* Pre-schooler admission is free (entrance souvenir not included)

Translator's note: not bothering with the following 3 sections - cause they're about the advance sales that are already finished... nevertheless, the headlines:

Super Advanced Sales [finished]

Advance Sales

General Sales

[sketchley]

Cafe

http://www.chojikuut...i.com/cafe.html

Nyan Cafe

Commemorating the event, the Nyan Cafe is open!

There are drinks that have the image of each character! An original coaster is a present with the drink!!

* Nyan Cafe is in Hirakata Park's "Magical Lagoon Kitchen".

* Hirakata Park requires a separate admission fee.

* Hirakata Park Official site: http://www.hirakatap...p/food/detail8/

Cafe Menu

Kira☆ Ranka Lee and Ai-kun Rice ￥900 (tax included)

A curry rice that images Ranka. Ranka is imaged by eggs and curry, and Ai-kun by rice.

Cocktail Drink Menu: each ￥650 (tax included)

"Legendary Songstress"

* includes a Lynn Minmei coaster

A sweet smelling, sweet and refreshing drink with Nyan-nyan's almond jelly that images the neatness of Minmei.

"Super Galactic Lady Killer"

* includes an Alto coaster

A cocktail that reveals a sexy feeling, with berries (girls) floating in freshness that images Aruto.

"Galactic Fairy"

* includes Sheryl's coaster

A drink that images Sheryl. A little bit of sourness is added to the sweetness. The ice cream and cookies image the black bunny and white bunny.

"Super Dimensional Cinderella"

* includes Ranka's coaster

It images Ranka. A sweet drink with a twinkling kira☆ added to Ai-kun, a maccha cake.

Caption: pictured are images. There is a possibility that the real things will be different.

[sketchley]

Not enough hours in the day for translating. >.<

Anyhow, check out: http://www.chojikuut...vent_osaka.html

There's a bunch of new stuff from the last time I checked:

- Macross 30 corner w/ the 1/1 YF-30 banner and a 360 degree 3D CG model of the YF-30!

- picts of the Macross Shrine & Omikuji (fortune slip)

- the Super Dimensional AR Macross App to see both the SDF-1 AND Macross Quarter in the sky above Hirapa.

- the prizes for the stamp rally

Didn't someone mention something about Kawamori-san loving to sign things? There's a piccie of his signature on the 1:1 VF-25 - next to the cockpit!?!

Edited December 30, 2012 by sketchley

[sketchley]

Event Content

http://www.chojikuut...vent_osaka.html

The world of Macross comes along in commemoration of the 30th anniversary!? It's fully loaded with such points as the 1:1 Scale VF-25F Valkyrie (GERWALK form) display, life-sized Minmei, Ranka and Sheryl figures, and recorded voices! In addition, it is a yakk deculture display event with new contents from the Osaka venue! There's also a sales counter with a great number of goods, and such things as event commemorative items.

* The 1:1 scale VF-25F Valkyrie (GERWALK form) display is the same form as the displays at the Tokyo and Nagoya venues.

Caption: the images are photographs of the Tokyo and Osaka venues.

Cosplay

New: Layer-san has waited! The holding of a cosplay day has been decided!

We will hold a cosplay even limited to 3 days. For the duration of the event venue, you can enjoy cosplaying in Hirakata park - become a character and freely enjoy the world of Macross!

[schedule]

2012.12.29 (Sat), 30 (Sun.), 31 (Mon.)

[Fees]

Cloakroom usage fee ￥500 (tax included)

Lockerroom usage fee ￥500 (tax included)

[Time]

10:00~17:00 (lockerroom and cloakroom usage time)

Translator's note: not translating the fine print, 'cuz this event ends on the day I'm translating it. :P/>

Stage

New: Ranka Lee: Nakajima Megumi Special Talk Show Kira ☆

[Time]

12.29 (Sat.); starting at 11:00

Translator's note: not translating the rest 'cuz it's finished at the time of translation.

Special Contents

Macross 30 Corner Appears!

