Mr March

I have. As I said, they posted them on slashfilm yesterday. Yesterday it wasn't known whether these were legit or not, but a few sites are saying today that they are official. Not sure who is right. Either way, both costumes are about as good as can be expected, given the incredibly cheesy originals.

Seen these (and the Captain America suit) on slashfilm. AFAIK, they are still not confirmed as official. Regarding the thunder god, Thor was always going to be a hard sell. He's one of the more outrageous super heroes in both character design and in concept. If these pictures are legit, I think they did as good a job as they could trying to mute the costume and make the character design less flamboyant than the comic. A tall order. Even then, this costume concept comes across as very "hair metal", which isn't necessary bad as much as superficially more difficult to take seriously.

A CF Battroid of the VF-25 Messiah appeared in Macross Frontier, episode 20

I suggest HMV Japan. They have an optional English format on their site, their prices are comparable and their merchandise is packaged properly for overseas shipping. I've ordered from HMV Japan many times and never had a bad experience. HMV Japan Hope that helps.

However derivative it may be, at least this mechanical design was an attempt by Yune to create something original. In the annals of HG's plagiarific history, an "attempt" at original material is at least a notable baby step that for once could have lead in the right direction.

Agreed, but remember they could do so much worse

Latest from Slashfilm.com: Peter Jackson would direct "Hobbit" if able

Glad you're all enjoying the site. If you have any other questions/concerns, don't be shy. Thanks once again for visiting.

I've already been through this thread and I understand the concerns. My main criticisms are the loss of dramatic styling in the attempt to sculpt a Revoltech VF-1 transformable and the loss of form and function that is a core concept of the Revoltech figures. I've long championed the design of the Revoltechs because of the anime-esque styling and the line-art-like proportions of the figures. That styling beautifully supplements the incredible articulation of the Revoltech joints, resulting in an unbeatable combination that looks amazing when the figures are frozen in action. Heck, the mono-mode VF-1 looks dramatic even when it isn't posed, simply by virtue of it's stylized sculpt. By contrast the Revoltech VF-1 transformable has lost nearly all the styling possessed by the mono-mode VF-1 figure. Take that dramatic styling away and the result is a an old school figure, such as that uninspiring GN-U line released by Yamato. That's definitely not what I want when deciding to choose Revoltech. Which brings me to my second criticism, that being the fundamental form and function of a Revoltech. Honestly, what is the point of a high-articulation GERWALK or Fighter? There is none. Both those modes are largely static and already very limited in the variety of poses worth having in a figure. The reason for articulation only comes into play in Battroid. Hence, why bother purchasing a transformable figure if the impetus for buying a Revoltech is to have a high-articulation robot? This new VF-1 transformable is not a product that utilizes the many strengths of the Revoltech line. It sacrifices too much of that which makes a Revoltech figure what it is, IMO.

That might be the wisest policy.

As far as I know Inception has escaped the after-thought 3D conversion process...thank gawd

That's rather disappointing. It doesn't makes sense that those would be guns, especially since they've never been listed in any official specs and none of the other VF-19 variants follow suit (though I suppose a "prototype" argument could be made). If they wanted Mauler guns in Battroid mode, why wouldn't the wing root/hip guns be used for that purpose? The wing root/hip guns are basically in the same mid-center body location anyway and it makes more sense for those guns to be usable in Battroid mode.

Missed this one. Been a very staunch supporter of the Revoltech line, but I gotta say they dropped the ball on this one. This VF-1 transformable looks poor and ironically doesn't play upon any of the stylized strengths of a non-transformable Revoltech. In fact, this transformable has lost so much style it could almost be mistaken as a non-Kaiyodo figure. They should stick to the formula that's given the Revoltech line its incredible success so far and drop the idea of transformables unless they can build a sculpt that doesn't look like pants.

Easily one of the most anticipated films this year. Very much looking forward to this one. I like the concept, the casting, the director, the writer and the look. To me, the word "inception" has a (not surprising) Blade Runner flavor. Replicant "Incept Dates" and what not. Both films being sci-fi and both dealing with very existential themes, the commonality hit me right away

Sounds like the shipping elements of Macross Frontier gone to excess. I have doubt of any material in there that I'd find interesting, at least based upon the synopsis written on ANN. I'll probably pass.

