News Archive: December 2002

December 31, 2002

Goodbye 2002 by Chris 4:40 P.M. EST
Well, it's been quite a year, but as with all things it must end. For the last update of the year, I've got a large update. The following suits in MSV and MS-X are now in Burke's Mobile Weapons format, courtesy of Mark064 (except MS-07A Gouf). Thanks also goes out to HinoRei and RGZ-91 for their assistance. With no further delay:

MS-06F Zaku Minelayer
MS-06V-6 Zaku Tank Green Makaku
MS-06W Zaku Worker
MS-06Z Psycommu System Zaku
MS-07A Gouf
MS-10 Pezun Dowadge
MS-12 Gigan
MS-13 Gasshia
MS-17 Galbaldy a
MSN-01 High Mobility Psycommu System Zaku
MSN-02 Perfect Zeong
SP-W03 Mobile Pod

December 29, 2002

Macross Zero by Chris 4:12 P.M. EST
For today's update, I've got a full review (with screenshots) for episode 1 of Macross Zero. It'll be a pretty long wait before the next episode is released in February. Oh, and since I know I'm going to get this question, please don't bother asking me where I got the episode from.

December 26, 2002

More of Nothing by Chris 11:58 A.M. EST
For today's minor update, I have two more profiles up in the Macross Zero section: the Kitty Hawk class aircraft carrier and the Arleigh Burke class destroyer.

December 25, 2002

Merry Christmas, Macross Style by Chris 12:55 A.M. EST
Well, it's Christmas time again, so here's my present to our readers. The first episode of Macross Zero was released in Japan on the 21st, so that means updates! I've created screenshots and made profiles for the SV-51 variable fighter, as well as the Asuka II carrier. The SV-51 Fighter mode pic comes courtesy of the members of the Macross World forums. I've also converted the Macross Zero information page to a review page, as I did previously with Gundam SEED.

I also have some initial thoughts on my viewing of the first episode. Since it's not subtitled, I'm flying blind here. The episode opens with Shin Kudo giving a brief narration of the arrival of the Macross in 1999 while the world is at war. This is shown with live action footage and animation. The story then picks up in 2008 with him and Edgar LaSalle flying patrol in an F-14. They engage MiG-29's belonging to the Anti-United Nations and destroy them. The SV-51 variable fighter shows up and shoots Shin and Edgar down. Shin wakes up on an island inhabited by natives and meets Sara Nome and her younger sister Mao. In the meantime, scientist Aries Turner is investigating the Protoculture on a U.N. Spacy carrier. Also aboard is her friend Roy Focker. His VF-0 Phoenix squad launches and engages in combat over Shin's island with the Anti-U.N. Let me first say that the animation here is simply stunning. It is the best animation I've ever seen in Macross, even beyond Macross Plus. It's also the first Macross OVA to be presented in 16:9 anamorphic widescreen, which is always a plus. As for the computer animation, it's some of the best I've ever seen in anime and it's movie quality. It's not the kind of garbage CGI you usually see in most TV series. I will have a full review up as soon as a subtitled copy is available.

December 19, 2002

New Sponsor by Lore 4:38 P.M. EST
Recently, we were approached by DVD Empire and offered a business partnership. Given their reputation, we gladly accepted and are now in the process of converting the product links to point to them. By the 1st of the year, the purchase and banner links will all be changed over to DVD Empire. Chris and I encourage you to visit their site for all your DVD needs since their prices are among the most competitive around. All profits go back into MAHQ to make it a better place for everyone. Also, on a minor note, we changed the font sizes to make MAHQ a bit more uniform.

December 18, 2002

Big Numbers by Chris 1:21 P.M. EST
Several months ago, an episode of Turn A Gundam had the distinction of being my 300th Gundam review. Well, a lot has changed since then. Now, Turn A again gets the distinction of being my 400th Gundam review. This time it's for the movie Turn A Gundam II: Moonlight Butterfly. This review finally completes that section, which means all the Alternate Universe sections are complete (with the exception of SEED of course).

