And how! Well all those who forgot that this was still a mecha series and not a harem…certainly did get trolled.

The whines, cries, and the most impure tears that make Noe gag of the hated shippers brings joy to every Macross Vet that ever was and ever will be. This is not some harem anime, you arschleckers and hammels this is Macross where mecha is still more important than Ranka. For starters if you are a Sheryl fan that still likes Macross, but now doubt Alto-hime’s actions for the past few eps I demand you shave your heads as a sign of your lack of faith in my Alto-hime and the awesomeness of Sheryl. If you are a Sheryl or Ranka fan who thinks this series sucks now after your pitiful minds were overloaded by the Kawamori troll GTFO and an hero yourself this instant! If you are some sorry looking Singaporean conscript who just got trolled for the first time by Kawamori and are now weeping in the corner of a maid cafe, how does it feel to be stupid for daring to think that you would not be trolled? Kawamori and Kadun have no use for you. Go back to your harem series from whence you came and never let your hateful presence mar the glory of our franchise. Let it never be said that my name of Crusader has no meaning for I have a faith in Alto-hime that is beyond reproach and can and do delight in the fulfillment of the one thing I had prayed many moons for. Kawamori has delivered and by Kadun if you did not enjoy it I hope that a fold bomb falls on your face you hateful and ignorant heretic, so say we all! :P

This will be one battle that will be hard to top.

So yes it was a true Macross fan’s wet dream lots of capital ships, lots of Valkyries, a fuck ton of singing, missiles going everywhere, and above all the most awesome cap ship fight of the year with the Battle Frontier/Macross Quarter tag team against Battle Galaxy. If this alone is not enough to satiate your hunger for mecah, you are no fan of Macross your applications is hereby revoked and the next mass fold bombing of you and your ilk shall teleport you back to something more to your tastes like generic harem no. 9001. By Kadun it was glorious and words cannot convey the awesomeness of Battle Galaxy getting KOed by a double whammy of Macross Attack by Battle Frontier and Macross Quarter. Klein onee-chan took up Mikhail’s VF-25G and did a back to back with her imouto-hime. Brera gets to have one too. Overall it was great to see the Macross Attack once again. The near full run through of the entire soundtrack was also good fun and very Macross. Words cannot convey the pure win and aweoms of what godly mecha action just occured int he last ep so I leave it to the Macross faithful to just gawk and awe at Kawamori’s gift to us all for putting up with is trolling for 25 years. Mmmmmm…gorgeous, delicious, deculture!

Not much on the development front since this is the end of the series and even with the announcement of the movie I doubt much will change give the precedent set by almost every Macross movie to date. Richard Bilrer turned out to be the most devoted Minmei fan in history and although he did not get to see her again he is more than willing to wait just like the rest of us. Besides he has an up and coming Kabuki-hime to take care of now on a new world to bring under the banner of Bilrer as a new jewel in the Bilrer economic empire. Leon gets disposed of by Perry and NUNS once they discover that Cathy is alive and well. The never did trust that deserter turned mercenary Ozma but since Cathy is their Misa her word is law. I can only assume that the messy business of disposing of Leon was as quick as it was brutal I assume they shot him and shoved him out an air lock. Grace was just awesome again and I confess that I did get giddy when she merged with the Vajra Queen.

i always said that my Alto-hime was a one woman hime.

Grace was about to become the God Empress of the universe and was about to tend the first of her Vajra fleets to crush every outpost that NUNS possessed. So sad to see Grace go and her face at the end betrayed everything she did it all so that she might force Alto-hime to do Kabuki again since another run of Sakura-hime Azuma Bunsho was not forth coming. Grace always did love Alto-hime ever since she was over awed by Sakura-hime, guess that is what happens when you get a yandere with a genius level intellect. Mikhail was with them all in spirit as his weapon ended the war. Sad to see that Mina and Ram ended up single though, but I am sure “Dead Meat” Jones and Maruyama Kakizaki made it out okay…well at least Machida survived.

By Kadun that is a lot of Valkyries! Quick pinch me I think I died and went to heaven.

As expected Ranka had next to no development and rightfully so for to try and do it now would have been a crime against Kadun, for Kadun does not like to have his mecha action compromised by a little girl who should have been developing before the final showdown. Since the Vajra were being led on mercilessly by Ranka I can now finally understand their frustration and rage at their appointed translator who brought them so much trouble, all they wanted to do was mate and Ranka was teasing them the whole time making them rage out of sexual frustration. To make amends the bugs do save Frontier, but being smart bugs promptly leave the galaxy and leave only Ai-kun and Ranka to take the coming heat. They figured that since they ended up pissing on the whole neighborhood that staying was not such a good idea and that it was time to leave while the locals were still glad that they helped thwart the Cylon plot and give Frontier a replacement home for the one they wrecked after Ranka was teasing them again. Ranka thinks that everything will now be okay, were it so easy. Now that Ai-kun and Ranka are the only Vajra left I hope that for her sake there will be no more angry humans and Zentrans who lost many loved ones who still have it out for the little traitor. I do know however that no one will ever forget how things went down, and it might take a while for the good people of Frontier to forgive Ranka for everything that she has done. The bugs are gone, but the little girl who pissed on both sides yet remains ignorant as ever about their suffering. It is most fortunate for Ranka that there were no consequences for her previous actions, and if there were Ranka certainly did not seem to notice or care.

That was the only Ranka statement that ever registers in my Alto-hime’s mind. This is Ranka’s love, thus my Alto-hime loves Ranka? Were it so easy.

It was so unfortunate that even at the end Ranka had to be saved and that Sheryl’s Diamond Crevasse was the song that prompted the Vajra to redeem themselves by saving Frontier as Ranka was drooling all over Alto-hime’s VF-25 after she thinks he came just for her, good thing Ranka is ignorant of how Alto-hime put his mission to save Ranka on hold every time Sheryl and Battle Frontier seemed to be in trouble. Ranka has every reason to be happy about being one of hime’s wings, I hope she never learns how hime was ready to rip out his Ranka wing and fold bomb her for being a traitor. Ranka remains the child of the series and I doubt that will change with the movie. Oh Ranka it is good to see that she tried to be like Sheryl and thought that slapping Sheryl was going to do just that. The critical difference though was that Sheryl believed like every one else that there was no cure, but like a vindictive little girl Ranka slapped first cured later without giving Alto-hime a chance to talk to her. oh and Sheryl was apologisizing for her failure and inability to stave off death not because she had some trifiling problem such as a broken heart. Nice try Ranka but your slap was the more tepid one, next time let’s not slap the terminally ill before you tell them that there is a cure. I was most amused that Ranka told Sheryl that she would not lose in love or at singing. Were it so easy, for you see Ranka your career is still in tatters and even if Ozma’s friends forgive you and indeed there will be many questions in the up cominginquiriy to determine if your culpability as an accomplice of Grace O’Conner. All Leon has to do is implicate you as one last spite against Ozma for the intrrogation to begin. Not everyone on Frontier will forgive you, let’s not forget why General Perry refused your presence on Battle Frontier, he was not sure if you were a friend or a foe, and was not willing to trust that you were a friend. Elmo is now Sheryl’s manager and I doubt he has completely forgotten how you ditched him for Grace. Last and most certainly not least Sheryl is up on the kiss count, date count, profound couple moment count, and is now living with Alto-hime. Let it not be said that Ranka was a lesser girl for trying to fight again so late in the series in fact I’d like to see her try, but seeing as how there is no time left…well at least Ranka decided to try and develop as a character 24.99 episodes later than not at all right?

Yes my Alto-hime’s face has “I love Ranka” written all over it…were it so easy.

