The nice thing about Macross Plus is that the plot and many of the elements were taken from the YF-22 and YF-23 contest to determine America’s fifth generation air superiority fighter. If you drive near Edwards Air Force Base, even the “Star Hill” is based on the surrounding windmills and hillsides.
Another piece of meta is that the JSDF’s JADF is now trying to continue the development of the YF-23 Blackwidow for their gen 5 fighter program. Pretty cool considering the history of both fighters and the Macross epic. Actually come to think of it, if the YF-23 becomes the F-23 or whatever designation the JADF commission her as, then that would mean that Plus’s theory crafting about two prototypes being deployed into active service was true heh. Ah I love Macross.
When Macross Plus first came out, my friends and I were in awe of it. From the music, to how much effort into detail the animators put in. It was just magical. Compared to what we have now and it feels like we have stepped backwards in quality.
We have. Anime has become a product rather than art, and Macross Plus is one of the quintessential artistic anime so the delta (pun intended) between this show and more recent shows stands in stark contrast.
It's really cool how Macross Plus touches upon the idea of unmanned aircraft and the issues of introducing A.I to military vehicled. A development we're currently seeing today. But back during the 90's, it wasn't really in the public consciousness at all. And as far as virtual pop diva stars goes... All I can say is "Hatsune Miku"
I was there for all of it. The Macross II release in the US was actually one of the first releases of translated anime in the US by the now long gone company U.S. Renditions. At the time, all we knew of Macross was Robotech...which had quite a following. Many fans packed into the shrine convention center to watch Macross II in english. Although it is mediocre and derivative...it did have Hiruhiko Mikimoto's character work. Of course, when Macross Plus released...it blew us all away. I watched the tape until it broke, and bought another copy before finally buying the DVD release later. I really identified with Guld, being always good...but not quite good enough. The story is shocking in that it actually reveals that Isamu and Myun actually love and care about Guld deeply...so deep they kept the truth from him and suffer themselves to spare him. It still jerks me. Not to kick Kawamori too much, but I think Macross Plus's unique quality came from it's director, Shinichirō Watanabe, who also did Cowboy Bebop, I apologize if you mentioned him in the video already, I wasn't sure if you had. Excellent video.
Macross Plus has a perfect balanced story. The friend/love interest triangle with just enough predictability to invest and a minor twist to keep the relationship real. The computer graphics instead of seeming outdate, hold up well, especially when viewed as a style choice. Finally, the pacing and framing of the action sequences masterful. Oh and the Music by Yoko Kanno, wow. On its own, the soundtrack is endlessly playable.
Macross Plus The Movie was the first anime feature film I ever owned on VHS. And just this week, I manages to get ahold of the DVD box set with the movie and the OVA. It was quite a spectacular introduction to anime and set the bar really high. I was amazed at how the production quality rivalled not just contemporary Disney animation films, but even live action Hollywood blockbusters. And yet at the time, it didn't seem like many in the west even knew this awesome film even existed. After Macross Plus I also got Ghost in the Shell, Akira and Ninja Scroll on VHS during the 90's. And I have since gotten them on DVD versions too. It has really shaped my preferences of anime in general in the sense that I much more prefer to watch high production quality OVA's and feature films rather than binge watching the long running (and filler padded) series.
Macross Plus got me back into anime in the mid-90s after Robotech had died in the late 80s. I remember renting Macross Plus on VHS from the comic shop I would go to weekly for my comics. I was confused because I didn't know yet that the Macross Saga was based on the SDF Macross series from Japan and had spawned a movie and sequels. Soon after, I found magazines and eventually websites that would cover the origins of Robotech and Macross. I've been a fan of Macross and its sequels ever since. Macross Plus is my favorite of them all. The plot didn't involve a massive conflict like the others and just focused on a rivalry and love story with kick ass mecha action and amazing animation. It has some of the best music too! I even got the soundtracks because I enjoyed the music so much!
There will never be another anime like Macross Plus. It's the best show I've ever seen, both mature and insightful, and an excellent example of how sci-fi can present issues related to relevant upcoming technologies in a fascinating way.
I have to say that i'm kind of happy that Macross Plus was the first installment I saw and that it was a solid enough story of it's own that you didn't need prior knowledge of the Macross franchise as a whole to enjoy it. Whenever the characters talked about the "past" of the Macross history, it made the whole thing seemed very "lived-in". Kind of in a similar vein to how characters would talk about historical events of the past in Tolkiens Lord of the Rings, without giving away the full story. Really helps to build up that sense of a pre-existing mythos.
The fun thing about Macross Plus, is that its key staff, except for Kawamori who got a minor role, would later go on working in Cowboy Bebop. On top, Hideaki Anno also worked a bit on it (Since he was involved in animation work with pretty much all Macross stuff up until that point).
"Macross Plus & Zero" are awesome! Never watched "Macross 7, Delta, Sigma" or whatever they're called, and I'm kinda scared to, because I heard a lot of bad things about those. Besides of that, I would like to have a remake of the 1st show, but with the visual style of the "Space Battleship Yamato" reboot, which is beautiful & makes action very cool.
Macross 7 is weird, not in a good way haha (I'll go in depth in my next video). But Frontier is amazing, you can skip 7 and go directly to Frontier. As for Delta, the mechanical design is awesome... but the story lags a little bit, it's not bad, just not as awesome as Frontier.
@@absa I did start to watch 7 but couldn't get into it, weird like u said. I like Macross II. You know, I still actually haven't watched the original Macross series as die to copyrighting it's not /just there/ but saw the movie, which was a little slow... As a side note I like super dimension Southern Cross, and super dimension Orguss & Orguss 2 [do a vid on this if u haven't already]. Mospeada was okay, like a Saturday morning cartoon.