A new corner appears in Osaka to commemorate the launch of the new game production "Macross 30 ~the singing voice that connects the galaxy~"!! A picture corner where the history of the 30 years of "Macross games" can be understood, a display of the successive generations of Valkyrie models, starting with a specially molded model of the YF-30 aircraft that appears in the game, and a display where you can personally experience a 3D-CG YF-30 (fighter) in all 360 degrees by freely operating it with a track-ball controller.

Outdoors, a 1:1 size YF-30 giant illustrated banner also appears. Without delay, you can experience the attraction of the latest "Macross 30" work.

* the image is a photo of the Osaka Venue

Check 1

Macross de Christmas

For 4 days, from 12.22 (Sat.) to 25 (Tues), a tree with many of the characters from the Macross series appears!

It has ended

Check 2

Macross's A year departing and a year coming

For the duration of the exhibition, a Macross shinto shrine appears!? During this year's new year holiday, let's visit the gracious diety!!

* Images are photos of the Osaka venue

Check 3

New: Macross omikuji (fortune slip)

For the duration of the exhibition, a total of 28 different kinds of omikuji, that are connected to the characters, can be pulled at the Macross shrine. Who'll have the right prediction or enjoyable luck! The person who pulls the Zentran (pun on future prospects) excellent luck, gets a Daruma with Director Kawamori's signature!!

Fee: ￥200 (including tax)

Caption: the Daruma with Dir. Kawamori's signature in his own handwriting.

* Pictured are images

* Click to enlarge the image

Check 4

Macross Portrait Studio

Take a commemorative portrait with Sheryl and Ranka in the world of Frontier! Chose your favourite photo frame, and only a picture of you is taken!! For a limited time, you also get a picture frame!

Fee: ￥500 per picture (including tax)

* Pictured are images

Check 5

Super Dimensional Exhibition Osaka Event Commemorative Present

During the event named after the 30th anniverary, every day, the first 300 people will be presented with a pin!

* Because the numbers are limited, they'll run out soon.

* One per person

* The design cannot be chosen.

In addition!

Christmas Presents!

From 12.22 (Sat.) to 25 (Tues), attendees will get an additional chocolate present! This is also for the first 300 people. There are 6 kinds of designs. Which will you get? Have fun☆

Caption: chocolate (finished)

Caption: pins

* Pictured are images

Check 6

New: Distribution of the Super Dimensional AR Macross ~Osaka Ver.~ App!

Release of the Android and iPhone versions: 12.22 (Sat)

The 1,200 m long SDF-1 Macross and 400 m long Macross Quarter appear in the skies over Hirakata Park!?

A limited app that's distributed during the duration of the event. Download the app and go to Hirakata Park!

Go to Hirakata Park and hold a smart phone with the app installed overhead, and the 1,200 m long SDF-1 Macross appears. The form that the Macross is seen in differs daily. In addition, the 400 m long Macross Quarter also appears as a special content.

Furthermore, the main gun firing button appears on the screen when posting to SNS (Twitter/Facebook)! You can enjoy the large impact of the main gun of the actual size Macross and Macross Quarter acting together.

Caption: How to enjoy the AR

* click to expand the image

* This application's distribution is limited to the duration of the "Super Dimensional Exhibition in OSAKA". 2012.12.22~2013.01.14. After the event ends, it won't be displayed.

* The app might not recognize the markers if part of them are in shadow or strong light.

* The app might not recognize the markers if they are distorted.

* This app doesn't correspond to (computer) terminals.

Caption: actual images while running the app.

Check 7

New: the VF-25F Valkyrie's Cockpit

At the Osaka venue, don't just be taken in by the 1:1 scale VF-25F Valkyrie (GERWALK form); you can also look inside the cockpit!

Caption: you can see Dir. Kawamori's signature in his own handwriting

* images are pictures of the Osaka venue

Introduction

30 years of Macross history is fed back in images! Aruto, Ranka and Sheryl's navigating will guide you through the Super Dimensional Exhibition.

* the navigating voices have been recorded just for this event!

