Taking place one year before the Zentraedi arrive on Earth, Macross Zero chronicles the final days of the war between the U.N. Spacy and anti-U.N. factions. After being shot down by the anti-U.N.'s newest fighter plane, ace pilot Shin Kudo finds himself on the remote island of Mayan, where technology is almost non-existent. While Shin stays on the island to heal his wounds, the tranqulity of the island is shattered by a battle that involves the UN's newest fighter - the VF-0.
(Source: ANN)
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Archaeon
When the original Super Dimensional Fortress Macross was released back in 1982, it became an immediate success for several reasons, the main ones being the story, the music, and the variable fighters. Unlike other mech shows, the Macross franchise focused more on human relationships than it did on war and combat, and because of this the series has been able to produce some truly excellent stories. The one thing that has long been missing though, is the story of what came before SDF Macross. Macross Zero is set in the year 2008, and chronicles the final days of the conflict between U.N. Spacy and the Anti-U.N.forces on Earth. The story takes place in the South Pacific, in an area where an alien spacecraft crashed nine years before, and both sides are looking for it with the hopes of gaining a technological edge.
Kudou Shin, a pilot with U.N. Spacy, is downed by an enemy aircraft with the ability to transform, and crashes onto a remote island. When he regains consciousness he finds that his injuries have been tended by the natives, a peaceful tribe who want no part in the conflict.
Macross Zero is a big departure for the franchise in terms of it's story, being at times more brutal and less forgiving than other outings. In almost every other Macross series, the enemy has invariably been alien, but here the enemy is other humans, and because of this there is a certain harshness to the tone of the series which is actually rather refreshing. The franchise has always had a slightly sugary aspect to it's stories, so it's nice to finally see a Macross tale that has some teeth, and that allows the characters to behave more like humans instead of an ideal. That's not to say that characters from other Macross series are bad, simply that they have a bit more realism to their personas and actions in Zero.
The OVA is extremely well scripted and paced, and although the story has an element of predictably to it (it's Macross after all, so some things will automatically be included ), there is a distinctly fresh feel to it because of the premise and plot. There are also a number of surprising elements that actually explain several aspects about the entire Macross universe, especially Frontier.
In all fairness, Zero could actually be considered as not simply a prequel, but also a re-envisioning of the entire Macross franchise. Granted there are the staple plot elements of variable fighters, music and love triangles in the OVA, however these actually play second fiddle to what is a truly gripping story.
As with any Macross series there is a certain standard to the quality of the art and animation, and Zero is no slouch in this department. The OVA is possibly the best looking of any Macross anime, and contains some truly remarkable designs and visual concepts. The colours are vibrant and bold, and Zero features some of the most fluid animation seen in the franchise. At times the animation is good enough to put even the mighty Frontier to shame, and nowhere is this highlighted more than in mech combat.
The character designs are one area where Zero truly deviates from other Macross series, with almost every character possessing a certain realism which even extends to items of clothing and jewellery. Blue hair may be a norm in anime, but the lack of it can change the whole feel of a show, sometimes for the better.
One thing that Macross is famous for is music, in particular, songs and singing. Zero is no exception to this, and while the general music is familiarly orchestral (and more than a little martial), the all important singing is very different to what Macross fans will be used to. The songs in Zero have a distinctly tribal tone that is brought about because of the importance of the native islanders to the entire Macross universe. The OVA, unlike other Macross series, actually downplays the popular music element that is prevalent within the franchise. Because of this, the singing has a far more peaceful and natural feel to it, something that also plays a part in Macross Frontier.
One thing I did like about Zero in particular was the quality and timing of it's sound effects. Although there are times when almost everything else is drowned out by explosions, the effects are generally very sharp and clean.
Voice actingis another big plus for the OVA, especially with regards to the lead roles. Suzumura Kenichi performs extremely well as the troubled Kudou Shin, whilst Kobayashi Sanae is truly excellent as the proud Sara Nome. The rest of the cast are equally good, and are able to give their respective characters a greater sense of purpose than I've seen in any other Macross series.
