Macross Frontier
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese animated science fiction
space drama that aired in Japan
on MBS
from April 3, 2008 to September 25, 2008. It is the most recent Japan
ese anime
television series set in the Macross
universe. Animated by Satelight
, premiered Japan
on MBS
on April 3, 2008. A pre-broadcast airing, called Macross Frontier Deculture Edition or , showcasing a preview version of the first episode was aired on December 23, 2007. The series also received its satellite television premiere in Japan on Animax
on April 7, 2008.
Macross Frontier is the story of a human
space colony fleet trying to find a habitable planet near the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. The story focuses on three young adults (a famed pop singer, a private military pilot, and a rising pop singer) and the events that occur around them as the fleet faces a crisis of alien
origin.
(1994–1996). This third TV series introduces Earth's latest main variable fighter
, the VF-25 Messiah
(メサイア) and a new ship called the Macross Frontier. The show retains the signature space opera
theme consistent with all series set in the Macross
universe (which intertwine musical numbers with fast-paced variable fighter combat). New episodes aired weekly on the MBS
network Thursdays at 25:55 and on the TBS
network Fridays at 25:55 (the 24+ hour clock is a common Japanese TV broadcast notation). Three separate manga
adaptations have been running in Shōnen Ace
and Comp Ace
, since February 2008, April 2008, and July 2008, respectively.
On the Macross timeline, the story is set in the year 2059, 47 years after the original Super Dimension Fortress Macross, 19 years after Macross Plus
and 14 years after the story of Macross 7
. The series features the 25th New Macross-class Colonial Fleet, dubbed the Macross Frontier, en route to the galactic center. This heavily populated interstellar fleet (consisting of numerous civilian vessels and their military escorts) contains a makeup of both human occupants and their Zentradi
allies. As such, many of the Macross Frontier's companion vessels appear to merge more metallic Human designs with organic Zentradi
aesthetics. Macross Frontiers plot explores a combination of action/political intrigue/space drama more than previous Macross
series have done in the past.
As the series begins, during a mission to an unexplored asteroid belt a reconnaissance New U.N. Spacy
(N.U.N.S.) VF-171
is destroyed by extremely powerful and fast insectoid biomechanical alien mecha
known as the "Vajra" (バジュラ), which immediately begin their attack on the rest of the fleet. Unable to stop the new enemy threat, the N.U.N.S. Colonial Defense Forces authorizes the deployment of a Private Military Provider
organization called S.M.S. (Strategic Military Services) which utilizes the new VF-25 Messiah variable fighter to combat the alien menace.
Like other installments of the Macross universe, the story mainly revolves around a trio of characters, including Alto Saotome, a young pilot who joins the S.M.S just after the invasion begins, Sheryl Nome, a famous singer known as the "Galactic Fairy" and Ranka Lee, a teenager aspiring to be a singer herself, that form a love triangle.
Sources:
, many of the mechanical objects in Macross Frontier were created through computer drawn cel-shaded animation
which allows complex objects to be more easily animated with less budget than previous traditional cel-drawn incarnations
or Digipaint.
franchise., receiving widespread reception all over Japan
. As a tribute to the popularity of the series, Japanese champion
cosplay
kickboxer Yuichiro Nagashima
("Jienotsu") cosplayed as the character Ranka Lee during one of his tournaments and also in a promotional event for the show.
Some overseas markets are unable to import the show (for example, the United States) due to international copyright problems with the franchise. However, underground following of the show in the rest of the world is strong (through the efforts of several fansub
bers) despite the legal issues.
The first DVD volume that has been released in Japan by Bandai Visual
sustained a third position in the sales chart for 2 consecutive weeks, prior to its release. Namely, from 21 July 2008 to 6 August 2008. It is revealed that about 45,000 Blu-ray disks and 55,000 DVDs are shipped by Bandai Visual for the first volume of the series. This marks the highest Blu-ray Disc pressing among all Bandai Visual releases. Macross Frontier is also reported to be the first television anime series to ship simultaneously on both disc formats in Japan.
Music wise, the first opening single, "Triangular" performed by Maaya Sakamoto
made the Oricon's weekly top 10 chart for all Japanese singles. "Triangular" debuted at #3 and sustained for 3 consecutive weeks before falling to #6. Similarly, the first ending single "Diamond Crevasse" performed by May'n also debuted at #3. The Original Soundtrack for the series titled, "Macross Frontier O.S.T.1 Nyan FRO" made it to #3 on Oricon
's next weekly chart of all albums sold in Japan. The album sold over 72,000 copies becoming the first anime album in 11 Years to rank in Japan's Top 3. The only anime album which managed to rivalled the sales of this is The End of Evangelion
soundtrack, which was first released on 26 September 1997. More recently, the second opening single "Lion", which also features the second ending theme "Northern Cross" has sold about 56,000 copies in its first week and thus reached #3 on Oricon's weekly chart for all CD singles. All four of the Macross Frontier singles that have been released have debuted at #5 or higher. This brings the total sales of the Macross Frontier CD singles to 500,000, marking the start of a "new anime song boom" in Japan.
and MBS Radio on January 3, 2008. It has featured Megumi Nakajima
and Kenta Miyake
, voice actors for the characters Ranka Lee and Bobby Margot, as hosts.
-based 90-second promotional shorts developed by Satelight
and sponsored by Mainichi Broadcasting System
where characters from Macross Frontier are portrayed as office ladies
and employees at the "Frontier Software Company". While not exactly standard anime, more a sort of paper cut-out animation, these ONA
shorts are a fun spoof of the original series intended to promote the show. The series was aired in 2007 and featured 20 episodes.
) set in the Macross
universe and sponsored by Big West Advertising
where the two female protagonists cosplay as the two main female characters (Ranka Lee and Sheryl Nome) from the Macross Frontier TV series. It was released on April 24, 2009 by AV maker company TMA.
the movie was to be an adaptation of the story from the T.V. series. Japanese anime
magazine Animedia had originally announced that the film was to be released during the summer of 2009. Other reports later placed the premiere in the fall of 2009. That report was confirmed by an itasha
(vehicle decorated with character art) mini-van outside the "Macross: The Super Dimension Space Launching Ceremony" event that took place on February 22, 2009 in Japan. However, at that point, the creator Shoji Kawamori
and the cast members Yuuichi Nakamura (Alto Saotome), Aya Endo (Sheryl Nome), and Megumi Nakajima (Ranka Lee) noted on the actual event, that the new date and the title were still subjected to changes.