Yes while both fan camps are scratching their heads and raging incessantly my Soldaten-hime showed his true colors by reminding us all about how much he loved wearing Sheryl’s earrings in fact such is his fondness for them I do not see Alto-hime leaving Sheryl anytime soon. They have been through much together and are still going to have to live together for some time until a new planet side city is built.  Good o see that like any soldaten getting shot at that hime did not care about how the Vajra and Brera just went turn coat on Grace, hell I know if I were in the same situation I’d be glad they were shooting at the same targets, sort of how that whole Sunni Insurgency turned out in the end, I don’t have to like them, but for now we can work together though I am watching my back every so often. Very much shoot first questions later, besides since Ranka must be sent off into hiding from potentially vindictive citizens of Frontier, Brera and Ai-kun can also go into hiding with Ranka so all is well. Alto-hime promised to be with Sheryl until then end and Sheryl just got an extension, I know that my Alto-hime is a hime of his word and do not doubt that his continued and indeed glorious wearing for the Nome heirloom is a sign of hime’s dedication to his promise to Sheryl. After all since Alto-hime seems keen on wearing it more often there is only one way to ensure that hime gets to wear it from time to time. To think that Alto-hime would just toss his obligations and promises aside for Ranka is nothing short of heresy. Their salute to each other was nothing short of nostalgically sweet and they make a fine team. Alto-hime needed Sheryl’s support to take on Battle Galaxy and Sheryl delivered. It was also delightful to see how Alto-hime bonded with his Klein onee-sama in the heat of battle, I hope they will have many fruitful years as wingmates in the times to come.

The way that earring was shining throughout you’d think that it meant something…like property of Sheryl. Still very much Yakk Deculture!

My Alto-hime has become a humbler hime going so far as to treat Brera as a comrade and let Brera do most of the rescuing of Ranka from now on. No more of the “rescue Ranka” missions being at the top of Alto-hime’s to do list since hime has higher priorities than just bailing out Ranka, so letting Brera do it is now perfectly acceptable. Besides now that hime is no longer obligatyed to be around Ranka, Brera and even Ai-kun find this situation much more tolerable and they no longer are out to kill Alto-hime. Good to see that Alto-hime accepted his glorious past as Sakura-hime and hopefully the Movie will incorporate more Sakura-hime Azuma Bunsho. I liked how Alto-hime was controlling his VF-25 with his EX-Gear, that’s so cool, I hope they make them one day. It all makes sense now what those guys were doing in the first ep, they were practicing remote control not calisthenics. So yes when the world was about ot end Alto-hime cried out for Sheryl like Ozma cried out for Cathy, and even in the end Alto-hime was banking towards Sheryl in the last shot. So if you are the kind thick headed sop that believes that Ranka’s declaration of no lose would in any way affects my Alto-hime’s dedication to the one whose earring he chose to fly with, you must be STUPID. :P

It was delightful to see that Klein-onee-sama and her imouto-hime were able to work so well together, I had asked nicely to see this realized. Thank you Kawamori for giving us this.

Sheryl was just all around awesome and her momentary lapse was understandable given how she was already dying from the bugs in her brain. Good to see that Sheryl once cured went right back to singing without any complaints unlike the little girl who slapped her before telling Sheryl that there was a cure. Again Alto-hime and Sheryl have come along way as comrades and as a team where once they had trouble working together now their team work is something formidable. Sheryl has her job and so does Alto-hime and both are pros who do them well. It is a new beginning for Sheryl she just got a second lease on life which will be spent happily with my Alto-hime since the person who kisses last kisses best. Alto-hime is still doing his grand gesture of his love and still looks deliciously hime with her earring. Sheryl has faith in her Alto-hime and no doubt they will have many happy years together as that promise borne out of the previous eps is still in effect. I t was a pleasure to watch Sheryl grow as a character and have Alto-hime say her name many times and make Ranka’s rescue a combined Alto-hime and Sheryl effort. Sheryl knows that she and Alto-hime share something special hence why Sherryl said she accepted the challenge to her position as Alto-hime’s beloved Songstress. I remember when Alto-hime thought little of Sheryl in the first episode, now hime is very keen on hearing Sheryl sing her songs, how delightful it was to see them go from out right hostility to being closer to one another than they are with anyone else.

Mahou shoujo Sheryl.

Seriously it was to be expected that all character development had all but ceased when the first minutes were rolling, we all saw one mother of a mecha battle and pure win and awesome is in no way diminished by Ranka’s declaration of no lose. We have heard that all before in the last duet in episode 15, she said it then and not much has changed about Ranka since, no sane person would expect that Ranka could get any better results even if Grace is gone while Brera and Ai-kun are still around. I am glad that they kept Ranka as a little girl in love since it would have been a crime to cut into the mecha action, the only other way to have had Ranka be Grace’s pawn was if Ranka was overbearingly arrogant to not have seen Grace’s motives, since they elected to go with childish naivete it does at least make Ranka a bit more tolerable. The explanation that the Vajra were mad because of their sexual frustration is understandable, for they had paid the cover charge and were pissed that they were not getting the donkey show that they paid for. If you don’t understand this imagine that you actually have a significant other (I know this will be hard for many of you, but please bear with me, if not pretend your Dakimakura is sentient) and that he/she/it has called you at work/school that he/she/it wants to make sweet love all night long. You then drop everything race a 100 miles only to find that he/she/it is no longer in the mood. If you are not pissed you are obviously a liar and incredibly whipped. If you are sick then its raep tyme.

We still see a bigger smile for dear onii-chan than my Alto-hime, suffice to say I have no faith in Ranka’s love for my Alto-hime.

We pretty much has all of our loose ends tied up, the Vajra, Luca, Klein, Alto-hime and Sheryl, Ranka, Cathy and Ozma, and above all Grace. So yes the mecha battle was awesome and the triangle is resolved if you use a bit of thought power and realize that Ranka’s challenge has no bearing on how Alto-hime will honor his oaths and hime was banking towards Sheryl in the last scene. Surely now that there is no time left that Ranka’s “new beginning” is hollow indeed given how it’s the same attitude she had at the conclusion of episode 15. Sheryl ended the series ahead, Ranka ended up back at the start line, maybe next series Ranka can be a woman, but for the next decade or two Sheryl will be living with Alto-hime. Sheryl won out ahead and Ranka was going backwards. The resolution hinges essential on the viewer’s faith that Ranka can compensate for the widening gap, so if you have faith in Ranka the triangle is not yet “resolved” despite there being no more time left, but if you doubt Ranka’s abilities to make good on her words, like I have been for since episode 19, then this is nothing more than a idle boast which we have heard before coming from a character that has changed barely at all. If you are like me and don’t believe in Ranka any more then the triangle is resolved, Sheryl will remain in the lead until the day my Alto-hime marries Sheryl.

Should have named it SHARON instead…

Still it was a true mecha fan’s wet dream, since Macross was always a mecha series and not harem show no. 9001 where who wins is the most important aspect. It is foolish and wrong to think that Grace is really dead, Grace has been dead before. Grace’s, like Kamejin’s before her, attempts at a Cylon conquest will have an impact many decades fo come as there will be other ambitious cyborgs throughout the galaxy scheming to bring allof NUNS under their control if they are known collectively as the Grace line of cyborgs i would not be in the least bit surprised. I hope that Kikuko Inoue gets more roles on the side of evil because by Kadun she showed that she could do it. Nevertheless Grace was just delicious through out the episode, glad that she saw some Kabuki-hime before the end. As for the movie I expect a compilation with much better animation that befits a Macross series. I have no doubt Kawamori heard the talk of wanting a harem end and if you are thick you bought it lock, stock, and barrel and ended up RAGING in some corner. I commend you on finishing your first Macross series, you have tolled in typical Kawamori fashion. So Grace and her cause are dead eh? Were it so easy. Really Ranka made a comeback in the least ep to make things even again? Were it so easy.

Yes, all of a sudden Ai-kun is no longer keen on tearing up paper planes made by my Alto-hime. Were it so easy.

