drifand

The point is: Bandai's overall business strategy explicitely separates 'accurate models' from 'playable toys'. Like Graham was wondering out loud: this toy is obviously NOT for folks who want a 'completed display model' ala Yamato, but more for those who prefer large-size gimmicked-out TOYS. Again, some fans here have been more than happy with what Yamato has been doing despite (or in spite) of the QC problems. Quid pro quo: there is a 'small but significant' group of fans who are turned-off by Yamato's shortcomings. For Yamato to win over the nay-crowd, they need to maintain their famed 'accuracy' with a substantially better QC record. As you have pointed out, it IS a very personal decision. Both companies' products target a different kind of collector, and neither seems interested in treading into the other's territory. We just have to live with it, whether it's 'inaccuracies' on one hand, or 'fragility' on the other.

It's surprising to read about typos in the Macross Chronicle Has there ever been a case of the publisher issuing 'corrected pages' for such projects? On another note, I've already started to separate my Chronicle files into 2 binders: 1 for Mechanics / Characters / Timeline / Special Sheets (Gallery) 2 for Technology / World Guide / Special Sheets (Songs, Goods , Making, Extra) The way I see it, binder 2 will grow phat on its own as all the other toy-related sheets come in, and binder 1 will split in similar configuration to separate the various series: M + DYRL / II + 7 + Plus / D7 + Frontier Later, binder 2 could split into Technology + World Guide / Special Sheets

Again, no idea on the backing band... but I'm keeping my expectations relatively low. If she performs at LEAST as lively as the end-titles sequence in Macross F's latter episodes, then it would be well worth the front row seats. :-) What I'm also hoping for is that the sessions with Koji Morimoto and K. Ohkawara will include autograph sessions... just hope they're obliging to fans.

I think the closest thing to compare the Bandai DX Chogokin VF-25, in order to see their way of doing things, is the previous DX Chogokin Aquarion. That one was a Kawamori design as well and has quite a few fans of the intricate multi-mode transformation system (though I do not like it). That toy was 'Deluxe' in size, gimmicks, detailing and engineering, but certainly not to the extent of being a 'displayable finished-model' ala Yamato's CAD-era offerings. If anything, that is what distinguishes the two companies' output: Bandai makes toys differently from models; Yamato makes completed models that fall short of being 'toys'. Those are the facts, whatever we may wish differently from Bandai (or Yamato, for the matter). So... I think the DX VF-25 was made for folks who don't want the fragility of a completed model, but do enjoy the deluxeness of size and playability. Could it have been 'better' than what we're getting? Probably, but it's a moot point.

I think that's the rifle mount for Stig's ride :-)

Great review Jenius, but I believe the CM's did not come with a targeting scope. I don't even know if the original design had one... doesn't seem to be space for it to be stowed due to the chest missiles.

I think if you're keen to attend, you should do the 'pre-register' thing. Don't know exactly how that would help to speed things up at the door but it can't hurt, I suppose. I wonder if the organisers will insist on people filling up their particulars for a 1-day pass, BUT if they do, then the pre-registered folks would just have to give their ID no and collect theirs.

Hi Graham, just curious but did you manage to escape the problems on the first batch of Garlands? That one is a real tragedy because it had so much promise.

Oh, and P.S. Other highlights of AFA 2008 include a session with auteur animator Koji Morimoto and also the Grand Master of Gundam himself, Kunio Ohkawara. That's a pretty decent line-up for 2 days at $8!

Well yeah, it's a bummer but it looks like the organizers are milking the meet & autograph session for maximum profit. You could still opt for the $68 tix... it will get you through the door faster AND give a chance of 20-in-300 of getting to meet May'n as well. The way my cousin explained it to me, these kinds of prices are absolutely impossible to get in Japan. She attended a L'arc en Ceil performance once at a Canadian convention and she paid only 35USD... much to the chagrin of her friends in Japan. Because, back in Japan, concert tickets go out first to the band's fan club (at already very high prices), with only 'leftovers' for public sales. So... the way I see it, the $118 I spent wasn't that expensive :-)

http://www.afa08.com/mayn_concert_ticketing.htm It's her first live performance outside of Japan :-) I've booked a VIP seat and I'll be bringing the 2 Macross F singles for autographs. Anyone else coming?