As for the characters themselves, there is really very little to complain about. The lead characters are all individuals to a tee, each with their own problems, goals and ideals. Possibly the most interesting aspect is the internal conflicts that Sara, Mao and Kudou struggle with which, at various points in the OVA, promote some surprising developments in their relationships with each other.
Because the story is set during a period of conflict there is a certain amount of predetermination with regards to their development, which is actually the main weakness of the series. The viewer can almost predict how a given character will react in certain situations. This is, however, an unfortunate necessity because of the length of the OVA. At only five episodes there simply isn't enough time to offer the majority of characters any substantial development. so any that does occur is normally on the formulaic side.
Macross Zero is a surprisingly unique addition to the franchise, and one that will invariably cause some arguments among the more hardcore fanbase. For the average anime viewer though, it is an entertaining and sometimes thought provoking series that isn't afraid to try a new approach. The setting and time period, together with the more realistic tone of the story, also mean that it is more accessable to those who want to give the franchise a try.
Arguments notwithstanding, fans of the Macross franchise should be pleased with this addition, especially with regards to the recent Macross Frontier. Of all the Macross series' that have been released thus far, Frontier and Zero have the closest ties, not simply because of the infamous movie in Frontier, but also because it is suggested that Sheryl Nome is actually the granddaughter of Mao Nome, who we see as a young girl in Zero. There's also the "Birdman" link between the two series, and in all honesty fans of Macross Frontier should definitely watch Zero as it is not only a prequel to SDF Macross, but also the true beginning of Macross Frontier.
The Macross saga has it's detractors, and rightly so as there have been times when the franchise has simply not delivered.
Thankfully, Macross Zero isn't one of those occasions.
Chag
Simply put, Macross Zero is the crown jewel of the Macross franchise. It takes the franchise's staple set of features of songs, love triangles, and transformable fighter jets and produces not only a visually breathtaking experience, but its story also carries a healthy weight in depth and substance, making Macross Zero not only a feast for the eyes, but also a memorable tale as well. The plot of Zero is noticeably more grounded than its predecessors. Instead of narrating conflict between humans and extraterrestrials, Zero's plot revolves around the war between the UN and Anti-UN forces, as well as the inhabitants of Mayan Island's struggle withthe introduction of the outside world, which they have mostly avoided until now. As a result, the story becomes much less detached from reality as other Macross series', and viewers are able to relate to themes such as globalization and the environment. Zero is able to provoke a number of thoughts on these themes without being preachy or detracting from the overall entertainment value. The romance element is amazingly well-developed for a short series such as this. It is convincing and touching without a heavy stench of melodrama.
Of course, the success in the romance department would not be possible without great characters. Zero's cast of main characters, like the romance, is also well developed. From Sara's inner struggle with the encroachment from the outside world, to Shin's exploration of the ways of the Mayan Islands, to the sheer Charisma of Roy Focker, the characters go beyond being merely caricatures, but rather breath life to the story as interesting and likable human beings, which makes the conflict and romance all the more engaging and satisfying. However one minor gripe on the subject of characters would be the lack of development for the antagonists. Though lightly alluded, the stories behind them are never revealed, therefore the antagonists of Zero exist solely to get in the way of the heroes. But for a five-episode series, this flaw is easily forgivable, given with the limited screen time.
The art and animation of Macross Zero are undoubtedly its strongest points. The character designs are clean, the background art is as detailed as it is beautiful, and the CG animations of the variable fighters are nothing short of breathtaking. Without feeling too out of place in a 2D anime, the 3D jets are superbly rendered. Trails of air adorn the fighters as they pull off amazingly choreographed dogfights. Missiles dance across the screen gorgeously in true Macross fashion, and the superb use of camera further heightens the exhilaration of the aerial combat. The attention to technical detail must also be noted in the movements of the thrusters, rudders, and the transformation sequence of the variable fighters. The sounds of Macross Zero compliments its visuals well with booming explosions during the fights and lovely singing during... well, the songs. However, in the department of background music, though certainly not bad, Zero did not offer any particularly memorable pieces for me.
