SDF Macross Episodes 23 and 24 – Departures
November 5th, 2009
Though I fear some eventual subpar episodes as we pass the original 26 episode season mark (apparently the series was extended during its course), we have nothing but more awesome in this week’s episodes. The Zentradi boarding action is still on going at the start of episode 23 and the Zentradi Cult of Minmay for the most part succeeds in linking up with the UN Spacy forces. Then we have the fallout from recent events on both the political-military and romantic fronts. And then Misa departs for UN HQ on carrying vital information as Max and Millia make first contact.
Hikaru’s even pulling out the Max moves lately. It’s been pretty good seeing him develop as a pilot (instead of being naturally good from the beginning like so many mecha protagonists.)
You’re telling this to the wrong commander.
Kamjin’s reply.
The Zentradi initially make progress inside the Macross until the combination of UN reinforcements and Cult of Minmay deserters disrupt their lines and force a gradual retreat. Hikaru is dealing with the remaining forces when he comes to the amphitheater in time to see Kaifun make his move on Minmay. Eventually she pushes him away, but Hikaru has had enough of it, calls for a team to rescue them, and walks off in his VF-1. Around a nearby corner he runs into several Zentradi Regults and enters BERSERKER mode, charging straight into them and annihilating the group.
Kissing cousins.
Minmay, on the path to redeeming herself.
Sad robot.
Why bother with Coordinator genetic engineering when all you need is rage?
The Cult of Minmay deserters disembark from their craft and surrender themselves to the UN forces. After the remaining hostile Zentradi retreat Hikaru is called to a meeting. There Global, Misa, Max, two senior officers, and the Genshiken Team are waiting to hear his opinion on whether or not the Zentradi deserters should be taken in or not. While his first reaction was to turn them down, after hearing Misa’s case and reconsidering he decides that his opinion as someone who has observed the Zentradi onboard their own ships is that they should stay. Integrating them may be difficult since all they’ve known is war, but they did come voluntarily at great risk to be part of human culture. Their DNA matches that of humans as well, but the two senior officers are not happy with Captain Global’s decision and feign illness to leave early. Surveying the damage later, Misa and Hikaru come across Minmay’s relatives who they inform of Minmay’s whereabouts. As they leave to visit her at the hospital, Hikaru and Misa agree to watch the restaurant and have another personal talk. They both wonder about the future of the Zentradi defectors, but the topics also turn personal, with Misa admitting that she’s over Kaifun, and that it was based only on his outward similarity to her past love. Hikaru is still not ready to admit what he knows to be true, and Misa selflessly suggests that he tell Minmay his feelings.
Broken, like the one it was modeled on. Still, given her recent improvements there may yet be hope for something other than the BAD END.
I’m interested in finding out what the Cult of Minmay faction will be doing now that they have been permitted to stay. Are they going to continue as pilots or just stalk Minmay?
They’ve been speaking to each other more and more seriously lately.
Pretty neat part where their talk about the war is matched by a flashback background. These episode are just full of cool shot sequences, as I’ll continue to comment on throughout this post.
Misa admits her past mistakes in the CUTEST MANNER POSSIBLE.
Before too long there is a scramble alarm and Hikaru rushes to launch. There is a brief skirmish of little significance, but afterwards Misa asks Global for permission to head to UN HQ and personally present the evidence and information on the Zentradi and their defectors that has recently been acquired in the hopes of opening negotiations. However she leaves without telling Hikaru, or anyone else, lest news of her trip get out and make the civilians jealous of her ability to return home.
Hikaru is still working the last of the Minmay out of his system, but shows a slight smile after Misa wishes him luck and for once they don’t bicker or take shots at each other.
Another one of those cool sequences. Goes from Misa in foreground with Hikaru walking away not knowing that she’s leaving, to split screen that rotates and reverses facing, then back to single screen with Hikaru in foreground and Misa in the back. Though I wasn’t wild about the sketch-drawn looking last frame that they ended the episode on, thought it took away from the feeling of movement that the rest of the sequence had.
As Misa prepares to leave several Valkyries are undergoing repairs as Max readies to escort her shuttle back to Earth and spots a FAST Pack, an attachment of some sort latched onto Hikaru’s VF-1. On the bridge Shammy continues her on the job training in Misa’s steed with slowly increasing success. Right before the shuttle takes off Misa phones Hikaru, telling him of the mission and her reasons for not telling him of her departure. After that, with the radar clear of enemies, Misa and her escort fighters launch for Earth.
Her supervisor checking up on her.
A new toy.
Max is going to be extra stylish in his newly repainted blue Valkyrie.
Is that Frau Bow in the background?
The shuttle proceeds to Earth until Kamjin and a group of Regults ambush it and its escort. Max’s team is greatly outnumbered, but it will take 20 minutes for reinforcements to reach them. At this point Capt. Global calls for the deployment of the ‘Booby Duck’ apparently the codename for the FAST pack-equipped Valkyrie. Hikaru climbs in and launches, the huge boosters attached to the top of the fuselage allowing him to arrive on scene extremely quickly. The setup is also equipped with a large amount of missiles, which he uses to clear a path through the Zentradi before firing reverse thrusters and shakily coming to a near stop. With Hikaru there Max’s team drives off the Zentradi attackers with only some damage to the shuttle.
