SDF Macross Episodes 07 and 08 – Mars, the Bringer of War
September 14th, 2009
(Apologies for the delay, all the animeblogger.net blogs were down from mid-afternoon Monday until last night, so I’m posting one day behind my normally scheduled Macross day so as not to hog the front page.) The SDF Macross heads closer and closer to Earth during these episodes as the Zentradi call for reinforcements and change tactics. Fighting continued skirmishes while on the run, the Macross heads to Mars to resupply from the stock of resources left on an abandoned UN base. However the newly arrived Zentradi forces under the command of Kramjin Kravshera are lying in wait for the ship. This week, a spectacular terrestrial battle on my favorite non-Earth planet, an equally interesting fight in space complete with named character rival combat, backstory on Misa, and Hikaru gets to play Wing Commander.
With allies like this…
The Zentradi fleet receives its reinforcements in the form of the Bodol Fleet, 109th Branch, 7th Sector Armored Division under the command of Kamjin Kavshera, an officer with quite a reputation. Apparently know as a team killer for having wiped out both enemy and ally while drunk in battle, he is only now being allowed back into service. Making a flashy entrance by defolding too close to the Britai Fleet and colliding with several ships, Kavshera introduces himself to his new commander. Meanwhile Britai’s forces are still harassing the Macross, which decides to make for Mars.
Probably the least ugly Zentradi yet.
^__^
The Valkyrie squadrons are getting no rest.
Why do the Cylons Zentradi keep attacking every 33 minutes? Why not 32 or 34?
Even a rookie like Hikaru is getting plenty of experience.
After the fight Hikaru and Minmay are walking around the town and hear some distorted announcements about exactly how well things are going. After sitting down to have some tea, Minmay invites Hikaru to her birthday party on 10/10. As the Macross lays in a course for Mars and the abandoned UN base there, they receive a signal from the abandoned base, though it seems to just be an automated message. Captain Global remarks to himself that there should no longer be anyone at the Salla base, as it was abandoned and its personnel killed en route back to Earth by anti-UN forces. Misa has history with the red planet however, and flashes back to a time in her past. Some time in the past she seems to have had a love in the UN Forces that she used her family connections to get a posting on the Mars observation base. Admittedly not good at fighting, Riber was glad to be going to the scientific base and Misa decided at that point to join the UN Forces and join him on Mars. Snapping back to the present, Misa collects herself as the Macross descends to the surface.
Heading to Mars: set music to epic.
Well they can swim, hence lures shaped like them are good for certain species of fish.
Those Celestial Being terrorists are at it again, adding a ship full of unarmed scientists to their murderous tally. Remember the Salla! Death to all traitors!
Phobos, Deimos, and Mars, the god of war and his sons are an appropriate backdrop to this episode.
Before she was an ‘old lady.’
Riber, just before he left for Mars.
A scout Cats Eye surveys the base and finds no sign of the enemy, and the Macross proceeds to land a short distance from the base. Unbeknownst to them a large force of Regults is waiting in a canyon at the edge of the plain where Salla base is located. Valkyries are launched and Destroids disembark from the Daedalus to secure the base and local airspace. Hikaru and Roy fly to the base, land, and confirm that it’s empty. Then Roy teases Hikaru a bit after he asks for a day off to attend Minmay’s party, mentioning that he’s going as well since everyone in the squadron was invited. The area seemingly secure, the Macross moves in closer to the base. This put them within range of the Zentradi gravity mines, which can disable the ship’s anti-gravity drives. Things are going according to plan for the Zentradi until one of Kavshera’s men gets impatient and tries to rush in and attack. Kavshera quickly shoots his subordinate’s battlepod to prevent him from revealing their location, but the Macross’s sensors detect the explosion and sends out the Cats Eye to investigate while the Zentradi activate the gravity mines. Misa meanwhile heads into the base to investigate if anyone is still there.
Despite his reputation for rashness, Kavshera is displaying greater patience and planning that his commander has thus far.
Macross’s ground forces move in to secure the base.
Unfortunately for the Zentradi Kavshera’s disciplinary actions still give away their position.
Enjoy that thin CO2 atmosphere.
AWACS Macross-style.
Shammy doesn’t like being told she’s wrong.
Heading into the base, Misa finds it empty, though the signal they received on the Macross is still going, appearing to her to have only been activated recently. But in the middle of searching for signs of her lost love she gets a call from the Macross. The gravity mines are a few kilometers below ground, but overloading the base’s reactor should create an explosion deep enough underground to disable them. While Misa is at first shocked and hesitant, she proceeds to the lowest level and initiates the overload sequence. But on her way out she goes past Riber’s quarters and loses herself looking through his few belongings that were left behind. The base about to explode, Hikaru is ordered to go find her and get her out of there. While the Zentradi have started their attack, Hikaru fights his way in deftly and locates Misa. Still lost in her memories, Hikaru punches through the wall with his Valkyrie and pulls her away. Moments later the base explodes, destroying many Zentradi units and disrupting their attack. The Macross lifts off and Hikaru flies Misa back to the ship as it departs Mars and Misa is left to come to terms with her memories.
Absorbed in her memories and the hope that Riber could still be alive.
Concerned for her fellow bridge bunny.
Meanwhile the fight rages outside.
The flightless Destroids are easy pickings for the Regults.
