June 30, 2002

Gryps' Debut by Chris 12:01 P.M. EST
Today I present a review (with screenshots) for episode 40 of Z Gundam. It won't be too much longer before this series is over.

June 28, 2002

Some Sad News by Lore 3:02 A.M. EST
Although not directly related to the site, this news deeply saddens both myself and Chris. As some of you may have read, John Entwistle, the bassist for The Who, died yesterday on the eve of their 2002 tour. The Who are one of the most influential groups to come out of the sixties. Though known for wild antics, their artistic impact cannot be ignored. They pioneered punk, invented the rock opera, and were among the first to experiment with synthesizers. Entwistle was considered by many to be the greatest bassist in the history of rock. I consider myself fortunate to have seen him perform during their last tour in 2000. His death effectively ends The Who and dashes any hopes for the new album that was to be written near the end of the year.

Gundam: The Next Generation by Chris 1:10 A.M. EST
Quite a lot has been developing in the Gundam world in the last few days. Apparently, Sunrise president Takayuki Yoshii has confirmed that a new Gundam series is in production. The only other confirmed info so far is that the director will be Mitsuo Fukuda (Future GPX Cyber Formula and Gear Fighter Dendoh). Speculation is that the new series will begin airing in October 2002, but this has not been confirmed. I won't post any more info until something definite comes along, and you can be sure that Neo-Era will be updating his new Gundam series rumor FAQ soon.

June 27, 2002

Rand Revealed by Chris 1:15 P.M. EST
Who the heck is Chris? In an effort to further confuse readers, I've decided to switch to my real name, Chris Guanche. Why do this? I won't say...at least not yet. I'll still be Rand in the Forums and on IRC, but otherwise everywhere else on the site you will see my real name. My name change is not the only thing changing around here. In perhaps the most comprehensive update yet, Gundam names have been changed all around the site to reflect Sunrise's newest spellings. Some you'll like and some you won't, but that's what I'm using. Also, the Macross TV and Lore Store areas have been updating with purchasing links for AnimEigo's mini boxed sets. Tomorrow it's back to Turn A.

June 20, 2002

Spaceships and Hippies by Chris 1:46 P.M. EST
It's back to Turn A Gundam again, and this time I have reviews (with screenshots) for episodes 21-25.

June 19, 2002

The Origin by Chris 11:36 A.M. EST
Some may have seen the new magazine-sized graphic novel Gundam: The Origin in stores. I now have a review up for the first volume in the Gundam manga section, and the Lore Store has been updated accordingly.

June 18, 2002

Homicidal Donkey by Chris 11:30 P.M. EST
Last week was filled with some other updates, but this time it's back to Turn A Gundam. Now available are reviews (with screenshots) for episodes 18-20.

June 17, 2002

Interview by Chris 11:48 P.M. EST
For a long time I've been wanting to add an Interview area to the Features section, and now is the time. Today I open up this new area with an interview with AnimEigo CEO Robert Woodhead. Check it out...there's interesting comments there.

June 13, 2002

Day Of Death by Chris 11:45 A.M. EST
With G Gundam's airdate approaching, I've prepared 10 more mobile suit profiles for the section. They're too numerous to list here, but the new additions include the 6 mobile suits in the 'Death' series and 4 mobile suits/armors produced by Neo Japan for use outside the Gundam Fight.