History

Each production in the Macross series that has been spun over 30 years is introduced. The successive generations of opening and ending clips are also screened! Simultaneously, there's a chronology of the time axis that flows through the works. You'll get a sense of Macross's grand history.

* Images are photos of the Tokyo and Osaka venues.

Interview

There's a corner where you can read an interview with Dir. Kawamori that covers the actual 1:1 Valkyrie creation. You can approach the mind of the director that dreamt up the history of 30 years of Macross series.

Mechanic

Dir. Kawamori, receiving Mr. Tenjin Hidetaka's mechanical art supervision, minutely investigated the details in the original animation CG, and have reproduced the VF-25F GERWALK that appears in the show as a three-dimensional body; and have exhibited the strength of the nose and arms of the VF! You can get on the Valkyrie's hand and take a commemorative photo!

At the Osaka venue, you can see inside the cockpit!

* The 1:1 scale VF-25F Valkyrie (GERWALK form) display is the same form as the one that was displayed at Tokyo and Nagoya venues.

Caption: Dir. Kawamori attended the Tokyo venue, and signed the Valkyrie's fuselage.

* Images are photos of the Tokyo and Osaka venues.

Song

Life-sized figures of Minmei, Sheryl and Ranka have been solidified with their details. Please experience the modelling beauty that can only be tasted at the exhibition.

Character

Macross F character introductions and the beloved items of Ranka, Sheryl and Aruto are displayed. A 6 m wide Macross series interrelation diagram that introduces more than 100 characters in 1 stroke is a must-see! Even if you're not well acquainted with Macross, while looking at the diagram you can becoming steeped with knowing about the characters. The area that images Mihoshi Academy is fully loaded with commemorative photo spots.

New: the Exhibition's Commemorative Stamp Rally

Caption: pictured are images

[Event period]

2012.12.22 (Sat.)~2013.01.14 (Tues, holiday)

[Meeting Places]

1) "30th Anniversary Macross Super Dimensional Exhibition in Osaka ~the lure of the Valkyrie~" Event Venue [sheryl]

2) Nyan-nyan Cafe [Ranka]

3) Animate Nipponbashi [Minmei]

4) Animate Hirakata [VF-1J]

5) Animate Kyoto [VF-25]

*: #1 & 2 each require entrance fees.

[means of participation]

The exclusive stamp sheets are distributed at the venue of the "30th Anniversary Macross Super Dimensional Exhibition in Osaka ~the lure of the Valkyrie~". * to get in the venue requires an admission fee.

The first to get a total of 3 or more stamps on the stamp sheet from 1) venue, 2) Nyan cafe, 3) each Animate store, will receive a special sticker (1 kind in total).

Furthermore, among those who get the sticker, there's also a chance to get Macross goods!!

Caption: pictured are images

[sticker Delivery Places]

Animate Nipponbashi, Animate Hirakata, Animate Kyoto

[Premium Conversion Period]

2012.12.22 (Sat) ~ 2013.01.20 (Sun)

* the stamp sheet and freebie are ended depending on circumstances.

* The stamp sheet and freebie are limited to one per person.

* When there are two or more of the same stamp, you cannot convert it to the freebie.

* The "Super Dimensional Exhibition" is on holiday 2013.01.01 (Tues., Holiday) and 01.08 (Tues) to 01.09 (Wed). Each Animate store is open for business without holiday.

Caption: * the gorgeous Macross goods

New: Animate x Super Dimensional Exhibition joint merchandise

[period]

2012.12.22 (Sat.) ~ 2013.01.14 (Mon., Holiday)

[content]

For the duration of the event, a commemorative strap, Aruto pattern, ￥700 (including tax), is available only at Animate Nipponbashi, Animate Hirakata, and Animate Kyoto is available for a limited time.

Event commemorative strap, Aruto pattern, ￥700 (including tax)

* This item is not sold at the event.

* There are a limited number of straps available.

* Item may be sold out during the event's duration.

Edited January 1, 2013 by sketchley

[Renato]

So did you actually go? Was it good?

[sketchley]

Just got back from it.

