First Impressions / Macross

Summary:

As the new Frontier President, Leon receives a report from the Environmental Sustainability Agency saying that the Macross Frontier has only three more months in the current wartime regulations mode. It’ll be the end for them if they don’t find a solution in that timeframe. Leon thinks that that should be enough, and the problem for him right now is finding a replacement for Ranka. He sees opportunity in all this, and he decides to call up Richard Birla. Alto and Luca meanwhile are out testing out new MDE warheads and new VF-171EX Valkyries with the military. Luca wishes that these weapons had been completed earlier, and that prompts Alto to inquire how Nanase is doing. Luca reveals that she still hasn’t woken up, but he actually feels that it’s okay like this for the time being so that she doesn’t have to find out about Ranka betraying them. In response, Alto suggests that the solution is to bring Ranka back before Nanase wakes up. Sometime later, Kuran and Alto run into each other, and she opens up about her regret of not being more honest with Mikhail sooner. She doesn’t want Alto and Sheryl to become like them, so she tells Alto about Sheryl’s condition.

During all this time, Sheryl has started singing again under the care of Elmo, and the feeling of her songs has changed. The scientists working with Luca detect something in the Fold waveform of her music and report it to Leon, so Sheryl gets summoned to his office. Luca explains to her that she’s been a carrier of the V-type infection since she contracted the disease ten years ago, and it is treatable in its early stages with a serum made from Vajra. Past that time period though, the bacteria get into the victim’s brain and start to create a certain type of toxin, and nothing more can be done for the infected. However, in this case, Sheryl’s voice lets out a small Fold wave, much like Ranka’s voice did. It’s not stronger than Ranka’s, but Luca theorizes that the Fold Quartz in her earring amplifies things, and he thinks Sheryl can do what Ranka did. Leon concludes their meeting by asking Sheryl to sing for the sake of humanity. With this on her mind, Sheryl returns to the Saotome house to find Alto waiting for her, and she collapses at the door.

Cathy and Ozma meanwhile have returned to the Macross Quarter after being found by Bobby, and they tell everyone of the truth about Howard Glass’s death. Ozma’s return allows Canaria to finally give him the letter that Ranka left him, and from it, Ozma realizes that Ranka has now chosen her own path. Since most of the crew is gathered together, Captain Jeffrey Wilder uses the chance to tell them that he had heard from Richard Birla that the S.M.S would be disbanded and then reincorporated into the New United Nations Spacey. He feels that they also have to decide their own future now, and after some deliberation, Cathy sends out a confidential message to the other members of the crew. Alto is one of the people who receives the message, but before he can read it, he hears Sheryl waking up in her room. Sheryl knows that she had said she wouldn’t sing anymore, but she feels that Alto made her realize that that is all she has. She tries to act like her normal self, but Alto doesn’t want her to continue, and this causes her to figure out that he knows. Alto tells her that she doesn’t have to sing, however Sheryl refuses because she feels that that’s the only proof she’s alive. Sheryl starts crying at this point, so Alto hugs her, and when she admits to being scared and lonely, he declares that he’ll stay at her side if she sings. In Alto’s arms, Sheryl asks him to give her courage.

Sometime later, Leon gives a rousing speech about the need to destroy the Vajra, all while he sends his men to execute Grace. By this point, most of the Macross Quarter crew have come back to the ship because of Cathy’s message, and as they prepare to leave the Frontier, Jeffery declares that they are now pirates instead of soldiers and that this ship is their first catch. Kuran is one of those who stayed behind, but she salutes the ship as it launches past her. When they realize what’s happening, Leon and the Frontier military command send a squad of Valkyries in pursuit, and included in this group are Alto and Luca. To counter them, Ozma launches in his Valkyrie, and he challenges his former allies to stop them. He almost takes out Luca with a volley of missiles, but Alto saves Luca and questions why Ozma is doing this. In response, Ozma notes that Alto is incapable of adapting to changing circumstances before explaining that this is the best way for him to protect the women important to him. Alto doesn’t think that this is something an adult should say, so Ozma declares that he’s not an adult – he’s a man. Ozma then questions back what Alto’s wings are for, and the two manage to damage each other’s Valkyries as they fly past each other. The Macross Frontier is now ready to do a Fold jump, so Ozma returns to the ship, but he before he departs, he tells Alto that both he and Ranka have chosen their own path. The question is where Alto is headed.

Meanwhile, far, far away, Ranka and Brera reach Ai-kun’s homeworld. The collective inside Grace is aware of this, and Grace – after taking out everyone sent to kill her – suits up to board her own Valkyrie. She’s ready to go to the planet where the true queen of the Vajra lives, and she calls it their treasure island.

Preview

Well geez, I think they recaptured a lot of the magic from the original first episode by having Sheryl singing Northern Cross to go along with the Valkyrie battle. That was an awesome scene, and it even gave me a new appreciation for the song. The frustrating thing is that Alto and Luca are on the wrong side of things (Leon’s side), and at least for that battle, Alto was his usual indecisive self. I can understand that he’s staying behind because of his promise to Sheryl (especially since it’s implied that they kissed again or even did something more than that), but I don’t know why he didn’t just tell that to Ozma. Heck, what Ozma said about doing the best thing to protect the women important to him applies to Alto as well. In any case, I hope Alto will take to heart all the stuff about choosing his own path and stick with Sheryl even after Ranka inevitably returns. I suspect at least part of the reason Kuran isn’t with the Macross Quarter was so that she could continue to serve as a sort of mentor to Alto about matters of life and love, and maybe she’ll point him in the right direction again.

As for Ranka and Brera, they’ve have arrived on a planet which looks like Earth except it has three moons and a white ring around it. We’re probably going to hear more about the Protoculture next week, and maybe everything concerning Grace and the Vajra will make more sense. Grace certainly seems pleased about all this at the end of this episode, and the Valkyrie she looks ready to pilot probably means that she’ll be involved in at least one space battle. I currently still don’t hate her nearly as much as I do Leon, probably because she’s so far been portrayed as more mysterious compared to Leon’s outright villainy. That’s likely to change since she’ll have to make her move soon now that there’s only three episodes left.

399 Comments

  6. This episode could also be called: Legend of SEED Destiny (based on mostly personality and some based on circumstances as well) starring:

    Ranka Lee as Lacus Clyne the idealist

    Sheryl Nome as (I’m really tempted to say Meer Campbell but she is the original) angsty broken-down version of Lacus Clyne the pop singer

    Alto Saotome as Shinn Asuka

    Luca Angelloni (I find it hard to believe this guy is voiced by the same guy who voices Lelouch) as Rey Za Burrel

    Nanase Matsuura as no one really as there is no Sleeping Beauty equivalent (I am not counting dead Meer; since Code Geass was mentioned, Nunnally)

    Ozma Lee as GAR-er Mu La Flaga/Athrun Zala

    Canaria Berstein as Talia Gladys

    Klan Klan as Konata Izumi (I’m drawing blanks on her. She only cried next to Michael’s tomb, urged Alto and saluted the ship as it left) (after some thought) Murrue Ramius

    Jeffrey Wilder as Andrew Waltfeld

    Bobby Margot as everything Yzak Joule isn’t (in anime — not in fan fiction)

    Monica Lange as Meyrin Hawke

    Mina Roshan as Haruhi Suzumiya (I give up on this one. I think she only streched and yawned while complaining or commenting about something) (same voice actor)

    Ram Hoa as Miriallia Haw

    Cathy Glass as Cagalli Yula Athha

    Leon Mishima as Gilbert Durandal

    Brera Starne as Kira Yamato? (He only played the harmonica and drove the Valkyrie) (same voice actor)

    Grace O’Connor as Sarah (Meer’s bodyguard) as a cover but is actually Rau Le Creuset complete with a chorus of Logos-type people in head (more accurate to say the entire SEELE from NGE in head)

    nycs
    Reply

  7. So, if Luca and Alto are with Leon now, does that make Alto the new Shinn? 😉 Emo screaming pretty-boy pilot on the wrong side of the conflict, and likely to be ordered to shoot LacusRanka the songstress?

    Also, that last bit with the breasts was… a bit much, but it’s nice to see Evil Kikuko Inoue voice and fanservice from our favorite cyborg. Now who the hell drew that Ranka art, and is it meant to be a compliment or not?

    Haesslich
    Reply

  11. @FF

    This expression is obtained after Alto receives Ozma’s text message that states his plans of going AWOL because he does not agree with Mishima’s government after his staged coup that only Cathy and Ozma knows about. The entire SMS receives the message but it is only Alto and Luca who opposes them (Klan strangely stays behind).

    nycs
    Reply

  12. Luca have been with Leon for a long time.

    Alto is on the “everyone is ditching me” phase … granted he only stays behind because its the most effective way to unravel the story to the audience and allows for him to progress (in case anyone missed it, he still is running away).

    Also Klan Klan stayed behind.

    We never get to see what is on the message, I do not know how much is about Ranka, the Vajra or even Leon … if there is anything on it at all besides “get aboard, we are leaving”.

    Drakron
    Reply

  15. @Drakron
    Agreed. For some reason, Alto is “looking” like he’s running away. Ozma made him look like Alto is doing something wrong by staying in Frontier. He’s asking Alto which path he’ll go when it should be obvious being in Frontier was his path. But then, Alto suddenly looked like he’s pain being left behind. Which really contradicted this. Oh gosh…i’m hearing dokun dokun like the others do.

    lija
    Reply

  16. That reminds me – if Sheryl clutching herself brings hopes and dreams, what does Grace clutching herself the same way do?

    As for the SMS decision… so, now Alto’s joined Leon, will we be allowed to see Leon ordering Ranka to be bombed to death, and then Alto either struggling with orders or just happily going along? I’m actually almost hoping for the second, just to piss off the shippers who say that Alto’s going to charge in rescuing Ranka. He had his chance here – and refused.

    Haesslich
    Reply

  20. So Alto’s all alone now. Everyone has chosen their (the right) path, but him. He’s still Alto-hime who only wants to fly. The Alto x Sheryl scene was nice and dramatic, but I couldn’t help but think he has an issue with loosing people (especially dieing) because of his mother. Next episode I pray we will find out Ranka’s past.
    Klan stayed behind to be a spy I think.

    Naru
    Reply

  21. Sadly while the first part of the episode was awsome, it gets horrible down the second part, becaus Ozma question made my so awaited altoxsheryl look terrible, srly I already know that Alto’s decission was wrong and mostly based on pity (but i chose to over look that, for some reason Klan losed some points whit me for telling Alto) I doesn’t needed Ozma to point out that, even whitout knowing. well, at least Ranka is regaining points with me because she FINALLY looks more mature which is good, even if I can no longer like her, at least I don’t hate her.

    About the history, well Sheryl seems to finally get almost the same results with the vajra as Ranka does, and this chapter marks that she no longer will fear her death, at least something good for Alto’s decission. I just want to know, what is grace up for now?
    Agreed with the unnecesary last escene.

    Luca Seem totally diferent without the pink cheeks, but this chapter allowed me to understand that he actually love nanase ’cause he knows perfectly how she will feel when she wake up.

    teela
    Reply

  22. I do not think Alto “joined” Leon … he is not like Luca that is involved directly with him and there is NO evidence in this episode he “joined him”, NUNS is not Leon.

    Also SMS is owned by Bilrer, Alto is or was employed by him and lets see what happens in the next episode.

    Drakron
    Reply

  23. @Lija
    Yessss you can hear the ‘Sound’ coming! XD

    @Naru
    AltoxSheryl emoness? They didn’t cut to Miyo-sama’s picture frame for nothing. Alto always has a soft spot for dying people especially those that remind him of his mom hahah Ozma hit the nail when he told Alto to get a hint. Alto’s pained reaction was priceless. (You said you’d stay in Frontier for Sheryl. Why’re you in pain, Alto? XD)

    Now now, let’s see the stupid ranka haters criticize SMS for “abandoning the people” much like what they did with Ranka LMAO

    diva
    Reply

  29. Sure does look like a kiss to me (maybe even more). I just watched it at 1/16 speed at 4X zoom and Alto clearly turns slightly to his right while Sheryl does also, aligning them to face each other directly. The camera panning upward is definately a plot device used to imply something more than just an innocent tender moment.

    I’m not sure if anyone else has mentioned this part, but after Sheryl passes out again, who changes Sheryl into her robe? ALTO you naughty boy!!

    Archangel
    Reply

  31. This episode was quite good and it showed the importance of Ranka’s choice, since sooner or later they would need to solver her past, and SMS seems to be willing to tag to this plan, specially having a Dictator as the new governant in Frontier, personally i would do the same if i knew Leon pulled that shit, i just hope that his conspiration is shown to the public before being completely defeated, i would hate him dying without his coup being revealed and people remembering him as some good man or hero instead of the scum bag he is.

    i’m starting to wonder if the people with the “End Confirmed Mentality” and the Ranka and Sheryl Shippers are new into Macross, it seems they don’t realize that the triangle is always defined at the bitter end, no matter how good and defined a pair may like 1 or 2 episodes before the end, things may change, let’s remember that on the original Macross Minmei and Hikaru were living togheter until the last episode, nearly like a married couple, and what happened? Hikaru x Misa end, Kawamori is the only one with the ending confirmed on his mind, and he could change his idea if he feels it would makes things more interesting.

    Just enjoy Macross for what it is and wait for the end when everything will be confirmed, if you’re expecting the main triangle to be solved before the last chapter in Macross so you can celebrate and mock the “losing” Shipper faction then you’re doing it wrong and should feel bad for having such a childish mentality.

    Za Third
    Reply

  32. I don’t know…I think even if Alto were to pick Sheryl she is going to die. I’d rather Sheryl be cured and Alto confess to her after that. That would prove he cares for her and that it isn’t more out of pity. Don’t get me wrong, even if he is pitying her now I don’t think there is any question that he cares for her. The question is what kind of affection is it? Friendship at the very least, but is there anything more? Before it gets to a romantic type of affection I’d rather her be cured.

    Show Spoiler ▼

    We might get a Sheryl dies, Ranka goes off with the Vajra ending for all we know.

    zalem
    Reply

  33. @Za third
    “original Macross Minmei and Hikaru were living togheter until the last episode, nearly like a married couple, and what happened? Hikaru x Misa end, Kawamori is the only one with the ending confirmed on his mind, and he could change his idea if he feels it would makes things more interesting.”

    I’m 100% sure it’s going to turn out like this. Sheryl = Misa in Minmei’s role, Ranka = Minmei in Misa’s role. You better believe it. 😀 And I don’t feel bad for mocking some shippers, I’m in my teens, it’s what teens do. I’m just enjoying the ride! -_~ hahah

    diva
    Reply

  35. To be honest, I really didn’t see a kiss. I know a lot will say “What are you blind? Didn’t you see that kiss?” and I will say this “Well I guess I am because I really didn’t see one 😀 ” No matter how long I tried looking at it I really can’t see it, but if I’m the only one who can’t see it then so be it I am definitely blind. If they really did, then good for them.

    I read another comment (from that particular forum 😀 ) that the atmosphere between episode 17 (Ranka and Alto) and this episode (Sheryl and Alto) is really different. Well duh, I would definitely think it SHOULD be different since the circumstances are WAY to different. Alto knows that Sheryl is dying so I think he would be insensitive if he laugh and smile in those moments with Sheryl.

    If this episode is really the end of the love triangle all I could say is Alto is thinking of Ranka way to much of a person inlove with somebody else. They should have made Ranka the main lead here, her story is more interesting than that of alto and sheryl combined (don’t mean to offend Ranka haters out there 😀 that’s just for me). Actually Brera and Graces’ story are pretty interesting too since both of them are clouded in mystery.

    People could agree or disagree with me but I think Ranka has the strongest character now (emotionally and conviction wise not with her abiity with the vajras).

    druid
    Reply

  37. i have another idea…what if both sheryl and alto or ranka and alto die together? that might be a way to bring one of the couples together rather than having either one of them die or having alto choose someone. let fate do it 😀

    honeyblu
    Reply

  38. Hikaru slept on the couch while Minmei had his room. She tried to make him give up flying and the military. While Misa was running away by focusing on the military, with everyone around her(including Global) what was going on, it was obvious to most people how it would revert back. Hikaru loved flying too much to ever give it up. Minmei was trying to force him to do so.

    Sheryl hasn’t forced Alto to give up anything. Ever. Did you guys not see how he’s treated Sheryl, compared to Ranka in the most intimate of moments? Did you not see the emotions, the eyes shaking with feelings? After Sheryl kisses his cheek in episode 5, after Sheryl kisses him in episode 10, the way he looks at her in episode 20, and the way he tended to her before they kissed in 22?

    Alto isn’t even going to see Ranka again until the very least, the end of 24. Unlike Misa and Hikaru, who at least had DATES! while they were on Earth, what have Ranka and Alto had?

    Any Alto x Ranka ending now, would be the worst writing disaster, in the history of story writing. There’s NOTHING building it up. NOTHING.

    JustinStrife
    Reply

  39. And so more Sheryl fans showed up just when Sheryl shows up! Nice!

    Anyway, I can’t wait to see the truth about Ranka’s past and the song Aimo revealed next episode. Let’s all see how long Alto’s decision will last. Now I’m itching for Sheryl to get some cure. If she did get some cure, does that mean Alto’s absolved from “staying by her side till the last moment” seeing as there will be no last moment for a few more decades…?

    Alto’s words just seem like “I will be here to take care of you till the end, don’t worry.” I’m definitely not putting the white flag up any time soon. They can do many implied kisses (and even more) but until an onscreen-definitely-a-kiss one is shown and the ‘END’ is shown with credits rolling, I won’t say Alto REALLY LOVES Sheryl. He only changed after knowing Sheryl was sick, I think he’s afraid to lose anything more than he had in the past (just like friends: Michel and Ranka).

    And so Alto-hime is still up for grabs!

    yuKime
    Reply

  41. SHERYL END YEAHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Sheryl x Alto for the win. I am so overjoyed right now. Ranka’s so gonna end up with the same destiny as Minmay.

    Oh ya Grace feeling her boobs is definitely not as hot as Sheryl grabbing her boobs in the OP.

    W-General
    Reply

  43. Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!
    Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!
    Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!
    Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!
    Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!
    Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!
    Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!Sheryl!

    Moondoggiebuiscuit
    Reply

  46. People are underestimating Sheryl if you think she’ll stand for ‘pity love’ or Alto giving up anything for her. Sheryl is selfless. Trying to put her in the role Minmay had at the end of SDF Macross will never in a million years work. Alto will have to find his own path, but Sheryl won’t be a hindrance to whatever he decides.

    nelly
    Reply

  47. @JustinStrife

    I have a problem with this…

    “Sheryl hasn’t forced Alto to give up anything. Ever.”

    Ranka didn’t force Alto anything either. And no, the REQUEST (a favor in which he was GIVEN a CHOICE) Ranka did in ep21 was no forcing at all. So what’s the comparison about?

    “Did you guys not see how he’s treated Sheryl, compared to Ranka in the most intimate of moments? Did you not see the emotions, the eyes shaking with feelings?”

    Yup I did. And because the intimate of moments were different, you can’t compare them closely. Sheryl was in bed and Alto was arms length distance from her. Ranka was ON a VF while Alto was below, a distance of a few meters at least. You can’t just judge the emotional level here just because Alto gave Sheryl a hug (and a kiss if you insist and if you insist more, sure, a nice bed scene too? ^^;). If Ranka were on Alto’s arms length, do you think he wouldn’t have hugged her? He would. But since he can’t I think the voice delivery Alto did in episode 21 is enough to fill the lack of a hug to show he cares. Also, the mood in both scenes are different, just listen to the bgm.

    “After Sheryl kisses his cheek in episode 5, after Sheryl kisses him in episode 10, the way he looks at her in episode 20, and the way he tended to her before they kissed in 22?”

    After Ranka sang Aimo on Griffith Park in ep3, after Alto hears Ranka greet him Happy Birthday in ep12, while Alto and Ranka are sky seeing in ep12, after Alto had taken a bath- I mean Alto had heard Ranka’s speech in Gallia IV ep13, after Alto heard Ranka’s response when he told her about his reason for loving to fly? The tender moments are scattered everywhere! ^__^

    @diva
    I think Alto didn’t have sex with Sheryl. If he did, then he’d have the V-type virus too! >_< If we get Sheryl some cure and Sheryl says, “Oh wait, give Alto some vaccine too. He has the virus too.” THEN they DID do it…

    yuKime
    Reply

  48. I wouldn’t be so sure that the title of the last episode hints at a Ranka-wins-hime-ending. ‘Anata no Oto’ isn’t really a love song in the typical vein–from what we saw of it, it’s more of a quiet celebration of life. In that respect, it makes much more sense to connect it to the Vajra than it is to a Ranka+Alto ending.

    If you look at how it was used in the show, it didn’t “reach” Alto, but there were some very important “people” that had a reaction to it: the hatching Vajra. Like most things related to Ranka at this point in time, it plays up her connection as the ultimate link that will bring peace to both sides, not her romantic inclinations.

    Another thing I’d like to nip in the bud. There is absolutely no way possible that Alto kissed or held Sheryl out of “pity”. His whole demeanor towards her in that scene is protective–notice how suddenly he holds her, like he can’t control himself. Notice how angry he gets when he realizes how much she’s been trying to hide from him. Alto’s reaction is one of fear, fear of losing someone he loves–exactly like Klan said.

    If you want an example of “pity” for Sheryl’s condition, you don’t have to look any further than Michel and Klan’s initial reactions. They were non-confrontational and soft spoken. They backed down when she pretended to be fine, instead of battering down her walls to hold her close. They allowed her to do what she thought best, instead of having to be convinced into it because they wanted to *protect* her from harm.

    If Alto did kiss Sheryl to make her feel better, then that is still the death knoll for the Ranka/Alto pairing. Why on earth would you want Ranka to end up with an asshole that leads dying women on?

    musouka
    Reply

  50. I had expected the Sheryl x Alto moments in this episode to come through and it did. Now that’s done with, the real fun part begins. I definitely can’t wait to see Ranka’s past being revealed, what happens to Ozma and the rest of the SMS who defected with him and the Vajra Planet…plot unraveling at warp speed. Grace is as ominous as ever. Leon, you dictator…good of you to sign your own death warrant for messing around with Grace. I certainly approve…lol. Luca you idiot! Alto, you know you’re on the wrong side now…get Sheryl & get the hell out of Evil Leon’s Frontier.

    Browniekat
    Reply

  51. Best scene: Ozma and Alto’s confrontation. Ozma looked like he was toying with Alto. He could’ve might as well just told him up front, “I’m going to where Ranka is because I’m a MAN. How about you? What are you doing?” LOL Even if he didn’t straight up say this, Alto’s reaction stayed the same. Pained. I loved every frame of it. Well said, big bro Ozma.

    Alto wouldn’t even visit Sheryl if he didn’t find out she was dying. I’m not surprised that Alto’s swinging back to her since I kind of expected he’ll go to her once he finds out she’s dying lol It adds more fire to the dramaaa~ Btw, Sheryl’s new song, ‘Yousei’. Sounds pretty. I’m liking it. 🙂

    ani_d
    Reply

  52. Hey, diva didn´t say “This is great news for Hillary Clin…”, errr…., “RANKA X ALTO END CONFIRMED!”. ^^

    Ahem. Anyways, I hope everyone who watched the episode catched that Sheryl has actually the same type of bugs-with-crystals in her, which Ranka has. I wonder why Omni doesn´t have a screen of that shot. The V-type disease which Sheryl has apparently has those bugs infecting your body slowly, until they reach the brain and you die.

    Now, Ranka has the same things in her, but she isn´t adversely affected. So, it stands to reason that Ranka will probably the one to save Sheryl in the end, via blood transfusion / magical healing or somesuch. I suspect it will be her moment to let Alto go, because letting Sheryl live will be the death of her aspirations for being with Alto. And thus everybody wins, Ranka gets to mature up to be a adult, Sheryl gets Alto and Alto gets his mistress. At least that is how the narrative looks from my side.

    Magnus
    Reply

  53. “Za Third:

    Just enjoy Macross for what it is and wait for the end when everything will be confirmed, if you’re expecting the main triangle to be solved before the last chapter in Macross so you can celebrate and mock the “losing” Shipper faction then you’re doing it wrong and should feel bad for having such a childish mentality.”

    Thank you very much, I’m tired of “this-idol”-tards (as opposed to just Sheryl or Ranka fans) to bash the other team so immaturely.

