Sulendil Ang

IMO, I think MF will going to deal with three major themes: capitalism, destiny vs freewill and the idea of "the universe is not big enough for two species". In fact, the last two themes seems to get more attentions in recent episodes, I will not doubt that Kawamori will make the finale based on those issues.

My own take: I think Grace's fraction is motivated by two goals: money and total domination of galaxy by humans. Perhaps just like Quamzin, they believe any contact between two species will only finally end in a total annihilation of one of them, and indeed, this world is just too small for two different races to live "happily ever after". SW1 may just only reinforce their point. And since wars are going to happen at the end, why don't just make them happen quicker and grabbed some cold money at the process?

On the other hand, if Ranka turned out to be a Vajra queen-to-be, I think her character's main theme will become just like Alto's: fate vs. freewill. Will Ranka accept her fate as Vajra Queen and acts as one just because she had the "cursed" blood of Vajra flowed in her body, or will she do what Alto did, who give no damn about it and decides to do what she really want?

I'm not too sure how music and culture going to solve those dilemma, but I think in the end, it will be music that provided the answer to those themes presented in MF, especially the "the universe is not big enough for two species" part. After all, it's music that makes humans win the SW1 at the first place.

Just like Graham, I have no problem with those reused scenes and fast paced plots. VF-171 pwns you all!!!

Perhaps push of a button on the stick or throttle...

On this subject I've noticed that when using the throttle stick transformation method in the VF-25 (and the VF-0 for that matter), while it is 90 degrees for fighter and straight up for battroid, it isn't 45 degrees for gerwalk like you'd think. It is still just at 90. So I'm wondering what do they do to go to gerwalk instead of fighter?

For VF-25, it's a tough question. We have yet to see the control when VF-25 is transformed from Fighter to GERWALK. I guess just like VF-17, it's just a push of a button somewhere in the stick or throttle...

At least, unlike other VF, we still have plenty of episode left to see any indication of how they pull this trick off...

Yes, I see the Battroid mode throttle for the VF-17 Nightmare isn't at a different 90 degree angle than the Fighter mode throttle, unlike the YF-19 cockpits. But what does that say? The VF-17 Nightmare has a HOTAS (Hands-On-Throttle-And-Stick) cockpit like all the other modern Valkyrie, perhaps even more so given the layout. So if the control for transformation isn't on the throttle or stick, then where would it be?

The transformation could still be on the throttle or stick, but just not activated the same way as the VF-1 Valkyrie, the YF-19 or the VF-25 Messiah (by shifting the angle of the mount 90 degrees).

Well, that's interesting. So do you have any idea how the mechanism of transformation works for VF-17, March?

To illustrate my point, let's compare YF-19 with VF-17.

First, here's the line art of YF-19's cockpit in Battroid and Fighter mode. Notice the different position of the throttle.

Fighter Mode

Battroid Mode

Now, here's the cockpit of VF-17 in both modes. There seems to be no visible change in the position of the throttle:

Fighter Mode

Battroid Mode

Just curious, how does VF-17 transform? Haven't really seen Macross 7, but judging from the line art, I doubt it was transform using the conventional throttle method.

Nice post Chief Guld Goa Bowman! I originally planned to do a research on the controls of variable fighter and Zentradi battle suits sometimes on this end of year (with pictures), where I had finished my big exam, but looks like someone is doing it earlier than I am.

Not having watching all the Macross series yet, I can't say for sure if I think you interpretation is correct or not (especially the gunpod one: I have another idea for it), so maybe a picture or two may help. But still, it explains neatly how VF is controlled.

Thanks for the scans d3v! I always interested with the cockpit's and fight control's line art, so the first line art of VF-25's cockpit really makes me excited.

Major Focker: Yeah, it's a typo. Should be more careful next time...

VF-25 Messiah: Thanks for the picture! Nice to see VF-27 in action.

i have a dumb question: what's PBB?

Pin Point Barrier.

Sorry for asking this, but can anyone post a picture of VF-27 using the PBB sword? I don't recall to see that in episode 13...

So has it been settled? Which side won?

No... At least, not yet. We should know who are right in less than an hour...

OK, some help here.

I've only seen, Macross, Macross 2, Plus, Zero, and now this Frontier.

Is there something in Macross 7 and DYRL that is affecting Frontier and is not making since to me now? Example, what is Megaroad, and what is meant that DYRL was filmed on a set? ? ?

Megaroad-01 is the first colonization ship launched. And in Macross universe, DYRL is a historical movie based on the events of the original Macross, hence the phase "filmed on a set".

EDIT: Ninja'd.

Thanks for the information, lynn2009! Looks like Macross Chronicle is going to be a one sweet series.

Yeah I hope my local kinokuniya store is getting them and I am glad the Bindder is not special mail order or web -order exclusive

Me too. BTW, do you live in Malaysia? If you do, please drop me a PM if you found them in Kinokuniya at Suria KLCC, k?

But don't you see these speculations are how fanboys keep ourselves occupied instead of going crazy mad over the long wait?

Erm... By doing your school homework/job?

At least, that's how I'm going to survive this week: I have quite a busy life back in my school.

I already said that I edited it...

And nope, they can be edited if you are the one who posted them, hehe...

I see, thanks for that valuable information, Kronnang

Now thinking about it, I should select both in the beginning. Stupid me.

There's only one word I can think if I want to write a review of this episode:

W T F

Damn... Hehehe... Is there a way of correcting it?

I don't know... Usually polls can't be edited after they're being posted.

But seeing your last post, I think the polls has limited editing, such as determining the multiple-choice options...

sdf2501: Nay, I really don't like the idea that WTF-1 is from another dimension/timeline. It feels so clique...

I think you make a mistake with that poll, Kronnang Dunn: It shouldn't be multiple-choice. You know, I have the temptation to select both, but my resisted.

Well we're arguing about the origin of WTF-1 and why it's on Galia 4, Lunar sub is out.

My post is not an attempt to explain away anything. As I said, most of us are still up in the air as to why the NUNS came about, why all the insignia from the UNS kite to the Zentradi emblem have changed and what if any bearing the events of VF-X2 have played on Macross Frontier. What my post does is label, IMO, what are the more likely explanations for NUNS in Macross II and Frontier.

Sorry for the misunderstanding, March! Yeah, there's no way to fully explain the political sphere of MF without using bunch of fanfic and imagination. I guess it's all about 'wait and see'.

Look, I've seen signs of NUNS infiltrating our media for years, even BEFORE Macross II.

LOL.

March: But still, your theory can't explained away the absent of the UN Kite in the NUNS fighters, or the sudden usage of the term in MF (Remember, all Macross shows consistently called the space military branch of NUNG as the UN Spacy until now).

First Starcraft 2, now we get Diablo 3, Blizzard is indeed showering the fans with good news. Just hope Diablo 3 will be as awesome as its previous installations.

That's what I thought, but others have pointed out that there's a big difference between "The New Unity Government" and "a new Unity Government."

Yeah, I think the main problem is that if the current New United Government is the reform of the New United Nation Government (notice the difference) or not. Just hope that episode 13 will have a history lesson with us. I will love to see it.