Summary:
We get some quick catchup and learn that humans can travel very quickly using space folds and Ozma has allowed Ranka to hire that sketchy Vector Promotion manager. Meanwhile, Leon has convinced President Howard Glass to let the public know about the Vajra, due to the attacks on Galaxy 5 days ago. Sheryl stays strong and declares her concert will go on; it helps that she actually kinda hates Galaxy.
Before taking off, Alto runs to give Sheryl her earring back. The earrings are the only thing Sheryl has to remind her of her mother. I guess Alto really was keeping it to get more dates with Sheryl. She loans it to him as a good luck charm, while SMS is on standby. However, when the NUNS recon team sees Galaxy fleet’s Deneb-class Kaitos warp in while covered with Vajra, the SMS Macross Quarter launches.
Reaction:
This was totally a set-up episode, so very little happened. However, a few new questions kept me interested. For instance, is Alto two-timing Ranka? While Alto is clearly more interested in Sheryl, his decision to lie to Ranka and say he was at the mall alone was very puzzling. Then there was the interesting realization that Luca has named his VF-25 Johanne. I wonder if anyone else has named their ship.
It’s also puzzling that Leon sent Cathy to work with Ozma. Maybe Leon is trying to ditch Cathy, or perhaps she is there to be Leon’s spy on the ship. During the launch, it’s mentioned that there are anti-Vajra and anti-ESA-type munitions loaded on the VF-25 units. What are these munitions? Pesticides? Finally, the part where the Jeffrey gives Monica a nice pat on the butt was fantastic, especially since the rest of the bridge bunnies do not approve.
This post was written by...
Kabitzin – who has written 1971 posts on Sea Slugs! Anime Blog.
One of the founders of Sea Slugs, I handle most of the blog admin tasks while wearing my I AM BOSS shirt. I like my action series well choreographed, and my romance series extra trashy. I also have a soft spot for puns.
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Mikhail commented quietly to himself that he found it unusual that reaction weapons were being deployed so soon (reflex weapons for those who grew up with Robotech) – which I suspect are the anti-Vajra gear. Basically, the Macross equivalent of nukes.
As for Cathy and Ozma, I think she’s there to spy on them for the NUNS, although he (Leon) may be trying to ditch her too (so she can be replaced by Ms. Melin, the current Miss Macross)…. that, and because we needed a Misa-alike on the bridge to fight with the pilots and look good doing so, thus bringing nostalgia to the older fans (as well as to fill up that conveniently-empty fifth station).
This episode also reveals that Monica likes older men… or she just likes bearded guys, who Captain Jeffrey Wilder is. She seemed to perk right up after that, even while Monica commented on the inappropriate nature of the touch, only to get Ram Hoa’s cynical ‘Well, if she enjoyed it…’ response.
Alto-hime no baka ;_;
I wonder what Mikhail is up to, could it be that despite his apparent hate for childish girls, he’s taken a liking to Ranka?
Does this mean Alto no like Ranka?
I just hope this is not the kind of animation quality we have to get use to.
In reagrds to Alto-hime denying knowledge of a dayto with Sheryl, it could be that he doesn’t want to be the center for a lot of wild speculation by the tabloids as Sheryl is after all a pop idol. Secondly Alto-himes is too tsun tsun to admit it. Thirdly I don’t think he’s even sure if he and Sheryl are actually dating. Just my 2 cents though.
Poor Ram Hoa she Alto-hime needs to go on a date with her so that she can lord it over Monica how her beloved is prettier and younger…
I think Mikhail wants to be Alto-hime’s mistress since he thinks that Sheryl is way out of kabuki hime’s league. We all know that Mikhail is too broken to try something with Ranka…
While I don’t like Alto’s lie about the mall, I’d rather attribute it to his annoyance about the ruckus it caused. Also, I’m a bit puzzled how many people seem to consider him and Ranka in any way a couple. I don’t seem them as that, and neither does he, I think.
In Alto’s eyes, Ranka is more like a cute little imouto to him, someone to cherish, look out for and protect. Not dating material. Therefore, “two-timing” sounds a bit off to me.
For Ranka, Alto is an important person, but she’s not fooling herself into thinking that they might be a couple either. Why would she? However, she’s got a light crush on him, obviously – and it stings her to see the Alto-Sheryl developments. But not as a boyfriend going astray, rather as someone you’re secretly interested in does stuff which distances him from yourself.
