Why Macross 7 is Misunderstood & Under Appreciated - Spoiler Free Anime Review 281

[@RaddSpencer]

One thing that always stuck with me when I first watched Macross 7 is that my opinion of the show perfectly mirrored Gamlin's attitude towards Basara as the show progressed.

[@DavidB.Rockin]

Fun fact about the band called Fire bomber: Yoshiki Fukuyama was Basara's singing voice. Check out his albums as well as his bands like JAM Project and Humming Bird. I really enjoyed Humming Bird.

[@moreblack]

And if you need any more incentive, Yoshiki Fukuyama is part of Jam Project which plays the theme song for One Punch Man's theme.

[@lisayist]

I grew up with M7， loved it as an 8yr old and still love it today. Basara is still the most unique protagonist IMHO. Don't skip D7, D7 is a great story. It indeed concludes the whole M7 series.In M7, Basara has been singing for one sole purpose. Gamlin & Mylene had been chasing Basara, they grew and changed. After the grand finale of M7 TV series, the story is complete, how do you tell a story after fighting the most dangerous monster in the whole universe? Create an even more dangerous monster (cheesy)? All the characters need a new purpose to exist, and D7 is about finding new goals for them.

[@Nyghtwynd]

Buddy, we finally got 7, Delta, and Frontier licensed! I never imagined it would ever happen.

[@bobsamurai]

I heard, great news!

[@weaselwolf]

I always view Basara as an element of the setting rather than a character. He has no arc or growth and little depth. What he is is a primal force of nature that simply exists and through its very presence disrupts the lives of the characters and shapes the plot as they bend around him. He exists as a catalyst for the other characters to grow and react to and for the plot to condense around. Basara as a child used to sing to a mountain hoping to move it. As an adult, Basara IS the mountain. He is implacable, unchanging and cannot be reasoned with.

[@RP-hn1qc]

To be fair, "alien vampires" invaded that are in reality mind controlled allies fighting each other.. brothers killing brothers.. granted it wasn't known initially but it's a reminder that soldiers are human also regardless of the order given.

[@CornishCreamtea07]

I like how the character design changed to a more 90s aesthetic, but without going to overboard so you can still tell that they are Macross characters.

[@bobsamurai]

That’s true, it’s a nice blend of wild 90s with early 80s macross

[@bishopcruz]

Having the original character designer, Haruhiko MIkimoto definitely helps there. Man is a legend.

[@laurachen4981]

It’s the Love carrying the true power in the universe. I didn’t understand that when I first watched it at 8yr old, but still deeply attracted to this animation. I bought all the albums of Fire Bomber, and went to Fukuyama’s live concert. Now I’m 41, realizing that it’s not because of the music healing the wounds, but also knowing Love is the only principle in the universe.

[@androyus]

Nekki Basara is the best singer of the entire Macross franchise! Fight me!! 😎

[@bobsamurai]

i agree so far!

[@MegaroadProducciones]

I fully agree that the scenes of Mylene's abuse, and gratuitous nudity of an underage girl next to an adult, also nude, in Dynamite 7, are unnecessary and controversial (to say the least), still I feel you judged the total OVA series by those two unfortunate details. The rest of the work is very interesting and very well thought out in its structure. And come on, Angel Voice is one of Basara/Fukuyama's best songs. PS: I am of the theory that Basara, suffers from some trauma or disorder, whether it be autistic, ADHD, Asgerper, etc etc.

[@Iffy350]

Some aspect’s of Japanese culture aren’t for puritan pukes.

[@pilotamurorei]

showing how you dont understand ANY of the protoculture lore of Macross. This is where macross delta and Mikumo are vital to putting SOME pieces together in regards to Basara.

[@thepronoob4039]

I love that in SRW Basara's Fire Valkyrie either has 0 damaging moves or only has moves that deal very little damage. Everything Basara causes no direct harm, it only buffs allies or debuffs enemies. And in SRW Alpha 3, THE MOST well loved entre in the series, Basara's music is instrumental to the victory of the heroes against an impossibly powerful threat, where he and Fire Bomber actually sings the main theme music of the game as it plays on loop as the BGM for the stage.