    And I’ve seen an Alto x Sheryl ending since the first episode, and I don’t dig that ship.

    yaku
    Reply

  54. Arrrggg this episode seems to has been drawn very bad x_x
    BUT! I can’t wait for the subs x)

    This episode made me feel lots of thought x)
    – Every day I love more and more May’n amazing voice…
    – I want to kill Leon with a toothpick
    – I can’t stop laughing because of Grace and hers breasts xD

    Well, very good episode after all :p

    Mabo
    Reply

  55. ani_d:
    “I’m not surprised that Alto’s swinging back to her since I kind of expected he’ll go to her once he finds out she’s dying lol It adds more fire to the dramaaa~”

    I really would prefer not to be rude, but were you not one of those people who talked about how Alto would be thinking of Ranka this episode? He didn’t. Even the cuts intershot within the battle were framed specifically–and Sheryl-centric. Next time you expect something, it would probably be better to say so when you’re “winning”–more realistic than grasping later on.

    musouka
    Reply

  58. @musuoka
    I don’t mean to be rude also, but before you jump to conclusion, just make sure your accusation is accurate, mmkay? Now, I do think there’s no way you could’ve seen this, so it would be better if you just didn’t accuse in the first place.

    https://randomc.net/2008/08/28/macross-frontier-21/all-comments

    ani_d at 2:37 am on September 2nd, 2008
    @Yukime
    “Ah! But if Alto stays with Sheryl, that won’t be good for Ranka x Alto ending. >__<”

    I think Alto will stay with Sheryl once he finds out Sheryl is dying. However, even if he does stay with her, we have faith in Ranka’s princess charming. lol I’m not really sure if the rumor of LT getting resolved earlier was true since none of that were mentioned in any of the interviews. It would be nice, but don’t you think it’ll be funner if it gets resolved at the very end like always.

    ani_d
    Reply

  59. @ yukime
    I have to agree with musuoka. There was absolutely no pity in that scene b/w alto & sheryl, only raw emotion, especially on alo’s side. He felt her pain as if it were own & reached out to her. I admit I initially disliked the thought of alto finding out abt her dying before the big confession but I still loved how they portrayed the scene. What I loved abt it was that the scene did not reek of pity at all, I repeat, it was all raw emotion from both, especially alto.

    In that moment I felt like he was only thinking of her & all the pain she’d been through pretending to be strong for the sake of others, for his sake. It wasnt the right time for a confession because he was concentrating on her pain. That is why, the first thing he asks her to do is to stop already, stop pretending, stop putting yourself through so much pain. You dont have to force youself to smile anymore, you dont have to sing anymore if it hurts you to do so. ( I actually find it vey ironic, that these are the very words he should have told ranka, if he had been in love with her, but he doesnt, not that it means anything, just an observation)

    Sheryl protests strongly against not singing, because singing is her life, proof that she’s lived, so he puts aside his own needs/feelings on the matter, hugs her & tells her that if it is her intent to keep on singing, then he will comply with her wishes until the last moment. You can see the brief moment of pain in his eyes before he hugs her. I dont know abt you but I saw this as an unspoken promise on his part to stay by her side forever & also of his love. He is letting her live her last moments the way she wants to. He is putting her above his own needs.

    He doesnt understand her heart just like he didnt understand ranka in ep 21, but the difference I found was that he put Sheryl’s needs first & tries to comply to what he believes is her wish.

    The important thing to note is that though the walls around their heart have crumbled , there are still unresolved feelings & misunderstandings b/w them as I dont think Sheryl knows alto loves her yet. ( Yes, as of now, I do believe its mutual) Which is the huge problem here, she seems resigned to her fate. And honestly, I’m not too sure that was a kiss at the end. As much as I want that, I’m going to need real confirmation that it was a kiss. Hopefully, the next ep delivers it.

    aneeshadc
    Reply

  60. maybe Kawamori’s ending *only speculating here* alto gets both girls (altoXsheryl,altoXranka) since most likely sheryl will die near the end (adds more drama)
    and alto ends up rebounding with ranka (bittersweet ending, ruining altoXsheryl pairing in the process, fan rage….)
    or alto ends up with no one…*Kawamori’s “safe bet” ending*

    Silverwinds
    Reply

  61. @ani_d
    The fact that Alto is frustrated and swearing means he is definitely having a hard time choosing, thanks to oniichan Ozma’s nice little manly speech. Even if he doesn’t go after Ranka, I’m contented to know he’s not really contented with how things are going. Even if he did not think of Ranka’s confession at all. <__< Maybe he is but Kawamori told them to cut it just to torture the shippers. (I bet Kawamori is cackling saying, “Ranka fans, here’s another test for you!”)

    @aneeshadc
    I never claimed it was pity. Did I? *checks and sighs* Okay, now I’m sure I didn’t. But yes indeed it was emotional but it could also be a friend comforting a friend. You know when your friend has cancer and of course you will say, “Don’t worry, we’re here for you (till the end).” That’s the emotion I got at least. Now it proves Alto cares for Sheryl strongly but to what extent nobody will still no as there is no confession made yet. And about the kiss, it was implied but not sure. Unless I see Alto’s lips definitely on Sheryl’s lips, I won’t jump into assumptions for now and will wait. (So this also states my opinion on musuoka’s post about Alto leading on dying women. If he did really kiss Sheryl, maybe I will consider calling him a jerk for leading Sheryl but it’s still debatable because Alto may be confused. Heck, Hikaru kissed Minmei tons of times (nah, I think twice or thrice actually) and then dumped her.)

    The way Alto understood Sheryl more compared to Ranka is obvious. What was there not to understand about Sheryl’s situation? Sheryl. is. sick. and. dying. Nothing else attached to it. Alto can’t be asking, “Why are you sick and dying Sheryl? WHY!?!”Ranka on the other hand decided to leave and go deliver her pet to homeland. And the ridiculous idea just evokes a big WHHHHHHY??? from Alto aside from the fact that Alto thinks Ranka is being reckless. Alto putting Sheryl’s needs first was of course sweet and touching but if he didn’t, what would that have made him? Wouldn’t he be a jerk? And consider the fact too that Sheryl’s interests don’t actually conflict with Alto’s. Alto wants to help his friends, Sheryl is his friend and in need. No conflict. Ranka is Alto’s friend who wants to go to Vajra homeland. Alto is Ranka’s friend who thinks Vajra are the enemy and must be killed (no exceptions) to survive. BIG conflict.

    But I loved the scene where Sheryl cried in front of Alto. Finally, her tsun tsun mask falls down! And Alto’s tsun tsun mask around Sheryl finally falls too! Took him a while but at least they can have more sweet moments without trying to fake nonchalance. =)

    And by the way, I was so tempted to join AS to reply to your posts there (because I already read it there. hehe =P) but I just don’t like forums that much anymore.

    And here’s to another good and hopefully not heated discussion we will have until 23 comes~! Cheers!

    yuKime
    Reply

  65. @Yukime
    I know! I think Kawamori’s doing it on purpose. Just right after the big AltoxSheryl scene, they suddenly cut to a random scene of Ranka with Ai-kun waddling around and saying she’s both happy and sad at the same time, then back to Alto. It’s like they’re saying “yes we’re aware, we’re aware ranka fans” haha

    Then later on, Ozma ADDRESSES this issue for us. “Alto Saotome, who do you fly for?” I really feel that Ozma’s approach was sharper than just beating up Alto for failing to get a move on. This reaction of Alto is probably the one thing I wanted to see the most in this episode atleast regarding Ranka’s departure. You can tell from Alto’s reaction that what he feels is doing right now is NOT right. Of course it’s not right 😛 He is so dense. I think even if he feels this way, slapped by Ozma’s words, he still doesn’t know WHY he’s feeling this much pain lol!

    Btw, when Alto saw SMS’s message, did he look scared to you?

    ani_d
    Reply

  66. ani_d @ I know! I think Kawamori’s doing it on purpose. Just right after the big AltoxSheryl scene, they suddenly cut to a random scene of Ranka with Ai-kun waddling around and saying she’s both happy and sad at the same time, then back to Alto. It’s like they’re saying “yes we’re aware, we’re aware ranka fans” haha

    I think you’re crazy.

    sia
    Reply

  68. @ani_d

    Out of topic but you know what amazes me? I just found out you’re Filipino. I was like, “Cool! We have more than Ranka rabu in common!” XD

    Anyway, back to the topic. I just loved the line, “What’s those wings for?!” Alto really has to get a grip of himself and see what he is doing wrong! Alto’s denseness just never stops to amaze me. XD But the frustration at least means he is trying to figure it out and at least has a clue that he IS doing something wrong~

    About the SMS message from Ozma that Alto received? Not really scared, more like disbelief beyond reasons. IMO, it’s like parallel to the emotion he showed when Ranka said “Let’s go take Ai-kun back to his hometown!” An expression that says, “This can’t be true! What are YOU thinking?!” Then it changed to a determined look, like he decided to find out the truth from Ozma himself. Hence the heated questioning Ozma received from Alto. Like, “I’m going to go talk some sense into you.” But it turns out to be the opposite and Ozma was the one to pound some sense into Alto. And thus, confusion in Alto’s heart ensues.

    What’s your take on it? =)

    yuKime
    Reply

  69. an impressive episode to be sure. what stuns me even more than sheryl having the same waveform as ranka, and the fact that Alto decided to stay behind, was the idea that the vajra have set up their home base on earth, the very planet that humanity abandoned some 60 years before, at the end of the first space war.

    firemagnet
    Reply

  70. @firemagnet

    I don’t think it’s the Earth… But just a planet that looks like Earth with a white ring just like Saturn plus three moons to boot! If Earth can evolve to get the ring and the extra moons… well then, that’s earth all right. ^^;

    Vajras wouldn’t like earth. It’s too crowded. >_<

    yuKime
    Reply

  71. @yukime
    Wow, for real? XD Cool tayo!

    I say your take makes sense too. Alto’s face just looked so vulnerable to me. Maybe because I expected his reaction to be more of a surprised frustration, anger (like always) as opposed to his initial reaction. I’m sure SMS’s message was that they’re departing from Frontier (they’re pulling a Ranka lol). So I think Alto had that moment of vulnerability (whether it’s Ranka related or not), but wore a slightly resolute face (most likely because he already said he’d stay beside Sheryl). One thing I’m convinced though, the reason Alto was so pained by Ozma’s words may have a lot to do with that vulnerable expression of his. It shows that he’s not 100% resolute that he wanted to stay behind. His resolve is shaky. Between Sheryl and Alto, I think Sheryl will be the one to let Alto go if Alto shows signs of how he acted at the end of this episode—despite of what he told her. It’s going to be so dramatic. I can almost picture it.

    Anyway…Looks like Bilra’s going to bring up the Ranka matter again to Alto next episode. Can’t wait.

    ani_d
    Reply

  73. @ani_d
    Haha, I saw your post in the AS seiyuu appreciation thread. Dried mangoes… Grabe, miss then (fresh ones even more), especially since the superstores here just sell fresh Mexican mangoes. >._<

    Just a quick question.. Why did you ask if he was scared? His initial reaction did include surprise I think but yes possible too, that the disbelief is also distorted with confusion, as if he just had his decision with staying with Sheryl shaken a bit. Whether it’s Ranka related or not, I’m not sure but one thing’s for sure, his resolution IS swaying bit by bit. Even more after that speech Ozma gave.

    Oooh… drama!!! I don’t think Alto will let Sheryl see his resolve wavering though. Alto would definitely try to look strong around Sheryl since he knows Sheryl is getting strength from him. If Sheryl will push Alto away, I think she needs to read through his pretense and let Alto go. Since Sheryl IS good in deciding what’s good for Alto, I think she’ll make the right decision. I wonder how they’re going to play the scene! It will be heartbreaking I’m sure. T__T

    Oh, and my theory is that Alto will seek out Bilra himself to dig in some info. Since Alto’s not buddies with mushroom guy, Bilra will do. I wonder though, why is Leon talking to Bilra? Maybe Leon will blame Bilra or something.. ^^; I so await the meeting of this three. And moe little Ranka is LOVE! She looks so CUUUTE!

    yuKime
    Reply

  75. @cat
    Simply put, Luca was explaining to Sheryl how the v-virus works. Sheryl doesn’t care much about the explanation. Then Leon asks Sheryl to sing for Frontier since she had the same fold capabilities Ranka has. And Sheryl ponders about this on her way home (I mean, Saotome mansion)…

    yuKime
    Reply

  77. @yukime
    Oh it’s cuz he really does look scared lol His eyes kept shaking like he’s scared of someone/something. I didn’t expect him to wear an expression like that. Then I found a better word which is “vulnerable” and it’s better suited for his situation. He’s maybe thinking along the lines of “SMS is leaving? But no, I have to stay behind.”

    And yesh, lil Ranka’s so cute! The BreraxRanka flashback will be great. I think it’s time they reveal everything now. x__x Brera might be Galaxy’s eyes since I don’t think they could’ve seen Vajra planet if they’re not present. I wonder if Frontier’s destination is Vajra planet as well. They just don’t know that it is a Vajra homeland lol

    ani_d
    Reply

  78. @ firemagnet

    Humans did not abandone Earth. The idea of colonization fleets is insurance. Humans would not be wiped out in one go like in Space War 1.

    Do you guys notice the swirl is a combination of the Mayan Birdman Spiral in Macross Zero and the Protoculture computer symbol in Macross DYRL.

    I think the Vajra home planet used to be the Protoculture homeworld.

    RedWolf
    Reply

  79. @ani_d

    Speaking of vulnerable (better term than scared indeed), it reminded me of Alto way back in ep3 when after saving Ranka then he ran away and saw the ruined city. His expression there WAS that of uncertainty and indecision. He’s always had these wavering feelings, hesitant but always telling himself ‘I’m not running away!’, it’s just being consistent with his character. I wonder this time, will he be able to convince himself that he isn’t running away? From knowing the truth (Vajra = enemy mentality), from choosing his own path and seeing it till the end?

    Just curious, is it still Nakajima Megumi who’s voicing lil Ranka? She’s so cute, I bet Ozma didn’t mind adopting her at all just because she was so adorably cute! If nothing ever get clear in 23, I won’t be convinced that it will end nicely with 25 eps. At least they show us Ranka’s memories clearly now! She can’t go living any longer without knowing the truth! If Frontier’s destination is Vajra planet, maybe Bilra’s talk influenced Leon to go Vajra planet visiting.

    yuKime
    Reply

  80. Eventhough Ranka is not in this episode they’re still showing her as the most important character if not one of the most important character, well actually she’s one of the most important character because she’s one of the lead but what I’m saying is I think she is more important than Sheryl and Alto (again not to offend sheryl fans out there 😀 ).

    druid
    Reply

  81. I don’t get Alto. When he was watching Sheryl sing through that big tube, his face was empty. Now he just found out that Sheryl’s going to die and he is now all over her. When they showed his mother’s picture, now that made me think of why.
    It’s weird after sharing a beautiful and heartfelt scene with Ranka last ep, he’s now promising to stay by sheryl’s side. The things that Ranka expected him to say to her from last ep, he said them to sheryl.’You don’t have to sing if you don’t want to. I’ll be with you if wish to sing.’ Made me sad.:( Still, something’s off here.
    What did Ozma say to Alto in the end? He told Alto some more stuffs other than who he flies for, that he’s a man, and that he chose his own path. I’m itching to know…

    Haitian_princess
    Reply

  82. I stopped reading the others reviews half way, so I hope I won’t be repeating too much aha~

    No surprise for me: I said so for the previous episode “At this point, almost all the possible plots are more or less cliche in a way or another, so how I see it is that the main point is: both girls are in death danger, one is dying from a virus and the other went to the Vajra(….)and the extreme situation of possibly loosing both of them should forcefully (since softly, you won’t ever get anything out of Alto…) awake him and show him who is most important to him.”

    So we have it exactly how I expected it: he found himself in a situation he might loose both of them and…he chose Sheryl? I can’t really say since I haven’t watched the episode just yet but the screenshots of the AltoxSheryl moment is pretty moving: their facials expressions are amazing!

    I can only guess that in the following episodes Alto will choose his own path and he will also decide which of the two girls is most important to him…now, of course, this is Macross, so even if he chose one, there is no warranty he will have a ‘happy ever after ending’ with whomever of the two he would have chosen.
    The opening also gave me the impression both Sheryl and Ranka would sing together…but from the spoilers of the next episodes I read it doesn’t seems like they will even meet at all, except the last episode I suspect.

    Bad sign for RankaxAlto: he kissed Sheryl even after Ranka confessed her Love to him not that long ago and at a moment he should be ‘mourning her loss’ and analyzing his own feelings toward her, as an answer to her truthful and heartfelt confession…even if we consider that it was just in the ‘heat of the moment’, well, it’s still no good, no good…since I do not believe Alto would kiss someone (meaning anyone) out of pity: mass destroying, hug, tears, pained expression, screaming, scolding, anything you want, but a kiss is not necessary when comforting a supposedly ‘only friend’, right after he was confessed to by another that is. (if Ranka didn’t confess, I wouldn’t care that much about it)

    Sherry
    Reply

  83. thanks, yuKime!

    can’t wait for subs to be out… i so want to hear Ozma in this ep!

    however, love-triangle wise i feel so sad for Ranka- i cant imagine things turning her way. even if speculating that Alto have feelings for her, he promised to stay with Sheryl, so even with Sheryl cured it would make Ranka look bad, especially if she provided the cure.
    speaking about Sheryl’s illness- is she the only one in the universe who has it? why there’s no medicine developed to help people with it? (well, except Grace’s magic pills)

    cat
    Reply

  84. Hooray Alto choose someone! Phew. Nookie for Alto and Sheryly 🙂 Finally we can get on with the story.

    If that’s the Vajira’s homeworld/motherplanet that we saw at the end and the treasure Grace and the collective have been seeking, what I want to know is what they plan to do with it. It was rather moving to see how everyone has finally drawn their respective lines in the sand, and that SMS is really a true mercenary military force with their own directive that supersedes the political machinations of Frontier. I wonder what Bilrer is planning in the light of this situation, since his guys are now going to be on the run except for the ones who stayed behind.

    I’m really sorry that Luca has chosen Leon’s side, but that has been obvious for a while due to his single minded decision to do whatever it takes to protect Nanase. It’s a valid choice, as was Klan’s to stay behind.

    I did like the way Ozma wanted to underline to Alto that in the end the reasons why they fight or fly have to be clear in their head in order for them to choose their own path. (Ranka did, and so did Ozma) He’s asking Alto to figure out what he really believes in, because I think he still believes Alto still isn’t clear about his own reasons why he fights, why he flies. He’s been mostly reactive throughout the series, to everything that happens around him (ranka getting kidnapped, sheryl’s illness, people dying)- he’s so dense that it takes something traumatic to get him to do something.

    I’m curious how this is all come to a head and I wonder what what will happen to the Macross Quarter, and where this will all converge. My guess is that the climactic scene is going to happen at the planet that we were shown towards the end of the episode. Grace grabbing her boobs was just too creepy.

    nezumibento
    Reply

  87. ren @ The sign that Alto is being made to look like a lost soul even if he chose to be with sheryl.

    Sherry and alto will solve this together. She will not clip his wings. She will tell him to quit worrying abt her and she will let him fly. But Alto has chosen. Besides Ranka looks fine. She dumped Alto last episode and tries to seek her past anyway. Brera is with her.

    The love triangle is over. It’s all abt Sherry and Alto’s struggle now. About fucking time! 😀

    sia
    Reply

  88. Omni @ (it’s implied that they kissed again or even did something more than that).

    Oh shit, did Alto and Sherry sleep together?

    Also…

    Alto stayed for Sherry.

    Luca stayed for Nanase.

    Klan stayed for Michel.

    Ep 24, they will fly out to Vajra world again.

    sia
    Reply

  92. Well, with Alto joining the Frontier forces (NUNS), this could mean that Kawamori plans to put him in the cockpit of a VF-19 Excalibur or the VF-22 Sturmvögel as these two units are the “hero type” as Kawamori said before. Since the development of the Messiah is at a dead end, it’s the best chance to compare which of the VF is best.

    Plotwise, as I said before, having Sheryl as his personal life and securing Ranka’s safety as his duty and honor demands is the answer for Alto right now. His hate for the Vajra is too deep as he has seen death closer than anyone (Gilliam, Raramia and Michel) to understand Ranka and the more human side of Sheryl (as she’s apparently dieing) has reach him deeper.

    And I hope that Grace. Leon or Brera bite the dust or are arrested at the end of the series. Way too villanous for my taste right now.

    SeedStriker
    Reply

  93. @sia! Aaaawww!
    It’s “Sheryl”, not “Sherry”, Sherry is my nickname since forever and I couldn’t help blushing when I read your lines (“did Alto and Sherry sleep together?”) >//////<

    @yumi: well, it’s not a sure thing yet they are together. Everything could still turn upside down at any moment, starting from next episode. Ranka still have every chance, really.
    As for Sheryl, I don’t think she is the kind of character who dies: she wouldn’t uselessly sacrifice herself and would definitely fight on till the very end, clinging on every breath she has left. I believe she is the type to survive and by surviving, protecting the ones important to her with all her power. This is the kind of things that makes me think she *might* end up with Alto, since he wouldn’t live in the fear of loosing her, I think, since she is very strong minded and determined person, who could support him, better then just be protected by him.

    Sherry
    Reply

  95. Sherry @ It’s “Sheryl”, not “Sherry”, Sherry is my nickname since forever and I couldn’t help blushing when I read your lines (“did Alto and Sherry sleep together?”) >//////<

    Did Alto and Sheryl have sex? They shows the sky next with stars after Alto and Sherryl make out in their room and Sheryl sounds sleepy. 😀 Altos jacket is off too when he went outside. This is fucking Hikaru and Misa all over again.

    sia
    Reply

  98. My guess is that next episode Alto is forced to do some soul searching about his reason for flying–duh, thanks for stating our themes so clearly, Ozma–but part of the reason Alto will react so strongly about the mystery surrounding Ranka is that it will tie into Sheryl’s disease, not just because he wants to “run off and save Ranka”. They set that up by having Sheryl react to the parallels between the both of them this episode, and her concern when she thought Ranka might be infected.

    The future of Alto and Sheryl will probably hinge on their scenes together next episode.

    musouka
    Reply

  99. @SeedStriker
    I think that Brera has won enough “Good Guy Points” lately, showing some disagreement with Grace and working more for Ranka’s sake, Grace may still use him as some sort of link (reason why she knows they finally found that planet) i think Brera stopped being the villanous type time ago. As Much he’s the puppet trying to achieve free will through something, in this case Ranka. We’ll probably get some “Return to the Dark Side Brera” Scene with Grace and if things develop smoothly he could go “Screw It” and pummel into pulp Grace’s “Despair and Nightmares”. As much he keeps arguing with Alto, but you know how guys tends to argue, specially in anime that they even pull out weapons out of nowhere while arguing.

    Za Third
    Reply

  102. Of course they kissed. If you have ever kissed anyone you know they kissed. Not unless you get very close to someone face and each of you do a slow bobble head move instead of a kiss.
    Watch in slow motion and you will see it.
    I think they panned away only for dramatic effect. We have seen them kiss in the past, what would be so special if they just simply kissed again?
    Did they do the dirty deed? I don’t think so. But I hope they did. 🙂

    CrustyCrotch
    Reply

  103. Pity love?Pity kiss? I doubt it..especially the second one.
    It’s OBVIOUS that they both feel attraction towards each other.
    It’s evident in the previous episodes.
    Hopefully they will be able to become an official pairing soon..
    I love Sheryl and Alto..<333

    Kalulu
    Reply

  106. Good episode all in all. I know I’ve been feeling something wrong with how Alto was acting towards Sheryl until Ozma came out and SAID IT. He truly said exactly what I’VE been wanting to ask Alto, and exactly HOW I want him to say it. “Alto Saotome, who do you really fly for?!” ARRGH! You dense piece of oedipal kabuki-hime! Alto looks so uncool this episode. I don’t think he even loves Sheryl until Klan told him Sheryl’s going to die.

    Hats off to Ozma. Hats off. >( You’re really the man.

    Ethereal
    Reply

  107. Do ppl here think Sheryl will tear down Alto’s wings?

    She will get angry coz Alto won’t fly. They will go thrugh this together. Did you forget? They understand each other. Ranka has nothing to do with this anymore. Nothing. This is just fucking sad.

    sia
    Reply

  109. If Alto doesn’t love Sheryl than he doesn’t love his mum and Klan didn’t love Michael because if you have a half a brain cell you would notice that they have been drawing parallels between AxS relationship to those 2 ones. Alto and his mother in that Alto had to lose someone he loved to sickness and Klan and Michael in that Klan confessed her love to late.

    Also Ranka fans… with Ranka not meeting Alto again until the end scene of ep 24 at the earliest you’re hoping your couple is going to win with one episode of any worthwhile development between them since the recap episode. Aside from 21 nothing in the 16-22 range has been worthwhile development, unless you consider Ranka going from “hmmm, should i be singing against the varja” to “YAY ALTO_KUN SAID I SHOULD SO IT’S ALRIGHT!!” to be worthwhile which is just lolz….

    Oh wait who cares last ep is dokun dokun lol, who gives a fuck if it makes no sense and probably has fuck all to do with the triangle dokun dokun who cares that both times it was played in the show Alto was focused on Sheryl and not Ranka dokun dokun ftw dokun dokun kawaiiiiii ^________________^

    Westlo
    Reply

  110. “Do ppl here think Sheryl will tear down Alto’s wings?

    She will get angry coz Alto won’t fly. They will go thrugh this together. Did you forget? They understand each other. Ranka has nothing to do with this anymore. Nothing. This is just fucking sad.”

    Of course she will, don’t you know that Sheryl near the end here is Minmei near the end of Macross?

    Minmei – Stop flying Hikaru and stay with me!!!!!!!!!
    Sheryl – When I found out I was dying, not wanting you to find out was the first thing I thought of….

    It’s so obvious! How selfish is Sheryl to not want Alto to feel pain from her slow death, how selfish is that!

