totallyrobot
@totallyrobot.bsky.social
Showa Era Mechanical Design - Digital and Traditional Media - Small Things - Having my Metrics harvested by Social Media Platforms
Between you and a few others I have had to purchase a new deep storage drive. It's a terrible thing. Your next coffee is on me.
November 5, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Between you and a few others I have had to purchase a new deep storage drive. It's a terrible thing. Your next coffee is on me.
Just when I think living in the future couldn't be worse, something like this appears, and it's not so bad.
October 27, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Just when I think living in the future couldn't be worse, something like this appears, and it's not so bad.
Wolf and baby carriage the heck? Is that cool guy for 子連れ狼/Lone Wolf and Cub?
Calling Ronin a stylistic rip of Goseki Kojima's work is odd too. Though the covers Miller did for the Dark Horse releases were rad. You can't deny Lone Wolf's impact globally, but this seems super petty.
Calling Ronin a stylistic rip of Goseki Kojima's work is odd too. Though the covers Miller did for the Dark Horse releases were rad. You can't deny Lone Wolf's impact globally, but this seems super petty.
September 16, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Wolf and baby carriage the heck? Is that cool guy for 子連れ狼/Lone Wolf and Cub?
Calling Ronin a stylistic rip of Goseki Kojima's work is odd too. Though the covers Miller did for the Dark Horse releases were rad. You can't deny Lone Wolf's impact globally, but this seems super petty.
Calling Ronin a stylistic rip of Goseki Kojima's work is odd too. Though the covers Miller did for the Dark Horse releases were rad. You can't deny Lone Wolf's impact globally, but this seems super petty.
Glad to be able share it.
September 10, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Glad to be able share it.
I've always enjoyed Jeff's BattleTech work, his loose approach to mechanical anatomy has always made me happy. Just a good illustrator.
Not sure I would care to see modern CGL retakes of the designs. The overly digital production line has lead to a certain sameness that leaves me cold.
Not sure I would care to see modern CGL retakes of the designs. The overly digital production line has lead to a certain sameness that leaves me cold.
September 10, 2025 at 2:13 AM
I've always enjoyed Jeff's BattleTech work, his loose approach to mechanical anatomy has always made me happy. Just a good illustrator.
Not sure I would care to see modern CGL retakes of the designs. The overly digital production line has lead to a certain sameness that leaves me cold.
Not sure I would care to see modern CGL retakes of the designs. The overly digital production line has lead to a certain sameness that leaves me cold.
Are they on the blog somewhere?
September 9, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Are they on the blog somewhere?
I had some scans (now lost) of Monolith promo ads with wireframe shots of the various ship bridges.
Definitely my favorite of the three Xenosaga releases, The balance of Junya Ishigaki/Choco/Kunihiko Tanaka designs was so perfect.
Definitely my favorite of the three Xenosaga releases, The balance of Junya Ishigaki/Choco/Kunihiko Tanaka designs was so perfect.
September 9, 2025 at 7:48 AM
I had some scans (now lost) of Monolith promo ads with wireframe shots of the various ship bridges.
Definitely my favorite of the three Xenosaga releases, The balance of Junya Ishigaki/Choco/Kunihiko Tanaka designs was so perfect.
Definitely my favorite of the three Xenosaga releases, The balance of Junya Ishigaki/Choco/Kunihiko Tanaka designs was so perfect.
That's all I got.
Scans by anonymous, cleans by me.
You can check out:
fondationdraco.fr/category/bat...
For more JPBT art, if you haven't already seen it.
お休み😪
Scans by anonymous, cleans by me.
You can check out:
fondationdraco.fr/category/bat...
For more JPBT art, if you haven't already seen it.
お休み😪
Battletech au Japon Archives - Fondation Draco
fondationdraco.fr
September 9, 2025 at 6:19 AM
That's all I got.
Scans by anonymous, cleans by me.
You can check out:
fondationdraco.fr/category/bat...
For more JPBT art, if you haven't already seen it.
お休み😪
Scans by anonymous, cleans by me.
You can check out:
fondationdraco.fr/category/bat...
For more JPBT art, if you haven't already seen it.
お休み😪
Thanks for joining me for this little slice of BattleTech art history.
Mr. Kawamori did more art for BattleTech including some of the actual original BT 'mech designs. But the 14 included reflect the JPBT box set standees, as well as the western 2nd edition rulebook mini record sheets.
Mr. Kawamori did more art for BattleTech including some of the actual original BT 'mech designs. But the 14 included reflect the JPBT box set standees, as well as the western 2nd edition rulebook mini record sheets.
