SDF Macross Episodes 21 and 22 – Don’t You Want Somebody to Love?

Ah, this is really a great stretch of episodes lately. Just last week there was the Omni-Directional Barrier overload explosion, Kakizaki’s death to make it feel real, and the Macross being forced to leave Earth. Now much progress is made on the romantic front in the Misa/Hikaru/Minmay/Kaifun conflict and the Zentradi get smart with the return of Britai from Zentradi HQ. Minmay’s singing and motivation improves while Millia stalks her prey aboard the Macross and the situation for many of the characters takes some interesting turns.

Minmay has a plan, but even the best plans do not survive first contact with reality.

Stop embarrassing yourself you washed up old floozy. I bet the discount bin won’t even stock your albums.

Minmay will break down the fourth walls separating everyone.

Another nice technical touch: since the town was built inside the ship, it’s logical that the only working phones would be these emergency, battery operated phones furnished by the military.

Minmay has a short break at a reception to celebrate the release of her movie and luckily avoids Jamis’ ugly and unbecoming attempt to spill wine all over her dress. She’s managed to get a front row seat ticket to give to Hikaru and is looking forward to inviting him. But when she later tries to call him he’s out escorting a recon patrol so she leaves a message. After she goes to bed for some well deserved sleep Hikaru returns from the mission, but is unable to reach her. The next day the premiere opens to much fanfare, and even Millia gets sucked in. Hikaru leaves halfway through the movie out of disgust at the Minmay/Kaifun kissing scene in low spirits, but right outside he bumps into Misa, having also just left the theater.

Itsuka kimi wo tsukamaeru.

Max is such a fanboy. He probably camped out for the Star Wars and Lord of the Rings premieres.

Meanwhile the Zentradi continue to pirate the Macross’ premium channel subscription. Hilariously enough they see Kaifun’s special effect attacks as indicative of all humans’ abilities.

Only one unnamed character between them. Soon the red threads of destiny will draw them even closer!

Hikaru does not approve of this incest. What are they, medieval European nobility?

Venus guided his hands.

Do not question the will of the gods!

Hikaru and Misa continue talking outside after she drags him away from the crowd so as not to embarrass the military when it is announced that the ship will be transforming. Everyone runs to the nearest shelter, but Misa tells Hikaru that they should head to the hangar instead. But this only leads them into a blocked off pit as the ship transforms around them, trapping them there until the skirmish is over. Minmay and Kaifun are making their escape as well when the floor opens up in front of Minmay. As she falls Kaifun catches her in the same manner that Hikaru once did, and indeed her eyes deceive her and she sees Hikaru for a moment before the illusion melts away. On the bridge Shammy is left in charge of coordinating defensive deployments in Misa’s absence.

Just at the moment I thought to myself that this scene was nearly exactly alike the earlier one with Hikaru there was the shot of Kaifun appearing to be Hikaru. Very nice.

Her apprentice will be tested.

First day on the job.

While the Genshiken Team and their followers founded the Cult of Minmay, it appears that the bridge crew adheres to the One True Faith of Misa worship.

Down in the pit formed by the shifting ship sections Hikaru and Misa wait out there time. It starts out with small talk as both of them admit to feeling lonely without any conversation. But then the two get to their reasons for leaving the theater. Hikaru guesses correctly that Misa was there to see Kaifun in the movie and left because of the kissing scene, and she replies with a perfect riposte about how things haven’t been going well between him and Minmay either. After a moment of silence the two let out some of their feelings that are causing them trouble. Misa admits to not really liking Kaifun, but that she was drawn to him due to his resemblance to her dead love. The two are hurt by these complicated relationships and begin to realize that they need genuine love. And they nearly kissed too, dammit, but the ship transformed back with the worst possible timing.

When the truth is found to be lies…

And all the joy within you dies…

Don’t you want somebody to love? Don’t you need somebody to love?

Wouldn’t you love somebody to love? You better find somebody to love.

After exiting the pit the two stop for something to drink at a vending machine and Misa insists on paying for her subordinate. There they see Kaifun and Minmay acting all rabu-rabu on their way to a <strike>love hotel</strike> the hotel where Minmay has been staying. For a moment they wonder about the two, but then Misa grabs Hikaru’s hand as he is about to walk away and asks if he will stay with her for a while longer. It was at the same time an invigorating moment as the two kick those loser to the curb and so sweet I almost died.

She’ll even pay for things on dates. Add ‘rich ojousama’ to her many points of appeal.

This is most suspicious.

This is anime Misa, cousins are somehow ok. That or they’re from West Virginia.

It is not merely Misa’s hand, but the hand of destiny reaching out to you Hikaru.