    Westlo
    Reply

  111. musouka @ I wouldn’t be so sure that the title of the last episode hints at a Ranka-wins-hime-ending. ‘Anata no Oto’ isn’t really a love song in the typical vein–from what we saw of it, it’s more of a quiet celebration of life. In that respect, it makes much more sense to connect it to the Vajra than it is to a Ranka+Alto ending.

    If you look at how it was used in the show, it didn’t “reach” Alto, but there were some very important “people” that had a reaction to it: the hatching Vajra. Like most things related to Ranka at this point in time, it plays up her connection as the ultimate link that will bring peace to both sides, not her romantic inclinations.

    it was a shit title for a final but that makes so much sense now.

    sia
    Reply

  112. Alto wouldn’t be as frustrated as hell if he was positively sure he really wanted to stay in Frontier. The way he is troubled will only mean that his heart is not 100% sure that it’s shouting, “Rabu Rabu Sheryl FTW!”

    If ever Alto realizes that he likes Ranka, I don’t think it would have been sudden since they developed their relationship all throughout the series. From acquaintances, to friends, to phone pals, to Vajra fighting. And Alto realized that from within there, he grew to love her and just noticed now. Ranka didn’t notice 100% till ep19, Alto is denser so maybe 23 or 24 will give him clues.

    Sheryl will obviously not do a Minmei trick and tell Alto to stop flying but instead she will realize what Alto really wants and will let him go~

    yuKime
    Reply

  113. yukime @ Sheryl will obviously not do a Minmei trick and tell Alto to stop flying but instead she will realize what Alto really wants and will let him go~

    Alto is troubled because he can’t fly. His not troubled because of Ranka. Different.

    sia
    Reply

  114. When they found treasure island er planet, i thought one of the galaxy officials sneezed his brains out. What weird expression

    Predictions for next episode:
    Alto’s cooking will be good since he’s a gifted child, but Bilra will interrupt and confront him about Ranka.
    Brera, Ranka and Alto will find out everything about the 117th fleet and the Vajra.
    Alto will catch up with SMS at the end of next episode.
    Sheryl will be taken to a hospital somewhere in the episode.
    The Galaxy troopies will crash in at Vajra planet and wreak havoc.

    All bets are on! If I’m wrong then I’ll just wander ahead.

    Wandering spirit
    Reply

  115. @sia
    HAHAHA Alto is troubled because he can’t fly? XD He’s already flying in his VF. That was in episode 1 when he hasn’t been piloting anything. Stop fooling yourself. Alto won’t scream his lungs out if he’s not feeling frustrated. He’s feeling frustrated even if he decided he’d stay by Sheryl’s side. What does that mean? Hmmmm?? If he’s on the right path, he won’t feel unnerved. Alto will join the darkside. It’s only a matter of time before they gooo DOKUN DOKUN DOKUNNNN XD

    diva
    Reply

  117. @sia
    He can’t fly… because? It’s not that he can’t fly? It’s because he’s flying for the wrong reasons. Oh, you’ll soon find out Ranka’s somewhere in between his troubles. Just wait for 23~

    I wonder if we’ll get a showdown Battle Frontier vs Macross Quarter. XD

    yuKime
    Reply

  120. @westlo
    Alto and Ranka has been major since the start. It’s not going to be inconsistent about them ending up together just because they couldn’t see each other for two episodes.

    Haitian_princess
    Reply

  123. @sia

    And because he got left behind… that means he can’t fly anymore? No, the reason Alto is feeling frustrated is because Alto can’t decide what to do with himself. Everyone seems to be choosing their own way (look at Ranka and the whole Macross Quarter gang) and Alto can’t seem to get why they’re doing that (Oh, Alto’s denseness kicks in again!). But he at least gets the idea that he also has to do SOMETHING.

    @Haitian_princess
    Definitely. I’m already anticipating the dramatic reunion. X3

    yuKime
    Reply

  124. Me too!! The last episode’s title made me squeal. It was named after Ranka’s song! ^O^ Ozma said something more to Alto during their fight too. About casting away something, feelings..or yeah. Can someone clear this for me?? Ozma may have wanted to ask if Alto is just going to cast away what he really feels and stay the way he is. Ozma is indirectly telling Alto to follow Ranka with him and Alto looks like a part of him wants to so bad. AWWW. His tortured face is so adorable. I can’t wait for the next episode ^o^ More Ranka episode!

    flowergirl
    Reply

  127. I wonder what Klan will do if she finds out that Alto wants to be with the little queen and join the vajra instead of sheryl? She’ll tear him apart? Go berkserk? Plot something? I’m starting to be afraid of Klan now. This is one girl who won’t ever forgive the vajra for what they did to Michael no matter what the reason is.

    Spymouth
    Reply

  128. I think it’s too soon to judge who Alto will end up with. Just because Alto hugs Sheryl (and maybe kiss her) doesn’t mean that it’s a sure thing yet. There’s still three more episodes to go.

    Alto makes me want to bash my head against the wall. He’s still indecisive and he still doesn’t know the reason for why he’s fighting and who he’s fighting for.

    That aside, I want to know more about Ranka, Brera and the Vajra more than who Alto-hime end up with at the moment.

    koyuki
    Reply

  129. I agree that since this is Macross and since one of the main songs is Triangler(sp?), the love triangle will not be easily resolved. I expect to see Canvas2 and True Tears levels of reversals. Though I like Sheryl and Alto as a couple, I cannot hate Ranka-chan because of her voice actor. Darn my nationalistic pride based on bonds of blood. GRABE TALAGA!!

    nycs
    Reply

  130. I don’t think that Ranka will end up with Alto. I wish that weren’t so!

    I think the last few episodes will be around Ranka’s past and where her future path will be. It will also be about saving Sheryl.

    Goofy007
    Reply

  131. Finally, for sm reason, I couldnt access RC until nw.

    @yukime
    sry, I tend to copy/paste my AS posts cos I am that lazy^_^ & my earlier posts abt there not being even a remote possibility of the pity factor in the Sheryl/Alto interaction was actually addressed to anid, but I probably wrote ur name by mistake, since ur the only other ranka fan I’m used to corresponding with.

    Then again, even if u didnt say anything abt pity, it was implied, so hopefully it did u some good too.^_^. That scene did not have a friend comforting friend vibe to it at all, as far as I’m concerned. Even without the kiss at the end, that scene screamed of romantic tension, pained love, & raw emotion.

    Honestly, if it was ranka he was unconsciously in love with, he would have reacted with pain at her absence much earlier in the episode. If he had, I would have acknowledged that ranka has a credible chance but it is a done fact that he didnt do so. Denseness isnt an excuse, not after ranka confessed to him, he should have felt the pain of her loss keenly if he loved her, but he hasnt.

    Instead, he reacted strongly at the prospect of losing Sheryl. He reacted even more strongly on seeing her in pain & he further reacted by desperately hugging her when he saw her in tears. He was distraught, It pained him to see her in pain.

    His frustration after Ozma says he & ranka have chosen their path, what abt u? I would be more inclined to apply it to hw he has forced himself to stand in the sidelines & support Sheryl as she continues to sing to her death in accordance to her wishes & also to hw alto has yet to find his direction in life which will allow him to protect the woman he loves in the best way possible just as Ozma is doing for Cathy & Ranka.

    This frustrated yell of his came after his emotional scene with Sheryl, after he learned abt her dying & he was helpless & unable to do a thing abt it & we all know hw much he hates being helpless, so connecting his yell to alto/sheryl feels natural to me. It really helps that he didnt show a pained reaction at ranka’s supposed betrayal & depature, anger & a little hurt, yes, but he wasnt pained.

    aneeshadc
    Reply

  132. isn’t it just lovely how Ranka’s fans go all emo and try to find an excuse to keep telling the world (and themselves) Alto prefers Ranka… they can’t even speak Japanese but totally understand a toon’s emotions (in particular Alto’s ofc) by watching a raw, just hilarious. Kudos to Sheryl for having the b@lls not even Alto has lol.

    And off the record, I do like the possible Juliet/Romeo ending lol, Sheryl dies off V-Virus and so does Alto, like a man, in combat! But does who truly know Kawamori, know that is not his style 😀

    DYRLfan
    Reply

  133. @DYRLfan
    Agreed. Ranka fans are fanatical sometimes, at times spitefully disregarding the opinions of other while substituting their own opinions as if they were the only fact and the only rational thoughts.

    Alto passionately kissed Sheryl (he chose to kiss Sheryl) and yet that is not love in their eyes. Nor is his act considered him making a choice. What else must Alto do to prove his love? Shoot Ranka between the eyes? LOL

    Barbarians We All
    Reply

  134. My opinion is that Alto decided who he truly loves when he is with Sheryl. Seeing her need to continue singing, to keep living until the end.
    At this point I think he sees who she TRULY is and finally knows who his heart belongs to. He held her close, and then embraced her even more tightly.

    Perhaps Alto’s frustration at the end was just him being frustrated at not being able to save everyone? Sheryl or Ranka? Not out of frustration that he realizes he loves Ranka.

    Anyone else think that the ‘Vajra planet’ is where Frontier will colonize? It looks habitable.

    I also don’t think Alto nor Ozama were trying to kill each other.

    Archangel
    Reply

  135. I think Alto choosing Sheryl is a pretty valid choice considering the circumstances. Plus if you watched 21 Ranka feels herself that her feelings never reached Alto, and although she wanted to be with him, she chose to let him go because of the things she’s realizing as her memory gradually returns.

    There have been allusions to what’s happening on Frontier now with what happened on Global 11 years ago when Ranka was rescued. Grace herself mentioned that Ranka now was different from then, and it all points to the theory that they were using Ranka in an experiment that failed catastrophically due to a mystery piece of the equation that they didn’t consider (that Grace has solved by now I think, based on her comments when she showed the new MDF bomb to Leon).

    I’m toying with the wish that Ranka could become a key to finding a cure for Sheryl’s illness because of her trip with Ai-kun. It would be a great thing if that were to be true. That and finding out that Brera and Ranka aren’t blood relatives and they end up together. Hohohohoho. (BreraxRanka fan to the end!)

    nezumibento
    Reply

  137. I’m not pleased.

    I was more touched with Blue Ether’s delivery last episode than this week’s Northern Cross. And that’s not funny! Even if it’s supposed to be a Sheryl episode, it doesn’t feel like it at all. Where’s Sheryl supermove like everyone is expecting? Instead of a Sheryl supermove, Klan was the one who did the supermove. And the supermove is nothing but her pitiful death card. During her northern cross song, still no supermove, it was used as a battle song. It’s like Sheryl is just an extra while Ozma and Alto have at it while talking about following Ranka. Whoever said that Sheryl will sing this song to Alto and the nuthead will realize something? The said nuthead only started going for her right as soon as he heard she was dying, Klan’s supermove. That’s not love. That’s pity disguised as love. Because sheryl reminded him of his mother? Don’t think I didn’t see that picture frame panned right after Alto started acting like a softie. Nuthead and his mother complex.

    I was sure Alto will choose her in this episode but not like this. Out of pity? This won’t last. I can say it’s not out of pity but looking at Alto’s face in the beginning where he was watching her. His face was blank. Empty. Only the knowledge of Sheryl’s death turned this around. It’s not like Alto doesn’t behave this way to the others too. He was like this when Raramia died.

    Ozma’s challenge to Alto is pissing me off. Makes me wish he should’ve hit pineapple heaven in 17. Alto’s reaction is also pissing me off. But since Alto told Sheryl that he’ll stay by her side till the end, he better stick with it!! If he comes running back to Ranka just because of what Ozma said…dskjflka…

    Thalia_is_pissed
    Reply

  138. @Barbarians We All
    Sheryl Fans are as fanatical, noisy and as childish as the Ranka Fans, 2 seconds on the Macross Forum in Animesuki can make one realize how bad this shipper fans get. I personally just want a good general ending, i really don’t care the pairings since i like both girls, and i know Kawamori is too tricky like to confirm any ending until we reach the last episode.

    A Kiss defines a pairing? Nope, even in anime in general a Kiss can easily not meant “They are officially and unbreakable pairing”, hell, with Kawamori they could have sex in a Hentai Movie like explicit way and he could still go “Lol guess what? He doesn’t end with that chick, yeah they had sex, so? that was just some stuff driven by hormones and the hots, he goes with the other gal.”

    Time Ago i stopped supporting pairings in a Macross anime, since you never know what will happen until the last minute. As much, i have a preference for the “3-way” ending, just for the sake of seeing the most annoying and zealous shippers fans of both girls squirm in anger.

    Za Third
    Reply

  139. Has anyone considered a Luca kills Ranka rampage because his girl dies cuz of the vajra.
    (Thus automatically reverting to an alto x sheryl ending)
    Or maybe an alto dies ending.

    this is such an escapist story.

    acidflower
    Reply

  140. @Barbarian

    That’s a good observation.
    Alto chose to kiss Sheryl.
    Not Sheryl stealing/blind siding him with a kiss nor Ranka getting a part in a movie scene to kiss Alto.

    I didn’t notice that detail. Good eye.

    Archangel
    Reply

  141. @Za Third
    “Time Ago i stopped supporting pairings in a Macross anime, since you never know what will happen until the last minute. As much, i have a preference for the “3-way” ending, just for the sake of seeing the most annoying and zealous shippers fans of both girls squirm in anger.”

    I second this lol. It’s hella fun when you see the way both sides work themselves into fits. Pity there wasn’t much nookie between main characters in this series, it would have made it even more interesting. Macross Plus had more sex in it than Frontier, but then again, that had adults as main characters.

    Go RankaxBrera!

    nezumibento
    Reply

  142. I think Alto will swing to Sheryl till episode 25 then pull a Canvas2 at the last 5 minutes. The same with how SDF Macross concluded. Shery’s cure will be in ep 25 and all of Frontier inhabitants will live in Vajra world under a real sky. The babies of the future will be having piggybacks with Ai-kun’s descendants and Aimo will be their international anthem.

    Pancho
    Reply

  146. God, how come a lot of people are already convinced that Alto kissed Sheryl. Did you even see their lips touched? It’s up for debate. It’s not 100% sure. I’m saying this before everyone get carried away and think that SherylxAlto had sex already. Laughable.

    The camera was at an angle where you can misunderstand what they’re doing. Alto could have moved in to wipe more tears from her eyes, or hug her. Alto was showing affection towards her. This is the only thing that’s 100% sure.

    Mp109
    Reply

  147. @Za Third
    “Time Ago i stopped supporting pairings in a Macross anime, since you never know what will happen until the last minute. As much, i have a preference for the “3-way” ending, just for the sake of seeing the most annoying and zealous shippers fans of both girls squirm in anger.”

    and I third that but not really on the “3-way ending”, I don’t really care much who ends with who. I’m basically, just interested in Ranka’s story 😀

    @Sia
    no, she just cracked like the other A/R fans did. they’re all crazy.

    I guess I can only be called half crazy since I’m only interested in Rankas’ character not really much about Altos’ 😀 .

    druid
    Reply

  148. “original Macross Minmei and Hikaru were living togheter until the last episode, nearly like a married couple, and what happened?”

    How about … no, they were not.

    Minmei lived on Nyan Nyan restaurant before she became a idol, then she lived on a apartment and that when they were in Macross, in the final episodes she traveled from town to town.

    Hikaru pretty always lived in the barracks, be on the Macross or Macross City.

    Only when Minmei goes to Macross City in the much later episodes she stays at Hikaru house but the series ended about 2-3 episodes after that, they spend more time together when they were lost in Macross after the fold.

    What is true is that Hikaru was “…Minmei” for about 90% of the series, right down to the last episodes as Misa was not even in the picture at start of the show.

    Also I do not think this is going to end as SDFM did, to start the “after the war” episodes were not planned and only happened because of a influx of money (that is why they are kinda off place)… not to say as Hikaru was “… Minmei”, Alto is neither “… Ranka” or “…Sheryl”.

    Drakron
    Reply

  149. @diva
    Awww a sheryl fag impersonating the diva? I wonder who. But wait, you can’t be a diva unless you sing the ultimate RankaxAlto song. :O *ahem* AI GAAAAA DOKUN DOKUN DOKUN! Come sing it! Westloxsia are doing a great job already. XD AHAHAH We’ll have 3 more episodes of dokun dokun concert. Can you keep up??

    diva
    Reply

  151. I really didn’t see a kiss as well, I also think it’s debatable since noone actually seen them do that. The only thing I could be sure they did was hugged each other and wipe a tear, all I see was Alto’s head movement and his back (not a definite kiss).

    @Sia
    You mention earlier that Alto wasn’t thinking of Ranka but I saw an image of Ranka shown at the end of the episode, someone was thinking of her may it be Alto or Ozma but I doubt it’s Ozma since I think Alto is the only person who saw that image of her before she left frontier. So is it safe to assume that Alto is definitely thinking of her?

    druid
    Reply

  152. They definately kissed! The scene was so romantic yet painful I was just so touched. XD *it made me squeal with delight*
    When you feel another’s pain and embrace them like that – it’s love.
    And Alto’s voice actor was really good at that scene.. that was a really painful voice. Gotta praise him.

    As for more than the kiss, I think it didn’t happen. Why? There was no time!
    I think they had a long sweet kiss during the time Brera played his harmonica and when the scene switched back, Alto was looking at his cellphone, clothes unruffled. I’m thinking it was real time.

    Sheryl’s “please give me courage” was really *_* though. If the next scene was in the morning there would be no excuse that they did it.

    I was impressed with Sheryl’s new song, it was really sad, emotional and beautiful. I’m also really happy she got a new song. I was sort of angry at Ozma for cutting it.

    I didn’t get the whole stuff with Ozma and Alto. Needs subs/summary…
    Alto tends to get frustrated too often doesn’t he? Quarter’s leaving Frontier seems too much of a plot device to me. Ranka’s too. It’s not logical to ditch your own mother ship. Finding a new planet was just too much of a coincidence.

    Yukiruchan
    Reply

  153. @sia
    The love triangle is over. It’s all abt Sherry and Alto’s struggle now. About fucking time!

    Do you think the end will be about Sheryl and Altos’ struggles? I highly doublt that since the story is reversing back to Rankas’ story (may it be without Alto). And I don’t really think that the triangle is over.

    druid
    Reply

  154. You are delusional if you don’t see he kissed her. Look at her lips before, there was focus on them. Then the camera moves away and you can see his head move. It’s not in your face, but it’s pretty obvious.

    nelly
    Reply

  155. If they kissed then they kissed, if you really believe that then it’s fine.

    When you feel another’s pain and embrace them like that – it’s love.
    Nobody’s saying otherwise I think it’s also safe to assume that every Ranka fans thinks so too but the question is what kind of love? Don’t forget Alto didn’t say he loves her yet.

    druid
    Reply

  156. @yukiruchan
    If you want to think they kissed then okay. But it’s not absolute. It would’ve been better if they slept together but she has Space AIDS. That ain’t happening either. Alto was frustrated because of what Ozma said to him. Who does he fly for, Ranka chose her path, he chose his by following Ranka then brought back the question to Alto: “Where are you going?” For some reason, even if Alto decided to stay in Frontier with Sheryl, he screamed in pain.

    @druid
    That flashback image of Ranka was for Alto. That certainly wasn’t for Ozma. No need for humble words. You’re right anyway. Why in the world would Alto scream like that if Ozma’s words about siding with ranka didn’t make him feel pathetic? lol

    diva
    Reply

  157. It’s not in your face, but it’s pretty obvious.

    Well it’s not really obvious to me since what I saw was his back. I agree with mp109 saying
    “The camera was at an angle where you can misunderstand what they’re doing. Alto could have moved in to wipe more tears from her eyes, or hug her. Alto was showing affection towards her.” I will agree with you if I can “actually” see them do it 😀

    druid
    Reply

  160. It’s not obvious to you because you are biased against seeing it. Not that it matters. The whole scene was more important then the kiss (and maybe more).

    Actually I’m not biased since I don’t really care much about who Alto ends up with I’m ok if Ranka ends up with Brera (if it’s possible, I think his character is more interesting than Alto anyway, that’s what I think) or if she ends with noone. I think the scene where they’ve shown the planet is more important (plotwise). I think Rankas’ story is more important than the triangle. That’s just for me. Watching Alto’s frustration is getting frustrating as well 😀

    druid
    Reply

  161. If you think they didn’t kiss, then you’re delusional.

    It’s actually easy to see what kind of love it is. I mean there’s only one kind of love that after you embrace someone of the opposite sex, say you’ll be with her until the rest of her life, then you look into her tear-filled eyes and kiss her..

    It doesn’t matter whether either of them say it or not. Words are unnecessary.

    Yukiruchan
    Reply

  162. It’s actually easy to see what kind of love it is. I mean there’s only one kind of love that after you embrace someone of the opposite sex, say you’ll be with her until the rest of her life, then you look into her tear-filled eyes and kiss her..

    It’s also natural to “actually” say you love her and embrace her and say you’ll stay with her for the rest of her life and then look into her tear-filled eyes and show the kiss. If they really want to show a romantic scene, I don’t know but that scene really gives me two meaning 😀

    druid
    Reply

  163. Ah, the choices in three weeks… gloat or be nice? Diva makes it difficult for the latter, but I don´t want to give up too many bad vibes. ^^ So, most probably it´ll be gloating with a ladel of niceness after the fact. 😛

    Magnus
    Reply

  164. “The camera was at an angle where you can misunderstand what they’re doing. Alto could have moved in to wipe more tears from her eyes, or hug her. Alto was showing affection towards her.”

    ACTUALLY I think he was flossing her teeth. Yes, that must be it. Why would he kiss her at that moment? It was a flossing moment, haven’t you heard 4 out of 5 dentist approve that in such moments are a flossing moment.

    The panning upward camera move wasn’t a device to give doubt or misinterpretation, it was for dramatic effect. If you have ever kissed before, you will know that was a kiss. Any doubt of it explains your lack of experience in life.

    Barbarians We All
    Reply

  165. So much hairsplitting over that ‘kiss’ scene with Sheryl and Alto. =_= Split it any finer and it’ll be microscopic.

    Be it that it was a kiss or not, Alto has enough feelings for Sheryl to be so affected by the news of her impending death to treat her with that kind of tenderness.

    It’s not far-fetched to say that in part it’s because of the analogies between his mother and Sheryl’s condition though, and the fact that he’s seen too many people important to him die, so I’m still wondering how much of it is a reaction to it, and how much of it is really being in love.

    I have to hand it to the scriptwriters though – they did a good job of expressing Sheryl’s vulnerability these last few episodes, and she’s become a really wonderful, complex character. The prospect of dying alone is enough to make anyone feel scared and lonely whoever they are, and it’s interesting to note that Sheryl has finally dropped her guard enough to show Alto how much she really needs him there, instead of being so flippant. Given his personality, whatever revelations will come up I think he will try as best he can to live up to his promise that he will be by her side, despite the confusion he feels about the situation between Frontier and SMS, and Ranka’s departure.

    I really didn’t like that his declaration to Sheryl was something that felt a bit like something he was somewhat maneuvered into. You tend to wonder if he would have made the same choice if she hadn’t been ill, or the similarities to his mother hadn’t been so strongly emphasized.

    It’s not too bad an outcome for the love triangle, if this is indeed the end of it, but in a way I preferred the way True Tears handled the emotional tug-of-war between its 3 mains, because it was less heavy-handed.

    nezumibento
    Reply

  166. The panning upward camera move wasn’t a device to give doubt or misinterpretation, it was for dramatic effect.

    If it’s for dramatic effect wouldn’t it be dramatic to show it sideways then upward. That’s what I see in some love stories I watched.

    druid
    Reply

  167. Yeah they didn’t kiss, that’s why he’s wearing her top underneath his fucking jacket.

    http://www.data.gov.cn/uploadme/me/macross/25th/ep/022/22002.jpg

    As for the title of the final episode, I can just see Kawamori reading 2ch and the like and laughing his ass off. I mean do you really think the episode title meeting went like this or something.

    Kawamori – Ranka wins the love triangle… and the 25 and final episode will be called… Your Sound!
    Lackey 1 – Your sound?
    Lackey 2 – But that’s the name of a Ranka song
    Kawamori – No shit
    Lackey 1 – But the name of this episode will be out in tv guides and magazines weeks before it airs!
    Lackey 2 – You’re giving away the end of the focal point of the show!
    Kawamori – Like I give a fuck, I’m Shouji Kawamori!

    lollollol
    Reply

  168. @Barbarian: You can misunderstand a lot of stuffs if you see it from behind. That doesn’t mean Alto kissed her. It’s not confirmed. That’s the truth.

    Alto hasn’t chosen someone yet. Come back to reality whoever those who think so. He was a big mess at the very end. Is this supposed to be someone who has found where he belongs? I think Alto is just projecting a lot of his grief to Sheryl when he found out she was dying. There’s also the whim where he told her he’ll stay by her if she chooses to sing, and he even told her that she can stop singing if she wants to. This might be what Ranka was wanting to hear from him and he’s telling them to Sheryl now. Also there’s Ato’s eyes as he watched Sheryl breakdown. They looked disturbed. He was sweating bullets, then he went to hug her. I don’t see that as attraction. It’s more of pity to be accurate. A genuine one, straight from the heart. Much like what the others have been saying, I’m going to be the umpteenth one to say, the basis of AltoxSheryl’s relationship doesn’t feel right.