Overall, Macross Zero is an incredible entertainment package that combines a great story, superb art, and mouth-watering mecha action no fan of the genre can resist. If you enjoy the Macross franchise or mehca series' in general, Macross Zero is without a question a must-watch. Even if you aren't, Macross Zero is still an amazing experience, and at only five episodes, it's a great investment for your time.
AironicallyHuman
I can safely say that, after watching all five episodes in one sitting, Macross Zero is one of the best animated series in existence that my eyes have viewed. It had pretty much everything, ranging from a man coming to terms with the primitive way the people on the island he crashes on live to the most convincing (and semi-understandable!) battle with a God-like entity to grace anime. The only flaw the series had was the slightly depressing and inconclusive ending. I wanted a happy ending; not one where all the couples end up unhappy and the fate of a certain somebody is left upin the air.
The story of Macross Zero isn't hard to digest: A war is on-going between two halves of humanity. On one side is a pilot called Shin, a rookie who learned about war the hard way as a child and got involved in order to stop the fighting. During a battle he ends up getting his plane badly damaged, forcing him into an emergency eject. When he wakes up later, he finds himself wrapped in bandages and inside a strange hut with bird images around him. He soon discovers that the island he's found himself on is inhabited by primitive people, and the leader of these people, Sara, wants him to leave as soon as possible in order to avoid him bringing a curse on her people. However, with the war taking place near the island due to an ancient life-form having been discovered underwater close to it, things soon take a turn for the worse...
For some reason, I like stories that involve a primitive race of people having to come to terms with the realities of the modern world, or the reverse. Macross Zero showed a primitive group being forced to experience the pain and suffering of war AND had the main character, to a certain extent at least, become one with nature. I haven't seen this type of story in anime before and that semi-original vibe allowed me to get even more out of the experience. Putting originality aside for a second, it's a good thing when mecha series are grounded in reality by a plot element because it prevents the story being too far-fetched and allows people to connect to the story and characters on a real world level.
Another impressive aspect of the show is its multiple love stories. Macross is well known for its blend of romance, singing and sci-fi, and Zero didn't let me down. The romance never came across as fake or forced, which surprised me a little given the short length of the story. The relationship between uptight Shin and primitive Sara was very touching, and it had a very funny beginning since Shin unknowingly threatened Sara with what the Mayan people think of as being equivalent to love letters. The other major relationship, between Aries and Roy Focker, wasn't quite so moving due to them having been together (and later splitting apart) prior to the start of Macross Zero, with the events of the story pulling them back together, but it had its moments and, like with the other relationship, their relationship created a fairly amusing scene or two.
As for the visuals, Zero looks fantastic. The art/animation is up to the standard I expected an OVA series of a huge franchise to be at, but the CG aerial battles blew me away. They were a little difficult to follow at times due to the frenzied pace aerial battles move at, but I never lost track of who was shooting at who. And, unlike with lower quality anime that features CG, the CG blended excellently with the animation.
The music was less impressive than the other aspects. There were a few decent songs here and there but, overall, nothing stood out as truly special. Off the top of my head, I can't even remember any of the BGM music right now, which is an indication of how much of the soundtrack caught my ears. I don't feel the soundtrack was bad (I'd be being far more critical if that were the case), I just felt it lacked something in comparison to everything else.
All in all, I loved the series. I enjoyed it so much that it got a rare 10/10 from me and has gone straight into my top five (edit: many months later, I changed my scoring system, and Zero got a 9/10 on my list.) For someone as critical as me to rate something 10/10, it has to be brilliant, and Macross Zero had every element an anime needs to be as close to perfection as humanly possible. It's hard for me to imagine a better blend of reality, mecha and a sci-fi 'God' story. If this series never gets released outside of Japan it'll be a crime - every (and I mean every!) anime fan should see it.
ggultra2764
While this is a decent chapter in the Macross franchise, it does carry some major flaws that stuck out enough for me. But before I address my issues, I'll address what I did enjoy out of this OAV. The series does do a decent job at incorporating the tribal beliefs of the Mayan Island natives within the mythos of the series as the beliefs become strikingly similar to the Valkyrie mecha used within the franchise and dropping some hints about the Protoculture. In addition, Roy Focker is around to provide some serious and funny moments as he helps out series lead Shin and tries makingadvances on scientist Aries Turner. After seeing Macross Frontier, I definitely took notice of the Nome sisters as pop idol Sheryl from Frontier is Mao's daughter.
