Summary:

As he finishes a battle and returns to the Macross Frontier, Alto recalls how Richard Birla had explained that his dream was to bring together the galaxy that is currently separated by dislocations, thereby connecting stars which are light-years apart. Though Alto doesn’t tell the others what Birla said, he does become more serious about his work. At school, he’s irritated that Brera starts coming to class with Ranka, however when Alto tries to do something about it, Brera pins him to the ground and explains that he has authority to eliminate anyone who gets in the way of his mission. Ranka later tries to raise the issue of having a bodyguard and wishes to be back with Elmo, but Grace asks her to endure it and explains that she’s taken over management at the request of the government. Grace has also prepared the music for Ranka’s second single – a different version of Aimo – and encourages Ranka to go with it. Sheryl meanwhile finds out about what Grace is doing when she sees her on TV with Ranka, and Elmo is back at the Zentradi mall drowning himself in alcohol.

Grace thinks that Ranka can become the light of hope for everyone with her song, but Ranka is under a lot of pressure and performs poorly during a recording session. After watching her for a while, Brera asks her why she hesitates and points out how much better her song usually is. He tries to come up with a comparison by saying that it evokes feelings of being enveloped in space, and after she thanks him for his words, she asks him where he knows Aimo from. Brera declines to answer though because it’s top-secret, and he then walks off, leaving Ranka with her pet Ai-kun. At around this same time, Alto is slowly making his way to the Macross Quarter while thinking about what Birla had said about the Fold Quartz when he comes across Sheryl sitting on a bench. Despite still being very sick, she immediately denies that she came to see him and refuses to go back to the hospital or the hotel because she doesn’t want to be confined anymore. Alto ends up bringing her back to his cabin onboard the Macross Quarter, and when she regains her senses, she starts hitting him because she thinks he did something to her. She stops after Alto makes her realize that he carried her there and how worried he was.

Alto then notices Sheryl’s earring and recognizes the jewel in it to be the same type as that in Richard Birla’s ring. He gets close to her in order to get a better look at it, however Mikhail suddenly enters the room and thinks that the two are in the middle of something. When Alto denies it, Sheryl gets angry, but their subsequent argument is broken up only after Cathy contacts Alto and Mikhail with a top secret mission: guarding Ranka while her song is used in an experiment. News of this quickly reaches the others as well, and although a furious Ozma pays a visit to Leon, he is ultimately unable to do anything about the experiment because Ranka herself had consented to it. There is skepticism amongst the various Skull Squadron members about if this variation of the Minmei Attack will work against the Vajra, but everyone – including Brera – comes along, and Ranka rides with Canalia in the König Monster. Having been left behind on the Macross Quarter by Alto, Sheryl makes her way to the bridge and convinces the crew to let her stay because she already knows the details of the mission.

The target for the mission is a Vajra asteroid nest, and once the fighting begins, the effect of Ranka singing Aimo O.C. becomes evident: it causes the Vajra to stop attacking and to act irregularly. Unfortunately, she stops singing after she sees a Vajra blow up right outside her window, and that allows one of the large red Vajra to come after the König Monster. Alto tries to save Ranka, however Brera beats him to the punch by firing a powerful rifle shot through Alto’s Valkyrie’s wing and nailing the Vajra. This pisses Alto off, but Brera just reiterates that Alto is unsuitable for Ranka and that he – not Alto – will be the one protecting her. Regardless, everyone is impressed with how well Ranka did, and Bobby declares her the songstress of their hopes. Ranka is happy to hear the praise, but she remains worried about both Alto and her brother, and she wonders if all this is okay.

ED Sequence

ED: 「ノーザンクロス」 (Northern Cross) by May’n
Watch the ED!: Mirror 1, Mirror 2, Streaming

Well there’s no new OP this week, but the new ED finally hit. For once, I’m not too keen on the song, though that may change as I listen to it more. I probably still prefer Diamond Crevasse more. The animation that accompanied Northern Cross, however, is full of visual flair featuring Sheryl concept art along with 3-D effects and May’n dancing in the background.

Preview

I thought this was an interesting episode, but I found it somewhat, well, depressing and frustrating to watch. It ends on a low note for all three main characters since Ranka is now being used as a weapon, Alto loses to Brera (twice), and Sheryl can’t do anything but watch. And it’s hard to say that things are looking up because the preview seems to hint rather strongly that Ozma will die next week – the episode is even titled “Goodbye Sister.” If that does happen, I suspect Ranka will stop singing and/or do something drastic like joining the Vajra since she appears to have an affinity towards them.

What bothers me is that, with all the focus recently on Alto wanting to protect Ranka and his relationship with her, Sheryl’s basically got nothing going for her. I’ve wondered a few times before what her ultimate role will be, and it feel like it’s getting less clear with every episode. I’m currently inclined to think that Alto will only end up with her as a consolation prize if Ranka dies or is otherwise unavailable at the end of the series. Granted, there’s still plenty of time for Alto to move back Sheryl’s way, but I suspect that that’s not the direction the story will go. There’s got to be something else, and her remaining earring or the Macross Galaxy’s involvement in all this may be the key.