Kamjin’s forces backlit by a globular cluster.
Certainly makes it bulkier, but in space it shouldn’t make too much of a difference. Not recommended for atmospheric use.
Damn Max, 30?! Max is here to kick ass and chew bubble gum, and evidently there’s a severe bubble gum shortage on the Macross.
While they take up a lot of space, these seat/escape pod combos are a great idea for transporting VIPs.
With the Zentradi gone, the shuttle begins descending to Earth. Before Hikaru and the shuttle part ways he and Misa have a short conversation where he thanks her for being such a good tactical officer, even when he’s complained or given her a hard time for it. Signaling a good luck message with his VF-1’s lights, the two craft and individuals then part ways for now. Landing at Alaska Base, Misa greets her father formally and heads inside to discuss the future of the Zentradi defectors and Earth’s response to the enemy fleet.
A very nice gesture.
More camerawork eye candy. Camera is close up to each character then pulls away to show their craft. I haven’t really seen many shots like this in anime, only sometimes in certain modern, CG-using science fiction shows.
Hikaru is troubled when he returns to the Macross, trying to get over his past feelings for Minmay and also missing Misa greatly when Max, ever the good friend, tells him to cheer up and invites him out to an arcade for a diversion. Hikaru claims that he doesn’t miss Misa, but Max, displaying his tactical genius in both air combat and social situations, deftly maneuvers around this denial and continues on with his plan to cheer him up while subtly letting his words about missing Misa stand. Apparently Max is also the best simulator pilot on the ship as well, and he racks up quite a large amount of prize tokens playing a Valkyrie simulator. But there is another skilled real/game pilot there, and Millia is attracting a crowd with her skills.
Always good to have a friend like Max.
Max is being especially cutsey in this scene. Must know Millia might be watching.
Holding court at the arcade.
Once Max spots Millia and her good fortunes at the game, he can’t help himself from challenging her to a game. She demands that he bet all his winnings to play, which he gladly does and sits down. A big crowd gathers, and everyone focuses their attention on their game. He even gives a quick wink to the girl that he’s so smitten with. They play a long and intense game, and Millia flashes back to her battle over the Pacific as the maneuvers employed by her opponent are spot on to those she encountered in the past. Eventually Max gets the better of her, but before she tries to leave in a huff Max grabs her hand and asks her out on a date. And she agrees, leaving Max quite the happy guy but Hikaru feeling even more down over his current romantic situation.
The clash of titans.
What the hell is up with the background characters this episode? Upper right of both of these has some very odd looking individuals.
Wish I had this moment in animated gif format.
Rock Em Sock Em Valkyries.
Aces in love.
When someone with a knack for estimating distances goes ecchi.
Max has no need for silly games and pretend wedding ceremonies.
Concluding events this time, Misa meets with her father at the UN Alaska base where she convinces him to talk the higher ups into negotiating with the Zentradi. While they agree to this, they’ve also determined that they will use the Grand Cannon built into the base first, and then negotiate once the Zentradi are weakened. Misa however doubts that power of the superweapon in the face of superior Zentradi numbers and technologies. Back on the Macross Minmay and Kaifun give a press conference as Kaifun is released from the hospital. Nosy reporters keep pressing them about whether they have a relationship, if they’re getting married, and about Hikaru. Minmay tells them that Hikaru is just a close friend and that she is not getting married to Kaifun. But then Kaifun makes things creepy by saying that he wouldn’t be opposed to marrying his COUSIN. Hikaru is further feeling depressed as Max comes in all giddy about his date, asking Hikaru for his opinion on the tie he’s going to wear. Going out for a walk he runs into Claudia, who gives him some sage advice, telling him that he shouldn’t be down about Minmay because he already has a much better girl. Without directly bringing up Misa’s name, Claudia tells him that people often miss what’s right in front of them, and that minor bickering is just an outward face of true feelings that have yet to reveal themselves. Roy and her were the same way, and she leaves Hikaru with this thought as the episode comes to a close.
Adm. Hayase: “Misa, I am your…”
Misa: “Yeah dad, I know, you bring up that reference every time we stand on this platform. It’s getting old!”
Adm. Hayase: “Search your feelings, you know it to be true!”
Genetically, your DNA would be.
Kind of has the private high school uniform look going on. Guess he’s betting on Millia having a thing for younger guys.
You are transparent…Claudia sees many things…She sees dere within tsun…She sees two great rivals – House Hayase and House Lynn – competing…She sees you at the center of it.
Final Thoughts: – The Zentradi defectors are going to be interesting to watch as they integrate with the humans and potentially have to fight their former comrades.
- Misa’s trip to UN HQ comes at an inopportune time for her and Hikaru, but perhaps it will both give him time to end things with Minmay.
- The UN higher ups have a point about using the cannon, but it could also be held in reserve as a bargaining chip in negotiations. If it doesn’t live up to expectations they will have shown their hand when it might be better to bluff.
- I think Max and Millia are about to get kyaaaa cute. I swear to God, if either of them die during the course of this series I’m going to freak the hell out.
- Now that I think about it, there is a lot less emphasis on the singing and music careers in this as opposed to Frontier. This is not a bad thing in my opinion.
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