Macross Zero episode 2

[dullbuoy]

...has to be one of the best mixture of CG and anime by far!

still dont understand the story but the action is holysmokin.

[MegaDrive20XX]

Man I'd just be happy to see Macross Zero Episode #1 let alone #2. Though I understand it's the shiznits. Still ain't sure how I feel about a prequel to SDF Macross, but it's got to be worlds better than the horrid Macross 7, as even "Lovers Again" was a better product for an unofficial sequel.

MD20XX / Storm Rider

[seba_boi]

I've only downloaded and seen Ep#1... Now you made me wanna spend 3 more hours just to download Ep#2!!!... I liked the story so far... I wonder how many episodes is this serie?...

<small>[ August 19, 2003, 10:59 PM: Message edited by: seba_boi ]</small>

[dullbuoy]

all you need to do is find yourself a local karaoke/laserdisc shop and they can hook you right up.

i usually rent from a place called Sing Young Music World (they dont carry LDs anymore so they switched to dvds and vcds). actually the copies floating around ebay are the same ones i rented. (no sense in purchasing the discs though since each dvd only carries one thirty minute episode with nary any extras).

storywise it's seems deep ala Macross II, with action sequences that are tighter/grittier than Macross Plus. i heard the creators had more leeway on the story so that the story stood on it's own without having to completely tie-in or segueway into the Macross TV story.
from what i've seen so far, the story occurs during the unification wars or whatever, that was mentioned in the original Macross TV series (i forget the exact story, but it's essentially the war that occured where they first used the valkyries...which was either before the Macross was discovered since it's actually never even mentioned in this story)

Episode 1 started off slowly with regular fighter planes fighting this other group (they haven't explained who these are yet) who have acquired some alien technology enabling them to have transformable fighter jets. later on in the episode we finally get to see the first batch of valkyries (lead by Roy Fokker...this is actually the first actual mission where the "new" valks were used). the action is fairly slow in this episode but it's more or less a "teaser".

episode 2 starts where episode 1 left off and the battle gets REALLY good. it's like Top Gun meets Macross Plus. and then it sorta goes back to boring story mode for the last half.

the story seems somewhat centered or happens around this one island where a "mysterious" craft crashed but was later dug up from under the ocean by the UN (the thing looks like a bird like space craft). and the inhabitants of the island spew a lot of myth stuff (kinda like in Mad Max Thunderdome, the kids with the Captain Walker Tomorrow morrow land tales) mostly about the sea people who later became the bird creatures or some junk.

2 dvds and 1 hours worth of story and not much has been explained.

[EvilMike]

It is only going to be 5 episodes.

I'm a HUGE Macross fan and so far Macross Zero has made me shit my pants on several occasions.

[seba_boi]

I absolutely loved Macross Plus... That's why I considered to download Macross Zero... Takes too long to download though...

dullbuoy:
episode 2 starts where episode 1 left off and the battle gets REALLY good. it's like Top Gun meets Macross Plus. and then it sorta goes back to boring story mode for the last half.

Ugh!... Temtation!... I don't have those renting places you suggested tho'...
<img src="http://www.neo-geo.com/ubb/icons/icon9.gif" alt=" - " />

EvilMike:
It is only going to be 5 episodes.

I'm a HUGE Macross fan and so far Macross Zero has made me shit my pants on several occasions.

Five eps?... For shure?... Looks like you need Pampers while watching Macrosses (plural?)...

[300wins]

I bought the Japanese R2 DVD without even watching the series because once I knew Shoji Kawamori was working on the story and mecha, I was so there. 2 DVD down, 3 more to go at $50 each. drool_2

[dullbuoy]

<a href="http://users3.ev1.net/~sinime/macross-zero/" target="_blank">screenshots from episodes 1 and 2</a>

it looks much better in action since things go by real fast

[Crovax]

dullbuoy:

from what i've seen so far, the story occurs during the unification wars or whatever, that was mentioned in the original Macross TV series (i forget the exact story, but it's essentially the war that occured where they first used the valkyries...which was either before the Macross was discovered since it's actually never even mentioned in this story)

It actually takes place after the Macross was discovered and repair operations had begun, but before it was finished (maybe 2 years before the first episode of the original series). The other variable craft are the SV-51 jets being developed and used by anti-UN forces. Both the VF-0 and SV-51 use overtechnology gained from studying the Macross.

I've seen the first two episodes and can't wait for the third. although, I am wary because in my experience fiddling with history by making prequels often ends up contradicting previously established story elements (like Enterprise has done in the Star Trek universe). In any case, the first two eps haven't disappointed in this respect.

[leGionellz]

I haven't watched much anime lately, but this series definitly rocks !

You do need to have some knowledge about the macross universe to enjoy the most out of it though.

[MilkManX]

If anyone wants Macross Zero 1+2 I can send it to you over ICQ or AIM.

&lt;-- Local Macross nutbar.

