The MW rewatches M7 together Thread

[Jasonc]

Oh yeah - that's for sure. I wrote this is my review of the episode too, and totally agree.

Even if she is motivated by jealousy - and it is a very interesting question Jasonc brings up - I still think the way she did what she did was cool and mature. She basically just showed Bassara - as you say - that she cared, and was assertive - but didn't go so far as Rex...but also showed Basara she was going to be by him through and through. Really nice touch.

I agree. I think the rush to jealousy, then her choice to help Basara shows the character not only dealing with her own teenage characteristics, but also dealing with the responsibility of being a true member of Fire Bomber, and one who cares for Basara and her teammates. It's interesting because Mylene is thrown into witnessing something she probably wasn't thinking about, or wasn't prepared for, and instead of burying the negative, she turns it into a positive.

Another thing that stuck out in this episode was how Basara not only fires missiles once, but twice. I like this episode because in all of its "fun" setting, it shows the limitations, and soft spots for the main characters. Once Basara fired the missiles once, you'd think his approach to non violence would've taken hold, but he fires a second time, showing that he does have a ways to grow in the series. Campy, yes, but I like this episode quite a bit. Can't wait till friday.

Memo, glad you could check up over here. It's good to see you hanging out over here. If you do decide to watch M7 with us. I won't tell Tommy, promise!!! Seriously though, I think we're doing this not just to watch a series together, but to keep active, and open discussions about other issues that even a series like M7 can bring. Who knows, you may end up tolerating it, or heck, even liking it. Either way, feel free to read on and have fun doing so. Glad you're in here. Nice to step away from politics.

[VFTF1]

Once Basara fired the missiles once, you'd think his approach to non violence would've taken hold, but he fires a second time, showing that he does have a ways to grow in the series

Now this is interesting - because I actually disagree with this.

The way I see it, the fact that he fires not once, but twice does not show he he as a way to grow, but rather it shows what you rightly call the "limitations" - albeit not so much of the main characters as of physical reality.

It's an example where Basara's idealism collides with reality presenting grim alternatives. It's just like when he beat the crap out of those Kings and Queens fans who pushed Mylene.

Basara's knee jerk reaction is that when innocents are threatened, he must defend them. That's why he fired the missiles. He's not about to let Rex die until the enemy listens to his song.

In fact, notice that part of what he does when he goes out into battle is - he makes HIMSELF the big red target. He diverts all attention towards himself. In this way, he is trying to protect others - other soldiers and other civilians. But we saw that when innocents are directly threatened, he immediately uses violence to defend them - we saw that in episode 3, we saw it in episode 5 and we will see it later when he saves Gamlin's life in the same way. This is not a one off occurence.

The problem is - and Bassara knows this - that using the missiles is not a solution. Yes - it saves the specific lives he is protecting - but it only prolongs the war and causes more death and destruction in the future. It also makes him part of the cycle of violence that he wants to break.

It's a tricky line Bassara wants to walk - he cannot be a righteous pacifist because it is not right to let innocents die just because you don't want to fight to protect them even if you have that chance. But he cannot be a righteous warrior either, because it is not right to make war, and even when war is defensive - there comes a point where either you try to stop it via means other than war - or you are FORCED by events to wage total war and make yourself no different from the unjust enemy you initially felt justified in resisting through violence.

So I think it's more a testimony to the maturity of the series than anything else - Kawamorii and co. don't pull any punches. It's not just this fluffy wuffy la la la singy da and the enemy are convinced and life is roses. There is a struggle here - and there are no easy answers to the problem of what's happening.

Pete

[MEMO1DOMINION]

JASON

Memo, glad you could check up over here. It's good to see you hanging out over here. If you do decide to watch M7 with us. I won't tell Tommy, promise!!! Seriously though, I think we're doing this not just to watch a series together, but to keep active, and open discussions about other issues that even a series like M7 can bring. Who knows, you may end up tolerating it, or heck, even liking it. Either way, feel free to read on and have fun doing so. Glad you're in here. Nice to step away from politics.