[@warywolf1729]

Awesome to see that people are talking about this show, and you nailed the points that I love about the Macross 7. Hard disagree on Macross 7 Dynamite, and I really enjoyed it. Have to uhh... Look past the Mylene sexual assault though, it's played for weird laughs. Dynamite is more a side story, which I felt was akin to the Cowboy Bebop movie, in that it was supposed to just add a little more content to an otherwise great series. It's actually refreshing to see Basara outside of having to fight the "space vampires", and him allowed to be himself. Him getting excited to sing to some space whales is incredibly dorky, but then again, the whole show is. Personally, I think the moment he sings Angel Voice is a fitting conclusion to the series in many regards. We, like the whales might have to move on, but we will remember his song always. Fire.

[@bobsamurai]

Thanks! Yea it was hard for me to overlook that. I wouldn’t have minded if it took place during the series, but considering the anime’s abrupt ending and how this comes after that, naturally you’d expect for it to build upon that, but it doesn’t. I did like the art, setting, and a few of the characters though

[@videotroll72]

Bomber!

[@doodlebugfour7070]

Fun Trivia: Nekki Basara was Nobutoshi Canna's breakout role back in the 90's. Before he got casted as Tasuki, Guts, Knuckles, Ryo Takatsuki, and Cu Chulainn. Canna still reprises Basara whenever he shows up in a Super Robot Wars game.

[@OmegaKatanaXIII]

He seemed to loved the role that he comes back to the voice whenever possible.

[@doodlebugfour7070]

@@OmegaKatanaXIII Not to mention he and Basara's sing Yoshiki Fukuyama became close friends working on Macross 7 and even recorded an album together.

[@mrdriver2988]

Basara be like. I am going to sing to the enemies and not use any weapons. And I refuse to elaborate.

[@markuscriticus8278]

See, I think it's brilliant. The original Macross was a real robot war drama,, that's also a romantic comedy where music saves the world. So instead of repeating themselves like they did with Macross II, they split the difference and have Macross Plus be the serious sci-fi and Macross 7 the goofy comedy where they save the universe from giant space vampires with the power of J-Rock.

[@nacholibre134]

Just finished macross 7 and it's the only macross I've watched and I quite like it. No idea what the community thinks of it but I do quite like the characters settings and plot. They find a way to make everything work, even the villains ending up not being physically entities and such are effected more strongly by music is a clever way to make what seems to be silly concept work. Basara himself essentially finding within himself the reason for singing is to move an unmovable object and that translating to finally having his music reach these beings rather than dominating them with force is quite nice to see. Even the final conclusion makes sense once the beings (Protodeviln) could learn to finally accept the anima spiritia i.e. the music the had been so much against the could finally move past their base nature (destruction and absorption) and onto higher. Overall I really enjoyed it and that's not even getting into things like the other characters progressions (especially Gamlin) the incredible designs the music etc.

[@RaddSpencer]

Wholeheartedly disagree on Dynamite 7. I mean, I *do* agree there's unnecessary nudity (I've always chalked that up to cultural differences) and the whole Mylene thing is "Just... why?" But other than that it's got great characters, a great story, some fantastic new designs, and some of the best Fire Bomber songs in the franchise. I'd say if you enjoy Macross 7 then Dynamite is a must-see.

[@NelsonStJames]

Thanks to Robotech it’s always a bit of cognitive dissonance being reminded that Dana Sterling is not the daughter of Max and Mirya. Don’t know if Macross 7 has ever had an official Western release, but I watched it as a fan sub, and I honestly found it a lot of fun. The songs are also super catchy. DIdn’t know that there were several spin offs and a movie, so I guess I’m not done with the Macross 7 universe yet.

[@lashutterbug]

I finally found Macross 7 in the late 90s when it hit the fansub market, and was excited to finally get my hands on it since I'd seen from the series in comic book shops a number of years earlier. It was great to see characters like Max and Milia back in new roles, but overall the series is a mixed bag. You can only listen to "Planet Dance" 10,000 times before it starts to drive you crazy, so of course they just HAD to use it 10,001 times. In retrospect, Macross 7 could well be known as the Cop Rock of this genre. However, I find it very cool that the creators of Macross 7 tipped their hat in a major way to the fansubbers when they released Macross FB7 The Movie.

