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M'Kyuun

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Everything posted by M'Kyuun

  1. M'Kyuun
    Go-bots? Giving these more credit than they deserve. Many of the Gobot jets were pretty well done in regards to their real life inspirations. Their bot modes, however, usually left somewhat to be desired. You'd think Takara could at least try to incorporate the arms into the transformation, as well as engineer the hands and feet of the combined form into the individual bots rather than adding those parts. These don't really manifest the progression and evolution in toy design one would expect from a company w/ over 30 years experience designing transforming toys. To me, they're a step back, engineering-wise, but their simplicity probably makes them fun. For 5 year olds. I'll probably get them all.
  2. M'Kyuun
    Sure is pretty. I like the blue they went with, if this is indeed final color. Although it's unlikely, and probably a matter of perception on my part, but does the metal hip bar seem longer in some pics, where the hips are rotated, than in the straight-on shot? I am most likely skipping this valk, but those pics sell it. Must resist.
  3. M'Kyuun
    How come Variable Glaug isn't on the list? That's number one on my wishlist. After that, maybe a VF-5000 or a VF-14.
  4. M'Kyuun
    There does seem to be a disparity concerning the ankle ball joints Arcadia are using. My VF-19, which has been through several transformations and has been in battroid mode almost continuously since I got it, still has stiff ankle joints. OTOH, my Arcadia YF-19 had a loose right ankle joint right out of the box. The left is not as tight as I'd like either, but it's sufficiently tight enough to hold the thing up in battroid. The situation is reversed on my VF-17, but again, one ankle joint is sufficiently tight enough to enable standing poses. Given that these are expensive high end toys, and the expectation from the manufacturer should be that these will be posed in battroid at some point, more thought should be put into joint designs for strength, longevity, and range of motion, so that the consumers aren't concerned on day one whether or not their new $300+ toy will actually stand on its own. If they are receiving negative feedback from various sources concerning this issue, I hope they'll take it to heart and consider a redesign. In this regard, Bandai has the superior design, and I'd be happy if Arcadia would follow suit.
  5. M'Kyuun
    I haven't seen Frozen, so I can't make a comparison, but if was a bettin' man, I'd take Baymax any day over singing chicks and snowmen. Hiro's aunt stole just about every scene she was in...great character.
  6. M'Kyuun
    That really is a nice looking 3rd party Megatron. TT will need to be on their game to trump this, I think.
  7. M'Kyuun
    I also don't mind social commentary, and BlomKamp's visceral violence and mechanical designs strike all the right chords with me. He channels what I loved most about Verhoeven's films, sans Showgirls.
  8. M'Kyuun
    I watched a special on the Science Channel where the scientists explained what needed to be done to just get the thing out there, and then the really mind-boggling calculations to slow it down and create a flight pattern around it so that they could map it. Then they had a panel with scientists vs engineers to determine where to set down. Bear in mind that once the lander was released from the satellite, it was in an unguided freefall, so they had to have their calculations perfect, and all environmental factors needed to be optimal for successful landing. It was such a longshot; the fact that they did it, mechanical issues notwithstanding, is a monumental achievement that really should have received more fanfare. Unfortunately, it's not fast paced or violent, and thus uninteresting to most people today, esp young people. Too, I'd say that the realism we're used to in movies kind of ruins the excitement of these events as well; the cerebral side of it is really what's impressive and exciting. All I've seen of the actual landing was a still shot of the comet taken from 3M during freefall. Not very exciting stuff for today's crowd, esp Americans, for which everything needs to be moving a mile a minute to keep their ADD in check.
  9. M'Kyuun
    Ever more, sci-fi is becoming sci-fact. The European Space Agency have successfully put the Philae lander on the surface of the 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko Comet after 10+ years of travel aboard the Rosetta spacecraft. It's an amazing accomplishment for them, and ultimately mankind, certainly worthy of discussion, as well as contemplation of what me might learn, and where the future lies for further exploration.
  10. M'Kyuun
    This site is always good for a laugh. Checked out a video for the Hi-Metal. The shoulder slide and extended hip joints would both be nice improvements. I'm down for anything that improves battroid range of motion, so long as it doesn't compromise the fighter too much.
  11. M'Kyuun
    I liked how the movie explored the social aspect of space exploration, as well as the physics involved. Kanedas has it right; "Gravity" would have been an even more apropos title. Even if the origin and nature of gravity are discovered, and the Grand Unified Theory is satisfied, I think the social aspect will be the more difficult hurdle, especially if we make leaps in propulsion technologies facilitating rapid transit through space. At that point, relativity becomes a psychological hurdle for both explorers and those they leave behind. I think Nolan did a good job of capturing that potential. TARS; Interesting and totally unexpected design. He and CASE were good characters.
  12. M'Kyuun
    David, there's more to it. And stay to the end of the credits. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
  13. M'Kyuun
    Wm Cheng...so negative! But, I agree, that's ,unfortunately, probably the way things would go, esp the rising prices. But, so negative! I'm not familiar with the Hi-metal VF-1's shoulder or hip attachments, but if there's a better way, then I'm open to see it employed in a high end model, for which I'd part with my ducats. We definitely need to see some fighter pics of Bandai's 19. If this turns out great and demand is high, I hope we're not faced with the VF-25 Renewal situation all over again. I know we will, but I'm hoping not. Still, demand may not be as high, given that a lot of folks with limited funds probably already shelled for Arcadia's, and one super expensive YF-19 is enough. I wouldn't mind getting one, but honestly, I love my Arcadia 19, and the Super Parts on Bandai's are not a selling point for me. I'm in it for the bird itself. And I like my YF-19 naked.
