shan

I think it was just the slowing down (what's the correct term?) pills from before, aka witchcraft.

Ah, right.

Don't know bout you guys but it looked quite clear that Alto chose Ranka in ep 23....

although he did say he will kill her if she were to endanger frontier.

Thoughts?

Ranka does not need Alto's help to kill her. She'll kill herself. It'll happen.

Tis I'm sure. Then Anato no Oto will play and dokun everyone. Then they all live happily ever after. No I'm not being sarcastic, maybe only 30%, because we're in for a cheesy end. I can tell.

I can already see the massive Ranka fanboys in Japan preparing a mobbing session for Alto after he said "Kurosu".

A tragic end when the boy kills his love with his own hands ... epic .

It'll be even more epic if the boy backs out in the end and hugs the girl he loves instead.

That's definitely what's going to take place or this supergalactic love story will turn into a dark one. Despite the deaths, I don't think Macross Frontier will have a bloody dark brooding ending with Alto really killing Ranka. The unconfirmed spoiler Kresphy posted earlier is true. It's true. I can already see things forming that will lead to that. Although, I may just be the only one thinking it hasn't been confirmed yet.

More than Alto's revelation that he loves Ranka, I believe they have FOUND a cure for Sheryl, but Sheryl refused it because it'll weaken her power and maybe some other things. Someone confirm this?

And you mean to say that a SherylxAlto ending isn't happy?

Not that it's not happy, more like it's not as fitting because I see Sheryl and Alto separating in the climax and Alto running back to be by Ranka.

well, if that's the case, then what are you doing citing a "Super Galactic Love Story" as a formula that would lead to an Alto-Ranka pairing? wouldn't it have been much easier to simply cite "hollywood" standards, and thus avoid any reference or inconsistency with previous macross works?

we are talking about a macross series, after all.

Because the main website is calling it a "Super Galactic Love Story" and with how things are progressing, I can't help but say that it would lead to a RankaxAlto ending, considering they are going to give us a happy ending. And most importantly, I'm free to state what I see.

are you saying that the original SDFM falls short of a Super Galactic Love Story? and don't tell me Misa ended up as the main character and singer of that series.

Not really because Misa Hayase is Misa Hayase, SDF is SDF, and Macross Frontier is Macross Frontier.

They're not going to call this Macross a "Super Galactic Love Story where Fate of the planets Intertwined" if the triangle is going to get unresolved like Macross 7. No matter how I look at it, the super galactic love story makes sense the most if you apply it to Alto and Ranka's relationship. The main girl is easily Ranka, and the main guy is no doubt Alto. Their dramatic parting in 21 was even one of the themes in the October issue.

Main girlxMain guy = Super Galactic Love Story. It just does not fit if I try to relate it to Sheryl and Alto imo. I tried but then, I look at Ranka and Alto and it couldn't compare because Sheryl is often cast aside for most of the episodes just for Ranka's development, whatever it is. Sheryl is more likely to end up as the real Singer of the story since she sees singing as a proof of her living more than anything. It's her true calling. There's also how Ozma confronted Alto, and Alto's reaction. Things are not going to stay the way as 22. But I don't know, I just can't see Alto not choosing anyone or staying by Sheryl's side till the end

Speaking of 2ch polls, what happened to the popularity polls in NT, Animage etc?

And as far as I know Ranka has more drama than Sheryl, she's got 2 dudes, an uncle, a best friend, alien followers, cool gadgets and the whole background story on how she rose to fame.. The story is more centered around her than Alto himself.

And it seems to me that Alto never liked Sheryl in that way... he's just warming to her now that she's dying.

How many QFT reply did this post get? Here's another one. QFT. I don't think there's any surprises there since Ranka has been pretty prominent even in the early production notes, so the gist of the story will be on her side. Ranka is no doubt the main female lead. Ranka and Sheryl's part in the show is hardly equal. The recent staff interviews also questions Alto's actions towards Sheryl in 22, so I think you're on the mark.

But there are quite a handful who thought it was resolved, so it's good to hear a confirmation that it still may not be.

Yeah, true. A confirmation from the staff speaks volumes compare to a random person's opinion.

The goods keep coming Thanks.

And the little something that caught my eye:

最後の瞬間までシェリルの側にいると誓ったアルト。だが、それは果たして本物の愛なのか？

This line is confirming that there is still doubt about the triangle. Essentially: Alto promised to stay beside Sheryl, but is it true love?

... :c

I don't think the triangle was ever resolved in 22. So it makes sense that they will bring this to our attention, much like how they brought the picture of Miyo sama and Alto in the middle of that emotional scene last episode.

Google translate everyone for those who can't wait.

Newtype (Newtype)

I'm not sure about the other photos, but I saved this one:

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/647/capture3wj3.jpg

Thank you What a nice turn of events.

*edit

Awesome!