[@lynnwise1856]

I agree about Dynamite, so so much. Honestly, I would love to see a movie edit that just cuts the injury/hot springs scene and the whole Mylene subplot. I feel like that would be an awesome piece of 7 media. But as it exists, I tell people to actively avoid it. Otherwise, great show. Maybe my favorite in the franchise.

[@marcc5768]

for me seeing a different approach to Macross was refreshing. Tho, I wouldn't have minded, if the story touched on Mylene's 6 other siblings in some fashion. Along with..I feel there should have been a academy for new pilots or showing how Macross 7 forces get new pilots to replace the ones that perish during combat. Yes lots of reused footage to be sure. I didn't drop the anime after the first arc, pacing doesn't really bother me as much. I like the innovation for Basara's Fire Valkyrie, using a guitar as the main fighter control. I did watch the original Macross and Macross Plus before watching Macross 7. I didn't quite know where Macross Plus fit in. Since there were no inclusion of characters from Macross. Since Max and Miria were alive in Macross 7, I was wondering the whereabouts of Hikaru, Misa and Minmei. I also didn't realize, at the end of Macross, that the rest of the original bridge crew minus Misa had perished when Kamujin did the suicide run the Macross.

[@danethorson]

There's also a Fleet of Strongest Women - unreleased episode

[@MVGkaiser]

Macross 7 is my fave Macross series of all time

[@OmegaKatanaXIII]

It took me three....tries to get into this series but at the third try I kinda enjoyed it and I loved basara nekki fighting style but I kept dropped seven is due to slow pacing but i grew over time.

[@Brunoverdao15]

I really liked your take on this anime. I watched it years ago, back then i thought it was a disappointment because i felt it was far too inferior to SDF macross, but as time passed whenever i was thinking about the anime i remembered of some really good aspects in the anime and some fun stuff i enjoyed when i watched, so even without rewatching i feel with time i begun to appreciate it more. But i always thought that that space Moby Dick OVA was quite good

[@bobsamurai]

Yea about the ova, yea I guess it’s not bad but as a sequel, I’d much rather have SPOILERS .. .. .. A conclusion to the romance arc and also a conclusion for fire bomber instead of them being broken up for the whole movie.

[@Axaul]

For a long time my only exposure to Macross 7 before watching it was the music. I literally had listened to the entire discography of Firebomber before watching the actual anime. I guess my love for the music made me tolerate that first batch of episodes.

[@ThatVia]

Fine, I’ll watch past episode 5! I’ve been postponing this, but you make a good argument.

[@kangjhha]

avoided it for decades, finally went kicking and screaming but thoroughly enjoyed watching the series, OVAs and movie... this series has some of the most memorable music to date.. and this is the only macross series I've rewatched over and over again.. 😄

[@RabidOtaku]

I still have my Fansubs of Macross 7 and I still love the series.

[@greggthegrimreaper7495]

"Macross 7 is a unique Mecha because of its focus on pacifism" *Terrible Gundam Wing Flashbacks Intensify* But seriously, I understand the difference in these two shows. Macross 7 actually makes good use of it's pacifist mindset. Making for some fun scenarios.

[@bobsamurai]

Yea lmao that’s how I felt when I said if

[@rupinobauto2802]

Fun facts in super robot wars z basaras unit you will never use it because it cant atk enemies except the vajra m frontier enemy but it the ultimate support unit it's the only unit that has sp recovery atk to recover sp of allies not to mention it can boost the moral of your units enabling the finisher of moral dependent units all I can say is it's the ultimate support unit on this game and I regret not using it my first playtru but When I accidentally figure out his usefulness he is always in my team rosters also worth noting he level up faster when boosting a higher lv characters/units.

[@wintermagebarthow8481]

I tried so very had to watch Macross 7, as I truly love Macross Plus, Frontier, Macross 2, but I could not get in it. So thanks for your review, I will give it another shot.

