Macross Frontier 09: Of Giant Lolis, and the Boy Who Loved Them
So that’s why Mikhail has a thing for bigger women…And I thought that Klein could not look any more loli.
Well that was much better than last week and the subs came out sooner than anticipated, but just as well. So this time get a bit of back ground on our resident sniper and Class A asshole, Mikhail Blanc. This episode was definitely a step up from episode 8 and does qualify as a leap and bound. A lot more Klein-sama this time around, with Sheryl and Ranka stepping off to the side, in favor of the renowned Meltrandi Warrior.
Ranka is magnificent, and sweet mother of Minmay one of Mikhail’s fangirls is in the entertainment class…should have pulled a Sheryl and joined the flight team.
Nanase can’t wait to draw Alto-hime in the nude, neither can that Satomi girl on the far right, remember from Ep 5? (A sign that the A-Team is on station, brining back the minors who we have met before…)
Dang Queen has to stand out in everything doesn’t she, well at least she is using the traditional royal color of purple…
So it seems that while Sheryl is reaping the rewards of her new pilot class as Alto-hime bemoans the loss of practice flight time Mikhail seems content on a little break as he tries to work his magic on Grace. I suspect that Grace is being a bit more than nosy and is perhaps the one backing Brera. Not only is grace privy to the court martial of Jessica Blanc she has also been spying on top level meetings of the Frontier big wigs. She also has the perfect cover as Sheryl’s manager as she is now able to be in direct contact with three of SMS’ VF-25 pilots. Grace also seems able to push the correct number of buttons in Mikhail causing him to dwell upon the fate of his sister Jessica. Given how Grace is able to hack with impunity and is curious enough to go snoop on top level meetings I suspect Grace is part of a rival private military contractor to SMS. We know that Leon is in the back of Mr. Briller, owner of SMS, and his top priority seems to be the capture of the Vajra. Brera and perhaps Grace are more intent on destroying the Vajra rather than harnessing them. Though to what ends remains to be seen.
Such was Mikhail’s state that he could not shoot straight and nearly kills Alto-hime in a blue on blue. While accidents in the controlled confusion of battle does occur the fact that Mikhail was such a braggart led his ally Alto-hime to expect too much. Only after hitting the Jessica nerve does Mikhail start abusing his Zentran blood to beat up Alto-hime. Luca is powerless to stop them from going at it and the Pixies decline to interfere with the fight. I have to sympathize with Alto-hime on this one I’d be freaking pissed if some braggart sniper nearly killed me in a blue on blue. Pilot-hime had a right to be angry, and Mikhail should have apologized given how close he came to wasting his battle buddy.
Yes we must know more about Grace, so tell me what is your favorite color? What are your three sizes? What is the capital of Assyria?
Nene has SIS-CON! What say ye tanuki scallywag? Is this sis-con?
Nene is the best…tell me how does Klein-sama’s hair smell like?
I also thought it was so awesome how Nene (the tall pink haired one) was taking cover behind Klein onee-san. As Pilot-hime goes to the clinic to be put back together again, Klein macronizes herself to confront Mikhail as he gets all emo and fails to put a round on target. Mikhail being the ass that he is gets all defensive as Klein tries to reason with him. I suspect that Mikhail’s love of older women is the result of latent sis-con and an instance that he is not a loli-con that would target micronized Klein. You have to feel a bit for Klein-sama. It is all too obvious that she loves that lousy sniper, but being together in micron form just isn’t in the cards as Mikhail would be arrested if he tried anything. Given how Jessica never went into macron form to be a sniper it is reasonable to assume that Mikhail can’t macronize himself to go on a dayto with All-Meltran Klein. Judging by how both Brera and Alto-hime experienced flashes as sniper shots whizzed by their heads we have reason to believe that for the VF-25 in battroid form the cockpit is situated in the head. Hence Klein’s slap of Mikhail’s VF-25 was meant to give the lousy sniper a good rattle. Edit (thanks Haesslich): Cockpits are still in the chest somewhere, though judging my Klein’s prodigious amount of force I say that lout Mikhail did get a good rattle…
This is Bobby. He is a mild mannered make up artist.
This is GARby, Helmsman of Macross Quarter and has the death sentence on twelve systems…
Know the difference, ain’t that right Elmo?
Ranka is trying to make it big despite the efforts of Leon and his gang of hackers. Bobby seems to want to help Ranka as well and goes into GARby mode to hammer home the point to the manager, Elmo. Ranka seems to be having fun at Miboshi with her mini-choir and Nanase seems to be an aspiring artist along with the girls who stole into the aviation club’s locker room to rifle through the personal effects of Alto-hime. Sheryl is starting her pilot training to start some sort of TV show I guess to keep the memory of Macross Galaxy alive. Given that Sheryl has not been given a job at SMS nor has she been commissioned as a pilot for NUNS I think that Shirukii is a bit off in his assessment that Sheryl is faking a war career. Also since Sheryl is wearing the same colors as Alto-hime’s flight suit I do think the Galactic Fairy taking up arms will be as far from the frontlines and the only combat she will be seeing is on TV. Still I have to commend Sheryl for her little scheme no only does she have a legitmate excuse for getting into the pilot course and joining the Miboshi Aviation team she gets to stick around Kabuki-hime and not get shooed away. After all her cause is just, even if her show is going to be campy.
