Macross Frontier 20+21; FFFFFFFfff-
August 31st, 2008 by Shirukii
Good night sweet prince ;_;
The post Sherylfags have been waiting for, it’s time for some Ranka bashing!
Prior to this episode I hadn’t put much effort into picking apart Ranka, not nearly as much as I put into picking apart Sheryl, and as such have come across as quite the Ranka supporter (don’t think I don’t see you animesuki goers talking about me in your forums :3). The reality is, I was never trying to put Ranka on a pedestal, I was just trying to drag Sheryl down from hers, Ranka has been a brat throughout the entire series, but a cute loli-brat, so she got my support. However, the events of episodes 20 and 21 simply can’t be justified.
BAAAW more Ranka. What the hell? She finally makes up her mind to tell Alto how she feels, terrific, but then she sees him with Sheryl and suddenly she has an emotional “I can’t take it anymore” breakdown? Ranka has always known that she was locked in a battle for Alto’s heart with Sheryl, and she’s done a pretty good job holding her own against the Galactic Fairy, given how much of a head start she got. But when she just happens to be there when Ranka decides to confess to Alto all the courage she built up, everything she’s done to lead up to that moment disappears? BS. She should have confessed anyway, sure it would have been a slap in the face to Sheryl and confuse the hell out of Alto, but if she truly had the resolve, that’s what I’d expect her to do.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, her emotional hissy fit almost causes the downfall of Frontier. The resulting Vajra shitstorm led to the deaths of thousands of civilians and immense physical damages, including the destruction of an entire colony island. By extension, I’m going to guess that the exact same thing happened 11 years ago when her previous colony was attacked and destroyed by Vajra.
The one thing in these episodes that I don’t fault Ranka for though, is refusing to sing anymore. While this sort of falls in line with the brattiness that I’m beating her up for, there’s more to it than simple selfishness. The pressure that was put on Ranka by Frontier was an unreasonable burden to bear, branded the Songstress of Hope and Frontier’s future being put on her shoulders is all fun and games while it’s smooth sailing, but when shit hits the fan, it’s no fault of Ranka’s that she cracked under the pressure. Being unable to protect those who believed in you, let alone being responsible for putting them in harm’s way, Ranka can’t be blamed for wanting to run away from the responsibility…
…however, abandoning everyone completely and defecting to the Vajra, confessing to Alto on her way out, was a pretty dick move.
By contrast, Sheryl did pretty well for herself these past couple episodes, as I figured she would after running to Alto. She finally gets over her stubbornness and accepts help and sympathy from others, as well as getting over Ranka beating her in record sales and going back to singing for the people and not for the people’s money and adoration. Furthermore, she gave Ranka the good ol’ slap in the face to snap her out of it, as well as a slightly misguided pep talk on her obligation to perform because she’s a pro, in my opinion a talk about doing what she wants (Brera’s point of view) would have done much better. However, given that the Vajra were tearing apart Frontier and that they thought that Ranka’s song was the only thing capable of stopping them, it makes sense that Sheryl chose the former.
GOD DAMNIT.
I remember saying that Mikhail would be my favourite character if he would just take the sweet loli bait dangling in front of his eyes. Figures that when he clears that condition he dies a couple minutes later, Japan haet lolicon D=? It sucked seeing these two come together only to have them ripped apart moments later, it was painful seeing Klein go berserk after Mikhail’s death.
I didn’t like Mikhail’s stupid explanation of why he waited until now to admit his feelings for Klein. While it fits his character that he fears commitment, with the death of his sister and all, I hate when that card is played because if you truly love someone you can’t help but get involved with them, even if uncertainty looms over the horizon, one truly in love would grab their partners hand and run blindly into the unknown. It’s strange that Mikhail left saying “I love you” rather than “I like you”, yet took so long to admit it. It also angers me that Klein would have had confirmation of his feelings for her if she had just sneaked a peak into his cockpit (if you know what I mean).
Leon’s coup d’etat succeeds and now I wonder where he plans on going from here. If I recall correctly his plan is to harvest Fold Quartz from the Vajra for massive profits, but the method by which he’d do this is something worth pondering. The fighting has descended to the point where it takes a planet eater bomb just to effectively fend off a Vajra attack, and Leon plans to what? Somehow rush their main hive and enslave them for harvesting?