Mikhail is rather a care-bear, and he’s sharp enough to notice that Ranka is affected by what she saw. And he wants to signal to Alto to be careful and considerate about it – since Alto is too thick-headed to notice it by himself.
No, I don’t see him interested in Ranka at all. Again, she’s imouto material for him, too. If anything, my guts tell me that we will see more and closer antics between him and Klan Klein in the future.
Haesslich: Was the stuff SMS used before not considered anti-Vajra? I hope so, considering that none of it was very effective. Only the knives, sniper rifles, and Zentradi rifle have been effective so far. The missile spam is cool, but it doesn’t seem to work that well. Also, I look forward to more awkward moments with the Captain.
Shirukii: I didn’t get the feeling that Mikhail was into Ranka. I think everyone just treats Ranka like a pet or a little sister. From when Mikhail pushed Ranka into Alto at Nyan Nyan, perhaps Mikhail is trying to hook those two up.
blissmo: Maybe we are getting set up for a “the one I love was next to me all along” type of scene.
Crusader: I think everyone is hoping that the production values will not drop further and that the studio is saving money for important episodes. However, I am troubled that we have now gotten 2 concerts with lowered production values. Your theory about Sheryl being out of Alto’s league makes sense.
Mentar: I can forgive the lie, since Alto was put on the spot in front of everyone. Hopefully he won’t be creeping around and constantly lying to Ranka, though. I hope you are right about more Klan Klein antics in the future!
I expect better from this show, or at least I hope.
I think Alto is just trying to protect himself from a whole lot of inconvenience if he’s connected with Sheryl. His attitude says “I don’t want to bother..” about pretty much everything. From the tabloid mess Crusader mentions, down to hurting Ranka unnecessarily, it all seems like a big annoyance. Doesn’t exactly imbue Alto with a lot of charm, but he’s got bigger things on his mind. Like not dying.
Doomsday scenario: Ranka x sleazy manager…
You heard it here first.
BTW, have to mention the completely awesome scene where Mikhail improved Nanase’s sketch by giving Ranka some bustu upppu.
Seems like the “bye bye Sheryl” was not her going away but rather Alto setting off to a, hopefully epic, battle (with pirates of the caribbeans-like music playing on the back ground.)
Also, how fucking cool is that table at the cafe?!!
With Cathy on the bridge, we’ll certainly see some Ozma-Cathy developments. Pineapple salad, anyone?
Kabitzin: They were using NORMAL weapons before this… which is why they weren’t doing too well, except when using knives (Ozma), sniper rifles on the add-on organisms, and old Zentradi liquid-plasma rifles (Alto). Remember that their missiles didn’t do crap to Vajra, except to distract them for a few moments – probably due to the energy armor that they have for carapaces. The anti-Vajra weapons are probably those missiles we saw racked with SMS symbols – and given Mikhail’s comment after being notified that they were being deployed, I suspect that they’re the reaction weapons he was talking about.
Mentar: Alto doesn’t seem to think of Ranka as lover material yet, and only now (a few episodes later) is he even considering that Sheryl’s interested in him. Ranka really likes Alto, but whether like extends to beyond frienship is yet to be determined. She really needs to grow up a bit more to hit that stage, in my opinion.
Runningkid: “Bye Bye Sheryl” was the name of the concert, her farewell concert (and last stop) before returning to Galaxy… rather than her immediately leaving.
Right now, since this IS Macross, I think we can sum up Ranka’s attitude towards Alto in the following song: “Hero” by Mariah Carey, given the way he gently pushes her forward and she seems to admire and look up to him in a way she doesn’t her brother, who was anything but supportive up till now.
Sigue: The pineapple salad is on the table, but we have yet to determine who ordered it. I’m betting on Ozma having asked for it first, followed by Luca or Nene from Pixie. And damn, but Cathy looks better when she’s not being drawn funny like she was in Episode 4. She still has something for Ozma… and Ozma seems to feel the same way, given how easily she throws him off balance. Which, of course, means he’s probably doomed.
