Right, now I know why Nekki Basara is legendary. This show is legendarily stupid. Might’ve been better if the songs were actually good, but they just sound so god damn generic.

If I see Basara appear in Frontier……..OTL.

©2009 Kurogane's Anime Blog. All Rights Reserved.

• SDF Macross – Completed
• SDF Macross: Do You Remember Love? – Completed
• SDF Macross Flashback 2012 -Completed

SDF Macross

Finally finished off the original Macross. Being a 1983 anime, it did age pretty well in some aspects (not the hairstyles though), since I managed to make through it without the overwhelming feeling of “wtf are they doing!” that usually comes to me when I watch certain anime that’s not even half it’s age. Well of course there were a few “wtf” moments, but those were pretty insignificant in the face of the overarching story.

The story progression gave me a feel of being arbitrarily done at parts considering how fast certain arcs ended, like Macross returning to Earth by episode 13, Space War I ending by 29, finally capping it off with the restoration of Earth in the final 7 episodes. Probably the marathon style also contributed much to the “rushed” feeling I felt, but I guess I’m too used to the current “one season, one arc” way of things.

But still have a lot of praise on the story, as it was really no holds barred at times, with a number of deaths throughout (but not as much as one would expect from a Gundam show). I still feel that it was rather sad of Roy Focker to die just like that, ominously foreshadowed by pineapple salad. Another good aspect of the series was the “restoration of Earth” arc, which Xellos eloquently elaborates on. I did feel the end of the series was a bit abrupt, but I guess that’s their way of “keeping it real”.

Hikaru was very well written and fleshed out, and I can’t help but recognize the depth of his character’s development, which is still rare in this genre nowadays. A normal guy thrown in to war, forced to take up weapons in order to survive, and at the same time, protect the one he loves, he is a rare breed of male heroes in this genre that doesn’t come off as too wimpy or too pretentious. A bit dim on the love aspect, he is, but it is a forgivable flaw.

As for Lynn Minmay… let’s just say her character wasn’t what I had been conditioned to expect. Admittedly she is a charming specimen, but she has too many flaws of her own, notably the sheer denseness she exhibits towards poor Hikaru’s feelings as well as her spoiled character. Still, the show does give her a pretty karmic-balanced way of development, as she gets her highs but it comes with terrible lows as well. On the aspect of her relationship with Lynn Kaifun…I still can’t believe he got such a cool exit for himself, considering how much of an ass he was throughout the series.

As for the third point in the triangle… well, let’s just say Misa’s such a tsundere~~. I’m glad she ended up with Hikaru in the end, really. Max and Millia are still the best couple in the series though, no question about that.

The Zentraedi also made for fascinating antagonists, as they’re totally different from the usual “evil alien invaders” prototype that pervades the genre. Rather pitiful beings themselves, denied of culture and made to do nothing but wars only, it was truly fascinating to see them open their eyes to Earth’s culture, and from there onwards, deciding to make peace, instead of continuing meaninglessly wage war. Over the course of the series, I’ve grown truly attached to them, and it was really heartwarming to see them showing some of the better aspects of humanity, more so compared to the Terrans themselves.

Do You Remember Love?

Of course, one cannot talk about SDF Macross without mentioning this movie. Sadly to say, I must say that it didn’t really meet what I expected from the countless opinions I’ve heard of it. It’s probably because I lack the nostalgia factor, but I will admit the movie is still a masterpiece, but it isn’t the “best movie ever” to me.

Still, there are many things to praise about it, from the awesome quality of the production. Age adjusted, DYRL was probably the equivalent of Byousoku 5cm back them. The detailed production quality is simply astounding, and I will concede that it does deserve the crown of “best hand-drawn anime”.

Over on the story, DYRL did really do a good job in retelling the events of the original series, and while it paints a much rosier picture than the original series, notably on Minmay’s character, it does do a good job at keeping in to the spirit of the original series. In fact, the dramatization of DYRL about the Space War I is something like our own “historical epic” movies. I feel it really gives a whole new level of depth to the whole series.

