Macross Plus
Synopsis — from MyAnimeList
The year is 2040 and the galaxy is flourishing with several colonies and advanced technology. AI is near perfection and the current top idol is the near-completed Virturoid Idol Sharon Apple. All that is missing are her actual feelings, which instead are supplied by Myung Fang Lone. Sharon's debut concert is on planet Eden, where at the same time, fighter pilots Isamu Dyson and Guld Bowman battle over air superiority for the "Supernova Project." Isamu, Guld and Myung were once childhood friends, but after an accident seven years ago, they went their own separate ways. With Myung back in the picture, the old disputes are once again awakened. And when an unstable and illegal AI technique is installed in Sharon, the situation is worsened.
Audience Consensus
Macross Plus is widely praised for its stunning animation, direction, and Yoko Kanno's iconic soundtrack, marking it as a technical and artistic achievement. However, opinions are sharply divided on its characters, with many finding them unlikable and the central romance drama flawed or underdeveloped, leading to a significant split in audience reception despite its technical merits.
Strengths
- Groundbreaking animation and visual design for its time, with fluid mecha and aerial combat sequences.
- Masterful soundtrack by Yoko Kanno, deeply integrated with the narrative and emotional impact.
- Mature and complex themes, including the nature of AI versus human consciousness and the psychological toll of trauma.
- Exceptional cinematic direction and pacing, particularly in action sequences and concert scenes.
Weaknesses
- Characterization is divisive, with many finding the main protagonists unlikable, selfish, or poorly motivated.
- The plot execution and pacing are criticized, with some feeling it meanders until a strong final episode.
- The love triangle and character relationship drama are seen by some as weak, underdeveloped, or overshadowed by other elements.
- Some feel it deviates too much from core Macross elements, particularly the lack of emphasis on aliens and space opera.