At about 11:24, you've mentioned that, both the pilot wants to win the project for their respective Valkyrie, that I agreed. But to win the heavy heart of myung, that was only true for Guld, not for Isamu. Isamu was too focus to win the supernova project, or rather, just to prove that he was the better pilot. He was never really into myung (after they've parted during their childhood) though he was there to save her at last. At about 20:45, you also mentioned that both the YF-19 and YF-21 was stolen to rescue the Macross city. As far as I can remember, only the YF-19 was stolen by Isamu, NOT for the purpose of saving Macross City, but he wanted to beat X-9 Ghost to prove that the human pilot was still needed/superior than unmanned drone. Guld was ordered to chase after Isamu's YF-19 using the YF-21 because the YF-21 was the only valkyrie that has similar capabilities (again, not to save Macross City).
True, it's a funny love triangle (if you can even call it a triangle). Isamu loved flying the sky the most, Myung loved Isamu the most and Guld only had eyes for Myung.
I understand what you're trying to say in your first point, but I think it's more nuanced than that. I believe that Isamu dearly loves Myung, but he wants to protect her from reminders of the terrible event in their past, so he tries to stay away at first. It's why he's such a playboy, as he tries to fill the void within himself with casual sex. His focus on his flying (which was always intense, as clearly shown in the flashbacks) has become everything to him, because of how he's deliberately cut himself off from the woman he loves. But when they reunite, he realises that he's *not* protecting Myung by staying away, that the very pain he tried to spare her is now manifesting anyway, and he has to find another way.
I like how this is the only Macross where the main songstress is the villain. It makes that much different from your usual good guy/girl singer in every other show in the franchise.
I disagree. I always argue that Macross Plus has no villain. Sharon Apple can be called an antagonist, but she's not a villain. She's not evil or bad. Everything she does is out of love.
@@Mitheledh Very insightful comment. Sharon is like an adolescent child, she doesn't know why she feels what she feels or how to deal with it, only that the sudden intensity of her emotions drives her to fixate on Isamu and lash out at things that appear to be in her way.
@@schroecat1 She isn't even lashing out, though. She explains it at the end. She expresses her love for Isamu by giving him what she believes he most desires. Everything she does is to give Isamu the thrill and excitement that she thinks will make him happy. What's interesting to consider, though, is that those feelings and thoughts are drawn from Myung.
I'd like to think that someday, the powers behind the Macross franchise will take another swing at a series for those of us who don't prefer their anime mecha to be piloted by children
To be honest Plus wasn't an accident. Kawamori wanted to make a film about rival test lilots set to the background of a competition like the ATF that put the YF-22 up against the YF-23. He was told to make it Macross and that's how it becMe what it was. Technically Delta is the exact same story. He wanted to make a story about a flight performance group and was once again nudged into making it Macross. Plus just turned out a lot better.
i watch it on the reg. sometimes my brother will come over. this thing is fucking amazing. i look back on things that were good and with the low quality of writing now this is a 10/10. the casting of zentradi blood as a mental illness and the understanding and care that people have around this issue is AMAZING god tier stuff.
@@absa there are areas the anime absolutely nails parts of the flight line, and the vistas too. I really enjoyed my visits there. When NASA or the Air Force is conducting test flights the air almost becomes electric with excitement. I was there when the X-29 was conducting a thrust vectoring flight profile it was very cool. I got to put my grubby fingers on a F-16XL it still gives the tingles talking about it.
To be fair, Sharon Apple's consciousness required VERY specific bioneural circuitry that typical binary silicon based chips will struggle to emulate with any degree of efficiency. While theoretically possible, the notion of Sharon Apple's full personality spreading out and backing herself up throughout the entire internet like a virus isn't quite as feasible as one may think.
While the idea, if well past the fact, is that Sharon Apple would be able to emerge in any computer system that had the could run her program. It almost guarantees that she would reappear in the future, kind of like Ultron.
@@DocWolph If future computers have compatible enough architecture, enough computational brute force, or both, that's technically quite possibly. Problem is, enough of her needs to remain to make her recoverable. Chances are she'll be back in some form in the future.
Was feeling nostalgic for Macross Plus and stumbled on your video. Your analysis is top tier! I’m definitely a YF-19 fan though. Biggest surprise was hearing that Macross II was not well received compared to 7 and Frontier which I found too ridiculous and melodramatic respectively.
Yeah if anything, you should only watch the movie if you already had watched the OVA, as if you try watching it without the context of the removed scenes you might feel a little lost with the movie version.
I would say it was experimental in Animation and in the development of its identity as a Scifi Opera in a metaphoric sense, watching both the OVA and Movie, they had to do some Animation corrections for the movie to improve on the Animation from the OVA. The known fact they spent the huge budget going to an Airforce Base just to get the Jet Sound effects that's how determined they were on the project.
Macross plus is important part of the overall story of the Macross series. After the events of Macross Plus AI has been completely almost restricted. All AI drones have been shackled so that no Sharon Apple event would happen again. Unless you where Macross Galaxy fleet and let all the V9 drones let loose. Except recently the resegance of AI's are coming back again which will be shown in the Macross Delta Second movie.
Best moment in Macross Plus... That last dogfight between Isamu & Guld... right when the battle gets intense, they start arguing about HIGH SCHOOL 🐂💩! These two grown a$$ed men start arguing about who paid for school, lunches, who broke the model plane during the school festival (spoiler: Isamu 😜), who stole who's Guns (& Roses) CD! The first time I heard it, I laughed until I cried... It showed that they were really good friends! LOL!
Yup! It was awesome to find out later for me that Isamu was actually voiced by the awesome Bryan Cranston and Guld by Richard Epcar who had worked on Robotech. The dub isn't the best but I felt these two were great, especially Bryan.
I thoroughly enjoyed PLUS. I'm now an older animal fan, and to be honest, PLUS, really is my last Macross stop. I don't like how CG is making anime, and too many colors, too fast of actions, and in most cases, feels like I'm watching a show for tweens. (Mostly) I want to say im an anime fan, unfortunately, I don't like most anime/techniques used today. But.....seeing the opening sequence, for PLUS.... truly felt, it was for pioneers. Just couldn't get enough of that. Truly inspirational.