[@bobsamurai]

understandable. hope you enjoy it more this time around

[@wintermagebarthow8481]

@@bobsamurai Cant find Macross Delta or Seven on KZbin anymore, any idea where I can rewatching?

[@KnightWolfVT]

I'll definitely watch it for my first time hopefully soon I want to watch as much Macross as I can.

[@bobsamurai]

I felt the same way for the past month lol. Enjoy!

[@Iffy350]

Also, Dynamite CLEARLY takes place after the original series because Gamilin is flying a new VF-22.

[@CornishCreamtea07]

1:40 I just suffered a fit of laughter. I'm not saying it's bad or anything, just a shock to the mind.

[@BANKAIxTENSHOU]

still one of my fave macross anime + the ova was my favorite

[@gravethestampede3454]

For me it was just too long. It's ideas weren't really substantial enough to work for 49 episodes. A lot of the episode conflicts often end the same way, which isn't helped by the heavy use of banked animations Planet Dance is an awesome song but halfway through the series it was blared often enough to simulate the Guantanamo's music torture. I also kind of resent the idea of the power of music being explained, when it really didn't need to. In the original series, it wasn't just the music that facilitated tthe bond between people and zentradi, it was the whole idea of culture itself, from films, to fashion, to relationships between sexes. Music is just what peaked the interest of the zentradi in the first place as they were finally getting a chance to see other perspectives on what life could be about. The rest of the series just ignores this aspect and makes music some sort of catch all solution that will work eventually if just blared often and loudly enough.

[@giraffebecky]

Man you are SO good at this! And so thurough!

[@bobsamurai]

thanks! I love me some anime

[@giraffebecky]

@@bobsamurai Just wanted to let you know that you are the reason I am now watching "Macross" for the first time! Then I will go on to Macross 7. And you were right about the first 10 episodes being slow and full of too many explosions. ;) Thank you!

[@bobsamurai]

@@giraffebecky glad you're giving it a chance!

[@connorwaltman4966]

I have sat through and watched Macross 7 earlier this year and it was an interesting experience. I heard that it was hated by many but I somehow enjoyed it

[@bobsamurai]

if the stats of my 1.6k MAL friends is anything to go by, 90% of people who dropped it, did so within the first 10 episodes. Most of the people who finished rated it a 7 or 8. It's possible it has a negative reputation because many people didn't actually finish it

[@venveng]

@@bobsamurai Its probably because of how retarded it is, piloting a mech with a guitar? How the F does that even work.

[@bobbyelmore1734]

Is there a way to watch macross without buying the expensive dvds

[@bobsamurai]

depends on your country, try googling it online for streaming options

[@androyus]

I mean, if there's no legal option in your country, you can always "sail the high seas" 😏

[@CornishCreamtea07]

There was a deal made awhile ago between a number of Japanese companies and Harmony Gold. The full details are a bit complex, but it sounds like Macross can now be released outside of Japan.

[@civilwarfare101]

You have me sold on the show's implementation of pacifism. So much media has characters do this weird inbetween bullshit where they are pacifists but also resort to violence to solve problems. If you are doing that then doesn't that legit beat the fucking point? A show that geniunely tries to commit to the idea sounds fascinating to me.

[@michaelkenny7314]

He's shooting them with High Decible Speaker pods and flatting ear drums by turning up the volume to 11000. I'd hardly call that passive. One time He shot a warship with speaker pod so big when it was used it caused a full sized Female Zentradi's ponytail to whip around as if in a windstorm. It would've made more sense if he got the Valkyire later after spirt-technolgy was invented. Then it would've made sense.

[@TXH11]

The only thing I don't like about Macross 7 is Basara sings too much and it's the same song over and over.

[@Iffy350]

Macross 7 Dynamite was the best! Not sure why cartoon nudity freaks you out! Japanese families bath together all the time. Age isn’t really a thing in that regard.

[@timhouston8007]

It's not misunderstood... it was never that complicated. It's just kinda derpy.

[@RP-hn1qc]

It's misunderstood IMO in that it explains religious war without defining, creating, or destroying a religion. They were so brainwashed on both sides that brothers in arms were destroying each other unknowingly. It took Basara (Jesus) to use the power of music to awaken his spiritually drained City 7 residents. Even if the original creator didn't intend it as so I find it highly amusing it's J-Rock Jesus without the Jesus.

