You only researched on post-World War II Japanese military, but you have overlooked the former Imperial Japanese military rank structure from 1931-1945. You should have gone to the links to the former Imperial Japanese Army and Navy in my first post and read the info.
So Kudou's rank is shoui? And then Shousa must be Focker's rank. Both the Japan's Imperial Navy and Imperial Army have the same rank structure as each other, unlike the Japan ground, maritime and air Self-defense Forces.
shoui is equivalent to both ensign and second lieutenant. Chuui is equated to both navy lieutenant (j.g) and army first lieutenant. Taii is translated to both navy lieutenant and army captain. Shousa means both lieutenant commander and major. Chuusa equates to both navy commander and army lieutenant colonel. EDIT: Taisa is both Navy Captain and Army Colonel.
That explains why the navy pilot Fuchida is referred to as "colonel" in the Pearl Harbor movie and is also referred to as "commander" in the movie called Tora! Tora! Tora!
Imperial Japanese Navy rank insignia (1931-1945):
http://uniforminsignia.net/index.php...d=150&sid=1357
Imperial Japanese Army rank insignia (1931-1945):
http://uniforminsignia.net/index.php...d=150&sid=1353
Look at both Army and Navy websites and compare the rank systems of the Japanese Imperial Navy and Army.
Yes, I know these websites use "sho i", "chu i", "sho sa" without the letter "u" but that's sometimes how they are translated as right as they can be. For example we often hear the name "Keitaro" in the Love Hina anime while"keitarou" in Love Hina manga. Tokyopop uses "Ichiro" in the Sakura Wars manga while the same name is listed as "Ichirou" in Sakura Wars anime on AXN-Asia channel. We hear often "kouhai" and "kohai", which are the same word but with a different spelling. EDIT: The name Kudou can also be said as Kudo.
The question is why are Macross producers using the rank system of the extinct Imperial Japanese military from 1931-1945 instead of the rank system of the post-WWII Japan Self-Defense forces?
EDIT: But even so, the fansubbers had to know that Focker and Kudou are serving aboard on an aircraft carrier ship which means they are both in the Navy.
Japan Self-Defense Force rank insignia (present):
http://uniforminsignia.net/index.php...id=150&sid=876
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force rank insignia (present):
http://uniforminsignia.net/index.php...d=150&sid=2001
Japan Air Defense Force rank insignia(present):
http://uniforminsignia.net/index.php...id=150&sid=872
If you want to research for military rank structure and insignia, then go to
http://uniforminsignia.net/ , not Wikipedia.org.
EDIT: perhaps, then the Macross Zero fansubbers should use Royal British air force ranks instead of U.S. military ranks in their translation. I can imagine Squadron Leader Focker and Pilot Officer Shin Kudou. But I know these Macross Zero fansubs are made by Americans. Besides, not many people outside Britain, Canada, Australia, India, Pakistan and other former British colonies are aware of the rank structures of the Royal army, Navy and Air Force.
O stands for officer and E stands for enlistee.
Royal British Air Force-----------U.S. Air Force
(O-1) Pilot Officer---------------Second Lieutenant
(O-2) Flying Officer--------------First Lieutenant
(O-3) Flight Lieutenant---------Captain
(O-4) Squadron Leader--------Major
(O-5) Wing Commander-------Lieutenant colonel
(O-6) Group Captain------------Colonel
(O-7) Air Commodore-----------Brigadier General
(O-8) Vice Marshal--------------Major General
(O-9) Marshal--------------------Lieutenant General
(O-10) Chief Marshal-----------General
U.K. Royal Air Force rank system:
http://uniforminsignia.net/index.php...d=133&sid=1216