Graham

Here's some clearer pics of the stand.

4th pic. Graham

3rd pic Graham

2nd pic. Graham

Heh.......my modem died, so I've been offline for the past three days. Anyway, thought I'd start a fresh topic to clarify some points about the Yamato 1/100 scale VF-0S, as the other topic is already 7 pages long and my post would probably just get lost. So, yes the pictures of the Yamato 1/100 VF-0S in the March issues of Dengeki Hobby and Hobby Japan magazine are what the previous countdown was about. Anyway, based on recent converstations with Yamato, here's what I'm allowed to tell you about this toy: - Yamato is aiming to make a toy which will retail at a low price point. While the exact price point has not been decided yet, it should be significantly cheaper than Yamato's other Macross toys. However, despite the lower cost, the toy should still be highly detailed and well articulated. The lower cost should please fans who like to buy multiples. The toy will be constructed mostly of hard PVC with some ABS parts. There will be no diecast parts. I've been assured by Yamato that even though a large part of the toy will be PVC, it will be higher quality than other PVC toys, like for example the Banpresto Valks or the Bandai Gundam MSiA figures. The toy does not feature perfect transformation. The toy comes with two different swapable noses, one for battroid mode and one for fighter mode. This allows the toy to have a nose which is in-proportion for both modes, i.e. a long nose for fighter mode, and a shorter nose for battroid mode. Obviously, the legs have to be removeable to swap between noses. Also, the battroid mode neck piece has to be removed for transformation to Fighter of Gerwalk. The landing gear is also removeable. In regards to size, I've been told that the battroid mode is nearly as tall as Yamato's VF-11B toy. I've seen battroid mode pictures of a more advanced prototype than shown in the hobby magazines and the toy is plenty detailed enough and well articulated. Graham

Euch!! Mylene Beat was absolute pants. You seriously enjoyed it more than Trash?? Well, fine, if that's your opinion, but in my view Beat actually was pure TRASH. Stupid story, crap art, and to top it all off, NONE OF IT MAKES ANY SENSE!! Funny how none of these earth-shattering events with the Evil Series creature and whatnot not only go totally unnoticed in D7 the anime, it just DOESN'T HAPPEN! So? So, there's a serious continuity mess-up, 'cos D7 and Beat CANNOT both be canon, even though they are supposed to be. I actually loved the art in Mylene Beat. I thought the Valks and spaceships where very nicely drawn, especially the VF-22. Mylene looked great as well. Plus there was lots of Mylene fan service sorry, I'm a sucker for anything Mylene. I agree that Beat screwed with continuity and didn't make much sense, but I still liked it much more than Trash. Trash should have featured a warning on the cover "warning - little to no Valkyries" , so I would have known not to waste money buying it. Even if Trash does eventually get an English language release, I doubt I'll bother buying it. Anyway, getting back on topic, I believe if well written and illustrated, a Macross manga could work. Of course, the music element would not be covered, but a good artist could handle mecha transformation sequences and mecha combat. Graham

I agree with most people that the most popular VF is probably the VF-1S. However that is not my personal favorite VF (see my avatar for a clue). As for which is the best VF? Well, that is where IMO this poll needs to be worded more clearly. The best at what? the best looking? Has the best combat ability? Has the best nosecone ? Graham

A Glaug would be my first choice, followed closely by a Nousjadeul-Ger (DYRL ver), not the fugly TV version. Graham

I'd be interested in a Macross manga, but only if it featured a military themed story and primarily military characters and had lots of nicely drawn Valks and Valk action scenes. Oh and fan service as well Can't have manga without panty shots and shower scenes Personally, I had little interest in the hover boot(?) wearing main character of Macross 7 Trash and the lack of Valks and Valk combat was the final nail in the coffin as far as Trash was concened. I mean I like Mikimoto's art just as much as the next Macross fan, but sorry in my book Macross without Valks is just not Macross and I found Trash to be sooooooo booring. Graham

The SDF manga (cell comics actually) are 7 volumes in total. All you need to do is visit the Macross world book section to get the info. See here. Remember, there is more to Macrossworld than just the forums. Graham

