Starting back in January, I went back and watched Macross in its entirety in preparation for Macross Frontier this spring. This is the third of 5 entries that I will be writing that cover the Macross series from the beginning. Specifically, this one covers the first officially accepted (timeline-wise) Macross sequel, the classic Macross Plus.

Part 1: Macross, Do You Remember Love, & Flash Black 2012
Part 2: Macross II – Lovers Again
Part 3: Macross Plus
Part 4: Macross 7, The Galaxy’s Calling Me, & Dynamite 7
Part 5: Macross Zero
Epilogue: Macross Frontier

To say that I have been captivated by the charm of the Macross metaseries would probably be an understatement. Before I ever started watching anime under the moniker “anime,” the only thing I knew about it was what I experienced as a child–Voltron, Transformers, and Robotech. These days, any talk about those butchered Americanized shows stirs up more nostalgia about, rather than appreciation for those older series. All I really remember about Rick Hunter was that he wore a pretty sweet helmet. Then again, I do not remember much from 1985 or 1986 other than me receiving a Nintendo from my father and cousins.

Pull a 20-year time skip, with Macross’ 25th anniversary and Macross Frontier’s actual start in April of this year. I decided it was about time I actually went back and watched the entire Macross conglomeration from start to finish beginning with the original series. It is not as overwhelming of a task as say watching the entire Gundam franchise (even just limiting oneself to the UC time line), but it does entail taking on 2 very different series and a handful of OVAs and movies. What does make it a bit difficult is the fact that the majority of the series parts are in direct relation to other, but many were written and animated many years apart. You really have 3 generations of animation to go through–early 80’s, mid 90’s, and 2000’s. It is not like having a few years between the different Full Metal Panic series. Macross began in 1982, Macross 7 began in 1994, and Macross Zero began in 2002. And Macross 7 would not make as much sense without having seen the first series.

---

If you exclude all the Robotech I watched as a kid, Macross Plus was my first taste of its universe. In fact, Macross Plus was one of the first anime OVA’s I ever watched. Watching it again for the first time over 8 years later, a lot of the feelings I had resurfaced–Macross Plus is damn awesome.

Despite only being a 4-part OVA (or 1 movie, depending on the version you watch), Macross Plus really pushed the Macross franchise away from the original series and in a different direction. Macross was no longer about protecting the planet or discovering new civilizations in the galaxy. People were not wondering what was just beyond Earth, they were already searching it. With that and wars out of the way, Macross could focus more on the personal aspects of characters and show how characters interact in this new era. With the exception of Macross Zero, Macross was more about exploring space and not wondering about it.

What sets Macross Plus apart from every other Macross entry would be its focus on a small group of characters and how they interact with one another. There is more happening behind the scenes, but everything important revolves around Myung, Guld, Isamu, and their relationship. There is no Space War, no intermingling of Humans and Zentradi, and no grandiose plans to explore the galaxy. Even the competition between the Shinsei Industries’ YF-19 and General Galaxy’s YF-21 and the conspiracy surrounding virtual idol Sharon Apple still are prominent parts of the story, Myung, Guld, and Isamu are what make those aspects flow.

This focus is really what made Macross Plus enjoyable for me. The plot was much more personal and specific. The love triangle was truly a deep-rooted struggle for the 3 characters, and was what shaped them into the characters we see. It’s not 2 people competing for the affection of another, it’s a triangle about strained friendships, unrequited love, jealousy, and long-standing grudges–something everyone can relate to fairly easily. Plug this aspect of the story into the more broad plot points and you’ve got a short story that is loaded with emotion and intensity.

But Macross Plus isn’t just about the storyline. Excluding the Macross Zero (2002) and Macross Frontier (2008), Macross Plus is easily the prettiest of them. Even compared to various other series released afterward, Macross Plus looks utterly amazing. Scenes are colorful when they need to be and dreary when they need to be. The action sequences are detailed and fluid and really should be considered among the best looking action sequences in the Macross world. Even now, a lot of the battle scenes in Macross Frontier look to have taken their cues from Macross Plus.

In terms of the soundtrack I only need to mention 2 names: Kanno Yoko and Arai Akino. Even though I first watched Macross Plus 8 years ago, Information High remains one of my favorite songs. When Sharon is memorizing people during her concert and Isamu and Guld begin their final battle over Macross City in episode 4 is still one of the coolest scenes I’ve ever watched and I attribute a lot of it to Information High and the subsequent background music. But the music doesn’t end with “Sharon Apple.” Before her songs in Zegapain, Aria the Origination, Noir, or Outlaw Star Arai Akino had Voices and Idol Talk out there. Both Kanno Yoko and Arai Akino (and “Sharon Apple”) contribute to a lot of the excitement in Macross Plus, and this soundtrack remains my favorite of all the Macross entries.

Whenever I talk to someone who has not seen any Macross series or someone who has seen some of Macross Frontier and wants to find out a bit more of its history, I always recommend Do You Remember Love and Macross Plus. And that is saying a lot. In my opinion, at the bare minimum, you need those 2 entries–DYRL is classic and Macross Plus is just that damn awesome. Macross Plus is just one of those series that MUST BE WATCHED if you consider yourself a fan of anime.