Fun Fact: For Plus they even went to some of the engineers for the ATF program in the 80-90's specifically the yf-21 in real life was the yf-23 black widow 2 and the yf-19 was based on the SU-47 Berkut that was a test plane in Russia at the time
Macross Plus, is the only sequel I recognize as a sequel. Despite some of the more fantastical elements of Plus. They are grounded in the reality set in the first series/movie. (I believe this is in the movie universe, as the Macross has the Sides attached, bot the carriers) All the new stuff is just magical mechs.. If I want magical mecha, I will watch Aura Battler Dunbine.
I enjoyed Macross II mostly for the mecha and ship battles. Showing the evolution of tech getting more powerful in a smaller package. The songs weren't bad the only one of them stood out that really liked. I think it is called Ima wa Tomodachi I had to check my Winamp. Also, Valkrie de Sasotte was a catchy song. I found myself humming the song a few times during school and landed my first girlfriend because she knew what I was humming. lol
Great video, wanted to point out that the YF-19 isnt based off of the Grumman X-29 it's designed after the Russian Su-47. If you put them side by side they're almost identical, forward swept wings, two seat cockpit, twin engines, and forward ailerons. Don't worry I've noticed a lot of people cover Macross Plus refer to the X-29 and I guess don't know about the SU-47 it was being developed in the early 90's about the same time as the YF-22 and YF-23 were being developed in the US.
I just checked out your info and wow, thank you very much for correcting my mistake! I think that in the future I'll go ahead and do a video addressing all of the real life inspirations for the early Valkyries.
ehh... Macross Plus is form 1995, the Su-47 first flew in 97 and wasn't unveiled until 2001, although concepts designs and artistic interpretations may have appeared before that the yf-19 couldn't have been directly based on the su-47
YF - 19 is a MANUAL transmission forward wing design mecha which means because of the wing design it can out maneuver an AI or automatic transmission mind. This means that it can disconnect from a network or a hacker threat to perform completely random space fold techniques. YF - 21 was technologically superior, an AUTOMATIC but unfortunately because of the DIRECT LINK to the brain there was no filter between thought and actions. Btw, Fire Bomber gets some love for being the male YANG song saga singer!
The thing that gave Sharon life was that chip. Once that chip was disabled, so was Sharon. Unless there was a way for her to transfer the structure of her chip as a piece of software into another system, when her box blew, it also blew her up. How did it blow up? Feedback. In the end, even with cloud tech being added, the outcome would probably have been the same, and Sharon would have died.
Hopefully you do Macross 7, Macross Zero, Macross Frontier and Macross Delta soon. 7 also felt extremely experimental, the MC legit is a pacifist trying to stop a war with God like beings with his music as he refuses to use any sort of weapon than can harm people even if it is in self defence, but at the same time goes straight into a battle field to sing his song to enemies. The story mostly revolves around the development of the side characters around Basara rather than Basara's character development as his character doesn't change at all through out the series, which is a first and only thing in the Macross series.
"The YF-19 is the first Valkyrie to introduce the forward swept wing." VF-9: What am I, chopped liver? Also, quick note that an 'X-' designation means experimental, meaning the aircraft is meant for testing technologies, while a 'Y-' designation means a prototype, as the aircraft is meant as a pre-production model of an eventual production airframe.
Great review mate 🍻 We're just finishing our great re-watch of the whole franchise in chronological order having a blast again. Been watching this since early childhood 🤓 In fact this influenced me so much that I built a simulated cockpit inspired by a VF-1 for my space pew pew by now. Oh and the Y20K bug that didn't happen? This is because people were aware and fixed stuff in time 😉We've something similar coming up in 2038 but most software should be fixed by that too. Fire!
I'd say the movie version does a quicker job of getting the story delivered, but I really like the slower path of the OAV's. Personal taste really. It is also fun to watch them both, but with a fair bit of time between viewings because the subject matter is rather heavy.
i loved macross 2, the whole war journalist angle blew my child mind. it was my first example media-controlled messaging. silvie gena was a badass, loved the hot-headed pilot ace being gender flipped. the emulator songs were haunting, instead of inspiring heroism in your allies and confusion in enemy ranks these emulators songs inspired suicidal tendencies in allies and fear in your enemies. the character feff is an unrated villain his design as well as his mechs designs were awesome.
Haha thank you! I had a couple of silent months but from here on, I'll try to release one vid per week so that the algorithm blesses me and more people get to my channel.
Such an underrated ova, the voice cast, songs and visuals. When I first heard information high on episode 4 I was in love with that song. (Spoilers) That scene planet dropping to that song still sends chills up my spine 24 years on. When I heard whispers of the blue ray was so excited until i heard episode 4 had the voicing butchered. For anyone who gets the blue ray seriously overlay the original dub to the episode, you won't regret it. This is seriously my most cherished anime after neon genesis and FMA brother hood
Hey Absa, I have a anime suggestion that you should watch and review. The name of the anime is Slam Dunk, a 90s sport anime that become one of the best sports anime of all time.
You know, funny thing is that a couple of years ago I would've said that there's no way that I'd watch that, but my partner made me watch Haikyu!! and... I didn't hate it, I actually liked it alot and even made a video about it hahaha. So maybe I'll check out Slam Dunk and... wasn't a new series or continuation going to be released?
@@absa yeah it was announced to be relased this year with a new movie. It will be directed by the author of slam dunk and vagabond manga Takehiko Inoue. But please check it out when you have time, it is really good and you can find it on Zoro.to website
Does anyone know where I can buy the dvds with the iconic dog fight music or which one is it? Because I heard that right now no one can watch it here in the USA which is sad because I LOVE MACROSS PLUS I had the VCR tapes but lost them. Help lol
I loved watching this when i was younger so much so even i bought the Soundtrack. i hate that i cant find an officaly Blu ray version of this for the USA.