ALWAYS NEED TO THROW ONE UNDER THE BELT

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER TO TELL THEM HOW I CRINGED AT YOUR HOUSE WHILE WATCHING THE SERIES

BUT YEAH, THE FIRST TIME AND ONLY TIME WAS WHEN I WAS AT J'S HOUSE AND JASONC REALLY TRIED, I MEAN, DID HIS BEST TO EXPLAIN TO ME M7. WE ACTUALLY HAD THIS THREAD LIVE AT HIS HOUSE WITH OTHER FRIENDS THERE. YEAH, THE WTF MOMENT WITH A GUY SHOOTING SPEAKERS (THOUGHT THEY WERE GRENADE ATTACHMENTS) AND DID NOT BLOW UP. MAX AND HIS DIVORCE, AND I THINK I DID NOT COME BACK TO J'S HOUSE TILL THE END OF THE SHOW. WHEN I SAID, "DUDE, WHAT HAPPEN TO THEIR EARS? WHERE THEY PICKED UP THE VULCANS?... OH WELL.

BUT DON'T WORRY. WHAT I COULD NOT GET VISUALLY I GET THROUGH READING FROM THE DISCUSSION OF THESE BOARDS. ALWAYS DID. REMEMBER, I BEEN A MEMBER SINCE THE 90'S AND ALWAYS READ MACROSS CONTINUITY HERE. JUST THAT READING ACTUALLY KILLED THE SHOW FOR ME.

SO WHEN I STARTED READING THIS THREAD IT'S LIKE GOING BACK AND READING AN OLD BOOK. BUT SOME HOW THE STORY I AM READING IS MUCH THE SAME, AND DIFFERENT AT THE SAME TIME GIVING IT FRESHNESS.

[VFTF1]

JUST THAT READING ACTUALLY KILLED THE SHOW FOR ME

That is a real risk that we run - you are right. And I agree. It's true because a show like Macross 7 ultimately is all about the music and the events touching your heart.

It's like a good joke. If you need someone to spell it out for your in words - it means the joke doesn't work.

The same with Macross 7 - the very fact that I believed that we needed this thread "proves" that Macross 7 does not succeed - it doesn't touch everybody's hearts.

And you're right that it's risky to have a thread like this because talking about the show to death could actually mean that we drain it of its' surprise and energy.

SO WHEN I STARTED READING THIS THREAD IT'S LIKE GOING BACK AND READING AN OLD BOOK. BUT SOME HOW THE STORY I AM READING IS MUCH THE SAME, AND DIFFERENT AT THE SAME TIME GIVING IT FRESHNESS.

I am happy to hear this - it means the thread is not a total failure.

I personally have tried to have the goal of this thread be to examinte the stereotypes about Macross 7 that all of us - people who love it AND people who hate it - have come to accept.

And I hope that this approach to just going back to look at exactly what happened, what was said and done in the shows helps all of us re-assess our stereotypes - and this is what adds freshness to it.

Macross 7 was actually one of the first long anime series that I watched in original Japanese, with only subtitles. And I watched it over the course of like 5 days - marathoning it through the night with lots of beer and pizza. So naturally - probably missed a lot of stuff - and what I got stuck with was a heart moving experience.

Other people apparently got stuck with heart burn

So the goal here is to put our hearts aside and just look with fresh and unbiased eyes at what happened.

At least...that was my goal starting the thread...

Pete

[Jasonc]

Now this is interesting - because I actually disagree with this.

The way I see it, the fact that he fires not once, but twice does not show he he as a way to grow, but rather it shows what you rightly call the "limitations" - albeit not so much of the main characters as of physical reality.

It's an example where Basara's idealism collides with reality presenting grim alternatives. It's just like when he beat the crap out of those Kings and Queens fans who pushed Mylene.

Basara's knee jerk reaction is that when innocents are threatened, he must defend them. That's why he fired the missiles. He's not about to let Rex die until the enemy listens to his song.

