NEWS:

Added a report with tons of pics of taken at Wonder Festival 2008 (Winter) to the Events Page.
Thanks SaveRobotech for the images!

Mechamaniac

NEWS:

Added sample pics of the Yamato GN-U YF-19, YF-21 and VF-11B to the Yamato Toys Page.
Thanks Graham for the images!

Mechamaniac

NEWS:

Added scans from a companion book that goes with the 1984 December issue of Animage to the Magazines Page.
Thanks TheLoneWolf for the scans!

Mechamaniac

NEWS:

Added sample pics of the Yamato 1/60 YF-21 to the Yamato Toys Page.
Thanks Graham for the images!

Mechamaniac

NEWS:

Added sample pics of the Yamato 1/60 SV-51 Alpha to the Yamato Toys Page.
Thanks Graham for the images!

Mechamaniac

NEWS:

Added sample pics of the Yamato 1/60 SV-51 Nora Type to the Yamato Toys Page.
Thanks Graham for the images!

Mechamaniac

NEWS:

Added sample pics of the Yamato 1/48 25th Anniversary VF-1S and the Yamato 1/60 25th Anniversary YF-19 to the Yamato Toys Page.
Thanks Graham for the images!

Mechamaniac

NEWS:

Added sample pics of the Yamato 1/60 Roy VF-0S w/Ghost to the Yamato Toys Page.
Thanks Graham for the images!

Mechamaniac

NEWS:

Added sample pics of the Yamato 1/60 SV-51 Ivanov Type to the Yamato Toys Page.
Thanks Graham for the images!

Mechamaniac

NEWS:

The Macross Resin Kits Page and CM's Corporation Legioss and Tread prototype page from my Wonder Festival 2007 (Winter) report are now up.

Graham

NEWS:

The Yamato booth page from my Wonder Festival 2007 (Winter) report is now up. The rest of the report will follow in the next few days.

Graham

NEWS:

Added pre-production sample images of the Updated 1/6 Maximillian Jenius and 1/6 Hikaru Ichijo w/Flight Suit from PopBox collectibles. Thanks to MW Member Blackaces for the scans!

Mechamaniac

NEWS:

Added the Yellow Submarine 1/144 VF-11B Battroid to the Yellow Submarine models page. Thanks to MW Member Chaos Warrior for the scans!

Mechamaniac

NEWS:

I just got off the phone with Yamato and they told me that for future releases of the 1/60 scale VF-0 toy, starting with the upcoming VF-0A Shin type, the breakage-prone shoulder and elbow joint parts will be changed from ABS to POM plastic for increased durability.

Regarding replacement arm parts for those with broken VF-0A and VF-0S toys, these will be made available, but only in Japan.

If you purchased your VF-0 though HLJ or other online Japanese based stores, contact them in a month or so when the parts are ready and ask for replacements.

Graham

NEWS:

The Wave 1/5000 scale DYRL type transforming SDF-1 toy hits stores in Asia. See comments in the MW forums. Graham's review to follow soon.

Graham

SITE UPDATES:

Added March 2007 scans to the Dengeki Hobby , Hobby Japan and Figure Oh (Miscellaneous) magazine pages.

Thanks to Graham for the scans!

Mechamaniac

NEWS:

Here's my report of my recent interview with Yamato representatives.

There's lot's of interesting news, but as usual I can only reveal a small portion of what I was told. You will be happy to know that Yamato remains firmly committed to the Macross franchise and has a great many exciting new products in the pipeline.

So on with the news: -

1/60 Scale SV-51
Although many Macrossworld members guessed or suspected it was coming, I can now announce that Yamato will be releasing a transforming 1/60 scale SV-51 toy around the middle of 2007. The CAD design is complete and work has already started on the tooling. The first version to be released will be Ivanov's black SV-51, with other color variants to follow. This will be the largest variable fighter toy made by Yamato so far. Although I don't have the measurements from Yamato, I estimate it should be nearly 38cm long in fighter mode.

