I know if I'm going to start a monthly series then I should keep up with it, right? Well sorry for the delay but to make up for last month I'm acknowledging two amazing action-packed scifi anime series.
First up is Macross Frontier which marks the 25th anniversary of the Macross anime franchise. It is a direct sequel to the first Macross series and Macross 7, and follows the lives of Alto Saotome, Ranka Lee and Sheryl Nome on board the spaceship Macross Frontier.
Frontier is in ways one part Battlestar Galactica because humanity has a war against the Zentradi aliens, and are forced to spread across the universe in order to ensure its survival. The Macross Frontier fleet is part of a effort to spread and maintain the culture of humanity.
There is also the familiar Robotech feel to this show with planes transforming into giant robots that kick some series alien butts. These space battles are action packed and beautifully animated. It is obvious that the budget for this series was higher then average. The original Robotech was a compilation of three Japanese animated series, and adapted for American release. Fans of the original Robotech will definitely find Frontier appealing.
The final part of Frontier that amazes me is the music. The soundtrack is a dominate factor that pushes the story forward every episode. The music wasn't an after-thought here, Yoko Kano, the musical director, did a fabulous job casting singers that give Frontier an extra dimension that few animes achieve.
Sadly there are currently no plans to bring Macross Frontier to the U.S., and there are no free streaming sites that I know of that have the rights to this show. However, each anime store that I've been to in Los Angeles have more than a few copies of the Japanese dvd's and BluRay in stock. I encourage any scifi or Robotech fans to check this anime out, it does not disappoint.
Next up is Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion. The series takes place in an alternate reality where the Holy Empire of Britannia conquers Japan and designates the island "Area 11." The Japanese, now known as elevens, are repressed and stripped of their culture.
Lelouch Lamperouge, a genius Britannian student that disagrees with Britania's politics, accidentally comes into contact with a unique girl named C.C. She bestows the gift of Geass upon him, which is the power to control others. Lelouch now has the means to enact revenge on the Emperor of Britannia for the murder of his mother, and free Japan from Britannia's grasp.
This anime is a thrill to watch. It takes you on an action packed roller coaster with lots of twist and turns, and brutally shocking moments. The main protagonist Lelouch is a little hard to relate to, and many people won't like him, but with top-notch bloody mecha battles, and great character development this series is definitely worth checking out.
And the best news is you can check the whole first season out on the official Bandai youtube site or crunchyroll.com for free, or buy the first season since it is out in the U.S. on dvd. The second season dvd's are being released at the end of June, so now is your chance to catch up on the first 25 episodes.
Some very good picks this time around. Frontier was if anything one of the biggest TV productions ever and it thoroughly shows. For me, the biggest nod goes to Yoko Kanno's spectacular music which shows how easily she could revolutionize the japanese pop industry if she were so inclined.Those looking for a deeper examination into the Macross-verse may come out disappointed, but the old fans will go gaga for all the old school references!Seriously, one of the biggest fan hugs imaginable.Also a shame about the inability to bring it here right away, Sunrise's price tag is a bit steep for times like this.But it is definitely worth it whether you are a Robotech, DYRL, or Plus fan.