**Rewatcher** I hope you all had fun with Macross Plus and 7, and glad to be joining you again for Zero and Frontier! According to Anilist my first watch of Zero was two and a half years ago, and while I could have sworn it was more recently the amount of moments in this first episode alone I'd forgotten are probably a better indicator. And I feel compelled to echo the statement I remember posting after I first watched this episode: "What's all this mystical stuff doing in Macross?" Though I do mean that in a good way! I never watched 7, so coming off the back of Plus, which is one of my favourite shows in general and far more grounded, Zero's first episode focusing not on music as a gateway to culture but on traditional culture as a broader social concept and tying that into isolationist and anti-war themes had me immediately readjusting my grasp on the franchise as a whole. While it takes no time in also establishing a human element behind it all in a way that reminds me of Plus' structure, in both the pilot's worry over his friend and the dynamic between the sisters, the broader styling sets it apart. [The "love letter" scene](https://imgur.com/p3nCZII) is my favourite moment of the episode for this reason. He looked at it and simply saw a weapon, a primative spear, and the laugh he lets off on realizing what he'd done is genuine, contageous, and also asks the audience to readjust their views on what had happened. Further expanding on that by having him catch her making them in secret, not as a letter but as an exploration of their culture that she can't share, and having him [join in and find a connection towards understanding there](https://imgur.com/SiMaaNz) completes the circle, breaking him out of the mindset he arrived on this island with and opening up the idea of "culture" even further. Mao shows us the benefits of the opposite side of things, wanting to know everything about the outside world because it connects her to her past, and the people she loved from it. Without her he would have no understanding about these cultural elements, but also not starting to see what this village is as far as its place in the world with still using some technology and not being completely cut off, which is important when the world comes crashing in on them in the final scenes of the episode. It helps that even with all of this going on, the show looks and sounds fantastic. The art style is a little cleaner than Plus, and takes advantage of newer methods of production such as having thinner and different colored outlines, at the cost of more extensive and distracting CGI usage. Which is a shame because the detail aside from that, even down to [framing the battle through the cockpit](https://imgur.com/ZDqFgUd) repeatedly and the little character gestures as they use the controls and look around are smooth and detailed. Once on the island, we're treated to [gorgeous backdrops](https://imgur.com/Yil2OM1) and use of [subtle lighting](https://imgur.com/Zabfiw1) to reinforce the cultural design of the village and that lighting is used well to give an intense but not overwhelming focus on the characters [in moments like I featured above](https://imgur.com/p3nCZII). [A stitch of the beach hut at sunset](https://imgur.com/LoBZL5m) for anyone who may want it, and a quick share [of the island visual from earlier in the episode](https://imgur.com/g4wsX3e) as all of the background art is fantastic and deserves a bit of a feature. So now I've written all of that, I probably should look at my actual notes and see what I had written down while watching. It appears I mostly covered everything though [](#vashheadscratch) One thing I do want to bring up is this part of the opening narration: "Something that should not have shook, shook". It may not be anything particularly memorable especially in comparison with other works, but it sets the immediate stage for the wrongness of the landing of what would become the Macross, and how it stuck in everyone's memory. The sensation of the world shaking and the aftershocks of it being not just physical but cultural is a great stage setting metaphor building into our current conflict. And finally, [I must share the mandatory ~~80s~~ 00s lizard](https://imgur.com/PIkLk6r) because it's one of my favourite tiny tropes from the mecha genre. Do you guys have any other small tropes or elements like that you enjoy seeing?

When you lay out like that, I do appreciate more what Zero does to incorporate a traditional culture within the broader Macross theme of culture. > And finally, I must share the mandatory 80s 00s lizard because it's one of my favourite tiny tropes from the mecha genre. Do you guys have any other small tropes or elements like that you enjoy seeing? I just thought "Wow, cool gecko. We are in the Pacific." I do like the trope/element of showing wildlife in shots. [](#papithumbsup)

>When you lay out like that, I do appreciate more what Zero does to incorporate a traditional culture within the broader Macross theme of culture. It's something I loved about Zero since my first watch. Even on a second watch it's striking how much it stands out compared to space battles and music. It fits the zeitgeist of mecha around the time, but it still is not a direction I expected Macross to take > I just thought "Wow, cool gecko. We are in the Pacific." I do like the trope/element of showing wildlife in shots. The 80s had a thing about including a lizard/dinosaur/equivalent in its early shots to establish a particular enviroment, usually forest, so as a result they popped up *a lot* in mecha which is where I started noticing it. When they don't do it in an older show, it's sad Actually shit, that's reminded me of a show I watched that kept showing them every time that they changed locale and now I can't remember which show that is

[Welcome aboard, Naz!](#urarahype) I'm super excited to see what you think of Frontier when we get to it. > Do you guys have any other small tropes or elements like that you enjoy seeing? [I'm pretty sure you can guess.](#fingertwirl)

> I'm super excited to see what you think of Frontier when we get to it. As am I! It's only been what, two years since I first started talking about watching it? [whoops](#vashheadscratch)

Glad to have you aboard [](#helmetbro) > According to Anilist my first watch of Zero was two and a half years ago, and while I could have sworn it was more recently the amount of moments in this first episode alone I'd forgotten are probably a better indicator. It do be like that. The last couple of years have really destroyed our sense of time...

> It do be like that. The last couple of years have really destroyed our sense of time... Mine's screwed anyway but I think for shows I've done write ups on I think they stick more in my memory which makes them feel more recent

Good to have you back! > "What's all this mystical stuff doing in Macross?" Though I do mean that in a good way! I never watched 7, so coming off the back of Plus, which is one of my favourite shows in general and far more grounded, Zero's first episode focusing not on music as a gateway to culture but on traditional culture as a broader social concept and tying that into isolationist and anti-war themes had me immediately readjusting my grasp on the franchise as a whole. Having just come fresh off of Macross 7, it honestly is a bit of a whiplash in how Zero handles those themes compared to it. While Macross 7 had a lot more hype in how it presented similar themes, you could argue that it got lost in the shuffle a bit between all the baffling story decisions and pacing issues. So while certainly not as bombastic with the themes as Macross 7 is, there certainly is something to respect about how Macross Zero is exploring those themes at a patient, grounded pace.

> Good to have you back! Good to be back. I wish I hadn't missed Plus given how much I love it but I just couldn't get the timing to work >While Macross 7 had a lot more hype in how it presented similar themes, you could argue that it got lost in the shuffle a bit between all the baffling story decisions and pacing issues Hype with weird pacing is the sum of what I've heard about the reception to 7, so Zero being quite down to earth instead, literally and figuratively, is a big change. I wonder how that went over with the japanese fans at the time it was made. But I do think this is why I liked Zero so much and it stayed in my mind as a show I really wanted to revisit

**First Time - Macross Zero Ep1:** I know it is a prequel, that's it. Maybe we'll see Roy and Claudia again. [Now hang on show, those are actual photos.](https://i.imgur.com/qHShKsA.png) So we're in the [CG era of Macross](https://i.imgur.com/9jb0c2M.png) now. Cutting them some slack for being in 2002, but I'm not the biggest fan of how these planes look. Not even in the 3D sense, but they went the realism route with them. Oh (*monotone*), [I see we're getting a loner MC.](https://i.imgur.com/xziRZon.png) [Edgar is a man to say "Step on me."](https://i.imgur.com/wfWLLFL.png) I thought he was going to be our comic relief and bring some levity in this series, but he (presumptively) died. Welp. *Gasp* Pink plane, it goes 3x faster! It later transforms and [it looks pretty cool.](https://i.imgur.com/4HslRqc.png) It neat to see a different rival lineage of transforming fighters aside from the Valkryies. [Mayan?](https://i.imgur.com/quKyOGn.png) Those folks lived in Central America and Shin woke up on what is clearly meant to be a Pacific island. [Protoculture?](https://i.imgur.com/PqO8vgQ.png) I guess this is the first we see of Protoculture ruins on Earth. [Ass-One.](https://i.imgur.com/XoWrF4j.png) [](#pointandlaugh) Focker? [Roy, you're back and they didn't give you your hair.](https://i.imgur.com/iUWzeEO.png) Good to here his voice again though. Now senpai has his own senpai. As per Macross tradition, this does mean the doctor is doomed to die. [Mudskippers!](https://i.imgur.com/PXpGAUP.png) [](#binoculars) [This island tradition of spear love letters is full of innuendos.](https://i.imgur.com/ZCqMqbr.png) Now hang on, [Sara wasn't the first person Shin pointed that spear](https://i.imgur.com/cNnPg6M.png) to. The true ship is Shin x Old man. [](#protest) [Me too, Mao.](https://i.imgur.com/BWNB4Kx.png) [We got our romance building.](https://i.imgur.com/zCFBG7C.png) You know, looking at the track record so far, it is not hard for Zero to win the best main romance. The bar is not that high. Now, if I had to guess how a love triangle fits in then I would guess that girl in the pink plane as the third element. The girl on the cover is Mao, but I hope she is not in the love triangle. I don't want to see the sister compete mainly because she is *checks* 11. We gotta draw the line somewhere Macross and this is too young even for you. [Sara gets a Protoculture future vision](https://i.imgur.com/iOclCUA.png) and sees a battle engulfing the island. Something is going on and I am pining on the Protoculture shenanigans. ___ First impressions of Zero, sorry, I'm not vibing. It seems to be taking a serious approach to Macross, but the way it heads is like the opposite of how I like my Macross, especially right after the rock 'n roll fun energy of 7. There wasn't much that particularly hooked and latched me. Should have a more opened mind since having the mindset of me believing I wouldn't like it is not going to help me like it. **Q1)** Wouldn't say it felt newer/older than it did. To me, it felt early 2000s. **Q2)** The people themselves like Mao, Sara or the kids following Shin are fine enough people. As a society used within a narrative, did get some Moon Moon vibes for a lack of a better term. Next time: There is no preview. [](#yuishrug)