The toy will come with a specially designed display stand to help support the toy in Battroid mode. The toy's legs are too long to work with the normal Yamato display stand. The SV-51 will probably require the use of the display stand to stand in Battroid mode, just like Bandai's Aquarion toy (another Kawamori design), as it will probably suffer from being top heavy with the large folded wings mounded on the back and having skinny legs. I say "probably" because while the heavier resin sculpt needs the stand, the lighter finished ABS product may be able to stand unsupported in some posses, but we won't know until the tooling is finished and the first test shots are made. Interestingly, the SV-51 is never shown standing in the anime, so perhaps Kawamori never intended it to be able to stand? Even in the scene where Ivanov invades the Asuka, the SV-51 is just shown on hands and knees.

The retail price point is not set yet, but expect it to cost more than the 1/60 scale YF-19, due to it's large size and complex design with greater number of parts.

Expect photos of the SV-51 to start appearing in the Japanese hobby magazines around March.

YF-19 Fold Booster
Yamato confirmed that the YF-19 Fold Booster will feature LEDs, but no sound chip, as it does not make any sound in the anime. My source will get back to me with confirmation of the LED colors. So keep watching for updates.

It was also confirmed that the Fold Booster & FAST Pack set will be released both separately and as a set together with the YF-19.

Other YF-19 News
It was mentioned that Yamato are strongly considering producing the wing-mounted missiles and missile pods shown on the cover of the TIAS Macross Plus book as an accessory set for the 1/60 scale YF-19 toy.

The Heavy Arm Weapon is not planned at this time, due to lack of any official line-art.

The white and orange Super Nova scheme is being seriously considered for a YF-19 repaint variant. I'm hoping they will eventually consider the white & blue Super Nova scheme as well.

Yamato are planning other non-canon repaint schemes for the YF-19, including possibly a low visibility version and an all new color scheme especially designed by Mr. Kawamori.

Macrossworld Members Questions
Here's some Q&A based on questions supplied by Macrossworld members: -

Q: Will Yamato consider smaller boxes for their Macross toys?

A: Not for the initial release of a product, but for reissues we are considering smaller packing, perhaps with no flap and no window.

Q: Will Yamato reissue the 1/48 VF-1J Super Max & Milia?

A: We may possibly reissue them, but perhaps without the Super parts. It has not been decided yet.

Q: Will Yamato release 2 seat 1/48 VF-1 toys, such as the VF-1D, VT-1 & VE-1?

A: Not in 1/48 scale.

Q: Will Yamato improve their QC.

A: We are always trying to.

Q: Will Yamato redesign the shoulder of the VF-0 toy after so many people have reported it breaking.

A: Actually, we have not heard this problem from Japanese customer, but the factory is looking into it.

Future Macross Products
I did get to hear some news about what Macross items are currently in development or being planned for the future, unfortunately I'm sworn to secrecy.

Non-Macross Products.
Yamato has some non-Macross products coming which may be of interest to Macrossworld members. The 1/12 scale Red Shoulder Custom with full weapons will no doubt be a big hit with Votoms fans. This may be the one that finally gets me to purchase a Yamato Votoms toy!

On the Megazone 23 front, as well as the upcoming Military Garland paint variation, Yamato also has a racing version planned.

Lastly there's another transforming toy in development based on a popular 80s anime, which will please many Macrossworlders.

Graham

SITE UPDATES:

Added several customs to the 1/60 Customs and 1/48 Customs pages.

Added the Hasegawa 1/72 VE-1 Elintseeker and the Hasegawa 1/72 VF-0S Roy Focker models to the Hasegawa Models Page. Thanks to MW Member Fly4victory for the scans!

Mechamaniac

SITE UPDATES:

Added September, October, November, December 2006, and January and February 2007 scans from Graham to the Hobby Japan Magazine Page..

Also added February 2007 scans from Graham to the Dengeki Hobby Magazine Page..

Finally, be sure to check out Graham's VF-0A Review.

Mechamaniac

SITE UPDATES:

Added the Reactive Armored VF-0S model to the Hasegawa Models Page. Thanks to MW Member Fly4victory for the scans and images!.

