Anime: Macross Plus 4f196u

Mecha anime tend to follow generic lines, a tradition starting with Giant Robo, Mazinger etc of old and continuing with the newer Gundam series. More original series like Flag or Code Geass don't have the mecha as the main driving point behind the story and mecha-related parts fall into the traditonal traps.

Macross Plus is a refreshing break from all that. The mecha are firmly in the heart of the story - certainly it's essentially a love triangle, and mecha could be replaced, but doing so would render it soulless. While we witness incredible, nicely careographed flight, sequences, exciting battles, extreme attention to detail with regards to the operation of the machines, there is none of the traditional yelling, screaming, impossible comebacks, cheesy human-like behavior from the machines, repeated "stock" footage etc that plague so many other series. Continuing the tradition of the original Macross, the Valkyries are treated seriously as the replacement of today's air force and the overall effect is not far removed from movies like Top Gun as far as the action sequences are concerned.

So that's Plus 1.

Macross Plus looks very good. It has aged a little bit, but it's still brilliant, and it's easy to see how far ahead of its time it was. Every frame is a work of art, with very few shortcuts taken via a few still shots during the "AI" scenes. The music is of course the brilliant Yoko Kanno, easily some of her best work.

That's Plus 2.

The story, while not earth shattering, has a solid foundation behind it, including elements such as a deep friendship, a life of disillusion, an AI and its makers that aim too high and the aforementioned love triangle. There are no lackluster, two-dimensional or annoying characters here. While Isamu is the lead character, Guld easily steals the show, turning a half-monstrous Zentraedi from the original Macross into a flesh & blood, complex, real-life character that we at times loathe and at times cheer on. The AI Sharon adds spice to the story during the closing act even as the viewer is asked briefly to suspend disbelief beyond what's been required so far.

And that's Plus 3.

Macross Plus is the crowning achievement of Macross series and one of the finest examples of all visual sci-fi/drama/action works, both animated and non-animated.

Macross Plus takes place 30 years after the original Macross series. It keeps to the Macross tradition by the intense battle sequences and love story.[br][br]Summary: Isamu is a hot shot pilot who is reckless and fearless at the same time. He is sent to the planet Eden to be a test pilot for the test plane the YF-19. Another test pilot on an opposing project for the YF-20 is Guld, a half-Zentraedi former friend of Isamu. Isamu and Guld hate each other due to an incident involving a former mutual girlfriend, Myung. When Myung arrives on Eden as the new producer of the first A.I. singing sensation Sharon Apple tensions flare.[br][br]Animation: Very nice and crisp. The backgrounds of the planets and the planet Eden are superbly drawn for an OVA such as this. The character designs are also extremely well thought out. For a series such as this with its high production rating animation gets top marks.[br][br]Sound: This is my favorite part of the show. The music is terrific and brilliantly designed by Victor Entertainment. Sharon Apple's voice and singing are very ear pleasing and gives you a real sense that you are hearing music from the 21st century. The opening,Voices, is hauntingly trance-like and adds to the feeling of the love story. The playing of this song at the end of episode 4 still gives me the chills.[br][br]Story: Unfortunately not all parts of Macross Plus are good. The plot is probably the low point of the series. The all too familiar love story feels almost cliche and stereotypical of a Macross show, but hey thats what Macross does so no big deal. The main "bad guy" or villain is not all that impressive. It started out strong and ended strong so I am giving a 7.[br][br]Character: Isamu's character is of a authority-hating, self-centered, speed freak is portrayed really well in to how he deals with women and his plane. Guld is big half-Zentraedi who gives the "strong, silent type" appearance but turns out in the end to have the most depth, I wont say anymore because I do not want to spoil it. Myung's love of both men come into question and even becomes a plot point for the villain. [br][br]Value: Any action or mecha fan must put this on their must watch list. I watched it twice and it stills rings out as an awesome series in an awesome saga which is Macross.[br][br]Enjoyment: I loved this OVA even though it was short it fits right in with the Macross saga which I am a huge fan of.[br][br]

Macross Plus gives us a relationship drama between two men and a woman: Isamu and Guld, who are fighter pilots, and Muyng, who is the producer of a flashy new pop idol called Sharon Apple. Isamu is dispatched on the planet of New Eden to test pilot a new fighter plane for a shipyard under a military project, while Guld, his friend turned rival, pilots the candidate plane of another corporation. Sharon Apple is concerting on New Eden as well, and thus the paths of the three childhood friends converge.

There are other schemes and ripples, but this triangle is the carrying force of the story. The story is well developed enough for an OVA of mere four episodes, but it does leave some things agonisingly hanging, with an ending of no twist or surprise.

The plot, despite its possibilities and scope, fails to acquire a certain epicness it might have needed, and even though it's set in a scifi surrounding with ample doses of aerial and mecha combat the science fiction portions feel like slapped on for good measure. The story feels more like a simple human relationship anime set in the Macross universe - and by simple, it's simple in a boring way. If the Macross fluff is taken out, there remains no complexity, not even that one could expect from an OVA.

The characters are quite possible to relate to with the ah so recognisable web of relationships, but the overall impression remains hopelessly two-dimensional, not helped by the short length of the OVA. Also, the two male leads are slightly too stereotypical as characters.

And while it carries the name Macross, Macross Plus does not require actual knowledge of the Macross universe. Having it gives depth to some organisations, events and locales, but lacking it does not retract from the experience.

Macross Plus' definite plus, excuse the bad pun, is the music. The seiyuus are nothing particularly special. Megumi Hayashibara (e.g. Cowboy Bebop, Slayers) does make an appearance in the role of Lucy. The music, however, is mainly the work of none other than Yoko Kanno (e.g. Cowboy Bebop, GITS: SAC, Escaflowne), and it can be heard, especially in the songs "Pulse" and "Voices". "Information High" and other stellar pieces of music also present are not of her handiwork but excellent nonetheless. The Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra also took part in the production of the soundtrack.

The soundscape and the pretty up-to-date animation - from 1994's perspective - give the OVA an air of high production values and a great appearance, if you can appreciate or at least tolerate animation time has taken its toll on.

Macross Plus is a relationship drama with some science fiction and Macross thrown into the mix. For the fans of the Macross universe this is definitely a good call and a must-see, and for others its high production values, especially the soundtrack, provide for a decent few hours of entertainment. Anyone turned off by a definitely old style of animation or the main characters duking it out once or twice every episode should steer clear.