sketchley

IMHO, Renato and ff95gj are correct. The market for anime related goods is shrinking. This is not a trend that is caused by economic hardship, as it's being going on for at least twice as long as the current economic woes. Nevertheless, the economic situation has probably exasperated it. The main trend has seen not only a steady transition from more niche or limited market items (ie Macross) to more mainstream items (ie Gundam), but also a reduction in floor space devoted to selling the items.* On the other hand, a lot of stores are diversifying the products they sell. The example that's coming to mind is an electronics shop, which used to have a large toy/model section, but has reduced that by more than half. On the other hand, the electronic shop is selling untraditional goods, such as household cleaning items, food and beverages. The other factor that needs to be considered is the penetration of the internet. It's been adopted a lot slower than in places such as North America and South Korea. Nevertheless, in the past 5 years, the penetration (in this case meaning it's use as a shopping tool) has caught up (in some ways, surpassed), and the direct sale market via the internet has truly become a viable option for manufacturers. So, there may be further change underway (economic recovery, shake out from over reliance on direct sales, etc.) and we may see even more direct sale exclusives, or even the disappearance of some manufacturers altogether, as the industry shifts back to a healthy medium between direct and retail sales. * This is based on observations not of toys, but of magazine/book space and plastic model kits. So, the mileage may vary for toys, etc..

Keep in mind that the OTEC corp (or one of it's branches or subsiduaries) became General Galaxy. It'll help explain things.

We never see it in battroid mode. Which is why the design was never "finished" (or maybe that should be "polished"?)

Yes there is. It's in Macross Chronicles. See my signature for a link on where to find those translations.

Yes. "Small Laser machine-pistol".

Revised predictions from #48 Mechanic: M0 - UN 05 Ship-Borne aircraft - transport helicopters, refuelling craft, F-14A+ if we're lucky. _________________________________________________ SDFM - UN 01d SDF-1 ship systems (fold drive, gravity control, PPB control, etc.) I wonder if we'll ever see the VEFR-1/VF-1G and the magic hands... _________________________________________________ M7 - UN 11 ??? Destroids? Zentraadi <- not coming??? 01 Quadlunn-Rau 02 Meltraandi Fleet Varoota 01c transformation 02 Az-130 (maybe a B sheet, with transformation) 04b Varoota fleet: remaining 5 ships _________________________________________________ MF - UN 01b City Frontier <- called it Civilian 03a Super parts. <- called it Etc 02b (Macross Galaxy) Mainland 04 Macross Galaxy Fleet (Deneb Class, Darfim) _________________________________________________ DYRL - UN 04a VT-1 and VE-1 Zentraadi 01 Regult, Nousjadel-ger, etc. <- partially called it Will we see the others??? Meltrandi 03b Meltrandi fleet (rest of the ships) _________________________________________________ MII - UN 02a VF-2JA Icarus _________________________________________________ Extra Sheet Game and Advanced Valkyrie 2 VF-3000 <- called it Game and Advanced Valkyrie 6 Remaining SDFM:DYRL content <- partially called it Will we see the remainder of the remaining content??? _________________________________________________ History - M0 01 UN War <- called it SDFM 16 Destruction of Earth M7 04b remaining Protodevlin MII 01 MII entire history _________________________________________________ Tech 01j Transformation Mechanism <- missed 03c I've been left with a feeling that there is more to say on Emigrant ships. Especially about Mainland 1. 13 Supervision Forces equipment/weapons 16 Varoota equipment/weapons 17 Protoculture equipment/weapons _________________________________________________ Worldguide 02a UN Spacy 03a ??? 12 VF manufacturers <- not really, but semi-kinda called it 22 Marduuk <- missed 28 South Ataria Island 30 Varoota War

Uh oh... there's a numbering error in the sheets. Worldguide #22 already exists! (famous/reknown VF squads). Maybe the Marduuk sheet was supposed to be #28? Or even #30?