The theatrical film adaptation of the Macross Frontier opened in Japan on November 21, 2009 under the name . The Kadokawa Cineplex and Shochiku Multiplex theaters' websites revealed the title and date, and the second issue of Kadokawa Shoten's Macross Ace magazine eventually published the details on June 26, 2009. The teaser trailer for the film premiered in Japanese theaters on June 27, 2009 (the same day ticket pre-sale began in Japan). The first movie retells the events of the anime from episodes 1 to 13 with significant alterations to the story and timeline of the television series.
A Blu-ray Disc release of the movie, titled Macross Frontier The Movie: The False Songstress Hybrid Pack was released on October 7, 2010. The Blu-ray release contains the Blu-ray jacket, the hybrid disc, a 48-page artwork booklet, a theatrical release archive, and a card that contains the movie frames. There is also a code that allows you to get into a lucky draw where you stand a chance to attend the Macross F Christmas Live event. A PS3 game titled "Macross Trial Frontier" is included in the Hybrid Pack, it can be played when the disc is in the PlayStation 3. A DVD was also released on the same day.
BluRay and DVD editions of the movie was released by Bandai Namco Games on October 20, 2011. The BluRay version is still a Hybrid Pack, the same as the first movie released in BluRay. A PS3 game titled "Macross Last Frontier" is included in the Hybrid Pack, and it can be played when the disc is in the PlayStation 3.
and Macross Frontier, the official website of Macross Frontier posted two newly animated short films featuring Air Show style demonstrations for both series. People who purchased the first pressings of either Macross Zero or Macross Frontier received a unique code to enter into the website and therefore be able to watch the short film of the respective anime.
The mecha featured in the Macross Frontier version of the Air Show featured the VF-171
, the VB-6 König Monster and different variants of the VF-25 Messiah
, including three unique colour schemes for the VF-25.
The first variant of the VF-25 which first seen in the montage at the beginning of the clip features a white frame with red stripes on the wings and along the back of the fuselage with two gold strips running through the length of the fuselage and red tail fins. The words "VF-25 Messiah" are printed in gold lettering under the cockpit and on the wings, as are the words "25th Anniversary" which are printed on either side of the legs which form the jet engines. The emblem of the Macross 25th Anniversary is printed on either side of the tail fins.
The second and third variants of the VF-25 seen towards the end of the clip are both entirely violet with white strips going the length of the fuselage. One features an image of Sheryl Nome on the back of the Valkyrie, while the other features an image of Ranka Lee in the same area. Both feature the "VF-25 Messiah" and "25th Anniversary" on the same places as the other VF-25 with the Anniversary colour scheme. They both also have the 25th Anniversary emblem printed on their tail fins.
Three Valkyries that were not featured flying in Macross Frontier also make a cameo appearance. These include the VF-1 Valkyrie
in a similar colour scheme to the VF-25s which featured Sheryl Nome and Ranka Lee (minus the characters, but also including the "25th Anniversary" text and emblem) and both the YF-19 and YF-21 from Macross Plus
in their original colour schemes.
The music track for this clip was a track from Macross Frontier titled "Welcome To My Fan Club's Night!" which was performed by May'n
and composed by Yoko Kanno
.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
space drama that aired in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
on MBS
Mainichi Broadcasting System
is a broadcasting station in Osaka, Japan, affiliated with Japan Radio Network , National Radio Network , Japan News Network and TBS Network, serving in the Kansai region. MBS is also one of the major stockholders of Tokyo Broadcasting System Holdings, Inc...
from April 3, 2008 to September 25, 2008. It is the most recent Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
television series set in the Macross
Macross
is a series of science fiction mecha anime, directed by Shōji Kawamori of Studio Nue in 1982. The franchise features a fictional history of Earth/Humanity after the year 1999. It consists of three TV series, four movies, six OVAs, one light novel and five manga series, all sponsored by Big West...
universe. Animated by Satelight
Satelight
is a Japanese animation studio.-History:The studio was founded on December 1995, in Sapporo, Hokkaidō, their first project being Bit the Cupid, the world's first fully digitally-animated television series. The name Satelight consists of S for Sapporo, A for Animate, T for Technology and E for...
, premiered Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
on MBS
Mainichi Broadcasting System
is a broadcasting station in Osaka, Japan, affiliated with Japan Radio Network , National Radio Network , Japan News Network and TBS Network, serving in the Kansai region. MBS is also one of the major stockholders of Tokyo Broadcasting System Holdings, Inc...
on April 3, 2008. A pre-broadcast airing, called Macross Frontier Deculture Edition or , showcasing a preview version of the first episode was aired on December 23, 2007. The series also received its satellite television premiere in Japan on Animax
Animax
is a Japanese anime satellite television network, dedicated to broadcasting anime programming. A subsidiary of Japanese media conglomerate Sony, it is headquartered in in Minato, Tokyo, Japan, with its co-founders and shareholders including Sony Pictures Entertainment and the noted anime studios...
on April 7, 2008.
Macross Frontier is the story of a human
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
space colony fleet trying to find a habitable planet near the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. The story focuses on three young adults (a famed pop singer, a private military pilot, and a rising pop singer) and the events that occur around them as the fleet faces a crisis of alien
Extraterrestrial life
Extraterrestrial life is defined as life that does not originate from Earth...
origin.
Plot and overview
The new show celebrates the 25th anniversary of the original Super Dimension Fortress Macross TV series (1982–1983), and is chronologically subsequent to Macross 7Macross 7
is an anime television series. It is a sequel to the show The Super Dimension Fortress Macross that takes place many years after the events of the first series following a cast of mostly new characters. The show ran from October 16, 1994 to September 24, 1995 at 11:00 AM, and 49 episodes were aired...
(1994–1996). This third TV series introduces Earth's latest main variable fighter
Variable fighter
A Variable Fighter is a series of fictional transforming aerospace fighter mecha primarily designed by Studio Nue's Shoji Kawamori for the animated series The Super Dimension Fortress Macross and later related projects...
, the VF-25 Messiah
VF-25 Messiah
The VF-25 Messiah is a fictional space-capable variable fighter, seen in the anime Macross Frontier of the Macross series. The craft was developed on board the space colonization fleet Macross Frontier from the YF-24 Evolution prototype whose blueprint was delivered via the Galaxy Network...
