FAQ
Why This Manga?
Sonoda had been wanting to do a SF-based giant robot story for years. As Gun Smith Cats was winding down, he decided that his next series would be Exaxxion.
About The Military Titles
Japanese military titles are rather elastic, and don't conform directly to those used in the west. Therefore, I tried to get as close as I could, but there's room for argument.
What's With All The Gun Stuff Here?
Sonoda is an unabashed gun freak. He's collected a large stash of realistic-looking toy models in his apartment (Japan forbids anyone from owning the real thing.) He loves guns, pure and simple. Which is why there's so many hidden references to guns and firearms in Exaxxion. In fact, part of the challenge is to recognize all of the in-jokes.
So, What Are Some Of The In-Jokes?
The guns used on Exaxxion, and character names. The front inside flap of each collected volume has a small description of how each character got its name.
How About Exaxxion's Weapons?
Here, we have World War II references. In the words of ping@ricochet.net (CPK) :
88mm is the famous German anti-air gun which Rommel successfully deployed in Afrika
Corp for anti-tank business, and the Tiger tank series adapted it as the main gun,
probably the most famous gun in Europe in WWII. Local gift shops in SF have
minatures of them for sale, mainly for the Japanese tourists.
The 460mm, of course, is the caliber for the Japanese battleship Yamato, the biggest naval
gun on the biggest battleship ever.
And, from phuf@club.REMOVE.THIS.innet.be (Peter Van Huffel):
Let me give you some more info on the famous 88 mm canon. Originally, it was developed
as being an anti-aircraft defense weapon, but they soon realised that it was an excellent
anti-tank artillery (long before Rommel began to use it in the desert). The canon was
capable of destroying every tank of the British army from a great distance, but it had a
number of disadvantages. It was too high (easily spotted) and didn't have enough
protection. Secondly, it took too long to put up, so it was only useful when it was put in
place in well-prepared positions long before action. The canon was an important part of
Rommel's anti-tank defense. There were
six soldiers needed to operate it and it could fire (when they were well trained) up to
twenty shots a minute. AFAIK, it was only after the Afrika Corps period that it began to
be mounted in the Tiger series. Rommel never had any significant Tiger forces (mainly 75
mm PzkwIII), at least it didn't do him any good.
Will We Ever See Exaxxion in the U.S.?
Already carried by Dark Horse Comics..
How Do I order These Books?
Sasuga Books is a good place to start. If you want the ISBN numbers:
Vol 1. ISBN4-06-314180-2 505 yen
Afternoon KC, From issue 10-97 to 05-98
Vol 2. ISBN4-06-314201-9 505 yen
Afternoon KC, From issue 06-98 to 03-99
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You can contact me at: riemann96@yahoo.com
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