2016-01-08

Macross Delta - First Impression

The preview episode of Macross Delta aired in Japan January.  Given that it won't be reaching North America's the only choice is through the fansub network.  I will say the subgroup that did the copy I watched took a few liberties with their translation, but what ever.

    The series takes place as humanity has been expanding into the cosmo's for 50 years.  Current frontier pioneers are facing a new indisious enemy.  A infectious desease known as Vars.  Vars takes over a host body and drives them irrational and insane, think Space Bath Salts.  Luckily a weapon has been found to fight against the influence of Vars...songs sung by the military idol group Walkure.


    The story begins with a country bumpkin girl who has stowed away on a cargo ship in her bid to audition to join Walkure.  Unfortunately her ride stops at a different planet and she is discovered.  A recently fired dock worker decides to show pity on her and helps to get her on her way.  The attempt at continued travel is halted as an outbreak of Vars infects a Zentradi base, causing them to begin attacking the city.

    Fortunately for EVERYONE Wakure happened to be on site and instantly gears up for musical combat along with their veritech support crew, Delta Squad.  The members of Wakure deploy their voices and what can only be described as mechanical magical defenses to defend the innocent populace and suppress the Vars infection.  Things go well until an unknown enemy invades the planets air space and disrupts the efforts.  This unknown menace is focused on destrying the life saving pop idol group for unknown reasons.


    There was an amount of disappointment in this preview episode and bodes an ill omen for how Delta will pan out.  I have been mulling the things I dislike with Macross.  With every TV series I always start to loose interest in the story as it nears the ending in which the idol wins the day with her song.  I think the reason Plus and Zero are my favorite Macross titles is partially in their length and lack of fatigue.  In all of the TV series of this live long beloved anime I stop enjoying the last 20% of the story.

    Delta seems to cut to the chase and start out by being ultimately an idol story, which when it comes down to it, ever Macross is.  What makes it more disappointing to me is the presentation of the idols in Walkure as almost mechanical magical girls, complete with magical transformation sequences and 'spells'.  The Walkure, with the armored support of the Delta squadron blend classic and excellent fast paced mecha combat and the most noxious idol trends currently around.


    The episode ended with the idol crap being pushed to the side as a group of insurgents arrive with the goal of wiping them out.  I have deep rooted fears that this series will be as horrible for me as 7 was but there may be a saving grace with the new plot development at the very end.  Time will tell as the series begins in April.  I don't harbor high hopes for the series though and might not even watch it till the very painful ending.  I wonder if the shadow lords of Harmony Gold are laughing at this joke of a Macross series?


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