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Special Feature:Macross F and the History of VFs
The Variable Fighters That Continued Evolving From the VF-1 to the VF-25
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The 25th Anniversary Of Macross
VFs, Love Triangles and Songs: What is the Macross inheritance?
"Macross F", which was produced commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Macross series, is finally going to be telecast starting from the spring of this year.
F is for Frontier, and even though there is the meaning of searching for a new frontier, which is the linchpin of the story, there's also the meaning of the frontier for the future of the titles called Macross.
The first episode (the Deculture Edition, which essentially differs from the first episode) was previewed in a special that was broadcast at the end of last year. What we were able to understand from it was that the staff, starting with General Director Shoji Kawamori, "wanted to make up something new while basing it the past Macross series".
So, what are the charms of the Macross series? They seem to be what is presently recognized as "Variable Fighters (VFs)", "love triangles", and "music". If you add to that, then keywords such as "SF, first contact, and the depiction of mecha to the utmost limits" could also be mentioned.
To begin with, the first production, "Super Dimensional Fortress Macross", which started its broadcast in 82, was astounding. As far as many boys were concerned at that time, it was because "everything that I wanted to see was put into it" (at the same time, it ought to be what the young staff at that time, such as director Kawamori, wanted to see).
Even though one often says, "the so-called Real Robot [anime] started from Gundam", when you analyze the elements that are currently received from it and the constituent elements of robot anime, the truth is that even though the beginning of Real Robot was Gundam, it's clear that the perfection of its foundations is Macross itself.
It's been 25 years from then. What kind of frontier does "Macross F" open?
Together with putting all our efforts into this main feature, we tie together the road that resulted in the state-of-the-art VF-25, while looking back on the history of the VF, which is the pronoun in the Macross series that means mecha.
Caption: Macross F
Staff
General Director: Shōji Kawamori / Studio Nue
General Director: Shōji Kawamori
Director: Kikuchi Yasuhito
Series Composition: Hiroyuki Yoshino
Character Design: Risa Ebata, Yūichi Takahashi
Mechanical Design: Junya Ishigaki, Takeshi Takakura
VF Design: Shōji Kawamori
Music Yōko Kannō
Sound Direction: Masafumi Mima
Production: Satelight
Production: Bikku West, Macross F Production Committee, MBS
Caption: Macross 7 (94)
Caption: Macross Plus (94)
Caption: Super Dimensional Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love? (84)
Caption: Super Dimensional Fortress Macross (82)
Caption: Macross Zero (02)
"Macross F" Broadcast Dates and Times! (Scheduled Times)
TBS: Fridays 25:55 to 26:25 from 4/4, MBS: Thursdays 25:25 to 25:55 from 4/3, CBC: Thursdays 26:25 to 26:55 from 4/3, RKB 26:30 to 27:00 from 4/7, HTB: Mondays 26:25 to 26:55 from 4/7, TBC & SBS: Thursdays 26:15 to 26:45 from 4/4, RCC: Saturdays 26:40 to 27:10 from 4/5, RSK: Mondays 26:25 to 26:55 from 4/7, RKK: Sundays 25:50 to 26:20 from 4/6.
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Has A New Macross Legend Been Opened Up? The Keywords of "Macross F"
Keyword 1: Story
The Three Great Elements That Walk On The Royal Road Of The Macross Series
The story of "Macross F" is said to depict plenty of "VF and mecha action", "a love triangle", and "idols and songs", which are the three great elements of Macross. Incidentally, the program's tag-line is "a super-galactic love story that intersects the fate of love, friendship, and planets". It's quite gaudy, isn't it?
The story is set in "Frontier", which is a galactic Emigrant Fleet. It starts from the chance meeting of Saotome Aruto, who attends the Mihoshi Academy High School pilot training course; and Ranka Lee, a female high-school student who had an eye on being a singer; in the environs of the concert venue for Sheryl Nome, a popular idol singer. And suddenly, enigmatic life-forms attacks. Frontier becomes a battlefield in the presence of those life-forms, who have overwhelming abilities. In the middle of that, Aruto boards an S.M.S. state-of-the-art VF-25 fighter by chance...
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Keyword 2: Setting ConfigurationEven though they have the same time axis, the Macross Series emphasizes narrativity
The setting configuration of "Macross F" is in 2059, set after the passage of 14 years since the time of "Macross 7". Consequently, such things as the mecha are the same ones that appeared in "Macross 7", and one can see very many of their developed lineages being used in "Macross F".
The time axis of the Macross series started from 1999, when the Macross crashed on South Ataria Island, and from that point in time, the Macross series progressed with a history that differs from our current history. Incidentally, "Macross Zero" is set in 2009, 10 years after the start of the first Macross story, "Super Dimensional Macross", and is a story from that period of differing history.
One of the features of Macross is that although there is more or less a time axis, it is subtly changed to suit the direction of each production. In other words, they haven't made a "history chronology" that is perfectly consistent.
One could say that that is the embodiment of the notion that the enjoyment of each production takes precedence, and that a chronology is quite capable of becoming a hindrance. Namely, despite "Macross F" also following Macross history, the potentiality of it advancing its own path is also still great. As a result, will characters that appeared in the previous series appear in "Macross F"?
Caption: "The Macross Frontier Fleet"
It is composed of a spaceship group centred on the Island One flagship, and roughly half of the 10 million people that live within the ships reside in Island One.
Caption: The Frontier Fleet. One can assess that Island One has a shape like an open shell and so forth, and it becomes clear that the Frontier Fleet has a concept that's the equivalent to that of the Macross 7 Fleet.
Keyword 3: Academy
The setting this time is a school!
Protagonist Aruto is a Mihoshi Academy High School pilot training course student. So, as the model of this Mihoshi Academy High seems to be Horikoshi High School, the developments from here... perhaps it's in accordance with the imagination of the people who are reading this. It's a school love comedy after all. A love comedy. Is the setting forced? Not at all - it isn't something to get fired up over?!
Incidentally, what Aruto is wearing in the first episode is called EX-Gear (upper right picture). And while being an enhanced-exoskeleton style powered suit, it also seems to be a unique suit that is both the new VF's ejection seat and a lifesaving unit.