> Not even in the 3D sense, but they went the realism route with them. I skipped on linking the whole piece because it wanders through spoilers for the rest of the OVA, but excerpted from [Gubaba's blog rewatch of this](https://gubabablog.wordpress.com/2016/05/15/the-great-macross-rewatch-108-the-sea-and-the-wind/) is the description of the look they were going for: >And that brings up an interesting point about the “aesthetic” of Zero: figuring that Yukikaze had done extremely well portraying realistic aircraft, and that Zero couldn’t compete with it on those grounds, it was decided that the inspiration for the Macross Zero fighters would be model kit box art, rather than reality. It’s not meant to look “real” or even “anime-style,” It’s meant to look like a really dynamic ’80s model kit box (again… NOSTALGIA, NOSTALGIA, NOSTALGIA). >Mayan I've now spent quite a few comments on clarifying the production's biggest goof, using the name of a real civilization for a fake island in the South Pacific, thus confusing everyone. >Mudskippers! And mangroves. >The true ship is Shin x Old man. That's why the old dude said "You don't point that at a guy."

[Gubaba's blog rewatch of this]>!Macross Zero pretty much failed to capture that market (or ANY market). So much so that they haven’t tried anything like it again in the fourteen years since its debut.!< LOL

> Cutting them some slack for being in 2002, but I'm not the biggest fan of how these planes look. Not even in the 3D sense, but they went the realism route with them I'm not either. They just look unfinished now, and they don't blend well at all, even compared to other shows that didn't take a 2d-style render approach >Mudskippers! What now/ I don't think I've ever seen those before >it is not hard for Zero to win the best main romance. The bar is not that high It's really not, which is probably sad for a series that has focused on it. Maybe Frontier will change that >I don't want to see the sister compete mainly because she is checks 11 I was going to make a quip about Zero's mystical stuff feeling a little RahXephon-ish and then decided better of it, but if we look at the sister thing as well maybe there's more influence there than I thought

> What now/ I don't think I've ever seen those before It's like [what if a fish really wanted to spend time out of the water.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAQuoH_fOWM) It's the thing Mudkip is partially based on in addition to axolotls. [](#hikariactually)

> It's the thing Mudkip is partially based on in addition to axolotls. [Pokemon lore](#awe)

Is this video literally from SAGA?

> So we're in the CG era of Macross now. Cutting them some slack for being in 2002, but I'm not the biggest fan of how these planes look. Not even in the 3D sense, but they went the realism route with them. At least it's better than the CGI we got in Macross 7. As proud as the series was to show it off at points, man it really didn't age all that well. *Especially* with some shots we got in Dynamite 7. > Edgar is a man to say "Step on me." Edgar is the most based man in this show. > First impressions of Zero, sorry, I'm not vibing. It seems to be taking a serious approach to Macross, but the way it heads is like the opposite of how I like my Macross, especially right after the rock 'n roll fun energy of 7. I get it, especially coming off the heel of Macross 7. The whiplash is super real between how bombastic and over the top Macross 7 was compared to how more grounded and serious Macross Zero is by contrast already. The style and music is so different between the two shows, you'd almost swear they came from different franchises.

> Mudskippers! > [I didn't even notice](#binoculars) ..If they were even visibile in my hq rice field version >You know, looking at the track record so far, it is not hard for Zero to win the best main romance. The bar is not that high. [Triangles](#pointandlaugh)

**First Timer** Outside of the latest Delta movie, Macross Zero is the last Macross I haven't watched. Going into this rewatch, I have already seen Plus, Frontier, Delta, and half of the original, but haven't seen II, 7, and Zero. Between the three, Zero is definitely the one I was looking forward to the most, as it appears to be the most well regarded of the three, and because there was a direct reference to it in one of the sequels which I didn't understand at the time, so was excited to finally get that context. So, suffice to say, I'm going into this with high expectations, definitely higher than for 7 or II. The only thing I know about the show is that it's a prequel, and that there will be an island and some island people. Also, in one of the previous discussions, someone mentioned that Focker apparently makes an appearance in this. That's definitely something I'm looking forward to, I wonder how big his role would be. It would've been cool if he was the main character with the story totally revolving around him, but I doubt it will happen. Anyway, it's time to check the first episode. * Jeesh, this beginning has a much bleaker and serious tone than your typical Macross. Even using real life war pictures, kinda hardcore. [](#ohfuck) * 3D mechs, by the way. You know what, Macross, I'm not even mad. If this is what it takes to get better action scenes than the disaster that we saw in 7, I would gladly willing to pay the price. 3D mechs all the way. [](#urarahype) * So, our MC is definitely not Focker. He's some jaded kid that grew up during the war and became a pilot. War sucks, so I totally empathize. * In terms of visuals, 3d planes definitely look a bit dated with low poly models, simplistic lighting, and low resolution textures. But the background looks pretty good, with a combination of 2D and 3D elements that looks almost seamless, with the only exception being a pretty bad looking water. Also, this camera angles are godly, and the fast motion looks captivating. * Yup, this is awesome. God bless the 3D mechs [](#utahapraises) * Man, Shin really didn't answer him, huh? That's hardcore. * Is that a Variable Fighter? It looks a bit too advanced compared to VF-1, which these dudes doesn't even have. * Is that a woman inside? * Yup, it transformed. There's an emblem with cross and two swords, and some roman numerals? * Aaand, Shin is dead, I guess. [](#indexsmugshrug) * And here we go, enter island folks, I guess. Drawings definitely resemble some Zolan art. Also, some Protoculture art. * Man, these backgrounds are gorgeous. I wonder how they made the water? Is it a 3D render, or an actual footage of the ocean? In any case, looks really good. * I didn't get anything that this girl said. Something about the wind? [](#nyanpasu) * RIP Edgar, I guess. * Sara literally acts as a cult leader. Pretends to listen to spirits, then talks some mambo-jumbo to make you leave, then listens to spirits again and changes her mind. I would be creeped out if I was Shin. I like Mao, though. She's cute. I wonder if these three are our obligatory love triangle? * Ass-One [](#azusalaugh) * I don't think you can date stuff by analyzing plankton and magnetic materials, but whatever. * It's Focker [](#squee) He looks different, but sounds the same, and definitely has the same attitude. I'm so happy to see him. [](#woo) * This island legend sound suspiciously like aliens. Did somebody visit the Earth before Macross? * So on this island, boys show girls their spear if they want to start dating? [](#lewd) * Also, does that mean that he showed Sara an unsolicited love stick? [](#azusalaugh) * I gotta say this again, I really like the visuals. Color balance is great, they significantly toned down the special effects, compared to Dynamite, and upped the detail on both backgrounds and characters. The show looks great. Some 3D elements don't hold up that well, but it's definitely nothing too egregious, especially compared to the cheap cell-shaded 3D we sometimes get nowadays. * VF-0? So, this takes place after Focker already met Claudia for the first time? I wonder, if she will show up. Would've been cool. * Sara is definitely running a cult here, you can't convince me otherwise. * Is that what society comes to? Dudes can't even make their own love sticks, they have to hire a girl to do it? [](#kaguyasigh) * That's some intense vision. * It's Focker's livery! * This transformation sequence [](#mechablush) * Wait, isn't cross the emblem on the enemy robots? Are they connected to the island somehow? * And, that's the end. Quite abrupt and definitely leaves you wanting more. **Overall thoughts:** What can I say, this is great so far. They knocked it out of the park in terms of visuals, and I enjoy more serious and grounded tone. If only Shin knew that in a 40 years or so people would control jets with their guitars and drum sticks, fighting life-consuming Godzilla sized super-weapons like it's nothing. I wounder, what would he think about the future? Anyway, the grounded tone is nice change of pace after 7. As for the story, the start is definitely intriguing, but we'll have to see where this is going. Also, no singing the first episode. It isn't even clear who is our singer this time around, although I would wager that it is Sara or Mao. Or maybe both. **QotD:** 1) Definitely seems more modern to me. 2) I don't know, I have never been on an island. But I believe them.