(メサイア) and a new ship called the Macross Frontier. The show retains the signature space opera
Space opera
Space opera is a subgenre of science fiction that emphasizes romantic, often melodramatic adventure, set mainly or entirely in outer space, generally involving conflict between opponents possessing advanced technologies and abilities. The term has no relation to music and it is analogous to "soap...
theme consistent with all series set in the Macross
Macross
is a series of science fiction mecha anime, directed by Shōji Kawamori of Studio Nue in 1982. The franchise features a fictional history of Earth/Humanity after the year 1999. It consists of three TV series, four movies, six OVAs, one light novel and five manga series, all sponsored by Big West...
universe (which intertwine musical numbers with fast-paced variable fighter combat). New episodes aired weekly on the MBS
Mainichi Broadcasting System
is a broadcasting station in Osaka, Japan, affiliated with Japan Radio Network , National Radio Network , Japan News Network and TBS Network, serving in the Kansai region. MBS is also one of the major stockholders of Tokyo Broadcasting System Holdings, Inc...
network Thursdays at 25:55 and on the TBS
Tokyo Broadcasting System
, TBS Holdings, Inc. or TBSHD, is a stockholding company in Tokyo, Japan. It is a parent company of a television network named and radio network named ....
network Fridays at 25:55 (the 24+ hour clock is a common Japanese TV broadcast notation). Three separate manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
adaptations have been running in Shōnen Ace
Shonen Ace
is a monthly shōnen manga magazine in Japan published by Kadokawa Shoten, started in 1994. Unlike the big shōnen weeklies with circulation figures in the millions, Ace is aimed at a less mainstream audience, and has a particular emphasis on anime tie-ins...
and Comp Ace
Comp Ace
is a Japanese computer game and manga magazine published by Kadokawa Shoten. Comp Ace began as a special edition version of another one of Kadokawa Shoten's magazines, Comptiq. The first issue was released on March 26, 2005, and was published quarterly for the first three volumes which had cover...
, since February 2008, April 2008, and July 2008, respectively.
On the Macross timeline, the story is set in the year 2059, 47 years after the original Super Dimension Fortress Macross, 19 years after Macross Plus
Macross Plus
is a four-episode anime OVA and theatrical movie in the Macross series. It was the first sequel to the original Macross television series that took place in the official timeline...
and 14 years after the story of Macross 7
Macross 7
is an anime television series. It is a sequel to the show The Super Dimension Fortress Macross that takes place many years after the events of the first series following a cast of mostly new characters. The show ran from October 16, 1994 to September 24, 1995 at 11:00 AM, and 49 episodes were aired...
. The series features the 25th New Macross-class Colonial Fleet, dubbed the Macross Frontier, en route to the galactic center. This heavily populated interstellar fleet (consisting of numerous civilian vessels and their military escorts) contains a makeup of both human occupants and their Zentradi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
allies. As such, many of the Macross Frontier's companion vessels appear to merge more metallic Human designs with organic Zentradi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
aesthetics. Macross Frontiers plot explores a combination of action/political intrigue/space drama more than previous Macross
Macross
is a series of science fiction mecha anime, directed by Shōji Kawamori of Studio Nue in 1982. The franchise features a fictional history of Earth/Humanity after the year 1999. It consists of three TV series, four movies, six OVAs, one light novel and five manga series, all sponsored by Big West...
series have done in the past.
As the series begins, during a mission to an unexplored asteroid belt a reconnaissance New U.N. Spacy
U.N. Spacy
The U.N. Spacy is the fictional military arm of the Earth U.N. Government from the Japanese anime series Macross.-Fictional Organization Background:...
(N.U.N.S.) VF-171
VF-17 Nightmare
The VF-17 Nightmare is a fictional variable fighter from the anime television series Macross 7 and Macross Frontier. This fictional variable fighter mecha was created by mechanical designer Shoji Kawamori.-Fictional History:...
is destroyed by extremely powerful and fast insectoid biomechanical alien mecha
Mecha
A mech , is a science fiction term for a large walking bipedal tank or robot, including ones on treads and animal shapes.-Characteristics:...
known as the "Vajra" (バジュラ), which immediately begin their attack on the rest of the fleet. Unable to stop the new enemy threat, the N.U.N.S. Colonial Defense Forces authorizes the deployment of a Private Military Provider
Private military company
A private military company or provides military and security services. These combatants are commonly known as mercenaries, though modern-day PMCs refer to their staff as security contractors, private military contractors or private security contractors, and refer to themselves as private military...
organization called S.M.S. (Strategic Military Services) which utilizes the new VF-25 Messiah variable fighter to combat the alien menace.
Like other installments of the Macross universe, the story mainly revolves around a trio of characters, including Alto Saotome, a young pilot who joins the S.M.S just after the invasion begins, Sheryl Nome, a famous singer known as the "Galactic Fairy" and Ranka Lee, a teenager aspiring to be a singer herself, that form a love triangle.
Staff
- Original concept: Shōji KawamoriShoji Kawamoriis a Japanese anime creator, screenwriter and mechanical designer, having created or co-created such notable series as The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, The Vision of Escaflowne, Earth Maiden Arjuna, Genesis of Aquarion, Macross 7, and Macross Frontier. He is currently executive director at the...
, Studio NueStudio NueStudio Nue is a Japanese design studio formed in 1972 by Naoyuki Kato, Kenichi Matsuzaki, Kazutaka Miyatake, and Haruka Takachiho... - Supervising director, story composition: Shōji Kawamori
- Director: Yasuhito Kikuchi
- Series composition and screenplay: Hiroyuki YoshinoHiroyuki Yoshino (screenwriter)is a Japanese screenwriter. Since beginning his career with the noted studio Sunrise, he written anime including My-HiME, My-Otome and Code Geass.-Biography:...
- Character design: Risa Ebata, Yūichi Takahashi
- Variable Fighter (VF) design: Shōji KawamoriShoji Kawamoriis a Japanese anime creator, screenwriter and mechanical designer, having created or co-created such notable series as The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, The Vision of Escaflowne, Earth Maiden Arjuna, Genesis of Aquarion, Macross 7, and Macross Frontier. He is currently executive director at the...
- Mechanical design: Junya Ishigaki, Takeshi Takakura
- Mechanical art: Hidetaka Tenjin
- Conceptual design: Kazutaka MiyatakeKazutaka Miyatakeis an anime designer known for the mechanical design of the Macross TV series and a number of its continuations from Studio Nue, of which he is a founding member. He has also contributed to the mecha design of other series such as Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny.-Mechanical Design:Kazutaka Miyatake...
- Motion graphics: Itsurō Sasakura, HIBIKI
- Art designs: Akihiro Hirasawa
- Color design: Kumiko Nakayama
- Color design assistant: Satoshi Takezawa
- Set director: Stanislas Brunet
- Music: Yoko KannoYoko Kannois a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements...
