VFTF1

Nobody seems to appreciate Woody - but I like him... and the 1/48 doesn't look bad alongside the QR....in fact I think it looks better than the 1/60 next to it - 1/60 looks too small... VFTF1

I am once again in mixed feeling land- albeit it's between 'ok' and 'really good' .... Although yeah - the first few episodes are horrendous when compared to the rest of the story... Anyway... The music: Missing is the melancholy sounds that we often saw in SDFM - namely the violin - and the ensuing idea that war is tragic, horrible, disgusting and evil... I mean - I dunno - I get the feeling that that's missing ...M7 is a bit too GI JOE in that regard... and sure, Mylene trembles and frets over the gruesome remains of the M5 crew, but you just don't get the feeling - over the course of the story - that there are civilians suffering, and that death is something really bad... On that note - please notice that in SDFM, when the humans paired with the Zendradi, and Hikaru noticed that Max was not killing Zens but dissabling them at Millia's behest, this became standard procedure - at least for skull squadron... So music not only brought together Zendradi and humans - it also caused humans to treat the Zendradi like wayward brothers and go to great lengths not to kill them... Cut to Macross 7 Bassra is basically the muse of death. His singing doesn't stop the battle - it only energizes the killing - case in point is Commander Kinky of the Diamond Force and his Bassara-Inspired Suicide Run.... But the pilots in thos Valks are humans mind controled by the protodevilin - so why not make some effort to rescue them? Or at least acknolwedge how sad it is to have to kill them? Finally - I return to my point about Anime Spiritia being a determinate force versus Minmey's music swaying the free will of the Zendradi and how the latter is suprerior - story wise - to the former --- which takes its' ultimate form in the battle of swirly colors between Grabil and Sound Force... I'm entering the parts I really don't like now... but when we get to the Pyramid it gets better. VFTF1

Ok - I'm sick of all the ace pilot worship Time for the little guys! Kakizake talked a good fight, but he would have been toast a long long time ago without Max and Hikaru to babysit him in combat. Ultimately, not even these two aces were able to save Kakizake from what the pinpoint barrier explosion which was just too huge to handle. But the verdict is evident: Kakizake sucked as a pilot all along - he just had really loyal friends who were concerned with his wellfare - and he was a nice guy. Physica... As SOOOON as Physica mentions his wife and child on Macross 7, you KNOW he's going to buy it. That's just how cartoon cliche works... what I DIDN'T expect- and therefore was happy to see - was that Physica's wife had been with another man for quite some time - a shock to Gamlin and an injection of complex and welcome realism into the M7 story line... Still - that's beside the point ...so ... Physica was a GOOD pilot. Diamond force had been in one hairy battle after another and held its' own. Maybe the lack of their commanding officer had something to do with it, maybe just dumb luck (after all, in war, it often doesn't matter how "skilled" you are - there's chaos and the chaos will swallow you up) ... But Physica's death was not indicative of him being a bad pilot... Actually - on this note - a sideline... why is it that Gamlin the ace pilot always goes "AAAARRRR!!!" and gets all worked up - as if his swelling emotions were somehow the equivalent of concentration and skills? This is what I appreciated about Max in SDFM - he was cool, calm - smooth - he didn't need to yell Gung ho! - he just flew and did his thing... Back to the subject... Any other cannon fodder you guys can think of? I'm currently watching M7 and the two new members of Diamond Force have been introduced to Gamlin - these guys are such classic cannon fodder that I half think they actually won't be killed because they're just too cut out for their roles... VFTF1

I still don't understand how a November release could be a Christmas present unless you mean you're not going to open her for a whole month? VFTF1

Yes - indeed it is a sad day. But the YF-21 is not going to happen. Maybe when technology advances a bit... Hopefully they'll now put their energy into a VF-11B --- that should be easier to make. VFTF1

Recent press release (quoted from www.yamatoquits21project.jp.com.howstupidcandyoube//003.)

Oh...other wise the proportions don't work? Well - the only 1/60 I have is the ELINT seeker - which I love - but I don't really wanna hunt down another Max.... Boo ...are you saying I can't use my 1/48s with my Quid Rau?? That's sad.... guess I'll just have to splurge and get...err...Miria 1/48? VFTF1

?? Why Christmas? You guys think she'll be released END of Novemebr? Bigbadtoystore have her up as...January of Next Year!! What gives? November is like...tomorrow...dude...well...sorta VFTF1

Hmm... now I'm considering that maybe getting Max w/super strike parts is better than getting Nora... hmm.. .I mean - I have Milia Quid Rau - so she would go well with Max... hmm.... Got two Ivanovs....a third SV is ...not necessary...yesss.... VFTF1

