Macross Frontier

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Macross Frontier
File:Macross Frontier BD Vol 2.jpg
GenreMecha, Romance, Space Opera
Manga
Illustrated byAoki Hayato
Published byKadokawa Shoten
MagazineShōnen Ace
DemographicShōnen
Original runDecember 26, 2007 – ongoing
Manga
Super Spatial Song Maiden Ranka
Illustrated byKuroiwa Yoshihiro
Published byKadokawa Shoten
MagazineComp Ace
DemographicSeinen
Original runFebruary 26, 2008 – May 26, 2008
Manga
Written byUkyō Kodachi
Illustrated byRisa Ebata, Hayato Aoki
Published byJapan Kadokawa Shoten
DemographicMale
Original runJuly 1 2008 – ongoing
Volumes1
Anime
Directed byYasuhito Kikuchi
Shōji Kawamori (supervising director)
Written byHiroyuki Yoshino
Shōji Kawamori (original concept, story composition)
StudioSatelight
Released April 3, 2008 – September 25, 2008

Macross Frontier (マクロスF (フロンティア), Makurosu Furontia) is a Japanese anime television series set in the Macross universe. Animated by Satelight, it premiered Japan on MBS on April 3, 2008. A pre-broadcast airing, called Macross Frontier Deculture Edition or Macross Special Edition (マクロスSP版, Makurosu SP Ban), showcasing a preview version of the first episode was aired on December 23, 2007. The series also received its satellite television premiere in Japan on Animax on April 7, 2008.[2]

Plot and overview

The series celebrates the 25th anniversary of its original Super Dimension Fortress Macross TV series (1982~1983), and is chronologically subsequent to Macross 7 (1994~1996). This third TV series introduces Earth's latest main variable fighter, the VF-25 Messiah (メサイア)[1] and a new Warship/starship called the Macross Quarter. The show retains the signature space opera theme consistent with all series set in the Macross Universe (which intertwine musical numbers with fast-paced variable fighter combat). New episodes are aired weekly on the TBS network Fridays at 25:55. The 24+ hour clock is a common Japanese TV broadcast notation, in this case indicating 01:55am Saturday. Two separate manga adaptations have been running in Shōnen Ace and Comp Ace, since February 2008 and April 2008 respectively.[3]

The series features the 25th New Macross-class Colonial Fleet, dubbed the Macross Frontier, en route to the galactic center. This heavily-populated interstellar fleet (consisting of numerous civilian vessels and their military escorts) contains a makeup of both human occupants and their Zentradi allies. As such, many of the Macross Frontier's companion vessels appear to merge more metallic Human designs with organic Zentradi aesthetics. On the Macross timeline, the story is set in the year 2059, 47 years after the original Super Dimension Fortress Macross, 19 years after Macross Plus and 14 years after the story of Macross 7. Macross Frontier plot explores combination of action/political intrigue/space drama more than previous Macross series have in the past.

As the series begin, during a mission to an unexplored asteroid belt a reconnaissance New U.N. Spacy (N.U.N.S.) VF-171 is destroyed by extremely powerful and fast insectoid biomechanical alien mecha known as the "Vajra", (バジュラ)[2], which immediately begin their attack on the rest of the fleet. Not being able to stop the new enemy threat, the N.U.N.S. Colonial Defense Forces authorize the deployment of a Civilian Military Provider organization called S.M.S. (Strategic Military Services) which utilizes the new VF-25 Messiah variable fighter to destroy the alien menace.

Characters

Main article: List of Macross Frontier characters

Episodes

Main article: List of Macross Frontier episodes

Macross Frontier Fleet Government

The 25th New Macross-class Colonial Fleet or Macross Frontier Fleet has a democratic elected government. The fleet is led by an elected president and makes the principle decisions of running the fleet's social and economical policies. The president has a military liaison officer from the New U.N. Spacy which advises him on the military side of colony affairs. In essence, Macross Frontier should be regarded as a political state. Decisions to conduct complex actions or operations must be passed in the form of resolutions through the colony's governing party. For example, taking the entire fleet on a costly long-range fold (hyperspace jump) must be voted on before the fleet may be allowed execute it.

