9/10
Let’s just get the embarrassing truth out of the way: as big a Robotech fan as I am, I’ve never seen Macross before. Primarily because I’ve been too cheap to shell out for the rather pricey DVD sets, but also for some more dignified reason to be named at a later date. However new licensee ADV Films’ superb re-release of the series has my resistance on the ropes. Though I know the story by heart, Volume 1 Upon the Shoulders of Giants had me mesmerized all over again
It’s not hard to see why Macross has been one of the most enduring sci-fi anime franchises, full of dazzling action, thrilling suspense, memorable characters, phenomenal art design, and even some romance. Er, for the ladies of course. Never you mind where I got that copy of Titanic. Macross is a welcome relief from the philosophical doublespeak and vague symbolism that recently seem to overwhelm many sci-fi anime. Rather than trying to confuse the audience it simply tells a crackling good yarn. Thankfully that never goes out of style.
Volume 1 contains the first six of the thirty-six episode series: Booby Trap, Countdown, Space Fold, The Long Wait, Transformation, and Blitzkrieg/Daedelus Attack. The saga begins when a massive alien spacecraft crash-lands on a remote island in the Pacific Ocean. Over the next decade man rebuilds it into the mighty Super Dimension Fortress Macross, only to have the launch ceremony crashed when its alien owners arrive to reclaim it in violent fashion. Hotshot stunt pilot Hikaru Ichijo, having come to visit veteran combat flier Roy Focker, inadvertently joins his friend in defending the ship. In the chaos he saves the life of the winsome teen Lynn Minmay and is soon smitten with her. When the Macross uses the untested fold system to escape enemy forces, it and a large chunk of the island’s population are unexpectedly transported across the galaxy to Pluto. As Hikaru and Minmay begin to get friendly the Macross sets off on the perilous journey home.
Even longtime Robotech veterans will be thrilled to see these episodes in their entirety. Numerous edits were made to Robotech for reasons of time, continuity, and censorship, and though most of the edits were only a few seconds they make all the difference in fleshing out the world of Macross. In Robotech it was a complete mystery to me how the civilian population got on board the Macross, but here it is laid out, however improbably.
Like the audience the impulsive but well-meaning Hikaru (Rick Hunter in Robotech) is thrust into a bizarre world completely unaware, and we view the proceedings from his vantage point. Mentor Roy is a lovable Han Solo-ish rascal, romantically involved with gregarious Macross crewmember Claudia LaSalle. Although it’s still early in the game here, eventually Minmay and Macross Executive Officer Misa Hayase (Lisa Hayes) will vie for Hikaru’s affections, the former rather childish and self-absorbed and the latter a little uptight and socially inept. Macross Captain Global is the typical inspirational leader, and contrary to my recollection something of a cynic and a goofball as well. The imperious alien commander Britai and his sycophantic advisor Exedol will also be familiar to Robotech viewers, although they don’t see much development until much later in the series.
It’s a treat to hear the Japanese cast for the first time, and they are strong across the board. ADV’s spanking new English dub is largely a success as well. Many of the characters adopt similar voices to the Robotech cast. The only problems are the super cheesy narration and Minmay, who is played again by original Macross voice actress Mari Iijima. While it is a feather in the cap to have her on board and I’m sure she can knock the songs out of the park, her English acting leaves much to be desired.
Macross knows how to please action fans, and the dogfights between the humans’ transformable Valkyrie fighters and enemy battlepods are as exhilarating as ever. One can only imagine how fantastic a live action version would look.
There’s a fair amount of humor, here largely expressed in the form of jokes at the expense of Global and Misa. Also keep an eye out for several in-jokes, including mecha designer Shoji Kawamori nearly getting killed by Hikaru’s Valkyrie as he approaches a massage parlor. Kawamori, that is, not the Valkyrie. It had a strict Mormon upbringing.
Macross gets topical with some interesting and contrasting statements on the UN. On the one hand our heroes defend the earth under the UN banner, so it is clearly a force for good. On the other we discover that the current UN is the product of bloody worldwide unification wars, and so not exactly a force for peace.
In another tidbit I believe omitted from Robotech Roy explains why the Valkyries do that whole transformation business. It turns out it’s not just about selling toys, but that the UN somehow knew in advance the physical attributes of the aliens (possibly from studying the Macross) and designed robot fighters to match. Explained in Robotech, but not here is why the aliens want the Macross back so much, or why it ended up on Earth in the first place. Perhaps that’s saved for later episodes.
The transfer is excellent for a show of Macross’s age, and the animation still holds up pretty well. There’s just something endearing about completely hand drawn animation that the computer-assisted variety can’t match. It’s got soul.
I’m torn between the scores of Macross and Robotech. Both are effective and exciting, as opposed to the awkward jazzy soundtrack of Mospeada. Certainly the main Robotech theme is much better than Macross’s corny, melodramatic opening and closing songs.
Special features on Volume 1 include an interview with Iijima on her role as Minmay, an interview with ADV’s translator, the original 1984 English dub of the first episode, and commentary on two episodes from cast and staff members. Sadly there is no art gallery, which is a shame for this mecha rich universe.
Macross is a must own series. Thrilling, moving, and visually captivating, this space opera great will quickly have you hooked. ADV has a nearly perfect fix for you. Now if only someone would make a decent Macross video game. I’m tired of hearing Gundam fans have more fun.