In fact, notice that part of what he does when he goes out into battle is - he makes HIMSELF the big red target. He diverts all attention towards himself. In this way, he is trying to protect others - other soldiers and other civilians. But we saw that when innocents are directly threatened, he immediately uses violence to defend them - we saw that in episode 3, we saw it in episode 5 and we will see it later when he saves Gamlin's life in the same way. This is not a one off occurence.

The problem is - and Bassara knows this - that using the missiles is not a solution. Yes - it saves the specific lives he is protecting - but it only prolongs the war and causes more death and destruction in the future. It also makes him part of the cycle of violence that he wants to break.

It's a tricky line Bassara wants to walk - he cannot be a righteous pacifist because it is not right to let innocents die just because you don't want to fight to protect them even if you have that chance. But he cannot be a righteous warrior either, because it is not right to make war, and even when war is defensive - there comes a point where either you try to stop it via means other than war - or you are FORCED by events to wage total war and make yourself no different from the unjust enemy you initially felt justified in resisting through violence.

So I think it's more a testimony to the maturity of the series than anything else - Kawamorii and co. don't pull any punches. It's not just this fluffy wuffy la la la singy da and the enemy are convinced and life is roses. There is a struggle here - and there are no easy answers to the problem of what's happening.

Pete

I think in that light, it presents two points to Basara. It does show a contrast to his beliefs and what is reality. In that one moment when he fires the first volley, he saves the Rex gang. On that shot, he isnt aware that the chord position of his controls is to fire missiles. After that, he has a decision cause a few seconds go by. Does he go back to his standard defensive flight in protecting his friends, or does he fire again? He chooses to fire again, without weighing all the options. This shows the contrast of reality vs. idealism that Basara has, but also, perhaps inadvertantly, shows an area in which Basara is developing in, or will grow in.

[VFTF1]

Oh yeah - that's right. The first shot was just because Ray said "press slide 5!" and Basara did it.

That brings up a good point - namely - Basara didn't know, until Ray told him to press 'slide 5' that his Valkyrie had missiles. He presumed it was unarmed. Therefore - would he have done something different? Leaped at the enemy?

In fairness, firing a missile was actually a pretty risky thing to do - I mean - at that close range, who'se to say Rex wouldn't have been hurt by the explosion?

But yeah...good point. Really the second shot is Bassara's - the first is a surprise to him.

Pete

[Jasonc]

There is that showing of Rex gang kinda in a state of shock after Basara fires the missiles. They were affected, luckily not injured. So, yeah, he did get lucky, especially firing missiles that weren't really aimed.

[Marzan]

Oh yeah - that's right. The first shot was just because Ray said "press slide 5!" and Basara did it.

That brings up a good point - namely - Basara didn't know, until Ray told him to press 'slide 5' that his Valkyrie had missiles. He presumed it was unarmed. Therefore - would he have done something different? Leaped at the enemy?

Pete

Well he does seem to have the toughest mecha of them all! Just look at the way he blocks those shots from the enemy with the forearms of his Valkyrie...

It'll be fun to see from this point on how many times Basara if forced to use force...

[shiroth]

It's pretty crazy of Ray to have Basara fire a missile in such a place, but then again i can understand with the situation being what it was. As for what Basara would have done if there weren't any missiles, it's hard to say because i don't think it could have made it over there in time before the enemy grabbed Rex. It's all speculation from there.

As for my favorite quote from episode 05:

We all know that Basara's goal is to change people with his music, though at this point in the series, what he does with his music is what people notice more then anything.

[VFTF1]

That screen grab demonstrates to me one of the annoying animation choices of M7. Notice how even though the animation does a good job of showing that Rex's helment has some kind of see-through cover, and that there is a face gaurd clearly visible beneeth it...we still don't see her eyes.

It's so obvious that they're just unrealistically blacked out so that her "true identity" is a mystery until she takes her helment off. I'll admit it half worked on me the first time, but by drawing it like that ... it is a tad bit cheesy.

See - this is stuff that I agree can make M7 difficult to swallow sometimes... just like Bassara's VF-19Kai miraculously withstanding a barrage of gun fire. Yeah, I understand he uses a pinpoint barrier like the YF-19, and I understand he has the most super advanced fighter ever and probably some kind of great armor... but still...