Hopefully that changes now that Big West is planning to have more presence here in the west. (Awfully ironic that a company with the name "Big West" DIDN'T had any power or stay on the WEST)
Both were already out when i watched macross II and macross plus.. i liked them both honestly.. it was what it was at the time.. i watched macross frontier not too long ago, it has top notch SFX.. about to do macross zero next.
This is what happens when you have the LARGEST budget ever spent on an anime ($100,000 dollars), the latest technology, and a group of people who are determined to do it RIGHT! James Staley (anime fan 4life)
thanks for you're works of the univers of macross... I'm a macross fan since... robotech and in France ( yes, i'm French..^^), the 1st tv show started on 1986. Since then, I could watch many other tv series or movie but, when I heard "Macross" I become toatlly crazy. And for you're last question: I'm on team YF-19, one of the most beautifull bird in the sky...^^ waiting for you videos on the next sequels of the Macross universe ( and at this time, the only one I didn't see is the Macross Delta movie...), thanks for all.
Nice video, didn't know about their visit to a real air-force base - it shows! Good idea about the battle with the 'ghost'. Also the unmanned fighter debate is still relevant in 2022, but I think this being set in 2040 was a bit ambitious! 2140, or 2240 could've been better. But I guess it's an alternate reality. Also I'm guessing destroying the creepy AI [2001-style] black box does indeed kill Sharon Apple even with cloud computing as the important bio-chip is a necessity. Macross Plus is one of my favourite anime shows/stories, much more grown-up and music is great. Copyright issues for legacy/non-current anime and J-Pop is overkill, IMO, only older fans recall it and younger audiences less interested, if they freed it up they'd get more interest, I mean some if the old stuff they don't sell anymore! Sorry, rant done. Thanks for taking the effort to make this vid 👍
I had the rpg pen and paper game books for robotech, macross 2, southern cross, Zentradi rulebook. Wish my ass had friends this 40 year old wants to jam out. I loved macross plus the evil vocaloid but the stylization and soundtrack blew me away i remember owning a Akira laser disc
Easily in the top 5 anime I have ever witnessed. Macross Plus is burned into my brain and my heart. And Team YF-19, but I respect Guld for his sacrifice.
i always thought about the reason of assult to main female lead, the plot feels weak about it for some reason. Reminds me a lot of the it was all in your head plot in a weak way, but I love everything about the show/ movie
Macross Plus is Macross a superlative level, everithing is put in another level, specially the soundtrack for me the best one in anime just little behind Cowboy bebop
Discovered Yoko Kanno with Macross+, and yes, it's avery good anime, but after Macross and Macross II, I felt quite disiorented at the time by the direction the stories took.
Kawamori had sworn off Macross related issues， until he saw the reception of Macross II - Lovers Again by Japanese Fans giving him the courage to take up the challenge again， and he never looked back
Macross Plus is right up there with Ghost in the Shell, Akira, Evangelion, and Cowboy Bebop as a true masterpiece.
Yoko Kanno and Shoji Kowamori are involved with 3 of those.
The American Dubbed voice actor for Isamu Dyson was none other than Bryan Cranston
@@kbonics25 yeah Walter White has done a ton of dubbed anime work and Power Rangers as well
True classic, right in my top 10 all time
Facts
The nice thing about Macross Plus is that the plot and many of the elements were taken from the YF-22 and YF-23 contest to determine America’s fifth generation air superiority fighter.
If you drive near Edwards Air Force Base, even the “Star Hill” is based on the surrounding windmills and hillsides.
Another piece of meta is that the JSDF’s JADF is now trying to continue the development of the YF-23 Blackwidow for their gen 5 fighter program.
Pretty cool considering the history of both fighters and the Macross epic.
Actually come to think of it, if the YF-23 becomes the F-23 or whatever designation the JADF commission her as, then that would mean that Plus’s theory crafting about two prototypes being deployed into active service was true heh.
Ah I love Macross.
When Macross Plus first came out, my friends and I were in awe of it. From the music, to how much effort into detail the animators put in. It was just magical. Compared to what we have now and it feels like we have stepped backwards in quality.
We have. Anime has become a product rather than art, and Macross Plus is one of the quintessential artistic anime so the delta (pun intended) between this show and more recent shows stands in stark contrast.
It's really cool how Macross Plus touches upon the idea of unmanned aircraft and the issues of introducing A.I to military vehicled. A development we're currently seeing today. But back during the 90's, it wasn't really in the public consciousness at all.
And as far as virtual pop diva stars goes... All I can say is "Hatsune Miku"
From the visuals to the sounds and soundtrack to predicting virtual idols like Hatsuni Miku
Macross Plus is a work of art and my favorite Macross
You are indeed correct, this is by far the greatest Macross series ever. From storyline plot to valkyrie fighter jets.
Macross Plus is so innovative and way ahead of its time.
We are never gonna see another Macross Plus.
Is much mature unlike the later installments.
Dedicated to all pioneers. 😀
I was there for all of it. The Macross II release in the US was actually one of the first releases of translated anime in the US by the now long gone company U.S. Renditions. At the time, all we knew of Macross was Robotech...which had quite a following. Many fans packed into the shrine convention center to watch Macross II in english. Although it is mediocre and derivative...it did have Hiruhiko Mikimoto's character work. Of course, when Macross Plus released...it blew us all away. I watched the tape until it broke, and bought another copy before finally buying the DVD release later. I really identified with Guld, being always good...but not quite good enough. The story is shocking in that it actually reveals that Isamu and Myun actually love and care about Guld deeply...so deep they kept the truth from him and suffer themselves to spare him. It still jerks me.
Not to kick Kawamori too much, but I think Macross Plus's unique quality came from it's director, Shinichirō Watanabe, who also did Cowboy Bebop, I apologize if you mentioned him in the video already, I wasn't sure if you had. Excellent video.