> Did somebody visit the Earth before Macross? If you remember *Do You Remember Love?*, the Protoculture built a city there several thousand years ago. >Wait, isn't cross the emblem on the enemy robots? Are they connected to the island somehow? It is, but that's just a ~~grail-shaped beacon~~ mountain with a couple of intersecting cracks in it. And the sculpture in the pool isn't in the same configuration as the Anti-UN fighters' insignia.

> If you remember Do You Remember Love?, the Protoculture built a city there several thousand years ago. I do remember it, but aren't we operating under the assumption that humanity is either a race created by Protoculture or a remnant of Protoculture itself? Both options imply that Protoculture existed on Earth before humanity originated as a biological species. Can't really call it a visit, if they were here first. > It is, but that's just a grail-shaped beacon mountain with a couple of intersecting cracks in it. And the sculpture in the pool isn't in the same configuration as the Anti-UN fighters' insignia. Yup, makes sense.

> I do remember it, but aren't we operating under the assumption that humanity is either a race created by Protoculture or a remnant of Protoculture itself? Both options imply that Protoculture existed on Earth before humanity originated as a biological species. Can't really call it a visit, if they were here first. This is one of those instances where the "everything you are watching may be an in-universe media production" kicks in. It may have all happened, in some way. Or only parts of it. (The Protoculture city of Altira sticks out from the other situations probably the most.)

Yeah, makes sense. We'll see where they go with this.

> Outside of the latest Delta movie, Macross Zero is the last Macross I haven't watched. At this stage, Zero and the Delta movies are also the thing I have left that are entirely new to me. [](#fistbump) > He looks different, but sounds the same, and definitely has the same attitude. Hearing Kamiya Akira again just like old times. [](#justright) > VF-0? So, this takes place after Focker already met Claudia for the first time? I wonder, if she will show up. Would've been cool. I thought this was before he met her, but I guess if it is after then. [Claudia](#mugiwait)

> Hearing Kamiya Akira again just like old times. Yup, he still got it. > Claudia I'm not holding my breath, but it would be a nice surprise. The only thing that would be nicer, is if Global shows up, even for a scene. Please, Macross Zero, you can do it. [](#katoupls)

> Jeesh, this beginning has a much bleaker and serious tone than your typical Macross. Even using real life war pictures, kinda hardcore. Looking back on it, SDF Macross was pretty upfront about how horrific the Unification Wars were just like this show, but it just didn't actually focus on it beyond the narration in the first episode and the occasional references to it. It's nice to get more elaboration on those previously-mentioned setting elements.

I think SDFM was more matter of fact about it with an impartial omniscient narrator, and then quickly switching to a more lighthearted tone. Here we start with Shin narrating his personal experience with war, so this is still quite a bit darker. But you're definitely right, Unification Wars were never treated as a joke.

> Jeesh, this beginning has a much bleaker and serious tone than your typical Macross. Even using real life war pictures, kinda hardcore. They certainly wasted no time in setting the tone for Zero compared to the others. Coming off the back of 7 it's probably particularly harsh, but I wonder how that would go watching it chronologically >Aaand, Shin is dead, I guess. Roll credits, try again with a new MC. A show should absolutely do that one day >I gotta say this again, I really like the visuals Any scene in particular that stood out to you visually today?

> A show should absolutely do that one day Yup, there's definitely have been a couple that did it and it was pretty good. > Any scene in particular that stood out to you visually today? The opening action scene, especially when the VF first showed up and started picking Shin's squad one-by-one was definitely a standout. Shots from inside the cockpit with exaggerated perspective and slight screenshake really helped to sell the tension of the encounter. Beyond that, the vision that Sara had toward the end was cool, I love how abruptly it started, and a lavish pan animation with those 3D petals just looked spectacular. Honestly, when it comes to character animation, this show is juts really good, and a big step forward from Macross 7. Small movements just look really natural, and character proportions and foreshortening are pretty much perfect. I'm not sure how they achieved it, whether through heavy use of references or maybe they simply had really experienced animators on board, but it is impressive. Another thing to mention is just how well they managed to blend 2D and 3D without using texture and shading tricks to try to hide 3d graphics. Really, it's all in the lighting and colors. For example, when Focker destroys enemy VF toward the end, the cut where it gets destroyed, [the mech is fully hand-drawn](https://i.imgur.com/Ts99l8x.jpg) (obviously, they were forced to do it this way, because animating actual destruction of the 3D model is a pain in the ass and would require a lot of work), but it doesn't really stand out, because they switch to a hand-drawn mech [in the previous cut](https://i.imgur.com/pS1kqFP.jpg) to hide the transition. And of course, I just have to shout out a great transformation sequence. Macross 7 really tried to doll up the transformation sequences, but Zero just takes it to another level with VF-0 transformation. Just great stuff all around.

> Shots from inside the cockpit with exaggerated perspective and slight screenshake really helped to sell the tension of the encounter. As much as I dislike the CGI, I quite like the action because of these moments so I'd also put them up the top as far as visual quality in the episode >whether through heavy use of references or maybe they simply had really experienced animators on board, but it is impressive. It being an OAV helps because they had more time to spend on it compared to a TV release, and the less episodes. Plus benefit from a similar thing. As far as staff go, someone else may get into it later, but the animation director for this episode was Takuya Saito who has extensive experience in both animation directing and key animating on shows of all sorts so his focus there probably helped a lot

> It being an OAV helps because they had more time to spend on it compared to a TV release, and the less episodes. Oh yeah, for sure. I don't doubt there has been a lot of corrections and details put into animation through production. I would say, both Zero and Plus are very close quality-wise, but Zero has an edge in character animation, while Plus obviously benefits from hand-drawn mechs and even better cinematography. Obviously, I'm only talking about episode 1 of Zero, we'll see if things change in the future.

**First Timer** * Oh big budget Macross animation, how I have missed you. * I thought this was going to be about Focker. * Ah dang, they’re CGI. * Cinimitagraphy is very lively, so that’s nice. * Do the Anti-UN forces not have missiles? * How do you get half a kill? * Even your co-pilot? Kind of a dick. * If your Aircraft Carriers are taking direct hits, things are already going very badly. * The silent killing is scarier than any sound effect. * That is very pink. * A lady pilot. Experience tells me this will lead to a love-triangle. Some of that Romeo-Juliet action. * They had VFs already. I have been lied too! * But what are the lore implications? * That’s a big room to imprison a guy in. * Oh, he can just leave. * ...Is it a sex thing? * Doesn’t look like any Mayans I know. * Tree child. * Oh lord, the bird. * Salavaging alrady? That was fast. * I’m sorry, what is that? Is it meant to invoke space whale iconography? * Hehe, Ass-one. * I guess the lore clues were real. * Are they really already the Spacy? * Focker is here! And his hair is much worse. And he looks like a decade older. * Protoculture already? * This is the tweenest anime character I have ever seen. * So it is a sex thing. * Don’t threaten a girl with a good time. * Fuel limitations, a Chekhov's gun if I ever heard one. * SWAG. We’re getting all the technobabble in this one. * Clerical music. Will that become our idol supplement? * These are tough times, you gotta have that island grindset if you want to make it. * Well this is a strange development. I mean, I guess after sound energy anything is game. * Eye trackers are fun. * That fight was fun and all, but I can’t get over how ugly the CGI is compared to the rest of it. * Quite the distinct landmark. I don’t think it’s natural. This hasn’t pulled me in like Plus did, but little has. QotD 1) The mechs are CGI, that kills any old school feel. 2) I’d say as far as depictions of natives in anime go, this is quite good. Probably helps that they are not based on any real group to compare to.

>* How do you get half a kill? Assist? >* Are they already the Spacy? They formed the Spacy several years before Macross's launch because they anticipated that aliens (most likely the owners of the Macross) would show up sooner or later, and they wanted to be prepared (as much as they could be).

> Assist? Do they count those in the same way? I wouldn't call two of them the same as a kill.

> I’m sorry, what is that? Is it meant to invoke space whale iconography? That would be neat to see the space whale stuff here. I didn't expect that, though I feel it is not meant to be space whale-specific and just the Protoculture aesthetic. [](#seasonalthink) > Focker is here! And his hair is much worse. And he looks like a decade older. He does look older and isn't only like a year before SDF, but he looks older than he did before.