September 9, 2025 at 5:58 AM
Thanks for joining me for this little slice of BattleTech art history.
Mr. Kawamori did more art for BattleTech including some of the actual original BT 'mech designs. But the 14 included reflect the JPBT box set standees, as well as the western 2nd edition rulebook mini record sheets.
Mr. Kawamori did more art for BattleTech including some of the actual original BT 'mech designs. But the 14 included reflect the JPBT box set standees, as well as the western 2nd edition rulebook mini record sheets.
Last spread.
BattleTech Lineup!
Spot art by Kenichi Sonoda for the Argenta replays.
Ads for the boxed set, the upcoming Black Widow Company scenario collection, The MechWarrior RPG, The Grey Death Legion Novels with Kawamori covers, and the Argenta Asholeka replay collection.
BattleTech Lineup!
Spot art by Kenichi Sonoda for the Argenta replays.
Ads for the boxed set, the upcoming Black Widow Company scenario collection, The MechWarrior RPG, The Grey Death Legion Novels with Kawamori covers, and the Argenta Asholeka replay collection.
September 9, 2025 at 5:40 AM
Last spread.
BattleTech Lineup!
Spot art by Kenichi Sonoda for the Argenta replays.
Ads for the boxed set, the upcoming Black Widow Company scenario collection, The MechWarrior RPG, The Grey Death Legion Novels with Kawamori covers, and the Argenta Asholeka replay collection.
BattleTech Lineup!
Spot art by Kenichi Sonoda for the Argenta replays.
Ads for the boxed set, the upcoming Black Widow Company scenario collection, The MechWarrior RPG, The Grey Death Legion Novels with Kawamori covers, and the Argenta Asholeka replay collection.
Warhammer spread
The Warhammer can be said to be the embodiment of destruction.
Indeed. One of the few well designed introtech 'mechs.
Last Kawamori redesign in the mook, and he has reworked designs from himself, his Studio Nue partner Kazutaka Miyatake, and the esteemed Kunio Okawara.
The Warhammer can be said to be the embodiment of destruction.
Indeed. One of the few well designed introtech 'mechs.
Last Kawamori redesign in the mook, and he has reworked designs from himself, his Studio Nue partner Kazutaka Miyatake, and the esteemed Kunio Okawara.
September 9, 2025 at 5:27 AM
Warhammer spread
The Warhammer can be said to be the embodiment of destruction.
Indeed. One of the few well designed introtech 'mechs.
Last Kawamori redesign in the mook, and he has reworked designs from himself, his Studio Nue partner Kazutaka Miyatake, and the esteemed Kunio Okawara.
The Warhammer can be said to be the embodiment of destruction.
Indeed. One of the few well designed introtech 'mechs.
Last Kawamori redesign in the mook, and he has reworked designs from himself, his Studio Nue partner Kazutaka Miyatake, and the esteemed Kunio Okawara.
Crusader spread
Staff agree that it's a hard 'mech to use.
2 pages left to clean and it's super late.
Onward.
Staff agree that it's a hard 'mech to use.
2 pages left to clean and it's super late.
Onward.
September 9, 2025 at 5:03 AM
Crusader spread
Staff agree that it's a hard 'mech to use.
2 pages left to clean and it's super late.
Onward.
Staff agree that it's a hard 'mech to use.
2 pages left to clean and it's super late.
Onward.
Begin assault type 'mechs with the Rifleman spread
Staff then state that the armor is too thin, and it's too undersinked to play assault games and you should keep it back in cover as a support. (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
Staff then state that the armor is too thin, and it's too undersinked to play assault games and you should keep it back in cover as a support. (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
September 9, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Begin assault type 'mechs with the Rifleman spread
Staff then state that the armor is too thin, and it's too undersinked to play assault games and you should keep it back in cover as a support. (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
Staff then state that the armor is too thin, and it's too undersinked to play assault games and you should keep it back in cover as a support. (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
Battlemaster spread
This time the fiction is a retread of the classic bug rush, 5 Wasps versus 1 Battlemaster.
Staff complains about the lack of a hard hitting loadout on the heaviest BattleMech in the book.
This time the fiction is a retread of the classic bug rush, 5 Wasps versus 1 Battlemaster.
Staff complains about the lack of a hard hitting loadout on the heaviest BattleMech in the book.
September 9, 2025 at 4:40 AM
Battlemaster spread
This time the fiction is a retread of the classic bug rush, 5 Wasps versus 1 Battlemaster.