#48 contents review mechanic: MF NUN 01b: Macross Frontier: Island 1 AND Island 3. Interesting overhead shot of the skin used for the 3D CG modeling of the interior of Island 3. Otherwise, it makes me feel that background details for MF are... not that much. MF Cit 03b: VF-25F Messiah Super Parts and Armoured Pack. Extra report on the Fold Booster (standard, not the Super Fold Booster). DYRL Zent 01a: Nuujaderu Gaa: nothing unexpected... Citizen: D7 Etc 01a: Raiza Hoirii: nothing unexpected... MF Cit 01b: Saotome Arutoextra reports on "Ranka and Sheryl" and "Aruto as an actor". Timeline #02: the remaining half of DYRL (!) Extra reports on "The expectations/predictions of the Zentraadi Forces" and "Protoculture". History Zero 01a: UN Forces and the Anti-UN Alliance. Looks like there's a little bit on the history up to the UN War, as well as the origins (eg. NATO pops up in one of the paragraphs). Extra reports on "Protoculture and the Earth" and "OTM and the reshuffling/reorganization of corporations" Worldguide: 12a: Military Manufacturers. Reverse has a breakdown of manufacturer and equipment (VF development manufactuers, Engine system development manufacturers and Weaponry System Development manufacturers). Extra reports on "the development of the Zentraadi Weapons" and "Destroid Manufacturers". 22a: Marduuk: interesting. Extra reports on "the Zentraadi controlled by song" and "the people that bound/combined the Earth and the Marduuk". Technology: 01j: Variable Fighter (the transformation mechanism that forms the core of a VF's systems) Intersting stuff. Extra reports on "the blessings brought together by the transformation mechanism" and "The Transformation Mechanism of Macross Warships". Glossary #26: Fairy - Rin Minmei (for those Japanese literate: the last of the よ　to pretty much the end of り): Noteworthy: Raiba and Yocchan from SDFM! Ranshe Mei, Riatorisu (MDMVF-X), Richard Biruraa, Sauro-bird. Goods sheet: 04 Macross books: it's almost a collectors guide. SDFM (Macross Perfect Memory, Variable Fighter Master File VF-1, Macross (novel, first half), Misa Hayase White Reminisces (novel), SDFM Hobby Handbook, SDFM Macross the First #1, My Fair Minmei (novel), DYRL (gold book), FB2012 (FB2012), MII (TiA:MII), M+ (TiAS:M+), M7 (Miss Macross 7, Firebomber Programme in Macross 7, Macross 7 Trash), MF (MF Official File I, Macross F Ranka Rii Official File Book, Macross F Visual Collection Sheryl Nome, Macross F 2059 Memories, Macross Frontier (novel), other (Macross Ace). Extra report on "VF specialized illustration books", specifically "Valkyries; Tenjin Hidetaka Art Works of Macross". Extra Sheet: G&VF#2: VF-3000 Crusader. Pure awesomeness. It'll also put the debate to rest: length: 15.5 m. Width: 16.1 m. Has a Mauler RoV-22 x2 (apparently the other one is just a "large laser", and that's not found in the data block), Howard Gu-11, and 6 external underwing weapon stations (aka hardpoints). Reverse has different modes, focus on some of the details, the transformation, the Advanced Valkyrie version, and an extra report on the VF-3000B Bomber Valkyrie. Production Data #6: Theatrical Macross F: The False Diva Some character designs and mechanic designs on the reverse (VF-25 Tornado Pack, all 3 modes, Macross quarter, and the New Type of Vajra). Will this be the only MF Movie content seen in MC? G&VF#6: Hatchet Class Destroyer Untamed (shmexy!), Mobile Weapkn Anab era Rashiodoora (wish it was larger, but ah well), Extra report on the Valhalla III crew (MDMVF-X), Reverse: Meltrandi Assault Capture Warship (boss from SDFM:DYRL) and Jamming Station (also from SDFM:DYRL), and an extra report on the crew of the CV-565 (VF-X2). It raises hope that we'll see more detailed info on the VF-X2 pilots and protagonists. Though, the 4 pilots do appear in a captioned picture in this extra report. The page also raises hope that we'll see the Zentraadi APC from SDFM:DYRL. #49 preview images: gorgeous VT-1 and VE-1 painting! Emiria Jiinasu Fz-109F Queadluun-Kiruka #48 summary: MUST HAVE!

Which isn't surprising, given that they neglected (pre-M+) and then (post M7) glossed over the non-anime sections of the Studio-Nue timeline. If we're lucky, we'll get the wars with the Zentraadi as an extra report.

Don't forget the Az-130! Of course, as an enemy mecha, I'd be very surprised if it makes the cover...

VT-1 Ostrich / VE-1 ELINT Seeker Kinda surprised that they're doing them all on one sheet... Timeline: Mardook Invasion and Peace Very surprised! Not just that it means that the movie timeline is over, but the entire Macross II OVA is covered on one sheet! I wonder if #50 will have a timeline... History: Macross City Defencive Battle Worldguide: Anti-UN Alliance These are all very interesting. Vajra ?!?!? More? Perhaps, those evolved into spaceship-class lifeforms? Or just their homeworld? Technology: Unmanned Craft Interesting. Good Sheet: Macross Relted Games Finally! Extra Sheet: G&AV 8: Stampede Valkyrie, others. Interesting.

#49 contents are: Mechanic: VT-1 Ostrich / VE-1 ELINT Seeker Fz-109 Erugaazorun Baroota Fleet Kwadoran Kiruka Civilian Vehicles Character: Emiria Jiinasu Gamurin Kakizaki Timeline: Mardook Invasion and Peace History: Macross City Defencive Battle Worldguide: Anti-UN Alliance Vajra Technology: Unmanned Craft Glossary: Rin Minmei - Warera 25258 Good Sheet: Macross Relted Games Extra Sheet: G&AV 8: Stampede Valkyrie, others.

Good episode. Not so much because of the characterization (which is excellent as always) or the theme of the episode (a good one that got me thinking about people with the condition), but because it was completely unpredictable, yet built on the actions and events of the episode, and previous episodes. Two thumbs way up for that unpredictability.

The question is not what is the actual experience, but the interpretation and the objective behind the experience. On the one hand, we have someone who is disgruntled because he attempted to ascribe modes of behaviour and cultural beliefs onto the Japanese which are utterly alien concepts to the Japanese, and you have another who accepts the situation as is, and is completely okay with it.

