Author: Tochiro

Macross SpeakerPODcast EP.12 (Part 2) – Hound Squadron, SCRAMBLE!

Post author By Tochiro
Post date March 14, 2014

Feb. 11, 2014 – in the second half of Episode 12 of Macross SpeakerPODcast… CONTROVERSY STRIKES!

We report back on Mylene Night #04 and try to work out why the event was shuttered after only four years. The Crew then weighs in on the controversy surrounding the Valkryie Project fan film – we may not know why it was shut down, but we can say with certainty who WASN’T behind it! Finally, Renato takes the mic for his inaugural ‘SuperdiMENTIONABLES Corner‘ – a new segment where we discuss recent issues and forum topics. This episode we look at the cost of being a Macross fan. Has Macross priced itself out of the market? Is it beyond the reach of newer fans? Tune in to find out!

(download – right click & ‘save as’)

Part 1 can be hound HERE.

Events Music

Mylene Night #04 Report: The Politics of Music

Post author By Tochiro
Post date March 12, 2014

The fourth and final of Chie Kajiura’s birthday concerts for Macross 7’s Mylene Flare Jenius was many things. It was a recap of the previous concerts for those who might have missed them. It was the end of an event which had seen its numbers increase year by year. It was the beginning of a new type of semi-regular gig for Chie. Most importantly, it was a glimpse into the politics that go on behind the scenes of the Macross franchise. This did not make for a particularly good concert. What followed it, however, did.

In retrospect, the signs that something wasn’t quite right had been there for a while, but I’ll get back to that in a moment. Only three months after the hugely successful 3rd Mylene Night, Chie dropped a bomb on her blog. The omnidimensional barrier had blown. The fourth Mylene Night would be the final one. Why? Chie’s only comment was that there were…’circumstances.’ She didn’t want to end the annual event because as long as there were fans who wanted to listen, she was prepared to sing. But large anime properties were protected by various restrictions while she was merely a solo freelance artist. The wording was obviously purposefully vague, but one thing was made clear. This would be the final Mylene Night we would get.

30th Anniversary Movies and TV Series

Macross Frontier BD Extras Revealed

Post author By Tochiro
Post date March 11, 2014

The official website for the upcoming Macross Frontier movie bluray boxset has been updated with information and samples of some of the included extras.

The update includes lists of much of the included video content (interestingly, any video’s reused from the PSP game limited packs have been remastered in HD!), sample pages from the setting documents (200p) and illustration (100p) books, and (finally) details regarding the PS3 ‘PlayView’ feature.

Uncategorized

1-1 Scale VF-25 Photos

Post author By Tochiro
Post date March 9, 2014

Netlab/Tokyo Otaku Mode have posted new photos of the 1-1 scale VF-25 that has found a (hopefully) permanent home at Skytree Campus of the Chiba Institute of Technology.

Anyone in the Tokyo area, don’t forget to check it out!

SpeakerPodCast

Macross SpeakerPODcast Ep.12 (Part 1) – Winter Wonderland!

Post author By Tochiro
Post date March 8, 2014

Sit back and relax to the sultry croonings of Gubaba and Renato while sipping on some Ranka-themed ‘Deculture Tea.’ The SpeakerPODcast Crew sit down to chat about all the latest Macross news and happenings before going into detail about the expensive goodies shown at Winter Wonder Festival 2014!

We discuss the newly announced VF-0D, Save gets hands-on time with Arcadia’s GU-11 Gunpod replica and we unbox a pair of VF-1 Pilot Suit Shoulder Protectors! All this and MORE in Part 1 of Episode 12 of Macross SpeakerPODcast!

(download – right click & ‘save as’)

Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe to us on iTunes!

Timestamps follow the JUMP!

Uncategorized

‘Valkyries’ artist Hidetaka Tenjin to make US TV Debut!

Post author By Tochiro
Post date February 26, 2014

‘FACE OFF’, a special effects/make up competition/reality show on SYFY, has released a press release announcing that in the latest episode the remaining participants travel to Tokyo where they meet, among other special guests, famed Macross Artist Hidetaka Tenjin!

The episode will air on SYFY on Tuesday, March 4 at 9 PM ET/PT and will mark Tenjin-san’s first ever US TV appearance.

A teaser for the episode can be found on the official website.

From the press release:
‘In the episode, “Ego Trip Abroad,” the artists embark on the trip of a lifetime where they’ll gather inspiration for two extreme challenges celebrating the fascinating culture of Japan. After a day of exploration, they arrive at an ancient temple where host McKenzie Westmore and two-time Academy Award-nominated makeup artist Kazuhiro Tsuji are waiting to deliver their next Foundation Challenge – to create an original take on a traditional Japanese Oni, which are ogre-like Japanese demons. The next day, the artists venture off into the heart of Akihabara, Tokyo’s tech district and ground zero for anime, where they meet genius anime artist Hidetaka Tenjin. They learn their Spotlight Challenge will be to create a character based on one of Japan’s most famous exports, anime, with a surprise personal twist thrown into the mix.’

Uncategorized

1:1 VF-25 Returns! 「MACROSS feat. CIT」!

Post author By Tochiro
Post date February 20, 2014

Long-time Forum user and SpeakerPODcast co-host Save has just snapped the above pic.

It appears that the 1:1 VF-25 (previously displayed at both Ikebukuro and Yokohama) will be returning again, this time in what looks to be a more (semi-)permanent home at the Tokyo Skytree campus of Chiba Institute of Technology.

Save had previously posted pics of the hand of the VF-25, seemingly under-construction, but the news of the display did not hit until today.

The display opens from February 22 (Sat) and is open daily from 10:30~18:00.

Movies and TV Series Uncategorized

Macross 2 Bluray Boxset Announced

Post author By Tochiro
Post date February 13, 2014

Both Bandai Visual and AV Watch have listed a bluray release of perennial fan favourite Macross 2: Lovers Again.

The 6-episode OVA will be released as a 2-disc bluray boxset on July 25, 2014 at a recommended retail price of 14,904yen, and will include a 100-page booklet and clean OP & ED. As with other recent Macross releases, the boxset will only be manufactured for 12 months.

No word on English language options at this stage.

Preorders are already up over at Amazon Japan.