- Music producers: Shirō SasakiShiro Sasakiis a Japanese anime producer and music producer working for Victor Entertainment.-External links:...
, Toshiaki Ōta - Music director: Hiroshi Inoue
- Music production: flyingDOG/JVC EntertainmentVictor Entertainmentis a subsidiary of Japan Victor Company that produces and distributes music, movies and other entertainment products such as anime and television shows in Japan. It was formerly known as...
, Border Rain - Sound director: Masafumi Mima
- Sound production: Techno Sound
- Producers: Hisanori Kunisaki, Hirō Maruyama, Hirofumi Morotomi (MBS), Shin'ichi Hirai, Tsutomu Kasai
- Executive producers: Yoshimasa Ōnishi, Kazumi Kawashiro, Seiji TakedaSeiji Takedais the deputy director of Mainichi Broadcasting System's Tokyo office. Since beginning the network's 6:00pm Saturday timeblock, he has been involved in the planning and production of numerous anime, including various series from the Gundam universe, Code Geass, Blood+, Fullmetal Alchemist, Eureka...
(MBS), Michiaki Satō - Animation production: SatelightSatelightis a Japanese animation studio.-History:The studio was founded on December 1995, in Sapporo, Hokkaidō, their first project being Bit the Cupid, the world's first fully digitally-animated television series. The name Satelight consists of S for Sapporo, A for Animate, T for Technology and E for...
- Production: Big WestBig West AdvertisingBig West Advertising Co., Ltd. is a Japanese advertising agency. They are known as one of the sponsors of the Macross franchise in Japan....
, Macross F Production Committee, Mainichi Broadcasting SystemMainichi Broadcasting Systemis a broadcasting station in Osaka, Japan, affiliated with Japan Radio Network , National Radio Network , Japan News Network and TBS Network, serving in the Kansai region. MBS is also one of the major stockholders of Tokyo Broadcasting System Holdings, Inc...
Sources:
Animation
Like Macross ZeroMacross Zero
is an anime prequel OVA to The Super Dimension Fortress Macross released for the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Macross franchise during 2002 in Japan...
, many of the mechanical objects in Macross Frontier were created through computer drawn cel-shaded animation
Cel-shaded animation
Cel-shaded animation is a type of non-photorealistic rendering designed to make computer graphics appear to be hand-drawn. Cel-shading is often used to mimic the style of a comic book or cartoon. It is a somewhat recent addition to computer graphics, most commonly turning up in video games...
which allows complex objects to be more easily animated with less budget than previous traditional cel-drawn incarnations
Cel
A cel, short for celluloid, is a transparent sheet on which objects are drawn or painted for traditional, hand-drawn animation. Actual celluloid was used during the first half of the 20th century, but since it was flammable and dimensionally unstable it was largely replaced by cellulose acetate...
or Digipaint.
Reception
Macross Frontier is a popular anime in its country of origin due to the significance of it as a production celebrating the 25th anniversary of the MacrossMacross
is a series of science fiction mecha anime, directed by Shōji Kawamori of Studio Nue in 1982. The franchise features a fictional history of Earth/Humanity after the year 1999. It consists of three TV series, four movies, six OVAs, one light novel and five manga series, all sponsored by Big West...
franchise., receiving widespread reception all over Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. As a tribute to the popularity of the series, Japanese champion
Champion
A champion is the victor in a challenge, contest or competition.There can be a territorial pyramid of championships, e.g. local, regional / provincial, state, national, continental and world championships, and even further divisions at one or more of these levels, as in soccer. Their champions...
cosplay
Cosplay
, short for "costume play", is a type of performance art in which participants don costumes and accessories to represent a specific character or idea. Characters are often drawn from popular fiction in Japan, but recent trends have included American cartoons and science fiction...
kickboxer Yuichiro Nagashima
Yuichiro Nagashima
is a Japanese welterweight kickboxer, and a Cosplayer, fighting out of Nishinomiya, Hyogo, currently competing at K-1. His rank is black belt of 2nd dan of Nippon Kempo.-Early life:...
("Jienotsu") cosplayed as the character Ranka Lee during one of his tournaments and also in a promotional event for the show.
Some overseas markets are unable to import the show (for example, the United States) due to international copyright problems with the franchise. However, underground following of the show in the rest of the world is strong (through the efforts of several fansub
Fansub
A fansub is a version of a foreign film or foreign television program which has been translated by fans and subtitled into a language other than that of the original.-History:...
bers) despite the legal issues.
The first DVD volume that has been released in Japan by Bandai Visual
Bandai Visual
, is a Japanese anime, film production and distribution enterprise, established by Bandai Co., Ltd. and a subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings, Inc., which is based in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Since the reorganisation of Namco Bandai Holdings in 2006, Bandai Visual now heads the group's Visual and...
sustained a third position in the sales chart for 2 consecutive weeks, prior to its release. Namely, from 21 July 2008 to 6 August 2008. It is revealed that about 45,000 Blu-ray disks and 55,000 DVDs are shipped by Bandai Visual for the first volume of the series. This marks the highest Blu-ray Disc pressing among all Bandai Visual releases. Macross Frontier is also reported to be the first television anime series to ship simultaneously on both disc formats in Japan.
Music wise, the first opening single, "Triangular" performed by Maaya Sakamoto
Maaya Sakamoto
is a Japanese singer-songwriter, actress, and voice actress. She made her debut as a voice actress in 1992 as the voice of Chifuru in the anime series Little Twins, but is more well known for her role as Hitomi Kanzaki in the hit anime series The Vision of Escaflowne...
made the Oricon's weekly top 10 chart for all Japanese singles. "Triangular" debuted at #3 and sustained for 3 consecutive weeks before falling to #6. Similarly, the first ending single "Diamond Crevasse" performed by May'n also debuted at #3. The Original Soundtrack for the series titled, "Macross Frontier O.S.T.1 Nyan FRO" made it to #3 on Oricon
Oricon
, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc...
's next weekly chart of all albums sold in Japan. The album sold over 72,000 copies becoming the first anime album in 11 Years to rank in Japan's Top 3. The only anime album which managed to rivalled the sales of this is The End of Evangelion
The End of Evangelion
is a 1997 Japanese animated science fiction film written and directed by Hideaki Anno along with Kazuya Tsurumaki; it ended the anime releases in the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise until the Rebuild of Evangelion tetralogy remakes were announced in 2006....
soundtrack, which was first released on 26 September 1997. More recently, the second opening single "Lion", which also features the second ending theme "Northern Cross" has sold about 56,000 copies in its first week and thus reached #3 on Oricon's weekly chart for all CD singles. All four of the Macross Frontier singles that have been released have debuted at #5 or higher. This brings the total sales of the Macross Frontier CD singles to 500,000, marking the start of a "new anime song boom" in Japan.