[Baseley09]

So the SDF is on earth (i.e. Zero is placed between the first scene of Macross one of the SDF crashing, and the unveiling of the working SDF??)...

Where is the story going then??

There is another party with Macross technology??

I presume this means no aliens?

[Sythe]

I am not that big of a macross (I have only seen Macross Plus), but those screens of the anime make it look damn cool. I think I am going to have to check this one out

[dullbuoy]

i've read reviews on various sites and it says that the story is at the tailend of the Unification Wars, about 1 year before the Macross TV series occured.


fyi : the all region dvds of macross zero use the same artwork as the region 2 dvds. the main difference is the R2 discs are published by Bandai.

official R2 discs : about $50 each (no subtitles)
all region version (not official but can be bought in the US) : around 12 bucks each.

both versions dont really have much extras, and as far as the overall quality of the all region version, it's almost flawless (even the subtitles are nearly spot on)

<small>[ August 20, 2003, 12:58 PM: Message edited by: dullbuoy ]</small>

[300wins]

Well, I for 1 don't like bootlegs of anything.
Buying the all region version is stealing from the creators of the show and not giving them any support.
I find it funny that people are so adamant about bootleg MVS carts here, but don't give a fly fuck about other things that are bootleg. shame

[dullbuoy]

300wins:
Well, I for 1 don't like bootlegs of anything.
Buying the all region version is stealing from the creators of the show and not giving them any support.
I find it funny that people are so adamant about bootleg MVS carts here, but don't give a fly fuck about other things that are bootleg. shame

what's sad is licensing bullshit/red tape crap that prevents people who are willing to buy official product but cant. i.e. Harmony Gold refusing to allow other Macross stuff to be released in the US due to them not wanting any of the Macross stuff to cut into their Robotech franchise. (they have tried to block Macross Plus originally). this is one of the reasons why Macross: Do you Remember Love still hasnt seen a R1 dvd release. that's whats fucking sad.

anyway:
official website
<a href="http://www.macross.co.jp/zero/" target="_blank">in japanese only</a>

click on gallery, then mecha, then open viewer for each mecha. also contains more screenshots.

[Dash no Chris]

300wins:
Well, I for 1 don't like bootlegs of anything.
Buying the all region version is stealing from the creators of the show and not giving them any support.
I find it funny that people are so adamant about bootleg MVS carts here, but don't give a fly fuck about other things that are bootleg. shame

Amen, brother. Considering the amount of work that's going into each episode of Macross Zero, 5250 yen is a freakin' bargain for a half-hour Region-2 DVD. Typically, you're more likely to pay 7140 yen per volume for something like this (for example, Vols. 1-7 of "Jojo's Bizarre Adventure"). If you can't shell out for the Region-2's and you won't wait for the Region-1 release (it's inevitable with this title), for God's sake just download the fansubbed versions -- they're just as illegal as the Hong Kong bootlegs, but at least no-one's making any money producing them.

--Chris

[Shapermc]

I just started watching Macross 7 again recently. Honestly I do not think that it is that bad. I like the story and setting, it just visually took a step back from others. What ever.

[MegaDrive20XX]

300wins:
Well, I for 1 don't like bootlegs of anything.
Buying the all region version is stealing from the creators of the show and not giving them any support.
I find it funny that people are so adamant about bootleg MVS carts here, but don't give a fly fuck about other things that are bootleg. shame

Like Dullboy said, it's fookin' pathetic that a lot of good stuff doesn't get released in the Region 1 area due to red tape. I've had an All-Region (boot) of MACROSS: DYRL for awhile now and I sure as heck don't feel guilty. I mean, if someone ever "officially" released it here then I'd buy that one to no doubt support the license as I did with the entire SDF Macross TV-Series boxed set pre-ordered through Animeigo... but then you have the down side.

Examples:

ADV released the entire 25 Episode Genesis Climber MOSPEADA series as a boxed set (I bought it) then find out that they didn't get the rights to the one part OAV "Love Live Alive", and that only the Region-less bootleg of the boxed set has this particular disc. Meaning if I evar want the one shot OAV, I have to now buy the HK Boxed set, take the one disc out I want, then try to re-sell the HK set minus the OAV!

Then there's the issues of shows never getting released here in the States at all... Like CPM/U.S. MANGA CORPS didn't make the money they were hoping for with Armored Trooper VOTOMS (the best damn Mecha/Conspiracy/Space Opera show evar!) so it's a pretty good bet that the only way the "Cult" fans like myself of VOTOMS will only ever get the OAVS of it (One 5-Part series, a 12-part spin off Merowlink, and 3 one part OAVs) in America/Region 1 terriory. Thus bootlegs or Fansubbs mastered off of LDs and pressed onto DVD-Rs is the only solution. Same thing with other shows like Fang of the Sun DOUGRAM running at 75 episodes long, the original "Space Pirate CAPTAIN HARLOCK" television series of 48 episodes etc.