Macross Plus has a perfect balanced story. The friend/love interest triangle with just enough predictability to invest and a minor twist to keep the relationship real. The computer graphics instead of seeming outdate, hold up well, especially when viewed as a style choice. Finally, the pacing and framing of the action sequences masterful. Oh and the Music by Yoko Kanno, wow. On its own, the soundtrack is endlessly playable.
Macross Plus The Movie was the first anime feature film I ever owned on VHS. And just this week, I manages to get ahold of the DVD box set with the movie and the OVA.
It was quite a spectacular introduction to anime and set the bar really high. I was amazed at how the production quality rivalled not just contemporary Disney animation films, but even live action Hollywood blockbusters. And yet at the time, it didn't seem like many in the west even knew this awesome film even existed.
After Macross Plus I also got Ghost in the Shell, Akira and Ninja Scroll on VHS during the 90's. And I have since gotten them on DVD versions too.
It has really shaped my preferences of anime in general in the sense that I much more prefer to watch high production quality OVA's and feature films rather than binge watching the long running (and filler padded) series.
Macross Plus got me back into anime in the mid-90s after Robotech had died in the late 80s. I remember renting Macross Plus on VHS from the comic shop I would go to weekly for my comics. I was confused because I didn't know yet that the Macross Saga was based on the SDF Macross series from Japan and had spawned a movie and sequels. Soon after, I found magazines and eventually websites that would cover the origins of Robotech and Macross. I've been a fan of Macross and its sequels ever since. Macross Plus is my favorite of them all. The plot didn't involve a massive conflict like the others and just focused on a rivalry and love story with kick ass mecha action and amazing animation. It has some of the best music too! I even got the soundtracks because I enjoyed the music so much!
Sorry that you had to upload this so many times man. But yeah Macross Plus is an incredible little sequel!
Yeah, it was definitely a hassle haha... but hopefully with the footage that I replaced with stills we'll be alright this time.
There will never be another anime like Macross Plus. It's the best show I've ever seen, both mature and insightful, and an excellent example of how sci-fi can present issues related to relevant upcoming technologies in a fascinating way.
I freakin love Macross Plus. I remember when the OVA was being released in the US on VHS.
The wait for Part 4 was hard bro... uugh. Totally worth it though.
I have to say that i'm kind of happy that Macross Plus was the first installment I saw and that it was a solid enough story of it's own that you didn't need prior knowledge of the Macross franchise as a whole to enjoy it.
Whenever the characters talked about the "past" of the Macross history, it made the whole thing seemed very "lived-in". Kind of in a similar vein to how characters would talk about historical events of the past in Tolkiens Lord of the Rings, without giving away the full story.
Really helps to build up that sense of a pre-existing mythos.
Yes, Macross Plus doesn't get enough recognition. More please thank you.
The fun thing about Macross Plus, is that its key staff, except for Kawamori who got a minor role, would later go on working in Cowboy Bebop. On top, Hideaki Anno also worked a bit on it (Since he was involved in animation work with pretty much all Macross stuff up until that point).
That's totally right haha, I don't know why I didn't mention the Cowboy Bebop connection... at least I did mention the Escaflowne anime :)
Anno's eye for animation is astounding. It's no wonder he's such an unreal director.
"Macross Plus & Zero" are awesome!
Never watched "Macross 7, Delta, Sigma" or whatever they're called, and I'm kinda scared to, because I heard a lot of bad things about those.
Besides of that, I would like to have a remake of the 1st show, but with the visual style of the "Space Battleship Yamato" reboot, which is beautiful & makes action very cool.
Macross 7 is weird, not in a good way haha (I'll go in depth in my next video). But Frontier is amazing, you can skip 7 and go directly to Frontier. As for Delta, the mechanical design is awesome... but the story lags a little bit, it's not bad, just not as awesome as Frontier.
@@absa I did start to watch 7 but couldn't get into it, weird like u said. I like Macross II. You know, I still actually haven't watched the original Macross series as die to copyrighting it's not /just there/ but saw the movie, which was a little slow...
As a side note I like super dimension Southern Cross, and super dimension Orguss & Orguss 2 [do a vid on this if u haven't already]. Mospeada was okay, like a Saturday morning cartoon.
At about 11:24, you've mentioned that, both the pilot wants to win the project for their respective Valkyrie, that I agreed. But to win the heavy heart of myung, that was only true for Guld, not for Isamu. Isamu was too focus to win the supernova project, or rather, just to prove that he was the better pilot. He was never really into myung (after they've parted during their childhood) though he was there to save her at last.
At about 20:45, you also mentioned that both the YF-19 and YF-21 was stolen to rescue the Macross city. As far as I can remember, only the YF-19 was stolen by Isamu, NOT for the purpose of saving Macross City, but he wanted to beat X-9 Ghost to prove that the human pilot was still needed/superior than unmanned drone. Guld was ordered to chase after Isamu's YF-19 using the YF-21 because the YF-21 was the only valkyrie that has similar capabilities (again, not to save Macross City).
That is totally true, I somehow got it wrong... Thanks for your correction!
True, it's a funny love triangle (if you can even call it a triangle). Isamu loved flying the sky the most, Myung loved Isamu the most and Guld only had eyes for Myung.
I understand what you're trying to say in your first point, but I think it's more nuanced than that. I believe that Isamu dearly loves Myung, but he wants to protect her from reminders of the terrible event in their past, so he tries to stay away at first. It's why he's such a playboy, as he tries to fill the void within himself with casual sex. His focus on his flying (which was always intense, as clearly shown in the flashbacks) has become everything to him, because of how he's deliberately cut himself off from the woman he loves. But when they reunite, he realises that he's *not* protecting Myung by staying away, that the very pain he tried to spare her is now manifesting anyway, and he has to find another way.
Sharon Apple (along with Eve from Megazone 23) were ahead of their time with the virtual idol concept 👌
I like how this is the only Macross where the main songstress is the villain. It makes that much different from your usual good guy/girl singer in every other show in the franchise.
I disagree. I always argue that Macross Plus has no villain. Sharon Apple can be called an antagonist, but she's not a villain. She's not evil or bad. Everything she does is out of love.