    As things stand, Alto will inevitably take heed of Ozma’s words and go to Ranka’s side. Tis what I see happening. 😀

    Kirara
    Reply

  170. Kirara. Nice one! And I don’t have to tell you about the Sound too haha

    @lolololll11ol1

    What does his arms being out of his sleeves have to do with whether he kissed Sheryl or not? lololollll!!

    Are you done venting your complaints through your lololll scenario? Why not come sing with me? Ikiteiru Oto! Yasashii Oto! ^_________^

    diva
    Reply

  171. @lollollo
    Good eye. Altough I don’t think he’s wearing her shirt, but we now know he at least took off his jacket.

    But of course some fans will refute that he took off his jacket because, we didn’t see him take off his jacket.

    Must have been gremlins. 😉

    Archangel
    Reply

  172. @ Barbarian,

    Man, you crack me up… finally someone who feels the same way I do!

    @ lollol,

    that picture had many of Macrossworld forum members talking about something more than a kiss happening *wink wink* (btw ppl here who had only seen MF and can only copy lyrics of songs whilst trying to put together next episode by telling you who thinks what, after watching a 3 second preview should go there and learn some more about Kawamori and Macross history!) and yes lol, I think those are the people thinking that Kawamori’s meetings are sorta like what you described lmao.

    So far, I cound 3 ppl who are not virgins and suffer dellusions… Barbarians, lollol and myself… love triangle anyone? rofl.

    DYRLfan
    Reply

  173. forgot to add… as some forsee that image of Ranka comes from Alto’s thoughts, I am feeling creative and the above last two pics from the preview go like this…

    Sheryl is wearing her artist disguise and sunglasses as she comes out of the Hospital, the pregnancy test was positive and Alto will be a daddy in 7 months.
    Alto is standing there, innocently looking at the sky… there were no bathrooms around, so had to take a leak somewhere away from the crowds. He’s waiting for Sheryl to let him know the test results and is so excited, he almost wet himself.

    There… lmao!

    DYRLfan
    Reply

  174. I fail to see how you can equate real relationships with what happens in an anime, here. So what if in reality, Alto would have slept with Sheryl ten episodes before? It’s a love triangle, it runs on asspulls and indecisiveness. So, claiming that because one has real experience, one knows better, that’s pretty funny.

    This being said, I like Sheryl, but how lame is it of Alto to get it on with her out of pity, while still leaving things in the air relatively to Ranka? I hope it’s just the director sucking, and just hiding his decision, instead of Alto taking the coward’s way.

    grunt
    Reply

  175. My take: the arc of Ranka has been about her crush on Alto. He is an idealized figure that motivates her, but I don’t think she is really able to see his needs beyond that. Her transformation into the Little Queen is about her growing into a larger world, but it’s a world that doesn’t include Alto (comon, Mister Little Vajira Queen?) By contrast, Sheryl’s arc has been about her caring about Alto. Think about the Birthday ep. Who gives Alto what he really wants (an endless sky)? Not Ranka–she wants to see him so she can fulfill her fantasy. Not Alto’s “brother” who wants him to return to the family business. No, it’s Sheryl, who, in typically tsun-tsun fashion, drags him out to “bodyguard” her while actually granting his wish. Ranka worships and crushes on Alto, but Sheryl actually takes the time to se what he wants and give it to him. Even the hiding her illness is more about caring for Alto–she doesn’t want him to link her to his dead mother as it would tie him down.

    Personally, MY fantasy is that Alto and Brera hook up (Prince and Princess) and Bobby becomes the bridesmaid. It would serve all the shippers right. (this theory enrages my son and his girlfriend, who are rabid Ranka shippers) But I think the arc is leaning towards Sheryl simply because she actually wants to make Alto happy, whereas Ranka simply wants to worship Alto. One is love. The other is a crush.

    maxnmike
    Reply

  176. Someone mentioned: ‘the scene in DYRL where Misa is seen zipping her uniform up’ – which implied post sex.

    Well Alto did not have a ‘zipper’ scene, his jacket was resting on his shoulders afterwards when he was checking his text message – that could be seen as him having to redress after having a tumble with the Miss Sheryl.
    SxA xoxo

    Archangel
    Reply

  177. Well from what I gather I think Alto has already mead his choice in his heart at least the reason why he didn’t tell Ozma was because he can’t save Sheryl from dying so in a sense he can’t protect her. Alto made a decision but he has yet to voice what it fully was. Honoring his promise to stay with Sheryl until the end is admirable, but he has to at least elaborate on it. If Alto were really going with the flow he’d be on Quarter, but he wasn’t. Just my 2 cents.

    I can’t give Ozma a pass for giving his little speech about being a “man.” Pleasant as it sounds I wonder what they hope to accomplish by leaving it’s not like they can go after Ranka, so it must be more than that. What ever was in that message Cathy sent out it was not enough to convince Alto, Luca, or Klein all of whom lost a lot in Mikhail in the last attack. More over Ozma was correct in one aspect he’s not an adult he should not be allowed to raise children alone ever again given how those still left on Frontier have to deal with most of the fall out of their bet on Ranka.

    Ranka may have chosen her path but now Sheryl has to risk her own life to fill the role that Ranka took and tossed aside. Must be some plan they got since Canaria left behind her family to join Quarter, either she trusts them that much or she is a terrible mother. I hope the pirates of Macross Quarter start acting like adults and explain what it is they hope to do, I understand not dancing to Leon’s tune is a good thing but on the other had just how much to they know about the Vajra and are they aware that Leon is about to endanger all of Frontier by taking them whole fleet including every one they left behind on some foolish campaign to wipe out the Vajra?

    Hopefully Bilrer is the wily old Zentradi will be some how involved in the mutiny of Quarter otherwise one can’t help but wonder how he could be so lax in his hiring practices.

    Crusader
    Reply

  178. @ grunt

    Have some sense of humour lol… I was following up on Barbarians joke 😛 Geez, so worked up over something so silly. I am surprised there are no love-sick puppies calling Grace’s name atm, after all she grasped her hopes and dreams on this episode, so close yet so far 😀

    To hell with Ranka, Alto and Sheryl for now, those modified VF-17 are awesome 😀 VF Nightmare designs are the best amongst them all, and don’t try to argue on this one lol! I am biased 😀

    DYRLfan
    Reply

  179. Some of the audience are again crucifying the character of Ranka, why is it that if everytime something bad happen they have to blame it on Ranka. They want her to sing, when she did it became her fault that a lot of people died. The vajra are in the frontier they blamed her again just because she’s in there. She left the frontier to look for answers, again it’s her fault that she left. I don’t get why some people dislikes and some even hates her. I just want to ask the Ranka haters, how do you really see her character?

    druid
    Reply

  180. @maxnmike
    Think about the Birthday ep. Who gives Alto what he really wants (an endless sky)?

    This again, how long are you going to keep this against her. Let me ask you this, if you have someone you like and that person you love wants to travel around the world but by no means you can’t give her what she wants but someone else can give this to her are you saying the other person loves her more than you?

    druid
    Reply

  182. In the absolute, the feeling Ranka always gave me, is that she used Alto as support for pretty much everything, asking him for advices and help about what she should do or how (first episodes in which she kept phoning him about a little everything).
    I personally didn’t like the fact she was, most of the time, most focused on her own feeling, to afterward be surprised by her ‘ignorance’ when told, for example, that Alto was an actor in the past: I believe she didn’t make the effort to learn more about him.

    Sheryl is not a super woman nor anything, she also have her vulnerable and shy moments, but then again, she is also strong and decisive, she follows her path and in the several contacts she had with Alto during the anime, in the past episode, she never really burned him and also tried to please him, like giving him her earring as a good luck charm or showing him a real sky.

    Alto is a dense, indecisive and irresolute character most of the time, he is not your typical knight in shining armor…I imagine more a strong willed Sheryl which would push him forward and be the one supporting him, better then a Ranka which is overly similar to him, in the sens she is very irresolute herself and always in need for a helping hand, to make most all her decisions.

    Those are my 2 cents, based on the characters themselves. It’s very resumed and not detailed but the rough msg should have passed through I think aha~

    Sherry
    Reply

  183. …she never really burned him and also tried to please him, like giving…

    Not ‘burned’, ‘burdened’ ^^;;
    Geez, what an error…

    In the end, I think what bothers me the most about Ranka is that there is too much ‘drama’ around her, too much complaining, tears, despair, ‘problems’ of many kind…
    I am simply the kind who like a more lighthearted relationship better then one with too much complications I guess. It tires me out after a while when there are too many troubles.
    Which is why I really liked AltoxSheryl date in ep 5-6 or something: everything open and light, n-o d-r-a-m-a!

    Sherry
    Reply

  184. I am simply the kind who like a more lighthearted relationship better then one with too much complications I guess. It tires me out after a while when there are too many troubles.
    Which is why I really liked AltoxSheryl date in ep 5-6 or something: everything open and light, n-o d-r-a-m-a!

    I think their relationship now is more complicated and definitely more dramatic.

    druid
    Reply

  187. There is no chance of a *good* Ranka/Alto ending. The writers can try to force the issue if they must, but it simply won’t ring true because of this episode. I mean, let’s take things to their logical conclusion.

    Alto embraced and promised to be by her side out of pity: Pretending this is the case–which it most certainly *isn’t*–what you forget is that Sheryl accepted that embrace and promise. How can Alto possibly look good if in the next couple of episodes he decides to run off to find a girl (just for the sake of finding her) that will most likely be in the company of two exceptionally strong pilots that have already beaten Alto at the expense of someone who’s going on sheer will power alone?

    You know why Ozma and Brera beat Alto? Because they were committed to their path. Alto has accepted Sheryl’s death because he feels like he has no choice, where Ozma and Brera were concentrated on making what they wanted happen come true. What Alto needs to do isn’t decide that he wants to just “be” with Sheryl until her inevitable death, but that he wants a *future* with Sheryl.

    If you actually look at their fight, it’s not about Ranka at all. Ranka is used as an example of “choosing your own path” and why Ozma has chosen the path he did, but she’s not the focal point of the fight. Furthermore, why do you think Alto is so infuriated during this fight? It’s because he feels *helpless*–and I don’t think it’s particularly difficult to figure out what’s making him feel that way, and it’s *not* Ranka, it’s a mixture of *everything*.

    If Alto was so torn about finding Ranka, why didn’t he do something before he found out Sheryl was dying? I mean, it makes no sense. Ranka only becomes important enough to scream about and chase after Alto finds out Sheryl’s dying? That’s just not a logical reading of the situation. Losing Ranka is a *part* of Alto’s pain, but more generally, everything he loves is slipping through his fingers and he feels like there’s nothing he can do about it. Staying with Sheryl was more important than going with SMS, but he still lost something else because of it. Who wouldn’t be anguished?

    Sheryl will die and Alto will get together with Ranka: How damn disgusting can you get? I haven’t seen this a lot here, but I have in other places. Would any of you really accept a Ranka-default ending?

    Sheryl will give Alto up: The narrative isn’t about Sheryl *finding* inner strength. We already know she has the strength to reach beyond herself and connect with people in pain. We know what even though she’s dying, the first thing she worries about when she hears Ranka has the same thing she does is that Ranka is going to die. We already know that she’ll hide her own pain as long as she can see Alto smiling.

    Sure, Sheryl is capable of giving Alto up–that’s why she shouldn’t *have* to. It doesn’t mean anything for her development as a character when she’s already put so many people before herself to do it one last time and end up truly alone.

    Alto isn’t a prize to be passed around either. Even if Sheryl tries to “give him” to Ranka, who says that’s who he wants to be with? If he does want to be with Ranka, he sure has had a funny way of showing it these last couple of episodes. So, yeah, in the case of getting cured, maybe Sheryl will try to relieve him of his promise. But he’ll refuse, because *he* gets the make the choice of who he wants by his side.

    Alto gets his own choice, and he’s already made it.

    musouka
    Reply

  188. I think their relationship now is more complicated and definitely more dramatic.

    It’s true that at this point of the series, both ‘sides’ (Sheryl and Ranka) got their fair share of drama. Still, I am talking about the general feeling all the episodes I watched until now gave me, I didn’t concentrate my attention only on this last one, which is pretty much the very first time Sheryl ever cracked down in front of Alto, and maybe the last.

    But her being ‘strong’ might go against her too: she might leave Alto with Ranka with a sentence of the type “I am Sheryl Nome! I will definitely be alright on my own!” or something ^^

    In the end, Alto decides.

    Sherry
    Reply

  189. Except it works best on the other way around.

    Ranka giving up is similar to Minmay also giving up, reason is similar since Minmay used Hikaru as a support as Ranka was using Alto as a support, giving a “Ranka ending” for the sake of a Ranka ending is nothing but saying Ranka is immature and unable to stand on her on … something she is moving away from in the last episodes and so diminish her character progression.

    Drakron
    Reply

  192. @Sherry
    But her being ’strong’ might go against her too: she might leave Alto with Ranka with a sentence of the type “I am Sheryl Nome! I will definitely be alright on my own!” or something ^^

    But Ranka has her strength as well she already shown us that she can let go of the man she loves (eventhough it hurts her to do so) and choose what’s really important. I think she can also leave Alto with Sheryl and say “you should go with her she needs you”. But I doubt some people would agree with me since she’s branded a childish, immature, selfish loli 😀

    It will make his decision harder. Good for him 😀

    druid
    Reply

  193. Ranka and Alto will be on opposing sides now. I can’t wait for them to meet each other. She said she loves him and now she will be fighting against him what would he feel? I hope he gets jealous of Brera. That would be classic seeing him getting jealous because of Ranka.

    druid
    Reply

  195. Seems like Gundam 00 and Frontier are linked by destiny – snipers die and the true bad guys get Gold mecha. XD Unless Grace’s explanations for her actions turn out great, of course.

    Kind of wish they dug up a VF-19 for Alto to try. I mean, hey, the directors put in the VF-171 instead of the ATF winner VF-19 because it looked too hero, but now we’ve got the heroes in NUNS too.

    YpoCaramel
    Reply

  197. I really think that Ozma’s words to Alto were a jab at his indecisiveness and general thoughtlessness with regards to himself and the situation – whether it has to do with the women in his life, or the reasons behind his desperate desire to fly and escape from his family and his past. He passively ignores the heart of the issue them rather than confront them head on unless he’s forced to.

    Ozma at least knows what his priorities are enough to make no apologies for how he puts his money where his mouth is, even at the risk of his own life. Luca knows exactly where he is in all this, even though he’s adopted the stance where the ends will justify whatever means he employs.

    Actually, he’s likely to sacrifice anyone and anything for Nanase’s safety, even if it means wiping out an entire species or annihilating people he previously fought beside.

    As for the Quarter crew’s decision to leave, I’m pretty sure Cathy and Ozma have quite a bit more information about Leon’s objectives and the work with the Vajira than what the viewers currently know – if she and Ozma believed they had enough data to arrest him for treason, it’s likely she knows enough to decide a course of action that needed to be done.

    Which means they are making a concrete stand against Leon and his objectives, now that they know enough of what’s going on, but I think there’s more at stake than just an objection to the political climate if they have a destination already planned(I doubt they’re going to randomly fold into unknown space). In the end the crew’s own assessment of the situation implies they trust their Captain and Cathy’s plan enough to understand that this was something necessary.

    Those who didn’t come along had their own reasons, and whatever path they’ve chosen they’ve stood by. But Alto, poor guy, can’t seem to wrap his pretty little head around everything that’s going on, and as the lines start to blur between friends and foe it’s become harder for him to figure out where he really stands, or what he should really be doing.

    nezumibento
    Reply

  198. Nik: Except Dommon Kasshu and his lady friend were already set to be the couple from the beginning. There was no love triangle in that show. You can’t compare the two at all.

    Sheryl people are in denial? You’re the one equating a Gundam Series to a Macross series, and not even seeing the differences in the character relationship statuses.

    JustinStrife
    Reply

  200. All of you who thinks Alto and Sheryl didn’t kiss have a fatal case of DELUSION VISION.

    No, I agree with Barbarian We All. Alto must have been flossing her teeth! Having pearly white teeth will give Sheryl the courage to stand up in stage without worrying about ruining her image!

    TMFAN
    Reply

  201. @TMFAN
    No, I agree with Barbarian We All. Alto must have been flossing her teeth! Having pearly white teeth will give Sheryl the courage to stand up in stage without worrying about ruining her image!

    and I agree with Mp109

    God, how come a lot of people are already convinced that Alto kissed Sheryl. Did you even see their lips touched? It’s up for debate. It’s not 100% sure.
    The camera was at an angle where you can misunderstand what they’re doing. Alto could have moved in to wipe more tears from her eyes, or hug her. Alto was showing affection towards her. This is the only thing that’s 100% sure.

    druid
    Reply

  203. Oh great x__x Whether they kisssed or not doesn’t matter since it can go either way. The scene was a point for the Sheryl camp. THIS is crystal clear, atleast. There! But don’t think they did any more than that because this I would disagree. To daydream THAT far will be pathetic.

    @druid
    It was ‘implied’ that Alto was jealous of Brera in episode 16 with Luca’s blue day comment. If this isn’t strong hint enough, the August Newtype or Animage(?) Issue also featured a jealous-looking Alto grasping Ranka while being wary of Brera.

    I think Alto’s jealous phase over Brera has long passed. He might be immune now. If anything, the BreraxAlto rivalry can just pass and they’ll be good friends later on in future episodes.

    RankavsAlto scenario is like my perfect scenario since episode 14. ^.^ It would be so romantic if Alto drops his arms in the end and give in to his feelings. Which is to go back to a screaming ‘RANKAAAAAA’ idiot LOL I still have good faith that Alto is fated to be Ranka’s princess charming in shining VF-25. He won’t leave her for Sheryl in the end. ^__^

    ani_d
    Reply

  204. Then why even do the pan? If it’s just friendly hugging or tear-wiping, which we already got a close up of, it makes more sense to just show it and cut to the scene a different way. I don’t think they went as far as having sex, but the implication was a kiss. Most people think he kissed her, and I doubt they’re going to go back and show that it *wasn’t* a kiss just to make Ranka/Alto fans feel better.

    musouka
    Reply

  205. Show Spoiler ▼

    honeyblu
    Reply

  206. @druid

    Like I said, delusion vision. Do you really need visual proof of everything to know it happened? I watched the scene 6 times now and it’s painstakingly obvious they kissed. I really didn’t care until I read all your comments trying to desperately deny they kissed. I don’t care if you like Ranka or Sheryl.

    JUST.STOP.THE.MADNESS

    TMFAN
    Reply

  207. At the beginning of the series I like Ranka to end up with Alto but not so much now. Since I like Ranka to end up with Brera 😀 (his way cooler than Alto) but I doubt that will happen since I think even from the start of the series they’re trying to build a strong foundation to Alto and Ranka’s relationship.

    druid
    Reply

  209. @honeyblue
    What an interesting info! I just checked MW forums and it seems like it’s unsourced atm. But it came from a reliable source and he always does this before the official info gets out….so we’ll see if it’s true. I’ll have a lot to theorized if it’s true. ^__^

    ani_d
    Reply

  211. @TMFAN

    Like I said, delusion vision. Do you really need visual proof of everything to know it happened? I watched the scene 6 times now and it’s painstakingly obvious they kissed. I really didn’t care until I read all your comments trying to desperately deny they kissed. I don’t care if you like Ranka or Sheryl.

    JUST.STOP.THE.MADNESS

    Why can’t you at least admit that not all people will agree on everything. Ok, I will admit it “looks” like he kissed her like I will admit it also looks like Alto hugged Sheryl in the last scene of episode 19.

    druid
    Reply

  212. @zalem
    For the love of god, Brera is Ranka’s brother. They won’t be pairing up anytime in this life. No incest in my Macross please.

    I know it won’t happen since Ranka will end up with Alto. 😀

    druid
    Reply

  213. Yeup! Ranka will end up with Alto because if you look Kawamori’s past work. The person who has less action with the main character gets him/her. No really, just check it.

    JUST.STOP.THE.MADNESS <—nice line when you’re half the cause of the madness.

    blackbox
    Reply

  215. “I still have good faith that Alto is fated to be Ranka’s princess charming in shining VF-25. He won’t leave her for Sheryl in the end. ^__^”

    He no longer has a vf-25 and to be with Ranka he will have to leave Sheryl but please keep taking whatever drugs are fueling your fantasies and ignore what takes place in the show.

    Westlo
    Reply

  216. @ani_d

    Since Ranka can’t end up with Brera I might as well just cheer for Alto. I would really like to knock some sense into him so he could at least make a fast decision. He’s wasting the last three episode with his indecision. Maybe Brera can do that, knock some sense into him since Ozma wasn’t able to do that, I guess his too dense to understand what he was saying. 😀

    druid
    Reply

  217. @ani_d: haha! same here but given that it’s true, it’s sometimes really frustrating because
    Show Spoiler ▼

    honeyblu
    Reply

  218. @Westlo
    He no longer has a vf-25 and to be with Ranka he will have to leave Sheryl but please keep taking whatever drugs are fueling your fantasies and ignore what takes place in the show.

    Are you really sure that the scene in the mansion is already a solid proof of a SherylxAlto ending? It only proves that he cared about her and he’s concern about her as well I don’t think he pledged his undying love to her.

    druid
    Reply

  219. Druid, take the blinders off! Episode 19’s “hug” was just him holding her. Everyone knew that when the episode ended. They didn’t need to see the beginning of episode 20 to know that. At least anyone with half a brain.

    You see them move in with their heads tilting towards each other. Grab a bigger RAW version of the episode and watch it full screen. Have you ever kissed anybody before? That’s kind of how it works. The camera pans up over a few seconds with them in the kissing position. If it was a hug, her face would have been more next to his, instead of them facing each other the way they were. -facepalms-

    blackbox: Kawamori tends to have pairings that MAKE SENSE. His endings are never, ever, about surprises. More so, about characters who understand each other, who respect each other, and who can relate to each other. Macross romantic pairings flesh that out during every series(well except for M7 as it has no resolution).

    If you really want to bring up the original Macross, I’m not afraid to go over that with you. Incase you need re-freshing.

    JustinStrife
    Reply

  220. @druid
    “It only proves that he cared about her and he’s concern about her as well I don’t think he pledged his undying love to her.”

    He pledged to be by her side until she dies. Is there a single scene with Ranka where Alto gives her any sort of pledge like that?

    musouka
    Reply

  221. @JustinStrife
    take the blinders off! Episode 19’s “hug” was just him holding her. Everyone knew that when the episode ended. They didn’t need to see the beginning of episode 20 to know that. At least anyone with half a brain.

    I guess you didn’t get what I meant.

    druid
    Reply

  222. Just because of one kiss and pledge doesn’t mean they’re going to end up together. Based on Macross history, kisses don’t assure the couple anything. Pledge Alto gave isn’t actually a confession but something to appease Sheryl since she feels lonely and scared of dying that’s why Alto told her he’s there for her. He’s his friend, of course he’d care for her.

    And the spoiler honeyblu gave is definitely interesting… Makes more drama… I can’t wait to see that if ever it’s true!!

    If Alto wasn’t that confused when Ozma did that little speech, I would have lost all hope for Ranka ending but seeing his indecision. I’m definitely sure there will still be a huge chance for Ranka ending up with Alto.

    yuKime
    Reply

  223. @ YuKime

    Based on Macross history? have you done your homework? what about Max and Millia? Hikaru and Misa? they kissed, both couples ended up together despite the circumstances 😀

    DYRLfan
    Reply

  224. @musouka
    He pledged to be by her side until she dies. Is there a single scene with Ranka where Alto gives her any sort of pledge like that?

    She’s dying and she has noone and he cares about her, I think it would be natural to say that because if he didn’t I would think that his the biggest jerk in the world. Again, that’s proof enough that he cares for her I didn’t say he doesn’t care about her and I think that he cares ALOT about her but still he didn’t say he loves her so there’s still no solid proof on the SherylXAlto ending.

    druid
    Reply

  225. A few minutes agon, in a Blog very, very close by …
    S=Sheryl Fan | R=Ranka Fan

    R: So why did Alto have his jacket hanging on this shooulders when he was checking his text message? After the suppossed ‘kiss’ scene?
    S: Well, he had to take his shirt off. In order to do that he had to take his jacket off.
    R: Wha? Why did he have to take his shirt off? That makes no sense?
    S: Well, if he was going to take his pants off, he might as well take his shirt off too.
    R: ???? That makes no sense at all. Why would he need to take his pants off?!?!
    S: Well, you see he finally realized who he has wings for…
    R: Wings!? What do Tampons have to do with this? Stop talking gibberish!
    S: Sighs. Who he loves. He decides who he loves. OK?
    R: No way. He loves Ranka. Forever.
    S: Ok, have it your way. Either way, he has something that will make Sheryl happy. And it’s in his pants/underwear.
    R: Like what?
    S: It’s like a Reactive Round.
    R: Oh? How is this going to make Sheryl happy?
    S: Yes. This will make Sheryl happy.
    R: I asked how?
    S: Well, he Alto puts his Reactive Round in Sheryl and it makes her happy. He repeats and it makes her very happy.
    R: Why doesn’t he make Ranka happy? She loves him.
    S: Well, you see Alto’s Reactive Round is for only someone that HE loves. It makes him happy too.
    R: NO. You must be wrong. That isn’t true! That’s IMPOSSIBLE!
    R: Sheryl must have some kind of witch powers to make Alto all confused like that!
    S: sighs… disconnects …
    R: hello? Are you there?
    ….

