Macross Frontier

Been a fan of this series since as long as I've been into anime. A lot of people get turned off by Macross and its love stories or music but I think that is its appeal. I don't consider MAcross straight action, more like a space opera with giant robots thrown in. Macross Zero was alright, can't see any fault there. On the other hand MAcross Seven was weak and uninteresting.

I've seen the first episode of this and it looks promising. The 3D rendering of the mechs is cool and all but I'm a bit nostalgic for the old days of 2D...

I saw the 1st ep of Macross Frontier just a week or so ago and thinks it definitely looks pretty cool. There's a few nods and homages to the original especially towards the end of the episode and I like the how hand up in the sky as a Valkyrie a la Isamu from Macross Plus! ^__^

Great space dog fights and heat seeking missles! Can't really tell if I love the new VF-25s yet. The aliens are pretty cool and mean looking though, cross between squid and insect like. Alien robot mode is kind of like an insect-like EVA, too.

Really high production value and the visuals are amazing so far. Don't know if I like the main male lead character yet or any of the other character designs. The mobile phone was pretty cool! LOL.

Anyway, me type too much already.

I saw the episode shortly after it came out, and it blew me away. I had high expectations for it so I was afraid I would be disappointed, but it delivered.

The animation and music are both great, but only time will tell if the story can match them.

And I believe the series will start its weekly schedule in April.

Have watched all of the Macross series (aside from the last Robotech series) and have enjoyed them all; the space opera and romance aspects rule. Frontier is looking awesome so far. Love the cell phone too :D

Haven't seen a single episode from any Macross series yet but looking at the video and the pics, I think that this has to change soon!
The fact that Yoko Kanno does the soundtrack is a plus too, I love her work ^^

Macross is great, definitely one of the strongest rivals of gundam. The first season of the 80s is really good, started watching Macross 7 now and I'm enjoying it. Already watched the first episode of Macross Frontier, totally breath taking can't wait for the rest

haven't seen it, but DAMN does that look good! I think I have something else to look forward to in 2008 :)

I've watched this episode. The animation's just awesome!

I watched the 1st episode 2 days after it was broadcasted. And rewatched it like 5 times, but at normal speed and frame by frame (just to catch every detail and homage to the previous Macross series/movies/OVAs)

The scene where the Bolognese space frigate gets destroyed had the same effect on me as the first Zentradi battleship destroyed on the 1st episode of the original SDF Macross ^_^ (when I was like 7 or 8 years old... a long time ago ^_^')

This series is scheduled to start sometime in April.

Oh man. Seeing the screenshots brings back memories of the original series (through it's US mutation, Robotech). During 1983 and summer of '84, there just wasn't anything to compare against the drama and story that is SDF Macross.

I really hope that this is the spark the reignites the franchise. Other than the original series/DYRL movie and Macross Plus, Macross has been either nonexistent or disappointing overall.

Oboete imasu ka....?

Saw everything with Macross in name and loved it! First episode of Macross Frontier was great, animation stunning, just like in some movie! Music was also great, like everything from Yoko Kanno, and liked new songs(new version of Ai Oboete Imasu ka!).
But I have deja vu when that red insect crushed that guy(...like a bug, nice irony ;p), it looked just like Eva01 crushing Kaworu, and that bug looked just like Eva02(red, two pairs of eye).
As it was just promo I hope the actual anime will be as good as first ep.

I just love Macross. ^_^ Like so many others the reworked Robotech version was a favorite of my youth, so I'm not too familiar with the original Macross storyline. I did see Macross Plus and Zero though, loved Plus, Zero not all that much.

What's the setting for Frontier? Is this years and years after Plus? Would love to see this properly dubbed into English. I know a lot of you are purists when it comes to language but I just find it easier not to have to read and watch at the same time :)

Loved it and how it gives a nod to every series of Macross ever released. Apparently the series comes out April 2008.

