A thorough analysis of the emotion and excitement of the movie Macross F: The Wings of Goodbye!

Macross F: The Wings of Goodbye - Review and Recommendation

overview

"Macross Frontier: The Movie - The Wings of Goodbye" is an anime film released on February 26, 2011, and is the final installment of the "Macross Frontier" series directed by Shoji Kawamori. The story is set in the galaxy in the year 2059, and depicts the immigrant fleet "Macross Frontier" fighting against the unknown lifeforms "Vajra." It features dramatic scenes and spectacular battles between the protagonist Alto Saotome and the two singers, Sheryl Nome and Ranka Lee.

story

In the year 2059, the immigrant fleet "Macross Frontier", sailing through the galaxy in search of a new world, is attacked by the unknown heavy armored lifeform "Vajra". However, the fighting is ended by the life-or-death struggle of the SMS and the power of the two singers, Sheryl and Ranka. A few months later, between Ranka Lee, who is racing to become a star, and Sheryl Nome, who is aiming for the top despite her premonition of death, Saotome Alto has grown as a Valkyrie pilot. However, the peaceful daily life that seemed eternal will not last long. When the shadow of a conspiracy begins to move, the singer's secret, and the desire of people who are after the power of the Vajra cover the fleet, Saotome Alto's wings, which connect the two singers, soar into the sky of battle along with their singing voices...!

Commentary

Original story and director is Shoji Kawamori. This is the second and final movie of the smash hit "Macross F". It depicts the feelings of the protagonist Alto, who is torn between two different types of singers, Sheryl and Ranka, in the midst of a fierce battle that shakes the galaxy. Highlights include completely new, beautiful and gorgeous live performance scenes using digital technology and ultra-fast battle scenes. The story development and love conclusion, which are different from the TV series, will keep you glued to the screen until the end. In the climax, Alto, trying to find his answer amidst a conspiracy involving the space lifeforms Vajra and Fold Quartz, flies through the air in a new Valkyrie to the passionate singing of the two heroines, is burned with the passion of youth that everyone can relate to. It is a masterpiece packed with entertainment elements (anime critic Ryusuke Hikawa).

cast

• Alto Saotome: Yuichi Nakamura
• Sheryl Nome: Aya Endo
• Ranka Lee: Megumi Nakajima
• Ozma Lee: Katsuyuki Konishi
• Michael Brand: Hiroshi Kamiya
• Luca Angeloni: Jun Fukuyama
• Clan Clan: Megumi Toyoguchi
• Brera Stern: Soichiro Hoshi
• Bobby Margo: Kenta Miyake
• Catherine Glass: Sanae Kobayashi
• Grace O'Connor: Kikuko Inoue
• Leon Mishima: Tomokazu Sugita

Main Staff

• Original author: Shoji Kawamori, Studio Nue
• Director: Shoji Kawamori
• Assistant Director: Eiichi Sato
• Screenplay: Hiroyuki Yoshino, Shoji Kawamori
• Character design: Risa Ebata, Yuichi Takahashi
• Mechanical design: Junya Ishigaki, Takeshi Takakura
• Valkyrie Design: Shoji Kawamori
• Mechanical art: Hidetaka Tenjin
• CG Chief Director: Hiroshi Yagishita
• Color design: Kumiko Nakayama
• Art director: Shunichiro Yoshihara (Biho)
• Music: Yoko Kanno
• Sound Director: Masafumi Mima
• Produced by: Satellite
• Produced by Big West, Macross F Movie Production Committee

Main Characters

• Alto Saotome: A high school student attending the pilot training course at Bisei Academy High School. A young man who is mistaken for a woman. Due to a feud with his father, he was aiming to become a Valkyrie pilot, but after the Vajra attack, he decided to join the "SMS".
• Sheryl Nome: A top idol from the Macross Galaxy fleet. She is a woman with a particularly high sense of pride, perhaps due to her beauty and outstanding singing ability. She is so popular that it is said, "There is not a day that goes by in this galaxy that goes by without hearing Sheryl's song."
• Ranka Lee: A high school student at a girls' high school. Ozma's younger sister. A big fan of Sheryl, she is a cheerful girl. She works part-time at the Chinese restaurant "Nyan Nyan". She has loved singing since she was a child and dreams of becoming a singer.
• Ozma Lee: Skull Platoon Leader of the private special military organization "SMS". He was once a member of the New United Nations Army, so he has plenty of combat experience. He is very sweet towards his younger sister Ranka. Although he seems a bit careless, he also has a strict side when it comes to missions.
• Michael Blanc: A high school student attending the pilot training course at Mihoshi Academy High School. A young man who cannot help but flirt with any woman he sees. He is a good rival of Alto, and is the one who gave her the nickname "Princess Alto". He has excellent shooting skills.
• Luca Angeloni: A high school student attending the pilot training course at Bisei Gakuen High School. A young man who is a junior to Alto and the others. He often gets flustered among the troublesome seniors. However, he is a genius when it comes to handling computers and military electronic equipment.

Review

"Macross F: The Movie - The Wings of Goodbye" is a work that fully displays the talents of director Shoji Kawamori, providing overwhelming entertainment both visually and aurally. The growth and conflicts of Saotome Alto, who is at the center of the story, are depicted as a symbol of youth, evoking deep sympathy from the audience. In addition, the presence of the two singers, Sheryl and Ranka, adds rich color to the story, and their singing voices are an important element of the film. In particular, Sheryl's "Diamond Crevasse" and Ranka's "Interstellar Flight" deeply move the viewers' hearts.

The depiction of the battle scenes is also superb, with the transformation of Valkyrie and the battle with the Vajra showing the evolution of CG technology. The scenes where the beauty of Director Shoji Kawamori's mechanical design and Yoko Kanno's music come together are the highlights of the film. The story also differs from the TV series in that it delves into the relationships and inner thoughts of the characters from a new perspective. This makes it enjoyable for both existing fans and new viewers.

However, the real appeal of this work lies in the balance between human drama and epic scale. Audiences are deeply moved by Alto's torn feelings between Sheryl and Ranka, the power of their singing voices, and the answers he finds as he fights against the conspiracy. In particular, Alto's decision at the climax and the singing voices of the two singers are moments that everyone can relate to, symbolizing the passion and hope of youth.

Recommendation

"Macross F: The Wings of Goodbye" is a work that can be recommended not only to sci-fi anime fans, but also to anyone who loves music and human drama. It is especially a must-see for those who like stories that depict the struggles and growth of youth. It is also highly recommended for those who enjoy beautiful visuals and music. Furthermore, it is enjoyable even if you have not seen the TV series, opening the door to a new audience.

We highly recommend watching this movie in an environment with good acoustics. Sheryl and Ranka's singing voices are an important element of the movie, and you can feel their beauty and strength to the fullest. The sound also enhances the impact of the battle scenes, so it is best to watch it in a movie theater or home theater.

Also, if you want to know more about the background and characters of the movie, I recommend watching the TV series "Macross F". The TV series depicts the character growth and relationships in more depth, which will make you enjoy the movie even more. In addition, please check out other works by director Shoji Kawamori, such as "Macross Plus" and "Macross Zero". These works also feature beautiful mechanical designs and deep human drama, which will help you further understand the appeal of "Macross F: The Movie - The Wings of Goodbye".

Conclusion

"Macross F: The Movie - The Wings of Goodbye" is a masterpiece packed with the talent and passion of director Shoji Kawamori. This work, which combines a grand scale with deep human drama, beautiful visuals and music, will leave a strong impression on the audience. Please watch this movie and experience the story of Saotome Alto and the two divas. It will be a work that will stay in your heart.