Macross Frontier Series Discussion Thread *READ 1st Post*

[azrael]

Welcome to the Macross Frontier Series Discussion Thread

This thread is for discussion of the ENTIRE series "Macross Frontier".

Guidelines:

• Macross Frontier episode file requests, file offers or any audio/video sharing links of any kind or format are not permitted anywhere on the forum beyond this post. This includes, but is not limited to BitTorrent files/links, YouTube, Nico, Veoh.com or related video-sharing or video streaming site links, Rapidshare/Megaupload/etc. links, full audio soundtracks, etc.. We will provide download locations for you. Any user-post in violation of this rule will be deleted without notice. Repeated offenses may result in a ban. DISCUSSION ONLY. Send a PM to a mod if you have a file sharing link that is not listed and it will be added within 24 hours or send Boinger a PM with a link to the file to be added to iMacross.
• Please reserve Technology talk to the Mecha Thread. Do not cross-post.
• This thread IS NOT FOR INDIVIDUAL EPISODE TALK OR MOVIE TALK. Please reserve individual episode talk for the Episode threads. If you're here, you are here to talk about the ENTIRE series.

Download links

• Macross Frontier OST 2 (In stores Oct. 8, 2008)
• "Diamond Crevasse 50/50" (May'n + Megumi Nakajima duet): MediaFire link (not on OST 2)
• "Diamond Crevasse ~a capella~" (note: not actually a capella): MediFire link (not on OST 2)
• Macross Frontier OST 2 (MP3 player friendly, VBR)
• Frontier concert video

Some suggestions you may wish to address or discuss: (This list is by no means comprehensive and you may wish to address other issues regarding the series)

• General impressions of the entire series.
• Opinions of the overall story, writing, plot devices, characters, character design, i.e., in-story elements, etc.
• Opinions on the staff, casting, marketing of the show, i.e. real life/behind the scenes, etc.
• Additional DVD/Blu-Ray content.
• What worked? What didn't work?
• What could have the production staff done differently?
• How would you rate the production staff, voice actors, animation, story, characters, etc.?
• Did any aspects grab you? Did any aspects fail to meet any expectations?
• Did the music work for the series? Could it have been better?
• ...Etc.

The poll represents the rating on the ENTIRE series. Weigh all factors before voting because you cannot take back your vote. Consider averaging your ratings.

Example: [(Animation Quality: 1-10) + (Voice Actors: 1-10) + (Script/Story: 1-10) + (Editing: 1-10) + (Characters: 1-10) + (Marketing: 1-10) + (etc...)] / (total # of factors in your rating) = Average of ratings (i.e. Poll choice)

Thread and poll will open following the end of the TV series finale.

[azrael]

You can put your hopes for the movie, but this thread is really about the TV series. Focus on the TV series please.

[whispo]

Here we go!!!

points first:

animation: 10, Yes, there were alot of times when the animation was of, but you can say what ever you want, it did kick ass big time al through out the series. The show offered amazing looks and beautifull action. It really kicked others shows asses aswell. Not many series can match this level of quality.

voice acting: 9, The voice acting made the characters real imo, the only anoying things were the constant Ranka lines, but lets not talk about those . Singing is part of voice acting aswell, so let's face it. The voice acting was awsome no matter what. this series has some of the best anime music ever.

story: 8, Well the story somtimes seemed kind of rushed. It wasn't always clear and at times it felt overly complicated. Also the sudden drive to have all plot points resolved in 4 episodes felt odd. Still it gave us some really cool twists en was verry entertaining in general.

editing: 10, The editing was beautifully done. Look back at the deculture version of episode one, when the vf 171's engage the Vajra and Sheryl sings. Now that was something alot of series don't even get close to. The musice and the images flowed into each other so nicely .... respect. Cool thing was that the entire series managed to keep this level of quality till the verry end.

characters: 8, The characters are in my oppinion really good. Sure they weren't all verry deep, but some of them were. And atleast we got to get emmotionally attached to them (Remember Michel ?). The love triangle also falls into this catogery. I'd just like to say that I really felt emotional backlash of all events inside the traingle, it made me appreciate the characters even more and it certainly helped me attach to them. So in the end I loved the characters, but they weren't so deep and dynamic that they'd earn higher then an 8

marketing: 9, I dont live in Japan, so this isn't a point I can honestly say much about besides all the stuff I've seen on this forum. However I did notice an insane amount of new people (myself included) joining us to see this series, and watching Japanese tv and reading on these forums made it verry clear that Frontier was everywhere. So yeah, I think it was great

Final score: 9

Now for the facts.

