Signal Boost: BOOFIRE191 On The OTHER Mecha Anime Juggernaught - Macross

BOOFIRE191 release a video on Super-Dimension Fortress Macross today and you ought to watch it.

It is key to remember that the original series aired in 1982. This is three years after Mobile Suit Gundam debuted and created the Real Robot subgenre of mecha anime, but it is this series--and its massive success--that was the necessary proof of concept (as a leader of a cohort of similar shows in this time; this was also when we got Fang of the Sun Dougram as well as the other '80s Real Robot shows that gave momentum towards the production of Zeta Gundam in 1987.

Nevermind the comparison between it and Robotech--good as it is--and let's instead talk about how it produced the second Great Real Robot Franchise.

If you went purely by how many shows or films were made, you'd have good reason to doubt my estimation of the franchise's importance. But it's not merely putting out new material that makes a franchise great. It's consistently putting out high-quality material that satisfies the expectations you establish with your audience that does it. It's the key to Gundam's success, as well as that of Mazinger, Getter Robo, and other mecha franchises.

The original is a brilliant Real Robot Space Opera, as close to literal as it gets, and BOOFIRE nailed it here. What's remarkable is how the follow-ups played with what the original established, while retaining the identity so established. Macross Plus remains the standout. This 1994 OVA series--later recut into a movie--not only cut the core motifs of the series down to its essence, but successfully improved the one lacking element of the original (sound) and greatly improved the musical element by putting the future Living Goddess of Music on the job: Yoko Kanno.

Macross 7 rebalanced the core elements of the original with a proper sequence that wasn't afraid to be deliberately goofy. While Yoko Kanno didn't return for this 1997 series, the voice actor for the lead--Yoshiki Fukuyama--also did the music (as the lead is also the head of the band "Fire Bomber") and he's not shy about appearing to play with other musicians in the franchise.

Macross Frontier is the closest to the original in presentation, to the point where I get why some feel it to be almost a remake, but the magic here is not only in the introduction of new lore elements that are harmonious with past series but plays out the implications thereof to proper end and effect. This is also Yoko Kanno's return to the franchise and that presence is felt in every note played from start to finish.

While she didn't continue on with the most recent series, this continues with Macross Delta, even if Delta is considered a step-down from Frontier. Changing up the musical element to a full idol group, and going hard on the lore elements of Protoculture built up over the franchise to date, ensure that--even if the music isn't so good, it's still fun and earnest; it helps that the group, "Walkure", has some serious chops in its ranks--the fans are satisfied. (Delta's live concerts are consistent sell-outs.)

Macross Zero is the biggest departure. It's a prequel, and the core elements are radically different in execution, but they are present and if you can accept that radical difference from previous franchise entries then you're good. For that reason Zero is something of an acquired taste; fortunately they spared no expense on the animation, so that is gorgeous. Everything is beautiful.

It's been five years since Delta. Here's to hoping that Shoji Kawamori, the man behind it all, is willing able to give us more Macross. Oh, and please bring Kanno back too.