I'd also like to take this time for a brief editorial regarding AnimEigo's recently released Kimagure Orange Road TV DVD boxed set. I personally did not purchase the boxed set, mainly because I blew most of my money on Macross. Both Anime News Network and Anime on DVD, sites which I respect, have taken up issue with this release. They both object to AnimEigo placing the opening sequence in a credits section instead of at the beginning of each episode. Both editorials mention the idea that had they known about this beforehand they would have reconsidered their purchase. I find this to be absolutely ridiculous. The whole point of buying a show on DVD is for the SHOW, not some opening sequence. Besides, the openings are included on the DVD. I don't see a problem here. I personally don't watch an opening before every episode, and I imagine many people don't either. I also object to the keeping of a 'scorecard' against AnimEigo for this occurrence and the subtitles on Macross. I'm no AnimEigo lackey, but I think they do fine work and don't deserve this type of baseless criticism. More attention should be placed on companies that alter their anime releases, as ADV Films does with their extremely liberal dubs, or perhaps a company like Manga that has infinitely delayed the Evangelion movies and provided a substandard release on the Macross Plus movie. As the old saying goes, you have to pick your battles. Railing on about an insignificant opening sequence is not a battle worth fighting.

June 12, 2002

Raw Is War by Chris 11:58 A.M. EST
In preparation for G Gundam's domestic arrival in a few weeks, I've decided to start making mecha profiles for the section. For those who are curious, I will NOT be using the censored American names for the Gundams, so you will never see the 'Burning Gundam' or 'Dark Gundam' here. Anyway, the following mobile fighters are now available in Burke's All the World's Mobile Weapons format:

GF13-006NA Gundam Maxter
GF13-009NF Gundam Rose
GF13-011NC Dragon Gundam
GF13-013NR Bolt Gundam
GF13-017NJ Shining Gundam
GF13-055NI Neros Gundam

For anyone who's interested, have a look at this picture from my vacation last month.

June 9, 2002

Lakeside by Chris 11:12 A.M. EST
Taking a bit of a break today from Turn A, I have a review (with screenshots) for episode 39 of Zeta Gundam.

June 6, 2002

Mecha Profiles by Chris 12:55 P.M. EST
It's quite rare for me to do two updates in one day, but what the heck? First, some new pics are available for the following mecha in MS-X:

Guncarry
Skute

Also, a brand new section entitled Dengeki Hobby Magazine "Gundam Secret Weapons" is now available with the following profiles:

FF-X(7)II Core Booster II
MS-06F Zaku II Range Finder Type "God's Eye"
RX-78GP00 Gundam
Zaku II Gunner

Thanks go out to Corben and Ryukami for the MS-X pics, and the Gundam Secret Weapons pics were originally scanned and posted by Machineman in the Mecha forum.

More Madness by Chris 9:20 A.M. EST
The madness continues today with reviews (and screenshots) for episodes 14-17 of Turn A Gundam. At this rate I could finish the series in a few weeks.

June 5, 2002

Reviewing Madness by Chris 2:02 P.M. EST
I haven't gone on a reviewing spree like this in awhile, but for today's update you can check out reviews (with screenshots) for episodes 11-13 of Turn A Gundam. In just a few short days I've gone from having a tiny number of reviews to being 25% done with the series. The rest shouldn't take very long.

June 4, 2002

A Big Number by Chris 9:55 A.M. EST
For today's update I present reviews (with screenshots) for episodes 8-10 of Turn A Gundam. Episode 10 holds the distinction of being my 300th Gundam review. It's hard for me to believe that I've seen and reviewed that much Gundam. Devotion, yes. Obsession? Perhaps. By my estimates, I have now covered roughly 75% of all the Gundam available. That certainly is a lot, and the remaining 25% shouldn't take too much longer to complete. What I would do after all of Gundam is completed is anyone's guess. Come on Tomino, make a new series for me to cover!

June 3, 2002

Turn A Turn by Chris 6:00 P.M. EST
It's been well over a year since the last reviews for Turn A Gundam, but that long period is now over. Now available are newly reedited reviews for episodes 1-4, complete with new higher quality screenshots. But that's not all, as new reviews (with screenshots) are up for episodes 5-7. Also, the Features page has been reorganized to arrange information more efficiently. A new section has also been added to Features, dubbed 'Corben's IRC Guide' (a direct link is also available at the top of this page). Basically, this new section is a step-by-step guide for anyone new to IRC that wishes to chat with us on #gundam. Also, there's a new editorial up called 'Newer Isn't Always Better."

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