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Daicon Squadron Project (2025)

The Daicon IV opening animation from 1983 is a cult classic in anime fandom. Coming on the heels of the conclusion of the SDF: Macross TV series, the amateur animators (many of whom would go on to found Gainax) included multiple Macross references in both the intro as well as other promotional materials.

They created unique and interesting versions of the VF-1 Valkyrie. Part of my Daicon Squadron Project was to take these oddball one offs, draw them in a more realistic style, and then compose a back-story that would slot them back in to Macross continuity. These are the results of that project.

Each "poster" design includes unique text in two sections. The first section features the "in-universe" history, with the second (in italics) detailing the real world story that inspired the artwork.

All art done in Photoshop. No AI used.

Daicon Squadron full team

Daicon Squadron full team

Focus on "Castor"

Focus on "Castor"

Focus on "Pollux"

Focus on "Pollux"

Focus on "Danger Bird"

Focus on "Danger Bird"

Focus on "Random Donkey"

Focus on "Random Donkey"

Daicon Squadron patch/logo.

"821st" comes from the opening date of the actual Daicon IV convention: Aug 21, 1983.

Daicon Squadron patch/logo.

"821st" comes from the opening date of the actual Daicon IV convention: Aug 21, 1983.

References and inspiration for "Castor"

References and inspiration for "Castor"

References and inspiration for "Pollux"

References and inspiration for "Pollux"

References and inspiration for "Danger Bird"

References and inspiration for "Danger Bird"

References and inspiration for "Random Donkey"

References and inspiration for "Random Donkey"