All of you are WEEEEAAAAAKKKK FOOOooooooollllllls :) I - the ONNLY TRUE Macross faaan ....have ...decided!! :) I will BUY THEM AAAAALLLLLL!!!! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! This is simply because I calculated how much 37,450 Yen is in Polish zloties and it comes out to 800 Polish zloties which is actually pretty cheap. At 200 for EMS and you get 1000zl .... that's not too bad - it's pretty roughly ....384 USD... Hm...that is alot... but...oh ... I dunno - I'll manage. Will get them all VFTF1

Ok...NOW I have a dilema. She's slated for NOVEMBER!?!?.... But so is the 1/48 Roy Folker reissue.... I just CAN'T buy both (I'm also getting 3 display stands for my Valkyrie and the Revoltech 1A Hikaru).... So... Who should I buy?? Nora ... or Roy? I already own TWO Ivanovs... and I also have the VF-0S and 2 VF1s (WoodlandA and StealthJ) So it's kind of a tough call... Maybe I'll skip Nora after all? Two Ivanovs is plenty.... What do you guys think?? VFTF1

My 1S arrived last week. Good stuff. Now waiting for the 1A to round things out.... although I'm most psyched about my Yotsuba which is in transit from HLJ along with Ivanov take 2 and Woodland 1A VFTF1

Wow! Episode 7 is...great! NOW I understand why this series has some fans... Bassra having to fire missiles is a wonderful nod to REALISM and his grappling with the guilt and the test of his faith in the power of his music and his ability to transmit that power to others is well done. The dynamic between Mylene and the others is fantastic - and Mylene's outfits and hair are CUTE! (Unlike in the late 30s episodes!) Alice is a nice touch; the Vampires are kind of silly but niffty and ok - and they certainly serve to move the plot along. The bodyguards - glad to see they're at it... And Lovelock's pink peckers and Stephen...err.... Lovelock IS gay - yes? I mean - or at least bi-sexual? After all - his friend was named Stephen - and Stephen IS the gay son from Dynasty... or am I reading too much into the name (please, no attacks by any real Stephens on the board:) ) Sure - Stephen had a girlfriend... ergo my thinking that it's all bi-sexual - a love triangle, classical Macross, albeit bi-sexual aka MMF and not MFF?? All in all this is a fun series. I guess the first few episodes were repetative and probably the last few episodes are too .... OH! And FINALLY some kick ass new Valk footage!! Beautiful VF-19 transformation and Gamlin's valk kicks but too Good stuff. Oh... heh...keep trying to end and remembering things... The kimono - and Mylene wearing the kimono that Gamlin gave her as a way to use "non-rational" means to convince Bassra ala the Meldrani Drummer's advice: THIS IS GOOD PLOT! My opinion of M7 has gone up. VFTF1

My VF-OS is perfect... but then again I bought it about two months ago - so maybe the late edition has tighter joints and just generally holds together better? My first edition Ivanov, for its' part, has some minor issues and I'm hoping my second one (on the way) won't have them - but overall a solid toy thanks to the stand (without the stand its' beauty would be invisible)... The VF-11B was indeed a letdown - not only for the exploding hips but for the shield which was too long on mine and didn't fit right in Fighter mode.... I'm hoping Yamato do a 1/60 or 1/48 VF-11B because the actual transformation is smooth and carefree and lends itself to being non-heart-attack inducing; so it's ironic they made a faulty toy with a smooth transformation... The Toynami MPCs were sturdy pieces of crap - that's a compliment by the way - they were not wobbly - at least not the VFs (Alphas are a totally different story) - just ugly and undeserving of the moniker Masterpiece... not to mention they were Robotech toys which just has to mean they're sucky. Toynami 1/100s are also unexciting - and a let down because the one thing which makes them interesting - the stands - don't hold the figures up because they are made of week material. The YF-19 and VF-1 (1/48) seem top notch in the sturdy factor. And can I mention that - although not a Valk - the Quid Rau is pretty sturdy; although given the lack of a transformation, I think they could have made the poseability better - and Miria should really be a posseable action figure for the price they're asking.... but it's a good bit of sculpting. VFTF1

Is there a preorder up for her? VFTF1

Wooo! My second Ivanov + Woodland 1A and Revoltech Yotsuba shipped!! And I also have been charged for the VF-1S Revoltech :) VFTF1

well If the 1S shows up at HLJ soon, then my pre-order is not going to come throgh and I'll have 10 days t replenish my credit card - gak.... But still - It's been like 2 weeks since they charged my Ivanov and Woodland 1A and Revoltech Kyu...whatever her name is...and still no shipment!! I like HLJ for their prices. But the processing/Shipping time lag is horrible VFTF1 Still - as long as they do ship it I will keep on using them.

