“You can easily make an original machine, so please enjoy playing with recombinations” Developer interview, Max Factory Max Watanabe President of Max Factory, born in Tokyo. A character modeler who has been active as a modeling writer for more than 20 years. He is a leading figure in anime-related mecha...

Various releases from the “Votoms rush” of the 2000s that marked the 20th anniversary. Aurora 1/87 Scopedog & Brutishdog metal figures 1/87 Red shoulder metal figure 1/87 Strikedog metal figure 1/87 Strikedog and Scopedog with Round Mover 1/87 Scopedog, Brutishdog, and Standing Turtle 3-pack Bandai HG Series gashopon miniatures, set...

In addition to the manga serial that accompanied the original TV broadcast, Comic BomBom had an accompanying article every month along with occasional ads and model kit coverage. Here’s the entire run from the April 1983 issue to April 1984. April 1983 issue, published March 15 Mechanical Reference Materials, Vol....

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If you looked closely at the credits page for Arkadyne #1, you may have noticed a fella by the name of Woodie Keenan listed as “contributing mechanical designer.” This collection shows you what he contributed to earn that credit. I met Woodie in the pages of an APA called Animanga...

Backup features (unfinished) Issue 4 production gallery Promo leaflet from Ianus Publications Back to main article

Issue 3 production gallery First cover concept (unfinished) Second cover concept Painted version by Scott Rosema Promo leaflet from Ianus Publications Continue to issue 4 Back to main article

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First promotional image from Comic BomBom, April 1983 issue The Armored Trooper Votoms manga, adapted and drawn by Minoru Nonaka, was originally serialized in Comic BomBom, a monthly manga magazine published by Kodansha. Its target audience was mainly young boys whose passions were ignited by mecha anime and the plastic...

Minoru Nonaka’s adaptation of the Kummen arc ran for three issues of Comic BomBom with a total of 93 pages. The first chapter appeared two weeks after the first Kummen episode was broadcast, and the last appeared a month before the Sunsa arc began. Votoms was joined by two more...

Minoru Nonaka’s adaptation of the Sunsa arc was the shortest, occupying just two issues of Comic BomBom with a total of 62 pages. It began exactly in sync with the TV broadcast, but finished well over a month before Episode 39 was aired. The Woodo paperback edition was published during...

Whereas the Sunsa arc was shortest, Quent was the longest with 124 pages spread over four issues of Comic BomBom. It started 3 weeks before the arc began on TV and finished just one week before the series ended. Kodansha’s paperback editions of the Kummen and Sunsa arcs were both...

There are many key names to know when reviewing the roster of major contributors to Armored Trooper Votoms, from Creator Ryosuke Takahashi to all the major staff members who worked with him. Then there are those we’re indebted to without even knowing it yet. You’re about to meet one of...

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Neither Jim nor I could afford a VCR in early 1983, so we banked on the kindness of our friend Steve Harrison, who DID have one and had recorded the TV series. One afternoon we went through them and Steve would hit pause and I sketched like crazy before any...