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Macross Frontier
Official DVD cover of Macross Frontier released only in Japan.
マクロスF (フロンティア)
(Makurosu Furontia)
GenreMecha anime, Space opera, Romance, Military science fiction
Manga
Illustrated byAoki Hayato
Published byKadokawa Shoten
MagazineShōnen Ace
DemographicShōnen
Original runDecember 26, 2007 – 2009
Volumes5
Manga
Macross F Chō Jikū Uta Miko Ranka
Illustrated byKuroiwa Yoshihiro
Published byKadokawa Shoten
MagazineComp Ace
DemographicShōnen
Original runFebruary 26, 2008 – May 26, 2008
Anime television series
Directed byYasuhito Kikuchi
Shōji Kawamori
Produced byHiro Maruyama
Hiroki Hasebe (Bandai Visual)
Hisanori Kunisaki
Shinichi Hirai
Tsutomu Kasai
Yoji Morotomi
Written byHiroyuki Yoshino
Shōji Kawamori
StudioSatelight
Original networkMBS, TBS, Animax
Original run April 3, 2008 – September 25, 2008
Episodes25 (List of episodes)
Light novel
Written byUkyō Kodachi
Illustrated byRisa Ebata
Hayato Aoki
Published byKadokawa Shoten
DemographicMale
Original runJuly 1, 2008 – March 1, 2009
Volumes4
Manga
Macross F Dakishimete, Ginga no Hate Made
Illustrated bySorahiko Mizushima
Published byKadokawa Shoten
MagazineComp Ace
DemographicShōnen
Original runJuly 26, 2008 – present
Anime film
Itsuwari no Utahime
Directed byShōji Kawamori
Written byHiroyuki Yoshino
Shōji Kawamori
Music byYoko Kanno
StudioSatelight, 8-Bit
ReleasedNovember 21, 2009
Runtime120 minutes
Manga
Sheryl~Kiss in the Galaxy
Illustrated byKariko Koyama
Published byKodansha
MagazineBessatsu Friend
DemographicShōjo
Original runSeptember 13, 2010 – October 10, 2012
Volumes4
Anime film
Sayonara no Tsubasa
Directed byShōji Kawamori
Written byHiroyuki Yoshino
Shōji Kawamori
Music byYoko Kanno
StudioSatelight
ReleasedFebruary 26, 2011
Runtime115 minutes

Macross Frontier (マクロスF (フロンティア), Makurosu Furontia) is a Japanese animated science fiction space drama that aired in Japan on MBS from April 3, 2008 to September 25, 2008. It is the third Japanese anime television series set in the Macross universe. Animated by Satelight, it premiered in 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.[1]

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.[2]

Plot and overview

The new show celebrates the 25th anniversary of the 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)[3] and a new ship called the Macross Frontier. 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 aired weekly on the MBS network Thursdays at 25:55 and on the TBS network Fridays at 25:55 (the 24+ hour clock is a common Japanese TV broadcast notation). Three separate manga adaptations have been running in Shōnen Ace and Comp Ace, since February 2008, April 2008, and July 2008, respectively.

On the Macross timeline, the story is set in 2059, 47 years after the original Super Dimension Fortress Macross, 19 years after Macross Plus and 14 years after the story of Macross 7. 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. Macross Frontier's plot explores a combination of action/political intrigue/space drama more than previous Macross series have done in the past.

As the series begins, 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),[4] which immediately begin their attack on the rest of the fleet. Unable to stop the new enemy threat, the N.U.N.S. Colonial Defense Forces authorizes the deployment of a private military provider organization called S.M.S. (Strategic Military Services) which utilizes the new VF-25 Messiah variable fighter to combat the alien menace.

Like other installments of the Macross universe, the story mainly revolves around a trio of characters, including Alto Saotome, a young pilot who joins the S.M.S just after the invasion begins, Sheryl Nome, a famous singer known as the "Galactic Fairy" and Ranka Lee, a teenager aspiring to be a singer herself, that form a love triangle.