I am being very harsh on Ranka because let’s face it for most of this series she has either been stagnating or backsliding, and if most of her new moments were involving Ai-kun and Brera then little has changed. I have heard of Ranka’s numerous resolutions to get the hand of my Alto-hime, and yet I see no effort being made. Brera is still her number one fan whose attention she relishes, Ai-kun is still her pet and likely still hostile to my Alto-hime, I don’t think any one can be blamed if they see this latest Ranka Declaration as just an empty boast. The Goddess of Love waves Alto-hime’s kimono in Ranka’s face. Maybe Ranka can make a come back, but we will never see it happen…especially since every Macross movie to date has just been a compilation. It is the epitome of ignorance to deny that Sheryl ended this series much closer to Alto-hime than Ranka, and as such we have a clear winner. Ranka definitely has a shot assuming she avoids the still vengeful assassins of Frontier and has all the charges of crimes against humanity, Zentradi, and bugs dropped once Leon starts point to Ranka as a willing accomplice to Grace’s schemes as a part of a plea bargain to NUNS to find out about Macross Galaxy.

Since you made it this far you have proven yourself either a real Macross fan or some sick masochistic shipper here are a few choice Landserdeutsch words for reading this post.

arschlecker - ass licker, brown noser

hammel - castrated ram (all bleat and no balls)

Really?

I should have known.

Only Battle Galaxy could have been that all powerful.

I hope jilting your lovers was not your plan for glacatic domination. Man you ditched Cathy and then Grace, sorry Leon but what is it with you and women? They all seem to have it out for you…

General Perry is glad to have his Misa back.

Sons of X-9! Go forth and kill…

Tell me are you both from Macross City?

Aww look my Alto-hime is asking for permission…

In the past that would have ended with an exclamation.

Couples need to support one another in times of crisis.

My Alto-hime is now the number one Sheryl Fan.

Well it’s not exactly Kabuki, but…

Thank you Kawamori for trying I am sure that in the movie it will be a full on Sakura-hime Azuma Bunsho that will save the galaxy.

So my Alto-hime will be going back to Kabuki, the film crew for Macross Zero must be delighted indeed.

They are indeed one now!

Even if it kills you!

Thank you Kawamori for making Grace’s Vajranet avatar much less tentacley.

Thank you so very much Mr. Kawamori.

Grace is still trying to kill Sheryl…

My Alto-hime really cares about his Sheryl.

Grace hates shippers in her Macross too…

I see so the Vajra predate Protoculture.

Dang I was hoping for it to be Macross.

Taking out the Vajra Queen with reaction weapons there Ozma? Were it so easy.

Evil Grace is so sultry, stiff endgame hehe.

Next Macross to get the series treatment ahoy!

Oh look Macross City is just fine…hehe. Were it so easy.

Still yoiur remix of Aimo will be the most infamous…

Yes my Queen.

All bow before the God Empress of the Known Galaxy from her all mighty throne of everlasting life.

Yes your Highness!

The Fleet is in trouble…

…including Sheryl.

That is my Alto-hime’s first line of thought…for the second time in the final episode.

Things look bad…

Well now it looks like Ranka has been falling on the lists of priorities for both my Alto-hime and the brother she left behind…

Well at least Brera will always put Ranka as his number 1.

Well I know now never to let Ranka do any PR work in a ward for the terminally ill, so stop looking so innocent there is a limit to how much you can abuse the sick Ranka…

My Alto-hime is now quoting daily from the words of Sheryl, clearly her advice has helped my Alto-hime.

Yes, go with my Alto-hime, Ranka stay here and out of trouble. Seems there is no team that includes both my Alto-hime and Ranka…

If you did not enjoy sight of big huge captial ships going at it you are no Macross fan.

Bobby never wanted to leave my Alto-hime behind, hopefully in the movie he can do all of Kabuki-hime’s makeup.

Now if only Sheryl had this power before to communicate with the Vajar in a coherent manner then much of this tragedy could have been averted.

Grace is not happy that Alto-hime did not take her into his arms.

More like you could not explain it…eh?

Alto-hime saltutes the bridge.

As we can see here unless Ranka is being incredibly rude by pointing instead of saluting that my Alto-hime was saluting Sheryl like the wonderful waifu and comrade that she has been. I know Ranka isn’t that stupid or that rude so it must be because she did not see Alto-hime salute.

General Perry is sure not going to put his back to the bugs even now.

Go Koning Monster!

Go Destroids!

Well this brings back happy memories…

And thus Battle Frontier under the protection of Sheryl and the command of General “Rock’em Sock’em” Perry landed the final blow on Battle Galaxy.

Armor Packs are still sexiest on a VF-25.

Because Ozma is getting too old for this sort of stuff.

Klein onee-sama has much faith and trust in her imouto-hime.

Now that the Klan and Saotome families have united Nene now has an imouto-hime too.

Ranka’s most important person.

Grace is referring to Brera of course.

After learning that Alto-hime had no romantic interest in Ranka these two had no problems working together, Brera accepted the help in protoecting his Ranka while Alto-hime was just releived that Brera would dtop making hime look like an idiot.

Say good by Grace.

This is for Mikhail and Sheryl.

Grace was sad that she has to wait for the movie to see Sakura-hime Azuma Bunsho.

Grace’s one true love was always the Sakura-hime of her youth.

After learning that Ranka did not want to mate and about how humanity really was from Sheryl the Vajra decided that it was better to leave on a high note after pissing on the whole galaxy. Hopefully the planet and the song Aimo will be enough for the meory of ht e Vajra to fade and hatreds to coool, if not they hopeed thatAi-kun and by extension Ranka were prepared to face the consequences of killing hundreds of tousands and wrecking two whole fleets. Suffice to say the Super Dimensional Tease Ranka Lee would spread throughout the universe.

I see I’d be confused too if I was being blown to bits to the tune of a love song. I guess the Vajra aren’t all that different from the Zentradi afterall.

Well Richard never got into the business of owning everythng for money…

It was all to see Minmei again, the old softy…

Richard Bilrer is still the greatest Minemi fan to have ever lived.

Yeah it does look better on Alto-hime…

Yeah even Ranka knows that she is way behind…

What now?

Right, just like how you didn’t lose after episode 12 and 15.

Sure, and one day you too Ranka can become President of Frotnier…

Indeed have fun Ranka trying to dig out Sheryl from the hime home, get more kisses, more couple moments, get into Klein onee-chan’s good graces, introduce your self to the Saotome and Klan families, make Ai-kun behave, and get Brera’s permission to stay out late at night.

Elmo lives! Oh and now Bobby has to find some nice boys for his last two daughters, at least he married off his Monica and Cathy. I hope Bobby checks the medical ward since Machida is still alive.

Time to give her a big wet juicy one eh Luca?

As you can see Ai-kun is being very jealous and trying to steal my Alto-hime’s thunder.

I know that Sheryl is only looking at Alto-hime, but I still can’t shake the idea that Ranka might be thinking of Ai-kun instead.

Okay Ranka time’s up, My alto-hime is clearly banking towards his Sheryl waifu. Relly Ranka after what you pulled…were it so easy.


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Comments (73)

[…] am partial to the writing of the aforementioned jp, kabitzin, the harem of that, omni’s hd screencaps especially when he spoiled me on shirley pulling an aeris, and […]

ahem « an hero to us all added these pithy words on Sep 29 08 at 9:33 pm

[…] Macross Frontier 25 (END): Were it so easy… As epic as the ending itself, a lot of flash and torrid writing. I thoroughly enjoyed how we reclaimed the show from the shippers who were the loudest demographic of those who watched it. The said shippers were/are whining at the alleged lack of resolution of the love triangle which to them was the main draw of the show. […]

How to Remember Love: Macross « We Remember Love added these pithy words on Nov 20 08 at 5:05 pm

Hmm… Same sentiments. Allow me to go work on my post. Poor raging fans.

The Sojourner added these pithy words on Sep 27 08 at 11:14 pm

Hilarious when Luca deployed the Judah system. It was like watching a computer play tic tac toe against another computer.

In the end, the Vajra were rewarded with a random naked shot of both Sheryl and Ranka. Now everyone knows that you should be naked when you sing Aimo.