Macross: Frontier does a MUCH better job of combining the over-the-top idealism of Music saving the universe with elements of what should be in a Real Robots show IMO.

Pete

Edited December 9, 2009 by VFTF1

[Bri]

I agree. I think the rush to jealousy, then her choice to help Basara shows the character not only dealing with her own teenage characteristics, but also dealing with the responsibility of being a true member of Fire Bomber, and one who cares for Basara and her teammates. It's interesting because Mylene is thrown into witnessing something she probably wasn't thinking about, or wasn't prepared for, and instead of burying the negative, she turns it into a positive.

I really like how both Basara and Mylene delt with Lex's kiss. Basara not freaking out and not turning all red is welcome change of the average male protagonist. Mylene just gives her own signals she likes him without a tsundere riot act. I find one of the really nice things of M7 is that characters are not caught up too much in stereo typical anime roles.

Edited December 9, 2009 by Bri

[Bri]

See - this is stuff that I agree can make M7 difficult to swallow sometimes... just like Bassara's VF-19Kai miraculously withstanding a barrage of gun fire. Yeah, I understand he uses a pinpoint barrier like the YF-19, and I understand he has the most super advanced fighter ever and probably some kind of great armor... but still...

Macross: Frontier does a MUCH better job of combining the over-the-top idealism of Music saving the universe with elements of what should be in a Real Robots show IMO.

Pete

Interesting point, is Macross 7 a real robot show? In the sense of physics I'd say yes, but in hotblooded awesomeness and willpower I'd say no.

[shiroth]

I wouldn't say real robot show, far from it. It just falls into the Macross genre perfectly.

[VFTF1]

Well - the thing is...it's certainly a mix - like most Macross shows always are... the thing is - and maybe this is just a matter of time lag...but I get the feeling that a broader proportion of general Macross fans love Macross Frontier than they do Macross 7. More people - it seems to me - hate Macross 7 while considering MF to be cool and dandy. Maybe I'm wrong in this impression - but if there is any truth to it, I consider it to be a testimony to Macross Frontier doing exactly what Macross 7 does only managing to do it more effectively.

Maybe it's because Macross Frontier gives us Sheryl, and people are more willing to accept a message of love and peace from a porn star than from a guy in a wife beater with John Lennon Glasses and gay spandex pants?

Whatever the reason - I believe MF has more in common with M7 and yet less people hate it... or so it seems.

Pete

[Bri]

Hmm, I think Frontier is a crowd pleaser. Mecha for mecha fans, harem romance, political conspiracy and characters to please every taste, a little bit of everything Macross.

The way I see M7, is far more a slice of life show around a rockband with a main character who is far from generic. The relationships are more subtle and the show takes time to develop them. Certainly not everyone's cup of tea. Both shows what they are supposed too. Frontier was there to celebrate 25 years of Macross and gives new life to the franchise. M7 was a new direction that enlarged the macross universe.

Edited December 9, 2009 by Bri

[VF5SS]

I find Real Robot has always been an imprecise term. Honestly, Macross has always had that element of parody and excess to it that prevents it from being a hardcore sci-fi drama. That said, Macross 7 and the franchise in generally does things in a logical manner. Implausible or impractical yes, but rarely illogical. Kind of like Red Dwarf.

[Master Dex]

Well - the thing is...it's certainly a mix - like most Macross shows always are... the thing is - and maybe this is just a matter of time lag...but I get the feeling that a broader proportion of general Macross fans love Macross Frontier than they do Macross 7. More people - it seems to me - hate Macross 7 while considering MF to be cool and dandy. Maybe I'm wrong in this impression - but if there is any truth to it, I consider it to be a testimony to Macross Frontier doing exactly what Macross 7 does only managing to do it more effectively.

Maybe it's because Macross Frontier gives us Sheryl, and people are more willing to accept a message of love and peace from a porn star than from a guy in a wife beater with John Lennon Glasses and gay spandex pants?