The 37th Colonial Fleet, a.k.a. Macross 7 Colony Fleet was smaller in comparison to Macross Frontier with only a civilian mayor leading the fleet's civilian side of the colony versus that of Frontier's larger government led by a president.

Antagonists

Vajra: A bio-mechanical race whose existence has been kept secret by the New U.N. Spacy. These creatures began to be encountered near the central core of the Milky Way Galaxy and can survive in the vacuum of space. They appear to have insect type bodies (with exoskeletons) and their warrior types are as large as human mecha. The Vajra can produce destructive bio-mechanical energy which can overwhelm Human/Zendraedi starships and their N.U.N.S. variable fighter forces. In the early part of the television series, Vajra drones (small mechs size) are difficult to destroy due to their thick hides, and these drone's powerful bio-energy weapons shattered number of New Macross Fleet's large warships. Only latest New UN Spacy equipment, such as the new VF-25 Messiah variable fighters, are able to fend off the increasing attacks by an enemy that seems to adapt to every encounter. They appear to fester in hives, like in asteroid fields as well as on planets.

The Macross Frontier Fleet and its sister fleet, Macross Galaxy Fleet, have been attacked by Vajra in large numbers. This is when Vajra "battleships" first appeared. Frontier witnessed these large ships attacking Macross Galaxy Fleet's escaping escort ships. Macross Galaxy's fleet begins to appears near the middle of the TV series after supposedly being nearly completely destroyed by the Vajra forces.

Only late in series has been revealed that Vajra have a Queen, which acts as thinking/guiding intelligence for the race, linked to her children though special crystals (fold quartz) found in Vajra drones. It also appears that the Vajra have some connection to Protoculture.

Secret Cybernetic Human/Zentradi Organization: A organization which has been lurking within the confines at least of both colony fleets. They appear to be manipulating the encounters with the Vajra. They've been shown to be adept in using advance cybernetics and virtual technologies that Macross Galaxy fleet is known for. They have some links to the lost 117th Large Scale Research Fleet. Many of this organization's members appear to be in government and media positions, and they seem to be seeking to use bio-energy/influence of music for some mysterious means. For this purpose, this group has involved themselves in the careers of intergalactic media stars (singers) Sheryl Nome "The Galactic Fairy" and newly discovered Ranka Lee, but their true intentions are still a mystery and knowledge of their existence is still a secret.

Mecha and Ships of Macross Frontier Fleet

Fighters and Mecha

  • VF-171 - a variable fighter used by the N.U.N.S. Colonial Defense Forces of the Macross Frontier Fleet.
  • VF-25 Messiah - Employed by the S.M.S. for trials as a main combat unit. Variants include the VF-25G (sniper) and RVF-25 (recon). These Mechs have numerous armor/engine modules to increase performance. These performance modules uniquely do not need to be jettisoned like previous variable fighters, the original VF-1 Valkyrie being the only exception.
  • VF-27 - a secretly-developed N.U.N.S. variable fighter. The most prominent one piloted by Major Brera Starne of the Macross Galaxy Fleet. The VF-27 appears to be the top-of-the-line N.U.N.S. variable fighter, with four engines, multiple-laser cannons, an internal short-range Space Fold FTL drive, scaled-down Heavy Quantium Cannon, immersive virtual reality cockpit and brain-computer interface control system, similar to that of the YF-21. Only midway in series was it revealed that the fighter was equipped with a scaled-down Heavy Quantium Cannon. Same weapon only known to be used by the larger warships, such as Macross Quarter. By episode 17 of Macross Frontier series, it was revealed that the Macross Frontier fleet had employed at least a squadron of these variable fighters outside the prototype that Major Brera Starne pilots. Its believed that these additional VF-27s are originally the Antares Squadron of the Macross Galaxy Fleet. By episode 20, it is revealed that VF-27 can be flown remote control via cybernetic link.
  • VB-6 König Monster - a variable bomber, the Monster is a hulking, transforming, heavily-armored long-range artillery battleroid platform. It transforms from shuttle/bomber - Artillery mode, to humaniod like Battlroid. The vehicle is so destructive, the president of the colony fleet must give permission to launch this mecha into combat. It is a direct descendant of SDF-1 Macross's HWR-00-Mk.II Monster destroid/land mech. This has previously featured as a usable craft in select missions of the PSX game Macross: Digital Mission VF-X2
  • Cheyenne II Destroid - Ground based / land mecha which resembles the older MBR-04-VII Tomahawk destroid from old Macross TV series. The mecha has long barrel arms, and twin shoulder mounted missile launchers. It has wheels on its feet to allow it to move than it does by walking. Its weapon barrels appear to to be mult-function. The 2 barrels can switch to different settings: Laser, flamethrower, and type of large calibur cannon. The Cheyenne II been seen in use anti-aircraft defense against incoming drones on both Macross Quarter & Macross Frontier. The mecha is also used for civil defense inside colony ships residential area. This appears to be only ground based mecha in use by the New U.N. Spacy.
  • Queadluun-Rea - a power-armor used by the S.M.S. employed Zentraedi of Pixie Squadron.

