Vifam7

nevermind

I'd like to add that I would prefer the complaints to be separated from one's love or hatred of a particular company. I hate it when it read something like: "Oh look, crappy design by Company A, as usual they are the suck, I hate them. Company B rulz" or "Oh another QC problem by Company A, as usual they are the suck, I hate them. Company B rulz" I also don't like it too much when I see products unfairly and overly pre-judged on prototypes (see GNU-do, new 1/60 VF-1, DX VF-25)

Already been done. It was called LADY BATTLE COP. 1991 Japanese movie. It sucked. ADV released it on VHS long long ago.

1/144 scale resin kit made by Labpsychdelico. Same as this one at YahooJp auctions.

At the Shizuoka Hobby Show - 1/144 scale Star Wars pre-built/pre-painted collectibles by F-toys Confect (the same company that released the 1/144 Chara-Works Macross Collection Vol.1 & 2). The placard seems to suggest that these collectibles are be based on a sculpt by Fine Molds.

You might be right about the illusion. But I'm more inclined to think that it's not the reshaped intakes that give the short stubbiness look but rather the reshaped canopy. The canopy looks a bit bigger this time around with a more pronounced bubble. Looks a bit like the DYRL lineart look than the TV lineart look.

I don't know... shouldn't vents be like vents? Naturally open instead of having a painted-in look? A mesh-screen effect shouldn't be too difficult to do out of scratch.

I don't know if this is the right place for this - Takara Tomy working on 1/144 scale JASDF Aggressor Eagles for their new "GiMix" line. http://www.geocities.jp/hobby_show_album/j...ka2008/0468.htm http://www.geocities.jp/hobby_show_album/j...ka2008/0467.htm These are based probably on the Eagles that were part of Takara Tomy's "Midnight Eagle" collection. Takara Tomy's sculpt, paint, and detail on the Midnight Eagle collection F-15J/DJs were absolutely superb btw.

Shizuoka Hobby Show pic: a Super HCM Pro NT-1 Alex Gundam in the works! Original full size pic here: http://www.geocities.jp/hobby_show_album/j...ka2008/0195.htm

It's also possible that these MacrossF VF-25 kits will be similar to Bandai's "Ex" line kits except at a lower price point. (Snap-fit but molded in single color - probably white or gray). What's the general opinion on Bandai's Yukikaze kits? I do however think that if the kits are MG style, it may help drive up sales of kits. Which wouldn't be so bad as larger sales may mean more additional merchandising and even perhaps more funding from Bandai for future Macross works (anime-wise and toy-wise).

Well said. Talk about some people jumping the gun!

A better link to the L-Gaim at Shizuoka: http://ga.sbcr.jp/mreport/009894/

I know what you mean. I'm also not a fan of the G-Armor stuff. Exact reason why I wrote earlier that the Metal Fix is bit too expensive. I'm also not a big fan of the Katoki-fied RX-78. I like some of Katoki's works but his "Ver. Ka." rendition of the classic RX-78 is blah (IMHO). If it was a MG Gundam ver2 combined with a Core Booster kit, I'd be all over it. Where's my HGUC, MG, or PG Core Booster kit!

Perhaps they're just paying another homage to the original series?

I like it. So far. Pros: -The characters of likeable. (a HUGE improvement over the past few SK works) -The homages to the original series. -No annoying angst-ridden depressed brats. -The VF-25 Cons: -The on again off again animation quality. Particularly the chara designs. Another nod to the original series? -The overuse of computer generated crap. Some of the scenes are too dark or too fast to see and appreciate what's happening. Fears: -That it'll get overly convoluted trying to mish-mash elements from M0 and M7. -SK steadily infusing another social-enviromental "message".

It's an awesome toy. The entire internal frame is made of diecast! This really helps the toy stand straight on it's legs and not flop backwards despite having the top and bottom wings mounted in the back.

The mech is from the anime Metal Armor Dragonar. Wiki has a nice description. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Armor_Dragonar This particular toy I purchased is a bit unique though. It's the lead mech from the show BUT only from that of the opening animation. You see, the Dragonar-1 mech design in the OP is designed differently from the one actually used in the show. Japanese affectionately call the mech "Barignar" because the OP animation for the series was done by Masami Obari (director of Toshinden, Gravion, Dangaizer-3 anime). Watch the OP at Youtube: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=p_hRanwD-yw Note* Masami Obari also did the OP for Macross II. In anycase, I love the OP to Dragonar and I figure this is the only time we'll ever see a toy of this particular mech. I absolutely love the gull-wings on this mech. Looking at the mech, you can see that a recent Gundam design seems to have been inspired by the Dragonar. Which is funny because Dragonar itself was labeled as a Gundam lookalike back when.

I recently acquired my first SoC toy. A SoC Tamashii SPEC XD-01 Dragonar-1 from Opening Animation. I got it for the rather decent price of $52 (not including shipping). Sometimes Bandai gets it totally right. This is one of those times.

I've heard a lot of good things about the Metal Composite GFF RX-78. But I think it's bit too expensive. For less than half that price I'd rather get a MG kit and just snap it together w/o paint. It'll look just as good.

It's $118 at Toy Wave (not including shipping from HK). I think the weak American dollar is more of the issue than HLJ's pricing.

Great way to support Kawamori-san.

There's nothing to suggest that HLJ gets big discounts from Yamato. But I'd like to know where you see it sold for $100.

I don't recognize the RX-78 Gundam in this pic. What kit or toy is this one? MasterGrade One Year War vers?

Exact same mold... but will it also mean "exact same quality"? If it's Bandai's product simply being repackaged, we're safe. But if it's the 1/55 mould/design being manufactured at Toynami MPC standard/tolerances.....

I have to agree with Shin Densetsu and misterryno above. IMHO, for your first Valkyrie toy, the Takatoku/Bandai 1/55 is the one to get. Especially if you intend to play with your Valkyrie toy. Considering your budget, the Takatoku/Bandai 1/55 is perfect. For $100 you could get an 1/55 with fast packs (the extra booster/armor option parts) included. A 1/48 Yamato will cost you double if you want the fast packs. If you're considering the upcoming 1/60 Yamato (which costs around $110-$120), you might want to wait for reviews to pour in before you spend your money. First editions of Yamato toys sometimes have niggling issues that you might not want to deal with.