Sergorn

Yeah I think the whole booby is being blown way out of proportion. I'd actually hardly call than "fan service".... fan service is more like you're just gonna get boob shots, and panty shots and what else for no reasong whatsoever (Gainax I'm looking at you ) except I dunno perhaps hoping to create some sort a arousal for all these Otakus That scene in episode 04 hardly met that description -it was just humour and poking fun at Ranka. Granted it's not precisely mature humour, but it was funny. -Sergorn

I haven't found Diamond Crevasse yet - but interestingly the Don't Be Late version sounds different from the one we hear during episodes 01 - it actually sounds like the version used on the Macross Frontier trailer that was released last year. On a side note anyone knows WHO is Sheryl's singing voice ? It that the voice actress or someone else ? -Sergorn

Never. If anything he offered an extra target to the Varauta -Sergorn

Yeah unlikely - I don't know about the reste of Europe, but Macross Zero would definitly sell in France. Both Macross Plus and Macross II sold pretty well AFAIK, and altough most people here tend to go with the asumption that Robotech = Macross, the license is pretty well know (enough anyway to get a release of the original series subtitled and remastered). And eck we're pretty much getting any big OAV series that is being released (Yukikaze, Diebuster, KARAS...) - I'd have a hard time believing that of all the numerous anime editors we have over here, none of them would have tried to bring Macross Zero here. I still think there must be still be some kind of legal mess around all this. As I recall even brining the original Macross series was very problematic. It's possible. AFAIK the DVD released of Macross Plus in Japan included english subs and voice so that's a distinct possibilité for a Blu-Ray release. Not that it matters since we're not in the same region here -Sergorn

Yeah thanks for all the great job guys Well the whole Micronized come for Robotech I think. Both makes sense actually, Miclone because it is some sort of cloning, and Microne because it's basically about reducing the size of the Zentradi. I'm pretty sure it's some kind of word-play from the Japanese, much like Megaroad/Megaload - it has a double meaning. -Sergorn

Ugh I didn't know that. This is just crazy. I don't get why Big West and Bandai just don't go to court about this. Also... that just doesn't explain why there hadn't been any more Macross release in Europe. If everything really is settled, then nothing should prevent a release in Europe of Macross Zero - and that just didn't happen, which doesn't make any sense Yeah. Manga Video never got the "international track" (ie the music and sound effects track without dialogues), which means they basically had to redo it everything from scratch. In terme of sound effects that lead to some silly stuff (the Valkyrie guns make laser sounds duh), and in term of music some of the music had to be replaced since some tracks hadn't yet been released on the CD sounstracks. We had the same version in the french dub as well. Does they actually still have the license ? When an anime is licensed it isn't usually for ever, and the license has to be renewed or else it returns the original owners. I've got to wonder if Manga would have a renewed the license of a series they essentialy can't sell anymore. -Sergorn

Ugh. English Fire is one of the most horrible thing I've ever heard. I don't know where they got their "singers" but they sound awful. Feels like a terrible bastardization of the original songs -Sergorn

Nay. There's been no blocking of the original SDFM. As a matter of fact it's probably the only series that they actually *have* the actual rights to sell and distribute. To make a long story short - Harmony Gold essentially claims that due their original contracts with Tatsunoko regarding SDFM, that they hold the rights outside of Japan for any existing Macross series ever to be made. The claim seems ludicrous at best - though legally speaking I assume there has to be some loophole or confusing statement in this contract for them to be able to make that claim (Indeed... the Japanese weren't very careful when selling the rights to their series during the '80 - that lead to several legal mess and conflicts and companies trying to ripp-off the original creators - we've had a share of that in France recently). And yeah, Manga Video released both Macross Plus and Macross II and other editors did as well in other parts in the world (as a matter of fact there was some interest for releasing Macross 7 as well, but it fell through because of how expensive it would be to license the music) but HG claims that had no right to do this and only managed to because Harmony Gold was 'understaffed' at the time and thus couldn't block them. And essentially HG started making those claims when they suddenly got back from the dead and announced the upcoming sequel to Robotech. So now it's such a legal mess that nobody dares challenging Harmony Gold and releasing any new Macross (or even re-releasing Macross II & Plus AFAK). It's safe to assume that without this mess Macross Zero would long have been released both in US and Europe. (Hell you can pretty assume as well that the lack of any direct reference to Macross events and characters in Shadow Chronicles is a direct consequence of this as well) Personally I just can't help having the feeling that HG created this mess so that no new Macross could be released and potentially undermine the sales of their new Robotech series. -Sergorn