I still maintain that Leon is a mere pawn and that Grace is the true mastermind behind all the chaos, if this ends up being wrong I’m going to be extremely annoyed. Aside from the Vajra, Grace must be the final boss, she just has to be, she’s so evil I bet she excretes pure malevolence.
Plot wise I’m not sure exactly what to expect, Ranka’s defection to the Vajra will probably spread fast, and I can’t see the public nor military’s reception to that news being very good. From the preview, the only notable thing I noticed was Luca looking at what seemed to be a blood sample with tiny Vajra, all having a piece of Fold Quartz at their core, scurrying around. I’m not sure how they’re going to explain that if it is indeed a sample of Ranka’s blood, she doesn’t shed Vajra eggs or anything. I’m guessing next week will give us a lot of information as to what exactly the Vajra are and who/what controls/drives them, perhaps with a side of Ozma and Cathy gathering evidence to oust Leon.
Obligatory, and pissed off, Klein
~ Shirukii ~
20 Responses to “Macross Frontier 20+21; FFFFFFFfff-”
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My patience and sympathy for Ranka have pretty much died with these last few eps. Ranka is just being insidiously selfish for the most part, from letting people die because she had a broken heart to leaving the Fleet to the mercy of the Vajra while she finds herself. I am partly glad that despite all her hopes that Alto-hime didn’t say he loved her too, but called her a fool for running away.
It was a Minmay move of Ranka to ask Alto-hime to forget about Mikhail and run off with the Vajra to help her find her past. Some one from the vic had to die and it seems since Luca and Ozma were safe then Mikhail had to take the bullet if only so that Kawamori would not be treading old ground and introduce another Max and Millia with their gaggle of kids. Hopefully Klein will live on with out Mikhail, its sad that her happiness was the price to finally prompt Luca to be a man and for Alto-hime to not blush when with Ranka.
I bet Grace was controlling Brera since that was way too smooth for the Kaifun equivalent. If nothing else Ranka’s elopement with Brera means that she basically forfeited any more development time between her and Alto-hime. Ranka simply waited too long to find out about the real Alto-hime and her shock at Alto-hime choosing his sky over her Ai-kun was much deserved for her dalliances with Brera.
Well at least Ranka’s newest song is pretty good even if her recent decisions aren’t.
Ah, I see Grace’s and Leon’s plan is all going according to keikaku. For all we know, the humans might be the bad guys who started this battle, and the Vajra are simply defending themselves from being enslaved for crystal harvest. But as long as there is a common enemy, and with Ranka Lee starring as Hanoi Jane, then no one will be the wiser.
I like the fact that Alto brushed aside all of Ranka’s pleas and actually pulled the trigger. Hopefully next time Alto’s gun will be aimed at Benedict Ranka.
Alto: Want to ask about your star again, Ranka? Go ahead, make my day.
Well, just wanted to add that Ranka confessing after seeing both Sheryl and Alto in the roof hugging alone would be pretty out of character and something people don’t normally do. We tend to misunderstand situations, especially if the other girl is THAT other girl, and you really feel miserable.
I actually thought that Ranka made the first bold and mature choice of defending Aimo and going to the Vajra, despite knowing how much her idol detests them, so that she will no longer run away from her past trauma and be able to dig up the truth of why her voice can affect the Vajra in such a way.
Her defection cost her Alto; she had to leave him behind and risk herself being considered as mortal enemy by her idol, but yet she made the choice.
To me, Ranka has turned pretty much above face since last episode.
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“…however, abandoning everyone completely and defecting to the Vajra, confessing to Alto on her way out, was a pretty dick move.”
I don’t think so. I think it was the best thing she could’ve ever done. She’s facing her past now, it scares her but she knows it’s something she should do. That’s courage. For someone who’s all about “Alto-kun, Alto-kun” for 20 episodes, the fact that she was able to let him go and do something for herself. It’s worth commending.
I’m betting all or nothing on princess charming to drag her back to Frontier.
ani: I doubt Alto’ll be the one dragging her home, much less Brera-nii if Grace remote-controls him as she threatened to in Episode 20. It’ll be more Ranka dragging the Vajra ‘home’ to Frontier with her, more than anything, or the Vajra dragging her with them.
