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sketchley

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Everything posted by sketchley

  1. sketchley
    The only problem is that they did a machine translation. So, instead of something like 原画 (genga) becoming "key frame", we got the nonsensical "original picture"!
  2. sketchley
    I'd go with Macross the First. It's close enough to the SDFM story that you can understand what's going on without even being able to read it. For a language learner, it also has the benefit of furigana—hiragana above the kanji—so it'll be a much easier read. The manga adaptations of Macross Plus and Macross F are also recommended for the above reasons. Unlike Macross the First, they were completed. However, Macross the First (despite being unfinished), is still the better choice—especially the first few volumes. Macross 7 Trash is pretty good, but as it takes place after the events of Macross 7 and is a unique story, it may be a bridge too far at your current ability level.
  3. sketchley
    It's a bit more than a souped up Su-27, for starters it has two internal weapon bays between the engine nacelles. I also read somewhere that the US military suspects that it has targeting radar arrays on the sides of the cockpit aimed perpendicularly (spotted on the experimental models)—meaning it is a pretty lethal plane hunter that doesn't even have to turn to look at you in the eye. Or something to that effect.
  4. sketchley
    Agreed! I like how they not only came up with a new alternate head turret, but also revised the transformation (the parts that become the chest/upper legs). The way the gun pod is "held" in fighter—not to mention loading a missile on top of it—is intriguing. I'm wondering how available (or rare) this doujinshi is.
  5. sketchley
    You've literally just gone and done more research than the Disco production team did! To be honest, I think the Disco writers are approaching the series wrong. They appear to be writing it one episode at a time (like Trek has traditionally been done), but should be approaching it like J.K. Rowling (or any other great author) does: write the ending FIRST, then sketch out the plot backwards to the beginning.
  6. sketchley
    "Bloodlust"? Anyhow, it's not like TNG et al were so different. Worf (or another Klingon) once or twice mentions "eating the heart of an enemy". That said, the difference is that in DS9 et al, those lines came across as possibly metaphorical (E.g. not literally doing it). However, DIS goes out of the way to not only describe it in detail, but gives us some props to look at too...
  7. sketchley
    They all look good—like they've been prepared for different environments (forest, desert, etc). However, if forced to pick one, I'd go with 3 with no further modification. Incidentally, 4 is the weakest, because it feels rather flat without panel lining or weathering added to it.
  8. sketchley
    I think that ship only shows up in the final episode. According to Entertainment Bible No. 51 (Macross II themed), it's called the "Standard Battleship", and is an amalgamation of human and Zentradi technologies (the other human ships basically don't incorporate Zentradi tech to an as noteworthy extent).
  9. sketchley
    It's from Macross II.
  10. sketchley
    Speaking as an artist, it's not that unique. I have art (brought over with me on the plane) from something like 30+ years ago in Jr. High School for completely different story ideas, that I vaguely know how and where to fit into the manga* that I have been drawing in my free time, but won't be getting around to revising/polishing/updating until they're needed in the story. Nevertheless, with all the earthquakes, tsunami, and typhoons that regularly hit Japan, it IS pretty miraculous that Kawamori-san's art has survived. How big of it is an issue? Masamune Shirow mentions in one of his artbooks that he lost all the material for a shared world that he was creating in the Kobe earthquake! (along with a Destroid Monster kit that he had made way back in the day) * some of the designs for it: https://www.deviantart.com/studiootaking/art/CFs-Generation-3a-Master-File-Chronicle-767383491
  11. sketchley
    I think you mean "finished" lineart. Stuff at rougher stages exists, but it seems that Kawamori-san is skipping the finalized lineart stage, and doing the final refining and finishing directly to the CG model mesh and it's skin. The exception appears to be the throwaway mecha that don't warrant the labour costs to make into CG. E.g.: the Sv-154 Svard
  12. sketchley
    It wasn't in the show per se, but was either directly stated or alluded to in more than one after-the-fact publication like Macross Chronicle. I couldn't tell you exactly where to look, but the spidey-sense is telling me it's more likely to be found in the write-ups for Emerald Force's VF-19's, than Basara's Fire Valkyrie.
  13. sketchley
    I'm glad Seto (eventually) mentioned this: If memory serves, the UNS maintenance crews also retrieved the VF-19's flight performance data during their maintenance, and that data was fed into the development, refinement, and deployment of Emerald Force's VF-19.* So, one reason why the military so easily turned a blind eye is because they were letting a civilian take all the risks while they got valuable flight performance data, in addition to Max's Project M experiment. *As the Variable Fighter Master File books also argue that the VF-19 is equipped with a new type of control AI. If one accepts that in their personal head canon, then it's logical that the 'training' Basara gave the AI in his '19 was put into Emerald Force's '19's, giving them a massive leg up in performance.
  14. sketchley
    I think a good question to ask is: How many movies do you watch a second (or more) time and remember who you watched it with? ... maybe even where you watched it? Chances are most of your answer includes "friends" and "at a movie theatre", and not "by myself" and "at home". That power of the shared experience is the main reason why movie theatres (or theatrical productions and other live performances) will never truly disappear.
