Macross Frontier [Anime Review]

It should come as no surprise that after watching Macross 7 I would quickly get around to watching Macross Frontier. In fact I began watching Macross Frontier the day I finished watching Macross 7.

This is the obligatory Macross Frontier VF image.

What a massive difference between the two. Macross 7 is... well, you can read my review here.

Macross Frontier is almost its exact opposite in every way.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Sheryl. One of our three main protagonists.

This of course means that Macross Frontier is actually a very good anime, that there is a plot, and that the music is much better. Yes, yes, I know that some people like the music from Macross 7 (and admittedly a few songs were ok, but some were way over used and some were just bad.)

Macross Frontier is the bigger, even better, follow up to Macross Plus (again, Macross 7 technically followed Macross Plus), and a great addition to the whole Macross Saga.  

More Veritech Fighters! Wooooo!

Which of course, should make your blood boil at what has happened with the Macross series in the US. If you live in the US... the only way you will get to watch the absolute meh-ness of Macross 7, or the pure awesomeness of Macross Frontier, is going to be through fan-subs. The only bits of the Macross franchise to come to our shores is Robotech (not really Macross, but an incredible simulation using Macross) and Macross Plus.

I really do love Veritech Fighters. They are so cool!

Despite it being so much better than Macross 7, I do suggest that before you watch Frontier you give Macross 7 a try. It will be referenced, and if you have good ears you will also catch snippets of Nekki Basara singing. Macross Frontier is, after all, built in the classic Macross style. That means that there will be awesome transforming Veritech Fighters, there will be a love-triangle or two, and singing will have some super natural power over people / things / aliens / what have you. That is the Macross style.

I have nothing more to add to that statement.

The little references back to prior Macross series add a nice touch to Macross Frontier. Unfortunately I did not realize that Macross Zero was actually released before Macross Frontier, so I now need to go and watch that short OVA. Though to be honest, I am fairly certain I know what episode really centered around the story of Macross Zero.
 

But you know hers are... Zentradi sized.

Except when she's micronized. Slight genetic hiccup.

One of the more impressive things about Macross Frontier is how well it has held up over time. It was first released in 2007 (one episode I think), and 2008. It is six years old, and the story, animation, and sound track all hold up very very well. Then again, quality Macross shows do hold up. To this day Macross Plus (now 20 years old come this August) is still an excellent series, well animated, with good music. While in counter point, Macross 7 was never all that well animated, nor was it's story all that great. Age does not bother the Macross series; either they hold up from the get go, or they fall down at the start.

Yes, this review is avoiding the story of Macross Frontier almost entirely. Why?

Because I want you, the reader, to watch this series. It is at the absolute top of the anime food chain. Not a perfect series, the ending is admittedly rather rapid, but still one of the all time greats. 

It's worth finding a fan-sub place to get a hold of it.

And I can tell you now, that the day comes that this ever has a blu-ray disc release in the states, I'll be the first person in line to pre-order it!

I could watch this series again, several times at least, and still enjoy it every time. 

Queadluun-Rao! She pilots one! Woo!

So there you have it. My advice. Put this series on your 'to-be-watched-very-soon' lists. It is worth it, and at only 25 episodes, you won't even strain yourself.

Now I need to go watch some Macross Zero.

See, this is what I meant by Macross Style.