In terms of visual presentation, this is easily the best-looking title in the Macross franchise I've seen to date. The series effectively blends in CG animation with the regular visuals to render the slick and highly-detailed Valkyrie fighters and battle planes used throughout Macross Zero. This work also went into creating the beautiful and lush island scenery seen throughout Mayan Island. This effort also went into the title's animation as aerial battles between UN Spacy and Anti-UN forces were very fluid and a sight to behold, mixing in some shots of the cockpit view as pilots were engaging one another in combat.
Where this series does falter for me however is with its music and characterization. The Macross franchise is most famous for mixing around mechas, music and love triangles into the storylines of their titles. My issue with the music has more to do with it being a similar issue I had with the original Macross. While the element is effectively conveyed within the storyline of Macross Zero shown through the Nome sisters' abilities, the overall soundtrack has nothing notable that sticks out as it makes use of new age and classical music.
The characterization for Macross Zero is perhaps the title's weakest area. There isn't enough fleshed out with the new characters and their motivations. Hints are dropped regarding the backgrounds of these characters yet Zero doesn't have the time to go into greater detail. As a result, this makes the love triangle element to the series involving Shin and the Nome sisters unconvincing due to the lack of proper buildup and tension.
Overall, Macross Zero proved to be a mixed bag for me within the Macross franchise. While sporting the best visuals I've seen from the franchise to date and making decent incorporation of its tribal elements into the Macross mythos, the weak characterization and unmemorable soundtrack does really hamper it a bit in my book.
zillion29
Despite it's obvious visual splendor and amazing fight choreography, Macross Zero never achieves the high concept that Shoji Kawamori aims for. Even ten years later, the visuals and cinematography still hold their own and aren't the least bit dated. But the ret-conned plot (Roy Fokker was an anthropology student in college?!?!?!!?) is downright silly; introducing tribal cultures, creation myth, and a mad scientist thread. But my real issue comes with the pacing - Kawamori's real downfall. As with Macross Plus, 140 minutes of exposition and narrative are tied up and concluded in thefinal 10 minutes. And in true anime fashion, that amounts to lots of people dying, some giant thing stomping around, and some head-scratching moralizing.
kekekeKaj
The story of people from the "civilized world" stumbling upon the peaceful lives of a secluded, spiritual tribe, and bringing with them technology, commodity and destruction, is hardly uncommon. When it comes to anime though, this seems to be relatively unexplored territory, and "Macross Zero" is an anime that helps plug that gap. "Macross Zero" is the prequel to the popular classic "Super Dimensional Fortress Macross", released for the latter's 20th anniversary. The story is set a year before the Zentradi's appearance in the original series, and follows the adventures of the young pilot Shin Kudo after his plane got shot down and he found himselfon the remote island Mayan. On Mayan, he stumbles upon the peaceful lives of a secluded, spiritual tribe... and then the rest you can probably guess.
The first thing to notice about "Macross Zero" is that it looks stunning. Second thing to notice... is that it looks stunning. Ok, I concede it may be the same point, but it's a point worth repeating because of how stunning it loooks. The character designs are drawn seriously and not in the typical giant eyed cuteness style of most anime - these characters even have noses!! Then there's the mecha. CG is often a hit and miss affair, especially around the time this show was produced, but "Macross Zero" pulled out all the stops and really showed how amazing it can look. Granted, the planes can look a bit plasticky at times, but overall, the iconic variable fighters of the "Macross" franchise has never looked better. The franchise has obtained something of a fearsome reputation when it comes to dogfighting action, and "Macross Zero" doesn't skimp out in this department either. I still think the dogfights in "Macross Plus" are probably the best I've ever seen, but "Macross Zero" pushes it pretty close with its incredible CG and breathtaking choreography.