Ships

  • Island 1 - A modified New Macross-class Super Dimensional Colony Ship, similar to the one in Macross 7, though to all appearances, significantly larger. She is the Flagship of the Macross Frontier Fleet and also referred to as Macross Frontier by name. The ship has two primary sections, the massive Island 1 Colony unit and the Battle 25 warship. Island 1 houses the colony's residential area, a composite of San Francisco and Shibuya complete with mountains, internal sky, forests and a small sea. Ship has as a massive transparent teardrop-shaped dome, which has an armored "clamshell" top that closes over it when needed. Waste processing is handled by a "bioplant", which biologically recycles the air, water and biodegradable items within the environment. The Battle 25 is docked to the front as a command center.
    • Island Colony Ships - There are at least another 20 Islands within the fleet. Semi-cyclindrical shapes that can likewise deploy armored sections when needed, these much smaller (but still huge) Islands can be attached to or be towed behind Island 1 in two crooked lines. The ships appear to be capable of independent flight, but is unclear if they can fold on their own. The inter-Island transport network is the same type used by the Macross 7 fleet. Things within these include natural environments like jungle and beaches, as well as miscellanies like government research labs, malls and farms. The ships help supply the entire population with food stuffs, manfacturing or needs to keep the colony fleet independent of outside assistence. For containment purposes, an Island's systems can be cut off and if need be, the whole thing jettisoned. Most notable being Island 13, for its full-sized Zendradi population, and Colony's alien research facilties.
    • Battle Frontier - Battle Class Transformable Battle Carrier - Like all New Macross-class ships, a battle carrier was constructed along the Macross Frontier. Also known as the Battle 25, the ship is normally docked to Island 1 and acts as the command and control section. It is able to undock, to be used for independent operation. The ship is transformable, changing from "Carrier/ship" mode into a "battlroid/mecha" mode. The ship is armed with large number of secondary missile & energy batteries, a large compliment of variable fighter craft and an oversized detachable Macross Cannon. Ship is upgraded version of the same class of ship as Macross 7's original Battle 7.
  • SMS Macross Quarter - An SDF type transformable warship, the Quarter is the smallest ship of her kind at only 400 m. Ship is designed similarly variable fighter, being able to transform to carrier/gerwalk/battaliod (robot/mecha) forms. The ship's primary weapon is the Heavy Quantium Cannon housed in right/starboard arm. The left/port "arm" is a flight deck which houses its smaller craft compliment. The Quarter also armed with ten gun turrets and dotted with numerous point-defenses. Unlike her peers, the Quarter's small size makes her rather agile and much faster than her hulking cousins. When not needed, the ship stays docked to Island 1. A compliment of Cheyenne II Destroids found on the outer hull perform anti-air defense, similar to the original SDF-1 Macross's own. The Macross Quarter is operated by a private security firm known as the S.M.S. It is to note that the ship's primary weapon, the Heavy Quantium Cannon is not as powerful as Macross Cannon such as one used by Battle 25.
  • Guantánamo Class Stealth Carrier (CV/CVR) - The primary spacecraft/fighter carrier of UN Spacy fleet, they are the successors to the original and older ARMD-class carriers. They are boxy-shaped carriers not unlike old ARMD ships. They have appeared in Macross-related material since Macross Plus.
  • Uraga Class Escort Battle Carriers (CV/CVS)- The primary escort carriers of UN Spacy colonial forces. They appear like mid-sized naval aircraft carriers, and have been used as command ships when docked to various colony ship classes. They have appeared in other Macross related manga/anime since Macross 7.
  • Bolognese Class Stealth Frigates (FF) - The primary escort warships of the U.N. colonization fleets. These ships appear like sleek, swept-back angular vessels. Like the above mentioned, they've appeared in the franchise since Macross 7.
  • Global - Macross-class SDF (Super Dimensional Fortress) Starship - A transformable warship that appears to be a production version of the original SDF-1 Macross, the Global was the flagship of the lost 117th Large Scale Research Fleet. It was found on the planet Galia 4 in its transformed state, covered in greenery and disused for many years. Inside the ship were discovered Vajra samples in a laboratory. The Global fell apart after a Vajra ship located underneath pushed it aside as it lifted off into space along with its peers.