Whoa, Mariah Carey mention! I definitely need to watch this epi soon! You’re pulling all the right strings my friend! :blush: And then a Hero comes along… WITH THE STRENGTH TO CARRY ON!!! And you cast your fears aside… and you know you CAN SURVIVE!!! So when you feel like hope is gone! LOOK INSIDE YOU AND BE STRONG!!! AND YOU’LL FINALLY SEE THE TRUUUUUUTTHHHHH!!! THAT A HEEEROOO LIES IN YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!! *sniff* Mariah in her Prime
:love:
And whats up with the Metroid references? Is Zero Suit/Samus your new main in Smash? I’M STILL WAITIN’ FOR THAT MATCH MAN! =3
J159: I never see you on! I suck as Zero Samus (who has some really sad recovery) and I usually use King Dedede. Also, I think Mariah has resurrected her career.
Haesslich: On topic, I wonder if most of the weapons that work well on Vajra are only safe to use in space.
lol, well, I’m usually on during the “after hours” of night. Maybe thats a little bit past your bed time pal
(jk, I need my beauty sleep :love: ) I’ll try to go on all day this Saturday. If anything, I’ll contact you through other means, that is, if you’re up to the challenge, and we’ll have an item match since I’m assuming thats how you roll. I actually need a bit more practice facing Dedede players, so consider this an honor! XD
Yea, I think Mariah is alright now, I just wish Michael would do the same… I still have this as my desktop pic!!!… (jk, if it were in a more desktop-like pic, then hell yea I’d put that shi on there!) (I wouldn’t mind a poster either… :blush: )
Well, the lyrics for that Mariah Carey song fit Ranka’s attitude to Alto almost to a T, given the way he motivates her and keeps her going even when he’s being a tsundere asshole like this. Mikhail’s calling Alto out as an idiot since.. well, he’s not being exactly NICE to Ranka here, even as she apologizes for not telling him first about her being contracted by a talent agency.
I honestly think Sheryl ‘lent’ Alto the earring and got over her case of nerves only after seeing the SMS logo on his jacket – which suggested to her that he had a purpose in coming beyond just giving her back the earring, since his membership signified that he would be on the front line and MIGHT not be coming back from the fight. So, with the earring handed back to him, she’s basically giving the ‘pilot who was born to fly’ a reason to come back to the city-ship he hates, beyond whatever other reasons he has – because he’s the type who tries to keep his promises (as he says here).
As for the weapons to be used on the Vajra, they KNOW conventional weapons don’t do much… at least not to the red ones. Plus, reaction weapons were only really employed en-masse one time – during the final battle which destroyed the bulk of that Zentradi fleet attacking Earth. The fact they’re breaking them out now signifies the type of threat the Vajra represent, which given the way they’ve apparently hijacked several Galaxy warships is quite significant. Their EW capabilities seem to extend to corrupting enemy computers as well, to the point where control is possible, instead of mere jamming.
I do not like Mariah Carey
blissmo: So? Nobody said you had to – just said that, since we’re in the Macross theme with music, that I might as well use a song to describe the way Ranka sees Alto.
@ Haesslich: I don’t think Miss Bliss (mind if I call you that Blissmo? XD) was trying to offend anyone, just expressing her feelings. But I will admit that she sure has made a few enemies because of her statement *lights torches*
I do like her singing career when she had a flatter chest… its like reverse psychology! O_O (man… I still need to watch this epi…)
@ Miss Bliss: and on a side note, you know, if you want to call me just Jesus159, its alright. The angry strikethrough rant on your blog was more of a joke! =3 (and I’m starting to like being referred to with one set of 159) (and you better not say you don’t like N’SYNC in their prime, or we’ll REALLY have to settle this outside! XD) (cmon, we all know we sang to those N’SYNC songs! I could imagine you and midnightrose drooling over their pictures :love: ! BYE BYE BYE!!! *echos*) (can you guess my favorite member???!!!)
Sorry J159, but N’Sync sucked.
Was it Lance? =D
The only one that matters now is Justin I guess.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! (what is up with all the “American” music references! I STARTED IT!!! JUST TO LET EVERYONE KNOW!!! *takes all the credit and applies them to college* *BA DUM PSSH!*
LMAO! You know, I never really did have a favorite member, but decided on Lance because, well, hes a bit different from the rest of the boys! :love: MMMMMMMM HMMMMMMM!!!
(and for serious, Justin is terrible! He sucks, as in, I think he sucks
dick, which of course makes him gay… just sayin) (i still rock Timberlands when I hustle on da streets though! IMMA HUSTLA!!!… jk, I can’t afford them… and wouldn’t know what to match them with because of my horrible taste in clothing…){ 2 trackbacks }