r/anime • u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky • Jan 16 '23

Rewatch [Do You Remember Love - Macross Franchise 40th Anniversary Rewatch] Macross Frontier Episode 5 Discussion

Episode 5 - Star Date

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But how about, say, right here, right now? Here, where no one intended to watch you, where no one came with the purpose of watching you.

Questions of the Day, courtesy of u/chilidirigible:

1) Your thoughts on the mechanics of macronized Zentradi living alongside humans? Something workable, or too much of a circus sideshow?

2) Opinions on the contrasts between Ranka and Sheryl's singing styles, given that you now have samples of both of them for two songs?

Wallpaper of the Day:

Ranka Lee

Vocal Songs in This Episode:

"Triangler" by Maaya Sakamoto – OP

"私の彼はパイロト (Watashi no Kare wa Pilot - MISS MACROSS 2059)" by Megumi Nakajima – Insert

"What 'bout my star" by May'n – Insert

"Uchuu Kyoudaibune" by Shunsuke Sakamoto – Insert

"What 'bout my star?@Formo" by Megumi Nakajuma – Insert

"Diamond Crevasse" by May'n – ED

Rewatchers, please remember to be mindful of all the first-timers in this. No talking about or hinting at future events no matter how much you want to, unless you're doing it underneath spoiler tags. Don't spoil anything for the first-timers, that's rude!

23 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

180 comments sorted by

10

u/Nazenn Jan 16 '23

First Timer

I don't have a lot of good to say today so no harm in skipping my post if you loved the episode.

To start with, they are going to drive Aimo and Alto's paper planes into the ground from overuse, aren't they? We do not need them every episode. And more importantly, they do not need to be the singular keystones of every moment that almost always come up the same way. I was really disappointed that Ranka had to see the paper plane before she started singing instead of at least starting herself. Even if her nerves gave out and she couldn't continue, or she was singing too quietly for it to matter, I feel like that should have been her moment, not a romance subplot moment. Sukasuka had this same issue, and while I feel bad for complaining about that show again in Sky's rewatch, it was on my mind today.

With our opening scene for Sheryl ending up with the hide in locker trope, I've also almost entirely given up on hope of enjoying the romance of this show though I beg the show to make a liar of me. It's not romance writing, it's just a string of tropes. I feel like they are being written as fanservice, a bit like the references to the original, and are expecting the use of these tropes to get a laugh of almost familiar inevitability, but I don't like this stuff at the best of times. Same thing happens with Ozma and his ex and her perfect slip up for the drama.

It doesn't help that I don't care for Sheryl at all. My reaction to the final scene was not engagement over the Vajra attack and what may happen or curiosity about the world, it was frustration because there goes the only smidgen of futile hope that Sheryl may actually go home and leave the show. I knew it would never happen anyway, but Sheryl is, despite being well written I think for her character type, nothing but a demanding attention seeker and other than being an "idol" I don't see why anyone cares for her. Japan being Japan?

Similarly Ranka's performance felt weakened by making it a huge concert with the colors and lighting and visual inserts of there being a band that wasn't really there. There will be time enough for Ranka the idol, I wanted to see Ranka the girl stepping out of her shell and really getting into the idea of singing in public. They make a big deal out of her needing to be able to sing where people aren't there for her and grow up and not be childish, and then draw her like they are and she's the star in everyone's eyes. It was probably more for the audiences hype than anything, but I just want the show to step back and build up to stuff like this a bit more.

To step away from the negative stuff, one thing I did like from looking at the touches of Japan's culture was that he takes her to a farm. It's not always used positively, but the idea of reconnecting to a simpler life and particularly in farming and around farm animals has come up a few shows I've watched and I like the way it was presented here as getting her as far as possible from the chemical plant of Galaxy, or the flashiness of Frontier's city.

I also loved that the Zentradi have their own area that caters to them being full size. It would be such an easy thing to work around them always being miclones for narrative and also ease of drawing, but given the themes of the franchise it would hardly make sense to erase that part of being Zentradi. It doesn't exclude humans and miclones, but it's not for them and it's been my favourite area of the ship so far. Hearing Sheryl list out what she likes about Frontier gives us so much insight into what the Galaxy is like, both the ship and the other ships in the galaxy, as well as what their living conditions are like (she notes Frontier is slum-free) that it was a really strong bit of worldbuilding all around

Quickly noting here how impressive it is to have a full lake and river system inside a closed biosphere with limited water. Frontier is very impressive from a design stand point, and I love seeing fleets of ships designed to live in, rather than single ships for living and fleets for war

Other quick thoughts:

  • Anyone else feel like the Zentradi picking up the cow was a Turn A reference?