Keyword 4: Characters
Leon Mishima
The chief aide of the New Unified Government's President's office. He is always level and calm as the close aide of the president, and he is concerned with guiding political preparations and policy.
Howard Glass
The New Unified Government president. He is the person in charge of bringing together the administration in the Frontier Fleet. He shoulders the responsibility of political decisions in the varied situations in the fleet's space cruise.
Matsūra Nanase
A colleague at Ranka's part-time job, "Nyan-Nyan". She attends Mihoshi Academy, and is also a classmate of Aruto and Michael. She has an introverted, quiet personality.
Luca Angeloni
A high school student in the Mihoshi Academy pilot training course. He is Aruto and Michael's junior. He is gifted when it comes to the handling of computers and military electronics.
Cathy Glass
A First Lieutenant attached to the New Unified Forces general staff headquarters. She is the president's daughter. She has a keen mind, and is gifted with both intelligence and beauty. After graduating from university at the head of the class, she enlisted into the New Unified Forces. She is moving along the path of the elite at full speed, however she has an aspect that isn't even a little flexible, because she tries to be faithful to her professional duties.
Saotome Aruto*
A high school student who attends the Mihoshi Academy High School pilot training course. Although he is often mistaken for a girl, because of his handsome looks and long hair, he is a fully-fledged boy. Due to the Vajra attack, he boards the latest VF-25.
Ranka Lee*
Even though she is petite, she is active. A cheerful and naive girl. She is the daughter of S.M.S.'s ace pilot Ozuma Lee. Despite currently attending a high school for the daughters of high-class families, as per elder brother Ozuma's intent, she has a part-time job at the Chinese restaurant "Nyan-Nyan".
Sheryl Nome*
A top idol from the Macross Galaxy Fleet. Her popularity in Macross Frontier has become fixed. Her pride is remarkably high due to her preeminent good looks and skills as a singer, and she has confidence in herself.
Ozuma Lee*
The leader of Skull Platoon in S.M.S., a private special forces military organization. He was once attached to the New Unified Forces, and has abundant combat experience. Even though he can be seen as irresponsible, when it comes to his duties, he is often regarded as a strict soldier who looks after his own life and the lives of his subordinates and the public.
Michael Blanc*
A Mihoshi Academy High School student who can't help but make a pass when he sees a woman. He is Aruto's classmate, and is also a good rival for him. His marksmanship skills are exceptional, and whether its an enemy or a woman, he has the motto that 'I will always take the prey that I've aimed at'.
* translator's note: characters appear on Pg 074.
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Keyword 5: SMS = PMCA setting With PMCs (Private Military Companies), Which Incorporates The Latest World Affairs.
The SMS organization that protagonist Aruto comes to be enrolled in has a setting as a PMC, which are companies that have recently gathered attention here as a new form of military organization.
PMC has the meaning of a Private Military Company, and although it also has the meaning of what is called mercenaries, they are organizations that take on all kinds of work as a business unit, such as supply train, armament maintenance, and training local soldiers.
The existence of PMCs in the modern world are, in short, the outsourcing of war. Advanced countries and so on can perform combat without exposing soldiers -who are the citizens of one's own country- to pointless danger, and it's possible to obtain the elite without making someone work in developing countries. You can probably say that it is an exceedingly modernistic style of war.
However, in the Macross world, they aren't suspicious to that degree, and you can probably say that they are organizations that have abilities greater than those of the New Unified Forces.
That is to say, the protagonist's unit being a PMC is the reason for a massing of elites greater than that of the ordinary armed forces. An organization that assembles great warriors isn't only a modernistic setting, but also as a story, it may also bring forth a tale that hasn't been told until now.
Caption: Ozuma Lee, the leader of S.M.S.'s Skull Platoon. As a military officer, he may be regarded as a pro among pros.
Caption: The state-of-the-art VF-25 seems to be deployed only to SMS in the Frontier. Also, what the VF-25 is equipped with appears to differ with each pilot.
Caption: SMS is an organization that is said to be able to sortie only after receiving a request from the president. In other words, they are the fleet's trump card.
Keyword 6: Vajra
Aliens and Alien Creatures Not From The Earth. Creatures That Aren't Humans Are The Enemy In The Series
Speaking of the Macross series, they are stories where each time creatures that aren't humans, such as aliens or alien creatures from beyond the Earth, become the enemy.
The significance of that is, frankly, big. More than the depiction of war in the animation medium, they can depict robots as weapons without depicting exceedingly difficult notions that have the significance of "people killing each other".
Also, there's the significance of being able to add a "science fictiony setting" to the enemy, and I think it's possible to say that they expand the breadth of the stories.
Well then, speaking of the enemy this time, they are a mysterious extraterrestrial life referred to as the Vajra. Unfortunately, no more information has been released at this time. However, as far as what is seen in episode 1, mankind seems to have known about their existence from a considerable time beforehand, and perhaps it's possible that they are greatly connected to the establishment of SMS.
Caption: Large and small Vajra appear to have been confirmed. This is one of the small ones.
Caption: A Vajra that penetrated inside Island One. It seems that one can say that they have modelling distinctive of CG.
Caption: This is a large Vajra. It is the same one as the one above that penetrated inside the Frontier Fleet.
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Keyword 7: The MilitaryThe New Unified Forces Has Taken Over The Appearance Of The World.
There are many depictions of military organizations as one of the settings of the stories in the Macross series. Well, rather it is the concurrent depiction of a setting "around songs", and a setting called "the military".
However, in "Macross F", the aforementioned academy and private military company amount to the setting of the series. So, what has become of the New Unified Forces, who are the military? It seems that they have a fairly weak existence in Frontier. The appearance of a certain unmanned aircraft supporting them has a feeling that flows from "Macross Plus". On the other hand, the mainline fighter of the New Unified Forces is a variant of the VF-17, which was active in "Macross 7" (the whole fuselage has been slimmed and extended to improve its aerodynamics within the atmosphere). Due to that, it seems that the series won't be concerned with the latest New Unified Forces Valkyrie model.
