sketchley

Agreed that most people that I have met, and continue to meet here in Japan simply don't know, or never have heard of Macross. Disagreed that the few that do know, or have heard of Macross remember, or even know about Macross Plus. Most of the very few who do know of Macross either distantly, and vaguely remember the original TV series only. Of those, about half (or more) usually ask something about Lynn Minmei, or her voice actress, Mari Ijima. Therefore roughly 1 in 100 people that you meet here in Japan will think Macross = the original TV series. And roughly a half (or more!) will think Macross = Minmeni = Mari Ijima. Followed (usually) by a question related to you (still) liking her songs, or not. So yeah, worry; not that more 7 or II will be produced, but that no more Macross will be produced period.

I got mine (Shouji Kawamori Macross Design Works) via mail order here in Japan - the book is long out of print. You need to speak Japanese and be able to send money via a postal savings account. Not sure if this service is available in North Cyprus. I picked up the other two books in a bookstore.

Fast movers makes sense - as fast moving small objects generally means missiles, which are a lot more harmful then an enemy jet (which may or may not have even been detected due to their active stealth.) It also appears that the SV-51's, without anti-ship missiles, don't appear to have any other means of sinking a ship within the small window of time between getting close enough to do the damage, before the Cheyeene's intercept.

Thanks David, I look forward to your input on cooling effects and reasons. As for why the VF-1 cannot hover in place for very long - I believe the answer has to do with cooling of the engines. It's best to keep in mind that VFs (aside from the VF-0, and SV-51) have thermonuclear engines. The only real further explanation that I have come across is in the compendium's write-ups for the YF-19, VF-19, YF-21, and VF-22: http://macross.anime.net//mecha/united_nat...yf19/index.html The implication being that an AVF could hover longer in an atmosphere, with potentially greater loadouts, than in places without an atmosphere. As there is little to no further information on the VF-1, my suspicions rest on the engines having a lower thrust output, and lacking the ability to suck in more atmosphere - thus forcing them to rely more on reactant to keep the engines going, thus causing them to overheat. Though the lack of mention in the write-ups for the AVFs doesn't mean that they could have a similar limitation (relying on reactant as not enough atmosphere can be sucked into an unmoving engine.)

The antenna was just modified, as the Pheyos comes with one already. The missile pods are a bit redundant, as the Pheyos already has a comparible payload to the VF-22, and they ruin the aerodynamics of the VF. Perhaps it's a space only variant?

Thank you, but could you please explain how adding water to fire (engine exhaust) makes for more thrust. Logic has me thinking that the fire (thrust) would be reduced, as water generally puts out fire (stressing generally, because there are some elements that react more when water is added.) To help you: what I have seen is that the water is used in cooling the engine, and the parts of the vehicle that redirect thrust downward. I also know that the Harrier sometimes sucks hot exhaust into the engine, causing a backfire, of sorts.

http://macross.anime.net//mecha/united_nat.../vf1/index.html It has nothing to do with weight, but everything to do with cooling (in regards to the Harrier.) In fact, the Harrier carries water to cool it's S/VTOL systems, and it is when that water runs out that the jet can't use the S/VTOL system without risk of series damage.

I sympathize with you ChrisG. My experience with the internet crowd is that they are all talk (usually negative complaints,) and little constructive action. A couple of years back I was involved with a site doing Macross RPG stat creation. When it came to getting anything done, 0.1% of the respondees would actually do something. The rest just added their opinions (usually negative) and suggestions (stuff usually not thought out, as it unbalanced things) that were little more than 'this should be added' and not 'here's some details that I created to be added.' Positive comments were nonexistant. Where is this project now? Dead in the water, and at everyones loss. So yeah, I sympathize.

The question asked was 'can they fly', not 'how well can they fly.' How do they fly? Engine thrust alone.

If you are a Macross fan, then 'Shouji Kawamori Macross Design Works' is a definite must buy - just keep in mind that both books are more about explorations of how the artist went through the designing process, from rough sketches, rejects, to finished designs. A good compliment to the "Shouji Kawamori Macross Design Works" is "Kazutaka Miyatake Design Works Macross & Orguss." Do take note that there is a lot of Kazutaka Miyatake's art in Kawamori's book. It generally goes unnoticed by non-Japanese readers. If you are looking for more factual information on the abilities of VFs and other things, then you'll need to look for the "This is Animation: Macross ###" books.