Thus "Boots"/Fan Subs and alternative methods of distrib is in place for a reason. It's not a good thing, but it's better than having nothing, and don't even get me started on how MANGA VIDEO only released the first 35 episodes of what was like 258 episodes of HOKUTO NO KEN that's only available in untranslated R-2 Discs or through HK Compiler Boxed Sets with optional Eng Subs.

MD20XX / Storm Rider

<small>[ August 20, 2003, 03:24 PM: Message edited by: MegaDrive 20XX ]</small>

[Shapermc]

Hey Storm Rider! RotD doesnt have a PS2 release and I got the ROMZZZ I am sooooo legal!@#@$@


(please calm down I was joking and getting that retaliation out of the way before hand. I think that my DVD's of Macross 7 are HK boots, but otherwise I cannot see it )

[300wins]

Well, I am not gonna argue over bootlegging and such, since everyone has their reasons, weather it be because they are cheap fucks, can't afford it (cheap fucks), don't care, etc, etc...

But have you guys ever thought about buying an all region DVD PLAYER? At least then, you can buy the official R2 dvd and not resort to buying the bootleg. And for those of who are gonna say, "but the HK one has subtitles, and the R2 doesn't." Well... If you really want shitty translation based on Chinese dubs, then great. Personally, I have seen some HK subtitles so bad, I would rather turn them off and not endure the pain. But to each his own.

Dash No Chris - I think I met you at AX. I was the one who bought the Initial D 3rd Stage from your store. And Brad is coming to the Bay Area during Labor Day weekend, and he's staying with me.

<small>[ August 20, 2003, 04:13 PM: Message edited by: 300wins ]</small>

[dullbuoy]

300wins:
Well, I am not gonna argue over bootlegging and such, since everyone has their r1heap fucks, can't afford it (cheap fucks), don't care, etc, etc...

But have you guys ever thought about buying an all region DVD PLAYER? At least then, you can buy the official R2 dvd and not resort to buying the bootleg. And for those of who are gonna say, "but the HK one has subtitles, and the R2 doesn't." Well... If you really want shitty translation based on Chinese dubs, then great. Personally, I have seen some HK subtitles so bad, I would rather turn them off and not endure the pain. But to each his own.

yep, be happy to be gouged $50 for a 30 min episode, no extra features, no subtitles PLUS the additional cost of getting ANOTHER dvd player. we should all feel miserable being sensible cheap fucks.

i never actually bought the macross zero bootleg, only rented it. my old vhs copy of Akira was nothing more than a copy off of my friends vhs copy, but years later i plopped the money for the tin-edition remastered version. i had a nonsubtitled bootleg copy of Shin Getter Robo set, then later bought the R1 set when it was released. i also have the HK dvd set of Giant Robo, which will do for now considering the R2 release has been out of print for years and if you do manage to find it it'll cost more than $400.

and what is the reasoning for having region encoding anyway? it's so no dumbfucks buy outside of their region re:distribution rights aka $$$$. so poor joe regular if some things are only available in certain regions (or other countries refuse to release to other regions), which is more or less a big fuck off to mr. consumer due to fucking distribution laws/bullcrap.

[300wins]

It's called the cost of living. If you live in Japan or have ever been there, then you know the cost of living is expensive there. And $50 for 1 episode OVA is not that bad. Read Dash No Chris post about JoJo's Bizarre Adventures DVD... which cost over 7000 yen each (I blame Lucas for this one). Better yet, go back to the days of import laser disk, where OVA were 1 episode per disk all the time.

Not trying to argue, since I know people don't care to listen, and to each his own. So whatever... Just pointing out the facts.
And like Dash No Chris said... If you're not gonna buy the official release, at least download the fansub and not support the asian triads. make_fac

<small>[ August 20, 2003, 04:48 PM: Message edited by: 300wins ]</small>

[CrashManDWN013]

I agree with 300 wins totally on this. My motto:

"If you're going to buy bootlegs, don't try to rationalize about how it's better for you than getting the legits, or for the GREAT SUBTITLES, or cuz' you wanna give the finger to the Man. Admit that you're buying the pirate discs because you're a cheap bastard who doesn't care that his money is going to support organized crime and economies of piracy in Southeast Asia since you value watching some Japanese cartoons more than the people who are going to get hurt by the mob to bring it to you".

If you talk with customs officals, they'll verify that boots are sold by the triad to launder money, and that the HK mob don't kill their victims: they take out their knives and fuck up their faces, leaving those poor new Phantom-of-the-Operas to serve as a warning to those who get in their way.

As for Mospeada OVA, it's available on the R2 set and on LD, and yes, used anime stores do exist in Japan. With a little looking and patience, you will find it.

<small>[ August 20, 2003, 05:28 PM: Message edited by: CrashManDWN013 ]</small>

[Dash no Chris]

For those that have been waiting for an announcement regarding the release date of Macross Zero Vol. 3, here it is: the 3rd episode of Macross Zero goes on sale in Japan on 11/28/2003.

--Chris