Macross Delta Part 1 Episodes 1-5

2067AD.  Mankinds expansion into the cosmos continues but a dangerous new threat has arisen: Var Syndrome.  It’s ability to cause random citizens to become bloodthirsty berserkers is causing chaos on several planets.  To combat this outbreak, a special unit is created: The Tactical Sound Unit Walkure.  Only their music seems to be able to quell the effects of Var Syndrome.  It’s this group Freiya Wion wishes to join more than anyone and backing her up as her protective pilot is drifter Hayate Immelmann, a young man seeking his own dream.  Music and Metal take to the skies once more. 

Been a minute since we’ve visited Macross eh?  Well you can blame the near fatal idea I had to make Macross 7 my Extended Series Review which was such a bad experience I pushed Macross Frontier back a few weeks to recover, not knowing that Frontier was just the feel good experience I needed.  Well break time’s over and Macross Delta is now on deck for review.  I haven’t heard much about this series going in.  I’ve only noticed that this is, as of this writing, the most recent Macross franchise entry and that was back in 2016.  Also this show has a greater emphasis on the idol side than the mecha side.  Is that second part true?  Is there a reason we haven’t heard a peep from Macross since this series?  Guess we’re gonna get to the bottom of that mystery this month so what’re we waiting for.  How’s the debut of Macross Delta?
 
I quickly picked up that Delta is both shaking up the Macross formula while also bringing back and enhancing old concepts, one in particular did not work in the past.  I’m talking specifically about Walkure.  They are specifically classified as a Tacitcal Sound Unit and have been formed to deal with the Var outbreaks across the system.  Their music is their chief weapon but these five lovely songstresses are also accompanied by Valkyries that have full combat capability and will throw down when the need calls for it.  Right there, this show already has a vast leg up on Macross 7.  Fire Bomber was in such denial about actually firing at the enemy that they put the people they wanted to protect at risk on a regular basis.  Walkure is purely about defense, utilizing music and Mecha to excellent degrees.  This made me smile.
 
That said, Walkure itself.  They’ve grown on me after five episodes but it was a bit much to take in how the actual idols work.  Heck I don’t even think I fully understand how their visual and defensive tech works.  Ok the outfits appear Magical Girl style is likely inspired by the same costume change tech that Sheryl had back in Macross Frontier.  But how are they forming barriers that can block and cut down missiles?  As for the members themselves, I’ve got a big list of characters jotted down but of the four original members we meet, two have more meatier scenes and presence: Kaname and Mikumo.  I like Kaname.  She’s got great big sis vibes for Freya and the others and I like how respected she is amongst her military peers.  As for Mikumo, she’s not my fav.  She’s clearly one of the groups more popular members and has an air of high and mighty superiority about her.  I cant tell if she’s trying to support Freya or pushing her for her own mysterious ends.  It wouldn’t surprise me if the show tried to push a rivalry between Mikumo and Freya as Freya’s star begins to inevitably rise.
 
Alright, onto our core trio.  For this shows Love Triangle we have Hayata, Freya and Mirage.  Freya is a lot of fun, a very nice continuation of the happy go lucky dreamer type we got in Ranka back in Macross Frontier.  Cheerful, chipper and hyperactive as heck, Freya might be the most lighthearted character in all of Macross and I dread the trials she’ll have to endure that might cause her to cry dramatically.  Mirage happens to be the granddaughter of Macross franchise vets Max and Millia, so she’s got legacy blood within her.  I also think she’s the first Jenius we’ve had in Macross since Mylene in 7.  She’s the most serious minded of the trio, even called “Ms. By the Book” by her fellow pilots.  I’m curious if she can live up to her family name.  Also I loved her telling the story of her grandparents.  It’s always nice to see Max and Millia represented in a positive light unlike Macross 7 (plus the artwork of their drawings is flawless).  And then there’s Hayate.  Man I wanna like him and I do like his chemistry with Freya, both protective and caring, giving them an early lead in the triangle.  But I cant help but see some Basara in his character.  He wants to fly but doesn’t want to fight?  He makes his Valkyrie dance, yeah I’m still not a fan of that.  At least Hayate throws down with a Var infected pilot to protect Freya, which is more than what Basara would do.  Like I said, I wanna like Hayate and my gripes aside, he’s ok so far.
 
The two big threats in Macross Delta thus far are Var Syndrome and the people of Planet Windemere.  As I said when discussing Walkure, Var is the reason their unit was formed.  Only their music seems to calm those who are thrown into a near homicidal rage because of this mysterious affliction that can appear and affect anyone without warning, it’s pretty scary.  For a moment I thought that Windermere was behind it but apparently they aren’t, though thanks to their own abilities they can control it partly?  That still needs some more explanation but I do like that the Windemere are a civilization striking back against the UN Spacy because of their colonization exploits (or so they claim).  There’s more to what’s going on with these Final Fantasy dressed rejects than it seems and even the Zentradi Captain of the Macross Elysium might be holding something back.  It’ll be worth looking into and hopefully their “evil plan” is better than those of the villains in Macross Frontier.
 
Some other odds and ends before wrapping up this premiere review.  Macross Elysium, now THAT’S a name for a ship, I love it.  Also yeah a Macross captained by a Zentradi, Ernest Johnson, who also practices Martial Arts and seems like an overall fun to be around guy.  It’s about freaking time we see a Zentradi take command of a Macross.  I guess it should go without saying that Walkure’s music is pretty good.  I’ll admit though, Freya’s solo renditions might top the groups performances, her voice is so amazing.  It’s always nice to see the history of Macross get a shoutout here and there and it was nice to see Freya reference all the big singers in the franchise as her inspirations…except Fire Bomber, screw them (and yes I apologize now but anytime I can rag on Macross 7 and Basara I’m gonna take it, especially if Delta can continue Frontier’s streak of improving that which 7 tried to ruin).  Lastly, the action.  Satelight takes on their third Macross Series after Macross Zero and Macross Frontier and man have they mastered their craft.  The Valkries look better than ever though my personal fav action moment came seeing Var infected Zentradi use classic battle pods to cause havoc.  Classic Zentradi mecha can still kick ass.
 
Despite a gripe or two and needing to get used to another couple of things, Macross Delta is off to a pretty solid start.  The new status quo is fascinating and the characters and plot have promise.  More importantly, yes there is a greater emphasis on idols but it doesn’t come at the cost of the high flying Top Gun style Mecha action Macross is well known for.  So far, so good and we’re just getting started.  See you Next Monday for more Macross Delta, right here at the Gundam Anime Corner.