Staff complains about the lack of a hard hitting loadout on the heaviest BattleMech in the book.
This time the fiction is a retread of the classic bug rush, 5 Wasps versus 1 Battlemaster.
Staff complains about the lack of a hard hitting loadout on the heaviest BattleMech in the book.
Thunderbolt spread
If the Wolverine's art implied concise art direction, the Thud's implies Kawamori just drew what he wanted. Large laser punch bayonet, machine gun nipples, hip mounted SRM. Pure romance.
Just needs high heels, a veil, and a synthetic Fatima at this point.
If the Wolverine's art implied concise art direction, the Thud's implies Kawamori just drew what he wanted. Large laser punch bayonet, machine gun nipples, hip mounted SRM. Pure romance.
Just needs high heels, a veil, and a synthetic Fatima at this point.
September 9, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Thunderbolt spread
If the Wolverine's art implied concise art direction, the Thud's implies Kawamori just drew what he wanted. Large laser punch bayonet, machine gun nipples, hip mounted SRM. Pure romance.
Just needs high heels, a veil, and a synthetic Fatima at this point.
If the Wolverine's art implied concise art direction, the Thud's implies Kawamori just drew what he wanted. Large laser punch bayonet, machine gun nipples, hip mounted SRM. Pure romance.
Just needs high heels, a veil, and a synthetic Fatima at this point.
Begin mainline war machines with the last of the 55 ton trio, the Wolverine. And the art accurately depicts the Wolverine's 3025 fluff, and that implies art direction.
A relatively tame design next to the Marauder's massive capacitor banks or the Archer's infinite heatsink exhaust tips.
A relatively tame design next to the Marauder's massive capacitor banks or the Archer's infinite heatsink exhaust tips.
September 9, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Begin mainline war machines with the last of the 55 ton trio, the Wolverine. And the art accurately depicts the Wolverine's 3025 fluff, and that implies art direction.
A relatively tame design next to the Marauder's massive capacitor banks or the Archer's infinite heatsink exhaust tips.
A relatively tame design next to the Marauder's massive capacitor banks or the Archer's infinite heatsink exhaust tips.
Marauder Spread
The scenario continues as the Archer charges the Marauder for some fisticuffs and gets a 15 point kick to the shin for his trouble.
And the devs are sticking with the Marauder being a support 'mech, all hail the assaulting Rifleman. Works for Hired Steel too I guess.
The scenario continues as the Archer charges the Marauder for some fisticuffs and gets a 15 point kick to the shin for his trouble.
And the devs are sticking with the Marauder being a support 'mech, all hail the assaulting Rifleman. Works for Hired Steel too I guess.
September 9, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Marauder Spread
The scenario continues as the Archer charges the Marauder for some fisticuffs and gets a 15 point kick to the shin for his trouble.
And the devs are sticking with the Marauder being a support 'mech, all hail the assaulting Rifleman. Works for Hired Steel too I guess.
The scenario continues as the Archer charges the Marauder for some fisticuffs and gets a 15 point kick to the shin for his trouble.
And the devs are sticking with the Marauder being a support 'mech, all hail the assaulting Rifleman. Works for Hired Steel too I guess.
Another tonnage jump, but this time it's because the book is organized by battlefield role, not tonnage.
This time in the fiction, a Marauder is outgunned by a clever Archer pilot playing with LRMs slightly longer medium range. Dead in the water, and a well thought out scenario.
This time in the fiction, a Marauder is outgunned by a clever Archer pilot playing with LRMs slightly longer medium range. Dead in the water, and a well thought out scenario.
September 9, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Another tonnage jump, but this time it's because the book is organized by battlefield role, not tonnage.
This time in the fiction, a Marauder is outgunned by a clever Archer pilot playing with LRMs slightly longer medium range. Dead in the water, and a well thought out scenario.
This time in the fiction, a Marauder is outgunned by a clever Archer pilot playing with LRMs slightly longer medium range. Dead in the water, and a well thought out scenario.
Griffin spread
And a pretty thrilling micro story of a Griffin night fighting a Wasp and running from a Thunderbolt.
Deep sea diving mask head is an absolutely nice design inversion.
And a pretty thrilling micro story of a Griffin night fighting a Wasp and running from a Thunderbolt.
Deep sea diving mask head is an absolutely nice design inversion.
September 9, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Griffin spread
And a pretty thrilling micro story of a Griffin night fighting a Wasp and running from a Thunderbolt.
