Macross Frontier Episode 2 Talkback Thread *READ 1st Post*

[izanagi11]

Hey guys, I got a question. I dont suppose anyone knows who this "Bilrer" or "Bilra" the mayor was talking about?

[wolfx]

As Shouta has noted, the AiA-IZ's encoder likes to alternate the openings and endings with English and romanji.

Or Do both like most subs.

Heh, 1280x720 vs 768x432. The way I figure it all...there's always going to be something missed in a translation...there's no getting around it. So, if I can't get a prefect translation...why not try for the best video quality instead?

Anyway, is all this talk about Ranka being Protoculture/Vajra all speculation or is this all learned in chapter 4 of the manga? I would read up on chapter four...but I don't want anything spoiled...and would rather save it for the anime.

This is my personal opinion but if i wanted HD i would go buy the DVDs so i'm satisfied with low quality fansubs for "preview" purposes. But then again this is Macross and it may not be released stateside. Oh and also my pc can't play HD files...and smaller files are always welcome. I don't have a wide-a** screen so it makes no difference to me.

[Heron]

All I know is I like the Shoutu (sp?) editon more than the Gattai (sp?). It reads and flows much better.

[Shouta]

Just how much more accurate is it compared to Gattai's though? In AiA & I-Z's, Ozma says he'll give Luca some candy...while in Gattai's he'll give Luca some "agedama." Later on we see Ranka saying she'll get Ozma some "sashirei" (Gattai) rather than "something" (AiA & I-Z).

Ozma says Amedama, or candy in Japanese (which makes sense considering what Luca responds with). Ranka says sashiire or "provisons/supplies" (for someone working or doing a task) which in the context of her sentence means something from the restaurant. Since she didn't specify what she would bring, "something" is the most appropriate word. If anything, I probably should've said "I'll bring you something to eat later"

Hey guys, I got a question. I dont suppose anyone knows who this "Bilrer" or "Bilra" the mayor was talking about?

Not at the moment. We can make an assumption that it's the guy pulling the strings behind SMS but that's about it.

Edited April 15, 2008 by Shouta

[grss1982]

Just how much more accurate is it compared to Gattai's though? In AiA & I-Z's, Ozma says he'll give Luca some candy...while in Gattai's he'll give Luca some "agedama." Later on we see Ranka saying she'll get Ozma some "sashirei" (Gattai) rather than "something" (AiA & I-Z).

Accurate subs aside...Gattai uses a higher resolution. Since I'm not a wiz at Japanese...I'll take video quality with a slightly less accurate sub over a lower resolution but more accurate sub...any day. ...But I digress.

Well....if your talking about accuracy check out this post by our very won "Shouta" over at animesuki.com:

Sure, here's one I posted on another forum.

When Altoh and Ozma first enter the SMS hangar, Altoh makes a comment about how nice and modern the VF-25s are. In the Gattai version he makes a comment about how a civilian force is taking the brunt of the fighting. Wrong on Gattai's part but an innocuous mistake.

The big one is one that follows. The lines from Ozma and from the Gattai version are:

Ozma: It's all about cash and personal benefit

Ozma: Wealth conquers all.

The actual translation is:

Ozma: That's Capitalism for ya.

Ozma: The power of money is really something.

The untranslated lines are:

Ozma: shihonshugi tte yatsu sa

Ozma: kane no chikara ha idai tte koto da

While it doesn't seem like a big difference, it changes the characterization of Ozma and SMS. It makes Ozma a greedy pilot out for personal gain when it's kind of obvious he isn't. He gave up flying initially to please Ranka and didn't want to let her know that he was piloting again. It's kind of like the Han shoots first thing in Star Wars.

There are other minor ones here and there throughout the episode (trailing off and not translating some lines, getting the tense or phrasing wrong), most of them not too bad because they aren't as important but this one is fairly key if you're looking at the show critically.

BTW, I ROFL-ed at post by another member (Onizuka-GTO) at animesuki about the punching incident between Ozma and Altoh.

as long as altro get some dammn flight & combat training i'll be satisfied.

i just don't wnat another teenager jumping into a fighting machine and miraculously know how to fight...and win!

ozma really summed it up, no rookies going endanger 1bn worth of equipment and the lives of your comrades. punch him again Ozma, no emo's allowed here.

