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The Macross Page.

Macross The Original Series (*****) - This was my first real introduction to anime and has remained the finest series that Japanese animators have ever produced. The realistic details of the mecha and the complex storyline about the war with the Zentradi was the single greatest story every told in animation. Add to that the complex relationship between Hikaru Ichijo, Misa Hayase, and Lynn Minmay and you have also the greatest and most complex love triangle every animated. With extremely complex mecha designs and story from Shoji Kawamori and character designs from the legendary HAL (Mikimoto), Macross set the standard to which every single animated work would be compared. The highlight of the entire series was the climactic battle episode between the Macross space fortress and the fleet of Bodolza. Beautifully animated and written with the most intense space battle scenes ever produced until the Macross sequels. The series spawned a whole new type of mecha whose design is copied constantly, but none of the recent creations can compare with the original.

Macross: Do You Remember Love? (****1/2) - An original theatrical production released in 1983 based off the Macross universe, but does not fit within the Macross continuity. Basically a gorgeously animated condensed version of the Macross series with slight changes in mecha design, character design, and other small, but noticable departures from the series. Beautiful nonetheless.

Macross II: Lovers Again (***) - Just the sort of sequel that Macross fans had feared would happen. The return of Haruhiko Mikimoto to do the character designs was probably the only reason the production company got the rights to a Macross sequel. Inconsistant animation hurts this one as none of the scenes can compare to the original Macross. The only episode with comparible jaw-dropping animation is the fourth installment, Marduk Disorder. The OAV format also hurts it as framerates are poor in comparison to the other Macross. The story is laughable. It seems like the writers came up with a story, then adapted it as a sequel to Macross to gain credibility. A civilian reporter as the protagonist? A civilian? A reporter? The mecha, however, is one of the high points. The fighters are DAMN cool and they maneuver and transform with a graceful slickness reminiscent of the originals. Character designs by HAL are the expected HAL standard of quality. Superb mecha and character design, mediocre animation and story.

Macross Plus (*****) - Now this is a REAL Macross sequel. In fact, many disregard Macross II altogether to recognize Macross Plus as the definitive Macross sequel. Shoji Kawamori, who did the Mecha design and story for the original Macross, returns (after seeing the debacle that was Macross II I reckon) to direct and do the mecha designs again. Kawamori, Mr. Macross in my opinion, came back with some of the best mecha designs ever done. The story of childhood friends turned rivals for both one woman's love and a new fighter contract is tight and more true to the original than one featuring a reporter. As is standard Macross fare, there is a musical connection between everything. Macross Plus is the most expensive and lavishly produced OAV in animation history which allowed it to have consistantly excellent animation throughout all four of its episodes. Manga entertainment did an excellent job keeping the dubbing at just as high a quality as its animation and the English transition is seamless. Kawamori makes sure that the animation is top-notch and the computer animation is comparable with Ghost in the Shell.

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