Soundtrack (in VOCAL)
| Songs | Composer | Lyrics | Arrangement | Debut | Vocals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Gabriela Robin Gabriela Robin Gabriela Robin is a singer and lyricist, credited for lyrics and vocals on many songs composed and arranged by Yoko Kanno.She has long been rumored to be Kanno's pseudonym. Robin stated in a print interview that she was going to sing in front of an audience for the first time at Kanno's... |
Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Opening Theme, Episode 19 (ED) | Maaya Sakamoto Maaya Sakamoto is a Japanese singer-songwriter, actress, and voice actress. She made her debut as a voice actress in 1992 as the voice of Chifuru in the anime series Little Twins, but is more well known for her role as Hitomi Kanzaki in the hit anime series The Vision of Escaflowne... |
|
| Kazuhiko Kato Kazuhiko Kato Kazuhiko Kato is the name of:* Monkey Punch , manga artist and creator of Lupin III* Kazuhiko Kato , record producer and member of Sadistic Mika Band... |
Kazumi Yasui | Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Deculture edition Ending Theme, Episode 12 (ED), 18 | Megumi Nakajima Megumi Nakajima is a seiyū and singer under the Stardust Promotion talent agency. Born of a Japanese father and a Filipina mother, she was brought up in a "house filled with music" and grew up with the desire to sing. In 2003, she participated in the "Self Stardust Promotion" contest and passed, thereby... |
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| Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Gabriela Robin | Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Episode 1, 3, 7 (ED), 8, 12, 14 (Ranshe & Ranka), 18, 21, 23, 24, 25 (Ranshe) | Megumi Nakajima Megumi Nakajima is a seiyū and singer under the Stardust Promotion talent agency. Born of a Japanese father and a Filipina mother, she was brought up in a "house filled with music" and grew up with the desire to sing. In 2003, she participated in the "Self Stardust Promotion" contest and passed, thereby... , Maaya Sakamoto Maaya Sakamoto is a Japanese singer-songwriter, actress, and voice actress. She made her debut as a voice actress in 1992 as the voice of Chifuru in the anime series Little Twins, but is more well known for her role as Hitomi Kanzaki in the hit anime series The Vision of Escaflowne... (episodes 14 & 25) |
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| Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Gabriela Robin, Maaya Sakamoto Maaya Sakamoto is a Japanese singer-songwriter, actress, and voice actress. She made her debut as a voice actress in 1992 as the voice of Chifuru in the anime series Little Twins, but is more well known for her role as Hitomi Kanzaki in the hit anime series The Vision of Escaflowne... |
Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Episode 10 (ED) | Megumi Nakajima Megumi Nakajima is a seiyū and singer under the Stardust Promotion talent agency. Born of a Japanese father and a Filipina mother, she was brought up in a "house filled with music" and grew up with the desire to sing. In 2003, she participated in the "Self Stardust Promotion" contest and passed, thereby... |
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| Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
hal | Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
First Ending Theme, Episode 6, 7, 20 (ED) | May'n May Nakabayashi , born , is a Japanese J-Pop artist managed by the Horipro talent agency and under the Victor Entertainment label. She was formerly under the Universal Music label.-Career:... |
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| Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Dai Satō, hal, Maiku Sugiyama, Gabriela Robin | Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Episode 1, 7, 24 | May'n May Nakabayashi , born , is a Japanese J-Pop artist managed by the Horipro talent agency and under the Victor Entertainment label. She was formerly under the Universal Music label.-Career:... |
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| "What 'bout my star?" | Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
hal | Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Episode 1, 5 | May'n May Nakabayashi , born , is a Japanese J-Pop artist managed by the Horipro talent agency and under the Victor Entertainment label. She was formerly under the Universal Music label.-Career:... |
| Junki Kawauchi | K. Inojo | Junki Kawauchi | Episode 2 | Fire Bomber Fire Bomber Fire Bomber is a fictional rock band from the anime series Macross 7... |
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| Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Shōji Kawamori Shoji Kawamori is a Japanese anime creator, screenwriter and mechanical designer, having created or co-created such notable series as The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, The Vision of Escaflowne, Earth Maiden Arjuna, Genesis of Aquarion, Macross 7, and Macross Frontier. He is currently executive director at the... |
Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Episode 4 | SMS Platoon | |
| Kentarō Haneda | Akane Asa | Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... , Hisaaki Hogari |
Episode 4 | Megumi Nakajima Megumi Nakajima is a seiyū and singer under the Stardust Promotion talent agency. Born of a Japanese father and a Filipina mother, she was brought up in a "house filled with music" and grew up with the desire to sing. In 2003, she participated in the "Self Stardust Promotion" contest and passed, thereby... |
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| "What 'bout my star?@Formo" | Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
hal | Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Episode 5 (Ranka), 15 (Sheryl & Ranka), 19 (Ranka) | May'n May Nakabayashi , born , is a Japanese J-Pop artist managed by the Horipro talent agency and under the Victor Entertainment label. She was formerly under the Universal Music label.-Career:... , Megumi Nakajima Megumi Nakajima is a seiyū and singer under the Stardust Promotion talent agency. Born of a Japanese father and a Filipina mother, she was brought up in a "house filled with music" and grew up with the desire to sing. In 2003, she participated in the "Self Stardust Promotion" contest and passed, thereby... |
| Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Hiroshi Ichikura | Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Episode 5 | Ichiro Dokugawa | |
| Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Yūho Iwasato Yuho Iwasato is a Japanese songwriter, for which many of her songs have been used in anime. She is also known by another pen name of Mio Iwasato. In addition, she has written lyrics for some Japanese singers including Maaya Sakamoto, Miki Imai and many others. She is known to be a close friend of Miki Imai,... |
Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Episode 7 ("Infinity #7" version), 15 | May'n May Nakabayashi , born , is a Japanese J-Pop artist managed by the Horipro talent agency and under the Victor Entertainment label. She was formerly under the Universal Music label.-Career:... , Megumi Nakajima Megumi Nakajima is a seiyū and singer under the Stardust Promotion talent agency. Born of a Japanese father and a Filipina mother, she was brought up in a "house filled with music" and grew up with the desire to sing. In 2003, she participated in the "Self Stardust Promotion" contest and passed, thereby... |
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| Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Hiroshi Ichikura | Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Episode 8 | Megumi Nakajima Megumi Nakajima is a seiyū and singer under the Stardust Promotion talent agency. Born of a Japanese father and a Filipina mother, she was brought up in a "house filled with music" and grew up with the desire to sing. In 2003, she participated in the "Self Stardust Promotion" contest and passed, thereby... |
