Story [8-]
The story kicks off really slow, and the first episodes were a bit boring. However, the anime becomes much more interesting about half-way through the season. What I really appreciate was how it blends the explicit references to the previous Macross series into the new setting very well, even subverting the expectations of the viewers. There are even some elements from Macross Zero, and even if I didn’t like that show itself, I think that Frontier makes good use of them.
Compared to the original Macross, in Macross Frontier the idol aspect is more important and it gets more screen time, but there’s a very good balance between the idol scenes and the fights with the Vajira, in the same way that Fullmetal Panic blends mecha and rom-com.
Art [7+]
The art style itself is quite good, and the visual aspects of the songs are very well done, but the show lacks the mecha design. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a bad mecha design, but it doesn’t really stand out in the crowd of the CGI mechas. Overall, the animation is quite good, especially in the OPs and in the last few episodes.
Sound [9]
In an idol(-like) series music has to be good; and in Macross Frontier it surely his.
I don’t usually watch idol anime or listen to their songs, and I seldom enjoy this genre of music, but I must admit that the sweet songs of Ranka and Sheryl really touched my heart. The tracks are very sexy, charming, and sweet at the same time. What’s more, the compositions by Yoko Kanno are, as expected, fantastic.
Characters [7-]
The weakest aspect of the anime. The main problem is the protagonist, Alto, who is boring and very cliché, but even some supporting characters are one-dimensional and boring (for example Mikhail and Sterne). The more interesting and dynamic characters are by far Sheryl and Ranka, and I like their relationship a lot.
Enjoyment [8]
I was bored for the first couple of episodes or so, but the show gets more exciting as it goes on. The last episodes gave me the kind of chills that only an epic mecha series can give.
Overall [8-]
A good mecha anime; it blends very well 80s-like elements with more contemporary ones, and I recommend this series to anyone who loved the original Macross. I suggest watching Zero before Frontier, because, even if it’s not a very good show, it explains many things you need to know in order to appreciate Frontier.