    Barbarians We All
    Reply

  227. @yuKime
    “Just because of one kiss and pledge doesn’t mean they’re going to end up together. Based on Macross history, kisses don’t assure the couple anything.”

    You did leave out the pledge part in your second sentence. It’s not just the kiss. Sheryl and Alto have kissed more than once before this. The difference is, this time Alto kisses her. Again, can you name a time when Alto has reached out to Ranka like this? There have been plenty of times Ranka has been lost and confused, and Alto has supported her, yet he’s never felt the need to give her a friendly kiss.

    “Pledge Alto gave isn’t actually a confession but something to appease Sheryl since she feels lonely and scared of dying that’s why Alto told her he’s there for her. He’s his friend, of course he’d care for her.”

    Whether it’s a pledge of love is obviously up for debate, but it absolutely wasn’t to appease Sheryl. He tried to make her feel better initially by telling her she didn’t “have to do anything any more”. But when confronted by her determination and tears, he couldn’t help but embrace her and say that he would be by her side. Look at the scene, the hug was not something he had planned to comfort her, it’s a *reaction* he had to her pain.

    Ozma asked him to promise to protect Ranka, and Alto *couldn’t* do it. He had to think it over, even when faced with Ozma in the hospital. Here, of his own volition, Alto *chooses* to promise to be with Sheryl for the rest of her life. He could have promised to support her, instead he told her he would be by her side. If Alto had ever said such a thing to Ranka, or anyone else, you might have a point, but the truth of the matter is he hasn’t.

    The bottom line is that Alto made a promise to Sheryl. If you don’t believe that’s important, bring up an example where Alto has made a similar decision involving his relationship with Ranka.

    musouka
    Reply

  228. @druid
    “She’s dying and she has noone and he cares about her, I think it would be natural to say that because if he didn’t I would think that his the biggest jerk in the world.”

    So, Klan and Michel were the biggest jerks in the world for not hugging and kissing and promising to be by Sheryl’s side when they found out? There is a difference between reacting to the death of someone you’re “friends” with and someone you love. Remember, we have more reactions to contrast Alto’s to; he’s not the only one that knows she’s dying.

    musouka
    Reply

  229. @Druid
    But Ranka has her strength as well she already shown us that she can let go of the man she loves (even though it hurts her to do so) and choose what’s really important. I think she can also leave Alto with Sheryl and say “you should go with her she needs you”. But I doubt some people would agree with me since she’s branded a childish, immature, selfish loli 😀

    The moment Ranka decided to let go of the Love of her life to help out with the Vajra was indeed a really moving and beautiful moment, together with the song afterward and everything.
    She said “I loved you” [past stance] to Alto, showing clearly that she was either expecting to never see him again or that she was truly and definitely giving up on him and determinately choose to follow another path conducting her to a future in which Alto is not included.

    I sincerely don’t know how the war will go on, but the probability of Alto suddenly being friendly and ‘understanding’ toward the vajra is low to null. So as long as Ranka is siding with them, I don’t see how Alto/Ranka could be pacified and patched up, except if some amazing incredible revelation about the vajra is incovered in the next eps…
    A confrontation Alto/Ranka is definitely something to look forward to!! 🙂 Alto will definitely try to get her back with him but I suspect she will refuses.

    I don’t know about the kiss scene either, since even though I found the high quality raw already, I’m still waiting for the subs, but from the screencaps it’s very likely they did kiss, I don’t understand why there are so many heated arguments about it : it’s not like it was their first time or anything ^^;; And even though we consider they really didn’t, which is highly improbable, it doesn’t change anything to the importance of the AltoxSheryl moment, the kiss is alsmot secondary actually, compared to Alto stating he would stay with her for example (that is the power of words)
    But it’s very VERY unlikely they went further, since Alto would get contaminated by the V virus if he gets too intimate with her, and she would never allow it to happen.

    Sherry
    Reply

  231. @musouka
    So, Klan and Michel were the biggest jerks in the world for not hugging and kissing and promising to be by Sheryl’s side when they found out? There is a difference between reacting to the death of someone you’re “friends” with and someone you love. Remember, we have more reactions to contrast Alto’s to; he’s not the only one that knows she’s dying.

    If Sheryl cried and showed alot of pain infront of them, then I would say they are.

    druid
    Reply

  232. @druid
    “If Sheryl cried and showed alot of pain infront of them, then I would say they are.”

    She did show pain. Go back and watch Klan’s reaction again. The difference between the scenes is that Klan and Michel felt bad for Sheryl. Alto is in pain because of this. The thought of Sheryl dying hurts him. Even when calling out Ranka’s name in the last episode, Alto wasn’t in pain. Not like he was in the scene with Sheryl this episode.

    musouka
    Reply

  233. @Sherry
    The moment Ranka decided to let go of the Love of her life to help out with the Vajra was indeed a really moving and beautiful moment, together with the song afterward and everything.
    She said “I loved you” [past stance] to Alto, showing clearly that she was either expecting to never see him again or that she was truly and definitely giving up on him and determinately choose to follow another path conducting her to a future in which Alto is not included.

    This scene was already moving enough but I think when they see each other again would be either exciting or moving since they’ll be fighting in different battlefield.

    I still think the triangle is not finish yet 😀

    druid
    Reply

  234. @Barbarians We All
    Yes, condoms are not used in the future. It’s a technology they lost a long time ago…

    I took in consideration none of them had that in mind, and didn’t went around with condoms in their pockets at all time, especially considering one is dying and the other is the densest guy in the world who never seriously went out with a girl.

    I read the spoilers from wiki…
    Show Spoiler ▼

    I don’t know if those spoilers are confirmed though so I won’t comment on them.

    What worry me the most is the Sheryl might not survive the V virus, and I would REALLY hate an ending with a pairing due to the death of someone. That would be the lamest of the lame. After all this triangular Hell we’ve went through for months, we deserve a crystal clear answer to it! Whatever one of the two girls ‘wins’.

    Sherry
    Reply

  236. @Sherry

    The 2ch Sheryl fan thread is discussing the condom issue right now, actually. T-this is their take (loosely translated):

    (Alto: Hey, hold it right there! What the hell is that? I don’t need something like that!)
    (Michel: Come on, just put it in your wallet. You’ll probably find yourself needing it in the near future.)
    (Alto: Don’t talk to me like I’m some playboy like you!)

    Sheryl: …is something wrong, Alto?
    Alto: Oh, no, it’s nothing… (Michel…looks like somehow that time has come.)

    musouka
    Reply

  238. @druid
    “Would you or wouldn’t you agree that in both the situations Sheryl’s demeanor are both different?”

    Wouldn’t agree at all. Sheryl’s demeanor starts off exactly the same at the beginning of both scenes. The reason the episode 22 scene panned out differently is because Alto deliberately broke through the image she was projecting, whereas Klan and Michel let her keep her sense of pride because they felt sorry for her.

    The difference isn’t Sheryl’s demeanor, it’s Alto’s *reaction*.

    musouka
    Reply

  239. @JustinStrife
    Let’s go back to that kiss again when they’ll show it upfront. You can do your jolly dance then but mind you I didn’t say they didn’t I just said that I didn’t “see” it.

    druid
    Reply

  240. @various shippers
    ‘I didn’t “see” it.’
    I think that some people choose not to see it. I watched it many times to verify/deny it and only one conclusion can be reached.

    Not only do I suspect that the camera angle and panning was for dramatic effect, but it was a scene not meant for us to fully witness. I think that Kawamori intended the scene to be a very intimate scene only for Alto and Sheryl – and we only get a glimpse. This ain’t no peepshow! 😉

    We had the very public and very dramatic death scene of Michael and here we have the opposite – a very intimate and private scene of Alto & Sheryl.

    Archangel
    Reply

  241. I’m sorry druid. You must never have been in a relationship and kissed someone then, if you couldn’t see something that was blatantly obvious… I’ll leave this argument alone as I don’t want to de-virginize your thought processes.

    JustinStrife
    Reply

  242. @musouka
    The 2ch Sheryl fan thread is discussing the condom issue right now, actually. T-this is their take (loosely translated):

    (Alto: Hey, hold it right there! What the hell is that? I don’t need something like that!)
    (Michel: Come on, just put it in your wallet. You’ll probably find yourself needing it in the near future.)
    (Alto: Don’t talk to me like I’m some playboy like you!)

    Sheryl: …is something wrong, Alto?
    Alto: Oh, no, it’s nothing… (Michel…looks like somehow that time has come.)

    The imagination of the fans will always amaze me 😀
    They must be having fun coming up with this, and it’s actually funny ^^
    Thanks for the translation ^__^

    But even like that, I keep thinking nothing serious happened between them.

    I just don’t see them jumping so early in intimate stuffs, without even confessing first or something I guess? Especially seeing how both of them are quite serious about Love relationships, they would unlikely skip steps and just make Love out of the blue. Not that it would bother me if they did, it’s quite alright with me actually, but it just…doesn’t match the mood and events somehow? And having Alto starting to understand the importance of Sheryl when he realized he would loose her is one thing, but getting him to have sex the same day like “let’s do it quickly before you die!” is pushing it.
    I mean, really, we would have something like :

    everyone in the studio: *sniffing* My! the AltoxSheryl thing was really moving, good job!
    Kawamori: Ok. Now it’s time for them to…
    everyone in the studio: *listening intently*
    Kawamori:…have hot sex!
    everyone in the studio: *silence* -someone lift his hand- Urrghh, Kawamori-san? where did that come from really? Does it have anything to do with the plot story or something?
    Kawamori: do I have to explain everything to you? Dying girl crying+futon+night+*hot* princess *cough* I mean guy = sex
    someone else: *rising eyebrow* still, I think it’s enough and they kissed and everything, why jump to them having sex suddenly? It would heavily imply there is some serious relationship between them too, since Alto is the ‘traditional’ kind of guy, relationships wise, he would unlikely have this kind of relation with just anyone…was a AltoxSheryl ending decided already? *rumors starts in the whole studio and some are already leaking spoilers on the web*
    Kawamori: *mumbles* rabid fan girls are spamming my mails, stalking me and pushing me to do it, that’s what is happening *mumbles*
    everyone in the studio: eh?
    Kawamori: NOTHING! Just do it! *mumbles* my life depends on it *mumbles*

    Sherry
    Reply

  243. @druid:
    “Would you or wouldn’t you agree that in both the situations Sheryl’s demeanor are both different?”

    Sheryl’s demeanor at the beginning of both scenes is exactly the same. The difference isn’t Sheryl, it’s Alto.

    musouka
    Reply

  244. Then I repeat AGAIN: I didn’t see the actual episode yet, so my opinion is open to possible changes after I do. After all, when the producers of an anime want to suggest ‘this kind of things’, it’s pretty obvious, even when not explicitly shown.

    So I’m still waiting to see the actual thing 😉

    Sherry
    Reply

  245. People, if you’re going to argue that AltoxSheryl kissed in a court setting, you’re going to lose because your proof is not strong enough. You act like it’s a sure thing with just a shot from behind? Or even with your professional experiences How convincing. x_x If you’re saying that it’s a scene that’s NOT meant for us to see, which it was, then how can you conclude that they really kissed for sure? Implied doesn’t equate to the word, ‘Happened’. Let me repeat that, Implied =/= Happened. If they did kiss, then that’s good, but you can’t rule out the possibility that they didn’t because well, it was Vague.

    So instead of debating about this silly thing, just might as well drop it because the whole point of that scene is about Alto telling Sheryl that he’ll “stay with her till the end.” I bet they won’t even go back to this to confirm it since it’s so irrelevant.

    @honeyblu
    I think it’ll be messed up too if Alto just left Sheryl like that after what he said. That’s why I think it’s Sheryl that’s going to let him go. She might thank him for offering to stay with her but push him towards Ranka later. I think that’s the best way to do it if Alto were to go back to Ranka. Sheryl isn’t the type that will crumble if Alto can’t be there for her so long as she has her songs.

    @yukime
    If those spoilers are proven true, I’m singing dokun dokun with diva haha That song will probably the only one reassurance that Ranka will make it. Ranka leaving forever/dying is my least favorite fate for her.

    @westlo
    You’re going to get bankrupt soon. 😉

    ani_d
    Reply

  247. god I hate that dokun dokun song. They should have made a better song if it’s going to be the theme of the last episode. Blue Ether was very nice, they could do something along those lines only more positive (cause Blue Ether is kind of melancholy).

    zalem
    Reply

  249. “god I hate that dokun dokun song. They should have made a better song if it’s going to be the theme of the last episode. Blue Ether was very nice, they could do something along those lines only more positive (cause Blue Ether is kind of melancholy).”

    The dokun dokun song will not play in relation to Alto and Ranka pairing period in the last episode. The reason for this title will become apparent in the final episode, people must think Kawamori is a moron if they think this title tells us who wins the triangle.

    Oh wait I mean

    dokun dokun kawaiiiiii ^_________^

    Westlo
    Reply

  250. @zalem
    lol actually it’s not just a dokun dokun song, it’s called Anata no Oto. When I first heard the title, I thought it was the cutest song title. “Your sound”. The feel, melody and the words perfectly fit Ranka and Alto to a tee. Not to mention it also connects with Blue Ether’s “my song can’t reach you” bit. It’s a perfect way to wrap up the whole series if they’re going to RankaxAlto route, which I think will be the more interesting and thrilling route. Besides, the melody just stays with you.

    Well, you probably won’t appreciate it as much as I do since you’re not a fan of them. ^^

    ani_d
    Reply

  252. I think you’re the one thinking that Kawamori only cares about confusing his fans. I’m sure Kawamori cares more about the PLOT than the shippers. The Kawamori in YOUR dreamworld may be trolling 2ch and blogs to sucker punch fans, but the real Kawamori has better things to do than that.

    ani_d
    Reply

  253. well, if those spoilers are true, than i’m amazed at how creators of the show hates Ranka. she has this not-so-beautiful char design, she’s naive, childish even,lacks self-confidence. since beginning she was portrayed as underdog, both career-vise and relationship-vise. when she achieves something she is used by people above her and her dream of singing becomes weapon. whatewer she does, wiever hates her. not to mention that person she loves won’t love her back, but go for more beautiful, cooler and let’s say better (as portrayed) girl. and if in the end she has to die to make everyone happy, than IMHO it’s just too much.

    cat
    Reply

  254. “I think you’re the one thinking that Kawamori only cares about confusing his fans.”

    They won’t be confused when they see the final episode.

    “I’m sure Kawamori cares more about the PLOT than the shippers.”

    I agree which is why it’s illogical to throw away the alto and sheryl parallels to Alto and his mother as well as klan and michael. It would be like if Shin in True Tears had chosen the other girl, it would completely wreck the parallel they were drawing in that

    Show Spoiler ▼

    Oh wait you didn’t pick that up there and no surprise you didn’t pick up the ones here.

    I guess it’s to be expected, if you can’t tell that Alto initiated a kiss with Sheryl this episode how could you be expected to read between the lines?

    “The Kawamori in YOUR dreamworld may be trolling 2ch and blogs to sucker punch fans, but the real Kawamori has better things to do than that.”

    That’s cute, how about you reply to musouka’s post on why it may be called Your Sound instead of regurgitating some retarded lines that has nothing to do with what I posted. This is a franchise so based on sound and you think some cutesy song that has no real bearing on anything is the reason for the name. I lol’d.

    Also I noticed you ignored your fellow Ranka fans bringing up the original Macross. Ignoring that with the stuff they brought up clearly shows that not only do they not understand this show but they don’t understand the original (lol rally hard to isn’t it?) where’s your “kawamori history lol” posts now?

    Hypocrite much?

    Westlo
    Reply

  255. FFS those spoilers are fucking fake, way too detailed and it’s so fucking retarded, you really think Ranka’s thinking “I’m taking Ai-kun home… so I can fucking kill myself and every varja on that planet”. Not to mention that if she does do that she’s a fucking moron for thinking that there isn’t more varja on other planets, look at Gallia IV ffs there was a fucking nest and fleet there.

    Wait a sec Ranka is an naive idiot though… maybe it is true!?

    Westlo
    Reply

  256. I actually don’t think Alto is on the wrong side. Luca might be misguided in his trust for Leon, and Alto might be blinded by hate. But he’ll realize later on how to end this war. And about protecting the woman he loves, Ranka no longer needs his protection because she’s got Brera, Ozma, and the whole SMS. So to say he’ll defect to protect her is a bit off the mark. The whole Ozma speech is to facilitate a peaceful ending with the Vajra at the end, not directed at the love triangle. Alto, Klan, and Luca stayed back to protect Frontier. Someone’s gotta stay for the people of Frontier. Soon, Frontier will head to Vajra land themselves and Alto, Klan, and Luca must determine what’s the right path to peace.

    The love triangle is a separate matter. Right now, I do not see any romance between Ranka and Alto. While Ranka doesn’t want to sing, Alto still asked her to sing for the people. On the other hand, he doesn’t want Sheryl to sing because he doesn’t want to see her suffer. At the end, he agreed to stay by herside and support her decision to sing. Alto and Sheryl understand each other, support each other, and respect each other for it. Episode 21 shows that the same understanding between him and Ranka does not exist. He doesn’t know what she really wanted and she doesn’t really understand he couldn’t defect to the Vajra when his best friend was just killed by one. Ranka loved a vision of Alto who she thought would always support her, but in the end, neither really understood each other. You can’t really love someone you don’t understand in the first place.

    Mai Hikari
    Reply

  257. but but but ranka will get to know alto at the same time as us the audience to it! Even though she asked one question after 5 months of frontier time which was just an extension of something we found out in episode 19 anyway.

    Westlo
    Reply

  258. People are still denying the kiss/possibly more?

    They showed kissing before. Even with tongue. It’s not a big deal. They showed sex before. It’s not a big deal. Why were they not clear in this moment? Dramatic effect. Like Archangel said a few posts above, it’s how it was meant to be shown. A private moment. If they didn’t kiss or do more why didn’t they make it totally plain as day that they didn’t? The camera panned away for a reason. Dying it doesn’t make it go away.

    nelly
    Reply

  259. ^denying it doesn’t make it go away.

    I also think the scene was so much more then the kiss. I don’t understand how Ranka fans can excuse Alto’s reaction because Sheryl is dying, where he is shown breaking down with more emotional then he’s ever shown (even the raaaaanka! screams don’t compare and Ranka was in danger as well) but they can’t admit to a kiss?

    nelly
    Reply

  260. @westlo
    Uh, isn’t that what just happened? We found out more about Alto from his OWN mouth, about freedom in the sky, his mother loving the sky, and the reason why he loves the sky. Did Yasaburo know that? Did he? ^_^ We found all that about Alto together WITH Ranka. Stop trying to do whatever it is you’re trying to do because you’re not making sense here.

    You seem to expect that I have read EVERY posts that’s been going on here. Just wow. But there’s a difference when you say “It happened like this in SDF, so I’m 100% sure it’s going to happen AGAIN. Sheryl ending. Macross History attack!” from incorporating a homage argument from the original SDF that will be DIFFERENT from what happened last time. The former is the ridiculous Macross/Kawamori history argument that I’ve always been shooting down if you haven’t noticed.

    As long as any scenario coincides with the fact that Kawamori does NOT do anything twice accdg to his interviews. It’s not worth the lol. After Goodbye Sister and staff interviews, you can’t expect me to say the homages are just a coincidence.

    This:
    @musuoka
    “Sure, Sheryl is capable of giving Alto up–that’s why she shouldn’t *have* to.”

    Based on episode 20 and even before that, Sheryl has been portrayed as a strong figure and what are the chances that she will stand on her own if ever Alto failed to keep his promise? Pretty high. More than Alto, her song is her proof of living. When you say that she shouldn’t “have” to give up on Alto, this does not mean that she will not give Alto up all the same. In other words, this is not a proof that Sheryl won’t let him go. Whether we think that she should or should not is independent of how she will act in the story.

    @Mai Hikaru
    Whether Alto is in the right or wrong, the story is portraying Alto as being in the dark, with SMS and Ranka being in the light. The story is making it look like Alto shouldn’t be where he is at right now. If staying with Sheryl in Frontier is the right path for him now, Ozma’s words wouldn’t illicit such a painful response from him.

    Between the Vajra peace and Ranka whom he ‘supposedly’ entrusted to Alto to protect, who is Ozma pertaining to when he mocked Alto to take a stand, as a Man? When Ozma said he chose his path, and that is to follow Ranka, he is implying Alto to make a move. Follow SMS and go to Ranka as well. He was being indirect, but I think Ozma pulled it very well considering Alto’s reaction.

    I’m pretty sure Ozma doesn’t even know about Sheryl’s impending doom, so he can’t be mocking Alto’s manliness about not finding a cure for her. If anything, Alto supposedly decided he’d stay by Sheryl’s side so there’s no reason for him to be in pain, or let out a frustrating scream like that.

    ani_d
    Reply

  262. @ anid
    “I’m pretty sure Ozma doesn’t even know about Sheryl’s impending doom, so he can’t be mocking Alto’s manliness about not finding a cure for her. If anything, Alto supposedly decided he’d stay by Sheryl’s side so there’s no reason for him to be in pain, or let out a frustrating scream like that.”

    Ozma might not know,but alto does.
    There’s every reason for alto to be in pain! Lets see, his frustrated yell couldnt possibly be because he cannot protect the woman he loves because she is dying! It couldnt possibly be because he feels helpless & has forced himself to watch from the sidelines while the woman he loves wants to sing to her death.

    aneeshadc
    Reply

  264. @Mai Hikari
    Luca knows what Leon’s doing, dear. He’s in the thick of it, but again as I said, his committment to Nanase is such that he will pretty much do anything to protect her even kill his own former comrades. He doesn’t waver when it comes to her, unlike Alto who for 20 episodes has dithered around blindly, clueless about how he affects the people around him.

    Luca’s with Leon because he has the means to protect the woman he loves, and pretty much doesn’t care about whatever he uses to do it. It’s a valid stance, but it doesn’t mean he hasn’t done a number of questionable things for her sake. He’s not bothered about whether he’s doing is right or wrong but more whether how it will affect Nanase. If he’s unlucky, all this is going to eventually bite him in the ass.

    Poor Alto, he’s just so thick in the head about these things. He doesn’t seem to feel the need to question all this, being so wrapped up in himself, until it’s too late. It’s just as annoying as Ranka allowing herself to be led around like a singing sheep without wanting to know why the vajira are so affected by her. Which is partly why I really don’t mind Sheryl dying eventually – it gives more urgency for Alto to be more decisive. Though I’d preferred that he chose her before he found out she was going to kick the bucket.

    As for the people crying ‘incest’ over Brera, just because Ranka calls him ‘Oniichan’, doesn’t mean he’s her blood brother. People can call older family friends that. For all you know that could be a red herring tossed in the mix, which is why unless it’s confirmed for sure, I’m open to the idea of Ranka ending up with Brera once all her memories return.

    But then again, I’m just as fine with Ranka ending up with no one and brokering a solution with the Vajira. 😛 Happy Endings are not necessarily good endings, and I care more about a good ending than a happy one.

    nezumibento
    Reply

  265. @aneeshadc
    “It really doesnt matter what Ozma’s motives were, What matters is What alto gleans from it while applying it to his own situation with Sheryl.”

    Yup, what matters is how Alto will act despite what Ozma told him. We have to wait for the next episode to see his ‘move’.

    ani_d
    Reply

  267. You didn’t see the kiss so it’s not verified or possibly true?

    SO, you don’t witness all of the murders or deaths in the world … so they’re not true?
    Yet you accept it as fact that people die every day? AND yet, in this situation where there is quite a bit of supporting evidence that Alto & Sheryl actually kissed, you refuse to believe it?

    WOW. The mindset of a Ranka fan.

    Let’s put it this way. Let’s say it was Ranka instead of Sheryl (not in the same situation, but the same kind of scene where she cries and Alto makes the same statements and moves. I WOULD conclude they kissed. I wouldn’t like it, but I would accept it.

    Archangel
    Reply

  268. After the Ozama-Alto duel, some viewers are claiming that Alto is torn for not going with SMS to save Ranka because he just realized that he loves Ranka and not Sheryl.

    I have a different point of view. Alto screamed out because he just realized that all the money he loaned Ranka for singing lessons, he’s not getting ANY of it back! That’s why he’s screaming out. He’s lost all that money, no ROI for Alto!

    The other take I have is that, during the duel with Ozama, Alto pinched a loaf in his space suit and the stench just hit his nose, “AAAAARRRRHRHRHHHH!!!!!” it has nothing to do with Ranka.

    Do you see the point I’m trying to make? ANYONE can pull shit out of their ass and claim it to be true.

    Barbarians We All
    Reply

  269. @westlo
    >Uh, isn’t that what just happened? We found out more about Alto from his OWN mouth, about freedom in the sky, his mother loving the sky, and the reason why he loves the sky. Did Yasaburo know that? Did he? ^_^ We found all that about Alto together WITH Ranka. Stop trying to do whatever it is you’re trying to do because you’re not making sense here.<

    Ranka: “Alto, why do you want to fly?”
    Alto: Long discussion about mother follows.
    Ranka: “Oh. Hey, show me how to make an airplane! And while you’re at it, remember that cute lil pet I had…?He came back!”