Characters

Main article: List of Macross Frontier characters

Staff

Episodes

Main article: List of Macross Frontier episodes

Animation

Like Macross Zero, many of the mechanical objects in Macross Frontier were created through computer drawn cel-shaded animation which allows complex objects to be more easily animated with less budget than previous traditional cel-drawn incarnations or Digipaint.

Soundtrack

See also: List of Macross Frontier albums
Songs Composer Lyrics Arrangement Debut Vocals
"Triangular" (トライアングラー) Yoko Kanno Gabriela Robin Yoko Kanno Opening Theme, Episode 19 (ED) 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), 18 Megumi Nakajima
"Aimo" (アイモ) Yoko Kanno Gabriela Robin Yoko Kanno Episode 1, 3, 7 (ED), 8, 12, 14 (Ranshe & Ranka), 18, 21, 23, 24, 25 (Ranshe) Megumi Nakajima, Maaya Sakamoto (episodes 14 & 25)
"Aimo ~ Tori no Hito" (アイモ～鳥のひと, Aimo ~Bird Human) 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 First Ending Theme, Episode 6, 7, 20 (ED) May'n
"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, Gabriela Robin Yoko Kanno Episode 1, 7, 24 May'n
"What 'bout my star?" Yoko Kanno hal Yoko Kanno Episode 1, 5 May'n
"Totsugeki Love Heart" (突撃ラブハート, Charge! Love Heart) Junki Kawauchi K. Inojo Junki Kawauchi Episode 2 Fire Bomber
"SMS Shōtai no Uta ~Ano Musume wa Alien" (SMS小隊の歌～あの娘はエイリアン, SMS Platoon's Theme ~That Girl is an Alien) Yoko Kanno Shōji Kawamori Yoko Kanno Episode 4 SMS Platoon
"Watashi no Kare wa Pilot -MISS MACROSS 2059-" (私の彼はパイロット, My Boyfriend is a Pilot) Kentarō Haneda Akane Asa Yoko Kanno, Hisaaki Hogari Episode 4 Megumi Nakajima
"What 'bout my star?@Formo" Yoko Kanno hal Yoko Kanno Episode 5 (Ranka), 15 (Sheryl & Ranka), 19 (Ranka) May'n, Megumi Nakajima
"Uchū Kyōdaibune" (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 Yūho Iwasato Yoko Kanno Episode 7 ("Infinity #7" version), 15 May'n, 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 (Lynn Minmay), 11 & 15 (Ranka Lee) Mari Iijima, Megumi Nakajima
"Seikan Hikō" (星間飛行, Interstellar Flight) Yoko Kanno Takashi Matsumoto Yoko Kanno Episode 12, 15, 17 (OP), 18, 19 Megumi Nakajima
"Welcome To My Fan Club's Night!" Yoko Kanno hal Yoko Kanno Episode 15 May'n
"Diamond Crevasse 50/50" Yoko Kanno hal Yoko Kanno Episode 15 May'n & Megumi Nakajima
"Aimo O.C." Yoko Kanno Gabriela Robin, Maaya Sakamoto Yoko Kanno Episode 16, 20 Megumi Nakajima
"Northern Cross" (ノーザンクロス) Yoko Kanno Yūho Iwasato, Gabriela Robin Yoko Kanno 2nd Ending Theme (First appearance in Episode 16), 22, 25 May'n
"MY SOUL FOR YOU" Yoshiki Fukuyama K. Inojo Junki Kawauchi Episode 17 Fire Bomber
"TRY AGAIN" Yoshiki Fukuyama K. Inojo Yasuyuki Tanaka Episode 17 Fire Bomber
"Lion" (ライオン) Yoko Kanno Gabriela Robin Yoko Kanno 2nd Opening Theme (First appearance in Episode 18) May'n & Megumi Nakajima
"Shinkū no Diamond Crevasse" (真空のダイアモンド クレバス, Empty Diamond Crevasse) Yoko Kanno hal Yoko Kanno Episode 20 May'n
"Ao no Ether" (蒼のエーテル, Azure Ether) Yoko Kanno Maaya Sakamoto Yoko Kanno Episode 21 (ED) Megumi Nakajima
"Anata no Oto" (アナタノオト, Your Sound) Yoko Kanno Anju Mana Yoko Kanno Episode 19, 20, 25 Megumi Nakajima
"Yōsei" (妖精, Fairy) Yoko Kanno Anju Mana, Gabriela Robin Yoko Kanno Episode 22 May'n
"Ai Oboete Imasu ka ~ bless the little queen" Kazuhiko Kato Kazumi Yasui Yoko Kanno Episode 24, 25 Megumi Nakajima
"Nyan Nyan Service Medley" Featuring: Lion, Infinity, Watashi no Kare wa Pilot, Diamond Crevasse, Seikan Hikō, What 'bout my star?, Lion, Ai Oboete Imasu ka, Lion, Aimo (娘々サービスメドレー) Yoko Kanno Gabriela Robin, Yūho Iwasato, Dai Satō, hal, Kazumi Yasui Yoko Kanno Episode 25 May'n, Megumi Nakajima & Maaya Sakamoto
"Triangular (fight on stage)" Yoko Kanno Gabriela Robin Yoko Kanno Episode 25 (ED) May'n & Megumi Nakajima