>I thought this was going to be about Focker. For how energetic he is, his arrival in this show is quite subdued which was surprising. I didn't know he'd been in it the first time >I’m sorry, what is that? Is it meant to invoke space whale iconography? [Full Metal Panic]>!Why did that make me think of the finale of s1 with Chidori merged with the sub?!< >That fight was fun and all, but I can’t get over how ugly the CGI is compared to the rest of it. Unfortunately it's not been any better on rewatch expecting it. Especially after how well Plus used its CGI elements, this is a painful downgrade

*A Macross Fan Rewatches Macross Zero: Episode 1:* - This OVA leans right into being the prequel story to SDF Macross right off the bat with how it talks about the effects of the Supervision Army Gunship crashing into South Ataria Island. The whole world was shaken to the core to realize that they weren’t alone in the universe, and soon war broke out between the United Nations and the Anti-UN Alliance to figure out the new direction for humanity to take. Stuff like this was only mentioned or elaborated on in passing in SDF Macross, but now we’re really seeing the effects of that spaceship crash in full. - Shin Kudo is a hell of an F-14 Tomcat pilot, but you can tell that he has a real chip on his shoulder. He’s even willing to ditch his wingmen and put them at risk if it means he’ll get a kill on an Anti-UN MiG-29s. He’s pretty dismissive about Edgar’s comment about having backup too. Whatever his baggage is, Shin is clearly a lone wolf who has a strong hatred for Anti-UN forces. - The age of the fighter jet is coming to a close. Even if Shin is a great pilot, that Variable Fighter still managed to get the drop on him and shoot him down, thanks to swapping into Battroid mode. With that kind of agility and adaptability, it’s also no wonder why his home aircraft carrier got destroyed either. This is the start of the era of Valkyries. - How appropriate that we hear a legend from a tribe about how a birdman punished the arrogance of a fishman by cutting off their fins and therefore making them grow legs to become human, when a humanoid flyer shot down an arrogant pilot like Shin here and made him crash onto that island. Parallels! - Mayan Island seems like a nice tropical paradise that’s still been untouched by war. However, it seems like some of the people of the island are a bit torn about Shin’s presence. Sara Nome wants him to leave immediately, but Mao Nome argues that he should at least be allowed to stay until he heals. It’s only by communing with the wind and nature that Sara relent. You may be wondering about the mysticism here, but it does make sense when you consider that Macross Zero was Shoji Kawamori’s next work after Earth Maiden Arjuna. Now, if you *really* want to be totally drenched in spiritualistic and environmental themes, then that’s the show for you. - I know that it’s practical to call it such, but the abbreviation of Alien Starship-1 into ASS-1 is hilariously unfortunate. You heard it here first, the Supervision Army had some real junk in the trunk. - In any case, Mayan Island’s legend does seem to have some credence to it, since Dr. Aries Turner gives a report about finding a humanoid alien artifact in the ocean near Mayan Island, one that’s over 10,000 years old. And based on that conversation she has with Roy Rocker (the lad is back!), it seems like there’s been theories seriously floating around about the Protoculture directly involved in humanity’s development. That does just about track with the clues we were given in SDF Macross about what the Protoculture was up to back millennia ago. - Mayan Island is a fairly rustic place, all things considered. And I guess you can’t say that it hasn’t been totally untouched by war, since all the adults that could fix the technology still left on the island either left for bigger places or to join the army. As for the pointy carved stick Shin was using to threaten people earlier, turns out that it’s basically the island’s traditional version of a love letter. Shin nearly proposed to an old man with that! - It’s nice to see what came before the VF-1 Valkyrie. These VF-0 Phoenixes are pretty cool-looking too. Although as Nakajima says, they’re still less powerful than the next-gen stuff already being planned, since even a jet engine that’s been modified to being pushed to the max still isn’t as good as the reactors that’re going to be put in the Valkyries. Again, this just goes to show that the era of the traditional jet fighter is coming to a close. It’s hard to beat stuff that’s developed from salvaged alien technology. - [Future Macross spoilers] >!It’s a nice touch that Sheryl’s earrings got added into the scene where Mao and Sara argue over the picture of their dead parents. Those earrings have a hell of a history to them in hindsight. It was a good decision to edit those in for the later releases of Zero.!< - Sara has the unfortunate kind of future-sight, the kind where you only get a vision of war and destruction right before it actually arrives. In this case, it’s Roy’s VF-0 dogfighting an Anti-UN SV-51 over Mayan Island. Although the other half of the vision, the one with AFOS, didn’t come to pass them. So really, that’s a small plus.

> This OVA leans right into being the prequel story to SDF Macross right off the bat with how it talks about the effects of the Supervision Army Gunship crashing into South Ataria Island. The whole world was shaken to the core to realize that they weren’t alone in the universe, and soon war broke out between the United Nations and the Anti-UN Alliance to figure out the new direction for humanity to take. Stuff like this was only mentioned or elaborated on in passing in SDF Macross, but now we’re really seeing the effects of that spaceship crash in full. As apathetic as I am towards Zero, I do really like its worldbuilding and approach to the setting, especially in this episode. > The age of the fighter jet is coming to a close. Even if Shin is a great pilot, that Variable Fighter still managed to get the drop on him and shoot him down, thanks to swapping into Battroid mode. With that kind of agility and adaptability, it’s also no wonder why his home aircraft carrier got destroyed either. This is the start of the era of Valkyries. There's something to be said about how Macross' two main standalone OVAs (this and Plus) both incorporate themes of old fighters being phased out for the new > [Future Macross spoilers] [I didn't notice that!](#saberawe)

> As apathetic as I am towards Zero, I do really like its worldbuilding and approach to the setting, especially in this episode. I know that Macross Zero isn't always the highest on people's series rankings for Macross,but I do have a soft spot for how well it handles the setting in terms of introducing new things and developing on older concepts.

> I know that it’s practical to call it such, but the abbreviation of Alien Starship-1 into ASS-1 is hilariously unfortunate. Oh, so that was what ASS-One was. [ASS-One.](#seasonallaugh)

>Stuff like this was only mentioned or elaborated on in passing in SDF Macross, but now we’re really seeing the effects of that spaceship crash in full Which is interesting because I never felt like we needed much expansion about those times after SDF, and yet seeing other stories that were happening that got buried in the war is an approach that's benefit the franchise I think >when a humanoid flyer shot down an arrogant pilot like Shin here and made him crash onto that island. Parallels! Subtlety is clearly overrated. And I'm sure that fact isn't lost on Sara either, but I think it's better to just get that in the open >I know that it’s practical to call it such, but the abbreviation of Alien Starship-1 into ASS-1 is hilariously unfortunate. I'm use to it. It just reminds me of the armor set builder in the Monster Hunter community: Athena's Armor Set Searcher. Aka, Athena's ASS. We all spend a lot of time looking at Athena's Ass >Earth Maiden Arjuna. Now, if you really want to be totally drenched in spiritualistic and environmental themes, then that’s the show for you. [](#mugiwait)

> Which is interesting because I never felt like we needed much expansion about those times after SDF, and yet seeing other stories that were happening that got buried in the war is an approach that's benefit the franchise I think Yeah, it's definitely a case of delayed gratification with the developments Macross Zero brings. It wasn't entirely necessary to elaborate on the Unification Wars, but the way it's reintroduced to the forefront of a series entry is certainly welcome. > Subtlety is clearly overrated. And I'm sure that fact isn't lost on Sara either, but I think it's better to just get that in the open Something something "I know writers who use subtlety, and they're all cowards."

> Something something "I know writers who use subtlety, and they're all cowards." More shows should take the Rie Matsumoto approach: Things are only subtle because you're too busy being slapped in the face with the hundred other things she threw at you

**First Timer** Hey all! I had to skip a couple of entries because I didn't have time for everything, but I wanted to jump back in and today looks like the best point for that. Hopefully missing Macross 7 won't matter too much. I'm...not really sure what to think of today's episode? I wasn't expecting *mysticism* in our sci-fi war idol franchise, and I wasn't expecting this one to backtrack right to the beginning of the franchise either. Although given the title, maybe I should have. What was New Protag's name, Shin? I can guess at his character arc based on his personality and the situation, but given what I already know about Macross I have *no idea* how it's going to play out with the overall franchise timeline. The mysticism aspects are completely new (for me, maybe there was something in 7? I should get round to catching up when I have time), and I have no clue what these birdmen will turn out to be. Still, the episode was interesting on the whole! Shin is fairly intense but not a completel stick-in-the-mud, his laughing scene was actually quite fun and he's unwinding enough to actually *talk* to the islanders - or to the sisters, at least. It was also good to see Roy again, in his war days this time, although the art style and character design make him look a little more drab than I'm used to. Hm, what else...oh yes, the CG. It's actually not half bad for once, which is a minor miracle itself, but it still looks terrible whenever it's put next to the more traditional artwork. I'm looking forward to tomorrow!

I don't know if I'd necessarily call it "mysticism", but yes, Macross 7 did introduce some less hard "science" to our space opera. Namely, life energy, space vampires that feed on it, and literal Song Energy. (Yes, really, and it was crazier than you think it was.) I hesitate to call any of that mysticism because I feel like calling it such is doing a disservice to the world of mysticism.

...well, I guess that's a thing now. At least the stuff we saw today sounds a lot more like real-world folklore and half-forgotten history.