Caption: VF-171
It is based on the VF-17, and yet the blue keynote colour is very different in its impression.
Keyword 8: Idols
"Frontier" Boasts The Historically Strongest Lineup
Now, adorning the end of this section is idols and songs, the most important (?)* among Macross's three great elements. Related to that, a great tectonic change takes place in "Macross F". As you know, it's because this time two people become the idol singers. Of course, both are girls.
A stage scene is in Eps. 1; and there is Sheryl Nome, who we have been told is already a singer; and the other person is Ranka Lee, who can be seen and completely understood to be the other idol in the first episode. So, the unfolding love triangle that revolves around protagonist Aruto is an extremely gorgeous lineup. Something that requires more attention is that the person who is in charge of their music Yōko Kannō, who is well-known even in Kawamori productions. What sort of "Macross song" will the current number one hit maker produce?
* Translator's note: question mark is as-is from the original Japanese.
Does The Super-Galactic Love Story Found A New Era Of Macross?
1982's "Super Dimensional Fortress Macross", as we also mentioned at the beginning of this feature, was a production that had all the things that boys at that time -who had experienced the Gundam Boom- wanted. And so it is possible to mention the outcome that was once impossible in the exceedingly difficult Sunday 2 PM time slot [that Macross once occupied]. On the other hand, "Macross F"'s broadcast time slot of late Friday night is fairly late. Although there are already productions that are successful in this time slot, it will never be an advantageous broadcast time slot. Indeed, the conditions bear a close resemblance to those 25 years ago.
So, what is it that "Macross F" aims at? When you read the interview with Mr. Hiroyuki Yoshino -who plays the role of series composition- from page 94 for more information, then it's possible to perceive just a part of that. Even though "Macross F" includes the fans of past Macross productions in its field of vision, it appears to be a production that takes on new challenges.
As a result, will "Macross F" become a new horizon? Of course that's not clear yet. You can see various settings and gorgeous staff works introduced in these pages, and they seem to be arranging a meticulous setup. Even though the assessment of the first episode in the TV special was really rough and ready, it seems that the series will be worth anticipating and watching.
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The VF That Opens Up A New FrontierThe VF-25
The Next Generation VF That New Unified Forces Takes Pride In
As of 2059, the VF-25 is a new generation VF whose development was advanced as a successor to the New Unified Forces VF-171. Even though its attack equipment can be assessed as such things as machine guns, beam guns, laser machine guns, and a new model gun pod; as a Valkyrie that has been developed in absolute secrecy, its details are unknown.
When In Fighter Form
Length: 18.72 m
Width: 15.50 m (wings at maximum extension)
Height: 4.03 m (not including main landing gear)
When In Battroid Form
Height: 15.59 m (including laser machine-gun)
The Up-And-Coming Valkyrie That Condenses The Latest Functions In A Style That Returns To The Origins Of The Valkyries
At the 2059 point in time, this VF-25 is what was decided upon to be adopted as the Unified Forces' next main fighter. In its present condition, it isn't being adopted by the regular forces, but is being experimentally operated by S.M.S., a private special forces military organization. The VF-25's abilities greatly surpass those of the VF-171 -operated as the regular forces' main fighter-attack craft-, to the extent that its dispatch requests come from the military authorities, who have difficulty with intercepting the mysterious enemy "Vajra".
In this way, even though the VF-25 is depicted as a state-of-the-art Variable Fighter, more than what one thinks of the design, it is expected to be displayed as a "conservative" Valkyrie. Related to the aforementioned, and according to setting investigator Dr. Chiba, who we asked to talk about the setting of the VFs, "the situation of "Macross Frontier" this time was, to start with, greatly premised in making Valkyries in CG. A consequence of that may possibly be that the ones in the series are simple. From the moment I saw the line art illustrations that were initially hand-drawn by Mr. Kawamori, I immediately grasped that the VF-25 is a VF-1-like 'clean' Valkyrie. Although I've seen test shots of the maquette, I expect it to be awfully beautiful when it's made into a three-dimensional object."
The VF-19, which was the main fighter before the VF-25, could maintain its stealthiness without relying on such things as the fuselage shape, due to Active Stealth. For that reason, a great degree of freedom was produced in the design of Valkyrie fuselages. That being the case, it seems to be right to take into consideration that what completed the VF-25's shape was the adoption of a composition that's favourable to transformation or a style that's like an advantageous aircraft that ensures manoeuvrability in the atmosphere.
(continued on Pg 079)
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The Feasible Implementation Of Drastically Improved ThrustSuper Pack
Although the VF-25 boasts of a high-manoeuvrability even in its normal state, Super Packs have also been prepared for it, which are in accordance with (?)* the "Macross" tradition. In "Macross F (Frontier)" episode 1, SMS member Gilliam's fighter was equipped with these packs. Although their great thrust was useful while pursuing the Vajra that had penetrated the fleet, the velocity difference was to the extent that Ozuma's armoured Valkyrie couldn't catch up. Consequently, Gilliam came to confront the Vajra alone.
* Translator's note: question mark is as-is from the original Japanese.
Heavy Armaments That Can Be Used Like A Trump Card
Armour Pack
The Armour Pack and the Super Pack appear together from the 1st episode. SMS commander Ozuma's Valkyrie was equipped with this when the Vajra attacked, and it seems that you could say that it is trump card-like equipment. Due to the boosters, the pack obtains the ordinary acceleration of a normal VF-25, even though its weight has been increased. Also, even if it is equipped with an Armour Pack, the VF-25 can still transform into each form.
Caption: The VF-25's Exclusive Additional Heavy Armour System
The Armour Pack is installed with the goal of such things as increasing the amount of armaments that can be loaded on the Valkyrie. In the VF-1 era, one can say that the armoured parts are dedicated equipment only for the Battroid Form. However, with the VF-25, the Variable Mechanism can still cope with it, when the VF-25 is equipped with the Armour Pack. Detailed data is unknown.
Taking Applications For A Macross Nickname
"You too can give a nickname to the VF-25!"
Right now, we are soliciting nicknames for the VF-25 that appears in "Macross F"! Wouldn't you also like to choose the nickname for a VF?
