Nani?!

I think the only thing that can plausibly (in the foreseeable future) take yamato down is if bandai decides to competitively enter the macross market with newly sculpted, cheaper (as in more value for the money) valkyries. Yamato really has the lion's share of the macross market and though I'm very fond of it's products, they're really stretching it when it comes to price. (In my Opinion ) Anyway, it's unlikely that this is going to happen anytime soon. Bandai has no real reason to invest in a macross market that's relatively miniscule compared to that of say gundam or even evangelion. Though I wish Bandai or any sort of REAL competition would come by, our market simply isn't big enough. And as for yamato... Stop making valks? Stop making 1/48? nah.... They're comfortable with what they have right now. As long as they've got us by the balls, they'll keep making valks for a while... they got a ton of material to work with, they just have to get to it. I honestly don't think anything is out of the question (including two seaters) simply because they said it was unlikely in the past. Since when did anything they say hold up ENTIRELY? Lastly for Japan, I think the japanese fans are a bit more conservative with their money (for anime) compared to foreigners. Given the high saturation of all the anime they produce and watch every year, and also given the choices, a $110 plastic 20-year-old-design valkyrie and $60 plastic fastpack would be easily passed on for gazillion other alternatives. I honestly don't think they have as much nostalgia for Macross as we do. The reason gundam is doing so well is because they crank out another new series every 2 years or so. How many did us macross fans have for the past 20 years? only 4... Anyway... I don't think you should worry, Yamato isn't going anywhere... Edit: Typo

Sorry if this is a bit off topic, but According to the illustration of the VF-1a in the image Ewilen posted, the "mosquito nose" of the 1/60 yamatos that everyone complained about seems pretty accurate. This was probably mentioned before, but given I don't own MPM, it just hit me when I saw that pic. anywayzzz,

HAHAHAHA Hooooooly crap, I've never knew I could actually crack a decent laugh from macross pictures, but you proved me wrong. Funny stuff.

Yeah... I remember preordering the yf 19, yf 21 and the vf 11b for $40 bucks each. Everytime I think of those days and compare to the prices I pay now, it just makes me wanna go ballistic on HG. Also, looking at the quality of Macross plus valks they made then and comparing it to the 1/48's really make me feel optimistic about what yamato will do with another try at Macross plus. Anyway, gosh am I the only one who feels yamato will release more than just another yf 19 FP? or am I being too optimistic?

Macross Plus and 0 were never brought into this because they are not nearly as popular as the original show. I never said they were meant for 12 year olds because that would be silly. They are not model like... by any stretch of imagination. It still doesn't change the fact that very few japanese fans are loyal to a show. Most of them move on to greener pastures after the show is done. To base toy sales on a demographic that will probably not be there, interested in toys, or willing to pay said price, is insane at best. You just listed a bunch of your assumptions with that post and you're saying that some of our arguments aren't based on anything? Many people get drawn into Macross through newer series like Macross Plus and Zero. Given the shorter amount of time since they released, their popularity isn't as grossly dwarfed as you assume. - Also, you thinking 12 year old fans as being silly is no different than the fumed argument you're presenting to us and our point that the original viewers are the PRIMARY market. - you took my words out of context. I said they are more model-like than the bandai's and the takatoku's. Do you own a 1/48...? and have you seen the customs that these babies are the canvas' to? please... dont take what I say out of context... - Lastly, like fifbeat mentioned, you grossly underestimate the loyalty of original fans. If people simply move on like you suggest, why in the heck would a company like yamato use an old series ("that people moved away from already") like macross as their core business? You seem very ardent with your arguments, but I suggest you have the knowledge to back it up if you wish to argue so passionately... Really my last post regarding this topic....

I believe all of devin's (Anasazi37) decals can be found at Twin moons. The specific one your looking for is here. By the way, it's on preorder.

Ok, sithlords collection is just holycrap-gross. That's sick dude...

Though I understand your point that fan bases grow and expand with new series (Mac +, Mac 0) and reruns of the original series, yes, many of the current fans are those who watched the show as kids in the early 80's. If you see the simple decisions yamato made in the creation of the toys themselves, you can clearly see that these weren't specifically meant to be in the hands of 12 year old fan. They could be.... but they weren't meant to be... They're more model like than say the Bandai's or the Takatoku's. Though I personally at the start of this arguement, would have broadened the primary target group to about 21-30, it still doesnt change the fact that the bigger portion of yamato's profit comes from the original viewers of the series. Anyway like I said... it isnt the ONLY group... but yamato is definitely targeting them as primary. that's enough said from me... this topic isn't worth arguing about.

Awesome job Jung, You took devin's (already awesome) decals and enhanced them flawlessly. Awesome work.