Kabitzin added these pithy words on Sep 27 08 at 11:18 pm

To be honest I was ready to throw the towel in with this episode, but who knew, the director decided to please both camps and give us an ending that Taka Tony had predicted in his Macross Frontier doujin, for the time being anyway. I’m just happy that Ranka is happy ;_;

Shin added these pithy words on Sep 27 08 at 11:22 pm

YAKK DECULTUREEE!!!!!!

BY KAMINA! You just know that for every badly animated ep, every recycled image, the total amounted budget money was out into animating this episode! Poor Poor gg for having to translate every song during the medley…but I NEED MOAR!

Now that everybody is happy dory and peaceful the logical next step is for Grace-sama to return and epicly troll everyone, become Internetz Goddess and surprise-sex Sheryl!

just counting down to Gayass now

Li Shan added these pithy words on Sep 27 08 at 11:36 pm

I’ll admit I was trolled. Trolled bad. But my initial (and final) response was less along the lines of ‘Haha you got me good’ and more ‘WTF was that!’

1. Grace was a badass villain. And to see her get beaten so easily by the power of LOVE (and song) was frustrating.
2. So Ranka’s Jesus now? Now all the emotion I had invested in Sheryl after hearing about her illness seems wasted if she’s just going to magically get cured.
3. Alto and everyone else seems to have gotten over their Vajra hatred so easily. It’s like the end of the Matrix trilogy when Neo and the machines realize that Smith was the enemy all along. Don’t even mention the multiple casualties on both sides. Did Alto and co. forget the Vajra massacred them? Because the little buggers couldn’t breed. Or because Ranka was sending out emo vibes.
4. Bilrer was a liar then. All that stuff about humans and the Vajra never being able to understand each other. And he was a pretty useless character in the end too since he never actually did anything to oppose Grace.

So in the end everyone lives happily ever after. Too bad it took a war and the loss of like ten islands to get to this point. And poor Michel. His death seems cheapened now with this new Vajra love fest.

JHL added these pithy words on Sep 27 08 at 11:41 pm

Yay go one for the team. Rage at the shippers, they got what was coming to them Alto choosing the sky.

Grace IMO would have uploaded herself at the last second cos I noticed that she smiled before getting shot.

As well as it would be understandable if the Vajra were older that protoculture since they breed every few hundred million years. Sexual frustration, explains why their movements became “erractic” before and how the remix didn’t work as well cos the feeling wasn’t right. I wonder what Brera was smiling at in the epilouge though.

Cherubium added these pithy words on Sep 27 08 at 11:58 pm

Agreed JHL. Outside of the mecha-pron, I felt cheated with this episode. I wish it would have just accepted that there was too much to tie up in 24 minutes, and just left it open for a 2nd season. Grace and Galaxy were like 1st level bosses with how quickly they got taken out. The song remix was absolutely horrible, and WTF was up with Ranka slapping Sheryl, then magically curing her? How did she even know Sheryl was sick?

Shipping aside, this ending was a mess. And this from someone who’s been watching Macross since 1985.

JustinStrife added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 12:22 am

@Cherubium

Obvs Grace smiled cause she is a mature woman who can accept her defeat unlike a lesser villain who would have harpy screamed and shouted something inane at their loss.

But, then again, uploaded Grace Kami-sama is a very very awesome dream

Li Shan added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 12:22 am

Nice mechs. Bad story.

I guess it balances out. Not.

LianYL added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 12:44 am

One word. Fangasmic! Koenig Monster, Macross Quarter and Battle Frontier tag teaming Battle Galaxy shall forever be one of my personal favourite Macross moments. Oh Kawamori, you old dog, even if it is a rush job of an ending, you’ve not let me down!

I disagree with your assessment that the primary focus of Macross is its mecha. Nope as this episode proves, “the Power of Music > all” has always been the core of the Macross franchise.

As for the shipping. Eh, I never had any real preference either way. I admit though romance has always beena core of Macross, for me, it’s all about the music and Mecha, maybe that’s why Macross 7 has always been one of my favourites of the franchise.

primeparadigm added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 1:32 am

Comrade Crusader, I think I heard the tortured screams of countless shippers… Then silence.

Really folks, this is Macross. What the heck were you expecting? Of COURSE there will be a massive space battle with pop songs blaring in the background. As the much-maligned Dark Mirage stated about the episode, this is the most blatant 24 minutes of Macross fanservice EVER. So enjoy it for that.

The triangle is just for flavoring, jo. I know I didn’t watch the series for it. Give me Valkyries. Give me Itano Circuses. Give me peppy pop songs that also double as amazing battle themes. Give me homages and references to all Macross series that came before!

Myssa Rei added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 1:36 am

@The Sojourner
Hope to see it soon.

@Kabitzin
At least the bugs had the good sense of packing up and leaving before all of NUNS got mad at them.

@Shin
Don’t worry Kawamori will troll us again in the next movie.

@Li Shan
Grace is just fine, she has been dead before…she will rise again.

@JHL
General rule of thumb in Macross love songs bowl over everything. As for Grace she lasted longer than most and she did much more damage than her meager resources would imply. I don’t think Grace is dead, she has been dead before and like Kamejin Grace will never truly die.

They could wither make Sheryl’s cure longer and cut out the mecha action or make it shorter and give what mecha fans want. Really at this point any BS cure would have helped and you knew it was going to be instantaneous and Ranka had to do something…

Like the current situation with the Sunni Insurgency lot of folks find it difficult, but at the end of the day you just look behind your back and do as you are ordered. Besides continuing the fight would have been a losing proposition and most soldiers do not want to die when justice can come later. In the end the Vajra simply packed up and left the Galaxy raging about it now would not help an Kawamori is still love and peace guy. Still I think Ranka and Ai-kun will have no shortage of would be assassins going after them.

It was not unprecedented in warfare for sides to be so duplicitous (Warring States China and Japan were notorious for this), but Perry played it straight, and let the bugs go first into the beams. No saying that it was impropert ot leave out the hatred, but hell even I know that when bullets are flying you really don’t care if the guy shooting at the same target is trustworthy you just have to wait until the shooting is over to sort it out.

Besides they were still killing the bugs still loyal to Grace so the bug squashing did not end once Ranka started singing. Brera and Alto-hime were fighting back to back against big white bugs if you recall.

I don’t think any one on Quarter suspected Grace to the extent that she was more than just a conspirator of Leon’s. Bilrer could not have built his empire had he acted overtly, and it is reasonable to assume the Bilrer was the one who told them to dig thought he remains of the Global since not even Wilder suspected much of anything. It depends on whether you believe that it was a mere coincidence that Grace could not peer into his home or if it was the mark of a much more sublte man who could keep his true intentions hidden from every one.

Using Ranka to communicate was superfluous as it took Sheryl to explain everything to them, so Bilrer was not lying in a way. Ranka was at the time the only known means of communication and Ranka was the one who was leading the Vajra on the whole time without knowing.

@Cherubium
Grace is still alive I am sure of it, and no doubt she has resestablished a link with Brera…

@JustinStrife
I simply diagree not even Bolddole Zerr lasted longer and Grace has been dead before. What it was in the end was a troll to get us to all watch the movie. Ranka is Ranka and there is no rhyme or reason to her logic, by now should have understood this given how whimsical Ranka has been, not much has changed and there is little point in complaining as Ranka has been like this for most of the series, since Ranka has not changed it was to be expected that Ranka would try and get even.

As for who told her I bet it was the bugs in her tummy, they know just about everything.

Grace survived Leon’s attempts on her life and to her credit she lasted longer than the Zentradi Fleet under Boddole Zer with few resources and had to deal with two meddling singers. Let us not forget how Boddole Zer died… Grace is still out there somewhere, she has been dead before. I thnk that Grace’s legacy will be much like Kamejin’s, death comrade is only the beginning.

@Li Shan
Grace is still out there conducting her experiments.

@LianYL
Cry some more at the maid cafe comrade, and be glad you have access to one perhaps maid there can help you form a “Trolled by Kawamori” support group. :P
@primeparadigm
Perhaps but I still think that Valkyire is still the most iconic thing about Macross along with the transforming Capital ship. Music genres change with time, but theat Valkyries and the Macross Class ship will be eternal.