  14. M'Kyuun
    Just saw it; great movie. I haven't liked a Disney production this much since The Incredibles.
  15. M'Kyuun
    The only VF-1 variant I'm interested in acquiring at this point is the VE-1 Elint Seeker. It's a shame that Bandai is averse to taking a little risk, as there are so many designs yet to be made into official toys, and Bandai certainly has the finances, as well as a number of strong properties, sufficient to allow for some risk. Arcadia goes out on a limb financially when they produce anything that might be perceived as obscure, or less popular or known. I'm actually surprised that Arcardia decided to produce the 0D, rather than follow up with a YF-21 redesign, or crank out a few more paint variants of their YF-19. I do believe that Arcadia takes a very passionate approach to their Macross projects, and overall, I think it shows when one considers the level of detail and accuracy they try to put into each of their Valks. I hope they continue to surprise us. As for Bandai, Gundam is obviously their passion project for ever and ever. But to be fair, I give them credit for redesigning their VF-25 to be more anime accurate, and I think they did a fantastic job, unpainted landing gear notwithstanding. I also have the VF-171EX (without crumbly triangles thus far <knock on wood>), and I think it's a pretty neat toy as well, esp with Super parts. They've proven that they have the know-how to make a pretty decent transforming Macross toy, but I think they allow for more concessions. What I think would benefit us, the Macross consumers, would be Bandai's contracting Arcadia to specifically produce a high grade line of Macross toys for them, with Arcadia taking lead, but working with Bandai's current Macross design team. With both sides bringing their A-game to the table, a sizeable budget, and willingness to produce a wealth of yet-unproduced Macross designs over the next decade, we'd be the financially destitute benefactors of all this Macross-y goodness. It's a dream, but I enjoy the speculation.
  16. M'Kyuun
    Agreed. I don't know how Bandai could improve on what is already the most definitive transforming VF-1 toy ever produced. Personally, I'm over the VF-1. It's been done ad nauseam, and the Yamato/Arcadia version satisfies me. I want to see them wade into uncharted territory, producing some of the lesser known designs: VF-3000, VF-5000, VF-14, Variable Glaug , Octos, and so many others. Additionally, there needs to be a new improved YF-21 to stand next to their YF-19.
  17. M'Kyuun
    Just got my MP Wheeljack today, and he's awesome. IMO, definitely worth getting, esp if you're a G1 fan. These are the figures I wanted 30 years ago when the show was current; it's a shame it's taken this long for the tech/engineering know-how to produce them, but I'm incredibly glad and thankful to have the chance to own them within my lifetime. I have to agree that, thus far, the Datsun mold is my favorite, but then I'm biased; Prowl sat at the top of my MP-level wish list since I got the original toy in 1984, and Takara did not disappoint. I have my TF Holy Grail now, so the rest of the '84 gang is sweet, wonderfully delicious icing on the cake. I hope they make them all. I'll be really interested to see how they tackle Ratchet/Ironhide, since the original toy was weird and looked nothing like his superior animated design.
  18. M'Kyuun
    True, but Arcadia is Yamato's successor, and by virtue of that history, and maintaining a number of former Yamato people, have a proven track record for producing amazing Macross toys, QC and design quirks notwithstanding. That may be their saving grace, should Bandai try to crowd them out. Plus, I should think BW know that there is far more passion put into to Arcadia's projects, and that, too, may be meaningful.
  19. M'Kyuun
    And we definitely should get that kind of quality printing due to the quality price tag.
  20. M'Kyuun
    Awesome indeed.
  21. M'Kyuun
    I'm partial to 'no steps' and such, as they are legitimate markings on military aircraft. I know from firsthand experience, having worked on C-130s, B-1Bs, and KC-135s. To me, it adds that extra bit of realism, as long as the markings are sized correctly and not obtrusive. But, to each his own. Still, intake markings, as an absolute minimum, should be tampoed on all these valks.
  22. M'Kyuun
    I was never really a fan of Smokescreen's character, but that paint scheme is amazing, and really stands out if you have Prowl and Silverstreak. I have all three standing together, along with Sideswipe and Prime, and they look great. Mr. Hasui has my undying gratitude.
  23. M'Kyuun
    Stickers are great, but in a limited capacity, i.e. different squadrons, tail numbers, and other specialized markings. The general markings like intake warnings, egress, no steps, etc should always be tampoed. I was disappointed that Arcadia didn't even tampo the intake warnings on the YF-19...those are requisite to just about every valk. In this regard, Bandai certainly has the upper hand. Besides, in the clumsy hands of a novice such as myself, the application of stickers cheapens the look of one of these high grade toys. My hat's off to Master Cheng, and the other folks here who excel in this area. As for me, I'll take all the tampo you can give me.
  24. M'Kyuun
    You need at least one of the Fairlady bots...great design. Prowl would be my recommendation.
  25. M'Kyuun
    That scene has always felt cheap to me, these great characters being so easily dispatched after a couple seasons of the show where they got shot, damaged, and fixed up every episode. Such marketing nonsense.
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