116 Comments

  1. I really can’t wait for Grace and the Galaxy fleet to get a nice boat ending. The new ending song is close to being excellent, it seems to be missing something – guess I will have to wait and see when I watch it a few times (to see if it grows on me)

    MidnightTide
  2. Not to keen on the new ED either. Maybe because I was so attached to Diamond Crevasse that a little more upbeat ending doesn’t seem fit to me now. Anyway, maybe time will change my mind. I was squealing when Brera told Alto that he was unfit for Ranka~! AND he even said, “Ranka will be protected by me!” SQUEE! Brotherly love rocks~! Haha. If Ranka doesn’t end up with Alto she can just go with her brother! Hotter too! X3

    But it was still sweet when Alto goes shouting Ranka’s name when he finds her in danger. Nothing beats the ‘Ranka-Alto-kun!’ tirade in episode 13 though. They exchanged names for like 4 times in a row! XDD

    yuKime
  3. Yeah.. Diamond Crevasse is much better. It fitted in with the story much more, but I’m very happy this song is full of Sheryl.
    At last something for the Sheryl fans^_^

    Yukiruchan
  4. I think people are just disappointed with the ending because we were anticipating another ballad, and this just isn’t. With its tempo, it will actually fit as an OP. I like it averagely. The new version of Aimo though, I like it a lot!

    mai
  5. I agree, this episode was a bit aggravating. Ranka’s new Aimo this episode I think was meant to sound off. You can see it on Ranka’s face; there wasn’t any heart or warmth to it like it usually does. It was used purely as a battle tactic.

    grnwy
  6. what is the relationship between Sheryl and that guy that Alto talked to before? Sheryl’s earring was made out of the same stone as that guy’s ring? will it become an important event?

    dangan
  7. Didn’t like the new ED that much. Diamond Crevasse is still the better ED and I’m gonna miss it now that they’re not using it as the ED. I hope the new OP will turn out better than Northern Cross.

    Oh ya, Yay for Brera and Sheryl…Boo for Alto…why oh why did he want to get beat up by those two…makes me laugh.

    Browniekat
  8. Oh great, Ranka is being used by that RAT (LEON) in the government!!! He and Grace are probably up to something! Ugh, it’s so frustrating!!!

    And Alto and Sheryl are getting WAY TOO CLOSE! Yay, way to go Michel for breaking their cozy time together!

    @ Omni

    I am also thinking that Ozma may possibly die…but I’m in the denial stage right now! (T_T)

    @ dangan

    yeah, there is something fishy about this earring of sheryl…i remember an episode where a black-suited guy had a “meeting” with leon at a restaurant or something and he threw a fragment of sheryl’s earring on him. if i’m not mistaken…or maybe i’m assuming things again…

    Eri
  9. I feel the SAME way about the ED. I thought I was the only one. Maybe my expectations were a little high. =/ Now, I hope Lion isn’t as disappointing.

    Bilrer’s dream to establish a galaxy railway is a little surreal, but the idea fits him. Maybe Bilrer’s role in Galaxy’s plan is to represent SMS. So I guess the crystal inside Ranka’s body is what’s making those Vajra to hear her song, because I don’t think sound can emanate through the ship alone and be heard by them in outerspace. Not to mention, everyone probably is hearing Ranka’s song through their communication line and not from outside.

    Btw, forget the triangle with Sheryl, it’s all about BreraxRankaxAlto LOL

    ani_d
  10. Btw, forget the triangle with Sheryl, it’s all about BreraxRankaxAlto LOL

    Yeah, you wish. L O L

    Alto didn’t seem to care much that Brera was with Ranka, just that he beat him a few times and was annoyed with him. Sounds like he’s got Valkyrie envy, not jealous over Ranka.

    nelly
  11. I really liked the new ED, made up for the craptastic version of DC we got last week. Visualy it’s much better than DC though as far as the songs go it doesn’t come close.. at least what they have shown in the tv edit. I fully expect the full version to have a slowed down emotional verse.. (kinda like how the full version of Infinity has a jazzy verse in the middle) it’s better they save this part for the actual show itself though…

    “Alto didn’t seem to care much that Brera was with Ranka, just that he beat him a few times and was annoyed with him. Sounds like he’s got Valkyrie envy, not jealous over Ranka.”

    It’s like a certain group of fans have forgot that..

    Brera shot at him and Luca in episode 7
    Brera put Klan out of action and was trying to do the same to Alto in episode 9
    Brera and Alto’s dogfight in episode 13

    Of course he should be pissed lol…. also those Valkyrie, Paper Plane and earring images in the new ED are some nice foreshadowing *whistles*

    Westlo
  12. I heard “protodevlin”, and that made me a little unhappy. I also seem to dislike Brera more and more every week.

    On Ozma dying next week, I also think this is probably the case. It’s not like it was hard to see coming, though.