@Myssa Rei
I fear that something wonderful has happened… ;)
It is sad to see that no one realized that episode 24 was the last chance for development, and once we saw Battle Galaxy we all should have known that Kawamori was going to have a mecha battle worthy of celebrating 25 years of Macross and it was in my book a success. Still I wonder what goodies we shall see in the movie, I want to see Sakura-hime Azuma Bunsho and and extended Battle Galaxy vs Battle Frontier/Macross Quarter fight. In the movie I will also be betting that Alto-hime slaps Ranka. ;)
As I said before based on the standings at the end I know that my Alto-hime will marry Sheryl someday just like how Hikaru would marry Misa after that bitch Minmei rejected him.

Crusader added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 1:43 am

That ending /heavily/ reminded me of the end of TTGL, except it wasn’t nearly as awesome or as epic. Honestly, I’m fuming right now– what the hell is up with thi limpdick ending? We didn’t even get a mondo epic valkyrie duel, just a whole bunch of redshirts and nakama going up in flames.

And screw this whole reconcilation and love thing; how can the Vajra understand the human concept of love if they have no reasonable understanding of ’self’ or ‘individual’? Alto himself puts it very aptly, we’re alone so we love. The damn show is being self contradictory.

Another point to stick to these wide-eyed idealists– Hate is as human and as legitimate as love.

F this, I’m off to bed.

skoll added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 2:00 am

True, Comrade. Also, here’s a strange fact that people (the non-diehard Macross fans) seem to forget about Macross triangles — eventually, they all get resolved… Well, there IS the question of the Mylene/Basara/Gamlin triangle from M7, but given that Frontier is set around 14 years later, then it’s pretty much a given that it’s been resolved; it’s just that we haven’t SEEN it.

As a non-shipper looking in, logic dictates that Sheryl has a large lead, and unless something untowards happens to her OR Alto, then Ranka will have her work cut out for her.

Bring on the movie! Macross Frontier: Do You Remember Love~?

Skoll: In Macross, Love and Pop music trumps EVERYTHING. Clearly you have NOT been around when the Zentraedi first appeared, nor when the Protodevlin reared their ugly heads. Love and Music WARP REALITY in the Macross Universe.

Myssa Rei added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 2:06 am

@skoll
Mondo epic Valkyrie duels? Go watch Macross Plus and Macross Zero. Here there was no bad pilot left since Brera went goodie so Ranka would not have to cry. Perhaps you missed it but this was the first time we have ever seen three Macross ships have a slug fest. We have had epic Valkyrie duels so I think that to up the ante with a Macross brawl that would be new and epic. Sorry Battle Galaxy vs Battle Frontier/Macross Quarter was not good enough for you. Ditto with every homage to almost every Macross moment to date.

The Vajra left before the could take the heat, and hate in a Kawamori series? Seriously man no one expects that from that loony old hippie Kawamori. At least you still have Kamejin and his message of hate and kill all Microns still alive and well. Let’s not forget that Grace’s bugs were sill being blown apart until the very end when ammo was low. The Vajra got the hell out of their galaxy, understanding was achieved but by no means a full reconciliation as the Vajra went far far away.

@Myssa Rei
Indeed if you go off what is on hand and not rely Kawamori to spoon feed you you will do well when it comes to the triangles.

Mylene was a Jenius they get to have many perks for their distinguished service to NUNS. Mylene is young she has time, and it wasn’t nearly as bad as the baby tossing… ;)

Crusader added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 2:15 am

Ha ha, you know, I was actually finishing painting my quintet of Assault Terminators when I was watching Frontier, and boy, even then I imagined the cries of anger and frustration among the shippers… And the folks that expected an extension of character development in the PENULTIMATE episode of Frontier.

This is Macross, not Gundam or Code Geass, darn it. We don’t get philosophical arguments about what’s right and what’s wrong in the middle of a raging battlefield! What we DO get is truly IMMENSE space battle, and a trukk-load of homages to boot. Zero? SDF? Plus? Seven? Check, check, oh so very check. So boo to the fools hating Frontier — you’ve been watching the show for all the wrong reasons.

Myssa Rei added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 2:30 am

Ewww… Assault Termies? You beardy git! ;)
I still have some HE chariots to put together and apply the last coats of matte varnish to some models.

Indeed when the final ep rolls around character development is minimal if nonexistent in Macross series. How very thoughtful of Kawamori and his team to hit almost every series, I hoped for that and I got it along with my Battle Frontier/Macross Quarter/Battle Galaxy brawl.

The only philosophical thing you will hear is LISTEN TO MY SONG! Love will always win in Macross, it will never have a downer ending which is why we love Mr. Kawamori so much and eat up the music like crazy.

Crusader added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 2:35 am

Whaaat? Who in their right mind wouldn’t love the sight of a Land Raider Crusader disgorging a squad of Assault Terminators right into the thickest concentration of your opponent’s mooks? ESPECIALLY with the changes to the vehicle damage charts and assault resolution in the new edition? I wouldn’t miss THAT at all.

And I’m not even a Black Templar player.

Sooo, what’s next… Macross 11? That would make it Macross… L?

Myssa Rei added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 2:45 am

@Crusader

Nooo! Grace will never infect Brera, our cyborg sis-con will survive and will prevail!!!

I actually like the mix of music during this ep cos each one had a significance, whether it was during ranka’s rescue or just pushing on, the music reflected on the emotions of the person. Which in turn can account for the music mashing cos in battle, your emotions will be constantly changing due to events.

Cherubium added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 2:55 am

DECULTURE! :3

How big a fold bomb? I prefer unleashing planetary sized Dimension Eaters on the heretics instead. I was most impressed by loli-Klan flying her lolicon’s VF to the point of singing “My Loli is a pilot~~”

Your “Go Koenig Monster” comment would have been better as “Battle Galaxy: Smile for the camera!” I take it you are very satisfied that you got your Battle Galaxy vs Battle Frontier and you were orgasming throughout that scene. Literally duking it out. The Galaxy convoy is still out there somewhere since we only saw Battle Galaxy and not the colonization ship.

Luca cannot name it “Sharon” because Grace has the copyrights. So he names it Biblically, after all, Simon, Johan, Pietro, Samson are good men. Maybe he’s Catholic and LAI is a front for the Vatican. >_>

I really think that this ending was good despite the chorus of people wanting the love triangle resolved. Honestly speaking, Alto loves the endless sky more than women. Ie, Sky >>>>>>>> Sheryl > Ranka. Except you can sexx0r the sky, so Sheryl will have to do. Macross was always about mecha pr0n. However, you cannot have a main dish in a meal without the appetizers or side dishes. The romance part is just that. It’s also good to know that despite decades of peace, there are still humans wanting to CONTROL THE UNIVERSE! Resolution-wise, MacrossF did a decent job; yes they did pack a lot into this episode but they did clear up some of the ends in the episodes prior to ending.

Di Gi Kazune added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 3:17 am

The ending is actually (for me) not bad at all… Loved the mecha porn especially!! Regarding that saluting of Alto and Sheryl, reminds me of Hikaru saluting to Misa in SDF Macross. HINT! HINT! ;)
Hopefully the rumors of there being a movie is true! AruSheri FTW! (^^,)*

Crusader you’re the Best!

Mandy added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 3:24 am

If anyone noticed , the V9s that Luca set free actually took a hit for him.

