Semi-OT: Were VOTOMs ever redesigned for modern tastes?

[Andrew Ryan Chang]

I was just thinking how Katoki redesigns of Okawara originals are
so popular... but that's mostly Gundam stuff. Why haven't VOTOMS mechs
been redesigned or updated? (Or have they been?)

[hirofkd]

I think it's because the armored trooper designs are complete and don't
need any update. Almost all mecha are somewhat characterized, and the
most extreme example is the Wing Gundam Zero Custom. But with a few
exceptions, all ATs are mass produced, so it's the polar opposite of
the WGZC. I think fans are fascinated by AT's subtle and low-key
appeal, and that might be why the design hasn't been updated. It's
hard to imagine a lanky Scope Dog.

Hiro

Post by Andrew Ryan Chang
I was just thinking how Katoki redesigns of Okawara originals are
so popular... but that's mostly Gundam stuff. Why haven't VOTOMS mechs
been redesigned or updated? (Or have they been?)
--
Mr. Scorpio says productivity is up two percent, and it's all because of
_my_ motivational techniques. Like, donuts. And a possibility of more
donuts to come.
-- Homer's second secret to successful management, "You Only Move Twice"

[Stephen "FPilot" Bierce]

Post by hirofkd
I think it's because the armored trooper designs are complete and don't
need any update. Almost all mecha are somewhat characterized, and the
most extreme example is the Wing Gundam Zero Custom. But with a few
exceptions, all ATs are mass produced, so it's the polar opposite of
the WGZC. I think fans are fascinated by AT's subtle and low-key
appeal, and that might be why the design hasn't been updated. It's
hard to imagine a lanky Scope Dog.
Hiro

And there were some modified VOTOMs in Merowlink and the later OAVs. But I have
to agree that the nature of the Astragius Galactic Wars required loads of cheap
weapons made quickly to superpowered ubermechs.

Stephen "FPilot" Bierce/IPMS #35922
Pilot's Log: http://www.livejournal.com/users/frustratedpilot

[Andrew Ryan Chang]

Post by hirofkd
I think it's because the armored trooper designs are complete and don't
need any update. Almost all mecha are somewhat characterized, and the
most extreme example is the Wing Gundam Zero Custom. But with a few
exceptions, all ATs are mass produced, so it's the polar opposite of
the WGZC. I think fans are fascinated by AT's subtle and low-key
appeal, and that might be why the design hasn't been updated. It's
hard to imagine a lanky Scope Dog.

You make a good point, but even the relatively utilitarian Zaku
(which in many ways I would say is the penultimate step towards the AT
designs -- semi-faceless, clearly mass produced) has been updated over
time.

[Ledon Cook]

Post by Andrew Ryan Chang
I was just thinking how Katoki redesigns of Okawara originals are
so popular... but that's mostly Gundam stuff. Why haven't VOTOMS mechs
been redesigned or updated?

You mean just re-visualized, like Yoshikazu Yasuhiko's intrepretations of the mobile suits, in his "Gundam Origin" manga?

I don't know why, it does seem odd that there hasn't been. Was there ever a manga of VOTOMs published in Japan?

The fanbase for VOTOMs does seem to be smaller than the one for Gundam.

Would like to see Katoki's revamp of the Scopedog and Snapping Turtle, especially if he went subtle on it.

My favorite "Gundam" Mobile Suit is the RX-178 Gundam Mk II, but as nice as Okawara's design is from the get-go,
Katoki's version of it, especially as it was realized in the HGUC kit of the RX-178 is just MS "mecha" heaven to me.
Thing is, when the HGUC kit first came out, there was a discussion on the newgroup comparing the HGUC kit to the HG kit.
And a lot of people kept replying that they couldn't see any difference in the "lines" and proportions between the two kits.

Would love to see a subtle tweaking of the Scopedog's lines, the way Katoki did to the RX-178.

When Mark Simmon's had his gundam website going, one of the best thing's about the site, IMHO, was when he posted his
intrepretations of the GM mobilesuit series, from the various UC series. His interpretation of the lines was very nice.
You could see where he had been inspired by both Okawara and Katoki. But brought a nice, and consistent, interpretation
all his own. I really liked his interpretation of the Zaku I series as well, and the High Mobility Zaku II.

[David Chiu]

Post by Ledon Cook

Post by Andrew Ryan Chang
I was just thinking how Katoki redesigns of Okawara originals are
so popular... but that's mostly Gundam stuff. Why haven't VOTOMS mechs
been redesigned or updated?

Some reinterpretation of Votoms appeared in Blue Knight.

Post by Ledon Cook
I don't know why, it does seem odd that there hasn't been. Was there ever
a manga of VOTOMs published in Japan?

Yes, although it was... highly compressed.

Post by Ledon Cook
The fanbase for VOTOMs does seem to be smaller than the one for Gundam.

I would venture to say that in Japan, fan base of everything else pales in
comparison to that of Gundam series.

I have a personal disdain for stuff outside of UC continuity however...

[Andrew Ryan Chang]

Ledon Cook <***@bellsouth.net> wrote:

boy, what an incredibly delayed post! I wrote the original almost a year
ago!

Post by Ledon Cook

Post by Andrew Ryan Chang
I was just thinking how Katoki redesigns of Okawara originals are
so popular... but that's mostly Gundam stuff. Why haven't VOTOMS mechs
been redesigned or updated?

You mean just re-visualized, like Yoshikazu Yasuhiko's intrepretations
of the mobile suits, in his "Gundam Origin" manga?

Yeah, like that. Reinterpretations of the source.

Speaking of "Gundam Origin", it's a shame Viz apparently decided
to stop publishing it. I did manage to pick up the 12 English issues put
out so far. Or did Yas stop doing the manga?

[David Chiu]

Post by Andrew Ryan Chang
Speaking of "Gundam Origin", it's a shame Viz apparently decided
to stop publishing it. I did manage to pick up the 12 English issues put
out so far. Or did Yas stop doing the manga?

Still running in Gundam Ace.