First episode of Macross Plus too (VF-11, YF-21.) Battroids ARE able to fly. The prime limitation is the same as the Harrier - engines overheating when hovering in place. The compendium has some specific times (usually for gerwalk), but the anime routinely ignores them. So...

Oh... forgot this: If forced to choose between watching II and 7, I'd choose 7. At it's very worst, it gave some Japanese cultural lessons. A refresher of those lessons would be good.

[jumping on (or off???) the band wagon] I prefer Macross 7. When Macross II came out, I liked it, mainly because it had the Macross name. However, in retrospect, it has weak storytelling, lots of plot holes (see jenius's post above for some,) so-so to weak mecha designs (I'm not just talking about VFs here, but all of the mecha in the show,) and cardboard cutout type villians. Macross 7 is better, IMHO, at the very least, because there is more time spent developing characters, and the villians are anything but flat, one-dimensional characters. If you asked me to describe the characters in Macross II and 7, I'd have almost nothing to say about those from II, but a lot to say about those from 7. II is forgetable, 7 isn't. No, Macross 7 isn't the best anime, but if you keep in mind that it is a show for kids, and if you pace yourself to one (maybe two at max,) episodes per day, it makes for a far more enjoyable experience. A lot of people forget that - watching the series in concentrated doses (4+ episodes in one sitting) is actually bad, as the show is marketing the Firebomber music, and like watching any advertisement repeatedly... Another thing that I like about Macross 7 is that it develops and expands upon the overall Macross story - sure, a lot of people don't like the directions that it expands into, but at least it is expanding, and not merely embellishing already established concepts in the Macross mythos, like Macross II does. Heck, we get a lot of the backstory, and an idea of what the Inspection Army is in Macross 7, whereas Macross II introduces a heretofore unknown new alien race, that doesn't exactly fit, IMHO, into what Macross has presented to us previously. But this is just me.

Very true. Which is probably why carriers, in general, rely on other ships as additional defensive screens. Though, as mentioned, Ivanov and Nora knew how to punch a hole through the additional defensive screens, and put themselve in that big undefended area.

It's the intermission that occurs between mission 11A and 12. Of course, if during mission 9, you choose the alternative conclusion, then you don't get the intermission after fighting Miria Fokina and Giriamu at the end of mission 11B - this conclusion ends at that point.

I agree, that's a very good job - I can't spot any seems! Maybe it's just me, but it doesn't look like a panoramic picture - at least the element posted above. My panoramas usually end up with seams... I think I have to rethink how to create them (only using the center of the frames, and trimming the edges?)

I think those model kits might be the only place that have it. It's not in the Macross Plus: Game Edition, nor Shoji Kawamori Design Works (the design works vol.2???) Today, I just got "This is Animation: Macross 7 TV animation materials", and it has the lineart that's shown above. I believe that the gun pod is not a Kawamori design, but a Kazutaka Miyatake design (not, it's not in his book, as most of the things he did for VFs (cockpits, gun pods, missiles, etc.,) show up in "Shouji Kawamori Macross Design Works" next to their relevant VFs.

Uhm, the second one was designed by Kazutaka Miyatake. It doesn't say who did the first one, but it doesn't have some of the signature things that Shoji Kawamori adds to his lineart (funky shadow, bold (both thick and the way he put pen to paper) lines, etc..)

Neither my "This is animation special: Macross Plus" nor "Shoji Kawamori Macross Design Works" have it. In fact, only the later book has the VF-11's gun pod tucked into the Macross 7, VF-11C section. Of course, this doesn't mean that it doesn't exist (My copy of the Macross Plus Movie artbook is on the other side of the pacific.) That said, IMHO it is doubtful that a seperate version exists. Simply because the VF-11 in both series is a background element - why spend more time on it, when one could embellish the main elements of the two shows?

Didn't they already do that with the DYRL version? EDIT: with some further thought - the Q-Rau was also changed for DYRL, however the changes were, as I would define them, minor cosmetic ones. In the Macross Plus/Macross 7 era, a variation of the Q-Rau does appear (M7 movie,) and, if anything, it still retains the basic forms and shapes of the original Q-Rau. IMHO, it is the Nousjadel-Ger that the creators of Macross are not happy with, and, from a lack of further information (as in, it's the Inspection Army variation of the battlesuit) beyond where it is lumped in Kazutaka Miyatake's book, I still favor that it is simply the Nousjadel-Ger upgrade for the M+/M7 era, or the updgraded (kai) version of the original.