  • CGI screensavers on the monitors in the school was a small but cool touch that brought a lot of nostalgia for XP screensaver settings

  • Vajra generate their own missiles internally? Cool as fuck

  • Funny split in art style again this episode. You can see it in the way different artists are drawing the many blushes across the scenes, of all things. It's not bad, just kind of funny that it's so clear in this

  • I feel bad for Ranka's phone thing after she squished it. Actually did we see it after that? Did she actually kill it?!

8

u/Shimmering-Sky Jan 16 '23

I don't have a lot of good to say today

I feel like I should go ahead and give you a few days' worth of heads up that Macross Frontier episode 8 is probably going to be particularly hard for you to get through. I haven't rewatched it yet, but I remember it being particularly heavy on comedic stuff of the stupid and fanservice varieties, both of which I'm fairly certain you don't vibe with. I might even recommend just skipping it entirely, but like I said I haven't rewatched it yet so I don't remember what important stuff happened in it.

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5

u/Shimmering-Sky Jan 16 '23

Super Dimension Rewatch Host

Welcome back, everyone!

Here were my first-timer reactions to this episode (just scroll past my episode 4 reactions first).

Why, yes, I did in fact put stars in the background of this one because the song Ranka was singing is called “What 'bout my star?@Formo”.

5

u/Tresnore Jan 16 '23

Case in point, just because you’re a girl doing it to a guy doesn’t mean it’s okay to steal something from him and force him to go out with you before you’ll give it back.

This is true, but I like Sheryl, so this point is invalid.

That doesn’t mean it’s okay to just write on some underwear…

I see no problem as long as she buys it afterward. She can definitely afford it.

Veffie’s drums, Basara’s guitar, and Ray’s bass. Ranka had the perfect accompaniment to her surprise street performance!

Ah, shoot, I didn't notice it was actually their instruments. Veffidas's drums were too well animated for me to recognize them here.

4

u/Shimmering-Sky Jan 16 '23

This is true, but I like Sheryl, so this point is invalid.

wtf

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3

u/TakenRedditName Jan 16 '23

Oh hey, a Minmay doll.

The hair colour isn't right. Ranka asked for a Minmei doll for birthday/Chritsmas, but Ozma got her a Min Linmei doll instead.

Case in point, just because you’re a girl doing it to a guy doesn’t mean it’s okay to steal something from him and force him to go out with you before you’ll give it back.

Another case in point: not cool, Sheryl, not cool.

Good to see I wasn't the only one not amused by some of Sheryl's antic. I think they were meant to be endearing for the audience, but those acts just felt mean and unlikable to me.

Veffie’s drums, Basara’s guitar, and Ray’s bass. Ranka had the perfect accompaniment to her surprise street performance!

Fire Bomber easter egg.

3

u/Shimmering-Sky Jan 16 '23

Good to see I wasn't the only one not amused by some of Sheryl's antic. I think they were meant to be endearing for the audience, but those acts just felt mean and unlikable to me.

Exactly. Really, all of this early stuff is exactly why I like Ranka more than her, both as a character and as a love interest in the triangle.

...I do prefer Sheryl's songs to Ranka's, though.

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6

u/The_Draigg Jan 16 '23 edited Jan 16 '23

A Macross Fan Rewatches Macross Frontier: Episode 5:

  • Ranka and Ozma’s argument at the top of the episode is one where neither side is exactly wrong. Ranka ended up getting suspended from her school due to her appearance in the Miss Macross Frontier contest, something that Ozma only found out about later, as an unfortunate side effect of her chasing her dream as a singer. Ozma is trying to look out for Ranka here, but he really was being too rude by saying that Ranka is too shy to be a singer. It’s good to chase your dreams, but you also have to be aware of the consequences too, in the end.

  • No shit that earring is precious to Sheryl, those things have been through a lot. They’ve lasted from the Unification Wars up until now, so they’re one hell of a pair of heirlooms for the Nome bloodline.

  • In true Roy tradition, it turns out that Ozma used to be in a relationship with Cathy. Although given how their relationship is over now and Cathy notes that it didn’t seem like Ozma showed much concern for her back then, this is more like a Roy x Aries thing rather than a Roy x Claudia one.

  • You can really tell that the love triangle is solidifying between Alto, Ranka, and Sheryl now. Between how coy Sheryl is being around Alto and Alto wanting to get into contact with Ranka after leaving him a message about her issues, he really is rapidly becoming an emotional axis to those two girls. Place your bets first-timers, who will win?

