VFTF1

I love these kinds of threads! I think all of them do it because singing makes them happy. The only exception might be Sheryl - who was conditioned from youth to sing by an evil android. Hey - would you look at that?! A ONE SENTENCE response from ME to such a fundamentally philosophical question. Who would'a thought? But it's really the answer...I think. Pete

I would like to take this occasion to point out a paradox that has recently been bugging me. Namely- I question the validity of the holy sacred tenent that Pinneapple salad is deadly. Behold: Roy never actually got a chance to eat the pine salad. He was promised Pine Salad, and he's waiting on it - but then he dies before Claudia can bring it to him (she does finish making it IIRC). Contrast with: Ozma also gets wounded, also ends up in the hospital - but the pine salad makes it to him before he has a chance to die - and he manages to eat it... and he lives. Ergo - I posit that perhaps had Claudia been quicker, and fed Roy the pine salad, he might not have died? Meanwhile - Ozma's life was arguably saved by Ranka who brought him pine salad. Bow. Goodbye Sempai. Pete

HG actually has a contract according to which they own Australia. They just never allow anybody to see it. But rest assured - the continent belongs to them. Pete

The 1:100 scale does have an advantage...namely I can have them beat up Gundams... I dunno - as long as Bandai's THIRD Hi-Metal is NOT another VF... because I have no use for 10 VF-1s with no landing gear that don't have PT heat shields etc etc. If it's just going to be a token Hikaru 1J and then move on to the VF-17 or something innovative - then that would be cool. Yamato needs to announce a VF-19 Kai so I can stop contemplating Bandai's offer here ... Pete

I'm making a new photo-comic. Yesterday I had a nervous breakdown which apparently led to my writers block of the last three months magically going away - the birth of a new idea for a story - and hey presto. For now, I'm writing the first episode. But I already have the cover picture ready, and thought I'd share it. As you might tell at a guess, the comic book stars Haruhi, Yuki and Mikuru... Haruhi gets to pilot a VF-22S The shining boobs effect is my doing.. I don't know if it works or not - but I like it Pete

The storm cloud I remember. As for the specific dialogue - I think it's later, when the Incho (class rep) comes to see Toji... Wait... Yeah -Gubaba - specific dialogue?? Because the last time I remember Toji getting chewed out by his sister was when the sister learned that Toji punched Shinji. We were told about this by that otaku with glasses who met Shinji in the field and they sat around a camp fire talking... But after Toji survives his ordeal in EVA 03, all I remember is Incho coming to see him... Pete

That is so messed up - it's like an official bootleg. It's like if I made a poster where you had Spiderman, Batman, Jimmy Carter and Ronald McDonald and called it "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles." And idiot parents looking for a cartoon for their kids would buy it Oh well. Whatever... Pete

Oh yeah. That's a good point. I'm glad I got you guys to argue But then..how is it that the EVA-03 is occupied with an angel? Pete

Mmm...bouncy! Oh and yeah robots...cool... Bouncy! Pete

All I remember is some vague debate on whether it was transformable or not .... Pete