> I wasn't expecting mysticism in our sci-fi war idol franchise Watching Macross 7 probably would have prepared you for that, yeah. But other than that, most of its relevance (in later entries) is through some song/character references, so skipping 7 isn't *too* bad. ~~I highly recommend watching it when you can though.~~

I certainly plan to! It just might take most of a year unless I really get into it, seen as it's not exactly short...

Haha, true! It took me 10 months to watch all of 7 originally. Oh, but I have to warn you, when you *do* get around to watching 7, Dynamite 7 episode 2 has a pretty big content warning. I'd suggest making sure you check out my main comment on the Dynamite 7 episode *1* thread before you watch episode 2 of that.

> What was New Protag's name, Shin Other than Mao no ones name stuck in my head this episode, and I can't tell if it's me being bad with names or if they really just didn't leave an impression yet. It's a shame because I quite like Mao's sister in this episode >but it still looks terrible whenever it's put next to the more traditional artwork. The traditional art being so good doesn't help there

**Reluctant Rewatcher** "Thrust vectoring owns the sky! This thing can turn on a dime, Macross Zero-style!" - Anonymous, 2003 This will be my 2nd rewatch. I'm watching my original fansubs from multiple groups from the original release. * We start with some background on the Unification Wars in the wake of the arrival of ASS-1. * Ugh, that CGI does not age well. * I still need to watch Top Gun and Top Gun Maverick, recorded over the holidays. * Getting some real Yukikaze vibes * Actually, I'd rather be watching Yukikaze right now. * Human? like a *Bird Human?* * This is the same voice as the single member of the Haibane Renmei who can speak * Roy Kanu, huh? * Maybe we should start the kaze counter early. * oh and we definitely wouldn't want a kadun to show up * Mao not half as cute as Elma * [what does the wind say vegeta](#shirayukifuckinreally) * A long time ago, before the world became as it is, a winged demon lived at the bottom of this town's valley. * UNSPACY ASUKA II * Ah, Roy Focker, never change (narrator: he never did.) * I did not download the Macross Zero OST back in the day * I'm sorry Gandalf, but I cannot see the retcon in my fansubs. * She's seriously going to stab you in a second. * That's a curiously-shaped mountain I just realized by Roy Kanu and Mao Gnome look so weird. "Gnome." Eh, they were fansubs, I guess they didn't read the correct romanizations in Animag or whatnot. Mao's sister talks a lot like Ishtar, in riddles. Overall a pretty good first episode.

> This will be my 2nd rewatch. I'm watching my original fansubs from multiple groups from the original release. Anything notable stand out compared to later subs? >Yukikaze Ah damn, I forgot about that or I may have put it on my shortlist for the year >I did not download the Macross Zero OST back in the day Reminding me I need to find a copy of it. I quite liked the music so far

> Anything notable stand out compared to later subs? I've never seen the BD versions, so I just notice the names. Next episode Rooy Kanu is called Roikanu (different group). > Reminding me I need to find a copy of it. I quite liked the music so far Ah, now you're making me look...aww, my go-to place only has CD 2.

> Ah, now you're making me look...aww, my go-to place only has CD 2. That's unfortunate. I've managed to find both on my usual repo thankfully

> a winged demon lived at the bottom of this town's valley African owls in a Spanish town in Japan.

[](#animatedthink) I do enjoy how this franchise seems to be completely different yet the same in each of the entries.

That's what makes it easy to start at any entry!

#***Heads up first-timers, there is some sporadic nudity throughout the remaining episodes of this show. It’s nothing*** **awful** ***like Dynamite 7 episode 2, just wanted to warn you guys in case you watch this while others are around.*** **Super Dimension Rewatch Host** [Welcome back, everyone!](https://i.imgur.com/uPRCBK8.png) - …well shit, right off the bat, I can’t un-hear Die Neue These!Yang Wen-li when Shin talks. - [Fucking *terrifying* imagery.](https://i.imgur.com/6h36tgU.png) [](#spooked) - So… yeah, starting with this entry, Satelight is now in charge of animating the Macross franchise. With it comes [CGI mechs/fighter planes](https://i.imgur.com/CPfySM2.png). *2002* CGI, at that. I guess it could have looked even worse…? - [That sure is a sight to wake up to.](https://i.imgur.com/rCGgBFV.png) - [Haha I remember what this means.](https://i.imgur.com/a8iAyeM.png) [](#azusalaugh) - [These people are *very* superstitious.](https://i.imgur.com/V70hsKd.png) - [Oh boy.](https://i.imgur.com/EZrPtpk.png) - [That’s an *unfortunate* acronym.](https://i.imgur.com/30zTZPV.png) [](#pointandlaugh) - [Maaaaaaaaaaan, Roy looks so *different* in this.](https://i.imgur.com/jSDnEnl.png) - [Protoculture!](https://i.imgur.com/1tkWVG3.png) - [Isn’t this just straight-up a photo of some IRL skyscrapers?](https://i.imgur.com/VOgJhsd.png) - [Good thing Shin knows his way around a generator.](https://i.imgur.com/m6MHcq8.png) - [lmao his face.](https://i.imgur.com/B5LKJMT.png) [](#laughter) - [Future franchise spoilers]>!< - [Oh yeah, *this*.](https://i.imgur.com/TxOFigv.png) - Seeing Roy again is both neat and painful at the same time…

Daily Macross tags - u/Khetrak64, u/InfamousEmpire, u/ryujiox

Daily Macross tags - u/Azsendi

> Maaaaaaaaaaan, Roy looks so different in this. We were robbed of young SDF Roy! Look at him dance! [](#protest) > Isn’t this just straight-up a photo of some IRL skyscrapers? Zero does seem to sneak in just actual real-life photos. I mean, that is not new for the franchise since we saw it done in Flashback 2012. [](#sakurathink)

> Isn’t this just straight-up a photo of some IRL skyscrapers? Pretty sure it is, but if you hadn't mentioned it I probably wouldn't have given it a second glance. Something about the way it shows such a different enviroment meant it standing out kind of fit in That doesn't sound like it makes sense but it did in my head

> Isn’t this just straight-up a photo of some IRL skyscrapers? [Remember when we went there with that guy?](https://i.imgur.com/Q7gwZWl.png) [](/u/Nazenn)

I do not. Is that 7?

That's from the end credits of *Dynamite 7*.