[Sergorn]

BTW, I ROFL-ed at post by another member (Onizuka-GTO) at animesuki about the punching incident between Ozma and Altoh.

Speaking of which I felt the Gattai and AiA gave a quite different feeling of this scenes. In the Gattai fansubs it feels like Ozam juste don't want a rookie to fly on one of SMS' neat Valkyrie and so just kick him out for even having the idea. While in the AiA there's also a sense that he just doesn't want a rookie to be in the air because he'll get hurt.

-Sergorn

[Chronocidal]

Ranka is actually a human form vajra and it is remembering from when they destroy that ship and the flashback was from her vajra point of view

Can anyone identify the ship that is destroyed? it seems to be the size of a VF unless that red vajra in the flashback is bigger than the ones that attacked M25.

About Ranka and Ozma, if you lost all your family would you want your only family member left or guardian to be in a job that would put him in danger at every moment? I really hope Ozma doesn't die.

For a variable fighter that is still in testing, the VF-25 has a lot of add-ons, I am guessing that like the VF-0 it is still in testing but all ready in production.

Sorry to repost bits I mentioned earlier, but it got buried fast.

The shot from Ranka's memory makes me think "escape pod." My guess at this point would be that Ozma rescued Ranka during that event, and got the military boot for it, or something...doesn't make much sense he'd get kicked out for saving someone, unless he completely neglected his orders.

Also.. I think we're underestimating how big that vajra is. The thing it's attacking looks nothing like an aircraft of any sort... what it does look like is either a satellite (because of the big sensor dish on one end), or an entire space station. And I'm not talking MIR-sized, I'm thinking more like a star trek style starbase. The central core of the thing looks like it has rows of windows lit up, and could be anywhere from 15-20 decks tall.. and that's ignoring all the other parts of the structure. So, the impression I get is that that particular vajra, while it looks like the one that Alto fought, might be a vastly larger version.

So, anyway, barring that Ranka is really some random alien or something, my guess is that Ozma got her onto some sort of escape craft. It could be related to his military history, but that seems unlikely to me. Whether Ranka's parents were killed on the station before she left is up for grabs still.. if Ozma didn't do it, they may have saved her, then stayed behind for some reason or another (can't tell if the explosion damaged the vajra there). The craft they were on was probably a research station of some sort.

[mikeszekely]

The shot from Ranka's memory makes me think "escape pod."

That'd go a long way toward explaining that circular frame surrounding that scene.

[Graham]

MKV and AVI containers also provide an easy way to convert these episodes to DVD for viewing in our hometheater systems while we wait for them the come out on commercial DVD.

Can you recommend some good, free easy to ue software for converting the MKV or AVI files so I can play them on my stand alone DVD players?

Graham

[Vinnie]

Also.. I think we're underestimating how big that vajra is. The thing it's attacking looks nothing like an aircraft of any sort... what it does look like is either a satellite (because of the big sensor dish on one end), or an entire space station. And I'm not talking MIR-sized, I'm thinking more like a star trek style starbase. The central core of the thing looks like it has rows of windows lit up, and could be anywhere from 15-20 decks tall.. and that's ignoring all the other parts of the structure. So, the impression I get is that that particular vajra, while it looks like the one that Alto fought, might be a vastly larger version.

Because I don't have Macross Plus handy, did it look like the holographic image of "Repair Satellite Echo, may be more your style" during the "Rubber dog---- from Hong Kong" briefing in OVA 1?

[Graham]

QUOTE (Onizuka-GTO)

as long as altro get some dammn flight & combat training i'll be satisfied.

i just don't wnat another teenager jumping into a fighting machine and miraculously know how to fight...and win!

ozma really summed it up, no rookies going endanger 1bn worth of equipment and the lives of your comrades. punch him again Ozma, no emo's allowed here.

Heh, Guess he hasn't been following the manga then. If the anime follows the manga, I think we should have an extremely action packed training episode around episode 4.

Graham

[Graham]

Just want to say again, I'm really loving the instrumental background music in this episode, especially the music that starts when Alto & Ozma enter the SMS base.

I really hope we get this on the OST CD.

Graham

[Elektrix]

Just want to say again, I'm really loving the instrumental background music in this episode, especially the music that starts when Alto & Ozma enter the SMS base.

