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Up to episode 12, since my ability to understand Japanese fails at life, has been an immense joy-ride through nostalgia and surprise for me. The latest episode I've seen, had the biggest yet out of both. I cried. I doubt I'd be able to settle your questions as to why without breaking the The Great Commandment--"He who shalt drink of the last soda, must then replenish the fruits from which he hath taken"... No wait... s**t, I meant the one after that >.<;; "From he whom delivers knowledge as to spoil the surprise of others without warning shall then be put to death..." To continue reading would indeed spoil the story, so you'd best avert your eyes if you haven't caught yourself up to now...

If you aren't already aware, Macross Frontier is the second actual sequel to the original Super Dimensional Fortress: Macross (Macross7 being the first real sequel.) The thing that truly stands out in this series for me, like I'm constantly saying, is the fact that it mirrors the original with a vagueness that keeps it fresh. However with the latest episodes, it has started to become something of its own. Up to about episode 11, the plot was basically a love triangle during an information deficient conflict with aliens while floating around in space; very much like the original. With the episode 12, I think is where the ultimate shocker of the series breaks in.

[Spoiling Ep12-13 below]

The events during the 12th episode seem to be all about making everyone remember what Macross, as a series, is. It begins in a Zentradi encampment with the captain and archivalist discussing means to quell an uprising in their ranks. Of course they deem "culture" to be the cure, thus Sheryl Nome is dispatched with her choice of escort, Alto Saotome, to the nigh unexplored region of the frontier to give a concert. Things go wrong however, and they all become captives to a Zentran bearing resemblance to none other than Kamjin of all people. This gave me the shivers, because it brought back memories of events that played out in Space War I. Naturally, news reaches back to the SMS command and this causes his friends to want to save them. Enter Michel and the third point on the triangle to stomp out the fires of rebellion with song, a la Sound Force. This is the first actual sign you get that Sheryl resents the fact that Ranka is becoming more famous than herself, let alone the fact that they're after the attention of the same man. The end of the episode was what made me emotional though. During Ranka's effort to rush home for her first live gig, all navigation systems of the valkyrie cut out and they made a belly flop onto the terrain. When they began assessing their situation on foot, they come to a startling discovery when they see THE Macross. Ranka goes PTSD, and the credits roll with the best version of Ai Oboete Imasu Ka I've ever heard as performed by Megumi Nakajima.

The next episode was the culmination of everything that has occurred thus far. The Varja come out in full force, certain characters show their true alignment, and the situation goes straight to Hell as a planet explodes behind them. I'd say, this is the episode that makes it not just another use of a famous title. It is a major cliff-hanger though, much like the end of Gundam00, so I expect the <i>real</i> story to begin at episode 14. I can't wait to see what exactly Ranka's affiliation is with the Varja, and what the enemy really expects to do with their long drawn-out plan.

Macross Frontier has had it's moments of comedy and drama before, but I think they're going to up the action from here on out. I just hope nobody leaves a half-eaten hamburger before a sortie in any upcoming episodes... o.o;;