T5W#283-Top 5 Reasons Misa Hayase is better for Hikaru Ichigo than Lynn Minmay

The original Super Dimension Fortress Macross was the most innovative Mecha Anime of it’s time, doing for giant robots what Mobile Suit Gundam did in the late 1970’s.  But arguably it’s most defining attribute isn’t the kick ass, transforming fighter planes, it’s the love triangle between hotshot pilot Hikaru Ichigo, Macross bridge commander Misa Hayase and up and coming idol Lynn Minmay.  Hikaru’s internal tug of war between these two beauties defines him more than the war with the Zentradi.  And now that we’re in the thick of this battle of hearts with our reviews, it’s time to take a closer look at where I stand on this matter.  Spoiler Alert if the title didn’t give it away: It’s Misa, Misa Hayase all the way.  These are my Top 5 Reasons Misa Hayase is better for Hikaru Ichigo than Lynn Minmay 

#5-Misa’s Hotter (fight me)

Yeah…it’s simple and kind of a petty reason to have on this list but trust me, I delve deeper into the other four reasons, hence why this is at the bottom.  But fight me, Minmay may be a model who looks cute in a Chinese dress, but Misa can rock the officers outfit just as well as Claudia and doesn’t need to go overboard with her wardrobe like Minmay to stand out.

 

#4-Common Interests

Being as theyre both key members of the Macross military, Hikaru and Misa are right in the thick of mankinds struggle for survival against the Zentradi.  Through this, they can discuss (or bicker about) battle strategies and their own shared experiences with the Zentradi themselves.  While Minmay knows a little bit about Hikaru’s adventures, she’s gotta be kept in the dark because she is a civilian.  Because of this, Minmay is so hard core focused on her rapidly rising career, she and Hikaru lose a lot of common ground that I don’t think they ever really had to begin with.  Fighter planes and intergalactic wars land Hikaru and Misa on the shame shaky ground from Day One.

 

#3-Genuine Care for his Well Being 

As I said above, Minmay’s life is a whirlwind of concerts and idol prep day in and day out.  It’s so crazy that when Hikaru comes by every once in a while, she might say “hi” but that’s about all before she’s lulled away by some other little conversational opportunity.  The war takes its toll on Hikaru’s mind, body and soul but Minmay’s way too out of his orbit to give it any genuine thought.  Misa, however, not only has to be kind of on top of this because she’s Hikaru’s superior officer looking out for the wellbeing of her fellow officers, but she also slowly becomes Hikaru’s friend and one of his closest confidantes after Max.  As we’ll see later in the show, even when Hikaru isn’t even aware of his feelings for his beautiful commander, Misa is still trying to take care of him in little ways.

 

#2-Doesn’t Hog the Conversation

I’ll be brutally honest: Minmay is a spoiled brat and in constant need of attention throughout the bulk of Macross.  She adores the spotlight and pouts when Hikaru is often trying to talk about something other than herself.  There’s a very different and far more healthy dynamic between Hikaru and Misa.  Sure they have their fair share of bickering that’s defined their first few encoutners but even those had a bit more spark to them.  No I mean later on when the two are often found alone in either a café or on a casual walk.  Misa wants to know what’s up with Hikaru and hears him out, concerns and all.  Misa then returns his thoughts with her own, either agreeing with, expanding upon or even challenging them in a positive manner.  Minmay just wants to know what outfit Hikaru thinks looks better on her.

 

#1-Age Brings Maturity

It kind of surprised me but Misa is actually a couple of years older than Hikaru.  It isn’t really that big of a deal but in hindsight it does add a special level of maturity to Misa that Minmay has never shown.  From her responsibilities to the Macross bridge crew to personally leading mission to spending time with the pilots she commands on the field, Misa has to take her career far more seriously than Minmay’s crazy stardom.  This is kind of the culmination of every other item on this list: Misa’s age, beauty, wisdom and ferocity in battle make her the far better, more mature love interest who isn’t just there to bolster Hikaru’s spirits.  Misa’s there to make sure he doesn’t lose his way and subtly let him know he’s always got someone special to return to on the Macross…and it isn’t Minmay.