Noyhauser
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Posts posted by Noyhauser
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Apologies if this has been posted before, but a friend sent me this link that has commercials of western stars in Japanese adverts.... enjoy.
http://www.japander.com/japander/index.htm
and because I know everbody in MW will immediately go to this star's notorious commercials here's the link:
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Besides how is it possible that SK could somehow manage to tie this so-called redesigned VF-1 with the VF-0? Even I'm confused about that? You can tell me your explanation on this.
Just LOOK at the VF-0 some time. The designs are so close it's impossible to NOT notice that it's a re-envisioning of the VF-1.
Here, I'll save you the trouble...
See? The VF-0 is an anorexic VF-1!
In continuity, it was designed so close to the VF-1 that they would've HAD to make extensive use of the VF-1 design, given that it was humanity's first variable fighter and the VF-0 was manufactured before the VF-1 entered mass-production.
Also remember this: the VF-0 is essentially a fighter that can temporarily transform into a battroid. The VF-1 is a fighter that can remain in battroid forever, its a true all environs fighter. I look at the VF-0 being overly aerodynamic because it needs to care about drag. The VF-1 were freed from these constraints, asdesigners had a new revolutionary engine which could give it far more thrust than anything in service on a limitless basis. They didn't have to worry about having a less than perfect aerodynamic design because they had waay more thrust than they had ever before. Their main concern was building a massed produced solid Varible fighter. The VF-0 is still constrained by traditional fighter limitations, and therefore looks more like a fighter.
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Anime magic strikes again!
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and they are only for airbrushing? No love for the paint brush people?
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I'd like to nominate darklord4, amazingly fast shipping, bullet proof box, All around happy VF-17 customer here.
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OK SDF-1 If you and everyone else agrees that VF-1 should remain that way it's all good but I just don't see how any of you guys could like it that way. If you ask me, it sort of prevents a huge jet plane enthusiast like me from taking the design seriously. Sure, not every jet in the world has to look perfect but should still be able to get the job design with it's features. If I were to make real fighter jets, I would want them to lbe perfect in terms of a sleek viscous looking design as well as being extremely versatile just like the valks from M+ up to M2.
First off please stop referring yourself as a "die hard fighter fan." There are plenty of people here who are just as interested, definately more knowledgeable than you.
I don't think it "needs" to be a sleek fighter either. The VF-1 is completely different from modern fighters. In its timeline its the first Thermonuclear powered fighter ever developed, and its a massive thrust increase from previous engine. Its engine can put out 50,000 lbs thrust, which is major increase than what we can put out today (35,000 for the F-22's F119-PW-100). Moreover it doesn't have to worry about fuel economy, something the VF-0 does. Drag doesn't matter for the VF-1.
The other need for sleekness is for stealth. However the VF-1 has an active stealth system, probably one that defeated most modern day detection systems. Therefore sleekness for stealth wasn't really needed either.
Finally, its the first attempt to build a transformable craft. Given this is a new technology, its not a bad start, especially when you consider how small it is. They certainly crammed alot in there, compared to the VF-0 which is quite large in comparison.
Finally I think the fighter looks fairly sleek, and to me, is a realistic start to the Variable fighter series.
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The point is that the movie was saying:
"These kids (and by association: Japan) are being killed by war. How cruel and unjust war is being to these kids (and by association: Japan) who can't help but be in this situation."
The problem is that the association these kids have with japan is lost because its Japans own fault that they were in the war. The film uses the kids to symbolize japan as a whole. Yet Japan is hardly as innocent (as a country) of its plight as those children are.
No one will argue that children starving to death is a situation that the brought on themselves. So its pretty underhanded to use starving children to symbolise a country that arguably started the fight that got it in the situation it was in.
Thats my take on it anyway.