Looking past the stunning animation (which is damn hard... did I mention it looks stunning?) the rest of the anime isn't quite at the same outstanding level, but it certainly isn't weak in any department.
The story may not be spectuacular, but it's not bad, even if it can be quite confusing at times. There's more of it than you would expect from a typical mecha show. The obligatory love triangles may not be as appealing as in other "Macross" titles, but the uneasy tension between Mayans and the "outsiders" and the mixture of sci-fi and tribal lore elements makes for interesting alternative points of focus.
Though there's a year between the events of "Macross Zero" and the main story of "Super Dimensional Fortress Macross", this OVA series operates quite independent from the original TV series. I tried hard to see how the story fitted together, but to be honest, it doesn't seem to - it's more like a tag on. It does mean that people new to the franchise can get a lot out of "Macross Zero", as it doesn't require you to have seen the original TV series, but I would have preferred a stronger connection to it.
One of the few connections it does have is the suave pilot Roy Focker (I always wondered whether the creators gave him this name because of his womanising ways...), who was a mentor to the protagonist in "Super Dimensional Fortress Macross". His presence in "Macross Zero" feels a bit like a shoe-in for the sake of featuring someone from the original series... but I can't deny its effectiveness - as a fan, it's exciting to see Focker make an appearance.
Like most of not all the shows in the "Macross" franchise, music is significant to the story. The difference here is that the music is tribal as opposed to the usual music of pop stars. Though I've got nothing against pop, the tribal music is good too, and it's a nice change.
In conclusion, "Macross Zero" is a great addition to the franchise, containing all the expected elements while giving some of them a good twist. It should should be checked out even by those who are not fans of mecha or "Macross" franchise because it feels quite fresh; and also because, you know, it just looks so stunning.
Ketamigo
Despite what Macross fans may say, most Macross shows work perfectly fine as standalone anime, and while this series in particular is probably one of the strangest and most unique ways to start your Macross journey, it is certainly one of the most artistic and memorable ways to do so. From its unique art style and memorable characters, to its brilliant cinematography and battle choreography, Zero stands as a testament to anime’s ability to be serious and emotionally moving art. Art style and Story: 10/10 Macross Zero released during a time when the anime industry still retained some of the hand drawn flair of the‘90s, while it also began to rapidly incorporate CGI, 3D and digital coloring. Zero’s art style is definitely reflective of its time, but I think it actually benefits from that awkward period of artistic experimentation by being incredibly unique and outside-the-box with its approach to animation.
The artists here definitely went full experimental, with beautiful 90s style character design and detailed environments mixed in with semi-blurred CG that ends up appearing almost as if it was coated with oil paints. This is especially prevalent in some of the more movement-heavy mech scenes, where these strange stylistic (or technological) choices are mixed in with absolutely fantastic background animations. Mech battles are full of vibrant, beautiful lighting and mesmerizing rocket trails surrounding these strange CG-assisted mechs, as they blur and shift around hand-drawn environments, making every mech battle have an almost otherworldly experience.
This extremely unique and vivid mix of animation styles perfectly fits in with the themes of this series, which constantly contrasts and compares the natural with the mechanical, the pragmatic and the magical, and the unthinkable possibilities of both outer space and of ancestral times. It really left me awestruck at how this series’ obvious technological and budgetary constraints ended up contributing to so much of the shows own unique and beautiful presence, while also leading to some serious thematic consistency.
Ironically, this very strangeness is what put many people off to this Macross series, with people often complaining about Zero’s use of CG. Regardless, this is one of the few times I can honestly say that a series’ “dated” and low-res qualities are a big factor in what makes this show even more endearing in the present year. The artists worked within their limitations and still far surpassed the quality and artistry of many anime coming out in the last decade (2014-2024).