Oh yeah when it comes to you Kabuki-hime everything Queen Sheryl does is on purpose…
She also made off with one of Alto-hime’s pilot suits.
Who said Sheryl was going to war? She just wanted to wear you clothes after the hawt and rough…training. Though worry not you still look better in the suit, Alto-hime. Wait what the…
Ozma is not amused that Alto-hime and Mikhail are having a falling out and summarily declares them worthless as they sortie out to destroy and perhaps capture a few samples from a Vajra nest. Brera is sent out to destroy the nest and prevent the capture of any samples. In his pimped out VF-27 Brera easily defeats Klein in a skillfully executed dogfight and only gets stopped when faced with Alto-hime and her his gutsy moves. As Brera and Alto-hime grapple Mikhail finally takes the shot after much goading from Klein and Alto-hime. Brera narrowly avoids the shot and disengages, but not before destroying the nest. As I said before I think that Brera is working for some one outside of SMS and NUNS thus he fights both sides to further his mysterious agenda. Perhaps we have a corporate war on our hands given that NUNS seems to be playing to Leon’s tune and is in league with SMS.
Alto-hime and Mikhail reconcile their differences and so long as things don’t get too hairy and Luca has no emotional baggage then the three will get along fine as a unit again. I hesitate to call this part as KleinxMikhail with a dash of Mikhail development but it did in the end help smooth things over between Alto-hime and Mikhail who came to blows more often than not and hopefully they will be better friends for it. Klein gets to see her beloved happy again while Mikhail finally comes to terms about Jessica’s death.
When you ask a lady a question…
let her blush…
and then give you her answer. BTW Mikhail that was a lame pick up line…
Loli-Macron Klein with Mikhail on swing was just about the cutest damn thing in this episode by far. I am surprised that Kurogane did not have a field day when he saw that Sheryl was using Hiromi tactics to engender more fan adulation to her worthy cause. In any case it seems that Sheryl is quite serious about playing her part not only is she going to be a real pilot, but she works hard to maintain her shapely form. Ranka finished her single and that little green thing with three eyes is probably a Vajra in a larval stage, I suspect that it will grow into a big red one but we shall see in good time. In the mean time they make adorable pets. Given how the Vajra seem to be able to breed and look upon Ranka for direction I suspect that Vajra are somewhat analogous to ants given they have distinctively different members of the colony and collectively protect their eggs. Perhaps they too were a legacy left over from protoculture, though perhaps as their last resort in their last war. Or they could have been pets that eventually adopted a mean streak to survive in the harshness of the void. In this light they are probably doing this out of a need to protect their nests and territory rather than being overly hostile. Though on the other hand they have shown in the past a low cunning and tactical finesse in their attempted snatch and grab operations to secure Ranka.
Hi I am a Vajra. I don’t have a name yet.
I was born yesterday.
This is my waifu I hope she will give me a name. Oh and that bearded loser? That’s Captain Wilder when I grow up I will kick his ass I will…
The dogfights were again all around good though I think they mixed in a few recycled shots here and there, but it works. I am elated to see that while the small brown bugs are now at a level on par with the VF-25 that the Big Red Ones are still formidable threats and require team work to effectively counter. Thus far the only ones to be shot down easily remain the small brownies with their blue exhaust trails rather than the big red ones that need a couple shots to bring them down. The NUNS and SMS are no slouches either with both trying to coordinate advance recon patrols and fighter sweeps in the regions around the fleet. It is good to see them take a more proactive approach to keep the Vajra away from the big colony ships.
I see that hawtness does not run in the males side of the family…
Wow at her prime she could have given Alto-hime a run for her his money with a helmet.
Magical Girl Klein?
DO WANT!
I love how even Jessica’s court martial made sense to me as in a blue on blue, friendly fire incident it is almost always an automatic court martial though it is not an automatic verdict of guilty. Jessica and her superior were in an inappropriate relationship and it is a testament to how stupid her erstwhile lover was to not only be dating his wing mate but to break up with her before he could transfer out. Jessica was given a grave indicating that she was still considered a soldier so after her suicide the tribunal decided not to pursue the matter and gave her an honorable discharge at most or declared her dead in the line of duty. Given that she was an orphan and in most cases the pay and funeral expenses are forfeit in the event of a suicide the fact that she had a soldier’s grave indicated that she still had friends and perhaps a few who had enough rank to pull to give her a decent funeral. Perhaps the strain, the accusations, and the fact that she killed the man she loved eventually proved too much for her and she took the easy way out.
