Graham

This thing is as tight as a tick. You guys are going to love it. Yamato have really hit a home run here. Really solid feeling. Some cool features and details that are not evident from the magazine pics as well (can't talk about those yet though). One lucky person who saw and handled it (shall remain namelesss for the moment), said it was so good, he's going to sell off all his 1/48s. Graham

Alas, it was just a dream. I have no contacts with Bandai. But it was a very nice dream. It was a great thrill to open the box and see the VF-25 laying their surrounded by all the Super Pack pieces. Graham

Ya' know, I have serious doubts over whether a toy of the Ozma VF-25S with Armored pack is going to be able to stand in battroid mode without a display stand. It's going to be really back heavy with that huge backpack. Bandai better use some industrial grade ratchet joints in the ankles, knees and hips. Graham

They might be useful as a parachute though! Graham

I didn't like the wings on the VF-25 Battroid at first, but I'm starting to like them now. Graham

I had a great dream last night that the Bandai 1/60 DX Alto type VF-25 Super toy was out and I picked one up. It came in a really nice box, with the toy packed in a Styrofoam inner tray. Graham

Although it should be pointed out that Kresphy also posted scans of the new Newtype in the Frontier news thread 4 hours before paper did. Graham

LOL! Graham

Well, according to MWer Kresphy who just posted scans of the latest Newtype magazine in the Frontier news thread (3 days before the official release date!), the VF-25's nickname is Messiah (メサイア). Not initially liking or disliking the name. I guess I'm going to need to to see if it grows on me. Graham

Oh, and thanks for the scans Kresphy. Can wait to pick up this issue. Graham

Perhaps Luca's RVF-25 gets wrecked later, so he switches to a green VF-25F? Or perhaps Luca uses the green VF-25F when no recon or Elint capability are required? Graham

I'm curious what is the greenish-yellow trangular looking ship in the first page of Kresphy's scans. Graham

Surprised you don't know about the VB-6 Konig Monster. It first appeared back in 1999 in the Plastation Macross VF-X2 game, so it's not new. Yamato also released a transforming toy of it a few years ago. Graham

It was just a spur of the moment thing for Sheryl. She didn't think to ask Alto if he had any paper on him, she just grabbed the first thing she saw that she could write on. Or maybe she's just a kinky that way and likes writting on giant panties! ;D Graham

One thing I've always liked about Kawamori and Big West is that they are not afraid to take the Macross franchise in new directions, rather than churning out endless rehashes, ala Gundam. With each new Macross animation, Kawamori and Big West have always tried to push Macross in new directions, rather than re-treading the same ground, while still keeping the core elements of Variable Fighters, a love triangle and singing. We can probably all agree that SDFM, Plus, 7 and Zero are all very different from each other, while still retaining the core elements mentioned above. However, this approach of trying something very different from what has gone before has enjoyed varying degrees of commercial and critical success. I think it's safe to say that what is familiar or tried-and-tested often offers a greater chance of commercial success than going off in a wildly new and different direction. Witness Gundam, which despite re-hashing nearly every element in every show (rinse and repeat ), still enjoys huge commercial success. I wouldn't call Macross Frontier a re-hash, it's clearly not IMO. However, I think by providing a greater number of familiar elements and homages than in previous shows, they are perhaps trying to tap into that elusive quality that made Macross such a hit back in the 80', with SDFM & DYRL. And in my opinion, they are succeeding beyond my wildest expectations so far. I love it. Best thing I've seen in years, whether it be anime or live action. Graham

Actually, for background animation, I'd say Frontier is even superior to Zero. Graham

Again, just my personal opinion here, but I find the animation in Frontier, both cell and CG do be far supperior to Gundam 00 by several orders of magnitude. And don't even get me started on that steaming pile of crap that is Votoms The Pailsen Files (and this coming from a hardcore Votoms fan). So disappointing. Since starting watching Frontier, every other anime I've tried to watch looks bad in comparison. I'm in 7th heaven with this show and loving every aspect of it. Graham

Bah, most of us are praising the animation in ep 5 as being the best and most consistent yet. Graham

I’d love to know the exact limitations of fold technology in the Macross universe, for large ships, i.e. maximum length of fold and also recharge time between folds. We know from Macross Plus that the prototype external Fold Booster was certified for a 1-way fold of up to 20 light years. Graham

I think there are more planets than that. In the Macross M3 Dreamcast game, which is considered canon, missions are conducted on the following planets: Neo York, New Nile, Cristrania, New Asia, Susia, Dahan, Bellfan. Now I'm not saying that all these are necessarily colony planets, but there was at least some sort of UN presence on the planets. Also, in the Playstation game, Macross Digital Mision VF-X, the MIlky Dolls Group are kidnapped and taken to an unnamed abandoned colony planet. Graham

As we are back to talking Gundam again, here's my take. Hated: Original MSG, Z, ZZ, Turn A, G, X, Wing, SEED, Destiny, & 00. Liked: V & 0083 Stardust Memory (despite the whiney, overly angsty leads in 0083). Loved 08th MST, 0080 War in the Pocket & CCA. Graham

I've been using BitTornado, but I'm wondering if there is any better software that anybody can recommend? Graham

You guys have way too much free time. Graham

But why is Klan kissing Alto's VF-25F battroid in that sketch? The picture would make more sense is she was kissing Mikhael's VF-25G battroid (completely different head type). Graham

Damn, zero peers and zero seeds for the Shinsen ep 4. I'm never gonna get it at this rate Graham