    Sigue
  13. The other vibe i got from this ep, sherylxalto love train is starting to pull ahead, I don’t think it’s gonna slow down any time soon :)I don’t see Ranka catching up either now that she’s facing some internal turmoil of the vajra kind :p

    Browniekat
  14. I think the new arrangement for Aimo is a good contrast to the heartfelt, wistful rendition of the earlier track. This is something that they’ve cooked up to maximize the way it affects the Vajira, and you can tell that Ranka seems to look like she doesn’t really like it at all, but she wants to do it anyway because she probably thinks this is her chance to really help Alto and her brother in a more active way, and to make a difference in a fight instead of forever being protected by them. She was plenty rattled though by the battle and she broke the rhythm of her singing, which wasn’t too unexpected it being her first time to be in the thick of it.

    Birla is an interesting character, but whether his intentions are going to be ruinous or helpful is still yet to be seen. Grace seems to be very satisfied with the numbers produced by Ranka during the attack. Brera is taking his job rather seriously but he’s paying a bit too much attention to Alto in trying to keep Ranka and Alto apart, but I suspect it may also be on Grace’s orders.

    nezumibento
  15. @Westlo

    Don’t you just hate having to remind and point out things over and over? I’ll do it a few times but forget it now. Let the Ranka fans think whatever, hell let whatever fans think whatever. Lets talk when this is over and we have the full picture

    Now for the long wait on subs.

    9 episodes to go.

    GP
  16. gp I know…. but also it’s quite funny to see some Ranka fans take on Michael’s reaction to seeing Sheryl in his and Alto’s room. Even someone who doesn’t know a word of Japanese should realize that he wasn’t thinking of Ranka lmao…

    My take on it was that Michael was like “*sigh* not again, I’m off, cya”. Michael’s in the same school class as well as pilot course as these two so he has seen them two go at it like that time and time again. And Michael actually says “enjoy yourselves” and “take your time”, yet according to Ranka fans he’s displeased.

    On the next episode of when shipping goes wrong…

    Westlo
  17. I wish Macross subs could be as fast as Code Geass’s.

    #Waits for the other half of the summary and the subs#

    @Browniekat
    If so I’d be happy. I’ve been an unhappy Sheryl fan for so many episodes.

    Yukiruchan
  18. F@ck Grace and Leo. I want them both to die!
    Why dont they leave Ranka alone. About Alto now…..well he got beat up by Brera i hear!
    There is only one solution to this that would make me forget this. I want Alto at some point to become the main weapon of the Macross Frontier.
    I hope that he is the 3rd key to the solution and to explain this further i mean that in the end when all hope is lost he will become the vessel through which the songs of Sheryl and Ranka will echoe to the universe giving him unbelievable power enough to defeat the most dangerous army and enemy.

    Link_Soul
  19. This episode was OK , not many surprise.
    We just know a bit more about Grace and her need for Ranka’s emotion in her songs/voice with the link between Bilra and Sheryl.
    Some fans interpreting Mikhail’s words saying he was displeased at the AltoxSheryl’ view is kind of funny 🙂 By the way, I didn’t see it .
    Being neutral and not a newbie in anime guys, I can tell you it’s not worth to waste your time in this endless war rankaxaltoxsheryl .
    We all know Alto is going to end up with Ranka since the first episode it’s pretty obvious if not she will be killed or gone with the vajra. Sheryl sure is HOTTTTTTT it’s a shame since she loves him and he will rejected her, but it’s logical in those anime.

    Basara
  20. I find it funny in Basara’s post that he/she claims to be neutral in the Ranka/Sheryl war, then contradicts him/herself by effectively siding with Ranka lol.

    nobody important
  21. Basara: I´d take you on in a bet if we get Sheryl X Alto or Alto X Ranka, but I sense you are on the side of hope and dreams for the people anyway. Our side got the better analysts, come by Animesuki if you want to read their work. 🙂

    Magnus
  22. “Alto is going to end up with Ranka since the first episode”

    Oh? Like Hikaru ended up with Minmay?

    Granted Alto-Ranka-Sheryl is certainly not Hikaru-Minmay-Hayase but its impossible to apply the usual formula when it comes to Macross Love Triangles.

    Drakron
  23. Aimo scared me! That was disturbing.

    I’m convinced Alto just sees Sheryl as a friend. When he told her he was worried about her it was so casual as if it’s a given. And Sheryl cared to ask why–duh, you’re his friend lolz The one girl Alto cares the most is still Ranka and the same can be said for her, so I think these two are going to get together too. They’re cute….I like them.

    star
  24. Oh please, please. Let them, let those Ranka fans believe what they want to believe. Let them believe next episode is about Ozma marries Ranka out to Alto so it’s titled “Goodbye, Sister.” You know there is no way to stop them.

    herbert
  25. I’m afraid that there’s a bigger possiblity of Alto x Sheryl ending up together. (T_T)

    But I like Ranka anyway coz she’s like sooooo different from Lynn Minmay. She’s sweet.

    ~ Eri ~

    Eri
  26. I think the Crystal in Sheryls earring, has something to do with the Galaxy Fleet. Episode 15? We saw a flashback where her Spirit was inserted in her artificial body. Perhaps Sheryl body is an Bio product, and Galaxy fleet has succeeded in separate the Human Soul from the flesh… As we saw a glimpse on Ep 15 beginning…

    The Bad Boys, are well complicated

    Germanguy
  27. The crystal in Sheryl’s earring is the same as Birla’s ring, a Fold Quartz.