Deep sea diving mask head is an absolutely nice design inversion.
And a pretty thrilling micro story of a Griffin night fighting a Wasp and running from a Thunderbolt.
Deep sea diving mask head is an absolutely nice design inversion.
Shadow Hawk spread
The covergirl herself. Definitely an underappreciated and meta case study of Shoji Kawamori redesigning the Dougram. (and the rest of the Deloyer mecha, though we aren't there yet.)
Posts will resume after dinner, 10 pages remain.
The covergirl herself. Definitely an underappreciated and meta case study of Shoji Kawamori redesigning the Dougram. (and the rest of the Deloyer mecha, though we aren't there yet.)
Posts will resume after dinner, 10 pages remain.
September 9, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Shadow Hawk spread
The covergirl herself. Definitely an underappreciated and meta case study of Shoji Kawamori redesigning the Dougram. (and the rest of the Deloyer mecha, though we aren't there yet.)
Posts will resume after dinner, 10 pages remain.
The covergirl herself. Definitely an underappreciated and meta case study of Shoji Kawamori redesigning the Dougram. (and the rest of the Deloyer mecha, though we aren't there yet.)
Posts will resume after dinner, 10 pages remain.
Phoenix Hawk spread
Yes, that is a big jump from 20 tons to 45 tons. The beloved Pixie, or フィニホ, in the staff comments here, somehow became the hero mech of Japanese BattleTech despite not being on the cover of the box set. Got the cover of this mook anyway.
Yes, that is a big jump from 20 tons to 45 tons. The beloved Pixie, or フィニホ, in the staff comments here, somehow became the hero mech of Japanese BattleTech despite not being on the cover of the box set. Got the cover of this mook anyway.
September 9, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Phoenix Hawk spread
Yes, that is a big jump from 20 tons to 45 tons. The beloved Pixie, or フィニホ, in the staff comments here, somehow became the hero mech of Japanese BattleTech despite not being on the cover of the box set. Got the cover of this mook anyway.
Yes, that is a big jump from 20 tons to 45 tons. The beloved Pixie, or フィニホ, in the staff comments here, somehow became the hero mech of Japanese BattleTech despite not being on the cover of the box set. Got the cover of this mook anyway.
For sure, pure Studio Nue kenophobia. But dialing back the greebles Mr. Kawamori and team would go on to realize the Armored Core design language. It's funny how forty years of mecha design is just a game of six degrees of Shoji Kawamori.
September 9, 2025 at 12:18 AM
For sure, pure Studio Nue kenophobia. But dialing back the greebles Mr. Kawamori and team would go on to realize the Armored Core design language. It's funny how forty years of mecha design is just a game of six degrees of Shoji Kawamori.
Locust spread
Yet another Kawamori redesigning Kawamori, this time from his work on Crusher Joe. Which provided BT quite a few memorable designs; from dropships to tanks to aerospace fighters.
This art, along with a few others, redrawn by Jeff Laubenstein, would reappear in the Solaris 7 box set.
Yet another Kawamori redesigning Kawamori, this time from his work on Crusher Joe. Which provided BT quite a few memorable designs; from dropships to tanks to aerospace fighters.
This art, along with a few others, redrawn by Jeff Laubenstein, would reappear in the Solaris 7 box set.
September 8, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Locust spread
Yet another Kawamori redesigning Kawamori, this time from his work on Crusher Joe. Which provided BT quite a few memorable designs; from dropships to tanks to aerospace fighters.
This art, along with a few others, redrawn by Jeff Laubenstein, would reappear in the Solaris 7 box set.
Yet another Kawamori redesigning Kawamori, this time from his work on Crusher Joe. Which provided BT quite a few memorable designs; from dropships to tanks to aerospace fighters.
This art, along with a few others, redrawn by Jeff Laubenstein, would reappear in the Solaris 7 box set.
Right? I know Ollie Barder covered it a tiny bit in this interview:
www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
but nothing really about his work for Group SNE's Japanese release of BattleTech.
www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
but nothing really about his work for Group SNE's Japanese release of BattleTech.
Shoji Kawamori, The Creator Hollywood Copies But Never Credits
There are a few truly great figures in Japanese popular culture, one of these is definitely the multi-talented mecha designer and creator Shoji Kawamori.
www.forbes.com
September 8, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Right? I know Ollie Barder covered it a tiny bit in this interview:
www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
but nothing really about his work for Group SNE's Japanese release of BattleTech.
www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
but nothing really about his work for Group SNE's Japanese release of BattleTech.