Macross Frontier: The False Songstress & a Tradition of Retelling

Why retell the same story? Why do it in a theatrical release? Excluding economic reasons, I generally welcome retellings for the assumption that the material will look better. Why do I like animation as a mode of narration? It’s because I love illustrations passionately. Any new presentation, implying an improvement in animation (whether detail or frame rate), I’m all for it.

This is especially true for action, especially robot action shows. This material would benefit greatly from increased budgets, time, and effort. The TV series may show a few scenes incredible on their own, but many within the shows only tell us of their potential that, will be fully realized with the help of time and money.

My accounting of robot anime is far from comprehensive, but off the top of my mind I present this abridged list (these works at least are those I’ve personally viewed):

It’s a list of my favorite franchises! This doesn’t make me an authority on these in any way; this only means that I have a lot of personal feeling invested in these shows and I want to at least begin to put together some writing about them as a tradition.

For now, I’ll talk about Macross Frontier: The False Songstress.

I think a more informed or definitive opinion should be given after I see the next film, but who knows when I’ll be able to see that. However, I think there’s a lot to appreciate and discuss about this release.

Context For the Retelling

Unlike Macross: Do You Remember Love? I am unaware if there is any attempt at all for an in-universe attempt to integrate the continuities. What we have here is really an alternative retelling of the story. The same characters are present, but different things happen to them.

In DYRL? the integration is that it is a film that was shown to the people after the events during the great space war. It is a historical biopic of the characters involved. That said, it becomes rather silly in how radical some of the changes are. It could be rationalized as a desire for privacy in some cases. Even if one uses the expedience of a tighter script, so much ‘factual’ error exists.

I am under the impression (I cannot verify this with certainty), that franchise creator Kawamori Shoji intends to integrate both continuities in a way that whenever certain conflicts exist, neither the TV series nor the film enjoys automatic canon status. I will someday attempt to present the canon continuity (i.e. the Armstice between Zentraedi and Humans is dated September 11, 2009 as provided by DYRL? but the circumstances involved are entirely from SDFM).

Did the characters play themselves? (I find this funny) I think at the very least only Minmay can play herself. I will attribute both Ai oboete imasu ka? and Tenshi no enogu to her. But, these aren’t the songs performed during the final battle against the Bodolle Zer fleet. Confused yet? Yes, it can get really confusing.

For Macross Frontier, I think that the film versions will enjoy no particular privilege in the canon, but like DYRL?, we will be invited to consider certain elements or plotlines and integrate them. We may consider the arguably more interesting Macross Galaxy conspiracy in The False Songstress (hereinafter TFS) as canon, while retaining the TV series history of Michel, Klan (who doesn’t study at Mihoshi), and the existence of Nanase (and the SMS Pixie Squadron).

I would certainly prefer Ranka’s career build-up in TFS, with that rather awesome montage parallel to Alto’s SMS training montage. BUT, I will be upset if the Tori no hito movie (and Ranka’s big debut there) is removed from the canon. I appreciate the new expression of Alto’s obsession for the sky – he wants gravity, a thing to overcome, to experience a freedom from something. I prefer the Ozma who punched Alto for the cheek of demanding he be let into the SMS, but I prefer the SMS in TFS who acted like an actual private military service by being actually contracted by Sheryl using her credit card (SUPER AWESOME).

Most particularly, TFS represents a new start for Ranka, a chance to re-characterize and avoid all the fail in the TV series. Ranka was my biggest disappointment then, TFS gives her a great start. This Ranka fan is very happy right now. As for the shipping, I stand by how I prefer Alto x Sheryl. I want a clear resolution to the triangle. Without which, I think this whole exercise would be a failure, despite the many good things it already did.

A Tradition of Mixed Bags

You’ll notice that my approach to Macross is very different from how I approach the other shows and franchises, in that I actively attempt to integrate the continuities whereas in others it’s a clear dichotomy. It’s really because my being a fan of the Macross franchise makes me behave differently. Instead of having the material audition for my appreciation or devotion, my devotion for the material makes me find the best way to enjoy myself with them.

I may feel this way for some other shows or franchises, but it’s nowhere as intense or as frequent as I do for Macross. I then accept that I am not a reliable filter for dispassionate evaluation of quality for Macross shows. Nonetheless, I try my best for my writing to be useful.

Can this integrating approach work for other franchises? I suppose it can, depending on the nature of the divergence between the source and the retelling. For example, I can accept the montage in the beginning of Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann: Lagann Hen as canon. I’ll be most happy to because it adds a lot without conflicting with anything. But I won’t accept how every single surviving member of the Gurren-dan got Tengen Toppa versions of their mecha in the final battle, and that there was this beyond absurd robot at the end of that fight. No, they are gratuities of the most unnecessary kind.

Do I recommend this approach? Only if you think it will add to your enjoyment.

Parting Shots

Space does not have a top or a bottom.

Am I a man? Am I a woman? I couldn’t tell who I really am anymore.

Alto, oh you☆

Sheryl. So awesome. Seriously. All time favorite characters kind of seriously. But shouldn’t be allowed to sing Aimo in her R & B style. It sounds hideous. Ranka almost had a GAR moment, but the film reminds us that she’s there for the moé so that’s ok. We have Sheryl for the aggression. The vajra look even more awesome. The new capital ship designs kick ass. We also see a lot more urban fighting, and lots of dead civilians. Does this make the show grimmer or darker? No, not really; I think it’s better for it anyway.

One thing is for sure, I can’t wait for Macross Frontier: The Wings of Goodbye.