Even if her boyfriend broke up with her it does not mean that she still didn’t love him nor did she necessarily accept his leaving unilaterally. In any case I don’t think that there is anything sinister about her death. Normally a blue on blue would have resulted in a discharge, honorable if it was the result of an accident or dishonorable if it was through gross negligence. More often or not these things are treated as the tragedies they are and the person responsible at best will be reduced in rank, the worst part is trying to live with yourself after knowing that you killed a comrade. Her relationship with the deceased only served to complicate matters to the point that the tribunal could not ignore it, as it provided reasonable motive, but not proof of guilt.
Hey boys ready for another Planet Dance?
Oh let me play my name is Brera, Brera Stern I play the harmonica.
No Hippies allowed. Also Alto-hime has no qualms about fighting with guys that only got one leg…
Still looks girly even when mad…
Next week will be a trip in nostalgia for those of us who watched Macross Zero, if you haven’t I heartily suggest you do. Especially if you are a die hard Ranka fan like Blissmo, Shin, and Shirukii. That way you can pray in advance that Ranka gets to play Mao Nome while Sheryl can get stuck with playing Sara Nome. Otherwise you will have to wait for you RankaxAlto-hime kissu…
Apparently Sheryl’s efforts to get the Kurogane seal of approval were all for naught…
Congratulations Mr. Alto-hime Saotome. You have been casted as Shin Kudo in the up coming Macross Zero movie.
In regards to your Mao and Sara…
Dedicated to the loving memory of Jessica Blanc who died at age 23 she was mai waifu mein Kamraden and beloved by all who knew her. Except that loser who dumped her, he can rot in HELL!
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Um… it can’t be in the head - Alto’s Battroid head was shot off in Episode 7, which is why he was in Gerwalk form for the rescue, before his ship got all blown up. If he was in there, we wouldn’t have Hime-sama around anymore. I think it’s more that the cameras being in the head + virtual reality cockpit like the VF-19 and VF-21 = flashes in cockpit. It’s likely to still be in the chest, like most other Variable Fighters (IIRC), which provides the most protection to the pilot, and moves around from there to the radome when in Gerwalk/Fighter form.
Jessica Blanc… is a fine nee-sama. No wonder Mikhail developed onee-sama feelings, sorta like the ones Zyl has, and it fits very well with Alto-hime’s (and Mako-chan’s before him) thing for more mature women, which probably explains why Alto keeps looking up to Klein-sama, and talks to her more now than he does to Ranka…. doh.
But yes… that swing set was the cutest shot yet. Very good pandering to the fanbase, but the fact that those two (Klein and Mikhail) have a past, and she’s like a childhood friend who likes him somewhat, and is there to provide support since he’s basically alone in the world, is a nice little touch. That, and showing Wilder is a lecher, given that Global never did this, and Max was too pretty for his own good (and his bridge crew).
That, and having Nene hide behind Klein. Adorable scene, ditto the bandaged Klein behind a tree.
By the way, am I the only one to think Grace O’Connor is secretly an alternate universe version of Major Motoko Kusanagi, who went into talent management? Given the timeframes of the two series (SAC takes place in 203X, and this is 2053), it’s not too far off, especially if Grace is a full-body cyborg as the Episode 7 introduction suggested.
Thanks Haesslich I fixed it.
Jessica was a beautiful woman agree that with a nee-san like that it was inevitable that Mikhail would develop along Zyl lines. As for Alto-hime eying Klein it is greeta nd good that they have formed the blue haired alliance for love. Given that Alto-hime seems to have grown up in the shadow of his father it makes sense that the yearning for mature women from his Mako-cakes lineage would be awakened, hence why I think Sheryl is in the lead, hopefully Ranka will become a mature woman in hime’s eyes soon.
That was a brilliant move on their part it wasn’t ecchi but good gawd was it epic for Klein’s many adoring fans. Mikhail is no longer alone though if he insists on being an idiot heck Nene has a chance to make Klein her waifu before that sniper realizes what he passed up. I know that Nene hiding behind Lein was blatant pandering,m but I liked it…
Not sure if we can bless Grace with such an august title, I recommend that we wait until the conclusion before handing out titles. Alto-hime on the other hand well it seems that not even Mikhail’s assault could even put a dent in Alto-hime’s looks…
Crusader: Did you forget Episode 2? Ozma knocked some bruises and blood into Alto’s face, but he had lost the marks before he’d run into Ranka and Sheryl a few minutes after being kicked out of SMS’s headquarters. I think that’s a Meltlandi trait - quick-healing appearances.
I remember that though since it healed ever so perfectly I think that Alto-hime has a beauty that cannot be undone, Meltrandi blood heals, but it is the blood of Mako-cakes that keeps the healing results pristine.
Nice to see that you got this one out early.
That over-the-shoulder shot seemed pretty risky to begin with, especially since Alto was in the middle of a grappling match. The resulting character exposition was nice to see, although I wish they’d give out a bit more than just the occasional snippet of Alto’s past.