Also added 9 images Graham took, comparing the Yamato 1/60 YF-19 to the Bandai 1/65 Macross 7 toys to Graham's YF-19 Review page.

Mechamaniac

SITE UPDATES:

Added the VF-0A/S model to the Hasegawa Models Page. Thanks to MW Member Fly4victory for the scans and images!.

Also added multiple customs to the MW Customs Gallery.

Also added September, October, November and December 2006 and January 2007, magazine scans from Graham to the Dengeki Hobby 2001-2007 Magazine section.

Mechamaniac

SITE UPDATES:

Added the VF-0B, VF-1S Strike Battroid "Minmay Guard", and VF-1S Strike Battroid models to the Hasegawa Models Page. Thanks to MW Member Fly4victory for the scans and images!.

Mechamaniac

SITE UPDATES:

Added multiple model pages to the Nichimo 2000-2001 Rerelease page. Thanks to MW Member Bromgrev for the scans and images!

Also added multiple models and new images to the Hasegawa Models Page. Thanks to MW Member Fly4victory for the scans and images!.

Mechamaniac

SITE UPDATES:

Added Graham's sample pictures of the upcoming Shin Kudo VF-0A w/QF2200D-B Ghost & QF2200D-A Ghost to the Yamato Toys Page.

Mechamaniac

SITE UPDATES:

Added Graham's YF-19 Transformation Video Guides to the YF-19 Review Page.

SITE UPDATES:

Added multiple updates to the MW Custom Toys Gallery. Keep checking back for further updates to the Customs Gallery.

Mechamaniac

SITE UPDATES:

Added pre-production sample pics of the upcoming 1/48 Urban Camoflauge GBP Armor.

Mechamaniac

SITE UPDATES:

Added Graham's review of the Yamato 1/60 YF-19.

Mechamaniac

SITE UPDATES:

Added pre-production shots of the Popbox 1/6 Roy Focker, 1/6 Maximillian Jenius and Popbox Accessories taken at the Asia Toy Expo 2006 held at the Hong Kong Convention Center on 25-26 November 2006 to the newly created Popbox section.

Mechamaniac

SITE UPDATES:

Added pages including the official publicity photos for Yamato's upcoming 1/48 VF-1A Angelbirds, 1/48 VF-1A Kakizaki DYRL type and 1/60 VF-0A to the toy section.

Graham

SITE UPDATES:

Added the upcoming 1/60 scale VF-0A and 1/48 scale VF-1A Angel Birds from Yamato to the toy section. Both toys are due for release in late August or September 2006.

Posted the first colour photos from the September hobby magazines in the MW Forums, of the painted 1/60 YF-19 prototype from Yamato. No price is set yet. Release should be around the end of the year.

Posted the first CAD lineart from the September hobby magazines in the MW Forums, of Hasegawa's upcoming 1/72 Reactive Armour kit for their 1/72 VF-0S battroid kit. No price or firm release date is set yet.

Graham

SITE UPDATES:

Added a custom 1/48 VF-1D in 'Tiger Meet' paint scheme, by MWer: Kurt to the Macrossworld Custom Toy Gallery.

Graham

SITE UPDATES:

Updated the magazine section with scans of the July 2006 issues of Hobby Japan and Dengeki Hobby magazines, which contain the following info: -

BREAKING NEWS:

From articles in the new July 2006 issues of Hobby Japan and Dengeki Hobby magazines, Yamato confirms that their next Macross Zero toy release will be a 1/60 scale perfect-variable VF-0A, with a tentative release date of August 2006 and priced at ¥17,640. CAD lineart drawings of the VF-0A head are shown in both magazines. The CAD drawings and a discussion on the upcoming VF-0A toy are in this thread in the Macrossworld forums.

