Just announced! Kaiyodo adds Ichijo Hikaru’s VF-1J Super Valkyrie from the Super Dimension Fortress Macross TV series to its lineup of Revoltech action figures.
It won’t transform into fighter or GERWALK modes like those models from my childhood. But, those old toys didn’t have the articulation to be posed like this can.
I’m tempted to pick it up when it drops this September 15, but wonder if I should perhaps wait? Might a Roy Fokker “Skull One” version of the VF-1S Valkyrie or Ichijo Hikaru’s VF-1S Strike Valkyrie variant from the movie be in the works?
Hakodate is a port city at Hokkaido’s southern tip, and the island’s third largest city. Locals claim it offers one of the top 3 nighttime views in the world (with Hong Kong and Naples purportedly the other two). I haven’t been around enough to comment on that claim. But, I must agree the panoramic view is certainly impressive. While not particularly high, Hakodateyama (Mt. Hakodate) sits at one end of an isthmus, surrounded by the sea on three sides. Looking down toward the city, the terrain spreads out before you in two wide arcs, continuing along the horizon in both directions until you are surrounded by the island for over 240°. Photos don’t quite do it justice.
Noboribetsu Onsen is said to be the largest hot springs resort in Hokkaido. It was here that I made a stopover off the Super Hokuto run from Sapporo to Hakodate — -actually a detour, since the town is a little over 5 km inland from the city of Noboribetsu, and not accessible by rail.
Essentially a one-street town, the many hot springs hotels and inns drive the local economy, along with a few shops and restaurants. The most well-known of these is the Dai-Ichi Takimotokan, which with its 30 large baths open 24 hours, claims to be the largest spa in Asia. [I stayed at a smaller place near the edge of town.] Other tourist attractions include a (from the pictures in the brochure, depressing) bear “farm,” and Jigokudani (which translates to “Hell Valley”).
Continue reading “Noboribetsu Onsen”(308 words, 2 images, estimated 1:14 mins reading time)
I don’t plan on putting my “otaku den” (as Andy calls it) on display, because I don’t have one. Pics of my toys will have to suffice. That’ll also give me opportunity to start playing with my new macro lens, which I’m sure will take me a while to learn how to use properly. Let’s start off with Gundam Fix Figuration #0026…
Continue reading “RX-78-2 Gundam “Ver. Ka””(351 words, 4 images, estimated 1:24 mins reading time)
