Jump to content

RavenHawk

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    1922

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Everything posted by RavenHawk

  1. RavenHawk
    If anyone on here has any of the artbooks, I'd love to hear about what is contained in each (in particular, I'm interested in ones with concept artwork on the mecha). There are a few books floating around online, but not much of anything for info or previews on what's inside.
  2. RavenHawk
    I'm not trying to get into an argument by any means, but I do think that it's important to separate what was seen in the show from what was designed. It may have been seen in one still, but the ARTMIC team did a ton of design work and backstory work that the final episode writers did or did not include at their own discretion. There were histories written that never made it in, and many additional mecha, weapons, armors, and variants. Mecha were designed with full, detailed transformation sequences, even if the animators and script writers of the final show never used those designs. Again, we're talking about what was designed, not what made it into the show. Looking at the IMAI files (well, the English translation of the IMAI files), the Condor was described as the "Condor Armo Fighter". The Legioss, in its history notes, was referred to as the "Legioss Armo Fighter", which replaced the "Condor Armo Fighter". So, to me, that means that the designers intended the Condor not to be a TLEAD predecessor, thus it did not connect to the Legioss. I personally just like to picture it as an attachment/booster/re-entry add-on, just because I think it would be visually fun. As for transformation, I have seen no original ARTMIC pictures of it transformed, except for having the legs folded back; it also does have those small/vestigial wings on its back. However, lets keep in mind that the TLEAD transformation is, essentially, bend the legs and arms back and open the wings. Looks to me like the Condor would be essentially bend the legs back and unfold the significantly smaller wings. So, not THAT far short of it (in fact, early designs for the TLEAD, including transformation, didn't have a head or anything else folding or moving, but were basically the Condor "transformation", but with longer wings), but yes, visually less of a change. If you look at the backstory in the IMAI files, the different Earth colonies (Mars and Jupiter) were involved in warfare among each other, and then banded together to fight the Inbit, developing the Legioss along the way. My takeaway from that is that the Condor was used in these colonial battles. As these took place in space or in the atmospheres of other planets (and, in some cases, lower gravities and different densities of atmosphere), the Condor did not have to be very aerodynamic (not that the TLEAD is either). The first wave to retake Earth used these, and then the Legioss was developed. That doesn't change the fact that the Condor was an "armo fighter" and not just an "armo soldier". Realistically, it just doesn't matter. You prefer to think of it as not being intended to transform; I prefer to think of it as being intended to transform, just with a really minimalist transformation. To each his own. As to the comment about the ARTMIC guys not being able to design a basic rifle, I think that's a bit harsh. I think they came up with some pretty decent weapons designs. Their rifles are pretty decent, and the Gallant in "rifle mode" really isn't really a rifle; it's a pistol with a stock attached.
  3. RavenHawk
    It'll never be made, but I have a soft spot for Kakinuma Hideki's redesigns from 2007 Hobby Japan Magazine.
  4. RavenHawk
    I could look through my various ARTMIC books to refresh my memory, but I don't think it was every shown transformed (though there was concept art showing it flying, in robot form). All the transformed art work out there is fan art, I think... However, some of the ARTMIC art did show what appear to be wings on it, so my opinion is that, as originally designed, they were at least leaving the option there for it to be transformable. My personal, non-canon preference is to have it transform and be a booster, like the TLEAD. That whole proboscis on the design looks like it would fit nicely between the arms/upper engines on the Legioss.
  5. RavenHawk
    Thanks. It seems in great shape, with all of the joints very tight, no scuffs or other marks. Everything seems here. JJ's shoulder pads, pistol, holster, HUD/headband, a little red disc (not sure where that goes yet), even the face mask that clips into the helmet and the little blue thruster cones that go in the robot feet. The front swingarm for the wheel, on the other hand, is a huge pain. Just floppy all over. Really surprised by the size of this thing. It's more like a Yamato Garland.
  6. RavenHawk
    I think that's the Condor (did it have a different name in MOSPEADA or Robotech? I'm blanking).
