Graham

According to a discussion we are having in the model forum currently, it looks like the Vajra shown in the pics may also be a 1/72 scale model kit as well. While I'd always thought the red Vajra are significantly larger than a VF-25, it appears that depending on which scene of the anime you view, they are only slightly larger. Graham

Heh, lucky I placed my order with Amazon Japan for OST-1 several weeks ago. Graham

Hmm, OK then. For some reason I always think of the red Vajra as being significantly larger. Graham

My CD arrived from Amazon Japan 3-4 days ago, but no poster. Then again I didn't really expect it. Graham

Seems like this thread has just about run it's course. Discussion of episode 6 seesm to have dried up. Graham

Rivets? In 2059, we don't need no steenkin' rivets! Anyway, how can you tell from those somewhat blurry photos? Graham

The placard is refering to the VF-25 only, not the Vajra (I think). Graham

New MWer ChopperDave just supplied this closer pic of the kit. Graham

Looks good, but just to stress before you all get too excited, it is the plastic model kit, NOT a toy. I wonder if the black and red stripes will be molded in, or will be typical Bandai foil stickers? Graham

Although looking at the pic again, if the VF-25F shown is 1/72 scale, there's no way the Vajra is the same scale. I'm guessing the Vajra is going to be from the 1/100 scale toy line and the VF-25F shown is obviously the 1/72 scale model kit. Note the price of the kit, 4,200 Yen. Graham

MWer, Californium just posted this link in the toy forum, but I think it should be here instead. http://happy.ap.teacup.com/runchickens/897.html Shows the upcoming Bandai 1/72 scale VF-25F Alto model kit and surprise a red Vajra! The VF-25F shown is obviously the model kit as Bandai previously announced that 1/72 scale would be the scale for the Frontier models. Note teh price of the model kit, 4,200 Yen. However, I reckon the Vajra is part of the 1/100 toy line, not a model kit, as it is far to small compared with the VF-25 to be 1/72 scale. Graham

Yah, red Vajra. But if it's 1/72 scale, that means they are the model kits, not the toys. Looks like the VF-25F kit is variable. Graham

Isamu in VF-11B taking out 6-7 of the renegade powered armour in the opening fight of Mac Plus ep 1. Best fight scene ever IMO. Graham

Bought my first Macross model kits in 1982 or 83, but only seriously been collecting since 1988. Graham

Heh, if 'Nanase's bouncing breasts' had been added as a poll option, I bet there's quite a few members that would have selected it as their choice. Graham

Guys, enough with the GiTS screen shots already! Start a GiTS thread in the othe anime forum if you really want to continue with this, please. Graham

Still at work, can't now. Graham

For the regult, I'd say yes, probably. For the VF-1, I'd say no. Graham

Without knowing more about the current political and economic situation in the Macross universe, it's really difficult to speculate why the Frontier fleet NUNS forces are using the VF-171 and not a version of the VF-19 or VF-22. It may well be that the VF-19 and VF-22 are still in service on some other planets/bases/fleets. I would imagine the VF-171 is cheaper to produce than either the VF-19 or VF-22. It's been stated that the VF-171 is also an easy Valk to fly. Possibly individual colony fleets have some latitude in choosing what VFs to arm their fleet military with and the VF-171 offered acceptable performance, at a more reasonable cost than the competition. It's been stated that the VF-171 entered service in 2058. I'm intensly curious to know what Valk they had prior to the VF-171. I can't see the aging VF-11 as still being in service, unless perhaps they had a Version of the VF-11MAXL. I also can't see the Frontier NUNS as having had the VF-19 and then downgrading to the VF-171. Graham

Just picked up 2 at lunchtime for HK$125 each (US$16) each. Very nice toy. The Revoltech joints are definitely well suited to the Regult and much more low profile than on the VF-1, where IMO they look terrible (hunched shoulder syndrome). Graham

From what I understand, George Sohn and the head of Yamato don't exactly see eye to eye, so any deal between the two companies is extemely unlikely. Same thing with Big West and Harmony Gold. Lots of animosity there. Graham

The manga actually has much more VF-171 porn than the anime, especially chapters 1 & 5. Quite a lot of Battroid mode. Graham

PROS: Great mecha and ship designs. I'm loving the VF-25, VF-171 and new Q-Raus. Fantastically choreographed fight scenes. Interesting, likeable, well-designed and well-rounded characters that you instantly care about. Thankfully, minimal teen angst and whining! Fantastic songs. Amazing instrumental background music from Yoko Kanno. Excellent CG, that is almost seemlessly integrated. Increadibly detailed backgrounds. An interesting enemy. Love the Vajra designs, especially the red lobsters - really menacing. Homages with interesting twists. Great story so far that keeps you on the edge of your seat and keeps you guessing. 100% Macross feel! The director really knows how to create a strong sense of tension during the fights. It's not Gundam. Good character animation, except parts of episode 6. CONS: Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrr..............gotta think hard to come up with some. It's only once a week. It's only 26 episodes. The toys are not out yet. Where's my art book? Hurry up already! Dodgy character art during parts of episode 6. In conclusion, I rate Frontier as the best anime TV series, I've seen in many years, possibly the best ever (although I'll reserve that judgement until the end of the series). IMO, it easily beats contempary mecha shows such as Gundam 00 and Code Geass in every possible category. Graham

It differs a lot from the 1/48: - Better articulation = more poseable. More tampo printing, including the UN Spacy kit on the nose and other markings. Better proportions in all three modes (IMO). No ugly seem running down middle of the face on the VF-1S. Nose cone doesn't hang past the kness like the 1/48. Missiles attach much more firmly to the wings. *Special gimmick..............to be revealed later*. Articulated hands proprtionally larger than on the 1/48. Hands hold gunpod much more securely. Tighter joints overall. improved foot thruster detail - no more split thruster detail like on 1/48. Special ********** on canopy Folding fins on legs, to more easly accomodate GBP. Locks together more solidly in all three modes, especially fighter mode. Nose cone and flaps fixed, so won't fall off like on the 1/48. It's not a scaled down 1/48, it's a complete redesign, improved in many ways and very playable and solid feeling. Not sure if it will fit the old 1/60 GBP. I threw mine away in disgust, so don't have a set to test. Not sure on what variation colors Yamato will release yet. Graham

Ranka looks OK IMO, but yeah I agree Alto and Sheryl are a bit off. Graham