You mean Steelfalcon? Sure, 2/3 of the content on the website is Robotech related, but the Macross Mecha Designs section is ONLY about Macross, and is not one of the pathetic attempts to graft Macross content into Robotech. The only problem with Steelfalcon is that the stats were written in 1998 or earlier. So, they're mostly based on what was seen in the series up until then, and not from printed statistical data, which wasn't available in English at that time, because it wasn't even printed in Japanese! Nevertheless, if you're looking for a more accurate and up-to-date set of stats, try: http://www.macrossroleplay.org/Sketchley/Statistics.htm (Entries with © before them are the most accurate, up-to-date, and have canon information highlighted in green).

"In 2003, there were 1,915,030 registered foreigners in Japan, representing 1.5% of Japan's population of 127 million. " http://www.wa-pedia.com/gaijin/foreigners_in_japan.shtml The link also has a handy pie chart showing the breakdown. Given those demographics, it's not surprising why English subtitles aren't on Japanese releases. But on the other hand, it's somewhat surprising that the languages of the two largest groups aren't.

Comebacks only work if they're understood. The one given doesn't work on the intended target, period. Ergo, it's a nonsensical statement that reinforces negative stereotypes. Yeah, why do some people think that? The Japanese are people, and as long as you (or they) don't do something truly offensive, it's all water under the bridge, eh.

No, Deeppresso is teh sexh!"

... and finished the EX-Gear. Interesting, sports models. Hmmm... is it an outgrowth from the hover-skating sport technology in Macross 7 Trash? Anyhow, the technology sheet on the EX-Gear has a little bit more on the EX-gear gun: "it's also called a Linear Rifle". And fits inside a VF's cockpit. And it has two helical magazines. Interesting weapon. Which name should we use? Machine-gun (used many times)? Submachine-gun (used once)? Or Linear Rifle (used once)? This will be my last Chronicle page typed up for the next little while. Reason being is next up is the translation of a Great Mechanics.DX Macross article. A rather long one. Nevertheless, rest assured that I'll get around to the other 16 (or was it 18?) MC articles waiting to be typed up.

Ok, we gots a number of personnel. But what's the gender breakdown? SDFM implies that there are significantly less females per fleet than males. As for parenting classes - it's just not the same as first-hand knowledge from parents (grandparents) and one's childhood. Nevertheless, I've covered myself with the further argument that the Zentraadi don't really have a pressing need to procreate at a similar pace as the Earthlings feel they must.

Thanks for the link. Very interesting - especially the scientific and historical aspects of the arguement he presents. Probably the most disgusting (aside from 3D in general being an excuse for movie studios to charge more money), is that there are faux IMAX theatres! Anyhow, interesting point on "Memento". Though, I think Ebert's arguement still stands, as 3D is taking away the ability for director's to focus our attention on what and how they want us to see something - which is exactly what the director of "Memento" did; force us to view the story through the eyes of someone with memory problems.

There's not much information available that I've come across regarding demographics. Sure, there are Zentraadi only (M5), English only (M11), and mixed fleets (M7, 25), but not much more than that. Could the humans have outpaced the Zentraadi population? More likely. Could there be more Zentraadi than humans? Less likely. Why do I consider humans being more likely? For starters, we don't have exact numbers of crew on a Zentraadi ship. For all we know the numbers fielded so far are extremely optimistic and for Protoculture era ships. What I consider as being a more likely factor is the lack of experience with child rearing amongst the Zentraadi. Mind you, this depends on the answer to what exactly cloning is, in the Macross universe. Is it carbon copies of people, complete with memory downloads of the original? (the Macross Chronicle SLRE fleet page implies this during the initial post-SWI period) Or is it merely a baby that get output from the cloning machine that have to be reered the traditional way after that? (Other sources imply this during later periods of the timeline). If it's the former, than either way is possible, but as the Zentraadi don't have a requirement to repopulate their species, let alone facilities to reer children on their ships nor access to the majority of cloning Factory Satellites that the UN Forces come across, it's likely that the Zentraadi allied to Earth started with a higher population, but that population growth has been eclipsed by the human's population growth.

Mechanic: MF Citizen 08a EX-Gear (Extender Gear): http://www.macrossroleplay.org/forums/inde...g31313#msg31313 2/3 of contents up (front, and top half (aka Military EX-Gear) of the reverse. We gets where the EX-Gear comes from, some of it's capabilities, a bit more on it's submachine-gun/machine-gun, and some decent stats (none of that "still researching" garbage!) Oh, and a massively huge run-on sentence to boot! Holy crap, it was like wrestling with the 8-headed dragon-monster... I ended up breaking it into 3 sentences (one of which has 3 or 4 clauses!), I still couldn't fit it all in smoothly, and needed to add it outside of the paragraph! @.@ Kids, let this be a lesson: sentences with 8 or more clauses are WRONG. Heck, anything over 1 clause per sentence is dubious.

... and finished the Factory Satellite page.

You're not the only one. One of my coworkers saw the movie and the verdict was, "rather simple". Which is a polite way of saying predictable, aka boring.