From HI-METAL R Macross Series, the release of "VF-0S Phoenix" has finally been decided! This time, before the start of store reservations, I would like to introduce what kind of aircraft "VF-0S" is, and the OVA work "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.

"MACROSS ZERO" and VF-0

The source OVA "MACROSS ZERO" (2002-2004) was produced as a work commemorating the 20th anniversary of the birth of MACROSS. As a prequel to "The Super Dimension Fortress Macross", it depicts a joint war and a battle over the "Bird Human", a relic of the super ancient civilization protoculture. In addition, Roy Focker appeared as a main character linked to "The Super Dimension Fortress Macross" (1982-1983), emphasizing the connection between the two works.
In addition, Sheryl Nome of "MACROSS F" (2008) is the grandson of Mao Nome, a character in the same work, and the play episode inspired by the same work, the relationship between the bajra and the bird people, and other elements from "MACROSS ZERO" were also discussed. MACROSS ZERO", which has a deep relationship with each of the previous works, is also an important work in the story of Macross Series, which celebrates 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.

And you can't miss that "MACROSS ZERO" introduces the first full 3DCG mechanical depiction in Macross Series. When the work was announced in 2002, it was still the dawn of digital, and Valkyrie's action scene with 3DCG was truly epoch-making. It can be said that the success of full CG mecha in the same work had a great influence on the depiction of mecha in the later Japanese anime and special effects industry.

In "MACROSS ZERO", textures are applied to 3D models, and 3DCG is drawn with realistic textures that are not so-called cel-look. Hidetaka Tenjin is in charge of the texture design. Mr. Tenjin, who was working as an illustrator at the time, was appointed because director Masaharu Kawamori was pursuing images like aviation illustrations.

This is part of the texture material that Mr. Tenjin worked on at the time. This is put into a 3D model and becomes 3DCG in the play. Speaking of Mr. Tenjin, he is now one of the indispensable staff members of Macross Series as a "MACROSS Visual Artist". "MACROSS ZERO" was the first MACROSS film that Mr. Tenjin participated in.

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.
In Macross Series, 3DCG was partially used from the OVA "MACROSS Plus" (1994-1995), and in the opening of the TV anime "Macross 7" (1994-1995), the Fire Valkyrie was made into a CG model, and digital was used early on. Expression is explored, and I am amazed at the foresight of director Shoji Kawamori. The 3DCG technology and the expression of textures by textures in this work are connected to "MACROSS F" (2008) and "MACROSS Delta" (2016), and it is known that this work was a turning point for Macross Series. increase.

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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