So half a year ago I read about this cool looking sci-fi anime on random curiosity's blog. I decided to download the early released episode one. As a result i locked myself in my room for 5 hours and kept watching it over and over again. How could a series have such an amazing theme, beautifull animation and such awsome action and songs?! I was hooked.

After a long wait Frontier finally began. I waited patiently and came here on these boards looking for spoilers. Well I found this awsome community and got caught up in a universe completely new to me: Macross. I decided to download every single series,ova and movie and all the soundtracks. I watched them all and got even more pumped up, damn what is this universe cool, I thought. So I kept followng Macross Frontier, and loved it all the way. Now after 25 weeks its done.

Macross Frontier is in my oppinion the best anime I've ever watched. And I've watched ALOT of anime's. I'm a hufe space/sci fi fan so this series theme fits the bill for me. On top of that the series mixes fast action with beautifull songs/music and it's verry nicely animated aswell. On top of that is also the concept of a valkyrie and the Macross ships in general. I just love transforming things, especially when it's as big as an entire island! Frontier also introduced characters wich were really nice. Like all the fans I got swept up in the love traingle debate and chose my side (Sheryl for those of you who hadn't noticed). The series steadily build up relations between the main characters and the rest of the cast. It wasn't the best character driven story, but I did really like it. The action got more intense, the story got deeper, new villans and allies were introduced and we were constantly beeing trolled into believing something different would happen. This series kept me on edge from start till finnish.

God I love Macross Frontier. It felt like a rollercoaster with all the fast pace action and songs, yet the story managed to stay clear instead of getting swept up in the explosions. The last episode felt alittle rushed, but wasn't anoying in doing so. The series ended with a satisfying bang and tied up almost all the lose ends besides the love traingle, wich is the only thing i'm really disappointed about. Hopefully this will get resolved in the upcomming movie, wich I'm dying to see.

Frontier kicked my ass in the best way it could. This show rocks and deserves to be called a masterpiece. It's a worthy 25th aniversary of the Macross series and one of the best series in it, if not THE best. I'm a proud fan for sticking with it from the start till the end.......

Edited September 25, 2008 by whispo

[Cybergig1]

I voted 9 just because as wonderful as I thought it was I wouldn't say it was quite perfect. Just a few little quirps but nothing major. Still one of my favorite series period and high up on my Macross list. With a killer movie followup it could be considered perfect so we'll have to wait and see.

[Morpheus]

Give me a few days and I will came up posting some homage in M:Frontier to the rest of the series

[Duke Togo]

The animation was inconsistent, and on a few occasions quite poor. With a few exceptions (Sheryl, Alto, Ranka), the character designs were bland to horrible. The story comes off as very convoluted and unfocused. Its target audience was a bit younger than I would have liked. However, the mecha action was top notch and the music was solid. And as convoluted as the story was, for the most part, it kept your attention. Also, coming out of this series Sheryl is my second favorite Macross character. That chick's got the guts of Guld.

In the end, the story is left unresolved. And I'm not talking about the "triangle". I guess we'll have to wait and see. If I had my choice, I'd give Frontier an incomplete, but for now I'll just give the TV series itself a 7.

[UN Spacy]

I'll wait after I've seen #25.

[kalvasflam]

Inconsistent animation is one problem, it went from superb to so-so to superb. There was still a bit too much reuse of footage, but I guess I can understand it.

Story was good, but was not paced well, and the ending feel a bit rushed. What the hell? How did we end up with just Battle Galaxy? Where is the rest of the fleet? This could've used may be another 5 to 10 episodes to flush out the whole story. I think it would've been good to have a better understanding of the Vajra, they made it sound like a gigantic overmind, but then it was also a very weak overmind to have been taken so easily.

Finally, Alto was still a bit indecisive, but if a movie resolves it, then I'm satisfied.

Other than that, I second what Togo said, Sheryl is a great character, more guts, (although we never really saw it spill out) than Guld. Nicely rounded characters overall. When the animation was good however, it was very good. Music was pretty good. Overall, a worthy successor to the genre even if it was not a fully completed storyline.

Edited September 25, 2008 by kalvasflam

[MisaForever]

I'll wait after I've seen #25.

