[Categories: OAVs, Movies and Full Series]
Macross Plus
“And sometimes is seen a strange spot in the sky/a human being that was given to fly…”
Top ten lists and ‘recommend me an anime title’ are questions that I stumble on quite a bit when discussing anime in general. My own top ten list changes and, depending on the circumstances, so do my recommendations but the brilliant slab of sci-fi that is Macross Plus is invariably one of them, even now.
For those who don’t know, it’s set after the war depicted in the Super Dimensional Fortress Macross series. It pits two test pilots, Isamu Dyson and Guld Bowman, against each other while working on rival designs for the next generation of Varitech fighter jet. In addition to their professional rivalry, the two heroes (if you can call them that…I’ll pick up on this in a minute) are vying for the attention of Myung, a childhood friend who is the manager for the electronic pop sensation Sharon Apple.
There’s a lot going on in Macross Plus: be it the love triangle, the varitech action, the industrial espionage and so much else - yet, whether it’s the four part OAV or the feature-length version, the whole thing hangs together perfectly and no element gets in the way of any of the others. The premise sounds like a testosterone-fuelled Top Gun with better weaponry but nothing could be further from the truth: both in production values and storytelling, this deserves its classic status.
One important factor that makes Macross Plus such a winner is the mouthwatering array of ingredients that went into its production: the original Macross creator, Shoji Kawamori, was behind the whole project (always a good start), with Shinchiro Watanabe (who went on to direct Cowboy Bebop) on hand as co-director and the guy in charge of the storyboards. Now, I’ve only seen Macross in its Robotech incarnation (an experience akin to listening to Dark Side of the Moon in mono rather than stereo: the awesomeness is evident but it’s not as satisfying) but Kawamori’s involvement gives it a great sense of authenticity. Watanabe lends smoothness and style which is particularly evident in the aerial scenes; I didn’t see such exhilarating airborne mecha battles in any anime show until Eureka Seven (Kawamori was involved in this too), with the detail in vapour trails and lovingly-rendered mecha designs being the stuff that sci-fi fans are rarely treated to.
The soundtrack is one of Macross Plus‘ enduring characteristics too, being the debut effort from Yoko Kanno. The show spawned not one but two OST albums, not to mention several other odds and ends that dedicated souls can track down on import. Songs such as After in the Dark, Idol Talk and the sublime Voices (sung by Akino Irai) are among her most well-loved numbers and despite one or two oddities the score as a whole lifts the production into a different league. With music being a pervading theme in the Macross franchise, it’s fitting that the soundtrack to this particular production is of such a high calibre: a particularly memorable highlight is that Sharon Apple concert scene, with the seductive electro-pop melding with the dreamlike holographic visuals.
The beating heart of any film or series is the characterisation: in the case of Macross Plus it takes the form of two hot-headed and flawed protagonists and the woman they grew up with. In a genre full of gung-ho heroes who are every bit the viewer’s role model, the squabbling and juvenile rivalry between Dyson and Bowman sets them apart from the likes of the suave Roy Foker. We don’t learn the underlying reason why two old friends could grow to be such bitter enemies until near the end, but it’s very true-to-life and convincing - at the same time, it highlights how friendships can be maintained and broken. Even Myung, who you might expect to be a mere object of their desires, is a well fleshed-out character in her own right whose inner demons and past regrets are reflected in the virtual-reality idoru that is Sharon Apple. In a world of high technology in which even celebrities are artificial, the romance and drama of the people involved are the driving force and form the main reason why I can sit down and enjoy this show again and again: I can understand why they make the mistakes that they did, and crucially I care about what happens to them.
Summary
Macross Plus seems to have it all: heartfelt characterisation, action, intrigue and drama, all wrapped up in a visual style and outstanding musical score that still stand up well alongside newer productions. From the bitter fighting between Guld and Isamu, through the eye-watering Sharon Apple concert and fast-paced Varitech combat, to the final edge-of-your-seat showdown in front of the Macross itself, it delivers on every level. What more could you ask for?
Posted on August 8th, 2007 @ 8:24 pm
Guld’s and Isamo’s mecha fight is the best animated dogfight I’ve seen along with the background music, a really great dramatic and action packed scene.
Macross Plus is a very close 2nd to Macross’s Do You Remember Love for me, but I think it’s a great OVA/movie nonetheless. Loved it so much I got Yamato’s YF-19. Great Review!
Posted on August 10th, 2007 @ 6:29 pm
@Otaku Surf: I’ll have to track down a copy of Do You Remember Love? at some point - I have a feeling I might have to resort to downloading it since it’s such a rarity. You can’t beat a varitech battle for sheer entertainment value, especially with a Kanno piece playing in the background!
Posted on August 13th, 2007 @ 8:07 pm
Love the Macross series…I actually found this website through putting in After, In the Dark Macross in a google search for its lyrics.
You can easily download Do You Remember Love?…They have the whole movie on youtube if you want to see it. If you want to buy the music check out Macross: The Complete on Amazon or eBay. Retail is $100 but it has every song from Macross to Flashback I think.