Hope you don't mind I do a little shameless plug here, Danny. :D

http://www.macrossmalaysia.com

We're having a little macross convention of sorts here.

Wow, terrific artwork. And I love love love just about everything Yoko Kanno has composed.

I loved the battle scenes and that slightly Yaoyi feel injected in the lead. LOL. Other than that . . .

Yes, Macross Zero wasn't all that great. I like the pre-Space War I history, so that kept my attention. In my opinion, Macross 7 was the real trash -no pun intended- of the Macross line. I had a hard time watching half of that series and much better enjoyed the manga Macross 7 Trash.

Macross has always been adaptive to the times in which each series was made. I suppose that is why it's still around and popular. When you think about it, Gundam is that same in that aspect.

Have a feeling Macross F will start around late Spring or early Summer, just as WoLF - [x] commented. I believe Macross F is to be the Gundam Seed of Macross series. It's a place where new audience can jump on board.

Nightshade:
Macross Plus take action in 2040 and Macross Frontier in 2059.

And one thing that stunned me, ther wasn't any panty shoot! And if some one want to ask why I'm so stuned:
http://www.dannychoo.com/fauna_detail/eng/1032/Maid+Panty+Photos/
http://www.dannychoo.com/fauna_detail/eng/1025/Rosario+Vampire/
It's just a couple examples. Fanservice is everywhere today!

I have seen the original Macross Saga (Rick Hunter, etc SDF-1, up to 36 episodes I think) and I liked it- but never thought anything special over it because some of the characters were extremely annoying (Minmei, case and point) and I didn't like the almost constant singing clips almost every episode. The anime also left a lot of unanswered questions and the ending is...... blech. Just kill everyone off and be done with the series.

This looks good! I will be scouting the radar to watch this one.

Ehh I just realized I may have spoiled something, but I would bet a lot of people have seen Macross anyways- Danny if you could edit out that part in my post I would appreciate it- and I apologize ahead of time if I spoiled anything for anyone.

=/

@mario87: Macross is not much for panty shoots. Macross is more of an eyes and shower scene anime. ^^;

I have never watched Macross before and Macross Frontier, since the animation looks so wonderful, will be my first Macross ^_^

@-XYZPDQ: Watch Macross when you get the chance. Robotech and Macross are not the same.

Man the new Macross looks really good I can't it for the US to get it. It will be on my watch list.

i've never watched it before, it looks really cool, animation looks great. on my watch list

I've only watched Robotech when I was a kid and I remember virtually nothing of it (except for the space opera setting and transformable mecha?), so in terms of Macross series, please count me out. ^^;

I too like the original the best, one of the first animes that I ever watched lol.

i've watched Macross before and Macross Frontier and the production company polished the classic Macross style ^^

Macross revolutionized the mecha genre where they've introduced transforming mecha and j-pop idols to stop an impending war ^___^

not yet, but I will watch it..

Man the new Macross looks really good I can't it for the US to get it. It will be on my watch list.

XD WOOOOHOOOO MACROSS FRONTIER XD told ya it came out

Macross is one of the original anime that hook me to anime now. In fact i have the full series and proud of my collection too :)

I have also watched the Macross Frontier for 2 times already, and especially love the part where the fighter turn into Batroid mode....simply way too cool man!

I've seen the first episode of Macross F, it was cool and I can't wait for the actual serieto start. XP.

My first Macross was Macross Plus, it's still the top 10 in my list to watch. One of the best story, animation and music in my opinion. I always dreamt, ever since I've first seen it, to pilot a Veritech. But I probably be too old to get the chance to pilot one, if it ever gets constructed or invented. XD

never watched any of it... may try it.. if got chance

Wow ! Looks good !

Macross was not the first to introduce transforming mechs... It was the first one to have a realistic transformation sequences. (The other being Zeta Gundam)

Anyhow, this first episode was impressive in terms of animation quality, but it doesn't seem to fit the overall context of Macross. (It felt more like a cross between Gunbuster and Starship Troopers...) It reminds me of the Patlabor spin-off movie, WXIII. Which didn't quite fit the world fans were familiar with.