  7. RavenHawk
    Looks like the classic design, not the Sentinel one.
  8. RavenHawk
    So, if it's ok to share some of my personal joy at the moment... After a decade of searching online, hearing statements that "those pop up on eBay every once in a while", this just arrived on my doorstep 5 minutes ago: The box looks pretty much pristine for anything I've gotten used from Japan, nevermind a 30 year old toy. Everything seems to be here. Stickers still un-applied, accessories still in the baggie, and even the flexible attachments to the helmet are there, undamaged. I think it's complete. Anyone with one of these able to confirm? I'm just giddy like a little kid finally getting this... and nervous to take it out and transform it. Now to spend the next decade trying to find a Ridingcepter...
  9. RavenHawk
    It's called the "patrol carry position", and is the standard way that infantry are trained to carry their rifles when on foot.
  10. RavenHawk
    I am SERIOUSLY conflicted on this one. The blue and white color scheme is exactly, 100% up my alley. Absolutely love it. On the other hand, with the regular edition coming in at $228 on AmiAmi, the strike parts themselves (which are kind of a must if you get the blue and white edition) coming in at $232, and then the special Garland at $582, that's paying $814 for some cool extra parts and a limited edition color scheme (or 3.6 times the price of the regular edition). I just don't know if I can justify that... then again, I'm still kicking myself for not buying the Viper's Creed Maneuver Blade back in the day, and that was around $450... For those of us who missed the kickstarter, does anyone know if the blue and white edition is being offered anywhere other than AmiAmi?
  11. RavenHawk
    Nice video and great review. I agree with pretty much all the comments you made about this toy (including not being a fan or the extra spinning part on the shoulders, which is too loose on both of mine). I think the only points you missed are the round ankle parts which I believe are meant to be rotated around in robot mode (not that they make any difference), and the big one being that the scale corresponds to the figures (Arcadia and Yamato) and not the vehicle itself (though you show "true" scale at the end). Again, great review, and such a great toy. I only wish the blue and white one were priced so that I could justify ordering it too.
  12. RavenHawk
    Well played. My Apple figure came in the mail yesterday, so I thought I'd post a few pictures for anyone on the fence about it. Everything that I've seen online was just stock images. It arrive in a nice, very sturdy and solid outer box. Inside was a foam insert, the actual product box, and a free gift (picture taken after I removed everything but the insert). The package included this artwork. I think it's referred to as a pencil board (please correct me on this if I'm wrong). Basically very heavy stock, almost cardboard, with this artwork on the front. I was not expecting this, and was pleasantly surprised. The product box itself came wrapped in tissue paper. Not a big deal, a little more protection to keep everything mint, but definitely added to the impression of getting a high quality item. Apple herself comes in this very nice box, with generous display windows. And here she is, along with Opa-Opa. Nothing amazing to the base (relatively thin plastic), but it gets the job done and the connection for her foot (metal) is very nice and solid. I was impressed. I took the picture next to the other most recent items I've received, to give a sense of scale (Arcadia Garlands in front, listed at 1/24 but really 1/18, and Sentinel MOSPEADAs in back, which are 1/12 and noticeably smaller). I'm very happy with this purchase. I paid $66 on Amazon on Sunday, and it was well worth it, in my opinion. Is it worth the $160 that Amazon is charging today, or the $105-120 that most other sites seem to be charging? That all depends on your love of the show. For me, I wouldn't pay much more than what I did, but then I'm really a mecha and vehicle collector, and not into just character figures. I hope this is helpful to people considering the figure.
  13. RavenHawk
    Now if we could get enough perceived interest to get Arcadia to do a Tricharger and Ridingcepter...
