In episode 10 of Macross Frontier, Ranka and Alto take part in a movie production based on the legendary story of Shin Kudou, Sara Nome and Mao Nome and the events surrounding them that took place over half a century ago on Earth, leading up to the beginning of the first human-alien war.

Here are some comparisons between the adaptation and the original story as told in Macross Zero.

Spoilers ahead.

Format

[ Macross Frontier ]
[ Macross Zero ]
Weak attempts at humour

First meeting

Shin Kudou is a downed UN F-14 pilot who wakes up to find himself in a Mayan island surrounded by villagers who all miraculously speak perfect Japanese. Sara is the village’s priestess and Mao is her sister.

Fifty years later: The dude in the background aged gracefully

Shin wasn’t such a wimpy noob

Sara was way hotter than that bimbo

Mayan mating ritual

She’s admiring his piece

Episode 10 saved billions by reusing all the backgrounds

Mao did not receive as much focus… :(

The Bird Human

The Mayan’s oral tradition speaks of Bird Humans who came down to Earth in ancient times and gave birth to mankind. It turns out that this legend is to be a key component in the war between the United Nations and the Anti-UN, and eventually that between mankind and the Zentradi giants.

Mao > Ranka

I swear I didn’t just post the same picture twice…

Shin > Alto

The final goodbye

The descendants of the Bird Humans possess in their genes a special affinity with nature and alien technology, and their powers can be channelled and manifested through songs.

It’s the exact same footage

A perfection re-enactment…

Poor Mao never got the respect she deserved (though I prefer Sara)

Lazy animators

Or shall I say, reanimators? (That was awful)

The verdict

While Ranka’s AIMO is a pretty good song, I still prefer Sara’s ARKAN. It has a more mythical feel.

Also, Ranka seems to be related to Mao Nome in some way (granddaughter?), judging by Ozma’s reaction in episode 10. Now consider the fact that Sheryl shares her last name with the Nome siblings, perhaps Ranka and Sheryl are in fact related.

And oh, I warned you about spoilers didn’t I?

Awesome

I’m looking forward to more self-referential cost-saving footages in future Macross Frontier episodes. It’s a pity that episode 11 will only air on 19th June.