AKA: N/A

Genre: Sci-fi drama with mecha

Length: OAV, 4 episodes, 45 minutes each

Distributor: Currently licensed by Anime Limited, also available streaming on Disney Plus.

Content Rating: PG-13 (violence, adult situations, profanity, nudity)

Related Series: Macross

Also Recommended:

Notes:

Rating:

Macross Plus

Synopsis

Dedicated to all future pioneers ...

It really is a small world after all. Isamu Dyson, a hot-shot Valkyrie pilot, finally got the job of his dreams -- being the test pilot for a highly experimental aircraft to compete against another company's design. The first day of his job on planet Eden, though, he finds out that the test pilot working for the opposition is none other than cool-as-ice Guld Bowman, Isamu's once-friend-now-bitter-rival. Isamu and Guld had always tried to one-up each other in everything, whether it be in flying skills, bravery ... or for the heart of Myung Fan Lone, their old classmate. Coincidentally enough, Myung is also on Eden as the manager for Sharon Apple -- the galaxy's most popular virtual pop-singer.

Tensions get high (I mean _really_ high) as the old rivalry and hatred between Isamu and Guld begins to fester with every move. It doesn't help one bit, either, when a breakthrough in artificial intelligence threatens to forever change the way Valkyries will be piloted ... or the way songs will be listened to ...

Review

Now _this_ is what Macross is all about. Macross Plus takes everything central to the Macross series and makes it all fit together in a way that's completely new and yet completely familiar at the same time. The mecha, the infamous love triangle, the power of a song...Macross Plus does it all, and does it all _right_.

The series is nearly flawless in all technical aspects. The art is gorgeous (look! anime characters with _noses_!), and the animation is of a fluid detail that must be seen to be believed. Anyone who thinks that computer graphics don't have a place in animation will become an instant believer after seeing the seamless fusion of computer and hand-rendered art. Some of the best flying-action scenes _ever_ can be found in this series. The symphonic soundtrack is as good as any Hollywood production out there with its heroic anthems, tense tremelos, and pensive ballads. From the evocative and ethereal "Voices" to the sinister "Santi-U," each track and song will whisk you along the emotions of the scenes.

The plot, though, is where this title really shines. The story thoroughly explores themes of friendship, rivalry, and spoiled relationships in a way that makes the non-action scenes just as gripping, if not more, as the mecha battles. These characters are real, flaws and all, and you'll find that you really won't know just who to root for. Everything keeps building on itself, and each volume just makes the story more interesting until the explosive ending. And what an ending it is...

In my opinion, if you're only going to watch one mecha anime, Macross Plus is the way to go. A masterpiece.

— Raphael See

Recommended Audience: Macross Plus is much more adult-oriented than its predecessors. Mature themes can be found throughout the work, and there are some adult references inappropriate for young audiences. Some profanity present, as well as some inexplicable nudity on the part of Sharon Apple. There's also a portrayal of sexual assault.