The character design is great, but almost feels like they're trying to stray into the moe type...

The combat/aerobatics are also not as intensive as the series before it. Even the trademark Itado Circus has been downplayed...

The saving grace for me was the ED which reminded me of all the good things about the series, but wonders if there's any chance that it'll turn into another Zero... (Which looks like it might...)

Yoko Kanno's music makes it worth watching even if it turns out badly. (Just like Darker Than Black) So I guess this will be one of the must watch of 08.

マクロスFRONTIER第一話はかなりよかったんじゃないでしょうか。
メカの動きも凄いの一言。
早く放送がスタートして欲しいなぁ。

watch it 2 weeks ago and yup it is fantastic! Gundam OO should be ashame.....

too bad we still have to wait for quite a while till it really air!

@sotb: yes, gundam 00 should be ashamed. and their design was so good...

it looks to me like Sento Yosei Yukikaze done in space. which means excellent. *adds to watch list*

great success! this 1st ep was kick ass
all the way. i love the shout outs to past macross shows like Mplus [the scene where the kids were practicing thier flying with thier hands] and the minmay ending theme.

i've been a macross fan since i was a kid watching the show in the philippines, and though M7 and MZero was not up to snuff compared to Mplus, this one shows promise. i guess i need to be on the torrent again for this series.

i sure wish that the writers would elaborate on what happened with hikaru and Misa though...

So anyone know where I can get the HD version? Any downloads of the episode available with English subtitles?

I really loved Macross Zero. I can understand the qualm that it doesn't connect too directly with the original story, but neither was Macross Plus. I don't understand how far people take that gripe and say it is the low standard of the series. I'll never understand that.

Also, I have full faith in the Macross Zero staff that will be making this Frontier series.

Never mind. found the episodes on youtube. also found the torrent.

I haven't seen any of the Macross series. I will start from the first ones and will do the same with Gundam series.

This one looks promising :)

just saw the entire video. quality was pretty good!
especially liked the ending , I think those songs were from the movie right? I like them. too bad the roy focker clone dies in the first episode this time :P

well according to most of the info i've seen.. looks like it will start this april.. some info saying 26 episodes.. but will see.. so watch 00 then watch macross till 00 starts again.. win win on that one !

i think my fav macross was Macross Seven...that was the first macross (thx to Super Robot Wars) i watched. I like FireBomber's songs...alot

I've seen the Macross Frontier episode 1 HD and "regular" definition fansubs. The story is great and it looks great. If any one is looking, I'm sure there are some fansub dedicated sites that will help you locate all the versions available. :)

Please don't suck like Macross 7!!Please don't suck like Macross 7!!Please don't suck like Macross 7!!Please don't suck like Macross 7!!Please don't suck like Macross 7!!Please don't suck like Macross 7!!Please don't suck like Macross 7!!

Sorry, I'm a big Macross fan and I really want some quality Macross, not Nekki Basura forcing me to hear his song!!!! I know why the protodevlin ran away, I would too.

Keep an eye out Danny and let us know more as soon as you can.

I have not seen the previous series of Macross other than Macross Zero. Yeah, I totally agree with you Danny, I was quite amazed by Macross Zero at first, but the lousy climax turned me off later on.

But hey, I think Macross Frontier would do well:D

oh, a new macross...me like to see that. i just had one prayer, i hope it won't be like macross 7.

*looks at poll*

Have I seen any macross shows? I think it would be faster for me to list the ones I haven't seen!!!

Flashback 2012 (a music vid set at the end of the DYRL movie)
& Dynamite 7 (stand alone OVA for macross 7)
Heck, I even have the PS2 Macross game, Macross M3 for the Dreamcast and Macross V0 on the PC! So yeah, I'm pretty well versed in Macross...