■ Entry Details: your own, unpublished name. A name that isn't easily mixed up with other names.
■ Application Method: from the VF-25 nickname application site in the official Macross F mobile website www.macrossf.com (please see the aforementioned site for such things as the important points of the application in detail).
■ Application Period: from Mar. 10, 2008 to Apr. 20, 2008
■ Announcement Of Results: May 10, 2008 in "Newtype June [2008]", or on the official Macross F homepage.
(continued from Pg 079)
Also, related to the keyword manoeuvrability, there's one more big point. It appears as if in the era of the YF-21 and the YF-19, the performance of the Valkyries had already reached one of the limits. "The aircraft have become too super, and when a limiter isn't put on the fuselage side, it becomes a level that the pilot cannot take. Even though they persisted in reducing the pilot's burden in the YF-19 by getting the computer to assist with airframe control, and employed such things as brainwave control in the YF-21, they were also already at the limit."
This Dr. Chiba's words are something that is sure to make someone be able to actually feel it, if they are a person who remembers Guld's last moments in "Macross Plus" - he served as the pilot of the YF-21. However, according to Dr. Chiba, the YF-25's thrust is even greater than that of the YF-19. That is to say, even though the VF-25 has become a Valkyrie that a pilot simply cannot endure as is, here it'd be appropriate to think that, "there is also another technological innovation, and that problem has been overcome."
In any case, there ought to be much more setting mechanisms hidden in the VF-25 that you cannot find out if you've only seen episode 1 (beyond saying that, there are also sights that are restrained by an appearance in episode 1 that amounts to them making their debut).
They are places where we have placed great expectations on in the VF-25's activities after this.
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A look at the successive generations of Macross productions.A Collection Flash of Iconic VF Scenes!
As you know, various mecha scenes, which amount to the epochs of the eras, unfolded in the past Macross series. Let's look back at those famous scenes here.
"Super Dimensional Fortress Macross" (1982)
Everyone felt the impact of "The Itano Circus"!
Information on it was released in anime magazines and so on before it started airing, and even though everyone expectantly watched it, the actual anime had various significances beyond that. If one considers the VF-1 that suffered damage in the opening - it developed the likes of mecha action and sensational scenes that were drawn by Mr. Ichiro Itano, and were later called "the Itano Circus" (another point of significance was that there were many of those sensational scenes [in the series]).
"Super Dimensional Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love?" (1984)
The best mecha action of the 80's.
They waited until the time was ripe, and released the movie version theatrically. Even though the audience imagined that it would be an improved version of the mecha action in the TV version, the quality of the scenes that they actually witnessed was something that easily surpassed the TV version. We'd like you to note not just the mecha action, but also the scene directing that elaborated on the monitor screens and so on.
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"Macross 7" (1994)Unparallelled in history! A man who resolves fighting with song!
"Macross 7" was made 10 years after the original production. Contrasting with "Macross Plus" - which was made at the same time -, rather than mecha action from the military, it had mecha action that fused in a story where conflict was brought to an end not by using weapons, but by song. This was also unprecedented.
"Macross Plus" (1994)
Aerial action that goes down in the history of Japanese anime.
"Macross Plus" is set during the prototype competition for the next VF. Consequently, its depiction of mecha and action are transcendent. Even though the presentation of aviation in the animation drawn for it may be exceeded in later productions due to technological advancements, something that exceeds its amount of enthusiasm probably won't appear.
"Macross Zero" (2002)
The first try at representing VFs in CG.
The feature of "Macross Zero" is that it finally realizes mecha action by means of CG. It should be celebrated as the first step on making clips where one can say with a true meaning that VFs -which have had "really probable" designs from the beginning- look real. And now, that trend continues in "Macross F".
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The Genealogy Of VFs And Their DevelopmentThe History Of VF Technology To The VF-25.
Where Were The Many Series Of VFs Being Altering?
From the VF-0, the first Variable Fighter, to the VF-25, a state-of-the-art Valkyrie, a great number of VF series appear in "Macross" series. If one looks over the above figure, they can grasp that these Variable Fighters are so rich in variation that it's unexpected.
As a lineage, there is a flow of several great evolutions starting with the VF-1 from the VF-0, continuing to the VF-11, and connected to the VF-25. Thus, you may consider that it makes a well-organized picture of present VFs by adding to that lineage such things as several competing fighters (the VF-14 and so forth), and the models that sprung forth from places not connected to the flow of evolution (the VF-14 and so forth). Well then, where have the VFs definitely evolved in the midst of that flow of evolution?
Simply speaking, the greatest evolution has been in engine output. When you compare the VF-1 with the VF-19, there is indeed a difference of nearly 10 times in the thrust/weight ratio. The history of the VFs may be called the history of output improvements. Moreover, parts other than the engines, for instance the results of the changes in such things as the way stealthiness is thought of and its techniques, and such things as control methods and defensive techniques, have also improved quite a lot. The "character" of VFs might also differ due to the manufacturers who make VFs.
Herein, we look back at the reason for the evolution of the various VFs, while getting comments from Mr. Masahiro Chiba; Dr. Chiba, who is in charge of supervising the "Macross" series' mechanical settings.
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VF-0 PhoenixBased on existing fighter aircraft and incorporating a variable mechanism, the VF-0 is the first VF that the Unified Forces made. Its pet name is "Phoenix". Even though the use of Over-technology can be seen in such things as the armaments, the engines are conventional jet engines that have been tuned to the utmost limit (for that reason, it cannot do any long-duration operations, as the amount of fuel consumed is huge). At the time it was designed, even though it was being produced with parts that were taken from general aircraft, by using Energy Conversion Armour, the VF-0 possesses a different level of strength and rigidity from the aircraft produced so far. For that reason, it was even able to conduct hand-to-hand combat when in Battroid (even though it wasn't recommended). Furthermore, such things as derivative craft and special equipment were also developed in approximately the same time period.
(Dr. Chiba's comment)
Compared to the VF-1, the VF-0's fuselage is large because of the conventional aircraft still being made at the time. From the time of the VF-0, Energy Conversion Armour has been used in VFs. So, hand-to-hand combat is also OK.
