Tochiro Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 (edited) Wonderfest Winter 2011 was held today over at Makuharo Messe (better known as the site of the Tokyo Game Show). While I don't always attend this event, I made the effort to head over because I had a friend visiting who was interested, and more importantly, there was going to be a Macross F talk show. Oh, and of course I knew that MacWorld regular Save would be there as always - in the heart of the insanity that is 40,000 plus hardcore Japanese otaku in one place. The Macross talkshow was to be held twice - at 1pm and again at 3pm. Upon arriving just before midday I did a quick circuit of the 2nd hall before making a beeline for the Banpresto booth. A quick chat with the staff confirmed that this was indeed where the talkshow would be held - which was just as well, since the staff over at the Wonderfest 'information' counter had no idea that the talkshow was even going to be held. A little over an hour before the talkshow was due to start there were already a good 50 people waiting in front of Banpresto's tint event stage. The guys at the very front were immediately recogniseable - oldskool Macross fans whom I ran into at pretty much every Macross event. They had been camping their spot since 10am. By 12:40, the crowd had increased to the point that I could no longer get out even if I had wanted to. What had previously seemed like a mediocre position in relation to the stage had suddenly become a pretty darn good one. The screen at the booth looped commercials for Banpresto's new 'Ichiban Kuji' figures, as well their deluxe prize 'SQ' range of UFO catcher figures, with the odd trailer for The Wings of Goodbye thrown into the mix as well. A little after 1pm, a female MC announced the guests as they came onto stage - Aya Endo, Megumi Nakajima and Hidetaka Tenjin. Of course, all photography was prohibited and spotters flanked the stage for the duration of the 50min talkshow. However I did squeeze this one off just as the event was wrapping up (I think Tenjin saw me ^^; ) The MC ran through the expected questions with Aya and Megumi - looking back at Macross F, what did they think now that it was over? Did they have any regrets? etc. She then asked Tenjin how work was going on the new movie since it was due to start its cinema run soon. Tenjin replied that Kawamori hadnt made it to Wonderfest for a reason - it's not that he didn't come, but rather he couldn't. The final edits to the movie were still being made. But he could say this much - that the quality of the movie would surely exceed everyones expectations once they saw it and that it had plenty of elements to appeal to fans of the original series as well as newer Frontier fans. He also discussed how it felt, as someone who started off as a fan himself, to be involved in Frontier and see Macross evolve in real time as it were. Megumi noted that there were a LOT of new songs in the new movie - probably more than the audience is expecting. Aya talked about how she had been driven in her performance by Sheryls strong personality and characterization. The head of figure development for Banpresto R&D then came on stage dressed as Bobby and talked about the new SQ range of UFO catcher figures. The first one (Sheryl) came out in January, with three others (one Ranka and 2 other Sheryl's) due out over the next few months. He went into a lot of detail regarding Sheryl's hair and how the design of the first figure had been rejected and redesigned SIX times. Not just by the manufacturing plant either, but by Kawamori himself - he apparently signs off on all character toys and merchandise personally. Tenjin joked that this could be Kawamori's secret hobby - female figures. Just at that moment, a video message from Kawamori came up on screen, showing Kawamori sitting at his desk....full of DOZENS of Sheryl and Ranka figures and with Sheryl and Ranka towels draped over the office chairs. Yes, he had a big grin on his face too - the whole gag had been a setup. He apologized for not being able to make it to Wonderfest; that he was in final crunch time for the new movie, and hoped that everyone would look forward to seeing it soon. Other highlights included Tenjin introducing his new collected art book 'Valkyries: Second Sortie.' A hi-def version of the trailer from his website was played. Interestingly, he did the narration for the trailer himself (well, he is technically a voice actor as well, after all!). Megumi said she really wanted a copy so he said he would give her one as a present. Tenjin you ladykiller! :-) Apart from the talkshow, Banpresto was selling tickets for the upcoming movie - including free poster featuring the Sheryl-with-flag artwork! Unfortunately they sold out by the time the talkshow ended, sigh. New to Wonderfest this year was a HUGE cosplay area - and Macross Frontier was well represented! Some of the highlights follow ;-) The Sheryl in this pic burnt the holes in her pants and top with a regular lighter - and apparently had a lot of fun doing so! ^^; Scary doll-face Sheryl! Actually I came across this costume in Kobe over Christmas - but thats an event report that is still in the works ;-) On the merchandise side of things - well there were some things I could get pics of, some I couldn't, and some I took anyway and got in trouble for ^^; The following were on display by a company that adds metallic effects and custom paint touch ups to existing figures: A Macross Frontier themed UFO catcher: THIS is the one thing I actually bought - it was unpainted, but the display model looked a little something like this (now why havent they made a Gubaba one?) Yamato had some good stuff on display, although a lot was stuff I'd previously seen at their open showroom back in January: And finally - some stuff from the recent Macross The Ride. The third one is particularly interesting (although I got told off for taking a picture of it). And...thats about all I have to report. A friend with a better camera is due to send me the pics he took over the next week or so. Also, Banpresto had a lot of smaller figures, towels and assorted small merchandise on display but had a no-photographs rule and very tight security, sorry! Edited February 6, 2011 by Tochiro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gubaba Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 DAMMIT!! Why do I always have to work when these things are happening!?! Err, I mean...great report, Tochiro. I think we need to OFFICIALLY dub you the Chief Archivist of the Gaijin Butai. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UN Spacy Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Thank you for the detailed report Tochiro! Hopefully Save was able to snag me a poster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kicker773 Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Macross Ride is that a manga or a new anime? Haven't been keeping up with the trends.. also are those valk models or toys? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrhillz Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 So,, are we getting a yamato VF-19 in the next year or so? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anime52k8 Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 So,, are we getting a yamato VF-19 in the next year or so? placard in the picture says May 2011 for the VF-19kai and July 2011 for the sound booster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 (edited) Check out the VF-1S on the left hand side of the pic. Take a close look at the intakes. A Photo-Etched-Set for the 1/60 VF-1!?! Edited February 7, 2011 by Big Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandman Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 How big were the Macross the ride Valkyries in the last pic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talos Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 How big were the Macross the ride Valkyries in the last pic? Since they're kitbashed model kits, I'm going to guess 1/72 scale, probably. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reïvaj Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 I see "1/72 scale" in the placards next to all the kits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talos Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 I see "1/72 scale" in the placards next to all the kits. That's what I get for not looking at the picture at full-size since this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Valkyrie Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 VF-1X interesting, wonder how it looks in battriod mode. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shin Densetsu Kai 7.0 Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Interesting, that V2 1/60 VF-1 with photo-etched parts has a removable randome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Nothing on the YF-29, 1/100 kit, 1/60 DX or the YF-29 gashapons that were mentioned a while back? Surprised! Graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tochiro Posted February 8, 2011 Author Share Posted February 8, 2011 Sigh - the poster-ticket sets from the Banpresto booth are already hitting 4000-5000yen on auction. Quite a return on a 1300yen purchase Damnit I detest scalpers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reïvaj Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Interesting, that V2 1/60 VF-1 with photo-etched parts has a removable randome. The links: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gerwalk_w/5423009085/in/photostream/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ff95gj Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Nothing on the YF-29, 1/100 kit, 1/60 DX or the YF-29 gashapons that were mentioned a while back? Surprised! Graham That makes it a successful festival! I don't hate the YF-29, but can't say I am excited either. I instant-liked the VF-25. (See how easy to please I am, and yet I am not impressed by YF-29.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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