Personally I can't watch most "historical films" because they are horribly inaccurate. I can't help but pull apart Saving Private Ryan for each and every inaccuracy, never mind its plot holes. And that goes for a whole host of other films as well. But with Hotaru no haka, I certainly disagree with the contention that this film ignores history in the ways that you would suggest. The film was adapted from an autobiographical story of Seita (who actually did survive). Its his experiences as a child, who wouldn’t be able to grasp such concepts. If anything it’s a tribute to his sister. The following is part of an interview done by the author of the book:
My sister's death is an exact match with the novel. It was one week after the end of the war. At the countryside of Fukui prefecture where I was, it was the day the restrictions on lighting were removed. It must have been the 22nd. It was evening, and I was picking up my sister's bones. I was coming home in a daze when I saw the village lit up. There was nothing like my surprise then. My sister died in my side of the world, and the light was coming back in the other.Honestly speaking, there was also relief that she died and my burden was gone. No one would wake me up in the night like she did with her crying, and I wouldn't have to wander around with a child on my back any more. I'm very sorry to say this about my sister, but I did have those feelings too. That's why I haven't gone back to my novel (Grave of the Fireflies, published in 1967) to re-read it, since I hate that. It's so hypocritical. It must be absolutely true that Seita must have thought of his sister as a burden too. He must have thought that he could have escaped better if it weren't for her.
There are many things that I just couldn't get myself to write into the story. During composition, the older brother got increasingly transformed into a better human being. I was trying to compensate for everything I couldn't do myself. I always thought I wanted to perform these generous acts in my head, but I couldn't do so. I always thought I wouldn't eat and would give the food to my little sister, but when I actually had the piece of food in my hand, I was hungry after all, so I'd eat it. And there was nothing like the deliciousness of eating in a situation like that. And the pain that followed was just as big. I'd think there is no one more hopeless in the world than me. I didn't put anything about this in the novel.
http://nausicaa.net/miyazaki/grave/interview.html
I get the impression from this quote that the book was never about war and who was right or wrong but about these two children’s personal struggle, and as jelenien so put it "how people suck." ITs not supposed to answer those questions you want to saddle it with.
Moreover the choice of adapting this book begs the question, why would someone adapt it in the first place. We're talking about Isao Takaha and Miyazaki here. I don't think these two individuals are anywhere close to the right wing propagandists or apologists that both you and sundowner are trying to paint them as, or even individuals who are minutely ignorant of history. Miyazaki has always had left leaning tendencies, and I suspect he would be the first to acknowledge Japan's culpability in WW2. Watching both of their films, there is a clear message towards the aversion to war and violence. Look at Nausicaa, or Laputa.
In Nausicaa, the protagonist is all about peace and understanding with nature. You can draw clear lines with Dorok empire and how "bad" empires can be, even when righteous in their retaliation. Cooperation and understanding are key themes, and there isn't a wiff of apologizing for Japan’s atrocities in those films. To call Hotaru some sort of Japanese apologist piece, whether intentional or not, would be a major aberration from the themes these two artists have pounded over and over again.
However, when viewed through the lens of their other films, it is clear that this film does follow their long tradition in pacifism, and the view that certain individuals are the ones that are hurt the most by war. I think the use of Japan in 1945 was not intended as some apologist piece, but as a way for people to identify and understand the core message that they consistently try to get across.
So really, the contention that these directors are ignorant of history, doesn't really hold any water. I think they have been quite perceptive in the past about the causes of war, in ways that very few other artists ever have. Read Miyazaki's Nausicaa manga, and you'll see that.
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Macross purists think that if it ain't Macross it won't work. All I can say is most of us are Macross fans because of Robotech, believe whatever you want when you go to sleep at night, but at least these guys are perpetuating the Macross fan base in future generations.
Although we may not agree with the histroy of Harmony Gold, they did get us our VF fix, accept it, move on, and let the bigwigs fight it out cuz it's all about money in the end, yours, mine, theirs, his.
And what has HG done since then? Rereleasing the original trilogy 100 thousand times, mining that community to death, putting out a forgettable series of comic books, and forever hinting that they are going to release a "sequal" and a bunch of poorly made toys, while restricting the release of quality products associated with the actual line.
Compare that to Macross Zero, 7, Plus, the Hasegawa/Yamato merchandise ect.
Whose got the better track record of supply us with macross goodness, and perpetuating the fan base?
I think the answer is pretty clear.
PS. I watched Macross as a child, not robotech.