I agree - and I would also be up to the task of providing the scene by scene analysis. It's patently obvious to me but easily missed because the FORM of the series ending is metaphorical and esoteric while the FORM of EOE presents the same CONTENT - but does so exoterically and without any metaphors. That said, it is possible to show this. I just need to download EOE and the series ending again (for some odd reason, the entire series survived on my harddrive sans the last two episodes). Makes sense to me - otherwise how do we account for what happens to Toji when he actually gets into EVA 03? Yeah, sure - fine. It turns out to be "an Angel." But what is "an Angel" ? Why -it's 99.8% the same thing as a human being, as Ritsuko pointed out. All of the geometrical angels are manisfestations of a form of human angst without the benefit of human bodies. Human beings are just angels who manifest themselves via emotions, words, gestures - and who have a different attack pattern that is not as simplistic as each consecutive geometrical Angel. Question - the REAL question: what triggers an Angel to attack? Clearly Toji was triggered because when he harmonized with EVA 03 - he realized IT was his sister - which totally freaked him out. He already WAS an angel - like all human beings - BEFORE this realization - but what made him detectable to NERV as an angel ("pattern blue") was that he freaked out during the harmonization process. What is the harmonization process? IT IS Human Instrumentality - step one. It's the same thing that ultimately SEEL wants for all mankind - it's the prototype platform for the merging of human souls into ONE - the EVAs and its' pilots merge, lowering their own AT fields via the convenient assitance of the fact that the EVAs are always people who have low AT field resistence towards their pilots anyways (Mom-son, Mom-daughter, Sister-brother, Lilith-Rei)> Why Lilith/Rei? Because they are the same genetic material - the same BEING - forced apart - most likely in order to discover how to put them back together. SEEL authorizes the EVA project not just as a defense against Angels (since SEEL ARE Angels and that's tantamount to just extending the eternity of human struggle/warfare). SEEL authorizes the EVA project because IT is the first step towards Human Instrumentality. The first step can be taken by using souls that already have weak AT field resistence to one another on account of biological or artificial bonds like love and friendship. Or souls that - like with Rei/Lilith - are already the same but split. What they are trying to do is find a scientific, genetic formulae for replicating the process that takes place between some humans on an emotional level - the process of falling in love, of dropping all fear and inhibition (AT fields) towards the OTHER. This process happens amongst select humans to the exlucions of OTHER humans - thus the AT field, even if weakened or dropped in relation to some people, never gets weakened or dropped in relation to ALL people. In fact - if we remember Kaji's teaching to Shinji about the Japanese meaning of the word for "woman" - then by nature Instrumentality is impossible. This is why Gendo desires to make it possible via SCIENCE. Clear as daylight to me - which brings us to... Exactly. Which does NOT mean that Jasonc is wrong when he says: These are NOT contrary views. As I wrote in my previous post - there is a huge difference between plot and interpretation, between agreeing on what is seen and what is said vs. interpreting it. And between logical assumptions based on what is seen and said vs. presumptions and reflections based on what is seen and said. Here's an example of one such logical assumption: The sex scene between Misato and Kaji. We never SEE it. But we sure as heck HEAR it. So - is this "open to interpretation" in the sense that someone can come along and say "Well based on my feelings, I think that two people were cosplaying Misato and Kaji and having sex - but it wasn't really them" or "well based on my feelings, I think that they were actually both working out and doing push ups together." I mean - technically - yes - you can venture a zillion theories about what was "really" happening in that scene - and all of them would be wrong since the fact is that the scene was Kaji and Misato having sex. End of Story. Once you accept that this is what was happening - THEN you can go into interpretations. Interpretations of that scene can vary from: Misato and Kaji rekindled their old love Misato was just using Kaji to get information Kaji was just using Misato to get information They were drunk and didn't know what they were doing etc etc etc Do you see what the difference is between interpretation and the facts/logic of a story? It's not an either or. It's not "either everything Keith says is true" OR this show is one big blob with no plot, thought, sequencing etc etc. If anything - the show is carefully made - carefully thought out. And so we need to be equally careful when analyzing it. Keeping in mind the distinction between an EXPLANATION and an INTERPRETATION between what a scene made you feel and think vs. what HAPPENED in a scene is KEY. Otherwise the discussion falls apart. Pete

Japanese voices and english subtitles... so...it's not Robotech but the original three sold under the Robotech name? Confusing... Pete

I don't think I have a favorite fight...but here are some that come to mind: Anikan Skywalker vs. Padme (love vs. choke hold) - I love how Padme tries to fight his burnig hatred with her love. When she starts crying and says he's going down a path she can't follow and asks him to stop, come back and tells him she loves him, I always get teary eyed. Kyle Reece vs. Terminator Final Factory Fight (first movie obviously)- You kind of get the impression I'm into tragic fights with a romantic angle, don't ya? Well - I love this fight precisely because it is so tragic; all the more so that by that point in the film we know that Kyle is fighting because he loves Sarah, not just because it's his duty as a soldier or to follow orders. Asuka vs. EVA production type - Mainly because of the ending - by which I mean Shinji's reaction. Although the fight itself is also excellent and a very emotional moment in the anime. ALL of Ideon: Be Invoked The whole damn movie is a fight. Nothing but non-stop wholesale slaughter for two hours straight - and it's all incredibly sad and moving, particularly given the ending. Braveheart - the first battle where the Irish win - I love that battle because it has all the right elements to an uplifting and noble event - I also like the last battle - the one we don't see. mm... Lots of good fights in movies and stuff - too much to list... Pete

The economy goes to hell, the world is at war, and people are working on a Robotech live action movie. This year sucks! Pete

Thanks - it also gave me a chance to see my own views from a year ago. And led me to the following question: Is the Rei standing next to Shinji in Episode 1 a Soul Harvester? How do people interpret the Rei that Shinji sees in Episode 1? Pete

Daaaaaamn that sure is a lot of dust! mmm...and Coca Cola... I can't stand Pepsi - and yes, I can tell the difference.. Anyways - NGII - yes, I do read your posts and your suggestions and comments are always teaching me something new. As for missing out - don't worry - I am always missing out on something Oh - and one last point about the MG Exia - another complaint: See.... look at the battle damaged head. That should be the inner frame that is under the plate armor on the head -but sadly - it isn't. This is dissapointing. I hate to sound like a broken record, but the version 2.0 RX-78-2 and GM and for that matter Zaku and Gouf have well detailed raw heads under neath the head armor. Why doesn't Exia? Probably because at 1:100, the thing is too small to get it done. Pete