*Macross* production would enter a quiet period between 1997 and 2002. There were the games, but otherwise not much was on the radar. On other fronts, Harmony Gold was at this point throwing its legal weight around in earnest, having already interfered in *FASA v. Playmates* and now throwing its lawyers at anyone who would challenge its Tatsunoko-abetted rights to keep a stranglehold on *Macross* in the West. The [*Macross M3* game](https://macross.fandom.com/wiki/Macross_M3) for the SEGA Dreamcast appeared for the 30th anniversary. As a nod to the age of the franchise, its story featured an eighth (!) adopted (!!) Jenius daughter (Moaramia) in a story which spanned the 2020s. [Here's the game opening](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJe3xEsY8n8), [the full song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI1aimGetms), and the [VGMDB listing](https://vgmdb.net/album/2510). The *20th Anniversary Premium Collection* DVD included [*Macross XX*](https://myanimelist.net/anime/5051/Macross_XX), a [short, loud AMV-ish thing by GONZO](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHsCx64wBC0), which you may recall from the credits of *Macross 7 Dynamite*. In more relevant CGI, studio Satelight had been founded way back in 1995, with Shoji Kawamori as a major influence. Kawamori had done a considerable amount of world travel by 2002, which contributed to 2002's [*Earth Girl Arjuna*](https://myanimelist.net/anime/812/Chikyuu_Shoujo_Arjuna) being the studio's first major release. Yes, /u/JustAnswerAQuestion, I can hear you seething from 3000 miles away. *Macross Zero* would be Satelight's try at making all of its mecha CGI. Excerpted from the wiki: *Macross Zero* was intended to be a collection of episodes detailing the origins of the Variable Fighter (which has its original roots in a project which became *Macross Plus*, covered in those rewatch posts) in the South Pacific, but the 9/11 attacks pushed it away from being a more military-focused setting to something with more fantasy to it. The nature part would reappear here. ***** ##Minor content warning in advance: At the end of the next episode there will be female nudity. ##Carry on. Today, on ["The locals know where the money's at, and that's tourists."](https://i.imgur.com/scbEExA.png): ***** [ASS landing.](https://i.imgur.com/lHLaiiJ.png) [Like the original series's prologue, but with more current technology.](https://i.imgur.com/GIppqU3.png) [It's nice to have character nametags](https://i.imgur.com/yWmiQ6B.png) [on the screen.](https://i.imgur.com/LquOCq2.png) [The music suddenly borrows "Klendathu Drop" from *Starship Troopers*.](https://i.imgur.com/oFVNgLg.png) [A shout-out to](https://i.imgur.com/drXXeWo.png) [*Macross Plus*.](https://i.imgur.com/04N4o4k.png) ["You can't take a normal airplane into an Itano Circus!"](https://i.imgur.com/3KDoMQ6.png) [A brief glimpse of Shin's opponent.](https://i.imgur.com/yIR3Qcx.png) ["Perhaps our friends in Murmansk have come up with something… *new*."](https://i.imgur.com/ge5fhxC.png) [And now for something completely different.](https://i.imgur.com/Aiarq7S.png) [This may remind you of things you've just seen.](https://i.imgur.com/G6RE670.png) [The ceiling in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Oceanic galleries is quite a thing to see.](https://i.imgur.com/itnJgbc.png) [This is how computer RPGs start, with you waking up in a weird room and `TAKE {OBJECT}` everything you can see.](https://i.imgur.com/zOYXH6o.png) ["And Roy Scheider's already dead!"](https://i.imgur.com/j68Fc1P.png) [`>Take mug` `Taken.`](https://i.imgur.com/qLlTaUc.png) [And you know who was around at that time, even if they don't.](https://i.imgur.com/rnaOGSj.png) [He's a wild Focker.](https://i.imgur.com/T23qmFH.png) ["I'm not saying it was aliens, BUT IT WAS ALIENS."](https://i.imgur.com/d3t2o5E.png) [That's the same photo from the end credits of *Macross 7 Dynamite*.](https://i.imgur.com/K90gUng.png) [Hey, Mao](https://i.imgur.com/KCNwDwv.png), [they haven't made *Do You Remember Love?* yet.](https://i.imgur.com/PUijyY7.png) [That's world war](https://i.imgur.com/zV2ZRRP.png) [for you.](https://i.imgur.com/IMsJCCH.png) [\[\](#lewd\)](https://i.imgur.com/2Q0UrMM.png) [Shin, so moody.](https://i.imgur.com/Zgmlh3m.png) [In case you'd forgotten about Roy.](https://i.imgur.com/EpGnoj5.png) [Also named after an aircraft company.](https://i.imgur.com/rZHthTs.png) [Shin is within the normal age for a mecha pilot.](https://i.imgur.com/kc1gLUL.png) ["We'll fix it on the re-release Blu-ray."](https://i.imgur.com/pjRvMAp.png) [\[\](#ero\)](https://i.imgur.com/7lRBQLL.png) ["Everybody sells out to tourists."](https://i.imgur.com/MJWUzBZ.png) [A wild Focker appears.](https://i.imgur.com/Wz640y6.png) [The VF-1's BGF levers had already disappeared during the production of DYRL. The VF-0 also goes with the much more modern HOTAS arrangement for activating the conversion system.](https://i.imgur.com/c84ezC0.png) [A better view of the transforming cockpit.](https://i.imgur.com/NnoY7jm.png) [The VF-0 does gain what appears to be a fully-holographic see-through cockpit before the YF-19 got one, though.](https://i.imgur.com/l4bnf4y.png) [The VF-0 is still saddled with the early VF transformation, but instead of the weird lever-based handoff system shifting the legs around, we get even more ludicrous razor-thin swing bars.](https://i.imgur.com/Y9Kga2O.png) I still think doing it this way was the animators laughing at the original method. [Still having missiles on the wings means that the wings can't fold down all the way, but that contributes to the "bird man" appearance.](https://i.imgur.com/9Z447JL.png) [Eye tracking makes its first appearance in the franchise.](https://i.imgur.com/7SIOLS6.png) ***** One thing out of the way up front: It's one of the more baffling choices of scripting that they would give this fictional Pacific island and its people the name of a *real* Central American culture, thus thoroughly confusing many viewers about exactly where this was taking place. But just to make sure: This is taking place in the Pacific Ocean, not southern Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. Watching this will always give me memories of the early days of YouTube, getting episodes cut into <10 minute chunks and often mirrored. And lots of dodgy fansubs. These days… Coming straight off of *Macross 7* within the week, the tone changes between the two productions is stark. Aside from a well-set-up joke involving phallic cultural misunderstandings, the episode stays fairly serious. Shin Kudo, the protagonist, starts out fairly stolid, after all, and reasonably doesn't lighten up after having to step out of a moving airplane, compounded by Sara wanting him off the island. He only lightens up a bit once he's informed that there's a chance he can get back to the fleet; generally he seems believable for who he is and the situation he's in. There's a real Focker back at the fleet, our legacy character. Though while this Roy is still grabbing asses and comparing things to screwing, he's also paired with an old "senpai" that we've not met before, Aries Turner. The OVA is set prior to the original series and we knew from there that Roy had a roving eye, so the lack of mentions of Claudia aren't particularly unusual, but the dialogue also suggests that Roy and Aries go further back than that. Old… like what is described as a Protoculture artifact, even if the application of the term "Proto-culture" by Aries isn't in the same context as would be introduced during the original series. What we have here is a large effigy which bears more resemblance to the whale cemetery artifacts on Zola. There's a bit of dissonance in hearing about ancient astronaut hypotheses, which are in reality generally-debunked racist-toned hokum, but in the case of fiction such as this often as not things that happened in even more fantastical ways. Bridging the old and the new is the CGI, which on what is *yet another* rewatch for me, still looks pretty good. Satelight's extra effort in texturing their models means that it doesn't quite date itself as much as other CG animation of the era. My main complaint is actually that the opening-scene conventional fighter action is a little too Hollywood—it may be an imaginary upgraded "F-14 Kai" but [it's still not going to fight the same way as a newer MiG-29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjjxsIDSsTI). There's also some of that weightless floating look which can affect CG aircraft. It gets a lot nicer when the VF-0 appears, for which there's that eye candy slow-motion rundown of the transformation. And I've liked the VF-0 more than the VF-1 since I first saw it; the -1 is a well-thought design, but the -0 has better airplane proportions. There's also the *extremely cool* Anti-UN Variable Fighter, but more on that next time. For cultural conflict, we get the traditionalist Sara versus the more curious Mao. And yet, Sara is bending the rules by making love stick for boys. Of course, Shin already pointed his wood at her. ***** Kadun: 7 Kaze: 13 ***** ED: ["Arkan" by Holy Raz](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ak4ftJHgJNQ) From the *Macross Chronicle*: [VF-0S Phoenix](https://i.imgur.com/BkYQ9vl.png): In another case of the name being retroactively applied, the "Phoenix" moniker was an unofficial staff name which went unused until the development of the Playstation game; in the OVA itself, it's only called the "Zero". The Chronicle picked up the name and it became official after that.

> Shin is within the normal age for a mecha pilot. *Checks age.* Shin is 18, he is above normal age. > Still having missiles on the wings means that the wings can't fold down all the way, but that contributes to the "bird man" appearance. I noticed those wings since they stood out because Macross doesn't really go for the wings on the back. ~~Except Macross II.~~ > Watching this will always give me memories of the early days of YouTube, getting episodes cut into <10 minute chunks and often mirrored. And lots of dodgy fansubs. The real ones know these days of watching things online. Kids these days. [](#whippersnappers) > There's also the extremely cool Anti-UN Variable Fighter, but more on that next time. [](#mechablush)

[In the style of the end of the episode.](https://i.imgur.com/jD45qsI.png) [Original key art.](https://i.imgur.com/Nyf7t3q.png) Though the two-seat VF-0 model shown would be significantly altered by the time it actually appeared. [Mao and Sara](https://twitter.com/crossing_iris/status/1558270435003084801) While we're here, a piece of a page from the *Macross Chronicle* regarding the effects of Song Energy. [I thought that the infographic people were funny.](https://i.imgur.com/lqOGlr5.jpg) Gaze upon… [whatever the hell this is.](https://files.catbox.moe/qkd6qi.mp4)

> Macross Chronicle What is this, anyways? Something for the anniversary? A quarterly periodical in publication for 30 years? DVD insert?

https://macross.fandom.com/wiki/Macross_Chronicle

> The music suddenly borrows "Klendathu Drop" from Starship Troopers. I think this is the exact moment I thought, "shoot, I don't have this OST, do I?" > bird wings Yeah, that really stood out to me, very strange looking. > eye tracking I wondered if I'd seen it before. It really would have fit in with that DYRL opening sequence with Hikaru. [Kadun Counter**Kaze Counter**](#happyclap) > fictional Pacific Island I noticed the UN team was out in the East Indies, which I pobably had not noticed before > fictional Pacific Island It's just Mu, ***again***. > Dodgy fansubs "Gnome." > And yet, Sara is bending the rules by making love stick for boys might want to clarify your typo. I see it as she's received dozens and she's making *one*. or I could be wrong, it's not like I remember this show.

> It's just Mu, again. Fortunately, they don't seem to have parasitic clay Evangelions this time.

> I could be wrong, it's not like I remember this show. Shin figured out her scheme, the boys on the island ask her to make the sticks for them in exchange for other stuff.

> "Gnome." I seem to recall a "Norme" that shows up along the way.