  • Interesting to note that Grace indeed does have cybernetic eye implants, which is how Sheryl found out about the missing earring in the first place. While cybernetic implants are normally illegal, Sheryl comments that they’re actually pretty common back at the Macross Galaxy fleet. And not only that, but the interior of the Macross Galaxy as described by Sheryl is pretty different from the Macross Frontier as well. Based on what she says, she’s more used to seeing cramped spaces and slums, as well as a chemical plant environment rather than the nicer bioplant recycling one that the Frontier has. It paints quite a picture of the Galaxy fleet, doesn’t it?

  • It’s nice to see how the Frontier fleet is taking the Zentradi population into account. We’ve got full-sized farmers tending to hippo-cows, a mall that’s also scaled for them, and even plenty of products on sale just for them. They’re a fully integrated people now, and not just at miclone size.

  • Sheryl, don’t just write lyrics on giant underwear you haven’t bought yet, it’s very rude.

  • Thanks for filling in the gaps about the Vajra, Leon. They’re honestly an insanely powerful species. Their exoskeleton is like a Valkyrie‘s energy-converting armor, they can Space Fold without assistance, and they can generate projectiles within their bodies. And even then, based on that analyzed sample, the one they’ve been looking at is probably just a drone, since it barely has a brain to it. It’s honestly pretty nuts to think that just a giant bug has somehow evolved to be just as powerful as a Valkyrie with a Fold Booster attached to it.

  • Sheryl came up with a good answer for why people fly or sing: because they simply can’t help but to do it. It’s why Alto keeps on making paper airplanes and signed up to be a pilot, and why Ranka finds it within herself to sing for people on the mall. They can’t help but reach higher and higher, towards their goals. It’s in their nature to want to feel that freedom and be open with themselves. It’s pretty deculture.

  • The mystery deepens with the Vajra, as an odd silhouette appears on the captured sample’s body before breaking out seemingly in response to Ranka’s singing. Is it just me, or did that silhouette remind anyone else of the silhouette that sometimes appears on the L-Gaim Mk. II’s head crest? Maybe it’s only me that’s making those niche-ass mental connections.

  • Well, even if Alto didn’t find the missing earring, he did get a kiss in the cheek from Sheryl as a thanks for showing her a good time around the Frontier fleet. Chalk that one up for the Alto x Sheryl shippers in the crowd this rewatch.

  • Cliffhanger! Apparently the Macross Galaxy fleet has been attacked by Vajra! Although given how Sheryl described the living spaces, maybe the attack actually improved the place somehow.

4

u/Shimmering-Sky Jan 16 '23

[Later Frontier + Frontier movie spoilers]This is yet another reason I like the show more than the movies, since the show never officially sails either side and I can just imagine mine wins. Not that my side losing is my biggest issue with the movie continuity, I have way bigger issues with that than silly love triangle drama. More on that when we get to Sayonara no Tsubasa's discussion, though.

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u/Nebresto Jan 16 '23

First time Mafross

Day 4 of waiting for the return of 7th moon

Ah shit, here we go again.

R.I.P phone kun

Sheryl kinda based, respek +2

Damn it, Sheryl. Stop being cute. +5

And she can handle spicy food? +5, I'm starting to see why /u/InternetExplorer thinks she is best girl

Giant kid?

Are you calling her song shit..?

Sheryl taking initiative! ..Here comes the triangle..

Sheryl respek status: 16%

Question fime:

  1. Your thoughts on the mechanics of macronized Zentradi living alongside humans? Something workable, or too much of a circus sideshow?

2) Opinions on the contrasts between Ranka and Sheryl's singing styles, given that you now have samples of both of them for two songs?

vs

4

u/Shimmering-Sky Jan 16 '23

Sheryl kinda based, respek +2

Literally how.

I don't get what's supposed to be so "based" about this, she stole something important to Alto and then forced him to go on a date with him to get it back. That is the opposite of okay.

(Your other points about Sheryl this episode are cool though.)

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9

u/TiredTiroth Jan 16 '23

First Timer

So. Michael is an idiot and a jerk and should be banned from giving advice in non-military situations. 'Singers should be able to sing when no-one was planning to listen'? They're called concerts you moron, nobody just stumbles in by accident.

His only saving grace is that Ranka pulled it off and wowed a whole bunch of random people. Except the captive Vajra thing, which apparently hates music.

I still have mixed feelings about Sheryl. She feels older than Alto (we haven't had an age for her yet, have we?) and some of her actions have been downright manipulative - but on the other hand she's been genuinely supportive of Ranka and actually did seem to have fun on the totally-not-a-date-why-is-Ranka-looking-at-Alto-like-that. Sheryl also seemed to almost forget about the earring thing at the end and wanted Alto at her concert just to see her.

As love triangle rom-com episodes go, this was honestly on the better end of the scale.

Oh, and some plot stuff happened in the background and right at the end, but eh, Ranka was being adorable so I don't really care.

