Disclaimer: The views expressed in this blog are the owner's personal opinions. We are all free to express our own opinions in a very democratic way, because we are all created equal. "If you don't like it and it contradicts with your ideals, don't read it, and move on with your life." And if it interests you, and want to share your own opinion in a non-violent/non-offensive way, please read on.
Arigatou Gozaimasu.
Since this blog was made because of my love for anime, might as well start it with a review. Today, I will be reviewing Macross Frontier. I was once a fan of Macross, but I came to know it through its western incarnation: Robotech. I once watched it (the Macross part only) dubbed in English when I was a kid. I was facincated with the transforming fighter planes, and the trademark explosions that were somewhat cool during those years. I also was interested with the story of Lynn Minmay and Hikaru Ichijyo (I knew him as Rick Hunter then), and how they became related to each other. Too bad, I wasn't able to finish the Macross series that I watched on a local channel here in the Philippines because I was busy with elementary studies back then. But I was really amazed with the variable fighters, I even begged my mother to buy a transformeable valkyrie which had a pencil sharpener at its back (I don't know if this figure was region-specific, or if it was also available in other countries though, hehehe).
Oh well, enough with the stories of old times. The series was introduced to me by a friend. I started watching it and immediately loved the opening song (Triangler), because I already knew the song way before I knew it was a soundtrack of the series. Then came Sheryl Nome, the superstar tsundere of the series IMO, hehehe. I feel goosebumps whenever this lady sings, hehehe. Kudos to May'n (Nakabayashi May) for her contribution! Then there was Ranka Lee. I was, at first, not impressed with her being the lead female protagonist because she is not really that eye-catching at first. But when I heard her version of What 'Bout My Star at Formo, that's when the tables turned. To summarize the two, they are both wonderful characters, in the sense that Sheryl always acts that nothing can stop her in whatever she pursues to do, whether its singing, studying, cooking, or with boys. But deep inside, she still has that sense of insecurity, and the desire to be loved with no consideration of her fame. On the other hand, Ranka really loves singing, up to the point that she was able to summon the Vajra from out of nowhere and destroyed their fleet, hehehe. I guess this is the reason why Aimo (the song) is the only thing she remembered of her past when she suffered amnesia. While Ranka is trying to regain her memories, It is also at this time when she also feels the desire to be loved. But she is kind of unsure on how to show it towards Alto. Both are good at singing in varying aspects: Sheryl, with themes that reflect the essence of true love and affection in a mature way, and Ranka, a combined mixture of upbeat songs and (sometimes) serious themes that reflect her varying emotions.
Then there was Alto Saotome, the "Princess," hehehe. I found it kind of weird, and kind of cool at the same time to have a male protagonist that has long hair, similar to that of a woman's. But I guess that's what made him rock. Coming from a known Kabuki family of performers, he did not boast a very good physique, but possesed a certain wisdom that made him a good choice for a lead role. What he lacks in brawn is what he exceeded in brains, hehehe. He also has that kind of charisma that can influence people and push them to fulfill their dreams.
The series also has Brera Sterne, the ultimate "Big Brother" figure, hehehe XD. He has that "Hurt my little sister, and you will feel pain!!!" attitude in him, so typical of loving big brothers.
There is also the unsuspected love team, the tsundere Klan Klang and Mikhail (Michael / Michel or whatever his name is, hehe) Blanc. Klan is Michel's childhood friend, and has a crush on him, which he never acknowledged until just before he was killed by the Vajra. Michel, being the typical playboy type, is too proud to express his feelings towards Klan. And Klan, being the tsundere that she is, is also to hesitant to express her feelings as well. When I first watched Michel got killed, I got sort of hurt, in the sense that their relationship never had materialized. They were good friends, yes, but they never got the chance to express their true feelings long enough. T_T
Well, to shorten up my review, the series really exhibited love in all shapes and sizes. From paternal/maternal love, brotherly love, to the kawaii-type of love, to the serious type of love. And to compliment that, comes the love songs of all genres, hehehe. And since this is part of the Macross franchise, the mechas would not be left unnoticed. The mechas are very much far from the DYRL era, but for better. Better shaped, better armed, better drawn. The current generation Macross-type battleships were awesome, and they also retained that signature implosion that occurs whenever a Macross ship punched the hull of an enemy ship. Priceless, hehehe. And the fight scenes are a good improvement as well. Not sure what technology they used, but it looked to me like they used CGI in there as well. But its good enough to facinate me.
Overall, it was a really good series for me. They introduced new concepts and technology, but still retained a lot of concepts from the original Macross. A very refreshing view of the past that in a new incarnation, that is Macross Frontier.
My Personal Score: 9 out of 10
Comments:
They should have made the Klang/Blanc love affair bloom first before it died. Oh well, it may just mess up all the drama, so leave it as is. Hehehe
Another thing, is there a continuation to the Ranka Lee / Sheryl Nome competition for Alto's affection? I hope they made one. If they did, I'm gonna look for it.
Ja, ne! ^_^
Arigatou for the images goes to:
Namika - for the macross frontier pic - http://katsuragikaeru.wordpress.com/
