Macross Frontier begins


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GamePlayer
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Macross Frontier begins

Post by GamePlayer »

Well, the first episode of the new Macross show, Macross Frontier, has aired in Japan on MBS. The RAW files are already online, but the fan subs usually take a couple days to appear. Like the special preview "Deculture Edition" of Episode 1 that first appeared in December 2007, this new release is only the first episode of a new television series that starts today. The show is rumored at 26 episodes in length. Episode 2 should should appear next week.

Perhaps some of you may be interested in watching the show and will want to know where you can get the episodes. Currently the show isn't licensed in North America, so we have to download and watch fan subs. For those unfamiliar with bitorrent, fan subs and the whole mess (which I admit can be confusing) will likely want an easier solution. The easiest and most user friendly method I know to watch Macross Frontier is on Veoh or other such video websites. Currently, the entire Macross franchise is available on Veoh. Just go to the website and type Macross.

Those looking just for Macross Frontier episodes should search Veoh for "Macross Frontier". I'll provided links to the Subtitled "Deculture Edition" of Episode 1 and a link to the Final Broadcast version of Episode 1 (not yet subtitled) below:

Macross Frontier, Episode 1 on Veoh.com ("Deculture Edtion", Subtitled, released December 2007)

Macross Frontier, Episode 1 on Veoh.com (Final Broadcast version, NOT SUBTITLED, released April 2008)

Please feel free to comment and I hope at least a few of you will be interested in watching along with me in the coming months. It'd be insightful to discuss the show outside of the Macross fandom.
Last edited by GamePlayer on 05 Apr 2008 16:47, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by Freakzilla »

I'm going to have to check this out on Veoh, I've never used it. I'd love to have the whole series.
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Post by GamePlayer »

I recommended Veoh because it just seems simpler. When I try to describe to people the process of downloading the individual episodes via bittorrent, I get snarls and spears thrown at me. If you know how to download fansubs, I can recommend Shinsen.

If not, then just go Veoh, YouTube, et cetera. The quality isn't as good (Veoh's video are typically the best quality, which is why I recommend them), but it works. Anyone that browses the internet can use Veoh. You can't go wrong with. Open browser, go to veoh, watch film. I figure it's fool proof :)
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Post by orald »

GamePlayer wrote:When I try to describe to people the process of downloading the individual episodes via bittorrent, I get snarls and spears thrown at me.
Maybe if you stopped recommanding it and got on with trading tin pots and colored beads for anthropological data from the natives you wouldn't get that. :P
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Post by SandChigger »

MBS? :shock:
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Post by GamePlayer »

LOL :) "Recommending" perhaps? :wink: Sound advice indeed.

I have to tell you what the Mainichi Broadcasting System is SC? Say it ain't so (probably will; come back with, "No I was just surprised it was on that station") :) :wink: :P
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Post by SandChigger »

Yes, you did need to tell me, since I'd never heard of them before. ;)

It's a Kansai station. I've lived in Kanto and Tohoku, only been to Kyoto, Osaka and beyond a few times. Watching TV while there wasn't big on my list. ;)

From their website:
Mainichi Broadcasting System (MBS) was established in 1951 as one of the first commercial radio broadcasters in Japan and began television broadcasting in 1959. MBS TV covers 22 million viewers in the Kansai region, including Osaka and Kobe, the major commercial cities in Kansai, as well as Kyoto and Nara, Japan's ancient capitals. Through Japan News Network (JNN), MBS also serves the audience nationwide. Having its headquarters in the heart of Osaka, MBS opened in 2001 MBS Studios in Universal Studios Japan (USJ), where our TV Production Tour takes visitors to view the actual taping of TV programs
I'm not sure any of my Fukushima channels carry JNN programming. Oh well.
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Post by GamePlayer »

Well, my apologies.

It's actually kinda surreal that Macross Frontier is playing on MBS. In the original Super Dimension Fortress Macross television series back in 1982, the refugees aboard the SDF-1 Macross organized a television station for the civilian population. The station even broadcast the Miss Macross Contest. This fictional television station was called the Macross Broadcasting System; MBS :)
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Post by SandChigger »

No need to apologize! :oops:

But that is kinda funny with the MBS. ;)
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Post by GamePlayer »

Macross Frontier continues with episode two released this week. A bunch of new screenshots have been made by the fans at Macross World, which I'll repost on my webspace to share with you (see below):

Alto receiving a good lesson in reality
http://www.new-un-spacy.com/miscellaneo ... unched.png

The late Leon's personal effects
http://www.new-un-spacy.com/miscellaneo ... helmet.png

Luca in his VF-25 ELINT
http://www.new-un-spacy.com/miscellaneo ... 2-luca.png

Mikhail in his custom blue VF-25F with the new Sniper Gun Pod
http://www.new-un-spacy.com/miscellaneo ... khail1.png

More Mikhail goodness
http://www.new-un-spacy.com/miscellaneo ... khail2.png

Even more Mikhail gun play
http://www.new-un-spacy.com/miscellaneo ... khail3.png

VF-25S outfitted with the traditional Super Part system for space flight
http://www.new-un-spacy.com/miscellaneo ... 5super.png

A close up look at the aft side of the VF-25 Super Parts
http://www.new-un-spacy.com/miscellaneo ... rparts.png

The VF-25S in Battroid mode with Full Armor, getting ready to unleash it's missiles in the now famous Itano Circus
http://www.new-un-spacy.com/miscellaneo ... larmor.jpg
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Post by orald »

Hmm, so this is one of those eastern animation flicks with supposedly tough guys who look like babes and wear stylized battle-armor to ram eachother(read: robo-groping) and boast like 8 y-o's about their prowess?