I really hope we get this on the OST CD.

Graham

Glad someone else pointed this out. The orchestral music so far has been great, and it's definitely highlighted in this episode.

I'm positive we'll get it on the OST CD, as pretty much every show Yoko Kanno has done music for has featured most of the orchestral work on the OST's as well.

-Elektrix

[Sergorn]

Sorry to repost bits I mentioned earlier, but it got buried fast.

The shot from Ranka's memory makes me think "escape pod." My guess at this point would be that Ozma rescued Ranka during that event, and got the military boot for it, or something...doesn't make much sense he'd get kicked out for saving someone, unless he completely neglected his orders.

Yeah that's exactly what I thought too. It looks like Ranka was on some ship or space station that was wipeout out by the Varja and survived in a escape pod. My theory would be that Ozma saved her there and basically adopter here.

I was more under the impression that Ozma left the military rather than being kicked out - I dunno but maybe it's related : it looks the SMS' VF-25 is the only capable VF against the Varja - possibly even that he was designed FOR that purpose : considering Ozma already fought, I'd say he'd joined the SMS for the sole purpose of fighting the Varja knowing that they would test the VF25 there from their maker (would that be the mysterious Mr Bilrer ? I wonder).

-Sergorn

[RichterX]

Because I don't have Macross Plus handy, did it look like the holographic image of "Repair Satellite Echo, may be more your style" during the "Rubber dog---- from Hong Kong" briefing in OVA 1?

Was that one of the possible places that they could had send Isamu as punishment?

I was joking when saying that Ranka could be a Vajra in human form, but you never know

[Graham]

I'm still iffy on the idea of a civilian armerd service (a la mercenaries).....BUT WHO CARES!

Well, Private Military Companies (PMCs), such as Blackwater are very topical now.

Just checking the Wiki page on PMCs and there are dozens of PMCs. I didn't realize there were so many.

Graham

[Graham]

Yeah, this isn't Robotech.

His voice does sound familiar, though. Anyone recognize it?

Heh, perhaps it's Isamu. He'd be 44 years old in 2059.

Graham

[Vegas]

MKV and AVI containers also provide an easy way to convert these episodes to DVD for viewing in our hometheater systems while we wait for them the come out on commercial DVD.

I have no issues with Mp4 playback but conversion to DVD is not as straight forward with that container.

Just my thoughts.

mine is easy, i just hook up my laptop to my bigscreen

[Mr March]

Just want to say again, I'm really loving the instrumental background music in this episode, especially the music that starts when Alto & Ozma enter the SMS base.

I really hope we get this on the OST CD.

Graham

I agree! Worth saying twice. The music is really getting my blood going when I watch the action sequences. Fantastic work. Reminds me of the rich score for Macross Plus.

[TehPW]

Ozma says Amedama, or candy in Japanese (which makes sense considering what Luca responds with). Ranka says sashiire or "provisons/supplies" (for someone working or doing a task) which in the context of her sentence means something from the restaurant. Since she didn't specify what she would bring, "something" is the most appropriate word. If anything, I probably should've said "I'll bring you something to eat later"

Not at the moment. We can make an assumption that it's the guy pulling the strings behind SMS but that's about it.

B as opposed to V (BrieF-25). the mayor must have said the bug's name, cementing the prior knowledge angle...

[JValk]

long time no see, long time no series! Episode 2 was just up my alley, great homage scenes with a twist! And our fave lil 1/4th Zent gal seems to attract a Nausicaa-level amount of bug attraction for some reason...good stuff so far!

[Mr March]

I have to say, so far this series is firing on all cylinders. The opening battle sequence to Episode 2 was non-stop mecha porn in the best sense of the phrase. The animation just keeps getting better and better. I was worried that the first episode of Macross Frontier set the bar a bit too high and revealed too much of the mecha goodies. But episode two seems to show a steady stream of new mecha technologies for the Valkyries. Ozuma's Full Armor fusillade of missiles was a welcome and expected Itano Circus of mayhem and it was great to see the wrap-around imaging monitors of the Battroid cockpit are intact and updated in a very pleasing new visual style. The infamous knife attack calls back to the days of Isamu's bayonet moves in Macross Plus. After an episode and a half of that big red Vajra kicking everyone's butt, I practically leaped out of my chair and cheered when Ozuma's mighty Full Armor VF-25 sunk it's knife deep into the beast's neck. Lip-licking goodness, indeed my dear Ozuma!