I wonder how Klein’s combat injuries translated into a nose band-aid, but I’m guessing that has something to do with loli physics. Her sensible side makes for quite a contrast with the slapstick in episode four, but I’m liking her a lot for it.
Grace’s second job is a bit disappointing (so much for having friends), but hopefully the eventual news of it might shake up Sheryl enough to make Sheryl to rethink her priorities down the line. I like her work ethic, but all of her recreactional activities inevitably seem to get worked back into her career. I was hoping that her interest in piloting would finally give her a bit more freedom.
I’m looking forward to next week’s episode. Perhaps this’ll turn out to be that wall that we talked about? That, and I’m hoping that all these Macross Zero references eventually shed some light on Sheryl’s background. Assuming that her name isn’t just there to tease the audience, that is.
Oh, so Sheryl’s commercial thing wasn’t just a lame ploy? She’s actually signing up with NUNS?
I…did not consider that, considering how terrible of a pilot she is at the moment. I don’t see her being of any use in the foreseeable future, so I just assumed it was a media stunt.
Bahah, I’m really looking forward to next week! Yeah, I really liked Jessica, she’s one hot chick lols
I will definitely wait for the kissu~!
@Swampstorm
If Sheryl is the descendant of Shin Kudo and Mao Nome then we can only hope that Sheryl had a few pilot lessons from her mum before she died.
Not sure if Sheryl is going to hit a wall but Ranka might be stepping up…
@Shirukii
No Sheryl did not join NUNS or SMS unless Grace pulled some strings there too. I suspect that Sheryl is doing this for some sort of movie or TV production but Sheryl certainly has no connection to NUNS or SMS yet in order for her to re-enact when Elvis joined the Army. NUNS would be happy to us her as their Clark Gable SMS however well I don’t think Ozma is going to let some pop singer fly with his crew. However SMS being capitalists would have eagerly sold off one of Alto-hime’s pilot suits for what ever role Sheryl has in mind…
@blissmo
Let’s just hope Ranka has the wit to be Mao and let Sheryl be the Sara as Sara. hehehe…
It’s kinda lame that Mikhail can’t use the speed and versatility of his VF to move around. What is the point of being a stationary sniper? It’s not like Mikhail needs the element of surprise when Alto has to rush in and pin the target down. I’m not at all impressed with Mikhail’s skill, and he was much better hiding behind buildings and taking out eel Vajra. He’s totally lost his mojo!
Also, I think Jessica was set up. Maybe the commander told her a secret, and so they both had to be silenced.
we at least know that if your half Zentradi you can still macronize (macross 7 the movie)it really depends on how mixed Mikhail is…
and doesn’t anyone think that the rate Klein goes from big to small is a bit weird? going through the process that much can’t be good for the body
I had to ask vets what Macross Zero was all about and how those names you mentioned tied in with current cast. Bricks were shat. Since I have no means of obtaining the OVA for the time being, I just hope it doesn’t detract from the overall experience when I watch it next week ｡･ﾟ･(ﾉД`)･ﾟ･｡
I got angry looking at Sheryl doing the splits. It reminded me of Hiromi. щ(ﾟДﾟщ)
A descendant of Shin and Mao? I had thought that he rocketed off after birdman when his VF pulled out of the water. He did promise to sing Sara a few songs, after all.
The somewhat dangerous nature of the Shin and Mao scene that you alluded to makes me think that they’d want to use stunt doubles, rather than risk real actors. But that’s also just another way of achieving the same thing.
@Shin: Hiromi could barely do the splits. This… is something else altogether. I demand an investigation.
I’d have called the Blanc siblings sharpshooters rather than snipers given their roles in VF squadrons. Pity Kira Stern has Phase Shift Armor, else that head shot would’ve done more.
By the way, is it just me, or does Alto pay more attention to oneesama types like Klein or Canaria? He’ll actiallly listen to them and not talk back TO them - bitch about others, but he’ll shut up and be quiet when confronted. Like it was in the blood…
I liked the fighting and stuff, but the episode had way too much cliche stuff in it. I didn’t find Mikhail’s past particularly new and interesting, nor was the further hints of evil conspiracies. I mean, with random side characters giving off evil smiles every now and then I feel like I’m watching Gundam. Plus, if that enemy mech pilot could have blown up the nest in one shot, why didn’t he do it in the beginning? The show seems often stuck between trying to be serious and trying to be funny, and I can’t decide which.
On the good side they did decide to spend a few dollars on animation this week to make up for recent catasrophies like last week. The fight scenes looked good, and I enjoyed watching Alto and Mikhail beating the crap out of each other (well, it was a bit more one sided than that). Although a sniper in a space mech battle was kind of silly~
@Tenryu I’m fairly certain normal humans can be macronized as well. Without questioning its canonicity, DYRL? featured a macronized Maximillion Jenius who is 100% human. Also other humanoid species like the Zolans in Macross Dynamite 7 can be macronized.
@Calawain Isn’t that what the Macross franchise is all about. Previous Macross series have always rocked , sometimes violently, back and forth between dead serious and funny business. Well maybe except Zero, which aside from its pretty battles, I felt was too serious for its own good.