Ghost Pack
The unmanned QF-2200A Ghost fighter is set on the top of the airframe, and took the role of an auxiliary booster.
Armoured
It has an eye on improving the VF-0's defensive power in Battroid form, and has the appearance of Reactive Armour installed on various parts of the airframe as additional armour. The shoulders are missile pods.
D Type
A developed type of VF-0 that uses a delta wing, and features two-seats in order to strengthen the VF-0's electronic warfare abilities. In addition, the VF-0D also has excellent manoeuvrability.
SV-51
The Anti-Unification Alliance VF was manufactured at approximately the same time period as the Unified Forces VF-0 (the point that Over-Technology is used everywhere is also similar). For that reason, even though the airframe composition resembles the VF-0, as there were such things as the appropriation of existing fighter aircraft, jet engines and so on, the SV-51 is superior in such things as engine output and controllability - though it yields to the VF-0 in time able to be spent in operations and so forth. However, the SV-51 seems to have surpassed the VF-0 in overall performance. The SV-51 has a characteristic Battroid form shape, which is greatly different from the airframes that became mainstream after the VF-0. Besides the addition of the VTOL ability in Fighter form, the SV-51 is ready for diverse operational methods, like being able to launch by being shot out from a submarine.
(Dr. Chiba's comment)
Even though a direct flow [into later VFs] from the SV-51 had been interrupted, as its performance was better than the VF-0, might a version with only its engines replaced by thermonuclear ones have been concurrently produced during the Unification War?
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VF-1 ValkyrieThe Unified Forces first mass-production model VF that was an expansion on the prototype VF-0. In order to conform to a Battroid height that matches the Zentrādi, the fuselage of the VF-1 is more compact than the VF-0. At the same time, by such things as changing the fuselage materials and exchanging the engines for thermonuclear ones, the VF-1 has evolved more than its appearance when compared to the VF-0. While such things as the shell-firing 3-barrelled Gun Pod and missiles are the main armaments, it is equipped with a laser machine-gun in the head.
Also, as a stable combat deployed craft, a lot of derivative craft and axillary equipment (FAST Packs, Protect Weapon System, etc.) were also developed, and carried the core of the Unified Forces aerial fighting strength.
(Dr. Chiba's comment)
Even though it is the first VF that has thermonuclear engines loaded into it, if assessed now, such things as the VF-1's manoeuvrability and mobilization time in space are problematic. The proceedings to resolve those problems are also the history of the VF.
Battroid: VF-1J, VF-1A, VF-1D, VF-1S
Even though the airframe was a licenced production by several manufacturers, it's possible to tell them apart by the shape of their heads. The VF-1S played an active role as a high-performance commander's craft that has had its engines exchanged to improve performance.
GERWALK
Fighter
Optional Armaments
Strike Valkyrie
A version of the Super Valkyrie that had 2-barrelled beam cannon installed as an option. Because this beam cannon is expensive, only the commander's craft were equipped with it.
Super Valkyrie
An airframe that, with the addition of FAST Packs (2 additional boosters as well as such things as propellant tanks and missile launching stations on both arms), has improved its manoeuvrability, firepower, and so on.
Armoured Valkyrie
The appearance of a VF-1 equipped with a Protective Weapon System, which has the objective of resolving the firepower and the VF-1's insufficient protective capabilities, as the VF-1's origins are as an aircraft.
VE-1 Elint Seeker
By equipping it with such things as a radome and all sorts of sensors, the VE-1 demonstrates abilities in early warning as well as flight control and electronic warfare. It is a two-seater type, the same as the VT-1.
VT-1 Ostrich
As a training craft, it features two-seats. Aside from additional boosters for space, attitude control thrusters are installed on the main wings.
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VF-4 Lightning IIIEven though its abilities in space surpassed the VF-1...
The VF-4 was developed as a successor craft to the VF-1. Its theme was the improvement of mobility in space, which was especially assumed to be the VF-1's problem. Even though the airframe structure is greatly different from the VF-1 and has a highly original silhouette, the experimental craft didn't have a transformation to Battroid function. Also, as the VF-4 has atmospheric manoeuvrability inferior to the VF-1 because it was aimed at space, there were those that didn't call it the complete successor [to the VF-1].
VF-9 Cutlass
Contrary to the VF-4, the VF-9 is assumed to be used in an atmosphere
A light fighter used on frontier planets. Although the main wings are swept forward, its great feature is to have an existing fighter-like structure. Under the prerequisite of using it in the atmosphere of a planet, the VF-9 seems to have been composed of such a shape due to lift being generated by the main wing, to counteract stalls, and so on.
(Dr. Chiba's comment)
Although the VF-9 was created as a light fighter, in substance it might be in a support fighter role. Its placed not as a main Valkyrie, but as a minor Valkyrie.
VF-14 Vampire
A heavy fighter-attacker with great cruising abilities
The model that competed with the VF-11 to be the successor of the VF-4 in the main fighter seat. Though the VF-14 was consequentially defeated, one part of the fleet valued its space flight abilities, and they were the original users of VF-14. The airframe structure is pretty unique, and it is a pretty large craft, whose sides are also durable as it is an attack craft used in long-range invasions. It is an airframe that embodies the eccentricity of the General Galaxy company.
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VF-3000 CrusaderA refined VF that keeps the concept of the VF-1
An airframe that develops the VF-1. Its pet name is "Crusader". Although the fuselage configuration was slightly enlarged, there are a lot of parts that basically emulated the VF-1. One can say that it is a model that keeps the concept [of the VF-1]. However, signs of improvement can be seen in such things as its transformation mechanism.
(Dr. Chiba's comment)
Though the VF-3000, VF-5000 and so on weren't mainstream, they may be in the position of being used as springboards for discussion. Even though this period -in short from the VF-1 until the appearance of the VF-11- has an organization that is quite confused, it appears that each manufacturer is learning from various trials and errors. While the VF-5000 was also mass-produced, it's expected that its production number was consistently small.
VF-5000 Star Mirage
Do you participate in the successor aircraft contest with stealth as your weapon?