And I can say this much for frontier, I think I drooled a bit when I watched it...
Says a lot. It was just so beautiful. Can't wait for when it starts airing in April. If history has anything to tell us, we can expect a 52 ep series.
I am worried about the plot details, given that Shouji Kawamori is directing and he was the great guy who gave us all than nonsense at the end of Macross zero about the birdman and all, but I'm hopeful that they remenber what made the original great (character interactions and a proper sense of drama) as opposed to what made M7 suck so bad (seriously, sound weapons, WTF???). Cutting out all than crap from the end of zero would be good too!

@gbrgn: Fokker (that is actually his name) didn't die. It was one of his underlings.

@zero: don't hold your breath regarding hikaru and Misa. The director has long said that he considers their story past so at best, we might find out the fate of the megaroad 1 but nothing more.

@shippoyasha: I think the main gripe ppl had about zero was not that it didn't fit into the timeline well, but simply that it lacked alot of things which macross was known for. There was little character interaction and no Love triangle. It did the fights really well but other than that, the rest of the stuff were things macross fans would like to forget, such as song doing "magical things" and Kawamori Shovelling his philosophy into a show which wasn't made to accomodate it at the last minute!

good animation but I still wasn't really impressed by the episode itself since it wasn't anything I haven't seen before...

Cute girls... Skimpy outfits... Mecha fights... I need to watch this!

Im a total noob for the Macross Series. But I have to say that Macross Frontier really shocked me with it's top quality animation. Will be catching it once it starts airing.

Very Star Wars-ish. I like.......

Great animation, but the story is a little boring, especially compared to Gundam, etc.

And the singing in every episode? Eeew.

Can't someone put some money into making an anime version of DOMU (by Katsuhiro Otomo) or some of the other stories in the "MEMORIES" collection?

Anyone agree with me? Does ANYONE want to actually watch a gripping, amazingly written anime anymore?!???

Sean (SF) gotta agree with you 100%.

Pretty as it looks, it's not as gripping a tale as Gundam.

Never seen DOMU, what's that about?

...thought I might add: while everything is really nicely drawn and the 3D animation is perfectly smooth (as all 3D is), the 2D animation is 2nd rate.

They spent too much money on the 3D and forgot to hire animators for the in-between frames.

danny how did u not like macross zero...i thought it was so good

Sean, I couldn't agree more. DOMU is truly a masterpiece. I haven´t read/seen Memories but I will soon.

I've watched the original Macross and I'd have to say nothing beats the original. It was awesome back in the day.

Well I have to strongly disagree with kazemizuhi and Sean. The original Macross series and the "Do You Remember Love" movie were more gripping and amazingly written than anything Tomino and the Gundam franchise ever put out IMHO.

Also, if DOMU is anything like Akira (Otomo-sensei's more well known work), I'll pass. As classic as it is, I just don't think I could watch a whole series full of that stuff. A movie was just fine.

As far as Macross Frontier goes, I'm totally ecstatic. After Macross Zero, my expectations for the Macross franchise dropped a bit, but this first episode of Macross Frontier blew me away. The 3D and 2D animation flowed well together, and all the characters seemed pretty interesting (especially Ranka).

That was great battle i hope not like macross7 is too ridicilous

I've been meaning to watch this, but haven't had a chance yet. Looks pretty though.

I'm just hoping the studio didn't blow all their funds on making the first episode animation so top notch with all that 3d and that the next few episodes' quality drops. *cough evangelion *cough

Just hoping that this series doesn't become too "musical" and ridiculous like Macross 7. On the other hand, you can't go wrong with Yoko Kanno leading the music department :P

Agreed. Macross Zero was such a stinker. The highlight of it was seeing Roy Focker in action.

I was very concerned that the same studio (Satelight) produced Zero would also work on Frontier. However, I must bite my lip, in announcing overall I was decently satisfied with the first episode. I still prefer the original 2D mech's and stellar animation, but it was fairly nice for 3D. The real saving grace for making me enjoy this episode was the ending song. Ah, that brings back all the right memories.