The story and the characters themselves are all very memorable, with everyone having distinct personalities and motivations. Zero rarely allows its characters to simply become the typical anime cliches, and Zero’s story has enough emotion and mystery within it to really captivate the audience throughout its duration.
I personally found the story and character relationships extremely moving, and over the course of 4 incredibly cinematic episodes, the show included some emotional and real character development despite the short runtime.
If Zero has any flaws, they are all certainly due to the shows tragically short overall run time, which amounts to one long movie, or an average 13 episode season of 20 minute episodes. I do think that the longer 30 minute runtime was a massive advantage to Zero, as well as the fact that it does not have any lengthy intro and outro songs like a traditional TV series would. I find OVA and longer formats to be highly superior due to the fact that episodes can be paced much, much more calmly and retain a certain cinematic flare.
Conclusion:
If you love mechs, or you love the more introspective and artsy anime OVA/Films like Ghost In The Shell, Patlabor 2, or even Princess Mononoke, then this is a perfect series for you, regardless of your previous experience with Macross. If you have already seen some Macross and don’t know where to start to do a full series run, I still think Zero is the best place. For me, chronological is usually king.
To conclude, Zero does a fantastic job of merging nature and technology, and also masterfully combines the tech-heavy world of Mecha with otherworldly and extraterrestrial story elements- and that is often quite difficult to do correctly (looking at you, Gundam 00). Its certainly an experience you won’t forget, and one that I believe has aged to be even better with time and hindsight.
benjireturns
Macross Zero is very good, but not quite great. The series boasts well fleshed out characters, beautiful art and character design, quality sound and music, interesting storylines, and benefits from a rich universe decades in the making (though watching SDF Macross is unnecessary). It only falls flat at the end, failing to connect its numerous stories and themes in a way that fully satisfies its ambitions. Zero is a story about the unification wars that took place before the completion of the SDF Macross, focusing on one pilot by the name of Shin, a loner with a painful past wrought from the fireof war. When Shin is shot down over a remote island and saved by a primitive tribe, he begins a slow process of self discovery and healing; unfortunately, a team of scientists looking for an ancient artifact crosses paths with this relatively untouched culture and bring the clash of modern nations to their doorstep.
The visuals are stunning: The island is portrayed in a spectrum of natural, vibrant colors - in stark contrast to the flat greys and garish paint applied to all things technological. The sounds capture machinery and remote island very well, the voice actors are superb, and the music has the ability to stir the heart. The characters are fairly well fleshed out, with the exception of completely whiffing on what could've been an insightful look into one of the icons of Macross - Roy Focker, but his character at least stayed true to his keywords. The pieces are all here, but the problem is trying to fit them together.
The themes here are fairly easy to see, and some are fascinating. Technology against nature, faith against science, corruption of innocence, the cycle of hatred and many more...all are interesting in their own way, but unfortunately there are scattered among too many storylines. The show would've benefited from cutting out a few unnecessary pieces and going deeper into fewer subjects.
Overall, Macross Zero was an interesting, heartfelt adventure that kept me glued to the screen, devouring episode after episode. The characters felt real and I cared for each of them, deeply for a select few. Had the show let its characters grow naturally to the end and make their own decisions instead of being uncharacteristically heavy handed, this show would've been amazing and a few steps up from where it is. Alas, here we are.
uiorwejklfsd
Horribly dated CGI and photoshop animation ruins what could have been a good show. This is like the worst nightmare for 2000's CGI. Yes, the dogfights are cool, but that's only because so much stuff is happening on screen you can't focus on the terrible CGI. It constantly flips between blurry character models, super low quality models (they almost look like sprites from a 2D game), and 3D that looks worse than the original Initial D. If the original Macross movies are 10/10 then this is 0/10. Without question, this is the worst entry in the entire Macross franchise. It's quite sad that so manyshows from the early 2000s fell into this same CGI hell.
