Graham

Loved the first Highlander movie, quite enjoyed the TV series and like most people I pretend the other Higlander movies never existed. But I did not know that there has already been an animated series? Anyway, as the new anime is being done by Studio Mad House, it could possibly end up being very good. Wonder who the director is going to be? Graham

I must be in the minority, but I actually like the color scheme of Nora's SV-51. It's so different from the normal paint jobs we see in Macross. Graham

Perhaps the D.D. Ivanov SV-51 will come with the large FAE bomb seen at the end of episode # 4? Graham

Well, the 2004 Tokyo Game Show (Japan's biggest annual game show) is only a couple of weeks away. It runs from September 24th to 26th. Will any of Macrossworld's Japan-based members be attending to give us a report? I'm hoping that a new Macross game for the PS2 will be announced at the show. I've been searching various Japanese gaming sites, including SEGA's site, Bandai Games site and the Tokyo Game Show Site, but so far there is no mention anywhere of a new Macross Game . SEGA's website even has a list of what games they will be displaying at the show and no Macross game is mentioned . It's been nearly a year since the first PS2 Macross game as released, so it's about time we got a new game. Graham

Sakuragawa-san of IHP may have made a kick-ass variable (w/parts swapping) conversion of the Hasegawa YF-19, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it would be a suitable design for a mass production toy. When you take what is essentially a hand-made custom model kit and try to translate it into a toy design a lot of things have to be changed. Joints have to be strengthened, the ABS plastic used on toys is much thicker then the styrene/resin of the model kit, which means less internal space. Lots of screws have to be added. Sometimes, the intricate handcrafted resin parts of the custom kit cannot be copied for a toy due to the tooling limitations of Chinese factories. Graham

Yeah, back in the 1990's somebody did make an ultra detailed large scale ATM-09 resin kit that was featured in several issues of Hobby Japan. I forget the scale, I think it was either 1/12 or 1/6. Graham

I don't collect mecha toys besides Macross anymore, so I can't really comment. When I was still collecting those lesser 'other' toys, I'd have to say the Miracle House Shin Getter 1 and Bandai SOC Combattler V were probably my favorite non-Macross toys. Never owned a Takatoku Orguss, but would like to. Graham

Nope, nothing in the Japanese hobby mags yet. Graham

I'm personally not interested in Yamato re-releasing the original YF-19 but with the additon of FPs. While it looks OK in Battroid mode it really, really sucks bad (IMO) in fighter mode. But on the other hand, if Kawaori has rejected IHP's first resculpt attempt and asked for it to be completely redone, I'm wondering will Yamto think that it is economically sensible to continue throwing money at this project. Maybe they will just give up and write it off as a bad loss. Graham

Doesn't matter, my PS2 is modded to play original US games, UK games, Japanese games as well as bootleg games. Basically if it's for a PS2 I can play it There's quite a few shops here in HK that specialize in import US and UK magazines, so I should (cross fingers, touch wood) have no trouble finding that issue. Graham

Differences seem to be: - Completely new nose. Uses the canopy from a YF-19. No thrust vectoring padddles. New hardpoints under the wings. The YF-21/VF-22's 4 x dorsal micro-missile launchers have been deleted. Two additional tail surfaces (from an F/A-22?) added. Graham

Need to see a pic, but it sounds like it could be the legit one. IIRC, there were 3 colors released, black, red and tan, each with a slightly different picture. I have the black and tan ones. Graham

Seems to me that compared to the 1980s or 1990s there are fewer and fewer anime artbooks being published these days, unless your name is 'Gundam SEED', which has like 30 gazillion artbooks out already . The lesser known TV series or OVAs don't seem to be getting no artbook love anymore. Gone are the happy days of the TIAS books, B-Club Entertainment Bibles and 100% New Type Collections Graham

Just wondering is the Battlestar Galactica PS2 game worth buying? I've read a few reviews that say it's quite difficult and the frustration level is high. I saw it selling on amazon for around US$20, so I'm thinking of getting it, as I like flying games like the Ace Combat series and I like Galactica. However, I hate games with a high frustartioon factor as they raise my blood pressure, cause me to fly into a rage and hurl my gamepad at the wall . Comments/opinions please. Graham

Wow, definitely have to see if I can track that down that issue. Graham

Still not sure that I buy the theory that the Galactica is supposed to looked ribbed. The fact that there is hull plating at seeming random areas covering the ribs leads me to think that some of the plating has been removed for the decomissioning process. And if the ribs are supposed to absorb more damage, then surely having armor plating over the ribs would add even more protection. Graham

Wow, just saw the Summer 2004 Wonder Festival report on the Japanese IT Media site and it looks like there are going to be some Battlestar Galactica original series trading figures made. See: - Viper Cylon Raider Battlestar Basestar Cylon Not sure whose making these, I would guess either Konami or Takara? No idea of price or release date either. Graham

Oh wow you guys are correct, it does look like Chirico has man-boobs. Hey Chirico, better lay off those estrogen injections! As for the Scopedog it looks great, but I think I'm going to hold off on the basic ATM-09 model and wait for the inevitable Red Shoulder Custom wth all the extra weapons, or perhaps if we are really lucky Yamato will release a Scope Dog Turbo Custom! Picture from the Japanese hobby mags show that this toy will have removeable armor panels on the legs, arms and body to show the detail underneath, just like Bandai PG models. For those of you complaining about lack of articulation, well given the limitations of Okawara's basic design, there is only so much articulation that you can add anyway. Graham

Yeah, we've already got a Destiny thread running here, so let's keep all Destiny related stuff to one thread please. Graham

Both the VF-0 and SV-51 have active (not passive) stealth capabilities. Graham

No news yet of any art book. Hopefully one will be announced after episode # 5 has been released. Graham

I heard it was 10 Graham

Gobots were a competing toy line and I think a short-lived cartoon also. The toys were basically similar to Transformers but with even less articulation. Graham

So when's the red one supposed to be released then? It'll be interesting to see if they make any improvements and also if any toy stores are still willing to carry it. Graham

Yeah, I remember the noise the Vipers made launching was very loud and really impressed me when I saw the theatrical release of the first Battlestar Galactica movie back in UK in 1978. Graham