I say this is how it's going to be.

Boy meets girl

Girl meets boy

Boy saves girl

Girl crushes on boy

BoyxGirl gets closer ---> next day boy meets woman

Girl tries to get boy's attention all throughout, succeeds once

BoyxGirl gets separated again by their own circumstances

Boy gets emotionally attached with the Woman

Girl gives up on Boy

Boy gets/will get confused

Boy will leave woman

Girl will hit a pinch (plotwise)

Boy will realize his feelings

BoyxGirl will end up together

Thus the title of the final episode is a major set-up for the cheesiest moment in mecha history. As for the girl I voted. You can probably guess by now. Cliche? Absolutely.

I couldn't see the spoiler images too... What are they about?

I hope these translations I made are correct, someone please correct if they are wrong.

Animage:

Episode 23: True Begin

(This is already in wikipedia.)

Episode 24: Last Frontier

Members of Macross Quarter find out about the secret of the accident of the 117th investigation fleet. The shadow of Grace's ambition is present. The Frontier military had done a gambling decision to continue the fleet, and decided to challenge the Vajra.

Episode 25: Your Sound

Facing the Vajra star, the Frontier fleet commences a suicide attack. (I don't know if suicide attack sounds right, let's just say it sounds like an attack where you can die). However, the Vajra are powerful and the Frontier residence Island 1 is endangered. Battle Frontier faces this enemy's star.

Nice one.

I'm curious about where Kresphy got the unconfirmed spoilers.

Quick true info!(updating)

^^

Animage:

第23話　トゥルー・ビギン

食料は配給制となり、酸素は低下。いよいよ資源が欠乏してきたフロンティア船団。

そんななか、V型感染症を患うシェリルに手料理を振舞うアルト。

ふたりは久々に安らいだ時間を過ごす。だが、その直後、驚くべきことが！？

第24話　ラスト・フロンティア

かつての第117調査船団の事故の秘密を突き止めたマクロス・クォーターのメンバー。

そこにはグレイスの野望の影があった。

そのころ、フロンティア軍部は船団の存続を賭け、バジュラとの決戦に挑む決意をしていた。

最終回　アナタノオト

バジュラの星に向かい、決死の攻防を繰り広げるフロンティア船団。

だが、バジュラの力は強大でフロンティア居住区アイランドワンは危機に瀕してしまう。

そんななか敵の本星にバトルフロンティアは向かう。

■第２３話　トゥルー・ビギン　（9/11）

資源の窮乏でフロンティア船団の食料は配給制となり、酸素の濃度も低下しつつあった。

そんな中にあっても、アルトは病に伏せるシェリルに手料理をふるまうなど献身的な看護をしていた。

戦いでは得られない安らぎのひと時を過ごしていた彼だが、

バジュラの生態とランカの歌に関する秘密を三島たちから聞き…。

■第２４話　ラスト・フロンティア　（9/18）

かつて第１１７調査船団がバジュラたちの襲撃によって壊滅した事件の真相を突き止めたＳ．Ｍ．Ｓのメンバーたち。

ランカが家族を失い、オズマとクラスことになったこの事件にはグレイスの野望が絡んでいた。

一方、フロンティア船団の軍部はバジュラとの戦いに終止符を打つことを決断する。

■第２５話　アナタノオト　（9/25）

フロンティア船団とバジュラの攻防は熾烈をきわめていた。

攻撃宇宙空母バトルフロンティアが敵の本拠地に突撃する一方で、

バジュラの攻撃を受け機器に陥る船団の居住区アイランドワン。

そんな折、ブリッジに設けられたステージにある人物のシルエットが映し出される

Who's silhouette in stage?

Minmay?

Sara?

Mao?

Ranshe?

Google translate I'm contributing.

Pretty similar from the early unconfirmed spoilers. Somewhat.

quick info

ＮＴバレ

ランカは全てのバシュラを母星に集めて、母星事自爆死しようとする

。

Ranka collecting all Bajura in the Mother Star, and self-destruction.

FULL info

地球からも新統合軍が新兵器惑星消滅兵器『フォールド兵器』を持って援軍として到着。

体制を立て直した新統合軍はバジュラの母星消滅を決定。

ランカが母星事、全てのバジュラと一緒に自爆死しようと知ったアルト達は、ランカを止めようと母星への強行突入を決行をする。

アルト達を信じたオズマは、単機で『フォールド兵器』を破壊しようと新統合軍に戦いを挑む。

NUNS decide to destroy Bajura's Mother Star with Fold Weapon.

Alto prevent Ranka self-destruction and destroy Fold Weapon.

S.M.S vs NUNS!!

What about my Sheryl?

This might still be unsourced right now but if this is how things are going to go, I must say that we're in for a one heck of a finale. This makes sense. A WHOLE lot.

This will be amusing if this spoiler gets proven.