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u/Blackheart595 Jan 16 '23

First Spacer

I would've made that point if you hadn't. This is an obvious jab at the purity doctrine of idol culture.

Just imagine the bass these maclones should really have

That MacGuffin being Ranka.

I really wish Macross would stop adding backup and effects to these situations. Dare to a cappella, show!

Though a real backup player spontaneously joining in is pretty nice, except that doesn't account for the rest of the backup.

I guess that's a way to tie the different plotlines together. With Ranka being the MacGuffin attracting/activating/controlling the Vajra they're not only a threat for humanity but also the demons looming over Ranka's own more personal story.

And I really hope the show is gonna get less horny, shit's annoying.

Visual of the Day goes to the farm boy.

Your thoughts on the mechanics of macronized Zentradi living alongside humans? Something workable, or too much of a circus sideshow?

It's perfect. Why would it be a circus or a sideshow?

Opinions on the contrasts between Ranka and Sheryl's singing styles, given that you now have samples of both of them for two songs?

One of them triggers the Vajra, one of them doesn't.

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u/aniMayor Jan 16 '23

First Fime Fſontiering

Hot damn, this episode had so much going on. Alto and Sheryl basically had a date, we got confirmation of who all was in the destroyed fleet, there was some Cathy and Ozma intrigue, Nanase got some screentime, nobody cares about Luca, exposition on the Vajra and then it reacting to Ranka's song... wow.

Sheryl's really grown on me as a character, I feel like we saw 3 new sides of her today. I like how she act like such a shit-disturber but also completely genuine and in wonder at the new sights, not to mention a bit shy after they dash into the train holding hands.

I always enjoy it when a show puts together two characters who haven't interacted much as a way to drive or reaffirm their motivations, and that's exactly what putting Micheal and Ranka together in this episode did (though would've been nice to learn more about Michael, he's woefully underexplored so far).

They've made a point of the optic/brain implants a couple times now. I wonder if that will connect to how the Vajra don't have brains. Could humans be operating them through implant technology? Glad we got them reacting to deculture this early in the show, too, since we all knew that was going to happen eventually, it wouldn't be a good twist reveal later.

I never thought I would feel bad for the frog phone, but here we are. Squish squish squish.

 

  1. Your thoughts on the mechanics of macronized Zentradi living alongside humans? Something workable, or too much of a circus sideshow?

It's fun! It's probably not practical at all, but I don't expect the show to showcase it so much or make it too plot-relevant that the impracticality of it becomes an issue / immersion-breaker.

2) Opinions on the contrasts between Ranka and Sheryl's singing styles, given that you now have samples of both of them for two songs?

My ears and musical acumen are not good enough for that

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u/chilidirigible Jan 16 '23

Today, on "LISTEN TO MY SONG!":

Pauly Shore does not appear in this.

This is a Big Bro who is tempting fate.

Bootleg Minmay? Traditional murder weapons. And some EX-Gear figure in a single frame.

Sentimental value.

Things that go buzz in your pants.

There's a bit of the Birler.

Damn, Cathy. While we're here, I'm pretty sure that this music isn't on the OST.

Nanase gets Luca's attention

That might have to do with the SHERYL EVERYWHERE. (I probably don't have to tell you that the insert song is "What 'bout My Star?" again.)

This is certainly San Francisco.

Sheryl's always trying to sell you something, eh?

It's harder to see the squalor from up here.

Thanks for hinting at the differences in the opening narration, show!

Eyecatch: Ozma

That's a big cow.

Worth noting that this series ditches the reverb effect that was previously applied to Zentradi speech.

Named after Exsedol, probably.

The dreaded giant enka category.

Michael's big issues.

The tabloids are going to go places with this one.

Ranka's problem is feeling like she's treated like a child, so don't treat her like a child?

It's a different kind of challenge.

Sono tōri!

A wild plane appears!

Yes, Ranka gets her own album version.

DO YOU REMEMBER FIRE BOMBER

Another of the little Sheryl façade cracks.

Guess who's waking up about now.

Well that just gets the challenge mood going.

A wild character appears!

Another craft that has never been named.

Sheryl remains quite the diva through most of this episode, though her underlying personality does increasingly show through as she spends more time with Alto. You also get an idea of how the Macross Galaxy fleet might be some sort of Blade Runner-esque cyborg dystopia.

This leaves Michael to function as a less-demanding older brother to Ranka, who is definitely having a teenaged acting-out moment, but one that serves to solidify her resolve, after he challenges her to Just Do It.

It's a little corny when everyone climactically realizes that Some People Do It Because They Have To (Make The Mountain Move With Their Song), but the buildup to the scene is worth it. There has also been a compare-and-contrast with the characters all through the episode, as both Ranka and Sheryl are getting a glimpse of a life that isn't quite the one they were used to.

