There are three leads actually, and they are all women. The show however is more focused on one of them the most Jeanne. A capricious, spunky, stubborn girl who serves as commander of a squad in the southern cross army. Following her and her team's actions during the war between humans and the Zor who were once native to the planet the humans are now colonizing. The Zor basically are this series Zentradi, but instead of it being a war between a culture and culture-less society. It's more between humans and thier ability to express emotions and the emotionless Zor who focus more on logic and rationality. As the war escalate it's the emotions that some of the Zor come in contact with that becomes their undoing. The last episodes get hectic due to the show being cancelled leading to a mildly unsatisfying ending.
As for characters, despite how it's lead on, the two other female leads get shafted early on. There's Marie who tries to one up Jeanne whenever she can, and Lana who comes off as being a model soldier for others. The only other characters of note are Bowie due to his implied background, his dreams and desires, and is also a fundamental figure who pushes the plot. And there's also some German named pretty boy who was brainwashed by the zors until bring freed,but becomes the less interesting part of the show. everyone else is one-note.
When compared to its predecessor, Macross, Southern cross is rather average in terms of production value. Backdrops of countryside and cities look par for the course during it's time. Character designs are somewhat decent, but forgettable. The odd changing of proportions that makes things bigger or smaller from one scene to the next. The animation is ok, but has a lot of stuttering even with basic panning and zooming. The only interesting thing are the ridiculous battle suits that the characters wear despite not serving much of a purpose due to them fighting in mechas. The mechas themselves following the same philosophy as Macross with changing into three different shapes. This time Turning from a hovercraft, to a walking cannon, to finally a common mech.
The soundtrack is decent 80's pop funk. It's nice to listen to, but sometimes doesn't fit well with many scenes. Mostly due to the soundtrack being mostly upbeat even during more sad or somber scenes.
It's not a bad show, but It's certainly dated and doesn't have much to it that can't be found in other shows. It only seems worth watching for those who have a passing interest in seeing the little footnotes in the history of much more well known anime.