Final Words

In conclusion, I would like to say I’ve greatly enjoyed the series, and I’m glad to have watched it. One thing I’m pretty sure about is that this will totally change my outlook on the ongoing Macross Frontier, since I’m now armed with half of the background information behind the setting of it. And really, watching Macross Frontier 06 after completing this series really makes me appreciate how far we’ve come in the medium, in just a quarter of a decade, even if some things remain the same (the bumbling romance parts, etc. etc.)

Next up, Macross Plus.

©2009 Kurogane's Anime Blog. All Rights Reserved.

• Oh man, Max is awesome, seriously awesome. Meet → Fight → Marriage. If that isn’t awesome, nothing is. I guess this is what you really call “love at first fight”, hahaha.
• Exedol’s peace mission is damn hillarious.

  *passes by bikini ad*
  Exedol: “What is that?! It gave me a real shock.”
  Random General dude: “Um.. that’s um… a military secret”.
  Exedol: “Ahhh… a military secret.”

• primeparadigm: “You have yet to see the best rendition of “My Boyfriend’s a Pilot”, Ranka and Minmay don’t hold a candle to it. I won’t say whose version it is, It’s later in the series, you’ll know it when you see it.”

  Okay, saw it, and I have to say, that was god damn fucking awesome. I laughed so hard, my head hurt.

• The final Zentraedi versus Earth battle is epic. But I sure didn’t expect it to last only 1 episode. Minmay Defense was… rather underwhelming.
• The time jump sure threw me off a bit. But it does show how arbitrarily the plot seems to have been hacked together.
• Dear god, Misa Hayase is such a tsundere~
• Dear god, Zentraedi or not, it’s not a good idea to throw babies around, Milia. That gave me a shock for sure. And Max! You really gotta berate her for it! Also I have to mention that Max is a fucking superman. He can even cook properly.
• Lynn Kaifun is such a self-centered egoistic retard. Not to mention he totally doesn’t appreciate the good things that the military has done, like oh say…RESCUING HIM FROM BEING CRUSHED BY KAMJIN. He’s just as bad, no worse than those retards who want to wage war just for the sake of waging war. I really, REALLY want to punch him. Hard.
• Kamjin: “Culture? We can make culture too!”
  *grabs Laplamiz and kisses her”
  Onlookers: O.O
  Lackey #1: “Boss, we got a emergency call.”
  Laplamiz: “Oh dear, just as the “culture” was getting good.”

  I lol’ed. It’s actually rather cute to see the Zentraedi getting used to Earth’s culture.

• As I reiterated in my last post, the Minmay-Hikaru-Misa love triangle is really a good demonstration of the saying “Passion is a downhill road, while love is an uphill one”. Still, Minmay’s indecisiveness is really irritating. Especially when she continues to stick with the jerk that is Lynn Kaifun.

Well, looks like the next post will be my last one.

©2009 Kurogane's Anime Blog. All Rights Reserved.

1. Best prison escape plan ever: “When the guard comes to feed us, we’ll kiss and shock him so we can run out.” Very handy idea to use if I ever get taken captive with a hawt chick.
2. Misa needs to stop styling her hair. She actually looks pretty when her hair is let down. GOD DAMN YOU 1980′S HAIRSTYLES!
3. Meltrandi appear and Milia is a damn fine specimen of her race. I think I know why the Meltrandi are win. They have better hairstyles.
4. Oh those Zentradi spies are kinda LOL. Must be really a trip of their lives sneaking on the ship and experiencing “culture”.
5. Lynn Minmay…. /me facepalms. I’m reminded of Sumire (Renji’s mother) saying in ef; “Passion is a downhill road, while love is an uphill road.” Rather true in Hikaru’s case, don’t you think?
6. Lynn Kaifun… read otou-san’s comment below.
7. Episode 17 “Phantasm”…. wtf was this episode about? Hikaru sure has weird dreams.
8. Roy Focker’s death was…. really wasted, don’t you think? If he had went to the hospital first… sigh, a damn waste.
9. Well, Lynn’s not totally a bimbo it seems. Her little speech at episode 20 was really nice, if I may say so, as not only it shows how celeb power can be used for good, but also that she does have her heart at the right places, even if she may act really stupid at times.