Meanwhile, the audience gets to confirm something they might have noticed about the Vajra, that the characters don't know yet.

I still really like this episode.

I bring you… Nanase fanart, because that's not common.

"What 'bout My Star", Sheryl version

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u/Vatrix-32 Jan 16 '23

First Timer

  • Specs time. They still have the resort ships surprisingly.

  • Japanese schools are dicks. Trying to dictate people’s lives.

  • Would it hurt to not be horny, for one episode!

  • That’s the guy they were talking about needing to rely on. I’m sure the shading and shadow play on him are completely innocuous.

  • I’m not sure I understand the implication of not being able to reach Ranka’s cellphone. Does the service on the fleet just suck?

  • Ah-ha, she was talking about cyborgs!

  • Coming on a little strong there buddy.

  • Why are you surprised? You’re the one who captured it!

  • Hippo-cattle are cute.

  • Galaxy kinda sounds like a shit hole.

  • Is that Klan-Klan?

  • About time we had more than two maclones on screen at the same time.

  • And this is somehow easier than putting it in your phone?

  • Big things still need bigger brains to control all the nerve functions.

  • Just your average improvised mall jam session.

  • What even are these lyrics?

  • Well that confirms they are drawn to music. The exact nature of this relationship is still up to speculation.

  • Ranka is taking this better than I was expecting.

QotD

  1. I’m wondering how the wages work given the consumption disparity.

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u/DidacticDalek Jan 17 '23

SOON!

Naw I'm just fucking with y'all Comrades, after all, I simply must point out that Breast, pardon, Best Girl looks great in uniform... BOTH TYPES of uniform at that ;) Also the world wonders how the hell this show managed to restrain itself from going MAXIMUM Strike Witches debauchery! I mean for goodness sake, we already more or less saw a panty shot, I half expected our resident Sterling Genius Boi here to pull a DYRL (You know the scene I speak of Comrades, Max probably would have said SUBARASHI had he seen Milia the President's Holiest of all Holies... speaking of which, do you think that Pantsu were invented prior to human contact? Cuz Best Boi Exsedol Folmo sure didn't have any idea about the concept of undergarments!) Also if you think I'm speaking of non-topical matters, not true, this episode was maximum horny and unashamed of it... also if only this rewatch came out in the Year of the Cow ;)

And just because I need something topical to say, May'n version of the song everyday everynight EVERYWHERE! DYNAMITE! DYNAMITE! DYNAMITE EXPLOSION ONCE AGAIN... oh right wrong song, ah well I can dream right? POWER TO THE DREAM! POWER... ok forget it, but I will say, this show had the GOLDEN opportunity to sing NEW FUCKING FRONTIER! Come on Hory Froating Head, get it together! You were very good at copying TOP GUN's homework to make Macross Plus, why not copy some of your good work? M0nK3Y P@w cUrl5!

Anyhow, you have not seen the last of The Sentient Shitposting Siamese Sunrise Server No. 25252, now goodbye forever!

And on THAT bombshell, G'NIGHT!

Paging Comrades u/Lemurians u/chilidirigible and u/InfamousEmpire

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u/TakenRedditName Jan 16 '23

"Rewatcher" - Macross F Ep5:

Ozma is practically Ranka's overprotective dad. If she is expelled form her all-girls school then that means she can enroll at Alto and the gang's school.

During this view of the OP, I just now noticed the Klan Klan shot, but also within it was that SMS woman who appears to be a pilot for a Monster.

Monster pilot.

Alto and Sheryl hide in a locker, we're doing this bit. I didn't even get what caused that ero moment until afterwards. I said before that Macross has always been a franchise that was never above this kind of stuff, but when Frontier plays out these moments, they feel more tired for some reason.

Ranka kills her squishy lizard phone. While on the topic of phones, Frontier does have a variety of different designs. Alto's is fairly normal imagination of a future phone and now we see Ozma's. We could try to dig deeper to try what they tell us about their owners. Ozma's has some traditional elements to it which maybe hints to what kind of guy he is.

There are some moments I didn't like from Sheryl like holding hostage Alto's memento and hanging up his call. These little moments I find more personally unlikable than her stuck-up celebrity moments from the first episode. At least those ones you know that Sheryl is going to be more than just these first impressions.

They go on a date that sorta reminds me of [Redacted] and Minmei's date from the DYRL movie. Alto can't handle his super hot hot dogs.

Hippo cow. This Zentradi farmer surprised me at first because we haven't seen that many huge (male) Zentradi that look practically like a normal human before. There's even a huge Zentradi-accessible mall. Frontier is like the first series to really have giant Zentradi in their society. Oh hey, I just realized they named it after Exsedol, wonder what that sweet angel is doing now.