Graham

SITE UPDATES:

Updated the magazine section with scans of the June 2006 issues of Hobby Japan and Dengeki Hobby magazines, which contain the following info: -

• The June Hobby Japan features 2 pages on Macross, with photos of the Yamato 1/48 VF-1J Stealth, 1/48 VF-1A Low Vis 2 & 1/60 VF-0S toys and also pictures of the Wave 1/100 VF-0S battroid and Hasegawa 1/72 VF-0S Battroid.

• The June Dengeki Hobby features a great 2 page photo spread on a completed Hasegawa 1/72 VF-0S and also 1 page of photos of the Yamato 1/48 VF-1J Stealth, 1/48 VF-1A Low Vis 2 toys and also the Wave 1/100 scale VF-0S plastic model kit.

Added photos of 3 new custom toys by our members to the Macrossworld Custom Toy Gallery. These are: -

• A 1/55 VF-1A Angelbirds custom by MWer: Valkfan.
• A 1/48 VF-1S Paris Act Minmay Guard by MWer: Kurt.
• A 1/48 VF-1A weathered Cannon Fodder custom by MWer: prometheum5.

Graham

SITE UPDATES:

Added my review of Yamato's newly released perfect variable 1/60 scale VF-0S toy, which was released in Japan on 28th April 2006.

Added the winning fanart picture of the month for the month of May to the mainpage. The winning picture this month of three Ghosts is by MWer: Honneamise.

I apologise for the lack of updates over the last couple of weeks, but I've been bogged down with various work and family matters.

Graham

SITE UPDATES:

Added two new pics of Yamato's upcoming 1/48 scale VF-1J Stealth toy to the VF-1J Super Stealth page. Thanks to MWer: DyNo for the pic.

Graham

Added scans to the model section of the box, parts and instructions for the Wave 1/100 scale Fz-109F Elgerzorene Battroid mode resin garage kit (MC-07) and the Yellow Submarine 1/144 scale VF-17D Nightmare Fighter mode resin garage kit (G0-55), from my personal collection.

Added the first custom 1/48 scale Yamato GBP armor set by MWer: Kurt, to the MW Custom Toy Gallery. Fantastic work as usual from Kurt. We now have 6 pages of custom Yamato 1/48 tos in the gallery.........wow!

MWer: electric indigo, is the winner of the fan art of the month contest with his beautiful CG VF-4 picture, will be displayed on the main page for the month of April. If you want to vote for the fan art pic that will appear on the main page in May, please do so in this thread.

Graham

Added scans of the Nichimo 2000 reissue Regult Scout to the model section. Thanks to MWer: Bromgrev for providing the scans.

Graham

Admin's Grumbles :

You may or may not have noticed that there were no site updates last week. There are a couple of reasons for this: -

• One, I've been updating the site a lot during the months of February and March and the frequent pace of updates had left me starting to feel a little burnt-out, thus a weeks rest was in order to recharge my batteries.
• Compounding the issue was the fact that I had four consecutive late nights out with friends and family last week. These late nights combined with consumption of too much alcohol and food and the onset of a sore throat left me feeling somewhat under the weather. I'm no spring chicken anymore and don't bounce back from evenings of carousing as quickly as I used to!

Added scans of the May 2006 issue of Dengeki Hobby Magazine to the magazine section. This issue features 2 pages of Macross articles, which include the following: -

• Photos of the transfomation sequence of the upcoming Yamato 1/60 scale VF-0S toy.
• Photos of the upcoming 1/72 scale Hasegawa VF-0S battroid plastic model kit. The kit is shown built and painted. The optional 'A' type head is also shown.
• Photos of the upcoming Wave 1/100 scale VF-0S battroid plastic model kit. The kit is shown built, but unpainted.

Added scans of the May 2006 issue of Hobby Japan Magazine to the magazine section. This issue features 5 pages of Macross articles, which include the following: -

• Photos of custom Yamato 1/48 scale VF-1J Hikaru toy with GPB Armor and a 1/48 Scale VF-1S Focker with Strike FAST packs. Both toys have weathering and panel lines added.
• Photos of the upcoming 1/72 scale Hasegawa VF-0S battroid plastic model kit. The kit is shown built and painted. The optional 'A' type head is also shown.
• Photos of the upcoming Wave 1/100 scale VF-0S battroid plastic model kit. The kit is shown built, but unpainted.