Took lots of pictures, and the 1:1 VF-25 is suitably impressive (though, there was plenty of room for both the back end and legs (nevermind the engineering to get it up in the air). The YF-30/Macross 30 stuff was probably the most interesting, and the goods section is... well, I finally scored the long sought after 1/144 VF-17. So, a good experience.

Will try to get a report up in the next few days (although, it's New Years...). Took loads of pictures, especially of the YF-30 from angles that I think we haven't seen yet.

Heh... Renato, you replied just as I sat down to type it out. Psychic?

[peter]

Were they every going to complete the 1:1? I remember seeing some concept drawings of the exhibit and I thought it was supposed to be the complete Valk?

[sketchley]

Macross: Super Dimensional Exhibition in Osaka review and picts

Short version: if you haven't gone to see it yet, it's probably worth going to see. If you've already seen it, it's most likely not worth it to see it again.

Long version: for starters, I still can't wrap head around how close I live to a theme park (been living here about 5 years!) Going to the park didn't feel a thing like "going to a theme park". It felt just like we were going to the supermarket or the train station... just turning right not left. Anyhow, piccies

The home page is a bit confusing about this. We went to the main ticket gate, and apparently it's the place to get the park/M:SDE combi tickets, but not the M:SDE only tickets! The M:SDE tickets are sold separately immediately in front of the exhibition entrance off to the right side of the park's main gate, inside the ticket "gate".

We got our neck straps (I'm a bit disappointed that they don't mention Osaka on it, but 2012 and 30th Anniversary is good enough, I guess).

There's a long walk down a covered hallway, which, in a way, builds anticipation. What greets you at the end is the 1:1 YF-30 Chronos banner. Its size is quite impressive (kids added for a sense of scale). Facing it is the M:SDE title image. Apparently this is also the spot where you can see the SDF-1 and Macross Quarter on your Smartphone if you've installed the App.

Inside, we get the main highlight of the day: the facilities were heated. It was rather cold outside that day... anyhow...

There's a welcome/introductory letter, then a map the SLRE fleets took from Earth, etc., and a big TV with our "guides" for the exhibition running on it. The kids were more entranced by the cardboard versions of the "guides" next to the TV.

You then pass through a series of white LED rings with screenshots of the varies Macross series inbetween each ring (eg: http://www.macrosswo...attach_id=94594 )

This is followed by introductions and summaries of the Macross anime productions with their OP/ED playing on wall screens.

Note: there's no ceiling here, so there was a lot of light pollution from the VF-25F display! (look at the map picture above to get an idea of how high the roof is, how much light pollution there is, and start wondering why they could NOT make the 1:1 VF-25 stand up!)

Anyhow, on the opposite wall is the timeline. It is really, really, reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally long. So long that I knew the kids would never let me read the whole thing. The timeline starts at around 497,600 BCE, to give you an idea of it's length.

So, I went straight for the Macross 30 game addition to the timeline. It's the same (or similar) blurb from before, but it's a noteworthy addition.

Turn the corner, and there's Kawamori-san's message to attendees of the M:SDE. The kids were more interested in our first Sheryl cosplayer of the day, who was standing there reading the message.

Also, this was the first point that we saw other attendees inside the venue. At first I was like, "there's no one here but the staff! Creepy! Then, with relief and a bit of Spock eyebrow action, we ran into cosplayers. All in all, there weren't that many people at the exhibition. Was it because we went at like 2 PM on December 31st?

Around the next corner, and there are the "mechanical" displays. Mostly Yamato toys in a wall. ( http://www.macrosswo...attach_id=94604 ). On the other side is a big wall poster with the interrelations of all the VFs. (must apologize for the blurriness of the photos. I wasn't using a flash out of respect to the other attendees. Everyone in the picture above is looking at a wall screen showing "All that VF" (I believe it was the MF version), and that screen had a "NO PICTURES" sign next to it.) Anyhow...

Rounding the corner, there's a mini "theatre" playing (at the time) the climactic fights from Macross Plus. But who cares about that, as the VF-25F display is right next to it... surrounded by a collection of cosplayers prepping or lining up shots.