    How what a Fold Quartz is … well I guess it transmits sound across fold space, that is why Alto was hearing Ranka and Sheryl singing but its also likely what is attracting the Varja.

    Drakron
  28. BBQ Vajra was disgustingly wonky and funny. Great episode! Ranka is such a lucky cookie having Alto and Brera fighting over who wants to protect her. *squeals* Alto looked defeated at the end. I wish I can hug him. :(:(

    @Basara- after episode 12-14 up to here,I agree that it’s gonna be AltoxRanka. Everyone keeps making all this Macross comparison in favor of Sheryl, but i think in the end, they’ll just get disappointed. tis my opinion.

    Isn’t that MayN’s silhouette at the ED? ED theme is just okay to me.

    Rui
  29. Germanguy,

    I think that wasn’t Sheryl’s soul but her going through a fold in her fancy ship. We see the same type fold in/out effects in M7. I could be wrong though…

    Sushi
  30. The ED makes me really really think that May’n is trying to sound like Ayumi Hamasaki. Listen to “Evolution” by Ayumi Hamasaki, and then “Northern Cross”. As for the triangle, who knows. Just wait it out and enjoy the show. Poor Ranka…Alto needs to cheer her up. Poor Sheryl too, it seems like she has no life besides singing.

    Naru
  31. Regarding Sheryl’s earring being a fold quartz. If Sheryl’s got fake memories, she was probably given those for Project Fairy to enable her voice to transmit through space, which Ranka seems to do without need for it (I suspect what she’s got implanted in her is responsible though).

    I feel pretty bad for her, because she doesn’t really know the reasons why Grace suddenly seems to be managing Ranka now, until maybe she went up on the bridge and figured things out herself. Her frustration with not being ‘good enough’ is getting pretty intense. She’s always been proud of her capabilities so when it seemingly falls short of expectations, it’s a massive let-down for her.

    Ranka seems to have doubts about the project herself, but I guess has been pretty much been swept away with everyone’s expectations and needs. Ranka’s character has never been good in being selfish or insisting on something she wants which. More trouble for her up ahead, for sure.

    Ozma definitely doesn’t like what Leon and Grace are doing with Ranka, but he asks her quietly ‘Is this really what you wish?’ in the cockpit before launch, and Ranka nods so he lets it go. He’s matured quite a bit from the overprotective brother in the begining of the series, and it’s a pity we don’t see much of them together interacting.

    And yes, Brera ouji-sama has out-sexied Alto in this episode lol.

    nezumibento
  32. @artificial_angel
    the siscon in me is saying the same sometimes lol.

    I’m betting if Ozma buys the Pineapple salad next episode Brera is going to move in with Ranka.

    nezumibento
  33. You know. Have they officially stated that Brera is her brother? Maybe they just grew up together or something. Though I have yet to see this episode because I’m waiting for some good subs etc, the eps I’ve seen so far haven’t stated it. As things stand right now we’re all just assuming they’re brother and sister. But I don’t even think Ranka had real parents to begin with. I still have a feeling that she’s a test tube grown human/meltradi mix with some Vajra bits in there also.

    You’ve got people tossing around the Sheryl “clone” idea with not much proof of that either so I don’t see why Ranka being a test tubed hybrid vajra controlling experiment would seem far fetched at this point.

    GP
  34. @artificial_angel
    I also loved the BreraxRanka scene way more than the SherylxAlto. ^_^ It’s cuz of the cute BGM they used, the atmosphere, plus Brera struggling to say how “her song makes him feel closer to space” I was all like, “aww” lol It would’ve been a win-win situation for Ranka if Brera didn’t turn out to be her relative. Tsk tsk.

    ani_d
  35. Watched the episode! Enjoyed it!
    Northern Cross is better after a few watches too.
    The fact I’m happy probably means things are in favor of Sheryl. ^_^
    Lots of good new BGM so I’m looking forward to the 2nd OST.
    Except for Aimo O.C. which is junk like Meer’s Shizukana Yoru ni ~C.E.72.

    I’m kinda thinking “poor Vajra” now.
    If Vajra can be affected by a “this universe is a kind ocean” song like Aimo, I’m sure they can’t be evil.
    Screw Grace for using them to stir hatred!

    And Ozma.. too bad.
    He hasn’t received enough role for me to sympathize him if he does get pineapple salad next ep.

    Yukiruchan
  36. Aimo O.C. sure had me torn, I don’t know if I like it or not.

    If you listen intently to the lyrics for Aimo O.C. has change a whole lot, it doesn’t even say “this universe is a kind ocean” anymore instead it has “this is our new star” (koko wa arata na ware no hoshi) or “This is the new god’s ocean” (koko wa arata na kami no umi) instead.

    I’m starting to pity the vajra now…they’re getting murdered out there thanks to Ranka. Thanks to that I can’t help but think of Aimo O.C. as a funeral song for the Vajra T_T.

