Macross Frontier

Alternate Titles: マクロスＦ<フロンティア

Original Japanese Release Date: December 23rd, 2003

Episode Length/Run-time: 25

Summary:
Macross frontier is the first direct sequel to the original Macross series and Macross 7 series.  It takes place after the war with the Zentradi has ended and humanity of on a campaign to spread the culture of humankind all throughout the galaxy.  To do this they utilize a fleet aptly named, Macross Frontier.  The story follows pilot Alto Saotome, and pop idols Ranka Lee and Sheryl Nome.

Review:
Some will say that this is the first good Macross series since the original.  I’ll leave that statement up to the individual viewer but I’ll just say that Macross Frontier is a good anime.  It’s a very character driven series and it should have been obvious right from the opening theme that the focus is on the two girls, Ranka and Sheryl.  Also, seeing as the opening theme is called “Triangular” it might have been a red flag this anime is going to have a love triangle in it, which it does.  The female voices are done by two pop stars, one new and one not so new.  Megumi Nakajima voices Ranka Lee and Sheryl is done by May’n.  These two make a great pairing and quite honestly, the music in Macross Frontier is some of the best I’ve ever seen from an anime.  If you take the music out, this is a very average series, but with it, it’s exceptional. The songs “Triangular”, “Lion”, “Northern Cross”, “Infinity”, and the rest are simply great songs.  Oh yea, let’s not forget there is a male in this show as well…Alto is an alright male lead as well but he has ups and downs.  First of all, he is  super pretty, so all the bishounen fangirls (and boys) will love it.  But he really has this issue when it comes to selecting which of the two girls (both of which are too good for him) he wants to be with.  This gets old fast and I found it really trite and annoying.

The plotline is kind of what you’d expect from Macross.  An alien race known as the Vajra are attacking mankind and its up to Alto to save Ranka and the rest.  Of course the power of music is involved as well, as it usually is in the Macross series.  The anime gets off the a quick start right from the get go with a Vajra attack and while the pacing slows down considerably (and grinds to a halt) at times in the middle, I enjoyed the “start with a bang” attitude that the series has.

All in all, it’s a must watch for anybody who is a fan of Jpop music and of course, for those of you who love the Macross series.  This one likely won’t disappoint.

[starrater]