Super Dimension Fortress Macross II: Lovers Again Part 2 Episodes 4-6

Hibiki and Ishtar find themselves held captive by the Marduk.  With an army of brainwashed Zentradi powered by the song of death, the Marduk press on to Earth, annihilating the UN Spacey forces.  As Humanity faces a grim defeat, the bonds of love and song bring Hibiki, Ishtar and Silvie to the one last hope to win the fight: the Super Dimensional Fortress Macross.  Once again, the mighty fortress rises, this time not to fight a war, but to end it once and for all.

Well, that was certainly better.  I don’t think Macross II will go down as one of my all time favorite Macross entries.  However, I do think the second half of the OVA managed to turn things around a bit and provide at least a very entertaining conclusion that’s certainly in the spirit of Macross.

FIF#130-Tower of God

The Tower.  If you reach the top, everything you can imagine awaits you.  Any wish you desire can be granted, from simple matters to the greatest temptation to attaining Godhood.  A young girl named Rachel entered The Tower wishing to see the stars.  Her cost of doing so meant leaving behind a boy who needed her more than anything.  Now, that boy, Bam, is determined to follow Rachel and face whatever challenges The Tower holds for him.  Sometimes the simplest of wishes begin the greatest of journeys.

Tower of God might just be one of the most anticipated titles of 2020.  It’s an Anime based on a Korean Web Comic that is co produced by Crunchyroll themselves (even has the brand spanking new “Crunchyroll Original” label on it).  There’s a strange amount of pressure on this one, beyond the likes of recent Anime like Fire Force or even Demon Slayer.  Based on the premise, Tower of God could be one of the longest investments you could make in a new Anime…like One Piece levels of time investment.  Even if that’s the case, the beginning is interesting. 

T5W#276-Top 5 Kirby Morrow Anime Roles

Normally around this time, the day before Thanksgiving, I usually do a Top 5 list of the things related to Anime that I’m most thankful for. Last week, however, the Anime community received sad news of the passing of one of the most celebrated voice actors in the Anime industry.  Kirby Morrow is a name that has resonated with fans for decades thanks to the roles he took in the early 2000’s, some of who were our first Heroes of Anime.  I for one am thankful I was able to recognize his voice, his talent and the characters he brought into my life.  And for that alone, the man deserves a Top 5 list today.  We’ll miss you Kirby…always…here are my Top 5 Kirby Morrow Anime Roles.

Super Dimension Fortress Macross II: Lovers Again Part 1 Episodes 1-3

2092 AD.  It’s been 80 years since the end of the Zentradi war and now humanity lives in peace with many members of its former sworn enemy.  That peace is threatened when an Alien attack force believed to be rogue Zentradi appear near Jupiter.  Their threat grows more dangerous when even Earth’s best weapon, the Minmei Defense, is ineffective against them.  In the middle of the chaos, reporter Hibiki Kanzaki steals a beautiful girl named Ishtar from an Alien vessel and brings her to Earth.  As he tries to show her Earth’s vast culture and learn more about her Identity, Ishtar cannot help but be drawn to the long dormant Super Dimension Fortress Macross, whose reactivation might be Mankinds only hope to survive destruction once again.

Much like Mobile Suit Gundam, Super Dimension Fortress Macross was a pioneering scifi/mecha title for Anime in the 80s.  The slick and fast paced action combined with a masterfully done love story and gorgeous soundtrack has made it an endearing legend that has spawned its own successful franchise.  Over the years we’ve seen several success stories like Macross: Do You Remember Love, Macross 7, Macross Zero and, my personal favorite, Macross Plus, just to name a few.  So why don’t we hear much about the title meant to celebrate Macross’ 10^th Anniversary?  Well over the next two weeks were gonna find out why that might be as we take a look at Super Dimension Fortress Macross II: Lovers Again.

FIF#129-Space Pirate Captain Harlock

2977 AD.  Mankind has reached the stars, leaving their beloved Earth behind.  Those who remain find themselves falling into complacency and depression as machines become the new workforce who services them.  Most are unaware that forces from beyond the stars have their sights set on Earth itself.  One isn’t so naieve, the man who left Earth long ago to stand against its oppressive government.  He is a man who flies the stars in a ship modeled after the Pirates of old, even bearing a skull and crossbones flag.  He is a man who’s name reverberates throughout the galaxy, who is both savior and terror.  And this man, Space Pirate Captain Harlock, is the only one capable of stopping an ominous threat looming near Planet Earth.

After putting up with the sheer amount of boredom produced by Harlock Saga (incase you already forgot, it’s joined the 0/10 club here at the Gundam Anime Corner), you’d think I’d be ready to put the MatsumotoVerse in my rear view.  Well while Harlock Saga is a pretty big blotch on the good captain’s record, it’s not enough to make me dislike the character or the other features hes been in.  So I stumbled across his very first Anime introduction, 1974’s Space Pirate Captain Harlock, and decided to just check out the first episode.