Now, aside from the cosplayers, there really weren't that many people (heck, even counting the cosplayers, there was hardly anybody). The huge lineup area off to the right of the display was empty, and my kids walked right up onto the hand to get the picture for the memorial book. (Damn light aimed at the camera right behind them turned on just as they got onto the hand!)

The major change from the previous events was the ugly bit of scaffolding between the hand and the cockpit. Nevertheless, scoring picts of the cockpit interior's screen AND Kawamori's signature on the fuselage was a highlight.

Around the corner was the display of the 3 life-size songstresses. As there was almost no one there (they were all standing at the next display watching Sheryl's music videos), it was easy to whip out the pictures. (side note: the lighting appears to be different from the Tokyo venue. More light pollution from the VF-25 display?)

The Macross 30 game exhibit was in the antechamber between the two venue halls. One side had a display for ALL of the Macross games, with a screen showing brief ads for each one (alas, no actual game footage. It looked like they were scans of print ad interspersed between time headers (eg. 2010) with rousing game music playing.)

On the other side was a display with models, the YF-30 3DCG display and a wall screen showing the Macross 30 CM and Kawamori-san transforming the lego YF-30 - to which my son excitedly pointed out that there's lego, followed a few seconds later with, "why is there tape on it?"

. . .

The next hall starts with the gates to Mihoshi Academy. The kids enjoyed that. I enjoyed the Ranka/Sheryl live concert posters supposedly drawn by classmates at the academy. My son was amazed at the Vajra on the Jiyuuchou (http://ja.wikipedia....%94%B1%E5%B8%B3) Note that while the original has a Japonnica Study Series image, this one has a Ekisedoru Study Series title! Note the pencil, too.)

Also, there was Ranka's pine-cake recipe and more cardboard people!

After this was a display of the character's favourite items (Sheryl's and Ranka's mobile phones, Sheryl's earring, Aruto's paper airplane and keitai strap). Across were Ranka photo-ops!

On the opposing wall were cutouts of Ranka. The kids had fun.

Next was the Macross shrine. Of course the kids wanted to put money in and pray to the Macross god, but I shushed them over to the Omikuji part on the right, just after the dress-up-as-a-Macross-character and get your picture taken booth. The kids and I each had a go at getting the Zentoran daruma with Kawamori-san's signature on it (no one had gotten it yet!). Alas, out of our 3 tries, my daughter was the luckiest (medium good luck; Vifidas), my son was in the middle (good luck; Isamu), and I was the unluckiest (greatly bad luck; Kakizaki). Nevertheless, the actual fortunes are fun, with a lot of Macross references (I have exploding barriers in my future!).

Behind the shrine was a message wall. My daughter wrote "English" (her words), and my son tried to copy my VF-1, and his message was cute (still gotta learn Koku-go, son).

The last thing to catch our eyes before the Macross store were the banners hanging from the ceiling. The Macross 30 one was most impressive.

The store had a collection of items, such as Ranka's VF-25 backpack, Ranka's keitai themed mittens and slippers, T-shirts with a 1/3 scale VF-25F hand on them, puzzles, books, models and so on. Alas, aside from the books and models, they were all priced as brand goods. T.T Over the years, I've also picked up all the books that they had on sale (3 of the VFMF books, MtR #1 & 2, Macross Mechanic 01, Macross F (2x) and Macross False Princes (x1) setting images (oft mislabeled sketchbooks), and all the recent Kadokawa manga (post Frontier, no M7 Trash).

I walked off with Frontier Manju, a Minmei* coffee mug (my Macross mug collection expands!), and the long sought after 1/144 VF-17 kit (my 1/144 M7 set is complete!)

In retrospect, I should've picked up 2 sets, to make the standard and command models!

* the son wanted me to buy the Roy Fokker mug. But as it's all metal, it's no good for drinking coffee. T.T Want!

Also pictured are the commemorative straps and the stamp rally cards (with the venue's Sheryl Nome stamp).

The Frontier Manju's were delicious (apparently my daughter's favourite part of the day!). There are 3 different stamps on them, and all are the same custard flavour. The Ranka and Hippo-cow that come with it are fun.