While this may seem more at home in my Kimi ni Todoke comments: DDDAAAAAAWWWWW!

Elsewhere many plans are in motion aboard the Zentradi ships. The Genshiken Team continues to spread the gospel of the Cult of Minmay, heavily embellishing their interactions with their deity while they were aboard the Macross and bringing many new converts to their faith. They even plan to desert if they are ordered to attack the Macross and begin to convince others to do so. Kamjin hears of this potential insurrection and reacts with disgust, but for some reason doesn’t dispatch the marines to put the Cult members into the brig. Britai also returns, with new orders to capture another Miclone for questioning before a course of action can be decided. And his assistant comes up with a brilliant plan to lure the Macross into performing a Daedalus Attack on the flagship and then ambushing the Destroids and using the Daedalus as an entry point for a boarding action.

Their numbers are growing.

They plan an exodus to their holy land.

Very good thinking.

Hikaru still holds onto the idea of protecting Minmay, and Misa of protecting Kaifun in moments of weakness when the attachments to their past feelings are still in the process of being shed. Mamoru-ism is the psychological fallback of the weak, and soon both will move beyond this short-lived phase and (as Crusader is so fond of saying) SHINE IN THE NAME OF ZEUS as they leave behind their unworthy attachments of the past! Minmay prepares for and begins her next concert, singing probably her best song so far. Much better than those overly pop-ish songs that came before. Indeed it is enough to touch Claudia and Misa, bringing up memories of losses past. But as the concert continues the Zentradi ships make their move on the Macross.

While I can only guess at the creators’ intent, I really liked this image. Hikaru is standing their in full form and even casts a shadow while the Minmay in the post is sketchy and fake, almost fading away amidst her fame. Hikaru seems very real and there and Minmay just the impression of a character that has metaphorically faded from his life.

Image has been fixed.

A much better tune, and it even has appropriate lyrics.

It reaches Claudia as well, breaking down some of the front she’s put on while trying to hide her grieving in public.

They worry for their senpai.

Perhaps it will help her move forward.

The Zentradi launch their mecha, Britai wisely giving Kamjin the task so as to keep him occupied instead of planning his next unauthorized attack. The Macross scrambles fighters to intercept and the Zentradi fleet maneuvers to surround them. Onboard Minmay is once again on stage when the attack begins. Kaifun has another moment of decency when he gets on stage and tells Minmay to keep singing to prevent a panic. The Macross the performs a Daedalus attack on the Zentradi flagship, and everything goes keikaku doori for Britai as the Destroids are ambushed and boarding begins. But this also gives the Cult of Minmay a chance to break away into the ship and desert.

Normal Regults never looked so cool.

Valkyries launch to intercept the Zentradi mecha. Unfortunately everything is happening according to Britai’s design.

Wow, if he wasn’t hot for his cousin I might actually have had to start giving Kaifun a little bit of a break.

The Regults were in perfect ambush positions. Though there seemed to be a lot fewer Destroids for this Daedalus Attack than normal. Not even one Monster.

Now inside the city section of the ship the Zentradi begin shooting anything that they see, and although the Destroid platoons are doing what they can they are outnumbered and scattered around the ship. The Valkyries are recalled to help repel the boarders and start making an impact quickly. Minmay keeps singing until the stage area comes under fire which stuns and confuses several of the Zentradi pilots. Millia, hiding behind some rubble, then spots Max as he racks up several more kills and can now start tracing the identity of the blue Valkyrie’s pilot.

They must be cheaper to manufacture because they don’t’ seem to have half the combat ability of a Valkyrie.

They stopped to LISTEN TO HER SONG.

Millia witnesses the skill of the Blue Baron up close.

What is this, a Hosaka fantasy?

Get away, she’s been taken over by the Black Oil!

Hikaru has come along nicely from annoying kid to an exceptional commander and pilot.

Final Thoughts: – Episode 21 was just the thing I needed after a long and busy day. Once the last remnants of Minmay and Kaifun obsession are burned from the minds of Hikaru and Misa by their feelings for each other and by reality, my main character OTP will be complete!

- Though I have to feel a little for Minmay. Though at too late of an hour, she is trying to reconnect with Hikaru. But circumstances and timing were against her with the missed phone call, Hikaru and Misa being trapped together, and Kaifun’s incestuous feelings coming out more openly.

- Yay for smart antagonists! Using the Daedalus Attack against the Macross was brilliant and a lesson for all antagonists to learn.

- I wonder if the Genshiken Team’s boasts to the Cult of Minmay might have some adverse effects. Are the defector Zentradi going to feel disappointed when they find out that not everyone gets to kiss Minmay?