Comment replies (might as well do it here all at once)

Nanatsuya:

100 Rules of Anime: #17 – Law of Transient Romantic Unreliability- Minmei is a bimbo.

Oh yes, the right word to describe here I guess.

Xellos-_^:

DYRL, while a great movie really cut out a lot of Minmay’s character development and if you get a chance got hunt down the Macross 2012 Flashback music video. The music alone is more then worth it not mention a few scenes where it brings closure to the characters.

Don’t worry, I’m getting nearly everything Macross. First balanced comment I’ve heard about DYRL, btw. Everyone else just keeps saying it’s the best movie ever made.

Nemo_N:

I don’t think Lynn Minmay is the ideal woman of that time but rather a portrayal of a girl idealized by fans and guys who fall for her looks. I mean, she LOOKS like the ideal girl of those times, so great and pure and perfect in the outside, while in fact she is, IMO, a bitch.

Mmh, I wonder if this is the root of my bias against Sheryl…

Bitch is a rather strong word to use again her. For me, she’s still a “bimbo”. And Sheryl is totally different from Minmay, really.

otou-san:

And speaking of that and Minmay, “Watashi No Kare Wa Pilot” will get reeeeeally old pretty soon. But I don’t think she’s the bitch that everyone makes her out to be. I think one of the things that made it so revolutionary as a show was the sophistication of the characters — Minmay is young, confused, just wants to sing, etc. etc. Wait till Kaifun shows up. What a hippie a-hole.

All the Minmay haters projecting onto Sheryl should remember how things went down, and take note of who works in a Chinese restaurant in the current series.

You’re right. Barely 5 more episodes in, and I’m bloody sick of it already. Ranka’s version was better. Kaifun was just plain annoying. And yes… Sheryl’s definitely not the one working in a Chinese restaurant this time. Take note of that.

Xellos-_^:

And who is currently a officer in the army and not a idol >_>

Which is.. Catherine Glass. Imagine.. imagine.. hey, it’s actually quite possible, isn’t it? If Alto-hime and her get kidnapped by the Vajra……

©2009 Kurogane's Anime Blog. All Rights Reserved.

1. Max is awesome. Man, Takehito Koyasu is EVERYWHERE Wow, Sho Hayami sounds EXACTLY like Takehito Koyasu . On the other hand, Kakizaki is… annoying. I really hate the “talk big” types.
2. Lynn Minmay’s really not what I expected her to be. After the Miss Macross episode, I realize she’s like those girls in American comics where you have to constantly win her with flowers and chocolate. So this was the “ideal woman” during that time. I’m suddenly so glad I’m not born in those times. Hairstyles continue to freak me out as well.
3. Speaking of Miss Macross, I lol’ed at the Zentradi reactions when they were tapping in the the TV broadcast of it. I wonder how much longer until they discover the wonders of self-pleasure? Also, I now realize how much Macross Frontier has been paying homage to the original series.
4. Also, episode 11 totally defines “culture shock” when Lt. Hayase went and kissed Ichijyou in front of their captors. Them Zentradi really have a boring culture eh.
5. Lynn Minmay’s debut performance was okay, but I felt Ranka’s rendition was better. I guess the better production quality edged it out.

©2009 Kurogane's Anime Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Up till episode 6 now. My impressions?

1. OMG, the hairstyles. Seriously. Especially Hayase’s. I can live with the old-school cel animation and jerky camera movements, but the horrible, horrible hairstyles nearly threw me off. Even Lynn Minmay wasn’t spared with that double buns she tied her hair in to when they reopened Nyan Nyan.
2. Hikaru getting cockblocked at the end of episode 4 was damn lol. Especially coming after Minmay went all emo and “Let’s both die in space~!!!!”. Also, TUNA FISHING IN SPACE.
3. Daedalus Attack was pretty O_O. Actually I half-expected Macross to go “ROCKET PUNCHHHH!!!”. The pinpoint barrier control team is LOL too. Can’t they get it under computer control?
4. Lynn Minmay… isn’t what I expected her to be. But so far, she’s pretty okay and being a classic character, this is gonna be interesting to watch. But she really is pretty capricious, heh.

Anyways, back to watching.

©2009 Kurogane's Anime Blog. All Rights Reserved.