frothymug The other pictures of the RVF-25 don't offer any insight for that point. But it stands to reason the ventral radar fin simply folds back to permit landing. The Hasegawa model schematics support this theory, for what that is worth. I've attached a picture below. Also it's important to note that I avoid posting exhaustive pictures of the Macross Frontier mecha precisely because the show is new and Big West should be allowed to make as much money off their productions and merchandising as the market allows (to ensure more Macross in the future). Part of that is to limit online pictures to those that Big West themselves have already released into public domain. If they post a picture of the VF-25 Battroid on their website or in a magazine, there seems little problem with a fansite doing likewise. But posting ALL the RVF-25 images from the Macross Chronicle defeats part of the reason to buy those books and hence that becomes problematic. The M3 is mostly an archive anyway, something you look back upon in retrospect. Once productions end, merchandising has slowed and Frontier has left popular consciousness (which will happen eventually in a few years), more images can be posted so that new generations of fans can appreciate the artwork and become the artists of the future that build upon the successful ideas of the past. VF5SS In that case, I'll add the diagram.

Which is why you should take my advice and just watch Gundam 0080. It's a nicely animated, short, 6-episode side-story that anyone can enjoy without knowing anything about Gundam and without being daunted by the enormity of exposition from the franchise. You posted because you wanted some distillation of all the numerous options and because you wanted some sound advice, so why not take mine. Gundam 0080 is the least amount of time and effort you can spend on any Gundam show without the need for back story. "Do it. Do it now! Kill me! Come on, I'm here! Kill me! Get to da choppa!"

Watch Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket. Just because I say so

Perhaps, but I'd prefer not to add it. The More Mecha section is just supposed to be simple, sample profiles for the most part. There are already more than enough Gundam websites and I don't want to get into duplicating most of whats already out there.

No plans. The "More Mecha" section is just a sampler page that mainly celebrates good anime mechanical design. I may add more profiles in the future, but the section is not going to grow to any great size. The one priority I have for "More Mecha" is to somehow obtain high resolution scans of black and white artwork from other anime properties like Akira or Neon Genesis Evangelion.

I'm unaware of the existence of any dead center Battroid schematics for the VF-1 Valkyrie. I've never seen them in any Macross book I own or in any online picture. Best one could do is build a Battroid by arranging the various pieces of the VF-1 Fighter mode schematics drawn by Kawamori (or use the schematics from the TIAS Macross Plus book). AFAIK, the closest a VF-1 Battroid toy has ever come to proportions appearing like the actual "animation" itself is the Revoltech, but that toy suffers from its highly visible joint system. Following that, the Hasegawa Battroid model is the best "compromise" proportions of the VF-1 (and IMO, looks the best the VF-1 Battroid has EVER looked in a physical product). There is a small size chart that shows a rough version of the VF-1 Battroid, but the proportions appear a little bizarre. I'll attach the picture below. Hope it helps.