I've watched most of these anime as well, and while I loved both Code Geass and Gundam 00 I really don't feel they were better done than Frontier, technically speaking. Also I really don't see much of a quality drop in Frontier so far - for now it seems to remains pretty consistant IMO. Personally I really dig Klein Klan - and that matter all of the humor we've seen in the last couple episodes. I'd say actually I'm glad Macross Frontier can also offer these kind of lighter humoristic moments. I really welcome those. I could stand ah oh so gritty and serious tone from a short OAV serie like Macross Plus and Macross Zero, but in a 26 episodes I welcome this kind of sillyness -Sergorn

Actually there's a fansub team call "VIP" which are re-realeasing the Macross 7 using the Central Anime Subs and the new HD Remasters Raw. And yeah the quality is just jaw dropping - I just keept thinking to myself "My I never thought Macross 7 was -that- good technically speaking". (On a semi related note someone finally released a RAW of the HD Remaster of the Macross Plus Movie... hopefully there will be a fansub soon... I'd love to see that film in eck... GOOD quality). -Sergorn

Yeah I agree. The 2D animation all in all is very good for TV Series- probably no better or worse than most of the high end series out there, and definitly better than a lot of series. Sure I could name a couple of series which look better than this (Serei no Moribito comes to mind), but they're the exception not the rule. The 3D animation though, now I'll have to say that pretty blows much every else on TV out of the water - I couldn't name one series that comes even close to being *that* good both technically and in term of directing (there was Aquarion, but even though it was already highly impressive 3 years ago, Frontier really takes this a whole step further). So it might not be *quite* OAV quality, but it comes close - just compare it to Macross Zero (which I think we'll all agree really was goddamn impressive visually speaking) it comes pretty close in many aspects, and even better in some. That they manage to offer such quality on weekly TV series is an outstanding achievement in itself. But seriously - I'm a sucker for mecha action and mecha animes - and everything else almost feels bland in comparison. -Sergorn

Ranka. Definitly. I mean she's just so adorable I dunno I mean Minmay and Mylene sure were cute... but then they also had they annoying moments (well espcially Mylene). Ranka just seems to... I dunno is there was to be a definition of "perfect cuteness" Ranka would juste fit And in spite of being so cute and loveable, she also seems an interesting character... so yeah she's got my pick ! Don't ever change Ranka-chan ! -Sergorn

Just because it's a new series doesn't mean Frontier can't have some relation to Macross 7. Macross 7 was new series and a new story - but it was pretty tied to the story of the original SDFM. Of course stuff like Ranka being Basara's daughter aren't serious - but if some of us see somme sort Spiritia connexion and such in Macross Frontier (and eck Macross Zero for that matter) it's not because we desperatly want to to tie it to Macross 7 - it's simply because we accept Spiritia and such as a integrant component of the Macross universe, and thus it seems obvious. Yeah that's how I got it as well. I never thought the Singing was a core element of the whole Spiritia/Anima Spiritia thing - I've always thought Singing was more a metaphor of the strength of power of the humain heart, meaning the same stuff could be achieve through different means as long as you put your heart to it. (That's also a pretty common theme in many Kawamori's works not just Macross) -Sergorn

Oh yeah on a related note - I loved how Alto's first take-off echoes Hikaru's one in the Macross opening -Sergorn

Well I finally got to see Episode 04. Once again that was great It had more humour than the previouses episodes, but it was really great ! Ranka's as cute as ever, I loved her performance of My Boyfriend is a Pilot The whole prank on alto from his SMS buddy was quite funny too ! The whole action with the Pixie Squardon and the Vajra was awesome too. we get to learn a bit more thiough we still hae no clue as to WHAT they are. I must sya I was surpried Ranka didn't won Miss Macross; And Klen Klein is definitly hilarious Can't wait to see the next ones -Sergorn