Creatures, Fighters and Ships of the Vajra

  • Vajra Larvae or Stage 1 Vajra - Smallest and most harmless of Vajra species. They are lime green, with 3 eyes and a squirrel like body, including tail. The Larvae does not appear to have any insect-like qualities to them but the number of eyes on its head. Ranka Lee unknowingly had one as a pet named "Ai-kun".
  • Vajra Fliers or Stage 2 Vajra - 2nd smallest known Vajra. They are 2.5 meters long, with retractable wings, 6-8 limbs, and a flat head. Their nasty beak can chop a human in two. They fly incredibly fast, and use their beaks as rams or crush an opponent trapping it with its legs. These creatures do have exoskeletons, but they aren't made of energy conversion armor like that of the larger, combatant Vajra. They fly in swarms as well. They have a pair of bio-energy lasers when needing to shoot targets that are far off. These creatures are known fly & attack in swarms like Locust.
  • Vajra Walker or Stage 3 Vajra - 3rd largest Vajra, which evolves from the Larva stage, which becomes a large mecha. It has large flat head like the Stage 2, however it has a long body, no wings, pincers, and proximately 6 legs, with 2 arms. It has a pair of bio-energy powered lasers emiting from its flat disk-like head. They are primary used as ground assault trooper.
  • Vajra Fighter-Drones - They are most common of the Vajra in space. They act as fighters for the Vajra. They are the same size as non-transformed variable fighters and are incredibly fast. Their arsenal includes power energy weapons and missile-type weaponry. They are hatched from eggs laid from derelict spaceships or asteroids. They are yellow in color, and have insect-like qualities. They have wings, multiple arms and legs.
  • Vajra Space Mecha-Drones - These bio-mechanical creatures are twice the size of a variable fighter in battroid mode. They are enforcers and assault troops of the Vajra. They can fly swiftly in air and space, and can fold without the need of a mothership to transport them. They are twice the size of a variable fighter, have insect-like exoskeletons, with large arms and legs that they can fold up when not in use. The large Vajra are strong enough to tear a mecha apart and have bio-energy weapons, lasers, bio-missiles, and incredibly powerful energy weapons capable of destroying a NUNS capital ship in a single shot. On the ground, these creatures can act as a ground-assault tank on legs. It was revealed later in the series that the Vajra units have the ability to transmit the damage they receive to the whole species before they die, so their "hive" may create a better adapted or evolved version of the destroyed unit.
  • Vajra Battleship - Bio-mechanical warships used as the Vajra's heavy guns of their 'fleet' of ships. It can fold by itself and is slightly larger than the S.M.S.'s warship, the Macross Quarter. The warship's primary weapon is a heavy converging energy beam cannon (mounted within its forward bow). It is known to carry many mixed-sized Vajra drones. It can fly swiftly in air and space, and can fold to reach intergalactic destinations. Whether the Vajra battleship is an evolved type of Vajra or just an organic extension of their hives is still unknown.
  • Vajra Mothership - Extremely large bio-mechanical vessel built to be vertically longer than it is wide, with a central "eye" structure. No apparent weapons have been seen used by this ship. It is known to be carrying a hive with thousands of drones aboard it, as well as a Vajra Queen. It was first seen lifting off from Galia 4 where it abandoned the derelict Macross Class SDF Global where it was hiding, destroying it in the process. It also can fly swiftly in air and space, and can fold itself to any desired destination.