All in all, if you haven't experienced the M:SDE, it's recommended, but your mileage varies. I was overloaded with Macross by the end of it.

The only negative thing about it is that it's Macross F oriented, so I didn't have as many "wow" moments. Now, if it had been SDFM themed... (more than anything, the Yamato Sv-51 fighter form display stands out as the biggest WOW moment. That toy's frikken huge!)

Edited January 3, 2013 by sketchley

[Gubaba]

Great write-up! Thanks for that!

I like the idea of the Macross shrine and the Omikuji. Seems like they definitely tailored parts of the exhibit to the season. Apart from that and the VF-30, though, it looks pretty similar to the Tokyo event.

[Tochiro]

Great write-up Sketch! Thanks for taking the time and effort to put that together! Glad you guys in Osaka finally got to experience the 1:1 25.

The main difference to the Tokyo exhibit (other than those pointed out by Gubaba) seems to be the layout of the event since in Tokyo 80% of the exhibit was positioned before getting to the VF-25, which was the climax of the whole thing.

Again tho, thanks for the writeup!

PS: Some of those large banners look somewhat familiar - I think they have only ever been used in Osaka exhibits ;-)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7017/6410374205_f81a6b8ec9_z.jpg

Edited January 3, 2013 by Tochiro

[antibiotictab]

To sketchley.

You didn't write down that Megumi Nakajima's autograph had been added on the VF-25F. You failed to recognize?

Well, I found it on your photo.

[sketchley]

Huh... they have to update the HP to reflect that addition.

Anyhow, played with Photoshop to enhance the signatures. Alas, Kawamori-san's didn't have that much contrast, and the source picture didn't have that great a resolution to begin with...

[antibiotictab]

Huh... they have to update the HP to reflect that addition.

Anyhow, played with Photoshop to enhance the signatures. Alas, Kawamori-san's didn't have that much contrast, and the source picture didn't have that great a resolution to begin with...

Thanks for uploading. You are the one of very few Macross fans in Kansai district, so I want you to do well, that's all. I don't tease you.

[Capt Hungry]

Thanks for sharing that. It was just like being there. Each time I see the lifesize VF-25, I am just awed by it. I never thought that I'd see a lifesized valkyrie!

[Falcon]

*Sigh*

Am going to Japan in mid April this year... sad to think I'll miss out on all this awesomeness...

Thanks for the share guys!

Edited January 5, 2013 by Falcon

[karice67]

*Sigh* from me too, as I was in Japan a few weeks ago. If only it could have started two weeks earlier!! Would have especially liked to see what has made it into the official 'History'...

But thanks for the write-up, sketchley!!

Edited January 5, 2013 by karice67

[TyrValein]

On the other side was a display with models, the YF-30 3DCG display and a wall screen showing the Macross 30 CM and Kawamori-san transforming the lego YF-30 - to which my son excitedly pointed out that there's lego, followed a few seconds later with, "why is there tape on it?"

. . .

I'm curious as to why one of its wings is red. Nice report on the exhibition, I really do wish I could have gone.

[Renato]

*Sigh* from me too, as I was in Japan a few weeks ago. If only it could have started two weeks earlier!! Would have especially liked to see what has made it into the official 'History'...

But thanks for the write-up, sketchley!!

I think it started on December 22nd...

Also... Welcome to MW!

Edited January 6, 2013 by Renato

[sketchley]

I'm curious as to why one of its wings is red. Nice report on the exhibition, I really do wish I could have gone.

No reason other than that part of the CG model was selected (by accident). Kids and trackballs...

[karice67]

I think it started on December 22nd...

Also... Welcome to MW!

I know...I was there until the preceeding week and could not have stayed any longer... But such is life

And thank you ^^ I've been...around, but you all post way too quickly for me to keep up sometimes!

[iswarakitt]

it's too awesome! a macross shrine, a 1:1 scale vf-25, 3 life sized macross idols, these are too much... although i can just gaze at them via internet only... don't have the money to go there...