Radio Macross

Radio Macross is a radio program, based on Macross Frontier, which was first broadcast on Bunka Hōsō and MBS Radio on January 3, 2008. It has featured Megumi Nakajima and Kenta Miyake, voice actors for the characters Ranka Lee and Bobby Margot, as hosts.[5]

Macross Fufonfia

Macross Fufonfia is a series of flash-based 90-second promotional shorts developed by Satelight and sponsored by Mainichi Broadcasting System where characters from Macross Frontier are portrayed as office ladies and employees at the "Frontier Software Company". While not exactly standard anime, more a sort of paper cut-out animation, these ONA shorts are a fun spoof of the original series intended to promote the show. The series was aired in 2007 and featured 20 episodes.

Macross Frontier the Movie: The False Songstress

(Alongside Macross Frontier The Movie: The False Songstress Hybrid Pack)
Macross Trial Frontier
Developer(s)Artdink
Publisher(s)Bandai Namco Games
SeriesMacross
Platform(s)PlayStation 3
Genre(s)Action
Mode(s)Single-player

A theatrical version of the Macross Frontier anime television series was announced in Japan during the broadcast of the 25th and final episode Your Sound ("Anata no Oto") on September 25, 2008. According to interviews with Shōji Kawamori the movie was to be an adaptation of the story from the T.V. series. Japanese anime magazine Animedia had originally announced that the film was to be released during the summer of 2009.[6][7] Other reports later placed the premiere in the fall of 2009.[8] That report was confirmed by an itasha (vehicle decorated with character art) mini-van outside the "Macross: The Super Dimension Space Launching Ceremony" event that took place on February 22, 2009 in Japan. However, at that point, the creator Shoji Kawamori and the cast members Yuuichi Nakamura (Alto Saotome), Aya Endo (Sheryl Nome), and Megumi Nakajima (Ranka Lee) noted on the actual event, that the new date and the title were still subjected to changes.[9]

The theatrical film adaptation of the Macross Frontier opened in Japan on November 21, 2009 under the name Macross Frontier the Movie: The False Songstress (劇場版 マクロスF 虚空歌姫 〜イツワリノウタヒメ〜, Gekijōban Makurosu Furontia Itsuwari no Utahime). The Kadokawa Cineplex and Shochiku Multiplex theaters' websites revealed the title and date, and the second issue of Kadokawa Shoten's Macross Ace magazine eventually published the details on June 26, 2009. The teaser trailer for the film premiered in Japanese theaters on June 27, 2009 (the same day ticket pre-sales began in Japan).[10] The first movie retells the events of the anime from episodes 1 to 13, with significant alterations to the story and timeline of the television series.[11]

A Blu-ray Disc release of the movie, titled Macross Frontier The Movie: The False Songstress Hybrid Pack, was released on October 7, 2010. The Blu-ray release contains the Blu-ray jacket, the hybrid disc, a 48-page artwork booklet, a theatrical release archive, and a card featuring frames from the movie. The pack also included a code that allowed the owner to be entered into a contest to attend the Macross F Christmas Live event that year. A PS3 game titled "Macross Trial Frontier" is included in the Hybrid Pack, playable on the PlayStation 3. A standard DVD was also released in the same day.

