FIF#100-Super Dimensional Fortress Macross II: Lovers Again

The year is 2092 AD.  Over 80 years have passed since Mankinds devastating first war with the Zentradi.  A relative peace exists across the planet, with the Zentradi invaders unable to penetrate the invincible “Minmei Attack”.  However, when an Alien race known as the Marduk arrive with a legion of enslaved Zentradi, they come bearing their own secret weapon, one that can break the Minmei attack and give them a straight shot at Earth.  With war on the horizon, a hotshot Scramble News Network reporter, Hibiki Kanzaki, discovers the alien princess Ishtar, whose beautiful voice may hold the key to stopping the conflict before it even begins. Once again, the legendary fortress Macross rises from the ashes to begin the fight for peace one more time.

Though it doesn’t churn out spin offs and movies as often as Gundam, Macross is still a title synonymous with Mecha and Scifi Anime.  Macross II is the third entry of the Macross franchise (following the original series and the “Do You Remember Love?” movie) and was created to celebrate its 10^th anniversary.  So does the first episode of this sequel series (kind of) continue the trailblazing ways of its legendary predecessors…I’d say more no that yes but not without a good yes in there (that makes sense right?)

Macross II’s first episode deals away with any formalities or backstory in favor of getting right into the action as quickly as possible. This includes introducing central protagonist, reporter HIbiki Kanzaki in the most douchy way possible before sending an armada of unimpressive Valkyrie Veritechs into battle with an unknown enemy where all hell proceeds to break loose.  Basically, if you don’t have a very basic understanding of Macross, either through the original series or even the Robotech version of the Macross Saga, you’re going to be confused. It doesn’t help that, as previously stated, Hibiki is an unimpressive jerk who doesn’t seem to understand that his job entails more than just getting some juicy gossip scoop.  His first taste of true combat reporting might be one of the highlights of the first episode because it shows that Hibiki might not be cut out to be a reporter when he doesn’t want to show the good and the bad of war.  That said, I get that changing perspectives and focusing on someone other than a military pilot like HIkaru Ichigo is a way to keep things fresh.  But Hibiki’s mean spirited intro leaves me wishing that cute Valkyrie pilot Silvie Gena was headlining this series rather than him. 

The big battle of the first episode shows off the potential of Macross II’s plot but also its most glaring weakness…this series does not look great.  Macross and Do You Remember Love might contain some of the prettiest animation of the 80’s from Japan (Do You Remember Love especially).  Macross II’s visuals are a massive step down, containing a lot less gloss and polish and some truly boring mecha designs, the fighter jets and the space ships.  If this is supposed to be a commemoration piece for an important piece of Anime history, you’d best come looking like your doing so.  Macross II’s animation so far feels so sub par its just sad.  After all, this is supposed to be an OVA so it’s supposed to merge the best of both worlds of Anime productions (TV and Film).  All I can say is, thank God they learned from this and made Macross Plus look freaking stellar a few years later.  Like I said though, there is some potential shown in the battle too.  The use of Lynn Minmei’s music as a lead in weapon against an enemy it’s supposed to work against is a neat idea, as is throwing out right away that the Marduk’s have a songstress of their own who can boost their pilots morale, more or less evening the playing field.  That’s a good rising of stakes there.  I just wished the conflict looked prettier.

Right now, I can see why Macross II is hardly mentioned in Macross circles and, to my knowledge, it isn’t even considered true cannon like every other entry is.  An annoying protagonist and sub par production qualities hinder things right out of the gate and I can only hope it gets better before the end.  So I’ll continue with this one since it’s a short 6 episode OVA.  But Macross deserves better and HAS done better than Macross II.  I just hope Macross II gives me more to enjoy to make up for the lack of being a truly stunning piece of animation like the rest of its brethren.

And whew, that’s my 100^th First Impression Friday now in the books.  Not bad if I do say so myself.  Well FIF is breaking again for a little bit.  I might try to do a special set in December but right now keep an eye out for First Impression Friday to return either at the beginning of 2020 or in February right after Katsucon (if I end up going, im still undecided atm).  Until then, thanks for checking out 100 entries of this little mini segment of the Gundam Anime Corner, and here’s to 100 more.