HLJ is taking a HELL of a long time to ship my second Ivanov along with my VF1A woodland and Revoltech...green...hair...girl... :( On the bright side... hmm...umm...forgot what I was going to say...hmm... It's been a LONG time now and HLJ is still processing my order :/ VFTF1

And it will make our heads explode. VFTF1

Ok - I'va watched episode 3 just now... Taking the advice from this board, I'm watching 1 episode a day... and yeah - it does seem better with each watch... although the format is a little childish...just the same themes played out....bassra's got a concert...he doesn't want to sing...Mylena getting mad....Bassra being late....aliens attacking...the military mad at Bassra....Bassra sings and the aliens go away.... Isn't that what happened in the past two episodes? The only thing that makes it interesting is the interaction between the characters - which is somewhat expanding; particularly the Max/Myllia interview. But the best thing: The show is self-critical! The Kings and Queens fans who shouted that Bassra's music sucks.... they were sort of indicative of the fact that Fire Bomber is a controversial band.... there's something to it... but it's the kind of music others can feel sucks... So I liked that - liked to see that Bassra's music didn't automatically win everyone over. In fact - ok - I'll give a big point to M7 on this: SDFM was kind of unrealistic insofar as Lyn Minmey was pretty much the ONLY show in town. I mean - we saw in the Miss Macross concert that Minmey had other competition - and I understand her being a hit... and later she becomes less popular... but we never see the other cultural elements on the Macross.... always it's Lyn, Lyn Lyn... Here we see some other bands and they're cool. Also like the metro - it's like the one I live next to ! And final note: Bassra is kind of like Kyfun, Rick and Minmey mixed together. No wonder he's annoying - he has all of Kyfun's arrogance, none of Minmey's looks, and all of Rick's youngish...well..no..actually...he just has all of Kyfun's arrogance. Rick was a young leader, but a serious young man in many ways - not a whiner like Bassra... oh...heck...no comparrison really... Oh well - I said something nice about M7 in there somewhere. VFTF1

Ok - finally managed to start from the beginning...with Episode 1... hmm... I very much agree with Max about the music - I just can't get into it. Glad he is of the same mind... I could imagine M7 even worse if mom and dad were big fans of Mylene's music too...eeee...brrrr.... The menacing attack of the Spiritia Snatching Vampires is lame. These guys don't scare me like the Zendradi or Nora and DD did... heck - they're all very plastic... oy space monsters in big purple mecha... Also - the fight scenes are just way too one sided - what? All those VF pilots - human and Zendradi - just suck balls and can't hit the Vampires but the Vampires can pinpoint them and then suck their spiritia? Sure sure, Gammil says only their leader is fast/capable - but the animation seems to suggest that oodles of VFs were blown to bits while the Vampires really get scared off by Bassra (not surprising - Bassra would scare off anyone)... And on that note: THIS MAKES NO SENSE AND REVEALS THE SUPERIORITY OF SDFM OVER DYRL. Huh? Let me explain. The Bridge Bunnies in Episode 1 of M7 note that apparently Bassra is "trying to be like Lyn Minmey" - and when one Bunny doesn't really recall the name, the other says "didn't you see the Movie? Dou you Remember Love?" "Oh yeah" the other one recalls... And this is fine, except the movie was just a movie and "censored out" one very important FACT of history: Namely that Lyn Minmey's songs were not a weapon without limit. What limit? Kamjin put it best when he kidnapped Minmey and Kyfun to barter their lives for a space ship and Minmey began singing in hopes of swaying him: "Your culture initially shocked us" and it doesn't work any more. In fact, Kamjin demonstrates that the Zendradi are capable of being "cultured brutes" - that is; they are very similar to humans who also have the capacity to feel both good and evil; to be moved by songs and intimate relations but also to kill and destroy. It's not surprise that the UN Spacey conveniantly left that part out of the DYRL movie - after all; much better to just end with the annihilation of Boldoza's fleet and the Culturing of the Zendradi... But in reality - music, while having some moving effect, nonetheless is not this all-powerful super weapon that just makes the enemy's legs wobble and makes him surrender and grow long hair and smell flowers. Yet in M7 - Bassra sings his way through 40 something episodes starting with episode 1 - and the effect of the singing is the same on the Vampires. Now - it could be argued that this is due to a specific weakness of the vampies, that Anime Spiritia which is harnessed from Bassra's singing is a potent weapon ....yadi-yadi-yadi-yaa... But this is silly. Lyn Minmey's songs were a "weapon" only because the Zendradi - despite their conditioning as soldiers; were still basically humans; beings with sentience and free will - and exposure to culture moved them to ask questions about happiness and the best way to live - many concluded warfare was not the best way to live. Bio-Technological breeding, which apparently enhanced genes that were responsible for violence, often made it more difficult for your typical Zendradi to control themselves for prolonged periods of time - but this is no different than saying that the Zendradi were simply a race whose majority was afflicted with something similar to turets syndrome. Fundamentally though - Minmey did not NEED to have any "anime spiritia" or any other scientifically measurable "wave" or "force" to work - it was enough that the Zendradi had free will and were thinking beings - and they were able to simply ccome to their own cconclusions upon coming into contact with her songs. Similarly - many Zendradi could reject those songs as lies, after experiencing the reality of alienation when trying to blend with Earth society. This really makes for an interesting saga, by the way. Now - M7 suddenly takes this element of free will and choice out of the equation. Songs simply happen to emit a scientifically measurable Anime Spiritia - something akin to specially atuned soundwaves- and these just happen to disable the Protodevilin. Technically - Bassra could sing "Blah- Blah-Yaddi Blah blah" and as long as there was enough passion in it - it would create Anime Spiritia levels that were adequate to the task - --- because apparently the strength of the Anime Spiritia was somewhat dependent on the passion of the singer? But this is just silly. It is NOT the same as Lyn Minmey - it is simply...as the UN Spacey rightly dubs it - a Sound Force. It's just a sonic weapon. Big deal. That's not Lyn Minmey. It's just soundwaves which apparently affect the brainwaves or something of the proto-devilin ---- in any case - the Protodevilin don't seem to be very conflicted over any of this... Well - except for that one Vampire with the Monocole....who does find himself moved by Bassra... But I'm talking about the rank and file - they just seem to disperse when they hear the music....and then come back later... But if their free will and thought were moved by the music ---- why don't swarths of Protodevilin mutiny? They don't mutiny because apparently it is not their thinking and their hearts that are under "attack" by culture - it's just a sonic attack which you have to run from like gas. So that's basically the power of Bassra: the equivalent of a long range fart scaring off the enemy who then comes back when the stench disperses. Not exiting. VFTF1