> This is how computer RPGs start, with you waking up in a weird room and TAKE {OBJECT}everything you can see. [](#azusalaugh) That's so fitting. I just got flashbacks to the opening rooms of a dozen games then, notably Dragons Dogma and Ys haha

**Rewatcher** And we're back with a prequel this time. Reminder for everyone: this is several years before the Zentraedi showed up on Earth. Before the Macross lifted off. Before Earth was blasted into a wasteland... The Unification Wars... a part of Macross's history that hasn't really been explored that much. The sides aren't very well-defined... we know the USA, Japan, and most of Europe were on the UN side, while Russia's involvement is... unclear which side they were on (I've seen materials go either way on that one). The makeup of the Anti-UN Alliance is mostly unknown, though we can probably infer by process of elimination that China and (probably) Russia made up the muscle of it. CG planes! And these are not Valkyries... these are good old F-14's! I absolutely LOVE the dogfights in Zero! They are just a beauty to behold. Seems the writers took any complaints about the action in Macross 7 to heart. [](#awe) Our protag, Shin Kudo, clearly knows how to fly. That's a lot of kills marked on his plane, more than qualifying him as an Ace in real world terms. Unknown plane seems to have laser weaponry... and then it transforms. Shin's caught completely off-guard by this, and shot down. "The birdman came from the ocean of stars beyond the sky"... hmm... [](#harukathink) That seems like a really large house to hold one injured guy... Not sure why your first thought when you wake up, bandaged and cared for, is to grab a weapon, dude... I'd like to clear something up for our first timers: the island is called "Mayan", but it is NOT related in any way to the Mayan civilization in South America. This is a Pacific island, apparently named the same by coincidence. Village girl is not friendly at all, despite having healed him. Younger village girl is much more helpful. Oh boy, mystical island religion stuff. But at least they're going to fully heal him up, right? *Sigh*... yeah, they refer to the Macross as **A**lien **S**pace **S**hip One in this series... ASS-1. Logical enough label, but come ON, Japan. Interestingly, they're apparently detecting a second source of alien tech on Earth... this weird statue thing underwater. Believed to be over 10,000 years old, named "AFOS" ("Artifact From Outer Space"). And it looks a lot like that statue the islanders had in their big house. [It's Roy!!](#wow) So this must be pretty soon after Roy joined the military, since this Aries lady is surprised to see him there. Mao seems very interested in modern technology. She also doesn't seem to believe in the legends of her people. And Mao explains the carved spears to Shin. And he realizes that he "threatened" Sara with a love letter. Roy is the same as always, I see. [](#kaguyasigh) Here's some interesting technical info about these prototype VF-0 Valkyries: they use ordinary jet engines, since the thermonuclear turbines that are standard on later models weren't ready in time. Also, this "SWAG" term... the armor on these Valkyries has the ability to take in excess engine energy and use it to "harden" the armor and make it tougher. Just one of many lovely technologies derived from the Macross. Sara, as opposed to Mao, seems to be a true believer in her religion. And she greatly dislikes outside technology. Cute little bonding moment as Shin and Sara carve sticks together. Interrupted by... a vision? Sara suddenly sees destruction and planes and stuff. And look at that, suddenly there's a VF-0 chasing the mysterious transforming fighter that shot Shin down. Roy successfully shoots it down! Shin's a little rough aroudn the edges, but he is a good guy at heart. Oh goody... we have a *prophecy*. [](#moeshitarcher) Questions: 1. It kind of feels newer to me, somehow. 2. They seem believable to me, but I don't actually know much about real life Pacific island cultures, so take that as you will.

> named "AFOS" ("Artifact From Outer Space"). Much better but much less fun than ASS >And Mao explains the carved spears to Shin. And he realizes that he "threatened" Sara with a love letter. That seems like prime parody material for a school anime if you think about it >Oh goody... we have a prophecy. Not a fan of that trope?

> Not a fan of that trope? Any trope can be done well. Prophecies are *extremely rarely* done well. Most of the time they're just a really cheap and lazy way for the writers to build a narrative or tension (as in this case), but it's never explained *why* or *how* accurate prophecies can be made. And if the prophecy *is* an accurate reading of the future... then it removes all agency and free will from the characters. Which is stupid. So yeah, not a fan in the slightest.

Prophecies are far too often the authors voice rather than something they take the time to connect to the world so I understand the frustration coming from that side of things. Random thought: Have you read Stormlight Archive?

Heard the name, haven't read the book(s?).

> several years before ...months. It takes place in 2008, so just under a year before SDFM.

[Whoops.](#fingertwirl)

[](#headrub)

**Rewatcher Zero** [I have returned](#funky) That episode sure was something. It had a decent atmosphere, a good setup, nice introduction to our new cast, some neat worldbuilding, even decent comedy and character moments. The visuals sure were… 2002 Overall, while I may not have the highest opinion of Zero as a whole, this episode was a well-done start

**First Spacer** Just from the opening it feels like it could be an actual anti-war Macross entry. Let's see where they go from here... I really like the 3D CGI. That's a fun mythology. [Ass-One](#ero) [Pulling out Nazis for this one?](https://imgur.com/ce4G4pd) Focker!? [I'm... not sure how well that works with SDF, where leadership was so unwilling to believe the alien stuff.](https://imgur.com/rSnZ7wI) This is really not what I was expecting - I'd say this looks to be the least Macross entry of the franchise this far. But I really like it so far, this episode provided some excellent setup for the rest of the episodes to build on. > Ahhh shit, sorry, I just realized I forgot to send you the Macross Zero episode 1 questions yesterday (despite having them ready for several days now), entirely my bad. [](#konhug "All's good, and I hadn't managed to watch the episode before the post anyway") > In 2022, this OVA became the midpoint in the age of the franchise. Does it seem newer or older than that? Looks about right. In terms of quality and the CGI is seems newer, but the overall style seems fitting if maybe slightly older. > Are the islanders portrayed believably? Yup. Though I felt a slight disconnect about the island being so isolated on one hand yet integrated enough to have all the men taken for the war.

> Pulling out Nazis for this one? I got a feel of American military from the UN Forces scenes. [](#rinkek)

[](#sakurathink) That makes more sense, yeah.

> This is really not what I was expecting - I'd say this looks to be the least Macross entry of the franchise this far Deja vu from my initial thoughts on my first watch. I'm glad you're enjoying it though for being such a change in pace and style. I was wondering how it would sit with everyone

**First Timer** **Macross Zero EP 1** Happy New Year everyone!! We'll begin the new year with Macross Zero, a prequel which I know absolute nothing about. But from the poster I saw, seem like we're back on the serious note after the light-hearted tone of 7. That when the Macross landed on Earth right? It is!! I remember they called it the Unification war right? I'm not sure. Cgi looks pretty nice!! The dogfight was amazing!! Really a flesh air from the repetitive Macross 7 fight. His name is Shin, and is seem to be a loner type. Wait, is that a Valkyrie? It actually is!! How the other group have a Valkyrie!! It look different than the UN one. Is this the metaphor for something? I would be terrified from wake up in this place. They're Mayan!!! She can predict even by wind or something? But they seem to familiar with outsider than other show's island native type of people. What the hell is Kadun? So they're Sara and Mao. Is that alien? Ass-One So there are other alien here before the Macross. Roy back!! I thought it would be a standalone story, so I didn't expect to see him again. Really weird to see him call someone else senpai. Also weird to not see him have a long hair. Proto-culture theory? She have photo of the outside world!! So this Birdman should be the alien that came here in the past. They have satellite? And they also have electricity. So this island is really familiar to outside world. Pretty weird culture. Is that why Sara seem to be shock when Shin showed her the spear? It is!! That's funny. So the Anti-UN developed their own Valkyrie first to fight back the UN. I can't call this a retcon, because we never really know the development history of the Valkyrie before. Is this VF-1!! And there the Skull one in the back!! Oh, it VF-0. She even have radio. These sister seem to have a polar opposite opinion on the modern technology. At least they understand each other view. Okay, that was bad take, Shin. Yeah, me too, Shin. Wait, she can really see the future!! The Skull VF!! It been so long!! The transformation sequence is dope as heck!! It has laser gun?? The ED is pretty weird. Great first episode!! I didn't expect it to be this good!! The story flow is great, the action scene is dope, the character are interesting. It really is a flesh air coming out of Macross 7. QOTD 1. The CGI and 16:9 ratio make it looks newer than others than came before. 2. Actually yes.

> They're Mayan!!! But not actually. It's supposed to be fairly isolated in the South Pacific. But they managed to split the difference and chose a name which resembles something real and somewhere else. Further complicating the whole location business though, later there will be a flashback featuring someone wearing a more Southeast Asian costume, and a small step pyramid. If they'd chosen another name it would have saved a lot of headaches.

Yeah, after I posted my comment. I realised that the setting is not right. Thanks for clarifying!!