The VF-5000 was designed as one of the possible successors to the VF-4. Compared to the VF-3000, the VF-5000 also emphasizes stealth, and due to that its form is also different from the VF-3000. The fuselage characteristics primarily focused on operation within an atmosphere. The Patrol Corps also used the VF-5000G derivative model on planet Zola.
Caption: VF-5000D
Caption: VF-5000G
VA-3 Invader
The Attacker that can be operated anywhere on land, sea, air and space
VA, an abbreviation of Variable Attacker, are widely known Variable Attack Craft. Even though the VA-3 is an aircraft, it features the possibility of underwater action (its [hand-held] weapon is also equipped with a harpoon launcher). Even though its manoeuvrability in the air isn't high, the VA-3's armour has been made thick and robust as ground attacks are the main focus of the Invader. A derivative model was used by the Whale Poaching Group on planet Zola.
Caption: VA-3 Kai
VB-6 Konig Monster
This Valkyrie improved on the Destroid Monster, and made it into a VB (Variable Bomber). The traces of the era of the Destroid remain in GERWALK form. Even though its main armament is a 4-barrelled rail-gun, the barrels are also used for auxiliary thrust when flying. Perhaps because the VB-6 received the points of the Monster's powerful armaments and an ease of operation as it is able to fly, it is used in active duty even in 2059, nearly 30 years after it was designed.
(Dr. Chiba's comment)
The Konig Monster seems to be unexpectedly popular (laughs). The proto-model's flight ability was even lower, and the VB-6 was a Valkyrie where the appearance of the Destroids' emphasis on firepower was strong.
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VF-11 ThunderboltAre faultlessness and great all-purposefulness important to a main fighter?!
The Unified Forces new main fighter that defeated the VF-14 in the Unified Forces' Main Fighter Selection Competition. One can say that the VF-11 is the VF-1's true successor, meaning that it can be used in every regime, regardless of it being within an atmosphere or in outer space. It faultlessly integrated every aspect, such as airframe performance, cost, and maintainability, and doesn't have any aspects that stand out. Nonetheless, when compared to the VF-1, the VF-11 has a greatly improved thrust-weight ratio, and rapid progress has been achieved in mobility and manoeuvrability. Although there is nothing brand new in particular about its equipment, and it is conservatively integrated; by attaching a bayonet to the gun pod and possessing a shield the VF-11 also seems to be conscious of hand-to-hand combat when compared to the VFs so far.
(Dr. Chiba's comment)
The VF-11 is a compilation of technology up until its design. I think that it was able to serve as the main fighter as it skillfully and solidly integrated succession of technologies from the VF-1, and its degree of perfection was also high.
VF-11C
Improvements were added to the avionics, and it could be equipped with dedicated FAST packs. There are atmospheric-use and space-use FAST Packs.
Armoured
A VF-11 equipped with the Protector Weapon System. It has even heavier armour and greater firepower compared to the VF-1 era [Armour Pack]. Both shoulders also have beam guns.
VF-11MAXL Kai
A substantially improved type with such things as the main wings being changed into delta wings, in addition to the engines being exchanged for ones with higher power. The overall production number is also minuscule, because it is the equivalent of a custom model. As the pictured Valkyrie is Mylene Jīnasu's personal airplane, the external design has also been greatly changed.
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YF-19/VF-19 Excalibur(Dr. Chiba's comment) The fuselage that had great breakthroughs from the VF-11 on a technical level. For that reason, although it greatly exceeds the VF-11 in performance, the VFs after it also came to have the problem of safeguarding the pilot.
Caption: Even though the location of the wing and arms are different in the GERWALK form, its style closely resembles the VF-1.
YF-19
The big feature is that the cockpit comes to the back in Battroid form. In addition, due to the Pinpoint Barrier using 70% of the engine output, it basically cannot be used if the YF-19 isn't in Battroid form.
A new level of performance acquired through many breakthroughs.
The next generation VF developed by Shinsei Industry in Project Supernova, which selected the Unified Forces main fighter to succeed the VF-11. Even though there are also conservative parts [in the airframe] when compared to the YF-22 -the rival craft-, the YF-19 completely satisfied the AVF performance that was demanded by the Unified Forces. AVF is the abbreviation for the Next Generation Variable Fighter; and its basic requirements amount to possessing an Active Stealth ability -which can maintain stealthiness irregardless of the fuselage shape-, a Pinpoint Barrier, and the ability to Space Fold independently.
As expected, what amounts to the fuselage's greatest feature is its mobility. One can see that the engines have an extraordinary performance improvement that clearly differentiates them from the VFs so far, and the thrust-to-weight ratio has even been enhanced about 16 times (the ability to use a Pinpoint Barrier is also thanks to that great output). The fuselage shape as well as the adoption of forward swept wings is also suitable for flight within the atmosphere, and the YF-19 demonstrates great manoeuvrability regardless of the regime. Naturally, one can say that it is an airframe that has been greatly improved in power over a completely as-is VF-1.
However, in order to let it keep so much high performance, there were also aspects where it became an aircraft that chose its pilot. In particular, the YF-19 -which was the prototype model- repeatedly caused accidents during testing, to the extent that the test pilot changed each time it happened. As this Valkyrie admirably won the main fighter selection competition, even though they attempted to mature the aircraft when it came to mass production, they didn't change the aircraft's essential tendencies.
Emerald Force Use
A lot of derivative craft were made, such as the special forces Emerald Force specification and rock band Fire Bomber specification. There are differences in such things as the main wing area and engines in each one.
Booster for Use Both Within and Outside of the Atmosphere
Patrol Force Use
Fire Valkyrie
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YF-21/VF-22 SturmvogelIt pursues its dreams in Over-Technology.
The YF-21 is an airframe that participated in the Unified Forces Super Nova project, the same as the YF-19. In response to the YF/VF-19 series using existing technology and bringing it relatively solidly together, this craft mostly incorporates innovative technologies that seem to have been designed by General Galaxy, such as BDI (naturally, AVF performance has also been fulfilled). BDI is an abbreviation for Brain Direct Interface, and with sensors on various parts of the airframe and the control system directly connected to the brain, it is possible to control the YF-21 with the sensation that the pilot has become the aircraft itself. Without exception, such things as the control stick are not used. However, that directness demands a high level of concentration in the pilot. In addition, the pilot must act responsibility.