JoeGar96
Tonally very different to its predecessor as it leaves the comedy and idols behind to become a much more serious military drama, whilst that might remove an aspect of what made Macross unique it does fit the story rather well. Its a pretty good entry, the story was engaging, the themes whilst not unique were still there and handled well and the characters were good. I do think this series could have benefitted from a bit more fleshing out both in terms of its characters and stories but they still did a pretty good job. It was a bit sad to see the jets in CG asthere models obviously look worse, but the choreography and battles with them were still really cool and fun to watch.
The soundtrack actually didn't stand out to me for the most part, apart from one or two pieces here and there, but the pieces towards the end really stood out giving me chills and emotions.
For a five episode ova its definitely worth the time and I quite enjoyed it overall.
barsoapguy219
This is not your typical Macross. There is music, missiles, and a love triangle, but the saccharine taste and the glitz has been toned way down. The characters have realistic proportions, the music is not cheery, and we're not getting a beach episode. This is the grounded Macross. Story I liked the story. It's the Macross take on the natives-meet-civilization tale that we've seen many times before: Dances with Wolves, Pocahontas, Avatar, . . . The setting is before the events of the first Macross. There is an alien ship/artifact on a Pacific island and the natives have a mystic relationship with it. The UNand the Anti-UN vie to capture it and exploit its power. The natives get caught up in the conflict and the story unfolds. Pretty fresh territory for this franchise.
I have to give them props for integrating a seemingly unrelated story into the mainline Macross series. They tie in the alien artifact, the music, and the Nomes.
That this anime is five episodes long is good and bad. It is short enough to be mostly engaging all the way through, but not long enough for twists and turns and character development.
Characters
The characters are mostly one dimensional. That's not a bad thing with an anime of this length.
We have our UN Team: Shin, our MC good guy, & Roy, Mr. Hotshot from the original Macross. Shin is a generic dud. Roy had his moments but was a minor character. There was also Aries, the scientist who was trying to learn more & exploit the natives. I like how her character started as curious and progressed to being straight-forwardly evil.
Then there is team Island: Sara, the main girl; Mao, the little sister; and the chief. They were just kind of there. Wasn't feeling them.
Then there are the Anti-UN guys: Two skilled pilots and the evil Dr. Hasford. Bad guys!
It was an average group of characters. I cheered for Shin and Sara, of course, but they didn't have great, memorable character moments. None of them did. The characterization was subdued.
Music
The music is not the standard Macross fare. Gone are the sugary pop songs, the racy rock tracks, and the dogfight montages. We get tribal music with melodic singing/humming, hand drums, and shakers. It's the island feel. I wasn't feeling it. I signed up for the pop/rock songs, the power ballads, & the little ditties. This is different.
The sound effects and voices are pretty good. Professional level. Not much to comment here. Oh yeah. The jets sound cool.
Art
It looks good. This anime doesn't look like the stereotypical anime. The characters have more realistic proportions. The hair colors are normal (mostly). The cartoony stuff is toned down a lot. I like the style. The quality of the art is good as well. Things were pretty to look at and the island setting amplified it.
The jets/mecha fights look great. The action is well directed. We get the sense of speed and G-forces. The time period was prior to the SDF discovery and technology boom so all the tech looks more like modern day. I thought that was a cool touch.
I really liked the style of the title cards. Very islandy.
They use CGI. I think it's fine for mech shows.
Enjoyment
I was expecting something more light-hearted. Instead, I got a dramatic story.
The action scenes were decent. It may be because my tastes are changing, but I got a little tired of the mech action toward the end. Much of it seemed inconsequential - the bad guy is not getting defeated by a no-name character & for all the shooting and explosions, the plot isn't pushed forward by the fighting.
I didn't have the best time with it, but I did make it through all 5 episodes.
Overall
It wasn't what I was looking for. I can see why other people would like it and how it is a nice departure from the typical Macross formula.
The positives: Decent dramatic story, nice realistic art, and decent action.
The negatives: Not my style of music, the love triangle was weak, I wasn't in the mood for something like this (I know).
Decent but not my thing.