I say keep the love in the same thread. It is really difficult to keep up with multiple threads on the same subject. VFTF1

I'm happy to watch the anime-something torrent - good quality and subtitles. In fact, I don't really watch TV much anyways; just dvds - but most of my viewing entertainment is Youtube or torrents. VFTF1

Well, I just finished torrenting some of the episodes, and went ahead and watched them - albeit I am going from back to front, since 36-38 were the ones that I watched (others still downloading)... And here's what I have to say.... Hm... not bad. Probably because Bassra wasn't very prominent in the episodes I watched; in fact, Exodor was - which was cool. Also, whenever Basra is pitted against the Vampire dude with the monocol, it takes away some of his steam.... and thus makes him more watchable. I also believe that Monocol Vampie Dude sings better than Bassra; I liked it when he joined in the singing. Gremlin - the biggest protodevilin, reminds me of Mucor...Munstor...oh - that Mucozord from Inhumanoids - Mu...Magma....urr...they look the same. Exodor is kind of fun to watch. Mylene has a really FLAT ASS! I don't know what Gam...G...the G-pilot dude...sees in her... and so totally understand why Bassra ignores her all the time. I'd ignore her too. The MECHA.... I don't like it:( Sad to say but the Fire Bomber VF looks like a bootleg of the YF-19. It's not even the mouth, it's just the whole thing - it just looks like a second-class bootleg. The Vampires have interesting valks. I like those Nightmares. The VF-11Bs are also cool. Myria and Max are completely unlike what I remember them as being - particularly Max. Maybe it was just the episode I watched; but Max was always very noble in SDFM, and suddenly he treats Miria with a distance that I just can't quite understand. Even if he's tired of his wife - I would remind everyone that Max was always a gentleman, and this had little to do with love. He could fall out of love with Miria, the passion could die out, but Max was always a gentleman - and I didn't find his exchange with Myria to be very...well...gentlemanly - it was more like a Military Leader blowing off a Civilian Leader... But then again - maybe I'm over-reacting... it's the whole conflict of interest thing... Max vs Gloval ... the comparison had to be made - and ultimately Gloval comes out on top. Why? 1) The pipe 2) Hitting his head on the door 3) The interaction with the bridge crew. Maybe I'll see this in the entirety of the series - but the interaction with the bridge crew in M7 is kind of none-existant. I guess this is because the Fire Bomber Band is so important and everything kind of centers on them - but that's a pity... Exodor as advisor and big green head is really exciting and a great idea. I don't quite understand why he's not a Miclone though... just for kicks or is there some reason - like maybe that his brain can't shrink without damage or something? Hmm... what else?.... Power to the Universe! Power to the Lovers! I liked that song VFTF1

I use HLJ for all my Macross stuff, and BBTS for TFs. VFTF1