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| Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Hiroshi Ichikura | Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Episode 9, 11 (ED), 12 | Megumi Nakajima Megumi Nakajima is a seiyū and singer under the Stardust Promotion talent agency. Born of a Japanese father and a Filipina mother, she was brought up in a "house filled with music" and grew up with the desire to sing. In 2003, she participated in the "Self Stardust Promotion" contest and passed, thereby... |
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| Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Hiroyuki Yoshino | Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Episode 1 (Lynn Minmay), 11 & 15 (Ranka Lee) | Mari Iijima Mari Iijima is a Japanese singer-songwriter who has released over 20 original albums to date. She writes and produces most of her own music, is a multi-instrumentalist, and is an accomplished piano player. After being signed to JVC Victor in 1982, Mari first became known for her voice-acting role as Lynn... , Megumi Nakajima Megumi Nakajima is a seiyū and singer under the Stardust Promotion talent agency. Born of a Japanese father and a Filipina mother, she was brought up in a "house filled with music" and grew up with the desire to sing. In 2003, she participated in the "Self Stardust Promotion" contest and passed, thereby... |
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| Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Takashi Matsumoto | Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Episode 12, 15, 17 (OP), 18, 19 | Megumi Nakajima Megumi Nakajima is a seiyū and singer under the Stardust Promotion talent agency. Born of a Japanese father and a Filipina mother, she was brought up in a "house filled with music" and grew up with the desire to sing. In 2003, she participated in the "Self Stardust Promotion" contest and passed, thereby... |
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| "Welcome To My Fan Club's Night!" | Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
hal | Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Episode 15 | May'n May Nakabayashi , born , is a Japanese J-Pop artist managed by the Horipro talent agency and under the Victor Entertainment label. She was formerly under the Universal Music label.-Career:... |
| "Diamond Crevasse 50/50" | Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
hal | Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Episode 15 | May'n May Nakabayashi , born , is a Japanese J-Pop artist managed by the Horipro talent agency and under the Victor Entertainment label. She was formerly under the Universal Music label.-Career:... & Megumi Nakajima Megumi Nakajima is a seiyū and singer under the Stardust Promotion talent agency. Born of a Japanese father and a Filipina mother, she was brought up in a "house filled with music" and grew up with the desire to sing. In 2003, she participated in the "Self Stardust Promotion" contest and passed, thereby... |
| "Aimo O.C." | Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Gabriela Robin, Maaya Sakamoto | Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Episode 16, 20 | Megumi Nakajima Megumi Nakajima is a seiyū and singer under the Stardust Promotion talent agency. Born of a Japanese father and a Filipina mother, she was brought up in a "house filled with music" and grew up with the desire to sing. In 2003, she participated in the "Self Stardust Promotion" contest and passed, thereby... |
| Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Yūho Iwasato, Gabriela Robin | Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
2nd Ending Theme (First appear in Episode 16), 22, 25 | May'n May Nakabayashi , born , is a Japanese J-Pop artist managed by the Horipro talent agency and under the Victor Entertainment label. She was formerly under the Universal Music label.-Career:... |
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| "MY SOUL FOR YOU" | Yoshiki Fukuyama Yoshiki Fukuyama , born September 14, 1963, is a Japanese guitarist, singer and songwriter. He originally became known on an international level for his work in the anime Macross 7 where he was the singing voice and guitar of the show's main character, Basara Nekki... |
K. Inojo | Junki Kawauchi | Episode 17 | Fire Bomber Fire Bomber Fire Bomber is a fictional rock band from the anime series Macross 7... |
| "TRY AGAIN" | Yoshiki Fukuyama Yoshiki Fukuyama , born September 14, 1963, is a Japanese guitarist, singer and songwriter. He originally became known on an international level for his work in the anime Macross 7 where he was the singing voice and guitar of the show's main character, Basara Nekki... |
K. Inojo | Yasuyuki Tanaka | Episode 17 | Fire Bomber Fire Bomber Fire Bomber is a fictional rock band from the anime series Macross 7... |
| Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Gabriela Robin | Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
2nd Opening Theme (First appear in Episode 18) | May'n May Nakabayashi , born , is a Japanese J-Pop artist managed by the Horipro talent agency and under the Victor Entertainment label. She was formerly under the Universal Music label.-Career:... & Megumi Nakajima Megumi Nakajima is a seiyū and singer under the Stardust Promotion talent agency. Born of a Japanese father and a Filipina mother, she was brought up in a "house filled with music" and grew up with the desire to sing. In 2003, she participated in the "Self Stardust Promotion" contest and passed, thereby... |
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| Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
hal | Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Episode 20 | May'n May Nakabayashi , born , is a Japanese J-Pop artist managed by the Horipro talent agency and under the Victor Entertainment label. She was formerly under the Universal Music label.-Career:... |
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| Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Maaya Sakamoto Maaya Sakamoto is a Japanese singer-songwriter, actress, and voice actress. She made her debut as a voice actress in 1992 as the voice of Chifuru in the anime series Little Twins, but is more well known for her role as Hitomi Kanzaki in the hit anime series The Vision of Escaflowne... |
Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Episode 21 (ED) | Megumi Nakajima Megumi Nakajima is a seiyū and singer under the Stardust Promotion talent agency. Born of a Japanese father and a Filipina mother, she was brought up in a "house filled with music" and grew up with the desire to sing. In 2003, she participated in the "Self Stardust Promotion" contest and passed, thereby... |
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| Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Anju Mana | Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Episode 19, 20, 25 | Megumi Nakajima Megumi Nakajima is a seiyū and singer under the Stardust Promotion talent agency. Born of a Japanese father and a Filipina mother, she was brought up in a "house filled with music" and grew up with the desire to sing. In 2003, she participated in the "Self Stardust Promotion" contest and passed, thereby... |
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| Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Anju Mana, Gabriela Robin | Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Episode 22 | May'n May Nakabayashi , born , is a Japanese J-Pop artist managed by the Horipro talent agency and under the Victor Entertainment label. She was formerly under the Universal Music label.-Career:... |