@@Mitheledh Very insightful comment. Sharon is like an adolescent child, she doesn't know why she feels what she feels or how to deal with it, only that the sudden intensity of her emotions drives her to fixate on Isamu and lash out at things that appear to be in her way.
@@schroecat1 She isn't even lashing out, though. She explains it at the end. She expresses her love for Isamu by giving him what she believes he most desires. Everything she does is to give Isamu the thrill and excitement that she thinks will make him happy. What's interesting to consider, though, is that those feelings and thoughts are drawn from Myung.
@Mitheledh I should have said that it's her act of rebellion, rather than lashing out. XD
I'd like to think that someday, the powers behind the Macross franchise will take another swing at a series for those of us who don't prefer their anime mecha to be piloted by children
To be honest Plus wasn't an accident. Kawamori wanted to make a film about rival test lilots set to the background of a competition like the ATF that put the YF-22 up against the YF-23. He was told to make it Macross and that's how it becMe what it was. Technically Delta is the exact same story. He wanted to make a story about a flight performance group and was once again nudged into making it Macross. Plus just turned out a lot better.
Orders of magnitude better. Plus is an artistic masterpiece, Delta just feels like another manufactured, soulless, idol group.
One of the best old school anime imo. This was my introduction to Yoko Kanno and anime as such it changed my life
i watch it on the reg. sometimes my brother will come over. this thing is fucking amazing. i look back on things that were good and with the low quality of writing now this is a 10/10. the casting of zentradi blood as a mental illness and the understanding and care that people have around this issue is AMAZING god tier stuff.
I always felt they had nailed the look of Edwards AFB. Everytime I rewatch Plus it gets me nostalgic for my time I spent at Edwards.
You went there really? How was it?
@@absa there are areas the anime absolutely nails parts of the flight line, and the vistas too. I really enjoyed my visits there. When NASA or the Air Force is conducting test flights the air almost becomes electric with excitement. I was there when the X-29 was conducting a thrust vectoring flight profile it was very cool. I got to put my grubby fingers on a F-16XL it still gives the tingles talking about it.
Guess I'll die with out seeing Robotech on the big screen.
To be fair, Sharon Apple's consciousness required VERY specific bioneural circuitry that typical binary silicon based chips will struggle to emulate with any degree of efficiency. While theoretically possible, the notion of Sharon Apple's full personality spreading out and backing herself up throughout the entire internet like a virus isn't quite as feasible as one may think.
While the idea, if well past the fact, is that Sharon Apple would be able to emerge in any computer system that had the could run her program. It almost guarantees that she would reappear in the future, kind of like Ultron.
@@DocWolph
If future computers have compatible enough architecture, enough computational brute force, or both, that's technically quite possibly. Problem is, enough of her needs to remain to make her recoverable. Chances are she'll be back in some form in the future.
"well ackshully..."
Was feeling nostalgic for Macross Plus and stumbled on your video. Your analysis is top tier! I’m definitely a YF-19 fan though. Biggest surprise was hearing that Macross II was not well received compared to 7 and Frontier which I found too ridiculous and melodramatic respectively.
This was one of the first anime’s I saw , I loved the animation the story but above all the music . Till this day voices is one of my favorite songs.
Nice breakdown. I’ve been a Macross fan since the 90’s when Plus came out, so its nice to see it still getting the recognition it deserves 👍
Groundbreaking. One of the best modern animes of the 90s.
The OVA is where the story is, though.
Agreed I watched the movie after OVA and I prefer the OVA way more
Yeah if anything, you should only watch the movie if you already had watched the OVA, as if you try watching it without the context of the removed scenes you might feel a little lost with the movie version.
I would say it was experimental in Animation and in the development of its identity as a Scifi Opera in a metaphoric sense, watching both the OVA and Movie, they had to do some Animation corrections for the movie to improve on the Animation from the OVA. The known fact they spent the huge budget going to an Airforce Base just to get the Jet Sound effects that's how determined they were on the project.
I still love this til today I also love how AMC played it this past yr on the big screen
Macross Plus and Macross 7 are two of my most favorite Macross installments and VF-19 is my favorite Valkyrie
Macross plus is important part of the overall story of the Macross series. After the events of Macross Plus AI has been completely almost restricted. All AI drones have been shackled so that no Sharon Apple event would happen again. Unless you where Macross Galaxy fleet and let all the V9 drones let loose. Except recently the resegance of AI's are coming back again which will be shown in the Macross Delta Second movie.
Excellent breakdown! This was one of my favorites as a kid.
Best moment in Macross Plus... That last dogfight between Isamu & Guld... right when the battle gets intense, they start arguing about HIGH SCHOOL 🐂💩! These two grown a$$ed men start arguing about who paid for school, lunches, who broke the model plane during the school festival (spoiler: Isamu 😜), who stole who's Guns (& Roses) CD! The first time I heard it, I laughed until I cried... It showed that they were really good friends! LOL!
Definitely a great series with fantastic character development!
Yup! It was awesome to find out later for me that Isamu was actually voiced by the awesome Bryan Cranston and Guld by Richard Epcar who had worked on Robotech. The dub isn't the best but I felt these two were great, especially Bryan.
I thoroughly enjoyed PLUS. I'm now an older animal fan, and to be honest, PLUS, really is my last Macross stop. I don't like how CG is making anime, and too many colors, too fast of actions, and in most cases, feels like I'm watching a show for tweens. (Mostly) I want to say im an anime fan, unfortunately, I don't like most anime/techniques used today.
But.....seeing the opening sequence, for PLUS.... truly felt, it was for pioneers. Just couldn't get enough of that. Truly inspirational.
Macross Plus is Macross's 08th MS Team
This is annoyingly true.
Best soundtrack of any Macross by far, and Brian Cranston.
Macross Plus is still peak anime. This story could work as a live action movie.
