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Post by Omni Existence on Dec 12, 2005 21:29:04 GMT -5
Gundam would be fine if they moved a little further away from every Gundam being 90% remake of RX-78. Gundam seems to do this weird lateral evolution. It doesn't really get better or different, it's just a new hairstyle every year. Somebody made the argument that Gundams look the same because it's an evolving technology. Ok, but if you look at a car that is the same make and model over a twenty year period, they pretty much never look anything alike other than having four wheels. So to me that's a weak excuse. There are a couple Gundams here and there that really are something new, like the Deep Striker and the Gerbera, but they were practically side notes in the Gundam world. I guess there was G-Gundam, but whatever appeal was supposed to be with those little critters was a mystery.. Maybe some people just like the security of buying the same toy over and over again in every possible size and material known to man? LOL! I agree. That's got to be the lamest excuse I hear from some Gundam fans who would kill to protect their favorite cartoon. I mean, take the Macross Valkyries into consideration. They are fighter plnes that transform into robots, but as you can they don't stay a 'VF-1' forever. It evolves into better fighters, much like real world fighter jets evolve. With regards to Gundams, I rather fancy the enemy mech designs better. The Sazabi, Gouf, Taurus, now those are much better designs.
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Post by lurkerx on Dec 13, 2005 17:33:32 GMT -5
Although I share your opinion about gundam’s redundancy:
I guess I have to defend my previous post with this rebuttal:
“if you look at a car that is the same make and model over a twenty year period, they pretty much never look anything alike other than having four wheels.”
Geek Technicality: UC [universal century] gundam timeline doesn’t happen over a 20 year period let’s see we have UC 0079, 0080, 0083, 0088, 0090, 0093 the rest like gundam wing and gundam X etc. are alternate “what if” scenarios.
So you’re saying that you don’t see the same styling cues on a mustang made in the 60’s when compared to the latest model? Or how about a C5 corvette compared to Sting Ray? [round tail lights, curves, flip lights etc.] still no styling cues. What about the Pontiac Firebird during the 80’s compared to the 90’s? How about an F-14 to an F15, and even an F18? How about an old Hummer compared to a new Hummer? Or a new tank versus an old tank? .....a new beetle VW compared to the old 60’s How about Mazinger—Great mazinger—Grendizer – Mazinkaiser? Combattler V and Voltes V? Getter – Getter Dragun – Shin getter – neo getter?
All supper-robot are pretty redundant in its plot and theme as well. Same, combining feature, same powers rocket punch=chain-knuckles etc. same bad guy hell-bent on taking over the world etc.
Cars? Well its a marketing strategy, in an attempt to broaden its target markets by including some of the old with the new to try and appeal to both youngsters and oldies. Why do you think they wait 5 years before they “re-design” a car and when they do it still looks somewhat familiar to the old? A BMW pretty much has the same front grill 10 years ago as it does today. An infiniti G35 has the same styling cues as a FX45 How about a 60’s thunderbird compared to the thunderbird a few years back.
Gundam is no different it just takes it a step further by including the “dropping of a colony” in every single bloody series which is rather uncreative on its own but I believe the “technological evolution thing” is pretty valid. Although I do admit its novelty has run dry for me from time to time.
I can also sight: terrorists’ fascination/ preoccupation with trying to blow building up as a similarity as well as suicide bombers in the middle east never getting tired of blowing themselves up for decades.
Sadly, Life is repetition, what’s new is old and what’s old is new.
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Post by xiombarg on Dec 13, 2005 21:04:47 GMT -5
You have some valid points, but regardless, when it comes to redundantcy in robot toys (and probably any toy) Gundam is by far the worst. Just considering how many different sizes, lines, materials and variations of RX-78 alone is truly mind boggling. I'll bet there was somewhere around twenty editions this year alone.
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Post by mannyD on Dec 14, 2005 5:21:51 GMT -5
i'm done with gundam, but if ever i would buy just one gundam, i'll buy this: 1/60 "Lightning Edition" Strike Freedom Gundam this would look cool in ur display case, or on top of ur display cabinet. just kill the lights and light up this baby . "With a massive height of 50cm and a wingspan of 60cm, you get a lot of bang for your yen with this new version of the Strike Freedom! At its base, this is a regular snap-together plastic Gundam kit; all the parts are molded in colour, and you will need no paint or glue for assembly. Foil stickers and clear Gundam stickers are included for detail. The only thing that makes this kit different from any other 1/60 scale kit is the lighting throughout! Dozens of translucent yellow and blue parts are included, as well as lighting contacts, light bulbs, and a diode. The lighting starts at the included display base, and the wiring is integral to the building of the kit itself; simple pictorial instructions will get you through the construction with a little patience (and perhaps the experience of having built a fairly complex Gundam kit before). 1 CR1220 and 3 AA batteries are required, but not included. A teeny scale (non-painted) model of Kira Yamato is included; and all of the Strike Freedom Gundam's weaponry is included -- the Dragoon, rail guns, beam sabres, beam rifles, and a beam shield (though unfortunately these don't light up)". from the new gundam offerings this year, this baby impressed me.