Zentari added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 3:41 am

@Crusader Ah yes, no doubt Valks are iconic. The mecha is what got me into the original Macross in the first place. But I was refering to how they are not so important in Macross, story-wise. Like alot of real robot shows, they are merely the icing on the cake, they can easily subsituted for other vehicles without sacrificing the meat of the story. But what the heck, if there are no valks, how am I going to get my Itano circus fix, aye? Nevertheless, I would think that it is Macross’s strong emphasis on music that is the biggest contributing factor in cementing its iconic status, as well as differentiating itself from other real robot anime.

primeparadigm added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 4:16 am

i’m a sheryl fanboy :-) i don’t like shy girls or rather i don’t like dense guys haha. but to make sheryl laught and smile she has to get together with alto-hime.

thought, he seems to hav some feelings for ranka, luckly there were some last screentime for my couple alto x sheryl.

at least, in romance, a bit better, than code geass, this one is alive and can enjoy two girls - lelouch can fap in heaven on c.c. and kallen (thought i think he’s alive.-)

tommykn added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 4:41 am

I don´t really feel trolled. In Macross we have yet to see a “Harem anime Triangle resolution”. Romance isn´t some kind of gameshow where a bunch of girls argues over a “Prize” In the 1st Macross Misa “wins” 2/3rd in during the series. She and Hiraku are living together by then - but not all love related conflicts are resolved, hell even Songs are disproved as end all solution during the Zentradi rebellion.

Macross 7 was about songs not the “triangle” if you would even call it that. I don´t remember Basara EVER showing more interest in Mylene then his Guitar.

Here in Macross Frontier I´m not shure that Ranka even meant that she would compete for Alto. I think it could also be understood that she would find someone new and give her best in love (and song).
Alto and Sheryl simply have so much more development in their relationship - just look at the scene at the Saotome estate after Alto learns of Sheryls terminal illness. Sheryl proved her understanding of Alto when she offered him a sky to fly in on his Birthday. I´d say that Ranka simply had a crush on Alto, there wasn´t much development between them in regards of romantic relationship - both are still very important to Alto though.

The movie would be a good opportunity to give closure to the matter (even if it does so via a compressed retelling ala DYRL) maybe on the background of a different breed of Vajira. (a Green variety was not so subtile hinted at)

unentschieden added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 6:49 am

Haha, I’m quite a Sheryl shipper too, but to be honest, I’m not that disappointed in the ending. I get my mech pronz (Okay, Macross Ships Slug Fest FTW) and crazily good medley with high quality animation for the most part.

By all means, I don’t really think the ending will piss off a lot of shippers if they don’t try to think no resolution = Alto haven’t/don’t choose someone so HAREM END. Seeing the development between the characters is enough for me to see the subtleness for the end pairing, whether it is shown or not. A little disappointed at the lack of the real resolution, yes for me. But to say a crappy end? Hell no.

Neutral sides themselves shouldn’t flaunt too much against the shippers. It’s not like everyone preference for watching something would be the same. Some of us are more interested in the romance, while some others are more interested in the plot/mysteries. Just because the shippers side don’t argue much about the plot doesn’t mean they don’t care, they are just content with the plots that are being given directly. :) While some of shippers tend to be extreme, I think it’s better to ignore rather than being angry to them.

Oh well, gonna wait for movie now… Oh the pain of waiting! At least I still get my watch list for Fall this time… Btw Crusader, are you planning to blog some anime for fall?

Kagami added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 7:08 am

Wow, that last episode brought several good memories of all the good old Macross series. Really brought a tear of nostalgia out of me.

Great finale, the second best in all the franchise (still prefer the M+ one :D).

Thank you for blogging this series Crusader, you really make this series more enjoyable and funnier to watch.

Well, hope to see you at the Gundam 00 reviews.

Czarina added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 7:21 am

Done. Is there an episode 26? Code Geass is already finished, too.

Gundam 00 time! Lord Crusader, hope you will blog that as well.

¡mucha gracias! :)

rollchan added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 7:56 am

And we’re done! (for now, that is, until teh movie comes out). Many thanks for all your effort, Crusader. :) Till that much-awaited movie! ^_^

~*~*~*~

ALL HAIL SHERYL!!!!!

forgottendiary added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 7:58 am

Mediocre end to a mediocre series. Hopefully the movie will be more conclusive than the series was.

Halcyon added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 8:11 am

1 - Great fast paced, action packing ending. I loved the Monter head-shoot on galaxy, the macross missile masacre, Alto-Brera twin-valkirie atttack, etc, etc…

2 - The triangle… I lie if I say that I dont feel disapointed, but Kawamori love trolling and is maybe the biggest joke of the season. Alto being an afeminated male lead, I can understand that Alto love more fying in the sky than going to ground and kissing a girl (or both girls). The song My boifriend is a pilot fitt better these ending.

3 - About the plot, not look so epic as expected, maybe because the high dosis of action shadowed the dramatic feeling. The few scenes of other locations dont made enough for convey an overwellming feeling of saving the entire human race.

4 - As a final, it look a little chesse maybe because trying to close so much things in to short time it showed some flaws or weak points. Ie:

a) Ranka slap Sheril: Ranka show some guts? Ok, Sheril was depresed because she have the illness. But if Ranka can cure Sheril, why the heck she dont say so from the begining? Whats the logic? Just give Ranka an excuse for look more matture and sudenly act like a savior angel with a miraclous cure that make the slap scene and Alto intervention pretty much pointless?

b) Brera harmonica breaks: at least that I missed something, the harmonica dont was a galaxy mind control device. It’s a symbol of the familiar relation betwen Ranka and Brera, not grace control of Ranka. So it just pop up like they did it because there was no other thing to break there.

c) Alto’s helmet break: because… Why..? Alto’s mega-ultra-super-fury..? Grace telekinetic power? An attack that we dont see?

d) Leon fall: disapointingly fast and ease.

e) BilrerxMinmei: So, how all these make he finally meet she?

I recognize that is a few details, so even if lower the quality I can overlook it.

For me, it feel like a Super Robot Wars game ending. With talked explanations, many music clips, scenes from lots of other series/movies/ovas, combination attack, MAP weapons and supported attacks. Not the best… but I like it.

mareo added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 8:17 am

i think a better ending woulda have been ranka sacrificing herself ^_^ but still have that battle galaxy vs frontier quarter fight

tofu added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 8:21 am

Being a first timer with Macross, I felt trolled very hard. But w/ever, I still enjoyed this episode very much with its amazing mecha action scenes.

I am looking forward very much to your post on Gundam00 next week. It’s time to get that old scoreboard of yours back out, and it’s also about damn time for Prince Ali to come back to ruin everyone’s life on Earth.

justam added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 8:31 am

Finally someone defends this episode!

I’m new to Macross myself, but I was mainly watching for the music. And as others have said, in Macross love conquers all; it wouldn’t have made sense for the Vajra to be the real enemies who have to be exterminated. The Lion OP also made me pretty sure that there would be a triumphant duet between Ranka and Sheryl.

Yeah, Leon might testify against Ranka to deflect attention from himself, but couldn’t she counter that by saying she was being controlled by Grace? And Sheryl and Alto are obviously witness to that. Also, she didn’t understand her connection with the Vajra during the massacre in Ep. 20. (I haven’t entirely understood why people claim it’s pretty much her fault; she said she wished SHE was dead and only she; not everyone. It was just her bad vibes that sent the bugs on a rampage.) There may be some angry souls, but I think the news will quickly spread that she is not the enemy and did not know Grace’s intentions. (Maybe she’ll get police protection for a while.)

She’s not completely absolved though; shunning the crowd at the funeral was rather low. And then she’s got to rebuild her career. I’d imagine that she and Sheryl might do some recording together.

Finally, just because I’m kind of a softy peace and love guy myself and was bracing for a sad ending with Ranka and Sheryl dying, I really enjoyed the ending scenes of Sheryl and Ranka smiling together and becoming friendly rivals. (Particularly their yurilicious hug. ;) ) Yeah, I agree that Sheryl deserves Alto (though she’d be just his mistress; the sky is his real true love), but I’m still willing to defend Ranka. Painfully naive, yes; childish, yes, but for that of course we can lay much blame at Ozma’s feet. Hopefully we’ll get to see her do some growing up in the movie.

And I’m surprised no one’s mentioned the obvious commentary on the music industry in this show; namely pop idols. Especially with Grace telling Sheryl that she was just created for the stage and her life is a lie, Sheryl getting shoved aside for the next new sensation, and Ranka’s head inflating with the drug of fame (distracting her from perhaps trying to interact more with Alto, giving her an even greater sense of entitlement and ego, and alienating her from her friends.