Fun Fact:
For Plus they even went to some of the engineers for the ATF program in the 80-90's specifically the yf-21 in real life was the yf-23 black widow 2 and the yf-19 was based on the SU-47 Berkut that was a test plane in Russia at the time
I love that movie! And the soundtrack is a master piece !
Had the pleasure of seeing this in the theater last year. Thank you Fathom!
Yeah, Fathom Events are doing a ok with bringing the Macross movies... hopefully we get to se the new Delta one in theaters also.
I saw that too, my friends loved it.
Macross Plus to me is basically the "Top Gun" of anime!
From my teenage years of watching this for the 1st time and now a dad, I still worship this on daily basis
so this is where the venerable Marauder battlemech comes from?
Macross Plus, is the only sequel I recognize as a sequel.
Despite some of the more fantastical elements of Plus. They are grounded in the reality set in the first series/movie. (I believe this is in the movie universe, as the Macross has the Sides attached, bot the carriers)
All the new stuff is just magical mechs.. If I want magical mecha, I will watch Aura Battler Dunbine.
Well said!
One of the main reasons I (mostly) gave up on mech anime, and anime in general.
I enjoyed Macross II mostly for the mecha and ship battles. Showing the evolution of tech getting more powerful in a smaller package. The songs weren't bad the only one of them stood out that really liked. I think it is called Ima wa Tomodachi I had to check my Winamp. Also, Valkrie de Sasotte was a catchy song. I found myself humming the song a few times during school and landed my first girlfriend because she knew what I was humming. lol
Wow hahah, that's a very interesting story.
Great video, wanted to point out that the YF-19 isnt based off of the Grumman X-29 it's designed after the Russian Su-47. If you put them side by side they're almost identical, forward swept wings, two seat cockpit, twin engines, and forward ailerons.
Don't worry I've noticed a lot of people cover Macross Plus refer to the X-29 and I guess don't know about the SU-47 it was being developed in the early 90's about the same time as the YF-22 and YF-23 were being developed in the US.
I just checked out your info and wow, thank you very much for correcting my mistake! I think that in the future I'll go ahead and do a video addressing all of the real life inspirations for the early Valkyries.
ehh... Macross Plus is form 1995, the Su-47 first flew in 97 and wasn't unveiled until 2001, although concepts designs and artistic interpretations may have appeared before that the yf-19 couldn't have been directly based on the su-47
The story is inspired base on the competition between YF-22 and YF-23 to be as the lead main 5th generation warplane of United States at the late 80's
@@Dancorg That makes it sound like Russia watched Macross Plus before designing the Su-47. j/k
YF - 19 is a MANUAL transmission forward wing design mecha which means because of the wing design it can out maneuver an AI or automatic transmission mind. This means that it can disconnect from a network or a hacker threat to perform completely random space fold techniques. YF - 21 was technologically superior, an AUTOMATIC but unfortunately because of the DIRECT LINK to the brain there was no filter between thought and actions. Btw, Fire Bomber gets some love for being the male YANG song saga singer!
Team YF-19 - Isamu / Myung 4 ever! I love Macross Plus, both OVA and the Movie
And is still one of the greats, I love this series and movie and it's always so nostalgic to see it years later.
I just want an affordable bluray or digital download version of the OVAs maaaan.... I can't get my friends to watch my 25 year old DVDs.
The thing that gave Sharon life was that chip. Once that chip was disabled, so was Sharon. Unless there was a way for her to transfer the structure of her chip as a piece of software into another system, when her box blew, it also blew her up. How did it blow up? Feedback. In the end, even with cloud tech being added, the outcome would probably have been the same, and Sharon would have died.
Hopefully you do Macross 7, Macross Zero, Macross Frontier and Macross Delta soon.
7 also felt extremely experimental, the MC legit is a pacifist trying to stop a war with God like beings with his music as he refuses to use any sort of weapon than can harm people even if it is in self defence, but at the same time goes straight into a battle field to sing his song to enemies. The story mostly revolves around the development of the side characters around Basara rather than Basara's character development as his character doesn't change at all through out the series, which is a first and only thing in the Macross series.
"The YF-19 is the first Valkyrie to introduce the forward swept wing."
VF-9: What am I, chopped liver?
Also, quick note that an 'X-' designation means experimental, meaning the aircraft is meant for testing technologies, while a 'Y-' designation means a prototype, as the aircraft is meant as a pre-production model of an eventual production airframe.
Great review mate 🍻 We're just finishing our great re-watch of the whole franchise in chronological order having a blast again. Been watching this since early childhood 🤓 In fact this influenced me so much that I built a simulated cockpit inspired by a VF-1 for my space pew pew by now. Oh and the Y20K bug that didn't happen? This is because people were aware and fixed stuff in time 😉We've something similar coming up in 2038 but most software should be fixed by that too.
Fire!
I'd say the movie version does a quicker job of getting the story delivered, but I really like the slower path of the OAV's. Personal taste really. It is also fun to watch them both, but with a fair bit of time between viewings because the subject matter is rather heavy.
Plus has got to be my overall favorite of the Macross franchise. Followed very closely by frontier and the original series.
I never watched the Macross series, but THIS... was my SH1T!!! This takes me back to when anime was on Showtime Beyond!
i loved macross 2, the whole war journalist angle blew my child mind. it was my first example media-controlled messaging. silvie gena was a badass, loved the hot-headed pilot ace being gender flipped. the emulator songs were haunting, instead of inspiring heroism in your allies and confusion in enemy ranks these emulators songs inspired suicidal tendencies in allies and fear in your enemies. the character feff is an unrated villain his design as well as his mechs designs were awesome.
The dogfights of Macross Plus heavily reminded me of another favorite anime of mine: Area 88
This is a CRIMINALLY undersubscribed channel.
Haha thank you! I had a couple of silent months but from here on, I'll try to release one vid per week so that the algorithm blesses me and more people get to my channel.