    Ranka is headed for bigger things. Like being the Queen of an entire race. Compared with that, being a fighterjock or the Galactic Fairy isn’t even in the ballpark. “You normal humans can stand over there and get together if you want…”

    maxnmike
    Reply

  270. @archangel- Why do you think there are missing people in the world that are not pronounced dead even if they’re turned out to be dead? Because they haven’t seen the body!

    You’re being unreasonable.

    In case anyone is wondering, lyrics for Fairy has been transcribed to English. Sherylxherself ending is more likely now. I like this fate for her. Alone and badass as a Galactic Fairy. Sheryl-sama needs to find her cure.

    miss rini
    Reply

  271. “@zalem
    lol actually it’s not just a dokun dokun song, it’s called Anata no Oto. When I first heard the title, I thought it was the cutest song title. “Your sound”. The feel, melody and the words perfectly fit Ranka and Alto to a tee. Not to mention it also connects with Blue Ether’s “my song can’t reach you” bit. It’s a perfect way to wrap up the whole series if they’re going to RankaxAlto route, which I think will be the more interesting and thrilling route. Besides, the melody just stays with you.

    Well, you probably won’t appreciate it as much as I do since you’re not a fan of them. ^^”

    ****

    It’s not about being a fan or not. I love Aimo and that’s a Ranka song. I like her singing in Lion and Blue Ether is a pretty enough song. I just honestly think the dokun song is terrible. Not as bad as Triangular (which I HATE with a passion), but pretty bad in my book. They could have come up with something better for Ranka imho.

    zalem
    Reply

  272. I don’t agree /w SMS’s decision to leave, basically they are leaving the people of Frontier behind. But I am pretty sure they are probably doing it to save Frontier but still I can’t say it is the right decision.

    Sepiraph
    Reply

  273. @miss rini
    You’re missing the point. Some Ranka fans refuse to even consider the kiss even happened BECAUSE they did not see it. By see it; locking lips, tongue dancing… etc.

    By their own logic, they must witness it in order for it to be true. Basically their answer to “If a tree falls down in the woods and no one is around to hear it- does it make a sound?” would be ‘No it does not make a sound’ because they did not witness it.

    Your counter argument of: “Why do you think there are missing people in the world that are not pronounced dead even if they’re turned out to be dead? Because they haven’t seen the body!” does not counter my point. I’m talking about STATISTICAL DEATHS. People who are dead and buried. How could some fanatical Ranka fans possibly believe those people died if they did not witness it? This is based upon their own reasoning/logic.

    If they read the obituary, none of those people died. How could they be dead to the fanatical viewers if they themselves did not witness those people dying or being buried?
    In other words, they must witness it to be true.

    I’m not being unreasonable, I’m just pointing out that they are unreasonable.
    Truth hurts baby.

    Archangel
    Reply

  274. @miss rini . .
    You’re missing the point. Some Ranka fans refuse to even consider the kiss even happened BECAUSE they did not see it. By see it; locking lips, tongue dancing… etc.

    By their own logic, they must witness it in order for it to be true. Basically their answer to “If a tree falls down in the woods and no one is around to hear it- does it make a sound?” would be ‘No it does not make a sound’ because they did not witness it.

    Your counter argument of: “Why do you think there are missing people in the world that are not pronounced dead even if they’re turned out to be dead? Because they haven’t seen the body!” does not counter my point. I’m talking about STATISTICAL DEATHS. People who are dead and buried. How could some fanatical Ranka fans possibly believe those people died if they did not witness it? This is based upon their own reasoning/logic.

    If they read the obituary, none of those people died. How could they be dead to the fanatical viewers if they themselves did not witness those people dying or being buried?
    In other words, they must witness it to be true.

    I’m not being unreasonable, I’m just pointing out that they are unreasonable.
    Truth hurts baby.

    Archangel
    Reply

  275. @miss rini
    You’re missing the point. Some Ranka fans refuse to even consider the kiss even happened BECAUSE they did not see it. By see it; locking lips, tongue dancing… etc.

    By their own logic, they must witness it in order for it to be true. Basically their answer to “If a tree falls down in the woods and no one is around to hear it- does it make a sound?” would be ‘No it does not make a sound’ because they did not witness it.

    Your counter argument of: “Why do you think there are missing people in the world that are not pronounced dead even if they’re turned out to be dead? Because they haven’t seen the body!” does not counter my point. I’m talking about statisitcal deaths. People who are dead and buried. How could some fanatical Ranka fans possibly believe those people died if they did not witness it? This is based upon their own reasoning/logic.

    If they read the obituary, none of those people died. How could they be dead to the fanatical viewers if they themselves did not witness those people dying or being buried?
    In other words, they must witness it to be true.

    I’m not being unreasonable, I’m just pointing out that they are unreasonable.
    Truth hurts baby.

    Archangel
    Reply

  279. “In case anyone is wondering, lyrics for Fairy has been transcribed to English. Sherylxherself ending is more likely now. I like this fate for her. Alone and badass as a Galactic Fairy. Sheryl-sama needs to find her cure.”

    If they cure Sheryl than Ranka will more than likely play a big part in her being cured, either because she somehow holds the key to it herself or the Varja them self do. Even though Ranka forgot for 6 episodes I would hope the fans remember that she can communicate with the Varja as shown in 14 as well as her dealings with Ai-kun. Now Alto told Ranka about his mother in episode 21, the episode Ranka gave Alto up because she realized Alto would never love her the way she herself loves Alto. Sheryl herself has been linked to Alto’s mother twice so far in this series with episode 19 and 21. They are drawing parallels between Alto and Sheryl with Alto and his mother in that he loses someone he loves slowly to sickness. Think about it….

    Also in regards to the lyrics for Yousei… Sheryl wants to keep her love for Alto a secret for the same reason she didn’t want to tell him about her sickness in the first place. She does not want to burden him, Sheryl like Ranka gave up on Alto, they both did it in different manners. Why do you think she said what she said to him in 19? Anyway she’s now pouring herself into her music because that’s all she has left, her disease is taking her life away and any future she had with Alto. Her 2 songs in Yousei and Northern Cross she has made since she knew she was dying are about Alto and bittersweet.

    Westlo
    Reply

  280. @miss rini
    You’re missing the point. Some Ranka fans refuse to even consider the kiss even happened because they did not see it. They need to see: locking lips, tongue dancing… etc.

    By their own logic, they must witness it in order for it to be true. Basically their answer to “If a tree falls down in the woods and no one is around to hear it- does it make a sound?” would be ‘No it does not make a sound’ because they did not witness it.

    Your counter argument of: “Why do you think there are missing people in the world that are not pronounced dead even if they’re turned out to be dead? Because they haven’t seen the body!” does not counter my point. I’m talking about statisitcal deaths. People who are dead and buried. How could some fanatical Ranka fans possibly believe that people died if they did not witness it? This is based upon their own reasoning/logic.

    What would fanatical Ranka fans say to your statement? Those people are not missing because they did not witness them being missing. This is their logic!

    If they read the obituary, none of those people died. How could they be dead to the fanatical viewers if they themselves did not witness those people dying or being buried?
    In other words, they must witness it to be true.

    I’m not being unreasonable, I’m just pointing out that they are unreasonable.

    Truth hurts baby!

    Archangel
    Reply

  282. @aneeshadc
    No problem about copy and paste, just wanted you to know I read it before. ^^ Then again, I still don’t see it as pity but pure concern from Alto but definitely not to the level that it was romance. Sure it was raw since Alto just realized the news recently and he must have all these emotions overflowing. The only thing that made it romantic to me was the kiss in the end that still didn’t really have much to see since it was so far. If they had it closed up to see how Alto kissed Sheryl, maybe I would have appreciated it more and felt more fear for my desired AltoxRanka ending.

    Alto did show pain from losing Ranka but I think he didn’t show it anymore, knowing he had to move on or because he was scared to think about it. Or maybe regret that he wasn’t able to do anything to stop her nagged him silently but didn’t stop him from doing what he is supposed to do. Some people still go on with their daily lives even after a loss, but it doesn’t mean that they are less hurt. The response Alto showed for Sheryl was strong because he knew he can still do something about it. And maybe the fear too of losing another loved one is too strong that he poured all his might into holding on to Sheryl, not wanting to experience another loss.

    The frustrated yell came at the very end of the episode. After Ozma’s speech that both Ranka and him had chosen their own paths and then asking how about Alto. It is not about Alto/Sheryl nor is it Ranka/Alto directly but more of what Alto is really doing at the moment, staying at Frontier instead of going with SMS to know more about the truth.

    I was indeed disappointed that Alto didn’t show more of a reaction about Ranka’s departure (I won’t address it as betrayal since we as audience know better than call it one) but I am still going to keep my faith and hope to see more from Alto in 23 after he realizes more about what Ranka is doing when she left. Hopefully, I won’t be disappointed a second time. ^^

    @DYRLfan
    Max and Millia don’t count. Not a love triangle and the attraction between the two are evident. Hikaru and Misa did kiss but don’t forget that Minmei and Hikaru kissed too and they didn’t end up together. We should just wait till the very end and see who really gets Alto. One kiss initiated by Alto is not a sure thing that will tell us that it’s Sheryl’s victory. Not until we see the rest of Macross F.

    @musuoka
    I left out the pledge part because the pledge doesn’t necessarily equate to love confession to me. Alto kissing Sheryl or him initiating the kiss still doesn’t prove that they will end up together. They can even DO IT and they will still not end up together if there is no love. Let’s face it, not all human emotions are tied together. What if that kiss (and even the bed scene if there was one <._< Plus, the lyrics of Anata no Oto is truly nice~ I found this 2 minute version from Macross Radio and it’s sooooo cute. XD Dokun dokun keeps me believing.

    yuKime
    Reply

  283. I just saw the sub of ep22.

    Before anything, note that my vote is still for AltoxSheryl, but:
    the AltoxSheryl moment was indeed as moving as expected and you could feel Sheryl’s feelings of Love toward Alto literally flowing out her whole body, that much everyone is ok with this. Meeting Alto and falling in Love with him really changed her.
    Now, about Alto’s feelings…he cares, definitely, and even said the words he never did to Ranka(that sheryl doesn’t have to sing anymore, that she did enough already), also, the close up of his eyes was really impacting: they really pictured a turmoil of many emotions pouring into him and upsetting him deeply and strongly but even while wishing for an AxS ending, I still can’t lie to myself: this one scene alone did by no mean guaranty they would end up together in the end. It still got to be confirmed by something a bit more definite in future episodes.
    About them having sex, it’s very possible from what I saw. The ‘please give me courage’ of Sheryl + the way the moment was pictured couldn’t have been anymore explicit.
    Those are my own feelings about it, it’s not a general affirmation I’m stating.
    And again, them having sex wouldn’t guaranty anything.

    But the problem now is actually in Ranka’s side: she resolutely chose her own path already, and left Alto behind. I actually got the feeling Alto is a closed issue on Ranka’s side o___O

    Another surprise is that when explained by Luca, Sheryl’s illness sure sounded grave…
    But even like that I am still not expecting her to die: as I said before, to have a RankaxAlto ending by killing off Sheryl would be the worst (and vice versa).
    Anyway, if Alto doesn’t clear out and discover his real feelings and where his heart truly lies, any pairings would have no meaning.

    The thing worrying me, also, is Alto’s mom picture: is it a bad or good omen for their relationship? I still don’t know.

    One sure thing: Sheryl will definitely not be selfish and force him to stay by her side and cut his wing: whatever path he choose, she will let him fly freely. And this is one thing that makes me respect and appreciate her even more.

    Sherry
    Reply

  284. @musuoka

    My post was messed up. Some bits there are for ani_d.. (Anata no Oto part)

    Here’s my real post for you.

    @musuoka
    I left out the pledge part because the pledge doesn’t necessarily equate to love confession to me. Alto kissing Sheryl or him initiating the kiss still doesn’t prove that they will end up together. They can even DO IT and they will still not end up together if there is no love. Let’s face it, not all human emotions are tied together. What if that kiss (and even the bed scene if there was one <._< Plus, the lyrics of Anata no Oto is truly nice~ I found this 2 minute version from Macross Radio and it’s sooooo cute. XD Dokun dokun keeps me believing.

    yuKime
    Reply

  285. My post was messed up AGAIN. Argh. This time, this is my REAL REAL post!

    @musuoka
    I left out the pledge part because the pledge doesn’t necessarily equate to love confession to me. Alto kissing Sheryl or him initiating the kiss still doesn’t prove that they will end up together. They can even DO IT and they will still not end up together if there is no love. Let’s face it, not all human emotions are tied together. What if that kiss (and even the bed scene if there was one) is just in the heat of the moment. The want to feel there is someone with you or the want to feel that someone cares. Not everyone who kisses or makes love end up together. That is reality. Ranka didn’t get a kiss because there was not a time where she was shown in such a life-and-death, very hopeless case where Alto felt that he was going to lose Ranka any moment. He always thought Ranka would be there. The fear Alto felt of losing another person important to him fueled the mix of emotions in ep22.

    “Whether it’s a pledge of love is obviously up for debate, but it absolutely wasn’t to appease Sheryl. He tried to make her feel better initially by telling her she didn’t “have to do anything any more”. But when confronted by her determination and tears, he couldn’t help but embrace her and say that he would be by her side. Look at the scene, the hug was not something he had planned to comfort her, it’s a *reaction* he had to her pain.”

    Beg to disagree. It was definitely a pledge to make Sheryl feel better. He said, “I’m here. IF YOU WANT TO SING, then I’ll be with you till the end.” The phrase I emphasized is something that makes me feel it was definitely to support/comfort her. The first plan of Alto to suggest that Sheryl doesn’t need to sing anymore was to make her feel better but since Sheryl disagreed to that, Alto COMPROMISED and said then, “I’ll just stay with you if you want to sing. (So you won’t be scared and alone.)” That’s how it meant to me. A reaction to her appeal that she wanted to sing and but she was scared.

    “He could have promised to support her, instead he told her he would be by her side.”

    The wordings are the only difference. Alto IS supporting Sheryl BY staying by her side. How else would he support her? By buying her CDs and promoting her songs?

    “If Alto had ever said such a thing to Ranka, or anyone else, you might have a point, but the truth of the matter is he hasn’t.”

    Alto DID support Ranka too. In a different way but he supported her in every way he can. Just not in ep21 because he had conflicts with his mentality about the Vajra but he did support her, not by saying words as he did with Sheryl but he did support Ranka.

    “The bottom line is that Alto made a promise to Sheryl. If you don’t believe that’s important, bring up an example where Alto has made a similar decision involving his relationship with Ranka.”

    There was no similar decision with Ranka but every time Alto was there for Ranka (except for when she needed him most, hence the heartbreaking farewell. BUT remember the last promise Alto made to Sheryl? “I’ll definitely come back for you.” in ep 20? Then ep21 comes and Alto never visited Sheryl… not until he learned she was dying. Yes this is a different situation but still, let’s not make such a big deal about his pledge since he still didn’t say he loved her. That pledge he gave to Sheryl can be interpreted many ways not just in romantic terms. If your friend was dying, you can also tell her/him, “Don’t worry. I’ll be by your side till the end.” And that doesn’t mean LITERALLY you will be ALWAYS around him/her but it means, you are there for her/him whenever he/she needs someone. It’s another way of saying, “I’m here. You’re not alone in this.”

    And for ani_d..

    @ani_d
    If the spoilers are true, I also think Ranka will survive it. Who will sing Anata no Oto if she died? >_< Plus, the lyrics of Anata no Oto is truly nice~ I found this 2 minute version from Macross Radio and it’s sooooo cute. XD Dokun dokun keeps me believing.

    yuKime
    Reply

  290. Oh btw YuKime didn’t you make a post about how Ranka and Alto saw Sheryl before they went on their flight around Gallia IV that was meant to be Alto and Sheryl? Use your head for whether Alto saw Sheryl in his families home in the period of episode 20. Also don’t forget with the Varja threat taking care of it’s not like he has to rush and save Sheryl from um.. Frontier soldiers evacuating shelters? Don’t forget Sheryl’s selfless words was to take care of the Varja threat and not to worry about me.

    Westlo
    Reply

  292. Well, everything is going as planed:

    Ranka left Frontier (with Breara), Klan told Alto about Sheryl condition, Luca gave us light of hope about Sheryl sickness, Leon got what he was aiming for, Grace is now on the move. What surprised me was the rebelion inside Frontier, making the NUNS vs SMS. Didn’t see that coming.

    About Alto, we must undertand that the only reason Alto stayed is because he promised Sheryl that he will be with her no matter what. This has 3 side effect: Alto does feel something for Sheryl (could be friendship); also Sheryl reminds him about his mother; and one person Alto has friendship had left them all alone in her own crusade (aca Ranka). This of course could have transformed in a “Sheryl win the triagle since none else is around to choose from”

    IF Alto didn’t know about Sheryl condition, Will he stayed in Frontier or would have gone with the SMS members? I think he would have choose the SMS. But since Klan told Alto AND also Sheryl told/confesse him that she feels “scare and alone” triggered the basic of Alto character ” I will protect you, i will be with you, i will cheer for you”.
    But there is a lot of information in that room scene that we are missing:

    ” Sheryl give Alto a somekind of confesion: She told him that She only thinked about him when she realised she was sick. She told Alto that she didn’t want him to know. This is what i call a hidden conffension: I didn’t hear a “i love you” (like ranka did) but insted was a “i didn’t want you to worry about me (because i love you)”, “you were the first one i thinked off (because i love you)” and so on. Sheryl told him everything. Not even Alto can’t be so dense to NOT understand that (gogo Michel). So what did Alto did? NOTHING (god damn you). He said what he is used to said and nothing else… at least if he could have say somthing different… well, at least a kiss.

    So, could this be Alto accepted Sheryl conffesion? or could just been a I will protect you (since you are sick)? i think is the second one.

    What will happened if Ranka comes back? Will Alto run off the board to rescue her? I have a feeling that Alto will have to make a hard choise.

    “going to that planet and rescue ranka” or “stay in Frontier and defend it from the Vjra attack” in the last ep. I am pretty sure he will choose to go get ranka BECAUSE Sheryl will tell him “go and save her (and everyone)” with the add off “I will be ok, who do you think i am”

    And i am pretty sure, when Sheryl get totally healed, she will go to Alto and will confese him with the “i love you”. Before that… imposible.

    Noracalo
    Reply

  293. @Westlo

    “Oh btw YuKime didn’t you make a post about how Ranka and Alto saw Sheryl before they went on their flight around Gallia IV that was meant to be Alto and Sheryl?”

    …huh?

    “Use your head for whether Alto saw Sheryl in his families home in the period of episode 20.”

    Alto didn’t see Sheryl in ep20 in Saotome mansion in ep20, too much Vajra infestation to take care of to go visit the mansion.

    “Also don’t forget with the Varja threat taking care of it’s not like he has to rush and save Sheryl from um.. Frontier soldiers evacuating shelters? Don’t forget Sheryl’s selfless words was to take care of the Varja threat and not to worry about me.”

    Alto SAW the soldiers because they were there after the explosion. STILL, Alto shouted he will come help them DEFINITELY. The question is why did Alto still say that, KNOWING that Sheryl was on her way to a shelter WITH Frontier soldiers as their aide. Because he was concerned BUT didn’t return. Pledge WAS forgotten. That’s the point.

    @lol
    We’ll see if the dokun dokun won’t reach him till ep25. We’ll see. =)

    yuKime
    Reply

  295. @yukime

    “Because he was concerned BUT didn’t return. Pledge WAS forgotten. That’s the point.”

    Naw, I don’t think Alto forgot the pledge, the story just DIDN’T care about it so they skipped it AHAHAH The same when Alto just left Sheryl in Galia 4. He may have said goodbye but that will kill the RankaxAlto skygazing trip so they CUT it too LMAO XD Look at how they used Northern Cross vs Blue Ether’s melodramatic insert. It was used as a battle song and sheryl was just some extra singing in the background. Haha what a “supermove”. They sure are listening. (Who formulated this thing? Westlo? XD) Aww AltoxSheryl is second priority next to AltoxRanka.

    And isn’t Sheryl dying and needing strength? Why is Kawamori making it look like Alto’s choice to stay with Sheryl was a bad choice because Alto is with the bad guys right now? Becaaaauuuuse Alto will LEAVE her for Ranka in the end. It’s inevitable, Alto will join the darkside. They have cookies with Ranka carrots on top.

    @Archangel

    hahah you’re kidding aren’t you? We didn’t see their lips touched. How many times will these people lay it thick on you? It was a rear shot. From behind and the camera panned up. It’s not 100% proven that it was a kiss. Period. End case. Discussion over.

    diva
    Reply

  296. @Noracalo
    Small correction – Luca wasn’t giving Sheryl hope for a cure.

    Based on current data, Sheryl has the advanced stage of the V-type virus. Luca explained that in it’s EARLY stages it’s treatable, but in advanced stages, it will continue to emit a toxin until the person with it dies. She contracted it 10 years ago, and it’s NO LONGER in its early stages, but in it’s ADVANCED form, so it means 2 things: (1) She can emit a fold wave similar but weaker to Ranka’s which as Luca explained can be amplified by her fold crystal earring (2) There is currently no cure for her at this stage of her disease, and she will eventually die unless a miraculous cure is found. What Leon and Luca are asking her to do is to commit the what’s left of her available lifetime to filling the gap Ranka left against the Vajira.

    nezumibento
    Reply

  297. “If the spoilers are true, I also think Ranka will survive it. Who will sing Anata no Oto if she died? >_<”

    lol! I’m adding this to my Top 10 “Most retarded things Ranka shippers said” list.

    David_Letterman
    Reply

  299. @diva
    Actually, you’re the joke. All of your wishly mumbling and ramblings haven’t earned you any respect on here.
    Do you think stating that you’re a teenager strengthens your argument? Bah. You’re just pathetic.

    What you don’t realize is that’s just how you’re life is going to be.

    That’s the end of he discussion.

    Archangel
    Reply

  301. @diva
    Actually, you’re the joke. All of your wishful ramblings and inconsistencies haven’t earned you any respect on here.

    Do you think stating you’re a teenager strengthens your argument and grants you the option of being as ass? Bah. You’re just pathetic.

    What you fail to realize (again) is that’s just how your life is. Pathetic.

    That’s right, cry yourself to sleep. Boo-hoo. No friends, no family. Boo-hoo.

    Now that’s the end of the discussion.

    Archangel
    Reply

  302. @diva

    And isn’t Sheryl dying and needing strength? Why is Kawamori making it look like Alto’s choice to stay with Sheryl was a bad choice because Alto is with the bad guys right now?

    Alto do not know that Leon committed murder and is a traitor, so he honestly did not understand why Ozma and the rest of the SMS detached themselves and became ‘pirates’ at a time Frontier is in crisis. So in Alto’s POV, there is no such thing as him being ‘with the bad guys’.
    But what you’re actually saying is that he would have blindly followed the SMS, even while knowing nothing, if not for Sheryl? This is not a sure thing, only a possibility at most.
    Anyway, leaving the ‘bad guys’ and leaving Sheryl got nothing much to do with each other really: Sheryl believes that she is singing for the people of Frontier, which she really is doing since Leon, even as a bad guy, still works hard to protect Frontier: he wanted power, to become the President, he makes *too many* sacrifices and should burn in Hell for all he did, but even like that he doesn’t wish to destroy the whole colony!
    Finally, I do not believe Alto is necessarily making a bad choice: someone had to stay behind to protect Frontier and the thousands of people in there.
    Does all the 3/10 of SMS members who stayed in Frontier got a dying Sheryl at home? Are they ‘evil’, are they in ‘the dark side’, are they ‘with the bad guys’ or are they ‘wrong’ for not leaving? I do not believe so. Each one followed his own path.

    Sherry
    Reply

  303. Even if it’s painful, even if it’s hard, even if it hurts, this is the decision they took for themselves, just like Ranka who said “I’m so happy…but it hurts. That’s just how I feel now.” and she kept on moving forward, toward Ai-kun’s home planet, with a smile.

    Sherry
    Reply

  306. @yuKime:
    A pledge is not the same as a love confession, that’s absolutely true. But at the same time, you’re downplaying the importance of that scene and Alto’s reaction to her. For one thing, you think Alto promised to stay with her because she said she was scared? That’s an incorrect assumption.

    He said it before she ever mentioned being frightened, and his pledge was what made her admit her fear. It wasn’t “I’m scared –> I’ll be here” it was “I’ll be here –> [walls break] –> I’m scared”.

    You keep on saying he “did support Ranka”, but you don’t bring up a single scene to prove it. Here, I’ll do your work for you. He supported Ranka in episode 21 when he told her she didn’t have to act as bait. The difference between that scene and Sheryl’s scene is the lack of understanding on Alto’s part. Alto understood and acknowledged Sheryl’s desperate need to do something in the face of her death. Ranka was in a lot of pain at that point and Alto didn’t even notice. Brera was the one that gave her the words she wanted to hear and a shoulder to cry on, not Alto.