[@PiratDunkelbart]

Maybe I give it another try. Became a huge fan watching Frontier, Zero and Plus and in the end the original series, but I couldnt stand this one. Do you watch the newest one too? I think it was called Delta or something.

[@bobsamurai]

i watched ep1 of delta and had a meltdown lol. It was probably to be expected considering the only Macross I had seen at that time was the original lol. Looking forward to giving it a second chance though. I'll be reviewing it soon as part of my Macross project

[@PiratDunkelbart]

@@bobsamurai Couldnt make it past ep 1 or 2 either. :D

[@pilotamurorei]

sorry but without spoilers you will NEVER get the point across that macross 7 is worth a watch or is an excellent series when you dig deeper.

[@YouTubeCensors]

Pretty sure I understand it correctly it's: 🗑️

[@ChiefXuligan]

I'm done watching anyone review something from the Macross franchise... The biggest theme in all of Macross is MUSIC and it feels like none are discussing it. D7 might not be the greatest and all but what about Angel Voice (composed by Yoko Kanno)? And Fire Bomber's music is incredibly popular and there's great songs besides "Planet Dance" but everyone gets so tripped up over that cause it's admittedly over used in the show early on.

[@elbarto6668]

Nice

[@rubymoon9565]

i fully understand the plot but i hated that macross 7 is how they aporch pasafisim in a super repitiev one ganra rock music to the most annoying level i rember the first anime i ever watched i was 5 years old (grandizer) they did pacifism right in grandizer by explaining what war is and how destructive it is while maintiang the action also HunterXHunter 1999 did explain naturalism perfictly spicaly in the first 1999 episode i can feal the wind the humidity the temptuer + the grate islandic music. show dont tell unlike that unbabrable HxH remake the only interesting charcter in macross 7 is guvava also the super diminson fortress is the the on top of the best anime i ever watched it was incredibly realistic in term of every thing

[@bobsamurai]

that sounds interesting. looking forward to checking out Grandizer

[@rubymoon9565]

@@bobsamurai thanks for the reply you gona love it i recomend to watch it in japaneas senc it did not catch one both in japan and usa it was so populer in the midle east and europ thanks to the dark eliment in that show Brain watching , Nuclear annihilation , city and habitat destruction , political dicption , death of loved one , mental brake down , genetic manipulation. one more thing the show creator seems to strugle to get his work made probably due to buget and trend during 1974 so they force him to make an anime for 5 year old mean while it explod in poulerty abrod due to its serious naturer while maintaning the sillyness requierd to be a 5 year old kid show go check this out www.arabnews.com/node/1574326/saudi-arabia disclamer am multy lingo african who speak arabic as a second languag but am not an arb thanks

[@dontegraves5051]

You horribly undersold Dynamite 7. There's nothing wrong with it. While it was never intended to be a perfect wrap up of the series, it does have an exciting adventure and it was fairly entertaining to watch Basara on a solo journey. The animation exceeds what existed in the series prior, the music is top-notch as well. The only "flaw" is that we frankly don't get to see much of the Fire Bomber cast in general and it's never explained what exactly happened to the group since Basara pretty much takes off. Without him and Mylene, Fire Bomber would likely cease to exist. I see no real reason to hate on Dynamite 7 or any of Macross 7 in general. The 30 minute movie is more underwhelming than Dynamite 7 in every regard, and even that was still a decent watch--especially the treat of a duet song near the end.

[@TheLostBoy1974]

For me it was always Macross 1982-1987/1994. The other series I could live without.

[@Luptonium]

Dynamite 7's only redeeming quality is in the first 5 seconds where the theme song is catchy. That said Macross 7 is my favorite Macross series, I watched it fansubbed when it came out and whenever the series does get a proper release here I am buying the damn box set.

[@Brian-s3m]

i feel incredibly bad for you for hauing watched the entire 50 episodes only to get some crap ending to the series :L

[@bobsamurai]

The journey was nice at least lol