[Gubaba]

*Sigh* from me too, as I was in Japan a few weeks ago. If only it could have started two weeks earlier!! Would have especially liked to see what has made it into the official 'History'...

But thanks for the write-up, sketchley!!

The official history is, IIRC, exactly the same as the one presented in the Macross Chronicle Timeline Sheets... which I believe Sketchley has kindly translated.

[karice67]

The official history is, IIRC, exactly the same as the one presented in the Macross Chronicle Timeline Sheets... which I believe Sketchley has kindly translated.

It's completely translated already?!

*checks again*...well, he's translated the outline so far. I know there's also the chronology on the Compendium (updated by Gamlin from here?), but the most recent one is the one in the Chronicle.

I really can't afford to get all of the Chronicle issues from where I am, so I'll keep waiting patiently until Sketchley generously translates them, or until I can obtain a hard copy elsewhere... It seems like the post-Plus/-7 updated chronology (年表) appeared in several different publications in 1994, so fingers crossed that the latest one will eventually appear in a publication that I can buy...

Edited January 8, 2013 by karice67

[sketchley]

I've only poked the MC chronology with a stick.

I did, on the other hand, translate the timeline that showed up in one of the issues of Great Mechanics.DX:

http://nomansland.si...g40732#msg40732

Over the years, I've cobbled together a timeline from various sources:

http://sketchleystat...ok/Timeline.php

However, most of it comes from the Macross Compendium, it excludes things like character births, and includes PBP RPG content. So... 'tis best if you read the green (green is good (official setting)) and steel-blue (semi-official/extended universe), and ignore the black (made up).

EDIT: MC #50 has a condensed, 2-page fold-out timeline, that includes all the BCE (er, BC) stuff that the extended timeline doesn't include. Of course, MC (and the other timelines) I've run across all end with the end of the TV series MF, and don't include things like MtR or the 2 MF movies alterations (or even how they fit into the TV series chronology, but nevermind that headache).

Edited January 9, 2013 by sketchley

[karice67]

Ah, it was in the Statistics section - thank you for the link. I do remember reading over your Timeline before, but had couldn't remember where to find it.

I find it interesting that you used the term "cobbled together", as that's the impression I've gotten of all the timelines I've come across, both in English and Japanese. For example, from what I understand (based on what I read on one of the Japanese wikias and something that came up in a conversation with another fan), many of the Frontier dates have apparently come from 'news articles' that are collected in one of Ranka's books... Which is one of the reasons I've been wondering if there'll be another so-called official chronology like the ones published in Perfect Memory or in the 1990s with the Macross 7-related goods (and whether that 'Macross History' segment of the exhibition could be it).

That said, the bit from your first link about, about the chronology itself being 'fiction based on reality' suggests that it's all moot anyway, trying to figure out what 'Macross History' is, that is...

Edited January 9, 2013 by karice67

[sketchley]

That said, the bit from your first link about, about the chronology itself being 'fiction based on reality' suggests that it's all moot anyway, trying to figure out what 'Macross History' is, that is...

It's frustrating, but... the only way I've gotten it to work for me, is to pick and choose what "fits" in your version vision of Macross, and kinda ignore what doesn't fit. It solves a bunch of headaches, but it can make communicating ideas on Macross a bit more complicated.

I find it interesting that you used the term "cobbled together", as that's the impression I've gotten of all the timelines I've come across, both in English and Japanese.

The sad truth is that there's no, one single unifying chronology that the creators use. The benefit of that is Kawamori-san et al are free to create as they please. The last, best, official chronology that I know of is in Macross Chronicles #50. But, even that is leaving out a lot of content that comes, as you stated, from anecdotal information in other sources, which some of us consider more vital to understanding Macross (in that case, the "great blank" post SDFM, pre M+ history is filled up by such things as the M3 game storyline and the backstory of the M+, M7 and so forth. But the editors seemed to ignore sources detailing that.)

Which is one of the reasons I've been wondering if there'll be another so-called official chronology like the ones published in Perfect Memory or in the 1990s with the Macross 7-related goods (and whether that 'Macross History' segment of the exhibition could be it).