That's 12 hours. Leave if you don't want to be spoiled.

-Considering the circumstances, AltoxSheryl doesn't feel right. I'm not a Ranka fan. And we'll get to her issue in a minute. I'm not a fan of pity or sorrow-type relationships. I do wish, if Alto made a choice, it would have been if he didn't know. Knowing someone is going to die or not be around changes the circumstances a lot. If Alto made this choice without this fact, I would agree with it more. But in light of Alto finding out now, AltoxSheryl just does not work.

-Ranka said her goodbyes. RankaxAlto doesn't have the weight that it could have. She gave up and made her choice. She probably regrets it under the circumstances, but she's going with her gut (no pun intended) and she's sticking to it. She stays at neutral till the series ends.

-AltoxNobody works.

-Which brings us to the 3rd point of this triangle. If Alto uses Ranka to save Sheryl, he's no better than Mishima and Luca. But if he chooses Ranka, then he's a jerk. Unless Sheryl dies and some time passes. Ozma is right. Alto needs to figure it all out. Alto needs to answer the "Why?" in the question. Ozma does for the people he loves. Alto needs to figure this out himself and find his own path or fall to the dark side you will.

-Luca...Much fear I sense in you. The cloud of the dark side I sense over you. Oh wait, that's just Darth Sid...Leon.

-The animator who did Ranka's dance must have done Sheryl's dance as well. He should get a raise for getting the movements so close to the real people.

-Luca actually used chaff/flares with his VF-171. I'm impressed. He actually dropped them instead of being cannon fodder.

-Speaking of the VF-171. They upgraded it. Guess that rules out the VF-25.

-Now, if Alto and Sheryl did rock the boat...I hope Alto had protection.

Someone mentioned Gundam Seen Destiny elsewhere....great now I see some parallels. I need kill that person. I just got it out of my head and now it's back there.

Hey, I dig your observation. I also feel that AltoxSheryl doesn't feel right here. Or how the way things flowed, it just wasn't clicking. But I also feel that it wouldn't feel right if Alto leaves Sheryl after what he said to her. Ultimately, I feel that Sheryl herself will let Alto go. I know Alto's bound to falter later on with how Ozma left him like that, and I can't see Sheryl begging Alto to stay with her so that she "can continue to keep singing". Sheryl's new song Fairy kind of tells me that she'll somehow turn out fine with or without Alto.

I love that Luca doesn't have a rosy cheeks anymore. Could this be proof that he's maturing And how did Galaxy minds find Vajra homeland when they are not there? Perhaps they are using Brera as their eyes?

Pics of the "Vajra World"

Edited: Are the spoiler tags working?

I'd be creeped out if I see a planet with a great hurricane belt lying outside its atmosphere. How did that happen? Minus the belt, notice this planet was reflected in Ranka's eyes during the Lion OP.

What explanation do you guys have/speculate for Klan Klan not going with the Quarter?

I was wondering if she's taking on Michael's role and watching over his two teammembers who have chosen to stay with NUNS... or just staying neutroal

This episode ain't so bad. I like Sheryl's new song. I wonder which episode they're going to play it fully since we know we only have 25 episodes.

Things I understood without the subs so help me God.

The finale will absolutely be astounding with things being set-up like this. I can't wait. Great episode.

Episode 23 synopsis from the new TV Life programming guide that just came out today (Thanks to the guys at the Chinese Macross Eden forum for posting it). Thumbnailed screenshot attached.

Looking forward to NT release next week for the remaining synopsis for September. Thanks!

２３ 「トゥルビギン」

フロンティア船団の資源が不足し、食料は配給制に。酸素も低下する中、アルトはV型感染症をわずらうシェリルに手料理をふるまい、安らぎの時を過ごす。その直後、ビルラーと三島から衝撃的な. 秘密を聞くことに。

23 True Begin(ing?)

Due to insufficient resources in the Frontier Fleet, food is being rationed. As the oxygen is being lowered, Alto cooks for a V-virus infected Sheryl and they pass the time peacefully. Right after that, Bilrer hears a shocking secret from Mishima.

Thank you. I notice this spoiler is a little suspicious with the lack of details. The only hint we get is the title.

I guess you just refuse to see things from others' point of view. What they are trying to suggest you is that if Ranka's tragical past seldom haunts her and play nearly zero effect on her current characteristics, then why can't we just ignore them in a discussiong mainly on her characteristics? She does have things too easy TO HER KNOWLEDGE AND MEMORY.

It is very evident that you, much like justinstrife, just hates Ranka. Period. There is no point trying to inform you that what you just said here is devoid of reason because it will not reach you.

I replied to your post knowing full well of the latest spoilers.