It took this long to get a new TV Series because Kawamori wanted to be able to offer a series with the same visual quality as an OAV. You know - the reason we haven't been flooded by gazillions Macross series over the years like Gundam ain't due to a lack of success - it's simply because the creators didn't want too (Indeed that's what led Big West to produce a subpar Macross II in 1992). After the resounding succes that were both the original SDFM in 1982, and Macross 7 in 1994 - it probably would have been easy to create a new Macross series a year or two after that... the fact that they didn't eck, for me that's creative integrity ; sure wiating 5 years or so for new Macross is long, but I'm glad they take the time to create a quality series rather than doing cheap spin off over cheap spin off As for the whole fan-service/sillyness well I haven't yet seen episode 4 - but it doens't surprise. Sure Macross Plus and Macross Zero avoided that kind of stuff and tend to feel more mature - but they were OAVs series mainly aimed toward existing (and probably grown up) Macross fans - while Macross Frontier is a new series, which while made to appeal to existing, is also aiming to cather to new viewers a create a new generation of fans - just like Macross 7 did 14 years ago. So obvioulsy it'll have to have some aspect of currents animes. I loved Wing quite a bit (it was my first Gundam series so it hold a special place in my heart) - but calling it realistic is just ridiculous -Sergorn

It's french. But the Mayan sacred song in Macross Zero was in french too... -Sergorn

Anime Friend was a korean studio which handled some of the animation aspects of the original Macross series to save costs. Essentially whenever you look at a episode of Macross that looks butt-ugly and terribly animated (Max & Milia knife fight I'm looking at you), you can pretty assume it came from Anime Friend. (I'm not sure but I believe they're the one who did the "Korean Macross" too ) -Sergorn

Yeah but Gepelnitch had a female voice acteur so you never know (I really thought the blond guy in the op was a blond chick...) -Sergorn

I really like Macross 7 Trash. Sure it didn't have the scope of a proper Macross story, but the story was nice, the characters likeable - all in all it was pretty good. My only complain : the ending felt very rushed (And speaking of Mikimoto's manga I like Ecole du Ciel very much as well) -Sergorn

If you get a spin-off to some series where a new character got the same last name that another main character from the previous series - most often the will have some sort of relation, even if a distant one. In any it's pretty obvious Sheryl sharing the same name as Sarah and Mao can't be a coincidence - wethere Kawamori just put it there as a nod to Macross Zero or there is deeper connexion is yet to be seen. But considering all the possible connection there could be between frontiern and Zero it's hard not to think this is a possibilité -Sergorn

Well considering the sound quality you can get on digital TV these days, the single rip probably won't sound very different. -Sergorn

It seems there's some confusion here. There are two versions going around and that were uploaded basically at the same time (duh). The first one (to which the comments your posted obviously refers to) is juste ripped from the Gattai Raw. The other one though, is ripped from the MUSIC VIDEO which I assume was aired at some point in Japan - so it means it's the full 4:47 Triangular track in MP3 quality (and it rock -Sergorn

Well just saw the episode I waited for the subs this time but it was worth it especially since there is so much info There was less action this time but the little there was was pretty cool already. That whole buns thing was very funny I thought Sheryl came definitly came better this time - and Ranka is juste the cutest thing So as expceted Ozma was not Ranka's real brother - though I wonder what is the whole mysteri about Ranka. And that weird songs... now that' interesting ! I'm looking forward to seeing her doing (and probably winning) the Miss Macross Contest So Alto is finally gonna join the SMS that's good ! Hopefully we will learn more about the Varja soon ! So well another very good episodes Can't wait for the next ! 11 years before would make 2048 - by that time I would assume that the main UN fighter would be the VF-19 since it was supposed to replace the VF-11 in the army. -Sergorn

Menclave (which is co-doing Macross Frontier) usually release a SD version a day or so after the HD release. Indeed according to their website a SD XviD version is upcoming. They tend to do a good work. That besing I must say of all the four fansubs I definitly like the AiA versions better if only because they're the only ones who does translations of the songs with lyrics that actually make SENSE. The other versions (mistake assides) tend to be a bit too literal for my taste - AiA's translations seems like it really is ADAPTED and not just translated, which means the dialogues tends to flow much better IMO. -Sergorn