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| "Ai Oboete Imasu ka ~ bless the little queen" | Kazuhiko Kato Kazuhiko Kato Kazuhiko Kato is the name of:* Monkey Punch , manga artist and creator of Lupin III* Kazuhiko Kato , record producer and member of Sadistic Mika Band... |
Kazumi Yasui | Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Episode 24, 25 | Megumi Nakajima Megumi Nakajima is a seiyū and singer under the Stardust Promotion talent agency. Born of a Japanese father and a Filipina mother, she was brought up in a "house filled with music" and grew up with the desire to sing. In 2003, she participated in the "Self Stardust Promotion" contest and passed, thereby... |
| Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Gabriela Robin, Yūho Iwasato, Dai Satō, hal, Kazumi Yasui | Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Episode 25 | May'n May Nakabayashi , born , is a Japanese J-Pop artist managed by the Horipro talent agency and under the Victor Entertainment label. She was formerly under the Universal Music label.-Career:... , Megumi Nakajima Megumi Nakajima is a seiyū and singer under the Stardust Promotion talent agency. Born of a Japanese father and a Filipina mother, she was brought up in a "house filled with music" and grew up with the desire to sing. In 2003, she participated in the "Self Stardust Promotion" contest and passed, thereby... & Maaya Sakamoto Maaya Sakamoto is a Japanese singer-songwriter, actress, and voice actress. She made her debut as a voice actress in 1992 as the voice of Chifuru in the anime series Little Twins, but is more well known for her role as Hitomi Kanzaki in the hit anime series The Vision of Escaflowne... |
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| "Triangular (fight on stage)" | Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Gabriela Robin | Yoko Kanno Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements... |
Episode 25 (ED) | May'n May Nakabayashi , born , is a Japanese J-Pop artist managed by the Horipro talent agency and under the Victor Entertainment label. She was formerly under the Universal Music label.-Career:... & Megumi Nakajima Megumi Nakajima is a seiyū and singer under the Stardust Promotion talent agency. Born of a Japanese father and a Filipina mother, she was brought up in a "house filled with music" and grew up with the desire to sing. In 2003, she participated in the "Self Stardust Promotion" contest and passed, thereby... |
Radio Macross
Radio Macross is a radio program, based on Macross Frontier, which was first broadcast on Bunka HōsōNippon Cultural Broadcasting
is a Japanese radio station in Tokyo which broadcasts to the Kanto area. It is one of the two flagship radio stations of National Radio Network and also has a relationship with JOLF and Fuji Television....
and MBS Radio on January 3, 2008. It has featured Megumi Nakajima
Megumi Nakajima
is a seiyū and singer under the Stardust Promotion talent agency. Born of a Japanese father and a Filipina mother, she was brought up in a "house filled with music" and grew up with the desire to sing. In 2003, she participated in the "Self Stardust Promotion" contest and passed, thereby...
and Kenta Miyake
Kenta Miyake
is a Japanese voice actor who is affiliated with 81 Produce.He is known for his unusually low voice .After the death of Hirotaka Suzuoki in 2006, Kenta took over the role of Giovanni during Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. He has since expanded this role into the new series, Pokemon Best Wishes...
, voice actors for the characters Ranka Lee and Bobby Margot, as hosts.
Macross Fufonfia
Macross Fufonfia is a series of flashAdobe Flash
Adobe Flash is a multimedia platform used to add animation, video, and interactivity to web pages. Flash is frequently used for advertisements, games and flash animations for broadcast...
-based 90-second promotional shorts developed by Satelight
Satelight
is a Japanese animation studio.-History:The studio was founded on December 1995, in Sapporo, Hokkaidō, their first project being Bit the Cupid, the world's first fully digitally-animated television series. The name Satelight consists of S for Sapporo, A for Animate, T for Technology and E for...
and sponsored by Mainichi Broadcasting System
Mainichi Broadcasting System
is a broadcasting station in Osaka, Japan, affiliated with Japan Radio Network , National Radio Network , Japan News Network and TBS Network, serving in the Kansai region. MBS is also one of the major stockholders of Tokyo Broadcasting System Holdings, Inc...
where characters from Macross Frontier are portrayed as office ladies
Office lady
An office lady, often abbreviated OL , is a female office worker in Japan who performs generally pink collar tasks such as serving tea and secretarial or clerical work. Like many unmarried Japanese, OLs often live with their parents well into early adulthood...
and employees at the "Frontier Software Company". While not exactly standard anime, more a sort of paper cut-out animation, these ONA
Original Net Animation
An original net animation is an anime that is directly released onto the Internet. ONAs may also have been aired on television if they were first directly released on the Internet. The name mirrors original video animation, a term that has been used in the anime industry for straight-to-video...
shorts are a fun spoof of the original series intended to promote the show. The series was aired in 2007 and featured 20 episodes.
Cosplayer Frontier
Cosplayer Frontier is a Japanese AV (Adult VideoPornographic movie
Pornographic films are motion pictures with the purpose of promoting sexual arousal in the viewer, often featuring depictions of sexual activity. They are sold and rented out on DVD, shown through Internet and special channels and pay-per-view on cable and satellite, and in adult...
) set in the Macross
Macross
is a series of science fiction mecha anime, directed by Shōji Kawamori of Studio Nue in 1982. The franchise features a fictional history of Earth/Humanity after the year 1999. It consists of three TV series, four movies, six OVAs, one light novel and five manga series, all sponsored by Big West...
universe and sponsored by Big West Advertising
Big West Advertising
Big West Advertising Co., Ltd. is a Japanese advertising agency. They are known as one of the sponsors of the Macross franchise in Japan....
where the two female protagonists cosplay as the two main female characters (Ranka Lee and Sheryl Nome) from the Macross Frontier TV series. It was released on April 24, 2009 by AV maker company TMA.
Macross Frontier The Movie: The False Songstress
A theatrical version of the Macross Frontier television anime series was announced in Japan during the broadcast of the 25th and final episode Your Sound ("Anata no Oto") on September 25, 2008. According to interviews with Shōji KawamoriShoji Kawamori
is a Japanese anime creator, screenwriter and mechanical designer, having created or co-created such notable series as The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, The Vision of Escaflowne, Earth Maiden Arjuna, Genesis of Aquarion, Macross 7, and Macross Frontier. He is currently executive director at the...
the movie was to be an adaptation of the story from the T.V. series. Japanese anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
magazine Animedia had originally announced that the film was to be released during the summer of 2009. Other reports later placed the premiere in the fall of 2009. That report was confirmed by an itasha
Itasha
, literally "painmobile", is a Japanese term for an otaku fad of individuals decorating the bodies of their cars with fictional characters of anime, manga, or video games . These characters are predominately "cute" female. The decorations usually involve paint schemes and stickers...