I forgot to mention to my post below that the best reason to my excitement of Frontier is that it is a direct sequel to Macross 7! Here is one hoping for another Basara in the works!!

Sean said,
"Great animation, but the story is a little boring, especially compared to Gundam, etc."

I am assuming you would be referring to Gundam OO. If that is the case then I must agree that for 00 it provided a much more compelling and intense first episode as opposed to Frontier.

Sean said,
"Can't someone put some money into making an anime version of DOMU (by Katsuhiro Otomo) or some of the other stories in the "MEMORIES" collection?"

Are you serious? Or is this just a plea for inserting one of your favorite pieces by a popular author?

Sean said,
"Anyone agree with me? Does ANYONE want to actually watch a gripping, amazingly written anime anymore?!???"

You're asking the wrong people.

And how would you define a "gripping, amazingly written anime"? Examples?

"@shippoyasha: I think the main gripe ppl had about zero was not that it didn't fit into the timeline well, but simply that it lacked alot of things which macross was known for. There was little character interaction and no Love triangle. It did the fights really well but other than that, the rest of the stuff were things macross fans would like to forget, such as song doing "magical things" and Kawamori Shovelling his philosophy into a show which wasn't made to accomodate it at the last minute!"

But that's the thing with OVAs. If you looked back at stuff like Macross Plus, it didn't actually add much, if anything either and it gets the high praise in comparison.

I just think the Zero criticism goes into bashing category too much. It surely didn't play out like a conventional Macross show, but is it terrible? I'd say not.

hen the hell is the next episode going to air!?!?!?!?!

Loved this first episode! Funny how the main character is being made fun of looking like a girl! Something different hehe. Although I think we've all seen this kind of episode in anime where, in the end, the hero finds/discovers something that will make him become what he is and fight the bad guys. But the best thing about this series is that it has everything the Macross fan boy has always loved. I only wish for the best for this series.

I've gotta make a point to watch this. That battle looks nice and fast-paced, just the way I like them with lasers blasting every which way. ^_^

OMFG YES!! I wish i knew about this sooner but it certainly made my New Years's....it even made me start posting comments here again!

To kazemizuhi in Phobos:

DOMU is actually a manga by Otomo, no-one has made an anime out of it yet. That was my point - can't someone fund it? You should be able to find it at a good comic shop or on-line.

To BIG BOSS in Argentina:

Thanks for agreeing on that ! DOMU is amazing, I mean are people scared to use their brains to read manga or what?!? MEMORIES is a great collection of Otomo's masterful work, but for some reason VERY hard to find nowadays. Last time I found it online it was over $100 !!!

To CyberSynaptic in Northern California:

"...Also, if DOMU is anything like Akira (Otomo-sensei's more well known work), I'll pass..."

Um, I hope your joking - must be another one of those people scared to use your brain. Considering Danny is a personal friend of mine, out of respect for the comment board , I'll go easy on you. I can't believe you criticize manga that you have NEVER read! By one of the true masters of Japanese comic art! Unbelievable.

To Shou' in US:

"...Are you serious? Or is this just a plea for inserting one of your favorite pieces by a popular author?.."

Well, considering only a few of you guys seem to even know the manga I am talking about, I suppose I DO have to promote it! Seek it out and read it!!

And:

"And how would you define a "gripping, amazingly written anime"? Examples?"

Surely you cant be serious... Animes back in the 1980's and early 1990's were usually well written and had a degree of substance which is so rare nowadays.

Also sad that you assume that for some reasons anime cant have a good storyline and be well written, I guess you think its all about giant robots shooting each-other and some pseudo pedo-schoolgirls laughing together and being silly..

Anyways, I don't think my comments are really out of place on a forum ABOUT ANIME AND MANGA, on an OTAKU website!!