Whatever the reason - I believe MF has more in common with M7 and yet less people hate it... or so it seems.

Pete

Actually I find that SDFM has the best stories personally. M7 has the best music though. Frontier excelled at fan service and mecha porn, but it still had a very good story.

[sketchley]

That screen grab demonstrates to me one of the annoying animation choices of M7. Notice how even though the animation does a good job of showing that Rex's helment has some kind of see-through cover, and that there is a face gaurd clearly visible beneeth it...we still don't see her eyes.

It's so obvious that they're just unrealistically blacked out so that her "true identity" is a mystery until she takes her helment off. I'll admit it half worked on me the first time, but by drawing it like that ... it is a tad bit cheesy.

Blacking someone out until their identity is revealed is quite common in Japanese entertainment. It happens fairly frequently in Boy Detective Conan (probably moreso than if the drama was filmed live action). It also happens a lot in live performances - either people on stage moving the set that are supposed to remain "invisible" or puppeteers in bunraku performances who haven't achieved master status.

When I first came to Japan, I focused exclusively on these blacked out people. Now, I don't notice them - which is the point.

So, it's not really a choice of animation styles, but a cultural difference.

Example:

[Freiflug88]

Maybe it's because Macross Frontier gives us Sheryl, and people are more willing to accept a message of love and peace from a porn star than from a guy in a wife beater with John Lennon Glasses and gay spandex pants?

It also didn't hurt MF's case that the pornstar is actually outgoing and enjoys dating across a San Francisco with contempary fashion and technology spiced with futuristic holograms, while John Lennon writes and records music to cassette tapes in solitude inside his rundown mansion located in the Bronx circa early 90s.

IMO though the biggest turn-off for M7 by far was Gavil and his annoying habit to utter "Beauty" in every other sentence. MF was wise to keep Brera quiet most of the time.

[VF5SS]

Subarashibi!

[VFTF1]

Blacking someone out until their identity is revealed is quite common in Japanese entertainment. It happens fairly frequently in Boy Detective Conan (probably moreso than if the drama was filmed live action). It also happens a lot in live performances - either people on stage moving the set that are supposed to remain "invisible" or puppeteers in bunraku performances who haven't achieved master status.

When I first came to Japan, I focused exclusively on these blacked out people. Now, I don't notice them - which is the point.

So, it's not really a choice of animation styles, but a cultural difference.

Example:

THAT IS AWESOME!!! THIS THREAD WAS WORTH IT TO LEARN ABOUT THAT!! And the picture rocks!! That's so cool!!!!!!

Pete

[RedWolf]

Destroid + Drills

It's safe to say there is a customization industry in Macross 7.

[sketchley]

THAT IS AWESOME!!! THIS THREAD WAS WORTH IT TO LEARN ABOUT THAT!! And the picture rocks!! That's so cool!!!!!!

Pete

Glad to have helped. For more images: http://images.google.co.jp/images?hl=ja&am...sa=N&tab=wi

I wanted to post that link originally, but felt it'd be too confusing. What with half the people shown in black, and half not. But yeah, masters get shown, apprentices don't.

It's a shame that I couldn't find any Boy Detective Conan images of blacked out mystery protagonists... ah well.

[Marzan]

Blacking someone out until their identity is revealed is quite common in Japanese entertainment. It happens fairly frequently in Boy Detective Conan (probably moreso than if the drama was filmed live action). It also happens a lot in live performances - either people on stage moving the set that are supposed to remain "invisible" or puppeteers in bunraku performances who haven't achieved master status.

When I first came to Japan, I focused exclusively on these blacked out people. Now, I don't notice them - which is the point.

So, it's not really a choice of animation styles, but a cultural difference.

Example:

The guys in black would so totally confuse me! Thanks for the culture lesson...

[Freiflug88]

Subarashibi!

The beauty of being oblivious as to what that annoying furball was actually saying in Japanese is gone forever now.

Destroid + Drills

It's safe to say there is a customization industry in Macross 7.