Same here. And I'd argue with Togo on all of his points but he'll never change his mind.

[Strumvogel]

I'd give it an 8. While a great series, it does go thru the motions of a standard anime show. While this is not an entirely a negative, I would have been happier if they took those concepts and made it their own rather than just running with it to make just to fufill the otaku niche (panty episode, Klan's assets, etc.)

I suppose I had wanted this new series to blow me away the same way the original did in that it did something new with the pre-exsisting anime concepts at the time. Songs, wonderful mecha designs, action sequences, characters all of which are utilised and are integral to the story.

I still enjoyed it though and a big fan. So much so all my immediate friends are wary of me when discussion of Frontier is broached.

That said, I still need to watch ep25. It may very well bump the rating up by one depending on that.

[ShizumaRobo]

I would personally hold off all comments until after Episode 25.

[VF-25 Messiah]

I would personally hold off all comments until after Episode 25.

And what makes you think people posting here haven't seen it?

[Duke Togo]

And what makes you think people posting here haven't seen it?

I've seen it 3 times, LOL.

[VF-25 Messiah]

I've seen it 3 times, LOL.

You have me beat by one then, but thanks for underlining my point

[MisaForever]

Ummm, some of us aren't OBSESSED like you guys and haven't seen it yet

[ShizumaRobo]

And what makes you think people posting here haven't seen it?

Just making sure.

And I just saw the episode. WOW. What an ending. I'll put my impressions on the series when I have time.

[shinkirou]

I gave it a 10!!! XD

specially when you compare it to the other seies that is about to end *ahem ahem for the sunrise+bandai pollution*

sure there were those panty episode and huge 'assets' by many characters but that is the pop colture of anime today.

the pop colture of then, 'past' is different from today, so comparing it with older serieses, for me, is somehow not right as they are on different planes. But comparing it to anime of its own genre or even not only in its own genre but in its own timeline (now, year 2008) I firmly hold a VERY BIG #1 FAN placard to support this series XD (shifted my fanboysim from the other series *cough cough CG* to here - MF!!!XD)

[manwiththemachinegun]

The show kept me entertained episode to episode. The battles and music were fantastic and the characters worked for the most part. I have a feeling the movie is going to continue the love story and solve some of the lingering mysteries, so my inner-shipper is sated. As a stand alone ending though, you could do worse, much, much worse. I rate the series an overall 9.

It's definately the second best Macross TV series. I'd rank it the following:

1. SDFM

2. M+

3. MF

4. M7

5. M0

Edited September 25, 2008 by manwiththemachinegun

[Strumvogel]

Watched the ending and it's staying at 8 as per my previous post reasons.

[ShizumaRobo]

Well, what do I think overall? Frontier rules. While it certainly doesn't beat out the original SDF Macross, its still a fantastic anime its definetly the Macross sequel I've been waiting for for a long time. I think its the best the Macross universe has to offer and it certainly beats the pants off Macross 7.

Pros:

- The animation is gorgeous, while I agree that some of the character animation is a little off, and a few episodes use some stock footage, its still a breathtaking show visually. And it has some of the most awesome and eye-popping battles I've seen in a Macross show. The awesome CGI work certainly elevates it.

- The music is just incredible and I think its some of Yoko Kanno's finest work. (However, she really isn't capable of letting me down in any soundtrack.) The excellent vocal work of Megumi and May'n help a lot and the fantastic orchestral themes are very memorable. Looking back, the soundtrack is pretty big. I don't think Frontier would have had the same impact without Kanno. I'm so glad they brought her back. She will always be the "John Williams" of anime music IMO.

- The show has some really solid direction. I really felt a sense of doom and dread whenever the Vajra attacked, and actually felt for the characters when the time called for it. I also loved how Frontier was portrayed as a society. Also, the music is just so wonderfully woven into the plot.

- The characters were very memorable, I actually ended up caring for a lot of them in the end. I loved how the show focused on them just as much as it did on the juicy mecha porn.

- It finally goes back to the darker edge that SDF Macross and Plus had. Wars are fought and people die. It wasn't afraid to show the casualties of war, which is something I really missed in Macross.

- LOTS of memorable villains. The Vajra are probably some of the most menacing aliens I've seen in Macross and Leon and Grace were awesome bad guys as well. I loved how it wasn't just about "Humans vs. Vajra" but it also showed that not everyone could be trusted on the human side.