Gotta say I love the CG in Macross Zero. I've long been an advocate of CG Valk dogfights after being sold on the concept by the opening movies of VF-X2 (Playstation), Macross Since 1983 (PC) and Macross Another Story (PC), as well as a few other CG Valk movies (both official and fan made) who's source I forget. I actually don't like it when they mix in the odd bit of cell animation for the Valks in Zero, it looks really out of place IMO. I'm not saying every Macross series should have CG Valks, but I think the animators have done an outstanding job with Macross Zero so far and and shown us just how well Valks can perform in combat and also have made the combat look more real than in any previous Macross anime. And personally, I think Macross Zero far outshines Yukikaze in every aspect, animation, dogfights, mecha designs, story, characters, pacing and music. Just my 2 cents. Graham

And not forgetting Mylene Beat as well, which I personally enjoyed much more than Macross 7 Trash, which I found very slow paced and lacking in Valk action. Graham

AFAIK, the 1/48 M&M are only being released with FPs. Of course I could be wrong. Graham

ROFLMAO! Funniest thing I've read all day. But seriously, a house!? What do you need a house for? Why do you think Yamato makes their toy boxes so big? It's so you can live in them! Yeah, that's right, why buy a house when you have Yamato 'house boxes' Graham

Heh, this is another of those topics which seems to get repeated at least 3-4 times each year Anyway, mine used to be the Bandai 1/55 VF-1S Hikaru Strike Valk. But now it is the Yamato 1/48 VF-1S Hikaru with FAST packs. Graham

IIRC, there was a rumor about this a few months ago but as far as I know nothing has been confirmed. I find it unlikely that it would get a US release due to the ongoing licensing dispute. However, I don't really keep up with the US gaming scene, so others here may know more than me. If you don't have the game and want it, I recommend buying the Japanese game as it is perfectly playable even if you don't speak or read a word of Japanese. Graham

I gather that both the 1/60 and 1/48 Max DYRL VF-1A didn't sell too well, which is probably why Yamato is reluctant to make a DYRL VF-1S Max in either scale. I've always found this strange, as for years fans clamoured for a DYRL Max Valk and then when it's finally released, not many people buy them........oh well, go figure! I suppose it's still possible we might see a DYRL VF-1S Max in the future in either 1/60 or 1/48 as the only new expense for Yamato is in the box design. However, the market is pretty much flooded with 1/48s at the moment and 1/60s just doesn't sell now (you can hardly give them away). If we do ever see a VF-1S Max, it probably won't be for a year or two, when the market is not so saturated and demand is higher. As for a VF-1S Hikaru, I agree Yamato should have also released this in 1/60 scale. I suppose they may still release it especially as this year (2004) is the 20th anniversery of DYRL. However, since the 1/48 came out sales of the 1/60 have been dropping and there is little demand for recolored 1/60 toys. I have a feeling that the VF-1J with GBP armor may be the last 1/60 VF-1 toy we see for a long while. Graham

Just because Tatsunoko is working with Harmony Gold on a new Robotech cartoon, doesn't neccessarily mean that it will be aired in Japan as well as in America. Until I hear something different, my best guess is that Harmony Gold has simply commisioned (is paying) Tatsunoko to do the animation for the new show. I doubt the new Robotech cartoon would air in Japan. Graham

I tend to agree with MSW. the PC gaming industry does seem very stale at the moment, with very little in the way of originality. The industry seems only to be able to churn out endless and similar FPS, RPGs, RTS, and MMORPGs. Personally, I'm not interested in the above types games. Tried them and found them boring, which is why I stick exclusively with console games as thankfully there is still some originality and far more variety in console games. Plus I have no interest in spending money to update my PC every 6 months just so I can play the latest 'hit' game. Graham

Outstanding! Excellent job. One of the best (if not the best) 1/60 customs I've seen. Graham

Everyone has different tastes. IMO, there is no such thing as a generic 'must have' product that suits everybody Just buy whatever producs you like. Graham

Unfortunately, the chance of seeing any Macross II toys from Yamato is very small. Graham

Making a VF-4 is something I've been suggesting to Yamato for several years already While it's not on the 'to do' list yet, Yamato are aware that this is a fan favorite, so there is a fair posibility that we may eventually see a VF-4 in a year or two. All I will say is don't hold your breath waiting for it, but don't give up hope either Graham

Chances of 1/48 two seaters are very slim. Graham

During my last meeting with Yamato about 3 weeks ago I suggested that they should release a TV version VF-1S (black head arrows) w/ TV color FAST packs, TV hands and both Focker & Hikaru TV pilots as a set (sora like the VF-1J FP set). They said they would consider it for the future. However, as the market is flooded with 1/48s at the moment, if it does get released, it would be perhaps 1 year later. Graham