To pull a Ranka ending now, is to make some of the most unbelievable story writing(read bullshit writing), you'll ever see in anime. Worse than Canvas 2 in many regards. Ranka's stayed stagnent for 20 episodes, yet all of a sudden, she's going to age 5-10 years mentally, and be the person she should have been by now? It's a little late, and a dollar short.

I think you are just complaining because this is not true. Alto choosing Ranka is not called horrible writing. It makes the most sense to me storywise. Alto and Ranka's story began at the very beginning, girl meets boy. Boy saves girl. Girl crushes on boy. Boy supports girl. They ate happily at Nyan nyan. Next day, boy gets involved with a 'woman'. Girl gets sad and you know the rest. This is a very typical scenario in romance anime and after 20 episodes, I still see macross frontier sympathizing with the girl's story.

http://that.animeblogger.net/2008/08/24/ma...n-to-your-song/

Shanz read this blog, then read all the comments. Hell, go to all the major blogs on the internet for Macross Frontier, as well as all of the forums, and you'll see that this show has been dissected to the lowest common denominator. As Crusader from his blog says, Ranka's been given far too many handouts. She hasn't had one major disappointment yet. She's so completely overdo for one, it's pathetic. Like all of the characters before her, in the Macross Universe, Ranka is going to need to grow up...

Yes yes yes, I've been a lurker for far too long and I'm aware of the blogs around. Ranka will only grow up once things blow up in her face. That is exactly what happened in this episode. She didn't know what hit her and she failed trying to handle things. From the heartbreak she suffered up to the Vajra attack. This is why I sense a major character development on the way from here on. We get to see Ranka flourish as she regains her memory and resolve things. She is at the center of all this chaos afterall.

There's some major flaws with your logic. The most obvious one is, Sheryl has always worried about her fans, Alto, Galaxy, everybody, over herself. She has always put others before her. Ranka on the other hand, has always put herself, or Alto above everything else. Case in point, episode 12 during the Galia IV arc where she never once showed concern for Sheryl or anyone else on the entire planet except Alto. #2, she never showed concern for her best friend Nanase after she was hurt, and could only comment about how warm Alto's hand was, before thinking of Brera in a past memory.

I don't think it'll convince you with whatever I have to say now because from the way you put this, you're being a too biased when it comes to your description of Ranka. Ranka may be in dire need of development, ep 20 is obviously setting up the stage, but I don't think she is as self-centered as you claim she is.

Ranka hasn't learned anything yet. She hasn't grown up yet. She's still a mental midget. Until she grows up, she has no chance of winning the love triangle. You can't have an adult and a child in a love love relationship. It doesn't work. You need two adults.

From what I can see, Alto feels the need to be there for Ranka because she always seeks him. Contrary to what we expect, Alto doesn't mind that Ranka seeks him. He welcomes her and looks out for her. Alto and Ranka are only two years apart. They're both teenagers. You are the one saying that black should be black and white should be white or it is not happening.

The fact is, Ranka (immature as she is right now) does not affect her chances with Alto. Although it's evident the author will not let Ranka stay this way.

Another thing, only 3 people knew Sheryl is dying. Grace, Michael, and Klan Klan. Grace is the main bad guy, Michael is dead, and Klan Klan is about to go apeshit on all that is Vajra with deathflags abound. That leaves Sheryl with... Who exactly to help her? Since Ranka interrupted and went all emo, Sheryl is no way going to tell Alto about her illness, and will choose to carry the burden alone. As well as carrying the burden of the peoples' despair. So then who will carry Sheryl? The people? The ones who toss her aside on a moment's notice when a new Heroine comes to town?

You should include the character's feelings into account and see if they even want someone to carry them, rather than inserting your own want. Does sheryl want someone to carry her? You heard her in episode 20. She is very independent and she is fine with this. Ranka on the other hand wants to be with Alto. She needs Alto and gets hurt at the thought of being without him. This is the clear difference between the two girls. It might be a little unfair to compare Sheryl to Ranka right now since Ranka is just about to start her final character development. But I said it...

No, Sheryl needs Alto's support more than Ranka's. Ranka has been using Alto as an emotional crutch since almost day one. She's shown no ability to do things on her own without it involving him somehow. Very, very unhealthy. Ranka will never grow out of being a child, until she learns to give him some distance, and show she can stand on her own two feet without him. Unfortuntely, we're past episode 20 now, and time is about out.

This sounds more like a rant of your dissatisfaction in Ranka's character that is why you, speaking for yourself, don't want Alto to end up with her. This however doesn't have anything to do with Alto. I don't think Ranka was show to be this obsessed, but maybe trying to clear this for you is futile.

I'm leaning on a bittersweet ending at this point. Alto finds out about Sheryl dying after they become a couple, and there is no cure for her, so they spend what time they have left together, while Ranka runs off into the sunset with the Vajra and Brera in tow. Or something of a similar variation to that.

And I'm leaning on a happier outcome for everyone.