And regarding Brera Sterne, he feels like the kinda guy who likes to toy around with his prey, which was what he was doing at first and hence why he did not blow the nest up straight away. Only when the tables seemed to be turned against him and he chances of completing his mission seemed compromised did he show any urgency.
@Kabitzin
From what I can tell standard doctrine fro snipers and sharp shooters is that they take out enemy fighters and bombers at a distance before friendly fighters engage. Their secondary role seems to be then to either target slower moving capital ships or otherwise keep the 6 o’clock clear of their wingman as they pull off maneuvers. Not sure when Mikhail is going to go balls to the wall in close combat but I do appreciate the fact that the didn’t pull a lock on and start charging Vajira with energy knives…
If Jessica was caught in a web of conspiracy then one must wonder why they left any evidence at all. Her court martial did receive some public attention and Jessica did get a soldier’s grave rather than being re-processed for recycling. Not sure if Jessica was even old enough to serve back when the Vajira were discovered, moreover if her superior was stupid enough to dump her before a mission then the bloke probably had the intelligence of a dull brick, not the kind of guy you trust secrets to.
@Tenryu
The Micronization process doesn’t seem to have a lot of problems, other than Klein’s unique genetic make up the Zentradi and meltrandi being hardier than humans don’t show any signs of trouble when they go through it.
@Shin
Let’s just hope the splits aren’t a portent of victory for her…
Do your best to try and find Macross Zero…otherwise I am sure others and myself included will do a brief summary of Macross Zero. However that would just be a poor substitute.
@Swampstorm
That was the weird thing about the ending I though that Shin was saved as a last act by Sara, but he did not fold off with her to parts unknown. I was under the impression that Shin stayed behind to take care of Mao and the Mayans. My sub wasn’t exactly spot on in all places so what is the final verdict?
@Haesslich
We all know that Alto-hime will be the one to defeat Brera or break him to the point that Brera worships the ground Pilot-hime steps on…Phase shift armor or not Alto-hime will defeat him.
I suspect that Alto-hime was deprived of any motherly love or sisterly love during his grueling training. Perhaps he is much more inclined to listen to those older women who exude maturity and give off the onee-san vibe. Alto-hime seems to not have taken a liking to Grace so he’s not an all comers kind of guy. If Alto-hime had a sister…well the Gods will weep to see such beauty true. Sooner or later we will probable meet the rest of the Saotome family and if Alto-hime is any indication we are hopefully in for a treat. XD
@Calawain
I think Macross has always been kind of campy sort of like Indiana Jones. Space might have less use of snipers but it does come into play when the get back on the ground. I think Brera was too busy dicking around, besides I have a nagging suspicion that Brera and his VF-27 are much more powerful than the VF-25s that SMS uses. Thus the buster rifle that Brera has might be unique to him alone.
@primeparadigm
Speaking of Brera one has to wonder where his mates were this time around in episode 7 he did fold along with at least two others.
Shin went with in the same direction as Bird Man/Sara… and I bet $50 that the Alto/Ranka kiss will get interrupted by something but not before Sheryl shows a flash of jealousy/irritation while watching.
Primeparadigm: DYRL was an in-universe movie, so its ‘facts’ should be taken with a grain of salt… much as “Titanic” can’t be considered a documentary about that cruise liner’s last voyage, or the movie “Pearl Harbor” be used as an authoritative source on the attack. The Zolans are Zentradi colonists, which explains their ability to Maclonize. Now we know HALF-Zentrans can sometimes be made big (Emilia Jenius), but whether all of them can be Macronized/Maclonized is another story.
Crusader: Jessica probably DID get reprocessed for recycling - all of them do. It’s just a matter of whether you get a gravestone like a soldier who dies in the line of duty, or just an entry in a mausoleum or databank somewhere given that they don’t have a lot of space for graveyards, at least compared to Earth.
Plus, Alto-hime hasn’t had any real exposure to Grace, nor does Grace give out onee-sama vibes for the most part (remembering that Mikhail tends to go for older women, period), so I’m not surprised he hasn’t warmed up to her. She probably reminds him of Daddy or some other male relatives in the Kabuki business.
I’m also betting against Alto and Ranka getting any kissing time - maybe Brera’ll suddenly get himself inserted into the role instead? Since Ranka’s not even supposed to be a Nome sister until something happened to Miss Macross, IIRc.
@Westlo
Thanks for the clarification.
Maybe it will maybe it won’t, though this will be a golden opportunity for Ranka to make her move.
@Haesslich
Given how the pay must suck I would not rule out a burial as part of the perks package for joining NUNS, but alas we need a bit more proof to see if Jessica was involved in a bit of intrigue.
Some how I get the feeling that Alto-hime and Grace will never really get to know one another. Besides Klein and Canaria are as about as much onee-san lurvin he can handle. That is until we meet the rest of the Satome Clan. At this rate Cathy Glass might be in the running too.