So in the end, the only problem I had with this episode was that it was too rushed and they crammed way too much in, esp. with Ranka’s seeming redemption. Props to Kawamori for pissing off the shippers only in it for that. C’mon, don’t you remember that verse from “My Boyfriend is a Pilot”? “He loves his plane more than me.” And especially props to all the cast, including newbies Megumi Nakajima (sorry, but I prefer her voice and songs; they were what kept me following the series) and May’n (nevertheless, I think “Diamond Crevasse” deserves the Song of the Year Award at next year’s Seiyuu Awards; it’s just that gorgeous). May both of you girls become bright stars in the anime universe. And especially kudos to Kikuko “Belldandy” Inoue and her deliciously evil side. I don’t feel in the mood for submitting another bad “goddess” pun, so let me just dub thee the Seiyuu Queen of the Universe.

Again, I support Alto x Sheryl (though I refuse to be called a shipper) mainly because yes, their relationship did mature a lot more. But I will still try to defend Ranka as a person, because really, she’s not evil. (Plus at times she kinda reminds me of myself. :) @Crusader: I understand your reasons for being tough on her, but you don’t hate her, do you?)

Andrew added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 10:42 am

An epic troll for an epic finale. It’s good to see at least someone understood the point Kawamori was trying to make. Thank you Crusader for telling how it is. This was not a shippers delight like every other anime out there or a deep, self-important philosophical show like Gundam or Code Geass. This was a mecha show with a heart, but not one to place bets, hopes, and dreams on your favorite girl. Even better, it didn’t blatantly sell out, on screen anyway, to the likes of Pizza Hut and others to help bring on the awesome. I look forward to watching the movie and, if possible, season 2/MF+.

If people want to complain about something, how about the likely event that the series will never officially be released outside of Japan?

Einherjar added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 10:45 am

This was indeed a great ending for macross fans. The only thing that would have made it better for me is Basara flying in out of now where to have a Rawk duet with Sheryl! The awesome factor would have been so high that Grace would have ended up a Basara fan girl, sever her link to the collective AND make her want to make amends to the whole universe. He’d probably go tell her to find the protodevlin so they could rawk out considering they’ll both super powered and pretty immortal. :D

Poor Grace, the fatal flaw in her plan was that she didn’t sing! For serious, if she just pumped out some Sharon Apple while in the Super Dimensional Fold Queen mode, she would have dominated the whole universe in seconds :P.

Overall, MF is a welcome series in the Macross Universe. It brings updated art, the current music standards, and pays homage to it’s predecessors. We all wish there was better character development and story telling, but in comparison with the other macross’s it did just fine.

Square added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 11:09 am

There was one scene in Ep. 19 with a Dreyer’s ice cream sign in the background, during the scene at Fisherman’s Wharf. But yeah, that was about it as far as product placement.

Sad that it might not be released outside Japan though. But hopefully the soundtrack might become available in some stores. Oh well, there’s always Amazon.

Andrew added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 11:11 am

@Crusader

Yeah, I do realize there were no evil pilots left, but at the very least, Kawamori could have had Brera’s redemption come after a second, more intense, more epic duel with Alto.

And yeah, I did see Zero and Plus. Liked Plus better, no ugly CG, better story, better characters. Maybe even better duels.

@ general

I think someone else put this really well, ‘this isn’t code geass’. I didn’t watch this show to hear pilots in battle pontificate on their naivete or their decidedly bland moral standards, /I/ watched it for the characters. Alto in particular I felt was well acted, well constructed, and most of all– competant. If there’s one thing shoujo manga has over shonen manga, its competant male protagonists, shonen manga protagonists tend to /frustratingly/ incompetant.

Aside from that, the rest of the cast was interesting enough for me to keep watching– I liked Ranka before she became famous.

Which is exactly why I found the lack of romantic resolution irritating. You guys say, ‘oh, romance isn’t a game show’ as though you’re holding some sort of high-and-mighty pretensions to /realism/ in a show about the romantic conflict between a girly man and two glowing-uterus-magical-bard-pop-stars. Which is stupid. They could have at LEAST done a menage a trois and not left me scratching my head.

skoll added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 11:11 am

Oh, is there any word on when the new movie is coming out?

Square added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 11:12 am

Well, I was a bit disappointed, because I wanted Altos choice to be made clear. I had a lot of gloating prepared for several die-hard Ranka shippers. But I can live with the situation, because, as you so astutely noted, Sheryl is *way* ahead, and Ranka has been ineffective in the romance department for about 90% of the series. Besides, now that she is cured, it´ll probably take Sheryl just one night to convince Alto-hime to stay by her side forever. ^^

The mecha action was excellent, though, so on that part I am wholly satisfied. Everybody of importance to me survived, too, so the movie ( which I think is probably *not* a retelling, but YMMV, of course ) will have them, and future OVAs will, too.

But I must say, the non-resolution at the end really smelled of a last-minute editorial rewrite. As a comic fan, I have seen those happen a lot of times, and they are normally accompanied by inferior art as well, just like here. Because after all the excellent stuff before the ending, I can´t well accept that they didn´t have the money to do the good animation for the last three minutes of the series. We´ll probably never really know, unless Kawamori or someone else gives up some insider info. But to me it seems as if some financial guys in charge mandated a non-ending, to milk the franchise a bit more. Schweine!

Magnus added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 11:23 am

I love this site. The only sensible Sheryl Fan site to be up and running.
We all know Alto-Hime only has eyes for one love and that’s Sheryl!

I thought I was one of the few who actually noticed that Alto call’s back to Sheryl when she’s in danger on Battle Frontier, but that Ozma also calls back to Cathy - this can’t be a coincidence.
Ozma loves Cathy and protects Ranka. Alto loves Sheryl and protect Ranka.

Sorry Ranka fans! In your face! lol

Barbwire Wings added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 1:59 pm

While Sheryl and Ranka decided to be rivals in song and love, that little challenge did not include Alto. He did not ‘reset’ his view of either lady. He’s still got eyes for Sheryl.

AND - Ranka could not have seen Alto Salute Sheryl because Ranka was on Quarter - behind Alto (she was facing the other way as well). This was a mirror of the salute in DYRL.

Barbwire Wings added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 2:32 pm

@Myssa Rei
You opponent would not like to see it for one…well it’s better than the old Iron Warriors armies of olde with 4 heavy support slots and Obliterators out the ass.

Macross 11 does look rather interesting from what we saw of it…

@Cherubium
The music was the epitome of controlled confusion, and I did enjoy it a lot. Grace will be back just you watch.

@Di Gi Kazune
It was To be expected that only the last couple mysteries would be solved, we all knew Grace was intent on galactic conquest, only Bilrer and the Vajra mysteries were the only things that needed resolving. Kawamori decided to troll us all with Bilrer and with the Vajra I have to say it fits in some sort of weird way.

The rest of the Galaxy Fleet is still out there some where hiding out amongst the vastness of space along with other anti-NUNS elements.

@Mandy
Yes the salute was very DYRL things may have changed for Ranka but that Salute was one of the many things that basically sealed it.

@Zentari
Yeah it seems his drones love Luca a lot more than Nanase…

@primeparadigm
True but still I fell in love with the Valkyrie before I started liking the songs in the Original SDF Macross. Music will always be important, but genres change as do the singers, and yet they go together with Valkyries in once nice slick package.

@tommykn
Alto-hime only saluted his one true love.

@unentschieden
Given how my Alto-hime was crying out Sheryl’s name and invoking Sheryl whenever hime was talking to Ranka I think that hime’s salute to Sheryl before going off was waht really sealed the deal. It was not resolved in a definitive way but given how things developed for most of the series Ranka has little chance of making up for her past failures.

It’ be nice if Kawamori expanded on it inthe movie but given how far Sheryl and Alto-hime have come its pretty much certain that they ended up together.