Well, in that case, Aramaki benefited from a much more serviceable script than the first outing. Hopefully, this new show has some muscle backing it for cool toys and such.

Wasn't it John Woo who helmed Appleseed 2? Could've sworn the pigeons said so.

I believe it’s a combination of luck, individual ability to afford the big price tags, and Yamato’s relative inability to enforce better QC because they are ‘small’ and do not account for significantly large quantities in orders (relative to Bandai and Takatomy) to warrant the respect of the Chinese factories they use. Since the advent of CAD planning for the M0 series, every new release has been absolutely stunning in sculpt and technical execution. Who wouldn’t want to own such beautiful pieces of memorabilia of their favorite franchise? Then comes the money decision. I’d say for most folks, $150USD a pop is not a trivial purchase. So... Scenario 1 if you’re lucky, you buy one and nothing breaks... you become a fan. Two more lucky buys and you’re a believer: Who needs Bandai and their kiddy toys? I’ve got a fully detailed completed model that rivals their Perfect Grade kits right here in my hands! Scenario 2 Not so lucky. Your first or second purchase breaks and because of your local retail situation, you are unable to seek redress from Yamato Japan or Yamato USA. Depending on the severity of damage, you either get annoyed or really angry, especially if $150 was a significant chunk of your income. You become hesitant to buy again. If you do AND stay unlucky, guess what? You become a ‘hater’. Individual levels of quality acceptance and feelings of disappointment vary, depending on collecting experience and preference for other qualities in your toys besides top-notch sculpt and ‘accuracy’. The lucky ones stay happy and wonder what the fuss is all about, even to believing the complainers are ‘ungrateful’ or ‘lacking in taste’. The unlucky ones grow more bitter because they want so much to be a part of the happy campers, but continue to be dealt a bad hand from the stacked deck of poor QC. They start to wish for an alternative provider (any provider) who can give them what Yamato can’t: A reasonably attractive facsimile of their favorite Macross or anime designs that won’t break so easily. Can the situation change? After 8 years, I seriously don’t think so unless Yamato grows a lot bigger so that THEIR factory orders command the respect of the corner-cutting factory heads. Who knows, maybe with all the factory closures in China, they’ll start to realise real quality could mean survival over quicker profits. Addendum List of Purchases & Issues: - Original YF-19: Broken Tab-B from poor fitting - VF-11B: The infamous hip joints of doom - VF-19A (VFX): Poor fitting in fighter mode still prevalent - 1/60 VF-1J Hikaru Super Pack: Poorly designed shoulders, cracked hip-joint housing, poor-fitting gunpod, poorly designed hands. - 1/60 VF-1J Max Super Pack: Poorly designed shoulders, poorly designed hands. - 1/60 VF-1J Miria Super Pack: Poorly designed shoulders, poorly designed hands. - 1/60 GBP-1S Armor parts: Terrible proportions, loose hip armor - 1/100 VB-6 Konig Monster: Over-stressed plastic pegs, badly designed non-supporting arm joints with no means of repair. - 1/60 VF-0S: Broken arm (due to production mistake and adverse material reaction), broken backpack hinge. - 1/15 Garland Army Ver: Un-glued magnets & tail light, limp feet and hands, misaligned knee guard <- this is the replacement toy; original was worse. All of this does not include the well-documented problems on other releases that dissuaded me from purchasing those toys.

Oh, for a Bandai DX Pixie Squadron Q-Rau! :-)

Well, as a recent local ad said: "When life throws Lehmans, make lemonade." I've started to grunge up the starkly white areas... which I suspect should've been metallic silver from what I've seen in the anime footage. Since Yamato has seen fit to glue-shut all vital areas (even those secured by hidden screws), it's just about impossible to take the toy apart without causing some permanent damage due to prying things apart. The biggest headache by far is the 'no-grip' left shoulder joint: the perfect limp arm to go with the limp wristed hand. I've tried dripping some Tamiya super-thin cement into the adjacent surfaces of the joint, but it's not a good (or permanent) fix because after some posing, the layer of dried cement rubs off and flakes away. Anyone got a better solution for this problem?

