Macross Plus

Original Title: same
Romanized: Macross Plus
Literal:

Plot Synopsis

Seven years ago, three young kindred spirits shared wonderful moments together. Now, they've each gone their own way: Isamu Dyson; a wild and carefree daredevil who lives to fly, Guld Bowman; a cold, formal half-Zentraedi dedicated to the military, and Myung Lone; a former singer who now works as the manager for the wildly popular Sharon Apple, an artificially intelligent computer singer.

Isamu and Guld, both test pilots, are reunited as part of two opposing teams vying for the contract to design the new U.N. Spacey Veritech fighter. It's not long into the combat testing before old animosity between the two pilots surfaces, and a violent confrontation between the two during testing is only the first run-in. Things are complicated further when they find that Sharon Apple is on the planet doing a concert, bringing Myung with her. Though they have all changed over the years, Isamu and Guld's feelings for Myung still run deep, but there is a dark secret from their past that continues to drive them apart.

Quick Review

Rating: 4.5 / 5
Reviewer: Marc
Review Date: 2006-07-24

Macross Plus takes all the fundamentals of the Macross heritage--strong characterization, interesting (if not wildly original) plot, pop singing, and plenty of transforming robot action--and elevates them to something entirely new. Wrapped in world-class visuals, seasoned with spectacular action, grounded in a rich and emotionally nuanced plot, and backed by one of the most memorable scores of all time, it is Macross Plus is everything you could ask for in anime. The only possible complaint I have is that the end is a little "out there" in comparison to the otherwise down-to-earth story and setting, but that's a minor gripe indeed.

Despite its long lineage and relatively archetypal story, Macross Plus feels fresh, interesting, and is just plain good anime. Truly one of the new anime classics, it is a must see for almost anyone: For Macross fans, for transforming robot fans, for admirers of beautiful art and animation, and for basically anyone who even claims to like anime.

US DVD Review

The OAVs are is available on two discs, each containing two episodes. Both include English and Japanese soundtracks, and English subtitles, and the rather flashy menus provide access to production notes, theatrical trailers, and a picture gallery. Both the sound and video quality (it boasts of being "digitally re-mastered") are topnotch.

There is also a box set that packages both volumes together.

Content Guide

Some serious violence and mature themes make for a 13-up.

Violence: 2 - Quite a bit of realistic fighting, but not much gore.

Nudity: 1 - Sharon's avatar is dressed provocatively, but no real nudity.

Sex/Mature Themes: 2 - Significant mature themes, but nothing explicit.

Language: 1 - Some mild expletives.

Notes and Trivia

This review covers the OAV version of Macross Plus. The movie version cuts some material, adds other bits, and makes minor changes to the story. It is covered in a separate review.

The Macross Plus story is based on the long-running Macross series that began with the original Macross TV series (which was commandeered for the first part of Robotech). The setting will be recognizable to Robotech fans, but differs greatly from later parts of that saga.

Availability

Available in the US from Manga Video on two hybrid DVD volumes (OAV version), or a box set containing both volumes. Was originally available on four subtitled or dubbed VHS volumes (OAVs). The Movie Edition is also available, subtitled only.

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