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Well, if you don’t mind spoilers…
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Beyond that, it seems EVERYONE gets recycled when they’re dead. It’s just whether you get a headstone for free or not is the difference. They, on the original Macross, had to recycle everything, and in one of the previews they indicate that EVERYTHING is reused… which includes corpses.
@Haesslich Are they Zentradi colonists? It seems to me that have physical traits rather different from Zentradis, noticeably their longer ears. Obviously, their race has been around for a rather long time, enough to build upo a culture of their own. I’ve also read somewhere that Zolans were, like humans, a protoculture project but instead descended from Marsupials, though I’m not sure where that came from. Anyway we’ve seen that the Macrossverse galaxy does have rather diverse lifeforms ranging from Eden’s indigenous lifeforms to Guvava’s tribble like race, so it’s not inconceivable that another intelligent humanoid race existed.
Checking again. My mistake - the Zolans are marsupials, but humaniform. There’s some sources which suggest they may have been planetbound Zentradi, given their Macronizationability… but again, that’s mostly a Zent trait. The only people we know who have, in an in-universe setting, actually been Macronized were either Zentradi, half-Zent, and one Zolan. Whether that means they’ve got the same modifications that the Zentradi do, or if that one Zolan had been interbred as well, is another story.
DYRL is confirmed to be non-canon, and is more propaganda film. I wouldn’t trust it for facts any more than I’d use Saving Private Ryan as a historical source to use in writing a paper.
@Haesslich
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Well that is a mighty fine recycling program they got there even if the treatment of the dead seems a bit strange. Perhaps there is room for Jessica’s involvement in something bigger after all.
Well, you could call it ‘fate’ really. Except this is Macross, so there’s no such thing.
And given that they’re in space as a completely self-contained biosystem… well, everything has to be recycled, especially given how Earth got nuked into the stone age, with the survivors mostly being in space or onboard the SDF Macross. Everything has to be reused, and that’s a way of life that isn’t necessarily a bad one, especially given they may spend years in transit before coming to anywhere with the abundance of organics that Earth once had, and that Eden still has. Using everything, including the people, only makes sense given that metals are relatively easy to find but usable organics besides hydrocarbons aren’t.
There is only the power of love! Which is a curious thing, makes one man weep, makes another man sing…
One would think that one of the NUNS trooper perks would have been a more natural decay, but a grave stone is just as fine. Though I sort of wish Jessica chose “La Garde meurt et ne se rend pas!” (”The Guard dies, but it does not surrender!”) as her epitaph.
… why would a body rotting in the ground be a ‘perk’, given that everyone alive has either lived through the first Space War and the resulting deprivation caused by having much of Earth’s biomass and water being incinerated or boiled away, or else lived in a world where they grew up recycling everything as they couldn’t afford to waste the organics?
On top of which, South Ataria island’s population seems to be mostly Asian or SE Asian in origin, which argues against a lot of Christians being onboard, although we could’ve seen some of those on the Alice base on the Moon or in the surviving orbital habitats. Besides, scripture would theoretically allow for recycling, given that the soul is what’s important, and on top of which the ‘decay’ process wouldn’t be very fast… and with the technology behind the Miclonization tanks, you’ve got everything you need to break down organic matter quickly for use.
And I don’t think Jessica got to pick her epitaph. Probably a friend or superior did in this case, given that she did get a soldier’s headstone.
My apologies I still have some Christian tendencies when it comes to burial ceremonies. I guess necessity prompted a change in religious doctrine. Last I heard it was preferable to be buried like Jesus, because you never know when you might get resurrected.
You know just because you are Asian or South East Asian doesn’t rule out the possibility of a lot of Christians. After all it seems that there are sizable numbers in the PRC, South Korea, and the Philippines, but I digress. If they show St. Peter and Paul Church I would give them mucho nostalgia points.
Yeah Jessica probably had little say in the matter though I do believe “La Garde meurt et ne se rend pas!” makes for a more suitable one, maybe its just me.
I’m not saying it rules out the possibility… just the likelihood is cut down. Even in Japan, Christians are.. different, compared to the mostly Protestant and Puritan-originated Christians in the United States, who are in turn different from those who have Protestant as well as Anglican roots (or Catholic, if you’re in Quebec or French-influenced regions) in Canada. The ’sanctity of the body’ is something that has been emphasized more in the past sixty to seventy years, IIRC, than it was in past centuries due to the way the Catholic church has changed its views on a variety of subjects. Hell, the Church of the Middle Ages had less in common with its forebearer Church during the Eastern Roman Empire than it does with the modern one.
And technically, Jesus was embalmed and entombed, not buried - it’s more that tombs are expensive, as is the land for it, so we dump people in holes. In more crowded countries, especially Eastern ones where Christian influences aren’t as strong, burial is a luxury… and one that is set only for a certain number of years, after which the dead are disinterred and their gravesite recycled for someone else, while the remains (cremated previously) are scattered or otherwise sent to their repose in a more permanent way.