    I was also expecting Northern Cross to be a ballad, but I’m quite happy with the song actually. Someone pointed out that it sounded like May’n trying to sound like Ayumi, I didn’t really got that feel though, May’n to me had this distinct style that’s her own (perhaps thats just me favoring May’n but I’ve listen to enough Ayu song to know that they sound too differently to be compared, besides May’n is only 19 and Ayu is like what thirty something?)

    Thank you Omni for blogging Macross Frontier, I’ve been lurker for quite a while, and I never got to say(write) my gratitude for it!

    nozomi
  37. @nozomi
    I noticed that with Aimo’s new lyrics too. There really is a colder and more aggressive theme to it. Even if it’s unsettling to listen to a variation of the same song like this, it’s a good contrast to the previous version, which was sung in the vision she had while in the Vajira ship, and emphasizes the departure from the original to suit a more violent purpose.

    nezumibento
  38. Interesting ep. I’m not really fond of the new ver of Aimo, totally robbed the appeal of that song to me ><. Northern Cross was great, feels like Sheryl’s comeback song.

    Go Alto x Sheryl! Its still there!

    ren
  39. i actually really really like ranka with brera.. i thinks he’s so adorable and cool…

    but at the same time, i like alto with ranka too..

    the music is so highly addicting… i just wish the episodes would come out faster. haha.

    saki
  40. The new ending song is awesome and really powerful. It foretells the second rise of Sheryl Nome who shall overcome the unwashed masses’ paedophilic preference for young green-haired loli klutz and retake her rightful place as the star of the show. XD

    JZSN
  41. In an interview Shoji Kawamori said that i think think the director asked for Sheryl to have a larger role in the story. Maybe that is why she is being pushed to the side now. She wasn’t originally supposed to be a major character?

    Naru
  42. lol Westlo’s probably happy now that Alto blushed in front of Sheryl again. That should be enough to convince him Alto cares more for Sheryl than he ever did Ranka. 🙂 Awesome.

    Thanks for the updated summary. My thoughts EXACTLY about Sheryl again. I think if they want to give her character some justice here, they would atleast have her save the day with Ranka near the end. Her diamond crevasse earring looks very prominent.

    ani_d
  43. I believe Wesltos was pointing out how silly the whole “blushing” argument is from the Ranka fans. Seriously, they’ve jumped up and down when Alto blushes in front of Ranka a few eps back, but when he’s blushing like mad in front of Sheryl they’re all quiet. So quiet in fact I can hear the hiss of the internet.

    As for what Sheryls role will be, it doesn’t “have” to be anything major, she doesn’t “have” to dive in and save the day or anything. Sure she’ll play a role later on for sure but it’s not like her being lower on the plot point compared to Ranka hurts her character at all. Everyone knew going into this show that Ranka would have a bigger role than Sheryl, hello! Welcome to April 2008!!

    GP
  44. The way Alto blushed in this episode was like in ep 6. He looks like he’s being put in the spot or something. It’s not like Sheryl’s a stranger. If he can get carried away for Luca’s sake, then what more for Sheryl? I don’t think he’ll be too loving to say, “Because you are a precious friend, that’s why I’m worried” lol However in 12, when Alto blushed, it was because of the thought of Ranka coming to Galia 4 just to greet him. Compare this reaction to that, there IS a difference.

    So you want Sheryl to have a small role in the story? More Ranka focus, less Sheryl focus till the end? =/ That’s great by me, but I expected more Sheryl fans to want to atleast see Sheryl get back at Grace and co. It’ll suck if she just quietly settles down with Alto and gives up singing and pretend she was never used as a tool. Though, that’s so not gonna happen. Not in this Macross Frontier.

    ani_d
  45. If Ozma dies next episode Ranka’ll prolly have less anchor should she inevitably part with Frontier in the future. Heh, Alto will be more passionate in developing those Fold Quartz with Bilra near the end. It’s all Gundam G from here. Ranka art on Koenig was hot. Now if only there’s a Sheryl version…

    Yoda
  46. @ani_d

    You didn’t get what I was saying about Sheryl did you? I understand, let me try to say it differently. My point is that because Sheryl doesn’t have the same level of focus as Ranka doesn’t mean she’s not relevant. It’s not like she has to show up in the final episode to save everyone and thus end up with Alto or anything. On the plot scale Rankas part is bigger, but that doesn’t equal Ranka x Alto end that some think it does.

    GP
  47. Eh, Sheryl doesn’t have “nothing”, but she has to fall before she can get back up again. She never had much other then her career and Grace to begin with. Now that has been take away. That means she will rise again. I can’t believe some Ranka fans are trying to count her out. Just wait. If everyone was perfect for Sheryl all the time people would still bawwwing about poor little underdog Ranka. And can we please STFU about blushes? They mean nothing.

    nelly
  48. “I believe Wesltos was pointing out how silly the whole “blushing” argument is from the Ranka fans. Seriously, they’ve jumped up and down when Alto blushes in front of Ranka a few eps back, but when he’s blushing like mad in front of Sheryl they’re all quiet. So quiet in fact I can hear the hiss of the internet.”