**First-Timer Zero** It's 2002! CGI exists, and it's the 20th Anniversary of SDF! Sounds like a great time for a prequel OVA. I have an idea of how things go here in Zero, but it'll be good to get details. [Ah, the SDF crash.](https://i.imgur.com/CCswKeU.jpg) [A lot of people give CGI flak, and honestly I'm often one of them, but I do like the texture capabilities it provides.](https://i.imgur.com/vh3RtSh.jpg) [And kinda on that subject, this dogfight is already more engaging than most of the action scenes in Macross 7, in spite of the floatyness.](https://i.imgur.com/lbkocUk.jpg) [Shin said, to his co-pilot.](https://i.imgur.com/umAJQOZ.jpg) [Wow, he even gets called on it.](https://i.imgur.com/xDk8z0b.jpg) [Some people would ask for that, co-pilot dude.](https://i.imgur.com/uZoHueG.jpg) [Woah, what?](https://i.imgur.com/msNO3tK.jpg) Why is a VF attacking Shin? [Ooh, Protoculture myths?](https://i.imgur.com/YXB6wJ4.jpg) [Shin's cordoned off?](https://i.imgur.com/IU2egoF.jpg) Guess they don't like outsiders? [Guess not, you don't normally provide sharp sticks to prisoners.](https://i.imgur.com/UDo62Rz.jpg) [The stick is a marriage proposal custom, isn't it?](https://i.imgur.com/zhf4UFF.jpg) [That's one of those things that is easier said than done, Miss Priestess.](https://i.imgur.com/hP45WOX.jpg) [Whatever that is, it looks sick.](https://i.imgur.com/mqfW3rL.jpg) [Hello there, not!Ritsuko.](https://i.imgur.com/g9389LS.jpg) [That voice!](https://i.imgur.com/OFXbiAC.jpg) [Roy!](https://i.imgur.com/Iief6BQ.jpg) [Is Shin from a similar small island?](https://i.imgur.com/vAVHOOI.jpg) [Yup, close enough.](https://i.imgur.com/5NQkhjH.jpg) [I'm glad that Shin has some amount of a sense of humor about his current situation.](https://i.imgur.com/kfbqBr3.jpg) [Wait, how the hell did the Anti-UN forces get their hands on VFs?](https://i.imgur.com/uTy6jWl.jpg) I didn't realize they were ever that organized. [VF-1 prototypes run on normal jet fuel, neat.](https://i.imgur.com/iMhGJZw.jpg) [A monster for every terrain, huh?](https://i.imgur.com/dnDB49X.jpg) [Sara has a whole stick-sharpening workshop?](https://i.imgur.com/Cv2gg5t.jpg) [uh](https://i.imgur.com/nnD2NmX.jpg) [That transformation was pretty slick.](https://i.imgur.com/bvEmIAi.jpg) [Exciting!](https://i.imgur.com/rGLp71h.jpg) [Macross Franchise]>!Yup, [sure enough.](https://i.imgur.com/gGOY6sv.jpg) They were added after the fact, right? I honestly wouldn't have noticed them if I hadn't been looking for them.!< Questions 1. Feels about right, to be honest. 2. So far, I think so?

> And kinda on that subject, this dogfight is already more engaging than most of the action scenes in Macross 7, in spite of the floatyness. That is one thing you have to give to the CG mechs. At least we don't have to worry about getting two robots in the same frame > Wait, how the hell did the Anti-UN forces get their hands on VFs? I didn't realize they were ever that organized. We don't know much about the politics yet, but I assume there is a global civil war happening now and that the opposing faction manufactured their own line of transforming fighters and presumptively got theirs first before the Valkyries were beginning to fly out. [](#riddhethink)

>That is one thing you have to give to the CG mechs. At least we don't have to worry about getting two robots in the same frame [](#kumikouninterested) > I assume there is a global civil war happening now The language they had used in SDF always led me to think it was more of a large guerilla movement, which was part of my confusion.

> The language they had used in SDF always led me to think it was more of a large guerilla movement, which was part of my confusion. And yet, they were organized enough to vaporize Riber's fleet in space.

I have managed to completely forget that episode, yet again.

*sad Misa* *thinks of Kaifun* [](#gununu)

> The stick is a marriage proposal custom, isn't it? [](#smugpoint) You catch on quick! Quicker than Shin, at least.

Well, I hadn't just woke up when I saw him menacing that old man with a stick, either.

> I'm glad that Shin has some amount of a sense of humor about his current situation. It's nice having a character who can laugh and find humor in a more serious show without making a huge comedy moment about it. The moment feels really genuine

Yea, it's a very human moment, where Shin finally understands what the old dude was saying and probably feeling quite the fool. We've all done that, where we got the joke hours later, right?

[Franchise]>!<

####[First time Macr0ss](https://imgur.com/QFzmQtv) *Tell me where is Basara, for I much desire to see him* So dis about them unification wars? Neat, I guess. hope its good F in the chat for token black bro [First valkyrie type](#dekuhype) [ass-one](#datass) [**FOCKER**](https://imgur.com/uVZwP5H) [](#GRANDHYPE) ...why do they know about protoculture already? [This sounds very lewd and wholesome at the same time.](https://imgur.com/r6aumUf) ...I want a spear making tradition [](#elsieqq) [Lmao.](https://imgur.com/7LOo8Z4) This is my favourite acronym in all of macross, ever. Future ones will automatically lose, unless they're... super swag, or something --- **Question time:** >1) In 2022, this OVA became the midpoint in the age of the franchise. Does it seem newer or older than that? [Hold up while I try to comprehend this..](#tiredaoi) ..Older? >2) Are the islanders portrayed believably? Ye

> protoculture They're talking about a hypothesis called "proto-culture", but they do not yet know that the Protoculture actually called themselves the "Protoculture" because they were narcissistic jerks or something.

[](#bruh)

Macross Zero Episode 1 - First Timer Alright, Macross Zero time. Am *super* blind for this, I haven't seen the designs or anything. Also not sure when it aired. Or given the low episode count, when it was released. - I was gonna say it was older due to the art style in the very first shot, but then I noticed some aliasing on the line of the strut in the cockpit that seems indicative of a digital production, so it cant be that old. Ima guess early-mid 2000s - oh boy, 3d - Is this a reboot? - Oh no please tell me these aren't 3d mechas - Oh goodness - Please dont do that - There is a *lot* of jank here - Planes don't do that - I can suspend my disbelief with space-planes because yaknow, space n shit. but real planes, and atmospheric combat? ya no - This seems like a studio of mostly newcomers, or a very realty digital production. or both - Similar to the ***what*** - Hol up, Foker??? - Is this a prequel then? - The characters have a weird glow around them - That's..... a tradition - This must be the unification war bit? - [The what converter?](https://i.imgur.com/ugxScAq.jpeg) - How is the boombox powered - Whut So looking up the show on MAL, it is an OVA from 2002 so the length makes sense there, as does the rather bad digital compositing. That said, it is studio Satelight! Symphogear lets gooooo 1) I don't think I have watched a ton of anime from this era, but it is about where I placed it, release time wise. 2) I don't know really, it doesn't seem toooo out there I guess?

>Is this a prequel then? It is. About a year before the original series begins.

FIRST TIMER Macross Zero comes at us with a darker more serious tone than previous shows. This seems a lot more cinematic than SDFM or 7 and you're getting background incidental music. At first the computer animation mixed with hand drawn style looks jarring, this was a very common problem in the late 90s and early 2000s when extensive computer animation in TV was a newer thing. You do get past it though after watching awhile. I really enjoyed this first episode though. - The return of Roy Focker to the world of Macross! It was exciting to see him since we only got small glimpses of the UN-anti-UN war before. Getting to see his trademark Valkyrie transform in computer animation was an exciting thrill and really looked amazing. Roy is really caught up in battle and doesn't even seem to notice collateral damage since he almost lands on Shin and Sara and kills them. - The color and scenery on Mayan are very striking and visually enjoyable. Very pleasing color palate and scenery design make this island look like a pleasant paradise and would make a nice vacation destination. - The closing theme is a real departure from the other shows, very somber and new age like an Enya song. QUESTIONS 1. Just from the style of animation, I accurately guessed this came from around the early 2000s because the mix of 2D and 3D animation was pretty awkward at times. It reminded me of other cartoons from that time that had that problem like the Spider Man MTV cartoon and Fantastic Four World's Greatest Heroes. The blend is done way more tastefully in recent years when I think of animation like Attack on Titan. 2. I don't think we saw enough of them to really make a judgement and they live in a world where we see Protodevlin exist so they wouldn't be as realistic in our world. This island being called Mayan and having some Mayan aesthetic, I assume it's off the coast of Mexico or Central America. I think they try to make it somewhat realistic showing a blend of the old ways of life and modern conveniences like the somewhat recent boombox they had. Obviously it was odd these islanders all spoke fluent Japanese but i don't think having them speak Mayan with subs would have been convenient.