Macross Frontier the Movie: The Wings of Goodbye

(Alongside Macross Frontier The Movie: The Wings of Goodbye Hybrid Pack)
Macross Last Frontier
Developer(s)Artdink
Publisher(s)Bandai Namco Games
SeriesMacross
Platform(s)PlayStation 3
Genre(s)Action
Mode(s)Single-player

The official website of the Macross Frontier anime series has confirmed that there will be two theatrical Macross Frontier films. While the first film will re-edit the story of the television series with new footage, the second film, titled Macross Frontier the Movie: The Wings of Goodbye (劇場版 マクロスF 恋離飛翼 〜サヨナラノツバサ〜, Gekijōban Makurosu Furontia Sayonara no Tsubasa), which will be based also on the Macross Frontier TV series, will act as a sequel to the 2009 film, including a new story and new music.[12] In the Macross Frontier Girasama Festival, the movie's release date is confirmed to be on February 26, 2011.[13] The film is a rearrangement of aspects of the original TV series, having little to do with the original story.

Blu-ray and DVD editions of the movie were released by Bandai Namco Games on October 20, 2011. The Blu-ray version is still a Hybrid Pack, the same as the first movie released in Blu-ray.[14] A PS3 game titled "Macross Last Frontier" is included in the Hybrid Pack, and it can be played when the disc is in the PlayStation 3.[15][16]

Macross F Galaxy Tour Final in Budokan

In November 2008, a live concert of Macross Frontier's music was performed by May'n, Megumi Nakajima, and Yoko Kanno. A video recording of the concert was released in November 2009, and is available on DVD and Blu-ray Disc.

All That VF - Macross 25th Anniversary Air Show (Frontier Edition)

Coinciding with both the 25th Anniversary of Macross and the Blu-ray releases of volume one of both Macross Zero and Macross Frontier, the official website of Macross Frontier posted two newly animated short films featuring Air Show style demonstrations for both series. People who purchased the first pressings of either Macross Zero or Macross Frontier received a unique code to enter into the website and therefore be able to watch the short film of the respective anime.[17][18]

The mecha featured in the Macross Frontier version of the Air Show featured the VF-171, the VB-6 König Monster and different variants of the VF-25 Messiah, including three unique color schemes for the VF-25.

The first variant of the VF-25 which first seen in the montage at the beginning of the clip features a white frame with red stripes on the wings and along the back of the fuselage with two gold strips running through the length of the fuselage and red tail fins. The words "VF-25 Messiah" are printed in gold lettering under the cockpit and on the wings, as are the words "25th Anniversary" which are printed on either side of the legs which form the jet engines. The emblem of the Macross 25th Anniversary is printed on either side of the tail fins.

The second and third variants of the VF-25 seen towards the end of the clip are both entirely violet with white strips going the length of the fuselage. One features an image of Sheryl Nome on the back of the Valkyrie, while the other features an image of Ranka Lee in the same area. Both feature the "VF-25 Messiah" and "25th Anniversary" on the same places as the other VF-25 with the Anniversary colour scheme. They both also have the 25th Anniversary emblem printed on their tail fins.

Three Valkyries that were not featured flying in Macross Frontier also make a cameo appearance. These include the VF-1 Valkyrie in a similar colour scheme to the VF-25s which featured Sheryl Nome and Ranka Lee (minus the characters, but also including the "25th Anniversary" text and emblem) and both the YF-19 and YF-21 from Macross Plus in their original colour schemes.

An alternate version of this Air Show also appears on the 2014 Macross Blu-ray Collection release. With new maneuvers and stunts, the show also includes Valkyries not previously used in either the original 25th Anniversary Show or its Macross Zero counterpart. These craft include the VF-11 Thunderbolt (Macross Plus and Macross 7), Basara's VF-19 Excalibur Custom (Macross 7), VF-1A 'Jolly Roger" Valkyrie, VF-27 Lucifer (Macross Frontier), SV-51 "Nora" variant (Macross Zero) and more extended appearances of the YF-19 and YF-21. All these additional craft appear in their original designs as seen in their respective series.