    Exactly I’m making fun of them lol and these are the same people who said blushing didn’t count back in episodes 5-6, it’s hilarious how far people go when they ship.

    Westlo
  49. I guess your prediction might be true, even though I’m a fan of the pairing sheryl and alto but then again your predictions are always right :p.this was good episode.

    Loliu
  50. I liked the references to past Macross events, which are quite helpful for new viewers like me who need some historical context. One character that doesn’t seem to have been mentioned yet is poor Elmo (Ranka’s ex-Manager). I was a bit suspicious of him at first, but now I actually feel sorry for him. The episode definitely worked very well in building up sympathy for the characters and the situation they’re in – particularly Sheryl. If they kill her off, I will be as mad as hell about it.

    I’m not particularly happy to see Ranka’s singing used as a tactic in war. Probably because there’s the overt implication that she’s being manipulated into her situation by Grace and Leon. From their unsympathetic actions thus far, I’m pegging these two as villains. So I’m hoping for some cathartic bloody payback at the end of the series for these two.

    Spacehamster
  51. Sheryl is a Nome clone ahaha She has to be. She’s the most neglected main character I’ve ever seen. Leon might be digging his own grave once Grace starts backstabbing him. The prick keeps smiling, let’s see him smile once Galaxy kicks his wig off of him.

    As for romance, just got my blu-ray. Sheryl’s too neglected to get her own character&art page like Ranka and Alto. Kawamori just hates her, even cutting her scene off in Deculture version so that he can force to air his masterpiece last December. RankaxAlto end Confirmed.

    krizzie007
  52. I think Sheryl is going to find her footing again, but she’s going to have to find meaning in her life apart from her work, and being number 1 in show business. She’s got plenty of surprising strength as Grace’s backhanded compliment states in ep 15; “Hontou tsuyoi mono wa, anata.” Even in the worst moments, her sheer never say die attitude saves her.

    Which is why I love how she and Ranka are such good foils for each other – they find a lot of common ground in their love of singing, but they’ve got vastly different personalities. Ranka has a tendency to give up too easily, but that’s changing partly because of Sheryl. Competing with her was good for Ranka because it forced her to face her own desires and move forward with them on her own strength.

    Having said that, because of the impact she’s had on the other main characters, I doubt very much they’re just going to make Sheryl an insignificant footnote in future episodes. Like others, I’m hoping she gets a big role in kicking Grace and co. in the teeth before the end of the series. After all, it wouldn’t be like Sheryl to let it go if something can actually be done about it. 🙂

    nezumibento
  53. @ nezumibento I don’t think she had so much impact in others characters except her role of idol, the galactic fairy singer for Ranka.( It was the intention of Kawamori since the beginning to use Sheyl as a catalysis for ranka’s growth and not being a part of the love triangle). Having said that it’s obvious she will not be tossed out from the plot like that
    Being a clone and having the earring, she surely has some connection with Birla and protoculture. I believe she will stop singing for working on SMS,( like aid or waitress^^) for alto in part, and will be killed or dumped by him at the end; any other speculation about her ending up with alto or piloting a VF with her pitiful attempt in the fourteen episode is a joke :)And more Sherylx Alto now even though AltoxRanka wasn’t developped ’til the end ?
    @ krizzie 007 It’is not like Kawamori hates her but Hiroyuki Yoshino forced him to put more screen time for a character, Sheryl, who wasn’t supposed to… Go Kawamori take your revenge ^^ , so AltoxRanka end confirmed!

    Kei
  54. I don’t know why, but I hate Ranka so much, it only gets worse when she tries to get Alto.

    She doesn’t deserve to be compared to the great Basara, shame on Bobby for even suggesting she can compare to the great one, if he were in the show not only would he not be getting used like a tool (which Ranka is, a complete tool) he’d be defeating the Vajra with only his song. If Ranka had to deal with the Protodevilin she wouldn’t last 2 minutes. If SherylxAlto isn’t the end, the best possible end involves Basara and Max jumping in and stealing the show.

    LISTENTOMYSONG
  55. Brera is the only one who could club his head. He’s too untouchable. AltoxRanka end confirmed already just because of some technical staff trivias that are anti-Sheryl? How about Ranka as the star of Macross Fufonfia? There, now it’s confirmed.

    BoyBa
  56. Why do I have a feeling I’m going to cry next episode? 🙁 I hope Alto will be there for Ranka once things hit. It’s like circumstances are starting to pull them apart when they showed the Brera/Ranka and Alto/Sheryl scenes back to back. Ranka was shown to be blushing, and Alto was also shown to blush as payback later on. What drama, but that’s what makes this story so good. At the end, Ranka was shown to be attached the most to Alto and Ozma, if you take out Ozma…:( I think Alto and Ranka are still going to be the main pairing of this show also. It’s been like this since episode 1 and plus the staff bits everyone keeps mentioning.