I just know Basara would use it with his Anima spirtia to to drill a huge hole in Gurren Lagann's spiral butt if he wasn't such a pacifist.

Edited December 10, 2009 by Freiflug88

[VF5SS]

I wonder if Gavil is supposed to be like a Tengu. He's got wings and is really over confident.

[Freiflug88]

I almost certain he would. Tengu literally means "heavenly dogs" and that fits Gavil exactly with his white fur, angel wings, and his pet Glavil who in his own words is a part of him.

On a similar note I always saw Lord Geppernich resembling the romanatic Lucifier archetype of Milton's Paradise Lost. One look at him without his helmet and its easy to see that they tried taking Milton's describtion of Lucifer as "the most beautiful angel of them all" quite literally.

[Gubaba]

I wonder if Gavil is supposed to be like a Tengu. He's got wings and is really over confident.

Jibun-jishinbi!

[VF5SS]

Kekkobi!

[Jasonc]

So, episode 6 tomorrow???

[VFTF1]

Yes. Episode 6 today

Unless I'm mistaken - maybe this will be the riviera episode? ... We'll see - I can never keep them straight no matter how many times I watch them in sequence

Anyways - as usual - if someone else wants to have a crack at posting an extensive review - feel free. I'll probably get to it tonight my time.

Pete

[VFTF1]

D'oh! I spent the whole day arguing with Memo and Doug Bendo and forgot about my duties in this thread!! Gomene!! Last Friday it was Shinji that made me late, this Friday it was Robotech !

But - I'm going to bed now with my laptop and will watch episode 6 there! And, Big Power in the Sky willing, my mobile internet won't decide that it can't recieve a signal where I sleep (it does that sometimes - insisting that I go sit at the desk which is like two frickin' feet away)...

Anyways - ending a hectic day with episode 6 of M7 ain't bad! I just hope this is the riviera ep and we get to see that hot Bridge Bunny!!

Hopefully be right back with a review.

Pete

[VFTF1]

Ok - so episode 6:

Not the fan service episode I was expecting; but a good, serious episode nonetheless. I'm going to review this on a character by character basis:

Gamlin: This episode does a very good job of showing us how Macross 7 avoids any easy, one dimmensional definitions of characters. At the beginning, Gamlin comes off like a stalker or something. There are hues of Guld from Macross Plus in this scene, as Gamlin sits in the dark in his army fatigues, his face twisted in anger, trying to find out basic facts about Bassara and his valkyrie. But, just when we think we've got him pegged as an angry stalker, Gamlin shows his highly professional and intelligent nature as a soldier - he spots a civilian craft that looks suspicious, runs a computer craft, pursues with stealth, and decides to forget his day off in favor of his duty. And just when we have him pegged as a professional and dedicated soldier, he is again shown in a bad light - namely - he's a completely a-social prude who doesn't know a thing about music. Although, when he talks to Bassara in the dark, and Bassara notes that he doesn't seem to know anything about Rock'n'Roll, Gamlin - speaking for Macross 7 Haters everywhere, trembles and says "On the contrary. I have listened to a great deal of it. In fact, I was forced to!!" This is a great scene. And then, in the end, Gamlin shows his courage and willingness to sacrifice himself - or at least keep fighting. And lastly - Gamlin also shows he does have a sense of honor because he admits "Looks like I owe him" with regard to Bassara. So - very very diverse showing of Gamlin. All the stuff I hate about him + all the stuff that is undoubtably good abou the character....

Bassara: Now this episode is great because unless you're blind - you realize what's going through Bassara's head: "What am I supposed to do? If I didn't fire the missiles, innocent people would have died. If I don't fire the missiles, Mylene and this Gamlin dude are going to die. But how am I supposed to prove that war is pointless and get these enemies to listen to my love song if I keep firing missiles? What do I do? What do I do?" Bassara misses his cue - he's upset, he looks pensive and mad. The episode ends with him once again firing his missiles - this time fully aware of it - to save Gamlin and Mylene, and then - he's strumming his acustic guitar at the feet of his valkyrie wondering what to do.