The reason burials are more common in Europe and North America is because there (was) enough land to do so, not because it was laid out that way as a strict requirement in the New Testament, the way burial customs are dictated in Islam (which are defined as much by the necessity of haste in handling a body in hot, arid climates as well as the treatment of the dead for their afterlife). In a sense, the recycling of bodies hearkens back to the metaphor Jesus used with regards to The Living Bread, depending on how you look at it.
In the PRC, the number of Christians is still somewhat limited, mostly due to cultural differences as well as government-based ones (to sum up a lot of history, a LOT of revolutions were focused around ‘religious groups’… explaining the persecution of a certain group whose initials begin with FG). In Japan and South Korea, it’s still limited in influence… and the latter’s distorted it quite a bit thanks to the rise of cults like the Moonies, which I take pains to point out are more common than orthodox Christians or Catholics in East Asian countries.
Besides which, given the Zentradi did this for years, and the population’s not JUST miclones, I suspect that while many Zentradi may have converted… they may have done some reworking of attitudes too.
You never know if Christians might still be running about, even if they are gone belief in a single God will not disappear so easily. The Jews have lasted this long, after all. Perhaps it is mere coincidence perhaps it was providence.
Well cultural exchanges do go both ways…so I am sure some old fashioned no non-sense Meltrandi and Zentradi attitudes towards certain things might have been preserved.
I would be worried about how such things would be affected when you KNOW that your species was created by the Protoculture, have artifacts and histories detailing such, etc… as the Zentradi do, as well as us Miclones. Either you consider the Protoculture to be angels (which they weren’t), agents of a deity (which requires far more contortions than recycling the dead would), or…
Let us merely say that proof of creation by mortal hands affects how things go, since they know the Protoculture was not divine, and the Zolans and Zentradi would have more work than most reconciling it. You might be able to draw paralells between them and the Nephilim… but that’s Judaism, and leaves the humans, Zent, et all in an awkward position scripturally, especially if you’re very Evangelical or Southern Baptist.
There is a simple way around this situation…God works in mysterious ways. Besides someone or something prompted the creation of the universe…
The problem is with those who take the Bible literally, such as the aforementioned Southern Baptists, and (IIRC), the Presbyterians… which means that you have to consider the Protoculture to be ‘God’, given the way it’s described in Genesis. They fall more into the “Nephilim” role from the Torah, as far their role in human and Zentradi origins as well as the Protoculture’s eventual fate. Either you end up considering mortal agencies to be the hand of God, which means any act justified by humans or other mortal beings can be seen as His will (which results in any absolutes being rendered false, and thus any act by humans or anything with free will to be justified… which leads us down one slippery slope), or else you have to elevate the Protoculture to that level, which presents other problems, since they’re clearly not divine and exterminated themselves through internecine warfare.
But, steering our way back onto topic, recycling doesn’t appear to be against scripture, and the issue has only been of real importance in the past century or two, outside of avoiding the mutilation of the human form due to the implied desecration. Whether Christianity survived to any great extent to influence the surviving culture is unknown - there were survivors on various orbital habitats, Moonbase Alice, and in the two Grand Cannon bunkers which weren’t destroyed. Beyond that, pragmatism is likely to rule as far as the disposal of bodies go, outside of avoiding mutilation (such as chopping them up for fertilizer) and other things that are going to seriously offend sensibilities.
Oh, and Klein is a lovely girl. Pity Mikhail doesn’t appreciate her as much as someone like say… Alto does.
Heh as a person disillusioned with organized religion I kind of stopped asking about things related to God. I just console my self with the idea that there is a God that may or may not help me at times. If you do things right people aren’t sure if you did anything at all.
Given that the Frontier Fleet can indulge their Zentradi comrades with a macronized lifestyle who knows what luxuries they might also be able to afford, the fact that they are creating small seas within the colony ships tells me that these guys can afford to be indulgent in certain areas. In any case don’t the colony look grand?
Mikhail will come around eventually, question is is Alto-hime going to get a gohobi for being a good chum to Klein-sama… XD
I’d almost prefer it if the love-triangle everyone’s expecting (Alto x Ranka, Sheryl x Ranka) ended up not happening, and was a different sort of triangle (Ozma -> Kathy -> Leon)… especially as the OST that was just released…
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I’m kinda rooting for Klein and Alto, if only because that’d be an interesting way to hit Mikhail where it hurts.
Ozma is a marked man…if it’s going to happen its gotta happen quick.
We shall see who triangular is about in good time.
As for Klein-samaxAlto-hime I would shoot for the stars, but as I said before I will just settle for a gohobi in micron and macron form. It might motivate Ranka and Sheryl to move with a sense of urgency.
Actually, what I quoted is from the CD covers for OST 1. That means everyone’s initial predictions about the first OP were completely off-base… and it makes things more interesting as a result. And as noted, if Alto was smart, THAT would hurt Mikhail more than calling his sister a poor shot.