    Queenie
  57. @listentomysong Even Basara is too outdated! Man, we aren’t in Macross 7 anymore !!
    @Boyba Some technical staff ?????!Are you talking about Kawamori ? The creator, director , story supervisor,… ? If you have read his interview you should know what I’m talking about…
    If sheryl wasn’t a clone( pretty obvious now), if she wasn’t the spitting image of the beautiful singer, pop star who had everything since the beginning( fame,money,beauty..), if the love she has for hime-sama wasn’t an unrequited one( compared how much he cares for Ranka with his Rankaaaaaaaa at each battle( so serious) VS his dumb behavious each time he’s with Sheryl(even his ” I was worried ” sounded like just a formality ), if she wasn’t so desperate to obtain his attention( ranka wasn’t always behind him like glue on the hospital, the bridge,SMS… )if she was supposed to be in the love triange since the beginning I could have tell you she has highter chance than Ranka to end up with alto but that’s not the case . Even people who dislike her start to feel for her. Love or not her future is alarming . Ranka can also die at the end, leaving a ravaged Hime sama. Well, for people who want to believe for the sherylxalto end it could happen but just as OMNI said : I’m currently inclined to think that Alto will only end up with her as a consolation prize if Ranka dies or is otherwise unavailable at the end of the series. Granted, there’s still plenty of time for Alto to move back Sheryl’s way, but I suspect that that’s not the direction the story will go. 🙂

    Kei
  58. @Kei If sheryl wasn’t a clone( pretty obvious now), if she wasn’t the spitting image of the beautiful singer, pop star who had everything since the beginning( fame,money,beauty..),

    Sheryl and Ranka are now opposite of wer they were before. Fail.

    if she was supposed to be in the love triange since the beginning I could have tell you she has highter chance than Ranka to end up with alto but that’s not the case .

    Tell that to everyone again after you find out what happened to Misa Hayes and how she won Hikaru. 😀

    It’s cute how people are claiming RankaxAlto end confirmed on Ep 16 out of 26+ eps. It took only five episodes for Ranka development, brace yourself for Sheryl’s, who will take over the rest after Ranka’s is done.

    sia
  59. @Sia- I wish I can agree with you, but Omni’s neutral analysis is the last straw for me. I’m done deluding myself. I don’t think the last nine episodes will be Sheryl-centric and I don’t think Ranka will fall to damnation while AltoxSheryl burns to victory. There’s more important things to fry and Ranka’s in the center of it, while Alto–the Mr. Man’s job–will be caught in it. If Ozma dies, he’ll most likely entrust Ranka to Alto. Great…Add more nails to AltoxSheryl coffin.

    Melia_Of_Wednesday
  60. @ Melia – Believe in what u want, but just watch for her rise let the other fans have their way cuz believe me, no one will let the AxR fanclub members go after Sheryl gets her prize. 😀

    sia
  61. @Sia ” Sheryl and Ranka are now opposite of wer they were before. Fail.” What’s the contrary of a clone can you tell me ?
    About, the comparaison with the pop star I was speaking about how the compositor draw Sheryl as a superstar since the beginning. Anime has been and will always been a way to expose different face of the individual where the ugly one can balance with his humor, his way of trying his best, his brain…and Ranka is this type of character, not ugly but not as beautiful as sheryl;Therefore Ranka has more screentime because of that, her character can be seen as childish of course and she doesn’t have the body so for you, she doen’t fit alto but all anime with a little core are saying this : you can’t judge a book by its cover so that’s why I’m saying since the beginning the Sheryl’appeal is for her a great disadvantage and Ranka has more chance with alto.
    “Tell that to everyone again after you find out what happened to Misa Hayes and how she won Hikaru. 😀 ”
    How mean ! Then again we aren’t in another Macross and Misa is not sheryl. how can you even compare Hikaru( who admired, loved, had a crush on Minmay) with Alto ^^^ahem .You don’t even try to read the post , you see Rankaxalto end confirmed and you retort already.
    Misa was supposed to be in the plot since the beginning my dear,in SDF Macross she is the first to help Hikaru’s emergency landing at the beginning of the serie and it was writting like that , while sheryl was just supposed to be a support for Ranka nothing more so it’s not with this, that you’re going to keep my trap shut because I’m bothering you’re fan club.
    “brace yourself for Sheryl’s, who will take over the rest after Ranka’s is done. ”
    Oh, my ! stop praising me it’s embarrassing! So I’m a little too lazy I will pick up your sentence :” Tell that to everyone again after you find out what happened to the eight other clone who/which were Sheryl 🙂 XD
    Even a Sheryl fan, OMNI the author of the article said this : ” What bothers me is that, with all the focus recently on Alto wanting to protect Ranka and his relationship with her, Sheryl’s basically got nothing going for her. I’ve wondered a few times before what her ultimate role will be, and it feel like it’s getting less clear with every episode. I’m currently inclined to think that Alto will only end up with her as a consolation prize if Ranka dies or is otherwise unavailable at the end of the series. Granted, there’s still plenty of time for Alto to move back Sheryl’s way, but I suspect that that’s not the direction the story will go.”
    What else can I say ?! You should listen @milia also who is a Sheryl fan. Go buy some kleenex you will need it dude!