If anything, Alto’ll be shooting at her screaming “RANKAAA!!!!!” like Shinn having an emo-fit at
Kira YamatoBrera. Incidentally, if your prediction is wrong, do you mind if I quote it again later? ;)The question is, will Ranka even reach Vajra planet without getting caught by Galaxy? =/ Didn’t Galaxy want to acquire the little Queen? It’s also very suspicious how the Island 1’s gate was overridden by someone. Grace must be aware of what Brera is doing seeing she called him Prince in 15. Prince that will take Ranka away from Frontier with his shining VF, perhaps?
And nah, I don’t think Alto will let Ranka go like this and then shoot at her the next time she shows her face? He doesn’t even have the gall to slap her. Once he finds out the real truth from Ozma’s investigation, he won’t just sit there and forget about Ranka after the way they parted here. That would be so out of character.
I said I’m betting all or nothing on Alto to drag Ranka back. You should quote it word for word then, but only if you’ll let me quote this “Alto’ll be shooting at her screaming “RANKAAA!!!!!” :)
Well Ranka’s defection can take one of two routes methinks:
a) she learns her true identity as the Vajara queen, is brainwashed and returns to Macross with the intent of destroying it (complete with Alto screaming RANKA!!!!!!!!) or
b) being all lovey-dovey, she convinces the Vajara fleet they have nothing to fear from humanity, the Vajara believe her, and return to Macross space…..however, the humans will be suspicious and attack the Vajra anyway…..whereupon Ranka’s uber-good singing skills will heal the universe :P
/vomit
Either way Macross is turning out to be pretty cookie-cutter “humans vs. alien race” anime….mind you with very cute characters and a lot more dog-fight style scenes
Also….poor Klien :(……She so got shafted in the love dept. Totally predictable given Mikhal’s comments in previous eps., but still sad to watch
@ Shirukii:
Completely off topic but whatever :P
Do you know what shows are coming out for the fall sason?
Only one I’m remotely aware of is another EF series :)
ani: You’re ignoring Alto’s massive hate-on for the Vajra, which is why he shot at Ai-kun in the first place. This is the same guy who, in Episode 14, charged into the Vajra mothership and unleashed Reaction missiles right in the Queen’s face. At this point, I’m not sure any protective feelings he has towards Ranka will be enough to overpower his desire to kill them, especially not after Mikhail’s death.
Ranka will either come back ON HER OWN or else will get dragged back by the Vajra. I don’t see Alto rescuing her anymore – stumbling into her, but not rescuing her. So if you bet it all and lose… will you go onto YouTube like that “Leave Britney Alone” guy in drag to apologize? ;)
Ranka will come back on her own, after a training episode. It will be like Top wo Nerae with Ranka showing up with a fleet of Vajra behind her to defeat Grace. Warp desu!
@Haesslich & Kabitizin
I hope Ranka goes back to Frontier on her own. If Alto-hime drags her back she will be damsel in distress de jour, if the Vajra drag her back then she is still “woe is me,” if Ranka goes back on her own it would actually be her first net positive growth in a long time.
The sad thing about Macross F, being an anime which wants to sell lots of Ranka merchandise, is that you can almost guarantee the writers will contrive whatever they need to, in order to make Ranka Frontier’s savior by the end of the series.
It nearly kills all the suspense right off the bat.
If only they can forego sales and instead tell a story by letting the characters they have first depicted to arrive at their own natural ending. Like the way NGE did? *ducks for covers*
@Kanon_fan82:
THAT Anime Blog 2008 Fall Preview
@Haesslich
Oh Really? A youtube vid, wow I never thought of that. As expected from a genius. ^__^ Sure, why not?
I’m not underestimating Alto’s hate for the Vajra, you’re the one underestimating Alto’s concern for Ranka. He’s not going to shoot AT her even if the world comes to an end. After episode 21, how can you even conclude this? He’s also not going to sit around and forget about the lost Ranka once he finds out the truth about the Vajra and her. That will be out of character for Alto. He may get delayed, but he would definitely do something. Even if for some weird reason he didn’t, Ozma will not let him live it down. In fact, Ozma will most likely tear him to shreds if he ever hears that Alto let Ranka leave like that and is not doing anything lol
Alto, at this point, is nearing Isamu Dyson levels of recklessness, without the latter’s skill in a VF. He’s more hotheaded than Hikaru, but not as visibly attached to her as Hikaru was to Minmei. While he won’t forget about Ranka, he may conclude she’s a stupid kid and then turn his attention onto other matters.