The music track for both versions of the clip was a track from Macross Frontier titled "Welcome To My Fan Club's Night!" which was performed by May'n and composed by Yoko Kanno.

Reception

Macross Frontier is a popular anime in its country of origin due to the significance of it as a production celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Macross franchise., receiving widespread reception all over Japan. As a tribute to the popularity of the series, Japanese champion cosplay kickboxer Yuichiro Nagashima ("Jienotsu") crossplayed as the character Ranka Lee during one of his tournaments and also in a promotional event for the show.[19]

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 August 2008.[20] It is revealed that about 45,000 Blu-ray Discs and 55,000 DVDs are shipped by Bandai Visual for the first volume of the series. This marks the highest Blu-ray Disc pressing among all Bandai Visual releases. Macross Frontier is also reported to be the first anime television series to ship simultaneously on both disc formats in Japan.[21]

Music wise, the first opening single, "Triangular" performed by Maaya Sakamoto made the Oricon's weekly top 10 chart for all Japanese singles. "Triangular" 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.[22] 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.[23] 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. This brings the total sales of the Macross Frontier CD singles to 500,000, marking the start of a "new anime song boom" in Japan.[24]

References

  1. ^ "ANIMAX アニメ見るならアニマックス：番組表". Animax. Retrieved 2008-04-03.
  2. ^ "Macross Frontier", Newtype USA, vol. 7, no. 2, A.D. Vision, p. 11, February 2008, ISSN 1541-4817
  3. ^ "VF-25 Messiah - Macross Compendium". Macross.anime.net. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
  4. ^ "Vajra - Macross Compendium". Macross.anime.net. 2008-09-23. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
  5. ^ "Radio Macross Show Begins Broadcasting, Web Streaming". ANN. 2008-01-10. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
  6. ^ "Macross Frontier Movie Announced". ANN. 2008-09-25. Retrieved 2008-09-25.
  7. ^ Animedia, Jan 09 Issue. Retrieved on 2008-12-10.
  8. ^ "Macross F Movie Planned For Fall. 2009". Animekon. Retrieved 2009-02-24.
  9. ^ "Macross F Movie Tentatively Planned For Fall". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2009-02-22.
  10. ^ "Macross Frontier Movie Scheduled for November 21". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2009-06-25.
  11. ^ "Macross Frontier: Itsuwari no Utahime". Kurogane's Anime Blog. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
  12. ^ "Macross Frontier's Second Theatrical Film Confirmed (Updated)". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2009-06-29.
  13. ^ http://ngeekhiong.blogspot.com/2010/08/macross-frontier-2nd-movie-in-february.html
  14. ^ http://www.siliconera.com/2011/07/19/macross-frontier-the-movie-the-wings-of-goodbye-comes-with-ps3-game-on-blu-ray/
  15. ^ http://www.siliconera.com/2011/07/05/is-macross-last-frontier-the-next-macross-game/
  16. ^ http://www.siliconera.com/2011/07/27/a-glance-at-the-blu-ray-bonus-game-macross-last-frontier/
  17. ^ "'Promo for Macross All That VF Anime Short Streamed". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
  18. ^ "マクロス』25周年記念キャペーン　スペシャル映像「ALL THAT VF」制作決定＆PV配信開始". Saishin Anime Jōhō. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
  19. ^ "Cosplayer Frontier". Animekon. Retrieved 2009-02-24.
  20. ^ "Japanese Animation DVD Ranking, July 31–August 6". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
  21. ^ "Macross Frontier Volume 1 Ships 45,000 Blu-ray Discs". Anime News Network. 2008-07-25. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
  22. ^ "Two Macross Frontier Singles in Japan's Weekly Top 10". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
  23. ^ "1st Anime Album in 11 Years to Rank in Japan's Top 3". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
  24. ^ "'Lion' is 4th Macross Frontier CD Single in Top 5". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
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