- The shout outs and references to earlier Macross productions. From Luca's use of the Ghost VF's to Ozma's love of Firebomber.

Cons:

- It's too short. While I liked its "quality over quantity" approach, things did feel rather rushed toward the end.

- Everything could have been fleshed out a little more. I wish we knew more about the whole Global incident and the whole deal with Galaxy. Beyond Grace and Sheryl's flashbacks, we never really saw what Galaxy was like. They were always hidden in the shadows. The show could have benefited from a few more episodes. Had it done that it would have been equal to the original series IMO. (SDF Macross always had the advantage of them showing the aftermath of the war.)

- No resolution to the love triangle. However, I was fairly content with this. But that depends on your point of view. I still find the reaction of most fans interesting.

- Bilra was interesting. I wish we knew more about him his dreams and his obsession over Minmay.

- We never really got so see Battle Frontier transform.

So overall, I give the entire series a 9/10. Well done Kawamori.

I hope the movie takes the opportunity to buffer out the rougher edges of the show.

Edited September 26, 2008 by ShizumaRobo

[Duke Togo]

I wish we knew more about the whole SDF-4 incident and the whole deal with Galaxy.

For the love of God, the Global isn't the SDF-4!

[ShizumaRobo]

For the love of God, the Global isn't the SDF-4!

Dang. My mistake.

[azrael]

For the love of God, the Global isn't the SDF-4!

I have a feeling you're gonna spend a long time correcting people.

I'll wait for a sub before I comment on the whole thing. Right now, I'm looking at an "8" though.

[wolfx]

The animation was inconsistent, and on a few occasions quite poor. With a few exceptions (Sheryl, Alto, Ranka), the character designs were bland to horrible. The story comes off as very convoluted and unfocused. Its target audience was a bit younger than I would have liked. However, the mecha action was top notch and the music was solid. And as convoluted as the story was, for the most part, it kept your attention. Also, coming out of this series Sheryl is my second favorite Macross character. That chick's got the guts of Guld.

In the end, the story is left unresolved. And I'm not talking about the "triangle". I guess we'll have to wait and see. If I had my choice, I'd give Frontier an incomplete, but for now I'll just give the TV series itself a 7.

I'm with ya, Duke. To add to that, not enough screentime was dedicated to side characters and their potential developments. Michel was the only side character that got relatively good development but he died...which was kinda wtf. I wished there was more development for the Pixie Squad and other people in SMS. We know SMS is a pretty big outfit but we only see the main casts in action which gives the impression only they are in battle. (No CF VF-25 action).

There was much potential for the school setting as well but they did not utilise it at all. I thought it might be something like Alto and co having to juggle school with SMS but none of that. Sheryl and Ranka joining the school added nothing except the panty chasing episode.

That said, Macross Frontier probably won't win anime of the year, but I enjoyed the direction, the space battles, the songs, the mecha pr0n, the love triangle and all the other things that make it a classic macross formula.

7/10 from me.

[Graham]

That said, Macross Frontier probably won't win anime of the year, but I enjoyed the direction, the space battles, the songs, the mecha pr0n, the love triangle and all the other things that make it a classic macross formula.

IMO, it should win anime of the century!

Graham

[grss1982]

I wished there was more development for the Pixie Squad and other people in SMS. We know SMS is a pretty big outfit but we only see the main casts in action which gives the impression only they are in battle. (No CF VF-25 action).

I'm with you on this one. I felt deprived at not knowing other SMS people besides the main cast.

Also I did not like that there weren't more key people from NUNS. Heck I even don't like how we are left in the dark about how NUNS came to be?

The reusing of footage too was at times frustrating, especially the reusing of footage for the LAST episode. I wanted all new footage for that one.

But despite that the series as a whole was enjoyable for me. I'm especially enjoying it more right now because of all the EPIC RAGE (especially at Animesuki and Random Curiosity) over the unresolved Love Triangle.

ALSO to SK:

Well Played, sir. Well Played.

Edited September 26, 2008 by grss1982

[whispo]

I'm with you on this one. I felt deprived at not knowing other SMS people besides the main cast.

Also I did not like that there weren't more key people from NUNS. Heck I even don't like how we are left in the dark about how NUNS came to be?

The reusing of footage too was at times frustrating, especially the reusing of footage for the LAST episode. I wanted all new footage for that one.