Moreover, in addition to the main wings changing such things as thickness and size according to the speed, it is possible to store such things as the arms and legs in battroid mode by reducing their size. Over-Technology is incorporated everywhere in the YF-21. In this way, it is more advanced compared to the YF-19. Even though the performance of the YF-21 was more than equal to the YF-19, the YF-21 was defeated in the competition (perhaps it was a cost issue). However, because the YF-21's performance is magnificent, it was used as the special forces VF-22 fighter craft and replaced the VF-17, which was getting more worn out at that time.
Furthermore, in this case, the BDI system was greatly simplified, and although the control functions are by brain waves, the VF-22's basic operation was changed to a normal control method.
Dr. Chiba's comment:
I think that the shape changing of the main wings is with a shape-changing alloy or something, and it can change into a number of shape patterns by electrical signal. However, because it isn't used after that, there might have been a problem in respect to the cost.
VF-22
The GERWALK form that makes it clear that the engine nozzles and legs are in different parts.
YF-21
The YF-21's limiter-released mode.
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VF-17/VF-171 NightmareThe VF-17 is a special forces fighter that pursued passive stealth to the maximum.
The VF-17 is an airframe that was designed with the assumption that it would be for missions that are difficult for the VF-11 to accomplish. For that reason, stealthiness is valued and it's structure was devised for improved stealthiness, by such things as its unique angular form and, in order to get rid of unevenness, equipment is stored within weapon bays (in the era that the VF-17 appears in, active stealth technology had not developed yet, and only passive stealthiness by the aircraft's shape could be guaranteed. However, as a result of that stealthiness, it's performance as a VF is not sacrificed due to its next generation high-powered engines. The VF-17 shows especially high manoeuvrability in the void of space. Moreover, it's firepower is also high as it's only being made for point attacks. In addition to such things as missiles and a gun pod, it also uses laser beam guns that the arms have been stocked with in such things as battroid and GERWALK forms.
Nevertheless, because of the boost in performance, the VF-17 became an airframe that was difficult for average pilots to control, and as the production cost was also high, the number that had been produced didn't increase by that much (even though it was a special forces craft from the beginning). However, the VF-171 later appears with improved aerodynamic characteristics that make it a craft that treats average pilots easily. The VF-171 played an active role as the Frontier Fleet's main fighter.
Dr. Chiba's comment:
Since it was difficult for the VF-17 to be mass-produced normally, it certainly seems to mean that the VF-171 has been downgraded. Given that there is room for the augmentation of the airframe, the VF-17 has had such things as various improvements and remodelling.
VF-17D
Even though the development of the initial production A model's engines were delayed and provisional ones were installed in it, at long last, the planned engines were installed in the D type. Also, improvements were added to the avionics. This D type has the more abundant production number in the VF-17 series, and can be called the standard type.
VF-17S
Besides some improvement in the output of the VF-17D's engines by finely tuning them, the VF-17S has 4 head laser guns (the head shape is also different). It is a specification mainly used as the commander's craft.
VF-171
The VF-171 is an airframe on which improvements have been conducted for the role of a variable fighter-bomber that's able to be used in multiple-purposes, and makes the best use of the advantages of the VF-17, which had a large build from the start. The VF-171's performance was somewhat inferior compared to existing VFs, to the extent that it's easy for even general pilots to control it. The VF-171 served as the main fighter craft in the Frontier Fleet in 2059.
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Dr. Chiba: Short InterviewThe reasons of the evolution concerning the VF series were taught to Mr. Dr. Chiba, who carried out such things as the mechanic setting and (historical) investigation of the "Macross" series. Amongst that, he described shocking content such as detecting the shocking truth (?) and so on and saying such things as "honestly, the VF-1 was a considerably slow turtle"
Chiba Masahiro
His main vocation is as a doctor of internal medicine. In the "Macross" series, he is in charge of investigating the setting. He has been a friend of Director Kawamori since Kawamori's semi-pro period, and except for "Macross Zero", Dr. Chiba has collaborated in the production of the setting. He is the model for "Macross 7"'s Dr. Chiba.
More speed, more power; that is the evolution that a VF seeks
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The anxiety and dilemma of military authorities toward unmanned craft.
(...)
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Image Source of The VFsVFs have often intentionally taken the image and motif of real-world aircraft. Here, let's verify the relation between real craft and VFs.
Variable Fighter and Variable Wing Craft: F-14 and VF-1A
F-14 Tomcat
(The relation of the F-14 and VF-1) is probably doesn't need to be said at this late hour. Because it is said that the final transformation idea of the VF-1 was completed after Director Kawamori realized that the arms could be put between the engines of the F-14, it can also be said that (the final transformation) was exactly the result of the trial transformation of the F-14. However, the ingenious solution was done without horizontal stabilizers. Though the components are thusly seen as almost the same, it is understood that the design is considerably different.
Peculiar Engine Mounting: SR-71 and VF-4
SR-71 Blackbird
The design of this VF-4 was designed as an advanced Valkyrie at the time of the broadcast of "Super Dimension Fortress Macross" (it appears as a model in the original story). The form of the engine mounts is reminiscent of the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. Moreover, this craft has a design more close to the SR-71 than the V-BR-2, which was designed simultaneously as one of the craft of Advanced Valkyrie.
Discontinued craft from a competition prototype: YF-23 and YF-21
YF-24 Black Widow II
The motif of the YF-21 is more direct than the YF-19 and is the YF-23 Blackwidow II, which was the unsuccessful prototype in the American airforce's next main fighter competition, which was also the motif of the work (Macross Plus) itself (the F-22 Raptor won the competition and is presently the state of the art fighter). Actually, the YF-21 and YF-23 look very similar in both design as well as numbering.
Experimental Craft with forward swept wings: X-29 and YF-19
Grumman X-29
The feature of the YF-19 is the adoption of the forward swept wings (leaving out those special qualities). The X-29, which is an airframe that experimented on forward swept wing craft in the 80's and 90's, might be one of the motifs. What is also more surprising is that the real Sukhoi Su-47, that was introduced after the designing of the YF-19, is said to be the spitting image of the YF-19!