Excuse the double post, but I also felt the urge to add one more point about EVA. Namely; I guess I've been guilty of avoiding the subjective, personal nature of stories like these. I keep searching for something I refer to as a coherent plot, a logical and good story - something that has to be acknowledged even if it's not personally "your" thing all the while ignoring the extent to which something like EVA can not only "put people off" but also appeal to them on a personal emotional level. Point is, for me - personally - independent of whether or not the story is coherent, the plot is good or bad, logical or illogical - the character of Shinji Ikari appeals to me on a deeply personal level. I find much of myself in Shinji and feel very attached to the character as he moves through the story up through the bitter sweet end. I'm sure that this emotional attachment colors all of my arguments - as impersonal as I might make them sound. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that while Gurren Lagann is my favorite anime, and Macross is my favorite anime series (clever distinction, no? .... then Shinji Ikari is my all time favorite character of any anime. I am closest to him in my thinking, in my feelings, in how I react to the world and how I percieve it. Small wonder then that I love EVA so much.... Pete

No worries. I get the same exact feeling when I have to deel with the tax authorities that keep hounding me. That leaves me with trying to get Gubaba and Keith to elaborate on their disagreements Pete

The reference there was this: I'm not really sure how marketing by Warner could make people believe Robotech was a ground breaking show and that RT was much greater than it was. I actually don't think that WB would spend even a penny trying to convince people about Robotech's repuation one way or another. What they would focus on is marketing their eventual movie on its' own merits - not on spending money to prove that an old cartoon that sucked was actually good. That's all I was refering to there. Pete

Nice! And no - you're not crazy. I have the same dilema...or will once I finish building the EXIA... But actually, I have this dilema with all the MGs because I would really like to also just have the inner frame without armor to display and play with... So, perhaps when the economy improves I will be able to always build TWO of the MGs I like: one with armor...the other just the inner frame Pete

Um...but I am a US citizen and I'm eminently familiar with "the way things work" in the US. We have a different view of Holywood which I can't really discuss because a) it's off topic and b) I would have to discuss politics which is against the rules. But in short: I think Holywood and the American film industry are overall a positive phenomena and I think the way that the film industry and culture in general are organized in the USA is the best. Better than anywhere else. Naturally this does not mean that I think it's flawless. It is not perfect, far from it. I can't defend this opinion because that would be talking about politics. So I'll just have to leave it at stating my opinion. Pete

I am the Hier to the Throne of England!! Twas I who was fathered by Prince Charles with a Polish cleaning lady!! I've had a running battle over at www.Royalblood.com on the subject, and I'll be just as glad to have one here, which will not be stopped until Prince Charles registers as a member of MW himself and settles this argument! Well your Higness? Dad?? Pete

I found Keith eminently convincing - where does he come up short in your view? And where is Air-'s reply?? I think out of all the anime out there - EVA is the one I like talking about and reading people talk about most. Even if they hate it - there's just so much in there to flesh out Pete

Oh I believe you - and I have read your posts. I think, however, that the word "interpretation" is being bandied about a bit loosely here. What you're talking about - unless I' mistaken - is the one correct PLOTLINE. Plotlines are based on what is seen in the series - and when a series is very complex like EVA, it's easy to get mixed up. However, your explanations, because they are rooted in what is seen and heard in EVA, is a kind of summary of the plot line accounting for all the specifics. That said - an interpretation isn't necessarily the same as a specific explanation of events and intention. It's more like a way of looking at something that is tangental, incidental or even beyond the realm of what was intended. An example of this is the interpretation that NGE gives us a nice commentary on working life through Misato's character. This interpretation in no way subtracts or attacks the main intended scope of the story. That's what I'm talking about when I say "there are multiple interpretations of EVA." I am certainly NOT saying "EVA has no plot" or "this is just a thoughtless muddle so everybody can have an opinion about what is going on because there isn't any real story communicated." Again - the key is ultimately in specifics. Just because you (Keith) state that there is ONE real plot (or in your word interpretation) to EVa doesn't make it so. However - I have read all of your previous posts and you ARGUE - give examples and a well thought out argument based on what is seen and heard in the show - for what you claim is the real plot behind the puzzles of EVA. I have yet to see a detractor really give a thorough critique as to why EVA doesn't hold together. That is the problem. It's the reverse problem I have with Robotech - nobody has been able to explain yet what is so appealing about it in a way that holds up to critical examination. Pete

Yes - which AGAIN proves that the HG party line about "we're waiting with Shadow Rising until Warner makes the franchise more marketable to give us better chances of getting a sponsor" is phoney. There's absolutely nothing that say they need to do that - they could just as well do the opposite: make Shadow Rising a popular TV series to get WB interested in investing big bucks in the LAM. But of course - that would mean they'd have to produce a good TV series - which is something they can't do. Pete