But despite that the series as a whole was enjoyable for me. I'm especially enjoying it more right now because of all the EPIC RAGE (especially at Animesuki and Random Curiosity) over the unresolved Love Triangle.

ALSO to SK:

Well Played, sir. Well Played.

They're so going wild over there , Bungie would call it: "uuurgh nerdrage, fix BR spread!".

ontopic: Well I do agree with most of you on the fact that it lacked alot, however i feel stuff like that will be resolved in the movie. Also I think that we shouldn't compare Frontier to older series. Frontier is a current generation anime and if you look at all the other shows currently airing it right fully deserves a verry high spot on the best anime list, if not the HIGHEST spot.

[emajnthis]

If the movie elaborates and brings resolve to open ended plot points then i'd probably give it a 9, but with where it stands now, it's sitting at an 8, high 7 territory.

[Duke Togo]

I've been asked to review Frontier for an entertainment news website, and I have to say, the more I think about Frontier the more confused and frustrated I am by it. It has so many plot holes, so many unanswered questions, its hard to really get as grasp on this series past the initial several episodes. The pacing of the show is way off, too much relies on "anime magic" instead of having any sort of solid plot or reason behind it. And yet I really enjoyed the series, which really makes no sense to me at this point.

[MisaForever]

I've been asked to review Frontier for an entertainment news website, and I have to say, the more I think about Frontier the more confused and frustrated I am by it. It has so many plot holes, so many unanswered questions, its hard to really get as grasp on this series past the initial several episodes. The pacing of the show is way off, too much relies on "anime magic" instead of having any sort of solid plot or reason behind it. And yet I really enjoyed the series, which really makes no sense to me at this point.

You should not do a review then. Some of us "positive" folk should.

[Duke Togo]

You should not do a review then. Some of us "positive" folk should.

I don't think they want a totally blind fanboy review.

[CF18]

I've been asked to review Frontier for an entertainment news website, and I have to say, the more I think about Frontier the more confused and frustrated I am by it. It has so many plot holes, so many unanswered questions, its hard to really get as grasp on this series past the initial several episodes. The pacing of the show is way off, too much relies on "anime magic" instead of having any sort of solid plot or reason behind it. And yet I really enjoyed the series, which really makes no sense to me at this point.

Sure it has lots of unanswered question, mostly proto-culture and Macross Galaxy related, but I don't think there are many plot holes. Got any example?

I think the pacing was good until the end, which was way too rushed. May be they are planning an extended version of ep25 like ep1 for DVD/BD release. At least compare to filler packed Macross 7 it is a big improvment.

[Duke Togo]

Sure it has lots of unanswered question, mostly proto-culture and Macross Galaxy related, but I don't think there are many plot holes. Got any example?

The entire story between Grace, Ranka, and the Vajra, for one. Really, what the Vajra do besides mate and attack species they don't understand. Why they attacked humans. What role Grace really played in any of this? What happened to the Galaxy city ship? What happened to the Vajra? Geez, what happened, period?

Edited September 26, 2008 by Duke Togo

[Chief Guld Goa Bowman]

Best Series By Far!

[sketchley]

Many questions, but some may be resolved when a sub is released. Some may have been lost in translation, or may have been answered outside of the series (magazines, interviews, etc.).

No matter what, you are right in saying that the editors don't want a fanboy review. Just make sure you don't forget to add that despite the flaws, you enjoyed it as per your earlier post

Though, I think the Galaxy City ship, last seen floating in an asteroid field, was deliberately left there, perhaps to protect the citizens, or... and having just had a chance to watch the episode, I think Grace and Burera have a telling dialogue. Specifically how the Vajra are of one mind, and Grace and her Galaxy Consortium (or whatever it's called) also are of one mind (did y'all notice the other "people" floating inside cyberspace along with Grace?) My impression is that she/they were acting on the "you're (literally) with us (as one), or against us".

Therefore, given Burera's revulsion at being (mind) controlled, I suspect that a good chunk of the civilian populace in City Galaxy was also being (mind) controlled.

Sadly, I think the Vajra may just be a plot device... the ultimate McGuffen... but hey, isn't that what OTEC is in SDF:M?

The entire story between Grace, Ranka, and the Vajra, for one. Really, what the Vajra do besides mate and attack species they don't understand. Why they attacked humans. What role Grace really played in any of this? What happened to the Galaxy city ship? What happened to the Vajra? Geez, what happened, period?

Edited September 26, 2008 by sketchley