    Kei
  62. @ Kei : What’s the contrary of a clone can you tell me ?

    Tell that to everyone again after you find out what happened to the eight other clone who/which were Sheryl 🙂 XD

    Why should I explain myself when you can’t even tell the difference between a fact and an assumption? 😀

    How mean ! Then again we aren’t in another Macross and Misa is not sheryl. how can you even compare Hikaru( who admired, loved, had a crush on Minmay) with Alto ^^^ahem .You don’t even try to read the post , you see Rankaxalto end confirmed and you retort already.

    You don’t get it.

    I said, try to find out what happened to Misa Hayes, who got a huge overhaul of her character draft. 😀

    Even a Sheryl fan, OMNI the author of the article said this

    Uh okay so crusader of another blog said something else. Your point? 😀

    What else can I say ?!

    That your whole post is full of holes? ^_^

    sia
  63. this epi didn’t give me much…..
    ..though i notice some similarities as always to the past Macross
    *Ranka is the MF Minmei though Sheryl may or may not be the MF version of Misa Hayase (though she might)

    the next epi, Ozma might be the next Roy Fokker and what will Cathy Glass be? The next Claudia? And if he dies, probably his death will be dramatic and heroic like Roy’s death in the “Do You Remember Love?” movie unlike the Macross series where he just die of internal bleeding…

    And also i’m having bits of suspicion that Leon will be like Alejandro Corner (LOL, Gundam 00, unrelated ;)) and be the antagonist of the series together with Grace…

    Zentradi
  64. Just read the summaries of upcoming episodes on Wikipedia, and it does confirm at least one bit of speculation that I’ve read here. The thing about the summaries on Wikipedia is that they don’t reveal all the major events in those upcoming episodes. For instance, the Wikipedia entry for “Mother’s Lullaby” states that was where the origins of Aimo would be revealed. It was actually a lot more dramatic than just that.

    My opinion is that a series can live or die based on its ending. So I sincerely hope that the ending to Frontier is something memorable and fulfilling for all of the characters (and the audience).

    Spacehamster
  65. @sia It’s hopeless, you have such a bias that you will never change your mind even with solid proof so I give you rendez vous in the final episode here. When you will see that all people who are saying altoxranka end confirmed if Ranka is not killed or gone with the vajra ,in this case,with you now unlikely(sherylxalto pair) Sheryl will only be a consolasion prize for Alto, I doubt you will keep these smiley 🙂 I don’t even think you will come here knowing : ” your whole post WAS full of holes ” 🙂
    @tpsk729 it’s not likely, even impossible if brera wasn’t a clone of her brother and if alto didn’t care ^-^ but I wouldn’t mind either, Sheryl could have alto then but the story will not smooth things over like that.
    @spacehamster For a memorable ending I don’t see how a happy end could do it. Because of that I expect a lot of people dying at the end or a sudden revival( vajra give the technology for linking the Galaxy but on some approval…).

    Kei
  66. @Kei – It’s hopeless, you have such a bias that you will never change your mind even with solid proof so I give you rendez vous in the final episode here.

    When people can’t reply back, they attack other points hoping to draw the attention away. Thank you for a fucking good display of weaseling out. NEXT.

    @tpsk729 – but i wouldnt mind if ranka ends up with brera lol

    Incest gives me the hives.

    sia
  67. You absolutely want to have the last word aren’t you ? I get it, i get it “When people can’t reply back, they attack other points hoping to draw the attention away.” (You’re the one who attack on other points instead of showing in what sherylxalto is more likely than rankxalto).
    I will say it again, I don’t want to waste my time with your illogical post( I didn’t even see one sentence in your post which could lead us towards a possible sherylxalto pair but you’re indeed strong to deny the current altoxranka pairing 🙂 )My Dear, if you can’t do it : NEXT .

    ” Thank you for a fucking good display of weaseling out ” No, It’s me who should thank you 🙂

    @tpsk729 – but i wouldnt mind if ranka ends up with brera lol

    “Incest gives me the hives.” 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 He may be Ranka’s brother clone not her former brother and I can’t even think of a clone/Sheryl x human/Alto,knowing sheryl may be the clone of Ranka’s mother. So the Ranka so called mother( her failed copy) with Ranka’s love(alto) : THIS KIND OF RELATIONSHIP gives me the goosebumps 🙂

    @OMNI Sorry to foul your topic but some here don’t even have a fair play ounce.

    Kei
  68. Not if Alto rushes over to Ranka and they hug each other for comfort. *__* Ahh, I’m imagining cheesy scenes already I might’ve already jinxed it. Seriously, I want RankaxAlto to end up together. Ranka crossed a freakin’ WAR for Alto’s sake for crying out loud, beat that Sheryl! Someone should put her back to the asylum, I feel bad for her, walking around sick and passing out due to high temperature. Go get treated gawd.

    Katie
  69. I think it’s better if ranka get killed in the middle of vajra battle knowing the fact that she’s the ‘little queen’

    I hope there will be more Alto-Sheryl sequence coz those two is suits enough!
    Long live Sheryl!!!

    Saikyounoraida

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