Such an underrated ova, the voice cast, songs and visuals. When I first heard information high on episode 4 I was in love with that song. (Spoilers) That scene planet dropping to that song still sends chills up my spine 24 years on. When I heard whispers of the blue ray was so excited until i heard episode 4 had the voicing butchered. For anyone who gets the blue ray seriously overlay the original dub to the episode, you won't regret it. This is seriously my most cherished anime after neon genesis and FMA brother hood
Happy 30th year on Do you remember Love!
Hey Absa, I have a anime suggestion that you should watch and review.
The name of the anime is Slam Dunk, a 90s sport anime that become one of the best sports anime of all time.
You know, funny thing is that a couple of years ago I would've said that there's no way that I'd watch that, but my partner made me watch Haikyu!! and... I didn't hate it, I actually liked it alot and even made a video about it hahaha.
So maybe I'll check out Slam Dunk and... wasn't a new series or continuation going to be released?
@@absa yeah it was announced to be relased this year with a new movie. It will be directed by the author of slam dunk and vagabond manga Takehiko Inoue.
But please check it out when you have time, it is really good and you can find it on Zoro.to website
Does anyone know where I can buy the dvds with the iconic dog fight music or which one is it? Because I heard that right now no one can watch it here in the USA which is sad because I LOVE MACROSS PLUS I had the VCR tapes but lost them. Help lol
I have never watched any marcoss and I understand nothing, please continue. This sounds fascinating.
If you ask me Macross plus had a top gun feel as well..
I love macross plus. I love it so fucking much. Easily the best for me.
I loved watching this when i was younger so much so even i bought the Soundtrack. i hate that i cant find an officaly Blu ray version of this for the USA.
Hopefully that changes now that Big West is planning to have more presence here in the west. (Awfully ironic that a company with the name "Big West" DIDN'T had any power or stay on the WEST)
U.S. Blu-ray just got announced (as well as Macross II, Macross 7, Macross Frontier, and Macross Delta)
My first proper anime movie, it made me the weeb I am today
Didn't they end up removing the mind control from the yf21? At that point, was the key just as good as yf19?
Both were already out when i watched macross II and macross plus.. i liked them both honestly.. it was what it was at the time.. i watched macross frontier not too long ago, it has top notch SFX.. about to do macross zero next.
This is what happens when you have the LARGEST budget ever spent on an anime ($100,000 dollars), the latest technology, and a group of people who are determined to do it RIGHT! James Staley (anime fan 4life)
It definitely showed hahah
I watched it for the first te yesterday it's some of my favorite ovas
Yeah, it's one of the best displays of ninetines OVA's... something that has sadly been in decline with the more prominent CGI mecha shows.
My favorite entry from my favorite anime franchise after Gundam, great review. Now if only Momma Susan would stop ganking this amazing video.....
thanks for you're works of the univers of macross...
I'm a macross fan since... robotech and in France ( yes, i'm French..^^), the 1st tv show started on 1986.
Since then, I could watch many other tv series or movie but, when I heard "Macross" I become toatlly crazy.
And for you're last question:
I'm on team YF-19, one of the most beautifull bird in the sky...^^
waiting for you videos on the next sequels of the Macross universe ( and at this time, the only one I didn't see is the Macross Delta movie...), thanks for all.
Watching this after Vocaloids and V-tubers have taken over the internet makes this weirdly prophetic in a lot of ways.
I wish Macross was broadcast in the US. What does OVA stand for?
Nice video, didn't know about their visit to a real air-force base - it shows! Good idea about the battle with the 'ghost'. Also the unmanned fighter debate is still relevant in 2022, but I think this being set in 2040 was a bit ambitious! 2140, or 2240 could've been better. But I guess it's an alternate reality.
Also I'm guessing destroying the creepy AI [2001-style] black box does indeed kill Sharon Apple even with cloud computing as the important bio-chip is a necessity.
Macross Plus is one of my favourite anime shows/stories, much more grown-up and music is great.
Copyright issues for legacy/non-current anime and J-Pop is overkill, IMO, only older fans recall it and younger audiences less interested, if they freed it up they'd get more interest, I mean some if the old stuff they don't sell anymore!
Sorry, rant done. Thanks for taking the effort to make this vid 👍
I had the rpg pen and paper game books for robotech, macross 2, southern cross, Zentradi rulebook. Wish my ass had friends this 40 year old wants to jam out. I loved macross plus the evil vocaloid but the stylization and soundtrack blew me away i remember owning a Akira laser disc
Macros Plus was one of my first anime ever. Sub earned well done. YF-21 all day 💪🏾💯
Yeah hahah, YF-21!
Easily in the top 5 anime I have ever witnessed. Macross Plus is burned into my brain and my heart. And Team YF-19, but I respect Guld for his sacrifice.
Macross predicted so many things in the future its crazy! It was way ahead of its time.
i always thought about the reason of assult to main female lead, the plot feels weak about it for some reason. Reminds me a lot of the it was all in your head plot in a weak way, but I love everything about the show/ movie
Where did you get that Max Jenus HD footage from?
Always was curious about Macross Plus, know I got to see it.
Apart from the original, this is my absolute favourite part of Macross
thanck you some much for you video!!!! greetigs from Brazil!
First here oh boy gonna Enjoy this video macross love this anime.
Haha the whole Macross Franchise or just particularly PLUS?
Macross Plus is Macross a superlative level, everithing is put in another level, specially the soundtrack for me the best one in anime just little behind Cowboy bebop
Moral of Macross Plus: Never hired mad scientist to make virtual idol
Discovered Yoko Kanno with Macross+, and yes, it's avery good anime, but after Macross and Macross II, I felt quite disiorented at the time by the direction the stories took.
Kawamori had sworn off Macross related issues， until he saw the reception of Macross II - Lovers Again by Japanese Fans giving him the courage to take up the challenge again， and he never looked back
I was blown away when I discovered it. Nerdgasm levels 😆
With all due respect to the Original Series and DYRL, _Plus_ is the best this Franchise has to offer. It never again reached these heights.