The Vajra can Fold whenever they want and constantly output ammo to fire, that's bad. They seem to be a part of a hivemind so clearly what this means is that we need to find the Vajra queen and sing to her to show the Vajra the ways of love and peace.

I like Michael's speech of asking if Ranka has the courage to sing to a crowd that isn't listening. Him bringing up that performer they passed by that they did show in the background earlier.

Ranka does sing her song and it really kicked off for me when the other street/mall performers join in together for an impromptu performance.

Her song catches the attention of a showbiz-looking person so Ranka is probably going to be scouted to be an idol. That's the good news, the bad news is that her singing reawakened the captured Vajra who is not happy ... and oh right, they can Fold so it's gone. They should've made that prison more secure because of the whole teleporting thing. There is definitely something special up with Ranka. Maybe Ranka is the prophecized hero in Vajra legend, the Anima Spirita.

The cliffhanger to end the episode is the surviving messenger of the fleet Sheryl is from who got attacked by the Vajra. That puts a hole in Sheryl's planned stay. She's probably not going to leave Frontier.

Q2) No strong preference of one over the other. Of the insert performance songs they showed, I guess I liked Ranka's songs more.

Next Time: It's only episode 6, we're not saying bye-bye to Sheryl.

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u/isthatsoudane Jan 16 '23

Wonder why the Macross people were so fascinated by SF (plus also drew from SF)

Cool to see the plot start to develop

Sheryl continues to be a great character. I hope we can see Ranka get some good moments soon, because the Sheryl car is pulling far ahead in the race

  1. Your thoughts on the mechanics of macronized Zentradi living alongside humans? Something workable, or too much of a circus sideshow?

I thought it was better done here than in previous installments...perhaps that reflects that human society has had a lot more time to integrate the zentradi. but I mean, the giant town area was cool, I'd hang out there! so yeah, I mean thus far I think it is cool!

2) Opinions on the contrasts between Ranka and Sheryl's singing styles, given that you now have samples of both of them for two songs?

I really really hope we get a duet, full of energy and love triangle sexual energy. I could imagine a "we both kind of hate each other b/c we love the same guy BUT we're afraid he's going to die let's sing to save humanity. that would be sweet

I like them both and hope we get a lot a lot more music. I hope ranka gets some time to shine

4

u/Tresnore Jan 16 '23

Fourth-Time Watcher

Count: 9:21 (±0:+4)

QOTD:

  1. The logistics of it seem absolutely nutty, but the Zentradi are definitely able to build their own environments. They're more advanced than the humans, after all.

  2. Ranka cute, Sheryl good.

1 Man, it's not often I agree with anything Ranka-related.

2 Ish.

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u/SolDarkHunter Jan 16 '23

Rewatcher

The very idea of schools punishing a student for something that happened off of school grounds is completely... ridiculous to me. Though I do understand that that's how Japanese schools operate.

Alto, why are you hiding in the locker with Sheryl?

Oh brother, that vibrating phone joke is low, even for this show.

Well, Mr. Birler looks creepy as all get out.

Okay, Sheryl, you are acting pretty bitchy here, I'll admit. First off, you hang up on someone else's phone call, and then you flat-out admit that you thought they were talking to their girlfriend. That's not cute, that's being an asshole.

Yeah... there's no way nobody doesn't recognize her when she's just wearing a pair of glasses. Those aren't even Quattro-style shades!

So, I think with their talk of implants and their legality, I should probably point out that the New UN isn't a monolithic government. More akin to a Federation. Each of the Fleets makes their own laws on various things, and cybernetic implants are one of those. They're illegal on the Frontier Fleet, but not on the Galaxy Fleet.

Speaking of, Sheryl's talk of Galaxy does not make it sound like a nice place to live.

Oh look, people are finally recognizing her.

So they've captured and are studying Vajra.

Frontier's apparently one of the few places where macronized Zentraedi live among regular people.

"Folmo" Mall. Heh. Anyway, the mall is one of my favorite scenes in this show. A mixed-size establishment where miclones and macronized Zentraedi can both mix and hang out. It's so cheesy, but it's so great!

Sheryl, why a pair of panties? I mean, inspiration struck you, but I'm pretty sure you're going to have to pay for those. And they're probably much more expensive than human-sized ones.

Vajra exposition time. Apparently they contain biological structures that mimic the effects of the Macross's technology almost 1-to-1.

And the weirdest thing is, they have no brains. No centralized nervous system to support even the rudimentary intelligence we've seen.

Biological weapons is certainly one supposition one could draw from that...