Right.... but it wishful thinking and bad business decision to do that. Why? Because they would be expecting ppl at that age to just be consumer-whores and buy the toys for the simple novelty of being macross toys. It isn't BAD business... Its ALL business, thats just the way marketing works. And I'm telling you... thats not the way Yamato went about it!!! No way in hell the average Macross fan age is 25-30. I'm not saying that Yamato decided that ALL Macross fans were 25-30... They decided they were going to target Macross fans who were 25-30 (or lets say 30+). Who said thats their target? You are basing your argument on a wild assumption. Theres no proof that the ages of 25 to 30 are yamatos target audience. Simply because there are as many 25-30 ppl who complain about the price as there are early 20 fans who don't complain at all. With all due respect abomb, the 25-30 age group is the primary market. The height of Macross' (original series) popularity was when that age group were kids. It's not the only group of fans, but they are the primary market group. Anyway, it's just business. A huge Majority of businesses (if not all) work pretty much the way agent one explained. They all designate target markets and ALL decisions are made based on it. Again, the 25-30 age group isn't the only group... but it's definitely the primary. Anyways, right or wrong, this is a stupid topic to argue about... peace people

Awesome work in progress. Truly. I think they'd really be great if you made the whole tv set into DYRL type. Either way, I'm down for a set if you ever recast them. Again, Awesome work.

I think it's plausible for yamato to make one. I honestly think they will. I want it as a display piece with small valks to emphasize it's scale. I see it happening.

I kinda feel sorry for Graham in a weird way... Knowing so much and yet you can't share. Like Pandora and her box-o-future. but then again I bet he's just charmed the force is with him and not us. Play evil laugh now: "muhaha muhahahaha muuuhhahahhaha!" Edit: typo correction

Given the immense popularity and anticipation of the YF 19FP, you'd think yamato would have given us something consented and official to drool at by now. Anyway, I hope yamato takes notice and release the damn thing already. Oh and just for fun, This is my "conspiracy theory"... I think the reason for delay is that while working on the yf 19, It hit yamato that the yf 19 was just too damn good and stood out next to the current aged and old 1/72 Mac + valks. Anticipating the inevitable outcry of MAC + fans demanding the 21 and the 11B be given their due justice, they decide to put together a whole new 1/60 scale series. Now again, because they anticipate that fans will want the 21 and the 11B to have new sculpts, they delay the release of the YF 19 FP until they are almost good to go and comfortable with the 1/60 sculpts that they will strategically announce not long after the release of the 19fp. Thus making Yamato immortal amoung it's fans for giving them a kick ass product and a new kick ass series to look forward to. Maybe? That's what I'd do if I were yamato.

Put it down guys... Another Yamato tantrum and none of us will be getting consented peeks at anything. That being said, it's a work of art isn't it? take it down before the higher ups gets pissed.

Awesome work indigo. I agree with the others with the red stripe thing. Take it OFF! The shade of red is slightly different from the tail fins and IMHO, it's kinda distracting. Again, Kick ass custom. EDIT: also, perhaps some panel lines would help?

I was on the brink of selling my whole 1/60 collection to start a 1/48 collection but I think the one 1/48 I have is good enough... Selling off my whole 1/60 collection to buy a couple of 1/48's seems silly to me now. yeah, 1/48's are hot, but like many said here, 1/60's are my babies. If they make a 1/48 VF-1J with GBP armor, that'd be my second.

Like all of you guys, I think the $120 price tag is unwarranted. $80 USD - SHIPPED - is THE MAX that should be charged for something the lacks much articulation. There are many toy/models out there that are much more detailed (The deluxe mcfarlane spawn figures for example) that are dirt cheap compared to the q rau. But, I do think it's a must have. Even if a green one were to come out later, you still need a meltran Millia Qrau. Personally, with the amount of VF -1's chillin out in my display, it's about time they get some action. I'm going to get me all the enemy mechs to be released! and Graham! PUT THE REVIEW UP PLEASE!

Perhaps if all of us at MW start speaking japanese, they'll hear our cries? "BAKAYARO! VF-0S Landingu gearuh Bakane!"

I think they pass by once in a while. not that it matters much... The only thing they care about and we expect them to care about is sales figures.

Really? is that USD? I thought it'd be lower... I hope the final announced price is lower because some 1/60's can be purchased for $40-50. $20 - $25 seems reasonable for a non perfect transformation, all pvc, 1/100 scale valk. Edit: Any higher, and I dont think anyone will want to buy it. Cheap price is probably the only reason most people (already spoiled with the 1/48s) would buy it.

Did anyone else notice that the canopy of the max and millia are black in the pics graham posted? Wonder which one's the final version.

I'm aware that the prototype we see here is pretty close to the final. And... IMHO, I think it looks more than decent. Add to that some paint and a nice pimpin box, I think it'll look great. You gotta be REALLY picky to be saying this rendition of the vf-0 is "ugly." It's not perfect, but I think they did well considering the size (and target price group) they had to work with. you just dun like it because it's not 1/48! true, no? Peace. no beef.

Jeezzz people... No wonder Yamato is so iffy on releasing proto photos. You guys have to take into account that this is a prototype. I mean, if anything, seeing what some of the model makers here can do (like master WM cheng) with pieces of plastic, we should at least criticize constructively. For a 1/100 figure I think it looks AWESOME. Personally, I'm a huge fan of the Macross 0 series and I'd say it does it justice given the small size. And the landing gear aint THAT bad... Overall, I think it's great. I'm preordering one when it's available. I just hope they introduce more of these babies, like shin's 0. Again, Graham, you rock! The recent abundance of updates make me happy!

Awesome. With amount of masterpeices many of our talented customizers produce, MW will definitely be a mecca for custom toys. Again, all these additions and updates are greatly appreciated Graham! MacrossWorld is not just a forum anymore! (I mean that in a joking good way).