As is traditional in the Macross shows, the supporting cast of pilots are seen in distinct colored mecha. Mikhail shows up in a deep blue colored VF-25 with some kind of specialized Sniper Gun Pod, definitely a first for Macross. His skill with the gun is quite impressive and as always his entrance is spectacular. Luca plays more of a background role in this episode, piloting a green colored VF-25 with the ELINT package of a top mounted Radome and and ventral fin. Ozuma obviously has a tendency to razz the newest young members of SMS and Luca is probably eager to prove his worth in battle. In a beautiful homage that practically brings fans to tears, Alto saves Ranka in a daring mid-air rescue that mirrors the Macross history some 25 years ago when Hikaru saved Minmay in his old VF-1D during a similar edge of your seat battle.

As for our main characters, Alto gets a really strong lesson in reality from Ozuma in the form of a good solid punch. It's great to see Macross pulling no punches. After years of anime where whining brats are pandered to it's refreshing to see an immature child like Alto get exactly what he needs to make him grow up. On the less overt side of the character arcs, Ranka obviously has some connection to the Vajra and given that this is Macross, her singing is no doubt connected. The episode ends on a great meeting of the three characters with yet another cliffhanger. This show so far hasn't stopped delivering the goods and each episode makes me want to see more.

Thus far, Macross Frontier is a fine return to form for the Macross franchise. Though some fans may disagree, Macross hasn't been this good since 1994's Macross Plus. Frontier is definitely going back to the roots of the Macross story, but with each homage and reference to Macross history, the story charges in new directions and pulls out all the stops for mecha fans hungry for new giant robot and fighter jet action. The animation continues to impress and the background music is amazing, featuring a lush orchestral score that is elevating the action to new heights. All I can say is bring on episode three. I'm there!

Deculture!

Edited April 15, 2008 by Mr March

[Graham]

As is traditional in the Macross shows, the supporting cast of pilots are seen in distinct colored mecha. Mikhail shows up in a deep blue colored VF-25F with some kind of specialized Sniper Gun Pod, definitely a first for Macross. His skill with the gun is quite impressive and as always his entrance is spectacular. Luca plays more of a background role in this episode, piloting a green colored VF-25F with the ELINT package of a top mounted Radome and and ventral fin. Ozuma obviously has a tendency to razz the newest young members of SMS and Luca is probably eager to prove his worth in battle. In a beautiful homage that practically brings fans to tears, Alto saves Ranka in a daring mid-air rescue that mirrors the Macross history some 25 years ago when Hikaru saved Minmay in his old VF-1D during a similar edge of your seat battle.

I don't think that Luca and Mikhail are piloting the VF-25F.

IIRC, the 'F' designation is given to the Alto/Gilliam twin head laser version, which has a distinctly different head to that shown on Mikhail's blue VF-25 in episode # 2, and Luca's green VF-25 in the latest Newtype magazine.

While no letter designation has been given for these or the tan cannon fodder VF-25, I bet it will be 'A'.

Graham

[Mr March]

I'm too excited to notice, I guess Correction made.

[Duke Togo]

Heh, perhaps it's Isamu. He'd be 44 years old in 2059.

Graham

The voice actor...

[grss1982]

I have to say, so far this series is firing on all cylinders. The opening battle sequence to Episode 2 was non-stop mecha porn in the best sense of the phrase. The animation just keeps getting better and better. I was worried that the first episode of Macross Frontier set the bar a bit too high and revealed too much of the mecha goodies. But episode two seems to show a steady stream of new mecha technologies for the Valkyries. Ozuma's Full Armor fusillade of missiles was a welcome and expected Itano Circus of mayhem and it was great to see the wrap-around imaging monitors of the Battroid cockpit are intact and updated in a very pleasing new visual style. The infamous knife attack calls back to the days of Isamu's bayonet moves in Macross Plus. After an episode and a half of that big red Vajra kicking everyone's butt, I practically leaped out of my chair and cheered when Ozuma's mighty Full Armor VF-25 sunk it's knife deep into the beast's neck. Lip-licking goodness, indeed my dear Ozuma!