  14. RavenHawk
    My two Arcadia Garlands came in the mail yesterday, and I've had a chance to muck around with both of them. One to display with my 1/18th Shinji Aramaki bikes, and one to hopefully display with the other upcoming Arcadia MZ23 line. Overall, I'm VERY happy with them. i absolutely love the build quality and the solid feel of the bikes. As soon as you take it out of the box, it feels like a quality product. Surprisingly, some of the connections that are tight on one aren't so tight on the other, and vice versa. Everything works fine though. My only complaints are: - The white chest piece on one fell off. It connects loosely, and looks like it was basically held in place by the red paint of the part that it attaches too. A tiny drop of super glue fixed the problem easily enough. - The upper windscreen on that same one popped off. For now, I just slotted it back in and it seems ok. No glue yet. - The pegs that connect the legs to the read wheel in robot mode don't quite seem to line up perfectly on either one. When you're slotting them in, you kind of have to force them... and then when you disconnect them, you get really nervous the plastic is going to snap.
  15. RavenHawk
    This is what i get for replying to a post before seeing that someone else already did. Sorry for the double post on the image.
  16. RavenHawk
    Literally the only item I could find anywhere online. I ended up ordering the Blu Ray at Best Buy yesterday. $1 cheaper, so no real difference (and they price match, if needed), and I had points saved up. Really looking forward to it.
  17. RavenHawk
    I was wondering when this was going to list. Thanks for posting it! I wonder if the box looking old and weathered is intentional?
  18. RavenHawk
    All I've managed to ever find is that one teaser silhouette image, not even a prototype.
  19. RavenHawk
    FYI, I paid $66 Sunday night. Today it's at $141. Never seen a price jump around so much on Amazon before.
  20. RavenHawk
    I REALLY wish we'd gotten that CMs Tri-Charger!
  21. RavenHawk
    Was on the fence about buying it, but then saw that Amazon has the figure for $30-40 less than the various usual online retailers, so took the plunge. Looking forward to it. Edit: Scratch that. just went on to check on my order, and it shipped, for the price I originally paid yesterday... and the price for the remaining stock went up by $30.
  22. RavenHawk
    Reviving and old thread, rather than unnecessarily creating a new one. Has anyone picked up the Apple figure? Worth it? As to other figures coming out, I think this is part of a line of female-only figures, so this is likely a one-and-done.
  23. RavenHawk
    I guess it's just a matter of personal taste. I'm also hoping that we eventually get the classic designs released, so want these updated designs being a more cohesive updated whole.
  24. RavenHawk
    I finally pulled the trigger on my two Stigs and Rays ( they'd be sitting in my pile of loot for a while, just in case something else came along that I wanted to ship together with them). I have to say that I absolutely love them. They both look gorgeous in both forms (I like the updated designs) and the transformation is nice and easy. Looked at the instructions once to make sure I don't break anything, and no issues since. All four figures have been transformed multiple times with no issues. As for complaints: - One of my Stigs didn't have enough glue holding the "gas tank" middle piece in place and it fell off. That was a 30 second fix. - The ball joints. Sweet Jesus the ball joints. Two of the four have the ankle guards constantly popping off. All four have multiple joints pop off during transformation. It is REALLY annoying. On the flip side, I would MUCH rather have joints popping off and being put back on than to have these things breaking during transformation. I'll take it. So now I'm looking forward to Yellow even more than I was before. As for Houquet... well, all we've seen is a rough artwork mockup, so the final piece may be very difference, but I'm just not into the design. I'm glad that it looks like we'll be getting the figure, but it just looks like the current batch of Sentinel "stock" ride armor parts, with some of the anime design parts thrown in. They don't look integrated. I hope that they get a little more creative with the design before release.
  25. RavenHawk
    Now I'm going to have mixed feelings here. Generally, I like to display all vehicles based on the scale of the vehicle. I'm one of those people that is bothered when, like you said, the Garland is sized like a convertible sports car and not like a very large motorcycle. HOWEVER... I display all of my Aramaki transforming bikes based on rider size. So, my Yamato Motoslaves and CMs rider armors sit right next to my Yamato Garlands. I'll just have to see how it all looks/feels when I have it in hand and next to each other. Then again, if Arcadia keeps going with the MZ23 line like I hope they do, it'll need its own shelf anyway.
×
×
  • Create New...