(vehicle decorated with character art) mini-van outside the "Macross: The Super Dimension Space Launching Ceremony" event that took place on February 22, 2009 in Japan. However, at that point, the creator Shoji Kawamori
Shoji Kawamori
is a Japanese anime creator, screenwriter and mechanical designer, having created or co-created such notable series as The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, The Vision of Escaflowne, Earth Maiden Arjuna, Genesis of Aquarion, Macross 7, and Macross Frontier. He is currently executive director at the...
and the cast members Yuuichi Nakamura (Alto Saotome), Aya Endo (Sheryl Nome), and Megumi Nakajima (Ranka Lee) noted on the actual event, that the new date and the title were still subjected to changes.
The theatrical film adaptation of the Macross Frontier opened in Japan on November 21, 2009 under the name . The Kadokawa Cineplex and Shochiku Multiplex theaters' websites revealed the title and date, and the second issue of Kadokawa Shoten's Macross Ace magazine eventually published the details on June 26, 2009. The teaser trailer for the film premiered in Japanese theaters on June 27, 2009 (the same day ticket pre-sale began in Japan). The first movie retells the events of the anime from episodes 1 to 13 with significant alterations to the story and timeline of the television series.
A Blu-ray Disc release of the movie, titled Macross Frontier The Movie: The False Songstress Hybrid Pack was released on October 7, 2010. The Blu-ray release contains the Blu-ray jacket, the hybrid disc, a 48-page artwork booklet, a theatrical release archive, and a card that contains the movie frames. There is also a code that allows you to get into a lucky draw where you stand a chance to attend the Macross F Christmas Live event. A PS3 game titled "Macross Trial Frontier" is included in the Hybrid Pack, it can be played when the disc is in the PlayStation 3. A DVD was also released on the same day.
Macross Frontier The Movie: The Wings of Goodbye
The official website of the Macross Frontier anime series has confirmed that there will be two theatrical Macross Frontier films. While the first film will re-edit the story of the television series with new footage, the second film, titled , which will be based also on the Macross Frontier TV series, will act as a sequel to the 2009 film, including a new story and new music. In the Macross Frontier Girasama Festival, the movie's release date is confirmed to be on February 26, 2011. Despite the fact that the movie adapts the remaining episodes of the anime series, it features an original story. The story features the rise of Ranka Lee and failing health of Sheryl Nome and their relationship Alto as war against the Vajra continues. The film's ending alternates from resolution of the television show, which leaves the story open-ended.BluRay and DVD editions of the movie was released by Bandai Namco Games on October 20, 2011. The BluRay version is still a Hybrid Pack, the same as the first movie released in BluRay. A PS3 game titled "Macross Last Frontier" is included in the Hybrid Pack, and it can be played when the disc is in the PlayStation 3.
Macross F Galaxy Tour Final in Budokan
In November 2008, a live concert of Macross Frontier's music was performed by May'n, Megumi Nakajima, and Yoko Kanno. A video recording of the concert was released in November 2009, and is available on DVD and Blu-ray Disc.All That VF - Macross 25th Anniversary Air Show (Frontier Edition)
Coinciding with both the 25th Anniversary of Macross and the Blu-ray releases of volume one of both Macross ZeroMacross Zero
is an anime prequel OVA to The Super Dimension Fortress Macross released for the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Macross franchise during 2002 in Japan...
and Macross Frontier, the official website of Macross Frontier posted two newly animated short films featuring Air Show style demonstrations for both series. People who purchased the first pressings of either Macross Zero or Macross Frontier received a unique code to enter into the website and therefore be able to watch the short film of the respective anime.
The mecha featured in the Macross Frontier version of the Air Show featured the VF-171
VF-17 Nightmare
The VF-17 Nightmare is a fictional variable fighter from the anime television series Macross 7 and Macross Frontier. This fictional variable fighter mecha was created by mechanical designer Shoji Kawamori.-Fictional History:...
, the VB-6 König Monster and different variants of the VF-25 Messiah
VF-25 Messiah
The VF-25 Messiah is a fictional space-capable variable fighter, seen in the anime Macross Frontier of the Macross series. The craft was developed on board the space colonization fleet Macross Frontier from the YF-24 Evolution prototype whose blueprint was delivered via the Galaxy Network...
, including three unique colour schemes for the VF-25.
The first variant of the VF-25 which first seen in the montage at the beginning of the clip features a white frame with red stripes on the wings and along the back of the fuselage with two gold strips running through the length of the fuselage and red tail fins. The words "VF-25 Messiah" are printed in gold lettering under the cockpit and on the wings, as are the words "25th Anniversary" which are printed on either side of the legs which form the jet engines. The emblem of the Macross 25th Anniversary is printed on either side of the tail fins.
The second and third variants of the VF-25 seen towards the end of the clip are both entirely violet with white strips going the length of the fuselage. One features an image of Sheryl Nome on the back of the Valkyrie, while the other features an image of Ranka Lee in the same area. Both feature the "VF-25 Messiah" and "25th Anniversary" on the same places as the other VF-25 with the Anniversary colour scheme. They both also have the 25th Anniversary emblem printed on their tail fins.
Three Valkyries that were not featured flying in Macross Frontier also make a cameo appearance. These include the VF-1 Valkyrie
VF-1 Valkyrie
This article is about a fictional vehicle; for the fighter squadron see VF-1.In the fictional Macross Japanese anime series and its English adaptation Robotech, the first mass-produced variable fighter or veritech fighter is called the VF-1 Valkyrie.-Background:The VF-1 was created by the...
in a similar colour scheme to the VF-25s which featured Sheryl Nome and Ranka Lee (minus the characters, but also including the "25th Anniversary" text and emblem) and both the YF-19 and YF-21 from Macross Plus
Macross Plus
is a four-episode anime OVA and theatrical movie in the Macross series. It was the first sequel to the original Macross television series that took place in the official timeline...
in their original colour schemes.
The music track for this clip was a track from Macross Frontier titled "Welcome To My Fan Club's Night!" which was performed by May'n
May Nakabayashi
, born , is a Japanese J-Pop artist managed by the Horipro talent agency and under the Victor Entertainment label. She was formerly under the Universal Music label.-Career:...
and composed by Yoko Kanno
Yoko Kanno
is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements...
.
External links
- Official Website @ MBS
- Macross Frontier Official PV @ Bandai Channel (1Mbit/s)
- Macross Frontier entry at the Macross Compendium
- Macross Mecha Manual A website profiling the fictional vehicles of the Macross series
- Oricon