I haven't seen much mecha yet, but I've enjoyed the few I've watched. So, how does Macross Frontier hold up to those mecha, one of which is one of my favorite anime?
Plot Summary
Taken from Wikipedia:
Macross Frontier is the story of a human space colony fleet trying to find a habitable planet near the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. The story focuses on three young adults (a famed pop singer, a private military pilot, and a rising pop singer) and the events that occur around them as the fleet faces a crisis of alien origin.
Story
My biggest issue with the story is that they try to mix a comedy-romance anime with war-mecha anime, and the combination of so many elements prevents the anime from properly exploring or executing any of the elements, and makes the drama they attempt to create seem much more shallow than it should be.
That being said, the plot itself is interesting enough, despite being a bit predictable.
7.3
Characters
Like I said previously, the combination of so many elements made the drama created seem shallow. This made a lot of the main characters seem shallow, and while they were likable to an extent, this made them also not seem very likable.
However, there are some side characters that are developed fairly well.
8.3
Animation
Macross Frontier overall has some fairly decent animation. There were some moments that took my breath away, however, these moments were few and the animation that came in between didn't quite hold up to my expectations.
7.6
Music
Let me start by saying the instrumental tracks in this show are absolutely incredible. Yoko Kanno definitely pulled her magic in creating the music for this show.
The other songs, for the most part, are done pretty well, too. The issue is that, while the songs do well on their own, mixed with some of the heavier themes this show tries to go for, they fall flat in execution. The entire time I was hoping for a song with heavier themes, but it seems as if all the songs ended up being shallow, which ended up working against the anime.
8.7
Overall
I really wanted to like this show. I really did. But when unnecessarily shallow elements overtake what could have been a significantly thought-provoking show, it brings the anime down to the point where, while it may be worth the watch to some, I found it to be messy and somewhat forgettable.
Half Moon
7.98
Recommendations
Code Geass
If you're looking for another mecha with romantic plot elements, this one should work for you.
Arslan Senki
Yes, I know this hasn't finished airing yet, but if you're looking for a show with stronger war elements, this one anime should be worth your time.
Other
I feel like I've completely bashed both anime requests I've gotten. Sorry, guys ;n;
And I'm not kidding when I say I think this show had so much potential - it could have been marvelous. But that romance bit ended up not doing it for me.
I felt like Mikhail's death could have been done better, too. I love the idea of him dying, and how he died, but the execution... I feel like they needed to have more time for it to sink in and for Klan, as well as us as an audience, to mourn him. You know?
...Luca is a total bada**. I mean, inventing great new war technology and creating plans when he's probably the youngest character? As well as how coldly he was willing to put Ranka's life in danger... I thought he was going to be the stereotypical adorable side character. Geez, was I wrong?
...Honestly, I don't like Sheryl much. I wanted to, she just ended up seeming so... bratty. Ranka had her faults, too. I did like Alto, though... probably just because I thought he was attractive.
I also have a friend nicknamed Princess. He looks nothing like a princess, though.