Staff

Sources: [3]

Soundtrack (in VOCAL)

See also: List of Macross Frontier albums
Songs Composer Lyrics Arrangement Debut Vocals
"Triangler" (トライアングラー, "Toraiangurā") Yoko Kanno Gabriela Robin Yoko Kanno Opening Theme, Ending Theme Episode 19 Maaya Sakamoto
"Ai Oboete imasu ka" (愛・おぼえていますか, "Do you remember love?") Kazuhiko Kato Kazumi Yasui Yoko Kanno Deculture edition Ending Theme, Episode 12 (ED) Megumi Nakajima
"Aimo" (アイモ) Yoko Kanno Gabriela Robin Yoko Kanno Episode 1, 7 (ED), 12 Megumi Nakajima
"Aimo ~ Tori no hito" (アイモ ~ 鳥のひと) Yoko Kanno Gabriela Robin, Maaya Sakamoto Yoko Kanno Episode 10 (ED) Megumi Nakajima
"Diamond Crevasse" (ダイアモンド クレバス) Yoko Kanno hal Yoko Kanno Ending Theme May Nakabayashi
"Iteza☆Gogo Kuji Don't be late" (射手座☆午後九時Don't be late, "Sagittarius☆9pm Don't be late") Yoko Kanno Dai Satō, hal, Maiku Sugiyama Yoko Kanno Episode 1, 7 May Nakabayashi
"What 'bout my star?" Yoko Kanno hal Yoko Kanno Episode 1 (Sheryl on Stage), 5 (Ranka @ Formo), 15 (Sheryl on stage, Sheryl & Ranka @ Formo) May Nakabayashi, Megumi Nakajima
"Totsugeki Love Heart" Kawauchi Atsutaka K. Inojo Yoko Kanno Episode 2 Fire Bomber
"Watashi no Kare wa Pilot" (私の彼はパイロット, "My Boyfriend is a Pilot") Kentarō Haneda Akane Asa Yoko Kanno, Hisaaki Mogari Episode 4 Megumi Nakajima
"Uchuukyoudaibune" (宇宙兄弟船, "Spaceship of Brothers") Yoko Kanno Hiroshi Ichikura Yoko Kanno Episode 5 Ichiro Dokugawa
"Infinity" (インフィニティ) Yoko Kanno Yuuho Iwasato Yoko Kanno Episode 7, 15 May Nakabayashi, Megumi Nakajima
"Ninjiin Loves you Yeah!" (ニンジーン Loves you Yeah!, "Carrot loves you yeah!") Yoko Kanno Hiroshi Ichikura Yoko Kanno Episode 8 Megumi Nakajima
"Neko Nikki" (ねこ日記, "Cat Diary") Yoko Kanno Hiroshi Ichikura Yoko Kanno Episode 9, 11 (ED), 12 Megumi Nakajima
"Chōjikuhanten Nyan-Nyan" (「超時空飯店 娘娘」, "Super Dimension Chinese Restaurant Nyan-Nyan") Yoko Kanno Hiroyuki Yoshino Yoko Kanno Episode 1, 11 Megumi Nakajima
"Seikan Hikou" (星間飛行, "Interstellar Flight") Yoko Kanno Takashi Matsumoto Yoko Kanno Episode 12, 15, 17 (OP), 19 Megumi Nakajima
"Northern Cross" (ノーザンクロス) Yoko Kanno Yuuho Iwasato, Gabriela Robin Yoko Kanno 2nd Ending Theme (First appear in Episode 16) May Nakabayashi
"My Soul For You" Kawauchi Atsutaka K. Inojo Kawauchi Atsutaka Episode 17 Fire Bomber
"Try Again" Kawauchi Atsutaka K. Inojo Kawauchi Atsutaka Episode 17 Fire Bomber
"Lion" (ライオン) Yoko Kanno Gabriela Robin Yoko Kanno 2nd Opening Theme (First appear in Episode 18) May Nakabayashi, Megumi Nakajima
"Azure Ether" (蒼のエーテル) Yoko Kanno Maaya Sakamoto Yoko Kanno Episode 21 (ED) Megumi Nakajima
"Anata No Oto" (アナタノオト, "Your Sound") Yoko Kanno Gabriela Robin Yoko Kanno Episode 19, 20, 25 Megumi Nakajima
"Yōsei" (妖精, "Fairy") Yoko Kanno Anju Mana, Gabriela Robin Yoko Kanno Episode 22 May Nakabayashi