May 26, 2010 Major Update - The Zentradi Invasion! Today a Zentradi-themed update to the Macross Mecha Manual is complete and features 27 new profiles. The focus of this latest update is new Zentradi artwork as well as new Macross Chronicle trivia and numerous other corrections/revisions. A concerted effort was made in this update to improve the VF-25 Messiah profiles in the Macross Frontier section. The inclusion of revised color art, additional black and white line art, color code transformation guides and fighter schematics should elevate the VF-25 Messiah profiles to a level that equals the comprehensive format of the other hero Valkyries featured on the Macross Mecha Manual. As the many temporary Zentradi-themed banners and buttons would indicate, this update also features a major overhaul of many Zentradi vehicles and mecha. The special theme will draw attention to the newly colored Zentradi mecha and hopefully the improved art helps maintain the uniqueness of the Macross Mecha Manual. The many Zentradi-style graphics on the website will be featured for only a short while after which the Macross Mecha Manual will revert to its traditional appearance. Enjoy! SDF Macross Section VF-1J Super Valkyrie GERWALK "Max" VF-1J Super Valkyrie GERWALK "Milia" Macross Zero Section VF-0A Phoenix "Shin" Macross Plus Section VF-17D Nightmare Macross Frontier Section VF-25F APS-25A/MF25 Armored Messiah VF-25F Super Messiah Fold Booster Macross Game & Advanced Valkyrie Section Queadluun-Nona Macross II Section GERWALKroid Mardook Grave Battleship Mardook Shuttle VA-1SS Metal Siren VA-1SS Metal Siren Replica More Mecha Section AV-98 Ingram Reactive Armor LED Mirage (Mirage B Type) Knight of Gold (Mirage D Type) RX-78NT-1 Gundam G-4 "Alex" RX-78NT-1 Gundam G-4 "Alex" (Hajime Katoki Version) MS-06FZ Zaku II Kai MS-18E Kämpfer MSN-04 Sazabi MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam RX-78GP02A Gundam "Physalis" RX-93 ν Gundam For Fans Only Section Knight of Silver (Mirage D Type) The Dark Knight (Mirage D Type) RX-78NT-1 Gundam G-4 "Alex" (Alfred Izuruha Type) RX-78NT-1 Gundam G-4 "Alex" (Amuro Type) RX-78NT-1 Gundam G-4 "Alex" (Titan Colors) Macross Chronicle Information ALL VF-0 profiles SV-51 SV-51 Booster Nousjadeul-Ger Gnerl Re-Entry Pod Salvage Ship RC-4E Rabbit Nousjadeul-Ger (Film Version) VF-4 Lightning III Megaroad-01 Class VA-3 Invader ALL VF-11 profiles site-wide YF-19 YF-21 SB-10/10 Starwing X-9 Ghost Zentradi "Enemy" Battle Suit VA-3C Invader VA-3C Invader Custom VA-3M Invader VF-9 Cutlass VF-14 Vampire (Macross 7 P*L*U*S Version) VF-19A Excalibur Neo Nupetiet-Vergnitzs bis Class Stealth Fleet Command Battleship VF-19F Excalibur VF-19S Excalibur VF-19S Super Excalibur VF-19 Excalibur Custom VF-19 Excalibur Custom "Sound Booster" VF-19P Excalibur Fz-109A Elgerzorene Fz-109F Elgerzorene RVF-171 Nightmare Plus VF-171 Nightmare Plus VF-171EX Nightmare Plus VF-171EX Super Nightmare Plus Island Cluster Class Colonization Ship (Macross 25/Macross Frontier) Macross Class SDFN-4 Global VF-27 Lucifer Neo-Glaug Variable Glaug Variable Glaug UN VF-14 Vampire (Macross M3 Version) Additions/Corrections Complete Revision of the "Icons of Mecha" profiles, now moved to a dedicated page titled More Mecha. All profiles have been revised, the Patlabor, Nausicaä and Cowboy Bebop colored art have all been improved and new profiles have been added for The Five Star Stories and Mobile Suit Gundam. Revised all text-based pages (Updates, FAQ, Books, etc) with new HTML tables that format all paragraphs to no more than 1,000 pixels in width. While this new code does increase vertical scrolling it should make reading the website much easier, especially for those users operating with the new high definition standard (1,920 x 1,200) wide screen monitors. Added 1 new Macrosspedia entries (Model Numbers) Added new banner for Master List of Macross Mecha section Added new banner for More Mecha section Added the article VF-19 Excalibur Engines in the Macross Chronicle to the Analysis subsection of the For Fans Only section Moved the VF-17T Nightmare profile to the Macross Plus section owing to new details revealed about its debut (thanks to Sean L. for the trivia and screenshot) Revised ALL Index Pages site wide Revised ALL custom schematic pictures by Talos in the For Fans Only section Revised the Macrosspedia Page Revised the Color Code Transformation Guides Page Revised the Zentradi and Mecha Size Comparison Chart Revised the Size Comparison Chart Macross Battroids Revised the Size Comparison Chart Macross Fighters Revised the SDF Macross Banner Revised the Macross Frontier Banner Revised the Macross Game & Advanced Valkyrie Banner Revised ADR-03-Mk III Destroid Cheyenne (color) Revised VF-0A Phoenix line art (color) Revised VF-0A Phoenix Angel line art (color) Revised QF-2001 Ghost line art (color) Revised MBR-07 Destroid Spartan Mk II (color and schematics) Revised ALL VF-1 profiles (deleted internal line art and properly placed one internal picture in VF-1S Super Valkyrie