    Ranka is a part of Alto’s suffering, but even now he doesn’t understand her. I think there are unresolved issues with both Sheryl and Ranka as far as Alto goes. He is going to have to understand Ranka’s perspective in these upcoming episodes. He’s going to have to figure out exactly how he feels about Sheryl. But, realizing he’s misunderstood Ranka doesn’t mean he’s going to return her love. Even if he chooses to go to her, it doesn’t mean a thing in the romance department if he’s decided he wants Sheryl to “be his home”. I don’t think it’s likely, but there’s always the possibility that he’ll decide Sheryl was a “spur of the moment” thing.

    I doubt it, though.

    If you look at how the episode is set up, you have Klan as an adviser on one side, and Ozma as an adviser on the other. Klan’s advice to Alto is coached in specifically explicit romantic terms. She makes a parallel between Sheryl and Alto and herself and Michel. Ozma, on the other hand, is more generally about Alto’s direction. He parallels Ranka and himself as people that have looked at everything and decided their own path, where Alto is still being tossed around by circumstances–but then he also tells Alto he’s improved.

    Alto’s almost there. He just has a little bit more to go.

    musouka
    Reply

  308. @Illie
    Maybe Yasaburo kissed Sheryl…..like they did in ep.18!

    What in the world are you talking about? What kind of imaginary Yasuboro scene are you recalling? ^^; That never happened at all.

    And Yasuboro kissing Sheryl is as likely to happen as Ranka kissing Leon. Or even Bilrer.

    haninozuka
    Reply

  309. @haninozuka
    you didn’t get what i mean, do you?*smile* It’s ok!
    Why Yasaburo can’t kiss Sheryl? he is also Sheryl fan and 24 hours with Sheryl in Satome’s Mansion. Never happened??

    llie
    Reply

  310. @Illie

    It would be completely illogical for Yasuboro to kiss Sheryl, simply because there is no romantic inclination between the two of them at all. And since when was it ever stated he’s a Sheryl fan? :/

    So, if going by your logic, because Ranka and Brera are together 24 hours in his VF-27 now, therefore we can say that something could happened between them too? ^_^

    Alto kissing Sheryl is a more likely scenario than the ones you’ve imagined.

    haninozuka
    Reply

  313. lol to the virgin otakus

    Though i’ve pretty much supported the Sheryl side of things since the start, I gotta say the way it was done in this ep has some bad omens (maybe its because it feels to rushed) Its great to see Sheryl has obvious matured way beyond Ranka in terms of her feelings and outlook on life, but Alto looks like he just might stick around for the pity (2-timing indecisive bastard). If there staff wants to really turn this series into a great end they really need to kick up Alto’s decisiveness a notch fast, his whining is getting old.

    Please please please don’t tell me Sheryl will let herself be used by Leon..as villains go he undeniably annoys the hell out of me (the hair is the most awful thing ever)

    ren
    Reply

  314. Subtle hints much? >_>

    Anyone notice where Alto’s line of sight were going right after Sheryl said that singing is the only thing she has to prove that she existed and right before she asked Alto to give her courage?

    It was apparent that he was looking way too intensely between her thighs.

    Jack
    Reply

  315. @nezumibento

    Yes, they didn’t find a cure, but at least they gave us and Sheryl a hope that may be able to be a cure in her current state. Maybe not, we don’t know, but at least THERE is a small chance to survive. There is a big diference between “you are going to die” and “In your current status, we don’t know” (there is a chance!! could be small, but there is one at least).

    Also Sheryl make a choise to help all people in Frontier. Everyone need her to sing to keep a small light of hope. She is signing for everyone, and she will keep doing even if she die in the middle of the song. That is the Sheryl we all know. Sheryl isn’t helping Leon to fullfill his desieres of power (And remember that she doesn’t knows the move Leon did).

    I don’t think Alto know about Leon either. Not even Luca may know. They also won’t believe it in the current status… the pirates are telling us that our current president is a bastart, yeah right… Didn’t alto asked Ozma Why they were deserting and he replayed “I don’t want to work with a president like him” (he told something about that, don’t remember exact words.) insted of “he killed the president”. He didn’t say it because Alto would not believe it.

    And also, even tho Leon is a bastard, there is a lot of people on the middle, depending on him now. He can be a bastard, but he also don’t want to destroy Frontier. He need the people so he can have power. They got new ammunition that work on Vajra, they are going to chase the Vajra for survive. Someone has to do it, and that is the rol that Alto, Luca and Klan has now.

    And at least, if Alto has to take a path and knowing he want to be able to fly in a real sky, then the normal choise for him is to stay with Frontier, support it till they get into a planted they are looking for. Also he can stay with Sheryl and support her. If for some reason this path make it to catch up with Ranka (and it will most probably) only then Alto will make a Choise. I have a feeling the next ep we will see some grown up on Alto. I can bet on it.

    Noracalo
    Reply

  316. There’s something the translation brings up: why do we assume that Alto HAD a choice of joining SMS’s escape? Ozma point blanks says” “You’re always so stubborn. That’s why you’re not part of this!” That could be read as “We knew you would get your panties in a bunch over this move, Princess, so we didn’t invite you. Instead, we told you we were going and that was that.” The SMS crew is COMMITTED–and fear of commitment is the whole point of Alto. He can’t decide to be a pilot or an actor. He can’t decide which girl to pick. He can’t even decide to cut his hair and start looking like a guy. Ozma pretty much calls Alto a “slacker” to his face; and he KNOWS if Alto was given a choice, he would either dither or make an impulsive, uncommitted choice. So no, I don’t think they invited him at all,because they don’t see him as committed to doing the right thing as they are.

    maxnmike
    Reply

  317. Just 4 the heck of it, I asked my wife and sister what THEY thought about the whole MF triangle. Their unanimous take: “Ranka is a teenage girl with a crush, while Sheryl is an adult woman in love. The problem is that Alto can”t tell the difference; but men often can’t.”

    On the flip side, BOTH of them prefer Ozma anyway (LOL).

    maxnmike
    Reply

  318. i finally get what people meant when they said alto’s jacket was off when he was checking his msgs

    gawd that just raised a whole bunch of questions in my head

    THE STAFF IS MESSING WITH US ALL!!!

    honeyblu
    Reply

  319. If Alto’s undershirt was untucked and his hair was down, that’d have been the dead give-away. But just the jacket? That’s the staff playing with us.

    Question, have we seen Alto wear his jacket this way before? Or anyone else in SMS?

    mike_s_6
    Reply

  320. @diva

    “Naw, I don’t think Alto forgot the pledge, the story just DIDN’T care about it so they skipped it AHAHAH The same when Alto just left Sheryl in Galia 4.”

    That’s the point. I don’t care if it was Alto or the staff or Kawamori who forgot the pledge but it was not shown, meaning it wasn’t emphasized in the story hence not really needed to move the plot or the character’s development. It’s just so obvious that some Alto x Sheryl moments are added but then forgotten to be followed through for more development. That’s why I didn’t fall in love with it unlike A x R moments.

    I still anticipate 23rd episode. The preview statement saying Alto’s final resolution just seems promising! I can’t wait for Thursday~

    @David_Letterman
    Oh, it won’t be that retarded if you see ep25 and Ranka does sing Anata no Oto. =)

    @Sherry
    Wow… Someone who actually defends Leon’s greed for power… Anyway, I hope your speech about Alto not knowing he is working for a bad guy also means you agree that it ISN’T Ranka’s fault that she indirectly killed people because she sang and made those Vajras go haywire. You are a Sheryl fan so I want your opinion on this one…. And if you are going to blame Ranka (that is a big IF), then I’ll be saying you’re biased.

    And about Alto making a bad choice, the point is he didn’t seem to believe in his own choice fully. Ozma seems to think that Alto is just letting the flow, circumstances and situations carry him wherever, not making any choice himself. That’s why Ozma is questioning him and that’s why Alto is frustrated in the end.

    yuKime
    Reply

  322. Personally, I see him going back to Ranka later after that confrontation with Ozma. Alto is really just flowing along. Be it with the current situation, be it his own emotions. He’s just flowing along, which explains why Ozma’s words got to him so bad.

    ricaryx
    Reply

  323. @musuoka
    No I’m not downplaying Alto’s words that he’d stay for Sheryl but I’m saying your making such a BIG deal out of it. Whether he said it before OR after Sheryl admitted that she’s scared has nothing to do with it BECAUSE Alto KNOWS that Sheryl IS dying. That fact alone can help Alto tell what pain Sheryl is going through. And to ease that pain, Alto told her that she’s not alone in it. But him saying that doesn’t necessarily mean a confession that’s why I’m saying Alto x Ranka ending is still possible. Alto experiencing lots of loss and even seeing how her mother slowly died (due to her weak body) tells us that Alto understands Sheryl and implies that he knows how to handle the situation NOW, thus he decided to stay by Sheryl’s side to support her in her down moment.

    “You keep on saying he “did support Ranka”, but you don’t bring up a single scene to prove it.”

    Because if you watched every each Macross F episode and see how Ranka climbed stardom and till she became the songstress of hope, Alto was always there to help her out with advices AND protecting her. It’s obvious so I thought I’d spare you the lecture. But since you insist, there you go. And yes, he supported Ranka in episode 21 when he defended her from Luca’s attempt to use her as bait but seeing as Ranka herself wanted to be a bait, he just resorted to ACCEPTING her choice AND promising her that he’ll make sure no Vajra comes close and to make the escape a success too. The difference between that scene and Sheryl’s scene is the SITUATION itself. Alto CANNOT defend Ranka (like Brera did saying it’s okay for her not to sing) BECAUSE he knew too that they had no choice but to use Ranka to PROTECT Frontier. It’s not lack of understanding in this case but rather the lack of GUTS of Alto to defend what he believes in and risk a big consequence to save Ranka. Brera chose Ranka over Frontier’s safety while Alto was torn between saving Frontier AND protecting Ranka. Alto understood Ranka in this situation (see his frustrated look when he heard Ranka crying on Brera’s arms means he knew Ranka was hurting) but didn’t have the courage to protect her the way Brera did. Alto understood and acknowledged Sheryl’s desperate need to do something in the face of her death BECAUSE there was nothing tearing him from understanding her pain. There was no situation to choose from but ONLY the fact that Sheryl is DYING. What is there not to understand and what is there for Alto to choose from? It’s either save Sheryl or ignore Sheryl, of course he’d save her since he cares for her. But in Ranka’s case, it was save Ranka OR save Frontier. See the difference?

    Ranka is a part of Alto’s suffering, but even now he doesn’t understand her. The only thing he didn’t understand about Ranka is her choice to go to Vajraland, seeing as he thinks Vajra are the enemy, period.

    But yes, I definitely agree that there are unresolved issues with both Sheryl and Ranka as far as Alto goes because he is not choosing and always taking things as it comes by. I hope he does realize and understand Ranka’s decision in ep23 and figure out his feelings for both girls. Realizing he’s misunderstood Ranka sure doesn’t mean he’s going to return her love BUT IF he realizes he WANTED to be by Ranka’s side the most, then that’s a different story. We’ll just see how he decides in ep23. In regards to Sheryl, Alto may also realize he DOES want to stay with Sheryl whole-heartedly, but if they do that, I hope they show it with much more determination and resolve from Alto to make it convincing. Even if he does save Ranka, it doesn’t necessarily mean love but I’m hoping there will be love involved. We’ll see…

    “If you look at how the episode is set up, you have Klan as an adviser on one side, and Ozma as an adviser on the other. Klan’s advice to Alto is coached in specifically explicit romantic terms. She makes a parallel between Sheryl and Alto and herself and Michel. Ozma, on the other hand, is more generally about Alto’s direction. He parallels Ranka and himself as people that have looked at everything and decided their own path, where Alto is still being tossed around by circumstances–but then he also tells Alto he’s improved.”

    I agree. Indeed, Klan’s talk is more directly related to Sheryl while Ozma’s is more on Alto’s resolve AS a person, so it doesn’t necessarily bring in Ranka. But seeing as Ozma is citing Ranka as an example for Alto, it also brings Ranka into the equation but definitely not automatically to be considered as romantic concerns, but rather, it is up to Alto to think about it. Ozma is just giving him the pieces and he’s still the one to fix the puzzle and make it whole. Klan on the other hand gave him the puzzle WITH a picture of what she wants Alto to do, hoping Alto would copy the picture and fix the puzzle that way. (sorry for the lame analogy ^^;)

    @Justinstrife
    The fact is Alto IS frustrated. Whether it concerns Ranka or SMS issues we don’t exactly know but we can see that it has something to do with decisions, seeing he’s torn between choices he needs to do and choices he thinks he MUST do but can’t. Klan also doesn’t know anything of what’s going on in Alto’s life, she also has no room to talk. But seeing as both Klan and Ozma took the liberty in taking the reigns on Alto’s life (because they think he’s being indecisive and wishy-washy about things), let’s just let Alto take the beating and see if he’d improve with those talks.

    yuKime
    Reply

  324. Klan has more knowledge on Alto’s life than Ozma does though. She also knows more about Alto and Sheryl personally than Ozma does. So in that regard, she’s a much better match-maker than Ozma could ever hope to be.

    After all, Ozma ditched Cathy to raise Ranka(and he did a very bad job I might add), then ditched Ranka to be with Cathy. Ozma’s entire argument was garbage as SMS is taking a huge gamble with running off as pirates while Frontier is in bad shape. A man he might be, but an adult he is not. An adult still has responsibilities.

    Why would Alto choose Ranka, when he hasn’t shown since episode 13, any romantic interests in Ranka? Why would Alto choose Ranka, when they haven’t had any romantic or sexual tension between each other since episode 13? Why was the last good Alto x Ranka episode, episode 13?

    JustinStrife
    Reply

  325. The Galia 4 scene is where Alto finally saw Ranka as a woman. This is proven when he started to react to her the same way he reacts to Sheryl, whose womanly charms are all too familiar to him.

    But nowhere in the series had Alto displayed any romantic feelings for Ranka. The Galia 4 event was cute, lighthearted, blushy but flimsy. Call it what you will, but whatever it was, it evidently just couldn’t survive the future events. There just isn’t enough support or development.

    That’s not to say Alto doesn’t love Ranka. He may not understand her, he may not even listen to her, but he loves and cares for her. It’s just that his heart belongs to someone else.

    princess
    Reply

  326. @yuKime

    Wow… Someone who actually defends Leon’s greed for power… Anyway, I hope your speech about Alto not knowing he is working for a bad guy also means you agree that it ISN’T Ranka’s fault that she indirectly killed people because she sang and made those Vajras go haywire. You are a Sheryl fan so I want your opinion on this one…. And if you are going to blame Ranka (that is a big IF), then I’ll be saying you’re biased.

    And about Alto making a bad choice, the point is he didn’t seem to believe in his own choice fully. Ozma seems to think that Alto is just letting the flow, circumstances and situations carry him wherever, not making any choice himself. That’s why Ozma is questioning him and that’s why Alto is frustrated in the end.

    You very conveniently skipped the part where I said I believed Leon should burn in Hell and focused your attention on the rest…again, my point was that ‘officially’, ‘in appearances’, the SMS are the deserters who left Frontier behind (since outside a few selected people, no one knows about him murdering the president) and that while being a bad guy, yes he is a greedy pig, Leon won’t go killing off everyone in the colony either.
    I am just stating facts here.
    Now, Sheryl was asked to sing for Frontier, just like Ranka before her, because of the fold reactions her singing voices produced and their effects on the vajra.
    Neither of them are ‘evils’ for doing their best and putting their lives on the line to protect everyone: it might seem inhuman coming from Leon since he literally asked Sheryl to sing till she dies, but the previous president also used Ranka to fight against the vajra in space, in the middle of ragging battles.

    I also understand what you mean by Alto being frustrated and being doubtful of his own choices, like he has been in the whole anime really ¬___¬ but it doesn’t change the fact that he received the exact same msg as everyone else, and decided for himself (meaning that no one was behind him telling him “don’t go to the SMS!”)and whatever was his reasons, he stayed in Frontier and seriously fought against Ozma.

    It’s not about being ‘on the wrong side’, each one got a definite path which differs from the rest: no one said some choices weren’t painful, or even unfair for oneself and cruel! –> Ranka is truly happy, but also hurting at the same time! But still, this is the choice she made for herself and she kept moving forward, smiling.
    There is no guaranty at all Alto would make a ‘happy’ painless decision for himself, he might have to sacrifice something, or many, to be able to realize a stronger and most valuable wish: the question both all the fans and Ozma are now wondering about is ‘what is it Alto wants?! What is he flying for?!’ When this will be answered, no matter what paths he follows, even seemingly ‘wrong’ to others people, it will be the right one for him.
    I personally don’t think he could have come, in upcoming eps, to such conclusions if he had left at this point of the anime. It was needed for the plot story for him to collect his mind staying there, on board of Frontier.
    As for what he will do afterward, who knows? But Sheryl won’t be the one binding him down, she has proven her selfless feelings for him and will let him do whatever he wants, including going to Ranka and breaking his promise of staying with her.

    yuKime, please refrain from telling me things like “…you are going to blame Ranka…” or similar, since I never did and never will unless she really does something seriously ugly. Which is yet to ever happen.
    Because while I do prefer an AltoxSheryl ending, I am not a rabid enraged fan either and I’m totally open to other possible conclusions: actually I will very likely only accept a logical and justified end, pushing Alto in one or the others arms won’t convince me.
    I don’t blindly follow one pairing, ignoring the possibilities of the other.
    Ranka is not ‘finished’ yet, but I allow myself to think Sheryl neither is.

    Sherry
    Reply

  327. @JustinStrife

    Wha? Since when did Klan know Alto more than Ozma?! O__O Alto is UNDER Ozma’s squadron and Ozma has been Alto closely ever since. Alto doesn’t even talk to Klan unless Klan talks to Alto. Klan is a girl and Ozma is a guy, who’s more psyched to understand each other? Klan DOESN’T know Sheryl, only knows Sheryl is dying AND Sheryl likes Alto. What does that have to do with being a better matchmaker?

    And now you’re downgrading Ozma just because he gave that speech that mentioned Ranka in it? I don’t think Ozma did a bad job in raising Ranka at all. He sacrificed a lot for her, so please don’t talk bad about the way he raised Ranka. Cathy knew this and didn’t hold it against Ozma, did she? She knew Ozma prioritized Ranka that’s why she gave way but they still maintained the closeness (and love).

    Are you saying SMS is wrong to go and search for what they believe is the truth and should have stayed in Frontier to be under NUNS and serve Leon’s ridiculous struggle to gain more power? This is just getting so twisted now.

    Why would Alto choose Sheryl when he hasn’t shown any direct strong interest to stay with Sheryl not until he knew she was dying? Why would Alto choose Sheryl when all he acted around her was his tsun tsun mode ever since not until he knew she was dying? Sexual or romantic tension (if you prefer to call it that) is not the only thing deciding who gets to win in the end. It’s Alto’s REAL feelings and HIS FINAL CHOICE that will decide who’ll win. The last good (though followed by a bittersweet moment) Ranka x Alto moment was ep21. When Alto thanked Ranka (with that ever so gentle expression of his and that warm smile) after he told her about his reason for flying. No matter how much you think Alto and Sheryl have this romantic/sexual tension or no matter how much I think Alto and Ranka have this tender and sweet moments, it will all be just our individual point of views on the series and we don’t have any say on how the story will end. We will just see in ep25…

    yuKime
    Reply

  328. @Sherry

    About Leon, I’m just amazed that you still went to the trouble of justifying his actions and see him as someone not so evil. (I just hate the guy so I’m amazed to see someone hate him YET say something in his defense, that’s all)

    “yuKime, please refrain from telling me things like “…you are going to blame Ranka…” or similar, since I never did and never will unless she really does something seriously ugly. Which is yet to ever happen.”

    I apologize if my words seem to sound judgmental to you. I just wanted to get your opinion about Ranka being blamed for ep20 massacre so I said that. I did not mean it to be that way that’s why I included in the parentheses ‘that is a big IF’ to make sure that I am not judging you automatically. I really added the ‘And if’ and ‘that is a big IF’ because I was only saying it hypothetically, I wasn’t labeling you on the spot.

    Quoting myself…

    “You are a Sheryl fan so I want your opinion on this one…. And if you are going to blame Ranka (that is a big IF), then I’ll be saying you’re biased.”

    But if you were still upset, then I apologize wholeheartedly. And thanks to for stating your opinion since I don’t often see Sheryl fans open to possible endings. It was refreshing to read your post amongst those that say, ‘Sheryl wins!’

    I also don’t think Sheryl won’t bind Alto down because of that pledge he had given to her but instead she’d accept Alto’s decision whatever that is. If Sheryl did this, I will accept her if she really is fated to be the one to end up with Alto. But if Alto does decide to choose Sheryl, I do hope we get more convincing scenes without the death card pulling some strings. I really hope Sheryl gets cured before Alto confesses (that is, if he will be confessing to her).

    But yes, Ranka end or Sheryl end, no one can be sure as of now. Let’s just root for our respective shippings and hope for the best and convincing ending for everyone.

    yuKime
    Reply

  330. Heh what if the real spoilers is actually just the subtle version of the unconfirmed spoilers? People who felt like idiots will feel like idiots for thinking that they were idiots. While the ones who didn’t feel like idiots will feel like idiots for calling the other side idiots and turning out to be the biggest idiot themselves. Know what I’m saying? 8D

    Kawamori: Mwahahah! My plan of making people feel like idiots is working. Bow down to my Macross Frontier.
    Yoshino: Boss, you’re the man.
    Kawamori: Mwahahah! Yes! Feed my ego more. That’s the only reason I hired you.

    LMFAO

    Blimey
    Reply

  332. @yuKime

    Does Ozma even know Sheryl is alive? At all? He’s never met her, so he can’t be a matchmaker for Alto when he doesn’t even know anything about Sheryl or even know Alto knows Sheryl. Ozma isn’t even telling him to go get Ranka, but to find his own path.

    lol
    Reply

  334. “Does Ozma even know Sheryl is alive? At all? He’s never met her, so he can’t be a matchmaker for Alto when he doesn’t even know anything about Sheryl or even know Alto knows Sheryl. Ozma isn’t even telling him to go get Ranka, but to find his own path.”

    Don’t bother telling common sense to someone who thinks what they want to, they will ignore it.

    Fact – Ozma doesn’t even know about Alto and Sheryl’s relationship
    Fact – Alto gets vividly pissed when Ozma mentions how he’s protecting the woman he loves (cathy), remember he just found out Sheryl is dying and there is nothing he can do but watch.
    Facy – The Ranka flash was from her leaving Frontier and was shown when Ozma said Ranka choose her own path.
    Fact – When Ozma says that he has chosen his path the show shows him flying out with Quarter.
    Fact – Than when Ozma says how about you it focuses on Alto.

    The flashback scene was the scene where Ranka decided to go on her on path, not because zomg Alto is thinking of Ranka, RankaXAlto end confirmed!!!

    Westlo
    Reply

  335. True. Ozma doesn’t even know anything about Alto when you think about it. Not his past, not his relationship with Sheryl. So it’s very silly to assume his words are going to be the one that get him to go with Ranka. He only knows half the story. It’s like because Nanase is a super Ranka fan that means Ranka will win. But I don’t think he’s even pushing Alto towards Ranka. Again, they talk about finding your own path. Not finding the path I told you, which was to protect Ranka. I mean seriously Ranka shippers, look at the evidence here.

    lol
    Reply

  336. I noted a comment somewhere earlier about protoculture – and then realised I had forgotten all about it what with all the flimflam about culture.

    1) What is the link between the Vajra and Protoculture.
    2) Why are the Vajra attacking hummanity.
    3) Who else is backing Grace, they obviously have an interest in the Vajra home world.
    4) What the hell are the Vajra.
    5) What has Grace gained by promoting Leon to president of Frontier.

    As to other goings on,
    Ranka made a choice becouse she has personal experiance with Vajra, and she has suffered great saddness upon seeing her songs destroy so many Vajra. She has to find the answers.

    The crew of the Macross Quater made their decision for two reasons, number one becouse they knew of Leons actions, number two becouse they are loyal to an ideal and to one and another (most joined without knowing about the coup.) Also we have to remember that they were mercenaries and mercenaries don’t “just follow orders” a mercenary chooses which fights to fight and which masters to serve. As the captain pointed out “when all eyes turn right, we must look to the left” (to paraphrase.)

    Leon is powerhungry, and I doubt he has any noble intentions at all.

    As to why was Leon supported by Grace? Becouse Grace wants to use him to help her secure the Vajra homeworld. We don’t know the exact method of this (maybe get them to launch an attack by leaking the information or get the Vajra to launch an all out attack against Frontier and then Grace oblitorates the fleet and the Vajra.)

    Sheryl – She just wants to be seen, she’s a professional and she needs attention, to be honest she’s always seemed like a tertiary support character. Leon is probably going to end up killing her after she has doubt at some point.

    The pink haired boy is just blinded by science and can’t see past it all (the bit where he’s explaining to Sheryl about the V-virus) as such he isn’t asking any interesting questions.

    Alto – he’s just a follower taking the easiest choices available to him. Staying with Sheryl becouse she’s there, dying, needy, and becouse Klan and Micheal pushed him down that path. Following the orders to become part of NUN becouse it’s easy. Firing on his former friends becouse he’s ordered to by his new master. He’s a weak, pitiful character.