@Kagami
I can;t wait tos eee the movie since it should fix many of the animation issues that this sereis has had throughout its run. The Macross Brawl between Battle Galaxy, Battle Frontier, adn Macross Glaaxy will be seared intot he memories of many a macorss fan for a long time.

I plan on doing Gundam 00.

@Czarina
Yes it was a fine gift to the fans of Macross after 25 years of Kawamori’s trolling. In that respect the End was still fantastic as it was just pure fanservice for those of us who watched every Macross series to date.

Gundam 00 will be most enjoyable.

@rollchan
Yes Prince Ali will finally be making a triumphant return and restore the spirit of Tomino to Gundam!

@forgottendiary
No doubt she has a surprise for Alto-hime once he gets back home…

@Halcyon
Don’t hold your breath, it was a gift to the fans of Macross who have been putting up with Kawamori for 25 years, It is not surprising that many young folk don’t like it, but such is life. If you condiser 24 to be the end of all development then this episode was always meant to have some of the best mecha action of the year.

Still Gundam 00 next week and you shall have a high kill count from Prince Ali!

@mareo
Bilrer’s revelation was a blatant troll to the fans who have been pestering Kawamori for years about Minmei’s fate.

Leon was always the weaker evil mastermind and it was fitting that he fell in short order.

I don’t know my Alto-hime did salute Sheryl in true DYRL fashion, even if Ranka has issued a new challenge it doesn’t mean that Alto-hime even cares or will change his relationship with Sheryl.

@tofu
It was a great battle by any measure.

@justam
It will be a battle long remembered we have seen waht many o fus have prayed for since the begging and by Kadun we got out Battle Galaxy vs Battle Frontier with some Macross Quarter thrown in.

@Andrew
Yeah there was no conclusive ending to the love triangle but for those of us who remember that DYRL salute from Alto-hime to Sheryl have the implicit understanding that Sheryl and Alto-hime did end up together.

Even if the charges against Ranka are dropped there is still the negative publicity surrounding it and it would serve to stir up old hatreds. The Vajra are not longer there and Ranka would still make a good scapegoat for those who lost everything to the Vajra. Often if the primary perpetrators are gone it will be the henchmen and accomplices who will feel the wrath of those who cry for vengeance. As much as Kawamori is a love and peace guy even he admits that hatred and animosity are ever present in guys like Kamejin.

I agree that over all it was most befitting of a celebration of 25 years of Macross. Hopefully Kikuko Inoue will get more evil roles over the spate of her more typical kind and gentle roles she has had for most of her career.

I was gong to do a final review later in the week and I will be sure to mention it since it did play a lot on what makes an idol these days.

I don’t hate Ranka per se but she has failed me and given me no end to the spate of disappointment, I am sure she will learn from all this, but in the end Ranka will not like me, but the more she hates me the more she will learn. I was so sure that Ranka would avoid the failings og Minmei but it seems she found another path to the same end.

@Einherjar
Yeah those fuckers at Harmony Gold can fuck off and die still once I have the money I plan on importing it. My Alto-hime did choose int he end, you only had to be privy to DYRL to have figured it out. ;)

I doubt there will be a second Season though I am keen on seeing Grace return for Macross 11. XD

@Square
Let us kindly ask Kawamori to include Basara-sama in the movie, Kadun knows that if you ask nicely Kawamori will deliver. i know I got what I had asked for.

Macross Frontier is indeed worthy of the Macross name, in the end it fits witht he rest of the family.

@Andrew
I think we need to bribe kawamori with Dreyer’s Ice Cream to get what we want for the movie…

It was not a product placement but more likely a nod to his favorite Ice Cream shop in his most favored city.

@skoll
CG is here to stay and if you remember the recycled animation from Macross 7 the CG while different was much more conductive to the feel and realization of Itano Circuses going off everywhere. Macross Frontier shares more in commonc with SDF Macross than Zero or Plus, so ti was to be expected that things turned out the way they did. If Plus was the celebration of the Valkyrie, then Macross Frontier is the epitome of the epic fleet engagement, I can live with having my eipc macross brawl. I am sure Kawamori would fit in an epic Valkyrie duel in the movie, but given how we had plenty of those in the series going with the Macross Brawl instead was justified. Hey at least we saw some of those cruisers and destroyers do more than blow up. Nevertheless the fleet to fleet engagements were the highlight of the series given how we have has so many.

If you remeber DYRL then the riangle is pretty much resolved, my Alto-hime did salute his Sheryl before flying off. Even if Ranka has issued a new challenge my Alto-hime saluted Sheryl and still wore her earring to the end. It’s not spelled out for you, but if you remember DYRL you will recall that it was one more couple moment for Sheryl and Alto.

@Magnus
Well at least we know that there will be no shortage of people who will watch the movie in the hopes for a definitive end. Given how much Sheryl and Alto-hime have developed their relationship I am sure that they ended up together, if you watch DYRL you will understand how Alto-hime’s salute signified his choice. Han Solo never did say he loved Leia in Empire, but hime’s salute to Sheryl was all the proof I need to believe that my Alto-hime would be with Sheryl just like he said he would in the previous episodes.

@Barbwire Wings
That DYRL Salute was all the proof one needs for Alto-hime’s choice.

Crusader added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 5:14 pm

FYI on the significance of Macross 11.

Macross 11 is the home of Lynn Kaifun and Fire Bomber American.

RedWolf added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 7:55 pm

My feelings upon watching this episode can be summed up in two words: YAKK! DECULCHA!

Which I’m pretty sure were the same two words going through Grace’s mind before Alto-hime killed her. Death by Sakura-hime, what a way to go!

Now here’s hoping that the movie (which, to borrow from a fellow Macrossworlder, I shall refer to as Macross Frontier the Movie: the Galaxy is Deculturing Me) gives us moar Sakura-hime.

EDIT:
If the movie’s a DYRL-style retelling however, then maybe a more proper name would be Macross Frontier: Do You Remember Deculture.

d3v added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 8:24 pm

Nice review, I hope U can review gundam 00 second season.
I’m new in macross series but i think Alto will end up with sheryl. coz for all this time i feel couple moments between alto and sheryl is the best and i got the Chemistry between those two.
Unlike, Ranka chan with Alto, seems like sibling relationship
For all this time my personal thought for Ranka character just Naive, selfish, immature girl who needs affection from Alto.
Sheryl is a good woman for Alto Wife coz Sheryl have a warm heart, amazing woman who give spirit for all residences in frontier during Vajra large scale attack and Her personality much develop during this series
ALL HAIL 4 SHERYL….!!!! Hell yeah, Yes We Can

Setsuna kun added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 8:39 pm

@RedWolf
Well I suppose we will be seeing them again, what I would not give to see a washed up Lynn Kaifun.

@d3v
Yes indeed Grace did die decultured, still it was good to see Alto-hime finally accept that he is Sakura-hime and is all the better for it.

Macross Frontier the Movie: the Galaxy is Deculturing Me is preferable kadun knows how many people were broken by Alto-hime. I hope that with enough Dreyer’s ice cream that we can placate Kawamori into giving us a rendition of Sakura-hime Azuma Bunsho.

@Setsuna kun
Sheryl definietly has the lead, and it is iresolved if you accept that Alto-hime’s salute to Sheryl was his confession by Valkyrie.

Calawain and I are going to tag team Gundam 00 hope you wil be there when it airs.

Crusader added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 9:27 pm

Dear Crusader,

are you going to vote for Obama?

rollchan added these pithy words on Sep 28 08 at 9:39 pm

@Crusader
Well reviewed, my man. Followed your blog from ep. 1 and I’m glad I did. You matured in terms of character support and that was excellent to see. You didn’t stay stubborn and support a weakly developed character as Ranka Lee. GO SHERLY FTW!!! I first watched Macross/Robotech when I was a child and to see it as an adult is nostalgic. Hopefully, Macross fans, won’t have to wait another 3-4 years for another series to come out. I’ve already bought vol. 1 blue ray (justified my purchase for a PS3) since Harmony Gold will fook us over. Granted quali