Didn't you find that the least disturbing? I mean its like Ozma has an axe to grind with the Varja or something.

But anyways Itano Circus, FTW!!!!! I'm currently re-watching it over and over again.

Edited April 15, 2008 by grss1982

[Zinjo]

I don't think that Luca and Mikhail are piloting the VF-25F.

IIRC, the 'F' designation is given to the Alto/Gilliam twin head laser version, which has a distinctly different head to that shown on Mikhail's blue VF-25 in episode # 2, and Luca's green VF-25 in the latest Newtype magazine.

While no letter designation has been given for these or the tan cannon fodder VF-25, I bet it will be 'A'.

Graham

I agree, the head of Michel's fighter is definitely reminiscent of an "A" style, however I think Luca is flying an "E" since one of the mag scans shows a different head for his green fighter.

Makes one wonder if Alto get's Gilliam's F, if that might cause a bit of friction between him and Michel?

[Zinjo]

Or Do both like most subs.

I don't mind it at all. Kinda reminds me how ADV subbed the openning of Evangelion. One ep was English the next Japanese.

This is my personal opinion but if i wanted HD i would go buy the DVDs so i'm satisfied with low quality fansubs for "preview" purposes. But then again this is Macross and it may not be released stateside. Oh and also my pc can't play HD files...and smaller files are always welcome. I don't have a wide-a** screen so it makes no difference to me.

That's cool.

I prefer to enjoy the episodes on a bigger screen than a computer monitor. I fully intend to purchase any Western release of the show and if BV does an English sub track on their Japanese Blurays, I'll be buying them first...

As for story elements, I am still on the fence as to who the Varja actually are. At first I thought they must be a PC remnant, but with the Lobster and the Hammerhead mecha's reaction to Lanca's screem, I am no longer so sure. If a PC remnant were looking for an Anima Spiritia, why run? If this is an SA remnant, that would track. However, the Lobsters have what appear to be (possibly) stellar republic insignia (if the Birdman's insignia is that of the PC republic). I suspect this story is going to get much more complicated before it's over.

[jenius]

I just watched for the first time. Damn fine episode with one exception, the scenes in Ozma's car are atrociously animated. They look like some bad video game. In fact, they look so bad, I figured the camera actually was going to pull back and we'd learn that someone was in the arcade (the arcade would be another nice homage to the original series). Alas, it was just really bad animation. Still, that tiny bit did nothing to dampen my appreciation of that episode which was all sorts of great. I wish it took more than Ranka barely singing a sentence or two to really grab the Varja's attention. The blue VF-25 with a sniper rifle reminded me in that scene where it first showed up of Max's VF-1A landing in the city and preparing to do battle with Miria's Q-Rau.

[Kronnang Dunn]

Though some fans may disagree, Macross hasn't been this good since 1994's Macross Plus.

Come on... & Macross Zero?

[mike_s_6]

Just want to say again, I'm really loving the instrumental background music in this episode, especially the music that starts when Alto & Ozma enter the SMS base.

I really hope we get this on the OST CD.

Graham

If it's not in the OST... I'll That background music is my most wanted in the OST, next perhaps to Diamond Crevasse. I really hope all of the music gets published.

[taksraven]

I agree! Worth saying twice. The music is really getting my blood going when I watch the action sequences. Fantastic work. Reminds me of the rich score for Macross Plus.

You really stole my thunder there, but it is absolutely true. I am really reminded myself of the Macross Plus soundtrack. The combination of fantastic orchestral music and cool jpop works really well. Since there will be a lot more Frontier than Mac+ we should hopefully get to hear lots of other cool stuff too.

Even Triangular has grown on me.

Taksraven

[wolfx]

Sheryl and Ranka singing as the SMS pilots flew into battle felt really epic. Love that scene!

[Jacques Deville]

Hi, little question about Sheryl.. Is she French??

There is a scene where Grace is watching a mirror, it has a message written in french with lipstick, it says: Désole Grace, je suis sorti, je reviens pour le boulot Bisous (it means: I'm sorry Grace, i'm out, i'll be back for the job, kiss)

(also the singing in macross zero was in french as far as I remember.. , any relation between macross and the french language? )

Edited April 15, 2008 by Jacques Deville

[kamotekid]

jacques, you might wanna read this same thread some pages back.