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Possibly, but not by design. The large size of the VF-0 is because it uses a conventional fuel powered jet engine, while the VF-1 uses a smaller and more efficient Thermonuclear engine. Being larger doesn't = better. Given that both machines have similar thrust, but the VF-0 weighs 3000KG more and has a larger aerodynamic profile, the VF-1 would run rings around the VF-0, and be more of a threat against the Zents. also the VF-0 has a finite fuel supply, something thats gotta hurt it compared to the VF-1
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If you live anywhere near a Micheal\'s or Walmart, you get those file for about the same price without shipping. The files are known as jeweler\'s files. Also in either of the two stores, you can find pin vises and hobby knife sets.
Just go take a stroll through the stores and look around. You\'ll find lots of great stuff.
To be honest, I'd rather get purpose made ones for modeling for obvious reasons. Also it saves me the time to go to Walmart when I can have it delivered to my door (walmart is a bit of a ways for me in any case, it an afternoon I don't have). Thats actually another reason why I don't like using the airbrush, my modeling "life" usually consists of 30 minutes every two nights or so, and If I spend 20 minutes setting up and dissassembling and cleaning, I'm not really having much fun doing it.
Oh, and I've got a pinvice.
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David, I'm easily convince-able, and I know exactly what you're talking about.
So which one is the question? Are these the ones you're talking about?
http://www.hlj.com/product/TAM74046
http://www.hlj.com/product/HSGTT-2
Entire list of HLJ files.
http://www.hlj.com/hljlist2/?Dis=2&MacroTy...etail&Word=file
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Coby: I've got a small pin vice, and I agree with you, if I didn't have one, I'd need one. A bit of clarification is in order... I've done alot of modeling over the years, and I've got all the basics. I can do everything I needed to, but I was looking for stuff that I didn't have that would make a difference. Seeing WM's buildup I noticed the scribing tool. I use a chipped end of an exacto knife and a bit of sanding to do the same effect, but a scribing tool would be better. the Putty I currently use (the testors stuff) IS crap. Even with thinning it doesn't get into the spaces I want it to, or take the right shape. Mr Surfacer is what I need.
Ido, Coby, WM, your suggestions are great. I've already ordered most of the stuff you've recommended.
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I never saw Grave as so much a condemnation of war so much as simply a condemnation of man's inhumanity. The people that are villified the most are the family and other people who neglected the kids. I think you could easily substitute a natural disaster for the war and the film wouldn't have changed much.
Now if you want something that actually addresses war and morality in an anime, check out Barefoot Gen.
Completely agree with you. That actually sums up my point better than I did in 3 paragraphs.
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I'd agree that what problems I have with Graveyard is something that's actually more widespread, and very little Japanese entertainment or art really "owns up" to Japanese involvement in WWII as instigators. Japanese culture is heavily pacifist, but it's pacifist because war as seen as a generic evil to be avoided at all costs, and I'm guessing that this happens because any other view puts square responsibility and "blame" on the Japanese nation itself. And that view would be hard to bear for a culture in which saving face is so important.I understand your point Sundowner, but I think you're coming from this movie from the wrong perspective. This movie isn't supposed to be a historical lesson in the ways you're looking at it. I think adding a whole "who was guilty for WW2" reading would be fundamentally at odds with the theme of the movie, and would weigh it down.
The thing is, this seems to be the only perspective the Japanese have as a culture-- as unfortunate victims because they engaged in non-specific "war". And while a more comprehensive background on WW2 would probably be out of scope of the story, there are plenty of opportunities to drop in historically relevant hints which in my opinion, would add depth to the telling. So Graveyard's perspective isn't really unique... it seems to be the only perspective that Japanese culture at large has.
Hotaru avoids that by strictly looking at the characters’ experiences, and reminding us about their suffering. Is their suffering worth a greater good? That’s up to you to decide, but that is not the issue this movie attempts to answer, and good on it for not doing so.See, I'm not sure this question is ever really asked, because from the Japanese perspective, the audience Graveyard was made for, the answer would be a rhetorical no. Japan did lose the war after all. For the rest of us, we have to struggle with whether the suffering of innocents is a price worth paying in order to stop the aggressive military regime under which they live. And our answer might be a hesitant yes. But its intended audience doesn't have to do any of that soul searching, because history has already responded for them.