profile) Revised VF-1A Max (colored Max in disguise) Revised VF-1D "Virgin Road" Valkyrie (profile note) Revised VF-X line art (color and line art) Revised VF-X-4 line art (color and line art) Revised Macross Class SDF-1 (line art) Revised F203 Dragon II line art (color) Revised Glaug (color, schematic 3-view) Revised Glaug Power Up (color and line art) Revised Nousjadeul-Ger (color and schematics) Revised Queadluun-Rau (color) Revised Reguld (color) Revised Gnerl (color) Revised Re-Entry Pod (color) Revised Salvage Ship (color) Revised Nousjadeul-Ger (Film Version, color) Revised Reguld (Film Version, color) Revised RC-4E Rabbit (line art) Revised Queadluun-Rau (Film Version, color) Revised Golg Gant Charts (color) Revised Light Transport Boat (color) Revised Zentradi Shuttle (Film Version, color) Revsied VF-11B Super Thunderbolt (color) Revised VF-5000B Star Mirage (line art) Revised YF-19 Prototype No. 1 (all colors) Revised YF-21 Prototype No. 1 (all colors) Revised Zentradi "Enemy" Battle Suit (color) Revised ALL VF-11C Super/Aerospace/Armored Thunderbolt profiles (color) Revised ALL VF-19 Excalibur profiles (color and line art) Revised ALL VF-5000 G and T-G Star Mirage profiles (color) Revised Fz-109A Elgerzorene (gun pod color and line art) Revised Fz-109F Elgerzorene (fighter line art) Revised Queadluun-Rau Chlore and Chlore Fleet (color) Revised VT-1C Commercial Valkyrie "Holly" (color) Revised Queadluun-Rhea (all colors and rear view) Revised RVF-25 Messiah line art (All colors) Revised RVF-25 Super Messiah line art (All colors) Revised VF-25G Messiah line art (All colors) Revised VF-25G Super Messiah line art (All colors) Revised VF-25S Super Messiah line art (Battroid color and fighter rear line art) Revised VB-6 König Monster (SMS Type, shuttle color) Revised Macross Quarter (Warship Mode) Revised VF-27 Lucifer Green (All colors) Revised AIF-9V Ghost Fighter (color) Revised VF-2SS Valkyrie II (schematic line art) Revised Gloria (color and line art) Revised Variable Fighter/Powered Armor (line art) Revised Zentradi Powered Suit (color) Line Art Added to VF-1D Virgin Road Valkyrie (schematic) Line Art Added to VF-1J GBP-1S Armored Valkyrie (schematics) Line Art Added to ARMD Class Carrier (color and line art) Line Art Added to ADR-04 Destroid Defender Mk X (schematics) Line Art Added to SDR-04 Destroid Phalanx Mk XII (Blue Variant and Screen Capture, submitted by Richard Pollard) Line Art Added to Reguld (3-view) Line Art Added to SC-27 Star Goose (another white color and new dark color) Line Art Added to VC-33 Mom's Kitchen (color) Line Art Added to VC-27 Tunny (color) Line Art Added to VF-1S Super Valkyrie (complete internals line art) Line Art Added to VF-1A Super Valkyrie (complete internals line art) Line Art Added to VF-1S Strike Valkyrie (complete internals line art) Line Art Added to Destroid Cheyenne Line Art Added to Destroid Monster Mk I (Color and line art) Line Art Added to VF-0D Phoenix (schematic) Line Art Added to VF-0D Phoenix Shin (revised fighter and added schematic) Line Art Added to VF-4 Lightning III (line art) Line Art Added to VF-0A Phoenix Angel (color armed version and micro-missiles) Line Art Added to VF-0A Phoenix (battroid rear view, fighter, GERWALK views and head unit) Line Art Added to VF-0D Phoenix (battroid rear view, fighter and GERWALK views) Line Art Added to VF-0S Phoenix (head unit) Line Art Added to VF-0A Phoenix (Color Code Transformation Guide) Line Art Added to VF-5000B Star Mirage (in Macross Plus and G&A sections, ALL colors) Line Art Added to Northampton Class Stealth Frigate (bridge) Line Art Added to VF-17D Nightmare (cockpit open in Battroid mode) Line Art Added to Macross 7 Transport Craft (Battroid Carrier type) Line Art Added to Bishop Class Vajra Mothership Line Art Added to RVF-25 Messiah line art (line art) Line Art Added to RVF-25 Super Messiah (line art) Line Art Added to VF-25F Messiah (schematics, Color Code Transformation Guide and line art) Line Art Added to VF-25F Super Messiah (line art) Line Art Added to VF-25G Super Messiah (line art) Line Art Added to VF-25S Messiah (schematics and Color Code Transformation Guide) Line Art Added to VF-25S Super Messiah (line art) Line Art Added to QF-4000 (AIF-7S) Ghost Fighter (SMS Type and NUNS Type, line art) Line Art Added to VF-171 Nightmare Plus (line art) Line Art Added to YF-24 Evolution (dorsal schematic) Line Art Added to Destroid Defender EX (line art) Line Art Added to Destroid Giant Monster (line art) Line Art Added to Destroid Phalanx Custom (line art) Line Art Added to Destroid Tomahawk II (line art) Line Art Added to VF-2SS Valkyrie II (head unit) Enjoy

Must be an echo in here... Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Update coming soon, so make sure to visit.

I'm thankful we have many younger fans around to point out the flaws of older anime, even my beloved SDF Macross. They're a nice balance against older fans stuck in 1985, lamenting "back in the day" BS without any relevant perspective on modern entertainment