Well there will be a love triangle one way or another…let’s see if they can blind side us all.
Alto-hime and Klein will not get together merely to spite Mikhail, that would be a bonus. Remember the power of love comes first putting Mikhail in his place comes second. Though I will cheer if Alto-hime uses his VF-25 to fight back to back with Klein-sama’s red Queadluun-Rau.
You know, that’d be the silliest image ever in Macross… if it hadn’t already been done. Thank you, Max and Millia. And that really would make things interesting, wouldn’t it? Blue-haired pilot, natural talent with reflexes that make him a great in-fighter paired up with the red-Queadlunn piloting ace with long hair and who had a long dogfight with him when they first met.
…
Pity they won’t run with that, but that’d be a GREAT way to derail the predictions. And piss off a bunch of shippers. Still, at least those two are interacting almost as well as Sheryl and Alto do, without the ’she makes me so ANGRY’ subtext which layers some of their interactions.
They could just do it if only to throw us a bone, despite the ultimate pairing. You know to add fuel to the fires of speculation. I care not that it was silly it just looked darling.
‘Nothing says love like fighting back-to-back like heroes in an action movie, against the hordes bent on your destruction’? Well, at least they knew they loved one another… although with their acrobatic (or is that aerobatic?) style, that’d be… interesting. But they’re both close-in fighters, and well-matched opponents, who depend more on maneuverability than sheer firepower the way Ozma does.
I can’t remember if Minmay was singing “My Boyfriend Is a Pilot” or “Shao Pai Long” during that battle… but it’d be nostalgic to see those two reenacting that scene, if only to make it look like a possible pairing of the Blue Haired Love Alliance.
Klein and Alto-hime can just be friends, just very close friends closer than battle buddies…
I have to try and find the original SDF Macross again, all I got is DYRL and for that one it was the song that Misa found. Can’t remember the name of the song (still studying for finals)…I need to see it again, my memory is failing me big time.
Found it. “Shao Pai Long” was the second song, and the one going on when Max pointed to a part of the battle, then the two of them jumped in together to deliver hot missile death. And Klein and Alto-hime probably will stay close friends… although I will admit, a pairing would be fun (and funny) on so many levels, especially with the image of her using him as a Trap Barbie Doll while in Macronized form. Or dealing with the ribbing should he and Miclone-mode Klein hang out together and get ‘caught’ by someone from the squad… or by Ranka. Now that’d be an interesting excuse, especially if someone like Nanase ran across it (and was unfamiliar with Klein being older than she looked).
But since this ISN’T Shuffle, that’s not going to happen.
Mein Gott who needs Barbie when you got Alto-hime! Judging how the Battroid mode is so expressive Alto-hime can use it to go on a date with Klein. If the go on a micron date they can easily fool the authorities into believing that they are brother and sister or more likely imouto and onee-san. XD
Blargh no Shuffle there ain’t no magic here so no wrist slitting please and for God’s sake no Memories re-make/spin-off. Besides I want my otome to be in the prime of health rather than have them look like death camp denizens.
They don’t look enough to be siblings. Cousins, maybe… which brings back bad Kaifun memories, especially as Alto ALSO has long hair and a background in a Japanese art (Kabuki versus karate). No, I can imagine Nanase if she saw those two just hanging out, chatting and being friendly. Ranka, at least, has a chance at knowing Klein.. but Nanase? No way.
Sheryl probably wouldn’t be disturbed by the idea, though…
If Sheryl is willing to share that would be fucking AWESOME.
… seriously, no comment, but doesn’t seem to be very… frigid. Or uptight.
Sheryl would not even suspect a thing, she’s never even seen micron Klein and would not even see Klein as a threat, until perhaps it was too late…
I think it’s more that Sheryl wouldn’t really care. Or she’d join in. Or something.
I am of the opinion that Sheryl might actually join in she was ogling Ranka and was staring at Nanase lewdly…
Watch Episode 10. That last comment of yours.. well, it may bear some truth. That, and Alto’s ’secret’ is exposed to Cathy Glass… or at least a picture of him as a girl is.
I have a 2500 paper due tomorrow so it will have to wait as finals start too. Nevertheless I saw the pictures and mein gott this is going to be good.
Alto-hime’s kabuki prowess has been something of an open secret it’s just that Cathy never really bothered to delve deeper into Alto-hime’s file.
It’s an open secret, but I don’t think she was prepared to see him in full ‘battle gear’, as it were. She certainly looked… interested… when she saw even MONICA was staring intently at the data. Monica, the oyaji-lover, of all people was reading along with the rest.
They were indeed over awed, and now all of them have joined Ai Ai Alto-hime. Monica might like oyaji, but she just loves oyamas. Given the prominence of Alto-hime in kabuki dress in the OP I suspect and demand that Alto-hime take up the mantle at least one last time.
It was also good to see that the bridge crew have gotten close enough to collectively fan-girl Alto-hime at the same time. I guess Cathy might give up on both Ozma and Leon soon…