So now we base how good a film is completely on its culture's failings. If Hotaru doesn't own up to the sins of Japanese agression in the 1930s then OBVIOUSLY it can't be a good film... My point still stands, you're trying to make Hotaru out as some epic, when its not that, nor is it supposed to be. What does it do? tells the story of children in war. If it was a film about Tojo, or a Japanese solider, then yes it should be judged on how it deals with the subject matter of the war, I'd even expect it to. But it isn't about that. The children are essentially detached from war, they don't know what its about except when the B-29s come. Saddling this film with some deep exploration of guilt would ruin the story itself, because its not even within their realm of understanding.
Would flashing pictures of the rape of Nanking have anything to do with their experiences? One of them wasn't even born at the time of Pearl Harbour... what relevance would that have to her? The film follows THEIR experiences, and you are supposed to emphasize with them, not Japan. Your point about feeling manipulated into feeling bad about them, just emphasizes your line of thinking. No matter what evil Japan committed in WW2, they had no part in it. It doesn't matter whether they were German, British, Iraqi, or Serbian children. They still suffer, and they have little to do with the war.
And if you want to get into a societal level argument, I don't disagree that Japanese haven't confronted their legacy in the second world war as germany has. I won't go further because thats getting into politics. That said, it still doesn't make Hotaru any less of a powerful film, or has anything to do with that.
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The problem I personally had with Graveyard, despite its dramatic direction and technical merit, was that it wasn't a history lesson at all. It never once dares to ask why the main characters were suffering. Partly because the answer, from my Western mind, is painfully obvious and potentially embarassing to a Japanese audience. In WWII, the Japanese government engaged in campaigns of conquest across Asia and ultimately attacked the United States unprovoked. That is the key historical instigator of their civilians' suffering-- simply put, the Japanese government brought war upon their own.
If we're expected to sympathize with the characters, then I think it's only fair to ask what the root cause of their suffering was. I think that would be fair. Instead, the only answers we're given is a generic "because of war". And from a certain narrow viewing of the movie, "because of allied planes, and thus, allied forces. Oh, and war."
So the problem I have with Graveyard is that it's a narrow view of personal suffering divorced from a greater reality, which combined with a culture that only seems to remember the atomic bomb, doesn't do much to give viewers the perspective they badly need. They learn only that "war is bad", while true, fail to understand that it's unjustified military aggression that is truly evil. In fact, war may sometimes be necessary in the face of that aggression.
Anyway, I know we've covered all this before, and I don't want to get terribly political here, but as art, I think Graveyard fails to say what needs to be said and what needs to be heard. It fails even to hint at the real situation, which I think would add more to the fabric of the personal story rather than being a distraction.
Without perspective, Graveyard becomes somewhat of a meaningless pity story, and to someone who does have that perspective, they can only scream incredulously at the set, "but-- but-- but-- what about the Japanese government that were every bit responsible?!" And to me, that glaring ommision almost seems to be manipulative, and even unintentionally deceptive.
I understand your point Sundowner, but I think you're coming from this movie from the wrong perspective. This movie isn't supposed to be a historical lesson in the ways you're looking at it. I think adding a whole "who was guilty for WW2" reading would be fundamentally at odds with the theme of the movie, and would weigh it down. Everything about Hotaru is from the children's perspective, The B-29s seem far away and distant, you see the story from their eyes, their suffering.
What do they have to do with war itself? Did they have any bearing on what decisions were made? One wasn’t even born in 1941, so the concept of guilt is somewhat irrelevant to them, especially at their age. Its indirectly represented by the pride the main character has for his father in the navy… and there is a sense of foolishness there, but that’s his views on it, and you see it as quite simple, as it should be for a child. This movie is not about some greater question dealing with guilt, its purely and simply about their suffering. I think too many films attempt to do what you are suggesting (the post Vietnam films are examples of this), and many fail spectacularly at it. Hotaru avoids that by strictly looking at the characters’ experiences, and reminding us about their suffering. Is their suffering worth a greater good? That’s up to you to decide, but that is not the issue this movie attempts to answer, and good on it for not doing so.