Yea, I bloody hate this stuff. :P
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I wish I could have been with you that one last time.
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Post by GamePlayer »

Oh, dear gawd, no. It's way better! They all hate Frank Herbert, adore KJA/BH, they shave their balls, and its basically all sex with children and robots each armed with multiple prosthetic penis'. It's all an insidious Japanese plot to mind control foreigners with disturbing satanistic images and other well know cult behaviour like North American rock music while simultaneously appealing to children with cute animated characters and plenty of strobing bright lights. It just doesn't get any better than that!
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Post by Omphalos »

GamePlayer wrote:Oh, dear gawd, no. It's way better! They all hate Frank Herbert, adore KJA/BH, they shave their balls, and its basically all sex with children and robots each armed with multiple prosthetic penis'. It's all an insidious Japanese plot to mind control foreigners with disturbing satanistic images and other well know cult behaviour like North American rock music while simultaneously appealing to children with cute animated characters and plenty of strobing bright lights. It just doesn't get any better than that!
Oh good! Just what Ive been looking for!
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Post by Freakzilla »

Don't forget the drugs!
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Post by Serkanner »

Its the shaved balls that has attracted my attention. :P
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Post by orald »

Serkanner wrote:Its the shaved balls that has attracted my attention. :P
I'm more into the kiddy sex aspect of it, as you can see in my profile.

Now, either I made that exact "kiddy-sex" joke before or I'm having a disturbing deja-vu. :shock:
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I wish I could have been with you that one last time.
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Post by GamePlayer »

Anime in Action and Infinite Zero subtitle groups have each released the english subtitled version of episode #2!
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Post by GamePlayer »

Episode 2 is up on Veoh. Here's a link to the subtitled version of Macross Frontier Episode 2 for your viewing pleasure :)
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Post by GamePlayer »

I have to say, so far this series is firing on all cylinders. The opening battle sequence to Episode 2 was non-stop mecha porn in the best sense of the phrase. The animation just keeps getting better and better. I was worried that the first episode of Macross Frontier set the bar a bit too high and revealed too much of the mecha goodies. But episode two seems to show a steady stream of new mecha technologies for the Valkyries. Ozuma's Full Armor fusillade of missiles was a welcome and expected Itano Circus of mayhem and it was great to see the wrap-around imaging monitors of the Battroid cockpit are intact and updated in a very pleasing new visual style. The infamous knife attack calls back to the days of Isamu's bayonet moves in Macross Plus. After an episode and a half of that big red Vajra kicking everyone's butt, I practically leaped out of my chair and cheered when Ozuma's mighty Full Armor VF-25 sunk it's knife deep into the beast's neck. Lip-licking goodness, indeed my dear Ozuma! :)

As is traditional in the Macross shows, the supporting cast of pilots are seen in distinct colored mecha. Mikhail shows up in a deep blue colored VF-25 with some kind of specialized Sniper Gun Pod, definitely a first for Macross. His skill with the gun is quite impressive and as always his entrance is spectacular. Luca plays more of a background role in this episode, piloting a green colored VF-25 with the ELINT package of a top mounted Radome and and ventral fin. Ozuma obviously has a tendency to razz the newest young members of SMS and Luca is probably eager to prove his worth in battle. In a beautiful homage that practically brings fans to tears, Alto saves Ranka in a daring mid-air rescue that mirrors the Macross history some 25 years ago when Hikaru saved Minmay in his old VF-1D during a similar edge of your seat battle.

As for our main characters, Alto gets a really strong lesson in reality from Ozuma in the form of a good solid punch. It's great to see Macross pulling no punches. After years of anime where whining brats are pandered to it's refreshing to see an immature child like Alto get exactly what he needs to make him grow up. On the less overt side of the character arcs, Ranka obviously has some connection to the Vajra and given that this is Macross, her singing is no doubt connected. The episode ends on a great meeting of the three characters with yet another cliffhanger. This show so far hasn't stopped delivering the goods and each episode makes me want to see more.

Thus far, Macross Frontier is a fine return to form for the Macross franchise. Though some fans may disagree, Macross hasn't been this good since 1994's Macross Plus. Frontier is definitely going back to the roots of the Macross story, but with each homage and reference to Macross history, the story charges in new directions and pulls out all the stops for mecha fans hungry for new giant robot and fighter jet action. The animation continues to impress and the background music is amazing, featuring a lush orchestral score that is elevating the action to new heights. All I can say is bring on episode three. I'm there! :)

Deculture! :)
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Post by orald »

Remind me again why this is good while P&B's cymeks and robotic worms are bad? :roll:
In memory of Perach, who suffered and died needlessly.

I wish I could have been with you that one last time.
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Post by Freakzilla »

orald wrote:Remind me again why this is good while P&B's cymeks and robotic worms are bad? :roll:
For one, it doesn't claim to be Dune...
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Post by SandChigger »

ZING!!! :lol:
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Post by orald »

I still see no difference. Bad is still bad regardless of what it claims to be.
Of course, bad is worse when it claims to be good, but having no claims or admitting to be bad doesn't take away from the badness.

In conclusion: Anime be the devil I say! :x
In memory of Perach, who suffered and died needlessly.

I wish I could have been with you that one last time.
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Post by Freakzilla »

Orald, you would have to like anime to start with to consider it good.

:roll:
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Post by GamePlayer »

As Freak Z has said, Macross makes no pretense to be anything other than good mecha anime. We don't expect Frank Herbert or high art out of Robocop, but we do appreciate Robocop as the top tier of sci-fi action films and as solid entertainment with more heart and better acting than the average beef-headed action flick. By the same rationale, Macross Frontier is not high art and we don't expect as such; it is rather some of the best and most entertaining mecha anime.
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