The release of "VF-0S Phoenix" from the HI-METAL R Macross Series has finally been decided! Before preorders begin, we would like to introduce what kind of unit "VF-0S" is and the OVA "Macross Zero" in which "VF-0S" appears.

* The product image in the article is a product image of a colored prototype. Different from the actual product.
* The images other than the products in the article are the materials used at the time of production of the animation work. It is different from the product.

What is "Macross Zero" and VF-0?

The original OVA "Macross Zero" (2002-2004) was produced to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the birth of MACROSS. As a prequel to "The Super Dimension Fortress MACROSS," it depicts the Unification War and the battle over the "Bird Human," a relic of the ancient Protoculture civilization. Roy Focker also appears as a major character linked to "The Super Dimension Fortress MACROSS" (1982-1983), emphasizing the connection between the two works.
Furthermore, Sheryl Nome from "Macross Frontier" (2008) is the granddaughter of Mao Nome, a character from the same series, and other elements from "Macross Zero" were also scattered throughout the series, such as an episode within a play that was inspired by the series, and the relationship between the Vajra and the bird people. Macross Zero, which has a deep connection to each of the previous works, is also an important work when talking about Macross Series, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

"VF-0S Phoenix" is Roy Focker's favorite machine that appears in the same work. The yellow line and skull mark have the same design as the "VF-1S Valkyrie Roy Focker Special", and you can see the relationship between the two aircraft by Focker.

The VF-0 in the play was a prototype of the VF-1 Valkyrie, which had already been put into service in the Integrated War. Although the thermonuclear reaction turbine engine was not completed and there were some unfinished parts such as installing a conventional jet engine, it realized a three-stage transformation into a fighter, a gawalk, and a batroid. It is an aircraft that has established the foundation of variable fighters.

In addition, director Shoji Kawamori is in charge of the design as well as the successive Valkyrie. Although it was set as the predecessor of the VF-1, it also had an aspect as a design update version of the VF-1 in a sense. The above figure is a design setting by Mr. Kawamori, and a 3D model is created based on these sketches.
In terms of deformation, the VF-1 is trying to improve the mechanism, such as thinning the aircraft by storing the backpack and the arm on top of each other at the time of the fighter, but by shifting the arrangement and storing it in the VF-0. In addition, by making the nose longer, the silhouette is closer to the design motif F-14, and as a result, it is a non-similar aircraft similar to the VF-1.
In the play, in addition to the S type for commanders, the A type for general use with different heads and the D type with double seat specifications with different heads and main wings have appeared.

Another thing that cannot be overlooked is that "Macross Zero" was the first in Macross Series to use full 3D CG mecha depictions. When the work was released in 2002, it was still the dawn of digital technology, and the 3D CG Valkyrie action scenes were truly groundbreaking. The success of the full CG mecha in this work could be said to have had a huge impact on mecha depictions in the Japanese anime and special effects industries that followed.

In "Macross Zero," textures are applied to 3D models, and the 3DCG is drawn with a realistic texture that is not a so-called cell look. The texture design was done by Hidetaka Tenjin. Director Shoji Kawamori was pursuing images that resembled aerial illustrations, so Tenjin, who was active as an illustrator at the time, was hired.

This is a part of the texture material that Tenjin worked on at the time. This was pasted onto the 3D model to create the 3DCG in the movie. Speaking of Tenjin, he is now one of the indispensable staff members of Macross Series as a "MACROSS visual artist." The first MACROSS movie that Tenjin participated in was "Macross Zero."

3D model with texture applied (left image) and before application (right image). By pasting the texture, you can see that the texture looks like the actual machine. By using 3DCG, it has become possible to move precise detail mechas in the play, which was not possible with hand-drawn animation.
Macross Series has been exploring digital expression since early on, using some 3DCG from the OVA "MACROSS PLUS" (1994-1995) and using a CG model for the Fire Valkyrie in the opening of the TV anime "Macross 7" (1994-1995), and director Shoji Kawamori's foresight is astonishing. The 3DCG technology and texture expression through texture in this work are connected to "Macross Frontier" (2008) and "Macross Delta" (2016), and it is clear that this work marked a turning point for Macross Series.

VF-0 first three-dimensional with HI-METAL R

In HI-METAL R, the VF-0, which pursues the realism of the same work, will be revived as a three-dimensional figure. Pursuing a silhouette like the F-14 while reproducing the three-stage deformation that is similar to the VF-1. The definitive version of the VF-0S as a solid is now available.

In the fighter form, the aircraft silhouette reminiscent of the F-14 is faithfully reproduced. As shown in the image, the main wing can be replaced with a type that allows you to attach and detach the under-wing equipment and a shape-oriented type. The fast pack on the side of the legs is also removable.

The gawalk form also has the same proportions as in the play. An open wrist that can reproduce the image of the work key visual is also included. HI-METAL R 's unique movable design allows you to pose it in a compact size.

The batroid form also reproduces the smart styling of CG in the play. A small wing part that emphasizes proportions and movement during batroid, and a nose pitot tube part that is stored are also included.

In addition, as a commitment in this three-dimensionalization, the head laser machine gun comes with a reproduction of the CG in the play (left image) and a reproduction of the details of the line drawing setting (right image), and can be replaced according to your preference. can.


"HI-METAL R VF-0S PHOENIX(ROY FOCKER use)", which we introduced while looking back on the charm of the work, will be available for over-the-counter reservations from May 26, 2022 (Thursday) and will be released in October. Please check it by all means!

"HI-METAL R VF-0S PHOENIX(ROY FOCKER use)" product detail page

> TAMASHII WEB Macross Series Special Page

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