Added the Hasegawa 1/72 scale VF-1A Angel Birds plastic model kit to the model section. Thanks to MWer: Gabe Q for the scans.

Added the following customs to the Macrossworld Custom Toy gallery: -

• A custom 1/55 scale VT-1 by MWer: JasonC.
• Added extra photos of the custom VF-1J Hikaru Joke machine by MWer: DatterBoy.
• A custom Yamato 1/48 VF-1A painted in 2500th anniversery colors by MWer: Firefox.

Updated the Yamato 1/60 scale VF-0S preproduction page.

Graham

SITE UPDATES:

Added cover scans of the R2 DVD Macross Plus OVA box set to the DVD section.

Added scans of the April 2006 issue of Model Graphix magazine to the magazine section. Thanks to MWer: Neova for providing the scans.

Added the Hasegawa 1/72 scale fighter mode VF-1S Strike Valkyrie plastic model kit to the model section. Thanks to MWer Gabe Q for the scans.

Graham

SITE UPDATES:

Added a page on the new Shoji Kawamori Design Works book to the art book subsection of the book section. The page includes a mini-review and sample page scans.

Changed the main page picture to Tenjin's fantastic box artwork for the upcoming 1/72 scale Hasegawa VF-0S/A battroid kit scheduled for release later this month.

Added the Hasegawa 1/72 scale VF-1J Max & Millia plastic model kit to the model section. Thanks to MWer Gabe Q for the scans.

Graham

SITE UPDATES:

Added the Hasegawa 1/72 scale VF-1D plastic model kit information to the model section. Thanks to MWer Gabe Q for the scans.

Added cover scans of the R2 DVDs of volume 4-6 of Macross 7 to the DVD section. Thanks to MWer: Nanashino for providing the scans.

Changed the fanart pic of the week.

Graham

SITE UPDATES:

Added cover scans of the R2 DVDs of volume 1-3 of Macross 7 to the DVD section. Thanks to MWer: Nanashino for providing the scans.

Added a review of the Yamato 1/48 Scale FAST Pack set to the toy section. Thanks to MWer: Prometheum5 for writing this review (his second for Macrossworld).

Graham

SITE UPDATES:

Updated the magazine section. Added 7 months worth of missing magazine scans from the September 2005 to March 2006 issues of Dengeki Hobby magazine.

Updated the model section by adding scans of six more kits to the Nichimo 2000-2001 rerelease page. The kits added are Regult Soldier, VF-1A Battroid, VF-1A Gerwalk, VF-1J Hikaru Super Gerwalk, VF-1A Super Battroid and VF-1S Super Battroid. More to follow shortly. Thanks to MWer: Prometheum5 for providing the kit pics.

Graham

SITE UPDATES:

Added a review of the Bandai reissue 1/55 scale VF-1S Super by MWer: Renato to the toy section.

Added photos of the first custom Yamato 1/100 scale VB-6 König Monster toy and the first custom Yamato 1/60 scale GBP Armor toy by MWer: lordmasterprince, to the custom toy gallery.

Added cover scans of the ADV disk 1, Super Dimension Fortress Macross DVD to the DVD section. Thanks to MWer: Hurin, for the scans.

Added box and instruction manual scans of the 2003 PS2 Super Dimension Fortress Macross game to the games section.

Updated the magazine section, by adding 4 months worth of missing Dengeki Hobby Magazine scans from 2005. The only problem is, I'm not sure exactly which month they are from, so if anybody can help me, please PM me and let me know.

Graham

SITE UPDATES:

Updated the DVD section. Added cover scans of the following DVDs: -

• DYRL Perfect Edition (R2)
• Macross II The Movie (R1)
• Macross Plus Movie Edition (R1)
• Macross 20th Anniversary DVD (R2)

Added some new extra large photos to the Yamato 1/15 Garland page.

Graham