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Casshern, I heard about this. Was this some dude that looked like a mecha-ninja? It was a Japanese live action/CG production if I remember correctly?
Yes, a very terrible live action with very heavy CG...
Graveyard of the Fireflies is a tough one. It was gutsy to show that perspective of the war. However the plot was a bit thin. The stuff that gets decent word of mouth and good reviews by US critics is usually the most plotless stuff.Wow, I'm just speechless... Hotaru is one of the finest pieces of storytelling I have ever watched, and most people who have seen it say the same thing. How you could even consider posting it in a thread called "the worst anime" is beyond me, or say that "its success is based on word of mouth, but its really plotless" It deserves every accolade it gets.
It told war in a way that few films would ever dare to, and the story reflected that. There isn't any great climaxes or huge story lines, but it showed the true hardships of war, the stuff that you never ever see, that people should know about.
I guess once the B-29s passed by your interest in the film must have plummeted.
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The Manga is amazing, one of the best lately and if you google it you can read them online... I really recommend you go and do that, even if you don't buy the set. I've heard though that the series doesn't really stand up to the manga.
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I've got a airbrush/compressor.... however I'm trying to get better at just doing things by hand painting. I find hand painting as more enjoyable, even if it doesn't look as good. And I'm getting better at it.
How long does a bottle of surfacer last? I've gotten 2-1000 and 1-1200
I've got the Hase scribing hand saw, 2 Tamiya Putty tubes, 1 Tamiya surface compound (just the regular one, is that good? and is there any other use for it?) The Wave option decals (any suggestions on parts?) and the very fine grit sand paper set... any other suggestions?
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I've recently come into a bit of a surplus, and have purchased a couple of models/resins, and I'd also like to spend a bit on my supplies. For most of my life I've used basic supplies (a full set of Tamiya paints, tweezers, exactos, brushes ect.) but its those cool extras that I see people use I'd like to pick up. So suggestions please?
I'm probably going to buy the bulk of my stuff from HLJ, so suggestions from that site would be most helpful.
Some of the stuff I'm looking at.
Mr Surfacer (which ones and how much?)
that Hasagawa scribing tool (is this a good one?)
The Tamiya polishing compound (I see a lot of you using it for canopies, is there other uses?)
I need a new putty to go along with surfacer.
Is there a Japanese equivalent of metalizer?
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Not exactly Anime, (but given the amount of CG, it might well have been) But my friend and I had to shut off the Movie Casshern 3/4ths of the way through it was so bad. within 5 minutes we had already lost the plot, and no amount of fancy visuals was going to save that movie.
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2020~2035 Its a period of expansion, a lot of new stuff coming online like the VF-11, the VF-17, 14 ect.
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I've been building models for at least 15 years, and at this point I'll probably never switch away from Tamiya. I'm at the point where I've probably gone through 50~100 bottles of it over the years in various colours, and I've rarely had a problem with it.
I use it for everything. Originally I started as a 1/72 WW2 Aircraft, got into 1/35 Late German dioramas, I still do miniatures, mostly Heavy Gear, but really I've attempted to stick to 1/72 stuff exclusively.
I think the advantage of tamiya stuff, is that you can use it for just about everything. Granted its not the best in certain areas, but overall I've found that its done me pretty good. As a airbrush paint Its the best I've used, hands down. I can't think of a time after that I wasn't satisfied about how it went on... its always looked amazing. There are a few areas it is weak, the Gunmetal is terrible, I don't know if its me but the silver always causes me problems, and I too have had problems with flat flesh.
What I'm trying to get better at now is hand painting 1/72 aircraft (rather than airbrushing, which is universally the best way to do things, but I like a challenge) And with each project I'm starting to get a better feel for it (multiple levels without stripping the base layer is a new trick I'm trying to learn). Using the Tamiya thinner is vital, I used to use the big bottle of 97% isopropylnol, and it never worked right for brushing.
Best Commercial Evar
in Anime or Science Fiction
Posted
Since its open game on funny vids, I'd better post it before the season closes
Here's one I dug up a couple of days ago (sorry JB0, you'll have to watch it twice)
http://www.jengajam.com/r/Simmons-Whosline