Adaptations

Radio Macross

Radio Macross is a radio program, based on Macross Frontier, which was first broadcast on Bunka Hōsō and MBS Radio from January 3, 2008[3]. It has featured Megumi Nakajima and Kenta Miyake, voice actors for the characters Ranka Lee and Bobby Margot, as hosts. [4]

Reception

Macross Frontier is a largely popular anime due to the significance of it as Macross's 25th anniversary work. It has received widespread reception in all over Japan. The first DVD volume that has been released in Japan by Bandai Visual sustained a third position in the sales chart for 2 consecutive weeks, prior to its release. Namely, from 21 July 2008 to 6 August2008.[5] It is revealed that about 45,000 Blu-ray disks and 55,000 DVDs are shipped by Bandai visual for the first volume of the Macross Frontier anime series. This marks the highest Blu-ray Disc pressing among all Bandai Entertainment releases. Macross Frontier is also reported to be the first television anime series to ship simultaneously on both disc formats in Japan.[6]

Music wise, the first opening single, "Triangler" performed by Maaya Sakamoto made the Oricon's weekly top 10 chart for all Japanese singles. "Triangler" debuted at #3 and sustained for 3 consecutive weeks before falling to #6. Similarly, the first ending single "Diamond Crevasse" performed by May'n also debuted at #3.[7] The Original Soundtrack for the series titled, "Macross Frontier O.S.T.1 Nyan FRO" made it to #3 on Oricon's next weekly chart of all albums sold in Japan. The album sold over 72,000 copies becoming the first anime album in 11 Years to rank in Japan's Top 3. The only anime album which managed to rivalled the sales of this is The End of Evangelion soundtrack, which was first released on 26 September 1997.[8] More recently, the second opening single "Lion", which also features the second ending theme "Northern Cross" has sold about 56,000 copies in its first week and thus reached #3 on Oricon's weekly chart for all CD singles. All four of the Macross Frontier singles that have been released have debuted at #5 or higher. The brings the total sales of the Macross Frontier CD singles to 500,000, bringing the start of a "new anime song boom" in Japan.[9]

References

  1. ^ GA Graphic (2008-03-28). "Series Shō no Dessert Shōhin!! Macross F Shū Cream ga am/pm de!!". Retrieved August 24. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "ANIMAX アニメ見るならアニマックス：番組表". Animax. Retrieved 2008-04-03.
  3. ^ a b c "マクロスF (Macross F - Japanese Wikipedia)". Retrieved 2008-04-03.
  4. ^ "Radio Macross Show Begins Broadcasting, Web Streaming". ANN. 2008-01-10. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
  5. ^ "Japanese Animation DVD Ranking, July 31–August 6)". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
  6. ^ "Macross Frontier Volume 1 Ships 45,000 Blu-ray Discs". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
  7. ^ "Two Macross Frontier Singles in Japan's Weekly Top 10". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
  8. ^ "1st Anime Album in 11 Years to Rank in Japan's Top 3". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
  9. ^ "'Lion' is 4th Macross Frontier CD Single in Top 5". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-09-05.

External links

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