  15. sketchley
    The short answer is customize-ability, as in option parts. The VF-11 has all manner of Super Packs, Radomes, and Armour Parts. While the VF-14 has the advantages of a larger fuel tank, and more internal volume (meaning internal weapons and more space for future improvements to the avionics, etc.), it is has significantly less customize-ability for different mission roles. A good example of the differences is that scene in Macross Plus with the VF-11 walking patrol around the air base. Yes, the VF-14 can do the same job, but only the VF-11 can bring Destroid-level armour and firepower to that role by donning an Armour Pack... or different capabilities with Super Packs, or a Radome pack, or . . .
  16. sketchley
    It rains. Seriously, I'm in a similar boat: the movie theatre experience is rather inconvenient in Japan (few theatres, far away), and the scheduled times don't fit my work hours. Nevertheless, it's nice picking up the DVDs/BRs at the local discount store for much less than it costs to see the film in the theatre... even if its a couple of years later.
  17. sketchley
    The only problem with that figure is that they don't define it. Is it 1/3 the flyaway cost? Is it 1/3 the operating costs? Or is it 1/3 of both flyaway and operating costs? Nevertheless, it is a good indicator of what kind of vehicle composes the majority of the "lower budget" air forces that populate the Macross universe.
  18. sketchley
    Alas, there just wasn't that much interest when the series was initially released (in Japan), and decades later interest didn't increase by the time they published Macross Chronicle. That said, the Macross Chronicle Revised Ed. did increase the exposure with more Tenjin Hidetaka paintings. However, I suspect the biggest problem is the lack of detailed materials when it was first released. As for not informing the viewer on the origins of the Mardook: I think that's one of the things the series did absolutely right. Nothing increases interest like a little bit of mystery.
  19. sketchley
    Are those the Palladium stats you're referring to? If so, then consider those a load of hot air, because the sheer, mind-boggling scale that those things are mass produced at means that they are anything but experimental! If anything, the Battlepods have a simple, mass produced "antigravity drive", with the Zentradi Battlesuits having a more advanced drive, and the Marduk Gigamesh Battlesuits having the fully tricked out drives. If I was being generous, I would say that the Battlepod's drive is "flaky", simply because it's so simple, and the pods themselves are banged around in combat and basically used like toilet paper.
  20. sketchley
    More broadly speaking, every piece of human knowledge invariably came about because someone got hurt or killed in the process. E.g.: apple seeds are poisonous because people died from them. Or so called "common knowledge" like fire causes burns—we know that because someone, well, you get the point. In fact, it's probably only recently that we have entered an age were knowledge can be acquired without people being harmed or injured in the process!
  21. sketchley
    On the other hand... they might be easier to get access to. Sure, there may be small access panels that the crews have to reach into, but just imagine how much more accessible things are when you pause mid-transformation, and all the various components are floppy and separate from each other. As someone mentioned about having to take the wing off to gain access on the Harrier, the equivalent on a Valkyrie would be transforming the components apart, so the wing is no longer in the way. ... not to mention that because the Valkyries transform into humanoid robots, it's logical that major components like the legs and arms can be easily removed and worked on in a more convenient location, position, or what have you.
  22. sketchley
    That's one of the appeals of this set: big, giant cones to make rocket engines with!!! However, the question becomes: do I want to take the castles apart? They make great display pieces. Agreed that they are expensive and rather voluminous (display space is an issue—am currently contemplating how to hang the Lego ISS on the ceiling to free up shelf space!) Of the 4 big sets, the great hall is structurally the weakest (I've had to reinforce the underside). However, it is also the most impressive. One drawback is the sheer number of windows—each needing it's own black mesh piece! Currently the clock tower is my favourite. I really like the asymmetrical symmetry of the building on the front side. Not to mention that it comes with the mermaid "stained glass" window for the baths.
  23. sketchley
    I've completed my Harry Potter Castle—not just all the sets (released so far), but as a 'castle'! v(^_^)v I would have liked to fit the Room of Requirement in a bit better, but I don't have a free afternoon to figure out the best arrangement of the castle pieces! LOL If any of you are Harry Potter fans, all of these sets are fun to build. While a lot of the builds are straightforward, they do employ some SNOT and other advanced techniques. What I like the most out of this series is that from the outside, it makes for a pretty decent castle (on a scale smaller than that of the minifigures). On the inside, it's full of nods to the key scenes and events in the movies.
  24. sketchley
    Looking at that... and some of the support vehicles in Gundam don't seem so outrageous anymore. It's crazy how real vehicles from the '60's and '70's look more "futuristic" than what we have now!
  25. sketchley
    Agreed about Lego's odd market targeting choices with this latest set. However, I have noticed a series of sets aimed at what I would describe as adult builders over the past few months. Namely the minifigure scale build-a-city-block sets (10260 Downtown Diner, 10246 Detective Office, 10255 Assembly Square, etc.) Maybe it's a reaction to increased demand for these kinds of sets due to the stay-at-home orders? Perhaps the Colosseum is a combination of the demand for architectural sets AND these larger city block sets? As far as scalpers go... they're getting into the game even before the product is released: Kawamori's Designer's Notes book isn't even released, but a used copy was listed as "available" on Amazon.jp with something like a 30% markup! (Thankfully Amazon has removed it, but still... )
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