Easiest way to clear up this debate: animators (and movie production companies in general) prefer to do the least amount of work possible. In other words, the jet is merely a slight modification to the CG model of the MiG 29 seen in episode one. How many changes did they make? Canards and different colours on the skin. How much money did they save the production budge? No idea - and nothing came up on google. But it's bound to be a lot cheaper to make two changes than comission a whole new model.

Agreed. Otaku has become rather strong in meaning, and polite Japanese generally prefer to say something negative in a strong way. From worst to best: Otaku mania/maniac tsu (fan)

You can rent them at any of the big international airports. HOWEVER, you have to apply to rent them about a week in advance. The one in which my dad got when he came was bare bones - yes, my latest mobile phone here in Japan has GPS, and a lot of groovy navigation features, however that doesn't come with the barebones one. Also, GPS isn't really helpful without a good map - I've seen a lot of maps in Japan (purchased some too), and I would describe it as difficult to navigate via GPS. It'd be a lot easier to show someone the name of the place that you want to go to =in Japanese= and hope they can give you directions. The system of navigation I have relyed upon here is figuring out where the nearest station is to where I want to go, and using a map (if you don't have one with you, all stations have a local area map) to figure out the route in between. No idea about skiing other than it is expensive - and that's for my home country! I think there are some nice parks and stuff in the Tsukuba area - but pending your interest, you may have more fun hoping on the direct train to Akiba, and spending your day there. Oh, I was thinking about when travelling to Kyoto - most of the major, or best attractions, are only accessible by bus (or on foot, but I don't recomend walking, unless you REALLY know what you're doing.) The easiest way to get it is at a kiosk outside of JR/Kintetsu/subway Kyoto station. Or from a bus driver - they generally do not speak any English whatsoever. You might be able to get it from a convenience store - but again, there's the language barrier for those that don't speak Japanese. Getting it at the kiosk is good, as they also give a bus route map of Kyoto, which has handy things like what buses are needed, and where to transfer to go to major attractions. http://j-hoppers.com/tip_j.htm has a list of prices for it, and the more expensive, but IMHO, unnecessary bus and subway ticket. Get this bus ticket in Kyoto if you plan to take a bus more than twice, otherwise it's not worth it. Of course, the afforemantioned Kansai-through pass also works with the bus, subways, and private railway in Kyoto - using that is recommended, if you're hotel is outside of Kyoto, and you plan to visit at least two seperate places. Also, when in Osaka (Tokyo, and other cities *may* have a variation too,) be aware of things like 'No my car day', and other discount tickets: http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.jp/english/ticket/index.html But remember, that this type of ticket is useful only within the city, and only on city provided public transportation - sometimes the private railways are faster and cheaper to get to where you want to go.

Me thinks that the anti-UN tactics were very well thought out for the battle: - a rouse attack, that drew half or more of the fighters; the rest of the UN fighters remaining in a defensive posture near the fleet. - a secondary rouse attack that occupied the remaining fighters - the SV-51 attack; which makes it all the way to the carrier. Though, it is speculation, and the only support that the main force of fighters were seeing action elsewhere is that Shin was contacted and alerted to the impending attack before the SV-51 were shown; SV-51's being stealthy and launching from a submarine, and generally being undetectable by conventional means. Maybe the UN fleet detected the approaching anti-UN fleet (the MiG, and Octos have to have some kind of a support fleet too) and scrambled their fighters. Edgar also had enough time to fly out to rendevous with Shin...

監察 = Inspection 監察軍 = Inspection Army/Troop Try it for yourself if you don't believe me: http://www.excite.co.jp/world/english/ It should be noted that one of the 漢字 used in the term is also used in the word for Police - giving the nuance of: (Police) Inspection Army. Source of the 監察: Macross Perfect Memory Pg. 181. "監察軍戦艦(クラッシュド)". It also shows up in the timeline on page 54 of the same book. Me thinks it is a bit of this going on here: http://www.unique-design.net/library/false.html