The destruction of the base throw the remaining Zentradi into disarray as the Macross lifts off.
Great shot.
And another.
In the next episode Kavshera begins planning his next attack in space, while onboard the Macross Hikaru is called away from thinking about what to get Minmay for her birthday to attend an award ceremony. He and a few other pilots are presented with a medal for their exemplary performance during the battle on Mars. Roy then calls him to his quarters after the ceremony, while advising him to stop showing off his full medal on his uniform like a newb. There he tells Hikaru that he’s being promoted to 2nd Lieutenant and being given command over two other new pilots. After some more pointers from Roy the two enter. Hayao Kakizaki and Maximillian ‘Max’ Jenius will be flying with Hikaru from now on, and while inexperienced they both present their enthusiasm in different ways. Hayao seems eager to fight but impulsive, while Max claims to be nervous but acts very cool and controlled. They ask if they can spend time with the new officer, so Hikaru decides to bring them along to Minmay’s birthday party to show off his new rank.
They’re certainly fond of the classic ‘Char and troops’ shot from the original Gundam. I think the shot was used three or four times this episode.
Now we know that the Zentradi have a clan social system.
Roy is a true warrior-poet, having authored a volume on leadership as well as others I’m sure are also on that computer.
Introducing Hayao and Max.
They grow up so fast *sniffle*.
Back on the bridge Misa is incredulous about Hikaru being promoted, though by all measures he’s certainly coming into his own as a pilot. Elsewhere within the Macross the three pilots make their way to the birthday party, though Hikaru has been too busy to buy a gift just yet. The two subordinates make quite an impression, especially Max with his reserved, gentlemanly manner. Minmay is certainly enjoying his company, but snubs Hikaru for forgetting her present.
What’s with those eyes?
Again, those eyes.
1980’s sexy.
1980’s bishonen. He’s also rocking the purple Char glasses.
I know working at a Chinese restaurant and pouting are vital to the ship’s survival, but those pilots occasionally have work to do too, Minmay.
Would you prefer Hikaru-chin? Or Hikaru-tan?
The birthday party is interrupted by an order to scramble. Out in space the Zentradi under Kavshera are out ‘conducting exercises’ under a high powered jamming field when the just happen to stumble upon the Macross despite not being ordered to attack by Britai. Leaving in a hurry, the pilots head to their Valkyries and engage the incoming Zentradi. During the fight Hikaru is having a bit of trouble adapting to command, but handles himself well. Hayao is more enthusiasm than skill and gets himself and his VF-1 pretty beaten up, but Max is downing Zentradi Regults like an old pro, scoring 7 kills before the battle concludes. Under heavy attack the Macross deploys Destroids to the hull to try and add to its AA defenses, but to little avail. Hikaru then has a short faceoff against Kavshera, with each doing heavy damage to each others’ machines and then caught staring each other down on the hull. But at this point Britain notices the engagement and orders Kavshera to return to base very insistently. Kavshera and his forces retreat, not wanting to spend 6 more cycles out of combat.
Oh Minmay, you fickle little girl.
Hopefully it’s driven by the brother of the taxi driver from Canaan.
Looking rather F/A-18-like from head on.
Max pulling an Amuro at Side Six.
Looking very GM Sniper II with that blue paint scheme and rifle.
The design licensed as the Rifleman in Battletech.
Hikaru’s standoff with Kavshera.
This could shape up to be a good ace rivalry in the future.
After the battle the pilots have some downtime. Hayao is treated for his wounds and the repair crews get to work on the Valkyries and Destroids. Hikaru performs well for his first outing as an officer, managing to keep Hayao alive and getting four kills for himself as well. Over coffee the three pilots talk, and Max is embarrassed but seems to like being called a ‘genius’ by Hayao. Later Hikaru realizes that he forgot about Minmay’s party and gift with all the fighting going on, and runs to town to find the stores closed. But as a gesture he goes to Minmay’s house and gives her his medal as her birthday gift.
Well considering your last name…
What did Roy say about ‘like a bunch of schoolgirls’?
My reaction exactly guys.
Hikaru isn’t great at improvisation, but Minmay seemed to like it.
Final Thoughts: – I absolutely loved episode 07. It had so many good things rolled into one, it just made for a great episode. The sense of foreboding given off by Misa’s flashback, the abandoned base, and the barren landscape. The combination of actual tactics on the part of the Zentradi with the fun battle scenes. And the character development and emotional turmoil within Misa. All around top quality.
- At this rate I hope they never leave our solar system. Using the planets as locations for the series is just getting better. Granted, I’m a little biased towards Mars since it’s my favorite planet, but the scenes and battle on Mars just had such a great atmosphere and went perfectly with the episode.
- Macross continues to do their operations and technology a lot more realistically in a lot of ways than comparable franchises. Dedicated recon planes and patrols on both sides are there, as are specialized craft for different missions. Terrain (in space and on the surface of planets) has continued to play an important part in battles. And the technology not always working as planned as I’ve mentioned before. As much as I love them, you didn’t see that in the original Gundam or VOTOMS.
- Kavshera is a very cool character so far. Despite being characterized as reckless, he’s not some simple minded, charge-right-in simpleton. Perhaps he’s learned something in his down time. I’m hoping for more cool fights between him and pilots from the Macross.
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