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Post by Kidchuckle on Dec 14, 2005 9:18:09 GMT -5
Although I share your opinion about gundam’s redundancy: I guess I have to defend my previous post with this rebuttal: “if you look at a car that is the same make and model over a twenty year period, they pretty much never look anything alike other than having four wheels.” Geek Technicality: UC [universal century] gundam timeline doesn’t happen over a 20 year period let’s see we have UC 0079, 0080, 0083, 0088, 0090, 0093 the rest like gundam wing and gundam X etc. are alternate “what if” scenarios. So you’re saying that you don’t see the same styling cues on a mustang made in the 60’s when compared to the latest model? Or how about a C5 corvette compared to Sting Ray? [round tail lights, curves, flip lights etc.] still no styling cues. What about the Pontiac Firebird during the 80’s compared to the 90’s? How about an F-14 to an F15, and even an F18? How about an old Hummer compared to a new Hummer? Or a new tank versus an old tank? .....a new beetle VW compared to the old 60’s How about Mazinger—Great mazinger—Grendizer – Mazinkaiser? Combattler V and Voltes V? Getter – Getter Dragun – Shin getter – neo getter? All supper-robot are pretty redundant in its plot and theme as well. Same, combining feature, same powers rocket punch=chain-knuckles etc. same bad guy hell-bent on taking over the world etc. Cars? Well its a marketing strategy, in an attempt to broaden its target markets by including some of the old with the new to try and appeal to both youngsters and oldies. Why do you think they wait 5 years before they “re-design” a car and when they do it still looks somewhat familiar to the old? A BMW pretty much has the same front grill 10 years ago as it does today. An infiniti G35 has the same styling cues as a FX45 How about a 60’s thunderbird compared to the thunderbird a few years back. Gundam is no different it just takes it a step further by including the “dropping of a colony” in every single bloody series which is rather uncreative on its own but I believe the “technological evolution thing” is pretty valid. Although I do admit its novelty has run dry for me from time to time. I can also sight: terrorists’ fascination/ preoccupation with trying to blow building up as a similarity as well as suicide bombers in the middle east never getting tired of blowing themselves up for decades. Sadly, Life is repetition, what’s new is old and what’s old is new. after reading that.. well Mazinger , Great Mazinger , Mazinkaiser, and other super robots. whatever modification or evolution there are. I can still count it on one hand. For me Gundman gets tiring... becauze how many itterations there are. I can't count it. I wonder even if Bandai has a record. I can understand they need to do some consistancey with the look. The idea that they're doing "what ifs" is kind of cool. But I'm suprised they haven't done anything cool like steampunk version. I havn't seen anything innovative from the Gundamn series in a longtime. Even they're "what if" versions are getting rehashed. The thing I like about super robots the most. the pilot and the robot "are one in the same". In Gundamn world. The pilot is replacable.
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Post by lurkerx on Dec 14, 2005 12:49:55 GMT -5
xiombarg: yeah, i'm tired of RX-78 variations as well and don't intend to get anymore, but I guess the hold Gundam has on me is the fact that the UC timeline is like one big long epic saga seeing the pilots mature, burn out and just be totally human which really fits well with the militaristic, realistic angle of the series. So to me it totally makes sense to buy an RX-78 - from 0079 then a Gb-11b from 0083 a Zeta Gundam & mark II from 0087 a ZZ gundam from 0088 a Nu V gundam Fin-fannel from 0089 a F91 gundam from 0090 a Victory gundam from 0093 etc. Thay all have the same features but the anime validates it in a nice logical manner of progression. as far as the alternates are concern I never really cared for its designs and just got the DX 12" versions made. I am I a freaking Gundam Geek or what??? .... uh, don't answer that...
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Post by jwm on Dec 14, 2005 13:27:19 GMT -5
It was Gundam- specifically Gundam Wing that reawakened my interest in Japanese toys, and got me hooked on anime. I like the concept. I like the conservative approach to design that you see in the UC series mecha. They are first and foremost military machines. I like the lean, hard no frills lines. The more fanciful Gundam Wing designs like the Wing Zero Custom, the Epyon, or the later Deathscythe with the cape now kind of leave me cold. Don't even get me started on the execrable G Gundam stuff. I can do without circus clown, mermaid, and mummy gundams, thank you. But it does get boring. We forget- to an outsider an RX/78 is indistinguishable from a Zeta is indistinguishable from a Strike is just the same as the RX79Nu...
JWM
Oh- Manny D BEWARE OF ANY BANDAI MODEL KIT WITH LOTS OF LIGHTS!
lots of lights=lots of grief
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Post by mannyD on Dec 15, 2005 5:56:50 GMT -5
jwm: hehe, yeah bro. i'm thinking what ur thinking. when the lights burn out, how can the light bulbs be replaced? hope they include spares in the box, if not, that can be a major problem.
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Post by jwm on Dec 16, 2005 17:22:27 GMT -5
They use LED's so bulb burnout is not a problem. The problem is with delicate, and hard to fasten connectors, wires, contact strips, battery boxes, and switches. It's like- you'll swear you did everything right and then after the whole thing is assembled and buttoned down, then one light will decide to flicker, or need to be tapped, or squeezed, or turned just so or it doesn't work. If you know what you're doing with a super fine soldering pencil you could probably eliminate most of the hassles. Otherwise they're a pain in the tail.
JWM
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Post by Mechadevil on Dec 18, 2005 20:02:47 GMT -5
we need some new robots. Something totally original, and conceptual.
the trick is to create science fiction that demands giant robots, and re-introduces the idea in an exciting way.
Thats why Eva worked, Dunbine, Big O, and contemporary Getter stories (the nanotech idea is great!).
Until that happens you are gonna continue buying the same robot toys over and over.
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