Doubtful, but there's a chance that the additional 30 issues of the revised and improved Macross Chronicle will have that, and more. Fingers crossed!

Anyhow, there's another thing that I've been cobbling together: my Macross locations project. Last month, I spent a large chunk of time updating the Solar System part: http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Locations/Earth.php , http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Locations/EarthOuterSolarSystem.php , and http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Locations/EarthTransNeptunian.php .

The majority of it is real information (thanks Wikipedia!), but there's a bunch of Macross stuff, too (again, from anecdotal sources). Just to scratch the surface, there's Venus's Henry Beggs Satellite City, the Space Colony Clusters in Earth orbit, and Neptune's Grande Savoie Residential Area. And that's not even including the over 20 Factory Satellite's in Earth orbit!

Edited January 9, 2013 by sketchley

[karice67]

It's frustrating, but... the only way I've gotten it to work for me, is to pick and choose what "fits" in your version vision of Macross, and kinda ignore what doesn't fit. It solves a bunch of headaches, but it can make communicating ideas on Macross a bit more complicated.

The sad truth is that there's no, one single unifying chronology that the creators use. The benefit of that is Kawamori-san et al are free to create as they please. The last, best, official chronology that I know of is in Macross Chronicles #50. But, even that is leaving out a lot of content that comes, as you stated, from anecdotal information in other sources, which some of us consider more vital to understanding Macross (in that case, the "great blank" post SDFM, pre M+ history is filled up by such things as the M3 game storyline and the backstory of the M+, M7 and so forth. But the editors seemed to ignore sources detailing that.)

To be honest, I don't mind if there isn't one 'official' version of Macross. Kawamori's idea of "they're all fictional representations of a real history that no one knows" works perfectly well for me. I had simply assumed that the so-called chronology was meant to be the skeletal outline of that 'real history'. But I've always been uncomfortable with how the original chronology (the one from Perfect Memory) was really specific with regards to certain events, e.g. naming Hayase Misa, Ichijou Hikaru, Maximillian Genius, and Kakizaki Hayao as the four who first came into physical contact with the Zentraedi, whilst being nothing more than an outline wrt others. But if that's not actual 'recorded history', then I have much less of a problem with it. Basically, it allows me to treat all the various fictional works 'made in the Macross universe' somewhat...historically, so-to-speak...wherever that ends up leading me...

So if Kawamori himself says that the chronology / the 'Macross History' record is fiction too...well, I'm cool with that.

That said, I would still like to read that history, so yes, fingers crossed!

Anyhow, there's another thing that I've been cobbling together: my Macross locations project. Last month, I spent a large chunk of time updating the Solar System part: http://sketchleystat...tions/Earth.php , http://sketchleystat...SolarSystem.php , and http://sketchleystat...nsNeptunian.php . The majority of it is real information (thanks Wikipedia!), but there's a bunch of Macross stuff, too (again, from anecdotal sources). Just to scratch the surface, there's Venus's Henry Beggs Satellite City, the Space Colony Clusters in Earth orbit, and Neptune's Grande Savoie Residential Area. And that's not even including the over 20 Factory Satellite's in Earth orbit!

Woah...now that is one insane project! So those are all the planetary bodies mentioned in one Macross work or another?

Edited January 10, 2013 by karice67

[sketchley]

Woah...now that is one insane project! So those are all the planetary bodies mentioned in one Macross work or another?

The stuff in green? Yes.

All the other stuff? That's ALL floating out there around our sun. And that's not including most things less than 500 km in size, and almost all things less than 50 km in size!

It's kinda scary to think about (despite the odds being extremely remote (something like 1 and a billion chance for a NASA probe to encounter an asteroid while traversing the asteroid belt (in yo face, Star Wars Eps. V!). Apophis even showed up in the news: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20961003

[sketchley]

Picts of the M:SDE flyer I picked up at Animate Hirakata on the stamp rally expedition (report coming soon).

Front:

Rear:

Also... this weekend will be your last chance to be lured by the Valkyrie in Osaka (perhaps ever?). 3 more days.