The 8th DORO OFF model exhibit was held on September 22-23 in its usual location in Asakusabashi, Tokyo.

As usual, the exhibit showcased primarily science fiction based models and dioramas by enthusiast builders. Yamato once again received considerable representation this year, second only to Star Wars. The showpiece of the exhibit, however, wasn’t anime related at all – a life-sized “breathing” mannequin with a Face-hugger from the movie Alien was quite possibly the most impressive original item on display, looking all the more realistic when organizers turned down the lights and pulled the curtains closed during set periods of the day.

In the lead to the Macross Frontier 10th Anniversary Orchestra on September 8-9, Mitsukoshi Department Store (Main Branch) is holding a combined collaboration cafe/mini-gallery dedicated to both Macross Frontier and the original SDF Macross. The cafe will run from September 5-17, 2018.

The SpeakerPODcast Crew were fortunate enough to be able to check out the cafe on opening day and will be covering it in-depth in a future podcast. While the majority of items on display were things that we had seen before, what really struck us was the amount of space and respect given to the original the original Macross (although much of the art and items on display were actually from DYRL). The cafe was literally split 50/50 between Macross Frontier and the original, with themed food and drinks dedicated to each. This is quite possibly the closest thing we will ever get to a dedicated SDF Macross collaboration cafe.

But enough about that. Bring on the pics!

The Tezuka Osamu Manga Museum in Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture, is currently holding an exhibit to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Macross and 10th anniversary of Macross Frontier. Titled “Macross: The Art 1982-2018“, the exhibit includes sections dedicated to each animated entry in the franchise (yes, including Macross 2), Macross the First, and a selection of Macross Frontier artwork and sketches. It also contains a large VF-31 and YF-29 in Battroid form, as well as collaboration art (Macross characters rendered in a “Tezuka” style, and a Frontier piece by Risa Ebata inspired by the world-famous Takarazuka Revue.

Several cafes and restaurants around the museum are holding collaborations with the exhibit, offering Macross-themed foods (Pineapple cake, anyone?) and collectible coasters.

While photos were not permitted throughout the majority of the exhibit, the following is a gallery taken around the museum itself as well as a few specific areas that did permit photography.