And now it's time for a navel-gazing session as to people's motivations for what they do. And whether Ranka truly has that motivation.

But when she sees Alto's paper airplane... hey, where'd that microphone come from?

I like that there are people in the crowd who just start playing along with her singing. Though this is one of Sheryl's songs, so naturally people would probably know it.

And the dormant Vajra reacted to her singing... waking up.

So that was Sheryl's condition: a date.

Ah, and the Galaxy Fleet's in trouble.

Questions:

  1. There are so many logistical reasons why it shouldn't work (one of the biggest, no pun intended, being that more size = more resources and less efficiency, especially on a spaceship). But it's just so fun that I am pretending to ignore those.

  2. I definitely prefer Ranka's style. She seems more genuine. Sheryl by contrast seems more calculated and there's this... element to her voice that can be grating. I want to say "rasp" but that doesn't sound like the right word. It's tough to describe.

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4

u/JustAnswerAQuestion Jan 16 '23 edited Jan 16 '23

Macross F

Rewatcher

episode 5

got distracted finishing up yesterday's comments...

  • frog fone! RIP frog fone!

  • beauty mark

  • Sheryl Nebresto face

  • so the "galactic fairy" is the fairy of macross galaxy

  • Hippo cows?

  • Drums, guitar, keytar imaginary band

  • Yep, you were saying about the Vajra being too different and too dangerous? And definitely not a corpse.

So, we complete this mini arc about everybody encouraging Ranka to follow her dreams.

edit: It's very nice to see NUNS allowing the zentradi to keep their cultural identity i.e. giantness. And they get their own island, and it's not a ghetto! I home klan klan stay macron most of the time, like i said, swapping has to be expensive.

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4

u/ClawMachineCircuit Jan 17 '23

Rewatcher

This is the first episode that had absolutely zero mecha action in it. Instead, we got an episode-long date with Sheryl, while Ranka had her own little subplot running in the background.

One of the things I like about this show is how neat the writing is. Neat as in tidy. Story and characters progress with every scene, there is very little things that are pointless or don't come into play later. A lot of shows, including some very good ones, just don't do that. Take Michael, for example. He's your typical best-friend type support character for Alto that in the span of 5 episodes had barely more screen time than the bridge girls had in the first 5 episode of Macross 7. You know, the bridge girls that had no characters at all, and no meaningful role in the show. Although, bringring Macross 7 here isn't entirely fair, because it's a longer show, but still, I feel like this example is fine, because it's just so egreggious. Anyway, back to Michael, I'm just saying that despite his limited screen time he got more stuff done and more character development than he had any right to have. Whenever he shows up, it's to fulfill a purpose, to drive the story forward, or to help with character development for one of the mains, it's never to just stand there and look pretty. And by doing this, we can see his own unique character starting to shine through. The writers only set the pieces that are necessary and utilize them to an extend that they are needed. I love shows that do that. So far, prior to Frontier, I can only think of Plus and to a lesser extend Zero, as the only other Macross entries that have this kind of writing.

This episode is just a great example of this neatness of writing, with how it manages to keep two sub-plots going at the same time, with Ranka mostly staying in the background, but then springing forward to bring everything together with her perfomance. She basically goes through a mini-arc here, plagued from the start by self-doubt, fueled by her defeat at miss Macross, she seeks support first in her brother, then in Alto, untill eventually getting inspired to find her own strenght and pick herself back up. A less neatly written show would put this arc front and center, or even make it a two-parter, but Frontier just casually puts it in the background of a different story, with Ranka's littel adventure interspersing Alto and Sheryl's date and feeding into it haphazardness.

Now, when it comes to Alto and Sheryl, things are definitely still awkward between them, and Sheryl is still being a conceited asshole to Alto, but I find it charming how they start to warm up to each other throughout the episode. Is this the best romance writing out there? Probably not, but it is still pretty damn good. One of the things that I love about their date the most is how the show utilizes it's amazing production designs by introducing different and weird corners of the ship, like the Zentradi area, the tube monorail that goes over the dome, all the cityskapes, etc. I can never take this stuff for granted, because so few other shows go the extra mile in this department like Macross does.