This is GREAT character development guys. It shows Bassara is a dynamic character and that not only is his problem 'finding a sound to reach their hearts' - but he needs to make a choice: a HARD CHOICE. He needs to decide - what is he going to do with those missiles he constantly uses because the situation constantly seems to demand it?

And you all know the choice he makes - he removes the Missiles. But let's be clear - this episode proves that Bassar doesn't make the choice lightly.

What else?

Well - we have Fanservice Macross 7 style - in other words a shot of Mylene's upper head, a shot of Mylene's hair, a shot of the shower. But sadly - no sexy Mylene shower scene for you!!

Happily - we do get this nice sentimental scene - and I'm like Kyon from Haruhi Suzumiya - I like girls with long thick vivid hair who then go and put it up like this - so Mylene: you look beautiful:

(Wonder what picture Shiroth will focus on?)

So - anyways - that's basically it. I guess we can also note that Gigil thinks he's acting independently, but he's just a pawn again - a decoy to divert the attention of the UN forces while the Vampires make their get away with the Saxophonist's spiritia...

Oh - speaking of which:

I really like the variety of music here. Fire Bomber and then that K'on rock type stuff, and then this Jazz dude. And I also like how Gamlin suddenly lightens up when the Sax starts playing and says "this sounds nice" - it underscores that he actually DOES have musical taste - and good music taste. He's just not broad minded.

Want an example of broad minded? RAY - Ray really enjoys the sax, but he can also rock with the best of them.

And finally - last thing:

This episode teaches us that it is NEVER safe to follow the government's seat belt laws. That poor guy in the escape pod was clamped down by his seat belt and therefore couldn't dodge spiritia sucking vampire beams which got him.

So remember hids: Wear your seat belt if you want to - but don't let other people make safety decisions for you because your seat belt might just end up immobilizing you and making you a victim of Vampires from space!

Pete

[Marzan]

Great writeup as always Pete.

Gamlin is indeed a bit more complex than people give him credit for. I love the bit at the beggining when he's trying to hack into the military records to find out info about Basara's ride. He looks like a total psycho.

It's cool to see Basara at this point in the series when he's basically a unknown except in some circles, and see the eventual evolution into a galactic legend.

One thing I found interesting as well, is the revelation that Gepelnitch actually specifically requested a sample of musician's spiritia. Maybe it's just a case of trying to ascertain whether all musicians share Basara's propensity for high spiritia readings. Or maybe its a reflection on part of the series creators as to how artists may posses a higher level of feeling.

My favourite quote from the episode is when Gamlin and Basara are racing through the corridors of the Mark Twain and an high strung Gamlin asks what Basara's connection to the military is.

"What's your connection to the military?! What unit do you serve in?!"

"The rock band Fire Bomber!"

One last thing.

When we discussed episode 5, I focused on how much music from earlier Macross' is used on M7 to balance Fire Bomber. While in episode 5 there was a lot of Macross Plus stuff, in this instalment we got at least 3 Macross II tracks. It may not be canon but they sure use a lot of music from it. The 2 very 80s sounding ones (Mylene shower scene: It's because it's That Future/Pop Band playing after Fire Bomber: Banana Moon of Love) are sung by Yuko Sato. And the sax number is actually the intro from my favourite Macross II number "For Now a Friend" sung by Tomoyo Sato.

Towards the end of the chapter Basara plays the acoustic guitar only version of "My Soul for You". If anyone has that number please let me know I've been trying to get it for years!

[MacrossCN]

第06話：ファーストコンタクト(First Contact)、1994.11.20

脚本：隅沢克之

絵コンテ：牛草 健

作画監督：増谷三郎

演出：牛草 健

---------------------------------------

A、初登場

歌手: Flaschakaya

---------------------------------------

B. Eyecatch

01、Gamlin & VF-17

02、VF-19 & Basara

---------------------------------------

C. 挿入歌

01、そこにあるのが未来だから (Galaxy Network Chart, Macross 2)

02、恋のバナナムーン (Macross 2)

03、突撃ラブハート

04、My Soul For You