I just started my macross journey with the frontier =.="

Queston! The 5th picture down from the youtube vid, isn't that a scene from Macross: DYRL not the new Frontier?

Do I win a prize now?

@lowlife187: I'm afraid you win no prize because you are wrong!! That was actually a still pic used in Frontier when explaining the brief history of the series. And, for some reason, the DYRL zentradi designs have been considered canon since Macross 7.
I don't think that the scene played out like that in the movie either, although it was similar.

@shippoyasha: The difference between Plus and Zero is that if you removed all reference to macross and had some random transforming mecha, change the settings and characters, at their core, Plus is much closer to the original series and DYRL than zero.

That is why Plus gets praise. Sure, it didn't add anything to the main storyline but it was unmistakably macross while zero, if you removed all the references, was not. I agree that zero does get bashed a lot and it wouldn't have if it was not labelled as a macross show but it was. And with the label comes certain expectations which it (and M7) spectacularly failed to meet!

すごい、久しぶりにコメントです。
マクロス、大好きです。フロンティア、楽しみなんですけど、学園モノってのが気になりますね。
そいや、半年前からブログはじめました。

thx for sharing, sounds great !

quick question guys.

Shinsen or Seiyan?

Will be watching this one closely I love the new idol and valkyrie

the new season of anime is full of win, code geass, macross frontier. can't wait!

now to discuss macross frontier. holy crap, i almost peed my pants when i saw this. always loved the original macross, watched the last one even though it wasn't all that great. but hey, it was macross. this new series looks amazing so far, amazing mecha designs, the new valkyries look absolutely delicious. music by yoko kanno, can't go wrong there. movie quality animation and from the previews, the second episode will be just as amazing. its got me hooked, i think i'll go rewatch macross plus right now.

From Sean,

"Well, considering only a few of you guys seem to even know the manga I am talking about, I suppose I DO have to promote it! Seek it out and read it!!"

Anything that is turned into mainstream is easily recognizable.

From Sean,

"Surely you cant be serious... Animes back in the 1980's and early 1990's were usually well written and had a degree of substance which is so rare nowadays."

My question is solely asking for specific examples with the adjectives you've so passionately described. I am not asking for generalized (and opinionated) ranges from over two decades worth of work.

Please refer back to the actual question. You've even quoted me.

From Sean,

"Also sad that you assume that for some reasons anime cant have a good storyline and be well written,"

Where have I once made a statement regarding any of what you written? Please refer to the definition of assumption before enacting it in a sentence.

From Sean,
"I guess you think its all about giant robots shooting each-other and some pseudo pedo-schoolgirls laughing together and being silly.."

Honestly, where is this stemming from?

From Sean,

"Anyways, I don't think my comments are really out of place on a forum ABOUT ANIME AND MANGA, on an OTAKU website!!"

From the past few responses that I've read you've made on Danny's blog has been nothing, but appear (to me at least) whiny outcries wishing for the past to return.

i love macros and i'm glad to hear about the new series.

I think that Macross F is the most awesome anime series ever. His CGI is the best I've seen in years.

I'm a big fan of macross. After watching the awesome dogfights in Macross Zero, I have high expectations on this series. ^^

danny which program did you use to capture screen with?
thanks

I can't believe I've waited this long to get into this series .. but I have and it is AWESOME!

Can't wait for the BluRay releases starting in July.

Someone know when are going to realease chapter 11??? was yesterday???

Well, this time the story seems to have more underlying plot and story arcs.

Pretty bold and unthinkable crossover/idea borrowing(if this is what you called?) by sipping some previous workings in Macross Series. U should had noticed Basara's Song at 2nd episode, then the Legend of Zero, and the upcoming 13th Episode "Memory of Gloval(or Global?)" where 1st Macross somehow reappear in the Frontier series.

LOL it is a pleasant surprise to me have something that every macross fans think would not been show up, pop out.

Well, that's why I say the director style and script are so bold but cohesive!!