Fair enough. That's a close parallel to what I've been going through with regards to Yamato releases since my CAD-perfected VF-0S fell apart. We all have different needs and expectations.

What he said... "No improvements?" These don't exactly look like good play/display value next to the superlative destroids.

Thank you Shin Densetsu Kai for such a reasoned and balanced post. Sums up my feelings exactly.

Oh no, absolutely not. The Atelier Sai figs are not in the same scale as Yamato's 1/15 series; they look the same because... the base designs are the same, ya? :-D

I think every thing has been said, and fans from the Y and B camps know the score, so no point raising any more heckles: What you see is probably what you'll get, gaps, inaccuracies and all. Those who will buy this B-toy happily over Y-style will continue their merry way; those who prefer Y-style products can vote with their wallets... just like how the 'Yamato'd' crowd learned to deal with the love-hate situation. If at the very least this market competition makes Yamato seriously relook into their product shortcomings, then Macross fandom is all the richer for it.

No matter, I'm already loving their 'B Game' if it's what it is. I hate having to worry over my toy's health (or lack thereof) :-)

Yup, it's unfortunate but this time the shoe is on the other foot. Previously, folks who valued a better built product over 'accuracy' got the shaft (repeatedly) from Brand Y. Now those who have found ways to deal with that uncertainty are having to decide whether they can stomach Bandai's for-sure-it's-not-a-model approach. Some, like me are rejoicing.

Hi Scream Man, Thanks for the advice and yes, the upper arms do rotate 360-degrees. I think my disappointment was exacerbated by the superior execution on the Proto Garland. For example on the PG, the upper arms only rotate along the upper groove because the lower portion is fixed to include an additional joint so that the arms can lever-up past 90-degrees (perfect for rifles-in-the-air poses). I was so used to this that the Army Garland's lesser-featured arms threw me a scare... it really looked like they assembled it wrongly. The lack of glue on the rear light and magnets: fixed it myself with superglue, natch, but it's the lousy feeling that a whole batch of these pricey toys got pushed out the door without good QC. Other functional things that the Proto Garland spoilt me for: - Attachment pegs in the properly assembled hands that help to hold weapons firmly; had to drill holes and add pegs on the Army Garland myself. - More versatile sculpt for the left fist that allowed a good range of poses; AG's pointy left hand looks dumb in most situations. - Easier arrangement for the cockpit rear hatch to open in robot mode; AG's version needs to pull up the front-end first. - Better construction of the feet block, screws only exposed on the inner side; Screws face outwards, easily detached from leg housing, loose parts. - Problem-free knee guards; the AG's right knee is either misaligned in the slot or obstructed by excess glue/plastic flash. - Properly detented shoulders to hold arms up laterally; AG is friction-joints only, and loose. - Special optional lock piece to hold bike mode together more securely; none for the AG. So I'd say if anyone wants to own a Garland, the best version to get is still the Proto Garland.

Thank you for all the well wishes. Here's a quick update: As I walked into the store at 7pm, the store owner looked up from the counter and said, "Oh no. The leg fell off or what?" He sure knew his products! After explaining the most major problems (magnets fell out, limp leg), he searched the back of the store and pulled the last Army Garland he had. Together, we opened the box and inspected the toy. Guess what? - The magnets weren't glued down either :-/ - The right knee guard couldn't swing open freely. Something seemed to be obstructing the hinge inside the leg housing. - The rear light also fell off (not glued down) - The left shoulder joint is totally loose and cannot hold a pose. Huh. The other customers in the store were bugged-eyed at the litany of QC 'issues' being revealed. At least both legs could extend and lock, but the shoddily assembled fists were a crying shame. So now he's now stuck with an unsellable item. He tells me the return policy for resellers is so convoluted he'd rather take a loss than deal with the hassle. He asked the people in the store: "Anyone interested in the big Yamato Patlabor?".... silence and wry grins all around. "I guess not." I thanked the owner and took the lesser of two evils home.