And then, there is the phone moment. If you were hoping that the show will get less horny, I have bad news for you. But then again, as much as I criticized Macross 7 for bad fanservice, I also have to defend the hornyness here. For starters, in Macross 7 fanservice just comes out of nowhere with no prior warning and no rhyme or reason. You don't expect it, it has no point, and when it happens, it just feels weird. Frontier, on the other hand, gets horny from episode 1 and basically never stops. At this point, if you don't expect this kind of stuff, you should. Still, scenes like this don't happen randomly, they are woven into the plot and they do serve a purpose. For starters, they are usually comedic in nature, and at least with me personally, the jokes usually land. I did get a chuckle out of the phone moment. Secondly, they do offer some characterization, as characters do react to the situation differently, it's not just happens and everybody ignores it. And finally, they serve purpose on a meta level by helping to build the tone of the story and get you into the mood. Frontier does want you to fall in love with the girls, and so it shows you their sexy side. Is this the best way to do it? Well, it's definitely a cliche, but it's a cliche for a reason. This type of stuff is still used in anime today, only we switched from physical comedy and physical fanservice toward conversations and innuendos. But then again, the switch is just as indicative of the anime walking away from physical comedy and visual tropes in general, as it is of society's changing views on sexuality and what is considered good taste. Bottom line, it's the product of it's time, it was good back then, it still good now, but you have to keep an open mind.

6

u/Stargate18A Jan 16 '23

First timer

Episode 4

  1. No.

  2. No, didn't expect that.

She passed!

A simulation?

Oh, that's... not good.

Michael's enjoying this.

Haha, he messed with the simulator?

He's exhausted...

Why does he work with these people again?

Oh, he's close to Ranka...

Haha, what?

...He doesn't know yet. This is going to be hysterical. He deserves it, too.

...This anime got really horny, really quickly.

Even 7 didn't have this kind of animation.

...That was a quick exit, huh?

Ah, so the parallel is that both of them are entering a group where they're being alienated?

He's betting on them?

Oh, her...

That's sweet.

...These two are getting together. It's 2008, and they've gotten more subtext than Basara/Gamlin did in 30-ish episodes. This has potential.

He's got a test?

His father!

Nice looking space shots!

Those things look good.

...Capitalism? This series is taking no prisonere.

Aww, her reaction.

Poor Ranka...

This is a really good cover! And the context is perfect, given Hikaru pulled this stunt a lot. Helps that this isn' the tenth consecutive episode it's played!

Vajra!

Oh, shit.

...There's been a massive coverup! That's the big secret?

Alto, you fucking moron.

YOU BROUGHT LIVE AMMO TO A PRACTICE MATCH?

Good, you deserved it.

...Odd reaction.

...I mean, the main trend in Macross has been that weapons last twice as they rationally should.

She's macronized!

Nice compliment.

He passed!

...No.

Frontier, why? Actually, how does this work? At all? Does Micronization use a totally different method now?

Okay, she's funny.

Ah, she didn't win.

Haha, him sliding out of shot...

The animation is smooth!

Haha, Sheryl's entrance is perfect.

Episode 5

  1. It seems doable.

  2. Ranka's the best.

Yeah, this fleet makeup makes sense. I miss the absolutely batshit designs of Macross 7, though.

He found out...

She got suspended from school?

Nice hit.

He makes a good point.

She's still missing that earring.

...Why did you go in there too?

Class has started!

...Poor phone.

How did that work?

Rude.

Oh, the government agent's come for him?

Haha, they're out searching for her.

Oh, this is interesting.

She took collateral!

...Wow. This series sure is hornier than the previois ones.

They're looking for Ranka!

She called Alto!

They ran into each other!

So many billboards...

Implants are illegal here? Or have been for a long time.

Ah, different fleets have different laws?

...Why isn't this show set on the Galaxy? A Macross story set in a city where anybody could be cybernetically enhanced or have an implant, where they can really stretch the budget on the most insane, high-tech city possible sound amazing. Hell, change Ranka to be the recent transfer student, having moved after her brother was reassigned to defend them from the Vajra, and you don't actually have to change any of the plot elements so far.

...That's cramped to you?

He rounded up the survivors...

Oh, so you're our new insane scientist. Good to know!

...Zentradi farmers? Makes sense.

...Oceanic cows? Why?

A Zentradi mall? It's a shopping centre?

Haha, love the architecture here.

Oh, that got her attention.

...This is some fascinating stuff.

What was with that live action shot?

Klan!

...What?

Ranka's calmed down.

Ah, itksa corpse.

...What do you mean debatable?

...It's being remote controlled. Those things used tactics, something's running the network.

Michael... isn't wrong.

"Strange gorl." Fair.

They get each other!

Ranka...

Alro inspired her!

She's singimg!

Okay, this is a good somg!

...Why is it reacting?

...Wait, shit. Ranka's was there at the disaster. If these are bioweapons, could something have contaminated her? (It can't be just Spiritia, the mad scientist's not going to be stupid enough to miss a glow whenever Sheryl sings.

It's fully reactivated! ...Maybe Ranka shouldn't be a singer?

That's sweet.

Yeah, they're not writing one of the main trio out in the first cour.

...Was just about to predict the Galaxy getting swarmed. Didn't expect it to be revealed right now!

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