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The state of the art stealth shape at the time: F-117 and VF-17
F-117 Nighthawk
If you look at it, the motif of the VF-17 is understood to be the F-117 Nighthawk, the first ever stealth craft. However, if you really look at it, the actual design is considerably different. Incidentally, the setting of the VF-17 where it is developed before the VF-19 has a similar connection to that of the real world F-117 and F-22.
Image of the craft of the formerly East countries: Su-27 and SV-51
Su-27 Flanker
The SV-51 that is a VF of the anti-UN forces that appear in "Macross Zero" has the rare for a Macross series image of a formerly Eastern fuselage. If we dare to say the image of the SV-51, it might be that of the Su-27 Flanker, the main power of the real formerly Eastern countries.
Delta-winged experimental craft: F-16XL and VF-0D
F-16XL
The VF-0 of "Macross Zero" is the two-seater D type with delta wings that appeared. Because this lineage of VFs came to an end afterwards, it is thought of as an experimental craft. Though the F-16XL existed as a delta-winged F-16 fighter jet, it also ended as an experimental craft.
Airframes that VFs inherited names their from
The names of famous craft from the past are often used as the pet names of VFs. Let's introduce one part of that.
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VFs that are more realistic from the application of (real world) aircraft motifs.
It is said that when Director Kawamori Shoji designs a VF, he is invariably thinking that it is a "flying design". Though it might seem to be obvious, most of the aircraft that come out in anime, movies and so on are designs that cannot actually fly. Of course, though one can see the coolness of the results of their degrees of freedom in their designs, Director Kawamori is a designer who doesn't walk on such an easy road.
The VFs that appear in Macross productions are deliberately designed with details that real aircraft possess incorporated into them. It also seems that those VFs have more reality as the sides that are seen adopt the latest aircraft trends.
Thus, parts of the images of real aircraft often appear in the history of the VF. For example, even though the VF-17 clearly is based on the US Air Force's F-117 stealth aircraft that was the state-of-the-art craft at the time, with the exception of the silhouette, it's actual design is pretty different. In other words, while taking in the image of the F-117 for it's design value, the design of the VF was also completed. Naturally, it's possible to say that this is the technique of the artisan.
And then, the VF-25. This airframe strongly tends toward the image of the VF-1 more than it does to reality. Even though it seems that that is because it's the 25th anniversary of the VF-1, a redesign is worth doing as perhaps you might say that the VF-1 already exists as a "real aircraft".
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VF-0 Phoenix (A/B/D/S Types)
Design Production: Northrom Grumman / Rockwell / Shinsei Length: 18.69 m Weight: 16,191 Kg (D type is 16,805 Kg) Engine: (main) EFG-127 Turbofan jet engine Kai, (Auxiliary) 3x Shinnakasu ARR-2 Rocket motor Maximum Speed: Mach 2.74 (Mach 2.62 D type) *when at 11,000 m altitude Cruising Range: 2,075 Km with standard dorsal fuel tank (2,400 Km D type) Climbing Limit: 25,000 m (26,500 m D type) Armament: Fixed Armament: 1x (A/B/D types) 2x (S type) Laser Machinegun; Standard Armament: 1x GPU-9 35 mm Gatling Gun-pod, maximum loading of 12 AMRAAM-2 Medium-range air-to-air missiles (Raytheon & Bifors AIM-200A I/ALH guidance) Defensive Armament: Flare and Chaff Dispenser System (1x AN/ALE55, IDECM)(AN/ALQ220A), Active Stealth System (ASS-PS110), SWAG Energy Conversion Armour System (AWAG/RA105).
SV-51
Design Production: Joint Development by Sukhoi / Israeli Aircraft Industries / Dornier
VF-1A Valkyrie
VF-1J Valkyrie
VF-1S Valkyrie
Super Valkyrie
Armoured Valkyrie = GPS-1S (Protect Weapon System) Equipment
Strike Valkyrie
VF-1 Super Ostrich
VE-1 Elint Seeker
VF-4 Lightning
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Maximum Speed: Mach 3.02 at 10,00 0m, Mach 5.15 at 30,000 m.
Climbing Limit: 35,000 m (there is no zoom rise effect) Armament: Standard Armament: 2x single barrel charged particle beam cannon (1 each on both twin nacelle), 1x 3-barrel charged particle Gatling cannon, 12x semi-conformal type (half-embedded body) medium-range guided missile (6x in each twin-hull), 30 mm 6-barrel Gatling cannon (D, S types), GU-11 55 mm 3 barrel gun pod (D, S types)
VF-9 Cutlass
VF-11 Thunderbolt
VF-14 Vampire
VF-5000 Star Mirage
VF-17 Nightmare
VF-19 Excalibur
VF-22 Sturmvolgel II
YF-19 (Prototype)
YF-21
VA-3M Invader
VB-6 Konig Monster
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Special Interview: Hiroyuki Yoshino"Macross F" Series Composition
Hiroyuki Yoshino
Born in 1970. From Chiba Prefecture. Scriptwriter by way of high school world history teacher and anime magazine writer. In charge of the series composition of "Dance HiME" by way of the screenplay of each episode of such things as "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED". He has participated in a great number of hit productions, such as being in charge of the supplemental series composition in "Code Gias Lelouch Rebellion".
Well, as the conclusion of this feature, we listened to the story of Mr. Hiroyuki Yoshino, who played the role of the "Macross F" series composition and the scenario for every episode. As a matter of fact, the presently 37-year-old Mr. Yoshino is a hard-working "Macross Generation". How does a new generation that also has a fan point of view try to make up a Macross world?
"At the time that we had our talk, we received immediate replies."
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What is the reason why the idea for a PMC came out!?
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To start with, we want "Macross" fans to be able to enjoy themselves.
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It is a story that continues from all the previous Macross productions
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It is set in an age that is fixated on the completion of the evolution of the VF
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Will "Macross F" be better understood when seen twice!?
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In the making of the production, there is a legend that General manager Kawamori doesn't yield compromises.
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