It’s been shown that, when he’s with one of the girls, he tends to forget completely about the other one and focus on what’s at hand. He did this with Ranka in Episodes 13 and 14… and conversely, seemed to forget that Ranka existed during eps when he’s with Sheryl. We’ve yet to see him pull a Hikaru and run after Girl #2 when he’s with Girl #1 – if you remember Episode 20, BOTH of them went after Ranka rather than Alto running off after her. Outside of concern for being killed by Alto, as well as any brotherly feelings he may feel towards her after having protected her up till Ep 14 or so, we don’t really see him paying all that much attention to Ranka, just as she doesn’t seem to really think about him unless it’s a convenient moment.
And at this point, Ozma’s not likely to find out about Ranka until the very end – and even then, he’ll yell at Alto for not having stopped her… but short of having a VF of his own, there was NO WAY he could’ve done anything. Nor does he know where she’s going, and he doesn’t have a way to chase her at this point if he wanted to. We’re more likely to see Ranka come running back to Frontier rather than Alto ‘rescuing’ her again… not after being beaten twice by Brera, and not after she ran off after treating Mikhail’s death like it was nothing, ignoring any feelings Alto had on the matter, and without any reasonable way of finding her.
Alto’s not nearly as attached to her as past protagonists have been attached to a member of the triangle; if anything, she’ll be the one doing the rescuing rather than the reverse. At least Hikaru kept running after Minmei, and Isamu and Guld kept chasing after Myung (figuratively speaking). For the most part, Alto’s not really made an effort to run after either girl, although he did seek Sheryl out following Mikhail’s suggestion in Ep 18. Ranka hasn’t sought Alto out often, whereas she’s found time to skip work with Brera. Only Sheryl’s shown any interest in chasing down Alto to spend time with him, of all the members in the triangle.
“For the most part, Alto’s not really made an effort to run after either girl, although he did seek Sheryl out following Mikhail’s suggestion in Ep 18. ”
I think you just need to rewatch episode 10. Ranka wasn’t dying on this one and there was nothing he needed to return btw.
You’re making Alto look like a robot who only falls for the one who is BESIDE him at the moment. He may be dense, but Alto does not forget the girl in expense of the girl he is beside with. He’s better than that. =_= Alto may express real concern for two girls esp. in their time of needs, but there’s only one girl Alto cares for the most. The story has been pretty consistent in portraying this ever since the beginning up to now.
“Nor does he know where she’s going, and he doesn’t have a way to chase her at this point if he wanted to.”
And I’m not really saying Alto will ride his VF now when he doesn’t even know where he’s going. x_x Of course something will happen that will reveal Ranka’s whereabouts and he can act from there. Things will get revealed, the story will move. When that time comes, I don’t expect Alto to just sit around and forget about whatever happened to Ranka. Just look at him in episode 21. Does he look like he’s going to forget this the next day and the day after and so forth? lol
And for what reason will Ranka come back for in Frontier? Frontier hates the Vajra. If she finds out she can control the Vajra, what she’s going to do is to lure the Vajra away from Frontier. I doubt she’ll return once she knows she’s a lil queen alien. She should know she’s Frontier’s public enemy # 1 by now.
I thought Galaxy’s main target are the Vajra and the little queen, Frontier is more like a tool to them. :| No?
@Haesslich & ani_d
I wouldn’t say that Alto is as thick to the point that hime is a machine, but on the other had while he cares for both hime has been wolfing down more humble pie for Sheryl’s sake, not to mention put his own job at risk by taking her to the ship. Watching some of the episodes again if the subs are correct the Alto at least respects Sheryl enough to quote her. More over Alto has been more willing to deal with Sheryl’s presence in his own stride in contrast to the beatings that Brera has given him. I think Alto is too proud to be bullied, but for whatever reason Sheryl seemed to get away with it though Alto seems to be more willing to listen to women than men.
He has attachment to both Ranka and Sheryl though right now taking a lot of Ranka’s bullshit means taking the Brera beating which Alto is none to happy to receive. For a guy whose only knowledge of love in the romantic sense is heavily influenced by kabuki in all probability and granted that Alto-hime was Sakura-hime Sheryl might be the one courting Alto the only way he knows. Sakura-hime was not chasing no one, she was being chased, so maybe the parallel is more significant than we thought.
sherrly flag??
hah typical macross triangle…. always choose the older ^_^