On a side note, I've noticed a rather strange phenomenon. Every time I complete a Gundam section, I get a rash of e-mails asking when the next section will be finished. This is more than a little annoying since this question is directly covered in the FAQ. I don't know how much more clearly I can address this other than by saying: "it's done when it's done." Please don't send me mail asking this sort of question.

December 17, 2002

Macross by Chris 11:49 A.M. EST
Almost a year ago I began rewriting all the Macross reviews. It's been a busy year since then, but now I'm focused on this project again. For today's update, check out newly rewritten reviews for episodes 9-12 of the original series. Also, I've created screenshots for episodes 1-12.

December 13, 2002

Return of the Claw by Chris 10:10 A.M. EST
For today's update, I've got new pics for various MSV suits, courtesy of RancorClaw. They are:

MS-06E Zaku Reconnaissance Type
MS-06T Zaku Trainer Type
MS-06V-6 Zaku Tank Green Makaku
MS-07A Gouf
RGC-80 GM Cannon

December 12, 2002

Sayonara Judau by Chris 11:52 P.M. EST
Over two years ago, I began reviewing Gundam ZZ pretty soon after this site began. Now, I am finally able to complete that section with today's reviews (with screenshots) for episodes 45-47. Now that the majority of Gundam is behind me, there isn't much left ahead. I'd like to take this time to thank Mark064, Corben and Lore for making these reviews possible.

December 11, 2002

Zeon VS Zeon by Chris 4:28 P.M. EST
For the first part of today's update, check out reviews (with screenshots) for episodes 42-44 of Gundam ZZ. Also, there's a new picture in the SEED mecha section for the GINN Enforced Recon Type, courtesy of Trent Bowser.

December 10, 2002

Big Trouble in Little Tigerbaum by Chris 8:35 P.M. EST
There's a couple of items on today's update. First, check out reviews (with screenshots) for episodes 39-41 of Gundam ZZ. Second, check out the new profiles for the Guncannon and Guntank in the Gundam: The Origin mecha section. Pics for those two suits are courtesy of Psycho_Al.

December 9, 2002

Dreaming in Digital by Chris 10:41 A.M. EST
The mecha section for Macross: Digital Mission VF-X2 has been updated with at least 7 new profiles, which completes the section. Expect more game sections for Macross to be coming soon.

December 6, 2002

MSV Update by Chris 11:52 P.M. EST
For today's incredibly small update, check out a new pic in the profile of the Strike Gundam IWSP from SEED-MSV.

December 5, 2002

Digital Mission by Chris 1:28 P.M. EST
There's a new Macross mecha section today, and this time it's for the game Digital Mission VF-X.

December 4, 2002

Battle Over Dublin by Chris 11:51 P.M. EST
For today's update, check out reviews (with screenshots) for episodes 36-38 of Gundam ZZ.

December 3 , 2002

Random Notes by Chris 8:20 P.M. EST
There's no actual update today, so I'll take the time to post some notes. First, Neo-Era pointed out this Google Groups post by famed translator Neil Nadelman. In the post, Nadelman explains that the fansub group AnimeJunkies mistranslates dialogue or fabricates it for their Gundam SEED releases. As it so happens, I have used their material for the majority of my reviews. Personally, I find this kind of thing unacceptable. What's the point of even doing a fansub if it's not accurate? Neil personally recommends Anime-Gundam, which has always been reliable, if a little slow. Therefore all reviews for SEED are currently on hold. I will be watching Anime-Gundam's versions and fixing any errors. I'll wait for them to catch up to where I am, and from 8+ they will be my sole source for review material.

In other news, Cartoon Network announced recently that Trigun will be joining the Adult Swim lineup in 2003. I'm glad to see that this show will be airing on TV. Other shows scheduled for the lineup are Lupin III and Reign. With TechTV having acquired Lain and several other shows and the International Channel airing more anime, it looks like 2003 is shaping up to be the best year yet for anime on TV. Here's to hoping that Zeta Gundam fares well whenever it shows up.

Chat Stats by Lore 12:18 A.M. EST
The chat stats for the previous week are now up in the Chat section.

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