    The love triangle, I fully support Alto ending with nobody. I suspect a Ranka x Alto ending.

    Matt_D
    Reply

  337. “Again, they talk about finding your own path. Not finding the path I told you, which was to protect Ranka. I mean seriously Ranka shippers, look at the evidence here.”

    I remember Ani_d going gaga (probably because she needed something to grasp onto considering how that ep was a complete SherylXAlto ep) because Ozma said “Protect Ranka Alto!” in Episode 18, and while Alto was thinking about it he wanted to find his own path, now ironically Ozma tells him to do that in episode 22.

    “Ranka made a choice becouse she has personal experiance with Vajra, and she has suffered great saddness upon seeing her songs destroy so many Vajra. She has to find the answers.”

    It’s sad that it took her seeing Alto and Sheryl hugging (from her POV) to realize this.

    Ep 17
    Alto – Sing to kill Varja
    Ranka – HAI ALTO-KUN

    Ep 20
    Alto – Sing Ranka
    Ranka – Don’t wanna, wanna die cuz you hugged sheryl 🙁

    You know maybe if she had bothered to tell Alto that she could communicate with the Varja he might not have such hatred against them, prior to Michaels death anyway… but no she “forgot” that she could because it was more important to do stuff with Alto.

    Westlo
    Reply

  339. @lol

    “@yuKime

    Does Ozma even know Sheryl is alive? At all? He’s never met her, so he can’t be a matchmaker for Alto when he doesn’t even know anything about Sheryl or even know Alto knows Sheryl. Ozma isn’t even telling him to go get Ranka, but to find his own path.”

    Ozma knows Sheryl BECAUSE Sheryl is famous. She’s a celebrity! But yeah, he doesn’t know her personally THUS he doesn’t have a say in Alto’s relationship with Sheryl. Did I ever say he had a say in it? And Ozma NEVER told Alto to marry his sister just to protect her, but he wasn’t talking about romantic issues unlike Klan did with Alto. My point is, neither Ozma nor Klan can decide for Alto who to choose but rather, they can just advise Alto and let Alto do the choosing. I don’t think we have anything to disagree at all.

    yuKime
    Reply

  340. Ozma is flawed in his reasoning here he probably does not know what is going on between Alto and Sheryl anyway.

    Alto stayed behind for Sheryl, that IS his path he choose. The reason why Ozma works sting at Alto is because Alto is totally helpless in helping Sheryl, unlike Ozma who can physically protect his women.

    Sheryl is dying from a terminal disease and Alto is pissed because he can’t do anything at all. Sheryl will probably die in the end as Luca already said the disease is already terminal thus a Alto x Sheryl possibility is very low, but the likehood of him getting on with Ranka is nearly impossible, given she is the Queen and all.

    A_name
    Reply

  341. @A_name
    Your right that Ozma has no idea about Sheryl.

    What no has seemed to noticed is that Ozma saw that Alto has grown up and they have become equals just on different sides because of the circumstances. If Alto was truly still immature he would have followed Ozma and crew and use it as an excuse to run away from Sheryl.

    As for the disease, maybe it won’t be such a lethal disease after all in Sheryl’s case. Back in Macross Seven Mylene’s human/Zentradi blood was the key to the Protoculture ruins, proving that children of the Protoculture learned to live together. In Ranka and now in Sheryl’s case as well they are part Varja just as Sara and Mao had Protoculture blood in them.

    Instead of a cure I am wondering if it will be more of Sheryl and the Varja virsus learn to coexist. Just hope things don’t turn into a complete ripoff of Eureka Seven. I can see it now Alto gets Sheryl’s so called “Space AIDS” after doing her and they both become part Vajra and fly off into space with all the other Vajra ruled under none other than…Queen Ranka!!

    Roy Fokker88
    Reply

  344. @westlo

    “After reading the real spoilers for 24+25 I hope whoever believed those obviously fake spoilers realizes they are an idiot.”

    What are you talking about? The things in the UNCONFIRMED spoilers turned out to be accurate, just with little less details from the official ones. I’d start mourning if I were you. ^_^ Dokun dokun kawaii indeed.

    ani_d
    Reply

  345. @ani_d
    No, the fake spoilers were totally fake and have no bearing on the last episode. Any similarity that may occur is a coincidence. We know they’re fake because they were rumored to have come from a magazine called NewType. The actual spoilers from NewType were totally different.

    musouka
    Reply

  346. No, but it’s right though.

    Show Spoiler ▼

    I don’t know where the person from MW got his previous spoilers, but he must have some inside connection or something cuz what he got were pretty accurate from the official ones….even if it has more details on the character side. What was left out were the bit from the characters itself. Which is pretty reasonable.

    ani_d
    Reply

  349. @Matt_D

    Don’t entirely agree with you on the Alto part. I think Micheal and Klan knew that Alto had feelings for Sheryl even though he’s never said it out loud. IMO that’s why they were always pushing him towards Sheryl and not Ranka even though it was fairly obvious to everyone Ranka liked him. It seems Alto doesn’t want to make the same mistake Micheal and Klan made by waiting to long to confess their true feelings.

    When he got that message from Ozma about SMS leaving the frontier he had a look of horror on his face and I think its because he had an impossible decision to make: go with his friends/comrades who he’s fought a number of battles with in SMS or stay behind and be with Sheryl even though there was no hope in her situation. His decision to stay IMO was the much more difficult path because he has no power in that situation. There’s nothing he can do that can save Sheryl(at least that we know of right now). He’s a pilot, so the only thing he knows how to do well is fight and running off to fight with SMS is a situation where he has the power to do something whereas dealing with the fact that Sheryl is going to die is a situation where he’s completely powerless.

    rob_w
    Reply

  351. Clamce: Ranka was wearing Minmei’s outfit and Sheryl is wearing http://www.seventhmoon.org/macross/images/abartbook.jpgBasara’s.

    It’s just a Newtype scan that has nothing to do with the events of the show right now, much like most of other Newtype scans that offer you eyecandy. 😉 I suggest for everyone to sit back and watch the show, instead of clinging to the first thing to pop up that barely even hints a spark of shipping, when everyone’s just having fun there.

    Sigh.

    Hime
    Reply

  352. Clamce: Ranka is wearing Minmei’s outfit and Sheryl is wearing Basara’s.

    It’s just a Newtype scan that has nothing to do with the events of the show right now, much like most of other Newtype scans that offer you eyecandy. 😉 I suggest for everyone to sit back and watch the show, instead of clinging to the first thing to pop up that barely even hints a spark of shipping, when everyone’s just having fun there.

    Sigh.

    Hime
    Reply

  354. Ranka will redeem herself for sure.
    @ mike_s_6 I thought you wanted to avoid the spoilers ? 🙂
    But do you really think they will let Ranka be the Minmei until the end ? This is unlikely.
    After how she was in episode 20, there is no way they will let us down like that! 🙂

    Seifall
    Reply

  355. @Noracalo
    Of course Leon would want to protect Frontier by default – wouldn’t it be meaningless to be in power if Frontier was destroyed? I think he was willing to play Grace’s game as long as it got him the President’s desk, but he didn’t anticipate all the hitches in his plans. He’s completely amoral, because he doesn’t really see Frontier as a people to protect as much as a population to lord himself over. His actions are all based on vested self-interest, not social responsibility. Which makes him morally questionable, and I wouldn’t follow anyone who regards everyone as tools to further your goals.

    I don’t think the Quarter crew are leaving in part because of the political situation but they are also taking this opportunity to investigate the Vajira in an attempt to sort out the problem with them from a different angle. The problem is that most research and knowledge of the Vajira is in Leon and Grace’s camp, and since they’ve been proven most untrustworthy, they’ve gone to figure out the facts themselves.

    @everyone picking on Ozma’s words
    Really, Ozma’s statement to Alto was a blanket statement that applies to him in all aspects, not specifically to his relationship with Sheryl and Ranka. Ranka was just an example for goodness sakes =_=, because in the end she thought hard about everything and made a choice based on it. So did Ozma and the Quarter crew (and by that I mean including Klan and Luca).

    If there’s anything we’ve learned about Alto, he’s a great pilot and a brave soldier, but when it comes to facing himself and his relationships with people, he’s a avoidance-prone apathetic idiot.

    Ozma’s words is a barb that drives home the point that if you continue to refuse to confront the situation head on because it makes you uncomfortable, you’re going to end up pretty blind to the important things that’s going on. And when it comes down to making a decision where you stand you don’t even have the info to make a proper choice.

    nezumibento
    Reply

  356. @Clamce

    Ahah.a..ahahaha! Can’t breathe….AHAHAHAHA!! I’ve seen the spoilers and NT images. Lots of Sheryl shippers are going to be cutting themselves later on. Maybe they’re already are!XD Karma karma karma karma karma chameleonnnnn you come and go, you come and gooOoOoo!

    dokun dokun dokun XD
    Reply

  357. @Seifall – there are no spoilers in there, are there? Just a person thinking that Ranka and Alto are fixed because he’s carrying her wearing a Minmay outfit, with Basara-Sheryl beside them. I’m not avoiding spoilers from official material such as next episode previews and magazine publications, as they are presented to the public for a reason. What I should have avoided is commenting on a non-official statement based on official material.

    mike_s_6
    Reply

  358. diva / dokun : “Ahah.a..ahahaha! Can’t breathe….AHAHAHAHA!! I’ve seen the spoilers and NT images. Lots of Sheryl shippers are going to be cutting themselves later on. Maybe they’re already are!XD Karma karma karma karma karma chameleonnnnn you come and go, you come and gooOoOoo!”

    Actually, no. Far from it. As a fan of the AltoxSheryl (Skull Fairy) pairing, I am proud that Alto and Sheryl’s relationship is being fleshed out and developed along the way. I am happy that there are so many trials and tribulations in store for them, as their relationship is more than ready enough to face this. This time will undoubtedly be the biggest challenge for Alto and Sheryl, but they have enough strength and development to come out of this storm unscathed. 🙂

    Given this point in time, even though Alto x Sheryl is given all the developments and trials and the focus is on them, I am still very much open to an Alto x Ranka ending, no matter how contrived or rushed it is. But at the same time, I’m not sure what to say when I see some people placing their dependency on a downfall of a pairing, as if it automatically validates the other. The AltoxRanka pairing shouldn’t be dependent on the fate of AltoxSheryl; it should be dependent on the story and development that is given to them. The faith people place in AltoxSheryl is built on these two factors alone, which is why I’m certain they will overcome these issues that popped up around her death card and Alto’s own directionless state.

    notcheese
    Reply

  359. Ani_d I will refrain from calling you a moron and allow yourself to realize it. Now those unconfirmed spoilers mention reinforcements from Earth. Do your recall the length of time it took for Galaxy’s message to get to Frontier? Do you recall how far away the Frontier fleet is from Earth? Do you remember how Alto and Sheryl going to Gallia IV would take 1 day while going back would take a week.

    Those spoilers were obviously fucking fake, use your fucking head. And it’s probably Ranka and Sheryl (yes the spoilers mention 1, but if Ranka steps out from behind Sheryl after the image is done the spoilers is telling the truth) singing in the bridge at the end… you know this duet song called Lion you might have heard…

    Westlo
    Reply

  362. @rob_w
    I see your point, anyway I’m embittered becouse he’s the kind of character that annoys the life out of me. I still envisage Sheryl dying in the end, she’s never seemed more then a puppet to me a means to an end, but I’m not going to lose any sleep over it ;c)

    Now then, do we really think that Sheryls V-vector giving her equivelent powers to Ranka is a suprise? Grace created her for that very reason (to manipulate the Vajra), Grace changed her focus to Ranka upon realising Sheryl was less useful to her. Also Grace was trying her hardest to keep it a secret (remember all the vile switching.) Grace was hoping she’d just die.

    I’m quite sure that whatever NUNS and Leon are planning to do will play right into Graces hands.

    I’m also pretty sure that somewhere along the line it’ll turn out the Vajra have a pretty good reason to be attacking hummanity.

    Another interesting thing is what is Rankas relationship to Professor Mao, is she her daughter? Re references to Macross Zero. Are some of the things that happen in Zero going to get an interesting explenation in Frontier.

    I hope alot of tying up and explenation happens in these last few episodes along with some epic space battles.

    Matt_D
    Reply

  363. Spin this Ranka fans.

    Animedia female seiyuu interview

    Show Spoiler ▼

    Westlo
    Reply

  366. And to add more fun.

    Here’s what Megumi Nakajima’s (Ranka’s seiyuu) message for…

    I also want for Sheryl-san to find happiness TOO. (yes, she really said ‘too’ A usual thing that one says when she is contented~ so Ranka is contented…) Both as a singer and as a woman too.
    For Alto-kun… (I) want (you) to make sure of it (or to see it through), in various ways…
    Brera-san, please support Ranka too from here on!

    And for Mayn’s (Sheryl’s seiyuu) message:
    To Alto… In episode 8, when you were carrying Sheryl and flying, the line “what’s that?” was full of feeling of love.

    To Ranka-chan… Ranka-chan got a lot of capacity she just didn’t notice it. By not being alike, we became alike.

    **I wonder what that message Megumi gave Alto means… It seems dokun dokun to me! =)

    yuKime
    Reply

  367. @mike_s_6 I don’t ever trust this kind of pictures…
    By the way, did you see the kiss between Alto and Sheryl in episode 22 ?
    Almost all Sheryl’s fan saw it.. but it was not showed nor obvious since Alto’s behaviour when he leaved the room was not of one who was all turn on .He hugged her, yes, but that’s all what I saw. And no need to say when I heard about sex scene I can’t help to laugh 🙂

    @yuKime Even with the I and you that’s pretty the same.
    ” *I wonder what that message Megumi gave Alto means… It seems dokun dokun to me!”
    A confession from Alto ? 🙂
    I hope it will not be too late though!

    Did you remember what Alto’s seiyuu said like ” Alto was mobbed by everybody at the end”?
    I think Ranka will be near to die and Alto will be there with Ozma, Cathy, Klan, Sheryl ….. but hope it doesn’t end up as a tragedy !

    Seifall
    Reply

  368. @westlo
    Sheryl wants to be with her love forever but does Alto WANT to be with her? lolololl!

    Check this out.

    Recent staff interview: Animedia

    最後の瞬間までシェリルの側にいると誓ったアルト。だが、それは果たして本物の愛なのか？

    “Alto promised to stay with Sheryl until the very end, but is it really true love?”

    HAHAHA People who REALLY thought that was true love need to have a good laugh. You’d think his mom’s picture wasn’t enough indication that that was PITY swaying his emotions XD That’s true love for the dead&dying you mean lololollll

    diva
    Reply

  370. @yuKime, ect
    You know, above everything else romantically, the spoilers are hinting that Ranka is going to be the one to save the day–and no, not through trying to blow the enemy up in a suicide mission. I really don’t understand why Ranka fans are so insistent that Alto is going to rush to her side, save her, and then declare his undying love. What exactly is he “saving” her from? The Frontier is in more danger than she is, and to think otherwise is to have a spectacularly Ranka-centric view on the entire series.

    In fact, while the spoilers might be questioning Alto’s love for Sheryl, they don’t really say anything romantic about him and Ranka. Even the seiyuu comments–Sheryl’s about love for a person, Ranka’s about love for everyone. Ranka’s entire character arc has been about looking beyond herself and her own wishes and desires. She’s lovable and understandable when it comes to her failures, but ultimately she’ll pull through it.

    It’s like the original Macross in the final parts of the series. The overwhelming focus on Misa was concerning her romantic relationship with Hikaru. “Does he love her? Does he love her more than Minmay?” Whereas Minmay’s focus was about the emotional ups and downs of her career and how that impacted her actions.

    I don’t know if it will be a Sheryl ending. I think it has to be a Sheryl ending for the romantic aspect to really resonate, but that doesn’t mean it will be a Sheryl ending. The difference here is, I don’t sit there and try to spin every bit of information that comes my way as proof positive for my ship. Next episode, I’ll be pretty discouraged if things don’t seem to be working out, but I’ll be able to admit to myself that they’re not.

    It’s the Ranka fans that are setting themselves up for disappointment, not me.

    musouka
    Reply

  371. LOL!!

    “I really don’t understand why Ranka fans are so insistent that Alto is going to rush to her side, save her, and then declare his undying love. What exactly is he “saving” her from?”

    http://static1.animepaper.net/upload/thumbs/scans/Macross-Frontier/%5Blarge%5D%5BAnimePaper%5Dscans_Macross-Frontier_suemura(1.71)__THISRES__200195.jpg

    Why hello there prince charming, looking good….Ready to save some Ranka NOW? 😉 But wait, what are you saving her from Alto? What? There’s no way she’s going ta blow the Vajra planet with herself for the sake of everyone. What in the world is this picture signifying?? I-I…I can’t comprehend it. Why is Alto’s BACK on Sheryl and is resolutely facing Ranka? And what is that fetal position, Ranka? Regression? What a random image! I’m going to ignore it because it’s just random and it doesn’t mean anything! Yes, I’ll do that. *brainwashes self*

    Stupid people, feasting over these images that has no meaning! Just stupid, I’m righteous, they’re stupid….Haha!

    diva
    Reply

  372. Some of you Ranka fans should look at past NT articles about Gundam Seed Destiny. Many of the images there ended up not meeting shit when the episodes actually aired.

    There’s been absolutely no setup for a Ranka x Alto ending. They have no emotional connection together. None, zero, zilch. They don’t even understand each other! They’re not even going to see each other again until at the very earliest, the end of episode 24, if not 25. How in the hell is it going to even work out?

    Wake up! For crying out loud! Wake up already!

    JustinStrife
    Reply

  375. Denial is Madness

    I just want to see the reaction of shippers if the beloved girl they picked got the short end of the stick romantically. That will be a long debate full of denial.

    It’s not yet the last ep but comments here are already at the 360+ mark, what more for the last ep. What’s the highest comment posts here in this blog anyway?

    BigTime
    Reply

  376. “It’s the Ranka fans that are setting themselves up for disappointment, not me.”

    Not disappointment at all. I’m happy as long as Ranka’s happy. ^^ Even if she doesn’t get Alto, as long as she’s happy. (But it will be perfect if she did get Alto. =D)

    And I’m not setting myself for disappointment, rather, the ones already partying their victory after 22 might be the ones setting themselves up for the bigger disappointment. We’ll see… At least, I haven’t spent time partying for nothing yet.

    yuKime
    Reply

  377. @Seifall – I’ll bet that there was a kiss, but just a bet, but I wouldn’t tell people that THAT’s exactly what happened. As I’ve said, the hug is enough for me, to be honest. I’ll only be convinced if there is some hard evidence saying that there was a kiss, either Alto/Sheryl says so, or the scene is shown in plain view.

    mike_s_6
    Reply

  378. @Justinstrife
    “Wake up! For crying out loud! Wake up already!”

    O.O….

    Hey calm down. Okay okay…Sheryl ftw! SherylxAlto ftw! Ftw! AHAHAHA Alto will never leave Sheryl’s side and they will live happily ever after. It’s going to be SherylxAlto against the world, ain’t no little queen is going to destroy that love even if she self-destructs! Alto doesn’t care about Ranka like with Sheryl that’s why if ever she’ll need some rescuing Alto WILL rescue her OUT OF PITY! To say that Alto has romantic feelings for Ranka is outrageous! The guy never blushed at her! Never looked at her romantically! Never showed the most affectionate smile at her! Only with Sheryl…Yeahhh

    Alto may have opened up to Ranka about his mother, and may have made Ranka do the things his mother do to him like letting Ranka tie his hair, and even teaching her how to make paperplanes when she’s not dying, but that’s NOTHING because Alto saw his mother in the dying Sheryl and that’s true love right there! Who cares about Galia 4? Those are just fillers! The real love story started in 18-25 with Sheryl ending sealing the deal! Anata no Oto is Ranka singing as Alto and Sheryl go dokun dokun dokun! AHAHAHAH Yay! SherylxAlto is going to happen! Magazines scans don’t mean a thing even if lotsa people were pinning their hopes on it last August!! Who are they kidding? SherylxAlto ftw XD

    diva
    Reply

  380. I guess there will be war between each pairing supporters until Alto makes a decision ^^;;
    You guys are loosing it seriously, this is not even funny anymore, this is getting slightly pathetic or not, more like tiring *I’m not reading anymore, just flying over the posts vaguely*
    The good thing I personally noticed in the interviews that were posted, was that it doesn’t seems like neither girls will be dying on us, supposing there is, I hope, not such a thing as ‘happily dead’ in Macross ^^;;
    So since they will be both alive (still guessing from my part), I believe neither shippers factions will be able to say anything to the other (like: ‘Alto is pitying her’ or ‘he is going to rescue her because he was asked to and because she is so pitiful’ etc…) when Alto makes his final choice ^__^

    Sherry
    Reply

  381. @diva:

    seriously stop with the loloololol, heck you dont even know what that abbreviations with more than one LOL…

    you want to be respected? answer with calm head, with you using lolololol or whatever you just keep fueling anger from other, even i start to find your way of posting stuff annoying, look just put your point, stop with the lololol wtf mate?

    and should i say epic trolling? whatever friend

    joachim
    Reply

  382. lol at the epic flailing on both shipping sides. I just want this series to end properly. Please.

    May both Sheryl and Ranka get some happiness whatever happens.

    Alto however, should get a good round kick in the nuts.

    nezumibento
    Reply

  383. yuKime Ranka’s message to Alto is for him to obtain the things he wants (hi Sheryl!), now you only have to add that to her hoping Sheryl finds happiness as a woman and everyone else to be happy and for Brera to continue supporting her too see what happens.

    I mean it’s obvious Ranka will redeem herself as a character for the prior events in the series, what better way in show to do that than to save the Frontier fleet and stop the Varja war? What better way to do that with the fandom than to cure the most popular character in the show and allow her to be with Alto. Not only will she redeem herself in the show and with the fan base she will continue to mature from her choices in episode 21 instead of falling back on that good ol crutch Alto-kun.

    Ranka saving Frontier fleet and maybe holding the key to curing Sheryl has been speculated and talked about quite a lot by most people who aren’t stupidly thinking that Alto will go galvanizing off to rescue Ranka (from what?). These comments just make that line of thought seem to be on the right track.

    Westlo
    Reply

  384. @MichaelxKlan4ever
    It’s still Ranka’s fault that Michael died in 20. If she didn’t screw up her singing, Klan wouldn’t be all alone now. Epic Fail!!!

    So far that’s the most logical reason I’ve read.

    @yuKime
    Not disappointment at all. I’m happy as long as Ranka’s happy. ^^ Even if she doesn’t get Alto, as long as she’s happy. (But it will be perfect if she did get Alto. =D)

    I second that. 😀

    druid
    Reply

  388. I’m really hoping that Ranka discovers herself and then turns into one of the bad guys (think Berserk). That way we get a 2nd season and Ranka could get some of the best character development seen in ages.

    Cerrian
    Reply

  389. “Am I the only Ranka fan who sees that Diva is just trying to make us look bad? I bet she/he is a Sheryl fan from Anime-suki, so kindly fuck off back their and stop your trolling.”

    Unfortunately he/she is the real thing. It’s a pity that some of the worst shippers tend to come from the Ranka camp. They are their own worst enemies when it comes to shipping. They think they’re helping their cause but usually end up making themselves look fanatical and irrational. It’s probably the reason why they mostly got hounded out of the Animesuki forums.

    Cerrian
    Reply

  392. @diva
    Heeeyy, retarded diva-obsessed Sheryl fag! XD “lolololll”? Bahh! LOL If you just said dokun dokun we won’t have any problem. Speaking of which I should stop this because….

    @RankaFan
    You just said the MOST MOST shameful thing, beyond shameful than the word shameful itself, just atrocious that nothing can describe how cruel, that can be said to me among all of the other things a human can possibly say to me.

    You just said I’m acting like the Sheryl fans from Animesuki. Animesuki? You could’ve just cursed me and my lineage to damnation but you just gotta level me down to Animesuki level. That has got to be the most cruel thing and repulsive and everything vomit-worthy comment I have ever gotten. You got me there. I understand what you’re trying to say, and I should stop. I just had a little too much fun teasing them. I’m sorry. 🙁

    diva
    Reply

  393. I didn’t see that coming……OK i did, but not in this way. I was hoping that Ranka was gonna be with Alto, not Sheryl…..i really don’t like the Sheryl character. Then again this is building to something, hopefully it doesn’t end on a cliff hanger in case of a another season.

    Azar
    Reply

  398. Matt_D at 8:39 am on September 8th, 2008
    I noted a comment somewhere earlier about protoculture – and then realised I had forgotten all about it what with all the flimflam about culture.
    (snip)
    4) What the hell are the Vajra?

    Here’s a clue. Kawamori is really fond of meshing mythologies into his work. Maybe there are answers in the structure of Buddhist philosophy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vajra . The Vajra in this context represent the thunderbolt of the gods, but also the unifying force of knowledge. Quote: “The vajra destroys all kinds of ignorance, and itself is indestructible. In tantric rituals the Vajra symbolizes the male principle which represents method in the right hand and the Bell symbolizes the female principle, which is held in the left. Their interaction leads to enlightenment.” When you take this in context to Ranka’s role, she’s the female, the Vajra are the male.They are also an indestructable weapon, but united, they will bring about enlightenment.

    maxnmike
    Reply

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